2020-06-10_tthomas_JuneContent_Draft2_9June2020.docx

Take care plans from good to great

Article 1

Everyone has questions as we look towards a post-pandemic world. For seniors, that conversation is only just beginning. What should elder care look like now? And most importantly: how can we ensure it’s better?

Making care decisions for the people we love most isn’t easy. There are so many things to take into account, from the type of support a given family needs, to the proximity and affordability of services. In many ways, the factors that went into a good care plan before this crisis still count. In other ways, they need to be adapted for an entirely new COVID-19 reality.

What should you be thinking about where elder care is concerned? First and foremost, take a holistic approach. Building the right care plan isn’t a one-and-done discussion. It’s a collaborative process between the senior, the family and the caregiving team. Above all, care plans should focus on the best ways to support not just lifespan, but healthspan for a specific individual.

Asking these four questions as you work with caregiving teams to create a plan for the senior in your life can be a great way to begin moving forward together:

What kind of assessment takes place before we sign on?

Questions count. Good care plans are one thing. But great care plans are tailor-made with a specific individual in mind. That starts with a fulsome assessment that asks the right questions about someone’s individual needs, capabilities, health and aspirations. What goals will this care plan achieve? What does good health look like for this individual and equally important: what does happiness look like? Assessments that cover a broad spectrum of factors are the building blocks of any effective care plan. They can – and should – be carried out virtually if the situation necessitates.

How are caregiver matches made?

Rapport is everything. Great care plans are executed by well-matched caregivers. Finding the right match means working backwards from the intel gathered through the assessment stage. Families should have a range of choices, and the opportunity to interview and connect with caregivers before making a final decision. Will the caregiver be comfortable with this individual’s specific hygiene needs? Are they ready and willing to dive into the occasional game of cards? Getting a full understanding of who you’re going to be working with is the first step to ensuring all of you work well together. That starts with two-way dialogue around your family – and your loved one’s – very specific expectations.

Does the approach balance cognitive and physical well-being?

Health and happiness go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other, or your care plan simply won’t work. Balanced care methods promote a seamless blend of emotional and physical care. That should cover cognitive stimulation, nutrition, physical activity, a sense of calm, and opportunities for social engagement. How does the care plan you’re building cover those different elements? And does the caregiver you’re working with understand the importance of both? Asking good questions now can help achieve better, happier results later.

Who will support you as you support them?

Family matters, especially in something as important as elder care. Any care plan that’s going to work will approach caregiving as a family affair, and automatically include clear expectations for how the family partners with the caregiver. How will updates be shared? Who will be responsible for which aspects of care? Asking those questions at the front end and making sure you’re comfortable with means, frequency and scope of communications is critical. That’s true in good times, and even more important in tough times. Nail down the details now.

Closing thoughts

Delivering the kind of next-level care your loved one deserves can give everyone greater peace of mind. Understanding the details, and asking the right questions along the way, helps you develop a plan that doesn’t just work efficiently, but also cultivates quality of life. So, don’t hold back. Ask bold questions, get informed, and feel good about the care plan you develop with a loved one in mind.

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Good care starts with a great plan. Asking these 4 questions as you evaluate elder care plans can help ensure your loved one – and your family – have exactly what they need next.

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Why settle for a good care plan when you can build a great one? Asking these four questions now can help families navigate the world of eldercare, and build a balanced care plan that ticks all the right boxes, right now. Link in bio.

Hitting the high notes on mood
Article 2

There’s science behind that instant mood boost we get when a favourite song comes through our ear buds or car speakers. Even more importantly: the benefits that music can bring extend well into our senior years.

Like what? The Montreal Neurological institute has found that music activates the pleasure centres of our brains. Translate that into the context of eldercare, and additional research suggests listening to or singing songs can provide real emotional and behavioural benefits for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Music training sessions have even been shown to help the elderly control symptoms of depression, delay the deterioration of cognitive function, and enhance the kind of brain function that underpins our ability to detect – and respond to – other people’s emotions.

That sings loudly to the case for more music for all, including seniors. If you’re looking for ways to help a loved one stay positive and feel good this summer, particularly as social distancing measures keep many of us apart, music may be a great resource for your toolkit.

Have you considered building out a shared playlist together? Starting from your loved one’s musical tastes, work with the technology they’re comfortable with to cultivate the ultimate summertime song sheet. Sharing it amongst family members can help folks connect remotely, start conversations, and spread love while singing along from far away. Getting the next generation (think grandkids, or great-grandkids) involved in picking the tunes can help everyone feel more connected even as we’re apart.

Same goes for combining music and movement. If you’re encouraging someone to stay active at home, getting the soundtrack right is key. Why not tag a chair-based exercise activity or gentle stretching routine to a particular song, and use the music as motivation to keep going?

As much as music can set the tone for activity, it can also be a calming force or way to wind down before meals and evening routines. Whether you’re working with a Bluetooth speaker, a vintage record player, a CD player or even just the radio: finding an album or station that plays classical music offers a range of benefits. Mozart and Strauss have been shown to lower the listener’s blood pressure, an ideal way to foster calmness in a world that’s anything but. You might consider combining their care with your own, and listening in remotely over Facetime or Zoom.

If you’re going to bring more music into a senior’s life, making it a consistent touchpoint can be as important as the music itself. One study of older adults showed that participating in a regular choir practice helped people feel less lonely and more interested in life after six months. But it wasn’t just the singing that made the impact. The benefit of regular, structured activity was the important factor. Is there room to carve out 10 minutes a day to sing together, or listen to a new song? Building that small but regular element into someone’s routine can open up a world of possibility.

Like everything, customizing the way you incorporate music to your loved one’s personality, capability, capacity and medical needs is really important. If you’re going to integrate more music into someone’s daily life, eliminate competing noise. Anyone can become overstimulated with too much going on at once. You can set the stage for success with music by blocking out distractions like the TV, getting the volume right for someone’s hearing level, and opting for music that avoids commercials (they can create confusion by bursting into the scene suddenly).

Getting music right also means adjusting course in real time. Pay attention to the way someone responds; it’s a good indicator of how things are going, and whether you might need to switch things up. If you notice someone’s enjoying a particular kind of music, go with it. But, also keep an eye out for red flags. Negative reactions to a given song choice, or kind of music, can mean it’s time to try something new.

Closing thoughts

Many of us may feel like we’re singing in the rain right now, and that’s okay. Keeping spirits up can be challenging, even without social distancing and the feelings of isolation it can bring. The important thing is that we keep on moving, and music can play a real part in the process.

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Strike up the band! Music boosts mood. Building it into a senior’s routine now can be just what they need to combat loneliness and stave off feelings of isolation. Keep these tips in mind as you build more music into a loved one’s day.

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Singing in the rain makes everything feel less rainy. Check out our tips for layering more music into a senior’s routine as we all work to boost mood and feel engaged. Link in bio.

Caregiver of the month

June 2020

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Tim’s personal LinkedIn

June 2020

Everyone has questions about eldercare. Getting the right care plan in place takes good conversations and starts with real dialogue about needs, capabilities and quality of life. This month, we’re channeling some of our best practices into four key questions any family can ask as they aim to build a solid care plan with their loved one in mind. [ share link to Home Care website article ]

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June 2020

Elder care questions to ask now & musical mood boosters