carepathways | A Path To Care

15 Jan 2018

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans Posted in Orange County Senior Programs, Placement Permalink

Senior Care for 2018 A New Year

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On January 15, 2018

A NEW YEAR

How can it be that another year has gone by? It seems we go to sleep a couple of times,wake up and another year is gone. We did a recap recently of all the goals that were met for 2017, with our clients and families and we are pleased to announce that with your help, our community or Orange County, St Jude Hospital, Hoag, Placenta Linda hospital, APS, and many social workers, case managers and physicians we helped serve over 2,000 seniors last year.

We have many NEW goals for this year in our community of care and the providers that reach out to Care Pathways for help and assistance in moments of need. Our common bond and a shared vision is what sets Care Pathways apart from , just another referral service. We look forward in the coming year to serve our senior care community with compassion and hope. We also will be touring new programs and evaluating new facilities in Orange County to make sure they meet our standard of care for your loved one.

Always at the heart of Care Pathways since 1999 we are care driven, with a seniors needs coming first and foremost, assessment and follow up care for as long as needed. Happy New Year to all and many Blessings to you. MK

04 Jun 2017

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans Posted in Long Term Care Permalink

Care for Seniors

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On June 4, 2017

I have been asked many times what it takes to provide care for a senior with multiple medical needs. The answer is one that must fit the unique needs, as no two persons are alike. Not one size fits all.

Some persons do very well living in their home with assistance, while others may need a higher level of care. The difference in care depends on many factors, as well as family support, the monies to fund this care, and or medi-cal in California, which will pay for long-term care but only in skilled nursing if the senior meets the medical guidelines. Requiring assistance with dressing, bathing, incontinent care, walking, dementia care. Many other factors come into play with options for a more active senior that is private pay, assisted living, or a smaller Care Home which, is centered around a more hands on approach.

Whatever the situation you need more than just a referral to a facility, you need to know all options as well as location, ratings of facilities, do they provide an on-site nurse, is their awake at night caregivers, how is medication handled. Is transportation provided to and from doctor appointments, what activities are provided.

When choosing an agency, are they local or a nation wide referral service that just provides a data base. Most persons are not aware that facilities need to be monitored and known well by the referring agency. Care Pathways is located in Orange County and has provided families and seniors with concrete services and information for over 20 years. We are the only service that provides Social Workers as well as RN’s to assess and determine what will meet your loved ones needs. We also provide ongoing case-management services for seniors as needed. For real time help contact us at (714) 743-6309 24/7

Care Pathways

04 Mar 2017

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans Posted in Vision loss Permalink

Macular Degeneration is Leading Cause of Blindness

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On March 4, 2017

Finding emotional support for macular degeneration is not that easy. “No one can see-what you are not seeing. And because you still can see, people do not understand the impact of this disease. The loss of your central vision is serious. The macula is only one small part of the retina, however it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp central vision. When it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of vision making it difficult or impossible to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the driver’s vision test.

Finding the emotional support is imperative listed here is a site that has provided information and support to others who understand what you are going through. http://www.mdsupport.org/

I urge you to reach out in your community and find the support you need. Please make sure you pay close attention to your visual health as well as you emotional well-being. Losing one’s sight is never easy, however their are many services to support and guide you. Guide Dogs for The Blind is also free to those with sight impairment. If you have questions we can answer please contact us. We are here to help and here to listen.

Care Pathways

09 Feb 2016

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans Posted in aging Permalink

Living A Life of Integrity

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On February 9, 2016

Living A Life of Integrity
A person who has integrity lives his or her values in relationships with all people. Honesty and trust are central to integrity. Acting with honor and truthfulness are also basic tenets in a person with integrity

People who demonstrate integrity draw others to them because they are trustworthy and dependable. They are principled and can be counted on to behave in honorable ways even when no one is watching .

Integrity is another fundamental value that you recognize when you see it in the behavior of those who we trust and call friends and family. It may not seem like it at first blush, but living with integrity is easier than living a deceitful life. Living with integrity brings wholeness and peace. Your conscience can rest easy, and you can look at yourself in the mirror and always say I did the right thing. Even when doing the right thing may be painful.

14 Sep 2015

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans Posted in Dementia Permalink

Behaviors and Dementia

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On September 14, 2015

Care Pathways

People with dementia may sometimes behave in a challenging way, for example aggression or shouting out. This can be very distressing. By understanding what may cause this type of behavior and learning how to deal with it, you make sure it happens less often and that you feel able to manage when it does.

There are number of reasons why a person with dementia may act aggressively, and it is important to recognize that being in a hospital environment can make this behavior worse. Recognizing these reasons and providing person-centered care can very often begin to alleviate behavior. Reasons may include:

An unfamiliar environment and people, changes in care practice and the stress of hospitalization, along with an inability to articulate this.

An expression of unmet need, for example pain, dehydration or boredom.
Feeling frightened or humiliated.
Feeling frustrated at being unable to understand others or make themselves understood.
The physical effects of dementia, which may have eroded their judgement and self-control.
Loss of inhibitions and decreased awareness of rules about appropriate behavior.
Any form of aggression can be upsetting, but the most important thing to remember is that the person is not being aggressively deliberately. The behavior may appear to be targeted at you, but that is also not true.

It’s important to remember that all behavior is a form of communication. If you can establish what the person with dementia is trying to communicate, it may prevent them from feeling frustrated and acting aggressively.
Although the emotion at the root of the aggressive may persist, the person with dementia will probably quickly forget individual incidents.
A person with dementia may behave aggressively if they are in physical discomfort or pain or simply thirsty, hungry or want to go to the bathroom.
Try to stay calm and don’t enter into an argument. Reassure the person and try to distract their attention.
If the person is physically violent, give them plenty of space. Unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid closing in or trying to restrain someone as this can make matters worse.
Ask yourself if whatever you are trying to do for the person really needs to be done at that moment. If you are able to give them a little space, come back in five or ten minutes and try again gently − you may be able to avoid a confrontation.
Watch out for warning signs, such as anxious or agitated behavior or restlessness, and take action immediately to help the person feel more calm and reassured.
Try to work out what triggers any aggressive behavior by communicating with colleagues and the care givers. It may be something that can easily be addressed such as changing a battery in a hearing aid so the person with dementia can hear your explain you are going to undress them for a wash.
Talk to the person with dementia about what is upsetting them and involve care givers where possible, be patient and reassuring.
It is not an easy road sometimes and every person is different.

Being ill and not being able to communicate if you are in pain, hungry or feel the urge to go to the bathroom think how hard it may be for that person. Especially when a loved one is uncomfortable and you as the adult child or spouse do not know what to do. I suggest to anyone caring for a loved with this disease to make sure you educate yourself on what to expect.

And find support for yourself with your local Alzheimer’s Association you can find your local chapter by calling here The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Help line provides reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call the toll-free anytime day or night at 1.800.272.3900.