We Put Our Faith in Caring
Helpful tips for family caregivers

May/June 2012

Concordia offers services to help at home

Concordia Lutheran Ministries offers care giving at home through Concordia Visiting Nurses and Good Samaritan Hospice.

Services in the home are divided into three kinds. Which service you choose depends on the level of training needed in the staff. Requirements set by Medicare may also determine which type of service will be covered.

• Home Health Care. This service is provided by nurses and other medical professionals.
• Home Care. This service is provided by uncertified staff.
• Hospice Care. This service is specifically for persons with a life-limiting condition. Services are provided by nurses and other medical professionals.

Home Health Care is skilled medical care to help an individual regain their health. Typically, home health care is used following a hospitalization or surgery. The role of the staff is to help homebound patients with a complicated medical condition that can be managed or improved. A doctor’s order is required.

Home Care also offered by Concordia Visiting Nurses is nonmedical care to help a person remain in their own home and is also offered through Concordia Visiting Nurses. There is no need for a doctor's order. Nonmedical home care includes

• personal care (such as bathing and toileting)
• dressing and undressing
• fixing meals
• assisting with walking
• transferring in and out of a chair or bed
• light housework
• transportation
• visiting and companionship

Hospice Care offered through Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries is skilled medical care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. Like home health care, hospice involves weekly hour-long visits from a team of medical professionals. Both the patient and the family have access to the team's support services. A doctor must recommend hospice based on a diagnosis of an incurable condition. In addition, the doctor must estimate that the patient has six months or less to live.

Hospice care is covered 100% by Medicare.
If you think your loved one has a life-limiting disease, ask the doctor if hospice is appropriate. If so, you have a choice of hospice providers in your community.

To learn more, or to get more information on "Finding Help" click here.

TeleCare-Givers calls homebound people for FREE

Tele-CareGivers is a non-profit organization dedicated to the improving the quality of life of our homebound elderly, ill or disabled friends by making telephone contact with them in order to assure they are able to answer their phones and communicate with our volunteers.

Profile of an Ideal Client:

• A homebound elderly, ill or disabled person
• who lives alone or with another homebound
• elderly, ill or disabled person.
• Typically awake (and functioning) by 8:30 a.m.
• Understands that the volunteer has other
• people to call and, therefore, cannot speak
• to them for more than a few minutes each day

Profile of an Ideal Volunteer:

• Typically does not leave home before 10:00 a.m.
• Typically awake (and functioning) by 8:30 a.m.
• Has a good telephone demeanor.
• Genuinely enjoys talking with people, especially the elderly
• Able to recognize if a client is experiencing a problem then react appropriately

If you or someone you know would like to sign-up to be a volunteer, or if you know someone in need of a friendly morning call please contact us at 724-352-6200 or toll free at 1-866-352-6260 for more information

Engaging activities for persons with dementia

It is usually obvious what a person with dementia is no longer able to do. But finding things your loved one CAN do may feel like a challenge, especially if memory loss is severe. Here are some tips.

Activities are important. They answer core human needs for

• identity and personal expression;
• life purpose and meaning;
• connection with others.

Boredom or lack of engagement may lead your relative to unsafe activities, such as wandering. Or to activities that frustrate you, such as "reorganizing" the dresser or tearing bits of paper. Or to a change in mood that may bring on agitation or depression.

Activities can be
• task oriented: getting dressed, setting the table, sweeping the steps, dressing a doll;
• physical: taking a walk, washing the car, dancing, singing, clapping;
• creative: painting, telling stories, making cards, stringing beads;
• mental: reading, doing simple puzzles, watching a nature video, playing bingo;
• social: having a visitor, going to church, reviewing old photos.

Ideally, create a daily routine for your loved one. Provide a balance of activity and relaxation. Too much activity itself causes stress. Remember that tasks of personal care, such as bathing and dressing, are activities, too.

• Consider your relative's history and interests. If he or she worked in an office, provide a desk and papers to "organize." If a homemaker, ask for help folding towels, dusting, or winding yarn.
• Focus on creating pleasure. Not on completing the activity or doing it "right." The goal is for your relative to feel engaged.
• Start the activity. A person with dementia is more able to participate than to initiate. Begin as a "team."
• Follow their lead. Stay flexible; change activities as your relative changes. If going out to eat becomes too much, just go for a drive. If interest in dancing wanes, just sway or tap feet.

See us on YouTube

If you want a better view or Concordia and the services we have to offer, go to our YouTube channel... click here!

Our YouTube Channel features:

• A photo tour of our Good Samaritan Hospice Inpatient Units
• Several television commercials for Concordia Visiting Nurses and Good Samaritan Hospice
• Additional commercials for Independent Living at Concordia Haven in Cabot, PA and Concordia of the South Hills in Bethel Park.