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Can Walking More Slowly Indicate Alzheimer’s Disease?
Home health care professionals are always on the lookout for signs of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the problems with managing Alzheimer’s is the lack of reliable information about diagnosing the disease. Another challenge for caregivers is keeping up to date with information about available treatments. One thing is known: the earlier it is detected, the more likely that Alzheimer’s treatments will be effective in the long run. As we grow older, our bodies undergo profound changes that make life more challenging, but these changes don’t necessarily indicate the presence of an underlying disease that can be treated. These natural changes in physical and mental ability can mask the onset of…
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Getting Around With Senior Transportation
In home health care services help seniors and their families solve many problems associated with aging. Of course the particular home care services will vary according to the needs of the client, and these will change as time passes. Rehabilitation care will end when a full recovery is made, while services for clients suffering from degenerative conditions will increase. There is one type of home health care that’s likely to last indefinitely: senior transportation. When it’s time for a senior citizen to stop driving, senior transportation can be the difference between isolation and a full and interesting lifestyle. The Most Common Form of Senior Care Senior transportation is the most…
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Hospice Care Is Better Than Aggressive Treatment. Here’s Why
End of life decisions can be difficult for the entire family. It’s hard to know how to choose between aggressive treatment to battle the disease and hospice care that makes the patient’s last days more comfortable. With help from a new study, patients and their families may find it easier to make an informed decision. The study measured the satisfaction that families expressed about end-of-life care when an elderly relative was diagnosed with cancer, and later died of the disease. The results were surprising to many observers in the media, but not to caregivers who provide hospice care. That’s because home health care aides are more attuned to the wants…
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Making Caregiving Services Easier With Skype
Many senior citizens are enthusiastic Internet users. Social media use is also very common among seniors, although the particular social media platforms are still segregated a great deal by age. People who are eligible to receive letters from AARP generally prefer Facebook to Twitter, for example. But there is a general willingness to stay connected to loved ones that can be used to improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Whether a loved one is being cared for in a rehabilitation center, receiving nursing home health care, or using caregiving services to help them stay independent, social media can help. Ease of Use Is Important If a…
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5 Tips to Make Caring For a Loved One Easier
No one wants to think of their parents or loved ones becoming ill or needing in home health care, however, for many Americans, caring for elderly or ailing parents has become a reality. Many of these unpaid caregivers also continue to work full or part-time, adding to the stress of an already difficult time. While a reputable caregiving service can help relieve some of that stress, there are a few other things that can make caregiving a more enjoyable experience for you and your loved one. Here are five tips that can make caring for a parent or loved one just a little bit easier. 1. Keep Important Papers in…
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Using Caregiving Services as a Support System
Caregiving services aren’t always the predominant care option for individuals and families, and that’s ok. Those who choose to personally care for a loved one may still be greatly helped by caregiving services. It is estimated that 29% of people care for a loved one without pay, and sometimes even with a full time job and other family responsibilities. Whether they are providing care for an elderly parent or a disabled sibling or child, it can be difficult to do all on one’s own—which is where a caregiving service comes in. The New York Times reported that around 34 million Americans care for someone that was over 50 this past…
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Seniors on the Go-Go-Go
One of the challenging things for people as they get further and further into the ranks of “seniors” is the matter of transportation issues. While many seniors remain competent drivers, others may be in need of caregiving services and transportation assistance. There are several different types of services that can address the different needs of seniors. Getting from Point A to Point B When seniors who no longer drive need to get from one location to another, they and their caretakers have to become familiar with the various transportation options available to the senior. A healthy life for the individual involves social engagement, so caregivers try to make sure that the…
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What Does Caregiving Entail?
As you consider whether a loved one may need caregiving services, it is important to understand what is included. Understanding the terminology is part of making an informed decision and will help you feel more comfortable as you move forward. Let’s start with the easy question first. What is Caregiving? Caregiving is the act of helping someone with tasks they are not able to complete themselves. Some organizations focus particularly on elder care, while others may focus on helping children and adults with various physical or mental disabilities. Caregiving may include anything from lending an ear or offering a ride to helping a person take a bath or eat. The…
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Taking Care of Seriously Ill and Terminal Patients
Many families who are facing taking care of terminally ill loved ones, have to make difficult choices about caregiving services for the last months and weeks of the loved one’s life. Other families have to consider how to take care of a loved one who has an on-going major illness for which there may be no cure. The value of quality care for this challenging period is very important for both patient and family. Knowing that loved ones may be facing their last days inspires family and caretakers to give the patient the greatest comfort possible, both physically and psychologically. Impersonal Institutional Care Until the 1970s, there was not very…
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The Comfort of Care After Surgery
Many people face recovery from surgery without considering the possibilities of home care services. Even though many patients undergo procedures that require recovery periods, they may not make plans for their own care after the surgery. From major surgeries to certain minor procedures might require that the patient limit their physical activity for stretches of time. Life After Surgery Surgery involves intrusion into the integrity of the patient’s body, so even so-called minor surgery can involve a period of recovery. Surgery on a foot could keep the patient from standing and moving about in regular patterns during the recovery. Most people do not consider the advantages of assisted home care…