Author: Erin Sluka

The thought of older parents losing the ability to care for themselves can be troubling. It is also something that can sneak up on a family. The issues might build up gradually, or you might not know what signs to look for. You want to ensure your parents get the care they need, but you also don’t want to change their lifestyle if unnecessary.

According to a professional offering home care in Worcester, MA, “Determining when senior care is necessary is a case-by-case issue. It depends on the individual’s ability to handle various tasks and maintain safety. Family circumstances can also determine senior care needs. If they live with a family member who can provide care, they might not need professional care services as much as a senior who lives alone.”

While individual care needs vary, there are signs family members can look out for. This post will cover some of the issues you should consider when determining your parent’s senior care needs.

Trouble With Daily Personal Care

Difficulty performing daily personal care tasks is a sign a senior needs help. It can also be easy for younger people to miss this sign because these tasks seem routine and simple. We’re talking about tasks like dressing, bathing, and brushing teeth. Signs to watch for include wearing the same clothes repeatedly, neglecting hygiene, body odor, or having an unkempt appearance.

Part of what makes this so troubling is that some seniors may resist asking for or accepting help with these tasks. They might also feel embarrassed and try to hide these issues. Ignoring a lack of personal care can also contribute to health concerns. That’s why you must address the situation with sensitivity and ensure they get the care they need.

Falling Behind on Home Maintenance and Cleaning

Caring for a home can become an issue for an aging parent. Tasks like cleaning, doing laundry, and keeping up with yard work may be neglected. You might notice dishes piling up in the sink or a pile of unopened mail. Clutter and disorganization can also be signs. They might be falling behind on housework due to declining physical abilities. For some older people, it could be a sign of cognitive issues. If you ignore these signs, it could result in unsafe or unhygienic living conditions.

Problems With Maintaining a Healthy Diet

While proper nutrition is essential at all ages, it becomes even more important as we age. However, an older person might struggle to maintain a healthy diet for various reasons. Physical limitations might hinder their ability to go grocery shopping. Preparing meals can also become difficult due to issues like arthritis and cognitive decline. Poor nutrition can lead to or contribute to various health issues.

Look for signs like weight loss or an over-reliance on snack foods or packaged and processed foods. If you see these signs, start thinking about how you can help. In some cases, meal delivery services can ensure a senior gets the nutrition they need while staying at home. Other seniors might be better off moving to a senior care community where healthy meals are provided.

Chronic and Recurring Health Issues

Older people tend to have more chronic or recurring health issues. As a person ages, managing these conditions can become more difficult. They might have trouble keeping up with doctor appointments or their growing list of medications. You might find they missed a doctor’s appointment or see bottles of expired medication. You might also notice the symptoms of a condition worsening. While family members might be able to help with this, some seniors might need professional attention to ensure their healthcare needs.

Growing Safety Concerns

Safety is often a growing concern for older people. As we age, our muscle mass, bone density, reflexes, and balance might diminish. This can put the individual at an increased risk for any number of accidents. For example, you might notice unexplained bruises or a reluctance to move around or do things for fear of falling. In some cases, the senior might be hesitant to bathe because of the risks.

The condition of their home can also increase risks. Look for things like cluttered spaces, poor lighting, or unrepaired items. A professional caregiver can address these issues by helping seniors maintain their homes. They can also assist with daily tasks to reduce the risk of falls. However, some seniors might need more attention and assistance than an in-home caregiver can provide. Those seniors might need to move to assisted living.

Trouble Managing Personal Finances

Managing personal finances can become challenging for aging parents. Seniors might forget to pay bills, leading to late fees or utility disconnection. They might also start losing track of their budget and expenses. Some seniors might also become vulnerable to various scams. Look for signs like unopened mail, confusion over recent transactions, or difficulty remembering account details. These warning signs can signal the need for assistance.

A parent needing senior care is a sensitive issue. You also want to respect and honor your senior loved one. If you feel they might need senior care, approach the situation with compassion. Make it an open discussion and help them consider all their options. It might also help to consult senior care professionals to learn more and get advice about care.

A cancer diagnosis is a scary experience for anyone. However, when you have young children, it can make the diagnosis even heavier on a parent. In families, cancer not only affects the person who is affected, but it also affects the rest of the family as well in many different ways. In this article we’ll talk about how a parent’s cancer diagnosis can impact children. 

Emotional Responses

Cancer is a chronic illness that can have a great impact on a child’s emotional state. Some of the common emotional responses are: 

• Fear and anxiety: When told a child may become fearful and anxious about the health of the parent, the parent leaving them and about whether the parent is going to pass away. They may also start to worry that they’ll get sick and that the other parent who hasn’t got cancer will get sick as well. If left untreated, anxiety and fear can stay with the child for many years to come and may develop long term into PTSD. 
• Grief and sadness: Many children will start to feel grief and sadness due to the diagnoses. Some ways this may show is withdrawal from friends and family, changes in behaviors like bedwetting, anger outbursts, and temper tantrums. Heavy grief may be seen before the parent passes due to the excessive worry they may have about their parent. 
• Guilt and shame: Some children will also feel guilt and shame. They may blame themselves for their parents getting cancer, they may also feel shame for having fun while their parents are sick. This can play on their minds every time until they start feeling guilty for being happy when their parents aren’t. 

Cancer unfortunately can come in many forms. From breast cancer to mesothelioma and beyond, it has a profound effect on families. 

Social Impacts 

Cancer can also have an impact on children in a social manner. Some ways children are impacted socially are:

• Changes to family dynamics: After a cancer diagnosis generally family roles can shift especially when there’s older kids involved. Sometimes, older siblings may take over the caregiver role of their parents and other siblings. The family dynamic may also change where relationships become strained. 
• Stigma and isolation: Children may unexpectedly face stigma and bullying around a parent’s diagnosis. Peers may try to avoid the child leading to isolation, Some may experience teasing about their parents illness which can increase sadness and the need to pull away from other peers. 

Physical Impacts

Some children will also feel physical impacts from a cancer diagnosis. These may include: 

• Health related symptoms: Some children may feel sick, have headaches or tummy upset due to the level of stress they may be feeling. Stress can cause different changes to the body which can result in more physical symptoms occurring. 
• Changes in eating and sleeping: Some children may lose their appetite which can cause them to lose weight. They may also not eat as healthy as they used to. They may also suffer from insomnia due to the worry of what will happen if their parents die. 

EndnoteWhen it comes to a parent’s diagnosis it’s important to remember that the children will also be impacted greatly during this time because they’re afraid of their parent’s death. Whether you’re currently going through cancer or you know someone who is, it’s important to seek professional help for everyone involved to help you stay strong throughout this journey.

What is the Perioperative Surgical Home?

The perioperative surgical home (PSH) is a patient-centered, physician-led, interdisciplinary, and team-based system of coordinated care. Its focus is on optimizing surgical outcomes and enhancing the patient’s experience from the decision to undergo ACL surgery through the entire recovery period. This innovative model aims to streamline patient care, reduce complications, and ensure more efficient use of healthcare resources.

PSH is not only a framework but a transformative approach that encourages cooperation among healthcare professionals. By anticipating the needs of the patient and providing continuous care through all perioperative phases, this model serves as a blueprint for enhanced surgical care delivery, creating a seamless journey from preoperative preparation to postoperative recovery. This structure supports a comprehensive approach to addressing both surgical and non-surgical concerns, ensuring that patients are mentally and physically prepared for their procedures.

Core Principles of the PSH Model

The PSH model operates on several core principles designed to improve patient care:

• Patient-Centered Care: Tailoring care plans to the individual needs of each patient. This principle acknowledges that no two patients are the same and requires the healthcare team to develop personalized care strategies that cater to specific health conditions, preferences, and recovery goals.
• Coordination: Ensuring continuous and comprehensive care through multidisciplinary team collaboration. Coordination among various healthcare providers—surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other specialists—ensures that all aspects of a patient’s care are aligned, minimizing the risk of errors or overlaps.
• Efficiency: Eliminating redundant processes and streamlining care pathways. By analyzing and optimizing workflows, the PSH model helps to reduce unnecessary tests, procedures, and administrative tasks, ultimately saving time and resources for both patients and healthcare providers.
• Quality Improvement: Implementing evidence-based practices to enhance care quality continuously. The emphasis on ongoing education and adaptation of new research findings ensures that the care provided under the PSH model remains at the forefront of medical excellence.

Improving Patient Outcomes with PSH

Adopting the PSH model can significantly enhance patient outcomes. Research shows that coordinated care pathways and multidisciplinary interventions reduce surgical complications, lower readmission rates, and shorten hospital stays. By focusing on all stages of the surgical process, the PSH ensures that patients receive the proper care at the right time.

For example, one study revealed that hospitals utilizing the PSH framework saw a 30% reduction in postoperative complications compared to those following traditional models. This success is attributed to comprehensive preoperative assessments, personalized intraoperative management, and focused postoperative care, all integral components of a well-orchestrated PSH. Additionally, patient education plays a crucial role, as informed patients are better equipped to manage their health and recovery, leading to improved satisfaction and outcomes.

Increasing Healthcare Efficiency

The PSH model increases efficiency within healthcare systems by reducing waste and improving resource utilization. This coordinated approach allows for better allocation of medical personnel and equipment, leading to cost savings and more streamlined operations. According to studies from Health Affairs, integrated care models like PSH can lead to significant reductions in unnecessary procedures and improved overall system efficiency.

This efficiency is not just about cost savings but also about delivering quality care more effectively. By eliminating redundancies and streamlining communication among healthcare providers, the PSH model ensures that each step in the patient’s surgical journey is handled with expertise and precision. Furthermore, the reduction in unnecessary tests and procedures not only saves money but also reduces patient burden, lessening their exposure to potential risks and stress.