Health Products For Elderly Care.com - Partners
Living Independently's QuietCare System
QuietCarefunctions as a 24 hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week early detection and early warning system that lets caregivers and family members know that a loved one is safe. It recognizes emerging problems before they become emergencies.
The system utilizes small, unobtrusive, strategically-placed wireless sensors to monitor the senior in their own home. It is virtually invisible. No video camera or audio intrudes on the seniors' lives.
Small, wireless motion sensors are strategically placed in key areas, including the senior's bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and meal prep and/or medication areas.
Each sensor transmits information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week about the senior's daily living activities to a book-sized base station.
The base station gathers this information and regularly transmits it to QuietCare's computers, using existing telephone lines.
Changes in the senior's activities are analyzed so caregivers can be alerted to problems by call center professionals, or via e-mail, cell phone, text message or pager, or by checking a password-protected web site.
Before you even begin to initiate your care plan, include your loved one in the "research project." Make sure they feel like they are a part of making the decisions as to who to hire, when the caregiver should come, and what type of care they may need. Let them know that their opinion matters. It will give them confidence, and make the whole process a lot easier.
Listen to what your loved one has to say if they don't understand why a stranger is with them. Make sure the person you hire is reliable and comes from a decent background. Make sure they are someone you can trust. Reassure your loved one of those things when you make your final choice. Make sure the caregiver comes to meet them for the first time when you are there with them, and give them a chance to form an initial impression before you insist on keeping that particular caregiver. Usually after just a few visits, the apprehension dissolves into a cheery, trusting relationship that your loved one will truly enjoy.
Sometimes, the loved one can be stubborn, and simply doesn't understand that they need assistance. This can be very frustrating, since you're just trying to do the right thing. This may be the time to be loving but firm with them, and let them know that there really isn't a choice when their safety is at stake. Remind them that it's for their benefit, that this is the only way for them to stay in their home. Make compromises if you can safely do so; for instance, have the caregiver come the same number of visits per week, but maybe for shorter time periods. Get in the habit of not calling the caregiver just that. Try to come up with an alternative title for them like "housekeeper". But make it known that your loved one doesn't need to keep them entertained; that they're not guests exactly. On the other hand, if your loved one enjoys socializing, suggest a lively game of cards when their caregiver is there, or some other activity with them that your loved one would enjoy. Persistence is the key...in time, your loved one will grow to accept their new lifestyle and the friction will dissipate.
Keep in mind that your personal health should not be overlooked. If your loved one doesn't befriend their caregiver off the bat, it can be difficult to deal with. Try not to let this bother you. Stay persistent, but remember that your health should come first. Don't get down on yourself if your loved one has a difficult time adjusting. They'll realize your efforts in time, and they may even be happy that you did so much for them.