Welcoming a new caregiver into the home is a much smoother process with these tips.

The big day is here—your dad’s first day with his new caregiver! If your family is feeling a mix of relief, uncertainty, and even a little anxiety, you’re not alone. Welcoming a new caregiver into the home is a big adjustment, not just for the person receiving care, but for the entire family. The good news is that with some preparation, you can help set the stage for a positive, comfortable transition.

Please join Hired Hands Homecare in congratulating Ana as our next Caregiver of the Month!

We have only been working with Ana for about six months now, but it has been an absolute pleasure right from the start!   We recently had the pleasure of surprising Ana on shift while working with our client Diane, who was really pleased to join in on congratulating her.  Diane stated “Ana deserves every bit of recognition. She is the greatest!”.   All the Clients that she has worked with would certainly agree… Ana is really dependable and always willing to help with a big, warm smile on her face!  She is an amazing caregiver and always approaches situations in a proactive and positive manner, which we very much appreciate!

Ana, what do you have to say for yourself?  “Danielle, it was good to see you and that … Read More »

If introducing the idea of home care to an older loved one feels uncomfortable, try these tips and conversation starters.

If you ever had to have “the talk” with your parents about those awkward pre-teen topics, you might remember how uncomfortable it was. Now, the roles have shifted, and it’s your turn to bring up an equally difficult subject: discussing concerns about their well-being and introducing the idea of home care.

If you’re noticing a more rapid progression of Alzheimer’s lately in someone you love, there are several reasons you’ll want to explore.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a detailed Alzheimer’s care manual, complete with step-by-step instructions and insights into what to expect at every stage? While there are general patterns in the progression of Alzheimer’s, the disease unfolds uniquely for each person. This unpredictability can make caregiving especially challenging, as you never quite know what the next day—or even the next hour—might bring.

Please join us in congratulating Mikayla, as our most recent Caregiver of the Month!

Mikayla is a highly skilled Caregiver and is on both of our specialized Dementia and Hospice teams. She has a history of knocking it out of the park everywhere she goes, and is one of our absolute most requested caregivers by our clients.  Mikayla is joyful, attentive, and is always willing to help whenever she can.

Hired Hands Homecare has had the absolute pleasure of working with Mikayla since 2022.  We recently surprised Mikayla on shift with our client, Elspeth.  Mikayla was overjoyed, and Elspeth responded “I am not surprised that Mikayla won the award. She is absolutely wonderful!”.   Both Mikayla and Elspeth are honored with this award 😊, and are looking forward having their wonderful picture on our famous Wall of Fame.

Everyone at Hired Hands is grateful … Read More »

It’s easy for older adults to slip into spending too much time alone, which can lead to senior social frailty.

Not so long ago, we were all taking precautions to protect ourselves and loved ones from the spread of COVID-19. For older adults, who were especially vulnerable, this meant isolating at home and avoiding social interactions. While these measures were necessary for safety, they created a new norm of solitary living for many seniors—one that has persisted long after the height of the pandemic and is causing a condition known as senior social frailty.

Caregiver PTSD is, surprisingly, the most common form of post-traumatic stress disorder.

When you think of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), your mind might conjure images of soldiers returning from battle or individuals who’ve faced extreme life-threatening events. While PTSD is certainly linked to those experiences, it isn’t confined to them. In fact, PTSD can develop after any deeply distressing event—including providing care for a family member. Surprising, isn’t it? Caregiver PTSD is a significant yet often overlooked issue, as the focus is typically placed on the person receiving care rather than the caregiver’s emotional and mental health.

Learn how to recognize and better manage chronic fatigue in older adults.

Some mornings, the snooze button is your best friend—offering a few extra precious moments of rest. But for many older adults, fatigue is more than just morning grogginess; it’s an all-encompassing exhaustion that seeps into every part of their day. As one chronic fatigue sufferer vividly described, “I feel like my battery is permanently drained. It’s as if I’m a dish rag that’s been wrung out and left with nothing to give.”

If you suspect senior anxiety in someone you love, help is available.

Does an older adult you care about seem more withdrawn, restless, or forgetful than usual? While these changes may appear to be part of aging, they might actually indicate something deeper: senior anxiety.

Anxiety is more than just occasional worry or stress. In older adults, it can manifest in subtle or unexpected ways, including:

Persistent, obsessive thoughts
Recurrent nightmares that disrupt sleep
Repetitive behaviors, like checking and re-checking that appliances are off
Physical symptoms, such as sweating, dizziness, or a racing heart
Overreactions to otherwise manageable stressors

What Contributes to Anxiety in Aging Adults?

Aging brings unique challenges that may contribute to anxiety, including:

Side effects from medications
Chronic illnesses or reduced mobility
Grieving the loss of a loved one
Concerns about declining independence or financial stability
Unresolved childhood trauma

These factors, combined with changes in … Read More »

Use these six essential tips to improve dementia care for someone you love.

Caring for someone with dementia is one of the most meaningful yet challenging roles you can take on. It’s important to remind yourself regularly: You are doing your best. You are making a difference. A little self-affirmation goes a long way, but there’s more to consider when caregiving gets tough. Enter the Six Rs of dementia care—a framework designed to help improve dementia care and better manage the complexities of the disease.

What Are the Six Rs of Dementia Care?

The Six Rs offer a practical, compassionate approach to navigating difficult dementia-related behaviors. By following these steps, you can create a more peaceful, supportive environment:

Reassure
Dementia can make familiar routines and environments suddenly feel intimidating or strange. Loud noises, changes in lighting, unfamiliar visitors, or even … Read More »