We found this article from the Seattle Times which paints an accurate picture of what we often see happening with families during this time of the year. For more information or assistance, please contact Andelcare.

Adult Children Face Reality About Aging Relatives Over the Holidays

Across the nation this holiday season, thousands of families will slam into the reality that life has changed for aging parents, and they often have little notion that elder care help is available, or even what is needed.

By WARREN WOLFE

Across the nation this holiday season, thousands of families will slam into the reality that life has changed for aging parents — dad is far more frail than relatives thought, mom forgot to prepare the holiday feast, the house is filthy, the refrigerator is bare, or a stack of bills has gone unpaid.

This is known territory for many of the 46 million Americans who help frail, aging relatives and friends. But for some, it comes as a shock, and they often have little notion of what help is available, or even what is needed.

Elder care services who provide caregivers know that their phones will light up as worried adult children begin sorting out disturbing discoveries and seeking advice and help.

“Sometimes they just want basic information, but sometimes people are very worried about a parent’s driving, or falls, or ability to keep living on their own,” said Annette Peterson, help-line coordinator at the Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota chapter in Bloomington, Minn.

It’s common for families to disagree about what they’re seeing, Peterson said. Those arguments sometimes are sharpened on old family disputes, and neutral care advisers can help mediate disagreements and figure out what is needed.

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For information about how Andelcare can help your family with elder care in Bellevue, Seattle or the surrounding area, call 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency that is dedicated to helping the elderly, veterans and the disabled.

We wanted to share this article that provides extremely helpful information that may help you with your decision to choose home care for an aging loved one in your family.  Enjoy this article from Ezine and if you have questions, contact our caregivers at Andelcare.

30 Reasons Your Loved One May Need a Caregiver in Bellevue WA
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 extra help from a caregiver:

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 or that of a professional caregiver. 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.

Source

For information about how your family can receive help with a caregiver in Bellevue WA or the surrounding area, call Andelcare! We can provide a quality and affordable caregiver that will provide care and companionship to your loved one. 888-788-3051.

The Alzheimer’s Generation: What We’ve Learned in 30 Years
Rita Altman, R.N

In the early 1980s, most people with Alzheimer’s disease would have simply been labeled as “senile.” Spouses and adult children would take on the responsibility of providing care until it was time for a nursing home, where they received care in an institutional setting.

Since then, there have been remarkable strides forward in the diagnosis, understanding and care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss. Reflecting on the progress we’ve made in the last 30 years helps us to prioritize new advances in the decades ahead.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Education

Every 69 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease and one out of every eight seniors over the age of 65 has the disease. Yet 30 years ago, no one knew its name. If you search the New York Times archives from 1850 through 1977 for “Alzheimer’s disease,” only one story refers to the disease, although it was first diagnosed back in 1907.

The Alzheimer’s Association, whose resources are invaluable to so many today, was not even founded until 1980, and it was not until 1982 that Ronald Reagan declared an official “Alzheimer’s Awareness” week. Many people regarded the symptoms of confusion and memory loss as just a reality of getting older. The result was that little attention was given to treatment, diagnosis, and more importantly, elder care and caregivers.

While a definitive cure for Alzheimer’s is still elusive, there are five FDA-approved drug treatments that help relieve the symptoms of the disease. These have all been developed in the past few decades and there are numerous new therapies in the research pipeline.

Care Settings

Prior to the 1970s, resources and services for people with memory loss were virtually non-existent, and care was given either at home or in nursing homes. Fortunately, a major shift occurred in the 1980s when the institutionalized medical model of care provided in nursing homes transitioned to the resident-centered social model provided in assisted living communities and in home elder care agencies.

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To find out how Andelcare can help your loved one stay at home with Elder Care in Bellevue WA, call us today at 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency providing quality and affordable care for our seniors, veterans and the disabled in our community.

Holiday Season Brings Almost 20 Percent Spike in Elder Care-Related Calls to ComPsych
by Jennifer Hudson, ComPsych(R) Corporation

(BUSINESS WIRE) — Spurred by holiday visits, calls and inquiries related to elder care are expected to increase by 18 percent during November and December, according to a new report on work-life trends by ComPsych. ComPsych Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the pioneer and leading provider of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR and FMLA administration services under the GuidanceResources brand.

“People can be surprised and upset by how their parent’s or elder relative’s situation has deteriorated since they saw them last. This can include worsening health, mobility and cognitive problems,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. “November is an ideal time for employers to promote work-life programs, reminding employees of available elder care resources before they travel for the holidays to see family.

“Employers also should consider choosing an elder care services provider that integrates work-life with employee assistance programs. This allows employees to be referred for other resources such as counseling and financial/legal guidance related to the multifaceted nature of elder care issues,” he added.

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For information about how Andelcare can help your family with elder care in Bellevue WA, contact our caregivers at 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency providing care and assistance to seniors, veterans and the disabled in our community.

Women of Influence honored by Puget Sound Business Journal

Marla Beck, founder and CEO of Andelcare, is honoree

BELLEVUE, WASH. – Wednesday evening, in the Hyatt Regency grand ballroom, more than 600 people gathered to honor 15 women who were awarded the distinction of being the 2011 “Women of Influence.”  Marla Beck, founder and CEO of Andelcare, was an honoree at this annual regional event that was begun eight years ago by the Puget Sound Business Journal.  This event honors women leaders who are standouts for their contributions as business women and mentors and for their commitment to community through service.

The three-hour event was highlighted by the insights shared by the honorees.  Marla Beck shared, “I attribute the success of Andelcare to my great team of 100+ employees and their dedication to provide outstanding in-home care to our aging and disabled clients.”

The fifteen honorees are: Marla Beck, Founder and President, Andelcare; Bobbe Bridge, Founder and CEO, Center for Children and Youth Justice; Harriet Bullitt, President, Owner and Founder, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort and Icicle Broadcasting Co.; Janet Denyer, CEO, Gene Juarez Salons and Spas; Sheila Edwards Lange, Vice President Minority Affairs/Vice Provost Diversity, University of Washington; Anne Farrell, President Emeritus, Seattle Foundation & Co-founder, City Club and Washington Women’s Foundation; Jan Hendrickson, Managing Partner, Denny Hill Capital; Leslie Jackson Chihuly, President, Chihuly Inc.; Lynette Johnson, Founder and Owner, Lynette Johnson Photography & Founder, Soulumination Photography; Sharelle Klaus, CEO & Founder, DRY Soda Co.; Jennifer Potter, President and CEO, Initiative for Global Development; Mary Snapp, Corporate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Products & Services, Microsoft Corp.; Myra Tanita, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Janet True, Co-owner, Iron Springs Resort & Immediate Past President, PONCHO; and Kelly Tweeddale, Executive Director, Seattle Opera

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT: DENNIS NOLAND (206) 622-8011

For information about Andelcare and how we can help your family with elder care in Bellevue WA and the surrounding area, call 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency that is dedicated to helping the elderly, veterans and the disabled in our community.

Aging Changes in the Bones – Muscles- Joints
From the service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health

Changes in posture and gait (walking pattern) are as universally associated with aging as changes in the skin and hair.  The skeleton provides support and structure to the body. Joints are the areas where bones come together. They allow the skeleton to be flexible for movement. In a joint, bones do not directly contact each other. Instead, they are cushioned by cartilage in the joint, synovial membranes around the joint, and fluid.

Muscles provide the force and strength to move the body. Coordination is directed by the brain but is affected by changes in the muscles and joints. Changes in the muscles, joints, and bones affect the posture and gait, and lead to weakness and slowed movement.

AGING CHANGES

Bone mass or density is lost as people age, especially in women after menopause. The bones lose calcium and other minerals.
The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Between each bone is a gel-like cushion (intervertebral disk). The trunk becomes shorter as the disks gradually lose fluid and become thinner.

In addition, vertebrae lose some of their mineral content, making each bone thinner. The spinal column becomes curved and compressed (packed together). Bone spurs, caused by aging and overall use of the spine, may also form on the vertebrae.

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If you or someone in your family needs help with elder care in Bellevue WA or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Andelcare. We provide quality and affordable elder care to seniors, veterans and the disabled in our community.

Elder Care Means Going Through Caregiving Phases
by Dorian Martin
Source

Like the moon’s lunar cycle, caregiving for my aging parents has gone in phases. Each period opened my eyes to the unrelenting passage of time and gave me a new understanding of what family means.

My phases of elder care

New Moon. In the mid-1990s, my caregiving role was rarely illuminated. I lived in the same neighborhood and our relationship deepened through weekly happy hours and family dinners. But as time passed, my mother increasingly experienced difficulty breathing due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As her medications lost their effectiveness and she gasped for air, Mom became a regular visitor to the
emergency room. During these times, I found myself trying to be a calming presence in the midst of crisis.

First Quarter Moon. By early 2000, my parents and I were living in different parts of Texas. A visit required a seven-hour drive one way. Therefore, I depended primarily on telephone conversations to learn that Mom was experiencing noticeable memory loss in addition to advancing COPD. Her mental lapses frustrated both of my parents and led to numerous fights and talk of divorce. I found myself in an emotional quagmire while trying to figure out what to do. A few sessions with a psychologist helped me realize that my parents were still able to care for themselves and that I needed to remove myself from the fray until one of my parents asked for help.

Full Moon. That cry for help finally came in August 2005. When my mother called in hysterics, I made the decision to have her move closer to me. She agreed. Within two weeks, I saw firsthand the gaping holes in her memory and uncharacteristic temper tantrums. Doctors soon diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease. Within a month, Mom was placed in a nursing home due to her fragile health. I became Mom’s committed advocate to ensure that she had quality care until her death in 2007.

Blue Moon. Caregiving has come around twice since my father moved into my home in 2010. Although still relatively independent, he has different health issues than my mother (and fortunately, no dementia). I’m hoping to tailor the lessons that I learned in caring for Mom to Dad’s situation in order to provide quality, timely and loving care.

Caregiving is a continually changing proposition with different phases and requirements. Understanding these phases is important so that the caregiver can provide meaningful assistance to their loved one.

For information about how Andelcare can help you with elder care in Bellevue WA or the surrounding area, call 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency providing quality care to our seniors, veterans and the disabled.

Elder Care Bellevue WA: October is World Blindness Awareness Month

Don’t Lose Sight of Your Eye Health
American Academy of Ophthalmology Reminds Americans of the Importance of Regular Eye Exams During World Blindness Awareness Month

For many people, good vision means good eye health but that may not always be the case. Regular eye exams can catch problems before it’s too late. If you are age 40 or older and have not had a recent eye disease screening, The American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) recommends making an appointment for an eye exam. It is an essential step toward preserving vision and keeping eyes healthy and there is no better time than October’s World Blindness Awareness Month.

By 2020, 43 million Americans will be at risk for significant vision loss or blindness from age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration, an increase of more than 50 percent over the current number of Americans with these diseases. Despite the statistics, many Americans are more concerned about weight gain or back pain than they are of vision loss.

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If you or someone you know needs Elder Care in Bellevue WA or the surrounding area, contact Andelcare. We provide quality and affordable elder care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at 888-788-3051 for more information.

Wish You Were Here
By Gwendolyn de Geest, RN, BSN, MA

I am sitting in the restaurant having lunch with my husband, Howard. But Howard’s not here.

We ordered our lunch; Minestrone soup (Howard’s favorite), Caesar salad, a nice panini bread, and tea. Howard excused himself, “I have to go to the bathroom Dear.”

“Alright,” I responded. The soup came; I didn’t want to start without Howard, but I was hungry. I finished my soup, still no sign of my husband. The salads arrived, still no Howard. The food items have taken on a secondary importance.

By now, I’m beginning to wonder. I asked our waiter, “Excuse me, would you please check on my husband? He’s been in the men’s room for a very long time.”

The young man complied, and reported back to me, “Your husband says to tell you that he has to wait for his friend. In fact, the two of them are engaged in conversation.”

“I don’t understand,” I replied. “Howard went to the bathroom alone.”

By now, the young man could see that I was becoming anxious. With a sigh, he said, “Okay, Madam, I’ll check on him once again if you like.”

And he did so. When he reported back to me, it was the most confusing and frightening message I have ever received.

“Your husband is talking to his friend in the mirror. He told me to tell you he can’t join you for lunch until his friend is ready.”

Peggy and Howard met nearly 45 years ago at a University dance. Peggy was studying Nursing, and Howard, Civil Engineering. Peggy said, “I knew I was going to marry that guy, when he offered to take me home from the dance, with a bus ticket he found on the dance floor.” They married three years later; two children followed, a son and a daughter.

“Wish You Were Here” is a true story. Howard is in early stage Alzheimer’s disease. From the moment of diagnosis, his wife, Peggy, family members and friends are thrown into a state of turmoil, attempting to understand and attach meaning to what is happening to this person, Howard, they once knew.

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At Andelcare, we recognize that there are many reasons why a loved one may need elder care. From seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease, to patients with disabilities, our caregivers are here to provide quality and affordable elder care in Bellevue and the surrounding communities. Call us for information, 888-788-3051!

September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day: Faces of Dementia

Today, in countries around the world, awareness is being raised about Alzheimer’s Disease and the plight of those afflicted with it. These awareness events range from forums to wine-tasting fundraisers, but in each country, local activists are coming together in order to emphasize the importance of elder care and the high cost of this debilitating disease.

Many of these events are sponsored by members of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) http://www.alz.co.uk/. ADI is an international organization that encourages education and empowers Alzheimer associations to offer support to local caregivers. The organization is based in London and each year sponsors two main events through its member organizations: the annual, international conference on Alzheimer’s, and World Alzheimer’s Day.

By choosing one day to honor the struggles of those afflicted with dementia, the ADI unites the many different people affected by Alzheimer’s and provides a way for the world to recognize the work that these people do, which makes it easier for them to influence politicians and other leaders to support the work that ADI and other Alzheimer’s associations do. This globally coordinated day of awareness suggests to leaders that dementia is more than just memory loss and is a serious problem their citizens face. By focusing on a different aspect of the fight against dementia each year, the ADI continues to send a diverse message about the importance of elder care and the universal implications of Alzheimer’s.

This year, the message that ADI is emphasizing is the different faces that dementia takes. The theme plays well into the global nature of ADI: Alzheimer’s Disease is a serious concern regardless of race, culture, creed, or social status. Memory loss is not the only way this terminal, degenerative disease affects dementia patients. As this year’s theme emphasizes, Alzheimer’s can turn an independent, elderly, loved one into someone completely dependent on their caregiver for all their daily needs. Eventually, as the disease continues to eat away at the brain, Alzheimer’s patients tend towards mood swings and irritability, experiencing a breakdown of their language abilities and finally a complete degeneration of all bodily functions. The faces of those affected by this disease are many: the patients themselves, their children and grandchildren, and their caregivers all have their lives changed by the presence and progression of this deadly illness.

Every year, more people join in on World Alzheimer’s Day to raise awareness. The efforts of these member organizations have informed hundreds of thousands of people across the globe about the importance of elder care through concerts, symposiums, and meetings with government officials. Increasingly, the media has joined in this fight against Alzheimer’s, covering many of the events hosted by Alzheimer’s organizations on this day and embracing the international relevance of advances in dementia care and treatment. Fundraisers often see increased productivity after an increase in media attention and each year on World Alzheimer’s Day, the ADI website http://www.alz.co.uk/ gets more hits than the previous year. By fostering an open dialogue between those affected by dementia, the media, and politicians responsible for funding and supporting the work of Alzheimer’s organizations, World Alzheimer’s Day has drastically increased the effectiveness of Alzheimer’s associations worldwide.

At Andelcare, we recognize that there are many reasons why a loved one may need elder care. From seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease to patients with disabilities to caregivers needing respite care, we are here to provide quality and affordable elder care in Bellevue and the surrounding communities. Call us for information, 888-788-3051.