Florida - Orlando

Understanding Transfer Trauma  Moving to a new place is usually filled with a mix of excitement, apprehension and stress. But for those living with Alzheimers disease or dementia, a transition to a new community can trigger a huge range of reactions.  What is transfer trauma? Those facing Alzheimers or dementia who are in the early stages of the disease may encounter this type of trauma especially if they are leaving a familiar home and moving to a new community. Symptoms may be mild or severe and can include sadness, anger, anxiety and depression. There can be more confusion than normal, sleeplessness, poor appetite and even nausea. Family and friends may see the transfer trauma last for a few days or several weeks.  How to Plan the Move You can help mitigate transfer trauma by working with the persons family members, caregivers and healthcare team. Finding the right community for the person and making sure they have the appropriate level of care should also be considered.  Using a professional move management company that specializes in senior moving services can also help. The team at WayForth understands the emotional and physical challenges of a move like this and can help with several services such as downsizing, packing and unpacking, and space planning to lessen the stress on the person moving as well as their family.  Making a Loved One Feel Comfortable Encouraging them to do familiar chores such as making coffee or watching a movie in their new space can help them feel at home.  Joining an Alzheimers support group where you can talk with other families who are experiencing similar things that you are going through can help.  WayForth is a certified senior move management company here to make your transition stress and hassle-free. Our moving professionals handle everything from downsizing, packing and unpacking, to storage. Contact us today at 817-697-4478 or go to our website to learn more!

For family caregivers, one of the top priorities when caring for a loved one with Alzheimers is to maintain a safe home environment. With changes in cognition, activities or routines that were once second nature may pose a safety risk for a loved one with dementia. To help family caregivers assess home safety for an older adult with dementia, the leaders in Florida home care at American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care outline a room-by-room Alzheimers home safety check. While not all of these adjustments need to be made immediately following a dementia diagnosis, its important to re-evaluate and adjust following behavioral or ability changes.General Safety Inside the HomePost your home address and emergency numbers in several places throughout the home and near landline telephones.Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in or near the kitchen and all sleeping areas. Check their functioning and install new batteries every six months.Install locks on all outside doors and windows. Consider installing an extra lock on outside doors that are located out of direct view, either higher up on the door, or down low.Install alarms or set a whole-house security system to chime when doors or windows are opened.Hide a spare house key outside in case your loved one with Alzheimer's disease locks you out of the house.Be sure that stairways have at least one secure handrail. Interior stairways should be carpeted or have safety grip strips.Keep all medications (prescription and over the counter) locked. Ensure that all prescription medications are in original containers with safety lids and clearly labeled with the person's name, name of the drug, drug strength, dosage frequency, and expiration date. Regularly dispose of expired medications.Reduce or eliminate clutter, which can create confusion and danger.Remove firearms and other weapons from the home or lock them up. Install safety locks on guns or remove ammunition and firing pins.Install night lights throughout the home in hallways, the bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen and other areas where the senior might need to navigate at night.Remove throw rugs from the home as these may lead to an increased risk of falls.General Safety Outside of the HouseKeep walkways clear of debris, hoses, and other objects that may cause the person to trip. Make certain walkways are even, fix any loose bricks, and install pathway lighting.Keep steps free from debris and install handrails.Mark the edges of steps with non-slip reflective tape.Consider installing a ramp when navigating the stairs becomes difficult.If your home has a swimming pool, restrict access with a sturdy fence and locked gate. Consider installing an alarm that sounds when motion is detected in the water.Install adequate outside lighting. Motion sensors that turn lights turn on and off automatically are especially helpful.Post a "NO SOLICITING" sign on the front gate or door.KitchenInstall safety latches on storage cabinets and drawers designated for breakable or dangerous items.Lock away all household cleaning products, scissors, knives, matches, blades, small appliances, and anything valuable.Install safety knobs on the stove.Consider disconnecting the garbage disposal. People with Alzheimer's may place objects or their own hands in the disposal.BathroomPlace nonskid adhesive strips or mats in the tub and shower.Use a shower stool and a hand-held shower head to make bathing easier.Install grab bars in the tub/shower.Set the water heater at 120F to avoid scalding.Remove small electrical appliances from the bathroom and cover electrical outlets.Remove or disable the lock from the bathroom door to prevent the person with dementia from getting locked inside.Install a raised toilet seat with handrails or grab bars beside the toilet.Remove cleaning products or lock them away.BedroomAnticipate the reasons a person with dementia may need to get out of bed, such as thirst, hunger, going to the bathroom, pain, and/or restlessness. Try to meet these needs ahead of time to reduce the number of times the person may feel the need to get out of bed.Use transfer or mobility aids to ensure safety for both you and your loved one.Use monitoring devices to alert for any sounds that may indicate a fall or other need for help. These devices can also be effective in bathrooms.If using a hospital-type bed with rails and/or wheels, read the Food and Drug Administration's safety information.Living RoomReplace torn carpet.Place the remote controls for the DVD player, television, and stereo system out of sight.Keep cigarette lighters and matches out of reach.Be certain that walkways are clear of electrical cords as well as clutter.Place decals at eye level on picture windows, sliding glass doors, or furniture with large glass panels to identify the glass pane.A great way to help ensure safety and promote dignity and an appropriate amount of independence for a loved one with dementia is to partner with a referred care provider from American, Advocate or Whitsyms In-Home Care. Each care provider we refer has specialized training and is able to provide customized care to meet a variety of needs, as well as encourage engagement in memory care activities. Additionally, referred care providers offer family caregivers support and respite so that they can step away for self-care.Contact us any time to learn more about specialized Alzheimers and dementia in-home care for older adults by clicking the link to the location nearest you below:American In-Home Care  Serving North, Central, and West Coast of FloridaAdvocate In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaWhitsyms In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida

Arthritis pain impacts an astounding one in every two older Americans and can cause seniors to limit physical activity leading to a vicious circle of additional pain and discomfort. The top-rated referred care providers at American, Advocate, and Whitsyms In-Home Care offer the following suggestions to ease arthritis pain in older adults and lead to a better quality of life.Heat and cold therapy Both heat and cold can help with improving circulation, reducing muscle spasms, and relieving stiffened muscles and joints. Some individuals respond better to heat, and others to cold, so try both to see which works best for a senior you love. Be sure to place a thin towel between the seniors skin and the source of heat or cold, and then apply a heating pad, heat wrap, air-activated heat patch, cold wrap or pad, a small bag of ice or frozen peas. Remove after no more than 10 15 minutes to protect the skin.Massage Gentle massage, with lotion or oil to reduce friction on the skin, can help relax painful joints and muscles, and also promote better sleep. Warming the area first as mentioned above can help prevent any pain that may be experienced.Healthy lifestyle choices Losing weight removes extra pressure on the knees and other joints. For a senior who is overweight, talk with the doctor for a recommended diet and exercise plan, and then help the senior stay motivated to stick with the plan. Having someone to exercise with is a great motivator, so join in and work out together!The referred Florida in-home care experts at American, Advocate, and Whitsyms In-Home Care can help seniors with arthritis to feel more comfortable too. Whether the need is for transportation to medical appointments, planning and preparing healthy meals, offering encouragement and opportunities to remain physically active, or a wide range of other care needs, families trust our referred care providers to make life the very best it can be for seniors at home.Contact us any time for more information and additional tips and resources to help with better management of arthritis pain in older adults. You can reach us by clicking the appropriate link below for the location that is nearest to you.American In-Home Care  Serving North, Central, and West Coast of FloridaAdvocate In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaWhitsyms In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida

When someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, it can be overwhelming. Questions need to be answered, decisions need to be made, and educational resources are crucial to understanding how the disease will progress, what to expect, and how to best help the senior.While theres a preconceived notion that nursing home care is inevitable for someone with dementia, there is actually a viable alternative in many cases: respite care from a referred care provider at American, Advocate or Whitsyms In-Home Care. Respite care services allow seniors to remain at home, where theyre most comfortable. And they allow family caregivers the opportunity for regular breaks from providing care something that is critical to their own health and wellbeing.Here are just a few reasons that care at home for someone with dementia is preferred:Routines are important for those with dementia, to help minimize confusion and disorientation. Respite care at home allows seniors to follow routines they are already accustomed to with the familiarity of family caregivers.Respite care services are highly personalized according to each persons specific needs and challenges. The referred care provider will follow the family caregivers lead, with the added benefit of being able to provide recommendations for creative solutions to the any difficulties or issues being faced.Skilled dementia care providers understand how to ensure a calm, soothing environment for someone with dementia. They know, for instance, never to argue with someone with dementia or try to correct the person. They can also incorporate music, art, and other types of meaningful activities into each day to enhance quality of life.Continuing to live at home alleviates a particular type of stress for someone with dementia known as transfer trauma. Transfer trauma in dementia is common, resulting from relocation and leading to a greater chance for the senior to wander and to feel anxious, isolated, and depressed.The benefits of respite care services extend to family members as well. The stress associated with providing dementia care for a loved one can quickly lead to health concerns such as caregiver burnout and depression. These conditions can also negatively impact the senior who is receiving care.Family members need to ensure plenty of time for their own self-care, for relaxing, enjoyable activities, to spend time with family members and friends, and to take care of other obligations. Respite care can be arranged on a regular, consistent basis whether just a few hours once a week or every day, and even overnight.At American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care, were pleased to refer care providers who can help through:Companionship for conversations, reminiscing, and other meaningful activities to enhance cognitive functioningEvaluation of overall health and wellbeingPersonal hygiene assistance such as showering/bathing, getting dressed and using the bathroomMedication managementMeals and eatingAnd moreWeve been the trusted choice for respite care services in Florida for decades, with a family of brands located throughout the state. To learn more, contact the location nearest you:American In-Home Care  Serving North, Central, and West Coast of FloridaAdvocate In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaWhitsyms In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest Florida