Pleasanton Senior Care
From Frail to Fit: Best Exercises for Seniors
The benefits of exercise don’t diminish as we age, and it’s incredibly important for older adults to maintain as active a lifestyle as possible. Even those who are bedridden or wheelchair-bound have a full range of options available to strengthen, improve resistance and flexibility.
The first step is always to check with the physician to get a recommendation on the best exercises for seniors that fit with your loved one’s activity level and medical history. Initially, exercising even for as little as a few minutes a day, repeated several times throughout the day, can greatly enhance the senior’s health and wellbeing.
Following are several examples of the best exercises for seniors:
Aerobic Exercises: If whole body movements aren’t possible, exercises from a seated position are available to build cardio strength. When possible, good options include:
Swimming or water aerobics
Dancing
Walking
Tai Chi
Bowling
Resistance Exercises: To build and … Read More »
Help for Caregivers Struggling with Guilt
Most of us are juggling a number of balls at any given time, and for caregivers, it often feels like they’re juggling knives and flaming swords on top of it. It’s common to feel overburdened and guilty when you’re a caregiver for a loved one, whether that person is your spouse or your parent.
Guilt can manifest in many ways. Maybe you feel like you’re spending too little time with your loved one. You may feel guilty about considering an assisted living facility for your loved one. You might feel guilty when your loved one’s dementia-fueled behaviors caused you to snap. Or you could feel guilty about neglecting your own children’s needs in order to care for your senior loved one.
The most important things to remember are: You are doing the best you can, and it’s okay to seek help.
Let’s take … Read More »
Tips for Family Caregivers to Overcome Dementia-Related Personal Care Battles
Assisting a senior you love with personal care needs – tasks like taking a bath, getting dressed, and helping with toilet needs – can be uncomfortable for both the senior and yourself. It requires the senior to set modesty aside and allow herself to be vulnerable. And when Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is added to the mix, the senior’s feelings of distress may become overwhelming, resulting in an outburst.
The exact trigger behind these outbursts can vary from one person to another, but some of the more common reasons are:
Loss of control. A person’s sense of independence can feel as though it’s slipping away in a number of areas for older adults, and trying to remain in control over the most basic functions becomes even more important.
What can help: Help the senior to feel as much in control … Read More »
Pleasanton’s Employee of the Month
Darlene MacDonald- Darlene has worked for Hired Hands Homecare for over 3 years. Darlene is a very hard worker. She goes above and beyond to get things done.
When Darlene was in her CNA class, she finished at the top of her class and scored a 100% on her final examination.
Darlene is an animal lover. She has two dogs Casey is a Yellow Lab and Sydney is a Chihuahua. She has a guinea pig named Rose that her and her family rescued at a local park and she feeds the local stray cats.
Darlene likes to read, bird watch and take hikes. Darlene’s favorite aspect of care giving is being able to brighten someone’s day and to help them be more independent.
Darlene, THANK YOU for ALL you do!
The Hired Hands Homecare Team~
Hired Hands Homecare Shares Important Shingles Details Seniors Need to Know
When it comes to odd disease names, the shingles virus tops the list. The name of the disease might cause you to picture someone with rows and rows of roofing materials layered over his skin. In actuality, shingles, also known as the herpes zoster virus, is a very painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in younger people. If you’ve ever had the chickenpox, unfortunately you are now at risk for also contracting shingles. Shingles risk increases with age, with a full one-half of adults contracting the shingles virus by the age of 80.
To see what the shingles virus really looks like, take a look at this page of photos from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. It is estimated that there are a million instances of shingles diagnosed in the U.S. each year. For that … Read More »
California Senior Care: Back to School Vaccinations Aren’t Just for Kids!
As summer winds down, parents are busy shopping for school supplies, checking last year’s clothing to see what still fits, scheduling appointments for physical and dental exams, and more often than not, subjecting their children to vaccinations. But fall isn’t just the time for school kids to roll up their sleeves for the dreaded shots. This time of year, even adults should get in on the act, including seniors over age 60.
According to this report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adults over the age of 60 should be up to date on the following vaccinations; and if your senior loved one needs a booster, our California senior care services can help!
Influenza – every year
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis – every ten years
Varicella (chickenpox) – two doses throughout one’s life
Herpes zoster (shingles) – one dose after the age of 60
Pneumococcal (PPSV23) … Read More »
Social Media and California Senior Care: A Perfect Match to Keep Seniors Socializing
The world is certainly smaller now than ever before since the advent of the Internet, and it’s now so easy to stay connected with friends and family at a distance. For seniors who are experiencing periods of isolation, such as those who are homebound, accessing online resources like Facebook, Twitter, and Skype can make a world of difference in their social engagement, and can make a huge impact on their sense of self-worth and purpose. Here are just a few ways social media can change the lives of seniors:
Helps Keep Families Closer: Many older adults wish they heard more often from their loved ones. Facebook is a great way to keep up with family and friends on a more frequent basis. It also helps to deepen relationships by allowing seniors to engage in more frequent conversations with friends and family. … Read More »
True Teamwork is Magic in Homecare
Here is a PRIME example of how Hired Hands Homecare operates day in and day out with our amazing Clients and outstanding Caregivers…
On Jun 16, 2016, at 10:15 AM, Erin Winter <Erin@HiredHandsHomecare.com> wrote:
Hi Linda and Emi,
I just wanted to throw out a huge thank you for doing such a great job with Mr. S. I spoke with Mrs. S yesterday and she said “Where have you been hiding these ladies? They were nothing short of perfect, wonderful in every way. Don loved them and enjoyed his time with them! I couldn’t have asked for more!” To get feedback like this is such a gift and we so appreciate your hard work and dedication. Whenever either of you are working with one of our clients, I know they are in the best hands!
Mrs. S has gone through bad experiences with caregivers … Read More »
Join the Best Caregiving Team in our Community!
Become a Registered Home Care Aide In one of the fastest growing, most rewarding, industries in America.
Hired Hands Homecare is hiring for Full Time, Part Time, Overnight, and Weekend positions in Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and the Tri-Valley Areas.
Hired Hands Homecare is a family owned and operated California Licensed Home Care Organization that is celebrating our 22nd year serving Bay Area families! We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and are looking for motivated individuals to join our dedicated Team, and help us improve the quality of life for our clients. “Team:” is a word we take very seriously in our company. No role is too small and everyone plays a crucial part when it comes to taking care of our seniors. Our Management Team works very closely with our Caregivers and clients’ families to assure the highest levels of Care and Customer … Read More »
Amazing Pleasanton Caregiver Brings and Leaves Big Smiles!
Hired Hands Homecare’s Pleasanton office is proud to announce Alicia Chavez as the Caregiver of the Month for March of 2016!
Alicia is so great! She has been working steadily, five days per week with a gentleman with early stage dementia. Both the client and his family have had nothing but the highest praise for Alicia. She goes above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis. Furthermore, she brings her wonderful smile everyday… and leaves one with the client she assists.
Thank you so much Alicia! Your hard work and compassion make a daily difference in the lives of seniors in Pleasanton, Livermore, and the Tri-valley area!
