Caregivers

Monitoring mental health and wellbeing in older adults is critical.

The isolation and fear brought on by COVID-19 has had a profound impact on mental health and wellbeing in older adults. In a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, nearly one half of seniors surveyed stated that their level of stress and worry has adversely impacted their own health. And even though it still may be risky to visit in person with older adults, it’s critical to stay in frequent and regular contact in order to watch for any changes or signs which could indicate a senior mental health concern.

As psychiatrist Judith Feld, MD, MPH, states, “If a senior usually really enjoys a call with a grandchild, for example, but that seems to have changed, maybe you need to ask more questions, such as, ‘How can we be of … Read More »

A professional caregiving career is personally and professionally fulfilling.

There’s an old adage that states, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” While professional caregivers will tell you that there are days their job feels like a lot of work, they will also tell you that more often than not, a caregiving career is professionally and personally fulfilling because of the difference they make in peoples’ lives.

In working closely to assist others, caregivers utilize a variety of skills in order to ensure that the people in their care live full and engaged lives. If you’ve helped a loved one informally as a family caregiver, you probably know firsthand the important role of a caregiver – not only in helping with basic care needs, but in helping maintain … Read More »

Working as an in-home caregiver can be a rewarding way to give back to your community.

As more and more members of our communities reach their senior years, the demand for in-home caregivers has increased. You may be considering making caregiving your career but aren’t entirely sure what to expect from the job, or if you’re even qualified. The good news is, even without previous experience as an in-home caregiver, you might be more qualified for this rewarding career than you think. 

Caregivers generally possess a unifying series of traits that form the foundation of their vocation, including compassion, responsibility, patience, and an interest in making a difference in their local communities. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are drawn to caregiving due to the job’s flexibility, variety, and service-oriented nature. 

So what can you … Read More »

Learn how home care services can help alleviate family caregiving fears.

“Of course Dad can move in with me!” 

Increasingly, more family members are making this commendable decision on a daily basis, signifying the start of lifestyle changes they can only fully gain an understanding of once immersed in them. And even though the rewards of family caregiving are immeasurable, it’s a role that is not without its struggles and challenges. That’s why it’s important to understand the top family caregiving worries that caregivers face. 

It may seem natural to manage everyday activities for a loved one; but it’s not as instinctive as it seems on first impression. For example, helping a loved one into the shower or bath incorrectly may lead to a fall. Inadequate incontinence care could cause skin damage and infection. Non-compliance with a recommended … Read More »

A trusted home care partner can help a senior loved one thrive in the comfort of home.

There are a number of facets involved in selecting a home care provider for an older adult. In our continued quest to help families sort through their options for home care with knowledge and confidence, the following are three tips to remember: 

Assessing Needs

With a professional home care agency, you don’t need to worry about determining what services are best for a particular situation. Prior to starting care, the agency will come to the home and, through a series of questions, be able to develop a care plan that is customized to the situation and suits the particular needs associated with the person needing care. The agency may also work with the client’s physician or others on the care team, … Read More »

Think about the most perfect holiday season you can possibly imagine. While that image may vary a bit for each of us, it typically includes lights, gifts, good food, and traditions handed down through the generations. Yet what most definitely rings true for all of us is the happiness in spending time with the people we love. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused us all to rethink how to safely enjoy the holidays with seniors during a pandemic. With a bit of ingenuity and creativity, however, it’s feasible to bridge the gap while making new memories with the seniors you love, even if you cannot be together with them in person this season. 

Our aging care professionals have collected several suggestions to help you celebrate the holidays with seniors during a pandemic:

Adjust traditions. Think through the traditions that mean the … Read More »

Engaging home care services after a hospital stay is essential for a smoother transition.

As experts in home care in Rohnert Park and other California cities, we understand that recovering after a surgical procedure can take time, especially for older adults. Not only do aging bodies take longer to heal, but together with reduced mobility and a multitude of directions for medications, physical activities, follow-up appointments, and dietary restrictions, there is a lot to help keep tabs on after a hospitalization. So what is the best way to assist an elderly parent after a hospital stay? 

Recent research conducted by IPC, The Hospitalist Company, revealed that nearly one out of every five discharged patients required assistance with at least one thing that had the possibility of affecting their recovery. Other similar studies have shown that bringing in professional … Read More »

Learn how Alzheimer’s impacts vision and what steps to take to ensure safety.

The intricate steps needed to make it possible for us to see are mind-boggling. Within the blink of an eye, our brains have the capability to take transmitted details from the environment around us, translate that information based upon input from other senses, thoughts, and experiences, and then build an understanding of that information to help make us conscious of what we are seeing.

It’s unsurprising that Alzheimer’s impacts vision, and therefore people with Alzheimer’s can encounter misperceptions and visual deficits, particularly in the aspects of:

Depth and/or color perception
Contrast
Motion recognition
Peripheral vision

What’s more, individuals who have Alzheimer’s can frequently encounter an altered sense of reality in the form of illusions. For instance, someone with Alzheimer’s disease could see a shadow on the ground, and mistake … Read More »