The 5 Questions To Ask In Home Care Providers

How can you tell if your senior is getting the proper in home care that he or she deserves? Home Instead Senior Care of Myrtle Beach is here for you! We have come up with 5 important questions to ask in home care providers when searching for the best fit for your senior!

1. Is your company SC DHEC compliant and licensed?
2. Does your company conduct National Background Checks and routine Drug tests on each Caregiver?
3. Does your company Bond and Insure each Caregiver individually?
4. Does your agency answer their phones 24/7 with a live staff member?
5. Does your company provide continuous Education for their Caregivers.. ie: Basic Care giving, Advanced Care giving, Personal Care series and specialized Alzheimer’s training?

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us today by calling 843. 357. 9777 or by filling out the contact form here »

Lunch Recipes For Seniors

“We know that we really are what we eat,” said Elisabetta Politi, dietician director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center. But each senior’s diet plan is individual, she noted. “If dad has reached age 75 and has not developed heart disease or cancer, you need not recommend any different food intervention than what he is already doing. Dad has found a meal plan that works.”

The follow lunch recipes are great ways to achieve a healthy diet without having your senior getting frustrated by eating the same thing day in and day out.

Chicken Salad

Servings: 5
Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds raw chicken breasts, cooked and diced
4 tablespoons light mayonnaise
3/4 cup celery, diced
2/3 cup red onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/8 teaspoon salt (optional

Directions:
After chicken is cooked, combine all ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve cold on top of a bed of romaine lettuce.

Nutritional Analysis per Serving:
Calories per serving: 200
Carbohydrates: 4 grams
Fat: 7 grams
Protein: 28 grams
Sodium: 220 mg

Broccoli Slaw

Servings: 6
Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons crumbled veggie bacon
3/4 pound broccoli florets or slaw (bagged)
2 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup water chestnuts, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped

Directions:
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning frequently until crisp. Chop coarsely. Whisk yogurt, mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add water chestnuts, onion, bacon, and broccoli and toss or stir to coat evenly.

Nutritional Analysis per Serving:
Calories per serving: 70
Carbohydrates: 10 grams
Fat: 2 grams
Protein: 3 grams

Tuna Melt on English Muffins

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1/2 muffin

Ingredients:
2 English muffins, 100% whole-wheat
8 ounces light tuna, packed in water, drained
4 tablespoons celery, minced
4 tablespoons red onion, minced
1 teaspoon flat-leaf parsley, minced
3 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:
Preheat the broiler and set the rack about 4-5 inches from the heat source. In a small mixing bowl, break up the tuna with a fork. Toss with the celery, onion, and parsley. Add the mayo and mustard, and stir to combine. Season with the pepper and lemon juice to taste. Spread the muffins out on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler for 2 minutes. Top the toasted muffins with tuna salad and cheese. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and heat for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

*Serving Suggestion: Serve with sliced tomatoes, coleslaw, and fruit for a complete meal.

Nutritional Analysis per Serving:
Calories per serving: 240
Carbohydrates: 18 grams
Fat: 10 grams
Protein: 21 grams

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1/2 wrap

Ingredients:
1/2 pound roasted chicken breast, boneless, thinly sliced
1/4 cup low calorie Caesar salad dressing
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 spinach or whole-wheat tortillas, large (10-12″)
4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

Directions:
In the center of a tortilla, place 2 cups lettuce, 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons dressing, and 4 ounces of chicken. Fold in the sides and roll up. Cut in half. Each wrap makes 2 servings.

Nutritional Analysis per Serving:
Calories per serving: 300
Carbohydrates: 30 grams
Fat: 10 grams
Protein: 23 grams
Sodium: 450 mg

12 Foods Your Senior Shouldn’t Live Without

They may seem like common staples for any healthy diet, but the following 12 foods hold special nutritional value for seniors. These items are also versatile enough to be used in a variety of recipes.

1. Oatmeal – A great source of soluble fiber, oatmeal has been shown to help lower blood cholesterol and may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

2. Eggs – With only 75 calories per serving, eggs contain 13 essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, important to absorbing calcium needed for bone strength. Lutein and zeaxanthin found in egg yolks may reduce the risk of cataracts and help prevent macular degeneration.

3. Yogurt – Rich in calcium, yogurt can contribute to the calcium requirement needed to prevent osteoporosis. Good bacteria is added to some yogurt, which may help people with digestive problems that often accompany aging. Mixing yogurt with fortified cereal provides added vitamins, including vitamin B12, which many seniors have difficulty absorbing from foods that naturally contain that vitamin.

4. Blueberries – These blue beauties are among the top fruits and vegetables for antioxidants. Research on aging and Alzheimer’s disease reveals that blueberries may also improve memory and coordination.

5. Apples – The benefits of apples are too numerous to name. The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body, which lowers the body’s need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

6. Fish – Bluefish, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout and tuna (bluefin and albacore) are a low-fat, high-protein source of nutrients. The American Heart Association recommends fatty fish twice a week to improve heart health.

7. Chicken – Poultry is an excellent source of protein that contains less fat that most meats. Chicken, especially breast meat, contains half the fat of a steak. Chicken also has niacin and selenium, which possess cancer-fighting properties.

8. Broccoli – A good source of multiple nutrients including vitamins K, C, E, B and calcium and iron. Broccoli has been found to protect against cancer, heart disease, stroke and macular degeneration.

9. Soy (Edamame) – Nutritionists recommend consuming up to one serving a day or soy as a replacement for foods high in saturated fats. Some studies has shown that soy improves bone health. Be sue to consult your doctor before adding soy to a senior’s diet.

10. Sweet Potatoes & Squash – Sweet potatoes provide beta carotene and vitamins C and E, all of which promote healthy skin, hair and eyesight. Squash is a good source of beta carotene and vitamin C.

11. Rice – As a complex carbohydrate, rice digests slowly, allowing the body to utilize the energy released over a longer period, which is nutritionally efficient. Rice has low sodium content and contains useful quantities of potassium, the B vitamins, thiamin and niacin. Rice contains only a trace of fat, no cholesterol and is gluten free, so it’s suitable for people with celiac disease.

12. Dark Chocolate – Consumed in moderation, this high-calorie, high-fat food may contribute to health benefits such as boosting HDL cholesterol (know as good cholesterol) and lowering blood pressure.

Please note: Always consult a doctor before beginning any diet or nutrition program.

Returning Home: Start Planning Now

When a doctor admits your loved one to a hospital or facility it’s often a traumatic experience, whether you were expecting it or not.

And, as a family caregiver, it’s unlikely that you’re thinking too far ahead. Just get through one day at a time, right?

However, while a senior is still in the hospital or rehabilitation facility, it’s important to begin preparations for the time your loved one will return home. That’s because a smooth transition home is vital to a successful recovery. Consider this:

• Nearly 20 (19.6%) of Medicare patients discharged from the hospital are readmitted within 30 days of discharge, account for $17.4 billion in spending, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.
• One chronic condition that often sends older adults back to the hospital is heart issues. In fact, approximately 30 to 40% of patients with heart failure are readmitted within 6 months of hospitalization.

Many issues factor into why older adults are vulnerable to problems at home after they have been in a hospital or rehabilitation setting.

“One of the reasons we have large numbers of readmissions, many of whom are elderly, is because seniors are sent home unprepared, or they don’t follow or understand directions, or there is not adequate support at home or availability of a family caregiver – which puts them at risk. The key issues that send seniors back to the hospital are medication problems, falls in the home and not following up with the doctor,” said LaNita Knoke, President of the American Association of Managed Care Nurses.

Add to that list home safety issues, nutrition and hydration challenges, and overwhelming responsibilities for the primary family caregiver, seniors and their families can face a difficult road ahead.

Planning during a crisis is never as effective as being prepared in advance. Preparation is your best strategy for avoiding the many pitfalls that can sabotage you senior’s health and well-being when he or she goes home.

Helping Families Cope: Additional Nutritional Tips for Family Caregivers

Following are some tips for you to use during mealtime:

• If a plateful of food is overwhelming, try placing one item at a time in front of your loved one and give verbal cues such as, “look at the orange carrots,” or “here’s the roast chicken that you like.” Wait to place the next selection on the plate until your loved one finishes eating the first item.
• Allow plenty of time to eat and keep the environment quiet.
• Breakfast time seems to be when individuals with Alzheimer’s are most alert and most hungry. Plan the most food for this time of the day in order to maintain your loved one’s weight.
• Remind your loved one to chew and swallow.
• Research studies have shown that people with Alzheimer’s disease eat as much as 25 percent more when their food is served on brightly colored plates. Use bright colors to make it easier to distinguish between the plate and the food.
• Make sure the plate or bowl is secure on the table to avoid slipping and frustrating spills.

Supplying your loved one with good nutrition in a calm and stress-free environment can make it possible for him or her to cope both physically and emotionally with the disease. Taking extra time to set the tone for a successful meal can increase quality of life and reduce the risk of malnutrition. When you plan a day well, the result is a calmer, more relaxed day.

Helping Families Cope – Making Mealtimes More Enjoyable

The senses often diminish with age. Even healthy older adults lose their appetites when the senses of taste and smell weaken. In addition, Alzheimer’s disease contributes to these natural changes in appetite and eating, because of the decisions that need to be made on what foods to eat, and how to use utensils. Some food requires some cutting, unwrapping, reheating and seasoning to taste – all tasks that are difficult for an older adult with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.

Causes of Mealtime Problems

Other issues can cause mealtime problems for those with Alzheimer’s disease. Following are some common issues and recommendations:

• Ill-fitting dentures can cause pinching and problems with chewing and may cause painful sores. If your loved one wears dentures, make sure they fit properly.
• Chronic diseases such as stomach problems, diabetes and especially depression can decrease appetite. Constipation also contributes to a lack of appetite. Liquid or powdered nutritional supplements may be needed to treat poor appetites.
• Certain food may interfere with medications. It is important to ask questions and talk to your loved one’s physician about preparing menus that are appropriate with prescribed medications.
• Table manners may be lost as Alzheimer’s disease progresses. Your loved one may spill or drop utensils and dish-ware. Consider using plastic plates, bowls and cups. Large cloth napkins can also help avoid stains on clothing.
• Impulse eating may occur. Your loved one may overeat or try to eat non-food items. It is best to keep mealtime simple and in a quiet environment.
• Swallowing may become difficult as the disease progresses because it involves a voluntary and involuntary reflex. Consider learning the Heimlich maneuver to assist in the removal of food that lodges in the throat.
• Avoid serving hard candies, hotdogs, whole grapes or cherries with pits to your loved one if he or she has swallowing problems or is at risk for choking.

Helping Families Cope – Communication to Smooth the Process

When a person has Alzheimer’s disease, the damage to his or her brain can make it difficult to recall or to understand words. Attempting to recall or decipher words can be overwhelming and result in frustration. The person may become agitated or repeat one word or a question over and over – a true test of your patience and understanding.

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia often:

• Lose their train of thought
• Need more time to comprehend what is being said
• Curse or use abusive or offensive language

As a family member, you can enhance communication with your loved one by:

• Avoiding distractions and noise.
• Keeping things simple – using short sentences and plain words.
• Avoiding questions – offering suggestions instead.
• Being patient and not interrupting when your loved one is expressing him or herself.
• Maintaining eye contact and showing interest. Staying near your loved one, so he or she knows someone is listening and trying to understand.
• Not taking it personally. As hurtful as it is, you need to remember it is the disease talking, not your loved one.
• Using props and cues to increase recognition. For example, when taking your loved one to the bathroom, you can point to the toilet and ask, “Do you need to go to the bathroom?”
• Remaining calm – using a normal and relaxed voice. Patience pays off with a smoother day.

Helping Families Cope – Alzheimer’s Care: Practical Tips

During the early months or years, individuals with dementia are aware of their metal impairment. They usually respond to their memory problems in a way that is typical of their personality. Some are passive and resigned to their fate; some are angry and abrasive; but almost all are depressed with low self-esteem.

As the disease progresses, individuals with Alzheimer’s become more clinging and dependent and lose the ability to do the things they once enjoyed. As a family caregiver, your loved one’s behavior may shock or bewilder you. You may be anxious and searching for ways to cope. Following are some suggestions to use with you loved one when daily tasks that were once automatic become difficult and result in frustration, fear, agitation and even aggression.

• Limit choices – Having fewer options makes deciding easier. Whether it is laying out clothes for dressing or choosing between coffee or tea, it is important to limit choices for easier decision-making. Reducing distractions also helps a person with Alzheimer’s disease focus on one thing at a time.
• Involve your loved one as much as possible – Set up successful accomplishments each day that allow your loved one to do tasks he or she is still able to do. This may require some cueing, prompting and patience. For example, you can place an electric razor or a hairbrush in your loved one’s hand and use verbal cues such as “shave your face,” or “brush your hair.”
• Allow more time – Keep in mind that everything takes more time when your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease. Providing simple one-step instructions and allowing more time to perform a task may be necessary.
• Plan your loved one’s schedule wisely – Determine what time of the day your loved one functions the best and is the most agreeable. Schedule the most difficult tasks – such as bathing or doctor’s appointments – during this time period.

Returning Home: Home Free!

Congratulations! Hopefully you senior loved one has made a successful transition home. Home is the place where most seniors want to be – and stay. As a matter of fact, upwards of 90% say they want to age in place at home, according to industry surveys.

Support for a family’s older adults is a labor of love that will generate benefits not only for seniors, but extended family members as well.

After all, you’ve set an example for the kind of love and care that honors the life of your older adult and serves as a legacy for future generations. And that’s something of which to be very proud.

Resources of the Returning Home Program

The Home Instead Senior Care network stands ready to provide the types of services that can help seniors make a successful transition from a hospital or facility back to their familiar home environment and routines during the critical 30 days after hospital discharge.

Services of the Home Instead Senior Care network’s Returning Home Care Program include:

• Readying an older adult’s home including changing bed linens, straightening the house to create a welcoming environment, buying groceries and preparing healthy meals;
• Discharge coordination and execution;
• medication and nutrition management;
• Record keeping;
• Monitoring for warning signs;
• Transportation to follow-up physician visits.

Let’s Talk About Rx

10 Signs Medications could be to Blame – For more information on this story, go to LetsTalkAboutRx.com (LetsTalkAboutRx.ca in Canada)

• There are some signs that medications might be to blame when a senior isn’t feeling well. But only a medical professional can know for sure. Distinguishing between a medication side effect or reaction and an illness is a process best left to doctors. It’s always important to check with a doctor before drawing any conclusions or discontinuing prescribed medications, noted Dr. Jane Potter, geriatrician and director of the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This valuable information in your blog about the potential signs of medication problems will be sure to generate social media shares from your local partners.

Tips to Help Avoid Medication Mistakes – For more information on this story, go to LetsTalkAboutRx.com (LetsTalkAboutRx.ca in Canada)

• Nearly 20 percent of seniors who are taking five or more prescription medications surveyed by the Home Instead Senior Care® network reported challenges in managing their medication regimen including understanding directions for taking the medications. Such medication management uncertainty could put seniors at higher risk for a medical issue or emergency due to incorrect dosage or adverse medication interactions. And that could lead to potentially devastating consequences. Each year in North America, more than 100,000 older adults end up in the hospital because of medication problems. Sharing this important information in your blog could provide life-saving knowledge to those in your community.

Transition Times: When Seniors are at Risk of Medication Problems – For more information on this story, go to LetsTalkAboutRx.com (LetsTalkAboutRx.ca in Canada)

• Here’s an opportunity to share a story to two about how Home Instead Senior Care helped an older adult transition home from the hospital or rehabilitation program. Those transitions could be among the most dangerous times for a senior, according to Dr. Jane Potter, geriatrician and director of the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Here’s why:

1. Hospital to home – Doctors often change dosages and add or cancel medications after an illness or surgery. These changes could be confusing for a senior who already may be weak from a hospitalization.
2. Rehabilitation to home – If a senior has been in a rehabilitation facility, he or she likely has had assistance managing medications. An older adult could become confused when they are trying to go it alone.

Home Instead Myrtle Beach would like to point out the benefits of in-home care assistance for continued help managing medications when it’s time for a loved one to return home. Let us help your loved ones.