Rock Hill Senior Care - Medication Management: Handling Your Senior's Prescriptions Responsibly

In dealing with Senior Care, medication management commonly falls into the hands of friends and family members who are providing senior care to an elderly loved one. An important responsibility, the task of managing prescriptions involves more than simply filling them and picking them up. The home care professionals at Always Best Care of Rock Hill, serving York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, including the communities Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York, Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Sharon, Lake Wylie, and other nearby areas, know that proper medication management can make the task of providing care a bit easier—and protect the health of your loved one should an emergency arise. 

Stay Organized

By keeping all of your senior's prescriptions, medications, and important medical documents in one location, you can make it extremely easy to access necessary information. Not only will this make daily medication management tasks simpler, it will allow others to quickly find the medical details they need should your elderly loved one have an emergency.

Additionally, keep a calendar or notebook with information regarding which pills are administered when, and in what dosage. This is particularly important if your loved one is taking several prescriptions simultaneously.

Pick a Primary Pharmacist

Having your elderly loved one's prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy will ensure more thorough care. With your senior's records at hand, the pharmacist will more easily detect any potential drug interactions.

But building a relationship with a pharmacist is equally as important. Should you have any questions regarding your loved one's medications, this is the person to whom you should be able to turn.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Go with your elderly loved one to the doctor if they are comfortable with you doing so. Make sure that any questions that either of you have regarding recommended medications are answered. When your senior starts a new medication, ask if they are suffering from any side effects. Is the medication doing what it was prescribed to do? Does the dosage seem to be too high or too low? 

The senior care providers at Always Best Care of Rock Hill understand that medication management may seem a bit overwhelming at first. Certainly, it is an important responsibility. But by staying organized and adhering to these tips, you can ensure that your elderly loved one's prescriptions are managed effectively. Should you need assistance with this task, the professionals at Always Best Care of Rock Hill are available to help.


We have additional resources available to help you in caring for your senior here in Rock Hill - click to go to our resource page.

We at Always Best Care Senior Services of Rock Hill are attuned to your needs and equipped with the knowledge and experience to make the transition to elderly care easier on you.  It is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can find at http://bit.ly/OMRg8X.  If you decide to contact us to assist you care for your senior, we will discuss your needs and capabilities so that the change in their life is handled delicately.  Phil Davidson, the owner of Always Best Care of Rock Hill, awaits your phone call or email, whether it is today or farther down the road.

Phil Davidson
803-329-0079

Senior Services Rock Hill: VA Aid and Attendance Pension - Does Your Senior Qualify?

The VA Aid and Attendance Pension (A&A Pension) was created to assist veterans and their surviving spouses in affording the services of elder care providers. Sometimes referred to as the "Secret Benefit," this particular form of financial aid is often difficult to secure. The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Rock Hill, serving York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, including the communities Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York, Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Sharon, Lake Wylie, and other nearby areas, know that, although approval can take between three and six months, the A & A Pension starts distributing aid during the first month after the application date. By turning to elder care professionals for guidance throughout the A&A Pension application process, individuals can determine if they qualify for the assistance and, if they do, gain approval faster.  

The services covered by the A&A Pension include those required to perform activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, etc. Additionally, the Pension can contribute to nursing home or assisted living facility expenses for individuals who are blind or mentally or physically incapacitated.

Elderly individuals applying for the A&A Pension must have documentation provided by their doctor confirming that they require daily care. Additionally, applicants must file the appropriate documents. For veterans, the Form 21-526 is required; for surviving spouses, the form 21-534 is required. Additionally, applicants may need a DD-214, separation papers, a medical evaluation, and information about medical conditions, net worth, net income, and current medical expenses.

The amount that the A&A Pension provides on a monthly basis is subject to change, so it is important to contact the VA to find out exactly how much is available. Currently, veterans may receive up to $1,704 per month and surviving spouses may receive up to $1,094 per month. Couples who file together are eligible for up to $2,020 per month. Additionally, a veteran who files with a sick spouse may receive up to $1,338 per month.

Many veterans and their spouses need financial aid to cover the medical and senior care expenses that they incur. Oftentimes, though, information pertaining to financial aid is not always readily available. Elder care professionals encourage seniors and their families to research the benefits and pensions for which they may be eligible. The A&A Pension is a great example of a benefit that is available to veterans and their spouses that many families are unaware of.

The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of RockHill understand that living on a restricted or fixed income, as many elderly individuals do, can interfere with their ability to access proper care. Individuals are encouraged to contact the professionals at Always Best Care for guidance throughout the application process—which can prove extremely difficult to navigate. By seeking the assistance of senior care professionals, individuals can be referred to a VA-approved attorney and enhance their chances of being approved for the Pension.

We have additional resources available to help you in caring for your senior here in Rock Hill - click to go to our resource page.

We at Always Best Care Senior Services of Rock Hill are attuned to your needs and equipped with the knowledge and experience to make the transition to elderly care easier on you.  It is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can find at http://bit.ly/OMRg8X.  If you decide to contact us to assist you care for your senior, we will discuss your needs and capabilities so that the change in their life is handled delicately.  Phil Davidson, the owner of Always Best Care of Rock Hill, awaits your phone call or email, whether it is today or farther down the road.

Phil Davidson 

803-329-0079

Senior Services Rock Hill: What Is the Best Diet for Your Senior?

Maintaining a proper nutrition plan is important during every phase of life; however, it is essential to note that the needs of the body change as people grow older. For this reason, elderly individuals should pay close attention to the foods that they eat.  The home care professionals at Always Best Care Senior Services of RockHill, serving York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, including the communities Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York, Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Sharon, Lake Wylie, and other nearby areas, know that meal planning and preparation is often the responsibility of caretakers. As such, it is important for you to know what kinds of foods your senior needs and which foods they should stay away from.

Of course, each body is unique. The dietary needs of individuals may vary, which is why it is important to consult with your elderly loved one's doctor before making any major changes in their nutritional intake. Despite this, there are some dietary standards that you will want to uphold.

·       Limit consumption of sodium and simple carbohydrates. Sodium often leads to water retention, as well as an increase in blood pressure. Simple carbohydrates, as opposed to complex carbohydrates, are more apt to cause weight gain. Additionally, simple carbohydrates can create a spike in blood sugar—which is particularly dangerous for seniors with diabetes.

·       Increase consumption of calcium and fiber. Fiber is a heart-healthy substance that reduces cholesterol and improves the efficiency of the digestive system. Calcium supports strong bones and protects against osteoporosis.

·       Do not vary caloric intake too drastically. Increasing or decreasing the consumption of calories can cause weight gain or loss and exacerbation or development of health conditions. If necessary, your senior's doctor will recommend a daily caloric intake that supports your elderly loved one's nutritional needs without interfering with their health.

·       Increase consumption of "good fats," including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are found in many delicious foods, such as salmon and avocadoes, and assist in reducing "bad" cholesterol and enhancing heart health.

Maintaining a high quality of life, as well as an active lifestyle, is important for seniors. To do so, they must consume the proper nutrition to keep their bodies and minds as strong as possible. The senior care providers at Always Best Care of Rock Hill (http://www.alwaysbestcarerockhill.com)know that, by following these guidelines, you can help your elderly loved one maintain the diet they need to get the most out of life!

We at Always Best Care Senior Services of Rock Hill are attuned to your needs and equipped with the knowledge and experience to make the transition to elderly care easier on you.  It is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can find at http://bit.ly/OMRg8X.  If you decide to contact us to assist you care for your senior, we will discuss your needs and capabilities so that the change in their life is handled delicately.  Phil Davidson, the owner of Always Best Care of Rock Hill, awaits your phone call or email, whether it is today or farther down the road.

Phil Davidson 

803-329-0079

Finding the Right Assisted Living Facility in Rock Hill: Where Should You Start?

In Rock Hill and the surrounding area, there are numerous assisted living facilities that cater to the needs of their residents. Although they each offer the same basic services, such as assistance with activities of daily living, meal preparation, and transportation, they may vary in terms of the lifestyle that they provide to their seniors. For this reason, the elder care professionals at Always Best Care of Rock Hill, serving York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, including the communities Rock Hill, Tega Cay, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, and Indian Land, as well as York, Clover, Hickory Grove, and McConnells, encourage you and your senior to carefully consider the options before you when determining which community is best.

Always Best Care offers a complimentary placement service for elderly individuals. This means that they match seniors with the facilities that will best suit their needs and cater to their desired social and community involvement. Here are the steps to take when working with Always Best Care to determine the right placement for your loved one.

1.     Talk to your senior's doctor to confirm that an assisted living facility is the right choice, as opposed to home care or nursing services.

2.     Contact your local Always Best Care organization to speak to a senior care professional regarding your loved one's needs. After providing the necessary information, the Always Best Care representative will use the details you and your senior provide to match your elderly loved one's needs with several local assisted living facilities.

3.     Consider each of the facilities and ask your senior which they are interested in visiting. Let them know that the assisted living placement services come with no obligation, so there is no pressure for them to choose. Talk through each of the options and set up appointments to see the highest contenders in person.

4.     While visiting each facility, take notes regarding the cleanliness, friendliness, and other details of the community. Ask about social events, outings, and other factors that are important to your senior.

5.     After visiting all of the possible facilities, talk with your elderly loved one to determine which they liked the best and which they were not impressed by. If they are ready to commit to one of the communities, go ahead and make the calls necessary to secure their spot.

The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Rock Hill (http://www.alwaysbestcarerockhill.com/) are dedicated to helping families find the best support for their elderly loved ones. With free assisted living placement, your family can depend upon Always Best Care to find the right senior community for your loved one.

Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, which you can at http://bit.ly/OMRg8X.

Contact us today at (803) 329-0079 or via email at pdavidson@abc-seniors.com for a free care consultation. We would love to discuss with you how we can help.