Home Care Northern Virginia

Building the Bridge of Hospice Support

Mark Turner — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:55:52 +0000

Over a year ago, Right at Home of Northern VA had a vision of building a collaborative bridge of support between Right at Home and the local hospice agencies. We wanted to be able to provide compassionate physical and emotional support to our hospice clients and their families during this difficult time. We recognized that building this bridge would require developing an in-depth hospice support training program for our caregivers and office staff. We began by purchasing a curriculum series from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. Using this information, our management team and registered nurses met to decide on an outline for this program. The result was a four hour monthly training program done in house by one of our Registered Nurses and attended by our caregivers and office staff.

The program begins with an explanation of what Hospice Care is and then moves into our role of support. One of the key aspects of this program focuses on:

What is the role of a caregiver?

Following a collaborative care plan

Knowing who makes up the hospice team

Understanding the hospice regulations, benefits and mission

Recognizing the symptoms and assisting with pain management

Communicating with the interdisciplinary hospice and palliative care providers

Understanding the special needs of patients with chronic and terminal illnesses

Right at Home of Northern VA uses technology to track caregivers who have completed this training. Using this information we can match our caregivers to our hospice clients to provide them with the best possible service. Our caregivers are also required to complete quarterly training modules from Right at Home Care University. This program is just another means of enabling Right at Home to provide the best possible service to our clients.For more information on our services please call 703-538-4584 or visit us at www.RightatHomeNoVA.com

Senior Safety Behind the Wheel—Making the Decision to Give Up the Keys in Arlington, Virginia

Mark Turner — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:13:41 +0000

MCLEAN, Virginia — A recent headline-grabbing tragedy in the Washington, D.C. area has re-ignited a debate over the question of how old is too old to drive. With the number of older adults expected to double by 2030, the issue is one that has seniors and their families searching for transportation alternatives once the seniors are no longer able to drive.

“For so many of our seniors, driving is viewed as one of the last great measures of independence,” said Allen Hager, founder of Right at Home. “The decision to give up the keys is a tough one for people to make, especially for those who still maintain an active lifestyle.”

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, changes that occur naturally with age, such as declines in vision, mobility and reflexes, often translate into changes in one’s ability to handle a car safely. But many seniors are reluctant to give up the freedom and convenience that driving allows them in terms of getting to medical appointments, traveling to the grocery store and socializing with friends. The decision to give up the keys, however, doesn’t mean that seniors have to become homebound or rely on their friends or family for transportation.

“Alternatives exist, such as low-cost buses or taxis, to help seniors to get to where they need to go,” said Mark Turner, President for the Right at Home of Northern Virginia office. “But in those instances where those services aren’t available or convenient, an agency that specializes in supportive care for seniors, such as Right at Home, can provide a safe, insured driver to handle all of their needs, whether it be a trip to the grocery store or the doctor.”

In coming to a decision about whether they should continue driving, the Administration on Aging suggests that seniors should ask themselves the following questions:

Do other drivers honk at you?
Have you had some accidents, even minor “fender benders”?
Are you getting lost, even on well-known roads?
Do cars and pedestrians appear out of nowhere?
Have family, friends or your doctor said they were worried about your driving?
Do you drive less because you’re not as confident about your ability as you once were?

The Administration on Aging recommends that a “yes” to any of these questions indicates that seniors should think seriously about whether or not they are still safe drivers.

“Planning for when you are no longer able to drive should really be a family decision,” Turner advised. “After you stop driving, there are many resources out there to ensure your continued independence, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.”

Right at Home is a national franchise organization, with a local office that serves the communities of Northern Virginia. Right at Home offers in-home supportive care to seniors and other adults to help them continue living independently. Right at Home is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with franchise offices throughout the United States. For more information on Right at Home, please visit the company’s website at www.rightathome.net or the Northern Virginia office website at www.nova.rightathome.net.

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Editor’s Note: Right at Home franchise owners Mark Turner and Colleen Turner are available for interviews. Please call 703-538-4584 to schedule an interview.

When is it Time for a Caregiver in Fairfax, Virginia?

Mark Turner — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:39:13 +0000

I found this article, and decided to pass it on to you. It provides extremely helpful information that may help you with your decision to choose home care for an aging loved one in your family. If you have questions or need help in Northern Virginia, please visit our website www.nova.rightathome.net.

Right at Home of Northern VA serves •Alexandria•Annandale•Arlington•Burke•Centreville•Chantilly•Clifton•Dunn Loring•Fairfax•Fairfax Station•Falls Church•Fort Belvoir•Great Falls•Herndon•Lorton•McLean•Newington•Oakton•Reston•Springfield•Vienna

30 Reasons Your Loved One May Need a Caregiver

By Rebecca Colmer

There are approximately 37 million people over the age of 65 and 5.3 million people over the age of 85. Each year millions of older people start requiring some sort of assistance to carry out their routine daily activities. Family members (family caregivers) provide most of the help.

It is not always easy to know when to intervene. It may seem like your loved one is in a gray area somewhere between competency and incompetence.

Your loved one can have a behavior that is not life threatening but still very serious. Making an assessment is the very step.

Here are some clues that your loved one may need some extra help:

1. Disheveled clothes

2. Stained or dirty clothes The same outfit worn everyday

3. Unkempt hair

4. Poor hygiene

5. Bad breath

6. Body odor

7. Having trouble walking

8. Having trouble sleeping

9. Dangerous driving

10. Extreme clutter in the home

11. Can’t do light housekeeping

12. Items not returned to drawers or cupboards

13. Clothes strewn about or left on floor

14. Medication bottles left open

15. Medications taken out of original containers and mixed up

16. Not much food in house

17. Spoiled or rotten food

18. Unpaid bills

19. Penalties for overdue bills

20. Unopened mail

21. Put on or lost a lot of weight that is unexplained

22. Signs of confusion

23. Signs of forgetfulness

24. Signs of isolation

25. Signs of depression

26. Drastic mood swings

27. Extreme sadness or loneliness

28. Loss of interest in favorite hobby

29. Stopped doing things they used to enjoy like gardening, reading, going to church, seeing friends

30. Can’t cope with everyday stress

If you do not live near your aging parents, ask a neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your parents and notify you if they notice any changes in their behavior.

Even if you determine that your loved one needs some assistance, keep in mind that they may be resistant to your help. Be gentle and compassionate when asking them to accept help.

It may take several tries before they start to accept your help. There is a big difference in offering help and completely taking away all of their independence.

However, if your parent’s life is in danger and you can’t find a way to intervene, call Adult Protective Services, which is a part of the Department of Social Services. They will send a nurse or social worker to your parent’s home to determine the risks and find ways to protect your parent.

The caregiver role is complex and differs for everyone depending on the needs of the care-receiver. Many times, in the beginning, there may only be a few needs, such as providing transportation or helping with shopping or cooking. Over time, needs increase, requiring additional services, until the care-receiver is fully dependent on the caregiver.

Rebecca Colmer is an Eldercare Advocate, Author, Speaker, Publisher, and Caregiver Expert. You can find more caregiving tools and resources at her website: Caregiving Tools

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Sharp_Colmer

Use a Home Care Agency in Fairfax, Virginia

Mark Turner — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:17:15 +0000

I found this article in the Wall Street Journal and decided to pass it on to all of you. If you are considering hiring home care services, it’s important to know what the family’s legal and financial responsibilities are when it comes to private caregivers. Ultimately, in may be a better option to hire a home care agency. See link to the Wall Street Journal article below, and as always if you have questions or need help, please visit our website www.nova.rightathome.net.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123742280124379005.html

Don’t Let Fairfax Virginia Seniors Become Targets of Fraud

Mark Turner — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:18:18 +0000

Senior Fraud Prevention

“Seniors can make easy targets for fraud, whether it’s for unbelievable investment returns or fraudulent sweepstakes prizes. Fraud on seniors can happen by phone, mail, in person, or, less commonly, the Internet (because seniors are online in smaller numbers). It can happen to wealthy seniors, and those of limited means. According to the Federal Trade Commission, studies show con artists are more likely to target senior citizens than other age groups because they believe seniors are more susceptible to such scams. The FTC reports that fraudulent telemarketers direct from 56 to 80 percent of their calls at seniors. The need for senior fraud prevention has become greater than ever.”

Follow the link below to read the rest of this very informative article. If you have any questions or need help in the Northern Virginia area, visit www.nova.rightathome.net.

http://www.thehomecaredirectory.com/home_health_care/related_articles/senior_fraud_prevention/49/

Caregiver Stress in Fairfax Virginia

Mark Turner — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:29:45 +0000

Here is a great article I found that I wanted to share. The original article can be found at http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-caregiving.asp#3. If you have any questions, or need help please visit www.nova.rightathome.net.

How can social support ease caregiver stress?

Two important contributors to caregiver stress are lack of social support and the caregiver’s assessment of the behavior of the patient with Alzheimer’s.

Social and family support. Caregivers who lack sufficient or appropriate social support from family and friends are often put under heightened stress. Family conflicts, isolation and loneliness further exacerbate the stress of caregivers. While social support may not affect the primary stress caused by the disease, it can change the caregiver’s response to the illness. Feeling supported by family and friends can improve psychological responses to stress and boost the caregiver’s sense of well-being.

The relentless downward course of Alzheimer’s disease can have devastating effects on the structure and functioning of the family as well. The person with Alzheimer’s gradually relinquishes his or her previous role in the family, and other family members must step in to fill the gaps. In addition, other family members may not recognize that a husband or wife who acts as a primary caregiver has now lost a major source of social support — the spouse on whom they previously relied.

When talking about improving social support, the quality of the support is much more important than the number of people who are available to the caregiver or the frequency of contact with members of the caregiver’s social network. Family conflict about how and where it is best to care for the patient can be can be very stressful for the primary caregiver. Many caregivers feel resentful of other family members for not providing them with the kind of help they want, although they may not know how to ask for that help or accept help when it is offered.

Caregiver appraisal. Another source of stress is sometimes referred to as caregiver appraisal. If the caregiver misunderstands the cause of the patient’s behavior and interprets it as intentional rather than due to the illness, the caregiver may react with anger, feel rejected or become depressed. If other family members do not understand the disability of the patient, they may criticize the reactions of the caregiver rather than be supportive.

Caregiving, in and of itself, can become tedious, frustrating and isolating. An important aspect of helping the Alzheimer’s caregiver is to make caregivers and other family members aware of the availability and value of formal support. Caregivers can benefit from formal support services such as in home respite or day care programs for the patient and support groups for themselves in conjunction with the informal support of family and friends.

When Your Loved One Resists Care in Fairfax Virginia

Mark Turner — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:45:46 +0000

Here is an article I found that is very helpful for caregivers who are struggling with the loved one they are trying so hard to care for. It offers other ways to look at the behavior to try to understand what our loved ones are trying to communicate to us. If you are a caregiver, and need help with an aging loved one in Northern Virginia, visit www.nova.rightathome.net.

“How many times has your mother refused to change her clothes? Has your father resisted getting out of bed? Has your wife pushed you away when you tried to brush her teeth? Many times a caregiver will be particularly frustrated by her loved one’s refusal to help himself. At times she can’t help but think that the person she cares for “36 hours a day” is going out of his way to make her miserable! The increasing irrationality of individuals with dementia makes it even harder on the caregiver.”

Continue reading article here: http://www.thehomecaredirectory.com/home_health_care/related_articles/when_your_loved_one_resists_care/147/

Long-Distance Caregiving: How to Help Across the Miles When Your Aging Loved One Lives in Northern Virginia

Mark Turner — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:09:46 +0000

Today’s families are more geographically spread out than they used to be. With many seniors choosing to spend their retirements in warmer climates or their adult children relocating to jobs in other areas of the country, caring for family living far away is a growing concern for many in the United States. Current estimates show that up to seven million Americans are currently providing long-distance care to an elderly loved one.

In the past, the expectation was that family members would always be there to take care of family members. But every day, we see the frustration of men and women who live too far away to help the seniors in their lives as much as they want to.

Fortunately, many more options exist today to allow families that are geographically separated to help care for seniors. The first challenge families may need to overcome is that many seniors, for generational, emotional or cultural reasons, are reluctant to accept help from people other than family members. You need to take into account your senior’s concerns in discussing the need for assistance. An honest conversation is in order to assess the needs of the senior and to find out the kinds of activities they are finding difficult on a daily basis.

Explain that some extra help will allow them to remain independent. There are so many different levels of care available, starting with a few hours of help around the house per week. Keeping seniors involved in determining the level of care they need will help ease some of their anxiety.

Once a need for care is established, the first step families should take is to be prepared before the need for care arises. Research community-based services in your senior’s community, such as local agencies on aging, in-home supportive care providers and senior centers, so you have a list of resources you can turn to. You can find this information on the Internet or by picking up a copy of a phone book from your senior’s local area on your next visit.

Be prepared with specific medical, legal and other personal details that pertain to your senior. Having the names of doctors, medications, insurance policy information and legal counsel will help you make well-informed decisions quickly and efficiently if you suddenly find yourself in that position.

Another way for families to stay involved across the miles is to get creative with their use of modern technologies. With your senior’s permission, you can ask for e-mail updates from his or her doctors or caregivers. Better still, ask to be conferenced-in via telephone for medical appointments so that you have first-hand understanding of what is going on with your senior’s health, or have a caregiver attend with them.

For More Information, contact: Mark Turner, President Right at Home of
Northern Virginia 703-538-4584
Right at Home of Northern VA serves Alexandria•Annandale•Arlington•Burke•Centreville•Chantilly•Clifton•Dunn Loring•Fairfax•Fairfax Station•Falls Church•Fort Belvoir•Great Falls•Herndon•Lorton•McLean•Newington•Oakton•Reston•Springfield•Vienna

There’s No Place Like Home For Growing Old in Fairfax Virginia

Mark Turner — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:54:45 +0000

“The stairs are getting so hard to climb.”
“Since my wife died, I just open a can of soup for dinner.”
“I’ve lived here 40 years. No other place will seem like home.”

These are common concerns for older people. And, you may share an often-heard wish—“I want to stay in my own home!” The good news is that with the right help you might be able to do just that.

Click on the link below from the National Institute on Aging to read more. The tips there will help families know what to do first, the kinds of help available, where to start and what the costs are. If you have any further questions, or need help with an aging loved one in the Fairfax VA area, visit www.nova.rightathome.net.

Here is the link: http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/stayinghome.htm

Why In-Home Care May be Right for You in Fairfax Virginia

Mark Turner — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:30:06 +0000

I found a great article that talks about the many positive aspects regarding the use of In-Home Care for the elderly, or even new mothers or those with a short-term illness. If you have any questions at all about Home Care in the Falls Church VA area, please visit www.nova.rightathome.net.

“In-Home Care is rapidly becoming the most commonly asked for service among today’s aging population. In-Home Care involves a network of service providers who deliver personal care and maintenance right to the home. These service providers handle routine tasks including light housekeeping, meal preparation, errand running, mail sorting and a whole lot more. If desired, they can also provide assistance with personal care. Besides the elderly, In-Home Care is a wonderful service for new mothers and those with a short-term disability or illness.”

Continue Reading the article by clicking the following link: http://www.thehomecaredirectory.com/home_health_care/related_articles/why_in-home_care_may_be_right_for_you/30/

Right at Home if Northern VA serves •Alexandria•Annandale•Arlington•Burke•Centreville•Chantilly•Clifton•Dunn Loring•Fairfax•Fairfax Station•Falls Church•Fort Belvoir•Great Falls•Herndon•Lorton•McLean•Newington•Oakton•Reston•Springfield•Vienna