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Teaching Technology to Seniors

How to Overcome the Challenges of Teaching Technology to Seniors

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Teaching Technology to Seniors

For more tips on teaching technology to seniors, call our care team

Seniors today are inundated with a surge of high-tech products aimed at elevating their self-reliance and safety and contributing to life enhancement. Teaching technology to seniors means that with the touch of a button or two, seniors can instantaneously visit “in person” with family and friends through Skype, wear a necklace that responds with emergency services when needed, and even stay safe from getting lost with specialized sensors attached to clothing or shoes.

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Conquer the Most Common Senior Fitness Obstacles With These Tips

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Establishing a routine exercise schedule is daunting at any age. Physical exercise is exhausting. We would prefer not to expend the time. We’re feeling the pain from yesterday’s exercises. We’ve all made excuses like these for avoiding physical fitness; but frailty and advanced age make it even more daunting to stick to an exercise routine and maintain senior fitness.   Read more

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The Best Exercises for Seniors to Build and Maintain Health

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The advantages of engaging in exercise do not lessen as we age, and it’s extremely worthwhile for seniors to keep up with as active a lifestyle as possible. Even older adults who are confined to a bed or wheelchair have a variety of opportunities available to strengthen and increase resistance and flexibility.  Contact us at 480-498-2324 to learn how we can help senior loved ones remain active. Read more

Why Hydration is Imperative in Eldercare

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It might be a matter of amusement when people afraid of the water consider their bodies contain it. The brain, skin, organs and even the bones are made of some percentage of water. Water carries impurities out of the body, helps to maintain body temperature, lubricates the joints and carries necessary nutrients throughout the body. Dehydration occurs when the body doesn’t get enough incoming water. Men generally need about three liters per day, while women require two liters per day to remain properly hydrated.

Hydration in the Elderly

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Staying hydrated is important, as the senior body’s water content naturally decreases with age.

On the other hand, it’s not so funny when it’s our parents or other elderly family members. What isn’t generally recognized is that the senior body stores and uses its fluids (read water) differently. First, the senior body’s water content naturally decreases. Second, aging kidneys are less able to process water and sodium, resulting in inability to contain water during dehydration. Third, the bell inside our elders stops going off with age, the one reminding them that a drink of water would be a good idea. Elders’ thirst button gets turned off, too, so they simply don’t remember to drink anything.

Consequences of Dehydration in the Elderly

Physical events like slip and fall occasions are only the second act of the play. The first act begins in the mind of the senior. The embarrassment of incontinence prevents many elderly persons from drinking the proper amount of water. They are embarrassed at using the bathroom so many times. Confusion or the beginnings of dementia mean elders who simply don’t remember if they’ve eaten or drunk anything in a given time period. Also in the mind of the senior, asking for help due to inability to fetch a drink for himself is another cause of embarrassment. If elders live alone, they perhaps have trouble carrying a bottle or glass of water due to arthritis or the shaking common with other diseases. Frustration, fear and embarrassment cause many seniors to just forget it all together.

The damage done to the elderly body is manifold. Many medications seniors take for various ailments and diseases deplete their bodies of necessary fluids. Since the organs are made primarily of water, they will weaken. The brain, deprived of water, will develop headaches. Bones become brittle, skin dry and subject to injuries and fatigue. Kidney failure and seizures are common. The second act, therefore, is a weakened body susceptible to falls and coma.

How Can We Help Them?

Just saying “oh, all you need is a bottle of water” isn’t enough. Seniors won’t remember, nor will they get it themselves. They need help. Most senior hospitalizations are due to dehydration. More senior deaths are due to dehydration, not the falls it caused. Most eldercare includes monitoring the state of the senior’s hydration. It is necessary to his or her longevity. In the case of an assisted living facility, the personnel will monitor the senior’s water intake. Endeavor In-Home Care, trusted providers of companion care Chandler, AZ and the surrounding areas depend on, can help ensure the hydration and health of your loved one. Please contact us today.

Home health care: not synonymous to home care

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Home care is provided by non-medical caregivers, who are screened and employed by senior care facilities who assist with activities of daily living.

The phrases “home care” and “home health care” are sometimes used interchangeably, but recently, with an increasing emphasis on geriatric care, there seems to be an emerging need to distinguish one from the other.”Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury” as defined by Medicare, which covers most of its services.

While in both cases, care is provided to your loved one in the comfort of his or her home, the type of care and the provider may be different. Home care is provided by non-medical caregivers, who are screened and employed by senior care facilities such as Endeavor Senior Care and who assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as preparing meals, cleaning the house, doing groceries, taking medications, etc. Home health care, on the other hand, is provided by licensed healthcare workers such as nurses, occupational therapists and medical social workers. These professionals provide in-home medical care, which is “just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF)” according to Medicare.

A medical doctor will decide if home health care is the right option. After prescribing it, he or she may either choose to refer you to a home health agency available in your area or may allow you to contact one that will best meet your loved one’s needs. Either way, the home health staff will constantly be reporting back to the doctor about your loved one’s care and progress.

There may be times when both home care and home health care services are required. For example, your loved one may be in need of both personal and medical assistance. In that case, what do you do? Fortunately, Endeavor Senior Care has a registered nurse on hand and many caretakers in the Phoenix and Tuscon area. For more information on how these services differ from each other and how we can assist your loved one, please contact us at (480) 535-6800.

Home Care for Hip Fracture Patients

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Skilled therapists are trained to know what your loved one needs most, from exercises and stretches to encouragement and education.

A recent study shows there are at least 258,000 hip fractures among adults aged 65 and older that lead to hospitalization each year. A more disturbing statistic is one out of five people who suffer a hip fracture die within the first year following the fall. Treatment for a fractured hip includes surgery, a hospital stay, and more often than not a stay in a nursing home.

Life following surgery is a challenge on many levels. Recovery is a slow and painful process. Daily activities easily completed before the injury are now struggles. Family will need to be near to offer assistance with walking, dressing and bathing.

Help is a phone call or click-of-the-mouse away. Home care provided by the professionals from Endeavor Senior Care can make a difference when a patient goes home from the hospital and must begin physical therapy in order to learn to walk properly and be able to complete daily activities.

Family members need no longer stress over knowing what exercises to do, how often they need to be done, and when. The emotional ups and downs of caring for a loved one after major surgery are many; personal connections make it difficult to insist on the hard things being completed.

Skilled therapists are trained to know what the patient needs most. From exercises and stretches to encouragement and education, family members can be confident in the care received. Patients will receive the help needed to regain balance, motor skills, and mobility. Occupational therapists are there to help a patient accomplish those daily tasks such as taking care of personal hygiene and dressing themselves.

Remember, you don’t have to attempt to do this alone. If you have a loved one who has suffered a fall, contact us. Let us help. We are the Home Health resource you can trust.

Senior Care At Home: Preventing Falls

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Make sure there is enough room to get around the home without having to step around or over furniture or other items such as pet bowls, shoes, or general clutter.

As we age, even the place we know the best can become a hazard. If you are caring for an elderly loved one make sure their home is as well! Knowing what causes falls in the home can help you to prevent them so educate yourself and take steps to ensure that your loved ones are safe.

Always make sure the way is clear! Make sure there is enough room to get around the home without having to step around or over furniture or other items such as pet bowls, shoes, or general clutter. Make sure that all carpets are secure and remove any high pile throw rugs or rugs that are on slippery surfaces.

Clear out any cluttered areas! If the garage, laundry room, or other areas of the home have a high accumulation of clutter, consider re-organizing so that everything is off the floor. The more room your loved one has to walk, the better. While you are organizing, put the most used items in places that are easy to access, for example laundry detergent and other cleaning materials should be easy to reach without stooping or lifting them off high shelves.

Are there any steps in the home? Make sure any areas where climbing needs to occur, including getting into and out of bathtubs or showers, are equipped with grab bars or handles. Having something to hold on to makes getting places a lot easier. Consider the shower area itself as well. If there are no anti-slip features in the shower, buy a mat or have an anti-slip coating applied.

Consider their shoes! Always make sure that shoes fit properly and are easy to walk in. If their shoes are older, consider getting new shoes that have proper traction and support. If your loved one wears slippers around the house, make sure they stay on their feet without having to shuffle or adjust them constantly. If this is not the case consider buying new slippers or having them wear socks with their slippers to prevent them from falling off or slipping.

Another issue to watch out for are the side effects of any medication your loved one is taking. Many medications cause dizziness or light-headedness and could add to instability especially when standing up after sitting for long periods of time or when bending over. Discuss these side-effects with the person your caring for and make sure they take their time getting around the home.

All of these things can add to a senior’s feeling of independence, but it’s never a bad idea to lend a helping hand. Whether you need simple cleaning services or someone to help your loved one around the home, Endeavor Senior Care is the solution for you! Visit our website to learn more about our senior care at home or contact us to receive information about home care and companion care Phoenix and the surrounding areas trust.

Eldercare Home Care: Gardening Together

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So, you have arranged for eldercare home care for your loved one, but you really want to stay involved in his daily life. He is safe and he has someone who does activities with him, but you want to be there for your loved one as well. Well, spring is nearly upon us and, if your loved one once enjoyed gardening, why not turn the soil together?

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If your loved one once enjoyed gardening, why not turn the soil together?

Gardening is a healthful activity but it also can let some pleasurable memories surface. You and your loved one can reminisce as you work. How do you garden with someone who has some debilities and needs extra care? Here are some ideas to make spring gardening a great pastime for both of you.

As we age, our vision changes as the eye lens thickens. Distinguishing blues and greens is harder. We may not have good depth perception either. Paint all your gardening tools in bright colors. Make sure garden paths are well-marked and free of obstructions, too.

People generally lose strength and flexibility as they age. Now, before gardening season is here, raise flower beds to sitting-height and add substantial edges where your loved one can rest while working.

Remember that older people don’t adapt to temperature changes the way younger people do. Hats are a must, as are light jackets if it is cool. Take a spritzer bottle of water outside with you if it is hot and use it frequently on necks and faces. Be sure to take breaks with your loved one and drink lots of water.

If your loved one has a chronic illness or another condition that precludes his working outdoors, bring the garden indoors. Plant container gardens you can bring inside to work.

The important thing to remember is that this is an activity for the two of you to enjoy. Be consistent in your gardening visits and allow your loved one to take ownership of the project, planning what to plant and when to plant it if possible. It is important, however, to choose plants that don’t require a lot of care. When your lettuce or peas come in, be sure to have a victory meal and enjoy them together.

For more ideas on how to remain engaged with your elderly loved one, contact us. We’re here for both of you.

Elder Home Care Agency in AZ Embraces Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

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Our caregivers can handle many of those tasks that are difficult for those undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer.

Do you or someone you know suffer from colorectal cancer? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s figures, the disease negatively impacts the lives of more than 130,000 people each year. Subsequently, the United States government has once again set aside March 2015 as the month to remind people of the deadly disease and its consequences. As such, all of the people associated with our eldercare home care are embracing the initiative too.

Arizona residents diagnosed with colorectal cancer don’t have to go it alone. Our elder home care agency can provide comforting, important services to them while they undergo potentially lifesaving treatments, like radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. For example, all three treatments are known to drain a person of energy and leave them unable to complete basic tasks. Our caregivers can handle many of those tasks, like running errands, picking up the mail, washing the bed linens and preparing a bowl of soup.

We can also stay on after the treatments are over and provide additional, supportive care that colorectal cancer patients and their families may need. For instance, the person may want someone to walk with them as they build their strength back up. They may also crave someone to talk to, drive them to follow-up appointments, pick up colostomy supplies or just hold their hand at particularly rough times of the day.

To learn more about the wide variety of home care options available to elderly people diagnosed with colorectal cancer, please contact us at Endeavor Home Care today. All of our home caregivers are rigorously screened, trained, bonded and insured to meet Arizona’s regulatory standards. Plus, with our team, customized care plans are the norm, not the exception. So, Arizona’s families can rest easy that their loved ones will receive high-quality, individualized care year round.

Should I Pay My Home Senior Care Provider “Under the Table?”

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The last thing you need when a loved one is in need of at home senior care is to be audited by the IRS. OK, it’s not exactly something anyone wants, but the short-term savings of hiring a helper under-the-table will be quickly overwhelmed by the costs of penalties and possibly legal fees if you are caught not paying required taxes.

And that’s not all! Hiring a caregiver under the table, without working through a reputable home care agency is extremely risky. A privately hired caregiver has no supervision or oversight, and has not been background checked and screened – leaving an older adult vulnerable to fraud or elder abuse. Also consider what will happen if the caregiver should become sick or takes time off for a vacation. There’s no backup care available when working with one individual. Finally, think through what might occur if the caregiver was injured in your home, or if items of value went missing. Without being bonded and insured, you would be liable for any applicable expenses: medical bills, worker’s compensation, the replacement cost for valuables, etc.

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How Can I Avoid a Catastrophe When Hiring a Caregiver?

Thankfully, we have a solution that allows you to simply enjoy the benefits of in-home care without any fear of legal or other serious repercussions.

A home care agency like Endeavor In-Home Care will work with your budget and identify the best personnel to care for your family member in a home setting. And you will know that you and the caregivers who are working in your home are in compliance with federal and local laws. Our caregivers are fully bonded and insured, extensively trained, and background checked, for your peace of mind, while we take care of all of the necessary taxes, worker’s compensation, and oversight.

It’s not just celebrities and politicians who get caught up in “nanny-gate” situations through inappropriate hiring processes. Essentially the government likes to keep “off the books” employment to a minimum, so unless you are running a lemonade stand, someone needs to be paying taxes. Your legal options are to hire a care giver directly and take responsibility for filing tax reports (which you either have to do yourself or pay your own tax provider to handle) or you can contract with an at home senior care agency and be confident that payroll and taxes are handled in a professional manner.

If you would like to consider the option of professionally managed at home senior care from the leading caregivers in Phoenix and the surrounding areas at Endeavor In-Home Care, please contact us.