Engaging Seniors with Dementia and Alzheimer's

Seniors with Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease have the same needs as all of us: to find purpose and pleasure in life. However, it takes special understanding and training to help them fulfill this need—and to safely care for them at home. Comfort Keepers^® offers that special kind of Dementia care. 

Kathy is a Comfort Keeper of the Year nominee, and shares how she works with her clients:

One of the most important things Kathy keeps in mind when she is caring for a senior is that this is probably not how they saw themselves living their retirement years. She does whatever it takes to preserve that person's integrity. She always speaks to them in a kind and gentle manner without being patronizing. She encourages them to make choices about their clothing and activities. She takes time to learn about a client’s interest and comes up with ways to continue these in a way that matches their current abilities. 

One of her clients insisted on cleaning out and rearranging her silverware drawer during every visit and Kathy patiently involved her client to sort and place them in their “new spot” in the drawer, always praising a job well done. Says Kathy, "I never insult their intelligence by telling them what to do. I ask or suggest ideas that cue them into action. Respect and empathy are what people connect to the most and I try to bring that to work every day.”

Comfort Keepers of Northern Michigan strives to provide continuous training to our caregivers.  One popular class we offer is Dementia 101, taught by The Alzheimer's Association of Northern Michigan.  They help our caregivers to better understand and work with their clients, and bring engage them in activities that bring them joy.

Comfort Keepers has offices in Petoskey and Traverse City and serves seniors throughout all of Northern Michigan. If you would like more information about how we can help your loved one, call us toll free at 866-929-9044

Going The Extra Mile

Last week we learned about two very special caregivers who practice Interactive Caregiving, keeping their clients engaged in their daily lives. Here is another example of how Comfort Keepers cares for their clients and gives families peace of mind.

Sabina goes the extra mile to make a difference for her clients. Before an extended vacation, she cooked and froze meals for a couple who love her cooking and were noticeably anxious about her being away.

Knowing how much one client enjoyed his tradition of throwing a nice dinner party for his wife and family on Mother’s Day, she helped him prepare a special meal and set the table. The son later called to report how thrilled his father had been to be able to recreate this old tradition.

When a client whose husband had dementia was unexpectedly hospitalized, Sabina quickly agreed to a long shift to keep Mrs.S. company during a trying time. She made several trips back and forth to the hospital; made sure she was eating, and taking her medications. Sabina completed other needed tasks, bringing comfort and security to our clients.

Sabina thinks about what she as a Comfort Keeper can do to touch each client’s life, beyond the basic tasks of cooking a meal or cleaning the kitchen. She makes an effort to get to know each client as an individual – and to identify what matters to them. Going above and beyond is routine for her.

Sabina is acutely sensitive to looking out for all aspects of her clients’ lives and creating situations that allow them to continue their independent lifestyles. It is common for her to have suggestions for improved safety or nutrition.

Sabina met the challenge of a couple with multiple diet restrictions – one being diabetic and one being on a strict low-salt diet. She drew upon her own culinary experiences and new recipes and sat down with the clients to find recipe solutions that were appealing to them, but also satisfied their needs. Then she worked her magic in the kitchen and helped keep them on the right track to healthy eating. She also accompanied them to the grocery and worked to help them make healthy choices while shopping.

Sabina also is dedicated to helping clients stay physically active, doing exercises with them or encouraging a walk down the hall at their retirement community.

Comfort Keepers has offices in Petoskey and Traverse City and serves seniors throughout all of Northern Michigan. If you would like more information about how we can help your loved one, call us toll free at 866-929-9044

Going Above and Beyond

From transportation and companionship to skilled nursing services and 24 hour care, Comfort Keepers of Northern Michigan provides a wide variety of services to help seniors continue living in their own homes.

Yesterday we posted about ways Peggy uses interactive caregving to keep her clients engaged. Today we are sharing how Beatrice goes above and beyond for her clients.

Beatrice takes a true interest in her clients hobbies. She works to provide opportunities for them to engage in their special interests. She is an excellent communicator, often initiating the conversation but always taking the time to listen to what her client has to say.

Beatrice incorporates healthy meal plans and encourages her clients to help with meal preparation whenever possible. She makes physical activity fun - participating with her client to ensure safety at all times. She can often be found bringing cards or games from home to use with her clients. Over the years Beatrice consistently goes above and beyond to exceed the expectations of her clients and their families.

Being A Comfort Keeper

One of the many things that sets Comfort Keepers of Northern Michigan apart, is our philosophy of care: interactive caregiving. We understand the importance of keeping our clients engaged in their daily activities.

We don't simply assist seniors with personal care, drive them to appointments or prepare meals. We believe in doing these things with them, not for them.

A Comfort Keepers Caregiver of the Year nominee shares why she loves being a comfort keeper and making a difference in the lives of seniors.

Peggy has mastered the concept of “doing with” rather than “doing for” and has built her reputation on being an interactive caregiver. Following her “AAA” approach, Peggy is quick to learn the activities most enjoyed by her clients. For this reason, Peggy is seen as one of our most resourceful caregivers as she is comfortable with crafts, music, shopping, conversation, meal preparation, baking, cleaning, laundry, personal care and event planning.

When asked to describe one of her most memorable interactive activities with a client, Peggy was quick to recall an event she and her client planned together. This client was end of life, on hospice, and had expressed how much she missed being able to go to card club with her friends. Gathering information from the client, Peggy engaged the client in planning a card party that was to be the client’s last social gathering. From invitations to refreshments, from decorations to setting up her bedroom to accommodate the client’s card playing guests, Peggy exceeded the client’s expectations. It was a grand affair, interactive and memorable for all.