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 north Middlesex County, north Worcester County and surrounding communities expert 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.
Time off from caregiving is precious. But after a break, many family caregivers find they don’t feel as refreshed as they hoped they would. Current research provides insights about how to get the most from a respite break.
If your loved one has health challenges, they may be feeling a loss of control. Add to that a terminal diagnosis and a sense of doom may prevail. But recognizing that life is coming to a close does not have to mean one waits glumly for the end. Following are some of the many ways hospice patients have chosen to take action and purposefully write their own “last chapter.” Perhaps one of these might appeal to your loved one:
Typically, it’s family members who fill in to perform the necessary tasks. But for many, perhaps including you, there are obstacles to helping on a regular basis. (Quitting your job to provide care is risky. Leaving work midcareer jeopardizes your retirement options and savings.)
It is usually obvious what a person with dementia is no longer able to do. But finding things your loved one CAN do may feel like a challenge, especially if memory loss is severe. Here are some tips:
For nonmedical support, check out community programs. Many are provided by nonprofit organizations. Others by faith communities. And still others by local government. Most offer discounts or a sliding-scale fee.
The holiday season is a festive time of year, but it may not feel much like a celebration for people grieving the loss of a loved one. Holidays are an especially tender time for missing those who are no longer with us.
Almost 3.5 million members of the military served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975. Was your relative one of them? This group of veterans continues to face physical and mental health problems.
There are many undergarments designed to help with incontinence. They can’t prevent it, but they can help your loved one feel more comfortable with outings and retain their dignity despite the embarrassment of accidents.
Once a year, Medicare offers the option to change plans. In 2021, the Open Enrollment period is October 15–December 7. Your loved one may be considering a switch to a “Medicare Advantage” plan. There are pros and cons.
Angela has been a godsend for our family!She truly understands seniors and is skilled at connecting and communicating effectively with them. She has been managing key healthcare tasks for our aging parents, including coordinating specialized medical procedures for our Mom.This has been extremely valuable for us since we live time-zones away.It is obvious Angela has a passion for elder care given her level of expertise. She has gone above and beyond for us, even sacrificing her personal time to help us.It takes a special person to provide this kind of care for seniors, and we thank Angela tremendously for her services.
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!