During a recent visit with your mom, you noticed that she let others do the cooking – which is unusual, because she’s always loved preparing family meals.

Has she lost interest?

Is she having trouble remembering or reading the recipes?

Is arthritis limiting her ability to pick up heavy pots and pans?

What does she do when others aren’t there to help? Are her meals healthy or just convenient?

“There could be many factors at play”” said Austin Blilie, Chief Operating Officer at Trail Ridge Home Care’s parent organization, ABHM.   “We know that, for some of our clients, cooking just isn’t fun anymore – especially if they live alone and are just cooking for themselves. For others, limited mobility, cognitive decline and worsening vision can make it more difficult to put a healthy meal on the table and clean up afterward.”

Advanced meal preparation is one way to make mealtime easier for aging loved ones and their caregivers. It also promotes healthy eating habits and reduces the amount of wasted food.

Here are a few tips to make meal prep easier. Continue reading Meal Prep Made Easy

“I thought he was having a stroke.”

That’s how Debbie Hilt, a consultant with the Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN) describes her 95-year-old dad’s scary bout with dehydration.

“I called to check in and noticed right away that he wasn’t himself,” Hilt said. “He was very confused and slurring his words, so I immediately hung up and called 9-1-1. After an ambulance ride and lot of tests, doctors determined that he was dehydrated.”

According to the National Council on Aging, older people are at a greater risk for dehydration, because they naturally have a lower volume of water in their bodies. Chronic medical conditions and some medications may also increase the risk. Continue reading Drink Up: The Importance of Hydration

Are you feeling overwhelmed or worried?

Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy?

Are you sleeping too much or too little?

“Caring for an aging loved one can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be very challenging – especially if your loved one has dementia,” said Austin Blilie, Chief Operating Officer at Trail Ridge Home Care’s parent organization, ABHM. “When you’re taking care of someone else, it’s easy to forget about your own health and wellbeing – but neglecting your own needs could lead to caregiver burnout.” Continue reading 10 Signs of Caregiver Burnout

Your aging mom is failing. She doesn’t need skilled nursing or assisted living yet – just a little help with things like light housekeeping, meal prep and getting in and out of the shower. You’ve heard a lady from your mom’s church sometimes works as an independent caregiver, but is that the best option?

“Private caregivers make up what we call the ‘gray market’ – providers who are unrelated to the client, not working for a regulated agency and potentially uninsured  and untrained,” said Austin Blilie, Chief Operating Officer at Trail Ridge Home Care’s parent organization, ABHM. “While hiring one of these independent caregivers might seem like a good idea, families should be aware of the risks.” Continue reading Choosing the Right Caregiver

If you’re caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, you know that encouraging them to eat nutritious meals can be a daily challenge – especially during the middle and late stages of the disease.

“We work with many families who are experiencing this challenge,” said Austin Blilie, Chief Operating Officer at Trail Ridge Home Care’s parent organization, ABHM. “Refusal to eat can be caused by a number of things – there could be a medical condition, they may not recognize that food is something to eat, they may have lost the sense of hunger and thirst or they might get distracted at mealtime. Whatever the reason, it’s important to find ways to ensure they get the nutrition they need.”

To make mealtimes easier, Blilie suggest that you: Continue reading Ten Tips to Make Mealtimes Easier for People with Dementia

Are aging loved ones traveling with you on this summer’s family vacation?

While it’s a wonderful opportunity for quality family time, traveling with older loved ones can be challenging, especially if they have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

“Lots of great memories are made on summer vacations, so it’s wonderful when grandma and grandpa are able to travel with the rest of the family,” said Austin Blilie, Chief Operating Officer at Trail Ridge Home Care’s parent organization, ABHM. “If your senior has health issues, limited mobility or dementia, travel may be challenging – but it’s not impossible. Taking a few extra steps before you hit the road can help you avoid potential problems”

When traveling with senior loved ones who have dementia, Blilie recommends that you: Continue reading Travel Tips for People Who Have Dementia

If you’re caring for someone who has dementia, you know that they often need help completing, what used to be, simple tasks.

“Many of us at the Trail Ridge Home Care have personal experience with dementia, so we understand many of the challenges that come with the disease,” said Austin Blilie, Chief Operating Officer at Trail Ridges Home Care’s parent organization, ABHM. “While most people with early-stage dementia can continue to live independently, we know that daily tasks will eventually become more difficult. However, with a few simple tools, life can be easier for everyone.”

Blilie recommends: Continue reading Tools That Can Make Life Easier for People Who Have Dementia