Senior sleep patterns normally shift in aging, but there are some exceptions you’ll need to be aware of.

Ever wonder why Dad falls asleep in the recliner before dinner, then wakes up at 3 a.m. ready to reorganize the garage? Or why Mom suddenly insists on a 7 p.m. bedtime but still wakes up groggy?

Loss is never easy, but it tends to feel even heavier with age. After a lifetime of building meaningful relationships, each goodbye can feel like a piece of the heart breaking away. If you’re supporting an older adult through grief, you may feel unsure of what to say or do, but your presence and empathy can make all the difference.

The kitchen is a place where stories are told, hands are busy, and memories simmer right alongside the soup. That’s what makes cooking with someone who has dementia such a powerful tool; it connects the past to the present in ways words sometimes can’t.

Today we’re proud to celebrate Vivian as our next Caregiver of the Month!

Vivian has just recently joined Hired Hands and we are so lucky to have her!  She’s a recent graduate and is pursuing a career in nursing.  From day one, she came in with such vibrance, enthusiasm and a strong desire to help others.  Vivian had no hesitation when I asked her if she would be willing to start with a high skill level client that we had an immediate need for.  She jumped right in with both feet and soaked up all of the tips and recommendations the care team offered her.  Every day she is going above and beyond and is making great progress and with her often challenging client.

When we went to visit Vivian at her client’s home, she was so surprised to be honored as our Caregiver … Read More »

Knowing what to expect emotionally when your caregiving role ends can help you heal, reflect, and begin to rediscover yourself.

When caregiving becomes your full-time reality, it can be hard to imagine life any other way. So, when that chapter comes to a close, the quiet that follows can feel overwhelming. If you’re struggling with what to expect emotionally when your caregiving role ends, you’re not alone.  This transition brings a wide mix of feelings that can be confusing, unexpected, or even contradictory.

These exercise tips for older adults are fun, doable and perfect for boosting health and connection.

It doesn’t take a major life event to spark a desire for change. Sometimes it’s the little things: a restless night, feeling sluggish, or hearing a loved one say, “I just don’t feel like myself lately.” If that sounds familiar, the solution may be simpler than expected. These exercise tips for older adults offer small, realistic ways to get moving again, and feel better in body, mind, and mood.

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

Last week, we had the pleasure of surprising Sera on shift while she was with Peter, her steady client. Before leaving the surprise visit, Peter and Sera shared a special moment as he couldn’t wait to congratulate her again!

We have had the distinct pleasure of working with Sera for over 5 years!  She is currently on our Live-in team specializing in both Dementia and Hospice care. Sera is highly skilled, deeply dedicated, and provides exceptional care to every client she works with. Sera has an amazing ability to really connect with her clients and their families.  She is always warm, welcoming, and her clients appreciate her sense of humor. She has weathered some challenging cases with grace and everyone at Hired Hands appreciates her hard work, her tireless … Read More »

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

Perpetua, known lovingly by her clients as “Peppy”, is a highly skilled Caregiver specializing in Dementia, Hospice, and Parkinson’s care.   The Hired Hands team has had the distinct pleasure of working with Peppy for almost two and a half years, and we’re here to tell you… she is pure sunshine!   She has a history of exceeding all expectations everywhere she goes and consistently going above and beyond ever since she joined the Hired Hands Marin team.  Every day, Perpetua is joyful, attentive, and always willing to help whenever and however she can.

When we surprised Perpetua with our Caregiver of the Month award, she stated “I am blessed to work for such a caring and supportive group and I love my clients like my own family”.   We certainly … Read More »

Dementia reality orientation can help or hurt, depending on how and when it’s used.

Did you ever wake up in the middle of a dream and wonder, just for a second, if what you were dreaming was real? That groggy, surreal confusion can feel unsettling, until your brain catches up and you remember where you are. For someone with dementia, that moment of uncertainty doesn’t always pass. Confusion about time, place, and identity can linger, shaping their entire day.

Try these dementia-friendly signs to help someone you love minimize confusion at home.

If you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten why you’re there, you’ve had a small taste of what living with dementia can feel like. Now imagine that same confusion magnified, only it’s constant, and it’s happening inside your own home. Suddenly, the most familiar place in the world becomes full of uncertainty. One helpful solution is dementia-friendly signs to help transform a frustrating maze into a space that feels safe, supportive, and familiar again.