Family Caregivers

These four simple tips can make a big difference in helping you gain energy as a caregiver.

Providing care for someone else can be exhausting. Add in the shortened daylight hours of fall that we’re beginning to experience, along with the everyday stressors in life, and it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling worn down and sluggish. Try these ideas from our home care team to help you shift from feeling fatigued to fabulous and gain energy as a caregiver.

Consume more high-energy, complex carbs. If the hectic pace of life or simply ingrained habits have you grabbing a quick bowl of sugary cereal for breakfast, snacking on chips and soda, and seeking out comfort foods like macaroni and cheese or white bread, it’s only natural for your energy level to be sapped. Instead, choose whole grains, … Read More »

Please join us in congratulating Tatiana as Hired Hands Homecare’s latest Caregiver of the Month!

We recently lured Tatiana into the office to present the award to her, and she was so surprised! She has been with Hired Hands for a little over a year now and is still working with some of the same ongoing clients since she started with us. It has been an absolute delight to work with Tatiana and watch her blossom into the professional Caregiver she is today! Tatiana is a beam of happiness wherever she goes, and always shows up for work with a big, infectious smile on her face. She is an amazing companion which allows her clients to maintain their dignity and independence while remaining safe and comfortable in their own homes. Every client that Tatiana has cared for has had nothing but … Read More »

These tips will guide you in how to care for someone with a progressive disease.

It might have been expected, or perhaps broadsided you without warning. Mom has just received the official diagnosis for a progressive disease that is likely to make independent life difficult. While there are a number of uncertainties, one thing is for sure: she is adamant about remaining at home – meaning you’ll have to learn how to care for someone with a progressive disease.

Welcome to the world of family caregiving! If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with what can be expected next, these recommendations will help.

Discover as much as you’re able to about the disease. The older adult’s doctor can provide you with resources and educational materials to help you know what to anticipate and to gain confidence in your caregiving role.
Prioritize … Read More »

Discover how to improve resilience in older adults in four simple steps.

Did you ever encounter someone so inspiring that it completely changed your viewpoint on life? It might lead you to pause and wonder what it is about that person that supplies them with the drive and strength to stand out from the crowd. This type of resilience in older adults is especially encouraging, showing us that whatever comes our way, at whatever age, life is beautiful, rich, and fulfilling.

At the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at Columbia University, research workers decided to examine this further with their “Exceeding Expectations” project. They followed 20 elderly New Yorkers from diversified backgrounds and cultures for a two-year time period. Here is what they learned about the resiliency of these extraordinary individuals.

They never let their obstacles define them. … Read More »

Try these tips to help someone experiencing sleeping problems in dementia get a better night’s rest.

If it seems like a senior with dementia has completely rewritten the rules on when and how to sleep, you’re not dreaming. For reasons that aren’t yet fully understood, sleeping problems in dementia are quite common. Changes to the senior’s circadian rhythm lead to drowsy days and sleepless nights.

The development of the disease is one contributing factor. Damage to brain cells causes increased weakness, making everyday tasks and activities exhausting. Medication side effects from commonly-prescribed dementia treatments can further exacerbate the issue.

Why Is a Good Night’s Sleep Crucial for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s?

Decreased sleep quality in dementia may bring about an increase in restlessness and delusions, and can cause serious safety concerns, such as the potential for an … Read More »

Taking steps to learn how to be the best possible caregiver will improve life in a variety of ways for the person in your care – and yourself.

If someone were providing care for you, how would you want that caregiver/care receiver relationship to look? What qualities would shift that level of care from ordinary to extraordinary? Placing yourself in the shoes of the person in your care is the first step to learning how to be the best possible caregiver – something that will have a lasting impact on both your family member and yourself!

If you’re feeling angry about caring for aging parents, know that you’re not alone, and there are steps you can take to help.

If you were to detail the top 5 emotions you encounter in meeting the caregiving needs of your aging parents, what would they be? Maybe you would first think of emotions like compassion, love, and sometimes, even frustration or stress. Would anger make the list? In many cases, though family caretakers wouldn’t wish to admit it, it’s quite common to feel angry about caring for aging parents.

What an important time it is… Let’s Celebrate!

June is a special time of year for so many different reasons!  First, the whole month celebrates Pride.  Around the globe, we join the LGBTQ community to celebrate their impact, progress, and acceptance.

Secondly, let’s raise our glasses to the Grads and Dads!  Whether its Pre-school or Grad School… we toast these important educational milestones, and all the hard work it took to get there!  Great job GRADS… and best of luck in your next chapter!  And to all the DADS… our heartfelt THANKS for your patience, support, and guidance over all these years!  Happy Father’s Day – we wouldn’t be here without you!

And lastly, on Monday, June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth, to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the US.  Let us all applaud African American freedom and achievement, and encourage self-development, respect … Read More »

We all need to understand how disrespectful talking to the elderly like babies is, and to avoid this common practice.

Watch what happens at the next family members get together when a new mother places her baby in someone’s arms. The person is likely to shift instantly into baby mode: a sing-song, high-pitched voice, exaggerated facial expressions, and overly-simplified speech. Of course, this is quite normal and actually beneficial to an infant’s growing brain. Sadly though, it is also quite common to hear people talking to the elderly like babies too. This can be so harmful to the elderly, that there’s a word to describe it: elderspeak.

A recent research study by Susan Kemper, a professor specializing in gerontology at the University of Kansas, matched senior listeners with younger speakers. Even with  the seniors’ instructions just to listen … Read More »

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

We have had the distinct pleasure of working with Katarina for over three and a half years now.  In that time, not only has she been amazing with a number of our Clients, but she has also enjoyed working here so much that she has referred multiple family to join our team!  Nice!  We consider it a HUGE compliment when our employees are so happy, that they refer us to their own friends and family!

Recently, Katarina was has been working with Pat, one of our long-time clients, and has been doing an outstanding job!  Typically, Pat has chosen to keep to her room, and not leave for any reason.   Within a week, Katarina was able to change that with her sweet and soft-spoken nature. Katarina is now … Read More »