Elderly Care Can Still Be Affordable on a Tight Budget

Posted in Caregiver in Ozark AL, Elder Care in Ozark AL |

June 4, 2019

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Even when elderly care has become a necessity for your senior parent, affording them can seem impossible on a tight budget. However, the cost of not taking steps to ensure their safety at home can be devastating. Once you determine that elderly care is necessary for your parent, you will probably find that it’s more affordable than you think.

 

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Elderly Care Budget

Caregiver in Ozark AL: Elderly Care Budget

 

Try these tips for fitting elderly care into your parent’s budget:

 

Pinpoint How Much Help is Needed

Your parents probably don’t need elderly care services 24 hours a day. Go over typical daily routines and see where your parents feel they need help. Once you have that list compiled, gather the family and see who can cover certain times or days during the week and weekend.

If cooking meals is the issue, see who has time in the morning, afternoon, and evening to cook the meal and maybe even stay and eat with your parents. Fill in as much as you can and see what’s left. Those blank spots are the times when you’d need to hire caregivers.

 

Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses

Once you know how often caregivers are needed, you can start working on the budget. See if it’s possible to trim your parents’ expenses. If they’re paying $120 for cable television and internet, but they only watch movies and shows on a streaming service, they’re wasting money on cable television. Get quotes for the monthly cost of only having internet service.

There are other areas where saving money is often easier than imagined. If your parents have cellphones and a landline, see if that landline is really necessary. If they haven’t called and asked their local utilities if there are any senior discounts, they should. They should also look for senior discounts on car and homeowner’s insurance and heating fuel.

Your mom buys new books regularly. Why not borrow them from the local library? She doesn’t even have to go to the library if she has an e-reader. She can borrow them online and have them sent directly to her device.

 

Call the Agency on Aging

Call your mom and dad’s local Agency on Aging. You’ll learn more about your options and any possible grants or programs that can help make elderly care an affordable option for your parents. There are programs out there that may be able to help.

 

Talk to a Home Care Agency

You also need to talk to a home care agency. When you’ve had a discussion regarding your parents’ needs, you may find elderly care services are more affordable than imagined. Pick up the phone and call an expert today.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Ozark, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Tips for Keeping Your Senior Safe While Gardening

Posted in Elder Care in Ozark AL, Elderly Care in Ozark AL, Homecare in Ozark AL |

April 15, 2019

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Gardening is a wonderful activity for older adults. It gets them out in the fresh air and sun, promotes physical exercise, stimulates their mind, and gives them something to feel proud of. As with anything else, however, it is important for you to recognize potential risks associated with gardening and take steps in your caregiver efforts to minimize these risks and keep your parent safer.

 

Homecare in Ozark AL: Senior Safe While Gardening

Homecare in Ozark AL: Senior Safe While Gardening

 

Use these tips to keep your senior safe while gardening:

  • Make sure your parent is properly protected from the sun. This includes sunscreen, a hat with a wide brim, and clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
  • Make sure your parent is properly protected from the dangers of bug bites with a high-quality bug spray applied to the skin and clothing prior to going outside.
  • Check the area around the garden to detect any signs of potentially dangerous pets such as rodents or snakes. Make sure these are managed properly before your parent spends time gardening.
  • Discourage your senior from gardening during the time of day when the sun is at its most intense, which is usually between 10 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. This can quickly become a dangerous situation for seniors, who are more vulnerable to heat and sun exposure than younger people.
  • If your parent struggles with mobility or cognitive issues, discourage them from gardening by themselves. Having someone with them will help to reduce risks and handle situations that may arise effectively.
  • If your parent is going to do their gardening independently, make a habit of them letting you know when they are going out and when they come back in. This way you can monitor the time and check in if you are concerned about them.

 

Caregiver guilt is a very real thing, but you should never feel guilty of reaching out for help.

Caring for an elderly adult is rarely something one person can manage, and if you are taking care of your senior parent while also fulfilling other responsibilities such as raising your children, managing your career, and also taking care of yourself, it can be overwhelming.

Getting help from a home care provider can be one of the best decisions you can make for your senior and yourself. The care provided by this professional meets your senior’s needs in ways that are meaningful, respectful, and personalized, and also gives you the time, flexibility, and freedom you need. This means a better life and a stronger relationship for both of you, which is something you should never feel guilty about.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Ozark, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Common Foot Problems that Affect Seniors

Posted in Elder Care in Ozark AL, Home Care in Ozark AL, Senior Care in Ozark AL |

May 15, 2018

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Foot health is important at any age, but it may be especially important for older adults since foot problems can make them more likely to fall.

Older adults can have problems with their feet that are related to age or because of other medical conditions. Understanding common foot problems affecting seniors will allow you to ensure your aging relative’s feet stay as healthy as possible.

 

Senior Care in Ozark AL: Senior Foot Problems

Senior Care in Ozark AL: Senior Foot Problems

 

Age-Related Foot Changes

Just like other parts of the body, feet change as people age. Some of the ways your aging relative’s feet may have changed are:

-Feet spread and get wider with age. This can cause shoe sizes to change, so it’s important for older adults to have their feet measured each time they purchase new shoes. An elderly care provider can drive your family member to the shoe store and ensure they get shoes that fit well.

-The fatty pad that cushions the bottom of the foot becomes thinner, especially at the heel.

-The skin on the feet becomes thinner and more prone to injuries and infections.

-The tendons and ligaments in the feet lose their elasticity.

-Toenails get thicker and may become brittle.

 

Common Foot Problems

Foot problems occur frequently in older adults. Experts say that one-third of adults over the age of 65 experiences problems with their feet, like pain, stiffness, and achiness. Some common foot problems are:

Bunions: Bunions usually affect the big toe. They are either a bony growth or a bone that has become misaligned. Bunions can cause the big toe to bend toward the other toes.

Calluses and Corns: Thickened areas of skin that look yellowish.

Toenail Issues: Toenails may become ingrown or discolored.

Heel Pain: Heel pain is usually caused by heel spurs or plantar fasciitis.

Diabetic Foot Problems: People with diabetes may get ulcers on their feet, which may not heal easily. They can also lose feeling in their feet.

Hammertoes: Hammertoes occur when the senior’s toe joints cause the toe to curl under. Sometimes the toe will be flexible, but it may also be rigid. This can result in permanent deformity.

Elderly care providers can assist with your aging relative’s daily foot care. An elderly care provider can wash the feet with warm water and soap every day. Afterward, they can pat feet thoroughly dry to prevent fungal infections. An elderly care provider can also inspect the senior’s feet for any sores or problems they may not have noticed.


If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior care in Ozark, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.

Sources

http://www.healthinaging.org/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://www.uspharmacist.com

https://www.uwhealth.org

https://www.livestrong.com

How to Plan Ahead for Your Elderly Loved One’s Doctor’s Appointments

Posted in Elder Care in Ozark AL |

May 24, 2017

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Elder-Care-in-Ozark-AL

Elder Care in Ozark AL: How to Plan Ahead for Your Elderly Loved One’s Doctor’s Appointments

Your loved one’s appointments with her doctor are a golden opportunity to gain more information and to address concerns you and your loved one have. The key to making the most of these appointments is preparing for the appointment in advance.

Double Check the Date and Time

This is such a simple step, but it truly does help. If you’ve ever relied on memory alone to keep yourself informed about an upcoming appointment, you probably learned that memory is fallible. When you’re busy and under emotional and physical stress, your memory can be faultier than usual. It always pays to have that information in multiple places and to double check the date, even if you think you remember exactly when the appointment is.

Jot Down Questions and Concerns

As you’re preparing for the appointment, keep a running list of any questions or concerns that you and your elderly loved one have. Doctors are busy, but so are you. Having a list in hand ensures that you’re able to make the most of your time in the appointment and that you’re not flustered during the appointment. If you jot down questions as you think of them, you’ll be able to hit all of your concerns.

Arrange Transportation, if Necessary

Unfortunately, you may not always be able to go to the appointment with your loved one. If that’s the case for you, then arranging transportation for your loved one may be the next task on your list. Friends or family members may be able to handle the job for your loved one, or you might want to hire elder care providers to help your loved one get to her appointment safely.

Follow up with Additional Questions Afterward

When your loved one gets test results back afterward, or as you and she process the information that you learn during the appointment, you and your loved one might find that you have additional questions that need answering. Follow up with your loved one’s doctor or the nurse at the practice to get the answers that you need.

Keeping a notebook devoted to your loved one’s appointments with her doctor can help you to feel more organized.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering elder care in Ozark, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.