Serving Seniors Celebrates Independence Everyday

On July 4th, our country celebrates Independence Day. A day where we celebrate our country’s freedoms, our rights and liberties as citizens. What would happen if our freedoms and independence were taken away from us? For the elderly, that happens everyday. While caring for an elderly person, you want to do what’s best, but it’s hard to know at times what that is. If you’re the caregiver, you’re responsible for the health of that person plus you make decisions about their well-being. If that person is a member of your family, it’s becomes much harder to deal with. Because you have history with that person, knowing what they were like before they became dependent on you may actually affect your judgement. Independence for the elderly is not only physical freedom, it’s also mental, which is equally important.

A person’s independence is one of the most important attributes any person can possess and you should do all you can within your power to encourage independence of an elderly person in your care, whether it’s physical or mental. When a person loses their independence, they often lose the will to live. To help promote their independence, encourage the person in your care to do as much as they can for themselves.

By encouraging independence for your elderly loved one gives them a sense of pride and achievement. It will make them feel that they are not dependent on help from you or others and that they can still do something for themselves - no matter how small it may seem to you. Things like brushing their hair, writing letters, making phone calls, selecting what to wear that day, or doing some ironing, gives an incredible sense of accomplishment and independence.

However, if someone has everything done for them, it may mean that they will lose their sense of independence and, in some circumstances, it can lead to a less than positive reaction toward you or the care-giver, so, handle with care. Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PCGM’s) can offer great advice and guidance on what to do and what not to do. If you are trying a new activity with the elderly person in your care, make sure you supervise closely to make sure that they can’t do themselves any harm. Getting help from a PCGM can help you decide if an activity is suitable, especially if you have no previous expertise of caring for an elderly person.

This care with the goal of independence can form the foundation of your relationship with the elderly person under your supervision. They will appreciate that you are seeing them as individuals still capable of making a contribution to society and the world they live in. The may be reluctant at first, but when they see that you value their independence, they will appreciate you even more. That adds to a strong bonding relationship.

Serving Seniors Professional Geriatric Care Managers has a team of professional nurses and social workers trained in all areas of elder care. We’re committed to ensuring your elderly loved one receives the best care while maintaining their independence, plus the compassion and quality of life they deserve.

You and your family deserve the best. Serving Seniors is one of the 32 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

Explore our services and take advantage of our free senior care resources at our website for more information.

Call us at 877.375.SENIORS or contact us by e-mail. Enjoy your independence and help your elderly loved one enjoy theirs.

Thanks,

Diane

My Mother,Your Mother

"Slow Medicine is just this caring process of slowing down, being patient, coordinating care, and remaining faithful to the end. Families necessarily bear the greatest responsibility in surmounting difficulties to create this bond of trust and security for their loved ones.”

Find out what people are saying about Dr. Dennis McCullough and his latest book. Check out the link for more

The “Slow Medicine” Approach to Compassionate Care

Describing the importance of observing and being sensitive to our elders’ needs, Dr. McCullough outlined the Eight Stations of Late Life as a way to understand the changes they are going through. To read the entire article, click here

Taking care of the Elderly Person or Elderly People with Compassion

It started out only as a job.... but ended up much more than that.
I began working for our Local Council as what was classified as a Home Carer. This position was primarily to help people with health problems, or other reasons to stay in their own homes.  Read the entire blog post here

May is National Geriatric Care Manager Month

The more we know and the more informed we are, the make better choices and decisions we can make. The same principal applies to my work as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager or PGCM as we call ourselves. And speaking of awareness, May is National Geriatric Care Manager Month!

Professional Geriatric Care Managers plan and coordinate the care of the elderly and disabled to improve their quality of life and maintain their independence as long as possible. That’s what we do at Serving Seniors. We’re trained and experienced in many fields including nursing, social work, and psychology with specialized focus on all issues related to aging and care for the elderly. We assist older adults so they can get the best care possible and become an experienced guide and valuable resource for families or elderly loved ones, including those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, or showing symptoms of dementia.

Many people aren’t aware that there’s an organization called the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. This is important to know because Geriatric Care Managers who are members, are committed to adhering to the NAPGCM Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Unfortunately, not every Geriatric Care Manager belongs to this organization which can lead to unprofessional results and negative consequences for the people who employ their services in good faith. I’m proud to say that Serving Seniors has a team of professionals all of whom are members of this association, and we’re recognized as one of 33 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

Here are some proven ways to determine if you need a Professional Geriatric Care Manager. Take an honest assessment to see if you have the time, desire, and skills to manage the many challenges of geriatric care by yourself. Talking to family members and consulting with a professional are great ways to start. Are the problems that you or your loved ones are facing becoming more than you can comfortably manage? Are the demands and responsibilities so great that you’re not able to provide the right care and attention to your loved one’s problems? If so, it’s time to get the right help for you and your loved one. Here are the benefits of using a Professional Geriatric Care Manager.

       ● Evaluate needs and develop a personalized Plan of Care
       ● Help to establish and maintain an independent lifestyle
       ● Arrange and oversee Home Care Services
       ● Assist with the transition to assisted living and nursing home care
       ● Manage care and coordinate with health care providers
       ● Educate, advise and support the caregiver
       ● Serve as a local resource for long-distance caregivers

Serving Seniors Professional Geriatric Care Managers are committed to ensuring your loved one receives the absolutely best care, compassion, and quality of life they deserve. We provide welcome peace of mind to seniors, their families, and other representatives such as attorneys and guardians. Every decision matters in the care for your elderly loved ones and poor decisions affect everyone. We invite you to explore our services and take advantage of our free senior care resources on our website.

Call us at 877.375.SENIORS (877.375.7364), or contact us by e-mail. You’ll be glad you did.

Thanks,

Diane