Senior Care in Monroeville PA
You have generously taken on the role of your elderly parent’s primary family caregiver. The initial tasks appear to be similar to the daily activities you undertake at home: cleaning, meal 
preparation, socializing and outdoor activities such as walks or gardening. As time progresses, you find your parent needs more help with daily hygiene including bathing and dressing. Eventually, you may be faced with activities that you are not sure you can tackle on your own such as heavy lifting, including transferring your loved one from wheelchair to bathtub or from bed to chair. The issue of incontinence may be difficult for you to address, as well as some of the symptoms associated with dementia such as wandering. As much as you want to, you’re beginning to wonder if keeping your loved one in their home will be an option for very much longer. The good news is that each year brings advancement in tools and technology that help the growing number of seniors remain in their homes.
Tools and Assistance
There are several tools designed to help move your loved one from one point to another. These include transfer boards, slings, belts, assist poles and winches. Automatic bathtub lift chairs allow you to enter and exit a bathtub with relative ease. Senior care providers have been trained in safe transfer techniques. Obtaining their services can help keep your loved one at home without putting you or your loved one at risk of injury.
Incontinence can be overwhelming for a family caregiver. Fortunately, there are products available to help you and your loved one cope. Pads and briefs have come a long way since baggy diapers. Have your parent try a few different types to see what is the most comfortable. Be sure to schedule an appointment with their health care provider in order to rule out diseases such as urinary tract infections that can produce incontinence. Dietary restrictions such as limiting alcohol, caffeine and nicotine can help with bladder control as these substances can act as an irritant. Make sure your parent’s pants are easy to take on and off, and limit fluids before bedtime. The National Association for continence offers tools and tips to help you deal with this issue. www.nafc.org.
Wandering
There are a few tools and techniques you can employ to help prevent this concerning effect of dementia. Keep a routine schedule for your parent and be sure to include activities and exercise which can reduce anxiety. Use bells to signal when doors or windows open. There are also caregiver pagers which use sensors in beds and chairs to signal when your parent is on the move. Consider a video/audio remote device to keep an eye out when you are not physically present. Place childproof handles on doors. Obtain the service of another “watchful” eye. Senior care providers can offer assistance with these challenging tasks as well as the daily activities of living.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Monroeville, PA, please call and talk to the caring staff at Extended Family Care of Pittsburgh at (412) 693-6009. We will answer all of your questions.
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