Hospice Plus Hanson Equals Comfort

  "The family requests donations be made to hospice..." Open an obituary page in any newspaper, on any day, and chances are you will see at least one of these type requests. Hospice care often means so much to those who have needed it, their gratitude cannot be measured with words alone.
   I honestly don't know how hospice workers do what they do.  I feel the same way about caregivers.  
  Providing care for another human is not an easy job. When that human is in the process of dying, it can be unbearable.  Yet, these kind people chose, even volunteer, to walk into the most painful of circumstances and offer care.
  Our Hanson caregivers often team with hospice when care is needed at home.  Hospice providers bring us in when there isn't enough care available at home.  The combination of Hospice and our caregivers has made many passings peaceful, comfortable and even beautiful.
  One passing that comes to mind was of one of our elderly clients who wanted to die at home, with his family present, and a view of his gorgeous  gardens.  We worked with Hospice of the Western Reserve www.hospicewr.org  to fulfill his wish.
   The hospice nurse kept his pain at the delicate level of comfort without making him so sleepy that he couldn't enjoy his family.  Our caregivers were there around the clock taking him to and from the bathroom, feeding him, bathing him, and arranging his room so he could see family photos at all times, and of course his garden.  The hospice nurses watched carefully for signs that his human life was coming to an end. The family was able to gather at his beside, hold his hand and send him, peacefully, to his afterlife. It was exactly what he had wanted.
   Our caregivers grieve. How could they not?  Often, we are the recipient of last words during late night conversations, or provide the hand to hold, and prayers to say when our client is scared.  But we couldn't do this without help from hospice.  Their medical expertise is beyond what you could learn from a textbook or science. Sometimes "they just know" what is happening. I believe, that like a caregiver, they are called to this field.  Their presence in this world makes other's lives better.
-Eileen

Hope for Parkinson's

  Bio medicine and neuromodulation may sound futuristic, but to anyone affected by Parkinson's they may mean relief is just around the corner.
  A Northeast Ohio company has exciting developments in the biomedical world, that will help diagnose and treat Parkinson's.
  Great Lakes Neuro Technologies  already has a diagnostic tool that doctors can use to monitor a patient's motor symptoms from the patient's home.  Now they are studying technology that can finetune DBS (deep brain stimulation) to alleviate symptoms without causing side effects.
  To read more, go to the website: www.glneurotech.com

Elder Care

  Ugh! If  just thinking about word "Elder care" has you turning gray, take a deep breath.

  Since 2008, I have met with hundreds of adult children, grandchildren, spouses, friends, nieces, nephews and siblings of someone in need of elder care.  Every one of them was stressed.

  Many were stressed to the point of tears because their best efforts were not working.  But guilt and frustration became comical when I asked them to step back and look at the big picture of what they are asking of themselves.

 One person trying to provide 24 hour care for another person is impossible. It  isn't a "one-person" job.
   Think of all the offers of help that come in when a new mom has a baby.  We worry that she's not getting enough rest with the frequent feedings and diaper changes.  We bring food and babysitting offers to help her through the rough months.

   Take that new mom (or dad) age her by 30 yrs, so she may be dealing with her own health problems. Then make that new baby a fully grown adult with "new baby" needs.  Add a second baby (another parent) and add the ability to argue with, throw guilt at, and walk (or drive!) away from you.  Do you seriously think you should be able to handle elder care alone?

  The word itself can mean so much.  A search of elder care on the web can send you into more confusion.  Decide what it is that you need.

  Before you search, ask yourself a few questions.

  What is the primary need?  Think of the toughest part of the day.  Do you lie awake, worrying about falls on the way to the bathroom, or, with dementia, wandering?  Maybe it's the morning hours. It's hard enough  to get yourself up, bathed, dressed, and fed, let alone another person or two.
The day might be more manageable if you can sleep at night.  Or the night might be more tolerable if you know help is coming in the morning.  When do you most need a break?

  What is your greatest concern? Identify what you worry about most. If you live out of town, you might feel better having someone "visit" and report back to you.

  What would be ideal?  If it doesn't involve a magic wand or a time machine, you can probably come close to ideal.  (By the way, "ideal" is not one person 24 hours a day.  Live-in care can invite more problems than you have right now.)

  When your need for  "elder care" is broken down to specific needs, your are more likely to find what you need with less frustration (and no tears!).

  I invite you to call me, or anyone of us at Hanson Services for help identifying your needs.

-Eileen

Cold Weather and the Elderly

  As the temperatures drop, the risk rises for injury and even death among the elderly population.  It's a good time to be a "nosey" neighbor if you know someone who is at risk.   Here are a few suggestions:

  Check the thermostat. We began care for a client with dementia, after she had turned on the air conditioner instead of the heat. She nearly froze to death.  Even those without dementia, may worry about a high heating bill and keep the temperature dangerously low, or supplement with another heat source that puts them at risk for a fire.

 Check the Refrigerator.  (If they will let you. This was always a battle with my mother.)  Whether it's the "depression mentality" to never throw food away, or the inability to see the expiration date, many people will have a refrigerator full of old food.  Make sure they have a good supply of food that is easy to prepare. I like a company called  "Simply EZ" that delivers food at a reasonable cost. It can be frozen and heated later.   "Meals-on-Wheels" is also a great option for those who have trouble using a microwave or stove.

Check the Windows and Doors. This sounds crazy, but make sure they aren't open.  I visited an elderly client who didn't realize her side door was open. It was literally snowing in her kitchen. She had no idea that the door was open or for how long.  (Accumulation was less than an inch, so I'm guessing it was for an hour or so.)

Check the Pathways. The sidewalk, driveway, porch, stoop, and inside hallways, should all be clear and maneuverable.  Emergency Services, and the mail carrier need to safely reach the house, and the resident inside needs to safely reach the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and outside doors.

  Cold weather can be isolating for the elderly. Even those who don't need your help, will likely appreciate a visit.  Sometimes a "nosey" neighbor becomes a much appreciated friend.

-Eileen

    For anyone planning to remodel or build a home:  Caring.com has a great article on the small changes (doorknobs, hallway width, faucet handles etc.) that make a home attractive, and more livable at any stage of life. It's called "Universal Design."

 Design that's equally appealing to all users

What it means
Wherever possible, universal design creates spaces that can be used by everyone equally and that are appealing to all. UD doesn't stigmatize any one group of users -- like those obvious wheelchair ramps tacked onto the fronts of older homes, for example.

 click the link below to read more....
www.caring.com

A nice note from Florida

Our Florida office recently received a phone call from a man who decided it was finally time to seek home care.  At the pressure of his family and doctors, he ordered his daughter to "Call Hanson Services." He didn't care how many companies were out there that did this work, he only wanted Hanson Services.

He told his daughter that every time he went to the pool at his condo, he would listen to the radio and hear Maryann's voice streaming across the airwaves in her commercials.  He said "Her message was very clear, and her voice always captured my attention.  I can hear the passion in her voice and can tell she was sincere and cared about her business." He said that it is rare that an owner can have such passion and hire employees that share the same passion and vision.

We are delighted to be able to provide service at the level that we believe is due; to the people that have worked so hard their whole lives and are owed the respect, and privacy that old age demands.  This was Maryann's vision when she was managing and designing In Home Assisted Living Facilities.  This is something she told me once that stuck with me:

"These 98 year old ladies would come in and take a tour of the facility and tell me our place is so wonderful, and this is where they will come when they are ready.  I knew then they would never be ready.  These people need to be in their home." - Maryann Hanson

WCLV Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Hanson Services is thrilled to be able to celebrate thee 50th anniversary with Bob Conrad and the staff at WCLV.  Hanson Services has actively supported WCLV for the last 14 years and will continue our support after the transition.

The transfer was a tremendously generous gift to Northeast Ohio listeners. Bob cared and has succeeded in making certain that Northeast Ohio always has Classical Music available to its loyal supporters and listeners. You will recognize the voice of Jim Mehrling, the voice that has always introduced Maryann Hanson will now be the voice of Hanson Services underwriting WCLV.