Senior Care Asheville: Types of Elder Abuse and Their Risk Factors

By Jim Smeaton
Many seniors, due to mental and physical conditions, among other factors, are highly vulnerable to abuse at the hands of dishonest caregivers. From family members to professional elder care providers, the majority of caregivers are genuinely dedicated to the wellbeing of their seniors; however, there are some who are dishonest and take advantage of the elderly individuals for whom they are responsible. Putting your relatives care in the hands of Asheville senior care services, or finding a home companion in Asheville takes trust. For this reason, the senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, encourage you to be aware of the different kinds of elder abuse and the risk factors associated with mistreatment.

Elder Abuse Can Take Many Shapes
Seniors are targeted by abusive individuals in a variety of ways—but all of these forms of ill treatment can be traumatic and damaging to your elderly loved one. As such, it is crucial that you familiarize yourself with the different types of abuse that may take place and, ultimately, keep an eye out for the signs that they are occurring. These forms of abuse include:[1]

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse
• Neglect
• Abandonment
• Healthcare fraud

All of these types of abuse can prove devastating to your loved one and can greatly impact their wellbeing and quality of life.

Risk Factors: What Prompts Elder Abuse?
The reasons why an individual would choose to mistreat seniors vary from one situation to the next, but there are numerous risk factors that are common in too many cases. Caregivers who perpetuate the abuse may be unable to cope with the stress of their job or personal life, may suffer from depression, or may experience a lack of support in their daily responsibilities (i.e. other caregivers leave them to complete the bulk of the work). Additionally, the idea that seniors are a burden or that the task of taking care of elderly individuals is not a rewarding job can contribute to the occurrence of abuse. Finally, substance abuse, such as the use of drugs and alcohol, can prompt caregivers to behave inappropriately.

Abusive individuals often target seniors who suffer from illness or dementia and are isolated, as they believe that others will be less likely to notice the abuse. If seniors treat caregivers with aggression, either verbal or physical, the risk of abuse is also higher.

Jim Smeaton (828) 989-7263) and the home care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC encourage you to learn more about elder abuse in an effort to protect your senior against this form of mistreatment.

Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, click here.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton  and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.

Elder Care In Asheville - Prognosis for Parkinson's Disease

By Jim Smeaton
Elder care in Asheville often deals with Parkinson's disease, a progressive condition that affects the brain. Over time, it` causes tremors, mobility challenges, and difficulty moving and maintaining coordination. For this reason, it is important for caregivers to plan ahead when providing elder care for individuals who have this illness.

Understanding the Life of an Individual with Parkinson's Disease
The first thing that caregivers need to remember when looking ahead is that Parkinson's disease is progressive. This means that it gets worse over time. Each individual experiences the condition in a different way, meaning that it intensifies in some cases very quickly and more slowly in others. While there is no way to pinpoint exactly how the illness will unfold, it is essential that individuals who are providing home care for seniors with this condition understand that it will, in time, get worse.

Treatment Options: Managing the Disease
While there is no known cure for Parkinson's disease as of yet, caregivers should stay optimistic. Many treatment options have been devised to improve the quality of life that individuals who have this condition experience. Through these treatment plans, people with Parkinson's disease are able to manage their symptoms and continue to live their lives to the fullest.

Maintaining communication with healthcare professionals is important for caregivers who are looking ahead. If an elderly individual's condition worsens, caregivers need to know when to institute a higher degree of assistance.

Planning for the Unforeseeable
It may seem counterintuitive to plan ahead when doctors cannot pinpoint the challenges that a patient with Parkinson's disease will encounter. While there is no way to create concrete care plans, caregivers can devise flexible reaction plans to events that may unfold. For instance, individuals can start researching the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and determine at which stage they will need to call in home care professionals. Likewise, they can speak with their senior and the rest of their family to determine when to look at nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

The prognosis of Parkinson's disease is difficult to pinpoint, as it progresses at a different rate for each person. However, understanding the challenges that the disease may present will allow caregivers to plan ahead and, ultimately, provide better support to loved ones.

We have many videos available to you regarding senior issues, view them here.

Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton  and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.

Hendersonville Senior Care: Living Trusts and Living Wills: Which Is Better for Your Senior Loved One?

By Jim Smeaton
Hendersonville Senior care is an important responsibility, one that is made even more significant by the presence of a medical condition in your loved one. When providing care for a family member who has Parkinson's disease, you may find yourself having difficulty pinpointing exactly what to do for your loved one. With no known cure, Parkinson's disease progresses over time and may cause you to feel helpless. It is important to remember that, when providing care for an elderly individual with this condition, you are making a world of difference in their life.

Here are some tips to help you meet the needs of your loved one while ensuring that you also pay close attention to their medical condition:

1. Exercise patience. Individuals who have Parkinson's disease find it difficult to move and may lose coordination. Due to tremors or rigid muscles, they may have a hard time holding objects or completing daily tasks. Remember to stay patient with your loved one, even when you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do.
2. You should also exercise patience with your senior's medical team. There is no way to pinpoint how Parkinson's disease will progress. Keep this in mind as you speak with your loved one's doctors, and remember that they cannot possibly provide you with all the details you would like about the condition and its prognosis.
3. Explore treatment options. While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, there are many ways to treat the condition. From medication to surgery, your loved one's doctor can explain the options and assist you and your senior in choosing the treatment plan that best fits your loved one's needs.
4. Remember to enjoy the time you have with your loved one. Parkinson's disease itself is not fatal, but individuals who have the condition also have shorter than average life expectancies. Stay positive and take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with your senior.

Parkinson's disease is a difficult condition to fight, and your elderly loved one needs all the support they can get. By keeping these tips in mind, you can assist your senior in enjoying a higher quality of life despite their illness.

Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville combines national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal service. The owner of Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville is Jim Smeaton. Jim and his team assist seniors and their families in western North Carolina by providing non-medical in-home care and FREE assisted living placement services. We have strong relationships with area hospitals, social workers, senior communities and senior resources throughout the area.  We have your loved ones’ best interests at heart and will ensure that exceptional service and care is provided to all family members. 

We have many videos available to you regarding senior issues, view them here.

Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton  and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.