If you want to teach your dog a trick how do you go about it?  My son, who recently taught our mutt to sit, will tell you that the smart way is to give him lots of rewards and love every time he gets it right.  It won’t take long before your dog is waiting eagerly to see what other kinds of instruction you might have.  Would you like him to behave for visitors, bring his bowl to you when he’s hungry, or better yet vacuum up his mountain of dog hair.

Positive reinforcement makes an ally of your dog.  You’re in the same pack.  He wants to do things for you.  He’s a very happy puppy and so are you.  This is what I call “treating” and here’s what I mean.

How to treat caregivers like dogs
Every time a caregiver does something like (go the extra mile, stay for a few extra minutes without fussing, consistently show up early to make sure she is ready for her shift,  making dinner for the whole family), you should give them a reward – a treat.

Treats for a caregiver do not have to cost anything.  They can be as simple as a thank you or acknowledging them on their birthday.  How about a note to their boss to let them know how great a caregiver they are.

Who does not thank for little will not thank for much….Estonian proverb

1.  Are they keeping old food in the refrigerator?

2. Are there dings on the car?  And I don't mean door dings.

3. Is the house a complete wreck?  More so than normal.

4. Have they lost weight?

5. Do they have a "guest" living with them?

6. Have they stopped bathing on a daily basis?

7.  Is the dog/cat unkept? Pet poo in a corner?

7. Are there unpaid bills laying around the house?  For that matter is the heat working?

I know these all seem extreme but I have seen them all.  And I've seen family members who think this is OK or they just don't want to deal with the situation.  None of these situations are acceptable.  If you visited over the holidays and noticed any of these signs please call Nurses Unlimtied for help.  We have nurses and social workers who can help keep your parents safe.  And if we can't help we can give you information on services that can help.

I guess the quilty part comes in because I asked her to live with me and I want her to live with me but I just wish she wouldn't take over my house.  We women are very territorial.

I was on the phone today with a friend who had just moved her mother in with her and we commiserated over "caring for mothers".  Why is it that they have no boundaries when they move in with you?  Mine likes to buy skillets.  I think I have 10 now.  How many does a person need?  Her mother likes to invite people over without letting her know.  I think she had a valid point that inviting even family members over late in the evening was not nice.  What if she was in her jammies?

I'll have to meet her for drinks soon and ask her about the thermostat wars in her house!
 

• Private Duty Care: Private duty services are non-medical services that include assistance like companionship, housekeeping, transportation, personal, dementia, and respite care, and more. Private duty care services are usually paid for directly by the patient or his or her family. Some services may be covered by long-term care insurance, workers' compensation, or armed services funding. An important thing to note, however, is that long-term private duty services are not covered by Medicare.

• Home Health Care: Home health care is skilled nursing care that is usually required in the home for treatment of an illness or injury – wound care, injections, diabetes or blood pressure monitoring, and other treatments that require nursing skills. Home health care can also provide physical respiratory or speech therapy. Some home health services may be covered under Medicare, providing that specific conditions are met.

• Geriatric Care Management: Geriatric care managers handle the details of an individual's life or estate that fall outside the realms of direct care providers, such as financial and estate management. They can also coordinate care for an individual, mediate family communications, or assist with moving to another living arrangement or closing up of a household. Geriatric care management is traditionally an out-of-pocket expense.

• Hospice Care: Hospice care is a special type of in-home care, designed to provide comfort and support for patients who are nearing the end of a terminal illness. Hospice provides a range of services including nursing, mental health, and spiritual advising. Coverage for hospice care is typically offered by most private insurance providers and through Medicare.

For more information about the different models of in-home care and what type of care is right for you, contact  your nearest Nurses Unlimited location,  Texas's premier home care agency.  Our staff is happy to help you with all your home care needs.

To get a head start on this assessment, here are some simple questions to ask about the senior’s abilities:

Using the Phone:
• Can the senior operate the phone on his or her own (look up and dial numbers, etc.)?
• Can the senior dial a few well-known numbers?
• Can the senior answer the phone, but not dial?
• Does the senior not use the phone at all?

Shopping:
• Can the senior take care of all shopping independently?
• Can the senior only make small purchases independently?
• Does the senior need to be accompanied on shopping trips?
• Is the senior completely unable to shop?

Cooking:
• Can the senior plan, prepare and serve meals?
• Can the senior prepare meals if given the ingredients?
• Can the senior heat and serve prepared meals?
• Does the senior need to have meals prepared and served?

Housekeeping & Laundry:
• Does the senior maintain house independently?
• Can the senior only perform light chores, like bed making and dishwashing?
• Does the senior need help with all home maintenance tasks?
• Does the senior do personal laundry completely?
• Does the senior only launder small items?
• Does the senior need all laundry done for him or her?

Some other areas in which seniors may need assistance include travel, medication and finances. If you need help determining a senior’s home care needs, contact  Nurses Unlimited today.

Amy Praskac, Professional Organizer, On the Record Do you have papers piled high on your bookshelves, crammed in your desk drawers, and squashed in your file cabinet? Wouldn’t it be nice to let some fresh air into those spaces?

Spring is an ideal time to clean out your files. You’re already dealing with paperwork to file your tax return. Just keep going. Here are a few guidelines to help you decide what to keep and what you can let go.

Keep monthly or quarterly statements until you receive the year-end statement. Verify the year-end statement is correct and then shred earlier statements. This also applies to paystubs.

Keep tax-related documents for three years. The IRS has three years to audit your return. There are exceptions such as failure to report income and filing a fraudulent return. You need to retain property records that document the basis for computing gain or loss until three years after you dispose of the property and file a tax return on that income (or loss). See IRS Publication 552 for details (Rev. January 2011).

Keep warranties until they expire or you no longer own the appliance. Keep manuals for as long as you own the appliance. This may seem obvious, but when is the last time you purged your file? Many people get rid of the appliance, but forget to get rid of the warranty and manual.

Keep important documents in a safe deposit box. Important documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce papers, automobile titles, property deeds, military discharge papers, and partnership papers. Keep a list of documents and photocopies at home in case you need the information. It is vital that the safe deposit box be titled in more than one name so that you have access.

Safe disposal of documents: Shred any documents that have your personal information. This is to protect yourself against identity theft. Use a cross-cut shredder for maximum safety. Remember to oil the shredder monthly.

• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration
• Untreated physical problems
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Being left dirty or unbathed
• Unsuitable clothing for the weather
• Unsafe living conditions (ex. no heat or running water, fire hazards, etc.)
• Desertion of the senior in a public place

Financial Exploitation is the improper use of an elder's funds or assets. This type of abuse may go unnoticed by seniors who do not manage their own funds, so it is extremely important for family members to look out for the following warning signs:

• Significant withdrawals from the senior's accounts
• Sudden changes in the senior's financial condition Items or cash missing from the home
• Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles and policies
• Unpaid bills
• Financial activity the senior couldn't have done (ex. ATM withdrawals when the account holder is bedridden)
• Unnecessary services, goods or subscriptions

Healthcare fraud or abuse occurs when individuals or institutions target elderly individuals in an attempt to sell illegitimate healthcare treatments or products. Be on the lookout for the following signs that your loved ones may be the victim of healthcare fraud or abuse:

• Multiple billings for the same medical service or device
• Evidence of over- or under-medication
• Evidence of inadequate care when bills have been paid in full
• Problems with the healthcare facility (ex. poorly trained or insufficient staff, crowding, inadequate responses to questions about care)

It is imperative that family members visit their elderly loved ones as often as possible and communicate with their care providers on a regular basis. Be vigilant and address any suspicions about elder abuse immediately. At Nurses Unlimited, we know that safety and security are primary to a good in-home care situation. Call us today at 512.380.9339 to schedule in-home care you can trust.

---Bob Haeffner P.S. If your interested in finding out how to get "Good Stuff" email me and I'll give you their info.