• HOME

  • ABOUT US

  • SERVICES

  • ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

  • NEWS & EVENTS

  • SUPPORT US

  • CONTACT US

  • Blog

  • More

    • Facebook App Icon
    2020 Report to the Community

    Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

    licensed by the States of New Hampshire and Maine, a Medicare Certified Home Health Agency

    and a Medicare Certified Hospice. 

     

    Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Website design by Good Peasant Communications.

    Webmaster Login
    Employment Opportunities
    Contact Us

    Living with Loss Support Group Helps Those Who Grieve Move Forward

    December 28, 2018

    November is the Time to Recognize Home Care & Hospice Professionals

    November 8, 2018

    Make Your 2018 an Easier Year

    January 18, 2018

    HOLIDAY VISITS AND THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CARING

    December 14, 2017

    Thrive with Help from VNHCH

    December 4, 2017

    Life’s Final Journey

    August 24, 2017

    Please reload

    Recent Posts

    When Children are Coping with Loss

    April 14, 2017

    Thrive with Help from VNHCH

    December 4, 2017

    1/2
    Please reload

    Featured Posts
    Caregiving
    Home Care

    HOLIDAY VISITS AND THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CARING

    December 14, 2017

     

    The holidays are a special time to gather with family. Did you know that holiday get-togethers also offer an opportunity to observe whether a family member may be in need of help in the home? While enjoying the time spent with older relatives, you may be able to assess first-hand whether they are having increased difficulties in their daily lives. Families can be on the lookout for signs that their loved ones may need more assistance to remain safe and independent in their homes.

     

    Warning signs to look for include declining personal hygiene, changes in housekeeping, sleeping or eating habits, unopened mail or unpaid bills, memory loss or signs of depression. Other indications might include sudden weight loss or gain, wearing the same clothes, or exhibiting other unusual physical or behavioral changes.

     

    Planning ahead is important because most people will say, “I want to stay in my own home.” The good news is that, for many people, this is possible with the understanding of available services and advance planning. The place to start is by having those uncomfortable conversations before a crisis knocks on your door.

     

    You’ll need to take a soft approach in discussing these sensitive topics since sharing your observations may not be well received at first. Your elders are feeling that their world is narrowing as well as the reversal of roles in your relationship with them. You may find that family members hide many of their problems because they fear what is happening and the potential loss of their decision making and independence.

     

    It can be difficult to talk about home care with older adults who are convinced that they don’t need any help. The best way to start is by acknowledging their desire to remain in their home. You can then suggest that a little extra help could keep them safe and independent at home. Some of the things they may need help with include personal care, homemaking, preparing meals, grocery shopping, getting around at home and in town, activities with friends, and safety at home.

     

    Think about what kinds of help would be useful and familiarize yourself with available local resources, Adincluding Meals on Wheels, home health care agencies like Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice (VNHCH) in North Conway, transportation options, community caregiver programs, support groups and senior centers. Offer to do a quick assessment of their home for fall risks to see what simple things you could do to make it safer for everyone.

     

    Discuss whether they have completed advance directives, healthcare and financial powers of attorney, and their vision for this phase of their lives. For more information, visit the Advance Care Planning section under Services on the VNHCH website at www.VNHCH.org. Be sure that you know where their important documents are kept including life insurance policies, investment and banking information, health and prescription drug coverage, long term care insurance, and titles/deeds to property and personal possessions.

     

    If possible, offer to accompany your family members to their next medical appointment. You can be an advocate by sending a written summary of your observations and concerns to the provider prior to the office visit, and call the office in advance to let them know the letter is coming. In this way, you involve their healthcare provider in the discussion of how best to meet their current needs.

     

    Enjoy the holidays and the warmth of sharing with family and friends. Use the opportunity to truly see what the “gifts” of time and caring can do for those you love.

     

    For more information about services offered by VNHCH please visit the website at VNHCH.org or call 603-356-7006 or 800-499-4171. VNHCH is located at 1529 White Mountain Hwy in North Conway. Passionate people. Compassionate care.

     

    ###

    Tags:

    family discussions

    risk

    communication

    long term care

    seniors

    home care

    Please reload

    Follow Us

    Being Mortal

    Boomers

    Happiness

    Pets

    advance care planning

    advance directives

    aging

    attitude

    balance

    bereavement

    body

    caregiver

    caregiving

    children

    communication

    dementia

    depression

    emergency

    end of life care

    falls

    family

    family discussions

    grief

    healthcare decisions

    healthy aging

    heart health

    holidays

    home care

    homecare

    living will

    long term care

    loss

    malnutrition

    memory

    mind

    myths

    nutrition

    respite

    risk

    sadness

    safety

    seniors

    spirit

    stress

    surrogacy

    Please reload

    Search By Tags

    December 2018 (1)

    November 2018 (1)

    January 2018 (1)

    December 2017 (2)

    August 2017 (2)

    July 2017 (1)

    May 2017 (1)

    April 2017 (1)

    March 2017 (1)

    November 2016 (1)

    October 2016 (1)

    August 2016 (2)

    September 2015 (1)

    August 2015 (1)

    March 2015 (1)

    February 2015 (1)

    January 2015 (1)

    December 2014 (1)

    September 2014 (1)

    August 2014 (1)

    Please reload

    Archive
    • Facebook Basic Square
    • Twitter Basic Square
    • Google+ Basic Square