Sonder Home Health

Red Flags to Look for During Holiday Visits with Seniors
According to a systematic review of literature on long-distance caregiving published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work, between five and seven million Americans provide physical, emotional, social, and financial assistance to aging loved ones from a distance. This means that a significant number of families rely on regular telephone conversations to gauge an aging loved one’s well-being.
Here are some signs to look out for that can help you decide if it is time to consider some type of home care services.
1.    Poor hygiene or lack of normal daily care -Look for unusual body odor, unkempt appearance, soiled underwear. 
2.    Inability to manage daily tasks and financial needs
3.    Unexplained Weight Loss -Seniors may experience challenges shopping for and preparing meals.
4.    Changes in Balance and Mobility -If your loved one is unsteady on their feet, or has difficulty going up stairs, they may be at risk for falls.  If you find bruises, or cuts, they could be falling without telling you, or remembering.  
5.    Changes in the Home Environment -Clues include discovering excess clutter, stacks of unopened mail, scorched cookware, an overflowing hamper with dirty laundry, expired prescription medications or missed pill doses.  
If you notice any of these signs, have the initial conversation with your loved one about their present circumstances and your concerns. Collect any necessary information while you are in town to avoid added frustration and confusion in the event of a crisis down the road. Begin compiling a to-do list to be implemented over a period of future visits. A financial list should contain information pertaining to all a loved one’s property, debts, income, expenses, bank accounts and credit cards should you need to assume control of their finances over the short or long term.

We wish everyone a blessed and safe Happy Thanksgiving. We are so very grateful for all your support this year!

COUPLES CARE
Sonder Home Health is here to help!
The time may come when you need a little assistance for you or a loved one to remain in the comfort of your home. It may be personal care, cooking, grocery shopping or just companionship. Sonder is just a phone call away!
Write your next chapter with us!
561-421-2608

HONORING ALL WHO SERVED
During the month of November we CELEBRATE, HONOR, RESPECT, and SALUTE all Veterans who have served and continue to serve, defend, and protect our Nation from any harm.
As a result of the major sacrifice made for our country, Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible to receive additional home care services under the Veterans Pension with Aid and Attendance benefit. This benefit could help the Veteran or a surviving spouse cover costs of home care services such as: bathing, dressing, transportation, incontinence, housekeeping, laundry, cooking, shopping, or medication reminders.
To qualify for this program the veteran must have met the following criteria:
Served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty, with at least one day during any of the following wartime periods:
WWII 12/07/1941 to 12/31/1946
Korean War 6/27/1950 to 1/31/1955
Vietnam War 2/28/1961 to 8/05/1964 (Must have served in the Republic of Vietnam)
Vietnam War 8/05/1964 to 5/07/1975
Gulf War 8/02/1990 -TBD (minimum 2 years active duty)
The surviving spouse of a wartime Veteran may qualify for this benefit as long as they never re-married.
Sonder thanks you for your service and is honored to serve our Veterans and their families.

Sonder Home Health is here to help! 561-421-2608

Our senior care and customized services include:

personal care -bathing and grooming, dressing, feeding assistance, plus more…

homemaker services -light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, meal prep, transportation to appointments, plus more…

We are your service for Senior Care!

Do you need a little help in the kitchen? Is it becoming a bit hard to summon the energy or desire to cook, difficult to hold and manipulate cooking tools or challenging to read labels or follow directions and recipes. Our Sonder Care Providers are happy to assist you. We are just a phone call away. 561-421-2608

Today is World Alzheimer’s Day. A day to raise awareness around the globe about the disease that affects about 44 million people.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It’s a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Eventually, someone with Alzheimer’s will lose the ability to carry out simple tasks.
Someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds and it’s the 6th leading cause of death in the country.

It’s not just the person with Alzheimer’s who suffers, the disease also greatly affects family members and caregivers, emotionally and financially. The global cost of Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to be over $6 billion.

Please consider supporting and/or donating to Alzheimer’s Associations to help with much needed research and treatments for those affected with this debilitating disease.

We honor all those fallen and still standing heroes of September 11th🇺🇸

UTIs In Seniors: The Hidden Infection
With so much going on surrounding the Delta variant and resurgence of COVID-19, it is easy to place seemingly minor health problems to the back burner.  One small but potentially major infection could be a urinary tract infection (UTI). This common infection can have a major impact on one’s health, especially in the aging population.  To decrease the load from our hospitals and healthcare staff, we’d like to share with you some information about how you can identify an UTI, signs and symptoms to look out for, and what you can do to prevent them.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial or fungal infection in the urinary system.  UTIs are common, but they can potentially lead to severe complications without treatment.  An untreated UTI can spread to the kidneys and cause a serious kidney infection known as Pyelonephritis. This infection is serious and may require intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization.  Another complication of UTIs is sepsis.  Sepsis is a life-threatening, overwhelming infection that spreads to the bloodstream and then throughout the body. Untreated sepsis can lead to septic shock and eventually death.
Symptoms of a UTI may include:
* • Urinary urgency, frequency, or hesitancy 
* • Burning, pain, or discomfort when urinating
* • Feeling pressure or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
* • Cloudy, dark, or odorous urine
* • Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying after urination
* • Blood in the urine
* • Fatigue
Symptoms of an advanced UTI and possible kidney infection may include:
* • Fever
* • Nausea
* • Vomiting
* • Night sweats or chills
* • Pain in the lower to mid back where your kidneys are located
Older adults are more likely to experience behavior changes in addition to the typical UTI symptoms above.  Changes in behavior that may indicate a UTI include:
* • Restlessness
* • Hallucination
* • Agitation
* • Confusion
* • Dizziness
* • Falls

Alzheimer’s Disease is an illness of the brain. It causes large numbers of nerve cells in the brain to die. This affects a person’s ability to remember things and think clearly. People with Alzheimer’s Disease become forgetful and easily confused. They may have a hard time concentrating and behave in odd ways. It is important to remember that the disease, NOT the person with Alzheimer’s Disease, causes these changes.
-National Institute on Aging

Sleep and Older Adults
Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults, about 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
As we age our sleep pattern changes, especially if we have Alzheimer’s or other health issues. As we get older an increase of a variety of health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and Dementia can affect our sleep. Also, an increase in anxiety and stress can be attributed to poor sleep quality and/or lack of sleep.
Older adults tend to go to bed earlier and wake earlier. They may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep waking up during the night. Medications, discomfort or pain, shortness of breath, medical conditions that wake you up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom can disrupt our sleep pattern.
Positive life style changes can help. Keep a sleep diary to track the times you nap, fall asleep, and wake up. Track things that might keep you awake, such as alcoholic beverages, foods like chocolate or heavy meals before bed, and log your exercise routine or the lack of.
To get a good night’s sleep establish a consistent sleep pattern, create a relaxing bedtime routine by reading a book, listening to soft calming music, exercise regularly, but not right before bedtime, set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature.
Everyone needs to get their ZZZ’s tonight!

New scanning technology could help diagnose Alzheimer's disease using light

Researchers with the VA Bedford and VA Boston health care systems have developed a non-invasive optical technique to help detect Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the researchers, near-infrared spectroscopy was able to distinguish brains confirmed to have Alzheimer’s from those without. By comparing the light refraction from healthy tissue to that of diseased brains, the researchers identified refraction characteristics of tissue affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

This is the first experiment to use such a non-invasive technique to classify a neurodegenerative condition in living patients, according to the researchers.
Beyond helping to identify Alzheimer’s disease, the new technology could also lead to improved treatments, say the researchers.

The spectroscopy method has been accepted by the Food and Drug Administration as a protocol for possible clinical use. Before it can be put into practice, clinical trials will need to be conducted. 
To read the entire article go to: https://www.research.va.gov/currents/0721-New-scanning-technology-could-help-diagnose-Alzheimers-disease-using-light.cfm

Veterans we are honored to serve you!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Phone, Mail, and Digital Scams Targeting Seniors
In recent years, con artists have taken advantage of older Americans realizing that many seniors have little knowledge of technology or current scams. These scams are often in the form of the phone, mail, or internet.  Women over 60 who live alone have been identified as particularly susceptible.  Many scams that target seniors use digital technology, especially pop-ups or emails, since seniors are less likely to understand what is or isn’t valid online. These are the most common to watch out for:

• Health insurance scams requesting personal information
• Medicare enrollment calls
• Telemarketers claiming Medicare covers their services or products
• Vehicle extended warranty calls
• Phone calls claiming to be from the IRS requesting personal information or money
• Tax or service related mail asking for a signature or money besides regular bills
• “Bank” or “bank card” requests for personal or financial account information
• Any requests for passwords, personal information like a social security number made by companies seniors do not have an account with
Whenever personal information is being requested, always proceed with caution.  When in doubt, don’t give it out!

Choosing to live independently at home can be a very difficult decision. Are you thinking about ways to keep your aging loved one living in their home or close to home? Can your loved one downsize without leaving their community? Is there a living space for family members or caregivers in their home?
A solution might be to build a small home in the backyard of the existing main home. This additional space can be used for family members, caregivers or even as a rental unit for added financial stability.
Check your local laws to see if these types of structures are permitted in your community.

Caring for Yourself
Caregivers, Care Partners, Care Providers, please take time to care for yourself. Taking time for your emotional, spiritual and physical care will only make you a better and healthier caregiver. Here are a few things you might consider including into your weekly routine.
* Manage stress
* Be realistic
* Take a break
* Ask for help
* Know you’re doing your best
* Stay active
* Eat well
* See the doctor

Sonder Home Health pledges to offer person- centered care to you or your loved ones. Write your next chapter with us!

Alzheimer’s Progression

Sweet Antioxidants
Several studies show that blueberries are an incredible source of a phytochemical called anthocyanins which protect against cancer and also can boost your cognition!
A study shows women who ate one serving of blueberries or two servings of strawberries delayed cognitive decline and made their brains behave as though they were 30 months younger!
I’m on my way to the farmers market to get my handful of blueberries!

Is your elderly loved one walking safely and steadily?
Do you wince every time your aging mom or dad walks across the room? Do you hop up to help with even short walks from the table to the sink? Do they seem likely to fall?
Aging can lead to muscle weakness, stiffness and pain in the joints, balance problems and other issues that affect gait and steadiness on foot. Falling is a primary cause of disability in the senior population, so any sign of walking difficulty should be addressed immediately.

LOOK NO FURTHER! Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides come join the SONDER HOME HEALTH TEAM in PALM BEACH COUNTY! Sonder is a family owned and operated agency that understands the importance of hiring superior caregivers. Caregiving is an essential and rewarding job. We want only the best for our staff and our clients. If you think you are one of the best, then apply TODAY!  Sonder is honored to provide high quality patient care to seniors and those with limited physical and cognitive abilities.
Click on the link below:
https://app.joinhomebase.com/cmp/sonder-home-health-llc

Sonder Home Health is a family owned and operated home care agency. We understand the importance of bridging the gap between compassion and healthcare. Everyday we strive to bring comfort and peace of mind to those who trust us with their loved ones' well-being. Our priority is to provide the best service to our clients while focusing on health, dignity, and safety in their homes and communities.
Write your next chapter with us! 561-421-2608

Sonder honors all Dads everywhere!

New National Holiday Juneteenth is a Federal Holiday celebrated today June 19, 2021.
Freedom was kept from 250,000 enslaved Black Texans for two and one-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted in 1863 which ended slavery. Let us learn about and understand our history so we can move forward and heal as one nation.

Here are four alternative non-medical therapies unfortunately they do not cure or change outcomes, but it might make a difference in helping your loved one living with Dementia function better by decreasing pain, enhancing their mood, or just making them feel a little better physically, mentally, and socially.

Caregivers, Care Partners, Care Providers take care of yourself today❣️

As the weeks pass, we continue to see the COVID-19 numbers declining and number of vaccinated people go up.  Although this is great news, many are still wondering what this means for our future as we continue to move past this pandemic.  Especially for vulnerable populations, you may be wondering what activities are safe to engage in.  As summer approaches, the latest information from the CDC says that it is now safe for fully vaccinated people to:
* • You can resume all prior social activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by law or local businesses.
* • COVID-19 testing is no longer required for international travel unless your destination requires it however, it is recommended that you still take precautions to protect yourself.
* • Masks will still be worn on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation in the United States.
* • Additionally, you still need to show proof of a negative COVID test or proof of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight inbound to the U.S.
* • COVID testing is still recommended 3-5 days following international travel, but self-quarantine is not necessary after returning to the United States.
* • If you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, it is not necessary to get tested or self-quarantine unless you have symptoms.
* • People with weakened immune systems may need to continue taking precautions to prevent COVID-19 because it is unknown how well the vaccine protects people with compromised immune systems.
* • How long COVID-19 vaccines can protect people is still uncertain. The efficacy of the vaccine against variants of the virus is still undetermined. Research is ongoing. 
(cdc.gov, 2021)