While arthritis is common among older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. Arthritis impacts 54 million adults today, and that number is expected to grow to 78 million by 2040.Over 100 different types of arthritis might affect an aging adult, with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the two most common ones. Any type of arthritis can affect a persons quality of life and ability to live independently, so it pays to talk to your loved ones healthcare provider about possible treatments to improve your relatives health and wellbeing.Common Types of ArthritisOsteoarthritis is very common and results from wear-and-tear on the joints. OA can occur in any joint, but it most often affects the hands and weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip and spinal joints. OA symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time.Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks tissue in the joints, causing inflammation.Any type of arthritis causes pain, stiffness and inflammation of the joints. These effects can make it difficult to move around or perform activities of daily living, such as showering and dressing. Severe arthritis even can contribute to falling.Arthritis of any kind benefits from early diagnosis and treatment. Your loved ones healthcare provider may manage this care themselves or may refer you to a specialist.As a caregiver, you also can take steps to help your loved one live with arthritis.Tips for Family caregivers to help manage an older adults arthritis:Listen and be empathetic.Take their concerns seriously and communicate with them to their healthcare provider, especially if there hasnt been a diagnosis and symptoms are present.Keep a journal of symptoms.Family caregivers can help track when and where pain occurs. They can also help to track medications taken, foods eaten and activity or movement. This information can help identify patterns and provide valuable information to healthcare professionals. The Arthritis Foundation has an app that helps track symptoms and patterns.Communicate with healthcare providers.Often multiple healthcare providers care for older adults. The family caregiver can help keep communication consistent among all of them, which helps ensure everyone is on the same page and the person with arthritis is getting the medical care needed.Encourage movement and regular exercise.Seek out exercise or movement classes. The Arthritis Foundation has several great tools to help with this including the Walk with Ease Program and Your Exercise Solution. Even small amounts of movement throughout the day can add up and significantly improve a persons symptoms. Some ideas include laps around the house (indoors and outdoors), chair exercises and stretching. Be sure to consult the older adults healthcare provider before introducing exercise into the routine.Assist with medication and treatment management.Arthritis is often treatable with medication and other remedies. Family caregivers can help ensure the treatment plans are being followed. Below are additional tips for medication management:Ask the pharmacist for an upside-down cap.Use a pill popper device for over-the-counter medications that come in foil packaging.Look into a prepackaged medication management system that has easy to open packaging such as Simple Meds.Assist with a well-balanced diet.For some people, the food they eat can impact their arthritis. Caregivers can prepare arthritis-friendly foods for their aging loved one and encourage them to eat a well-balanced diet. Learn more about arthritis diets.Encourage weight loss if needed.Family caregivers can assist their loved one in managing their weight. Excess weight can cause additional strain on weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees. Reduce body weight if needed and consult with a doctor about weight loss. Even a ten percent reduction can be helpful.Hire professional help.It is important for family caregivers to help their loved one maintain as much independence as possible. For some, it can be helpful to enlist the assistance of a professional. An Occupational Therapist can offer ideas to remain independent and keep as much functionality as possible. Professional home care can assist with tasks that are more challenging due to arthritis such as meal preparation, light housekeeping and medication management.Remain positive.Arthritis symptoms can sometimes cause an older adult to be discouraged by what they can no longer do. Family caregivers should remain positive and keep the focus on what their loved one can still do.Find creative solutions. There are many arthritis-friendly products that can make life easier. Below are some examples of creative solutions for various parts of the daily routine:CookingFoam handles and arthritis-friendly utensils.Sit while chopping and preparing foods to reduce fatigue.Use adaptive cutting boards to stabilize foods.Utilize a crockpot for easy one pot meals.Hire a home care company to assist with advanced meal preparation.For boiling foods, utilize portion control strainers that can be left in the pot while cooking and that drain the water when the strainer is lifted out. This eliminates the need to carry a boiling pot of water to the sink.Dressing and groomingInstall grab bars in shower, bathtub and around the toilet.Toilet seat risers can help reduce the effort needed to sit down and stand up.Automatic dispensers or pumps for grooming products help reduce the need to squeeze bottles.Seek out adaptive grooming products with special grips and handles.Button hooks can help with small buttons or velcro can be used to replace buttons all together.Sock aids and long-handled shoehorns can help with footwear.RecreationCard and game holders can help reduce fatigue while playing.Gripping tools on small items (ex: tennis ball on paint brush) can help maintain independence.Adaptive gardening tools can help make gardening more accessible.Family caregivers play a vital role in helping their aging loved ones cope with the effects of arthritis and maintain their independence at home. Coordinating the older adults medical care, encouraging physical activity and helping with household tasks can help your relative stay safe and well at home despite the challenges of arthritis.

For more information on the author, Home Instead- Charlotte, CLICK HERE!While life can get busy and hectic for many, it is still important to check in with aging loved ones who may be feeling lonely and isolated due to COVID-19.The impacts of isolation and loneliness are a real concern, particularly for the aging population. As social distancing remains necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, many are feeling the effects on their physical and mental health. In fact, recently more than half of older adults (56%) reported feeling isolated from others compared to 27% just 2 years earlier, according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.The rise in feelings of loneliness and isolation in older adults over the last several months is alarming, said Lakelyn Hogan, Ph.D., gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead. While home remains the safest place for seniors, itll be more important than ever to stay connected with your loved ones and pay close attention to any changes to their personality or behavior.By understanding what social isolation is, catching it early on and getting help if needed, it can increase the likelihood that an aging adult can continue to age safely at home for the future.Here are a few signs that could indicate your loved one may be experiencing the effects of this crisis and could benefit from a helping hand and more consistent companionship.5 Signs an Aging Adult is Being Impacted by LonelinessLack of Communication. Have they lost interest in socializing, either virtually or in person? Do they repeat themselves or struggle to find the right words? Do they forget what they are saying mid-sentence?Varying Moods. Have you noticed any recent changes in their attitude? Do they seem easily flustered or unusually sad? Are they leaving voicemails or sending text messages that seem out of the ordinary?Changes in Appearance. Do their clothes seem rumpled or unwashed? Is their hair unkempt? Have they gained or lost a noticeable amount of weight?Difficulty Concentrating. Do they seem disengaged or restless? Are they having difficulty keeping up with conversation? Do they appear to have trouble hearing or ask for details to be repeated?Memory Loss. Are they having difficulty remembering names of family and friends? Have they forgotten recent events? Do they seem confused or overwhelmed?In addition to these five signs, its important to be aware of other signs more help is needed at home like piles of laundry or dishes, unpaid bills and missed medication. Acknowledging these signs may be difficult for both family members and older adults, but accepting that an aging loved one may need additional help early on will increase the likelihood they can continue to age safely and comfortably at home for years to come.

For more information on the author, Home Instead of Charlotte, CLICK HERE!This time of year is one to reflect on the past and look toward the future with anticipation and excitement. However, reflection can also spur and magnify feelings of grief and loss especially for older adults who feel isolated or remember loved ones who have passed away. What's more, the pandemic and its effects may increase feelings of grief, isolation and loneliness in older adults this year, which can impact both physical and mental health.According to a recent AARP report, more than 50% of adults surveyed said if social distancing guidelines remain in place over the winter holidays, this will increase the negative impact on their well-being. Whether you are a family caregiver or an aging adult, it is important to understand ways to help cope with grief while still enjoying the season.The holiday season can be overwhelming. It takes an emotional toll on older adults and creates obstacles for caregivers, friends and family to navigate, especially if they've recently lost a loved one. In those cases, special occasions can be particularly difficult, said Lakelyn Hogan, Ph.D., gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead. It is crucial that family and friends step in to help seniors process their emotions. Whether it be lighting a candle in someone's memory, going through old photo albums to share happy stories or dancing to their favorite song there are thoughtful ways to remember those who are no longer here.The holidays often bring back memories of a lost spouse, sibling or friend, and that can be especially painful for older adults. Hogan says friends, family and caregivers can help aging adults enjoy the time with those around them and offers these tips to help navigate feelings of grief and loneliness.5 Tips for Processing Grief in Older Adults1. Acknowledge and adjust.It is perfectly acceptable to allow sadness in particularly after losing someone special. Grief can be a complicated emotion. Encourage older adults to grieve in whatever way feels natural to them.2. Honor the memories.Set aside time to help older adults memorialize the person who has died. While some find comfort in keeping their usual holiday traditions, others may struggle. Whether it's carrying on a tradition previously done together or creating a new one in their memory, it is important to create a space for seniors to reminisce. By making the time, older adults can keep a piece of their loved one during this meaningful time of year.3. Allow them space to heal.Grief is not a linear process. It takes time to fully grasp the magnitude of losing someone. Allow your loved one time to process what they are feeling and space to begin healing. When they are ready to open up, be there to listen, provide comfort and support. If appropriate, encourage them to join a support group to talk to others who have also experienced loss.4. Create new goals.For many, the best way to honor a deceased loved one is to live life to the fullest. Set an actionable resolution for the new year to embrace all life has to offer and focus on the good. Whenever you experience joy, think of it as a gift sent from the person you love and embrace it as if you were embracing them once again.5.Enlist professional help.If an older adult has lost a loved one and is experiencing overwhelming and unmanageable grief, reach out to a mental health professional for coping strategies and resources. Also consider in-home care services. This would not only provide your loved one with help around the house, but someone to interact with and talk to regularly. While the holidays are a time for joy and celebration, for many it can intensify feelings of loneliness, grief and sorrow. Check on the older adults in your life and remind them they are not alone this season.

For more information on the author, Home Instead- Charlotte, CLICK HERE!Technology has come a long way over the course of older adults' lifetimes. They have witnessed everything from men landing on the moon to dramatic medical advances and the rise of an Internet-dependent society.Seniors also bear witness to the ways technology is changing the face of aging: keeping socially connected with loved ones, staying physically and mentally active and extending their ability to live safely at home longer. You can help your aging family members master technologies that provide these three major benefits and more.1. Social ConnectionVideo Chat and Social Media Keep Seniors in Touch with Long-distance Loved OnesNumerous studies have shown that social connection plays a key role in health and longevity. People who maintain strong bonds with family and friends tend to eat better and avoid habits like smoking and excessive drinking that can cause an earlier death. On the flip side, isolation and loneliness confer a higher risk of mortality.While no technology can take the place of in-person human interaction, solutions like a Home Care Tablet powered by Grand Pad can enhance personal care for the client and promote social connection. Through the tablet, the senior or family members can engage in video chats and share photos of special events or milestone moments (the great-grandbaby's first birthday, for instance) that the senior is unable to attend so the senior still feels like an important part of the family.2. Staying ActiveTechnology Serves Up Music and Games Get Seniors Moving Physically and MentallyDevices like the home care tablet can play music from an older adults youthful era, which might get them up and swaying. Waltzing around the living room can provide vital exercise thats easy, enjoyable and keeps seniors active.Of course, the brain needs exercise, too. Video games may seem like a suggestion for a much younger person, but older adults can exercise their spatial recognition, recall and memory skills by playing video games, too.The home care tablet offers gaming options that any senior can access with the click of a button. Games that require matching can help them keep their brains as active as their bodies.Beyond the physical benefits of exercise, aerobic activities and brain games can reduce episodes of depression in seniors. Physical activity has been proven time and again in studies to improve mood and lessen anxiety. Using technology to help seniors stay active is a real benefit of modern life.3. SafetyTechnology Allows Seniors to Live at Home SafelyMany families first look into getting in-home senior care because they're fearful of their loved ones ability to live safely at home. Falls remain a leading cause of death for people over age 65, and other activities of daily living such as measuring a precise insulin dose can jeopardize a seniors health if they become unable to manage the task.Here again, technology provides a great benefit. Not only can family members easily initiate a video chat through a smartphone or the home care tablet to see with their own eyes how their loved one is doing, but combining the medication management skills of a professional CAREGiverSM with the technology of the tablet to track prescriptions can keep a senior safe at home for a long time. Plus, family members can consult the CAREGiver during a shift to receive updates about their loved ones health and safety or medication status.These three major benefits of technology for seniors social connection, staying active, and keeping safe only touch the top of the iceberg. The home care tablet, smartphone apps and computers deliver all the interactivity any older adult needs to avoid loneliness, keep in touch with friends and relatives and live more safely in the comfort of their own home.

For more information on the author, Home Instead of Charlotte, CLICK HERE!Do you have a long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy?What's the correct answer to this question? Sometimes it can be tough to tell. You or a loved one may have taken out an LTCI policy years ago without mentioning it to anyone or giving it much thought. But for older adults and their loved ones, its worth finding out, because LTCI can help pay for a range of long-term care services.What is Long-Term Care insurance? 3 Basic FactsThese policies vary widely, in terms of what types of services they cover. But all of them cover services specific to the long-term care needs of aging adults. Some of the most common services covered by LTCI include assisted living fees and in-home care. Below are three basic facts about LTCI.1. Each policy is unique to the person, no two policies are alike. This means that you need to uncover what a unique policy does and does not cover in terms of long-term care services.2. LTCI is more flexible than it once was. Many of the older policies limit covered services because newer offerings were not around when the policy was created. For example, if the policy does not have a home care benefit and the older adult wants to remain in their own home, there may be an opportunity to propose an alternate plan of care.3. Regardless of the type of care needed, the individual needs to meet the eligibility criteria before initiating a claim .It is important to have a clear understanding of the benefit eligibility criteria. Commonly, the insurance carrier will require that the individual needs assistance with at least two of the six Activities of Daily Living (ADL) bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring(moving to and from a bed or a chair),eating, and continence or require that they need supervision because of cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.It's important to note that every policy is unique specific to the individual for what it covers, what's excluded, and coverage limits.Speaking to the agent who sold the policy or to a representative of the insurance provider is a great way to be sure you fully understand the specifics of the LTCI policy.Key Questions to Ask the LTCI ProviderThese questions can help make the most of a conversation with the insurance agent or provider:What services are covered?How much does the policy pay per day, week or month for each type of service?How long will the benefit last?Does the policy ever expire? Is there a maximum lifetime benefit?Does the policy have a maximum length of coverage period for each service?What are the terms of the elimination period? In other words, how many days must I wait before benefits begin for the different types of services?Do I pay for the services out of pocket during the elimination period?Is there a buyout fee for the elimination period?How is cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia covered?Does the policy require an assessment or physician referral, prior to a hospital stay, or other prerequisites for benefits to kick in?Comprehensive LTCI ResourcesFor more information on long-term care insurance, review our comprehensive guide, which provides an overview of LTCI. The guide helps to better understand policy benefits, helps to determine care needs and provides tips to initiate a claim. It is also packed with resources for family members and care partners to help manage the stressors of caregiving and ways caregivers can start planning for successful aging.For additional financial resources, see our Home Care Funding Solutions Guide to help families navigate payment options for care. For those caring for someone living with dementia, financial support via theDementia Home Care Grantmay also be available to help cover the costs of in-home care.

For more information on the author, Home Instead Charlotte, CLICK HERE!The internet has become an essential tool in the lives of older adults making it easier to stay informed, complete tasks and connect with loved ones during the pandemic. But, with more spent time virtually from paying bills to video calls there is also a higher chance that the older adult in your life will encounter an online scam.Two-thirds of seniors (67%) have been the target or victim of at least one common online scam or hack, according to a survey by Home Instead, Inc. These scams often appear out-of-the-blue, in various forms, asking unsuspecting recipients to share sensitive or financial information in order to resolve a payment or aid a loved one. This year in particular, Social Security-related scams are back on the rise defending their title as the top-reported scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)in 2019.From fake stimulus payments to malicious email campaigns, many fraudsters are taking advantage of the fear and uncertainty during COVID-19. Anyone could fall victim to an online scam. Its just another reason why older adults should be more mindful of their actions online and take proactive steps to better protect themselves.By adopting a few preventive measures for cybersecurity, family caregivers and older adults can protect their identities and sensitive financial information from being exposed.Preventive Measures to Protect Seniors from Online ScamsShare with care. Its easy to get caught up in social media and lose sight of the personal details we are making public. While sites like Facebook and Instagram can be a convenient way to stay connected with family and friends, especially during COVID-19, its crucial to proceed with caution and avoid sharing non-critical information (like your location). Consider adjusting an older adults privacy settings to limit who has access to the profile content.Think before you act .Communication that creates a sense of urgency such as an email asking for money is likely a scam. Scammers can get access to personal information by prompting you to click links in the emails they send. If something appears out of the ordinary, its best to just delete it or reach out directly to the company or person to determine if the email is legitimate.Beef up security. Half of seniors do not use a password on at least one of their devices, leaving it open to whomever may pick it up. Locking all devices computers, tablets and cell phones with a strong, secure password can add a second line of defense. Consider mixing in letters, numbers and symbols, and leaving out easy-to-guess information, such as name or birthdate.Use security software. Installing antivirus software from a reliable source can add an extra layer of protection to online devices. Be wary of security updates from pop-up ads or emails, as these may be malware (malicious software) that could infect your device. Its important to remember no software is infallible. Give older adults an added layer of defense by reminding them to log out of apps and websites when they are done using them.Contact an expert. It is natural to feel unsettled after being the target of an online scam. However, seniors must realize that its nothing to be ashamed of. Its critical these incidents are reported to the proper authorities in order to provide proper support and to alert others who may be impacted in the future. If you do find yourself or your loved one affected by a scam, reach out to a trusted source such as family member or a tech-savvy friend for guidance.When it comes to cybersecurity, education is the best form of protection. Devote time to learning how to spot a scam and keep yourself and the senior in your life from becoming a target of fraud.

For more information on the author, Home Instead of Charlotte, CLICK HERE!The changes were gradual and subtle. First Annette's dad tore his patellar tendon. Annette could see he was struggling to navigate stairs in their two-story house. Then she noticed her mom seemed to have more issues keeping up with the housework. Next, her parents cut their cable subscription. Then it was fewer meals out and vacations.What's up? Annette thought. What's the plan? she wondered. Annette wanted to ask, but the words did'nt seem to come. Her parents had never shared details about their finances or their plans for the future. Perhaps they felt it wasn't her business.While encouraging aging adults to plan ahead might be a challenge, not doing so could put future financial stability and living preferences at stake for seniors and their families.The biggest problem is that many people, because of a reluctance to face these kinds of issues, may fail to do so, said Beth Ludden, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Genworth Financial. That leaves individuals potentially at financial risk in their final years.Opening the door to the conversations might be daunting. Consider these approaches: Financial downturns have hit us all hard, Dad. Should you consider downsizing? Or, Many people have to scale back their plans for retirement. Perhaps a financial plan would help, Mom? Id be happy to help you work this out.Suggesting your parents reassess their life situation and priorities could help make their senior years more meaningful. Regularly asking and answering the following questions may determine how someone's life plays out, according to Ludden and the experts at Home Instead.7 Questions to Ask Your Senior Parents About Their Financial Plans1. How do your parents want to live their final years? Think of the final years in broader terms than just retirement. How do your parents see their lives unfolding? Is their goal to remain independent to the end? And where do they want to be at the end at home or in a care community? Consider that some of those years will be more active than others, Ludden said. Ludden noted that its important to involve a financial professional, such as a financial planner or life insurance agent, when your loved ones start thinking about final years planning to ensure they have the means to support their goals .Final Years Planning: Where to Find Assistance can help you learn more. Help your parents plan the fun part as well as those aspects of care theyll need to have in place as they age. Ultimately getting organized helps people feel more relaxed, Ludden said.2. Where do they want to live? Ask someone where they want to spend their final years and most will say at home. That's what a number of studies have revealed. Unfortunately, its not always that simple. Do your parents have a practical plan to address their final years at home, will assistance be available and who would they like to help them? Ludden questioned. All of those issues will impact the financial plan they should put in place.3. What's the plan if your loved ones need help? Experts say that 70 percent of people will need long-term care at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. But people often are more willing to talk about death than they are disability, Ludden said. In fact, North American seniors are more comfortable planning for their funerals (79 percent) than planning for when they need full-time care (74 percent), or hospice or palliative care (71 percent),according to a survey conducted by Home Instead Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network.Medicare is designed to pay for acute care situations, such as hospital stays or doctor visits, Ludden said. There are very few provisions for long-term care service only as an outgrowth for acute care and only for a brief time as long as someone is showing increased progress. Because people mistakenly believe that Medicare pays for long-term care costs and individuals are required to spend down their assets to receive Medicaid, many people have lost assets they've wanted to preserve, Ludden added.Check out more information about what Medicare does and doesn't cover. There are ways to cover such care, Ludden explained, even at home and in a disabled condition. Many long-term care insurance policies sold currently provide for home care that is designed to support activities of daily living that cover a wide range of providers.4. Does your family know the cost? Costs of care can be sobering. Find the costs in your area at the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey. According to the survey, national median monthly costs for assisted living were $4,051. Median nursing home monthly costs were $8,517 for a private room; semi-private was $7,513. Rising costs may increase the urgency for many to create a plan. Home care remained the most affordable option at $4,290 a month for homemaker services and $4,385 for a home health aide.5. Are products and services in place to support a plan? The good news is that a variety of long-term care plans exists to meet varied needs and budgets, Ludden said.Traditional long-term care policies. These are stand-alone and designed to pay for the types of services someone would need in a chronic care situation, whether in a nursing home, assisted living or at home.Hybrid products. These are life insurance or annuities with a long-term care insurance rider. While someone is living, these types of policy riders allow people to access a portion of the face amount of the policy to meet their long-term care needs.Combination long-term care and life policies. These plans have living, long-term care insurance benefits that mimic more of the stand-alone types of long-term care insurance products. These policies can be designed to pay out monthly rather than in a lump sum.An underwritten immediate annuity. These can be helpful for people who did not plan and would like to stretch their dollars. This product pays out a guaranteed lifetime income based on an initial lump sum premium. This type of product can help cover an immediate financial need for someone who is already impaired and looking for a way to get the most out of their dollars for care, Ludden added.6. Is the plan flexible? Circumstances sometimes change plans sooner rather than later. Events may be the trigger to look at a financial plan, Ludden said. Unexpected deaths in the family can be a factor, as can family moving away. Life events are much more of a line of demarcation to reassess the plans you've made. If someone has planned adequately, it may not be necessary to make frequent changes. In fact, that's one of the benefits of putting a plan in place.7. Does your family know about your parents plans? Its important that family members know about their parents plans and that they share specifics about the types of products and services they have in place. In the event an individual becomes disabled or impaired, long-term care insurance companies do have mechanisms in place to alert someone to the fact a bill has not been paid or an important change has been made to their product or service. Also, there are required protections in place if someones policy would lapse as a result of a cognitive or physical issue. Regardless, having a beneficiary on a policy or a power of attorney designated can reduce the risks of being vulnerable.