These dysphagia tips will help someone you love adapt to beverage thickeners.

Unless you have dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, it is likely you have not given much serious thought to the various textures and consistencies of the liquids in your daily diet. When you are feeling thirsty, nothing hits the spot like an ice-cold glass of water. On a hot summer day, you may crave a cool milkshake. And when you are recuperating from the flu, a warm bowl of soup really hits the spot.

Find the tips you need here to learn how to become a more patient caregiver.

Does your blood pressure soar once you finally finish filling your cart with groceries, simply to find only one checkout lane open and a line of aggravated shoppers in front of you? Or when you arrive 5 minutes early for a doctor’s appointment, but have to wait 40 minutes to be seen? Many people just seem to exude an innate sense of patience, regardless of the circumstances. Wouldn’t you like to know their secret, particularly when it comes to knowing how to become a more patient caregiver for someone you love?

Please join us as we celebrate Richel O. as our next Caregiver of the Month!

We have had the distinct pleasure of working with Richel for three year now, and it has been quite a treat.  Richel is one of our most skilled Caregivers, and on top of that, she is also one of the kindest!  Her flexibility and professionalism are really impressive to us… but don’t just take our word for it!  Here’s what her current, full time client has to say…

“What a blessing to have Richel in our home!  She has great skills and a warm heart, and is such a great caregiver to Richard!  With her great transferring skills, she always insures he is safe.  Her personality works so well within our home environment, and we are quite comfortable with each other.  She is pleasant every day and … Read More »

Could Alzheimer’s disease be an autoimmune condition? Find out here!

Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s has become as tangled as the tau threads long thought to be the root cause of the disease. But now, research workers may be drawing one step closer to unraveling the puzzle of Alzheimer’s, by using a different train of thought. New studies are leaning towards the potential of an inflammatory response in the brain, which poses the question: could Alzheimer’s disease be an autoimmune condition?

Try these creative ideas to improve socialization for introverted seniors.

Prepare yourself…the holidays will be here before we know it! Although there are plenty of people who flourish on the hectic pace of celebrations and parties, there are others who balk at the thought of going outside of their comfort zone and into more intensive social obligations. It may simply come down to one integral difference: introversion vs. extroversion. And it is important to know which distinction the seniors in your life lean towards more. Socialization for introverted seniors is just as important as for extroverted seniors, and finding the right type of socialization to help them feel most comfortable is key.

Learn about Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery to see if it might be helpful for someone you love.

For individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, the challenges of managing balance, mobility, and overall movement can be profound. As the disease progresses, these difficulties may increase, leading many to assume that less physical activity might be beneficial. However, this assumption is counter to what medical experts and extensive research suggest. In fact, increasing physical activity is strongly encouraged because of its numerous documented benefits in managing Parkinson’s symptoms. In fact, it’s believed to be on par with the adherence to prescribed medications for its role in effective disease management.

The benefits of hugs for seniors may surprise you!

Remember during the height of the pandemic, when social distancing was the norm and we needed to be satisfied with virtual visits? One of the most basic aspects of being a human – physical touch – was put aside in order to protect us all from harm.

When a parent refuses care, these tips can help you come to a resolution.

Let’s say you’re starting to notice some warning signs that cause you to worry about Dad’s ability to continue to take care of himself. Perhaps he’s struggling to maintain the home the way he always has. Or maybe he had a close call while driving that could have caused injury to himself or another person. Maybe he just seems more disoriented lately. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided to talk with him about home care services. The problem is, he refuses to even entertain the idea. What are you to do when a parent refuses care that they desperately need?

If you’re at an impasse on how to proceed, these ideas can be helpful.

Let him know you’re in this together. Digging in your heels and … Read More »

The Hired Hands Homecare team is proud to celebrate Maribel as our most recent Caregiver of the Month!

We have had the absolute pleasure of working with Maribel for TEN YEARS now!  Recently, Danielle was able to surprise her with this award while she was on shift with her client Stanley.  Over the years, Maribel has received multiple awards and both she and her client were delighted to celebrate her latest achievement.  Maribel is a patient and compassionate member of our special Dementia Team, assisting clients with Alzheimer’s and dementia with her advanced skills and knowledge.  She is consistently flexible, dependable, and always keen to anticipate others’ needs.  Because of this, families often request Maribel by name and she is a favorite to many.

Maribel, what do you have to say for yourself?  “Thanks for the recognition!  Working at Hired Hands is … Read More »

If you’re noticing chronic negativity in an older loved one, there may be a medical condition to blame.

We all have good days and bad days, and we are all entitled to a bit of crankiness or negative thinking every now and then. If you are noticing a pattern of chronic negativity in an older loved one, however, it is worthwhile to explore whether a health problem might be the culprit.

Listed below are several reasons for persistent negativity, and how you can help.

Pain. A recent study revealed that participants who were enduring chronic pain reported a rise in negative moods, including fatigue, anger, tension, depression, anxiety, and more. It is essential to discuss any of these mood changes with the physician, as these kinds of mood changes actually impact the effectiveness of pain management treatments.
Urinary tract infections. … Read More »