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August 2007
In this Edition:
Safety Issues with Seniors
Providing Help in Time of Need
Madge Sinclair:“Shining Star” Caregiver
Safety Issues with Seniors
by Sandy Dunlap, RN, LCSW
We have discussed the problem of falling in a past newsletter. The question has been posed about having a physical therapist involved in assuring the safety of older adults. There are several situations in which a physical therapist can be beneficial to individuals and families concerned about the safety of a loved one.
- The individual does not exercise regularly
- The individual has a progressively deteriorating disease such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, or spinal problems
- The family or caregivers have not received training on techniques for helping the care recipient or have not been trained in performing exercise activities with the elder
A physical therapy evaluation can provide information about any assistive devices that may be needed and educate the caregivers or family how to assist their loved one. This evaluation will also give the family information about general safety for the care recipient.
Some of the following difficulties may indicate the need for a physical therapy evaluation and training:
- Falls or unsteadiness
- Inability to get up out of a chair or off the toilet
- Inability to stand
- Feelings of weakness
- Inactive lifestyle
- Contractures or skin breakdown
- Difficulty getting in and out of a car
- Weakness in limbs
- Unsteadiness when bathing or dressing
- Pain that limits activity or movement
- Fear of moving due to pain, frailty or lack of experience
There are times when even experienced caregivers require a consult with a physical therapist to provide new techniques when moving a person. A disabled person may become fearful of moving and therefore limit their cooperation with the caregiver.
There are also many reasons to have a consult with a physical therapist to help with prevention of other more serious health problems, such as pneumonia, skin breakdown and caregiver injuries. Furthermore, using good body mechanics and techniques for safety will improve quality of life for both the care giver and the care recipient.
Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare can help you to know when it is advisable to have a consultation with a physical therapist and to coordinate the delivery of that service.
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Providing Help in Time of Need
by Barbara Harris, LCSW, CMC
Mr. Smith is an 84-year old gentleman who was referred to Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare by his attorney, Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown was concerned because Mr. Smith seemed confused and there was no family except an elderly, sick brother out of state. Mr. Brown had also observed that Mr. Smith’s house, where he lived alone, had become unkept, cluttered, and unclean, and his yard had become overgrown. Mr. Brown requested a comprehensive assessment of Mr. Smith’s situation with recommendations from Barbara Harris, the Care Manager.
After a few meetings with Mr. Smith the Care Manager informed Mr. Brown that, in order for Mr. Smith to continue living alone in his house, he would need some assistance during the day. Mr. Smith’s doctor had diagnosed him with high blood pressure, depression, and memory loss, although initially his memory loss did not appear to be extensive. However, he was unsteady on his feet, did not appear to be taking his medication properly, did not appear to be bathing regularly, was not paying his bills on time, and was totally dependent on his neighbor to take him shopping, although this relationship was coming to an end. To Mr. Smith’s credit, he had stopped driving after he had a minor accident driving the wrong way on a one-way street and his license had been suspended.
Up until this point, Mr. Smith had adamantly refused to let anyone else help him. Barbara Harris, the Care Manager spent several sessions with Mr. Smith discussing the advantages of having someone come in to help out “a little” and be able to drive him around when needed. She gained his trust by aligning with his desire to remain in his own home and he finally agreed that the only way he could achieve his goal was to have some help. He agreed (begrudgingly) to have home health aide 4-hours a day, 3 times a week.
After the aide’s first day, Mr. Smith requested that she come back the following day and stay longer. From that time on, the aide went every day for 5-6 hours. Mr. Smith wanted to go out frequently for lunches, shopping and other errands. The aide made sure he had clean clothes, a clean house, and healthy meals. In a short time, Mr. Smith began to look and feel much better. The Care Manager arranged for a nurse from Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare to visit him twice each month and make sure his medication boxes are filled correctly. The Care Manager takes him to his doctor appointments regularly, so that she can help to monitor his healthcare needs. The aide takes his blood pressure daily and she reports any change to the Director of Nursing immediately. The Care Manager also assists Mr. Smith with bill paying and she arranged for many of his bills to be paid automatically. Ms. Harris has also overseen many of the necessary house repairs to assure the safety of his home environment, including upgrading and repairs to the air conditioning system, the plumbing and the flooring. His homeowners insurance had lapsed and the Care Manager saw that it was reinstated. She arranged for the yard to be maintained twice a month.
Unfortunately, in recent months, Mr. Smith’s physical condition has begun to deteriorate considerably, along with his mental condition. A home health aide is now with him 24-hours each day since he now requires total care. However his desire to remain in his home is intact and by having the proper care, he is able to do so. Mr. Smith is successfully maintaining his goal of remaining at home for the balance of his life, despite his initial reluctance to have help.
Sometimes a little bit of help really does give us the freedom to achieve our goals!
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Madge Sinclair: “Shining Star” Caregiver
by Sandy Goldberg, RN
Madge Sinclair has been with Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare since 1998. She works in the position of a home health aide, where she is so capable that clients who hear about her, request her by name; and care managers, who want someone special for a new client request her for their new cases. Madge definitely makes the care manager’s job easier because of her professionalism and her ability to work in a team.
Madge is a very hard worker who is also a warm caring person. She is always willing to accept working with difficult caregiving situations. She has always been successful because of her caring, kindness and understanding of client situations. The families of care recipients have always been thankful for her compassion toward their loved one. One client wrote, “I am convinced that the high level of quality of life that my father had the last five years of his life was due to Madge’s highly professional efforts. It has been a privilege to have had a person of Madge’s outstanding human and professional attributes responsible for the care of my father.”
Madge is a mother, wife, and grandmother of four beautiful girls ranging from 5 years to 21 years of age. She is a Jamaican from Kingston. She graduated from school as a licensed practical nurse. She has worked in hospitals, clinics and psychiatric settings, in addition to her love of home care.
She came to the United States with her husband in 1986 and lived in New Jersey, where he worked for the Trump Organization in Atlantic City. Madge would continue to go back to her homeland to see her children. After an unfortunate change in her husband’s health, they moved to Miami for the warmer climate in 1991. Madge decided to stay in healthcare, which is when she became a home health aide.
It is a pleasure to have Madge Sinclair as part of our caregiving team. It is because of Madge and others like her that our company has a great reputation for excellent care. She gives her whole self to us and her clients. As one of our client’s wrote about Madge, “She is the real hero in my life, her devotion, kindness and caring were always there for me. I will never forget that gal.”
We thank you Madge Sinclair for being such a wonderful professional and for always giving our clients the care and respect they deserve. You are “our shining star.” And we know you will continue to shine in your chosen profession. We are grateful that you have chosen to work with Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare.
If you or a loved one needs devoted and compassionate care call Sandy Dunlap, RN
to discuss your needs.
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Hurricane Preparedness Program: Peak Months of the 2007 Hurricane Season are August through October
Although June marks the official start of hurricane season, now is the time to save on our Hurricane Preparedness Program.
So far this season, there have been three Atlantic named storms (Andrea, Barry, and Chantal), which is slightly above average for June and July. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. However, the vast majority of the activity in 2007 is expected during the peak months of the season- August through October (ASO).*
We have recently introduced a new Hurricane Preparedness Program that can help you and your family be prepared this hurricane season. Click here for more information on our dynamic program.
* Information provided by National Weather Service
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