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Alarming Increase in Elderly Patients
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Adult patients aged 65 or older account for more than 40 percent of acute care hospital beds. By 2030, hospitals will see a further increase, as 70 million Americans turn 65. Since most elderly patients rely on Medicare, experts are extensively researching geriatric care, and Congress recently allocated 11 percent of research funding to aging research.
According to Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, opportunities in geriatric research are compelling and it may be an exciting pathway for expanding normal life expectancy. Researchers state that there are health benefits when the elderly retain their independence. The attentive care provided by a home care agency may reduce hospital readmissions and high-risk health issues. READ MORE »
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Dear Katy
By Kate Dougherty, Certified Senior Advisor
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Dear Katy - My wife and I remind my father to take his medications each day. If a professional caregiver is hired, how may we work with him/her to organize my father's medication treatments? L.V., Monterey, CA
Dear L.V. - For non-medical care, the provider will only be allowed to remind your father to take his medication. If the caregiver does more, it would be considered administering medications. You and your wife will need to sort the medications in a pill box and leave a schedule that will remind your father when he should be taking them. I recommend that you or your wife become the designated person for this task. In many cases, I have found that when more people are involved with monitoring medications, there is often confusion and improper use of medications.
Dear Katy - I have three elder family members living at home. What is the ratio of caregivers to clients in a home? Is it possible for one caregiver to assist three elders? G.I., Lehi, UT
Dear G.I. - It all depends on each individual's needs and services. For instance, if all three elderly family members require basic care (home care activities, meal preparation, medication reminders, personal care, etc.) then it would be possible for one caregiver to assist them. However, it would not be possible if one or more of your elder family members require constant supervision, transportation, or critical support. The best way to determine how many caregivers you may need is to write a list of activities for each loved one and consult with a representative from an agency.
(Submit your questions to kdougherty@professionalhc.com. Follow her on twitter.)
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5 Tips to Stay Hydrated in Summer
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1. Calculate your water needs- To calculate the amount of water the body needs, multiply your weight in pounds by 0.08; the result is your requirement in eight-ounce cups.
2. Liquids Anywhere- Keep in mind that about half the fluid people need comes from fruits, vegetables, and other solid foods.
3. Lower Your Calorie Intake- Nutritional researchers have discovered that people consume fewer calories when their meals have high liquid content.
4. Beverages- Drink water if possible. Soda beverages increase the body's need for water and account for the largest source of calories in the American diet at 7.1 percent.
5. Staying Hydrated- Dehydration is one of the most common causes of hospitalization for people over 65. Drinking water often reduces the risk of feeling fatigued, irritable, and unproductive.
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CleanWave Sanitizer
Counter top sanitizer that uses UV-C light to eliminate germs, bacteria, and mold from surfaces.
More info
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"A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age."
Robert Frost,
American Poet
(1874 - 1963)
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For New Non-Medical Home Care Clients
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