Family members see taking care of elderly parents as both an honor and an obligation. It’s a never-ending journey, looking back in awe of the amazing lives our mothers and fathers lived. More so, reflecting on the legacies they have blazed through the ages. As the large Baby Boomer generation ages, more people than ever will find themselves caring for aging parents or family members. Here in Hawai‘i, there is great respect and admiration for our kūpuna.
The truth is, there are differences in generations. There always have been, and probably always will be. “When learning about the extraordinary lives our seniors have led, you realize how amazing they are,” said Janet Grace, sales and marketing director at Attention Plus Care.
Despite your loved ones’ strong level of independence, there are still challenges of growing older. Medical conditions are more likely to develop that make it more difficult for persons to care for themselves. It’s important to know when to step in and speak with your parents about the problems you’re observing. “Having lived with my 86-year-old Auntie who worked until her late 70s, drove well into her 80s, and spent countless days with her friends at the Mōili‘ili Senior Center, I was overwhelmed when she had her first fall,” said Grace.
Even when relationships are strong between adult children and their parents, the situation is very delicate. Getting an accurate assessment of a parent’s ability to remain safely independent at home is critical. It identifies risks and options to reduce them. Caring for an aging family member is multidimensional. Each illness or disease associated with aging has different mental and physical symptoms. The severity of symptoms is often gauged by the loved ones ability to perform everyday tasks. Activities of daily living (ADL’s) are basic self-care tasks, such as eating, dressing and bathing. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL’s) are the most complex tasks of living, such as preparing meals, managing finances and taking medications.
It’s important to understand that home care is no longer just about talking to loved ones, giving baths and taking blood pressure. “Experienced aging and skilled home health providers know that home care is a key step toward achieving optimal health outcomes for many of our clients,” explains Cindy Baker, BSN, RN at Attention Plus Care. Studies have shown that home care interventions can improve quality of care and reduce hospitalizations due to chronic conditions or adverse events. We find that gaps occur when clients move from a hospital to home without proper information and or preparation. Good information and resources lead to fewer patient incidents and safety issues in the home setting.
“It has a lot to do with family members understanding how to handle these transitions,” added Baker. There are many resources, classes and supportive programs that provide valuable assistance for family caregivers and allow seniors access to higher and safer levels of quality care.
ATTENTION PLUS CARE Accredited by The Joint Commission
1580 Makaloa St., Ste. #1060, Honolulu, HI 96814
808-739-2811 | www.attentionplus.com
Available monthly:
Aging in Hawaii Educational Outreach Program
by Attention Plus Care
A program to provide resources for seniors and their families, instructed by a registered nurse, who covers a different aging topic each month.
For class information on Parkinson’s disease and upcoming topics, contact 808-440-9372.
Arlene’s mother’s last breath was soft and peaceful. Arlene welled up and sobbed — not entirely from sadness, but also from release. She had done all she could do. She had honored mom’s wishes and here they were, alone at Arlene’s home on O‘ahu; Mom’s pain and frustration were over.
Independence is a matter of choice and circumstances. And as we age, we naturally become more dependent on others. Living “independently” may mean that you own a home with a yard or a condo, you rent an apartment, or you rent a room in a senior living community. Most people who live a long life can expect to move from one level of independent living to another as yard work, driving and housekeeping become impossible tasks. The newest senior living communities now offer several options in one living complex: independent living, assisted living, short-term respite care for rehabilitation, a memory care neighborhood, and skilled nursing facility. This broad array of services allows clients to easily transition to a higher level of assistance and care within their new home.
Pets are great at any age. Do you remember your first pet and learning how to care for Spot or Fluffy? It doesn’t take much time and effort to keep a mature pet. The love, attention and companionship they give seems so much more than the protection, food and exercise we offer.
Need more encouragement? Just look at this cute dog who was up for adoption in January. We missed the chance to give him a home then — but the pet of your dreams may be waiting for you right now at your local Humane Society.
Today, as Hawai‘i’s aging population grows, many of us carry on these traditions and are the privileged caregivers for our parents.
The number of falls among Hawai‘i’s kupuna is growing at an alarming rate, and impacting families and health care organizations. Annually in Hawai‘i, an average of 86 seniors die, 1,912 are hospitalized and 8,010 are treated in emergency rooms as a result of falls. Among adults 65 and older, these falls are not only common, but related death rates have risen sharply over the past decade. Further studies show seniors 75 and older who fall are four or five times more likely to be admitted to long-term care facilities for a year or longer.