Empty Nest December 2012

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Empty Nest

December Special Section

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December 2012

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December 2012

Ask Pam… Your Expert in Senior Care for the past 7 years The Holidays are among us and you may have noticed signs that your loved one needs extra help. Sometimes it may be as easy as getting some extra help in a few times a week and other times it looks like a move to an assisted living. Call Senior Helpers to discuss all of the available options for your loved one.

Most families eventually have to deal with a complicated and heart-wrenching question; How do I know when an aging relative needs more help at home?

Whether your loved one is simply dealing with the normal struggles of aging, a sudden change in their medical condition or coping with the affects of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, there are in-home solutions to keep your loved one safe. It is always best to trust your instinct and take a proactive approach in making sure your senior loved one is safe in their home.

Here are the 10

• Alzheimer and Dementia Care • Transportation and Errands • Bathing, Dressing and Light Housekeeping

Warning Signs that your loved one may need additional help at home; 1- Sudden Change in weight (significant weight loss is a major indicator) 2- Failure to properly take scheduled medications.

3- Deterioration of Personal Hygiene.

4- Expired or rotten food in refrigerator or pantry.

5- Temperature in the house is too hot or too cold (depending on the time of year!)

6- General forgetfulness or incidences of getting lost.

7- Sudden surprising mood changes or bizarre behavior (Anxiety or Depression) 8- Decline in vision and hearing or newly diagnosed medical condition.

9- Difficulty completing normal daily tasks (cleaning the dishes, paying bills, laundry etc.)

10- Unexplainable bruises

• 24/7 and Live-in Caregivers • Assisted Living Placement Assistance • Custom and Flexible Schedules

Senior Helpers: Matt Fredenberg, Elizabeth Jackson, Pam Hodgson, Hutch Hodgson

770.442.2154 Ask about our interactive caregivers.

or scars.

Start these discussions as soon as you notice any of these warning signs. It is much easier to start these conversations before bringing in extra help.

The first step is identifying the needs of your loved one. Then call in an expert to come up with a schedule and care plan to keep your loved one Independent at home.

Here are a few tips for your conversations with your loved one;

Be Prepared; One tip is to be prepared and have your facts straight before your meeting. Make notes on the signs that have alarmed you and the times that you have noticed them.

Expect Resistance- Your loved one will most likely be upset at you for suggesting outside help and will try to convince you that everything is fine and that they do not need help.

This is normal and to be expected. Do not be discouraged and stay calm. Explain the process and how your goal is for them to stay at home. Also explain to them your concern for their safety and how beneficial it will be for them to have a personal assistant/caregiver to help around the house and with their daily needs.

Small Victories; If the conversation gets too heated, take a deep breath and a little break.

ty-four hour and live-in Take a few minutes to care. compose yourself, reThe first step is for evaluate where you are Pam to come and meet in the conversation and with you and your loved then proceed with the one. During this FREE conversation. Do not assessment, you will get discouraged but rediscuss needs and demain focused on the end sires for care and togoal; Your Loved Ones safety and well-being. hodgson gether a Care Plan is created. Pam and her A good starting point staff then match a careis to have a Personal Assistant/Caregiver start off just a giver with your loved one based few times a week for just a few on personality and level of care hours and add more time as needed.

When you make the decineeded. You will be surprised how quickly your loved one will sion to use Caregivers to bring recognize and start to enjoy the comfort and care to your loved one, you want to make sure you value of extra help.

Sometimes it only takes a get the best available and Selittle extra outside help to allow nior Helpers provides amazing your elderly loved one to age in care and customer service. Seplace at home. Start the con- nior Helpers is a family owned versation early to ensure the and locally managed company highest quality of life for your that is State-Bonded, Insured and Licensed. loved one!

Give Pam a call today at Senior Helpers can assist your loved one anywhere they 770.442.2154 are staying: their home, Independent/Assisted living, HosPlease Send Your pital, Rehab center… Their Caregivers can provide comQuestions to: panionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, fall risk phodgson@ care, transportation, as well as help with bathing, dressing, seniorhelpers.com and other activities of daily livPam Hodgson ing.

Senior Helpers Senior Helpers Caregivers are screened and trained to 770-442-2154 provide excellent care for your 294 South Main loved one. Custom short and Street #500 long term shifts are available from one hour a day to twenAlpharetta, Ga. 30009

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December 2012

Steps on how to beat the holiday blues Jingle bells, eggnog, exchanging gifts, family.

These are several things we all think of as the holidays approach. It’s supposed to be an exciting time full of anticipation, excitement and family. However, instead of sharing in the joy of the season, many seniors feel lonely, depressed and isolated during this time. Their lives have changed, they may have lost loved ones, and their family may not be nearby. For these and many other reasons, seniors can fall prey to the “Holiday Blues”. If you have family members, friends or neighbors who are older and alone, here are several tips to help them beat the “Holiday Blues”.

1. Acknowledge memories and make new ones. It’s only human to reflect on the past during this time of year.

Listen to your senior, respect their memories and spend time with them.

2. Include them in as many aspects of the holiday season as possible. Maybe Grandma used to bake cookies, invite her over to “help” the younger generations bake and decorate; take her to church; invite her for tea.

3. Eliminate obstacles.

If the holiday season has everyone gathering together, remove throw rugs to help avoid falls; move furniture to enable a walker or wheelchair passage.

The most important thing we can do to help combat the “Holiday Blues” is to make time. Make time to listen.

Make time to visit. Make time to share a meal. What seniors want most, what everyone wants most, is to know they are loved and not forgotten.

They want our time. Give your senior the best gift you can, that of your time.

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December 2012

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Ivy Hall at St. Ives…

A Memory Care Community with Atmosphere!

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Call today to schedule your tour!

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5690 StateBridge Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30022 (770) 814-0114

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5835 Medlock Bridge Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022 (770) 476-1777

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education in memory loss.

With the local support of surrounding churches, hospitals and physicians, Ivy Hall at St. Ives specializes in the understanding and treatment of this population. Ms. Mitrovich strives to be a leader in helping to pave the way, offering knowledge and compassion to the Families and Spouses who find themselves in difficult circumstances as they care for their loved one.

For more information please call Ivy Hall at St. Ives at 770-476-1777.

Hearthside Johns Creek Hearthside Johns Creek, an independent senior living community for 62 and better, located at 11340 Medlock Bridge Road is Now Open!

Come visit and experience our beautiful one and two bedroom apartment homes with unparalleled amenities.

At Hearthside Johns Creek we’ve designed a community exclusively for seniors where residents can enjoy their ideal lifestyle. A lifestyle dedicated to maximizing freedom, reducing stress and living well. At Hearthside we don’t want to change your life, just add

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longevity. Healthy nutrition, hydration, exercise and medication management allows a well balanced lifestyle. Each Resident has a personalized care plan that caters to their specific likes and needs, as well as their activities of daily living.

Ivy Hall at St. Ives has also been a vital resource for

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Ivy Hall at St. Ives has long been an established Assisted Living community that specializes in Memory Care.

With a homelike atmosphere and quality care, the local communities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Duluth have relied on our experienced personnel to provide a compassionate home for their loved ones. The Executive Director Jane Mitrovich, has specialized training and activity programming designed to help stimulate, motivate and create an active atmosphere for memory loss Residents.

Ivy Hall at St. Ives is a secured environment that safely offers a high quality of living with dedicated Registered and Licensed Practical Nursing oversight, and welltrained staff with years of

to it IT’S YOUR LIFE SO JOIN THE JOURNEY. Mix and mingle while enjoying our Breakfast Bistro, attend fitness classes for the new and improved you, rediscover your artistic talents in our Art Studio and fire up the grill as you relax on the Veranda. Daily activities abound so you really can ENJOY IT……..LIVE IT…..

Our Leasing office is open Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM and Saturday 10AM -2PM. Please call 770-418-0555 for additional information.

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An Independent Senior Living Community For 62 and Better One and Two Bedroom Apartment Homes – Starting at $710/mo.

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December 2012

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