What Will the Future of Senior Care Look Like?

 
With people living longer than ever before, it’s time to examine how we can help them make the most of these years. People previously thought the elderly should be institutionalized – similar to those with mental health challenges – as opposed to people who can age within their own homes. The Baby Boomer generation, however, is not going to age the same way as their grandparents.

Will retirement communities still make sense in the future?

Years ago, the standard retirement age of 65 was based on the average age people reached before dying. Now, people still have another 30 years of longevity after retirement, which means they may delay moving into a retirement community

People want to be part of communities and neighborhoods. They want to live closer to different generations and be able to contribute because the essence of successful aging is contributing. Today’s boomers want to rely on friends, family, and neighbors to receive and give help. This generation will need to co-design the communities that they would want to live in one day.

Emerging concepts from overseas

In other parts of the world, notably The Netherlands and Denmark, there are whole cities and villages for people who share a common disability or feature. There are currently dementia villages in British Columbia and California, which is about two decades behind Europe.

Multi-generational villages are another example of what the future of senior care may look like. In these villages, young families, seniors and middle-aged people live together in co-housing setups where they share facilities such as gardens and kitchens. This can also take the form of cluster living, where three to five families live together, interspersed with single unit apartments. These types of customized neighborhoods allow people to forge successful and meaningful connections and can include various combinations of living, depending on zoning and cost constraints.

These multi-generational homes and villages could solve the problem many seniors face — having too much house once the children leave, versus students who need accommodation. Connecting these two may potentially solve the problems of students and elders.

The living situation may be customized according to needs, geography, and various other factors. This can only come to fruition if future seniors step forward and help design the type of future they envision for themselves. Some forward-thinking senior living organizations have already done so.

We have not innovated on the retirement model for many decades and it is time to bring affordability, shared costs, and better living to retirees who want to age well. It’s time to start rethinking housing, senior care, and how the environmental design can accommodate the aging population’s needs.

UMC’s assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, is a senior care option that many people choose due to the quality of care and flexibility it offers. It helps its residents with the activities of daily living and medical care support in a comfortable and private residential setting. Residents can opt for three meals a day and take advantage of many recreational and social opportunities, housekeeping services, apartment maintenance and transportation. Learn more about our assisted living community today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/what-will-the-future-of-senior-care-look-like/

5 Important Immunizations for Seniors

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, when we are taking a look at what immunizations are important for people over 60. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to do all we can to keep seniors safe and well. Although no one likes getting a shot, these recommended by our in-home respite care team are worth the benefits!

Why Immunizations Matter

We all remember getting shots as kids, especially in our early years – but vaccines are not just for the young. Not only can protection from vaccines wear off over time, we can also become exposed to different health risks as we get older and develop certain health conditions, or even travel.

Immunizations not only help prevent seniors from getting diseases (many of which can be far more serious as we get older, especially if other health issues are present), they also help prevent seniors from spreading diseases to friends, family and caregivers. By avoiding illness (and the medical bills that come along with treatment), seniors can stay healthy, fit, and enjoy life.

These Vaccines are a Priority for Over-60s:

1. Seasonal Influenza – Each year, scientists develop a vaccine for the flu season based on what influenza strains are most likely to emerge. There are many different strains, so this best prediction can’t prevent influenza 100% of the time, but it will cover the most common ones to help keep you safe. This vaccine needs to be given at about the same time each year before the flu season.
2. Tdap – This is the tetanus, diphtheria vaccine which protects against whooping cough as well as lockjaw, a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system. Surprisingly, we can easily pick up this potentially fatal infection from environmental contamination from wounds, including injuries from nails and splinters, animal bites, and contact with soil and compost. Even if you had this vaccine as a child, you should get a booster shot after age 50.
3. Shingles – Recently, my over-50s mother got the shingles vaccine after she saw what a friend who contracted the virus went through – the recovery time  and the pain of her experience o convinced her it was worth the shot. Caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children, it leads to painful rashes of blisters on the body in adults. The shingles vaccine can be taken as a booster shot if you had chickenpox as a child.
4. PCV13 – Pneumonia is a devastating infection for seniors, and the second most common cause for hospitalization among Medicare patients. It can also be deadly, with a 20% mortality rate for severe infections. Fortunately, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against serious pneumococcal disease (severe ear, sinus, and bloodstream infections) and pneumonia. This is an especially important vaccine if you have conditions that reduce the ability of your immune system to fight infections.
5. PPSV23 – This vaccine is the pneumococcal polysaccharide immunization, which works with the PVC13 vaccine to prevent serious pneumococcal disease, pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

Are There Seniors Who Should Not Be Vaccinated?

For seniors who suffer from specific health disorders, some vaccines may not be recommended. If you have any concerns, it is best to talk with your doctor to get advice specific to your case and health condition.

Generally, the Centers for Disease Control recommend that you don’t get any vaccine while you are moderately to severely ill, and rather wait until you are feeling better to have a vaccine.

If you are struggling to care for a senior parent while you are home or need a caregiver to look after an elderly parent temporarily or permanently, get in touch with our senior independent home care team. From assistance around the home to respite care and palliative care, we can assist you and your parent through the COVID-19 pandemic.

This post is originally posted here - https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/5-important-immunizations-for-seniors/

3 Immunizations Recommended for Seniors

If there is anything that 2020 has shown the world, it’s how difficult it can be for seniors to fight off infections. As we age, our immune systems become weaker, which is why seniors are more likely to get not only COVID-19, but also diseases like flu, pneumonia, and shingles.

With National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) observed in August, and with the toll diseases continue to take on us, it is important to raise awareness about not only the importance of vaccines in preventing serious diseases, but also the correct immunizations that seniors need.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for 2020 one dose of Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13), one dose of Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), and the shingles vaccine is recommended for people age 65 and older to help protect them. Here is more information about each of these three vaccines:

Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) for pneumococcal disease

Pneumococcal disease is a name for any infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus. Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that causes much sickness and death. During the 2018-2019 season, the CDC estimates 16.5 million people went to a health care provider for the flu and more than 34,000 people died in the U.S.

It is possible for a person to carry the disease in their throat and not be ill, or to be infected with the bacteria and show no symptoms. Pneumococcal infections can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Those carriers can still spread it, primarily in droplets from their nose or mouth when they breathe, cough, or sneeze. The Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) vaccine prevents pneumococcal disease.

What is known about this immunization?

In 2014, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in series with 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for all adults age 65 years and older. A new report showed declines in pneumococcal disease among adults and children. The ACIP changed the recommendation for PCV13 use in adults after reviewing the evidence of its benefits.

They also recommend a routine single dose of PPSV23 for adults age 65 years and above. Shared clinical decision-making is recommended regarding administration of PCV13 to persons in this group who do not have an immunocompromising condition, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant and who have not previously received PCV13. If a senior’s medical professional and caretakers decide that PCV13 should be administered, then PCV13 should be administered first, followed by PPSV23 at least one year later.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)

This vaccine protects against serious pneumococcal disease, including meningitis and bloodstream infections. This vaccine is recommended for adults under 65 if they have certain health conditions and for all adults over 65.

The ACIP recommends that all adults age 65 years and older routinely receive one dose of PPSV23. It contains 12 serotypes in common with PCV13 and an additional 11 serotypes for which there are no indirect effects from PCV13 use in children. The additional 11 serotypes account for 32%–37% of invasive pneumococcal disease among adults age 65 years and older. Adults age 65 years and older who received one or more doses of PPSV23 before age 65 years should receive one additional dose of PPSV23 at age 65 years or later, at least five years after the previous PPSV23 dose.

Shingles vaccine for people 50 years and older

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. This rash can appear anywhere on your skin but most commonly appears on the sides of the torso. Almost one out of every three people in America will develop shingles during their lifetime, which is why a shingles immunization is also recommended for healthy adults 50 years and older.

If you have not received the PV13, PPSV23 or shingles vaccine, talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional to find out which vaccines are appropriate for you.

Our CCRC Bristol Glen, in Sussex County, New Jersey, will continue to raise awareness during National Immunization Awareness Month. Do your part by asking yourself – and your loved ones – whether they are up-to-date with their immunizations. Contact UMC for more information about our CCRC in Sussex County, and our assisted living communities across New Jersey, today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/3-immunizations-recommended-for-seniors/

4 Effective Communication Strategies for Seniors with Dementia

As caregivers in an assisted living community in Collingswood NJ, we work with a range of people who have different levels of need. Among these unique and different strategies, we offer specialized memory care for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s. If you are dealing with the onset of memory related illness in a loved one, it may help you to know a few communication strategies that the professionals at United Methodist Communities employ when working with seniors with dementia.

1. Maximize attention – Dementia can make it difficult for people to pay attention. To give seniors the best chance of being involved in the communication process, you need to maximize their attention. Greet them by name, move to their eye level, and establish eye contact. Maintain eye contact throughout the conversation as it can help the person focus on you instead of other distractions such as a television or radio.
   
   It can be hard for people with dementia to split their attention. If the senior with dementia is a part of a group conversation, ask the other people to speak one person at a time. If you are talking to a person with dementia, try to give them all of your attention (as opposed to talking to another person at the same time) to avoid distractions.
   
   
2. Expression and body language – Our tone, facial expression, and body language can be the non-verbal language that communicates the strongest message to a person with dementia – especially if their language abilities have declined. Pay attention to your expression and body language when you are talking to a person with dementia. Show that you are interested by relaxing your face and maintaining eye contact, and be sure to speak calmly as this can help reduce the chance of agitation in the person. Make use of simple non-verbal cues such as smiling and nodding.
   
   
3. Keep it simple – People with dementia have trouble holding a lot of information in their memory, which makes it difficult for them to understand long sentences that contain several pieces of information. Keep sentences short, simple, and familiar. If you need to deliver several pieces of information, break it up, and let the person respond to each bit of information separately.
   
   Be aware of the words that you are using and try to stick to familiar words. Be prepared to repeat words. It is also wise to use the actual names of things such as pronouns like “it” and “they” so that the senior knows who and what you are talking about throughout the conversation.
   
   Another area to keep it simple is with asking questions. If you need to ask a question, such as where the pain is or what the person wants to eat, make sure the questions are easy to answer. With the question about food, for example, you could introduce the topic of lunch and ask the person if they prefer a sandwich or the hot meal so that he or she doesn’t have to answer the question on their own. Keep the conversation natural and the language simple without talking down to the person.

4. Support the conversation – Seniors with dementia need more time to process information. Leave a pause that is longer than usual (around four to five seconds) after a sentence so that they have time to understand what is being said. Be attuned to the senior when giving them time to come up with a response and suggest answers, repeat and rephrase information in a different way if needed. Slip in frequent reminders of the topic to help them follow the conversation and introduce every topic clearly.

United Methodist Communities brings compassionate memory care to the residents and families of our communities through our Tapestries Memory Care program. 

Those interested in learning more about memory care through UMC’s assisted living communities in Camden County or across NJ can learn more here.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/4-effective-communication-strategies-for-seniors-with-dementia/

Is it Safe for Seniors to Go Outside Now?

 

With parts of the USA seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases while we move towards fall and the upcoming flu season, the question of whether it’s safe for anyone, but especially seniors, to go outside and spend time with family members and friends is on the minds of many. Here is some insight from our home health aide services team.

COVID-19 Cases in New Jersey

New Jersey reached its peak in COVID-19 cases in April and as of August 2020, has successfully flattened the curve and reduced cases significantly since then. This is all thanks to the citizens of New Jersey and the hard work that families, caregivers, organizations, and the government has done to limit transmission.

In July, new cases averaged at around 200-300 per day. This means that while new cases are currently low, the virus is still present and precautions should be adhered to, especially if you fall into a higher-risk category. We’ve put in an incredible effort together so far – let’s continue this trend!

Enjoy Life Responsibly with Precautions

The fact is that no one is truly safe from COVID-19 until there is an effective vaccine and treatment – both of which remain in development. For seniors, and especially seniors with high-risk health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and hypertension, it is especially important to stay safe and apply COVID-19 protocols more strictly. It is up to each one of us to determine our acceptable level of risk, without putting loved ones in harm’s way. Here are some guidelines:

• Minimize visits and get socially creative. Although case numbers are low, the virus is still around and the last thing you want is to make your parent ill. Physical distancing is still the best way to keep loved ones safe, so as much as you want to hug, sit together, and spend time together, it’s best to stay away as much as possible. Video chats are a great alternative and easy to do if you have a tablet or laptop – you can even get friends and family to join in from all around the country!
• If you have to visit, spend time apart, outdoors. It is much more difficult for the virus to jump between people if you are outdoors in the fresh air and six feet apart. If a visit is unavoidable, it is the best way to do it. The Centers for Disease Control recommends visiting local parks (not parks you have to travel together in a car to visit), staying apart, wearing your masks and washing your hands regularly.
• Adhere to regulations regarding wearing masks and physically distancing. Here’s a useful video on how to wear a mask properly. While you do not have to wear a mask around the people you live with, it is important to wear your mask around your senior parent (and that they wear a mask too). It is a bit uncomfortable as we all know (especially us caregivers!), but it is the best way to keep seniors safe.
• Wash hands regularly. The virus can contaminate your skin and infect you or a loved one through physical contact, touching the face (especially mouth and eyes) or handling food and medication. For seniors, caregivers and loved ones, washing hands with soap and water is critical. Wash your hands before you leave, when you arrive, before and after handling food, groceries, or medication, and when you arrive home. Any soap will do, but why not treat yourself to something a bit fancy? With everything that is happened this year, you deserve a treat! You can use a hand sanitizer with a minimum of 70% alcohol if you do not have access to water and soap.
• Stay away from crowds and be aware of your health. If you are planning to visit your parent and are feeling under the weather in any way, cancel your visit and call instead. Even if you do not have COVID-19, any illness you may pass on to your parent will affect their immune system and may result in a hospital stay, which increases their risk. Similarly, it is important to stay away from crowds or even family groups, as this makes it more difficult to socially distance and increases risk of exposure to the virus.

As caregivers, parents, seniors, and families, we all want this pandemic to end and our loved ones to be safe. This has taken a lot of sacrifice over the year and, while we are hopeful of seeing the end of this pandemic, we are not there yet. As specialists in at home care for older adults, we know this time has been exceptionally challenging for seniors and their loved ones – but we’ve been encouraged by the support and creativity of families that do all they can to stay in touch and share special moments with their seniors while keeping them safe!

If you’d like to find out more about what we do and how we work to keep seniors safe, healthy and enjoying life through the pandemic, contact us today and ask about our home health aide services in New Jersey.

This blog is originally posted here - https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/is-it-safe-for-seniors-to-go-outside-now/

Advice on Supporting Your Grieving Parent

 For those of us with elderly parents, supporting them through the loss of a spouse, family member, and close friend is an inevitable part of life. Your parent has supported you, comforted you, and guided you throughout your life, but that doesn’t mean they’ll never need support from you, especially when they lose someone close to them.

Everyone grieves differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting your grieving parent. It’s especially difficult when your parent loses their spouse, because that means you are also dealing with the loss of a parent or a stepparent and must manage your own grief while still supporting your surviving parent. However, there are things you can do to help them during this difficult time.

Make it clear you’re available to listen, but don’t pressure them to share their feelings

Grieving is a process, and everyone goes at their own pace. Some parents might feel eager to talk about the person they’ve lost by sharing memories, fun times, and stories from the past, while others need some time to themselves to process their loss. You can be there for your parent by letting them know you’re available to listen if they want to share, but don’t force them.

Help them with tasks around the house

When you’re grieving, even the smallest task like taking out the trash can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. It’s very easy to fall behind on things like cleaning, laundry, dishes, cooking, grocery shopping, and other everyday tasks. Helping around the house will give them some much-needed relief while they grieve.

Ask them if they want to celebrate special dates or anniversaries

If your parent has lost their spouse, perhaps they still want to commemorate their wedding anniversary or their birthday. It can seem small, but remembering the good times and honoring special dates like birthdays can be healing to those who have lost someone special.

Help them adhere to whatever their routine was before their loss

When your parent is grieving, you can’t expect things to return to normal right away. But as time passes you can encourage them to return to their routine, which may include things like going for a morning walk or meeting friends for coffee. Routines often provide a sense of comfort and can help your parent move on after a loss.

If your parent has lost their spouse, this is understandably a sad and difficult time for your family, especially if the deceased had a hand in caring for the survivor. Now that you’re the sole caregiver, you may feel overwhelmed. Your parent may need a level of care and support that you’re unable to provide, especially if they have any medical issues. You deserve to know that your parent can access specialists who can meet their needs, respect their independence, and be there for them when you can’t.

If you’ve considered assisted living for your parent but are unsure if it’s the right choice, we encourage you to call us and speak with a member of our team. We provide around-the-clock care and practice a dignity-centered approach, ensuring our residents have the best quality of life possible.

Learn more about hospice care in South Jersey

We understand that considering hospice care for your aging parent can be a difficult and complicated decision. To learn more about UMC’s hospice care in South Jersey, please contact us today. We look forward to speaking with you.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/advice-on-supporting-your-grieving-parent/