Texas - Greater Dallas

Join Kathleen Warshawsky, BSN RN, for a Seniors Blue Book Senior Care Spotlight, featuring Tavis Schriefer, CEO of teleCalm.What is teleCalm?The teleCalm service stopsproblem calls for seniors whether they live at home or in a senior living community.We especially help those living with Alzheimers and dementia by keeping them safely connected to family and friends.Our service reduces senior isolation. We help seniors maintain their independence, while helping family caregivers prevent phone-related problems such as late-night calls, repeated calls, and 911 abuse. Plus, we stop 100% of telemarketer/scam calls.How do you do that?Family caregivers subscribe to the teleCalm service for their loved one, and it replaces any existing home phone service provider. Our service works whether the senior lives at home or in a senior living community even in memory care, where ordinary phone service is not allowed.We provide a small wireless adapter that the telephone plugs into. They dont need to have existing phone service or internet service.The family caregiver manages all the features and benefits of our service remotely through the teleCalm Caregiver app on their smartphone.If a family wants your service for their loved one in senior living, does the community have to already have your service installed?No. Were currently in over 170 communities across the US. In the majority of these communities, the family member has brought the teleCalm adapter into their loved ones apartment and plugged it in themselves. The great thing is we dont touch the communitys telephone wiring and we dont use the community Wi-Fi. Our wireless adapter uses cellular but has a standard phone jack on the back to plug in any standard home telephone.What do your customers tell you they like most about the teleCalm service?Our customers love how simple our service is to use. If you know how to add a contact in your cell phone, you will find it easy to use our Caregiver app to manage the teleCalm service.For many, our service has been life-changing for their family whether its stopping all those late night and repeated calls, or stopping their loved ones from getting scammed, or stopping the frequent inappropriate 911 calling. Often times, we have been the only way their loved one can keep a telephone because we are able to stop all the bad calls, while keeping them connected with their family and friends.Our customers also love teleCalms personal touch to support. Our US-based customer support is manned by staff who have been caregivers themselves so they understand first-hand the issue families are going through.What changes have you seen since COVID-19?Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the US, weve witnessed the same concerns that we are all seeing on the news regarding senior isolation, both at home and in senior livings.We hear this firsthand in the phone calls with our new customers as they as they are searching for ways to stay connected with their elderly family members.teleCalm is helping to reduce social isolation in seniors, especially during pandemic and were providing peace of mind to the families.Since the stay-at-home orders and the lockdowns in senior livings, our customers are talking with their loved ones longer. The average phone call is now over 70% longer then pre-COVID calls.Since families cant visit their loved one in person, they are spending more time talking to them on the phone.Some new customers thought that maybe they had to wait until the lockdowns were over before they could install teleCalm service in their loved ones senior living apartment, but thats not true.We continue to add new subscribers during COVID-19. Normally the caregiver brings the adapter in and sets it up, but during COVID, the senior living staff have been more than willing to set it up for the family, because it only takes 10 minutes.Besides teleCalm, have you seen any other technologies that can be helpful for seniors, especially during these times? Well, on the telephone side, a lot of families like these photo dial telephones that allow their loved ones to make calls by touching the picture of the person instead of dialing the phone number.Also, with all of us staying at home, we are watching a lot more TV. There is this one type of speaker thats specifically designed for the hearing impaired. It enhances the voices, making them clearer, while toning down the background music and noises that often make it difficult to understand the dialog.Then theres this unique adaptive clothing company that customizes your loved ones existing clothing, replace the need for buttons with hidden Velcro or magnets, making it easier for seniors to dress themselves.You can learn more about some of these items here:http://www.telecalmprotects.com/dags/How would someone find out more about teleCalm?Theres a wealth of knowledge on our website at teleCalmProtects.com, and they can also call us at 888-701-0411.

Originally Posted September 15, 2023Long-term care facilities, also referred to as Nursing Homes Working to improve the quality of care for elderly residents, the Biden Administration has given CMS the authority to implement new regulations that mandate nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid to maintain minimum staffing levels and promote transparency.  Outlined in a report from The White House, the new regulations target the long-standing concerns of understaffing and the impact it has on the quality of life and care of vulnerable residents in nursing homes. In this blog, we will discuss implications of the new rules and their potential to make an impact on long term care in the United States. Understaffing ProblemFor years understaffing has been an ongoing issue in U.S. nursing homes, with consequences being inadequate care to elderly neglect and abuse.  The COVID-19 pandemic called attention to the vulnerabilities our loved ones face in these facilities, over 200.000 lives were lost in long-term care facilities (npr.org), which prompted a call for systemic change.  As nursing homes struggled to cope with the demands of the pandemic, the need for more personnel and better staffing ratios became glaringly evident.   New Regulation FocusThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced new regulations requiring nursing homes to meet minimum staffing requirements, in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of care for Medicaid and Medicaid recipients and are expected to have a profound impact on the industry. New Regulations Key Provisions   Minimum Staffing Levels: Nursing homes are now required to maintain a minimum staffing level, ensuring there are enough nurses and other staff members to meet residents needs adequately. These levels will vary depending on the size and needs of the facility.  Staffing Ratios: Facilities must now have an appropriate number of registered nurses (RNs) on staff 24/7 to provide skilled nursing care to residents.  Transparency: Nursing homes must be transparent about their staffing levels and retention, making this information readily available to residents and their families.  As staffing levels and turnover have shown to be directly correlated with quality of care1.  CMS database of nursing home owners and operators.2.  Improve transparency of facility ownership and finances.3.  Enhance nursing home Care Compare rating website.4.  Examine the role of private equity investors in the nursing home sector Accountability: CMS will enforce these regulations through regular inspections and assessments. Nursing homes failing to meet the requirements may face serious penalties of lose their eligibility to Medicare and Medicaid fundingPotential Impact There are several positive changes these new regulations are expected to make in the long-term care industry  Improved Quality of Care: Appropriate staffing levels mean better care for residents, as their needs will be addressed more promptly.  When a residents need is met in a timely manner it can lead to preventable medical complications and overall improvement in the residents quality of life. (PubMed)  Improved Resident Safety: Incidents of neglect and abuse may decline with more staff members available, ensuring a safer environment.  Better Staff Retention: CMS is investing $75 million in financial incentives, in things like tuition reimbursement to help improve retention at nursing homes. (npr.org) When a facility is staffed adequately it can reduce burnout and stress, leading to less staff turnover and hopefully as a result will attract more skilled professionals to the industry.  Informed Choices and Transparency: Nursing Home Five-Star Rating System will aid families in making informed decisions when choosing a facility for their loved ones.  Government Accountability: Oversight and government enforcement are critical in ensuring nursing homes are held accountable and lead to systemic positive changes.Challenges and ConcernsImplementation: Due to nationwide shortages in nursing and healthcare supportive staff, nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid may struggle to meet the new regulations standards.Costs: Hiring additional staff equates to increased costs which are often passed on to the residents. The American Health Care Association believes that the proposal will worsen current conditions and cost nursing homes billions. (Associated Press)Monitoring and Enforcement: Effectiveness of the new regulations will rely on regular monitoring and enforcement by CMS. With 75% of nursing homes nationwide being impacted, this could potentially lead to closures and additional struggles, especially in remote areas. (Associated Press)Not Enough: Leader of Long-Term Care Community Coalition, Richard Mollot, called the measures completely inadequate. While admitting that the 24/7 nursing requirement may make small improvements in some of the worst facilities. (Associated Press)There is no question that we all want quality care in a safe environment for our elderly and loved ones.  While there will be many challenges to overcome implementation, the benefits in enhanced quality care, resident safety, and transparency outweigh the concerns. Only time will tell if these new regulations will truly be able to aid nursing homes in making changes that yield positive long-term outcomes for residents. Families being able to make better and more informed choices as to where their loved ones receive care is a step in the right direction. After decades of caring for loved ones, there is nothing that can compare to having a family member or friend that checks in on their person regularly. Being present and knowing youre coming has a positive impact not only on the residents but the staff too. Long-term care is a team effort and taking an active role to be a positive part of that team can make a significant difference.  'Britt Hemsell | Senior Living Advisor & Blog ContributorResources:The Associated Press by Matt Sedensky: reader.dallasnews.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=87cfddf9-73c6-4259-a88b-e6e912921658The White House: FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Steps to Improve Quality of Nursing Homes | The White HouseNPR: Biden New Federal Standards for Nursing Home Care : NPRPubMed: The association between nurses' burnout and objective care quality indicators: a cross-sectional survey in long-term care wards - PubMed (nih.gov)

Are you wondering what to do after your loved one gets discharged after a hospital stay? When your loved one is in the hospital, be it for a planned procedure or an unplanned emergency, it's easy to become overwhelmed with information. Not only are you trying to keep track of how they're feeling and how their recovery is going, but you're also in communication with their physician, surgeon, therapists, and nursing team. There's so much information rapidly coming at you in all directions, and just when you think you're getting a handle on it, a social worker comes in to talk to you about discharge planning.While everyone is eager to get your loved one home so they can recover in a place where they feel most comfortable, there's a lot to do before they can safely leave the hospital. Taking discharge planning one step at a time can help reduce stress. Here's what to consider as you begin preparing your loved one to leave the hospital.Meet with the hospital discharge plannerYour loved one's discharge from a hospital visit begins days before the planned date of the discharge. A discharge planner, typically a social worker or other trained professional, will meet with the designated family member to discuss the discharge plans. During the initial meeting, the planner will talk about potential discharge dates and learn more from you about: - What support systems, if any, your loved one has in place.- What you and your loved one are worried about regarding them leaving the hospital.- Resources and services in the community that you can contact to set up support.When you meet with the planner, take notes. You're likely to forget the small details if you don't write them down along with all the information you get during the meeting.Make sure you have the planner's contact information, including their email address, so you can send any follow-up questions or concerns after your meeting.Understand that you will probably meet with the planner daily until the day of the discharge.Review the care plan and medical instructionPart of the discharge planning process is understanding what your loved one is going to need when they leave the hospital. Your discharge planner will walk you through the recommendations from your loved one's medical team, including their surgeon, specialist, physician, and therapist. Depending on the reason for your loved one's stay in the hospital, you might find information about: - Upcoming follow-up visits and therapy visit recommendations.- Prescription schedule.- Wound care instructions.- Restorative exercises.- Dietary needs.- Signs of an emergency, or when to get in touch with a doctor ASAP.You'll receive a copy of these instructions, and they may be updated before the discharge. Take notes and ask questions if you need clarification.Choose the right care after a hospital stayChoosing how to get care after hospitalization can be a stressful part of the discharge process. In addition to simply leaving the hospital, the goal is to make sure your loved one continues their recovery in a setting that matches their medical needs, mobility, and level of support.For some seniors, returning home with the right services in place is a safe and appropriate option, but not all seniors who are discharged are cleared to go straight home. Instead, many are encouraged to continue their recovery in a skilled nursing facility in order to get a strong enough return home safely. Others are told that eventually going back home is not a safe option at all, and family members need to begin exploring other long-term senior living options, like assisted living.This decision often comes together quickly. Some may have only a few days to understand care recommendations, evaluate options, and choose a path forward, while trying to make the safest and most sustainable choice.Get help from a professional senior care advisorIn this scenario, it can be valuable to bring in a professional senior care advisor who can do most of the work for you, giving you a list of vetted senior living communities that meet your loved one's needs, preferences, and budget. These advisors provide their services at no cost to family members, and will meet with you either at the hospital or over the phone to learn more about the discharge recommendations, your loved one's challenges, and your plans for the short and long term. Then, they use their knowledge and relationships with senior living communities in your area to identify a few that meet all the necessary criteria.Senior care advisors can even accompany you on a tour of potential communities, or spend time with you afterward to discuss what you observed and address any questions you might still have. Most care advisors will check in regularly to ensure that you are making your most confident decision, even after your loved one has been discharged to the senior living community.Organize supportNow that you know when your loved one will be discharged, and the recommendations for their after-hospital care, it's time to start getting the pieces in place for a successful discharge. If possible, begin working on these steps immediately. You'll also want to delegate tasks to other family members, including those who live far away but can be helpful over the phone or through email.Depending on your loved one's needs, you might need to complete these tasks:- Setting up follow-up appointments and transportation.- Ordering medical supplies, including any durable medical equipment.- Getting prescriptions from the pharmacy.- Setting up services with Meals on Wheels or another meal delivery service, if your loved one is returning home.- Stocking the fridge and cabinets with easy-to-make meals and snack options.- Scheduling home care or home health care visitors as prescribed.- Contacting the senior living community (if your loved one isn't returning home) to determine what you need to bring when your loved one moves, including any medical history or medication records, clothing, comfort items, etc.Remember: If you're working with a senior care advisor, they can be a valuable resource in helping you get organized for the move to the senior living community. They can provide you with options for moving companies, home organizers, and more.Watch for warning signs of complicationsOnce your loved one has left the hospital, your focus shifts to avoiding readmission. You want your loved one to recover successfully and not develop any secondary infections, have a fall, or experience other complications that can bring them back to a hospital setting.Keep your eyes peeled for these potential red flags, and follow up with their physician immediately: - Confusion or acute disorientation. - Swelling in the lower extremities.- Redness or irritation at any suture sites.- Poor balance or near-falls.- Not taking medications as scheduled.- Experiencing unpleasant side effects from medications.- Poor appetite.- Skipping physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician appointments.- A new cough or fever.- Unmanaged pain.Slow and Steady: Recovering after a hospital visitIt's important to remember that recovery from a hospital visit can take longer for older adults. The deconditioning that occurs when individuals are sedentary in the hospital, in addition to the side effects of medication or anesthetic, can slow down their recovery. Stay patient and supportive, taking note of the small victories. Observe and celebrate their progress. Slow and steady wins the race, especially when it comes to post-hospital recovery. If you are navigating a hospital discharge and feeling unsure about the next steps, Oasis Senior Advisors Carrollton-Frisco can help you make sense of your options. They work closely with families to understand care needs, budget, and timing, then guide you through comparing the communities, scheduling tours, and making a confident decision. Their support is totally free, and their local knowledge can make a fast-moving situation much more manageable. Additionally, original Medicare and most Advantage plans now offer a benefit for a healthcare advocate.  These advocates can also help with scheduling appointments, next steps, understanding explanations of benefits, and many other things. Contact your local advisor, Holly DeLisi, at (682) 375-9604 for assistance with navigating discharge or for healthcare advocate recommendations.

Good Nutrition: Positive Impact on DementiaThere are over 6 million people living with dementia in the U.S. and 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimers or another form of dementia according to the Alzheimers Association.  While there are many different types of dementia there is currently no known cure.  Much research is taking place to indicate that good nutrition can have a positive impact on patients quality of life. Today we will talk about ways in which nutrition can play a key role in making a difference for patients with dementia.Definition of DementiaDementia is defined by the National Institute on Aging as the loss of cognitive functioning thinking, remembering, and reasoning to such an extent that it interferes with a persons daily life and activities.  Its important to understand what dementia is and the challenges those living with it face.  Dementia is considered a progressive condition, with Alzheimers disease being the most common form.  It affects memory, thinking, and behavior, making daily activities increasingly difficult. This can make it hard for one dealing with dementia to maintain a proper diet, which can result in weight loss, malnutrition, and other health issues.Nutrition in Dementia CareGood nutrition is important for everyone in maintaining good health, but especially plays a vital role in those living with dementia.  A balanced diet can provide a positive effect on a patients life, including cognitive function, physical health, and emotional well-being.  Cognitive Function - Good nutrition can slow the progression of dementia and boost cognitive function. Omgea-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins are associated with improved brain health.  Foods such as fatty fish (salmon & mackerel), leafy greens, and berries, can help protect brain cells and enhance cognitive abilities.  Weight Management - Dementia patients often experience unintentional weight loss due to decreased appetite, forgetting to eat, or difficulty eating independently. A proper nutritious diet can help maintain a healthy weight. Preserving muscle mass and reducing risk of complications.    Hydration - Ensuring proper hydration is important for everyone but is critical for dementia patients as they lose the ability to feel thirsty.  Dehydration can increase confusion, agitation, and other behavioral symptoms.  Regular fluid intake and offering foods with high water content can help prevent dehydration.  Emotional Well-Being - Sharing meals with loved ones or friends fosters social engagement and a sense of connectedness promoting well-being.  Delicious and nutritious meals also provide a source of comfort and pleasure.9 Top Foods for Those with Dementia1.  Leafy Greens2.  Berries3.  Fish high in Omega-3 fatty acid4.  Beans5.  Whole Grains6.  Nuts7.  Sweet Potatoes8.  Seeds9.  Healthy Fats (Extra virgin olive oil, Coconut oil)Additional Tips Working in the senior industry and many with dementia and their families, here are some additional tips to think about to make mealtime a more positive experience:  Frequent and small meals  smaller and more frequent meals may be easier to manage and provide better nutrition overall as they may be easier to manage than large meals.  Maintain a routine  consistent mealtimes can help reduce anxiety and make mealtimes more enjoyable and comfortable.  Consult with a dietitian  a registered dietitian can address the personal dietary need of the patient and customize meal plans.  Larger grip utensils and handles on cups  This helps the individual be able to help facilitate independent eating as the disease progresses.While there is no cure for dementia, the impact of good nutrition is notable and continues to be studied.  Having a well-balanced diet can help improve cognitive function, supports overall good physical health, and enhances the emotional well-being of dementia patients.  By focusing on nutrient-rich foods, hydration, and a mealtime routine, caregivers can help make positive and significant impact in the lives of those living with dementia.  Proper nutrition along with a loving and supportive environment, can improve the quality of life for both the patient and the caregiver(s).  May we all continue to strive for compassion and understanding in caring for those with dementia while researchers continue to search for a cure for this disease that impacts the lives of so many we love.Author: Britt Hemsell | Ruby Care Senior Living Advisor & Blog Contributor