Elderlink Home Care

Home Care 101 – Your Most Basic Questions, Answered!

What Is Home Care? Simply put, home care is when an individual such as a nurse, physical therapist or caregiver come into a person’s home to assist them. There are two main types of home care: home health care and home care. Home health care refers to medical care provided in the home, such as skilled nursing, physical therapy or occupational therapy. This care is provided by a licensed individual and is typically provided short term after a hospitalization or surgery and often times is covered by Medicare. Home care is the term used to define assistance with what is commonly referred to as ‘ADLs’ – activities of daily living. This type of care is provided by a caregiver or home health aide and they are not required to hold any specific certification or license. What Type Of Assistance Will I Receive With Home Care? Caregivers from a non-medical home care agency, such as Elderlink Home Care, Inc., provide assistance with the activities of daily living – routine things we all do, every day, but often get more difficult with age or illness. These include things such as assistance with bathing, personal care and grooming, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, companionship, and light housekeeping, to name a few. Home care agencies typically provide short term assistance before/after surgery, or will provide respite care so family members and primary caretakers can have some time off. How Much Does Home Care Cost? The cost for non-medical home care varies depending on if you are setting up care on your own privately, are using the help of an agency, and the specific needs of the person receiving care. Most agencies charge an hourly rate and have minimum amounts of time that must be scheduled. Elderlink Home Care, Inc. shops Denver area agencies regularly. Currently, the majority of agencies charge on average $27 – $30 per hour. Because Elderlink has been in business for over 30 years, we have perfected the art of home care and offer our clients a unique service that allows our clients to take advantage of our extremely competitive rates which are currently $19 – $25 per hour. Will My Insurance Cover Home Care? Medicare and other traditional health insurance typically do not cover home care. If the person receiving care has long term care insurance, it will usually cover non-medical home care. Otherwise, most home care agencies and associated costs are private pay. There are some government benefits available for qualifying veterans to help fund the cost of home care. Reverse mortgages are also a good way to secure funding for home care. How Do I Choose A Home Care Agency? There are many choices when it comes to selecting a home care agency to work with. We recommend researching your options before the need arises. This way, you have time to call several different companies, ask questions and select the one you feel the most comfortable with. It’s also a good idea to ask close friends or trusted professionals (such as your doctor) if they have any recommendations for you. The best testament to a company is a satisfied customer! They might be able to narrow down your search significantly. Home care is a very personal decision and you want to choose an agency that not only meets your needs, but one that makes you feel good and at ease throughout the entire process. There is a lot of information out there when it comes to home care. These are just a few of the most common questions asked when discussing home care. If you or a loved one would like to discuss home care or arrange for an in-home consultation, please call Elderlink Home Care, Inc. at 303-734-0641.

Spring is Here!

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. May 17, 19

Spring is the perfect time to get out and start exploring! Ageless Outings is a guidebook for planning your daytrips – to museums, art galleries, working farms, nature centers, local history centers and more. Over 1000 copies of the original books have been sold, and an updated edition was published in April, 2018. We’d like to share a few ideas with you! Iris4U Garden is open seasonally (mid-May until mid-June). Wandering the aisles of this beautiful garden is a great way to spend some time. Its very easy to get to and the staff is very friendly. 2700 W. Amherst Avenue, Denver, CO Cussler Museum is only open from May to September, so now is the time to go. You may have heard of the famous author Clive Cussler. His books feature unique and exotic automobiles, and there are over 70 of these vehicles housed in Arvada at his family run museum. It’s a beautiful collection and perfectly displayed. 14959 W. 69th Avenue, Arvada, CO Breckenridge Brewery in Littleton provides a comfortable setting, a convenient location, and a unique building they call “The Farmhouse”. It is very close to the Platte River, which has plenty of biking and pedestrian trails. Make an afternoon of it! Take a stroll on the river, grab a coffee and a treat at Nixon’s outside of Hudson Gardens, then make your way to the Brewery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. Outdoor and indoor seating is available with large grassy areas and mountain views. 2920 Brewery Lane, Littleton, CO For more ideas, the Ageless Outings book can be purchased at http://www.outandaboutcolorado.org or call 720 398 8945.

Early warning signs that someone you know may need In-Home care:

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. May 06, 19

The majority of people, when asked, prefer to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. People need to feel they have control, and when they are in their own homes, they set the standards. Simple things like when to wake up, when to eat and when to bathe are personal choices that can not be accommodated in an institutional setting.

Preparing Your Loved One’s Home for Sale

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. Jan 16, 19

Selling a home that has been lived in for many years can be a difficult process whether a loved one has passed or is just moving into a nursing home. Many memories have been made that hold a multitude of emotions and it is hard to let it all go. Here are a few steps to help ease the stress of preparing your loved one’s home for sale. Be Patient If time isn’t of the essence put a 60-90 day freeze on all decision making. During that time leave everything in the home as-is except for expiring food, medicines, and anything else that could leave a bad odor. This hold-over time period will give friends and family time to grieve, time to process the options, and time to remember the home exactly how it was while your loved one still lived there. Get Expert Help A lawyer should be one of your first calls as they can help get the necessary paperwork in order such as a power of attorney and will. They can also help you navigate through probate. Seeking legal advice about selling a home is always advised as it can greatly affect the title of the home. Next, a realtor will be able to talk about all of your options when it comes to selling. Since a realtor doesn’t have any emotional attachment to the house, they will be able to be matter of fact and tell you the current market value of the home. A realtor will also let you know which items should be updated to get the most money out of the house. Declutter It can be difficult to let things go, but a house must be de-personalized in order to sell for top dollar. If the process is too difficult or daunting to do on your own, you might consider hiring an estate sale company to host an estate sale. If this is the route you go, it is best to step away from the process and let the professionals do their job. If you prefer to go through items yourself, consider hiring an appraiser or specialist to look at antiques to find out their true value. Less valuable items can be donated so you know they are going to a good home. Non-profit businesses that are usually seeking donations include Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity Restores. Update/Repairs A lived-in home will have signs of wear & tear. At a minimum fix cracked tiles, patch holes in walls, give the home a coat of fresh neutral paint, replace burned out lightbulbs, and remove curtains to let the most light in. You might also consider installing new carpet and flooring. To get the most money out of the home, consider doing a kitchen and bathroom remodel as those spaces tend to be the biggest selling points of a house. If you don’t have time for a major renovation you can update simple items such as replacing light fixtures, faucets, and hinges. In the bathrooms add a few stacked washcloths tied with a ribbon, add lightly scented candles, and buy matching bathmats & towels in a light green, blue or white tone. Your realtor might also suggest hiring a professional stager, who will bring in contemporary furniture to enhance the homes attractiveness to potential buyers. Clean, Clean, Clean One of the last steps inside the home is to give it a good cleaning. If you don’t mind putting in the elbow grease, then begin with washing the windows, vacuuming, dusting, wiping down all surfaces, and polishing appliances. You can also consider hiring a cleaning company, who can come in and make the home sparkle in just a few hours. Curb Appeal Lastly, spruce up the landscaping and front entrance of the home which might have become neglected. Trim shrubs, add flowers, mow the lawn, give the front door a fresh coat of paint, and paint faded trim. In addition, certain buyer’s loan types such as FHA & VA will require rotted deck boards be replaced, that peeling paint is fixed, and any broken windows be repaired. If you are ready to take the next step in selling, call lMike Lies with Gold Compass Real Estate at 303-325-5690.

8 Winter Safety Tips to Protect Your Senior Loved One

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. Dec 10, 18

As the winter months approach, the senior in your life may require some extra attention and steps to keep them safe and healthy. Cold temperatures, snow, and slick sidewalks all have an enormous impact on a senior’s overall well-being. Here are some things that you can do to do to help your senior get ready for the long cold winter months. Schedule physical/flu shot with medical provider Make an appointment for your loved one to visit with their health care provider. Make sure they get their annual flu shot during this visit and address any concerns you might have with the doctor. Pack up summer clothing Older adults are more prone to hypothermia, which is the result of too much heat escaping from the body. Seniors need to dress very warmly during colder months. Since some seniors have cognitive issues, it might be necessary to pack summer clothes away to keep seniors from making the mistake of wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather. Putting winter clothes out will reduce confusion in the senior and make their selection easier. Take necessary steps to winterize the home Check the home to make sure there are no places where heat can escape. Arrange to apply new caulking, sealants, or tarp to windows if needed. Be sure that weathering strips are around the doors to keep cold air out and electric bills down. It might be necessary to have someone come out and check a heating system if the senior heats the home with central heat. This is also a chance to make sure the gutters are cleaned out and remove any clogs. Change curtains at windows to heavier drapes Get rid of the summer curtains and put up heavier drapes at windows. Drapes will keep it warmer in the rooms, preventing heat from escaping through windows. Depending on how many rooms are used during the day, it might only be necessary to heat up a few rooms during the day. Heating up only the rooms used during the day or night will reduce the electric bill cost. Check fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors Check all the batteries in fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. It is probably best to go ahead and change the batteries if you cannot remember the last time they have been replaced. The use of a fireplace, lantern, or gas heater can sometimes lead to exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning. Remember, people do not know when they are being exposed to carbon monoxide, it is colorless and odorless. Pack an emergency winter kit Pack an emergency winter survival kit for the senior. Everyone should have an emergency kit, just in case the power goes out overnight. The kit should include a flashlight, extra batteries, warm blanket, battery operated radio, and non-perishable foods and water. Do not forget to include a first aid kit as well. There should also be another first aid kit which is easily accessible in the home for minor accidents. Post emergency contacts Post emergency contacts for all those who will be helping care for your loved one. People helping care for them should know how to contact you at all times. Your elderly loved one should have numbers right at their fingertips if they should need to get in contact with someone right away. Are you considering home care for your loved one? Elderlink caregivers help with tasks of daily to ensure your loved one is able to remain in the comfort of their own home. To find out more about our services, contact us.

Does Your Loved One Need Around-The-Clock Care?

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. Dec 04, 18

There comes a time in many seniors’ lives when it becomes necessary for them to receive home care in order to continue living in their home safely and independently. Some families and seniors can be reluctant to bring in care 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, as it is such a drastic change from living independently. When in-home care becomes a necessity not only to ensure your loved one’s safety, but to provide you with much needed and priceless peace of mind, there are several signs that indicate your loved one may need and benefit from 24-hour care. Sign #1: Aggression Dementia and Alzheimer’s can cause aggression in seniors who were once calm and peaceful. Unfortunately, aggression can cause significantly increased problems for caregivers and family members. As your loved one becomes increasingly aggressive, it’s necessary to provide a higher level of care. Considering home care during this difficult time can be a vital move for many families. Not only can a caregiver help calm your loved one down, they can provide them with the support they need to avoid potentially dangerous situations. A caregiver is also less likely to take your loved one’s aggression personally, which can make it easier for them to handle those interactions. Sign #2: Caregiver Stress Caring for a senior loved one can be incredibly stressful. While there are some levels of stress that are accepted as normal, there comes a point where it is time to ask for help. If caregiver stress is mounting to the point that it’s difficult for them to function or if they are no longer able to balance normal responsibilities with the needs associated with caring for their loved one, it may be time to consider home care. Sign #3: Safety Concerns Considering the safety of your loved one when they’re at home is one of the most important issues. Take a look around the house. Are there considerable hazards that could be dangerous for your loved one? Consider stairs, exposed cables, and whether or not they will be able to successfully navigate the home, among other factors. As your loved one’s condition deteriorates, they may wander or struggle to remember that they’re unable to go up the stairs the way they once did. A caregiver can help by offering an extra set of eyes and ears to make sure there is nothing dangerous in the home and take care of tasks that may have gotten more difficult or dangerous for your loved one to complete on their own. Sign #4: Therapies are Required When your loved one has been admitted to the hospital, whether for ongoing medical issues, for surgery, or for another reason, they may require therapy to help them move through the recovery process. They may also be struggling more than usual to take care of basic self-care tasks, to keep up with the house, or to find the motivation to get up and moving instead of sitting around on the couch. Having a caregiver during this difficult time is one way to help encourage your loved one and be sure that they’re getting the help they need. Sign #5: Caregiver Burnout Caregiver burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. Caregivers who have reached this point have moved beyond stress to a point that they are no longer able to take care of basic care tasks. They may feel as though they’re struggling through everyday activities or as though each day is more difficult than the last. When a caregiver reaches the point of burnout, it’s critical for both their health and the health of the senior that additional help be brought in. Elderlink Home Care is a surprisingly affordable way to be sure that your elderly loved one receives the care they need when the time comes to home care at any level. If you have a loved one who is in need of round-the-clock care or even one visit per week, contact us. We’re here to help maintain your loved one’s quality of life and make it easier for you to maintain yours at the same time.

Celebrating Thanksgiving with the Seniors in Your Life

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. Nov 15, 18

As the holiday season begins, it’s important to consider how you want to celebrate with the special people in your life–including seniors who may have decreased mobility, in turn making attending celebrations challenging for them. Do you want more involvement with your senior loved one this year? Are you eager to celebrate the holiday with them, but not quite sure where to start? Try some of these great ideas to make the most your holiday with your senior loved one. Create Great Decorations It’s time for fall, and with the arrival of the season, there are plenty of great decorations that reflect the Thanksgiving holiday and the gorgeous weather outside. Consider the types of crafts and decorations that your senior loved one enjoys creating, whether it’s crocheting a custom set of placemats or putting together a stunning centerpiece. Look for ways that you can create those custom decorations together. Working together on fun crafts is a great bonding opportunity as well as something that will make your senior loved one feel like a useful and needed part of the holiday planning experience. This can be particularly useful if your loved one is used to hosting the holiday gathering, since it will allow them to continue to be active in the planning process. Plan the Perfect Thanksgiving Meal You’re putting together the perfect Thanksgiving meal for your entire family–but what does your elderly loved one consider to be the perfect Thanksgiving? Take the time to sit down with them before the holiday gathering. Ask them what they’d most like to eat. Do they love turkey, or do they prefer a slightly different tradition? Do they have favorite sides that they’d love to see on the Thanksgiving table? This is a great opportunity to share family recipes and bond in the kitchen, allowing you to see exactly how they make those special favorites from your younger years. When the day of the meal arrives, take the time to ask your elderly loved one exactly what they want on their plate so that they get the perfect Thanksgiving experience. Create Activities for Everyone When the food is all eaten and everyone is stuffed to the gills, what will you do with the rest of your Thanksgiving? Look for activities that everyone can participate in together. You could, for example: Play Turkey Bingo Construct a gratitude tree, with handprint leaves on which everyone shares what they’re thankful for Look through Black Friday ads together and make a plan for shopping, either out in the stores or online Play charades or another fun game with a Thanksgiving twist Take family pictures while everyone is gathered together Reflect on the Past How many opportunities do you have to bring your entire family together and reminisce about the past? This Thanksgiving, enjoy having your family all in one place and make a point to talk about pleasant holiday memories. Ask your senior loved one about their most memorable moments. Chances are, they’ll have some great stories! Even better, take the time to sit down and add stories to a scrapbook or photo album. Those will be cherished reminders of your entire family that you can enjoy for years to come. This Thanksgiving, make sure that you make the most of the season with your senior loved one. It’s time to pull out all the stops and take the time for some bonding and fun. Contact us to learn more about our in-home care options and how we can help increase your loved one’s quality of life.

Caregiver Guilt - 5 Tips for How to Cope

Caregiver Guilt: 5 Tips to Help You Cope

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. Nov 05, 18

If you’re experiencing caregiver guilt, you’re not alone. Caring for aging parents or loved ones often means less time for you and the things you enjoy doing. Balancing their needs with your work and family demands can leave little time for you. Caregiver guilt is very real and learning how to manage the guilt is important for your physical and emotional health and well-being. Here are 5 tips for coping with caregiver guilt: 1. Identify and Acknowledge Your Guilt Caring for an aging parent or loved one can creates feelings of guilt, anger, and resentment. You envy friends who are taking weekend trips and yet you feel guilty if you schedule one of your own. Ask yourself why you feel the way you do and acknowledge your guilt. Learn to deal with your feelings by talking them out with trusted friends and family. Additionally, try to let go of what you can’t control. While easier said than done, acknowledging that it is impossible to be all things to all people is an important first step to managing your guilt. 2. Focus on the Why While feelings of obligation drive us to help our loved ones, you must keep your eye on the bigger picture. Your situation might be stressful now, but your time with your loved one is limited. Acknowledge that you are doing the best job you can and that your sacrifices are affording you precious time with your loved one. 3. Avoid Comparisons Chances are, you will encounter other caregivers while taking on this role. Or, perhaps you have friends in similar situations. It is important to avoid comparing your skills and abilities with those of another caregiver. What you observe doesn’t necessarily portray the entire picture of what someone else is dealing with—for example, they may not have children to care for at home and perhaps they don’t need to work. Comparing yourself to other caregivers just creates additional stress and guilt you don’t need. 4. Communication is Key While caring for our aging parents or loved ones, we sometimes fail to communicate with them. Having them participate in decision making while they are still able to do so is important for both of you. Ask them for their opinions and to clarify their wishes. Even if you are not able to accommodate them, they will feel that they were heard and their wishes are important to you. Communicate daily, if possible, even if it’s a quick phone call. Keep them up-to-date with what’s going on in your own life so they feel included as a member of the family. 5. Ask for Help Be realistic about your abilities and limitations. A superhero approach is a surefire way to experience burnout and frustration. Your loved one deserves quality care and you deserve peace-of-mind. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to extended family, friends, and neighbors and consider home care services from Elderlink. How Elderlink Can Help There’s no place like home! This is especially true for your aging parents or loved one. At Elderlink Home Care, Inc., we have been providing quality and trusted home care to Denver’s seniors for over 30 years. Our services provide the care your loved one needs and provides you with something priceless – peace of mind. Feelings of guilt and resentment are very common among family caregivers. Using your precious free time to run loved ones to appointments or for groceries leaves you with little time for yourself. In addition, your time spent with your loved one is rushed and often stressful. In-home care allows you better quality time with your loved one for simply enjoying each other’s company. For 30 years, Elderlink Home Care, Inc. has helped families in situations similar to yours. Let us help you by reaching out today. Contact us today to discuss your loved one’s needs and to learn more about our services.

7 Ways to Make Home Safe for an Elderly Loved One

Video Blog: 7 ways to make home safe for Elderly Loved one

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. Oct 29, 18

Celebrating 30 Years ~ Announcing September’s Winner

Elderlink Home Care, Inc. Oct 19, 18

Elderlink is very happy to announce the winner of our ‘Celebrating 30 Years’ grant for September, 2018 – Mr. Edwin Bubla! Mr. Bubla was born in St. Louis, Missouri and has called Colorado home for the past 30 years. When he was 18, he joined the Army then worked on the railroad as a signal maintainer, retiring after 32 years. Mr. Bubla and his late wife, Bernadine, were married for 47 years! His favorite place he’s ever visited is Italy, which he was able to see while stationed there in the Army. Ed loves football and the Broncos. When asked what he wanted to do with his $300 reward? “A new shaver and maybe a case of Budweiser!”. Good choice Mr. Bubla and again, congratulations to you!

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