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February is National Senior Independence Month

February 1, 2017 mdhomehealthadmin Active Living, Senior Lifestyle Comments Off on February is National Senior Independence Month , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February is a month that is dedicated to celebrating senior independence, and putting a bit of extra time into promoting and assisting a senior in your life in any way that helps with their independence in staying at home, while receiving the care that they need. As caregivers and Phoenix home health care professionals, we are extra excited about February, and have a variety of suggestions for ways that you can join in and promote senior independence this month as well.

If you have a special senior in your life that you would like to see stay in their home, and out of hospice care, it would be a good idea to take an assessment of their needs. A needs assessment can help you to better understand the daily struggles your loved one faces, and also where they might have needs for greater health and safety in their normal routines. If you’re unsure of how to conduct a thorough needs assessment, contact your local Phoenix home care professionals, and they can send someone to the home of your special senior to conduct a needs assessment and consultation for free.

There are likely to be a variety of medical and non-medical services required in the home of your loved one, and deciding whether to help with some of these tasks, or to hire a caregiver is going to be your next decision. You may even want to split up some of the tasks between yourself and family members, while adding the help of a professional caregiver. Things like grocery shopping, laundry, cooking, cleaning the home, and administering meds may sound like reasonable tasks that you can handle, while the more medical needs will require the help of a medical caregiver. There are also a variety of non-medical needs your loved one may have, such as having someone there to help them dress each day and to bathe, that you may want to hire a caregiver to help with.

Another great way to help promote independence in seniors this month is to help promote a decent amount of exercise into their daily routines. This is something you will want to discuss with your loved one’s doctor first, to ensure they aren’t over exerting themselves, or bringing extra risk to a health condition. Any amount of consistent exercise has been found to be the single most important factor for those over 65 in promoting independence, longevity and reducing the risk of falls. Falling is one of the most prevalent risk factors for seniors, and is the biggest cause of injury death for this age group.

National Senior Independence Month will be more effective the more it is acknowledged and observed, so spreading the word is another great way to help promote awareness. A great way to spread awareness is by asking your municipal government to declare February as Senior Independence Month in your city or town. Here is a great example of a proclamation that you may use to spread the word to your local community.

Every bit of help in spreading awareness about Senior Independence Month is certainly appreciated. And for those of you who do not have a special senior in your life, but would like to help in promoting senior independence in your community, look no further than your local YMCA. They offer a SilverSneakers Fitness Program for those 65 and older, and you can get involved by volunteering, and helping facilitate senior fitness in any way that you can. If you would like more information on National Senior Independence Month, or our services, experience, or rates, call (602) 396-5742, or fill out our contact form. We look forward to serving you.

 


Hiring a Caregiver Can Make 2017 Your Best Year Ever

January 22, 2017 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver Comments Off on Hiring a Caregiver Can Make 2017 Your Best Year Ever , , , , , ,

Now that 2017 is here, many of us are trying to make fresh, new starts. It’s never been a better time to ask for a bit of extra help with the things you simply do not have time for, or maybe need some extra assistance with from time to time. That is why 2017 is the year to give yourself the gift of a caregiver. There is no shame in having an extra hand around the home, and it could do wonders for your psyche and physical health.

If you or a loved one have a physical or mental disability, and you’d like some assistance around your home with medical, or non-medical services, Phoenix home care professionals are available to come to your home whenever you need someone, and even offer an emergency, on-call nurse 24/7. You never have to be alone, or do things on your own again. There are several medical and non-medical services that an in-home caregiver may provide, depending upon your own personal needs.

Hiring a caregiver can make your life better, and this year better than ever in a variety of ways, for a variety of people.

If you’ve been taking care of a family member or loved one who is ill, you may simply need a break from the caretaking so that you can focus on you, and better be there for your loved one as a companion who is refreshed, and accomplishing all they wish to get done and become this year.

If you’re having medical difficulties, a caregiver can give you the relief of getting the things done that you need done in order to live a fully functioning and enriched life. You may even want to give your loved one a break if you’ve been under the care of a family member or spouse, and give each other space so that when you are together again, your relationship will be back to a state of normalcy, and you may even be able to find a new, enriching way of spending time together that isn’t based upon need.

If you simply feel like you could use an extra hand around the house because you’d rather focus your attention elsewhere, a caregiver could come and help in a variety of non-medical ways also. You could even have one caregiver helping with medical needs, and another with the non-medical needs. Non-medical needs include driving, shopping, errands, meal-planning, cooking, cleaning, companionship, tucking one in at night, helping someone with childcare, or special needs children, and even help with grooming and personal care. These are often the things that relatives become burnt out with when they are doing everything on their own every day. You don’t have to do it on your own anymore. There are Phoenix home health care professionals available to help you.

For more information on our services, experience, or rates, call (602) 396-5742 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to serving you.


5 New Year’s Resolutions for Better Health

January 12, 2017 mdhomehealthadmin Active Living, Healthy Eating, Hiring a Caregiver, Seasonal/Holiday, Senior Lifestyle Comments Off on 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Better Health , , , , , , , ,

Phoenix Home Health (Small)

Now that 2017 is in full swing, there’s likely a list of resolutions you’ve made to help make 2017 the best year yet. Perhaps you’re already working away at your list of changes you’d like to make, or maybe you’ve only looked at it, and haven’t started on it yet. Either situation is fine, as starting slow with an intention is the best way to implement long-term change this year. For those of you who have resolutions surrounding bettering or maintaining your health, here are 5 resolutions that will give you the health boost you need, and the motivation to start working away at the rest of your list.

Get 15-20 Minutes of Direct Sun Per Day

In order for our bodies to absorb enough of the vitamin D we need, a nice dose of 15-20 minutes (depending on your skin’s pigment type) of direct sun exposure at the height of UV exposure in the afternoon (without sunscreen) is needed. If you’re going to be out any longer, put on some sunscreen after the first 15 minutes, as it blocks the absorption of vitamin D. There are other ways to get vitamin D from foods, but this is the fastest, easiest way. It is also a great way to combat certain medical problems that may present in the future. This is especially important for females, as 50% are not getting enough vitamin D.

Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. Sure, we don’t want to oversleep and hibernate all day, but we should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep per day. When this is lacking, a sleep deficit can build up, and negative health issues may become present. Sleep research scientists have found that women need a bit more sleep than males, by about 20 minutes.

Exercise for 20 Minutes Per Day

Cardiovascular health drastically improves if we are exercising to increase our heart rate for at least 20 minutes per day. A 20-minute walk per day is powerful enough to save 37,000 lives per year, and ward off several health issues. If you’re looking to get into greater shape in 20 per minutes a day, try interval training; elevating your heart rate to 90% capacity for one minute, then cooling down for another minute, and repeating 10 times. For optimal cardio workout results without intervals, try going for 30 straight minutes per day.

Drink One Green Smoothie Per Day

Replacing one meal or snack per day with a green smoothie is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits, vegetables, and essential nutrients in a delicious drink that you can take with you on the go when you’re pressed for time. Depending on what you like, try blending in fresh or frozen organic berries, bananas, kale, or spinach (any leafy green) and either fresh-squeezed fruit juice, or almond milk. You can add extra anti-oxidants to your drink with chia seeds, acai berries, wheatgrass, turmeric root, ginger and more. Some even like to add a bit of avocado, avocado oil or flaxseed oil for Omega-3. Local organic honey is also great for those with allergies, and fresh coconut, in moderation, gives a great health boost. It may not sound as delicious as it is, but the berries completely overpower the taste of the vegetables. For those of you with nut allergies, soy milk, coconut water, or vegetable juice may be used as a healthy and delicious substitute. If this sounds like too much work, we’d be happy to send over one of our Phoenix home health care providers to assist. They can not only make the smoothies for you, but also go to the grocery store for the supplies, and even assist with the other resolutions listed above.

Practice Mindfulness: Indulging in a Hobby You Enjoy

The act of mindfulness is a powerful tool in grounding and centering when you are feeling overwhelmed, or just not feeling motivated to make the powerful changes you’ve set out to achieve in 2017. Take a few minutes per day to ground yourself, state an intention for the day, and indulge in a bit of you time–no matter how much time you have. Whatever it is that you enjoy, allow yourself a defined amount of time to focus solely on this without any distractions or guilt. This could be painting, playing a game, making crafts, watching a favorite show, spending time in nature, participating in a sport, knitting, writing, reading, playing with your pets or children, or chatting on the phone with a friend. Whatever it is that you set out to do for yourself each day, be sure to schedule it in as a priority for you, as you would anything else. You owe it to yourself to do something each day that brings you joy and helps you stay present–in the here and now. If you’re having difficulty doing things you once could, a Phoenix home care provider is available to come to your home and help, even if companionship is all you’re seeking.

You owe it to yourself to indulge in the 5 following activities. They do not have to take up too much time each day, may be multitasked together into just a few activities, and you never have to do them alone if you’re unable or unwilling to. We are here for you. For more information on our services, experience, or rates, call (602) 396-5742 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to serving you.


5 Non-Medical Homecare Services for the Holiday Season

December 15, 2016 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Seasonal/Holiday Comments Off on 5 Non-Medical Homecare Services for the Holiday Season , , , , , , ,

The holidays are officially in full swing and that means that we often have far more work to do than we can realistically accomplish on our own. From holiday party planning, visits with friends and family, and all of the household chores and maintenance that come with this time of year, it’s often helpful to have an extra hand for you or a loved one you take care of this time of year. This is something a good Phoenix home health care provider could accomplish for you in accordance with your own schedule.

A trained professional caregiver could not only help provide medical care for a loved one this holiday, but there are also several non-medical services available to you as well. In terms of Phoenix home care, you could hire out, or outsource a variety of tasks this year. Such non-medical services provided by such a caregiver include:

  • Personal care assistance: This involves the basic tasks of personal grooming and care such as:
    • Bathing
    • Hair care
    • Helping one to dress
    • Shaving
    • Skin care
    • Helping one to the toilet
    • Reminding or administering medications
    • Feeding
    • Nail care

 

  • Homemaker tasks: These include household chores and duties such as:
    • Light cleaning and housekeeping
    • Meal planning and prep
    • Dusting
    • Vacuuming and mopping floors
    • Doing the laundry
    • Dishwashing
    • Running errands
    • Grocery shopping
    • Making the bed
    • Changing bed linens

 

  • Miscellaneous services: These are various tasks you may not have time to complete this time of year such as:
    • Care after a surgery for yourself or a loved one
    • Child care for when you little one becomes ill
    • Newborn care
    • Companionship
    • Wake up calls
    • Tucking you, or a loved one, in at night
    • Driving you or a loved one to appointments and such
    • Live-in caregiver services

 

Regardless of your level of need this holiday season, you are welcome to give MD Home Health/Home Assist a call for a free consultation. We will come to your home and sit down with you to develop a package and schedule of services that is perfect for your needs. You don’t have to do everything alone this year. Help is available and you owe it to yourself to take advantage of it.

For more information on our services, experience, or rates, call (602) 396-5742 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to serving you.


Five Reasons to Take a Daily Walk This Fall

October 14, 2016 mdhomehealthadmin Active Living, Seasonal/Holiday, Senior Lifestyle Comments Off on Five Reasons to Take a Daily Walk This Fall , , , , , , , , ,

In recent years, a great deal of scientific research has focused on the benefits of walking and how it can be highly advantageous to your health and well-being. There are lots of reasons why you should get up off your chair, and get outside to enjoy the crisp autumn air, while you take a stroll around the neighborhood. Some of those reasons are listed below.

Sitting is bad for you

The very first reason to consider about why you should take a walk this fall is because of what might happen if you don’t. Scientific research has uncovered a whole slew of health issues that result from sitting all day and being largely sedentary, including all sorts of problems with your legs, feet and ankles. So the very first reason for you to get up and take a good walk this fall is to simply eliminate that whole catalog of health problems that might befall you, if you simply take up residence on the couch.

Enjoy reflective time

Regular walking has been shown to be a powerful anti-anxiety activity which has a calming effect on the walker. Most people don’t realize this, but the simple sounds of nature do indeed have a soothing effect on humans. For instance the singing of birds, the buzzing of bees, and a softly falling rain or a babbling brook, all have subtle but powerful influences on the human psyche.

In addition, taking a walk can encourage creative and reflective thinking, and this notion is supported by a Stanford News study indicating that the creativity demonstrated by participants increased by 60% when people were walking, as opposed to those sitting.

Achieve balance in your life

Long walks throughout the neighborhood or the countryside yield even more results than calmness and creativity. It has been found that when anxious, stressed-out individuals settle into a program of regular walking, it can also provide a great opportunity to gain perspective, and to achieve a better balance in your life.

When the mind becomes more settled and more relaxed through a regular program of walking, it allows much greater opportunity for self-discovery and self-examination. This kind of reflection gives people more of a ‘big picture’ look at the important aspects of their lives.

Reduced risk of glaucoma

Walking can help to reduce pressure within your eyes, and it has been shown to reduce the risk factors associated with glaucoma, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. In addition to helping prevent the onset of any of these health problems, walking can be at least somewhat effective in treating the condition once you are ready have it.

Improved balance

Because you’re not always walking on smooth surfaces, the activity of walking can help to improve your balance, and this is something everyone can benefit by. When you have to walk on uneven surfaces like trails, paths, and sandy or gravelly walkways, those steps activate muscles throughout the body which work to stabilize you as you proceed. Over time, this acts to build up your balance so that you become more accommodated to uneven terrain and household obstacles.

In-home assistance experts

MD Home Health is a Phoenix home care company offering in-home assistance for persons temporarily or permanently disabled, and which provides care for loved ones as though they were family. For more information on our services, experience, or rates, call 602-396-5742, or fill out our contact form. We look forward to serving you through our Phoenix home health care services. If someone in your household needs a companion, personal care, home-making, or supportive services, call us at MD Home Health.

 

 


5 Ways to Brighten up the Holiday Season for your Loved Ones

December 15, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Articles, Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Seasonal/Holiday Comments Off on 5 Ways to Brighten up the Holiday Season for your Loved Ones , , , , ,

Woman hands in winter gloves Heart symbol shaped LifestyleWith the holiday season fast approaching, thoughts about loved ones become more and more prominent in people’s minds, and this is especially true of those family members who might require home nursing care or physical therapy. Of course in most cases, probably the most desired gift for a person in such circumstances would be to have family with them, sharing the season and enjoying the warmth of family ties.

But what about a Christmas present? It is often difficult to come up with a gift idea that really has meaning, and can truly brighten the holiday season. This being so, it makes more sense to consider ideas for Phoenix patients and loved ones that cost little or nothing, and are still truly appreciated.

A surprise ‘hair salon’ session

A female client or loved one might really appreciate a surprise session where she is pampered with an entirely new hairstyle, starting with a shampoo and finishing with a smiling face in the mirror, flashing a brand new look. Why not arrange for your loved one to have a hair salon day at home, and let her feel special for a few hours? She will probably love the whole experience, and every time she is complimented by someone afterward, it will be a reminder of the unique and thoughtful gift she was given.

Donate time/money to a charitable institution

The Phoenix holiday season is a time for giving to others, and it might perk up your loved one if you spend time with her at a charitable organization, helping those less fortunate. The Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation provides a wonderful service to young people in the area, and St. Mary’s Foodbank Alliance serves almost all of Arizona’s 15 counties in offering food and shelter to those who especially need it during the holiday season.

Out for a drive

If your loved one or client spends almost all of his/her time confined to the home setting, it might be nice to arrange for a drive around town to enjoy the sights and sounds of seasonal preparations. This can not only impart a sense of the Phoenix holiday season in your family member, but also provide welcome relief from the life of a shut-in.

Decorating the residence

Cheery decorations are often one of the best triggers of holiday spirit in the home or living space, and they provide constant reminders of the joyous season at hand. Even if your loved one has limited mobility, it will be worth the effort to do a little decorating to brighten up the living area, and enjoy the feeling of being involved and participating in holiday activities.

Reading togetherCare Assistant Reading Book

Homebound patients, especially seniors, may have difficulty reading on their own, but might really appreciate reading a good story with someone. The pleasant sound of another voice is often a very welcoming prospect in itself, and some light discussion about the story might serve to involve your loved one and increase her appreciation for the time you spent together.

MD Home Health can brighten the season for loved ones

Loving home care in Phoenix is provided by MD Home Health/MD Home Assist. Show your loved ones you care by hiring someone to come and clean their home for them, tuck them in at night, cook, run errands or even just give companionship. No one should have to be alone and feeling sad this holiday season, and we will treat your loved ones like family of our own.


5 Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

December 7, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Articles, Caregiver Information, Healthy Eating, Hiring a Caregiver, Seasonal/Holiday Comments Off on 5 Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues , , , , , , , , , ,

Depressed or sad woman walking down a barren path in winter

The holiday season is popularly depicted as a time full of light and joy…but beneath that attractive surface, many people are plagued with stress and sadness. Whether they come from family troubles, unpleasant memories, or the anxiety of always having something to do and somewhere to be, these seasonal doldrums are something almost everyone will experience at some point in their lives. Use these five ways to beat the holiday blues and make it to January with your head held high.

1. Take time to breathe.

If your life during the holidays seems like a whirlwind of activity, those conditions are basically a pressure cooker of stress. Try to keep everything in perspective: the world won’t stop turning if you take fifteen minutes every morning or afternoon to stop and relax. Learn some gentle yoga moves or practice mindful breathing to help yourself feel centered and calm.

2. Don’t neglect physical activity.

Too many people wait until their New Year’s resolutions kick in before they hit the gym. But why miss out on all those positive exercise endorphins during the month when you probably need them the most? You don’t need to bench press 200 pounds or run a marathon, but raising your heartbeat for 30 minutes a day will help you feel better in both body and mind.

3. If things go wrong, do your best to let them go.

A gift doesn’t ship in time for Christmas? Family drama gets out of hand? First batch of decorated cookies burn? It’s just life. Don’t allow yourself to get sucked into resentment or frustration over any of it. Being intentional about maintaining a good attitude is one of the most important things you can do to beat the holiday blues.

4. Take nutritional supplements.

The same hormonal imbalances that cause Seasonal Affective Disorder can rear their heads during the holidays. Fortunately, there are plenty of vitamins and herbs that can help perk up your mood. Take vitamin D supplements to make up for the wintertime reduction in sun exposure, B vitamins, and fish oil. Many people report that St. John’s Wort has a positive impact on depressive moods when taken regularly, and valerian root can mitigate anxiety.

5. Don’t isolate yourself

Even if you feel like crawling into bed and hibernating all winter, isolation can end up making you feel even worse. Whether that means meeting up with friends, having a trained home companion, participating in a candlelight service or holiday event, or unburdening yourself to a therapist, spending time with people you trust can have a major effect on well being.

No matter which holiday ailments may plague you this season, remember that it’s well within your power to beat the holiday blues. Just remember, it’ll all be over soon, so do your best to enjoy it while you can. Should you need some extra help or companionship around your home this season, we’re just a phone call away.

 


Life After Surgery: Helping a Loved One Recover

September 21, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Senior Lifestyle, Uncategorized Comments Off on Life After Surgery: Helping a Loved One Recover , , , , , , , , ,

Post Surgical Care

Having to undergo a major surgical procedure is one of the most stressful and frightening experiences in a person’s life, but helping a loved one recover from surgery can be equally taxing. The hard work may be technically over once the surgery is deemed a success, but it can take a long time for one’s body to heal even after the most routine surgeries. This can be especially troublesome when helping senior citizens recover from a procedure; even the highest quality Phoenix home health care doesn’t eliminate the risk of serious complications in an elderly family member.

Helping someone you love recover from a major surgery can indeed be difficult, but with the proper education and a lot of patience, you can still help administer home care during a loved one’s recovery period. Here are a few tips that will help you with that.

Educate Yourself

The most important thing you can do to help a loved one recover from a surgery or illness is to educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about what they have gone through and what they can expect as they heal. It’s entirely possible that they will recover on their own after a few days or weeks of rest, but major procedures may require you or a caregiver to change wound dressing, administer medications or assist the patient in their daily routine. A good Phoenix home health care service will be able to give you the advice you need, but the best source of information is always the patient’s doctor. Ask about anything you think you might need to know; there is no such thing as being too informed.

Have a Caregiver Present at All Times

This piece of advice mostly applies to those recovering from a serious medical procedure, but it’s always a good idea to have a caregiver on hand as often as possible. This caregiver could be you, but it could also be a home health aide or nurse hired for the patient. This is particularly important for elderly patients since they will require a higher level of care than a younger patient.

Encourage Independence

Even though it is important to have a caregiver present at all times, you should still encourage your loved one to regain their independence as much as possible. This may not be possible during the first few days after the surgery, but over time they should be able to do most or all of the things that they used to do before undergoing surgery. 

Caring for a loved one as they recover from surgery is emotionally taxing for many people, but there are always resources available to you. If you would like to learn more about home health care in Phoenix and gain and extra hand so you can best serve your loved ones, feel free to give us a call.


5 Ways to Keep your Cool While Caring for your Spouse

August 8, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Articles, Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Senior Lifestyle Comments Off on 5 Ways to Keep your Cool While Caring for your Spouse , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Anyone who finds themselves suddenly thrust into the role of primary caregiver for an ailing spouse can be overwhelmed by the constant attention and care necessary on a daily basis in caring for your mate. This is particularly true for disabled spouses who can do little or nothing for themselves, and require help for even basic functions like washing, eating, and bathroom needs.

In such cases, it often happens that the care-giving spouse has little or no time to himself or herself, and this can quickly lead to frustration, resentment, and over a period of time, even burnout. Before that stage is reached, it is advisable to build practices into the daily routine that can be used to maintain sanity – after all, a burned-out care-giver can’t really be much help to anyone.

Try to maintain a positive attitude

An upbeat attitude for yourself and the person you’re caring for are of utmost importance. While this is admittedly difficult to maintain, even under stress-free circumstances, it is something that should be adopted to the greatest extent possible to prevent an overall negative attitude from creeping in when caring for your loved one.

Include down time

Taking time out for yourself is extremely important, even if this only amounts to a few minutes each day. There are always times this can be scheduled, for instance when your spouse takes a nap, or is engaged watching television or reading a book. When it does happen, use this time to best advantage – clear your head and think about anything else but care-giving. Some possibilities might be taking a walk, reading a book, listening to music, or even meditating.

Get help from friends and relatives

Soliciting help from friends and relatives is nothing to be embarrassed about, and is a wise strategy for helping to avoid fatigue in caring for your spouse. Perhaps on specific days sons, daughters, or others can assist in care-giving to lessen your personal burden. Lacking any of these options, support groups may be another possibility for providing at least temporary assistance, and a broadening of the support network.

Take care of yourself too

Never allow your own health to suffer while you are tending to the health of your spouse. This means making sure your diet is a healthy one, that you get enough exercise to stay healthy and reduce stress, and that you sleep well at night so you don’t start the next day frazzled.

Emotional closeness

Try to remain receptive to emotional intimacy when caring for your spouse, since that might be one of their greatest needs. Think about which aspects of daily care cause you to be frustrated, indifferent, or even angry, and recognize them for the emotional triggers they are. Manage these so they don’t interfere with care-giving, and so that you can maintain a positive relationship with your loved one.

Home care in Phoenix

Providing constant care for a loved one is not easy, but it doesn’t have to signal the end of your own active, personal life. Home health care in Phoenix is here if you’re in need of any extra assistance, even if for those tasks that trigger the Hulk inside you. We provide a variety of non-medical and medical services which can be combined into a custom care plan for you. Give us a call, and we can send someone to your home for a free consultation. In the meantime, check out the caring.com wellness center.


Managing the Struggles of Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients

July 22, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Uncategorized Comments Off on Managing the Struggles of Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients , , , , , , , , , , ,

Male care assistant reading senior woman book

 

Caring for someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s can be exceedingly difficult.  With Alzheimer’s disease, something as simple as daily communication can be made into a frustrating and stressful task. Alzheimer’s patients often struggle to find the right words, are prone to losing their train of thought, and may even forget what simple words mean. This can create frustrating situations for both the Alzheimer’s patient and caregiver.

Even More Problems

Because Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, patients will have less functional brains over time. The end result is that every Alzheimer’s patient will have good days and bad days as their behavior changes with the passage of time. This means they may misunderstand the things they see and hear, be prone to anger, wander or get lost while leaving their home, and lose interest in things that once captivated them. They may also come to feel anxiety about traveling, become confused with even the slightest change in their daily routine, and be overwhelmed by day-to-day activities.

Required Care

Consequently, Alzheimer’s patients will need assistance with essential personal care like dressing, bathing, feeding, and taking regular medication. They may also require help with regular housekeeping like doing laundry, preparing meals, carrying out general errands, and keeping things tidy. Unless these issues are handled correctly, Alzheimer’s patients may turn to abuse drugs like alcohol and caffeine, they may start losing sleep which can lead to serious health problems, and they may fall prey to a variety of different illnesses.

Providing Care

Whenever communicating with someone who suffers  from Alzheimer’s, it’s important to try to state your intentions as simply as possible. Try asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, while providing step-by-step instructions whenever possible. One might also consider simplifying communication. For instance, rather than asking “how are you?” try asking “would you like to eat?” This simplification can make communicating with an Alzheimer’s patient far more effective.

Adjusting to behavioral changes can be accommodated with a similar approach. If your loved one starts to lose sleep, consider implementing a bedtime routine or planning energetic activities during the day. If they start pacing around their home, be sure that they’re wearing comfortable shoes and have a safe area to walk. Your care should be reactionary and supportive to the types of behaviors that they develop.

Phoenix Home Health Care

Providing this kind of care can be difficult, particularly for anyone who lacks experience working with Alzheimer’s patients. That’s why MD Home Health supplies the most trustworthy and qualified caregivers available, screened for their expertise and reliability alike. By choosing from only the more reliable and proven homecare providers in Phoenix, you can rest assured that your loved one will have the best possible care available to them. MD Home Assist care can help provide all the necessary care required to look after an Alzheimer’s patient, ensuring their well-being on good days and bad days alike. If you’d need a hand providing homecare in the Phoenix area, get in touch with MD Home Health today, and get the peace of mind you deserve. For more tips on managing the struggles of caregiving, and maintaining good self-care visit the Caregiver Wellness Solution Center.


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