Connecticut - Southern

Home Health Care and Home Care ServicesHome health care is provided by skilled medical professionals, such as nurses, therapists and medical social workers, and includes a wide range of services that are provided in your home to treat an illness or injury. The focus of home health care is to help you get better, regain your independence and become as self-sufficient as possible. Many times, home health care is less expensive, more convenient than and as effective as the care you would receive in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility. It often follows a doctors visit or a stay at a hospital or rehabilitation facility. For Medicare beneficiaries, doctors orders are needed to initiate home health care, and you must be considered temporarily homebound. If your doctor or referring health care provider determines that you are a candidate for home health care, they should give you a list of agencies that offer these services and allow you to choose the one you would like to use. A home health care agency will make an appointment to visit you at home, ask pertinent questions about your health and do an assessment of your medical situation. The home health care professional will talk to your doctor about your care and coordinate services. Examples of home health services include monitoring of serious illness or unstable health, wound care, intravenous therapy, injections, pain management, medication management and physical, occupational or speech therapy. Your home health care provider will regularly check what you're eating and drinking, monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and temperature, make sure you are taking your medications correctly, ask if youre having any pain, check your home for safety precautions and teach you about self-care to encourage you toward greater independence.Home care services are the non-medical services that can help maintain your quality of life while living at home in a comfortable environment. Assistance can range from companionship to hands on care, depending on the need. This can be accomplished by regular weekly visits or by a 24/7 live-in caregiver. Help which can be provided includes assistance with dressing, bathing, mobility, feeding or meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, shopping and errands. Often this kind of assistance allows a person to remain in their own home, with appropriate help, as an alternative to relocating to a residential facility. Some home health care agencies can provide both medical care and non-medical home care services for their clients. Other agencies offer non-medical home care services exclusively. Both home health care and home care agencies have the goal of keeping you safe, comfortable and healthy at home.Submitted by Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, President & CEO, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association.

Thanksgiving is more than just a day for feasting; its a cherished occasion that invites us to reflect on gratitude, connection, and warmth. For seniors, participating in or creating meaningful traditions can foster a sense of belonging and joy. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that keeping traditions alive plays a vital role in enhancing the lives of our loved ones. Lets explore some heartwarming ideas and tips to help you create special Thanksgiving traditions that seniors can treasure for years to come.Setting the Stage: Create a Warm and Inviting AtmosphereCreating the perfect Thanksgiving atmosphere begins long before the main event. Its about making your space welcoming and cozy so that everyone, especially seniors, feels at home. Decorate Thoughtfully: Choose decorations that evoke fond memories. Consider using family photos from past Thanksgivings to create a nostalgic display. Handmade crafts by grandchildren, or traditional decorations like pumpkins and autumn leaves, can add a personal touch.Reflection Zone: Set up a special area where seniors can sit comfortably and reflect on their favorite memories or share stories. Create a gratitude tree where family members can hang notes of what they are thankful for.Involve Them in Planning: Ask seniors for their input on the Thanksgiving menu or activities. Involving them in the planning process not only respects their preferences but also empowers them. Its a beautiful way for seniors to feel a connection to the holiday.Comfortable Seating: Ensure that there are comfortable seating arrangements. Invest in cushions or blankets for added warmth. Consider the mobility needs of seniors by arranging the seating to minimize any inconvenience in movement.By creating an inviting atmosphere filled with familiar sights and sounds, you can foster a sense of warmth and comfort, allowing seniors to feel part of a loving, connected family.Cherishing Traditions: Activities to Foster ConnectionThanksgiving is the perfect time to create lasting traditions that will help seniors feel included while allowing them to share some of their cherished experiences.Cooking Together: Invite seniors to share their favorite recipes and cook together. This not only creates a delicious meal but also provides an opportunity for storytelling and bonding. Encourage them to share tales of how they celebrated Thanksgiving when they were younger.Thanksgiving Memory sharing: Prior to the gathering, ask each family member to prepare a story about their favorite Thanksgiving memory or what they appreciate most about the seniors present. When everyone shares, it creates a beautiful tapestry of traditions and experiences, deepening family connections.Gratitude Circle: After your meal, gather everyone for a gratitude circle. Each person can voice what they are thankful for or a favorite memory from the past. This can be a touching moment for seniors, reinforcing their importance in the family and leaving them feeling cherished.Creating a Memory Book: Start a family Thanksgiving memory book where everyone can contribute their thoughts, photos, and drawings each year. Involving seniors in this activity ensures they feel vital and valued within the family legacy. Crafting: Create holiday crafts together, like making festive table centerpieces or card decorations. This activity can ignite creativity and ensure everyone feels included in the holiday preparations.Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, celebrate, and create unforgettable memories together. By focusing on traditions that foster connectedness and joy, you can create a Thanksgiving experience that speaks to the heart of what the holiday truly represents.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand the importance of environment and connection in enhancing the lives of our loved ones. This Thanksgiving, lets join together to create cherished moments that warm the heart and build lasting memories for seniors, transforming the holiday into a loving celebration. May your Thanksgiving be filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments that you and your family will remember for years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!

When an individual is diagnosed with Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia, it can be a confusing time. Family members, friends and the individual being diagnosed may wonder, what will happen next? What can I expect? What does it all mean?One of the most important things to remember as someone begins their journey through dementia is that the person inside still remains. However, family, friends, and caregivers, need to understand the disease and learn how to best interact with their loved one.Communication is a key area to focus on when interacting with individuals with dementia. Changes in communication that may occur include: Difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings Having a hard time finding the right words Trouble understanding and interpreting what others are sayingCommunication can be challenging; and it is an important piece of our day to day life. When communicating with someone who has dementia, it is important to be supportive and help the person feel comfortable.In order to communicate effectively with your loved one, remember the following tips: Remain positive. You can help set the tone for a positive interaction. Being patient, supportive and upbeat is key. Offer comfort and reassurance. Smile! Shift the way you think about communicating. We are educated on using manners and always asking people How are you? But, for individuals with dementia this question may be difficult to answer. Instead, try saying Hi, its nice to see you. Call the person by name and introduce yourself. For example, try saying: Hi Mom, its your daughter Sara. This can eliminate confusion they may experience if they dont recognize you. Enter their world. Individuals with dementia often arent oriented to current place and time, and their short term memory is not what it once was. Instead, reminisce and revisit old memories. Avoid arguing, criticizing or correcting. If you disagree with something your loved one is saying, dont argue, it will only leave you both feeling frustrated. Go with the flow and dont try to correct what they are saying. Instead, validate them and lead the conversation in a different direction, if possible. Use short simple words and sentences. Simplify your words. This will allow for less information for your loved one to process. Encourage unspoken communication. We can communicate non-verbally as well, through our facial expressions and body language. A smile, a hug, or a handshake allows for positive expression without using any words.As your loved one journeys through dementia, understand that their brain is changing. Each person is unique and may react to things differently. The more you understand the more success you will have communicating with your loved one.Live in the moment, embrace the present and treasure the memories.Editors Note:This article was submitted byStacy B. Kesl, BA, CDPDementia SpecialistAthena Health Care SystemsStacy has over 10 years experience working in Dementia Care and loves educating staff and families on dementia.She can be reached at (860) 751-3900

When its time to leave the hospital following illness, injury or surgery, youll need specialized care to regain your strength and mobility. If these services arent readily accessible and convenient to your home, youll have to search for qualified care, and contend with travel to and from the rehab center for days or weeks, possibly in inclement weather. Family members wishing to be involved in your care may also find these logistics challenging. People who live in a retirement community offering on-site rehabilitation services have a much easier time transitioning from hospital to home.Short-term nursing and rehab services, right where you live:When you choose to live in a continuing care retirement community, youll enjoy an independent retirement lifestyle filled with cultural, educational and recreational opportunities. Some offer on-site rehabilitation services. So if the need for short-term rehab care should arise, or if you plan to have surgery at a specific time, you can dovetail these services to maximize your comfort and convenience, and improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.Rehab services at a good retirement community should be led by a Medical Director who is also a medical doctor. At a minimum, the program should include physical, occupational and speech therapies. The rehab team should monitor your progress and adjust your care plan as needed. The best service providers will meet with you ahead of time, review your clinical information, lead the admissions process, and guide you every step of the way. They should consult with your family and personal physicians as well. The staff might include:Medical DirectorDirector of NursingRegistered NursesLicensed Practical NursesDieticianSocial WorkerTherapeutic Recreation DirectorLicensed Speech, Occupational and Rehabilitation TherapistsAdditional considerations:Look for staffing ratios that exceed state and national standards. Inquire about the centers capacity to handle clinically complex therapies, such as post-surgery recovery, cardiac/pulmonary rehab, or joint replacement rehabilitation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have a 5-star rating system. Ask about this and any other ratings your prospective rehabilitation center has earned. You should also ask whether therapy is available seven days a week, and if the center accepts direct admission or requires an entrance fee.Finding the right community that offers these high-caliber rehabilitation services on site can make living in retirement not only more enjoyable, but more convenient as well.This article was submitted by an affiliate of The Health Center at Meadow Ridge, 100 Redding Road Redding, CT.For information, call 1.866.780.0312 or visit MeadowRidge.com.