At LiveWell Elder Care Management, we understand the pressures you are under as a family caregiver. This blog is designed to support you in the incredibly important work that you do.
As the the Nashoba Valley and surrounding communities experts in family caregiving, we have resources, tips and information that can make your life much easier.
If you would like help, give us a call at: 978-660-7835.
National Cancer Survivors Day is coming up (June 4), which celebrates the fact that 66% of those ever diagnosed with cancer are still alive five years later. Help your loved one get a jump on any potential cancer by taking advantage of these free screening tests.
Nearly one in four older adults experiences ringing in the ears, called “tinnitus.” For some, it interferes with concentration and is so severe it leads to insomnia, depression, and anxiety. In honor of Better Hearing and Speech Month, we highlight what you can do to help your loved one address this all-too-common condition.
Once you decide memory care is the wisest path, the next step is choosing a facility and creating a smooth moving day. Many memory care communities have a “move-in coordinator” or other family liaison. Rely on this professional for guidance.
A long-time hospice nurse—someone deeply committed to caring for the seriously ill—created this list of the top five deathbed regrets she frequently observed in her patients. She vowed to take these lessons to heart. Do any of these ring true for you?
If your loved one is admitted to a skilled nursing facility, Medicare requires the staff develop an initial, personalized care plan within the first 48 hours. This describes who should be doing what. Then, within the first 14 days, the staff must assemble a comprehensive assessment, which must include your loved one’s needs and strengths.
It’s important to do the best you can when caring for a loved one. But aiming for perfection can bring on problems. For yourself, in terms of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. And for your relative and other family members, who may feel burdened by living under the stress of constant measurement and judgment.
For many people, a pillbox is just the ticket. But as we age, we may take more medicines. Filling the box requires more concentration. Remembering to take the meds can become more challenging. Many families turn to technology to help an aging loved one.
If you are the person most likely to step in if your loved one is unable to get to the bills—a hospitalization, dementia—you need to get oriented. And organized! It’s easy to lose track of paperwork, especially someone else’s. Professionals recommend gathering important documents in a file or binder for safekeeping. Put that in a locked and fireproof location. Consider a small home safe. Or a safe deposit box at the bank.
April 10 is Siblings Day! How are things going with your siblings? Does everyone in your family participate in the care of your loved one? Is there agreement on the problems? The solutions? If not, you aren’t alone with this issue. But you could probably use a family meeting or two to get everyone rowing in the same direction.
If your spouse is younger than 65 and has received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, you may feel in a world all your own. You probably don’t know anyone else in this situation and may sense a social stigma. It can be scary. Lonely. And feel just not fair!
Angela is actively involved in overseeing our father’s care allowing him to continue living safely in his home even as his cognitive abilities and physical health continue to decline.She monitors his medications, in-home care services while also transporting him to and attending all medical appointments. Angela keeps us well informed of interactions and communications with his team of medical professionals.Our family is profoundly grateful to have Angela’s knowledge and understanding to guide us. Her experience is invaluable and has helped prevent re-hospitalizations.Angela’s calm presence, professionalism and compassion give us all peace of mind knowing our father is in very capable hands.
Angela is great, very easy to work with. Her clients' well-being is her top priority. She contacted us here at Visiting Angels of Leominster to provided in-home visits for one of her clients, and I have been impressed with her compassion and professionalism. I would highly recommend Angela's services to anyone looking for elder care for a loved one.
This past year has been an interesting year for and with an older relative, dealing with hospitalizations and cognitive issues. Because she lives along, there were concerns that she may have had to leave her home and go into an assisted living facility. But then we found LiveWell Elder Care Management. With Angela Ashton’s guidance and help to arrange home care services, Angela has made it possible for our relative to continue to live in her home. Thank you for helping us to make sure our relative has an even better quality of life living safely at home.
LiveWell Elder Care Management has been a total lifesaver for me. I live on the opposite side of the country from an elderly parent. When there was an urgent situation in the middle of the ongoing pandemic and there was no way for me to safely fly to the east coast, they jumped in on a moment's notice and alleviated the concerns greatly. They have provided great ongoing support ever since as well!