Carol MarakPatient Advocate vs Geriatric Care Manager
A few weeks ago, a reader asked, "Can you tell me the differences between a geriatric care manager and a patient advocate? I hear the two terms frequently and wonder if they are the same?" Here are the basic differences: A Patient Advocate can assist anyone of any age - not limited to someone who is elderly, or at least over a 'certain age,' as a geriatric case manager would be. A Geriatric Care Manager does not focus strictly on healthcare. Their work is broader with some emphasis on finances, housing, and other aspects of life that change as we
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Richard Bitner4 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 readingHow to Create a Caregiver Command Center
Smoothly With A Command Center Caregiving requires organization. Few caregivers have only one obligation – caring for a loved one – so juggling all of the tasks and managing your own life requires some serious organization. If you aren’t organized, you’ll become frustrated, stressed out and possibly drop a few balls here and there. Of course, many caregivers are thrust into their role without much planning and it can be hard to create an organization system that will work for your family on the fly. If you were thrust into caregiving and are trying to figure out some sort of
Continue readingHow Caregivers Heal after the Sacrifice
Family members at times take on the role of caregiving suddenly, assuming the tasks of helping a loved one without knowing what they're giving up. In most cases, people don't recognize their sacrifice and view the tasks as administering medications, preparing meals, giving rides, and making arrangements to live with their loved--all for the sake of the right thing to do. How caregiving effects adults who step into the role: Helping my parents through elder care put life on hold and I focused on their personal needs more than my own. Deferred retirement to maintain the 6 figure income to
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Guest BloggerHow the Prodigy Smart Toilet Increases Bathroom Independence
When you think of your bathroom routine, it can be difficult to imagine anything other than the basic steps you’ve been following since childhood. However, as we age and begin to experience mobility issues, the toilet can quickly become a difficult contraption prone to slips and falls. From sitting down to wiping clean, there are many variables that can turn our typical routine into a challenging experience and leave us wondering why our bathroom habits have stayed the same for so long. Bio Bidet has recently developed a brand-new Smart Toilet designed to enhance your bathroom experience and increase independence
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Jeff DaileySeniors Regaining Independence Where They Need It Most
On average, people use the toilet at least 6 times a day. It is one of the most basic activities in life and is also one of the most common reasons for seniors to start losing their independence. As we age, cognitive and balance issues can make going to the bathroom difficult and in some cases, even dangerous. Seniors all over the world are now turning to the bidet for help. Seniors Regaining Independence Where They Need It Most What is a bidet? Bidets have long been known as a hands-free way to wash sensitive areas with a stream of water.
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How to Juggle Caregiver Tasks When You Work Outside the Home According to the National Caregiver Alliance and AARP, 60% of the approximately 43.5 million caregivers in the U.S. are employed, and most of them work outside the home full time. Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Work Between work, caregiving tasks and maintaining their own household, it’s no wonder the majority of caregivers report that they experience physical and emotional stress. Between work and caregiving, they are putting in at least 60 hours a week! Shortcuts to Balance the Caregiver/Employee Roles If you’re not able to cut back work or caregiving hours,
Continue readingInformation to Know Before You Hire a Caregiver
Information to Know Before You Hire a Caregiver When looking for the perfect caregiver, many families don't know where to begin. Though the Internet offers a quick solution for finding caregiver information, it can also be a misleading source. Whether looking for a babysitter for a few weeknights or a full-time nanny, knowing the history of your caregivers is vital. In fact, according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, babysitters are responsible for 4.2 percent of criminal acts against children under six years of age. Though this is a small percentage, some believe these types of crimes could
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