South Carolina Senior Care; Five Reasons Assisted Living May be Best Choice

Excerpts from Parent Talk, The nine Conversations to Have With Your Aging Loved One.

By; G. Scott Middleton

Isolation:

" The truth is our quality of life can suffer dramatically if we deprive ourselves of adequate socialization. But in the case of a declining senior adult, especially when the spouse is no longer living, the lack of interaction with others poses one of the greatest and most debilitating threats to their well-being."

Medication:

" For some unfortunate and unknown reason, too many people discount or simply ignore, the importance of ensuring that medicine is taken appropriately. In the United States, the number one reason for hospitalization and serious illness among the elderly is the improper administration of medicines. According to recent federal government research, 55 percent of elderly Americans are not following physician's orders for medication administration."

Nutrition:

"The importance of eating nutritious food increases as adults enter the senior years. Physical limitations and health problems often make it difficult for seniors to maintain a healthy diet. Influenced by a number of factors, poor nutrition contributes to health concerns of 15 to 50 percent of seniors in North America. To complicate matters, the symptoms of an unhealthy or insufficient diet such as weight loss, confusion and dizziness are often mistaken for illness or disease."

Home:

"In general, too many people believe that the needs of a declining adult are best met if the senior is kept at home as long as possible. In most cases, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Beyond the obvious health and safety issues, a senior left at home becomes increasingly isolated. Regardless of age and abilities, all persons need companionship and human touch. A sedentary life at home often results in significant reduced mental and physical stimulation, which can lead to emotional and bodily breakdowns."

Driving:

"The best way to avoid an accident while operating a vehicle is to be an alert, defensive driver. Defense relies on the ability to observe and predict what is going on around you and being able to react quickly to other drivers' carelessness or negligence. In many cases, these are capabilities that too many senior drivers no longer possess. Split seconds can mean the difference between life and death when struggling to control a 3,000 pound vehicle."

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, York, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia

Ask Agape for senior solutions

South Carolina Agape Senior Director of Dementia Programs

In other blogs we have talked about how dementia is not a disease but a diagnosis.If you get a diagnosis of dementia: ask what disease, medication, or infection might be causing it.Now that you have a diagnosis of dementia it does not mean you can’t continue to care for yourself depending on what is causing the dementia. Choosing a good geriatric physician that specializes in memory care is a great place to start.

Some of the other items you will want to consider are:

What to do when driving capacities are diminished:

How will you know? Pick someone now to ride with you and check your driving habits at least once a month. You may not know if it is safe or unsafe to drive due to diminished memory.It is difficult to give up driving but the person with dementia puts themselves at risk as well as others.You may be able to live with yourself being hurt but if you hurt someone else it is hard for the person with dementia and both families

Have an open discussion about medical decisions:

It is a difficult discussion to have, but a good one, with someone you want to make decisions for you if you should become incapacitated. For Example: Would you like a feeding tube or not?

Also discuss special requests:

Talk about any request that you may have. Even simple needs, like cream rubbed on your arms.

Identify someone to handle financial requirements:

If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s or a like dementia the ability to handle financial affairs becomes difficult quickly.Families will find junk mail in with the bills, there may be many magazine subscriptions that appear because the person with dementia cannot tell which is a real bill or an ad for a magazine.

Make sure all the legal bases are covered:

While a person with Alzheimer’s or similar dementia can still answer questions and make decisions, a health care power of attorney should be selected and paper work completed.It is also advisable to have financial power of attorney documentation completed at this time.These forms cannot be used by the recognized power of attorney until the person with Alzheimer’s or like dementia is no longer able to make decisions for themselves. You can find this paperwork and additional information on line. If everything is not filled out correctly it will be costly.It is best to locate an Elder law attorney to help with filling this paperwork out.

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve.Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia

 Ask Agape for Senior Solutions
 

Adelle Stanley

803-730-1220

Director of Dementia Programs

Agape Senior Services

Of all the things in life that matter, Family, Friends and Faith are the most important. Treasure these and you will always be rich.