January is National Bath Safety Month: Tips for Bathing Safely
With wet and slippery conditions, the bathroom can be one of the most dangerous places for seniors as they age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 older adults reported falling in 2018. That adds up to around 36 million falls, with more than 8 million of those falls requiring medical attention. Many falls happen when individuals attempt to get in and out of the tub.
Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services knows how a fall injury can immensely interfere with a person’s quality of life. That is why we believe protecting your loved one from injuries is a vital part of the care we provide. We also encourage families to be proactive by taking steps to keep their loved ones safe, especially during National Bath Safety Month in January.
Consider Installing Grab Rails
Think about installing grab rails in the tub, beside the shower and near the toilet for your loved one. He or she can hold on to them as they get in and out of the tub and maneuver around the bathroom.
Discuss a Shower Chair
A shower chair may be a great option so your loved one can sit comfortably during the entire shower to prevent their legs from giving out or them slipping. You will want to make sure the chair has a non-slip seat and rubber tips on the feat so it won’t slip and slide in the tub.
Make Shower Items Easily Accessible
You can decrease your loved one’s need to stand up and potentially slip and fall by rearranging all shower items so they are within reach when your loved one sits.
Check the Lighting
Age-related vision loss is an issue that may occur as early as a person’s mid-40s. Problems with visual acuity decrease your loved one’s ability to see in the bathroom. Ideally, you should make sure the bathroom is properly lit. Check the bulbs regularly and replace them if you notice one burned out.
Remove Rugs
Bathroom rugs may be an essential décor piece and protect your bathroom floor, but these rugs are a tripping hazard. Remove all the rugs in the bathroom to reduce your loved one’s risk of falling. If you plan to replace them, use non-slip versions only.
Hire a Home Care Aide
If you don’t already have an aide coming to assist your loved one, call Liberty Home Care. Our certified nursing assistants can visit your loved one’s home and ensure he or she bathes regularly and safely. They can also help with other personal care services and daily living activities.
Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services can perform a safety evaluation of your home and create a custom care program that fits the needs of your loved one. We provide home care services throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Call us today at 800-999-9883 or use our online consultation request form.
Moments that Matter: Quality Vs. Quantity
Liberty Homecare and Hospice offers a range of services to hospice patients to improve their quality of life. We work with families to help them make the most practical and beneficial decisions for their loved one. Often, this means choosing to enhance the person’s quality of life rather than extending the quantity of life.
Why Treatment Isn’t Always a Feasible Course of Action
Hospice is specifically for patients who are approaching the end of life. For some of them, the journey has been a long road that’s included them fighting hard for every last breath. Others, however, may have just received a terminal diagnosis and treatment isn’t possible, could be difficult, or isn’t what’s desired.
In these cases, a family is choosing to optimize their quality of life as opposed to treating the illness. At this point, it’s vital to make the individual’s last few months or days the best possible rather than putting them through an aggressive or invasive treatment.
Deciding on a Treatment Plan
We understand choosing quality over quantity is a difficult decision to make. We encourage our families to think about what their loved one wants. Additionally, we suggest families put themselves into their loved one’s position and consider how they would feel given the circumstances.
When your loved one receives a terminal diagnosis or is approaching the natural end of their life, Liberty HomeCare and Hospice can fully explain all the options for your family so you are equipped with the knowledge to make a decision that is best for your loved one.
How We Enhance Quality of Life
Our hospice care stresses the importance of comfort measures. Your loved one should be comfortable and at ease during this time. Our caregivers will carefully monitor your loved one’s pain level and intervene with pain medication as necessary.
We also stress the importance of living life to fullest while you still can. Our caregivers, chaplains and volunteers will work with your family to help you create Moments that Matter for your loved one to bring them joy. We know the importance of mental and spiritual wellness during this time. We want to be a resource for your family to lend an ear, hand or provide guidance as needed.
Your loved one deserves to pass with dignity, and comfortably. We know how hard this time is for the patient and their family. Our goal is to ensure the transition is peaceful and exactly what you and your loved one want.
Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services provides something that treatment can’t at this stage -quality. We believe that every moment your loved one spends should be one that is pain-free and as pleasant as possible. Sometimes, the best decision you can make for your loved one is for the highest quality of life possible, even if it means sacrificing quantity.
Contact Liberty HomeCare and Hospice Services to discuss how we can assist your loved one and improve their quality of life by calling 800-999-9883. You may also use our online contact form as well.
Music Therapy: The Benefits for People in Hospice
“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” – Elton John
Music has the power to evoke strong emotions, transport us back in time, lift spirits, ease and relax the mind and so much more. Music therapy can play an essential role in helping a loved one feel calm and at peace, while improving their mental health and overall well-being. For those in hospice care who are struggling physically, emotionally or spiritually, music can be an outlet to relieve some of their anxiety, stress or depression.
According to the American Music Therapy Association, the main functions of music therapy for hospice patients include:
- Decreasing pain and discomfort through individualized interventions
- Facilitating family communication, relationship completion and social interaction through creative means
- Providing alternative opportunities for processing emotions related to death, dying or bereavement
- Facilitating avenues for spiritual expression and support
At Liberty HomeCare and Hospice, our caregivers, volunteers and chaplains utilize the power of music for hospice patients on a regular basis to bring them comfort and help them feel relaxed. Music can boost moods, lessen pain, relieve agitation and promote deeper breathing.
A recent study found hospice patients have preserved hearing towards the end of life. Even when a loved one becomes unresponsive, they may still be able to hear, making music an important element for end of life care.
To learn more about our hospice services and how our team can incorporate music into your loved one’s care, call 800-999-9883.