By Angela Rocheleau

There is a great interest in home-health services these days as the boomer population begins turning 65. With so many options available it has become a more intense process than ever before to search for the right home health agency. An educated consumer needs to have a sense of guidelines: what do you look for? How do you know what match will be right for your loved one? What is the standard of care you can expect?

We receive these kind of inquiry calls a lot these days. Families are trying to learn all they can so they can make the right decision for their loved ones. Here are a few examples of recent questions with my responses.

Q: My great uncle, who lives a distance from me, needs home health care. How can I be certain that I am hiring trustworthy, knowledgeable help with the best training and ethics?

A: You are right to be concerned. There are many choices and it can be confusing. Be sure to do your due diligence and look for agencies that have a strong history of ensuring a consistency of service and a company culture of excellence. Agencies that create quality expectations and guidelines for their office staff as well as their field staff will reflect that level of standard and integrity with their clients. Look for agencies that have been recognized in the community with high standards and show a strong commitment to quality service. Meet with nurse supervisers and learn how they conduct a plan of care. If your uncle has special needs, the agency should offer aides with the specific training to meet that need. Then stay involved with your uncle’s care and be sure the agency communicates to you on a regular basis with reports and updates.

Q: My elderly mother has always been very independent but lately seems very confused. She doesn’t seem to remember anything, and when I arrive at her home, I even need to remind her who I am. The place is a mess and she is not taking care of herself anymore. I am really concerned and am trying to get her to a doctor, but she refuses.

A: Your mother may have Alzheimer’s disease. It is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among people aged 65 and older. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. It is critical that she be diagnosed and gets the proper care immediately.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) developed Excellence in Care to partner with care settings in the establishment of a nationwide standard of excellence in care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Once your mother’s care plan is established, be sure to look for a private home heath agency that has aides certified in Alzheimer’s care. A trained dementia care aide who has undergone comprehensive training, specifically for this, will be able to provide the best possible care for her and peace of mind for you.

Angela Rocheleau is CEO of Home Staff LLC, an award-winning private duty home health agency serving the Central, Western and Cape Cod Regions since 1977.Contact them on the web at www.homestaff.com or call 508-755-4600. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

By Angela Rocheleau

Another great month of summer is here to enjoy in Central Mass. But for seniors living alone, danger can be hiding in the heat waves. Here are answers to some questions we are often asked.

Q: My family seems to think my elderly uncle is fine living by himself in an apartment. What should I alert them to look for when they visit him this summer?

A: With forecasters predicting a hot month ahead, try to advise those responsible for elderly friends and family members that are isolated or homebound to be aware of the following signs. The homebound elderly are especially vulnerable during a power failure, when available air conditioners don’t work, or in neighborhoods where they keep doors and windows closed for security.

In addition many elderly restrict their fluid intake to minimize bathroom visits and don’t realize they are causing themselves to dehydrate in the heat. The effects of dehydration can be subtle with an array of symptoms including confusion, fatigue, headache and muscle cramps. Any of the previous symptoms can lead to more serious health issues. It would be a good idea to ask family members to stop by often to check on him. You may want to consider working with a local private duty health care agency to set up a time frame for a home health aide to visit on a regular basis. Even a few hours a week could make a big difference for him.

Q: Our elderly mother lives in a remote country area and spends most of her day gardening, which she loves. She is careful about sun exposure but doesn’t pay much attention to bug bites. We are worried about her chance of getting Lyme disease.

A: You are right to be concerned. Potential signals of Lyme are joint pain, dizziness and muscle aches, which are common complaints among seniors. For generations, the prevailing notion has been that old people simply tend toward absent-mindedness, arthritis and fatigue. Seniors are at risk of being infected with one of the many strains of Lyme disease caused by a bite from a tick in the nymph stage, which is too small to be seen by someone with imperfect vision. A tick in the nymph stage is about the size of a period. People with perfect vision usually think it’s a freckle or a speck of dirt if they’ve been gardening. Typically in its initial stages, Lyme disease symptoms can be confused with the flu, causing chills, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever and headache. About 60 to 80 percent of people also develop a red, round rash around the bite within 30 days.

To protect your mom, be proactive by advising her to dress properly while gardening or walking in the yard. It will make it easier for her to spot any ticks if she wears light-colored clothing, a hat, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Tuck her shirt into her pants and her pant legs into socks so ticks can’t crawl under her clothing. Since you are living far away from your Mom, consider exploring support systems for her well being with private duty help from a reputable, experienced agency. Living alone and isolated can be difficult. Visits from a qualified home health aide can provide companionship and assistance as well as assuring your mother’s safety in her garden.

Angela Rocheleau is CEO of Home Staff LLC, an award-winning private duty home health agency serving Central, Western and Cape Cod regions since 1977. Contact them on the web at www.homestaff.com or call 508-755-4600. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

By Angela Rocheleau

Families plan for vacations and life events, but somehow they postpone the most important plan, care for an elderly loved one during the summer months. There are two phrases we use in our advice to these families: Think outside the box and also substitute guilt feelings with eyes and ears. Here are some examples of what I am referring to.

Q. Our senior mom lives alone and recently when we visited I noticed that she is losing weight, she seems lethargic and her clothes are dirty. I feel really bad but there is no way I can be there all the time and she refuses to move. What should we do?

A. This is clearly a situation where you need eyes and ears around your mother when you can’t be there. More than one out of five families is facing the same dilemma with our aging population. Don’t wait until the situation has hit a crisis level to begin taking action.

Your mother may just be feeling her age or perhaps is dealing with some health issue. You want her to be safe, secure and taken care of but your schedule does not allow this. Now is the time to explore support systems for your mother’s well-being with private duty help from a reputable, experienced agency. Perhaps only a few hours a day to start will be all the eyes and ears you need. This will be a great introduction and an opportunity for your mother to become comfortable with having an aide around to help. It may help to ease your guilty feelings as well.

Q My elderly uncle wants to go to our wedding out of town. How can I deal with that when I am the bride? We have a small family and no one else is willing to devote their time to assisting him. He does have some home health aide assistance but that is only at his house.

A. Many seniors are automatically excluded from family events because no one wants to be responsible for them around the clock or even just during the occasion. It is time to think outside the box when dealing with a challenge like this. Why shouldn’t they be part of the festivities whether it’s a wedding, an entertainment event or even a vacation? Seniors want to have fun too.

This is a good time to explore private duty health care agencies that have multiple offices. For example you may be familiar with an agency in your uncle’s hometown that has a branch or affiliate in the location of the event. Arrangements can be made for seamless care for your uncle or any elderly family member by contacting them. He may even have the same aide accompany him that he is already familiar with. If not, at least the family has already established a relationship with the agency and is comfortable with their business practice. Your elderly family members don’t have to be left out of the family fun.

Angela Rocheleau is CEO of Home Staff LLC, an award-winning private duty home health agency serving the Central, Western and Cape Cod regions since 1977. Visit them on the web at www.homestaff.com or call 508-755-4600. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

By Angela Rocheleau

Summer is a special time for caution if you or someone in your family is an older adult. It is the season for too much sun exposure, summer heat and exhaustion and other dangers that are particularly great for seniors. Here are some helpful answers to questions we often receive from family members this time of the year.

Q: What should I do to help my elderly parents prepare for the summer weather ahead? They still live in their own home.

A. Here’s where extra precautions will always pay off. We recommend the following measures. Improve lighting in high-traffic areas both inside and outside the home. Be sure they wear hats and sunscreen when outside and keep plenty of bottled water handy. In case of severe weather or storms, make sure seniors have plenty of batteries for radios and flashlights, food, pet food and medication supplies. Arrange ahead of time to have a neighbor or caretaker check in on them.

Q. My elderly aunt thinks she is immune to getting sick, but I know that summer colds and illnesses can be nasty. How can I help minimize her chances of getting ill?

A. Many illnesses could be avoided if adults and caretakers did something as simple as wash their hands correctly. You should utilize the washing technique outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available. Rub hands together to lather and scrub all surfaces. Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. (This is the length of time needed to sing “Happy Birthday” twice or the “ABCs.”) Rinse hands well under running water. Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open up the door.

Q.  I need help finding the right care for my grandmother.  I live out of state and just don’t want her to be alone so much. My parents are gone and my brother doesn’t seem to care.

A.  We realize the importance of finding the right person to match the needs of a loved one. Many private duty home care agencies approach this differently. It is important that the family have major input on the plan of care for their family member.

The final plan is created from this information as well as an assessment of the client’s needs. A nurse visits the home, wherever home may be and interviews the family asking many questions about lifestyle, hobbies, preferences, etc. Each case is different. Immediately following the interview process a home health aide that best matches her specific needs would be assigned to take care of your grandmother.

Angela Rocheleau is the CEO of Home Staff LLC, an award-winning private duty home health agency serving the Central, Western and Cape Cod Regions since 1977. Contact them on the web at www.homestaff.com or call 508-755-4600. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocates.com.

By Angela Rocheleau

In the 20 years I have been in the home health care business, most recently as the CEO of an agency, I have seen the unfortunate results of the lack of planning countless times. Families plan for vacations and life events, but somehow they postpone the most important plan, care for an elderly loved one.

My agency’s first contact with a family member is often a phone call, placed by a frantic relative of an elderly loved one in a critical situation. Here are some helpful answers to questions I often receive from family members.

Q: Our Dad lives alone in a remote area and needs oxygen to survive. My brother and I are so nervous about his insistence on being independent and we are concerned if something happened to him his affairs might not be in order and we won’t know how to take care of him or be able to afford it. What should we do?

A: Don’t wait until the situation has hit a crisis level to begin thinking about the multiple issues that you and your brother could be confronted with. There are a number of things you can do now to ease the transition into the next phase of your dad’s life — a time when he can no longer live completely independently.

Ask the uncomfortable questions: Does he have a will? Has he granted power of attorney to one of you? Does he have long term care insurance to pay for home health services or a nursing home? Has he created a living will or designated a health care proxy to make medical decisions if he is no longer able to make decisions himself?

You may want to consider seeking the advice of an elder law attorney to help with these matters. If you have covered the bases, make sure you know where he keeps his important documents and familiarize yourself with their contents.

Q: My elderly aunt fell down in her home recently and fortunately she was not seriously injured. But, it occurred to us we would not know what to do if, in fact, we needed to move her out of her apartment to a place that offers around the clock care. It all seems overwhelming to us and we don’t know where to begin. Where do we start?

A: Start with educating yourself about care options. What do home health agencies offer? What sorts of assisted living facilities and nursing homes are in your aunt’s area?

Research facilities and agencies on the web and ask for recommendations from trusted healthcare professionals and others.

Prepare a thorough list of questions for the agency or facility. Among the questions to ask a home health agency: how do they screen, train and supervise staff? How do they assess clients’ needs and create a care plan? Are they liable for on-the job injuries? Do they bond staff and pay social security and unemployment taxes?

One of the best ways to assess a facility is to make unannounced visits at various times of the day.

Angela Rocheleau is CEO of Home Staff LLC, an award-winning private duty home health agency serving the Central, Western and Cape Cod Regions since 1977. Contact them online at www.homestaff.com or call 508-755-4600.

By Angela Rocheleau

March brings the promise of the spring season, but, for some families dealing with elderly or frail loved ones it also raises concerns that need to be addressed. Here are some helpful answers to questions we often receive from family members this time of the year.

Q: My elderly mom lives with us and I am her caretaker 24/7.  I have an opportunity to go away for a short vacation. I am so tired it would be wonderful to have a break. However, I don’t know how I can find someone to take my place. Where do I begin?

A.  You know we hear this question a lot, especially as spring draws near. It is time to take a break. Caretakers need a vacation too. Start by interviewing private duty agencies that offer 24/7 care. Arrange to have a nurse from a reputable agency come to your home to assess the situation and create a plan of care. The nurse will match your Mother with aides that have the experience and the knowledge to accommodate her specific needs. Once you have chosen the agency and the care plan is completed, have one or more of the aides in for short periods of time prior to your departure so your Mother won’t feel like a stranger is arriving. You will be surprised how quickly she will adapt to being taken care of by these new- yet familiar faces. Once you return from vacation be sure to plan other breaks from the long hours of caretaker duty with the same agency and home health aides. You deserve it!

Q. I just found out that my senior uncle, who was recently released from the hospital, will not be cared for indefinitely through his Medicare. I thought all his needed services would be covered by Medicare throughout his recovery. I live a distance away and I am now worried he will be alone. What can I do?

A. You are right to be concerned. There is a lot of confusion about which areas of care are covered by Medicare. Supplemental insurance is required to cover some situations. You should get educated quickly on the additional insurance coverage your uncle will need. In the meantime I recommend you speak with the discharge planner at the hospital to determine exactly what care your uncle needs and which of those services are covered by his insurance. You will probably have to supplement his care with private duty care. When searching, be sure to look for an agency that specializes in post-hospital stays that can assist your uncle with all the aspects of the compassionate care needed to get him through this time of healing. Keep in mind your uncle’s needs may include household duties as well as personal care. The agency should provide certified home health aides trained in proper lifting and transferring techniques as well as bathing and personal hygiene. An experienced, knowledgeable home health aide will help him through his recovery and take the burden off of you.

Angela Rocheleau is the CEO of Home Staff LLC, an award-winning private duty home health agency serving the Central, Western and Cape Cod Regions of Massachusetts since 1977. For more information go to www.homestaff.com or call 508-755-4600.