Connecticut - Southern

As our loved ones age, our concern with their ability to manage the tasks of daily life safely at home increases. Most seniors prefer to stay in their own home and maintain their independence for as long as possible. However, the idea of accepting help at home can be met with great resistance. One approach that can be very effective is to suggest that having a home care agency come in for a few hours a day, will give the rest of the family peace of mind knowing that their loved one is safe. Seniors are often willing to make a change that they feel will benefit others before they would consider their own personal benefit. It is usually a good idea to include a senior in making a selection on what agency to use as well. Including them in the process is empowering. In addition, presenting the idea that home care is a well- deserved luxury rather than a decision that is being forced can make a huge difference in the outcome.The good news is that there are many home care agencies to choose from that help make this all possible. When choosing home care, it is important to look for an agency that will focus on specific needs. Initially, a thorough client assessment should be made by the agency; including notes on specialized care with possible conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's, stroke and post-surgical care to name a few. Careful thought should be given to arranging a caregiver with the right personality and skill set. Finding a good match will help to ensure success. Last but not least, ask about background checks on caregivers and make sure caregivers are bonded and insured.Often, after a few scheduled visits with a caregiver, the elderly family member will begin to look forward to the regular social interaction. They will find relief in no longer struggling with tasks such as bathing, dressing, incontinence issues and grooming. They will enjoy the new opportunities that come with a companion who can accompany them on walks, help them prepare their favorite meals and assist them in getting to medical appointments and to do errands. The family will have the opportunity to experience joy in their time together rather than dealing with stresses they were previously faced with.Editors note: This article was written by Robin Savoie Zack and Michael Savoie, owners of Executive Care located at 3476 Main Street in Stratford. Executive Care offers affordable hourly and live-in rates. They can be reached at (203)690-1963.

Remaining independent doesnt mean you have to be totally self-sufficient or do everything yourself. Knowing when to accept or ask for help is often the key to retaining your quality of life and even preventing injury.In fact, many adults need only a small number of services, such as light housekeeping, laundry, a ride to the doctors, or meal preparation to keep functioning independently as they age. Assistance with these daily routines, and with such activities as bathing, dressing, and grooming, can help them maintain independence and remain at home.But such assistance is not always easy to find and manage. Thats where home care comes in. Experienced caregivers provided by solid home care companies offer the helping hands needed to make continued independence possible for many seniors.I saw this when my father was caring for my mother, said FirstLight HomeCare owner, John Richards. My Dads health suffered because he was trying to do too much. When he accepted a little help from a caregiver at home, his heath improved and best of all, so did the quality of time he spent with Mom.FirstLight HomeCare owner Pat Risko agrees: Seniors deserve to live independent lives and to receive the very best care available. Home care helps make both possible.When selecting caregivers Risko and Richards agree that it is important to ensure that caregivers are direct employees of their company, that they are insured, and that the company has conducted pre-employment screening. Some companies, such as FirstLight, even use personality tests to better match caregivers to the needs of their clients, and then they closely monitor client satisfaction after care begins.One misconception that many people have regarding home care is the price. We committed to delivering compassionate, experienced caregivers at the best value, making caregivers more affordable than many first believe, especially versus alternatives that often involve leaving home, Richards said.Home care can be the key to aging independently. Asking for assistance can be hard to do. It takes a lot of courage and wisdom to take this step, but as millions of seniors and their families have discovered, it can be a step well worth taking.Editors Note: This article submitted by John Richards, Owner, FirstLight HomeCare Of Fairfield County, 203-636-0991 and Patrick Risko, Owner, FirstLight HomeCare Of Shoreline East, 203-449-7514

People often say, If you dont use it, you lose it This phrase certainly pertains to brain function. As with any part of the body, the brain can atrophy if it isnt exercised. The best cognitive workout is hearing, which may seem simple enough but actually involves various portions of the brain that influence our memories, perception, and communication.At Better Hearing at Home, Dr. Anne Reap is trained to treat all types of hearing issues including the connection between hearing loss and dementia. Her intensive training coupled with her in depth study of how the brain processes sound has helped serve her patients well for more than 28 years.When hearing loss becomes a reality, the connection between our brains and our ears is often forgotten. Unfortunately, those patients with undiagnosed or untreated hearing loss increase their risk of physical complications or mental and emotional struggles. According to the Better Hearing Institute, numerous studies link unmanaged hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including depression, impaired memory, compromised ability to learn new tasks, and the increased risk of personal safety.Hearing loss can impact the lifestyles and relationships of those individuals with dementia, negatively impacting their well-being and leaving loved ones and care-givers to wonder, whether communication and memory issues are due to dementia OR hearing loss??? Confusion surrounding dementia can worsen over time, but it is possible to break the cycle with the appropriate hearing care by a trained doctor of Audiology.Dr. Reap understands that individual needs are unique and treatment plans must be personalized in order to be effective. At Better Hearing at Home, we will work with you to insure that you and your loved ones can reach hearing and lifestyle goals. Remember, early intervention and treatment provides the best possible outcome. Dont wait, better hearing can make all the difference.Editors Note: This article was submitted byBetter Hearing at Home - Dr. Anne Reap500 West Putnam Avenue, Suite 300Greenwich, CT 06830www.betterhearingathome.com203 542-7323

Infusion therapy services are planned before a patient leaves the hospital or doctors office in conjunction with a nurse liaison. The ordered drug is prepared at a specialized pharmacy and shipped directly to the patients home. A plan for administering intravenous treatments includes diagnosis, type and length of therapy, severity of the illness, and the home infusion responsibilities for the patient, their family, and professional caregiver. Home infusion calls for time commitment, patience, and collaborative teamwork, but the time will vary depending on the illness.Infusion therapies provided in a home setting by a registered nurse may include the following:Antibiotic Treatment often given over 30 to 60 minutes using an IV dripSteroid Treatment usually a 2 hour infusionIntramuscular Injections (IM) Vitamin B 12 or Bicillin injections typically for the treatment of Lyme Disease With the assistance of a registered nurse experienced in infusion therapy, patients can be assured that they will be cared for by a qualified professional who will recognize their unique requirements and attend to them resourcefully.One to one personal care allows time for the patient to be able to understand their diagnosis more clearly, ask questions freely without time constraint, get to know and feel comfortable with their nurse. Continuity of care builds a trusting relationship and a solid understanding of what home infusion is all about. It enables opportunities to engage/teach patients about their own health while looking at the whole picture and educate when and where it's needed. The ability to communicate with pharmacies and doctors to inform them of how their patients are doing first hand and if a problem were to arise is important so it can be handled in an appropriate time frame. Communication between patient, nurse and doctor is vital for a successful outcome.For a more detailed plan you can call/text Kimberly direct at (203) 515.3293 or Email any questions to: kimberlykares3293@gmail.com and/or go online to read and get more information at: kimberlykares4u.comThis article was submitted by Kimberly Cossuto, RN, BSN, owner of Kimberly Kares LLC, an experienced infusion therapy service working with families throughout Fairfield and Eastern Westchester Counties.