Q – My elderly mother, who lives alone in Phoenix, neglects her nutrition because she says food doesn’t taste like it used to, and since my father passed away she doesn’t bother to cook for herself. I worry about her health with all the processed convenient foods she eats. Can you suggest a healthy, tasty recipe that would be easy for her to make that would encourage her to cook at home?

A – Here’s a great recipe that your mother will be able to make quickly and easily, and it has such a great taste she’ll surely be convinced that cooking at home is worthwhile. It also tastes so wonderful that she needn’t cook it just for one; if she invites over some guests they’re sure to think she’s been slaving away in the kitchen all day even though the recipe only requires about 10 minutes preparation time, and 30-35 minutes in the oven.

Lemon Dill Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup sour cream
1 TSP chopped fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp. lemon zest

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425? F. degrees.

Mix all ingredients except chicken.
Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread 1/4 of the lemon dill sauce over the bottom of pan.
Arrange chicken breasts on top of sauce in a single layer.
Pour remaining sauce over chicken and spread evenly.
Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until chicken is done.

Sources:

1. ClevelandAndSeniors.com

2. Nutritionwerks.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Q1 – My elderly mother from Phoenix has been looking into vacation options for seniors. Are cruises a good option for seniors looking to take a vacation? What are the benefits?

A1 – Cruises for the senior demographic are great vacation options for seniors for a number of reasons! Since cruises are typically semi-inclusive, non-luxury cruises for seniors can be very affordable vacation options for those who are retired and on a limited budget. Senior cruises also cater to the specific needs of the elderly; typically there are more accessible rooms for those who are disabled or face mobility issues; there is flexibility to cater to specific dietary needs; on ship doctors keep a supply of medications needed based on the vacationers medical conditions and illnesses; and activities are senior-friendly and enjoyable for the demographic.

Q2 – Do senior cruises depart from Phoenix?

A2 – Departure points vary with the specific cruise line. However, once seniors have chosen their desired cruise, they may need to travel by plane to the departure port.

Sources:
1. Expedia Cruise Ship Centers
2. About.com Senior Cruises

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Our blog post features David Parker from Your Reverse Mortgage Resource

I talk with a lot of retirees in my capacity as a loan officer specializing in reverse mortgages. While you would think you could make a simple calculation and figure out a “magic” number it is not that easy.

Lets say your cash flow (income minus expenses) would be positive if you were to retire today. What is the most likely scenario as you age? In almost all cases, your income over time will decrease while your expenses increase.

If you have a pension, will it end for your spouse if you die? 70% of retiring workers pick the higher option that ends when they die. If you die, your spouse also loses the lower of your two social security incomes.

While health care insurance can be obtained cheaply for most retirees this doesn’t cover long-term care done in your home or in an assisted living facility. 20-hour per week non-nursing in-home care can cost at least $1000 per month while assisted living can cost from $3000 to $6000 a month. What is the likelihood you will need that? Can you get family or friends to support you instead? How do you plan for such a large expense? Do you buy long-term care insurance? Can you even get it now?

If you have a new medical condition, it can add up to $800 per month in prescription drug costs. Generic versions of most drugs can be obtained very cheaply but some drugs have no generic versions. How do you plan for that? What about hospital stays? What are the limits to your coverage? When does your family have to start paying?

A reverse mortgage cannot fix all financial woes. It is just a tool to access your equity and help pay for these and other things without messing up your cash flow.

Dave Parker
602-750-8166
ParkerInReverse.com
At The Lending Company

Image from www.thejoyofnotworking.com

Q – I’m a family caregiver for an elderly grandparent in Phoenix. At the caregiver support group I attend, someone introduced the idea of a geriatric assessment. What does it involve and how could it benefit my grandparent?

A – First of all, it’s very commendable that you are seeking support within your local community from other caregivers, and as I’m sure you’re discovering, they can be great resources to learn about care options in Phoenix. Geriatric assessments can be completed by medical professionals, such as doctors or nurses in a variety of settings, including an outpatient clinic, hospital, or even your grandparent’s home. Often, geriatric assessments are recommended to older adults who are exhibiting signs of confusion, memory loss or dementia; but can be requested by anyone who wants professional insight from a healthcare perspective about improving and forecasting eldercare.

A geriatric assessment involves the following:

• Assessing a senior’s status by looking at physical, mental and psycho-social; factors; their ability to perform activities of daily living independently, and any care they currently receive

• Identifying problems that might be present based on the senior’s status now or in the future

• Developing a “Care Plan” with recommendations for support services

• Helping seniors attain the support they require

• Monitoring the success of the care plan

Sources:
1. HelpGuide
2. Southwestern Medical Center

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Q – I suspect that my elderly grandfather, who has an elder care provider assisting him in his home in Phoenix might be a victim of home care negligence. He doesn’t seem to get along with his caregiver and is reluctant to look her in the eyes. I don’t want to make a big deal out of nothing, so what are the signs I can look for to determine if he’s a victim of negligence?

A – If you believe that your father in Phoenix might be a victim of negligence, or doesn’t get along with his caregiver. Don’t hesitate to talk to the caregiving agency about your suspicions and request another elder care expert to provide home care services. However, if you want to justify your concerns, there are other signs that could indicate your father is being neglected.

• Sudden changes in his behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn, depressed or angry

• Physical injuries like bruises, scrapes, cuts, or even broken bones

• The home care provider not allowing seniors to spend time alone with family members for fear something might be revealed

• Pressure sores or signs that restraints have been used

• Sudden, inexplicable weight loss in the senior

Sources:

1. Care Home Negligence
2. EZine Articles

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Q1 – How can a senior find a doctor?

A1 – The American Medical Association Doctor Finder is a directory of American doctors that includes their history as medical professionals. Find doctors that are located in your local area, but make the final decision based on other important factors.

Q2 – What else should seniors consider when choosing a doctor?

A2 – It’s important to decide whether a general practitioner or specialist is required based on the elderly person’s medical history. For affordability, a doctor that complies with your health benefits or medical insurance plan should also be chosen; and naturally, you want a doctor that has a great track record.

Q3 – How can you tell if a doctor’s good?

A3 – To understand how well a doctor performs, by interviewing them and their office staff.  Find out if they encourage questions, and if they remain respectful. A doctor’s professional history can be reviewed using a number of online directories, including the NCQA Recognized Physician Directory, The American Board of Medical Specialties and The Federal State of Medical Boards.

Sources:

1. Seniors for Living

2. MedicineNet

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Q – I am a caregiver for my elderly father in Phoenix. He seems to tire of the meals I serve him, and I’m looking for some healthy, new ideas to make for him this summer. We are on a more limited food budget, and with all the other responsibilities I have caring for him, I don’t want to spend hours slaving over the stove, especially when it’s hot; can you suggest some healthy, summertime meal ideas?

A – During the summer months, mealtime in Phoenix should be all about Convenience, and with the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, it’s easy to make quick, healthy meals while maintaining a budget. During the summer, many healthy fruits and vegetables are in season, which reduces the price and increases the variety. For even more selection at a low price, try frequenting a local farmer’s market in Phoenix or browse the aisles of your favorite grocery store for great deals on produce.

A great way to make fast, healthy, and delicious meals is to take advantage of the nice weather and barbeque outside. Using the barbeque speeds up the cooking time of most meals, and tastes great even with limited seasonings. Instead of laboring over sauces to flavor your meats or fish, use a few fresh herbs and allow the taste from the grill to come through. Ensuring your father’s diet is rich with fruits and vegetables will also help him prevent heat exhaustion during the warmer months!

Sources:

1. Senior Advocate

2. eHow.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

This is a subject you will need to discuss first and foremost with your doctor.  But here’s an interesting piece of news:

Aerobic exercise training appears safe for patients with heart failure and was associated with a modest reduction in the risk of death and hospitalization, with some improvement in quality of life, according to two articles in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Heart failure is a major and increasingly common cardiovascular syndrome, and is the end result of many cardiovascular disorders.  Guidelines recommend that exercise training be considered for medically stable outpatients with heart failure, but there have remained concerns regarding safety and uncertainty about clinical outcomes.

Christopher M. O’Connor, M.D., of Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C., and colleagues examined whether aerobic-type exercise training reduces all-cause death or all-cause hospitalization in patients with medically stable chronic heart failure due to systolic dysfunction (impaired contraction of the heart).  There were 2,331 patients in the study with a median age of 59. They were randomly assigned to either usual care plus aerobic exercise or usual care alone.

Patients with heart failure who participated in aerobic exercise training had modest improvements in self-reported health status compared with those patients who did not have exercise training, according to the research. “The results demonstrate that participation in an exercise training program provides a modest but statistically significant improvement in patient-reported health status compared with usual care,” the authors concluded.

Your doctor can let you know whether exercise is safe for you.  In the meantime, why not connect with others in a way that can help you feel safer and more secure in your own home.  One way to do that is by engaging the services of a caregiver companion.  Home Instead Senior Care hires CAREGivers who are screened, trained, bonded and insured, and equipped to help keep seniors independent for as long as possible.

This summer in Phoenix, take advantage of the availability of fresh produce from farmer’s markets in the area, and even in your local grocery store. With so many delicious and healthy fruits and vegetables in season, summer is a great time to ensure that you receive a nutritious diet often at their lowest price. Summer is also the ideal time for seniors to prepare for themselves healthy meals, because with so many fresh delicious herbs available and the option of barbequing outside, meal preparation and cooking time during the summer months can be done quickly and easily. Another reason for seniors to stock up on the fresh produce available during the summer in Phoenix is to ensure that they remain hydrated once the weather turns hot. Fresh fruits and vegetables, which are crisp and juicy, not only taste great when you’ve been outside in the warmer temperatures, but they’ll help prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration. Elderly people that have a sweet tooth will also be able to satisfy their cravings throughout the summer with all of the rich, sweet and nutritious berries that are in season and make great morning or afternoon snacks!

Sources:

1.    Senior Advocate

2.    eHow.com

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.

Home care negligence is unfortunately a sad reality that exists in the Phoenix elder care industry. While negligence and elder abuse often occur at the hands of senior care providers in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; these problems can occur in a senior’s home just as easily. As family members of seniors, it’s important that we spot the signs when a loved one is being abused or neglected so that appropriate action can be taken and further issues can be prevented.

To determine if a senior in Phoenix might be suffering from elder abuse or neglect, be aware of the following signs:

•    Sudden changes in the senior’s behavior
•    Physical injuries like bruises, scrapes, cuts, or even broken bones
•    A nursing home not allowing family members to see patients alone
•    Pressure sores or signs that restraints have been used
•    Sudden, inexplicable weight loss in the senior

Home care negligence can include a number of scenarios that range from less severe to more extreme, but all are serious issues that should be addressed.

•    Failure to provide food or water, even when a senior complains of hunger or thirst
•    Failure to assist with personal hygiene needs
•    Failure to provide clean, safe living conditions
•    Failure to provide supervision in situations where accidents may occur
•    Failure to provide appropriate prescription medicals on time or at all

Sources:
1.    Care Home Negligence
2.    EZine Articles

Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.