Please join us in congratulating, Irenena, as our next Caregiver of the Month!

Hired Hands Homecare has had the absolute pleasure of working with Irenena since 2016.  During the past EIGHT years, she has shared her amazing care and compassion with many different families in both Sonoma and Napa counties.   A few weeks ago, we were able to surprise Irenena on shift to honor her with this reward. Irenena was very surprised and her client, Nonie, was excited to join in on the celebration. Irenena is an amazing caregiver with an extremely warm heart.  The Hired Hands team is so grateful for Irenena’s hard work, compassionate demeanor, dedication, and strong communication skills.   On top of that, she always gives the office the best reports and shift notes!  A true team player!

Irenena… what do you say?

“For me, what works is EFFICIENCY. I always … Read More »

When a loved one is approaching the end of life, every moment becomes even more meaningful, but it can also be a time of great emotional difficulty. One of the changes you may notice is their decreasing interest in food and drink, which can be especially distressing. Watching someone you care about stop eating can leave you feeling worried, helpless, and unsure of how to help. However, understanding why these end-of-life eating changes happen and focusing on providing comfort rather than nourishment can ease this challenging time for both you and the person you love. The goal shifts from ensuring they eat to making sure they are comfortable and at peace.

Why Eating Changes Occur at the End of Life

As a person’s body prepares for the end of life, their need for food and drink diminishes. Metabolism slows, … Read More »

Caring for a loved one as they near the end of life is an incredibly personal journey. When Alzheimer’s disease is part of this experience, the path can become even more intricate. Unlike many other terminal illnesses, dementia progresses in unpredictable ways, requiring us to adjust our approach to end-of-life dementia care.

Identifying End-of-Life Signs in Dementia

In many diseases, the end-of-life stage is marked by noticeable changes in areas such as eating, sleeping, and socializing, often appearing two to four months before death. However, with Alzheimer’s disease, these indicators can emerge much earlier, sometimes even years in advance. These are the key signs to watch for:

Extended Sleep Patterns: Long periods of sleep can occur well before the final stages of life in someone with dementia. While this may be an early sign, it can also continue over a … Read More »

Have you ever woken up from a dream feeling completely disoriented? The dream seemed so real, and it takes a moment to regain your bearings. For someone with dementia, this disorientation is a part of everyday life. One highly effective way to help is to provide as much stability as possible, and one of the best ways to accomplish this is by sticking to a daily routine for someone with dementia.

How Can a Routine Help Someone With Dementia?

Short-term memory loss makes it challenging for someone with Alzheimer’s to learn and remember new things. A familiar routine helps build self-confidence, reinforce a sense of independence, and reduce anxiety.

To establish the most comfortable routine for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, try the following:

Follow their lead. Retain any routines the person already has built: a morning shower before … Read More »

The Hired Hands Team is excited to celebrate Florence as our next Caregiver of the Month!

We have had the distinct pleasure working with Florence for almost two and a half years now, and are consistently impressed by her skills and abilities to perfectly handle sometimes difficult situations.  She has had amazing success with her current Client, who had a history of behavioral issues due to cognitive impairment.  In a short time, and with much dedication and heartfelt work, Florence was able to completely turn the situation around.   With her calm demeanor and keen attention to detail, life has become much more manageable for the Client, who has been not only able to remain safe and comfortable at home, but also to frequently visit her beloved ranch estate.

Our team had fun presenting Florence with this award while she was on shift.  … Read More »

What’s your first thought when you see an individual in a wheelchair? Do you view that person as less-than, someone in need of being fixed? Do you assume they need special treatment, as though a physical disability impacts intellect as well? How does your thinking shift to see someone standing upright, without the need for a wheelchair; would you think they were better-abled than the wheelchair-bound older adult?

These are tough questions that call for honest answers if we’re to understand and respond accordingly to hidden disabilities in seniors and ableism.

What Is Ableism?

Ableism is identified as “the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior.” It leads to harmful misconceptions and stereotypes.

The Two Sides of the Disability Coin

Individuals with visible disabilities encounter ableism in many … Read More »

We had a great time yesterday supporting an informative and engaging Emergency Prep seminar presented by Emergency Prep Help.  This organization does an amazing job working throughout our community to prepare seniors for natural disasters and other emergencies.  Their program is extremely informative for seniors, and we fully support their philosophy that proper education and preparedness will be extremely beneficial should a wildfire or other natural disaster happen in our community.  More information and resources, as well as a schedule of future presentations, can be found at https://www.emergencyprephelp.org.

If you’re feeling bored as a caregiver, try these helpful suggestions.

It’s hard to admit but even harder to avoid. Feeling bored as a caregiver is a common response to spending so much time together, completing the same tasks, engaging in the exact same activities, and running out of intriguing conversation topics. This is not by any means associated with your feelings for the person in your care. In fact, they could be feeling just as tired of a stagnant routine.

Ease the process of medical tests for older adults with these tips.

There’s often nothing “routine” about a routine checkup. You may arrive to your appointment perfectly fine, but leave with orders for blood work along with other medical tests a doctor recommends to keep you as healthy as possible. These tests may be nothing more than a minor inconvenience for you, but medical tests for older adults could be challenging for many reasons: transportation problems, mobility issues, thinner skin, fragile veins, cognitive difficulties, and much more.

Join us for the 36th Annual Marin Senior Fair
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Marin Center Exhibit Hall

Wow, it has been quite an honor to have participated in THIRTY of the Thirty Six Senior Fairs!  We’re not too sure if anyone can say that?!?

This year’s theme is Flower Power, Where Peace and Wisdom Flourish.

The Fair will have 140 Exhibit Booths presenting valuable information and resources for seniors and those caring for seniors. The Fair will feature Food, Live Music and Dancing, along with costumes and booth decorations. As always, you can enjoy beautiful quilts, have your photo taken, and pick up some free books.

Attendance and parking are free. Free transportation to and from downtown San Rafael.
Enter our free raffle to win prizes.  More information can be found at https://2024.marinseniorfair.org/

Come visit us at Booth 200 – We’ll see you at the Fair!
~Your … Read More »