Elder Care Options

05/24/2019

Take Your Vacation!!!!!
When you are responsible for the care of an aging loved one, summer vacations or weekend getaways may seem impossible or out-of-reach. The questions race through your mind: What happens if mom falls? Who will remind Dad to take his medications? What if there is a storm? You feel overwhelmed and cancel your plans.

But not taking time away from caregiving responsibilities can lead to bigger problems – caregiver burnout, stress, or poor health. With some extra planning and help, you can take a break. Aging Life Care™ experts from the Aging Life Care Association™ offer these tips to help make sure your loved one is safe and comfortable while you are away:

1. In-Home Caregivers: If there is not another family member or trusted friend or neighbor to fill in for you, connect with an Aging Life Care Professional at Elder care options who can help arrange for in-home care, monitoring, or transportation needs. At Elder Care Options we can arrange for 24/7 service and can serve as an emergency contact while you are away. Depending on the individual’s needs, paid caregivers can assist with activities of daily living – bathing, dressing, mobility, meal preparations, house cleaning, or transportation. If you plan on using a caregiver, spend time getting the caregiver and your loved one familiar and comfortable with each other and to be sure that the caregiver is a good match.

2. Organize Important Documents: Prepare a folder or binder of information for the person/agency who will provide care and oversight while you are away. Include information on emergency contacts, physicians, preferred hospital, pharmacy, and other service providers, such as therapy services, Meals on Wheels, home care agency, etc. Also include your loved one’s medication list and other important documents such as Power of Attorney, Living Will, Advance Directives, forms and Do Not Resuscitate orders.

3. In-Home Technology: There are a variety of new technologies designed for keeping aging adults safe in their homes, including personal emergency response systems (PERS), GPS tracking devices, automated medication reminders and dispensers, as well as systems that allow you to remotely monitor or control the usage of certain electrical outlets or appliances.

4. Respite Care: Many local assisted living facilities, and nursing homes offer respite care on a per diem basis for short stays. This can be a great option to introduce your loved on to this lifestyle and provide you with the peace of mind of knowing they care cared for while you are away.

05/22/2019

Aging Life Care Association® to Celebrate Aging Life Care™ Month in May

Tucson, AZ – The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) – the nonprofit association representing 2,000 leaders in Aging Life Care™ / care management – will celebrate Aging Life Care Month, which highlights the Aging Life Care profession during the month of May. Elder Care Options of Newburyport is glad to offer fee consultations through the end of June in honor of aging life care month.

While the practice and profession of Aging Life Care is not new, the field has been growing and is more crucial now than it ever has been. According to the 2017 Profile of Older Americans, “the 85 and over population is projected to more than double from 6.4 million in 2016 to 14.6 million in 2040 (a 129% increase).” In addition, about one in every seven Americans is an older American. As we age, our caregiving needs increase. Aging Life Care Professionals® play a significant role, as they are prepared to help aging adults plan for and face age-related challenges.

Aging Life Care is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults. Elder Care options, a credentialed member Aging Life Care since 2013 is a team of health and human services specialist who is a guide, advocate, and resource for families caring for an older relative. Working with families, these experts provide the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off work for family caregivers.

“As the population of adult children supporting their aging parents grows, our work as Aging Life Care Professions could not be more relevant,” said Lisa Mayfield, ALCA President. “As Aging Life Care Professionals, we bring peace of mind to families by helping them navigate all of the options for care. Having an outside guide and unbiased expert is often the missing piece of the puzzle to help families move from crisis to action. We can often predict what will come next so families can shift from putting out fires (sometimes literally!) to being proactive. We also bring our expertise in aging well to guide individuals in their own planning for aging. Families do not have to do this alone; we are here to help.”

Working with Elder Care Options you will have a professional advocate that has extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources on the north shore and Merrimack Valley. Elder Care options is a members of ALCA, Aging Life Care Professionals, and has meet the stringent education, experience, and certification requirements of the organization. Further, all members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice.

Aging Life Care Professionals throughout the country will celebrate National Aging Life Care Month by providing seminars, special events, open houses, and other educational activities for the public. Elder Care options in Newburyport is offering free care consults in honor of older Americans month. This is a valuable opportunity to get a FREE assessment of your loved ones care needs and care options. Please contact me at [email protected] for a 1:1 consult For more information, and to find an Aging Life Care Professional near you, visit ALCA’s website aginglifecare.org.

12/23/2018

Happy holidays

10/24/2018

Good tips to follow when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s

06/08/2018

Good information!

Caring for aging parents is hard work and costly. There are a few ways to be paid for those efforts. though it can be difficult. Consumer Reports explains the options.

06/06/2018

good advice !

Self-care is very important and often times overlooked.
Take a minute to turn off, unplug and recharge your batteries by doing something for YOU!

05/30/2018

Join me to walk !

Together, we can end Alzheimer's. Find a Walk near you.