{"id":6608,"date":"2022-04-19T17:40:20","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T17:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/?p=6608"},"modified":"2022-04-25T14:27:29","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T14:27:29","slug":"elderly-in-home-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/elderly-in-home-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you struggling with the challenges of elderly in-home care? Follow &#8220;The Rule Of 4&#8221;."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6608\" class=\"elementor elementor-6608\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f445c8b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f445c8b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ce302ea\" data-id=\"ce302ea\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6398352 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6398352\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 25-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\"The Rule Of 4\" can help direct elderly in-home care.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79ca761 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79ca761\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 25-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Do you struggle with directing the in-home care of a loved one?\u00a0 Those overwhelmed with the care of an elderly family member may not know where to turn.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">The day-to-day tasks required for elderly in-home care may bring unexpected surprises that can throw a daily routine into a tailspin. If you find yourself asking, \u201cWhat am I going to do all day?\u201d when providing elderly in-home care, then read on to learn about the &#8220;Rule of 4&#8221;.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Using &#8220;The Rule Of 4&#8221; is just one tool to help manage elderly in-home care. AARP has an excellent article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/home-care\/info-2019\/providing-homecare.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">helping loved one&#8217;s age in place<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-185fe1b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"185fe1b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e23ab3e\" data-id=\"e23ab3e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8dd9236 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8dd9236\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is \"The Rule Of 4\"?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df2ab3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"df2ab3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\">The rule of 4 is a method of breaking up the day of a caregiver and a patient into manageable blocks and tasks. Family caregivers can use this method to not only help manage their time, but also to delegate the time a private in-home caregiver is assisting their loved one. The rule of 4 establishes realistic expectations and patterns in a predictable and easy-to-follow format.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80296c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"80296c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why use \"The Rule Of 4\"?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a14c60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a14c60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Abby Services has been helping families and seniors in Fort Myers and Cape Coral find the elderly in-home care they need since 1997. We have seen family caregivers burnt out and overwhelmed with the daily challenges of\u00a0<\/p><ul><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/services\/alzheimers-in-home-care\/\">Alzheimers\/memory care<\/a><\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/services\/in-home-parkinsons-care\/\">Parkinson&#8217;s care<\/a><\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/services\/home-hospice-care\/\">Hospice care<\/a><\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/services\/post-operative-support\/\">Postoperative care &amp; support<\/a><\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">General mobility support<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p dir=\"ltr\">Those overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities are often challenged with meeting all of the care their elderly family member requires. In an attempt to meet all of an individual&#8217;s needs the caregiver&#8217;s needs may be neglected, leading to an even worse situation.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">By using the rule of 4 caregivers can work to make sure their needs are met, as well as meeting the needs of their loved ones. Ok, enough with the what and why, let&#8217;s discuss the how.<\/p><p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8593504 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8593504\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Using \"The Rule Of 4\" to plan elderly in-home care. <\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cca02fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cca02fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">My name is <a href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/abby-services-team\/\">Scott Strachan<\/a>. I am an RN and have been a caregiver with Abby Services. I have extensive in-home care experience as well as varied real-world hospital and senior care experience.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">However, The rule of 4 actually came about through my experience as a father. As many are aware child care can be demanding and exhausting (much like elderly care). As a new father, I followed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodto.com\/family\/the-easy-routine-explained-111176\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EASY method<\/a>. EASY stands for Eat, Activity, Sleep, You. By following this simple method I was able to ensure my children&#8217;s needs were met as well as my own.\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">While some of the EASY method can be adopted into senior care, it requires a bit more flexibility due to the varying needs elderly patients have.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">As a caregiver, nurse, and administrator of an In-Home service, I have learned to adapt some of the simplicity of the easy method into the rule of 4.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-353d6a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"353d6a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Step 1: Identify elder care needs.<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01ecb59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"01ecb59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">The first step of the rule of 4 is to identify priorities or things that need to be accomplished. This can be done if a family member is a caregiver or if a family member is directing the care of a professional in-home caregiver. Families together with the elderly family member are typically the ones best suited to identify the care needs of an elderly patient. <\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">If you are struggling to identify what you hope to accomplish when providing elderly care a good place to start is through our commonly requested <\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/services\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">elderly caregiver services.<\/span><\/a><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">These cover common day-to-day tasks that need to be accomplished. You want to be sure first and foremost that <\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/services\/activity-of-daily-living-help\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">ADL (Activity of Daily Living)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"> needs are met.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd2b8ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dd2b8ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Step 2: Break down your elderly in-home care day into blocks of 4<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a0fa69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3a0fa69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Instead of considering what needs to be accomplished for an entire day (this can be overwhelming) consider what needs to be accomplished in 4-hour blocks. Typically there will be four, four-hour blocks during an individuals waking hours.<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Often the 4-hour blocks follow a natural rhythm:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;\"><li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Morning Care<\/span><\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Afternoon Routine<\/span><\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Evening activities<\/span><\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Bedtime activities<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">While everyone&#8217;s needs and time frames will be different, this grouping can help in planning when and what activities need to be accomplished. This provides structure for the elder receiving care as well as the elder caregiver.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2edb91d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2edb91d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Step 3: Consider 4 elderly in-home care activities that will occur during this 4-hour block.\n<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e2077c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e2077c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Using your list of required activities break down these activities based on the daily schedule you are developing. Many activities will fall into a natural time frame. For example, personal hygiene is typically accomplished in the morning, and before bed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">In general, allot 1 hour for each chosen task. Some activities may take more or less than the time frame allotted. That&#8217;s ok, the intent is to provide a predictable structure for a caregiver and the elder care recipient that is not rushed or forced.<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Following the rule of 4 often allows flexibility and important downtime for both caregiver and their elderly loved ones. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6f15cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d6f15cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Step 4: Adaptation is key.<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8b0647 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8b0647\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Initially, the \u201cRule Of 4\u201d scheduling may need to be adapted and that&#8217;s ok. The intent of &#8220;The rule of 4&#8221; is not only adaptability but also the structure &#8220;The rule of 4&#8221; provides. It is important to remember that as an elderly patient&#8217;s needs change, their care may change as well.\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Did your loved one need to sleep in? That&#8217;s ok, adapt. &#8220;The rule of 4&#8221; is flexible. As you see predictable patterns you can adjust one or all of the 4-hour blocks you have scheduled.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c8d302 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4c8d302\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Using the rule of 4 to direct a private in-home caregiver.<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76aefc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"76aefc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Are you providing direction to a private caregiver? With &#8220;The rule of 4&#8221; simplicity is key. It is important to establish reasonable expectations both for the individual receiving elderly care, and their caregiver. Sometimes a rushed list of expectations in a 4-hour period creates undue stress and unrealistic expectations.\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Many in-home care services have a 4-hour minimum which makes \u201cThe Rule Of 4\u201d a perfect tool for identifying priorities and expectations. It is recommended that when directing your elderly in-home care you have a written <a href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/developing-client-directed-care-plan\/\">clear and concise plan of care<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">This establishes expectations that your private caregiver can understand and live up to. When developing your plan of care, you may want to develop essential tasks to be accomplished using the \u201cRule Of 4\u201d format, as well as a list of secondary goals, should your caregiver require further direction or suggestions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7ae304 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7ae304\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">An Example of \"The Rule Of 4.\"<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5836c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d5836c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">It may help to see \u201cThe Rule of 4\u201d in action. In this example, we will be developing a plan of care for AM Care. The main priorities in the am care are:<\/p><ul><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Waking up and preparing for the day<\/p><ul><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"2\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Personal hygiene, dressing.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Breakfast<\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Activity<\/p><\/li><li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"><p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Rest<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p dir=\"ltr\">When discussing \u201cThe Rule of 4\u201d as we said, it is important to allow adequate time to complete the tasks. In this example, while breakfast may not take a full hour, the morning hygiene and routine may take longer than an hour. Essentially just remember that these are goals, not requirements, as such they are flexible.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">As you may see rest is one of the goals in the 4-hour block. This is where the secondary goals can be utilized. These secondary tasks may include, light housekeeping, dishes, or laundry as time permits. Secondary goals may also include personal activities such as:\u00a0reading the newspaper, watching a favorite show, or discussing current events.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c801aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c801aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Often by using 4-hour blocks there is a natural rhythm that is good for the elderly patient receiving care as well as the caregiver.<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-110c9bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"110c9bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;\">For many, there is stability in routine. Knowing what to expect brings a sense of structure.\u00a0 Our days are often naturally broken up into 4-hour blocks. Consider Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, And Bedtime. <\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">These are key events that can and should serve as anchors when considering \u201cThe Rule of 4\u201d. In addition to meals and essential tasks such as personal hygiene, caretakers should consider an activity within each block.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Depending on an individual&#8217;s circumstances an activity could include a walk, range of motion exercises, or assisting with laundry or even meal preparation.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2a2d4a5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2a2d4a5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6226c47\" data-id=\"6226c47\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51e50d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"51e50d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Do you need more information on elderly in-home care?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f13b60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f13b60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you have further questions about managing your elderly in-home care be sure to call Abby Services at 239-590-0861. <a href=\"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/abby-services-team\/\">Our team of experts<\/a> can help be sure you have the input and direction to help your loved one stay safe and independent.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The Rule Of 4&#8221; can help direct elderly in-home care. Do you struggle with directing the in-home care of a loved one?\u00a0 Those overwhelmed with the care of an elderly family member may not know where to turn. The day-to-day tasks required for elderly in-home care may bring unexpected surprises that can throw a daily [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6609,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[160,159],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6608"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6608"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6608\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6677,"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6608\/revisions\/6677"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abbyservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}