In the event I can’t take care of myself…

As we age, it becomes natural to need more help. 

As long as the person can get to the bathroom, put themselves to bed, and cook, they can safely stay at home.  As mobility decreases the need for help may increase. 

Taking care of the yard may be the first to go.  Family could this or find a reliable source.  It might be best to use a lawn service that would be more consistent and have more longevity than a teenager.  It also might be more difficult to find someone later on when church attendance might be less and people are less familiar with the situation.      

Shopping might be the next thing to go.  Carrying groceries and standing for a long time may become difficult.  If there is family to help that is best, if not, then find someone trustworthy to do the shopping unless there is a grocery that delivers.  It could be a volunteer.  If so it might be best to try to shop for the month, so there is food on hand if they don’t come to help often.

Rides to church and family events. 

Rides to doctors’ visits will need to be arranged.  This would feel like less of a burden if this could be the once a week person that is hired to help.  Family of course could do it but most older people worry about imposing.  If someone comes one day a week, then the appointments could just be on that day.   

This might be a good time to have someone come once a week.  They could do the shopping, cleaning, and cooking on one day and appointments on another day. 

This is the to-do-list for a person working one day a week.

Bring in mail.

Clean kitchen, wash any dishes

Clean bathroom

Change sheets

Gather all the trash and take to the curb for pick-up

Sweep and mop all floors

Direct deposits for checks and automatic withdrawals to cover utility bills, etc.

When the house-keeping gets to be too much, have someone come and do sweeping, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, changing beds, taking out trash and bringing in the mail.  Sometimes mail boxes can be placed on the house by the door, if there is a request from a doctor. 

Cooking may be next.  Meals could be prepared and frozen.  Comfort foods would be enjoyable.  Inquire what that is for that person.  Meals that involve minimal cooking.  Also food coulde be prepared once a week and then eaten as leftovers.  If the food is in disposable cups it’s easier to manage and doesn’t include opening difficult containers.     

Medication can be put into a daily box so it’s taken correctly. 

If the house is clean, there is a proper diet, and medications are taken regularly, then it is possible for an individual to stay in their home.  This is usually preferred and more affordable.

If it becomes necessary to have care on a daily basis, then someone could come in the morning to help with dressing and help with breakfast and medication.  They could stay until after lunch, then leave and return (or someone else) at bedtime to assist in putting the person to bed. If there is family that the person could stay with, now might be the time to plan for that.  If not, then someone could come and stay in the home with the person.  They could do all the above and might also need to assist with the bathroom or with Depends. 

If there is insurance for a nursing home, it will usually cover having someone care for you in your home. 

It might be time for a nursing home when the person can’t be taken care of or isn’t kept safe at home.    

This is a grocery list for my friend

I buy groceries at Wal-Mart before I go to visit and she’ll write me a check. I call her before I go to ask what she needs.

           

A typical list includes:

            ½ Gallon-Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

            ½ Gallon-Vanilla Almond Milk

            32-ounce carton Great Value-Strawberry Yogurt

            7 bananas (2 ripe and 5 green if possible)

            Glory Brand- Lower Sodium Turnip Greens

            Idahoan Brand-Instant Potatoes

            Turkey gravy mix- dry

Canned Vegetables-Margaret Holmes brand

                        Diced Rutabagas

                        Seasoned Cabbage

                        Seasoned Butter Beans

                        Sweet Potato Casserole

                        Squash and onions

            Glory Brand- Lower Sodium Turnip Greens

            Idahoan Brand-Instant Potatoes

            Turkey gravy mix- dry

            Great Value Brand- Instant Oatmeal-Brown Sugar/Maple flavor 20 packs per box

            Cheerios

            Bread

            Kraft singles

            12 pack case of 12-ounce cans Diet Coke

            Any personal items (Depends, Kleenex or Febreze)

I ask about picking up prescriptions usually from CVS in Warrior.

Before going or while I am at her house, I make a cast iron skillet of cornbread.

Below is the recipe I used.  It’s not perfect.  All I know is she always used yellow meal.  She used butter instead of oil.  The batter needs to be thin so the bread is moist and easy to swallow.        

Cornbread

1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup cornmeal mix (yellow - Martha White Self-rising Yellow cornmeal mix)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cups almond milk (it might not matter which milk you use)
1/2 cup water

Melt the butter over medium heat, in a case iron skillet on the stove.  In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients together.  Then add milk and stir until smooth.  Slowly stir in 1/2 cup water.  Put about 1/2 the melted butter in the skillet.  Stir until blended.  Pour batter into pan.  Bake at 425 for 12 minutes. 

I foods need to be soft and not need chewing.  She doesn’t eat pork and was a vegetarian most of her adult life.  She eats very simple, southern food.  Her husband wanted potatoes and cornbread everyday so those are comfort foods.  Making her at least one new food each week, like different soups, might keep her from getting tired of the foods above.  I was told she likes lentil soups with a tomato base but didn’t try it.  She is a diabetic and doesn’t need any more sweets than the ice cream except maybe sweet potato or pumpkin pie.  I was told she loves those.    

I blend up the soup so she can drink it.  She has a blender.  Four cups are enough for a week.  

Chicken Noodle Soup

4 cups water

1 chicken bouillon cube

4 ounces egg noodles

¼ teaspoon onion powder

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can chicken, drained and broken up

Pinch celery seed

Pinch of black pepper

Pinch poultry seasoning

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Bring water to a boil, add bouillon cube.  Add noodles and cook until very tender.  Add seasoning, soup and chicken.  Stir to combine and heat until soup is bubbly.

White Chicken Chili

1 can chicken broth

1 can chicken, drained

1 (15-oz) can Great Northern beans, drained

¼-1/2 cup Salsa Verde or regular salsa

1 tsp. ground cumin

Mix together and blend in a blender.  It doesn’t need to be cooked.  She can heat it before serving. 

A To-Do-List for someone living in the home or coming part of everyday.  All the above but also check vitals and give medicine.  Help with the bathroom or empty the portable toilet or change adult diapers.  Make sure the person gets enough fluids.  Flavored, iced water is usually easier to encourage than plain water.    

Spiritual food is more appreciated as they age.  Read to them from the scriptures, General Conference, Ensign, or journal.  Family visits are good but not all at once. Mini-strokes might result from took much excitement.