There is truth in the statement, “You can never satisfy some people.” If the person you can’t seem to satisfy is the older adult you care about or sibling caregivers, remember that your priority is to satisfy yourself first.
This may sound selfish. However, unless you make efforts to continue your own life in a positive manner, you won’t satisfy anyone – including your older adult.
Good communication is key to both family caregiver and older adult feeling good about a caregiving situation. Also, both need to be open to asking for and getting help. Help may come from family members, friends, health care providers, care services, community resources and in support groups.
The following are some tips for improving communication and handling conflict:
Step back from the situation.
By taking a step back from your family caregiving situation, you can better review reasons why things are happening and alternatives for dealing with problems. This can only be done by taking a break from caregiving duties. With a better understanding for your situation and feeling that there are options for help, your may feel relieved and better equipped to deal with your situation. You will be more open to positive discussion with your older adult.
If an older adult is constantly complaining or criticizing, a temporary break may help you understand why this is happening. You may realize that the complaining and criticizing may have nothing to do with you. The older adult may be unhappy about needing help, feels sick or uncomfortable much of the time, suffering from clinical depression or dementia, has lost contact with his or her friends or is just angry about life.
Understanding that complaints and criticism aren’t because of you can help soften their effects.
If criticism aimed at you was part of your former family situation, it is unrealistic to expect that this will change. If this is the case, it is especially important to seek outside help for family caregiving needs. Outside help may include turning to family members or friends, hiring care services or utilizing free community services.
A family caregiver support group is also a good alternative. A group can help you feel less alone in dealing with issues. Also, other caregivers offer great tips in support groups on how they’ve dealt with similar situations. Support groups for people with specific illnesses are also available and may be a good place for your older adult to vent feelings.
Listen.
Everybody thinks they listen. But especially in close relationships – spousal, parent-child or close friend – people begin to complete each other’s comments or fail to hear other’s thoughts because there is an assumption of knowing what will be said. Or, in the case of an older adult constantly complaining, a caregiver is likely to tune out repeated complaints. It is human nature.
To really listen, make an effort to focus on what is being said and speak only after your older adult has finished talking. You will likely be surprised at what you hear. Think about the comments and then try to envision yourself as saying those words and why you would say them. In other words, spend time in your older adult’s shoes.
In situations where closeness has caused you to take your older adult for granted, these conscious listening periods can re-ignite feelings of empathy that may make communicating easier. Also, your increased responsiveness may be noticed by your older adult who may then be willing to try the “listening game.”
Say “I” instead of “You” statements.
It is important as a family caregiver to be assertive but not aggressive. Assertiveness helps you maintain your personal boundaries and what you are willing to accept and do as a family caregiver.
To assert how you feel and not be accusatory, it is better to use “I” statements, such as “I feel …,” “I need…,” “I will …” and “I expect …” “I” statements allow you to express your feelings and are less likely to make others feel defensive. For example, say “I feel bad about what happened,” rather than “You made me feel bad about what happened.” The other person is more likely to be open to positive discussion about what happened than be defensive about causing hurt, and will likely volunteer an apology. Also, you may find out that hurting you was unintentional.
When using “I” statements, be specific about consequences. Rather than saying “You need to pick up Mom on time or else there could be problems.” Try saying, “I can take Mom to the store, if you can pick her up at 3 p.m. If she isn’t picked up on time, Mom may wander … or … Mom will not have a place to sit and wait at the store … or Mom buys frozen foods and they could melt.” Don’t assume another person understands your reasoning for requests. Instead, they may infer that you think they are unreliable.
Find a good time for conversation.
If you know your older adult or others doing family caregiving don’t like to talk in the morning, during the evening news or in the car, plan to discuss concerns at another time. Everyone has better and worse times for talking and listening. Sometimes simply asking, “Is this a good time to talk about something that I’m concerned about?” indicates your respect for the person’s time. If the person suggests another time, defer to his or her personal judgment. However, don’t allow someone to continue to put you off. Your feelings are important.
Step Away From Emotions.
Sometimes the best way to deal with conflict is to step away it. By simply saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t discuss this anymore. Maybe we can talk later,” and step away, you are acknowledging that the discussion is important to the other person while respecting your own limitations for handling the situation. After time away from the person or issue being discussed, what was so important to stand up for in the conflict may seem of little consequence later. If after stepping away and you feel the topic is still important, the matter can be brought up at a less emotionally charged time.
Become a duck.
Envision issues causing conflict as water and you as a duck. Other than making you smile, it sends an image to your brain that issues don’t have to be important – they can be like water and roll off your back. You can decide to make issues important or unimportant. For some family caregivers, this means recognizing that personal or relationship harmony is more important than winning any argument or ever being right. For others, realizing that people rarely make other people change, works for them. Find a perspective that works for you. Repeat it mentally and even verbally to yourself as needed. This perspective can make the difference as to whether family caregiving is a stressful, worrisome experience filled with conflict or generally a good experience that you choose to have.
Tips For Being A Health Care Advocate
A family caregiver is often put in the position of providing guidance and advocating for the medical care of an older adult. Communicating with a doctor who treats the older adult can be sometimes awkward.
As a family caregiver, you want to respect the wishes and dignity of the older adult you care about. However, sometimes older adults may not ask questions or be self-advocates with medical providers.
If you go to doctor’s visits with your older adult, physicians tend to be willing to speak with you about your older adult’s care. However, it is advisable and many physicians require that a Power of Attorney For Health Care or authorization form be completed, giving you that power. It can be placed in your older adult’s medical file so there is no question that the physician may speak with you about your older adult’s health concerns and treatment without violating any confidentiality rules.
The following are some things to keep in mind and tips for better communicating with your older adult’s medical providers:
Have medical information handy. Always have a current list of your older adult’s prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs and vitamin supplements being taken when seeing the doctor. Also, when your older adult has blood work or other medical tests done, make sure the doctor gives a copy of each report to you or your older adult. Keep the reports in order by date in a large envelope. Take the reports to doctor appointments, especially when seeing a medical specialist who may not have all records.
Write down concerns and questions. Prior to visiting the doctor, it is best to write down any concerns and questions. Include personal issues with, for example, swallowing tablets or a schedule that may interfere with taking medications. The visit with the doctor is usually short and it is easy to forget everything you want addressed.
Speak up. Make sure you make your key concerns known at the onset of the visit to help prevent the doctor from jumping to conclusions about treatments or dismissing issues you believe are important. Some physicians are less aggressive in treating an older adults for various reasons, including using “age” as a blanket answer for older adult medical problems.
Age, medical cost or personal discomfort of the older adult may be reasons a physician may not prescribe tests or medicines. A good question to ask is: “What treatment, tests or next step would you recommend if he/she was age 40 and had these symptoms?” You and your older adult should be offered the full range of tests and treatments, allowing you and your older adult to decide what may be too uncomfortable or expensive. Ask for referrals to medical specialists or get a second opinion, if that seems like the next logical step.
Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to ask when words the doctor is using are unfamiliar or his instructions are unclear.
Be informed. Learn about your older adult’s illness. Ask the doctor for literature about an illness or have him write down both the medical term and general term for an illness. There is lots of information in libraries, on the Internet and from health groups about health problems. Pharmacists are also great sources for information about medications. Make sure what the doctor and pharmacist say about a medication is not in conflict; if it is in conflict ask them to speak directly to each other.
Keep contact information. You and your older adult should have a current list of the names, addresses, and the office phone and fax numbers of all physicians your older adult is seeing and has seen. Blood work and other tests often should be sent to both a primary doctor and specialist, and you will be asked for address information. Also, if a doctor’s office is unresponsive to your telephone call or you are a long-distance caregiver, faxing your questions in writing to a doctor can sometimes prompt a response.
Important To Deal With Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental problems affecting older adults. It is also one of the most treatable. Family caregivers often are uncertain about whether they should suggest that their older adults seek professional help. However, in many cases, older adults themselves are aware that they are unhappy but feel uncomfortable about reaching out for help.
The best way to approach your older adult is to express it as concern for his or her health. If anger is part of the older adult’s depression, do not bring up the topic during an angry moment but instead later when emotions are calm.
Generally, there are two types of depression – incidental and clinical. The incidental type of depression is normal, periodic and is in reaction to a life occurrence. Clinical depression is an imbalance in a person’s physiology, often referred to as a “chemical imbalance.”
Both types of depression can be treated. Sometimes for incidental depression, increased social contact and attentiveness by friends and relatives is all that is needed to get someone out of depression. Physical activity can also reduce feelings of depression. However, if incidental depression lingers over an extended period of time, the personal lifestyle of isolation from others and a negative outlook on life that develops from depression can become a way of life and only medication can help.
It can be difficult to tell in older adults if depression is incidental or clinical. Older adults, simply because of age deal with issues that may cause depression, such as frequent death of people close to them, physical limitations due to pain and chronic illnesses, and mobility and vision problems that may restrict them from hobbies and social activities.
Getting a professional opinion, ideally from a geriatric psychiatrist, is the best way to determine if your older adult has a problem with depression. Because older adults react differently to medications due to having slower metabolisms and special sensitivities, a psychiatrist with training in geriatric care is best. However, if a geriatric specialist isn’t available, at least turn to a psychologist or psychiatrist – not a general physician – for mental health treatment.
With proper medical treatment for depression, an older adult will likely become more socially and physically active. Often medical treatment for depression can result in unexpected improvements in addition to reducing depression, such as increased mental clarity and memory, less pain, less gastronomic and headache problems, and positive changes in other physical disorders.
Interrupted sleep is common among adults age 70 and over. Treatment for depression can also improve sleep and result in greater personal energy for an older adult.
How do you know when an older adult’s depression is a normal part of life or in need of medical attention? Lack of doing normal activities and isolation from social contact are good indicators that there is a problem. Also, often there are specific emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral symptoms.
The following are symptoms in each category:
Emotional: crying, apathy, lack of feeling or interest, and overall dissatisfaction with life.
Cognitive: memory problems, disorientation, decreased attention span, feeling pessimistic, low self-esteem, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, suicidal thoughts and dwelling on past failures.
Physical: headaches, weight loss or gain, stomach distress, sleep disturbances, pain and fatigue.
Behavioral: reduced activity, obsessive worrying, hostile, agitation, irritable and restlessness.
In addition to being concerned about your older adult and possible depression, make sure to note if you are having symptoms of depression and get medical attention, if necessary. Also, consider taking a break from caregiving, if it is causing you stress. It may be all you need to regain a positive perspective on life.
Personal Care Is Important
Proper daily hygiene and dental care, adequate intake of water and other personal care concerns are important for family caregivers to take note of with their older adults. Long-term lack of personal care can lead to serious health problems.
Poor personal cleanliness can be a symptom of low self-esteem due to depression or other mental health problem, mobility limitations or lack of energy from interrupted sleep or a physiological problem such as a thyroid imbalance.
Poor dental care can also be a symptom of low self-esteem due to depression or other mental health problem. Or, an older adult may not be able to afford dental care, have transportation to get to dental appointments or could have problems gripping a toothbrush due to pain from arthritis or other ailment.
Dehydration is prevalent among older adults. The normal physiological triggers that prompt thirst lessen with age. Dehydration can lead to symptoms of dizziness and weakness, and may cause heart and other serious health problems if not addressed.
Poor personal hygiene can lead to skin and hair problems. Lack of dental care may result in an older adult not eating properly because of pain with chewing or lack of teeth to chew. A serious lack hygiene and/or dental care can lead to skin and gum sores, infections and chronic diseases that can develop from sores.
If an older adult is not keeping up with personal care, make a list of your concerns and address them with your older adult. Approach the issues as health concerns without being critical of your older adult. If this doesn’t help, make an appointment with a primary or geriatric physician and address the concerns with the doctor with your older adult present. A complete mental and physical health evaluation should be done. A doctor’s perspective may help your older adult realize the importance of these issues as they relate to health.
Older adults need to have a daily routine of personal hygiene and dental care, dress in clean, day clothes (not stay in bed clothes) and maintain a schedule of activities. Regular dental care check-ups should be scheduled and, at a minimum, older adults should have annual check-ups by a physician for preventive health care.
Many Considerations For Housing & Care
If mental and/or physical frailties become a concern for older adults and their family caregivers, there are now many living options to choose from. The first priority in considering any housing change for an older adult is personal safety. If a living situation is now making the person unsafe, a change needs to be considered. “Unsafe” can be the actual living circumstance (i.e. too many steps to climb) or the person isn’t doing self-care (i.e. eating or hygiene.)
Changing an older adult’s living situation doesn’t have to mean moving out of the existing home (if the housing situation is safe.) There are now many homemaking, meal delivery and personal care services that will come to an older adult’s home.
Also, if one person living in the home is able but the other person needs help, having the frail older adult go to an adult day center for one or more days per week may be a good option. Personal care such as bathing can be taken care of at the center. Also, going to the center can provide the frail older adult with socialization and the caregiver with a break from caregiving duties.
For older adults who want to consider moving from home, there are many options – from senior apartments, some with federal subsidy and others without, to retirement communities that offer unassisted to assisted living situations.
Moving to housing with a minimum age requirement (usually age 50), can be a positive move. Being with other seniors, there may be more socialization opportunities. Also, if care services are needed, they may be readily accessible 24 hours per day.
Whether it is an in-home service or special housing, the older adult’s preference must be a priority. Family caregivers can assist with the decision, but an older adult’s wishes need to be respected. Also, it is best to check with several options, interview people, ask detailed questions using check lists and tour housing and facilities. Check any contracts carefully. Housing and services for older adults has become very complex.
A skilled nursing care facility is required only when specified by a physician. In the case of terminal illnesses determined by a physician, in-home or facility hospice care are options.
Ask Questions, Consider Options For Home Care
There are several options when trying to find in-home help to care for your older adult. The key is to find reliable help that you and your older adult comfortable with and meets the specific care needs.
Home care is defined by the type of care needed – homemaking, hands-on personal care (i.e. bathing, toileting), and supportive medical care.
Or, you may hire a care worker independently or through a home health agency.
When considering a home health agency for a care worker, there are some questions to ask in advance that can assist you getting help which is best suited for your older adult. Before hiring an agency, ask:
Is the agency certified for participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs or private insurance?
Does the agency accept payment from Long-term Care policies, Family Care or the Community Options Program?
How long has the agency been serving the community?
Is the agency accredited by the Joint Commission On Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), or the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), or other recognized accrediting body? Does it state this in its agency literature and contracts?
Does the agency provide an initial assessment to determine if the patient would be appropriate for home care and what those services might be?
Is there a fee for an initial assessment?
Does the agency provide all services needed? Can it provide flexibility to meet the patient’s changing health care needs?
How does the agency choose and train its employees? Are criminal background checks made? Are employees given drug screens? Does it protect its employees with written personnel policies, benefits packages and malpractice insurance? Are the employees boned and insured?
Does the agency provide literature explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees and funding?
Does the agency have arrangements in place for emergencies? Are the agency’s caregivers available 24 hours per day, seven days per week or on what limited time basis? How quickly can they start?
Are references from former clients and doctors available?
What types of programs does the company have in place for assure quality care is provided?
Will the agency go to bat for you if your insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid fails to cover a claim you and the agency thought should be covered?
Hopefully these tips and information will help give assistance to anyone who has taken on the role of caregiver. It is by no means a complete guide, but it is information I've found helpful in through the years I worked in the healthcare field, and as a caregiver.
This may sound selfish. However, unless you make efforts to continue your own life in a positive manner, you won’t satisfy anyone – including your older adult.
Good communication is key to both family caregiver and older adult feeling good about a caregiving situation. Also, both need to be open to asking for and getting help. Help may come from family members, friends, health care providers, care services, community resources and in support groups.
The following are some tips for improving communication and handling conflict:
Step back from the situation.
By taking a step back from your family caregiving situation, you can better review reasons why things are happening and alternatives for dealing with problems. This can only be done by taking a break from caregiving duties. With a better understanding for your situation and feeling that there are options for help, your may feel relieved and better equipped to deal with your situation. You will be more open to positive discussion with your older adult.
If an older adult is constantly complaining or criticizing, a temporary break may help you understand why this is happening. You may realize that the complaining and criticizing may have nothing to do with you. The older adult may be unhappy about needing help, feels sick or uncomfortable much of the time, suffering from clinical depression or dementia, has lost contact with his or her friends or is just angry about life.
Understanding that complaints and criticism aren’t because of you can help soften their effects.
If criticism aimed at you was part of your former family situation, it is unrealistic to expect that this will change. If this is the case, it is especially important to seek outside help for family caregiving needs. Outside help may include turning to family members or friends, hiring care services or utilizing free community services.
A family caregiver support group is also a good alternative. A group can help you feel less alone in dealing with issues. Also, other caregivers offer great tips in support groups on how they’ve dealt with similar situations. Support groups for people with specific illnesses are also available and may be a good place for your older adult to vent feelings.
Listen.
Everybody thinks they listen. But especially in close relationships – spousal, parent-child or close friend – people begin to complete each other’s comments or fail to hear other’s thoughts because there is an assumption of knowing what will be said. Or, in the case of an older adult constantly complaining, a caregiver is likely to tune out repeated complaints. It is human nature.
To really listen, make an effort to focus on what is being said and speak only after your older adult has finished talking. You will likely be surprised at what you hear. Think about the comments and then try to envision yourself as saying those words and why you would say them. In other words, spend time in your older adult’s shoes.
In situations where closeness has caused you to take your older adult for granted, these conscious listening periods can re-ignite feelings of empathy that may make communicating easier. Also, your increased responsiveness may be noticed by your older adult who may then be willing to try the “listening game.”
Say “I” instead of “You” statements.
It is important as a family caregiver to be assertive but not aggressive. Assertiveness helps you maintain your personal boundaries and what you are willing to accept and do as a family caregiver.
To assert how you feel and not be accusatory, it is better to use “I” statements, such as “I feel …,” “I need…,” “I will …” and “I expect …” “I” statements allow you to express your feelings and are less likely to make others feel defensive. For example, say “I feel bad about what happened,” rather than “You made me feel bad about what happened.” The other person is more likely to be open to positive discussion about what happened than be defensive about causing hurt, and will likely volunteer an apology. Also, you may find out that hurting you was unintentional.
When using “I” statements, be specific about consequences. Rather than saying “You need to pick up Mom on time or else there could be problems.” Try saying, “I can take Mom to the store, if you can pick her up at 3 p.m. If she isn’t picked up on time, Mom may wander … or … Mom will not have a place to sit and wait at the store … or Mom buys frozen foods and they could melt.” Don’t assume another person understands your reasoning for requests. Instead, they may infer that you think they are unreliable.
Find a good time for conversation.
If you know your older adult or others doing family caregiving don’t like to talk in the morning, during the evening news or in the car, plan to discuss concerns at another time. Everyone has better and worse times for talking and listening. Sometimes simply asking, “Is this a good time to talk about something that I’m concerned about?” indicates your respect for the person’s time. If the person suggests another time, defer to his or her personal judgment. However, don’t allow someone to continue to put you off. Your feelings are important.
Step Away From Emotions.
Sometimes the best way to deal with conflict is to step away it. By simply saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t discuss this anymore. Maybe we can talk later,” and step away, you are acknowledging that the discussion is important to the other person while respecting your own limitations for handling the situation. After time away from the person or issue being discussed, what was so important to stand up for in the conflict may seem of little consequence later. If after stepping away and you feel the topic is still important, the matter can be brought up at a less emotionally charged time.
Become a duck.
Envision issues causing conflict as water and you as a duck. Other than making you smile, it sends an image to your brain that issues don’t have to be important – they can be like water and roll off your back. You can decide to make issues important or unimportant. For some family caregivers, this means recognizing that personal or relationship harmony is more important than winning any argument or ever being right. For others, realizing that people rarely make other people change, works for them. Find a perspective that works for you. Repeat it mentally and even verbally to yourself as needed. This perspective can make the difference as to whether family caregiving is a stressful, worrisome experience filled with conflict or generally a good experience that you choose to have.
Tips For Being A Health Care Advocate
A family caregiver is often put in the position of providing guidance and advocating for the medical care of an older adult. Communicating with a doctor who treats the older adult can be sometimes awkward.
As a family caregiver, you want to respect the wishes and dignity of the older adult you care about. However, sometimes older adults may not ask questions or be self-advocates with medical providers.
If you go to doctor’s visits with your older adult, physicians tend to be willing to speak with you about your older adult’s care. However, it is advisable and many physicians require that a Power of Attorney For Health Care or authorization form be completed, giving you that power. It can be placed in your older adult’s medical file so there is no question that the physician may speak with you about your older adult’s health concerns and treatment without violating any confidentiality rules.
The following are some things to keep in mind and tips for better communicating with your older adult’s medical providers:
Have medical information handy. Always have a current list of your older adult’s prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs and vitamin supplements being taken when seeing the doctor. Also, when your older adult has blood work or other medical tests done, make sure the doctor gives a copy of each report to you or your older adult. Keep the reports in order by date in a large envelope. Take the reports to doctor appointments, especially when seeing a medical specialist who may not have all records.
Write down concerns and questions. Prior to visiting the doctor, it is best to write down any concerns and questions. Include personal issues with, for example, swallowing tablets or a schedule that may interfere with taking medications. The visit with the doctor is usually short and it is easy to forget everything you want addressed.
Speak up. Make sure you make your key concerns known at the onset of the visit to help prevent the doctor from jumping to conclusions about treatments or dismissing issues you believe are important. Some physicians are less aggressive in treating an older adults for various reasons, including using “age” as a blanket answer for older adult medical problems.
Age, medical cost or personal discomfort of the older adult may be reasons a physician may not prescribe tests or medicines. A good question to ask is: “What treatment, tests or next step would you recommend if he/she was age 40 and had these symptoms?” You and your older adult should be offered the full range of tests and treatments, allowing you and your older adult to decide what may be too uncomfortable or expensive. Ask for referrals to medical specialists or get a second opinion, if that seems like the next logical step.
Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to ask when words the doctor is using are unfamiliar or his instructions are unclear.
Be informed. Learn about your older adult’s illness. Ask the doctor for literature about an illness or have him write down both the medical term and general term for an illness. There is lots of information in libraries, on the Internet and from health groups about health problems. Pharmacists are also great sources for information about medications. Make sure what the doctor and pharmacist say about a medication is not in conflict; if it is in conflict ask them to speak directly to each other.
Keep contact information. You and your older adult should have a current list of the names, addresses, and the office phone and fax numbers of all physicians your older adult is seeing and has seen. Blood work and other tests often should be sent to both a primary doctor and specialist, and you will be asked for address information. Also, if a doctor’s office is unresponsive to your telephone call or you are a long-distance caregiver, faxing your questions in writing to a doctor can sometimes prompt a response.
Important To Deal With Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental problems affecting older adults. It is also one of the most treatable. Family caregivers often are uncertain about whether they should suggest that their older adults seek professional help. However, in many cases, older adults themselves are aware that they are unhappy but feel uncomfortable about reaching out for help.
The best way to approach your older adult is to express it as concern for his or her health. If anger is part of the older adult’s depression, do not bring up the topic during an angry moment but instead later when emotions are calm.
Generally, there are two types of depression – incidental and clinical. The incidental type of depression is normal, periodic and is in reaction to a life occurrence. Clinical depression is an imbalance in a person’s physiology, often referred to as a “chemical imbalance.”
Both types of depression can be treated. Sometimes for incidental depression, increased social contact and attentiveness by friends and relatives is all that is needed to get someone out of depression. Physical activity can also reduce feelings of depression. However, if incidental depression lingers over an extended period of time, the personal lifestyle of isolation from others and a negative outlook on life that develops from depression can become a way of life and only medication can help.
It can be difficult to tell in older adults if depression is incidental or clinical. Older adults, simply because of age deal with issues that may cause depression, such as frequent death of people close to them, physical limitations due to pain and chronic illnesses, and mobility and vision problems that may restrict them from hobbies and social activities.
Getting a professional opinion, ideally from a geriatric psychiatrist, is the best way to determine if your older adult has a problem with depression. Because older adults react differently to medications due to having slower metabolisms and special sensitivities, a psychiatrist with training in geriatric care is best. However, if a geriatric specialist isn’t available, at least turn to a psychologist or psychiatrist – not a general physician – for mental health treatment.
With proper medical treatment for depression, an older adult will likely become more socially and physically active. Often medical treatment for depression can result in unexpected improvements in addition to reducing depression, such as increased mental clarity and memory, less pain, less gastronomic and headache problems, and positive changes in other physical disorders.
Interrupted sleep is common among adults age 70 and over. Treatment for depression can also improve sleep and result in greater personal energy for an older adult.
How do you know when an older adult’s depression is a normal part of life or in need of medical attention? Lack of doing normal activities and isolation from social contact are good indicators that there is a problem. Also, often there are specific emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral symptoms.
The following are symptoms in each category:
Emotional: crying, apathy, lack of feeling or interest, and overall dissatisfaction with life.
Cognitive: memory problems, disorientation, decreased attention span, feeling pessimistic, low self-esteem, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, suicidal thoughts and dwelling on past failures.
Physical: headaches, weight loss or gain, stomach distress, sleep disturbances, pain and fatigue.
Behavioral: reduced activity, obsessive worrying, hostile, agitation, irritable and restlessness.
In addition to being concerned about your older adult and possible depression, make sure to note if you are having symptoms of depression and get medical attention, if necessary. Also, consider taking a break from caregiving, if it is causing you stress. It may be all you need to regain a positive perspective on life.
Personal Care Is Important
Proper daily hygiene and dental care, adequate intake of water and other personal care concerns are important for family caregivers to take note of with their older adults. Long-term lack of personal care can lead to serious health problems.
Poor personal cleanliness can be a symptom of low self-esteem due to depression or other mental health problem, mobility limitations or lack of energy from interrupted sleep or a physiological problem such as a thyroid imbalance.
Poor dental care can also be a symptom of low self-esteem due to depression or other mental health problem. Or, an older adult may not be able to afford dental care, have transportation to get to dental appointments or could have problems gripping a toothbrush due to pain from arthritis or other ailment.
Dehydration is prevalent among older adults. The normal physiological triggers that prompt thirst lessen with age. Dehydration can lead to symptoms of dizziness and weakness, and may cause heart and other serious health problems if not addressed.
Poor personal hygiene can lead to skin and hair problems. Lack of dental care may result in an older adult not eating properly because of pain with chewing or lack of teeth to chew. A serious lack hygiene and/or dental care can lead to skin and gum sores, infections and chronic diseases that can develop from sores.
If an older adult is not keeping up with personal care, make a list of your concerns and address them with your older adult. Approach the issues as health concerns without being critical of your older adult. If this doesn’t help, make an appointment with a primary or geriatric physician and address the concerns with the doctor with your older adult present. A complete mental and physical health evaluation should be done. A doctor’s perspective may help your older adult realize the importance of these issues as they relate to health.
Older adults need to have a daily routine of personal hygiene and dental care, dress in clean, day clothes (not stay in bed clothes) and maintain a schedule of activities. Regular dental care check-ups should be scheduled and, at a minimum, older adults should have annual check-ups by a physician for preventive health care.
Many Considerations For Housing & Care
If mental and/or physical frailties become a concern for older adults and their family caregivers, there are now many living options to choose from. The first priority in considering any housing change for an older adult is personal safety. If a living situation is now making the person unsafe, a change needs to be considered. “Unsafe” can be the actual living circumstance (i.e. too many steps to climb) or the person isn’t doing self-care (i.e. eating or hygiene.)
Changing an older adult’s living situation doesn’t have to mean moving out of the existing home (if the housing situation is safe.) There are now many homemaking, meal delivery and personal care services that will come to an older adult’s home.
Also, if one person living in the home is able but the other person needs help, having the frail older adult go to an adult day center for one or more days per week may be a good option. Personal care such as bathing can be taken care of at the center. Also, going to the center can provide the frail older adult with socialization and the caregiver with a break from caregiving duties.
For older adults who want to consider moving from home, there are many options – from senior apartments, some with federal subsidy and others without, to retirement communities that offer unassisted to assisted living situations.
Moving to housing with a minimum age requirement (usually age 50), can be a positive move. Being with other seniors, there may be more socialization opportunities. Also, if care services are needed, they may be readily accessible 24 hours per day.
Whether it is an in-home service or special housing, the older adult’s preference must be a priority. Family caregivers can assist with the decision, but an older adult’s wishes need to be respected. Also, it is best to check with several options, interview people, ask detailed questions using check lists and tour housing and facilities. Check any contracts carefully. Housing and services for older adults has become very complex.
A skilled nursing care facility is required only when specified by a physician. In the case of terminal illnesses determined by a physician, in-home or facility hospice care are options.
Ask Questions, Consider Options For Home Care
There are several options when trying to find in-home help to care for your older adult. The key is to find reliable help that you and your older adult comfortable with and meets the specific care needs.
Home care is defined by the type of care needed – homemaking, hands-on personal care (i.e. bathing, toileting), and supportive medical care.
Or, you may hire a care worker independently or through a home health agency.
When considering a home health agency for a care worker, there are some questions to ask in advance that can assist you getting help which is best suited for your older adult. Before hiring an agency, ask:
Is the agency certified for participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs or private insurance?
Does the agency accept payment from Long-term Care policies, Family Care or the Community Options Program?
How long has the agency been serving the community?
Is the agency accredited by the Joint Commission On Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), or the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), or other recognized accrediting body? Does it state this in its agency literature and contracts?
Does the agency provide an initial assessment to determine if the patient would be appropriate for home care and what those services might be?
Is there a fee for an initial assessment?
Does the agency provide all services needed? Can it provide flexibility to meet the patient’s changing health care needs?
How does the agency choose and train its employees? Are criminal background checks made? Are employees given drug screens? Does it protect its employees with written personnel policies, benefits packages and malpractice insurance? Are the employees boned and insured?
Does the agency provide literature explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees and funding?
Does the agency have arrangements in place for emergencies? Are the agency’s caregivers available 24 hours per day, seven days per week or on what limited time basis? How quickly can they start?
Are references from former clients and doctors available?
What types of programs does the company have in place for assure quality care is provided?
Will the agency go to bat for you if your insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid fails to cover a claim you and the agency thought should be covered?
Hopefully these tips and information will help give assistance to anyone who has taken on the role of caregiver. It is by no means a complete guide, but it is information I've found helpful in through the years I worked in the healthcare field, and as a caregiver.
