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.

Hospital care at home is incredibly helpful, but there are some surprising facts about it that you need to know.

No one wants to linger in a hospital bed any longer than necessary. The faster the procedure or treatment is over, the faster recovery can begin, and for many, that now means recovering at home. Hospital care at home is gaining in popularity, and with good reason. It offers a way to sidestep some of the least appealing aspects of a hospital stay, including:

Boredom in dementia can lead to agitation and anxiety, but the right activities spark joy and connection.

Some pairings just make sense: mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, cozy socks and chilly mornings. But boredom in dementia? That’s a combination no one wants. The effects can go far beyond a quiet moment of restlessness. Studies show that a lack of meaningful stimulation can lead to increased hallucinations, agitation, wandering, anxiety, depression, and even delirium. And it’s not just the person with dementia who suffers; boredom can also affect you as the caregiver, increasing the risk of burnout, sadness, and emotional fatigue.

The good news? Boredom isn’t inevitable. It’s preventable. And often, it takes just a few creative adjustments to turn a long, difficult day into one filled with connection and calm.

The Root of Restlessness

When someone … Read More »

Choosing the best adaptive clothing for seniors helps preserve comfort, confidence, and independence.

You might not think twice about what it takes to get yourself dressed each morning, but if you’re helping someone with arthritis, limited mobility, or other health challenges, you know it’s often not that simple. The best adaptive clothing for seniors is imperative to make life easier and restore a sense of independence, dignity, and control.

Protecting our Seniors – Preventing Scams and Elder Financial Abuse

Earlier this week, the Marin IJ ran an article (https://www.marinij.com/2025/05/20/marin-investigators-accuse-suspect-of-scamming-seniors) highlighting a recent Elder Financial Abuse scam.  The two victims, 78 and 83 years old, were scammed to the tune of almost $100,000.  Fortunately, the perpetrator was caught and the Prosecuting Attorney is fighting for a very high bail.  All of this began with a phishing email seemingly coming from Amazon.

Unfortunately, these sorts of Elder Financial Abuse scams are becoming more and more common.  It is critically important that we all do our part to protect the elderly from this financial exploitation.  There are long laundry lists of what everyone can do to best protect themselves and their financial interests.  Keeping all your information as confidential as possible is paramount.  Use strong passwords, and never divulge them, or your account information.  … Read More »

Spousal caregiver resentment can leave you riddled with guilt, but you can overcome it with the right support.

You meant every word of those vows: through sickness and health, for better or worse. But no one warned you how exhausting it might feel to live those promises day in and day out as a caregiver. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or even resentful while caring for your spouse, take a deep breath: you’re not failing, you’re just human.

The Hired Hands Homecare Team raises our glasses to Kraig, as our most recent Caregiver of the Month!

We had the pleasure of surprising Kraig while he was on shift with his client, Stanley.  When we presented the award, Stanley smiled and said that he wanted to “look up in admiration at Kraig holding his award” for the picture for our office Wall of Fame. It was a moment filled with warmth, appreciation, and lots of smiles. Kraig and Stanley can often be found sharing a quiet afternoon working on crossword puzzles or a competitive game of scrabble.  Either  usually includes enjoying a bowl of ice cream!  While Stanley remains undefeated in their friendly games, Kraig more than makes up for it with his compassionate heart, knowledge of caregiving, and unwavering dedication. Kraig is one of our highly skilled caregivers and also … Read More »

Repetitive questions in dementia aren’t always easy to manage, but these tips will help.

If you’ve ever heard the same question five times in five minutes from someone you love, you know just how draining it can be. Repetitive questions in dementia are one of the most common and challenging behaviors families encounter. But these loops aren’t something the person can control. They’re a window into how dementia changes the brain.