Blog

kate b. reynolds home
Wednesday July 23rd, 2014

Easy activities with guests

Summer is often a time when relatives take advantage of good weather to come from afar to visit an ailing loved one. They might not be prepared for all the changes that have happened since the last visit. You may wish to read our article about making the most of family visits. It offers tips for setting expectations and maintaining routines. Beyond preparing the emotional stage, it's nice to have some special activities planned. Here are some simple options to consider:
hospice winston-salem
Sunday July 13th, 2014

Reducing the risk of falls

One-third of older adults who live at home fall at least once each year. That makes falls the leading cause of injury for elders. The most severe consequences include injuries that can be life changing: a traumatic brain injury or broken hip. These can lead to the need to move to a setting with more assistance.   Your relative is considered “high risk” for falling if he or she has fallen twice in the past year, has balance or gait problems, or has just had a severe fall. To be safe, ask your family member’s doctor to do a "fall risk assessment." This includes a review of
Thursday July 3rd, 2014

When Mom worries about falling

Many older adults who have fallen believe it is best to “stay safe” and avoid falling again by restricting their activities. Unfortunately, that’s the worst thing they can do! Inactivity is a path to reduced strength and mobility, which increases the risk of a fall and injury. One of the most important things you can do is keep your worried relative up and moving. Here are some tips: Talk about the fear
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday June 25th, 2014

Should Dad move in?

Combining households has many benefits: less hassle running back and forth between two residences, less worry about Dad eating well and remembering his meds, more family social time for him, cost savings on rent and utilities, etc. But if things do not work out, disentangling could cause hurt feelings and damage your relationship. Consider these questions before you move in together. Relationships and life style
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday June 18th, 2014

Explaining your needs to others

Are you worried that asking for help sounds like whining? You may believe you “should” be able to do it all without assistance. Or think you are “just” doing what any good or loving daughter (or son, or spouse) would do. Like many caregivers focused on being gracious, you may have become used to minimizing the personal impact of caregiving. Wanting help does not mean you are weak. And being frustrated, tired, or resentful does not mean you don’t care for the elder in your life. It simply means that there is more on your plate than can be done alone.
hospice
Wednesday June 11th, 2014

Difficult questions

As we face our mortality, whether death is in fact weeks or decades away, we inevitably come up with questions about life's mysteries: Is there meaning to life? What is the point if we are ultimately going to die? Do we simply vanish when we die, or is there an afterlife? Is there a Being, Existence, or Force that is larger than ourselves? Will we be judged for how we have lived? Why have we been given the conditions we've been given? If we are in pain, why are we suffering? If we know we are dying, what reason is there for hope?
hospice winston-salem
Tuesday June 3rd, 2014

Medicare and Medicaid: Protecting your assets

An important concern of the seriously ill is whether their medical and other care expenses will gobble up resources and leave a surviving spouse with insufficient funds for their own needs. Medicare will pay for limited time in a nursing home provided 24-hour nursing care is required. But people who need long-term assistance and those who need non-medical help such as preparing meals, doing laundry or remembering medications may have to pay for this care out of their own pockets. This can get very expensive.
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday May 28th, 2014

Take fifteen!

As much as you’d like to take a break for an hour or two, sometimes it’s just not possible. But it is crucial that you take time to de-stress. If not for yourself, then do it for the person you care for. After all, if you burn out, what will happen to him or her? There are many ways to refresh quickly. First, put aside the day’s tasks and find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Silence the phone and set a timer for 15 minutes. Breathe easily and surrender completely to the exercise until the timer goes off. Care for your body
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday May 21st, 2014

Balance problems

Balance problems affect about 40% of older adults. Poor balance increases a person’s risk of falling. And fall-related injuries often result in an elder having to move to a living situation that provides more supportive care. A person with good balance can stand, walk, sit, and change position while easily staying upright. Without even thinking about it! It requires excellent coordination between the muscles and the senses (eyes, ears, and touch). The senses tell the brain about a body’s orientation in space. The brain then tells the limbs, muscles, and joints what to do.