Richard BitnerHow Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties
Growing older almost always comes with physical difficulties. When those challenges arise, many seniors lean on non-medical home care providers. Caregivers help seniors live more comfortably, manage existing conditions, and limit the risk of injury or illness related to their physical concerns. How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties At Visiting Angels, our home care providers, regularly assist seniors with physical disabilities, challenges, and concerns. Below, we’ve listed six of the most common physical difficulties faced by seniors, along with how home care can help. Lack of Mobility Poor mobility in seniors can be caused by loss of muscle
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Kendall VanBlarcomHow to Be a Health Advocate for Your Aging Parent
If you have an aging parent, it’s normal to be worried about their health. Moreover, if you recently stepped into the role of the caregiver for a parent with a health issue, you’ve also become their health advocate–whether you realize it or not. It’s important to take your role for your parent seriously. Here are 5 ways you can be the best health advocate for your senior. 5 Tips to Being an Awesome Health Advocate for Your Aging Parent 1. Prepare for Appointments When you have an aging parent, you’ll want to prepare for doctor’s appointments ahead of time. How to Be
Continue readingVeteran Home Care Options
Finding Veteran Home Care Through Your Local VA Hospital There are more than 20 million American veterans living today. Many of our nation’s veterans are senior-aged, and many more are living with difficulties that make it tough to live independently. For these individuals, veteran home care assistance and support can be invaluable — but it’s not always affordable when paid out of pocket. Veteran Home Care Options If you’re a veteran in need of a helping hand around the home, you should consider contacting your local VA hospital. Veterans Affairs will cover a range of medical and non-medical home services, including
Continue readingWhat Seniors Miss Most about Home in Facility Care
Moving away from home and into a care facility can be a jarring experience for seniors. While moving to an assisted living facility or a nursing home is sometimes the only option, studies* have found that these moves can have a damaging effect on the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of seniors. What Seniors Miss Most about Home in Facility Care It’s little surprise then that nearly 90% of seniors reported to the AARP* that they wished to age-in-place for as long as possible. That’s true even in situations where seniors require professional in-home care to live at home safely and
Continue readingCaregiving Paradox of Quality Time with Mom or Dad
More Americans than ever before now act as family caregivers for their aging parents. At least 35 million people are expected to provide unpaid care to someone over the age of 50 in 2017. This workload falls hardest on adult children who are tasked caring for their moms and their dads. Caregiving Paradox of Quality Time with Mom or Dad Because caregiving means more time with mom or dad, many family caregivers believe that it also means more quality time with mom or dad. Unfortunately, more time doesn’t equal more quality time when you’re a family caregiver. Instead, acting as a
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Kimberly JohnsonAddressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver
How to Talk About Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-in Caregiver and What to Look Out For When you’re a live-in caregiver, your No. 1 priority should be the health, safety and well-being of the person you’re caring for. Given the rising tide of prescription drug and alcohol abuse among today’s seniors, that entails knowing the signs of drug and alcohol abuse—and being able to talk about a potential problem with drugs or alcohol when you have suspicions. Addressing Drug or Alcohol Abuse as a Live-In Caregiver Substance Abuse and the Elderly Substance abuse by elderly Americans—particularly of alcohol and
Continue reading4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver
Hiring a professional caregiver for your mom, dad, or grandparent is a major decision, one that’s not always easy to make. After all, you’re asking a stranger to look after one of the most important people in your life. If you’ve never hired a caregiver before, you might have no idea what to look for in an ideal candidate. 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver That dilemma is one that Visiting Angels President and CEO Larry Meigs is familiar with. “I’ve worked in home care for more than two decades. In that time, I’ve met countless families who felt nervous about
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Kathy MacaraegAre You Ready to Be a Caregiver to an Aging Loved One?
Being a caregiver to a family member can be rewarding, but it can also take a toll on your emotions, your finances and your family. While you may feel like you have no choice, there are resources that you can consider if you don’t feel like caregiving is the right choice for you. It doesn’t have to destroy your family bond. Even if you don’t take on the full role of caregiver, you can still have a strong, active role in ensuring your aging parent is safe and healthy. If you have siblings or other family members you can rely
Continue readingEffects of Sibling Rivalry on Caregiving
How to Handle Past Rivalries So Your Aging Parents Don’t Suffer Family dynamics can be tricky when an aging parent needs caregiving. Siblings go from living their own independent lives to sharing caregiving duties with each other. Effects of Sibling Rivalry on Caregiving The problem comes when old rivalries arise. You may also have grown apart and have different ideas of acceptable caregiving or what’s best for mom or dad. It can affect your relationship with each other and put your aging parent in an uncomfortable position. So, how can you work together to ensure your parent is receiving the proper
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