Home Care Boca Raton

What to Do when an Elderly Parent Won’t Take Medication

Nearly every adult child who provides home care for an aging parent or grandparent will experience a time when the senior refuses to take medication. As opposed to a senior who may forget to take medicine, one who refuses to take his or her medication presents different and more difficult challenges. 

The first thing any caregiver should do is look for a proactive solution. This includes a talk with your senior loved one to learn why the medication is being refused. If the reason is something simple, such as taste, an equally simple solution may be found. In other cases, look for more creative solutions. Working through the problem rather than trying to force your loved one to take the medicine will save time and patience.

Check for Difficulty Swallowing or Ingesting the Medication

Your loved one may have difficulty swallowing pills, or his or her medication may cause stomach upset. In these situations, talk to the pharmacist to determine if a liquid form is available or whether a substitute medication in another form is an option.

Address Confusion about Why the Medication Is Necessary

This situation is more common than many people understand. But with doctors having less and less time, it often happens that seniors don’t understand the need for their medication. If possible, schedule a consultation with the doctor, who can clearly explain your loved one’s condition, how the medication will help, and the health risks of failing to take the medication as prescribed.

A home caregiver can provide reminders for your loved one to take his or her medication. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. You can rely on Angel Touch Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health.

Calm Your Parent’s Worries about an Adverse Reaction

All medications come with a slight risk of an adverse reaction. Though the risk may be minimal, it might be enough to frighten your loved one. This fear may be due to your parent not understanding how low the risk actually is. A 1 in 10,000 chance of an adverse reaction is far different from a 50 percent chance. Make sure your loved one understands how small the chance of an adverse reaction may be.

Ensuring your loved one takes medication properly when he or she doesn’t want to can be exhausting. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional elder care, Boca Raton Angel Touch Home Care should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.

Help Your Parent Minimize Side Effects

Many people who take medication experience side effects and eventually try to avoid the medication altogether. Minimizing the effects of the medication may help in some cases. For instance, medications that cause drowsiness should only be given at bedtime (or before a midday nap). Solutions may come from the doctor, pharmacist, or online research. Advice from a support group related to the same medical condition might also be a valuable resource.

In some cases, your loved one may have heard rumors about a potential side effect. For example, your parent may have heard a blood pressure medication causes hair loss. In these instances, if assurances from the doctor or pharmacist don’t help, try finding a person who takes the same medication and ask him or her to speak to your loved one. Often, your loved one may trust someone who uses the medication more than his or her own doctor or caregiver.

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Boca Raton, FL, Angel Touch Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to arrange transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Angel Touch Home Care today.

How Professional Caregivers Provide Companionship for Aging Adults

Lack of companionship can lead to poor cognitive health, depression, isolation, lower immune functioning, and more physical, mental, and emotional setbacks for older adults. Therefore, it’s necessary to increase social interactions for your elderly loved one, and a caregiver can provide that and many more daily benefits. Below are some ways professional caregivers offer social companionship, ensuring your loved one receives the brain-boosting physical and mental interaction he or she needs.

Cooking

A professional caregiver can customize meal prep based on your loved one’s physical and cognitive abilities. For example, if your loved one has difficulty remembering or following instructions, his or her professional caregiver can simplify the recipes and cooking process, boosting your parent’s confidence and increasing his or her sense of independence.

Besides help with meal preparation, your loved one receives companionship when sharing meals with a caregiver. The mealtimes allow the conversations to continue, giving your parent something to look forward to each day.

Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare services. Angel Touch Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Exercising

Whether taking up indoor or outdoor exercises or engaging in other physical activities, such as dancing or swimming, your loved one will increase his or her strength and cognitive health while boosting safety and security. The increased mobility that results from exercising can make your loved one feel stronger and more at ease when walking around the house, going on fun adventures, or lifting certain objects. A professional caregiver can offer help with exercise without putting too much pressure on your parent and give your family peace of mind knowing someone is there to help when you’re not.

Creative Activities

Painting, sewing, writing, playing board games, gardening, and singing are just a few of the creative activities professional caregivers can bring into your parent’s life, whether inside the home, out in public around other aging adults, or with family and friends. The caregiver will know when the activities should stop or when they need to be simplified to stimulate your loved one’s mind and lower the odds of isolation and depression.

Having someone around to nudge your loved one toward interacting with others may be less difficult because the professional knows what steps to take, what words to say, and what to avoid. Because of the professional’s training, certifications, and experience, the caregiver can also determine what elderly clubs, community events, or local activity groups are more beneficial for your parent as well as which ones he or she may be more receptive to.

Older adults who need regular social stimulation should consider professional in-home care. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Angel Touch Home Care, a trusted provider of Boca Raton senior care. Our caregivers arrange transportation to and from medical appointments and social events and provide nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.

Doctor Visits

Professional companionship can make a doctor visit more personal and less worrisome for your loved one. The caregiver will communicate with your parent compassionately, allowing him or her to vent when necessary or sit in silence, especially after receiving bad news or while waiting for a medical procedure.

Having a professional companion right there can take away the fear of being prescribed new medications or having daily schedules changed. The caregiver will know when to step in with your loved one and can do so quickly without causing alarm. The objective is to provide a sense of security and ease your loved one’s mind, making medical visits and processes less challenging.

For families living in Boca Raton, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Angel Touch Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call today. 

Live-In Care vs. 24-Hour Care: How Do They Differ?

Having a dedicated caregiver inside your senior loved one’s home is essential, and both live-in care and 24-hour care can provide just that. These options allow seniors to age in place in the comfort of home. However, there are differences between the two, which are described below. Many factors can help you determine which service suits your parent’s needs best.

Live-In Care

Although your loved one is receiving assistance, he or she must provide the caregiver with accommodations, such as a safe and comfortable space to rest. While the caregiver isn’t considered a resident of your parent’s home, this individual is entitled to breaks during the day and night and must be offered a home-like environment.

One difference with this option is that your loved one will have a minimal number of caregivers, allowing him or her to build bonds with these individuals. This is crucial in terms of your loved one’s comfort level.

Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Boca Raton live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with cognitive decline or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Angel Touch Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life. 

24-Hour Care

Twenty-four-hour care is the option families should select for aging loved ones who require around-the-clock assistance. However, your parent isn’t required to give the 24-hour caregiver a block of uninterrupted sleep.

Keep in mind that two caregivers generally work 12-hour shifts each day, or three caregivers can come in for 8-hour shifts. These rotating schedules can make a 24-hour caregiver more alert, maintaining a higher level of focus.

Advantages

Both types of care allow your loved one to receive high-quality care, but 24-hour care can be more beneficial if your family prefers to decide how to structure each shift for your loved one. If your loved one has dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, a heart condition, or another serious health issue, having around-the-clock care will be a necessity for his or her safety as well as to ensure he or she receives medication reminders, meals, and interaction.

For uninterrupted help, 24-hour care is often the best option. For example, if your loved one experiences sundowning or has difficulty walking, he or she could wander away from home in the middle of the night or experience slips, falls, and other serious medical issues when going to the restroom. Having uninterrupted care is crucial in these instances.

Families looking for top-rated Home Care Boca Raton providers can reach out to Angel Touch Home Care. From respite care to live-in and 24-hour care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

Costs & Referrals

Many families have budgets in place for their loved ones. In these instances, it would be best to see which option your loved one can afford.

With live-in care, arranging for the cost of room and board is required, and depending on the location, those expenses can vary. Unless other issues arise, such as interrupting the caregiver’s block of uninterrupted time, you know what you’re paying up front, and it’s likely more expensive.

In contrast, 24-hour care is often provided for a lower hourly rate. If the caregiver does sleep, the prices can often be even lower, but they may be higher when the caregiver is awake and providing around-the-clock help. Typically, your loved one’s primary care physician will make a referral regarding which option is best for meeting your parent’s needs as well as being compatible with his or her finances and your family’s approval.

Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality homecare. Trust Angel Touch Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us today.

Top Reasons Families Require Respite Care

Family caregivers must make time for themselves and their personal needs. However, taking care of an aging parent who relies on in-home care can be challenging, particularly if you’re the only one helping. To ensure you can handle your responsibilities and the other factors mentioned below, it’s best to utilize in-home respite care, which doesn’t compromise your loved one’s safety or physical, mental, and emotional healthcare needs.

Running Errands

Being a family caregiver doesn’t mean your other daily responsibilities disappear. These could involve roles like being an employee, spouse, parent, or friend. You may need to run errands for your husband and children as well as yourself, such as going grocery shopping, meeting with teachers, or taking time to handle work-related projects, and being an in-home caregiver can make balancing these roles difficult.

Besides running errands, other non-caregiving responsibilities that can fill up your day include cooking meals, cleaning the house, helping with your child’s homework, or taking on your own projects if you’re enrolled in an educational program. These tasks become even more challenging when you add in around-the-clock care for an aging parent. However, in-home respite care allows you to handle these responsibilities without compromising your loved one’s healthcare needs.

If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality Home Care Boca Raton service, Angel Touch Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to helping seniors live longer and healthier lives.

Socializing

This is a shared advantage for both family caregivers and their senior loved ones. Despite the presence of family caregivers, older adults need to interact with different individuals, and in-home respite caregivers can introduce socialization that positively impacts your parent’s overall wellbeing.

Interacting with friends, coworkers, and others your own age can boost your mental and emotional health and relieve stress. Participating in social activities lets you talk about things unrelated to healthcare. In-home respite care enables you to take guilt-free breaks from caregiving while ensuring your loved one is taken care of.

Staying Healthy

It will be difficult for you to concentrate and make accurate decisions for your parent if your healthcare needs aren’t met. You not only need to continue with your doctor appointments, but you also need to follow your physician’s healthcare recommendations, or you’ll compromise your physical and mental health.

If you’ve been injured, it’s important to focus on recovery. This can be challenging if you’re taking care of a senior loved one. With in-home respite care, you can rest assured your parent will receive excellent care while you recover from an illness or injury, regardless of whether you’re recuperating at home or in a hospital.

Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide senior home care, Boca Raton, FL, Angel Touch Home Care has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering hourly and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Angel Touch Home Care to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.

Taking Time Off

While being around friends and fulfilling daily responsibilities are important, it’s crucial to take time for yourself and unwind to avoid exhaustion. Taking a short or extended break can help you rest and regroup. While you’re on vacation, you can either participate in enjoyable activities or just relax and make the most of your time off.

After you return feeling refreshed, you can take care of your obligations, which include caregiving. During the time off, you can keep up with your responsibilities by checking in. However, you can utilize professional in-home caregiving services with confidence while you enjoy your vacation and renew your energy levels.

Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Boca Raton families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation. Angel Touch Home Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today to learn more about our customized care plans.

How In-Home Care Helps Aging Adults

Exploring care for seniors opens up a wealth of options that can sometimes leave families wondering where to start with helping their aging loved ones. Today’s active seniors are often opting to live in their homes for as long as possible, and staying where they feel comfortable can have a positive impact on their overall wellbeing. Taking a look at how home care benefits seniors gives you a strong starting point for finding care solutions that make everyone happy.

Prevents Serious Physical Injuries

The biggest worry about seniors living alone is that they could get hurt. Home-related accidents are a reality for older adults. The good news is most injuries are preventable by paying attention to a senior’s changing abilities. Whether your aging loved one needs help getting in and out of the tub or could use a steady hand for chopping up vegetables, in-home caregivers are available to provide assistance.

Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional home care seniors can trust and rely on.

Guards against Financial Abuse

Seniors who live alone are also at higher risk for being viewed as vulnerable by people with nefarious intentions. Scammers are increasingly targeting the senior population, and all it takes is one convincing email or phone call to cause an older adult to lose his or her retirement savings. 

In-home caregivers can serve as an extra set of eyes and ears when assisting older adults at home. If the caregiver suspects your loved one is being targeted for fraud, the professional can alert you and the proper authorities as needed.

Provides Cognitive Support

Sitting at home alone can cause seniors to stop learning new things or using their memory. An at-home caregiver can arrive for the day with enjoyable activities that keep a senior’s brain engaged. From playing brain games to enjoying conversations, caregivers love seeing older adults’ minds at work. At-home caregivers can also remain alert for signs in a senior’s speech and communication patterns that could indicate changing health conditions that need medical attention.

If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Angel Touch Home Care, a leading provider of in-Home Care Boca Raton families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health. 

Boosts Emotional Wellness

Loneliness is a major issue in the senior community. While family members try to visit their loved ones, the truth is they get busy. In-home care adds a social element to your loved one’s day that can prevent depression and anxiety. Seniors even tend to eat more at meals when they have the companionship that makes preparing healthy food and eating more enjoyable.

Allows Families to Create Personalized Care Plans

Every senior’s needs are different. While other care options try to provide high levels of services, they’re often designed to fit the needs of a wide range of people. With home care, you can pick and choose your services. 

Caregivers also work with seniors and their families to identify areas to focus on. Being able to plan for an in-home caregiver to stop by and help with personal hygiene might free your family up to enjoy going on an outing. Or you might need a caregiver to remind your loved one to take medication or address his or her grocery shopping needs periodically. Either way, you’ll only pay for the services you need, which is often more budget-friendly for seniors and their families.

If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Boca Raton, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Angel Touch Home Care, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Angel Touch Home Care team today.