How can a home caregiver help to protect their loved ones from scams?
An expert home caregiver may have seen elder abuse in the form of financial fraud. Financially abusing an elder is what happens when someone improperly or illegally uses money or other property that belongs to a vulnerable senior. There are now some states across the country that currently have laws in place that make elder financial abuse a crime; they also provide help to seniors and punish scammers.

You can become familiar with the most common scams and learn what you can do to help protect yourself and your loved one if you become suspicious of any foul play.

Why are seniors’ common targets of scams?
Many of the targets of scams are mainly considered to be in the naïve segment of the community. Unfortunately, seniors are the most targeted for scams. These scammers target seniors since they may be willing to listen, lonely, and are more trusting than younger people. Many of the schemes against seniors are done door-to-door, over the phone, and through advertisements. Seniors are considered prime targets to scams attributed to sweepstakes, credit cards, contests, health products, charities, home improvements, magazines, investments, equity skimming, insurance, and wire transfers or banking.

Common financial scams that take advantage of seniors
Here are the common scams to help your loved one to watch out for:

Grandparent scam
Scammers will call a senior pretending to be one of their grandchildren and ask a version of the question, "Do you know who this is?" When your loved one guesses a name, the scammer will then ask your loved one to send them some money through MoneyGram or Western Union to help pay for some emergency expense, such as overdue rent, a hospital bill, or car repairs. The scammer will also ask your loved one not to say anything to the grandchild's parents.

Lottery and sweepstakes scam
Many people may be familiar with this simple scam as it takes advantage of the notion that "nothing in this world is free." In this case, a scammer will let your loved one know that they have won sweepstakes or lottery of some sort, and they will need to make a payment to unlock the prize. Many times, your loved one may be sent a check to deposit in their bank account. While the funds may immediately appear in their bank account, it can take a few days for the fake check to be rejected. During these few days, the scammer will collect the money for the so-called taxes and fees on the prize, which they keep while your loved one has the "prize money" removed from their bank account as soon as the prize check bounces.

Health insurance and Medicare scam
This involves the scammer posing as a Medicare representative and asking your loved one for their personal information to receive discounted or free supplies or equipment through the mail. Your loved one will then submit a claim to their insurer for a product that was never delivered or unnecessary.

Steps to take if you suspect a financial senior scam
As a home caregiver, you should never be embarrassed or afraid to talk about a loved one being scammed with someone that you can trust. You're not alone, there are people who can help you, and it will only become worse by doing nothing. Keep resources and phone numbers handy, including your loved one's bank, local police, and adult protective services.

Top home caregiver in Brookline and Boston MA
​TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local home health aid services company, with service areas in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, Medfield, Walpole, Canton, and Sharon. Contact us today to get started.

How do in-home caregivers detect malnutrition in seniors?
In-home caregivers, in the Brookline and Boston MA areas, are trained to recognize malnutrition, which is when a person doesn’t have the required amount of nutrients to function. It typically involves experiencing an imbalance of calories, protein, and other vitamins that you need throughout each day.

Malnutrition can be harmful at any age, but it can impact seniors especially hard. When a senior is malnourished, it leaves them vulnerable to slower recovery times, increased risk of falling, possible hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations, and possible death.

Various factors can cause malnutrition in seniors, including lack of ability to chew and swallow, loss of appetite, and increased use of medications. Other risk factors include dementia, depression, lack of access to optimally nutritious food, whether because of lack of ability to make or shop for food or food insecurity, and chronic diseases.

How to monitor and prevent malnutrition
Suppose you are a caregiver to a senior loved one. In that case, you can take the necessary steps to help monitor nutritional health, watch for weight loss, and determine any risk factors of malnutrition. It would be best if you considered the following:

Monitor weight: Help to check your loved one’s weight at home and keep a weekly record. Monitor for any changes to how clothes are fitting as this can be an indication of weight loss.

Observe habits: Spend mealtimes together to observe their eating habits at home. Take a note of the kinds of foods that are being eaten and how much they’re eating.

Keep track of medications: Keep a record of all your loved one’s medications, the reason they are taking them, treatment schedules, dosages, and any possible side effects.

Help with meal plans: Help to plan some healthy meals or prepare some meals ahead of time. Help them prepare a shopping list and go shopping together. Here are resources for healthy eating.

Use local services: Contact some local services that provide in-home visits from dietitians or nurses, at-home meal deliveries, access to a food pantry, or other nutrition programs.

Make meals a social event: Drop by your loved one’s home during mealtime or invite them to your house for a meal occasionally. Go out to eat at a restaurant that provides senior discounts. Encourage them to participate in social programs that have members within the same community eat together.

Encourage physical activity: Even daily, light exercise can help to stimulate your loved one’s appetite and strengthen their muscles and bones.

In-home caregivers in Brookline and Boston MA: things to consider
In-home caregivers can help seniors to manage their nutrition and health as they age, which can be a difficult task. If you are the sole care provider to a loved one, speak with their doctor and ask for help when needed. Their doctor can discuss their risk of malnutrition with you.
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TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local home health aid services company, with service areas in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, Medfield, Walpole, Canton, and Sharon. Contact us today to get started.

Home-based care experts share tips for those caring for a loved one with arthritis

Home-based care, in Boston and Brookline MA, for a family member living with arthritis, can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Your loved one may be having a tough time managing various aspects of the disease process, and with the following tips, you can make a positive impact on their experiences.

This article will give you a better understanding of the pain and stiffness involved that can put a limit on your loved one’s ability to function and move properly. The pain from this disease can stop your loved one from using arms and hands, walking properly, and enjoying regular recreational and work activities. Having a friend or family member help your loved one with care can ensure that her/his condition is well-managed and s/he can remain independent for as long as possible.

How can you help your loved one with arthritis?

There are many ways that you, as a caregiver to your loved one, can help manage their arthritis, including:

Listen and be empathetic: When your loved one is discussing any concerns with you, take them seriously and pass their comments along to their doctor, especially if there are symptoms present that has not been diagnosed.
Write down their symptoms: As their caregiver, you can help keep track of where and when your loved one’s pain occurs. You can also track the food they eat, the medications that they are taking, and their activity or movement. A doctor can use this information when examining your loved one.
Speak with all healthcare providers: Your loved one may have multiple healthcare providers. You can ensure that each of them is on the same page by keeping consistent communication. This will help your family member with arthritis to get the medical care they need.
Encourage regular exercise and movement: Be on the lookout for any movement or exercise classes that you can sign up for. The smallest amount of activity throughout the day can improve your loved one’s symptoms significantly. Some ideas that you can use are chair exercises, walking around the inside and outside of the house, and stretching. Before introducing an exercise routine, be sure to speak with a doctor.

Home-based care in Brookline and Boston, MA: reach out for help when needed

As a home-based care provider, it is vital to know your limits. Taking care of a loved one is an incredible act of support and love, but it can also be emotionally and physically draining, leaving you with very little time to take care of your own well-being.

Do not be afraid to seek any help for the times you need an extra pair of hands. Many resources are available, such as food and laundry delivery services, local support groups, and professional home care, such as TeamCarer, to help you care for a loved one with arthritis.

TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local home health aid services company, with service areas in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, Medfield, Walpole, Canton, and Sharon. Contact us today to get started.

Providing home care assistance to a loved one during the winter

Home care assistance in the Brookline and Boston MA area is especially helpful during the winter months. Seniors will often need extra attention during colder months due to being more physically susceptible to the cooler temperatures, becoming isolated and homebound, and falling on snow or ice.

Before the snow and frigid temperatures show up, you can keep your loved one safe by implementing some winter preparation strategies as soon as possible if you are not there when the weather worsens.

Winter health concerns for seniors

As you can imagine, the risk of falling is increased over the winter due to snowy driveways and slippery sidewalks. There is also the risk of hypothermia due to the body’s decreased ability to regulate internal temperature as we age. Other diseases and disorders such as hypothyroidism, severe arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease can also harm the body’s temperature regulation.

How to prepare seniors for the winter

You can help your loved one get ready for the winter with the following tips:

• Buy the essentials, such as bottled water and non-perishables like crackers, peanut butter, and canned meats.
• Invest in a battery-powered cellphone charger to be sure that your loved one can keep in touch. A hand-cranked or battery-operated emergency weather radio is also another investment to consider.
• Put an emergency kit together in case of a power outage. Include extra batteries, flashlights, blankets, a handheld can opener, trash bags, and paper towels.
• If your loved one has a vehicle, you can schedule a maintenance appointment to check the tires, fluid levels, brakes, and more.
• Remind your loved ones not to let their prescriptions get too low. During the winter months, it will be essential to keep a few extra days of both over-the-counter medications and prescriptions.

Home safety 101

Much like spring cleaning, you should take the time to winterize your loved one’s home by focusing on these areas:

Handrails: You should consider installing handrails if there are none in place already when your loved one needs to navigate an entryway that may be slippery.
Windows and doors: Be on the lookout for any cracked or worn seals. You can use a kit to insulate any drafty windows.
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors: Test the alarms to check if all the batteries are working.
Trip hazards: You should remove any rugs from the entryways of the house to lessen the chance of falls.
Canes and walkers: Replace any tips that are worn that can reduce traction.

Home care assistance in Brookline and Boston, MA: always have an emergency plan

The best home care assistance will keep you and your loved one safe. The best way to do this during the winter is to have a plan for any emergencies. If for any reason, you can not check in with your loved one due to an emergency or illness, you can arrange to have a trustworthy and reliable family member or agency to help. Be sure to create a list of all emergency contacts and give them to your loved ones so they know who they should call if they need any help.

TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local home health aid services company, with service areas in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, Medfield, Walpole, Canton, and Sharon. Contact us today to get started.

​Elder care for your loved one should include physical activity, here’s why

Elder care experts in Brookline and Boston MA have repeated time and time: exercise is even more critical for seniors and aging adults than younger ones. Regular exercise and physical activity for seniors can help improve physical and mental health. Both will help maintain your loved one’s independence as they age.

You may have some concerns about the safety of your loved one when exercising. However, the benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks. While seniors may take a longer time to recover from injuries, moderate levels of exercise are suitable for all ages and can be done without a high risk of injuries.

Why seniors should be active

There are many benefits that come from regular exercise, including the reduced amount of blood lipids, improvements in blood sugar management and blood pressure, better joint, and bone health, and neuro-cognitive function preservation.

Other benefits that your loved one can receive from physical activity are:

Weight regulation: Exercise can result in a healthy muscle mass and improved metabolism for your loved one. Our metabolisms slow down with age and make it more challenging to keep unnecessary weight off. Your loved ones can keep their metabolism up by staying active and maintaining a healthy weight that they are happy with.

Disease prevention: Many common diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be prevented by maintaining a regular physical activity schedule. Your loved one’s overall immune function can be improved through exercise, which will be significant because seniors can often have a weakened immune system. Simple activities, such as walking, can have a powerful effect on disease management.

Mental health: Frequent exercise and an active lifestyle has many benefits. When muscle-generated mood boosters are activated during exercise, it has been shown to help fight depression and reduce stress. Brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease can have their progression slowed down when maintaining regular levels of physical activity.

Prevent falls: The leading cause of injuries in adults over the age of 65 is falling. A fall can result in a significant reduction in your loved one’s quality of life and a decrease in independence. It can be very devasting for an older adult to experience a hip fracture after a fall. However, exercise can improve bone density, muscle tone, and balance, and these factors can reduce the risk of a hip fracture.

Elder care in Brookline and Boston MA recommend exercise

Elder care experts can help during this time when it can be challenging to determine what activities to do. An excellent place to start is to choose an activity that your loved one is interested in and enjoys doing.

You can make a list of activities and be sure to make any adjustments according to what your loved one is able to do.

TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local company, with service areas in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, Medfield, Walpole, Canton, and Sharon. Contact us today to get started.

Elderly care providers are here to help care loved ones with dementia

Elderly care providers in the Brookline and Boston MA area know that it can be a stressful, long, and intensely emotional journey when caring for a loved one with any form of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. But you are not alone in this journey. There are more than 16 million people who are taking care of a loved one with dementia around the country, and millions more in other places around the world. Since there is no cure for dementia, it can make the biggest difference to the quality of life for your loved one by being cared for and supported by a family member.

It can be a complicated task to take care of an aging parent, especially when dementia care is involved. Your loved one may resist your care and behavioral and cognitive changes from dementia can be unpredictable.

The most important thing that you first need to understand as the caregiver of a senior with dementia is the disease itself. Alzheimer’s disease is the one form of dementia that has the most pronounced stages. It is a progressive condition, this means that, as time goes on, the severity of symptoms will increase.

Here are some important details to consider when taking the role as a caregiver for a loved one with dementia:

Establish a positive mood for interacting with your loved one

You can communicate your thoughts and feelings more strongly than your words will through your body language and attitude. You can establish a positive mood by talking to your loved ones respectfully and pleasantly. You can use your tone of voice, facial expressions, and physical touch to help to convey your message to them and show your feelings of love and affection.

Reduce challenges and frustrations

• Establish a daily routine, but allow flexibility for spontaneous activities or particularly difficult days.
• Take your time: some tasks may take longer than they used to take Allow time for breaks.
  Involve your loved one: Allow the person with dementia to do as much as they can without assistance.
• Provide choices: Provide a couple of choices- such as 2 outfits to choose from, or a hot or cold beverage.
• Provide simple instructions: clear, one-step communication.
• Limit napping: avoid prolonged naps during the day can minimize getting nights and days reversed.
• Reduce distractions: Keep the television off during meals and conversations to help your loved one focus.

Make the home safer

You may need to make some changes to your loved one’s home in order to reduce fall risk when they are transitioning from the mild to the moderate stage of dementia. You can provide them with a comfortable home, with an added layer of safety, by using a lot of patience and a little resourcefulness. You can start by assessing their home and seeing any possible hazards, prevent any catastrophes around the home, such as in the kitchen, and keeping emergency numbers close by.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself

You must take time to take care of yourself when taking care of a loved one with dementia. You will not be able to help your loved one if you become too frustrated and tired. If you find yourself needing a break you can try asking for help from friends, family, and community organizations. You can also consider looking for caregiver support groups to give you some good ideas about how to make things easier for yourself.

Elderly care providers in Brookline MA: rewards of in-home care

Top elderly care providers know that caring for your loved one in their home can take a lot of effort, however, it can also bring some valuable benefits. This form of care will mean that your loved ones can stay in the community and home that they have built for themselves. This will also create a sense of stability and comfort. Staying in their home will give your loved one a greater sense of being independent. But the proper measure must be put into place to reap these benefits and make sure that they stay safe and, more importantly, supported through this tough time.

TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local company, with service areas in Boston Metro, Metro West, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, and Needham. Contact us today to get started.

Elderly care services: how can a doctor prevent your loved one from falls?

Elderly care services in Boston and Brookline MA can help your loved ones live comfortably in their own home. Part of this service involves the prevention of falls. In our previous post, we talk about five simple things you can do to prevent falls at home and how exercise can help too.

Another place that your loved one can get help is at their doctor’s office. Throughout the year, one out of three seniors will fall, but less than half of people that have experienced the fall will speak with their doctors about this situation. Falls are the number one cause of injuries such as cuts, hip fractures, as well as serious brain and head injuries that can be fatal. A fall can also be so frightening to your loved ones that they may choose to avoid certain activities out of fear that they will fall again.

Even when not injured, you and your loved one should speak with a doctor during the next checkup because this can be a sign of a problem with their medications or eyesight or a new medical problem. But what else can a doctor do to help prevent a fall?

Review medication

The purpose of reviewing the medications that your loved one is taking is to identify any medications that are possibly increasing the risk of a fall.

When the medications have been identified, the doctor will work with you and your loved one to try to reduce or eliminate the use of the medication. This process is known as “deprescribing”.

During this medication review, your loved one and their doctor will need to reconsider the medications and be sure that the benefits of continued use will outweigh the possible risks.

Monitor blood pressure

When standing from a rested position and experiencing a sudden feeling of weakness and buckling in the knees is the result of low blood pressure known as fainting.

When your loved one’s blood pressure isn’t high enough to move blood to the brain efficiently, the brain will sense this warning and take the necessary action.

Your loved one’s doctor can recommend a blood pressure cuff to keep an eye on their blood pressure and ensure that they aren’t doing anything that is too strenuous while their blood pressure is at a low level.

Fall risk assessment

There are three questions that a doctor should ask your loved one about falling, including: Do you feel unsteady when standing or walking? Have you fallen in the past year? And are you afraid of falling?

Answering yes to any of these questions will make your loved one a good candidate for a fall risk assessment. Afterward, the doctor should evaluate the chances of falls through a brief screening.

Elderly care services in Brookline and Boston MA: get a personalized plan

Elderly care services can work in conjunction with a plan that has been put into place by the doctor after identifying any risk factors and determining ways to address them. Extra care should also be taken when your loved one has been prescribed any new medications or when returning home from the hospital due to any possible feelings of weakness, exhaustion, or disorientation.

TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local company, with service areas in Boston Metro, Metro West, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, and Needham. Contact us today to get started.

Elderly home care: how can your loved one take advantage of a reverse mortgage to pay for care at home?

Elderly home care options can be expensive. As your loved one ages, one of your, or theirs, biggest concerns might be determining how the in-home care that is needed will be paid for. The chances are good that at some point during their lifetime, no matter how independent they are, your loved one might need to hire someone to take care of them.

A reverse mortgage is an option that your loved one can consider as an option to cover the expenses of in-home care.

What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a mortgage loan, usually secured by a residential property, that enables the borrower to access the unencumbered value of the property. The loans are typically promoted to older homeowners and typically do not require monthly mortgage payments.

However, it’s important to remember that since a reverse mortgage does not require you to make regular payments, the equity of the home is reduced in proportion to the amount of cash that is received.

When borrowing funds through a reverse mortgage you can choose between fixed or adjustable-rate reverse mortgages and the funds are generally tax-free. Here is a link to a reverse mortgage calculator.

What can the money be used for?

The funds from a reverse mortgage are first used to pay any loans that have been taken out against the home. Afterward, the funds can then be used however you choose.

For example, the funds from a reverse mortgage can be used towards the payment for long-term home care expenses, including:

• Memory care, assisted living, or nursing home care for a parent or spouse.
• Housekeeping, meal prep, daily living activities, and other home care services.
• Modifications to improve home safety such as a walk-in shower or wheelchair ramp.
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses.
• Respite care or adult day care services.

Typically, to cover these costs, Medicare and Medicare supplements are often expected to cover these expenses, however, they will often not cover the full amount, or they will only cover the price for basic care and not any special services. This is what makes a reverse mortgage so attractive.

Elderly home care in Boston MA: is this option right for you?

Elderly home care can help your loved ones live a better life and while a reverse mortgage won’t be a good fit for everyone, the income generated can help your loved one stay in their own home for longer and afford the proper care that they need.
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TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local company, with service areas in Boston Metro, Metro West, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, and Needham. Contact us today to get started.

Home care agencies: how does music help with the mental health of seniors

Home care agencies can use music as a powerful force that can bring back heartwarming memories, create strong emotions, and provide a way to express yourself. It is not a surprise, with this kind of impact, that music can be an effective therapy tool.

In the past century, the music therapy field has grown significantly. It is now being used in community centers, schools, and assisted living centers. Music can give an outlet for socialization, creativity, and mental stimulation for older adults, who will experience a great benefit from listening to music.

Music and dementia and Alzheimer’s

Cognitive difficulties such as difficulty learning and memory loss, as well as forgetting who you are can be the result of Alzheimer’s and dementia. There are some ways that music can help since there is no cure for either of these conditions.

Music can work by lowering the stress hormone levels in the body, making your loved one feel more peaceful and relaxed over time, reducing blood pressure, stress, and heart rate altogether. This can help because these conditions can cause an outburst of aggression and anger even with the smallest amount of stress.

Mental health benefits of music therapy

Music can also reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression and improve the overall mental health of the listener. The aim of music therapy is to allow people to express themselves and address any issues in a way that they can’t with just words.

Older adults are common sufferers of dementia and depression. The bettering of the quality of life for seniors makes music therapy a viable tool in the treatment of depression.

Isolation can greatly impact the mental health of older adults. A group music therapy session will create a means of communicating with others that normally they wouldn’t have access to. Seniors who experience difficulties with communicating verbally can improve their communication skills just by regularly listening to music.

This has also been used as a treatment for people who have experienced any trauma and helps them to boost their mood and reduce stress. In the event of a crisis, music therapy has become so effective for treating trauma that it has been considered the second wave of relief. It gives older adults who are coping with trauma the chance to express any feelings of anxiety safely in a relaxed environment.

Home care agencies in Brookline and Boston MA incorporate more music

Our home care agencies will help you to keep the music going in the life of your senior loved ones. They can also help to keep track of any local events to see if any of these events involve music that your loved one might enjoy. You can even take the extra step by signing your loved one up for a music streaming service so they can have more options to choose from.

All our caregivers have been trained specifically to provide in-home care as certified home health aid or a certified nursing assistant. They have gone through a rigorous background check and are insured. In addition, they receive regular training to enhance their clinical skills and teamwork.
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TeamCarer provides team and technology-based care for in-home seniors who need daily living assistance such as bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene, medication reminders, and other care needs. We are a local company, with service areas in Boston Metro, Metro West, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, and Needham. Contact us today to get started.