“You are always free to choose what you do with your life. To make changes in your future, make new choices today.” – Brian Tracy

Learn about the latest innovations in senior technology and how they can help someone you love.

Selecting where to reside in our older years isn’t easy. Nearly all older adults prefer to remain at home for a lifetime, but it is not without challenges. Will it be safe? What about mobility issues or other physical limitations? What happens if the person falls and is unable get up?

The good news is, there are a wide variety of solutions that make aging in place possible for older adults. Senior technology, for example, is continually developing and evolving, providing answers to the challenges that could surface as we grow older. Just look at a few … Read More »

It’s not easy to know how to help a loved one who is grieving, but these tips are a great place to start.

In his documentary about grief, George Shelley uses an analogy of glitter. Toss a handful of glitter into the air, and it’s going to settle into all the cracks and crevices of the room, impossible to fully sweep up and remove. Those who have lost a loved one can relate. Yet in certain instances, grief could be so overwhelming that it could result in a serious and aptly named condition: broken heart syndrome.

Broken heart syndrome is a very real physical condition from the intense stress experienced in certain types of grief (such as one spouse losing the other after decades of marriage). The medical term is takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a temporary enlargement of the heart … Read More »

The Hired Hands Homecare team recently had the honor of celebrating Terra as our most recent Caregiver of the Month.  Terra is not only an amazing Caregiver, but an amazing person as well, and we are so fortunate to have her on our team. She is kind, professional and has a very gentle approach when working with our clients.  Terra has a strong background with disabled adults and does amazing with our dementia clients as well.  Terra is always willing to help, is a very good communicator and very reliable.  All of her clients think very highly of her and always express gratitude for sending Terra to help them.  She brings her heart of gold to every client and gives heartfelt care to every client she comes into contact with.

Terra, what do you have to say for yourself???  “I would like to thank … Read More »

Understanding the link between hearing loss and dementia is crucial to know the steps you can take to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Are you finding the need to turn the TV up louder for someone you love? Speaking more loudly? Repeating things the person missed hearing the first time? Hearing loss in older adults is not uncommon. But new scientific studies are pointing to a startling link between hearing loss and dementia.

How Hearing and Cognitive Functioning Are Linked

There are a number of hypotheses scientists are exploring to explain the connection between hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia:

The brain’s memory and thinking ability are affected when it has to work harder to strain to hear and to fill in the gaps when communication is missed.
An older brain shrinks more rapidly because of hearing … Read More »

The Hired Hands Homecare team is very excited to celebrate Ms. Mere V. as our most recent Caregiver of the Month!

We have had the pleasure of working with Mere for a little over a year now. She is a highly skilled Caregiver and is actively working as a member of both our Hospice and Demetia specialty teams. Mere provides extremely compassionate care for our clients and is always reliable- both of which make her an excellent Caregiver. She is professional, always willing to help, and is a great reporter- assuring that the entire care team is updated about her clients after each shift. All of us here at Hired Hands appreciate Mere and her dedication to providing great care for our clients and the families we assist.

What do you have to say for yourself Mere?

“It is a privilege and honor for me to … Read More »

The highest quality LGBTQ+ senior care begins with understanding and implementing cultural competence practices.

As we strive to create compassionate and supportive environments for seniors, the concept of cultural competence takes center stage, particularly when addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in their later years. In the context of LGBTQ+ senior care, embracing cultural competence is essential to ensure that each person receives the respect and understanding they deserve as they navigate the intricacies of aging.

What Is Cultural Competence?

At its core, cultural competence refers to the ability of individuals or organizations to effectively interact with people from different cultures. It involves understanding, respecting, and responding to the needs and preferences of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In the context of LGBTQ+ seniors, cultural competence extends beyond a general understanding of aging to encompass the unique challenges, … Read More »

Older adults in the LGBTQ+ community face a number of hurdles that we all need to understand.

When it comes to growing older, the experiences of seniors are as diverse as the colors of the rainbow. Within this spectrum, older adults in the LGBTQ+ community often face unique challenges that warrant our attention and understanding. As a leading home care provider in Novato and the surrounding areas, we know that fostering inclusivity is crucial for providing support to all members of our community. It begins by understanding some of the hurdles specific to the LGBTQ+ population that need to be overcome.

Isolation and Social Stigma:

One of the key challenges confronting LGBTQ+ seniors is the potential for isolation and the enduring social stigma that has persisted throughout their lives. Many individuals from this community grew up in an … Read More »

If you’re feeling overloaded with caring for a loved one, we have three simple steps you can take to ease the strain.

If today’s to-dos seem like a lot more than you are able to possibly squeeze into 24 short hours, you are not alone! Family caregivers frequently are feeling overloaded with caring for a loved one and the daily required tasks: Personal care and hygiene. Planning and preparing meals. Medical appointments. Planning activities that are purposeful and enjoyable for the older adult. Shopping and other errands. Housework and laundry. And all of this is on top of meeting the requirements of your own spouse, children, household, and if there is any time left over, yourself!

We invite you to hit the pause button for just a minute, take a deep breath, and put into action these tried-and-true … Read More »

Taking too much or too little of a medication or taking it the wrong way can lead to adverse medication reactions in seniors.

The days of “take two aspirin and call me in the morning” have morphed into “take two of these…and two of these…and maybe one of those, too!” Nearly forty percent of seniors are taking at least five different prescription medications each day – not to mention vitamins, supplements, and OTC meds. It is easy to understand why overmedication and adverse medication reactions in seniors are extremely common.

Take these actions to avoid medication problems for someone you love:

Make a list, and check it twice. Create a list of every one of the medications – both over-the-counter and prescription – that the person is currently taking. Share the list with all of their healthcare providers, and … Read More »

All family caregivers need to know the early signs of mobility problems in older adults in order to prevent falls or other serious injuries.

Benjamin Franklin certainly had it right: An ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure. When it comes to noticing and addressing the early signs of mobility problems in older adults, prevention is a must. Falls in seniors lead to 3 million emergency room visits, 300,000 hip fractures, and 32,000 deaths every year, according to research by the CDC.

Preempt a tragedy by keeping an eye out for these warning signs of increasing mobility issues in older loved ones:

Experiencing dizziness. Dizziness and issues with balance can develop from a variety of contributing factors that ultimately cause problems with mobility. It’s important to discover why these issues are taking place and address them … Read More »