Home Care Questions in Paradise Valley, AZ: What Happens if a Caregiver Doesn’t Show Up?

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Many people initially assume that hiring a caregiver directly will be easier and less expensive than working through an agency, but this is usually not the case. Since they are usually under stress when hiring, people don’t always think the home care relationship all the way through.

Hiring an Acquaintance

Sometimes people believe that hiring an acquaintance or someone recommended by a friend will be easier, less expensive, or less intrusive into their day-to-day family life than going through an agency.

A few days or weeks into the relationship, if they decide that the person they hired is not working out as they had envisioned, they are at a loss as to how to handle the situation. They may be afraid of hurting someone’s feelings, so they let the person stay on, even though the professional relationship isn’t working.

With a home care agency, this is never an issue. A simple phone call resolves the problem at once.

One of the worst things to happen occurs when you need to be somewhere and nobody shows up to care for your loved one. Imagine you’ve been up all night caring for your parent or spouse. You have an important day at work coming up and you’ve managed to get ready to leave on time. You’re waiting for the care person to arrive, and the minutes tick by, but nobody comes. You’re getting frantic. You’re going to be late for work and you don’t know what to do.

Worst Case Scenario.

If you’ve made a direct hire, you have nothing to fall back on at a time when you may need all the support you can get. You may have to make a lot of phone calls to find someone who is free to stay with your loved one. In the worst case, you might miss a day of work. If this scenario happens at night instead of in the morning, you might have to go without sleep.

This uncertain situation only adds to the natural stress of caring for someone who is ill. If you hire home care through an agency, a single phone call is all it takes to ensure that another qualified professional caregiver is immediately on the way.

Best Case Scenario

You shouldn’t have to deal with the complexities of hiring and firing when coping with family health issues. This is a time when you should be good to yourself. It’s a time to let someone else take care of details.

Let Home Matters Home Care manage schedules and other details while you focus on more important things.

When researching options for home care agencies in Paradise Valley AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Paradise Valley, AZ.

Caregiving in Fountain Hills, AZ: Learn More About World Alzheimer’s Day 2012

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September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day. “Dementia: Living Together” is the theme for this year’s event. World Alzheimer’s Day was created by the World Health Organization in 1994 to draw attention to Alzheimer’s Disease. This special day will highlight a month of worldwide activities designed to combat the social stigma Alzheimer’s victims and caregiving family members face.

Alzheimer’s is the most common dementia. It is a slow, progressive disease that gradually robs victims of their memory. There are no cures or effective treatments for the disease’s symptoms. In fact, experts can’t even figure out how to slow it down. The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is expected to explode in the next few decades as the post-World War II generation, the baby boomers, age.

Misconceptions and detrimental attitudes about Alzheimer’s are still too common. Caregivers struggle as their loved ones slowly lose touch with reality. They face not only overwhelming physical care and financial stress, but also the social stigma of Alzheimer’s. National Alzheimer’s Day will help victims and caregivers by encouraging positive discussions about this devastating disease.

The World Alzheimer’s Report will be released during September. Worldwide seminars, special events and workshops highlighting Alzheimer’s awareness will also take place this month. Increasing numbers of people are familiar with Alzheimer’s because of loved ones who are victims. Unfortunately many still don’t recognize Alzheimer’s symptoms or behavior. National Alzheimer’s Day will educate community members to be aware of symptoms and of dementia victims in their area.

Many communities will host fundraising Memory Walks on National Alzheimer’s Day. Caregiving families, their friends and neighbors will walk together to remember those lost and to encourage those currently fighting the disease.

Dedicated researchers are actively fighting the disease. Many diseases have been eradicated or tamed by devoted researchers who have the money to take on the task. National Alzheimer’s Day will highlight one of the worst diseases researchers have ever battled. The day will raise research money, provide information and promote awareness about Alzheimer’s victims. It will highlight their caregivers’ struggles to keep them safe. Anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s dreams of the day this deadly disease will be cured. A world without Alzheimer’s is definitely going to be a better place for all of us.

When researching options for caregiving agencies in Fountain Hills AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Senior Care at Home in Mesa, AZ: Great Foods for a Heart Healthy Diet

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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), coronary heart disease affects almost 5 percent of the population. Heart attacks occur in over 3 percent of the population, while heart failure affects approximately 2 percent of the population. Obviously, heart health is something that no sector of the adult population can ignore.

Some of the factors that may increase the risk of heart disease or heart attack include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity, smoking and/or physical inactivity.

However, reducing the risk of heart problems is possible through simple lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise and choosing a healthy diet. The same is true for young adults and seniors alike.

Here are some great heart-healthy foods to incorporate into senior care:

– Fresh fruit and vegetables

According to WebMD, fresh vegetables and fruits help remove free radicals from the bloodstream, which helps maintain the health of blood vessels.

Some of the best heart-healthy produce includes blueberries, which are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, beta-carotene and potassium, as well as carrots, which are high in alpha-carotene and fiber. Try adding shredded carrots to pasta sauce or zucchini bread batter for an added heart healthy boost. Put blueberries on oatmeal or eat some for a quick snack.

Other heart-healthy fruits and vegetables include broccoli, spinach, red bell peppers, sweet potato, oranges, asparagus, cantaloupe, squash, tomatoes, papaya and other berries. All are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and easy to incorporate as a side dish or snack for seniors.

– Whole Grains

Look for bread products that are labeled “100 percent whole grain” and list “whole wheat flour” as the first on the ingredient list for the most heart-healthy benefits.

One whole grain that appeals to many seniors is a bowl of oatmeal, which provides omega-3 fatty acids, as well as calcium, soluble fiber, potassium and magnesium. Add a little milk and some fresh fruit to make this a healthy and delicious breakfast.

– Beans and Legumes

High in fiber and protein, beans and legumes offer a low fat, satisfying way to feel full. Add some kidney beans or black beans to a broth-based soup with vegetables and whole grain pasta to add soluble fiber, B-complex vitamins, magnesium and niacin in a satisfying and nurturing meal. Soup is also easy to freeze and defrost for senior care providers.

– Fish

The omega-3 fats in fish help increase heart health and may even reduce inflammation. Buy some grilled salmon and add it to a salad for an easy way to add omega-3 fatty acids and protein.

Tuna is another fish that is easy to incorporate into a senior’s diet. Buy canned “light” tuna, mix some with some low-fat mayonnaise and mustard, add to whole wheat bread for niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, and foliate for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

– Brown Rice

Like whole wheat bread, brown rice adds fiber, vitamins and minerals where white, processed pasta and bread items do not. Brown rice has B-complex vitamins, niacin and magnesium. Pick up some steamed vegetables and brown rice from a local Chinese or Thai restaurant for an easy meal for an at-home senior.

– Tea

Tea is high in flavonols and catechins, which are good for the heart. Brew up a nice afternoon cup of tea or brew some sun tea and pour it over ice for a delicious, healthy beverage.

While many of these foods are easy enough for many seniors to eat and prepare on their own, home care services can also help grocery shop, prepare meals and snacks. This will help ensure that a healthy variety of heart-smart foods is provided on a daily basis.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Mesa AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Mesa, AZ.

September is Healthy Aging Month: Home Care Services in Scottsdale, AZ Can Help Seniors Get Healthy and Stay Healthy!

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Here are just some of the ways home care services can assist seniors who want to get healthy and stay healthy, after all – it’s never too late to start taking care of ourselves!

EAT FRESH. Make a commitment to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. September is still harvest time in many areas so seek out local farmers markets and buy local produce. Make it a point to try to make foods from scratch… skip the processed foods as much as you can. How much do you need to eat? Home Care Services can help by preparing light meals and helping with grocery shopping.

TAKE A WALK. Walking with a companion can keep the energy level high and the motivation strong to improve each day. Seniors don’t have to walk long distances, start small and work your way up to longer walks. Walking is good for your overall health and can even be done around the house, at the mall, or around the neighborhood.

DO SOMETHING NEW. Tired of the same old scene? Seniors can go on short day trip to new places, visit new museums, parks and other places that give them a fresh perspective. Look online for recommendations in your area for short trips that are within an hour drive of your area.

GET SOCIAL! Good health for the mind is just as important as good health for the body. Seniors can invite friends over for lunch, participate in church groups, book clubs, senior center activities, card clubs and more.

HealthyAging.net gives us this advice for staying “BRAIN” healthy:

“If you think old, you ARE old. A decline in memory is not always a function of serious disease, like Alzheimer’s. Sometimes memory loss is caused by factors that can be changed — such as diet, medication misuse, depression, etc… At the National Institute on Aging, research is showing that memory may be like other parts of the body. Research showed that the very gradual declines in memory take place until age 70 — when the pace increases, but not so much as to impair us. The conclusion?

The processes of normal aging do not rob you of your memory.

The greatest enemy to the healthy senior mind is depression. New activities, hobbies, and exercise are wonderful anti-depressants. If you truly are depressed, don’t bear it alone — SEEK HELP!

Stay active doing things that use your memory:

• Take a class, play games, be with people

• Pick up the phone now and call someone, just to “chat”

• Volunteer your time. Get involved with a cause you believe in or in something that interests you

• Seek out variety and challenge in your daily life

These are just a few tips for Healthy Aging in September 2012- Healthy Aging Month!

When researching options for home care services in Scottsdale AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your home care services needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care services in Scottsdale, AZ.

Senior Care in Phoenix, AZ: Celebrating with Seniors, Preparing for National Grandparent’s Day- Sunday Sept. 9th!

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Whether you live close to the seniors in your life or they are far away, it is easy and fun to prepare for National Grandparent’s Day on September 9. After all, we all deserve a little recognition and love and the grandparents in your life are no different.

President Jimmy Carter first declared Grandparent’s Day back in 1978, recognizing the importance and impact of grandparents in the daily life of millions of Americans.

Regardless of whether it is just a simple phone call or a card or something much more extensive, the grandparent(s) in your life will appreciate the thanks and a little affection on September 9. Here are a few ideas:

Crafts

Help the grand kids create a card celebrating all the reasons why they love their grandparents. Let them draw a picture of them with their grandparent or with their little hand prints on the card.

Glue pictures of the children and their grandparents on large squares of construction paper and then create a loop with ribbon on the top as a hanger. Remember to add names, location and date on the back of the picture!

Staple several large pieces of brightly colored construction paper together to make a book. Then create a collage with pictures, drawings, letters from the children to their grandparents and other mementos to create a special memory book.

Let Grandma or Grandpa be the Star of the Day and ask to interview them about their life and their history. You will get to hear fascinating stories you may have never heard before and will create a family heirloom to cherish for years to come.

Phone Calls

Of course, nothing can replace the sound of a little voice on the phone, so remember to call the grandparents in your life on Grandparent’s Day. While you can leave a simple “Happy Grandparent’s Day!” message, you can also make it a little more creative. Have the children sing “Happy Grandparent’s Day” to the tune of Happy Birthday or let each child leave a special message.

Remember that some grandparents enjoy texting as much as some teenagers, so a few little texts throughout the day will help make it even more special.

Special Treats

If you live near the grandparents in your life, schedule a visit on Grandparent’s Day. Bring them a special meal so that they do not have to cook or bring them a particular treat that you know he or she enjoys.

Encourage them to sit down and relax while watching a favorite movie while you clean their home for them and do some laundry. After all, a few house fairies are usually a welcome sight in any home!

If your grandparent lives in an assisted living community or a nursing home, check for special visiting hours on Grandparent’s Day and remember to come at that time, bringing cards and gifts for your loved one.

For grandparents who are mobile, take him or her out for a nice meal out at a favorite restaurant. Make a day out of it with shopping or a movie. Think of your grandparents’ favorite activities and interests and make sure to create a unique day.

Over 5 million children live in a home with at least one grandparent present in America. If this is the case for you, bring Grandma or Grandpa breakfast in bed, just like Mother’s or Father’s Day.

Help Out

Over three million grandparents act as parents these days, raising their grandchildren and acting as the primary caregiver. If you know of a grandparent who is also Mom or Dad, offer to take the kids on Grandparents Day for a few hours so that they can get a break.

When you bring the children back at the end of the day, bring a yummy meal for everyone with you. Perhaps you can schedule a regular “Grandparent’s Day” when you either help around the home or babysit for a while so that Grandma or Grandpa can rest and relax.

There are many, many ways to make Grandparent’s Day special for the seniors in your life. Just remember to acknowledge what they mean to you, your children and in your life.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Phoenix AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Phoenix AZ.

Senior Care in Tucson, AZ: August is National Immunization Month- The Importance of Flu Shots for Seniors

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Immunizations are essential for prevention against serious life-threatening infections and diseases.

Many illnesses are contagious and can cause serious complications. Influenza is an illness that affects the respiratory system and individuals that catch the flu viruses can develop symptoms that range from mild to severe. Severe complications from the flu can lead to serious health problems and even result in death. Specific groups of people are at a higher risk of developing complications including young children and the elderly. August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month to help raise awareness of preventable diseases and the importance of vaccinations to stay healthy.

Seniors and Influenza

Seniors are more susceptible to the flu virus due to the immune system weakening with age. One of the most common complications of the flu is pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia may be treatable at home; however, hospitalization is often required for those with compromised immune systems. Receiving a vaccine for influenza can reduce the chances of developing pneumonia and other illnesses that often occur after having the cold or flu.

The “Flu Shot”

The influenza vaccine can help protect against three types of flu strains that are predicted to be the most commonly spread throughout the upcoming flu season. The viruses used in the flu vaccine may change each year depending on the research and estimation that helps to predict what strains will be the most harmful and widespread. The flu shot contains killed virus and is administered through a needle typically in the upper arm. Shots are approved for individuals six months of age and older.

The three different types of flu shots available include:

• Regular shots approved for those six months and older

• Intradermal flu shots for people ages 18 through 64

• High-dose flu shots recommended for those over the age of 65

Antibodies begin to develop in the body within two weeks of vaccination to provide protection against the most harmful strains throughout the flu season.

Seniors are advised to receive the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their area. A healthcare professional can help determine what type of vaccine is right for an individual. In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, everyday measures such as eating right, getting an adequate amount of exercise and drinking plenty of fluids can also help seniors stay happy and healthy throughout the flu season.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Tucson AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Tucson, AZ.

Elder Care in Gilbert, AZ: Keeping Seniors Safe from Financial Elder Abuse

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Financial elder abuse occurs when a person uses illegal or deceptive methods to gain control of a senior citizen’s assets. Sometimes the method is straight forward – stealing money outright or forging the senior’s signature on a check, car title, or deed. Other times, abusers use more subtle methods – convincing the senior to give them credit card information in order to claim a non-existent prize, for instance, or soliciting donations for a fraudulent charity.

Someone a Senior Knows

The perpetrator of financial elder abuse may be someone the senior knows and loves, such as a child or grandchild. In these cases, the abuser is usually in great need of money – often to feed an addiction – and believes that he or she is somehow entitled to the senior’s money and other assets. The family member who abuses may make statements like, “She didn’t take care of me right when I was a kid, so she owes me something now.”

A Stranger Who Becomes a Friend

Other abusers start out as strangers but quickly work their way into the senior citizen’s life as a friend, a love interest, or even a caregiver. Once they have attained a position that gives them access to the senior’s valuables and bank accounts, the exploitation begins.

Scams via Phone and Mail

Another type of financial abuser perpetrates telephone scams, coaxing seniors into pouring their money into worthless investments or spending thousands of dollars on merchandise that is little more than junk. These abusers tend to prey upon seniors who are slightly confused and don’t always understand the consequences of their financial decisions.

Elder Care Protection

Protecting your loved one from all forms of abuse is important in elder care. Sadly, though, you may not discover that your loved one has been financially abused until his or her assets have vanished. This is especially true if your loved one still handles his or her own finances.

Hire a Reputable Home Care Agency

One option that can help stop financial abuse and promote good elder care is to hire a pre-screened caregiver from a reputable agency that provides in-home services to seniors. The caregiver who visits several times per week is in a perfect position to notice suspicious activity – increased check-writing to family members or unfamiliar charities, phone calls or visits from new “friends,” or an increase in the number of deliveries made to the home.

When you hire the caregiver, discuss your concerns about financial abuse with the agency and the caregiver. Make it clear that you want to be informed of any signs the caregiver sees of any type of abuse. Becoming aware of a possible problem early on can allow you to protect your loved one from being financially exploited.

When researching options for elder care agencies in Gilbert AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your elder care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Gilbert, AZ.

Senior Care in Chandler, AZ: Understand the Resources Needed to Keep Seniors in Their Own Homes

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According to a report by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, most people over the age of 45 express a desire to live in their own home even when assistance becomes necessary. In addition, over 25 percent of seniors report that they fear the loss of their independence and moving to a nursing home more than they fear death itself. However, live in care in Chandler and the nearby communities is often possible with adequate support, resources and information.

As individuals age, the need for assistance tends to grow, often in accordance to health problems that progressively worsen or multiply. While nursing homes are often the traditional solution for many elder care problems, home care is another option that often allows the senior to remain in their home and maintain a sense of independence, privacy and dignity. However, as with any other solutions, keeping the senior at home requires some advance planning.

Budget

According to the MetLife report, one in five seniors in the U.S. faces considerable costs for long-term care. Most insurance companies offer only limited health care costs and only if “skilled care needs” are included in the policy.

Seniors and their families should plan for long-term costs including a home care companion,  changes to accompany the senior’s movement and safety in the home, transportation, entertainment, prescription and over-the-counter medication as well as co-pays, laboratory tests, live in care in Chandler and nearby areas costs and other medical costs.

Daily Tasks

Some of the tasks that most healthy adults take for granted but many seniors require assistance for include bathing, dressing, eating, walking, toileting and taking medication as recommended/prescribed. Home companions and family members can assist the senior with these daily tasks and allow them to remain in the home through adequate elder care, thereby maintaining a sense of dignity and independence.

Transportation

Another necessary aspect of home-based care includes transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, running errands and visiting friends and family. A home companion, family members or some services that provide transportation for seniors to various activities and appointments may meet this need.

Meals

Many seniors can no longer perform grocery shopping or meal preparation on their own and require assistance for these tasks. Again, this is a need that home companions may help fill, as can family members and some organizations that visit seniors daily to bring them meals.

Home Design

As seniors age, their needs in the home change and require modification to the home as a result. For example, an individual may no longer be able to navigate stairs safely or easily or might have difficulty getting in and out of the shower or bathtub. In addition, the home needs to be well lit and clear of clutter or items that may cause the senior to trip or fall.

Entertainment

No one wants to sit around all day with nothing to do, so entertainment is a necessary element when it comes to senior home living arrangements. This may include television, movies, reading, music, puzzles and regular visitors as well as social outings.

The coordination of all of these factors typically requires a person to act as a care coordinator to ensure that all aspects of care at home are present. Finding the necessary resources and support to do so is often an expensive proposition. Both planning and saving should be performed in advance as much as possible to alleviate the associated costs and to prepare adequately for the senior to remain at home as long as possible.

When researching options for live in care in Chandler, AZ and the surrounding communities, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Chandler, AZ.

Elder Care in Sun City West, AZ-Understanding Living Wills: Five Wishes

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Whether you are 18 or 88, an advanced directive is a wise idea to help protect your wishes and to avoid forcing your family or others to make difficult or even misguided decisions on your behalf. An advanced directive, also known as a living will, is a legal document that instructs your decisions about serious medical care and treatment when or if you are not able to do so.

About Advanced Directives

An advanced directive tells others whether you desire the use of breathing machines and/or dialysis to help you stay alive as the situation dictates, as well as whether you wish artificial nutrition via tube feeding or through an IV. You may also determine how you wish to be comforted, such as receiving medication for pain or nausea, ice chips for dry mouth and/or spiritual and emotional counseling.

In addition, an advance directive tells others whether you want resuscitation if your heartbeat or breathing stops. You can also determine whether you want to participate in organ or tissue donation after your death.

Another element to an advance directive is to establish a durable power of attorney for health care, which names the person you want making decisions on your behalf if you cannot, due to a physical or mental condition. Establishing the person to direct your elder care is often a relief for both the senior and their family.

About Five Wishes

Making the decisions required by an advance directive can be difficult. However, there is help available. The Aging with Dignity organization has a mission to protect and affirm individual human dignity as they age and help ensure sound elder care for those who are reaching the end of life.

Aging with Dignity introduced a document called “Five Wishes” in 1997. Five Wishes helps users fill out and compete an advanced directive, meets the legal requirements for an advanced directive in at least 42 states, and is useful in all 50.

Five Wishes is now available online and allows users to determine not only their desired medical treatment but also information about their care and comfort, as well as information they wish their loved ones to know. The standard Five Wishes form is available online.

The Aging with Dignity organization also offers a “Next Steps” guide to help individuals speak with their family members about their advanced care directive and their wishes for medical care and treatment when they are no longer able to articulate them.

For more information about Five Wishes or the Aging with Dignity organization, call 888-594-7437 or email fivewishes@agingwithdignity.org.

When researching options for elder care agencies in Sun City West AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your elder care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Sun City West, AZ.