More than 40% of seniors experience loneliness, according to a recent University of California, San Francisco study. Many seniors, regardless of whether they live at home or in a senior living facility or skilled care facility, may go the entire year without a personal visit from a family member or a friend. How can this be?!

We all need love! We all need relationships! We all need to know that we matter, and that someone out there cares about us! Many times it is the busyness of life that keeps family members away from seeing their elderly parents and friends on a regular basis. That's where your friendly and compassionate members of the Oklahoma Professionals for Home Care come in!

Our member agencies can provide companion care for your loved ones! Our loving staff are trained to provide conversation, spend time playing games, take them shopping, do gardening, take them to appointments or to visit other family members and more! It's our pleasure to fill in that gap where work and other commitments might prevent family and friends from being able to consistently do those things for their elderly loved ones!

Beyond that, our agencies are also able to provide essential personal care services like bathing assistance, toileting assistance, dressing, help with walking and transferring and eating too. We provide respite care for couples, where one member may be struggling with the difficulties of advancing conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. While our staff stays with the loved one with the advancing ailment, the loved one in better health is able to get some much needed free time away. This allows them to stay healthy, physically, mentally and emotionally!

Whatever your needs are, we would love to assist you in helping to show some love to your loved ones! We are certain you love them! Let us be are part of that loving process! Contact one of our OPHC member agencies today for more information!

Page Cole
Visiting Angels of Tulsa
Visiting Angels of Bartlesville
Visiting Angels of SWOKC

It's incredibly difficult to face the challenges that come with aging parents, loved ones or even yourself. It can be awkward or uncomfortable to talk about the need for care in the home. There may be uncertainty about expenses. Issues ranging from "strangers in the home" to "which is better, home care or facility care?" are just a few of the myriad issues families face when it comes to aging and health care.

So how does a family successfully navigate these uncharted and sometimes scary waters? Here are a few simple suggestions for you to consider.

1. START- Yes, it's that simple. Someone has to initiate the conversations. It might as well be you. Maybe you know your loved one, and this discussion would best be received by a different family member. That's awesome! Then they can start the dialogue! But don't wait. Set a date, make an appointment, plan a family meeting... just do it.
2. PLAN- Before you "START", determine beforehand what the options are available. That doesn't mean only include the options you want, or only the options you believe your loved one will accept. Options include home care, family intervention, or even moving to a senior community or facility. You don't need to have all of the answers to every question. It would be nice to have adequate information about the various options to make the conversation productive. Do your homework.
3. LISTEN- As you share your concerns about the situation, make sure that you and other family members are committed to listening to the concerns, fears and issues your elderly loved one may have. It doesn't mean that those issues take priority or drive the decision. What it means is that you're committed to including them in the dialogue about the future, and that you care enough about them to authentically listen to their feelings on the journey to that decision.
4. LOVE- Relationships matter. Don't lose sight of that. This is your parent, grandparent, spouse or dear friend. They need to know your heart is focused on their safety and well being, as well as the health of a spouse or other caregiver who may have been carrying a load that has gotten to heavy. Encourage, affirm and make sure the individual needing extra care understands the heart behind this discussion.
5. WAIT- Wait, what was that? Wait? You're saying, "I thought we were supposed to do something!"  You are. But after a conversation like this, your loved one will need some time to process. Very seldom is this an "emergency" situation where a decision is needed immediately. Give them some time to process the options, look at finances and deal with their own feelings. At the end of your initial meeting, set a time to come back and visit again.

These are only a few suggestions for you to consider! Know that the member agencies of the OPHC are committed to helping you and your loved ones make the most informed and best fitting decisions regarding the love and essential personal care services for your precious elderly family and friends!

Page Cole
Owner/Dealer in Hope
Visiting Angels of Tulsa
Visiting Angels of Bartlesville
Visiting Angels of SWOKC

Many families struggle when it becomes apparent that their elderly loved one is needing more care in the home than they as a family can personally provide. The topic of "Senior Care" is so broad, and there are so many different voices communicating a variety of messages regarding the care for your loved one.

HOSPICE CARE
Most individuals are very family with "Hospice" care. This kind of care, referred to as palliative care, is typically provided to individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less. This care can be provided as inpatient, outpatient or respite care. The type of care involves symptom management, emotional support, spiritual support and psychosocial intervention. They typically provide assistance with medications, durable medical equipment, pastoral care and limited personal care needs. 
PAYOR SOURCE FOR HOSPICE: Medicare

HOME HEALTH CARE
Medical home health agencies are usually brought in for care following a hospital stay or written orders from a physician. Their duties cover a broad spectrum of areas of care. They might include occupational or physical therapy, speech therapy and skilled nursing. At times they will also provide for a short period of time personal care assistance with bathing, dressing and eating. 
PAYOR SOURCES FOR HOME HEALTH: Medicare 

PRIVATE DUTY CARE
Private duty care is typically the "first stop on the bus" type of care. THIS IS PRIMARILY WHAT THE MEMBERS OF THE OPHC PROVIDE! This care typically is non-medical in nature, and includes performing household duties like cooking, cleaning, laundry, medication reminders, shopping, transportation and companionship, just to name a few. It also tends to included limited personal care tasks. Among those would be things like bathing assistance, toileting assistance, dressing, ambulation (walking) assistance and help with transfers.
PAYOR SOURCES FOR PRIVATE DUTY: Private payment, Long-Term Care Insurance, Veteran's Benefits.

If you believe you or a loved one could benefit from the care of a qualified OPHC member agency, then check out our Membership Directory to find one of these excellent agencies in your area!

Page Cole
Visiting Angels of Tulsa
Visiting Angels of Bartlesville
Visiting Angels of SWOKC