Helping Your Elderly Parent Through a Health Care Crisis in Troy, MO

You can do quite a bit for your parent who is going through a health crisis to help make it easier for them. I have spent many hours with clients in ERs, hospitals, rehabs and nursing homes. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of how a family members actions and reactions can affect their loved ones. In this article Helping Your Parent Cope can help you the next time you have to deal with your parent being hospitalized.

Be Ready for the ER from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

Even though we don’t like to think about it, accidents happen, illnesses become worse and sudden medical emergencies occur. Are you ready for your loved ones next emergency room visit?

Much like the bag we all packed when expecting our babies, we can have a bag ready to take with us at a moment’s notice in case of a sudden ER visit. As well as a copy of al the important papers in the bag, an extra copy can be kept in the possession of the primary caregiver. Here is a check list you can use to prepare the bag. You may think you will remember all this information but in a stressful situation some of this may be forgotten. Make sure all information is kept up to date.

1. A list of all the doctors your parent sees, their specialty and their contact information.

2. A medical history listing all surgeries and major or recent illnesses.

3. A list of all medications, past medications they have been on and any medication allergies.

4. Copies of insurance cards and information. Using copies lowers the risk that the originals will be lost.

5. Copies of Advanced Directives and Power of Attorneys for health Care as well as Durable Power of Attourney

6. Pack in the bag a change of clothing, pajamas and any toiletries your loved one may need.

7. Put in a book or magazine for you and your loved one or puzzle books to keep you both occupied while you wait.

8. Take something for you to eat or nibble on in case your there for awhile, the cafeteria may be closed or you may not want to leave your loved one.

9. Have a light sweater or jacket ready for the caregiver and the parent, ER’s can get chilly.

10. Make sure you have your cell phone, although of course, this isn’t kept in the bag. You will need to call other family members or your parent’s doctor.

Remember, you are there as your parents advocate. Make sure the doctor knows everything that is going on with your loved one. You may be able to provide valuble information from your observations and what you know about your parent. Know which doctor and nurse is caring for your parent so you can go directly to them with any questions. Ask questions about tests or medications, make sure you know what they are doing and why. Ask how long test results and such are going to take and check with someone if they seem to be taking too long.

Last but not least try to relax, it’s already a stressful situation for your parent, if you remain calm it will help them remain calm.

Long Distance Caregiving from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

Living a thousand miles away from my elderly parents I can identify with the woman telling the story about her aging loved ones in this article. It's not always feasible or desirable to move your senior loved one closer to you or for you to move closer to them. Keeping in touch by telephone and trying to solve the problems long distance can be very stressful and traveling back and forth can get very expensive. If you are caring for a loved one from a distance an agency such as Comfort Keepers can help. An agency such as ours can be your eyes and ears. We can help with most of the things you aren't able to do from a distance. Making sure your loved ones are eating, taking their meds and getting to doctor appointments. We will also be able to let you know if there are other problems that need to be addressed.

Is caring for the elderly the same as caring for children in Troy, MO?

Of course it isn't although many people speak of the elderly as childish or going through a second childhood. Many people with dementia can seem very child like also but it's still not the same thing. Read the following article for ten ways that senior care and child care are different.

Caring for Parents Versus Caring for Children: 10 Ways They Differ

Poor Medication Management Can Harm Seniors from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

When our loved ones do not take their medications properly or at all it can harm them in many ways. Over or under medication, or not following directions taking it can lead to unnecessary hospitalizations and even death. Using several pharmacies to get better prices or just because it was convenient at the time can cause drug interactions.

Up to 10 percent of all admissions into long term care and/or assisted living facilities are because the client was unable to self-medicate. Adverse drug reactions are also considered to be the 4th leading cause of death among the elderly.

Comfort Keepers Home Care of the St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln County areas in Missouri can help. Starting with our new Daily Meds program that will package your elder loved ones medications in packets with instructions on what day and time to take it. This is mailed to the home monthly.

We also offer a Safety Choice Medication Dispenser which organizes, reminds, dispenses and tracks delivery of up to 40 days of prescribed drugs. It can alert the elder that medications are due and warns when they have not been dispensed.

We also, of course, offer our wonderful caregivers, who can help with many other things as well as remind your loved one when to take their medication.

Resource: The elderly face the dangers of poor medication management

You can call us at: 314-288-0054

Warning Signs of Diabetes from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

The complications of diabetes can be devastating. Sometimes they occur even before diagnosis. However there are warning signs for diabetes that have often been ignored. If you or the loved one in your care experiences any of the symptoms discribed in the following article a visit to your doctor is in order.

Diabetes Warning Symptoms

Caregiving Misconceptions from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

There are many misconceptions about caregiving floating around, such as that it is detrimental to the caregiver or that adult children don't want to be bothered with caring for their elderly parents. The following article sorts out these and others.

Common Caregiving Misconceptions