Raya’s Paradise Residential Care Communities Blog

Come read Raya’s Paradise blog about assisted living Los Angeles.

Happy Earth Day!!! This afternoon the residents and staff of Raya’s Paradise Board & Care facility at 849 Gardner in West Hollywood will be celebrating Earth Day with the Hollywood Boys and Girls Club. The kids will be sharing fun stories and treats with the residents. Each of the kids will be taking home a plant from our herb garden to take to their own home to start their own sustainable herb garden.   Be sure to check out all of the fun photo’s on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rayasparadise!!!
www.carehomecarela.com

www.carehomecarela.com

Knowing when to hire a Caregiver and even more importantly choosing the right way to go about it can be a very challenging time. Perhaps you or a loved one simply need a ride to a doctor’s appointment or to a family function. Perhaps it has become time to consider full time help. Maybe you just need someone to come in one day a week to give you, the family Caregiver, a break. The first thing you want to consider is safety and security. You want a reputable in-home caregiving company like CARE Homecare who is licensed, bonded and insured who actually employs their Caregivers, screens them thoroughly and does full background checks on them. The right company will provide you with ongoing care management from an experienced management team who will come and provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your care needs and then based upon the findings find you the best possible team of Caregivers. This will ensure the best outcome for you or your loved one and will reduce the risk of having to “try” several different Caregivers before finding the right fit. Below is a brief description of some of the services you can expect to receive from a company like CARE Homecare. Medication Assistance Our caregivers can assist your loved one with making sure that they are taking their medicine correctly. They can also remind your loved one when it is time to take their medicine. So many medications have restrictions on when you can take them and remembering all of that information can be daunting. We are here to help. Meal Planning and Preparation Making sure that your loved one consumes nutritious meals that are prepared with an awareness of their dietary restrictions as well as their personal preferences is a priority for us. If your loved one is diabetic, has certain allergies or any other health restrictions, our caregivers can prepare meals designed with their specific dietary needs in mind. Alzheimer & Dementia Care professionals As experts in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, you can trust us to make your loved one’s life, and yours, much easier and more enjoyable. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, it can also take a tremendous toll on your own physical and emotional well-being. With assistance from a supportive team, you don’t have to go it alone. Social Engagement We believe that social interaction and stimulation keep the mind and heart happy. Active mental and social engagement is so important in keeping loneliness and depression at bay and making life more meaningful. That’s why our Caregivers are so attentive to the activities your loved one need to keep their minds sharp, have fun, and stay connected with friends, family, and community. Companionship Companionship provides a valuable social benefit by decreasing isolation and helping to reduce depression from being alone. A companion provides invaluable peace of mind to you and your loved one by offering a companion to accompany them along to many of the things in life they once were able to do independently. Activities at Home Our Caregivers will engage your loved one in daily conversation, art, music, reading, gardening, cooking, brain-stimulating activities and regular physical activity to help diminish the debilitating effects of dementia and depression. Games involving concentration and focus stimulate the brain cells to increase neural connections. Our Caregivers can build a stronger relationship while working on these meaningful projects together, which will in turn improve their quality of life. Exercise & Strengthening We want to help your loved one maintain their strength, endurance and balance so that they can stay in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. Our Caregivers can help your loved one enjoy the benefits of increased balance, good circulation, walking ability, general mobility, strength and stamina through regular range of motion, stretching and balance exercises. By simply encouraging regular physical activity, our Caregivers can improve your loved one’s confidence, mood, sleep habits and independence. Transportation Assistance Our Caregivers are available to help your loved one take back some of their independence by providing safe and reliable transportation to wherever they wish to go. They can once again go shopping, to the salon, to a park, to visit friends to church or even community centers to participate in group activities. Often times, our Caregivers are able to connect seniors with others within the community and help them participate in community programs, classes, workshops and events where they can interact with others with whom they can relate. Light Housekeeping When your aging or disabled loved one lives in a clean and organized home, they enjoy greater feelings of wellbeing—and even good health. Keeping refrigerators and cupboards free of expired or spoiled foods can avert food-borne illnesses. To avoid fire hazards, stoves, toasters, ovens and other appliances must be regularly cleaned to avoid a build-up of grease, oils or crumbs. We make it possible for your aging parent or disabled family member to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a clean and uncluttered home. For any additional questions you may have about hiring Caregivers or any other senior care provider options you want to learn about, please reach out to CARE Homecare’s Community Liaison, Jeromy Meyer, 24/7 at (323) 599-6056 or visit us online at carehomecare.net [contact-form to=’jeromy@rayasparadise.com’ subject=’Response to 4/16 blog post on RP web site’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Let’s say your mother has granted you power of attorney over her finances, and she has recently become unable to manage her own affairs due to dementia. Upon reviewing her accounts, you discover several thousand dollars of debt. Can creditors come after you personally for this money? The answer is no. Even if you have power of attorney, you are not responsible for your parent’s debt unless you were a co-signer on the loan. However, many adult children feel morally obligated to ensure these debts are handled appropriately. Before deciding what to do, it’s essential to understand your options and obligations.
children help with caring for seniorsMost people have fond memories of at least one of their grandparents. These are some of our most cherished relationships. It’s important to both your children and your parents that they make the most of this relationship while they still can. During this difficult time when the family struggles with dementia or the poor health of your parent, strong grandparent-grandchild relationships are vital and can be very nurturing to them both. Often people leave children out during times of illness, but if this happens they can miss out on the chance to help a relative who needs them. As adults, we want to feel that we are valuable and that we’re making a contribution to our world. That’s what makes old age so tough – we can begin to feel that we’re no longer relevant and that we no longer matter. Kids, on the other hand, want to be recognized for what they do well, especially when they’re teenagers. Kids today often don’t know much about history, and this is where a good relationship with their grandparents can really benefit them. They have much to learn about where they come from, and about things that happened before they were born. Even if your parent thinks your family history is unremarkable, your kids are likely to be curious and glad to know where they came from. And kids, in turn, know quite a few things that grandparents don’t. They may be able to set up your mom’s new DVD player faster than you can say “Gone with the Wind” or they are pros at doing that cool new dance everyone’s talking about. Even a sullen teenager may be more receptive to assisted living visits if you find some way to incorporate their talents. Maybe they can build an online photo album with treasured images to share with their grandparent. Or, if they were just in a school play, maybe your child and their classmates will agree to volunteer to perform a few scenes to entertain the assisted living residents. (Won’t mom be proud!) Make sure that both grandchild and grandparent know what they can contribute to the other, and ask each of them privately to help you by contributing their knowledge and spending time together. By each of them sharing what they know and what they’re good at, grandparents and grandchildren can meet each other’s emotional needs. So getting them to spend time together can be good for your parent, good for your kids, and ultimately, good for you because everyone’s happier and a little less stressed.
Finding ways to afford assisted living can be one of the most difficult parts of planning long-term care. While traditional savings, long-term care insurance, and Medicaid planning often take center stage, there’s a lesser-known strategy that may offer relief; converting a life insurance policy into a long-term care benefit. This method doesn’t work for everyone, but for those who qualify, it can help bridge financial gaps without giving up needed care.
When a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, families must make difficult decisions, including how to finance their long-term care. In many cases, selling their home becomes necessary to afford assisted living or memory care. However, if the parent is no longer legally capable of managing their affairs, selling the home becomes a complicated legal process.
how to talk to someone who is dyingWhen someone has received a terminal diagnosis, it’s a sensitive and traumatic time for them. Our words and actions at this point carry great weight. While it would be nice to believe that there’s no wrong thing to say and it’s the thought that counts, those close to the dying can make the experience easier or harder for them depending on what they say. If your loved one has recently received the bad news, look to them for clues about what to say and do. Don’t be surprised if they in fact don’t want to talk at all. People facing their own passing are often relieved to not have others say anything – though they are also glad to know that they can reach out if they choose to do so. Do your best to respect what they want, but find ways to make it clear that you’re willing to offer a listening ear when they need it. Rather than fretting about what to say and whether it’s the “right thing,” put your energy into listening to and observing your loved one. Whatever you do, avoid grand platitudes about fate or God’s will. These won’t make the person feel better, and may even make them feel that they are at fault for their illness in some way. Don’t tell your loved one that they’ll be OK – both you and they know that this isn’t really true. Don’t try to praise them by telling them how strong they are – at this time they may not feel very strong. Instead, they need to be allowed to acknowledge their fears. Find ways to emphasize that you love them and that you’re there to help them in the way they need. Do your best to make this time pleasant and comfortable for them. This is one exception to the advice to let your loved one guide you – as far as comfort goes you should take the lead. This is the time for random acts of kindness like making them breakfast or doing their laundry for them. They may be too preoccupied to ask for help with these everyday tasks. Make sure that you follow through on any offers you make. What gift do you give someone who doesn’t have many days left in the physical world? The gift of your time. Even sitting quietly with your loved one can be valuable to them. It sends the message that you’re there for them and that you’re willing to support them in their struggles.
With the rise of online shopping, many people are now considering purchasing their prescription medications over the internet. Online pharmacies promise convenience, lower prices, and home delivery, making them an attractive option, especially for seniors or individuals managing chronic conditions. However, the risks of counterfeit or unsafe medications are significant, making it essential to navigate online purchases with caution.
should you see geriatric specialistYour loved one has multiple doctors already. Do they really need to add one more to the list? This post is designed to help you decide whether your loved one should consider seeing a geriatric specialist. A geriatric specialist provides comprehensive care for the elderly. They’ve completed their residency in Family or Internal Medicine, and have one or two years additional training in the various issues – physical, mental, and social – that affect this age group. There are several benefits to seeing a geriatric specialist. Seniors sometimes experience illnesses differently than younger adults, and so it helps for them to work with a doctor who understands their specific situation. Geriatric specialists are especially well-equipped to understand the particular complexity of senior health issues, which are typically caused by multiple factors. For example, they can examine a senior’s prescription drug regimine and make sure that they’re not over-medicated. They will also be familiar with the particular resources available to help your loved one in your specific local area. Whether or not a senior should see a geriatric specialist depends on their particular situation. After all, seniors themselves are different: one 80 year-old may be active with minimal health problems, while another may be struggling with serious health conditions. Geriatric specialists tend to step in when an individual’s health problems become complicated. It’s recommended that all seniors consider a visit when they turn 65, and highly recommended for those seniors who are in some way impaired, who have multiple medical problems, who are experiencing cognitive decline or dementia, or whose family members are struggling with caregiving. If you do decide to take your loved one to see a geriatric specialist, the initial assessment will take several hours. You’ll be given a detailed questionairre to fill out that your loved one will most likely need help with. Make sure you bring a list of all medications, hearing aids and dentures, eyeglass prescriptions, and information about other doctors your loved on is seeing or has seen recently. The following elements make up a typical assessment:
  • Complete physical exam
  • Detailed medical history
  • List of medications and their purpose
  • Dental exam
  • Hearing and vision tests
  • Pain level analysis
  • Cognitive evaluation
  • Osteoporosis screening
  • Dietary analysis and advice
  • Meeting with a social worker
  • Discussion with family members
Rather than being “just another doctor” a geriatric specialist can help you with managing the extensive medical care your loved one is already receiving. Many seniors and their caregivers find these physician’s particular expertise helpful.
A dementia diagnosis often raises concerns about whether the condition is hereditary. Many people worry about passing it on to their children, while others watching their parents struggle with the disease wonder, Will this happen to me one day? The good news is that, in most cases, dementia is not directly inherited. However, some forms of dementia have genetic components that may increase a person’s risk. Scientists are still working to fully understand these complex connections, but research has shown that while family history can be a factor, lifestyle and environmental influences often play an even greater role.