Caring Companions Of Atlanta

Helping People Live With Dignity

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Senior Resources….

A very big part of what Caring Companions does is serve as a resource to our clients and their families. Sometimes, we are part of the solution. Many times, all we do is steer them in the right direction. Either way, we are happy to help.

Female Caretaker Serving Breakfast To Senior ManIt is no surprise many people don’t understand the resources available to help their loved ones. It is a pretty complicated landscape and one that is constantly evolving as the baby boomers age. Home health…care management…living facilities…occupational therapy…aging in place specialists…volunteer organizations…placement agencies…hospice. And the list goes on

Over the next few months, I am going to share with you the resources available to seniors and their families in what I call “the senior ecosystem.” I have a front-row seat to how this is evolving and I hope my observations help! I will also rope in some friends that are experts in specific areas…guest writers, if you will. As always, feel free to reach out to me if you ever want to discuss anything.

So where to start? How about occupational therapy? Installment number one courtesy of Andrew Sever who is president of EnABLE Home Solutions, LLC.

Happy reading!

The Senior Ecosystem: Occupational Therapy

Can mom stay at home or is it time to make a change? Ask an occupational therapist!

I asked my friend Andrew Sever to help us understand what an occupational therapist does and how they fit into the senior ecosystem. Andrew is an MS, OTR/L, CAPS, CEAC is a licensed occupational therapist and is President of EnABLE Home Solutions LLC. He is also a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist and a Certified Environmental Access Consultant. A mouthful! But a good one…he helps people every day recognize needs and find solutions to make sure they are safe and comfortable. So what exactly is an occupational therapist?

Andrews writes, “occupational therapists are trained to assess a person’s physical, cognitive, and psychological capabilities.  First they utilize input from the client and their family to understand what specific activities (or occupations) are most important to an individual. They then evaluate the individual’s environment and identify any obstacles present that may hinder performance. Ultimately, the occupational therapist’s role is to provide solutions that allow a person with changing capabilities and needs to continue to participate in their activities (occupations) while remaining within their preferred environment.”

Every day, people facing the challenges of sudden health issues or everyday aging ask “can mom stay at home or is it time to make a change?”  An occupational therapist is the BEST person to direct that question to. Sure, family and friends can provide a reliable support system, but they probably lack the professional knowledge to know what options are available.  Certain vendors and builders experienced in working with clients in similar circumstances can be reassuring…but do they understand the intricacies of your situation?  Occupational therapists are trained to recognize subtle, often overlooked details of a person’s situation and incorporate them into solutions that will help a person age in place.

So, if you find yourself asking “can mom stay at home or is it time to make a change?”, call Andrew…he can help!

EnABLE Home Solutions LLC

(770) 841-9089 (c)

(770) 938-2713 (f)

andrew@enablehomesolutions.com

www.enablehomesolutions.com

 

 

Helping Mom or Dad Age Independently

So often a few simple steps can help one remain safe at home. Assistive devices are a HUGE help as are having emergency plans in place should anything happen. One area not often considered is the need to have a process for making sure essential items are easily accessible. Think groceries…medications…paper goods…laundry detergent.

If you have a senior you care for locally or from afar, get them set up on Amazon so they can order things easily and efficiently to their door. Better yet, handle ordering stuff yourself so they don’t need to give it a second thought. Set up a schedule (consider a care calendar) that reminds you of when things might be running low…have items sent directly to their door so they can avoid having to make too mathny trips to the store. Be proactive in helping them think ahead so they don’t end up empty handed. Like so many things, simple tasks and routines can become a real chose as we age. A few simple steps can make a big difference.

I have a colleague that is in the process of setting up and e-store that inventories everything senior (more on that to come). When it is up and running, it will have a calendar function built in so caregivers can automatically be notified via email and their mobile device should essentials run low. Think of it as an automated store that can monitor needs and ship items seamlessly. Not only will it have daily staples as noted above, it will also have meal delivery options…a gift store…even specialty and prescription items identified by doctors and therapists.

Most of us reap the benefits of the convenience of on line shopping…why not extend the luxury to mom or dad and make life all that much easier!

An article form the Huffington Post below references this topic and others (see below):

Helping the Elderly Age Independently