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How are they managing their medications?
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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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My husband liked home made milkshakes. Ice cream (of course), probably a fruit, maybe some flavored syrup, and usually a packet of the Carnation instant breakfast powder. A favorite was chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup, half a banana, a tablespoon of peanut butter, a packet of vanilla or chocolate powder, and enough milk to thin it a bit.
Canned peaches were another favorite, using the syrup from the can instead of milk.
Naturally strawberries or raspberries were a good choice. You could probably use applesauce but not a fresh apple. Probably anything your blender would turn into a liquid.
He also liked Popsicles. Not a lot of nutrition, but they helped with hydration.
Is this all your Mother is eating? If so you should talk to the doctor or ask to talk to a dietitian about alternatives to Ensure and other commercially prepared drinks. It is possible to get them in powder form and that would be less expensive. Is is possible that you can take the meals that you're making for the family then thin them out and puree them until they are a consistency that she can consume. If the Ensure is a supplement to normal meals then making a smoothie, a shake or a protein powder shake would add some nutrition and calories.
Kenneth, if your Mom likes to drink milk and enjoys chocolate, you can try Carnation Instant Breakfast which comes in packets that you mix with milk. I think they might have changed their name to Carnation Essentials. Just as long as your Mom is allowed sugar.
I use to use the chocolate mix which I found pretty good. And it is sure a lot cheaper than Boost or Ensure. Check the labels against each other to see if there are the same vitamins, etc.
Another thing Mom might like as a treat that is liquid are the flavored ice tea. Again watch for sugars. I am hooked on peach ice tea :)
My husband's doctor started him on a morning smoothie over a year ago and the hospice nurse attributes his morning shake for his still being here. Not sure about that, but here goes: almond milk, 2 scoops organic pea and/or veggie protein powder, tablespoon flax or chia seed, 1 scoop organic frozen kale, spinach, and berry mix (from Costco). I think it's cheaper than ensure (full of sugar and chemicals) and certainly much healthier. In the afternoon I fix a similar smoothie but with coconut water instead of almond milk. Sometimes I make almond milk, a packet of oatmeal, powdered peanut butter and banana. He loved ice cream thrown in but I limit because of the sugar. Experiment. Smoothies have endless varieties.
@Jazzy2 - I don't have a Costco but I too use the "greens" supplements! I have been adding a TBL of Tigernut Smoothie Original to DH's mashed potatoes and even to his egg in the morning. He can't taste it and it supplies Pre & Pro - biotics! Resistant Starch which means it stays in his stomach longer and helps his regularity.
Have you tried Barlean's Chocolate Silk? I use that in DH's Hot Cocoa (and in my own coffee) and it is truly yummy, and adds lots of nutrients.
I too believe that the Smoothies are contributing to my DH still being here!
It depends on her health (if she's a diabetic, has heart or kidney disease,....). ASK HER DOCTOR. He can give you the name of diet she'd be on if in the hospital (Example: 2000 calorie ADA, Mechanical Soft, Regular, ....). Once you have the Doctors written order, specifically for her, then look it up on the Internet for meal examples. Or better yet, hire a Nutritionist to write out a personalized diet plan for her. Ensure is a good substitute to give if someone eats less that 50% of their meal. However, if one is a diabetic they would need Glucerna, NOT Ensure. If either of these are used daily, you need to tell her Doctor to make sure all her needs are being met. Nutrition, at her age and health is crucial and impacts how long she will live and the quality of her life. Poor nutrition WILL greatly speed & worsen bedsores, in a bed bound or wheelchair bound person. She needs to have blood work/lab drawn every 3 months minimum to check her potassium, sodium, calcium, glucose... levels. Not enough, or too much, of certain foods can cause heart failure, kidney failure.... Remember: Food is human fuel, just as gasoline... is automobile fuel. An automobile will run poorly or die if receiving improper fuel. Same for human body if it doesn't receive what it needs.
Thank you for the great ideas I needed this post ..mom has declined steadily since my sister died almost 4 years ago ,.,her appetite is bad and will drink but not eat much ..thank you so much for the replies and I'm so glad you posted this question ..it was a Blessing you brought this up..many prayers headed your way and I love you all
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Canned peaches were another favorite, using the syrup from the can instead of milk.
Naturally strawberries or raspberries were a good choice. You could probably use applesauce but not a fresh apple. Probably anything your blender would turn into a liquid.
He also liked Popsicles. Not a lot of nutrition, but they helped with hydration.
If so you should talk to the doctor or ask to talk to a dietitian about alternatives to Ensure and other commercially prepared drinks.
It is possible to get them in powder form and that would be less expensive.
Is is possible that you can take the meals that you're making for the family then thin them out and puree them until they are a consistency that she can consume.
If the Ensure is a supplement to normal meals then making a smoothie, a shake or a protein powder shake would add some nutrition and calories.
I use to use the chocolate mix which I found pretty good. And it is sure a lot cheaper than Boost or Ensure. Check the labels against each other to see if there are the same vitamins, etc.
Another thing Mom might like as a treat that is liquid are the flavored ice tea. Again watch for sugars. I am hooked on peach ice tea :)
Have you tried Barlean's Chocolate Silk? I use that in DH's Hot Cocoa (and in my own coffee) and it is truly yummy, and adds lots of nutrients.
I too believe that the Smoothies are contributing to my DH still being here!
Ensure is a good substitute to give if someone eats less that 50% of their meal. However, if one is a diabetic they would need Glucerna, NOT Ensure. If either of these are used daily, you need to tell her Doctor to make sure all her needs are being met.
Nutrition, at her age and health is crucial and impacts how long she will live and the quality of her life. Poor nutrition WILL greatly speed & worsen bedsores, in a bed bound or wheelchair bound person.
She needs to have blood work/lab drawn every 3 months minimum to check her potassium, sodium, calcium, glucose... levels. Not enough, or too much, of certain foods can cause heart failure, kidney failure....
Remember: Food is human fuel, just as gasoline... is automobile fuel. An automobile will run poorly or die if receiving improper fuel. Same for human body if it doesn't receive what it needs.
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