It’s hard to know when it’s the right time to introduce the idea of hiring a caregiver to a senior family member, but families need to use their best judgment to ensure that health and safety are the top priority. It can be a long and trying process, but then the outcome can be very positive with the right approach.

1. Talk about it – while family might believe a senior requires home care assistance, their elderly loved one might not feel the same. Talking about it gently is essential, and not all seniors are likely to simply accept the suggestion of help. A family counselor can intervene if necessary.

2. List the help needed – talk together and determine specific things that a senior care provider like Home Care New Braunfels could assist with. Whether it’s grocery shopping, help with bathing and dressing, or other tasks.

3. Do research – talk to friends and family about home care agencies they’d recommend, but during that process as costs are addressed, it’s also essential that any funding or insurance coverage that may be available is investigated

4. Don’t jump into a decision – even once a specific agency is narrowed down, it’s okay to interview them and ask questions about their history and their policies. Ask if they’ll spend time with the senior first to assess comfort level, and also verify that a replacement caregiver will be provided if one doesn’t work out

Via: The Family Caregiver

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

When hiring from home care agencies like Home Care New Braunfels, there are many things that should be considered. In addition, there are various agencies to choose from. By taking some time and doing a little research, you will be sure to find the right caregiver for a senior. Below are some tips that can help when looking to hire a caregiver.

1. Check local Home Care Agencies. These companies staff many caregivers. However, they do provide different levels of service, so take the time to make sure all services that are needed can be provided.

2. If the senior in need of a caregiver is approved for care that will be paid for by Medicare, the Health Care Agency must be Medicare certified. This ensures that the agency meets the minimal federal requirements.

3. If the senior only requires personal care or homemaking services, caregivers do not have to come from an agency that is certified for Medicare.

4. If there is no Medicare coverage, the cost of the caregiver will have to be paid by the person receiving services. These services can be expensive, but there are some low rates for personal care attendants, also known as PCA’s. They are typically paid by the hour at rates between $13 and $35.

5. Do not be afraid to contact multiple agencies. It is important to find the right caregiver that will provide all services needed by the senior.

Source: thefamilycaregiver.org

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

If you are an adult with living parents, they might not require care assistance today, but as they navigate their aging process, there’s a good chance that their needs will change. If you haven’t already helped them plan for the future, now is the time to get started by addressing needs in the following areas:

1. Look at all resources –in order to help a senior plan for the future, take a look at all of the options by considering family who may be able to provide help, finances and other assets that could contribute to an aging loved one’s future

2. Understand that plans can change – when planning early, a guideline might be put in place. You might decide with the senior in your life that you will be a full or part-time caregiver. But, by the time they actually need help you might not be in a position to follow through. Accept that plans can change, be flexible, and have backup plans in place

3. Enlist help – a geriatric care manager or a senior care provider can help evaluate the future needs seniors may have to aid in planning

4. Organize the legal aspects – encourage your elderly relative to create a will, draft an advanced directive, establish a power of attorney, and go through the estate planning process

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

As a caregiver, whether you’re a family member caring for a senior, or you’re a professional that’s been hired by a family, your number one priority should be safety. Proactive caregiving can ensure that safety is not compromised, and from the second you take on a role as a caregiver, these are the steps that you should take:

1. Install nightlights – lighting in a senior’s home is crucial for preventing accidents and nightfright. Installing nightlights which have sensors to go on when seniors get up in the night can also improve safety, and are a simple and inexpensive addition to any home

2. Suggest a lifeline – since caregivers are not always there around the clock, a lifeline, or an emergency device that will contact a loved one or emergency help can make sure that seniors receive help when needed

3. Put lights on timers – suggesting lights on timers inside or outside the home can help ensure there is adequate lighting at all times, and it also adds an element of security in the evening hours when seniors are home alone, and helps to conserve electricity

4. Remove hazards – if seniors do have caregiving help 24/7, caregivers should ensure the environment is safe for seniors to get around while on their own. Removing tripping hazards like throw rugs and poorly placed furniture will reduce the likelihood of accidents. Sturdy grab bars can also be placed in bathrooms and along stairwells for added stability

5. Talk to family members – caregivers can also speak to family members about their concerns, and address them specifically, making the home environment safer to put everyone’s minds at ease

The above are some suggestions of what should be included in any home care franchise service for the success of the business, but of course, specific services will depend upon the client, so hiring caregivers that are perceptive to senior’s needs is crucial to franchise well-being.

Sources:

1. Home Instead Senior Care

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

Many seniors are hesitant to exercise because they fear it will result in an injury that disables them and keeps them contained to their homes and alters their lifestyles. But there’s one simple way that seniors can exercise for the health benefits and still remain safe and injury free. Follow these tips for stretching safety and ensure that your fears don’t come true, but let your health come first.

1. Stretch after a workout when muscles are warm and flexible, and stretching is not going to result in pulling anything or cause an injury before the fitness routine even begins

2. Stretch during physical activity if any part of the body begins to feel tight. By stopping to stretch it out seniors can prevent the likelihood of injury

3. Never stretch before warming up. Stretching cold muscles can result in injury, so be sure to warm up for 5 or 10 minutes with light exercise before stretching. This will give seniors the optimal benefit from exercise and reduce the chance of sprains, strains and muscle pulls

4. Breathe through a stretch. Inhale in preparation and exhale during the stretch while the muscle begins to lengthen and stretch

5. When stretching hold it for 5 seconds, release for 5 seconds and then start again so there is no strain and the stretch really has a chance to penetrate the muscles

Via: Real Age

Image: imrdevin7.blogspot.com

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

Q – I’ve been trying to convince my dad to exercise for years. He seems to think that he’s too old, and worries about injury as well as health complications as a result of physical activity. He also says that he just don’t enjoy it. What can I do to help him get started and overcome these mental roadblocks that stop him from exercising?

A – It’s not uncommon for seniors to think that they’re just too old to exercise and worry about the potential injuries and health complications that can occur. He can overcome these fears by talking to a doctor and a fitness expert experienced in dealing with seniors to setup an exercise program that is safe for him. Also, by discussing any health issues, he can be advised on activities to avoid; and provided he sticks by these safe guidelines and stops an activity anytime there are signs that he is overexerting himself; he can ensure that his safety and health are provided for, while receiving the benefits of physical fitness. As for boredom with exercise, he doesn’t need to go to a traditional gym to exercise if he gets too bored; any physical activity can work. Whether it’s taking a walk, playing a round of golf, or doing something else that keeps him active, any activity can make up his physical fitness routine to ensure it’s enjoyable.

Sources:

1. Mature Fitness
2. MedicineNet

Image: SeniorLivingguide.com

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

When it comes time to make the hard decision that an older adult in your life needs help, it can seem impossible to decide what is best for them. You can choose from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or keeping them at home with a senior caregiver. With Home Instead Senior Care, the decision is easy. Your senior can remain at home with comfort and independence, and remain only in the best hands since our caregivers are thoroughly screened and trained.

The traits of  Home Instead Senior Caregivers:

• Dependability - work history and employment reference checks are completed for all staff members
• Honesty - drug test and background checks are completed by HISC
• Experience – personal or professional experience in the senior care industry or dealing with senior citizens is considered
• Compassion – a sense of compassion for giving seniors a better quality of life is looked for during the interview process
• Motivation – someone who is motivated in everything they do is better suited to ensuring that seniors are provided the highest quality of care

HISC also has a Caregiver Leadership Training Program that focuses on creating a fantastic caregiver experience by focusing on the following elements:

• Treating CAREGivers with dignity and respect
• Nurturing positive relationships
• Showing appreciation
• Humanizing and professionalizing the caregiving journey
• Connecting CAREGivers to Home Instead, its mission and other CAREGivers
• Dealing with issues openly and honestly.

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

image soure: jupiterimages.com

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

Image Source: pro.corbis.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.