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Home Care Assistance

After hanging up with his mother, Alex, is concerned about his mother assisting her friend Georgia at home.  Since Georgia broke her hip, she has been having difficulty bathing by her self.  Alex spends some time on the internet doing research to try to find out a little bit about home care.  Alex finds a company called Health People that assists with care in the home.  This company’s website states they assist with personal care such as bathing, medication reminders, meal preparation, shopping assistance, laundry, and they also assist with getting to and from appointments.

Alex calls Health People to set up an appointment to discuss the details of possibly assisting Georgia at home.  Alex thinks that Health People may be useful if he is not able to drive his mother, Rosemary, to the doctor or to assist her with her shopping.  Rosemary is doing well at home, but Alex  likes the idea of having a back-up-plan to assist his mother as she ages.  Rosemary loves living at home in her house, and Alex hopes that he can assist her to stay there.

The next step is for Alex to tell his mother about Health People.  He and Rosemary then need to broach the subject with Georgia.  Alex feels that it may be beneficial to talk to Georgia with his mother present.  Alex is aware that sometimes people do not like strangers in their house, but a new person can offer stimulating and needed companionship.

 

Comments (0) • Posted October 10, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Home Care

After leaving Georgia’s house Rosemary has a lot to think about.  Georgia has asked Rosemary if she would help her a few times a week as she is having trouble getting into the tub after her hip fracture.  Rosemary is worried that she does not have enough strength to safely help Georgia into the tub, but she will help her friend anyway.

Rosemary’s son calls that evening to see how she is doing.  Rosemary tells her son that Georgia is home now and she will be going over there to help her.  Rosemary’s son does not like the idea of his mother “nursing” someone else and is worried that she will get hurt herself.  Rosemary explains that Georgia has no one else to help her.  They hang up the phone with the expectation that they will meet at her house on Saturday for lunch and discuss the idea further.

Later that night, while eating her tuna sandwich dinner, Rosemary contemplates her situation.  She feels like she has gotten herself in over her head and wonders if she needs help looking after Georgia.  Rosemary is not sure what to do.

 

Comments (0) • Posted September 23, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Tips on Safe Walker Use

In the last post of Rosemary’s Diary, Rosemary’s friend Georgia, is using a walker after her hip surgery to help prevent her from falling.  When assistive devices are needed for adults who have had surgery or generalized balance difficulties, there are a few things to keep in mind.  The Washington State Department of Health has published an information guide for adults over the age of 65.  This guide includes basic walker information and tips on choosing and using walkers.

  • Walkers are often made of lightweight aluminum and can support 50 percent of your weight.
  • Choosing the correct walker of the right height and style is important to prevent falls, and should be done by a physical therapist or physician.
  • A physical therapist can also assist with initial training for safe walker use.
  • Walkers are most commonly available with two wheels, four wheels, or without wheels.
  • Walkers may also have brakes, seats, specialized grips, and baskets.
  • Walkers often fold to fit in cars or busses

Tips to use a Walker Safely

  • Take small steps
  • Keep the walker close to your body
  • Wear nonskid slippers, socks, or shoes
  • Remove throw rugs and clutter from the floor
  • Keep your head up while walking to maximize your balance
  • Keep both hands on walker, if you need to carry items attach a basket to the walker
  • As you walk, move the walker ahead of you one footstep at a time and make sure walker is firmly balanced before you proceed

How to Get up from a Chair While Using a Walker

  1. Pull the walker in front of you and slide yourself to the front of the chair
  2. Make sure the walker is level
  3. Stand up slowly with both hands gripping the walker.
  4. When you stand up give yourself some time before you walk to make sure that you have good balance.
  5. Move the walker forward one step and walk towards it

How to Sit Down in a Chair While Using a Walker

  1. Use your walker to back up to the chair until your legs touch the back of the chair.
  2. If your chair has an armrest, use one hand to find the armrest of the chair while leaving one hand on the walker (This step varies based on chair).
  3. Slowly sit down
  4. Slide back into chair

There is no replacement for having professional assistance and training with medical equipment.  The above is a brief overview and is by no means complete.  For more information see your physician or physical therapist.

 

 

Comments (0) • Posted September 9, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Georgia Comes Home from Rehabilitation Center

Rosemary’s friend Georgia is coming home today after her stay in a rehabilitation center following a hip fracture.  She insisted on taking a taxi home and would not allow Rosemary to pick her up.  Rosemary decides she will meet Georgia at her home later in the day to make sure that she is settling in properly.  Rosemary will pick up some necessities from the grocery store for Georgia and deliver them to her when she goes to visit.  Rosemary is excited to have her friend back at home so they can spend some time together.

Rosemary stops by the grocery store to pick up some items for Georgia.  Rosemary knows that Georgia loves fried chicken.  Rosemary picks up a whole fried chicken conveniently cut into pieces.  Next to the chicken there are biscuits and pre-mashed potatoes, gravy, and many ready to eat foods.  Rosemary chooses a selection and then picks up some of the basics such as, milk, bread, butter, and some vegetables.   Rosemary travels up and down the isles of the grocery store as a method to illuminate any foods or goods Georgia might need.  Rosemary thinks that she will play it safe and buys some dishwasher soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush and toilet paper for Georgia.  Rosemary checks out with her large load of groceries and then heads to Georgia’s house to see how she is settling in.

Rosemary leaves the groceries in her car and walks up and knocks on Georgia’s door and waits; she does not hear any movement inside and wonders if Georgia is home yet.   She knocks with more gusto one more time to make sure that the knock is heard throughout the house.  Rosemary waits.  Finally, Rosemary hears some movement inside of the house and Georgia opens the door.  Georgia is pushing a walker in front of her.  She greets Rosemary warmly and they both go inside.

 

Comments (0) • Posted August 12, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Computer Classes for Seniors

Rosemary finds using the computer to be quite challenging.  Sometimes the email messages she sends reach the desired person and sometimes they do not.  She is also having trouble navigating through the computer programs.  Rosemary considers signing up for a computer class so that she can catch up and keep up with not only her friend Georgia, but her granddaughters as well.  Rosemary does not feel that she can keep calling her son on the phone every time she cannot figure out how to do something with her computer.

Computer Classes for Seniors

Senior adults often feel intimidated by the latest technology that their family seemingly uses without effort.  As society becomes more and more connected and reliant on technology, it makes sense that there is more pressure on seniors to become familiar with that technology as well.  Computer classes can be very useful for the new computer user.

Classes and education seminars designed to teach seniors how to use computers are becoming easier find.  Many local high schools and community colleges often offer computer classes.  The volunteer run, non-profit organization, Senior Net ( http://www.seniornet.org ) offers classes and seminars on the fundamentals of computers, word processing, internet navigation, and email use.  Senior Net has learning centers in approximately 25 states and online classes are also available.  Classes are delivered by senior volunteers dedicated to the mantra of “seniors teaching seniors.” Membership fees of $40 are required along with a small course fee depending on the specific class desired.  Some locations even offer free question sessions for members as well as non-members, where seniors receive assistance with computer hardware and software questions.  Being able to contact family members through email, viewing photos of family and friends online, and navigating the vast World Wide Web can be a very satisfying accomplishment.

 

Comments (0) • Posted July 29, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Rosemary’s New Computer

Alex, Rosemary’s son, arrives at Rosemary’s house at 7 am to set up a computer so Rosemary can use the internet to keep in touch with Georgia and her daughter Nicole.  Alex tells his mother that this is actually his computer from home and now that she needs a computer, it provided the perfect opportunity to upgrade his home computer to something newer.  Rosemary asks her son how old the computer is and Alex tells his mother that it is a year old.  She attempts to protest that Alex is giving her a new computer and he cuts her off stating that computers need to be upgraded often.  Alex works with computers for a living, so Rosemary thinks that he should know.

Alex sets up the flat screen monitor, the tower computer and keyboard on a flip-out desk; then proceeds to plug everything in.  He brought a power bar for his mother as she only has two plugs in her living room.  He then sets up another box that provides wifi or wireless internet for his mother.  There is a knock at the door and it is the cable man to wire Rosemary’s house for cable internet.  Rosemary is not sure that she understands this process, but finds that it seems quite complicated.

Once Alex has finished setting up the computer, he has his mother sit down with him to teach her how to check her email.  Rosemary uses the mouse as instructed to awkwardly double click on the picture of the envelope on the screen, she is delighted to see that she already has email.  Alex helps his mother open the email message so she can read it and it is from Alex and his daughters welcoming Rosemary to email.  Alex and his daughters wrote the email last night so that Rosemary would have some instant gratification when her computer was set up.  After what seems like hours, Alex has shown his mother the basic function of the computer.  Rosemary feels that she understands the basics of email, but feels a little lost with the rest of the information.  Alex states that he can go over it all again once she gets used to things.

That even Rosemary decides that she will do some searching on the internet to look for the news as her son had shown her.  Later she decides to check her email again.  When she uses the mouse to click on the picture of the envelope that signifies her email program, she manages to inadvertently move the picture of the envelope around the screen a few times before opening it.  Rosemary finally manages to open her email and finds it empty.

Comments (0) • Posted July 15, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Rehabilitation Center

Several days later, Rosemary receives a call from Georgia who is now at the Pine Cone Creek Rehabilitation Center.  Georgia tells Rosemary that she will be staying there for about 2 weeks so she can heal, get back on her feet, and complete her physical therapy for her hip fracture.  Georgia reports that her daughter Jillian went home yesterday and she would love to see Rosemary.

Rosemary finds Pine Cone Creek Rehabilitation Center in the phone book and writes down the address and telephone number.  Rosemary calls the rehabilitation center to get directions but cannot understand the person who answers the telephone, so she finds an old map that she has not used for years.  On the kitchen table Rosemary unfolds the limp map to find the street she is looking for.  Once she finds it she circles it with a pen so that she can easily find it while she is driving.  Rosemary carefully folds the map so that she is able to just see the circled area.  The map is so big it takes up most of the table and she would not be able to see out of the windshield if she leaves it completely open.  One second thought, Rosemary feels that she should pack the phonebook too, just in case she loses the piece of paper with Pine Cone Creek’s address on it.

Rosemary packs up some magazines for Georgia to read, her phone book, her map, and gets into her car.  Rosemary finds Pine Cone Creek Rehabilitation Center without any difficulty, partly due to the billboard-sized wood sign near the front gate.  Rosemary inquires about Georgia at the main desk and she directed to her room.  Georgia is not in her room so Rosemary asks a very young looking employee about Georgia’s whereabouts.  Rosemary is told that Georgia must be in the group dining room.  Rosemary is directed to the dining room and as she is about to enter, there is Georgia using a walker and being directed by another very young attendant, to purposefully place her walker ahead of her before every step.  Georgia is so happy to see Rosemary, she is laughing and crying at the same time.  Rosemary makes a mental note that Georgia looks very well and happy.  Rosemary was worried about Georgia after the conversation she had with Georgia’s daughter Jillian.  But her fears are relieved by the cheerful mood Georgia seems to be in.  Back in Georgia’s room, Rosemary learns what it has been like to be in a rehabilitation center.  Georgia states that she would rather be home, but does not mind the food and the people seem nice.  Georgia tells Rosemary that she is enjoying meeting new people here and there is always something fun going on.  Georgia does not seem to be upset to be here as she states that she is receiving daily physical therapy to get back on her feet.  Georgia tells Rosemary that she expects to be here at least a month, which is two weeks longer than Georgia had originally told her.  Georgia tells Rosemary that she is learning to use the computer and her daughter set up an email account for her so that they can keep in touch.

Rosemary sits at home that night after watching the evening news, she thinks about her day, about Georgia, and her own future.  Rosemary writes in her Hello Kitty diary from her granddaughters.

Dear diary,

I had a chance to visit Georgia in the rehabilitation center today.  I did not tell Georgia about the conversation that I had with her daughter, Jillian.  While I was visiting Georgia I was thinking about Jillian’s worries about where her mother should live when she gets out of the rehabilitation center.  Her daughter does not want Georgia to live alone at home and was asking me what to do.  I don’t know what they should do.  On the drive home today I was wondering what if this happens to me?  What would I do, what would my son and daughter do?  Maybe I should talk to them both.  I am healthy now, but what happens if I am not?

 

Comments (0) • Posted June 20, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Rosemary Gets a Computer

The next morning is Saturday and over her solitary coffee and toast, Rosemary thinks about her friend Georgia recovering from a broken hip.  Georgia told Rosemary that she has been keeping in touch with her daughter Jillian by email.  Rosemary knows that the internet is available, but has not had much of an opportunity to use it.  Rosemary imagines that her grandchildren are using the internet when they are clicking on their gadgets.  Rosemary calls her son Alex to ask him about the internet.  Rosemary asks Alex if he uses the internet and he tells his mother that he uses it for everything.  Alex states that he can find the answer for anything on the internet even the menu for a restaurant.  Rosemary wants to know what she can use it for.  Could she talk to Georgia through the internet during her stay at Pine Cone Creek Rehabilitation Center?  Alex tells his mother that she can keep in touch with her daughter and granddaughters as well as Georgia.  They can send messages back and forth, share photos, and even trade recipes if they like.  Alex seems exceedingly excited about this and is quickly talking to his mother about all the possibilities for her if she has the internet.  Rosemary is worried about how much this will cost and how she will learn to use it.  Without asking, Alex states that he will be over in the morning with his old computer to get her started.  Rosemary is excited to keep in close touch with Georgia and feels that she is one step behind her friend who already knows how to use the internet.

Seniors, Computers, and Email

It comes as no surprise that more and more seniors are using computers to keep in touch with their families.  Although it seems that computers are much more simple than they used to be, they can be daunting to a senior who has never used this medium to communicate.  Seniors often report that they feel that they will “break” something or may do the wrong thing.

Email can be made much more simple for seniors with software such as Paw Paw Mail and Red Stamp Mail.  This software provides an interface with large icons such as “Read Mail”, “Send Mail”, and “Photos” so it is easier for the senior to see what they are looking for.  For more information see: pawpawmail.com or redstampmail.com

Remember to research thoroughly before purchasing anything online.

 

Comments (0) • Posted May 30, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Caring for Family Members from a Distance

Rosemary’s son gives her a ride to the hospital on his way to work.  Rosemary inquires about Georgia’s room from the main volunteer desk at the hospital entrance.  A silver-haired, red vested volunteer named Bob, states that he will take Rosemary to Georgia’s room.  He offers Rosemary a wheelchair ride, as it is such a large hospital and he is worried about her getting tired.  Rosemary declines but thinks that Bob might need a wheelchair himself; Rosemary has to wait for him to catch up as he walks so slowly shuffling his feet.  While walking with Bob, Rosemary has time to notice how much he looks like Santa Clause with his white hair and red uniform.

Rosemary reaches Georgia’s room and finds her sleeping.  Rosemary sits on a hard, folding chair in the corner of Georgia’s room for 20 minutes listening the sounds of the hospital and smelling the interesting smells.  Georgia’s room is cramped with a bed in the middle that takes up most of the room, and a window that looks out onto the vertical concrete wall of the next wing.  Georgia looks relaxed and peaceful while sleeping, which makes Rosemary feel at ease because she did not know what to expect after seeing Georgia in the ER yesterday.  Georgia’s breakfast tray lay on the tray table untouched; Rosemary sneaks a peek to see what they are feeding Georgia and she finds chicken broth, tea and green Jell-O.  Not what Rosemary was expecting, but she rationalizes that Georgia may need light food after surgery.  Just before Rosemary sits down again, Georgia’s daughter Jillian arrives.  Jillian has just flown in from Savannah.

Jillian appears to be flustered and is obviously distraught that her mother is in the hospital.  Jillian’s loud voice wakes Georgia from her sleep.  Georgia is drowsy but recognizes both Jillian and Rosemary.  Rosemary offers to leave Jillian and her mother alone, but Georgia is looking tired, so Jillian quickly offers to buy Rosemary lunch at the hospital cafeteria.  Rosemary chooses a muffin for it’s simplicity, thrift, and speed.  Rosemary does not wish to stay long or order anything expensive since Jillian is buying her lunch.  During their meal, Jillian talks endlessly about her concerns regarding her mother living alone at home in her current condition.  Jillian breathlessly agonizes about her mother’s situation with tears in her eyes while pushing around her lunch on the plate.  Rosemary thinks that Georgia should be part of this conversation because it is her life after all, but she lets Jillian go on and on about Georgia living alone at home.  Jillian asks Rosemary what she should do about her mother.  Rosemary feels uncomfortable with this conversation and squirms in her seat a little, but is not sure that Jillian will give her an escape route.  Would her son be asking a perfect stranger to help decide where she should live if she could not care for herself?  She never considered this possibility and feels a little scared.  Jillian apologizes for putting Rosemary on the spot because she can see that Rosemary looks uncomfortable and has ceased talking.  Rosemary and Jillian walk back to Georgia’s room, all the while Rosemary is contemplating their conversation.

Caring for Senior Adults from a Distance

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Comments (2) • Posted May 16, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

Long Night at the Hospital – Importance of Rest and Nutrition for Seniors

Long Night at the Hospital – Importance of Rest and Nutrition for Seniors

Arriving home late in the evening after visiting Georgia at the hospital, Rosemary finds her neighbor Jackson, wearing his bicycle shorts sitting on her front step waiting for her and dialing his cellphone to call her son.  Jackson saw that Rosemary’s back yard light was still on before he went to bed, and he was worried when she did not answer the door.  Jackson immediately stands up and helps Rosemary out of the cab. While visiting Georgia in the emergency room, Rosemary completely forgot that Jackson would be watching to make sure that she turned off her outside light before going to bed.  Rosemary starts by apologizing to Jackson and tells him what happened to Georgia.  He has never met Georgia, but has heard Rosemary talk about her.  Jackson heads home across the street, Rosemary thanks Jackson and unlocks her door to find the phone ringing.  It is her son calling; he was worried after receiving a hang up call from Jackson’s number.  Rosemary again tells Georgia’s story and her son offers to drive her back to the hospital in the morning to visit Georgia and pick up her car.  She accepts his offer because she is so tired and she does not delight in the idea of riding in or paying for another taxi.  Rosemary briefly considered eating something before bed, but the thought of preparing food was exhausting.  Rosemary decided she had only enough energy to go bed; she felt as though she could sleep for days.

Rosemary woke in the morning at about 6 am.  She seems to have her own internal alarm clock.  When her children were in school she had to be up early to make them breakfast, and has been an early bird ever since.  Rosemary was sure to pick up her newspaper this morning.  She feels she has caused enough trouble with her neighbors by forgetting to call Jackson when she would be late.  She certainly does not want Mr. Garrison, her other neighbor, arriving at the door too if she were to fail to pick up her newspaper.  Things used to be much more simple when she did not need to have all of these people watching her every move.  On the other hand, Rosemary briefly visits the idea that she is proud to have her own little community of people watching out for her.

Rosemary calls the hospital to inquire about Georgia; the hospital will not give her any information but transfers her call to Georgia’s room.  The phone rings and rings and no one answers.  Rosemary decides to go the hospital despite not being able to reach Georgia.

Nutrition Tips for Seniors

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Comments (0) • Posted May 9, 2011

Author: Julie L., BS, BSN, RN
Julie has worked as a Registered Nurse in the emergency room, as a clinical nursing instructor, and as a director of clinical services in home care.

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