With many home care agencies, you never know who’s going to turn up on a New Braunfels senior’s doorstep each day of their scheduled care. But what this means is that seniors never have the opportunity to trust, bond and form a friendship with their senior caregivers. At Home Instead Senior Care, we know that the right caregiver is one that a senior can get to know, begin to trust with their home and their care, and someone who will become an important companion. Every day a senior has home care scheduled, we send the same caregiver to provide consistency and because through our process we ensure that the caregiver sent is one that meshes with the senior’s personal needs and personality.

When we send a new caregiver to a senior’s home for the first time, we complete an in-depth assessment to evaluate the needs of the senior and the type of caregiver who would be best suited for the role. However, just because a senior has been sent a caregiver, doesn’t mean that they’re stuck with them forever. If a senior or their family is not satisfied with the caregiver, we will be happy to send a replacement that better meets the request.

Once the right caregiver has been matched with a senior, you’ll never be able to separate them!

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

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If you’re thinking about stepping in to act as a family caregiver for an aging relative in New Braunfels, take a step back and take a close look about your skills, abilities and training to determine if you’re capable of providing a high level of quality care. Becoming a family caregiver involves more than simply wanting to be the one responsible, you need to be well prepared. Are you the right person to provide care to your elderly parent or relative? Answer the following questions to find out.

• You understand basic first aid and basic CPR and are prepared to administer it in the case of a medical emergency

• You are aware of how to make your loved one’s home safer, including the availability or products that can improve mobility

• You are aware of the common illnesses and diseases that seniors can face, and are aware of the signs and symptoms

• You have received training and instruction regarding methods for helping a senior bathe or move around the home and are physically capable of managing without injury to yourself

If you’ve answered “no” to any of the above questions, you might want to re-consider whether or not family caregiving is the best thing for your senior. An agency like Home Instead Senior Care in New Braunfels can provide a senior home care specialist that has the training and experience to meet all of the above needs of your loved one so their safety and health remains the top priority.

Sources:

1. Seniors
2. Home Instead Senior Care

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

When deciding to bring a pet into their New Braunfels home, seniors need to consider how their physical and emotional health allows them to provide for a living animal. While pets can have a number of benefits and enhance the lives of seniors, they also come with a great deal of responsibility which seniors need to consider before bringing home a new dog or cat.

• Are they physically capable of providing pet care? Dogs require regular walks, feeding, bathing and more; and even cats come with responsibilities. Will they be able to meet these needs without compromising their own safety?

• Are they prepared to get the animal the training it needs? Kittens require litter box training, while new dogs need to be housebroken and taught basic obedience. Will they be able to meet these needs?

• Have they thought about how to care for the animal’s health and maintenance? Do they have the means to transport a dog or cat to the groomers or to an appointment at the vet?

While seniors do need to provide some level of care to their pets independently when they are considering adding a furry friend to their household, they don’t have to do it alone. Not only is it okay to ask family members or friends for occasional help with pet care, senior home care agencies will help seniors care for their animals as well as themselves, so some of the physical burden of responsibility is alleviated, and the likelihood of falls and accidents as a result of pet ownership is reduced.

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. American Kennel Club

Image Source: eldercareabcblog.com

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

After an accident or injury has occurred, it can be one of the most stressful times that a senior and their families experience during their lives. With so many things to think about as well as the lingering concern if their loved one is going to recover, families have a lot on their plates to get through the process. Fortunately, New Braunfels families don’t need to go it alone. Home Instead Senior Care can take care of all of the details, ensuring that a senior is safe and comfortable when they return home from the hospital.

Here’s what caregivers do to make sure a senior’s return home is as stress free as possible:

• Clean the refrigerator and pantry

• Buy fresh groceries

• Change sheets and linens

• Do the laundry

• Vacuum and mop floors

• Clean bathrooms

• Takeout trash

• Organize mail and newspaper delivery

• Drop off or pickup items from the dry cleaner

Sources:

1. Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

While there has been a long-standing misconception that the best place to provide care for a New Braunfels senior suffering from Alzheimer’s is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the reality is that not only would these seniors prefer to stay in their own homes, they receive greater benefits by living in a familiar environment. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming, and require you to make sacrifices in your work and family life in order to keep up with the senior’s growing needs. However, there are other options available to help keep seniors with Alzheimer’s living with some level of independence in their own home environments.

Home Instead Senior Care offers home care services which can help seniors deal with the areas of daily living that they struggle with, or with tasks where safety may be an issue due to the Alzheimer’s or dementia. Caregivers can help seniors with dressing, cooking, cleaning and more to preserve their safety and ensure their needs are being met. For those seniors who are suffering from more advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia, Home Instead Senior Care even have caregivers that are trained to deal with the specific needs presented by someone with Alzheimer’s, so families can rest assured that their elderly loved ones are receiving the highest level of care available.

Sources:

1. Web MD

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

As a leading home care agency in New Braunfels, one of the top questions that Home Instead Senior Care receives is if caregivers can help seniors out around the home. Many families worry about their aging senior’s ability to keep up with tasks and responsibilities at home, especially when a safety risk might be a consequence; but they don’t want their loved one to suffer from loss of independence by moving them out of their own home.

Fortunately for New Braunfels families, Home Instead Senior Care provides a number of senior home care services, including help around the home. Our caregivers can assist seniors with light-housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, meal planning, grocery shopping and transportation to and from errands. In addition to the help around the home that our caregivers offer, they also provide assistance with personal care like bathing, dressing, and personal grooming. Our caregivers also provide companionship for the senior and bond with each and every one of their elderly clients to ensure that they feel comfortable, safe and happy with their home care situation.

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Q – Every time my family gets together in New Braunfels to make senior care decisions for my aging mother, it becomes a tense scene full of arguing, tears, and insults. Is there anyway to put a stop to this?

A – Many families in New Braunfels have similar experiences when coming together to discuss the care of a parent. Everyone wants what’s best for their loved one, but it can be hard to agree on exactly what that means. An elder mediator can serve the following purposes, and help your family eliminate the conflict so you can put the best interests of your New Braunfels aging parent first.

• Elder mediation can help families who have a different perspective to the situation being discussed

• Meeting with a third party to moderate can help prevent disputes

• The mediator is able to provide additional resources in senior care, and may invite a geriatric care manager or home care specialist to provide a different perspective and specific insight into a topic of discussion

• Helps families lay out a care plan in writing, with the input of the senior parent and the elder mediator

• Allows adult children to think through care options they might not have considered before

• Challenges family members and makes them take responsibility for their actions

• Allows aging parents to look at their positive skills and qualities rather than limitations

Sources:

1. Plan for Care
2. Mayo Clinic

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

It’s no secret that stress has adverse affects upon the psychological wellness of New Braunfels seniors, did you know that it can also have a grave impact upon their health as well? Stress has been linked to a number of potentially chronic and fatal illnesses and diseases in seniors, when appropriate stress management techniques are not used to help control it. In order to control stress, seniors should try making simple lifestyle changes to maintain optimal health and battle their anxieties. By using these techniques seniors can help prevent stress related illnesses like diabetes, heart problems, gastrointestinal issues, and other serious health complications.

• Eat irregular meals with a regular, well-balanced diet

• Engage in cardiovascular activities at least a couple of time per week, but ensure that they are safe for your level of physical fitness and mobility

• Get a good night sleep of at least 8 hours per night

• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol on a regular basis

• Engage in social activities in your community or with your peers

• Have a support system of family and friends that you can talk to about the things that are bothering you

• talk with a professional when the stress gets to be too much

• Avoid caffeine, or limit it to less than 1 or 2 caffeinated drinks per day.

• Take time out for yourself to relax, without guilt; regardless of your responsibilities and obligations, your family would rather have you around longer!

Sources:

1. Medical News Today

2. Medicine Online

3. The American Institute of Stress

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

While some level of anxiety can be a normal part of the daily lives of New Braunfels seniors, anxiety that is left uncontrolled can be deadly. Stress has proven disastrous effects upon the health of older adults, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems.

Are you taking the right measures to ensure that you cope with stress and anxiety before it takes a toll on your health? Complete the checklist to find out if you are dealing with anxiety to reduce the likelihood of potentially gave consequences.

• You choose healthy foods that include nutrients that help reduce anxiety and the body’s natural stress reactions including Vitamins B and C, Amino Acids and Magnesium, and are aware of the foods that contain these nutrients

• You exercise on a daily basis to reduce physical and emotional tension, and choose activities which are suited to your physical abilities. With at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity per day like walking, jogging, biking, or playing a sport.

• You choose activities that are relaxing to reduce anxiety, and incorporate them into your weekly life. You understand that yoga and meditation can help you to gain control over negative feelings for seniors and people of all ages, and incorporate them into your routine along with gardening, reading and other activities you enjoy.

• You stay connected with friends and family, and socialize on a daily basis even if it’s through making a phone call or sending an email. You lead an active social life through senior activity groups, or other gatherings with friends.

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic

2. Yoga for Seniors

3. About

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

It’s spring in New Braunfels and when taking seniors outside in the warmer temperatures, home care caregivers must take special care to ensure that seniors are protected from the heat. With the proper precautions this spring in New Braunfels older adults can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine without any negative repercussions upon their health. When planning outdoor activities on hot or sunny days, choose times of the day, like early morning when the sun is not as hot; and ensure that chosen locations have shady areas so seniors don’t have to remain in the direct sunlight.

Staying well hydrated will also help seniors prevent the affects of heat stroke; make sure there is lots of cool water on hand as well as healthy, juicy snacks like fruits and salads. Cooling treats like ice cream and popsicles can also be delicious ways to ensure a senior remains cool even in warmer temperatures and will help prevent the onset of heat stroke. Also be sure that the senior is well dressed for the weather, hats and sunscreen are crucial, as are light billowing fabrics to help keep the body cool.

Caregivers should also be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, and get the senior medical attention if symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, nausea, heavy sweating, dizziness, rapid pulse, confusion or fainting occur.

Sources:

1. Today’s Senior’s Network

2. Senior Ark

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.