Senior Living

Be proactive to keep elders safe, independent

Senior Living

BY STEPHEN RUDOLPH

My friend Bob admits he should have spoken with his mother long ago about home care. They just never found the right time, and now, because his mom’s health is in such decline, Bob and his siblings have to make many hard decisions on her behalf without knowing what their mother really wants. Bob had spoken with me many times while his mom was slipping in her ability to maintain the household. First, she couldn’t go up and down the stairs to do laundry because the washer and dryer were in the basement. She also couldn’t keep the house clean, especially the bathroom. She had difficulty in ambulating and preparing meals and taking her prescription drugs. My suggestion to Bob was, “Don’t delay in getting her help. Be proactive.” But he wasn’t. He procrastinated until it was too late. As a result of a recent fall, she might not be able to remain in her own home much longer. At some time in theirs lives, your elderly parents or another loved one will become unable to care for themselves completely. At that point, you will probably want to hire an in-home caregiver to do things like administer medication, cook some meals and provide your parent or parents with companionship. Some people wait until the very last minute to hire a caregiver for their loved one, but if you can manage to hire one sooner, that is undoubtedly the better option. Elders overwhelmingly prefer to remain in their home as they get older. They tend to be loath to lose their independence. The sooner they receive services at home, the longer they tend to stay there. If you want to help loved ones stay in their home longer, it is useful to start with less intrusive services and increase or decrease the level of help as you gain more knowledge of their habits. Try to get them to agree to accepting help by focusing on one or two critical needs. After that, slowly add on or lessen services until they’re getting all the help they truly need. This might take multiple conversations, as your loved ones might be resistant at first. You will be told that they are fine and can manage on their own. But we know that all it takes is a slight mishap, a slip, trip or fall or a stovetop fire or missed medications to put them into a downward spiral. The sooner you make sure they receive services, the longer they will be able to stay in their home. If you want to plan for your parents’ or other loved ones’ care, it is important to involve them and not do it behind their backs or try to trick them. Their involvement helps them see you more as a trusted partner rather than someone who’s swooping in to make changes. It’s a good strategy to estimate future costs so you’ll be prepared. You might want to consult an elder law attorney or financial planner to help. Most home care agencies do not charge for an in-home assessment, which provides you the opportunity to have your loved ones begin the process. Preventing falls and other accidents will go a long way to keeping your parent independent for as long as possible, so consider safety hazards in the house. The top three reasons elders are hospitalized are falls, medication errors and nutrition. Find a home safety checklist online and go through it with your loved ones. You can find one at cdc.org. Simple fixes include making sure all floors and walkways are clear of clutter, cords and rugs, adding grab bars in the bathroom and stair railings throughout. Also consider updating lights so all rooms are bright and switches are easily accessible, ensuring all appliances work well and are within easy reach and minimizing the need to use step-stools or to bend down low. Another thing that will keep your loved ones safe is the ability to easily call for help and keep in touch with family and friends. Isolation and loneliness have a serious negative effect on overall health. Their phones should be easy to use and easily accessible, perhaps with large numbers. Consider a medical alert device, if they are open to the idea. If you hire people who can help earlier, that person will get to know your loved one or loved ones when they are still able-bodied. This will allow them to more easily spot issues that arise as their health declines. The longer a caregiver has been with their patient, the better care they are often able to offer. Have that all-important conversation with your parents or other loved ones sooner, rather than putting it off. Because while they might still live at home, their quality of life is important. You want to keep that quality for as long as possible.  Stephen Rudolph is a consultant for Comfort Keepers of South Central Wisconsin, a home care agency that provides skilled nursing and personal care services for aging adults, those with disabilities and others needing assistance.

Unified Newspaper Group February 2021 Young at Heart 17 Benefits from leisure activities

Leisure activities may be widely viewed as fun ways to fill up free time, but the benefits of leisure activities extend beyond beating boredom. A 2011 analysis published in the journal BBA Molecular Basis of Disease found that leisure activities have a positive impact on cognitive function and dementia. The analysis, conducted by researchers with the Aging Research Center in Stockholm who examined various studies regarding the relationship between certain activities and cognitive function, defined leisure activity as the voluntary use of free time for activities outside the home. After retirement, leisure time constitutes a large part of many retirees’ lives, and finding ways to fill that time is more beneficial than merely avoiding boredom. The researchers behind the study concluded that the existing research is insufficient to draw any firm conclusions regarding the effects of certain types of leisure activities on the risk for dementia and cognitive decline, though they did note that multi-domain cognitive training has the potential to improve cognitive function in healthy older adults and slow decline in affected individuals. A multidomain approach to cognitive training involves memory, reasoning, problemsolving, and map reading, among other activities. Aging adults who embrace activities that require the use of such skills may find that they’re not only finding stimulating ways to fill their free time, but increasing their chances of long-term cognitive health as well. mcg.metrocreativeconnection.com

AContinuum ofCareCommunity

A wonderful place to call home

Skaalen is located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Stoughton, WI. Our beautiful campus offers walking paths and comfortable outdoor spaces. Skaalen’s continuum of care provides residents a full menu of living options from which to choose. From carefree and comfortable independent living, to high-quality assisted living for loved ones, to rehabilitative and restorative nursing care, Skaalen’s Continuum ofCare retirement campus offers options to fit your needs or the needs of a loved one.

Skaalen Heights Assisted Living has one and two bedroom apartments offering many luxury amenities available for immediate occupancy.

Whether you are considering Skaalen for yourself or someone you love, we invite you to take a tour of our campus by going to our website skaalen.com/learn or call 608.975-5105 for additional information on our services.

400 N. Morris Street, Stoughton, WI 53589

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Low-maintenance residence designed for carefree living offering a wide variety of comforts and conveniences.

ASSISTED LIVING

Providing assistance with activities of daily living to those who do not require skilled nursing care.

ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE

Specializing in the care of those with Alzheimer’s Disease and other memory conditions in a homelike environment.

SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION

Rehabilitative and restorative care to meet each individual’s need for long-term or shortterm residency.

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