Contact Main Line Elder Care Associates for a qualified care manager to help you with these duties, reduce your monthly expenses and relieve some of your stress. Contact us at www.info@mainlineeldercare.com or visit us at the web www.mainlineeldercare.com .

MLECA offers corporations assistance with employee/caregiver programs and we’re always just a call away 610.688.2667. 
 

Transitions for seniors usually occur when there is a loss of a family member or friend, a change in living arrangements, loss of driving privileges, the death of a pet and/or from changes in their finances due to retirement.

Therefore, if things begin to noticeably change, that’s the time to start looking for patterns of neglect or mental deterioration.

MLECA suggests that you first look for the following obvious difficulties - walking, dressing, talking, eating, cooking, climbing steps or managing medications. Also, sloppy appearances, soiled clothes and body odor may also be signs of infrequent bathing.

Secondly, now, explore the home to see if the mail is unopened, papers are piled up, checkbook is unreadable, bills are unpaid, pots and pans are burned, refrigerator has a foul odor, piles of dirty laundry or the car has new dents.

Third, check for any weight loss, changes in appetite, problems swallowing, fatigue, burns, bruises, hearing loss, incontinence, insomnia and dehydration.

Fourth, are the curtains drawn day and night, lack of interest in socializing with friends and appears disconnected from the rest of the world. Any displays of verbal or physical abuse, abuse of alcohol or drugs, refusal to talk or argumentative.  

Main Line Elder Care Associates are available to assess this situation and our professionals will find the best possible solution to properly care for your loved one. 

We suggest you report to our Associates any signs of forgetfulness, frequent episodes of getting lost, poor reasoning skills, problems with answering questions, inability to find the correct word, keeps repeating the same sentences or phrases, changes in personality and any fear of wandering. These may be signs of serious problems so please contact us at www.mainlineeldercare.com    

Helen C. Hopkinson, J.D., President and CEO, Co-Founder, Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc.

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Main Line Elder Care Associates is costs effective, our professionals incorporate the “Community Life Care Planning” concept which utilizes:

A. Community senior centers and services

B. Primary physicians and specialists

C. Adult day care centers

D. Informal family caregivers, etc

This method of care provides the “aging population” and their children with a much more holistic approach which serves to reduce the expense for private care.

Contact MLECA today at www.info@mainlineeldercare.com to arrange for an assessment and a plan of care that  benefits you and your family. 

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BRING IN OUTSIDE HELP . . .

Main Line Elder Care Associates suggests you follow these easy steps to establish whether outside assistance is needed:

Evaluate the Health status, Marital status and children, living arrangements and Household status, economic dependence. income and poverty.

Recognize that there are two systems for care giving .

Informal - family, friends and neighbors

Today these caregivers provide for at least 80% of the care needs for those needing help while only 5% of the elderly actually reside in nursing homes.

Formal - means just about everything.

In general, the formal system supports the informal system. Or, in other words, these are services that may be provided on an intermittent basis. 

Our care managers suggest that you utilize an aide or companion along with a Geriatric Care Management Team to establish a solid relationship that will be there during all phases of transitions for the disabled and elderly.

Usually, this system allows the elderly to age in the comfort of their own homes and a much better win-win situation approach to health care management on the whole.

Common Pattern: the informal network is employed first and usually this is a spouse who provides the care, the children (typically the eldest daughter) may become involved as more of their needs increase but mostly this involvement generally increases upon the death of one spouse. Sometimes, this increase may be a slow process, possibly takes several years but a sudden health crises will definitely increase that involvement.

Good News - Life expectancy has dramatically increased.

People are living longer and “better”  - the majority of people 65 - 75 are healthier and financially more secure to enjoy life. They own homes and are capable of meeting needs, according to Elizabeth K. Keech, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, Villanova University 

Main Line Elder Care Associates recognizes that with increasing age also comes the accumulation of more illnesses, medications and increasing frailty as well as life changes.

Our care managers suggest that you ask a parent over the age of 80,

“Whom should you tell about your wishes?”

Fore more information contact www.info@mainlineeldercare.com

or call 610-688-2667

to arrange for an assessment.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease have a higher risk of becoming confused, wander away from home and to get lost. Therefore, individuals with AD or memory loss may become lost and thereby are at risk for a serious injury.

Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc. recommends that these individuals be registered in the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program. 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz-delawarevalley.org.

SAFE RETURN PROGRAM - Provides identification products such as bracelets or necklace ID, clothing labels, wallet cards, etc. They have a 24 hour toll free crisis line and a national photo database to assist the family to facilitate a successful reunion.

Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc. endorses this program to help your family member with demntia who wanders because:

1. 59% of people with Alzheimer’s disease wander and become lost.
2. 46% may die if not found within 24 hours.
3. People with AD are often found with a 1/2 mile radius of where they were last seen.
4. People with AD are usually found a short distance from the road or an open field.
5. People with AD are often found in creek or drainage areas or caught in briers or bushes.
6. People with AD do not usually cry out for help.
7. People with AD do not usually respond to shouts from searchers.
8. People with AD leave few physical clues behold.

Please contact Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc. for information regarding this program, care plans. educational training or for an appropriate placement facility for AD individuals at 610-688-2667 or www.info@mainlineeldercare.com.

Also, contact the Safe Return Program at the Alzheimer’s Association to register at 1-800-272-3900.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes is growing every year and while Seventeen million American have diabetes there are estimated to be another 6 million more that do not know they even have the disease.

Statistically- 90-95% of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. This disease is linked mostly to obesity and physical inactivity. In many cases, you can control Type 2 diabetes through better nutrition, weight loss, physical activity and regular checkups with your health care team. Well Point Health Networks, Inc, recommends that you follow a consistent meal plan, eat a balanced diet with a variety of food, including fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, low-fat diary products and lean meat, poultry, fish or meat alternatives. This helps to keep your blood sugar level steady according to the American Dietetic Association’s Fact Sheet Review Board.

Remember to consider lower fat options and limit saturated fats. Also, use sugar in moderation and consider low sugar options if available and always check nutrition levels.

The American Dietetic Association recommends that all people eat 20-35 grams of fiber per day. Fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grain foods are good sources of fiber. Drink plenty of water and use less salt. 

Getting Active

We all know that physical activity is good for our health but it is especially important for those individuals who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes or those trying to prevent the disease. Physical activity helps the body to use insulin better, which further helps to improve the symptoms - or even reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Exercise helps to improve blood sugar control, stress and decreases the risk of diabetes while maintaining overall good health. Research demonstrates that being active boosts brain activity which helps you deal with stress and improves your mood.

To find a registered dietitian in your area to help you develop a balanced eating plan - please contact the American Dietetic Association at 1-800-366-1655 or go to ww.eatright.org. Or contact, Helen Hopkinson at 610-688-2667 for a referral to a dietetics professional in the Philadelphia area.