Caregivers Blog - ViaQuest

Traveling Home for the Holidays

Posted on November 1, 2021December 5, 2022 by ViaQuest

The Reality of Traveling Home for the Holidays

This holiday season, ViaQuest is also encouraging adult children to use this opportunity to check on aging loved ones they may not have seen in a while to determine how they are really faring on their own.

As adult children return home for the holidays they may be surprised by the reality of their loved ones’ well-being. Often, adult children will return home for the holidays and realize their elderly parents are not doing as well as they have been led to believe. For children who live far away and are unable to visit often, this realization can be alarming. Your parents may have reassured you that all is going well, when in reality they are having issues. If so, it is unlikely their goal was to mislead you, but only to keep from burdening you. Another reason for misleading reassurances is that older parents often find it difficult to admit that they may be declining.

If you have not been home for a while, take advantage of going home for the holidays to perform a reality check on how your parents are really doing. It may be distressing to realize that your parents are more fragile, less mobile, and weaker than they have led you to believe.

Indications Your Loved Ones May Need an Extra Layer of Support

Here are some things to look for that can be good indicators that your loved ones may need extra support.

Check medications

Make sure elderly loved ones have been taking and refilling any prescriptions. Check to make sure prescriptions are in date and that refills are available. Take time to make sure your loved ones understand the instructions for their medications and are taking them as directed.

Ask about doctor appointments

A recent study published in JAMA showed that more than 40% of people surveyed skipped doctor appointments during the early months of the pandemic. Check in with your loved ones about doctor appointments. Did they miss appointments last year? Are they still missing them now? When is the last time they were seen by their physicians? Are they getting their routine wellness checks, as well as care needed for any chronic illness? It may be a good time to schedule follow-up appointments during your visit or even a short Telehealth appointment to check in with their physicians. This can help you ensure that your loved ones have been getting the care they need, and also give you an opportunity to connect with their providers.

Scrutinize your loved ones’ appearance

Are they well groomed and generally clean? Are their clothes clean and weather appropriate? Is hair washed, neat, and combed? Any evidence of personal neglect could be a warning sign of dementia or issues with their ability to care for themselves. Also, keep an eye out for any unexplained and noticeable bruising, as this could indicate balance and mobility problems.

Examine the overall state of the house and the yard

Any signs of neglect, including spoiled food, piled-up mail, rust or obvious mold, or even just a general impression of uncleanliness could mean that your parents have become unable to complete basic household tasks.

Pay attention to how your loved one is acting

Are there any signs of cognitive impairment? Some indicators of this could be consistent memory lapses, rapid mood swings, the inability to continue a conversation, or apparent depression. Any of these behavioral changes could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Look for a change in habits

Do your parents seem less engaged or less playful with the grandkids? Are they sleeping more, or spending more time in a favorite chair? Did any favorite holiday traditions change? Do they seem less themselves? How are their appetites? Are they eating less? Are you noticing a marked weakness, or a loss of stamina or strength? Do they seem unstable or need support when they walk? Any of these can be signs of declining health.

Sometimes, a holiday reality check can be an alarming wake-up call, as you realize that your parents are not doing as well as they have claimed and may need some additional help. Ultimately though, it can be beneficial to realize this, so that you can get your elderly loved ones the proper care that they need.

This holiday season, we encourage you to perform a holiday reality check on your aging loved ones to ensure they are living safely and comfortably — and, if not, to determine a comprehensive and beneficial plan of action.

If you do decide that your loved ones need an extra layer of care, ViaQuest can bring an extra layer of care and support. Our care is focused on sustaining and maintaining your loved ones’ quality of life in their home — keeping them safe and comfortable. ViaQuest Hospice can help determine if such care is appropriate for your loved one. Call us today to learn more: 855.298.1722.

5 Ways to Get Extra Care for a Loved One with COPD

Posted on October 1, 2021April 1, 2022 by ViaQuest

If you are a caregiver for a loved one with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you likely understand the toll this disease can take on one’s physical and mental health. COPD is a frightening, challenging, and stressful illness. As the disease progresses, the most frightening symptoms of COPD increase, leading to frequent hospitalizations. There may come a time when it is necessary to get extra care for a loved one with COPD. In this blog, we share 5 ways to get extra support for a loved one with COPD.

As winter approaches, the change in season and drops in temperature can cause COPD symptoms to worsen, and you may notice your loved one struggling even more than usual. You may realize that you need an extra layer of support as the stress of the illness increases and symptoms increase. As COPD worsens, your loved one may have repeated lung infections that lead to hospitalizations, have trouble walking and breathing, become dependent on oxygen, and rely on the help of family caregivers.

The first step in gaining an extra layer of support is understanding when it may be time to seek additional care.

When to Consider Hospice Care

If you are unsure when to seek an extra layer of support, consider some of these signs that it may be time.

Increased emergency room visits or hospitalizations for COPD complications
Shortness of breath to the point your loved feels like they can’t breathe
Increased fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress
Need for continuous oxygen or increased use of bronchodilators
Any disease progression
Choosing to focus on comfort rather than cure of the disease
Patient or family feeling the need to call your doctor’s office with questions about medication and symptoms

5 Ways to Get Extra Care

If you believe your loved one’s disease is becoming more difficult to manage or that their quality of life is being more compromised, it may be time to accept additional support. Here are some tips to help move forward in getting the care your loved one needs and support for you as their caregiver.

Talk to your doctor. Share your concerns with your loved one’s physician. Give them a realistic view of how your loved one is doing, sharing any increasing symptoms, stresses, and burdens of the disease. Be honest with them about your own ability to cope as their caregiver and your ability to continue to meet your loved one’s growing needs. Be frank about your concerns. It is OK to ask your loved one’s physician to refer you to a care provider like ViaQuest for support. You are the one closest to your loved one and have the best knowledge of how they are really doing.

Prepare for tomorrow. There is currently no cure for this chronic and progressive disease. By understanding COPD, its progression, and what to expect, you can prepare for a time when it becomes necessary for extra support and a change in your loved one’s ability to care for themselves. Knowing what’s ahead allows you to also accept that you will have limitations as their caregiver and the need for expert care. Prepare a list of potential organizations that can provide the care needed when the time comes. Do your research now vs. when you are exhausted and in a panic state. Reach out to care providers like ViaQuest to understand what is involved in gaining their support. This way, you will have aligned the resources to be there when you need them.

Expect Support. Expecting support is OK. Let’s say that another way – expecting support is the best thing for you and your loved one. Admit it, caregiving is hard. Though many are more than willing to do anything for their loved one, caregiving is physically and emotionally exhausting. Let others help. When friends offer to help, let them. Taking even one thing off your To Do List can ease your stress. If you struggle answering friends when they ask, “How can I help?” look at the things you have to do daily, weekly, or monthly. Can they pick up some groceries, run an errand, drive the kids to their soccer game, pick up prescriptions, take the dog to the vet, or simply be there to when you need to vent? If you write a list of all your responsibilities, then you know how to answer their request to help. And realize, they really do want to help. It’s OK to let them, no one can do it all. You will be a more effective caregiver to your loved one by sharing the care.

Move Past the Guilt. You may feel guilty seeking caregiving support and that by doing so, you will be letting your loved one down or make them feel you don’t want the responsibility. But many of our patients have told us many times that they wished their family caregiver could just be their daughter, son, wife, or husband again. Caregiving can change your role with your loved one. When a disease like COPD progresses and caregiving becomes your main focus, it overshadows your relationship, who you used to be to them, who they used to be to you. If you can’t move past the guilt, you’ll never seek the help you both need. Realize that by returning to your role as daughter, son, wife, or husband, you are giving both of you a gift of recapturing the precious time that remains together.

Consider Hospice Care. You may not realize that hospice care can be a beneficial support system that greatly improves quality of life while reducing the stress and burden of serious illnesses like COPD. It’s never easy to come to terms with the advancing illness of a loved one, yet hospice is most effective when started early on. Considering hospice sooner ensures your loved one, and you as their caregiver, will gain the full benefit of the expert care and the extra layer of support hospice brings. Hospice care providers like ViaQuest are experts in serious illnesses, including COPD. ViaQuest brings a level of care that can control distressing symptoms, increase comfort, and help keep your loved one out of the hospital. Imagine a complete support system of physicians, nurses, counselors, and chaplains providing focused care to your loved one and support to your family while CNAs help with caregiving support like bathing, grooming, changing beds, and light meals. The other great benefit of hospice care is access to an RN 24/7. You have expert support for those frightening symptoms that seem to happen at 3 am. ViaQuest also provides all medical equipment and supplies related to the illness. You may think this incredible amount of support is expensive, but care is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers.

If you have a loved one living with COPD, remember you don’t have to face this serious illness alone. Comfort, support, and an extra layer of caring are available. If you’re unsure about what level of care makes the most sense in regard to your loved one’s illness today, we can help. Give us a call at 855-289-1722 or reach out to us here, and we’ll help determine if our hospice services are right for you.

Learn More If Hospice Is Right For You

5 Tips to Live Better with Serious Illness

Posted on September 1, 2021December 13, 2021 by ViaQuest

September is Healthy Aging Month, a month ViaQuest focuses on ensuring seniors have the support they need to live as fully as possible. The national dialogue around Healthy Aging Month focuses on encouraging seniors to take charge of their well-being by aging with a healthy body (physical health) and a healthy mind (mental health).

Taking charge of our well-being also includes focusing on ways to improve quality of life for seniors living with chronic or serious illness. Living with a serious illness can feel life-altering, overwhelming and sometimes hopeless. But taking positive steps to cope with the stress and life changes of illness can help improve quality of life and feel empowered.

Here are five tips on how to live better with illness:

Understand your Condition

They say knowledge is power. Understanding your illness allows you to prepare for managing symptoms and lifestyle changes. It also allows you to work toward acceptance of a new reality by redefining your goals. Gaining knowledge will help you feel more in control vs. overwhelmed by your disease.

Talk to your doctor. Ask for resources for additional information that they find reliable and helpful.

Research national organizations. Most chronic or serious illnesses have national organizations dedicated to improving quality of life. They can be a resource for education, insights, connection to others and support.

Consider joining a support group. Support groups offer connection with others going through similar medical problems. It can be a supportive place to gain tips on how to cope and insights from shared experiences.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude may sound like impossible advice. It’s difficult to consider anything positive connected to a serious illness. But it can be done. Often people with a life-limiting illness refocus on what really matters. They shift perspectives to live with renewed purpose centered on the most important things in their lives. To remain connected to what’s important try practicing a “three things of gratitude” daily mantra. One easy way to do this is to end or begin each day with saying out loud three things that make you grateful. Researchers have found that focusing on gratitude greatly improves mental health and empowers us to deal better with life’s struggles. Reminding yourself what’s still worthwhile and positive in your life can help you remain emotionally strong.

Remain Connected

Illness can make you feel isolated and less connected to family and friends. After all, they’re not going through what you are. How can they possibly understand? You may worry that your relationships will change. The negative voices in your head can get really loud: they will treat you differently; you will become a burden; they want you to remain positive; you can’t share your real emotions. Don’t let yourself retreat into a shell. Relationships are vital to quality of life. Staying connected to others and participating in social events will booster your mental health. Time with true friends and close family can boost happiness and reduce stress. Friends relieve stress, provide comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness and isolation. Especially during those times when we need them the most support.

Pursue Joy and Purpose

Illness can rob our sense of identity and purpose. Life becomes the disease. But it doesn’t have to. Life can still bring you joy and purpose. Life can triumph over illness. Pursue activities that bring meaning, value and purpose to your life. These are the things that will shape and define your identity separate from your illness. If your medical condition has limited your ability to pursue some of the activities you previously enjoyed, pivot, and adjust your sails toward a new direction.

Travel virtually. You might have traveled the world and miss flying to far destinations the across ocean. Exploring the world can happen from your living room. Travel documentaries, movies, travel destination shows, and novels set in far away places can help you satisfy that wanderlust.

Do the “I wish I had”. There’s always that one interest we wished we had pursued. Maybe you played guitar in high school but gave it up. Or you’re an avid reader and always wanted to write a novel. Or the easel and paint brushes are still in the attic. Pursuing a renewed interest can help give you a new purpose and renewed joy.

Create something to pass down. What are you known for – cooking, jokes, stories, crafts? Write down your recipes, write a joke book, commemorate your stories, teach a loved one your crafts. Create something your family will treasure.

Support a cause. When you support a cause that is important to you, you not only help them continue their vital mission, you improve your emotional wellbeing and regain a sense of purpose. You can find great value in what you do for others.

Connect with nature. Studies have shown that spending time in nature is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve your mood. You don’t have to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan, it can be as simple as spending time in your yard, picnicking in a local park, walking your dog, gardening or going fishing.

Find Extra Support

There may come a time when you need more help than friends and family can provide. If you have a family caregiver like a spouse or adult child, you may want them to simply be your husband, wife, significant other or child again, not your caregiver. Help is available. Research community resources like Meals on Wheels, senior centers, Area Agency on Aging, Aging and Adult Services or Facebook Groups dedicated to your illness. ViaQuest Hospice can also provide an extra layer of support. Our care focuses on improving comfort, easing the stress and burden of illness and enhancing quality of life. ViaQuest offers real support: expert medical care from our nurses, CNAs and volunteers who share caregiving duties, chaplains who offer spiritual support

and social workers who align community resources. If you have questions about gaining extra support we can help determine care that best meets your needs. Reach out to us today for options and answers.

Reach Out to Us

Hospice Care for Lung Cancer

Posted on August 1, 2021September 3, 2021 by ViaQuest

Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death: more than cancers of the breast, prostate, colon and pancreas combined. To help increase education about this devasting disease August 1 has been designated as World Lung Cancer Day. ViaQuest Hospice wants to ensure that no one has to face lung cancer alone without the support, expert care and resources that can help reduce the stress and burden of this difficult illness.

The first reaction to any cancer diagnosis is often shock, disbelief and fear. There is also a certain degree of numbness where it’s hard to believe this is happening to you or a loved one. Then comes the reality where you struggle with understanding treatment options, you question where to turn for support and try to accept that life has suddenly changed. How soon a cancer is diagnosed can play a significant role in treatment plans and decisions about focusing on curative treatment vs. focusing on quality of life choices.

Lung cancer is one of the hardest to diagnose yet lung cancer is among the most common cancers. Unfortunately, when symptoms appear the cancer is often advanced. Advanced lung cancer is distressing, frightening and hard to manage for patients and their families, yet hospice, which can greatly improve quality of life for lung cancer patients, is underutilized. Though the decision for hospice care is never easy, there may come a time when goals change from aggressive treatment to focusing on quality of life.

When Is It Time To Consider Hospice Care For Lung Cancer?

The focus often turns to quality of life when the burdens of aggressive treatments outweigh their benefit or when the stress, symptoms and manifestations of the illness become difficult to manage alone.

It may be time to consider the expert care and the extra layer of support hospice can provide when your loved one is experiencing:

Uncontrolled pain
Symptoms which are becoming harder to manage
Distressing and chronic shortness of breath
Frequent trips to the ER
Frequent hospitalizations
Little interest in eating
Trouble focusing, confusion and restlessness
Declining interest in activities that once brought joy
Family caregiver experiencing growing worry about their loved one’s wellbeing

How ViaQuest Hospice Helps Improve Quality of Life

ViaQuest Hospice can greatly reduce the stress and burden of lung cancer while improving quality of life for both the patient and their family. Our interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, CNAs, chaplains, social workers and companionship volunteers provide:

Pain and symptom management: Expert pain and symptom management
Extra layer of support: Help with personal care including changing bedding, changing clothing, bathing and helping with hygienic routines
Reduced hospitalizations: Expert care and symptom manage that helps keep your loved one out of the hospital
Plan of care focused on individual wishes: Helping navigate decisions and empowering personal goals and wishes
Affirmation of the whole person: Whole-person care for the mind, body and spirit
Emotional and spiritual support: Chaplains who provide counseling and spiritual support for the entire family
End of life goals: Care that helps patients attain achievable goals at the end of life
24/7 access to care: Access to care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Caregiver education: Education about the disease process and help preparing for the days ahead
Caregiver and family support: Help in navigating the emotional toll of the illness on the family
Respite care: ViaQuest Respite Services provide families and caregivers with a necessary break from providing around-the-clock care

How To Get Help

If your loved one was recently diagnosed with advanced lung cancer or has been living with lung cancer for a while, ViaQuest wants you to know that you don’t have to face making important decisions alone. Reaching out to ViaQuest doesn’t mean you are accepting hospice care. Our team can help determine what support you and your loved one may need and empower you with the knowledge, insights and resources to move forward.

There’s No Place Like Home

Posted on January 29, 2021July 7, 2021 by ViaQuest

6 Ways ViaQuest Hospice Program Keep You Out of the Hospital

No one is ever enthusiastic about the idea of going to the hospital. But in the era of COVID-19, a trip to the hospital has potential to cause more than just inconvenience – especially for people with COPD or CHF.

A trip to the hospital has always carried some risk of infection, and that risk has increased considerably due to the prevalence of COVID-19. Staying out of the hospital means staying away from an area with higher CHF and COPD COVID risk, and with the ViaQuest Hospice, you need not miss out on any essential services.

“Say a patient goes to the hospital for an exacerbation. The patient will be tested for COVID, likely due to them complaining of cough and shortness of breath,” says Hannah Cunningham, respiratory therapist for ViaQuest. “COVID comes out negative, but exacerbation is bad enough that the patient needs admitted. As much as most of us like to think the hospital is the most sterile place to be, unfortunately, that is not always the case.”

There’s no need to delay hospital visits for things such as blood work, testing or rehab when those things come directly to you. On top of that, the ViaQuest Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance, so there’s no worrying about costly tests or ambulance rides.

It’s Available Whenever You Need it

The hospital never closes for the night, and neither does our home health care for COPD patients. A commitment to 24/7 on-call nursing services means that, no matter when you feel an exacerbation or other complication coming on, you can get the medical assistance you need.

Everything Is Tailored to Your Needs

The ViaQuest team works closely with patients who qualify, as well as their families and primary physicians, to devise an individualized COPD home care plan. Physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, therapists, chaplains and volunteers all contribute to your care, creating a dedicated support system meant to keep you healthy at home.

“I try to make each experience individualized to the patient,” Cunningham says. “I look at their medication regimen and daily routine, and offer recommendations to help with their breathing. This gives a more personal touch, and I can spend as much time with them as needed, versus at the hospital where it is busy and the wait may be hours.”

It Has Everything You Might Need in a Physical Hospital

Advances in technology make it possible for the ViaQuest Hospice to bring all the relevant resources directly to you. In addition to standard supplies, the program can also bring medication and equipment to relieve an exacerbation. Equipment available includes:

Oxygen
Oxygen supplies
Nebulizers
Nebulizer supplies
CPAP
BIPAP
Adaptive devices such as walkers, shower chairs and hospital beds

It Keeps Stress Levels Down

The prospect of going to the hospital for an exacerbation can trigger stress and anxiety – and stress and anxiety can trigger, or worsen, an exacerbation. ViaQuest Hospice breaks the cycle by removing that risky trip from the equation. Our team can also help patients understand new symptoms, helping them better decide what warrants further care or treatment. And it isn’t just patients who benefit; family members and caregivers have less to fret about, too, knowing that support is on the schedule or just one call away.

“It also helps keep the patient indoors during extreme cold and hot weather conditions that can trigger an exacerbation,” Cunningham says.

It Helps You Get Proactive

Most people with COPD, CHF or similar conditions know the importance of breathing techniques to help regulate symptoms. As part of our customized care plans, the our team will teach exercises that make sense for you specifically, including breathing treatments and coughing exercises.

Small Changes Add Up

In addition to social workers and medical professionals, the ViaQuest employs home health aides who can help with household tasks that prove difficult or dangerous for patients. That means small meal preparation, personal hygiene and light cleaning – including cleaning of equipment such as nebulizers, cannulas, oxygen concentrators and beyond. That keeps the equipment in optimal condition, which lowers the chances of problems down the road.

Stay Safe at Home with ViaQuest Hospice

Our services provide a means for COPD and CHF patients, as well as individuals with other illnesses, to access health resources and services without having to make a trip to the brick-and-mortar hospital. If you think this service would make a positive difference in your life, reach out to us today to learn more about signing up for it.

How to Care for A Loved One with Dementia or Alzheimer’s

Posted on September 17, 2018 by ViaQuest

September is World Alzheimer’s Month. Join us as we educate, raise awareness, and put an end to the stigma surrounding dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Getting a diagnosis of early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be dismaying at first; not only does it affect those diagnosed with this degenerative disease, it affects friends, family members, and caretakers as well. However, this doesn’t have to be a debilitating diagnosis. With the right education and preparation, you and your loved ones can learn how to take control and deal with the symptoms of both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Educate yourself on Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The first and most important step you can do after receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is learn about the symptoms, effects, and the best methods of treatment and care. There are even support groups to remind you that there is always someone going through the same challenges you are.
Keep things simple. Ask and say one thing at a time in a soft, calming voice. Keep your loved one in the conversation, but try not to overwhelm them with questions or plans.
Establish a daily routine so they will know what to expect. Plan simple activities, recognizing their current mental and physical capabilities. Let your loved one get used to the daily routine and try not to switch it up too often.
Balance independence and teamwork. Focus on your loved one’s strengths and let them do the things that they are still able to do, but prompt them on appointments and financial reminders.
Encourage physical activity. Getting exercise is important for both physical and mental health. Incorporate a physical activity that your loved one enjoys, whether it’s a light walk or gardening. Always have water available and be on the lookout for signs of exhaustion.
Be patient, flexible and never show frustration. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed or discouraged, take a deep breath, count to ten, or leave the room for a moment if it’s safe.
Encourage engagement with others. Have friends and family come visit and interact with your loved one. Include them in the conversation, address them by name, and ask them simple questions to exercise their communication skills.
Recognize and be able to understand their emotions. Learn to acknowledge when they are scared, confused, or angry. In these situations, be able to assure safety, distract, or help as much as the situation allows.
Take care of yourself. This is just as important as taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s, but oftentimes gets ignored. If you find yourself getting tired, stressed, or overwhelmed, set aside time to relax, take care of yourself, and talk to someone about how you’re feeling.

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, it is also not a death sentence. Patients can live for a long time after being diagnosed, so it’s important to learn how to cope with the symptoms and to enhance the quality of life. While you may feel helpless after a loved one has been diagnosed, ultimately, all the patient needs is a loving, consistent, and devoted caregiver who best understands their needs. That is truly the best gift you can give them.

For more questions on Alzheimer’s disease, or if you think in-home care is a good option for your loved one suffering from AD, call ViaQuest at (855) 289-1722.