SYNERGYHomeCare.com Winter 2018
THE DISH ON SENIOR NUTRITION
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ating right is a part of being healthy and happy. Proper nutrition is commonly understood to be an essential part of healthy living. According to the National Institute of Health, “good nutrition promotes health-related quality of life by averting malnutrition, preventing dietary deficiency disease and promoting optimal functioning.” There are challenges to good nutrition, however. The aging process affects dietary needs and considerations. Nutrition concerns are frequently expressed by those researching home care options for loved ones. Anita Uresti, the owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Austin, Texas and former Professional Chef, says that around half of the calls her office receives include questions about nutrition.
A lot of the times, when we start up with new clients, we find out what do they like, what did they grow up with,
said Anita. Family members who are seeking home care for older adults are often concerned about grocery shopping and proper eating, so Anita and her team will try and develop meals and recipes based on the flavors and customs that the care recipient is accustomed to eating. This plan allows them to provide meals that are familiar and comfortable while also maintaining good nutrition. Taking a custom and unique approach to meals allows caregivers to address another common issue that impacts in senior nutrition: memory loss. Seniors who suffer from memory conditions
often lose significant weight because they forget to buy sufficient and proper foods, or they simply forget to eat. Managing nutrition and memory loss is a common aspect of caregiving. “That is a very big part of what we do. We have to approach it differently,” said Anita. She says that providing meal choices and having someone present when a senior eats helps minimizes the problems of memory loss. Even seniors who struggle with minor memory loss can benefit from these methods because they address nutrition issues with friendship and social interaction. Having companionship during meals is a significant boost to senior nutrition. “Seniors who live alone tend to neglect nutrition,” said Anita. Seniors will often look forward to each meal, especially when they will be eating with other people. Mealtime can become a significant part of a senior’s day. “In seniors, it becomes probably one of the most important things to them,” said Anita. Challenges with senior nutrition are common. Collaborating with others who have experience
CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT
and sharing ideas help bring the strength of a community together to overcome those challenges. Quality caregivers gained their knowledge from experience and working with others. Often the things they learn are available for everyone. Anita’s team in Austin share their resources with their clients to help them have the best care possible. When we go
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Proper nutrition is essential for everyone. Working together with caregivers, family, health care providers and other professionals will ensure that loved ones, including those who struggle with memory loss, are well cared for and eating healthy.
An engaging caregiver is one who actively seeks the input of the person they care for. Our caregivers engage their clients by learning more about who they are and what they like to do. They recognize that the first time they enter a home, they are strangers. They know they must gain their clients’ trust, make sure the clients are satisfied with their work, and most importantly that they are at ease.
in and do a care assessment with our new clients, and we find out what their needs are, we do have a list of resources they can utilize, above and beyond what our resources are, said Anita.
roviding home care is an intimate experience, as you are inviting someone into your home to help you accomplish tasks that most people take for granted. Our caregivers appreciate how humbling this can be for most people, so our caregivers approach every client based on their personality and specific needs.
People with disabilities have similar needs as seniors when it comes to home care. Caregivers offer both groups enhanced independence and the ability to stay in their own home. The quality of care improves as caregivers are willing to engage and listen to care recipients. An engaging caregiver does more than simply provide care. Interaction from engagement improves the recipient’s quality of life by creating a personal, caring, connection. Below are a few examples of how SYNERGY HomeCare engages with our clients. • Adapting the home environment for safety and independence • Collaboration with speech, occupational, and physical therapists • Enhanced social activity programs • Meal planning, shopping, and enhanced dining experiences WINTER 2018 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com
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CARE FOR EVERYONE
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he senior population is the largest group of people using home care to assist with activities of daily living. The struggles encountered as they age often seem exclusive to the process of getting older. However, millions of people of all ages face debilitating conditions which are similar to those faced by seniors. People with disabilities have a unique perspective on the struggles of older adults because disabled people often deal with the same issues. Chad Hymas, an Influencer and Public Speaker, who is also a dedicated client of SYNERGY HomeCare, faces similar difficulties
as senior-aged adults. Seventeen years ago, Chad suffered an accident, losing most of the use of his arms and requiring him to use a wheelchair to get around. “I feel like I relate very well to the elderly,” said Chad. He says the wheelchair helps him to relate to his grandmother, who is also in a wheelchair. And his need for 24-hour care helps him relate to many other home care recipients. Like the elderly, Chad relies on caregivers to help him elevate his independence.
The more dependent I am on other people… the more I am able to get accomplished in a 24-hour time frame. Effective home care provides quality support to recipients based on their unique needs, regardless of age. Caregivers rely on coordination and communication with recipients to know exactly how to provide the best individual care. Kelly Buckland, the Executive Director for the National Council on Independent Living, says that recipients of home care have the best insight into their own care needs. “People with
Chad and his family also benefit from home care by being able to focus on their intra-family relationship. When family members or friends take on the role of caregivers, they often replace their personal relationship to the recipient with a caregiving relationship. Home care allows family and friends to stay focused on the special aspects of their relationship. In Chad’s family, each member can still be themselves. “Home care has allowed my wife to be my wife and my children to be my children,” he said. The majority of home care recipients are the elderly, but numerous others rely on the help of caregivers in order to accomplish daily living activities. These people include those with permanent disabilities and people who have temporary needs, such as a new mother or someone recovering from an accident. Each person has unique needs, and quality caregivers help maintain independence, quality-of-life, and safety, for everyone who receives home care. disabilities really know what it is they need. So, they should be the ones determining how it gets done and by who,” he said. Kelly, who is also a home care recipient, says that caregiving affects life outside of just the home. For everyone who relies on home care, quality caregivers play a huge part of their lives. Caregivers provide a way for recipients to live in their own home and help them prepare for the day. If you don’t get
out of bed, you don’t go to work. That’s how critical it is, said Kelly.
For Chad, having reliable caregivers has allowed him to become a world-renowned author and speaker. He relies on his caregivers whenever he is away from home, which is around three quarters of the year .“The truth is: I could not travel around the world without caregivers,” he said. “It allows me to provide for my family.” WINTER 2018 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com
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3 VALENTINE’S DAY IDEAS
to Show Your Love
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Write a letter to your Valentine that shares beautiful memories, appreciation, and things you appreciate and love about them.
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Take your Valentine on a trip down memory lane, dig up old pictures, reminisce over old stories and share in the joy of your bond.
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Surprise your Valentine by spending quality time together doing their favorite hobby.
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he month of February is, traditionally, associated with romantic places, gifts, and expressions of love, that focus on romantic relationships. The reach of love is more extensive than romance. It can be expressed by any person, regardless of age or ability. It is demonstrated in all types of relationships. As part of the Month of Love, we want to recognize all the acts of love shared among family members, family caregivers, professional caregivers and care recipients.
Our SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers accomplish so much more than a list of tasks, they go above and beyond to provide compassion and loving care for our clients and their family. Our caregivers become an extension of the family and in many cases they become dear friends with their clients. From everyone at SYNERGY HomeCare Family members, and friends that care for a loved thank you for choosing us. one place the well-being and care of another We appreciate all of you and person high on their priority list. These caring we hope that every day spent actions are a symbol of their love, an expression with SYNERGY HomeCare that goes beyond the romantic characteristics feels like Valentine’s Day. associated with Valentine’s Day.
SYNERGY HOMECARE WORDSEARCH ABILITY CARE COMFORT DIVERSITY ENGAGE EVERYONE GOALS HEALTH HEART
HOME INDEPENDENT LOVE NUTRITION RECIPES SUPPORT SYNERGY VALENTINES
ACROSS 2. Who SYNERGY Homecare provides services to 7. “ The more dependent I am on others, the more ______ I become,” 9. Executive Director of NCIL (Last Name) 10. Inspirational Speaker (Last Name)
SYNERGY HOMECARE CROSSWORD Hint check out the rest of the magazine for more clues. DOWN 1. Where the heart is 3. March is National ______ month 4. Home Care Provider/ Name of Magazine 5. Former Professional Chef (First Name) 6. February is ______ health month 8. How a caregiver gets to know a client Key is available at https://goo.gl/QgxxW4 WINTER 2018 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com
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Care for Everyone Call anytime 877.432.2692 or visit www.synergyhomecare.com Proudly Independently Owned & Operated