A Portrait of In-Home Care for Memory Impaired Adults

With over 5.5 million Americans living with dementia-related health conditions that affect memory, like Alzheimer’s, in-home care services are becoming a popular choice for families who require assistance for their loved ones, but want to stay in the comfort of their own homes. Here’s some insight into how these care services work, from one of New Jersey’s leading home health agencies.

What services can a home health aide provide? 

This will depend on the agency you choose, but it’s recommended that you look for one which can offer caregivers skilled and experienced in dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.Their senior care services should include:

• Memory care. These routine-based therapeutic programs are based around your loved one’s mental strengths, requirements and unique needs. They can include everyday routines, fitness programs, music therapy and sensory stimulation by trained caregivers and therapists.
• Companion services. These services focus on providing your loved one with company, assistance in socializing and general supervision.
• Personal services. These can include all personal hygiene and grooming activities that your loved one may need help with, like bathing, dressing and more.
• Home services. This can include light housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation and managing appointments.
• Skilled nursing care. This includes medication management, wound care, physical therapy, health monitoring, coordinating between medical specialists and more, as required by your loved one.

A typical day of home healthcare for the elderly with dementia 

Because these conditions affect memory and patients can easily become confused and distressed, a typical day of home care focuses on routine. By approaching the day step-by-step from setting the table and eating food to setting aside certain times for socialization, therapy and other activities, caregivers can work with patients and prioritize their quality of life. In their supervisory role, caregivers encourage patients to hold onto and exercise a comfortable level of independence while ensuring their physical safety and well-being. Your home health aide will also monitor and report changes in health and well-being, and communicate between family and medical specialists, if required.

Speak to the specialists at United Methodist Communities for expert dementia home care 

At United Methodist Communities in New Jersey, we strive to offer the very best quality senior care options, from assisted living to in-home care through our HomeWorks program. This program assists the elderly in the comfort of their own homes and provides their families and caregivers with personalized, compassionate care that prioritizes health, happiness and independence. We can assist you with respite care, overnight care, hourly or live-in care, as well as provide experienced care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

For more information on our home health aide services, please contact us today at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/portrait-home-care-memoryimpaired-adults/

May 31st is National Senior Health and Fitness Day!

National Senior Health and Fitness Day encourages seniors across 50 states to get out, get moving, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. This is a great annual day filled with events all across local towns and senior living communities – here’s what it’s all about and how to join in, from our assisted living team in Gloucester County.

• Who is it organized by? This national day is organized by a public-private partnership led by the Mature Market Resource Center, which focuses on senior issues. In order to participate, groups and local organizations pay a small fee that helps plan and advertise the event.
• What events will be featured? A range of events are offered in many towns and communities, all geared to the needs, abilities and interests of seniors — but at the same time, they’re plenty of fun for any age. These include yoga, water aerobics, dancing, fitness checks, nature walks, and even healthy food options.

Senior fitness tips from our assisted living community:

• Make a personal plan. Seniors have a broad range of health and physical needs and abilities. Getting fit in a safe and healthy way means talking to your doctor about developing a practical and workable plan.
• Choose something you enjoy. Exercise should be fun, not a burden. If you choose an activity you love, then you’re more likely to stick with it and get the desired results. Don’t just think about gym or running – dancing, gardening, walking and swimming are all count too!
• Go with a friend. Staying motivated to exercise is easier when you’re doing it with a friend. Joining a local club, forming your own or bringing a friend will help make it more enjoyable and more rewarding. It’s also a great way to make new friends and get out of the house.
• Enjoy the rewards. Exercise and fitness are about valuing your body, including your mental and physical health. As you get stronger and healthier, you should celebrate your achievements and use your newfound abilities to get out and enjoy more things in life. For example, you might be fit enough to play ball with your grandchildren, try more adventurous nature walks or even join new activities you’ve never tried before.

Independent assisted living for an exceptional quality of life

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high quality assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, hospice care, respite care and memory care and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please contact us today at https://pitman.umcommunities.org/ or book a personal tour.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/may-31st-national-senior-health-fitness-day/

Medical Marijuana in New Jersey – What You Need to Know

Recently, the State of New Jersey has started implementing and expanding its Medical Marijuana Program (MMP). Here’s some information about what this means for seniors in the state and how this affects them, from our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey.

What conditions are treatable with medical marijuana?

Because these are changing all the time as new health conditions are considered and laws are amended, always check with your medical doctor to see if you are eligible. Currently, the following conditions are approved in the program:
• Terminal cancer
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Terminal illness with less than 12 months prognosis
• Seizure disorder
• Glaucoma
• Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Treatment of severe or chronic pain resulting from HIV, AIDS and cancer

Registering for the Medical Marijuana Program

To register for the MMP, your eligibility must be evaluated by a doctor registered with the MMP. If your own doctor is not registered as a MMP practitioner, they can recommend a physician who can assist. You can also find a registered doctor through the NJ MMP website.

Additional information for people interested in this treatment and their eligibility:

• Only medical marijuana cards registered in the State of New Jersey can be used within New Jersey.
• Patients who cannot easily travel to an Alternative Treatment Center can designate a qualified caregiver to obtain their medicinal marijuana on their behalf. This person will need to be registered with the NJ MMP, but only if they are collecting it on a patient’s behalf.
• Medical marijuana is not currently covered by Medicaid or other health plans in New Jersey.
• Patients’ dosage will be prescribed by their MMP registered physician.

Independent senior living in our Sussex County continuing care retirement community Bristol Glen, an independent senior living community based in Sussex County and part of United Methodist Communities, is dedicated to providing seniors with comfortable, living arrangements and services that free up their time to enjoy life.

Contact us to find out more about our CCRC and our assisted living facilities, amenities and services.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/medical-marijuana-new-jersey-need-know/

When to Consider In-Home Care Services

In-home care services  provide seniors with compassionate, skilled assistance on a temporary or permanent basis. Here are some tips from senior home care specialists in New Jersey on evaluating if your loved one will benefit from these services.

Evaluate your loved one’s care needs 

It’s always difficult for families to accept that an elderly loved one is starting to struggle with their health and day-to-day living, but at the same time it’s important to put their quality of life first. Here are some signs to look for that indicate the senior in your life may need a helping hand:

• More regular or more severe falls.
• Unusual weight loss.
• Unwillingness to prepare meals, old or expired food in their home, burned pots and pans, etc.
• Increased car accidents or unwillingness to drive.
• Home becoming much more cluttered and unclean.
• Loss of interest in activities that used to be eagerly anticipated
• Withdrawal from socializing with friends and family.
• Bills, paperwork, etc. piling up and being neglected.
• Increasing forgetfulness and confusion, including forgetting to take medication, appointments and social engagements.

Home health agencies offer flexible, affordable care 

The main advantage of senior home care services like HomeWorks, which is offered by United Methodist Communities of New Jersey, is that you can get your loved one exactly the amount of care they require without having to move. You can even set the hours that your caregiver will work, making it easier for family caregivers to manage their own lives and careers while still supporting their elderly loved ones.

Caregivers are assigned according to your loved one’s needs and can take care of housekeeping and meal preparation, in addition to skilled nursing assistance and Alzheimer’s care. In addition to medical care and in-home respite services, we also offer pastoral care for spiritual and emotional support in the home.

For more information on our in-home care services or to get a home health aide in New Jersey, please contact us today at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/consider-home-care-services/

Tips for Seniors to Sleep Better

May is Better Sleep Month, so our assisted living community in Camden County, NJ, is exploring some tips and insights to help seniors fight insomnia and get a good night’s sleep.

Why is sleep important?

Getting enough sleep is essential to maintaining our physical and mental health, which is important for every stage of our lives. However, our sleeping patterns change as we age, and we can find ourselves struggling to get a healthy amount of rest. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation says that around 44% of seniors have difficulty sleeping on a regular basis.
When seniors don’t get enough sleep, they can suffer from:
• Depression, memory problems, attention span problems, and tiredness during the daytime.
• Unhealthy weight gain or loss, higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and breast cancer in women.

How to improve your night’s rest as a senior:

• Get active. Regular daily exercise is a great way of getting rid of excess energy and tiring out your body for a night’s rest. It’s also healthy for your body, and significantly reduces the risk of diseases that often affect seniors. Outdoor exercise helps you get essential Vitamin D. Just be sure to consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise regime, and don’t exercise three hours or less before you go to bed, as it could keep you awake.
• Reduce stress. Stress and anxiety lead the causes of sleeplessness at any age, and it can be difficult to deal with worries when you’re lying in bed at night. Whether you need to conquer your worries by making some “To Do” lists or choose to talk to a professional, reducing stress is important for your health. Starting yoga, joining social clubs, participating in your community or getting spiritual companionship and support are also great for reducing stress.
• Look at your medication. Some medications can keep you awake, while others may not be managing your pain effectively. If you are suffering from sleeplessness, speak to your doctor about your current medications and how you are taking them. They may be able to suggest an alternative that won’t keep you up at night.
• Make your room a calm and restful place. You shouldn’t work, read, eat and watch TV in your bed, as this conditions your brain to stay awake while in bed. Rather, keep it a noise- and light-free zone by moving your TV out and not using phones and backlit devices there. Use earplugs or a soothing white noise generator to block out other sounds that may disturb you. It’s also important to keep your bedroom cool, as lower temperatures encourage better sleep.

Visit our beautiful assisted living community in New Jersey

Collingswood is part of United Methodist Communities, a network of assisted living facilities in New Jersey specializing in high quality care and support. Our communities are known for their beautiful settings, spacious residential apartments and wide range of resident services. With qualified and experienced nursing, therapy and management staff on hand to provide expert assistance, residents enjoy all the benefits of independent living for seniors.

To find out more about United Methodist Communities or our assisted living services, please contact us at https://collingswood.umcommunities.org/ and plan your visit today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/tips-for-seniors-to-sleep-better/

What to Do When Cancer Moves into the End-Stage

While aggressive treatment is recommended in most stages of fighting cancer, treatment is usually stopped during the end-stage of the disease. Rather than focusing on eliminating and reducing the cancer, medical treatment changes to providing comfort and the best possible quality of life. Here are some insights into care at this stage, from our compassionate care hospice in South Jersey:

• Discuss options with medical professionals.

   Research from the National Cancer Institute has shown that communication about treatment options and end-of-life care plays an important role in reducing stress and anxiety. Do as much research as you need on your own, even if you think it is very early in your condition. Make time to discuss and evaluate your options in-depth with your doctor. This will help you decide on what care options you are most comfortable with, and what to expect – helping patients cope with their illness and make informed decisions about their preferred care.

• Discuss legal options with an estate attorney.

  
  If they have not already done so, it is strongly advised that end-stage patients complete certain estate planning documents well in advance, as well as a Last Will and Testament. These documents should also include an Advanced Medical Directive that outlines which of the advanced life-saving measures you want to receive or not (including being on a respirator, feeding tube, etc.). A Financial Power of Attorney is also advised, as this allows a patient to name a person of their choice to make financial decisions on their behalf if they are no longer able.

• Consider end-of-life care options in the Jersey Shore area. 

  
  During this time, a patient’s comfort, quality of life and care are a priority. Two of the most effective ways of ensuring this are through in-home care or through hospice care. The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit organization in New Jersey, offers compassionate, professional hospice care in Cape May County called Bridges.

With an emphasis on creating a nurturing and comforting environment, we offer customized services that not only support your loved one, but you and your family as well. This includes  personalized care plans, custom dining programs, and family support, as well as private rooms, luxury linens, WiFi access, music room and outdoor courtyards.

To find out more about Bridges, our hospice or our assisted living community in South Jersey, please contact us today at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/ and arrange your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/cancer-moves-end-stage/