The National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP estimate that more than 53 million Americans are family caregivers: People of all ages who provide care, support, and assistance for a loved one. This number is almost certainly a low estimate and is sure to increase as more Baby Boomers age and require help to achieve their health, wellness, and everyday living goals. Family caregivers do an incredible amount of work to ensure that aging loved ones are safe, secure, and healthy. But what does taking care of an aging loved one in your home really look like? If youre new to the role of family caregiver, its important to understand the realities of caregiving and know when to consider senior living for the benefit of yourself and your loved one.Daily Needs for Elder Care: Top 5 Things to ConsiderWhile not all older adults will need all of these forms of assistance, its important to plan ahead for changing needs. Dont forget to consider your own health and well-being in this equation, toobe honest and compassionate toward yourself as you determine whether you can be an effective caregiver or if you need to consider senior living options.Transportation & MobilityOlder adults face mobility challenges for numerous reasons. As people age, their muscle strength can decrease by as much as 50%. Combined with the natural deterioration of neurons that help with motor functions, this loss of muscle can make it hard for older people to drive, walk, use stairs, and more.Remaining as mobile as possible is critical for peoples overall health, well-being, and sense of confidence, which means caregivers may need to help elders:Get in and out of beds, chairs, cars, etc.Use walking aids or get around in a wheelchairSafely go up or down stairsDrive to doctors appointments & social engagementsMake home modifications for safety, such as widening doors, installing grab bars and handrails, removing trip hazards, decluttering, improving lighting, and maintaining flooring Meal Preparation & Meal PlanningDid you know that our nutrition needs change as we get older? A healthy diet is important at all stages of life, but for people over 55, getting the right balance of calories, nutrients, and vitamins can help prevent and manage chronic conditions, support muscle health and mobility, and much more.Of course, older adults face unique barriers to getting the nutrients they need. Diminished taste and smell senses can make food seem less appealing, and conditions like dementia can make chewing and swallowing difficult. Caregivers are a crucial part of supporting nutritional needs and may need to:Make weekly meal plansCook meals Go grocery shoppingFind creative ways to encourage eating and drinking enough waterSupervise meals to ensure safe and comfortable eating routinesConsult with a loved ones physicians to understand their nutritional needs and avoid foods that have negative interactions with medications, health conditions, etc.Housekeeping & Home MaintenanceHousekeeping is never easy, but it can be particularly challenging for older adults. If youre a family caregiver, you may be called upon to help your loved one with anything from laundry to lawn care.When considering your ability to provide care for a loved one, make sure to factor in household help, such as:LaundryKitchen cleaning (washing dishes, cleaning countertops, taking out the trash)Bathroom cleaning (cleaning tubs, showers, sinks, and toilets)Vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, window cleaning, etc.Gardening/landscaping General home maintenance (replacing air filters, appliance upkeep, etc.)Personal Care: Bathing, Dressing, Continence Care, & MorePersonal hygiene is one of the most emotionally charged caregiving tasks. Sometimes, older adults feel embarrassed or ashamed when a family member has to help them with things like bathing, dressing, grooming, and especially toileting. Without the right approach, these interactions can be particularly taxing to both parties. Maintaining a persons dignity while helping them with personal care tasks should be a top priority. Personal care tasks may include helping a person:BatheShaveDress and undressWash and brush their hairUse and clean continence aidsMaintain a healthy skincare routineKeep up with oral hygiene (brushing teeth, etc.)Health & Well-Being: Medication Management & MoreIf your loved one requires skilled nursing care, its always best to have a professionally trained caregiver administer it. Still, family caregivers may need to help their loved ones organize their medications and communicate with their doctor to ensure that everyone fully understands their care plan. If you are going to be a family caregiver, you may be an integral part of helping your loved one navigate the healthcare landscape, from attending doctors visits with them to encouraging healthy behaviors at home like exercise. This extends to their mental health as well, making sure that they have everything they need to stay connected to a social network, participate in activities that bring them joy, and remain engaged with lifes meaningful moments.Understanding the Realities of CaregivingThe choice of whether to take care of an aging loved one at home or consider senior living is difficult. If you are newly taking on the role of family caregiver, or if youve been handling this responsibility for a while and are feeling burned out, being realistic about your own abilitiesand your loved ones care needsis critical.Depending on the level of assistance they need, caring for an older person can be a full-time job. And if youre stretched too thinemotionally, physically, or financiallyyou wont be able to provide the best possible care. While it may be hard to think about at first, in many cases, senior living communities are the best option for everyone involved.Take some time to think about your situation as critically as you can. Does your loved one have needs that you are unqualified or struggle to fulfill? Are you confident that their environment is safe, supportive, and connected? Is your loved one not just surviving but thriving?How much money do you spend taking care of your loved one at home? Include expenses like additional utility bills, extra groceries, medical needs, accessibility devices, transportation-related costs, home modifications, and more.Is caregiving having a negative impact on your other responsibilities (work, child-rearing, etc.)?Get Personalized Help Exploring Your Senior Living OptionsIf you have been providing unpaid care for a loved one or are preparing to take on this role, you may benefit from additional support. Senior living options can provide that support, and CarePatrol is here to help you find the perfect community. We are a network of local senior care experts offering hands-on, concierge-style assistance to help you find the perfect assisted living, independent living, or memory care community for your loved ones needs and your familys budget. Best of all, we offer our services at no cost to you! 

Now that the summer heat is behind us and the weather is getting colder, flu symptoms will become increasingly common. For seniors, the common cold can lead to complications like bronchitis and pneumonia. For seniors struggling with more chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma, a flu infection can worsen things.Your loved ones health should be your priority as the winter draws closer, and taking the right steps to prepare your seniors for the season is essential. Get a flu vaccineSeeing your loved ones succumb to mild illnesses like the flu can be tough to watch. Unfortunately, the older they get, the weaker their immune system is, especially when they have underlying health issues.So, dont underrate the capacity of something seemingly as simple as flu to lead to severe complications. Ensure you get a flu vaccine for your loved ones early to protect them from the worst of the virus.  Be ready for snow stormsSnow storms can leave seniors isolated or restricted inside their homes, so its essential to prepare for the worst eventualities, such as occasional blackouts. Stock up the kitchen and ensure that water and medication are readily available. You can also get supplies such as a warm blanket, gloves, spare batteries, and a flashlight to keep your loved ones comfortable inside.  Practice proper hand washingYou should impress upon your loved ones the importance of proper hand washing, as it is a highly effective way to prevent cold and flu. It begins with applying antibacterial soap and warm water to the hands, working the lather for about 20 seconds before rinsing and drying the hands. Have them use disposable towels to wipe their hands and use them to turn off the running water to avoid recontamination from touching the faucet. Eat healthyAlthough adequate nutrition can be challenging to manage during the cold months, you should make an effort to ensure that your loved ones get quality, nutritious meals at all times.Stocking up on frozen portions of vegetable-rich meals, soups, and fruits will strengthen their immune system and make them more resilient to the flu.  Get activeDepending on the capacity of your loved ones, you should impress upon them the importance of physical exercise as an efficient way of helping the body fight infection. Ensure they regularly carry out low-impact exercises for a few minutes daily to avoid being couch potatoes, making the immune system too weak to resist the flu.  Clean household surfacesCold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces outside of the human body and particularly live longer on surfaces like wood, plastic, and metal.So, keep your loved ones from contracting the flu by cleaning household surfaces with the appropriate disinfectants containing hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, pine oil, alcohol, or bleach. Also, check that your loved ones are not allergic to any substances in the cleaning agents you use.

Over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimers disease, and 3 million new cases are diagnosed each year. More than 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimers disease or another dementia.  These staggering statistics mean that you likely know someone or have a loved one who has a form of dementia. In the United States, 11 million people are acting as unpaid caregivers for a loved one with Alzheimers. November is National Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about this disease that is deadlier than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.  Alzheimers disease is the most common type of dementia. This progressive disease starts with mild memory loss and involves the part of the brain that controls language, thought, and memory, impacting a persons ability to carry out daily activities. Research has not determined the exact cause of Alzheimers, but it is believed that several factors can play a part in the disease, including:Genetics:  Family history may be linked to developing Alzheimers, though it is not guaranteed that if someone in your family is affected, you will be, too.  Healthy lifestyle choices like exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet may help. Age:  This is the best-known risk factor for the disease. Environmental factors:  Science is studying the potential connection. Changes in the brain:  These can happen years before symptoms appear. Since memory loss is not a normal part of aging, knowing the warning signs is important, especially if you have concerns about a loved one. Someone may experience the following symptoms early in the process: Challenges executing familiar tasks at home, work, or during leisure timeDisruptions in daily life due to memory loss, like repeating questions or becoming lost in a familiar placeDifficulties paying bills or handling moneyMood, personality, or behavioral changes Losing items and not being able to figure out how to retrace steps to look for themPoor judgment Memory Care Communities can benefit someone living with dementia as well as give their families peace of mind.  Often located within larger assisted living facilities or in smaller residential settings, these specialized facilities can provide dementia care for residents with middle to late stage memory loss. The environment is secure, and full of safety features designed to enhance memory function and decrease potential confusion for anyone who lives there. Memory Care focuses on giving aging adults a safe environment to stay engaged and active in a structured environment.  Features can include art classes, physical therapy, fitness classes, music experiences, and communal dining to help residents stay socially connected. CarePatrol has been helping families find the right senior care options for their loved ones for over 30 years.  As specialists in the field of aging, CarePatrol Local Senior Care Advisors are able to match older adults to the right communities so they can live their best life, including Assisted Living, Independent Living, Nursing Homes, and Memory Care Communities. Reach out to see how we can help your family today.