When you think of winter, you probably think about the holidays, taking time off work, enjoying winter sports, or visiting with family. If you care for aging loved ones, winter might make you also dwell on common cold-weather hazards that impact the elderly.
Here are some hazards you should know about — and suggestions for how you can keep your loved one safe:
As the temperature outside drops, the risk of hypothermia rises. Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to the cold, which results in the body losing heat faster.
Seniors are at higher risk of developing hypothermia than younger people because the ability to regulate body temperature decreases with age. Suppose your loved one needs dementia care or has other cognitive issues. In that case, they may be at an even higher risk of hypothermia — especially if they have difficulty communicating or tend to wander outdoors.
Warning signs of hypothermia include:
As body temperature drops, brain function slows, so older adults are also unlikely to realize they are experiencing symptoms — making hypothermia even more dangerous. If you suspect hypothermia, seek emergency medical help by dialing 911 or going to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Keeping your elder warm through winter is essential, so consider doing the following:
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four seniors falls annually, leading to 3 million emergency room visits and more than 800,000 hospitalizations. When the ground is covered with snow and ice, the risk of falling for seniors becomes even higher — and falls, whether indoors or outdoors, can result in broken bones, head injuries, loss of independence, isolation, fear of a future fall, or even death.
Here’s how you can reduce your loved one’s fall risk during the winter:
As winter rolls around, so does cold and flu season. According to the CDC, seniors are at higher risk of catching diseases and are more likely to experience severe complications due to age-related immune system deficiencies. Ask your loved one’s doctor if they recommend vaccines for flu, pneumonia, or COVID-19. Other preventative measures include:
With the increased risks associated with winter weather, having someone check in on your loved one regularly is critical. However, if family and friends are not nearby, a professional caregiver can visit your loved one as often as needed to monitor the temperature in the house and help your loved one to dress in warm, appropriate clothes.
An in-home personal caregiver will provide your elderly loved one with companionship, prevent isolation and supervise trips outside the house — providing you with peace of mind, even when you can’t be there.
People over the age of 65 are more likely to be readmitted than younger patients, and readmission can be more serious for seniors.Readmission after an illness or injury is a serious health issue for seniors. However, it is important for seniors and their loved ones to remember that in many cases, readmission is avoidable and can be prevented with a thoughtful post-hospital care plan.Nearly one-fifth of all Medicare patients in the United States who are discharged from the hospital end up returning within 30 days. There are many reasons seniors may need to be readmitted to the hospital, but healthcare agencies are focused on finding ways to reduce these numbers and educate patients about how to have a healthier recovery at home.For many seniors, this means having a quality caregiver that can help them overcome some of the main preventable causes for returning to the hospital. Consider the following:Medication is critical: Some seniors need assistance taking medication in the right amount on the correct schedule. When you consider that, on average, seniors with chronic conditions fill 50 different prescriptions annually, it is not difficult to imagine how someone could get confused when a new medication is added to their regimen. Caregivers can not only remind seniors to take medications as prescribed, but they can also help seniors keep a list of those medications and their dosages so the information is readily available for healthcare professionals. Managing medications is one of the best ways a caregiver can help seniors during their recovery.Follow up visits prevent readmission: A full two-thirds of patients readmitted to the hospital would have avoided that trip if they had seen their physicians within two weeks for follow up. The reasons for not following up vary but can include transportation difficulties and forgetting to make or keep appointments. Hospital staff can aid the senior by setting up appointments for the individual before discharge, but getting to the appointment can still be a challenge. In addition to a host of uplifting care services, caregivers can provide transportation to appointments and keep track of any post-care visits.Discharge plans only work when implemented properly: Having a discharge plan for the patient before he or she leaves the hospital can be crucial for recovery, but it can be difficult for seniors and their family members to focus on the plan during the stress of the illness and discharge. Caregivers can help the senior follow the instructions and will connect with family or other approved individuals when there are problems or change in condition during recovery. They can also help explain the information or ensure that the appropriate person is notified if the older individual has questions about his or her course of treatment. This takes the stress off the family and the patient so he or she can focus on recovery.Having a helping hand during recovery can ensure positive outcomes and a return to an active, engaged life. Family members, friends and neighbors are often willing to serve as a post-hospital recovery caregiver, but there is professional help available for those that dont have someone nearby to assist them. For long-term recovery, those who have the assistance of friends and family can benefit from a professional caregiver to provide respite care and support.Comfort Keepers Can HelpComfort Keepers caregivers can help with encouragement, support and assistance with daily living. And caregivers can encourage overall health through meal planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation and activities. Our custom care plans focus on physical and mental health and wellness activities. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers location today.ReferencesRelias. What you need to know about readmission among seniors. Web. 2016.American Hospital Association. Examining the drivers of readmissions and reducing unnecessary readmissions for better patient care 2011 AHA Policy Research. Web. 2011.Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ten things you should know about care transitions. Web. 2013.
Being a caregiver is a role that millions undertake out of love, dedication and necessity. Whether its an unpaid family caregiver or someone who has chosen a caregiving career, the role is critical to those who need help. Understanding some of the challenges caregivers face helps to appreciate their work. Emotional Weight - Caregivers often carry emotional burdens. They may experience feeling guilt, when they theyre not doing enough or when they take time for themselves. As a loved onesor a clientshealth fluctuates, the resulting emotional swings can cause stress and anxiety. Physical Toll - Physical demands of caregiving are often underestimated. Caregivers may do things like household tasks or keeping the care recipient comfortable. But if the care recipient has mobility issues, the caregiver may need to help them transfer from their bed to the toilet. Over time, these responsibilities can lead to physical strain and exhaustion. Financial Strain - Often caregivers provide care without pay, they will incur expenses related to the care of their loved ones - compounded if the caregiver has to reduce hours or even quit their job to provide care. Social Isolation - The time and energy demand often limit the caregivers ability to maintain social relationships, making them feel lonely and disconnected. Juggling Act - Many caregivers must balance the needs of the person theyre caring for, needs of the family while juggling employment. Recognition and Support - Caregiving is often not seen as real work, caregivers may struggle to find adequate resources, support and respite care. Right at Home of Mesa, Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties is here to help! Our trained caregivers can help with a range of services, from meal preparation and light housekeeping to assistance with hygiene and mobility. Editors Note: This article was submitted by David McKendry, President of Right at Home Grand Junction. He may be reached at 970-697-1331 or by email at David@gjhomecare.com. See ad on page
Caring for others is often driven by motivations of love and understanding. Its not uncommon for family caregivers to initially feel that their capacity for helping those they love is nearly limitless. From taking care of finances and managing medications to preparing meals and cleaning, theres certainly a sense of fulfillment that comes along with assisting a loved one. But many find themselves going through the motions of caring without taking time out to focus on their own needs often to the point of physical and emotional exhaustion. As a result, family caregivers may feel something theyve never experienced before: decreased empathy. This condition is known as compassion fatigue. In decades past, compassion fatigue was seen primarily in healthcare professionals but as the countrys aging population continues to grow, there are many family caregivers who are left feeling much the same way. In addition to the lower threshold of empathy, family caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue may feel the following: Exhaustion (physical and/or emotional) Feelings of dread or guilt Irritability, anxiety, or anger Difficulty sleeping Difficulty making decisions Feeling disconnected Trouble finding meaning in caregiving Self-isolation The worst symptom of compassion fatigue is denial because it prohibits family caregivers from examining the feelings associated with their caregiving situation. And if ignored for an extended period of time, family caregivers may begin to feel resentment toward their loved one, ultimately leading to a communication breakdown and strained relationship. Below are a few steps that family caregivers can take to combat compassion fatigue and get back to feeling positive about caring for their loved ones. Understand the common signs of compassion fatigue Practice a self-care of balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent sleep. Find time to spend with friends and maintain social connections. Find a caregiver support program, community or online. Document your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Choose healthy activities during your downtime, a hobby, walking, meditating. Engage a counselor or therapist. Learn more about respite care and senior care services by contacting a local Comfort Keepers office today. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Ora Lee, owner of Comfort Keepers of Grand Junction. For more information she may be reached at 970-241-8818 or at: oralee@ckcolorado.com