Author: Meghan Parsons

The Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services (RVCOG SDS)

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The Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services (RVCOG SDS) is the gateway for anyone to access information and services.

The Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services (RVCOG SDS) is the gateway for anyone to access information and services that will help people who:

  •  Are seniors or adults with disabilities.
  • Are family caregivers of seniors and people with disabilities.
  • Have parents, grandparents or other family members who are aging or have disabilities.
  • Have a neighbor or a friend who is aging or with disabilities.RVCOG is the designated Older Americans Act Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Jackson and Josephine Counties. The AAA partners with the State Medicaid Long-Term Care and Financial Assistance programs which are directly provided by District 8 Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) at three sites in Jackson and Josephine Counties.SDS staff provide one-on-one consultation about a broad array of private and public-funded services that are either directly provided through or funded by RVCOG SDS, including
  • Healthy Aging–Services that lead people to improve or maintain 30 health.
  • Living Well – A six-week workshop provides personal skill building to improve the quality of life for those with chronic disease, diabetes, or pain.
  • Food & Friends – Nutritious meals served at meal sites across the two-county area or delivered to homebound individuals.
  • PEARLS – Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives for Seniors provides in-home counseling for adults age 55 years and older and people with disabilities who are experiencing depression.
  • REACH OUT – A program serving older adults and people with disabilities who are experiencing behavioral health challenges. Provides assessments and connection to regional resources.
  • Community Living – A range of home and community-based residential care and service options for those needing help with activities of daily living, including options for financial assistance.
  • Options Counseling – This supportive, proactive and interactive counseling service helps people and their families make informed decisions about meeting current and future long-term care needs. Contact Carol Terry at 541-471-2863.
  • Legal Assistance/Guardianship – Legal aid and protection for individuals 60 and older through contracted agencies.
  • Respite Care for Family Caregivers –RVCOG provides a grant which can be used to give a brief period of rest and relief for family members, guardians or others who are caregivers. *Contact Adult Foster Home Licensing – ADRC for more information at 541-618-7572.

Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)

  • Information and assistance via phone 541-618-7572 or website- adrcoforegon.org, including Options Counseling, to assist individuals and family members to think through choices.
  • Safety & Rights – Tools to protect people as they age and people with disabilities from harm, abuse, or catastrophe.
  • Disaster Registry – A voluntary registry for people who would need special assistance during a disaster. Contact Connie Saldana at 541-423-1383.
  • Adult Protective Services – Investigation of cases of possible abuse of seniors or adults with disabilities including follow-up and consultation.
  • Adult Foster Home Licensing- Licensing to assure state quality and safety standards are met.
  • Economic Stability – Ensure a person/family will gain a minimum level of financial stability.
  • Lifelong Housing Certi cation – RVCOG SDS has developed the first certificate for an accessible/universal design that would permit residents to age in place.
  • Medicaid– Determination of eligibility for help with medical costs (Oregon Health Plan) and, in some cases, long-term care services for seniors and adults with disabilities.
  • SNAP – Determination of eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps).

Article Provided by:
Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services
541-664-6674

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A closer look at in-home care

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care for loved ones is an important decision that should not be considered lightly, and in-home care is something to consider.

Deciding what type of long-term
care for loved ones is an important decision that should not be considered lightly, and in-home care is something to consider. If given the option to live one’s golden years in an institutional setting or in one’s own home, the majority of people would choose their own homes. There are many instances when home care is a perfectly appropriate and less expensive care choice than nursing home placement or a permanent move to a retirement or assisted living facility.

There’s no place like home

You don’t have to be Dorothy and Toto to understand this concept. Homes are often havens to people, representing an environment of familiarity and comfort. Home care promotes healing – research demonstrates that patients heal more quickly and comfortably at home versus in a hospital or nursing home setting and there is slightly less chance of re-hospitalization when recuperation is at home.

More for your money

According to the Genworth Annual Cost of Care Survey, on average, the annual cost to stay in a nursing home far exceeds the annual cost of home care. A good rule across the board is that eight hours a day or less of home care will be less expensive than moving elsewhere. Many people fail to realize that nursing home care and other types of long-term care, including long-term home care, are not covered by Medicare. However, if you are qualified, Medicaid may cover home care costs.

Providing peace of mind

Home care services are delivered one- on-one assuring more private attention than in a nursing home or a facility. Also, using a home care agency that carefully screens and trains all caregivers and provides ongoing supervision can help provide families with peace of mind that their loved ones are in good hands.

Assurance of a healthy lifestyle

A home caregiver can be effective in promoting and ensuring a healthy lifestyle. Home caregivers produce healthy and nutritional meals that appeal to the individual. In addition, a personalized daily exercise program can be implemented and followed through with the added safety of a qualified professional being present.

Dignity + Independence = Higher quality of life

In-home care fosters dignity and independence, these are important ingredients for a happy lifestyle. Home care can offer personalized care tailored to the needs of the family and individual on any given day whether the needs are as simple as companionship or more complex, such as personal care. With the additional benefit of accompaniment on transportation to and from various appointments, social activities or errands, home care allows families more free time together.

Article Provided by:
All Care In-Home Care Solutions
541-857-9195
www.allcareonline.com

 

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Seek First to Understand

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“The less you respond to rude, critical, argumentative people…the more peaceful your life will become.” ~Mandy Hale

We can not control the thoughts and words of others, but we can control how we chose to respond. Seek first to understand that the other person may be struggling or in pain themselves and you were simply a more accessible target. Be strong enough to take the hit, because the hurtful person may have needed that from you and feel good about yourself for helping them get it out.

Trends in senior fitness

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So what’s hot with senior fitness this year? It’s all about embracing the future of digital technology while also harkening back to the basics and approaching exercise with a mind-body lens focused on overall wellness.

Senior fitness is critical! When the entire Baby Boomer generation finishes aging into the 65+ age bracket around 2030, they’ll comprise 20% of the U.S. population – wow! Where expert recommendations for older adults used to focus on resting and avoiding exertion, recent decades of scientific and social research has found that staying active and regular exercise play important roles in healthy aging, fall prevention, and fighting age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

So what’s hot with senior fitness this year? It’s all about embracing the future of digital technology while also harkening back to the basics and approaching exercise with a mind-body lens focused on overall wellness. Check out the 6 latest senior fitness trends:

Wearable Fitness Technology

Popular with younger generations too, wearable fitness technology has exploded in the past few years. From FitBits to BellaBeats, wearable fitness technology typically looks like a sleek bracelet or pendant which you wear to track personal health stats like steps taken in a day, heart rate, etc. Synced to an app you access on your smartphone or computer, you can also track your diet and nutrition, calories burned, and even your sleep quality.

Commercial Fitness Programs
As boomers age into retirement and the largest generation by numbers so does their disposable income and ability to pay for exercise classes and trainers. Gyms and fitness centers are picking up on this trend and offering more and more senior classes than ever before. At the same time, the renowned Silver Sneakers premier fitness program is still going strong, offering no-cost, unrestricted access to 13,000 participating gyms across the U.S. for senior citizens.

Outdoor Exercise

Blame it on climate change, or simply the fact that southern city populations are growing at exponential rates (hello, Florida!), but getting outdoors is trending big time with the 65+ crowd – from outdoor yoga to hiking, and most recently spreading all across the world, senior wellness playgrounds. Why hit the gym when you can play outside on a customized playground engineered for older generations? Senior playgrounds might include stationary bicycles, face to face leg presses, low balance beams, games like boule or horseshoes, walking paths, and more.

Functional Fitness

This industry term, “functional fitness,” has been thrown around for a handful of years now, but as more and more Boomers hit the gym, it’s practicality remains quite popular. Functional fitness simply means exercising and strength training for the daily activities you need to complete. Examples include building up forearm and back strength for lifting groceries or caring for a spouse, focusing on leg strength and agility for climbing stairs and rising from a chair successfully. Functional fitness routines focus and prioritize cardio, strength and resistance training that makes sense for older adults who, for example, might not be looking to run marathons, but want to stay healthy and strong enough to mow the lawn, lift bags of mulch, and prepare their annual vegetable garden.

Exercising to Fight Pain

As more and more research emerges about natural pain treatments, i.e. for osteoarthritis or acute back pain, exercise is being positioned as a go-to pain solution recommended even before pharmacological methods are taken. For example, at the beginning of 2017, the American College of Physicians issued updated recommendations for clinicians treating patients complaining of acute and chronic back pain. In addition to exercise (which helps stretch tense muscles and boost blood flow to fight painful inflammation), the ACP recommended patients try heat therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and massage before taking over-the-counter NSAIDs or prescription pain killers.

Senior Yoga

A rise in mind-body exercises which embrace meditation, relaxation and deep breathing in addition to movement, stretching, and poses is bring mindfulness to the forefront of senior fitness. With a focus on self-actualization and peace, senior yoga is proving to not only help build muscles and bone density but combat stress and anxiety, and stimulate positive cognitive function to fight memory loss and dementia.

Addressing Foot Pain

Did you know that over 80% of older adults complain of at least one incidence of foot pain, though few actually report seeing their doctor about it? This is changing, for the better. Foot pain can not only impair mobility and cause dangerous falls, but it can also prevent seniors from staying active and getting the exercise they need. Addressing the underlying causes and treating foot pain is on trend when it comes to embracing an active and fit lifestyle. Over the counter aids like orthotic inserts for plantar fasciitis or arch supports for high arches might be recommended by your doctor, while proper foot care to prevent skin breakdown and stretch foot muscles can be as simple as washing, drying and moisturizing feet nightly.

Article Provided by: 
Joe Flemming, Vive Health
vivehealth@gmail.com

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The Highest Aim of a Captain

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“If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.” ~Thomas Aquinas

What do you want more of- time, prosperity, respect, balance? There is always a risk of something going wrong; a bad hire, a market that flounders, a product that flops, a market failure. But there is also the chance that we hire the employee that ads extra wind to our sails, a product or market that helps create increase awareness or marketing campaigns that brings increased business. Feel the fear and do it anyway, nothing comes from staying in port, ships were built to sail.

 

There’s an app for that

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You find yourself lacking energy, over run by your to-do list and needing a moment to breathe. Thankfully, however, there is an app for almost anything we can imagine.

Apps are for people that have ever thought, I just don’t have enough time in the day? When you provide care for someone, this is a question that is often at the top of mind. The hours of the day just simply run out and there is still more to do on the ever running list of things to do. You find yourself lacking energy, over run by your to-do list and needing a moment to breathe. Thankfully, however, there is an app for almost anything we can imagine.

Staying Connected

When you’re in a time crunch – there is an for app that, check out these tools that are helpful in coordinating tasks, receiving support, staying connected and planning outings. Lotsa Helping Hands, CaregivingApp Caregiver and Senior Care Manager are a few apps that can help you do just that. These apps allow you to: coordinate help, schedule meal deliveries and rides to appointments, and connect with your support network. They allow for families to communicate in a central location regarding updates, save time on communicating unmet needs, and leave uplifting messages for each other.
Additional features for caregivers that may be handy when monitoring a loved one’s health are the ability to schedule medication reminders and monitor vital signs (blood pressure, blood sugars, and weights). Several apps include this feature as a part of the application so there is no further need for additional apps.

Relaxation

While caregiving has many rewards, the burnout and stress of caring for someone can leave one needing to stop and take a moment for themselves. Several apps offer relaxation techniques that are often helpful in lowering stress levels and inspiring a sense of renewal. Many of these apps focus on activities that produce relaxation responses from the brain. Apps such as The Mindfulness App, Meditation Studio, and Relax Sounds are three examples of apps like this. They offer one more tool a caregiver can add to their tool box and they support learning about techniques that reduce stress.
For information regarding additional resources, email or call the author directly with the specific type of resource you are interested in learning about.

Article Provided by: Amy Osborn,
The Hampton and Ashley Inn
A Koelsch Community
360-480-5939
www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

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Why should I use a Referral Agency?

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The time saved by the family seeking help from a referral agency is better used to get the senior integrated into their new environment and to get the whole family back on track.

Benefits of a Referral Agency.

People tend to fall into two broad categories when it comes to big decisions or difficult tasks… the first camp is those who are determined to take care of it themselves, just wade right in and see what happens; the second camp are those who look for input from those who may have been there before or at least have seen how things turned out.

Neither one is right or wrong, just different.  For example: there are two families needing to find suitable housing for an elderly parent who has specific needs and definite preferences to be addressed, referral agencies are well-equipped to be of help to both camps.

For the “do-it-myselfer”, the referral agency can help by giving information on what the senior housing industry looks like, what major things to look for, and avoid, and to provide some explanation of terminology.  This family is then better prepared to go out and find options for their elder.

For the “I-could-use-some-help” types, the referral agency is a trove of information and experience regarding the whole issue of helping seniors move along on their journey.  The agency gathers pertinent information regarding care needs, likes, dislikes, geographic preferences and financial parameters.  With this information the agency provides the senior and/or family with options, tours the options with the family, answers their questions and provides a sounding board to allow them to make an informed decision.

The best parts about actively taking a referral agency’s help are: (1) they know the options, (2) they know the providers and (3) they take on the leg-work.  The time saved by the family seeking help from a referral agency is better used to get the senior integrated into their new environment and to get the whole family back on track.  Oh, and the best part, (4) the referral agency helps you for free.  The agency is compensated for their assistance by the provider the family selects from the options they were given.  Whether you opt to do it on your own or enlist the help of a referral agency, the monthly fees you pay to the care provider are the same.

Article Provided by:
CHOICE Advisory Services
503-353-7870
www.choiceadvisory.com

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Alzheimer’s Association­­— We’re here for you day or night

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The Alzheimer’s Association serves the estimated 62,000 Oregonians living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as well as their loved ones and caregivers.

The Alzheimer’s Association serves the estimated 62,000 Oregonians living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as well as their loved ones and caregivers. We offer free early-stage engagement programs, support groups, community classes and other dementia resources. If you or a loved one need resources or support, call our 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center (alz.org/care)

You are not alone. Whether you need information about early-stage, middle-stage, or late-stage caregiving, the Alzheimer’s Association is here to help. Obtain day-to-day help, support, and even learn how to plan for the future. Don’t forget to check out the Community Resource Finder (communityresourcefinder.org) and Care Team Calendar.

Alzheimer’s Navigator (ALZHEIMERSNAVIGATOR.ORG)

When facing Alzheimer’s disease there is much to consider. Alzheimer’s Navigator helps guide caregivers to answers by creating a personalized action plan and linking to information, support, and local resources.

Community Education And Support groups  (Alz.org/Oregon)

We provide statewide educational opportunities for anyone interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease including family and professional caregivers, people with memory loss, and the general public. Our support groups create a safe, confidential environment and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships.

We have phone support groups and in-person groups geared towards caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

E-learning (elearning.alz.org)

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a number of Alzheimer’s and dementia courses available online, 24 hours a day.

“I Have Alzheimer’s” (alz.org/IHaveAlz)

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is never easy — it’s life changing. This website was created with input from individuals living with the disease. It’s easy to navigate and helps answer many questions including:

-How do others respond to their diagnosis?

– What should I expect as the disease progresses?

– How should I plan for my future?

-How do I live day to day?

-What resources are available through the Alzheimer’s Association?

“I Have Alzheimer’s”  (alz.org/IHaveAlz)

TrialMatch is a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, healthy volunteers, and physicians with current studies. When you join a clinical trial, you have an opportunity to participate in vital research that could improve the lives of millions.

Article Provided by:
Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter
503-416-0201, 800-272-3900
www.alz.org/oregon

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Home Health Care vs In-home Care

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Home health care and in-home care can work with a patient/client as separate entities or together in a collaboration that meets each patient’s individual needs. Even though they provide different services they serve the same goal of meeting you where you are, at home.

There are many people who don’t know the difference between home health and in-home care. In reality, there are many differences. Home health is specifically designed to assist patients that are ill with a chronic condition like heart failure, recovery from a surgery, or another acute health condition. Home health allows patients to discharge earlier from the hospital, assists with faster recovery, and reduces hospital admissions. Home health consists of physicians, nurses, home health aides, certified nursing assistants, physical, speech and occupational therapists. They provide a variety of services from catheter care, injections, IV transfusions, tracheotomy care, post-op rehab, diabetes management, etc.  Home health visits are typically scheduled a few times a week with different disciplines of the home health team.  Home health is billed to Medicare or other insurance.

In-home care is a form of care that allows people to age in place at home by offering a variety of services including homemaker and custodial services, companionship, transportation to appointments, bathing and grooming and in some cases (if the in-home care agency is licensed at the comprehensive level) provide medication management under the delegation of a RN.  In-home care agencies typically employ registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, caregivers and care managers.

This type of service helps prevent negative outcomes for people by reducing the likelihood of falls, and malnutrition, and may enable them to stay in their home versus moving to a higher level of care.  In-home care visits are one-to-one care that can fulfill up to 24 hours of service per day depending on client needs/requests. In home care is almost always private pay, however, for qualified individuals they may be able to bill to insurance.

Home health care and in-home care can work with a patient/client as separate entities or together in a collaboration that meets each patient’s individual needs. Even though they provide different services they serve the same goal of meeting you where you are, at home.

Article Provided by:
Mary’s Woods Home Care Services
503-697-6434
www.MarysWoods.org

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Avoid the hospital: Why choose in-home care?

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In-home caregivers can help our aging loved one and bridge the gap between the hospital and home and can meet the needs of our clients.

In-home care is an option whether you’re a senior, a child, or in the middle of your working career….if you find yourself in the hospital then you want to get better, get out, and you don’t want to go back! 

Preventing re-hospitalization is nothing new for in-home care agencies. The in-home care industry has been held accountable since its inception because it has always been in the best interest of the client, the family, the referral source and the agency to have a smooth and seamless transition home. In-home care organizations who have had more experience in safely managing care for seniors once they transition home have an opportunity to lead this effort when coordinating with upstream service providers like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. More simply put, risk of returning to the hospital is lowered when you have a trained caregiver to be on the lookout for symptoms and other clues that may signal a health problem related to a patient’s hospital stay. Once identified, detailed monitoring helps ensure reporting so that appropriate nursing intervention and health problems are dealt with proactively and the patient gets the care he or she needs without going back to the hospital.

So how do  licensed in-home care
agencies help reducea client’s risk
of hospitalization re-admittance?

It is  done by carefully following a prescribed service plan that:

1. Reduces the risk of falls and injuries by completing a home safety assessment.

2. Keeps our clients healthy by managing the medication requirements.

3. Prepares healthy meals to assist in healing facilitated by proper nutrition.

4. Supports the exercise program as prescribed by home health

5. Offers companionship to remain engaged and connected.

6. Communicates with the family on progress and concerns so that care can be proactively managed.

In-home caregivers can help our aging loved one and bridge the gap between the hospital and home and can meet the needs of our clients.  All of this healthcare collaboration is good news for our clients because for the first time the healthcare industry is aligned with the best interest of our aging population.  When that happens we all win.

Article Provided by:
Home Matters Caregiving 
503-352-5634
www.HomeMatterCaregiving.com

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