Learning How We Maintain Balance May Help Prevent Falls Among the Elderly

 

 

Learning How We Maintain Balance May Help Prevent Falls Among the Elderly

According to an article published by the Wall Street Journal, scientists are currently conducting research as to how we maintain our balance and stability.

Insights into the issue may help doctors better predict peoples risk of falling, leading to improvements in prevention and rehabilitation strategies.

The news should come as a relief to the elderly and their family/caregivers. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the number one cause of death and injury among people age 65 and older–in 2010 alone, more than two million older people went to an emergency room because of a fall.

Below, we’ve compiled some facts taken from the article to help you better understand the research being conducted.

The body has three main systems that help us stay balanced:

  • The visual system, the proprioceptive system (which helps us sense our body parts), and the vestibular system (which focuses primarily on how the head moves).
  • If at least two of these systems are impaired, people tend to have trouble with balance.
  • As people age, the vestibular system becomes less sensitive and people begin to rely more on their vision, making it harder for the elderly to process information that allows them to correct their missteps.

Researchers are also measuring variations in step–based on stride and how we shift our weight–in order to see how such variations can affect our balance. What they’ve discovered is this:

  • Greater variability in steps, typical among the elderly, could indicate a higher risk of falling.
  • Along with greater variability in steps, researchers have also noticed that older individuals are more at risk from small variations in steps than younger people.

Researchers have also been studying how big of a role the brain plays in balance. What they discovered were neurons in a small region of the cerebellum that respond to the unexpected motion and alert the body to react. Because this is a relatively new discovery, more research needs to be conducted in order to better identify exactly what the brain does in such a situation.

When explaining why an accident occurs, older people often say they tripped or slipped. In order to pinpoint the exact cause(s), researchers placed video cameras throughout a long-term care facility to see what they could find. In the span of three years they recorded 227 falls from 130 individuals.

This is what they discovered:

  • Tripping caused just 1 out of 5 of the incidents.
  • Falls due to incorrect weight shifting, like leaning over too far, made up about 41% of the total.
  • Other reasons included loss of support of an object (guard rail, cane, walker) or bumping into something.

We may still be in the early stages of this research, but it’s great to see what scientists are doing to help improve the lives of the elderly.

If you’d like to know more about falls among the elderly, you should see our falls section here. And as always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us in the comments or on Twitter.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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6 Organizations Working to Improve Long-Term Care

 

 

SEIU Healthcare Lobby Day 20100324

This past week, we’ve given you a lot of information regarding the rising number of people suffering from dementia and the need to make policy changes in order to ensure quality long-term care.

While we’ve given you those facts, as well as the recommendations put forth by the 2013 World Alzheimer’s Report, we haven’t really talked about the many organizations that are currently putting in a lot of effort to implement those changes.

As an individual, having the time to advocate policy change can be hard, especially when you’re already working hard to improve a loved ones life. And that’s why these organizations are specifically dedicated to addressing such issues on behalf of those affected by the policies.

To learn more about what they are doing to make a change, take a look below:

Eldercare Workforce Alliance

The Eldercare Workforce Alliance represents 28 national organizations looking to address the ongoing workforce crisis affecting eldercare. Through research and proposed practical solutions, the alliance concentrates primarily on ways to strengthen and solve problems affecting the eldercare workforce, which in turn improves the quality of care for the elderly.

Their e-newsletters are particularly helpful in keeping you up to date on what they are doing.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

The Consumer Voice works to ensure that families and individuals seeking long-term care are properly heard by those representing them at a national level, often speaking on their behalf when it comes to advocating public policies.

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center

A part of the Consumer Voice, the National LTC Ombudsman Resource Center works to ensure long-term care seekers are heard, but does so by providing an expansive network of Ombudsmen from around the nation.

In the event that an individual you know feels mistreated, the center gives you the necessary information you need to contact your areas appointed ombudsman.

Long Term Care Community Coalition

The LTCCC is a network of organizations and individuals from around the nation looking to implement policy changes to long-term care on the federal and state level.

Their Publications page and News Room page provide a wealth of information when it comes to understanding the laws behind the long-term care system.

The Commonwealth Fund

According to their mission statement, the Commonwealth Fund “aims to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable.

While the foundation works on a variety of health issues and policies, it has done quite a bit to improve long-term care. See their publications for more.

Altarum Institute

Similar to the Commonwealth Fund, the Altarum Institute also works to provide solutions to the issues faced by health systems by providing research and consulting.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many organizations some even at the state and local level looking to create a better environment for the elderly and their family, so even with all of the eye-opening numbers we given you this week, it is good to know that there are people who care to make a change.

Are there any organizations you think we should have mentioned? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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More Must-Know Information from 2013 Report on Alzheimer’s

More Must-Know Information from 2013 Report on Alzheimer's

On Monday, we outlined some key points taken from the 2013 World Alzheimer Report. Two of those emphasized the importance of placing higher value on the caregiver.

As a refresher, here those key points:

  • Caregivers should be valued more i.e., governments should offer payments directly to family caregivers. Likewise, caregiving professionals should be paid more.
  • To reduce stress and ensure better care, family caregivers should receive more education, training, support, and respite.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the single most important determinant of quality dementia care across all care settings is direct care staff. Yet, as their 2013 report notes, caregivers have come across quite a few obstacles preventing them from improving and maintaining quality care.

Because of the significant role that caregivers play in determining quality dementia care, we thought that we would tell you some of the facts behind those key points, in order to provide some context behind those recommendations.

Here are some more facts taken from the 2013 report:

Lack of proper training:

  • Currently, the federal minimum for training nursing aides is at 75 hours. That requirement has not changed since it was mandated in 1987, despite the growing complexities in care giving. Although, the report does note that many states have higher numbers of required hours.
  • While 73% of social workers have clients age 55 and older and around 8% of social workers are directly employed in long-term care settings, only 4% percent have formal certification in geriatric social work.
  • While 77% of those surveyed received training with refreshers and 38% had a National Vocational Qualification in dementia care, more than a fifth felt that they needed a lot more training.

Lack of adequate wages:

According to the report, the median hourly wages for caregivers were as follows:

  • $11.06 for hospital aides
  • $9.13 for nursing home aides
  • $8.50 for home health aides.
  • 22% of direct care workers relied on public health insurance, lacking private sector or employer insurance.

Lack of adequate wages for caregivers can result in workers taking on multiple jobs in order to provide a sufficient living wage. In turn, this leaves caregivers with less time to commit to elder care.

High turnover rates:

  • According to the report, the most direct consequence of the low profile, status and valuation of direct care work is a high turnover of staff.
  • In a 2002 national survey, 37 of 43 states reported serious shortages of direct care workers, and studies of turnover report annual rates ranging from 25% to well over 100%.
  • In turn, an analysis taken from 87 studies between 1975-2003 showed that there was a relationship between high staff turnover and an increase in health problems among residents such as a lower functional ability, a higher incidence of pressure ulcers, and greater weight loss.

Placing higher value on the caregiver is extremely important when it comes to ensuring better care for people with dementia.

Coupled with the looming shortage of caregivers–something we’ve mentioned in previous posts (see here and here)–it’s essential that we try to retain the caregivers we have.

Do you think that we’re all taking the right steps towards valuing our caregivers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living–currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa–provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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Report: Worldwide, Alzheimer’s on the Rise


Report: Worldwide, Alzheimer's on the Rise

The number of people worldwide with Alzheimer’s is staggering. Currently, upwards of 35 million people suffer from some form of dementia, a cognitive disease which has no known cause or cure.

And this is projected to triple by 2050 to 115 million.

Perhaps one encouraging sign out of these otherwise eye-opening numbers is the fact that experts from around the globe are currently working together for better Alzheimer’s care and family support, as evidenced in a collective report published by Alzheimer’s Disease International, a group comprised of 79 Alzheimer’s associations.

Among the many policy recommendations in the report, perhaps the biggest takeaway is the suggestion that countries should develop national plans directed at funding and monitoring quality care and support for dementia patients, as well as sharing care support among the state, private businesses, families, and others.

Some other key points are below.

  • Alzheimer’s needs to become a national (and international) public health priority, one where countries develop efficient long-term care systems, from the initial diagnosis, to respite care as the disease progresses.
  • Ongoing services for families after dementia diagnosis must improve.
  • Governments should have policies in place now (or very soon) to finance this long-term care.
  • Caregivers should be valued more–i.e., governments should offer payments directly to family caregivers. Likewise, caregiving professionals should be paid more.
  • To reduce stress and ensure better care, family caregivers should receive more education, training, support, and respite.
  • Worldwide, there should be at least ten times as much research money as there currently is invested in dementia to put it in line with other major health crises, such as cancer.
  • The main goal should be to maintain/increase the quality of life for people with dementia.

You can read the full 2013 World Alzheimer Report here.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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Home Care Aides to be Included in Wage and Overtime Law


Home Care Aides to be Included in Wage and Overtime Law

Last week, the Obama administration announced that it is extending minimum and overtime protections to American home care workers.

This is good news for the nearly 2 million home care aides currently working in the U.S., whose work caring for the daily needs of elderly and disabled people had been classified as a “companionship service,” the very same as baby sitting.

Under the new law, which will go into effect in January of 2015, all home care aides will be required to make at least minimum wage, and also make time-and-a-half pay for additional hours when working more than 40 hours per week.

Here are some more key points from the new law, as reported by the New York Times:

  • Unlike baby sitters, home care aides will be covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the main wage and hour law in the country.
  • The law defines care as assisting with the activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, and feeding, as well as assisting with instrumental activities of daily living–ranging from meal preparation, to driving, to managing finances and assisting with the physical taking of medications.
  • The seemingly unusual delay until 2015 is to give families who employ home care aides–as well as state Medicaid programs–time to prepare.
  • While most home care aides already receive at least minimum wage, many aren’t allowed time-and-a-half overtime pay for working 40-plus hours in a week. The Times also noted that upwards of 20 states currently exclude home care workers from local wage and hour laws.
  • Home care workers average between $8.50 to $12 an hour, a bit more than the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
  • Under the new law, home care aides hired through home care companies or third party agencies cannot be exempt from minimum and overtime wages.

There are also concerns with the new law. Some home care industry officials believe that the changes will cause increases in Medicaid and Medicare spending, in turn raising costs for families that use such services. All of this could potentially result in fewer jobs for home care workers, or less care for people in need.

Do you think the new law is good or bad? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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A Care Plan with No Family?


Care Plan with No Family

One assumption that most people have is that no matter who you are, there is a trusted, younger friend or family member who is able to make important end-of-life decisions for an aging loved one.

While this is true for the majority of people, in 2003, a study by the American Bar Association found that nearly 4 percent of aging adults are unable to make decisions for them themselves, have not made an advance directive, and have no friends or family to assist as a surrogate decision maker.

And with a rapidly-increasing elderly population in the U.S., it’s safe to assume that number will only grow over the next few decades, especially as the boomers age, who are likely to live longer and have less children than those in generations past.

So what should a person with no relatives or close friends do when faced with end-of-life care, and how should they make a care plan? New York Times senior care blogger Paula Span tackled this topic in a recent post. Below are several main points of her advice.

  • If possible, put together a care committee, where the senior recruits a few friends and professionals and makes his or her personal values and preferences clear. From there, the committee can be authorized to handle a variety of decisions.
  • Health care professionals are also available to help. Anyone can be appointed as a health care proxy. Still, restrictions apply in 38 states when it comes to having your personal care team of doctors and nurses be your proxy as well. Ask hospital staff what your options are.
  • Another option is asking an independent professional, such as an elder lawyer. With that said, it’s important to note that independent professionals may be hesitant to drop everything if/when a crisis arises.
  • Better yet, seek the help of a geriatric care manager or other social worker. Span notes that “they’re comfortable in hospitals and nursing homes and charge lower hourly rates than lawyers.”

At Encompass, we prefer to be the “feet on the ground, so to speak. While in rare cases we can become the POA (power of attorney) for a client, we generally opt to coach the person to obtain a POA, and coach the POA to navigate the system. This helps us maintain a professional relationship with all of our clients, whose best interests we always pursue.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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2013-2014 Flu Season: What You Need to Know


2013-2014 Flu Season: What You Need to KnowAutumn may bring temperate weather and falling leaves, but it also marks the beginning of the 2013-2014 flu season.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people at highest risk include those 65 and older and those with health conditions that affect the heart, lung, kidneys, or weaken the immune system.

Experts suggest getting vaccinated early, especially if your loved one is living in a nursing home or a long-term care facility. The same goes for caregivers who are providing care for an aging parent or other elderly loved one.

While the peak of any given flu season is generally in January and February, it can sometimes start as early as October in some years, and end as late as May in others. As such, the timing, severity, length, and other factors can be unpredictable. And since each new season can bring new strains of influenza, yearly vaccinations are necessary.

So what’s in store for the 2013-2013 flu season? The CDC recently published its yearly influenza guide. A few key points we should all know are below.

  • Manufacturers project that there will be nearly 140 million doses of influenza vaccine produced for the 2013-2014 season in the U.S.
  • Most of these vaccines will be trivalent (three component), but some will be formulated to protect against four flu viruses (quadrivalent). The type of vaccine produced depends on the manufacturer, but all nasal spray vaccines are expected to be quadrivalent.
  • As in years past, the 2013-2014 formula is designed to protect against influenza viruses that experts predict to be the most prevalent during the season. These include influenza A (H1N1) viruses, influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and influenza B viruses. For this season, the vaccine will protect against an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus.
  • Keep in mind that it’s not possible to predict which flu viruses will be most widespread during any given season, as flu viruses are constantly changing. Part of this process involves experts doing their best to predict which ones will be most prevalent for the upcoming season, in order for vaccines to be produced and delivered on time.

While the influenza virus changes over time, one thing is certain: getting vaccinated every year is you and your loved one’s best bet for avoiding coming down with the flu.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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7 Warning Signs of Senior Health Problems


7 Warning Signs of Senior Health Problems

Your aging parents’ health naturally starts to decline when they reach their elderly years.

Still, for many seniors, feeling good and staying independent depends on personally adhering to healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet.

But as a long-distance caregiver, how can you make sure your parents are properly taking care of themselves? To help, the Mayo Clinic has a guide on what to ask and look for the next time you visit your parents, adapted below.

  • How well are your parents taking care of themselves? Note your parents’ physical appearance. Do they have clean clothes? Are they able to keep up with daily routines like bathing and basic grooming? Take note of their house as well. Is the yard mowed and housework taken care of properly, as usual? If the answer is no, it could indicate dementia, depression, or a physical impairment.
  • Do you notice any signs of memory loss? Sure, everyone forgets simple things from time to time, especially as we age. But if you notice any concerning memory loss, such as forgetting common words or getting lost in a familiar neighborhood, it might be time to have your parent evaluated by a doctor.
  • Are your elderly parents safe living at home? Make note of any spots in your parents’ home which are potentially dangerous, such as cluttered hallways and narrow stairways. A few home improvement projects may be in store, especially if either of your parents have fallen recently.
  • Are your aging parents able to drive safely? As motor skills slow down and vision and hearing diminish, driving can become challenging for many seniors. If your aging parents become confused while driving, or if you simply doubt their ability to drive safely, it’s a good idea to talk with them about stopping driving and considering other transportation options to maintain their independence.
  • Have either of your parents lost weight? When a person loses weight without trying, it’s typically a sign that something is wrong. Common factors of senior weight loss include difficulty cooking, loss of taste or smell, and more concerning underlying conditions like malnutrition, dementia, or cancer.
  • Do you parents seem happy? If your usually cheerful parents have a more bleak outlook on things, it could be a sign of depression or other health concerns. Talk to your parents about their activities. Are they socially isolated? Are they still pursuing their favorite hobbies and other activities they enjoy? Depression can be treated at any age, so schedule an appointment with the doctor if you’re concerned.
  • How mobile are your parents? How well are your parents walking? Are they unable to walk usual distances, including around the house? Could either parent benefit from using a cane or a walker? Muscle and joint pain–as well as side effects from medication–can make your parent feel unstable when they walk, putting them at risk of falling.

If you are concerned with your aging parents’ health and well-being, there are many steps that you can take to make sure they are properly taking care of themselves.

For one, start up a conversation to openly and honestly share your concerns with your parents. From there, encourage regular medical checkups and address any home safety issues.

If your parents can live longer independently as they are, you may still consider seeking outside help from a local home care agency. Agencies, such as Physicians Choice Private Duty, can address you and your parents’ situation and put together a comprehensive plan to ensure their continued well-being, even if they require long-term care.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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The Best (and Worst) States to be a CNA


The Best (and Worst) States to be a CNA

As we’ve mentioned before, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are one of most in-demand and thus fastest-growing professions in the U.S.

But some states offer markedly better hourly wages than others for CNAs, raising the question: Where should you seek work after graduating? With this in mind, NursingLink offers up the 10 best and worst places in America to be a working CNA based on starting hourly salary and number of job openings.

If you’re interested in working as a caregiver, you should check out the results below, which were based off of research from 2008:

Top 10 Best Paying States for CNAs

1. Alaska ($14.36)

2. New York ($13.63)

3. Connecticut ($13.54)

4. Massachusetts ($12.77)

5. Hawaii ($12.53)

6. District of Columbia ($12.47)

7. Maryland ($12.47)

8. Delaware ($12.32)

9. New Hampshire ($12.24)

10. Nevada ($12.23)

Top 10 Worst Paying States for CNAs

1. Missouri ($9.40)

2. Idaho ($9.23)

3. South Carolina ($9.22)

4. Georgia ($9.08)

5. West Virginia ($8.78)

6. Alabama ($8.76)

7. Arkansas ($8.74)

8. Oklahoma ($8.62)

9. Mississippi ($8.16)

10. Louisiana ($7.57)

How did Iowa and Nebraska rank?

Both Nebraska and Iowa ranked somewhere in the middle of the pack. According to NursingGroups.com, CNAs in Nebraska averaged hourly earnings of $11.07 in 2008, with some CNAs makings as much as $14.36 an hour. CNAs in Iowa averaged slightly more, with hourly earnings of $11.25, with some CNAs making as much as $14.48 an hour.

Of course, the cost of living in Nebraska, Iowa, and elsewhere is significantly lower than the highest paying states like California, Florida, and New York, which the report didn’t take into consideration. Still, it’s interesting food for thought for those looking for work in one of the country’s highest in-demand industries.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living–currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa–provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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Caregiving: What Are You Not Willing to Do for Your Aging Parent?


Caregiving: What Are You Not Willing to Do for Your Aging Parent?

 

Most of us don’t think about what we’re willing–and not willing–to do when our parents need assistance. That is, most of us don’t think about it until we’re overwhelmed and in the middle of a crisis.

Are you okay with your parents moving in with you if they can no longer live independently? Will you help them out financially if need be? A new national online study by MORE magazine addressed these questions and more.

In the study, 751 men and women aged 18 and over with one or more living parent or guardian were surveyed. Below are some of the most eye-opening results, as reported by AARP.

  • 45% of those surveyed said that their parents have no plans for when they lose the ability to live independently
  • 26% said that they have no clue what their parents’ personal plans are for elderly and end-of-life care
  • 75% of all ages said that they would make financial sacrifices to help with an aging loved one’s care
  • Women in the survey were more willing to sacrifice their daily lives to take on caregiving duties
  • Men were more likely to offer financial assistance by dipping into their savings or other assets
  • 21% of men and women surveyed said that they were unwilling to give up their time and money, including vacations, cars, and other luxury goods.
  • 63% of those surveyed thought that an elderly parent should move in with them if there’s enough room.
  • Women said that they want less emotional, physical, and financial help from their kids then men.

If your aging parents and loved ones are living independently and still in good health, now is a perfect time to talk to them about their future care preferences and needs. While the conversation is never that easy to have, being prepared will go a long way towards ensuring that everyone will be as comfortable and happy as possible when help is needed.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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