Hi Michelle, I’m sorry that is happening. I know thar can be scary and takes a toll when you can’t sleep. A couple of strategies I have seen: -add bed rails this will discourage her from getting out of bed. -pressure activated bed alarms -if she is actually falling out of the bed you can look at adding cushions on the floor.

Thanks @leanne.chaloupka for the great information.

Thanks Denise!

Hi Elle, This is a very common question. I think my friend Denise can best answer this.

Leanne is 100% correct. You can also find them at Walgreens on CVS but you may expect to pay a few dollars more.

As @leanne.chaloupka mentioned it would be helpful to have the sling type and a picture. Until then, just a general comment - One common mistake I see is using the wrong sling loops connected to the hoyer lift cradle. In general you want to connect the sling loops near the patients head and feet so that the feet are in a lower position. This will keep your mother in an a seated or upright position. I hope that helps. If not, I will monitor for a little more information. You can also check out the Hoyer LIft vidoes on our video page. You may find something that helps you. https://www.upwardhealthcare.com/caregiver-videos

Thank you Carol. You, Toni and the team are such an amazing resource.

Hi Melissa, another couple suggestions. As Marie mentioned it is important to acknowledge your loved ones concerns. Often times we hear that Gait Belts are uncomfortable or inconvenient, both of which can be true! One strategy could be to explain the gait belt is for YOUR benefit. That it would really ensure your safety and it would be doing you a favor if they would wear it. Another may be to customize it, decorate or purchase a colorful gait belts which can be found on amazon. If there is a doctor or someone they respect, you could say that they are "prescribing" or asking that your loved one wears it. Hope that helps.

Good points, Leanne

Hi yes, this can be such a stressful subject. Every year in our support group we hear of incidents where someone with Alz or Dementia gets lost. I only bring that up because it is so important that proper safety measures are put in place. A few things that I would recommend. First, getting setup with a med alert bracelet ( https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/medicalert-with-24-7-wandering-support) That way if your loved one does get our or gets lost and someone is trying to help them they know how to get a hold of you. We have had others have a lot of success with a GPS tracking watch or wearable. This has come in handy so many times for members in our group. In the home modifications, you may try an automatic door bell when the door is opened, alarm/ camera system and different style locks. You can also use signage to discourage your loved one from opening the door. Hope these tips help.

Hi Mary, resistance to essential and important activities is a common behavior for Alzheimer's and Dementia patients. It can be extremely frustrating for family caregivers especially when it is an activity that needs to be done routinely. Many times the behavior is tied to a feeling of discomfort or vulnerability. Below are a few tips that I have found. • Try to make the activity more comfortable (warm bath or liquid medication vs pill form) • Play music and create a relaxing, spay like environment • Pick a doctor or individual that she wants to please. Tell your loved one that they would like them to do this. • Sit down beside them or at eye level when discussing the activity • Be patient this may take several attempts • Look for ways to make the activity safer or more comfortable • I know its hard, but don’t let your emotions or annoyance become part of the problem Hope these help!

Hi Maria, Good Questions. First, I just want to confirm. When you say provider are you meaning professional caregiver? I will assume that is what you are interested in. Any agency should be able to answer your questions on requirements for caregiver type positions? I can answer them from a Griswold Home Care perspective. When it comes to transportation, we tell our caregivers, they need to have reliable transportation. In some cases caregivers can make not driving work but it does limit the type of clients / locations where you can work. Many of the clients homes are pretty far away from bus routes and other public transit. In most cases when we an applicant is a non-driver, we recommend that they apply at a facility where they will have a single location they work. Families can be paid to be a provider/ caregiver for other family members. Usually this only makes sense when there is a third party payer involved (medicaide or long term care insurance). In both instances a family member can be hired through an agency, provide care for their family and be paid by the agency. Thank you for your interest in this area of healthcare. Patient care is critically important and will only become more important in the future. You can read our blog where we talk about the aging population and the rising cost of home care. https://www.upwardhealthcare.com/single-post/2018/04/11/Providing-a-Solution-for-the-Increase-in-Home-Care-Costs Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Love this picture.

Thanks for sharing Mary! I really like all the activities/ events that Arden court has been doing.

Great info Russell! Mark, hopefully that helps.

In an ideal situation you will find a caregiver that everyone in the family is comfortable with. One of the advantages of using an agency is that they should be able to change out a caregiver as needed to find a good fit. It is important to realize that some care recipients resist care and may come up with different excuses to avoid it.

Most home care agencies can provide care 24 hours a day. Each agency will have their own policies regarding rates, etc. Some companies can also provide live in caregivers but you do have to account for caregiver sleep time/ breaks. So this is not 24 hour coverage. The best thing to do is hire a reputable company and ask them any questions you may have.

Hi David, good question. It sound as if you are referring to home care or caregiver services rather than Home Health care. Home Health services include OT, PT, Nursing / wound care. Home Care provides assistance with ADL's (Activities of Daily Living) and IADL's (Instrumental Activities of daily living). ADL's include bathing, dressing, grooming, oral care, toileting, transferring, walking/ ambulation and eating. IADL's include shopping, cooking, communication, home making and transportation. These are all things that home care can assist your mother with. Hope that helps.

Great, contribution Jim! Thanks for sharing.

Hello Kelly, Just reading through some of your other posts. Seems like you have a lot on your plate. Times like these are always frightening but you are doing the right things. Reaching out for resources and getting a handle on the situation is a great first step. To answer your question. The disease progression and systems/ behaviors can both vary greatly for dementia and Alzheimer's. I think @Byron Cordes will give great insight into when to step in. We do have a very simple needs assessment that can be downloaded at this article https://www.upwardhealthcare.com/single-post/Family-Caregiver-Guide . It can help identify the items that your parents can no longer take care of themselves. You or a family member may need to step in initially to make sure their basic needs are taken care of. Also, note that these needs will change overtime. Hope this helps.