Those who take care of our loved ones. In this context it usually means relatives, friends or profession home care workers who provide the actual support.
"Many older Americans choose to move into some form of senior housing. But each year more and more choose to stay in their homes. It’s not a black-and-white choice, and whatever arrangement you choose, home care can dramatically expand your options."
An April 2023 article by AgingInPlace.org addresses the possible options and how to decide on direction.
"For many these days, the ideal approach to aging involves aging in place— staying in your home and taking the steps necessary to remain independent for as long as possible. Many are still choosing the better-known options: retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and other institutions designed to care for older people. But an increasing number of seniors are choosing to stay at home and get whatever help they need to remain there."
This article is a comprehensive look at the options to be considered.
Note: AgingInPlace.org keeps our resources free by working as an affiliate partner with some companies mentioned on our site. We may earn a commission when you click on certain product links.
"In today's fast-paced world, the responsibilities of caring for our aging loved ones can be overwhelming. Balancing work, family, and personal life while ensuring our loved ones receive the care and attention they deserve can be a challenging task. This is where home care agencies come into play, offering professional assistance to ensure the well-being of your family members. However, choosing the right home care agency is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. In this article, we will provide you with 10 valuable tips for making informed decisions when it comes to finding the perfect home care agency for your loved ones."
Check the web link to read the full article from Today's Caregiver magazine.
"Statistics show that many preventable accidents occur in bathrooms. Falls are the top culprit in this category. Wet floors and small spaces are only some of the causes for concern in a bathroom setting. Caregivers must recognize these obstacles before assisting someone they love in the restroom. Ignoring them can be a disaster for both caregiver and the one being cared for."
As an answer to the bathroom-transfer dilemma, many devices and maneuver methods are available to ensure a caregiver’s and their loved one’s safety. It is also important for a caregiver to recognize that nothing is more personal than assisting another with intimate cares. Respect and concern for their loved one’s emotional comfort are as important as their physical care."
This informative article from Today's Caregiver provides some very useful information on how to safely manage bathroom transfers. To learn more, use the following link:
As a Veteran, you may be able to get assisted living, residential (live-in), or home health care through VA. Find out how to access these long-term care services.
What kinds of long-term care services does VA offer for sick or disabled Veterans?
Our long-term care services include:
. 24/7 nursing and medical care
. Physical therapy
. Help with daily tasks of living (like bathing, dressing, making meals, and taking medicine)
. Comfort care and help with managing pain
. Support for caregivers who may need skilled help or a break so they can work, travel, or run errands.
You can get this care in many different settings—some run by VA and others run by state or community organizations that we inspect and approve.
Care settings may include:
. Nursing homes
. Assisted-living centers
. Private homes where a caregiver supports a small group of individuals
. Adult day health centers
. Veterans’ own homes
You can learn more about the different types of care on this page or review our guide to long-term services and supports.
How do I access these services?
You may be able to use one or more of these services if you meet all of these requirements:
All of these must be true:
. You’re signed up for VA health care, and
. We conclude that you need a specific service to help with your ongoing treatment and personal care, and
. The service (or space in the care setting) is available near you.
We may also consider other factors, like your service-connected disability status or insurance coverage.
"Fall Prevention for Seniors
The Visiting Angels’ Safe and Steady® fall prevention program can help reduce your elderly loved one’s risk of slips, trips, and falls at home and decrease the chance of serious injuries that could result in hospitalization, loss of independence, permanent disability, or even death.
Visiting Angels’ compassionate caregivers are committed to helping seniors remain at home as they age, keeping them where they feel safest, happiest, and most comfortable. Fall prevention is an essential responsibility of Visiting Angels’ professional caregivers."
This link will take you to the Visiting Angels Fall Prevention Program.
"According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the top cause of injury death for seniors and can impede their ability to remain independent — making fall prevention a vital part of aging in place."
Be sure to download their fall prevention guide.
"Thanks to new technology, older adults can stay independent in their own homes with cherished possessions, established routines and the help of innovative products that make living easier."
Some solutions don’t require Wi-Fi connectivity, while others leverage smart technology to be compatible with other devices. Either way, these tools enable family caregivers who don’t live in the home to be an integral part of the day-to-day activities of an aging adult."
This AARP article addresses: Preferring home • Detecting falls • About alarm buttons • Managing medications • Keeping clean • Tracking without intruding • Sleeping comfortably
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) provides help with daily activities while allowing many individuals to remain in their own homes or live with their families by reducing the need for institutional care.
Services include:
adult day care
adult day health care
home delivered meals and meals at senior centers
home health aide
housekeeping
personal care
respite care
transportation
visiting nurse
Services appear to be primarily non-medical but may not be limited to non-medical for those under AHCCCS (AZ Medicaid). Check their website and call for additional information if necessary.
60 years of age or older, or
18 - 60 years of age with a disability,
and functionally impaired and unable to perform activities of daily living (ADL). This includes eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, using the bathroom and mobility (for example, walking or moving from a wheelchair to a bed).
Caregiving takes a lot of time. Even if you had spare time to daydream in the first place, it’s probably gone now. However, you must give yourself a mental break once in a while.
This list prepared by Today's Caregivers is intended to make you think back to a simpler time in your past, and possibly one in your future. Use them sparingly (one at a time) or be a glutton (overdose on all of them at the same time).
Use the link below to see their suggestions for well-earned breaks from the stree and rigor of being a caregiver.
Our Company is a Collective of Dedicated Professionals
Striving to Enrich Lives
"Caring for a loved one can be rewarding in many ways, but the demands placed on family caregivers often lead to stress and burnout. A family caregiver can find it difficult to ask for help, even when dealing with some of the following concerns and feelings:
See their website to get a more complete understanding of their services.
About Us
We help loved ones maintain the highest possible standard of living safely and comfortably at home.
We provide one-on-one caregivers to assist seniors with the activities of daily living."
Visit their website to learn more about the services available.
"If you’re an older adult, smart homes may seem like a lot of hype — or best left to those more comfortable with technology.
But if you’re one of the 9 in 10 people ages 50 to 80 who say they want to stay in their homes as long as possible, innovations available today can help you remain independent, especially if you live alone. And that tech can help your family keep tabs on your safety without being intrusive. Here’s a quiz to show you what today’s tech can do for you and your family."
This article from AARP illustrates many of the ways that technology can assist in the process of caregiving.
We give seniors the gift of independence through heartfelt companionship and daily in-home help. Through our proprietary process, we match seniors with mature, active caregivers who have a passion for serving others and building lasting friendships. These connections share a mutual interest in hobbies, activities and much more.
The Seniors Helping Seniors® mission is based on two simple ideas:
Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care services brighten the lives of seniors who can benefit from a helping hand and a friendly smile. Our caregivers, who are seniors themselves, make your life easier by providing compassionate care in the comfort of your home.
Spending time with others is essential to a senior’s mental and emotional health. Keep your or a senior loved one’s mind engaged with meaningful social interaction from a dedicated companion. Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers are seniors themselves, which makes it easy to form a close bond. Through shared stories, moments and mutual interests, we enjoy nothing more than boosting our clients’ spirits.
It’s common for seniors to need support with daily routines that steer their hygiene and total wellness. Our teams specialize in approaching personal care with dignity and respect. We stand ready to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), including:
Seniors with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease have a broad range of needs, and Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers bring a professional, empathetic approach to assisting with each of these demands.
We know it takes a great deal of patience and kindness to lovingly guide those facing these challenges. Our caregivers are ready to provide many benefits in these circumstances, from social stimulation to an extra set of eyes and ears in the home. Our goal is to help shoulder the day-to-day burdens so seniors and their families can enjoy a better quality of life.
Our team members are expertly trained to understand the impacts of memory impairment, and they specialize in how to care for seniors with dementia, while assisting their loved ones. We’ll work with the senior and their family to track and report any progression of the condition. We’re here as a valuable component in your support network.
Caring for a senior family member can feel like a full-time job. Nurture a stronger relationship with periodic breaks. Our caregivers step in as reliable companions, offering intermittent or continuous respite care. Seniors Helping Seniors® compassionate respite services are available every hour of the day, even overnight. These much-deserved pauses serve as moments to recharge, ensuring that you and your loved one can thrive together.
If you or a senior family member find themselves in recovery mode following a hospital stay, have Parkinson’s, cancer, COPD, heart problems, sight impairment or another condition that requires some extra assistance, we can help. Our friendly caregivers will work to create an assistance plan specific to you.
We take pride in helping our amazing Veterans, whether we’re assisting with daily tasks or serving as a trusted companion. Our caregivers understand the unique needs of former service members, such as service-related health conditions and mental health challenges. We are also sensitive to the norms and values that often accompany military culture. Whether our caregivers are providing support with chores, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, or other jobs, we’re honored to serve the senior Veteran community with the respect and personalized care they deserve.
Dig into all the comforts of home cooking, with assistance from a Seniors Helping Seniors® friend. Your caregiver can help you with meal preparation. Not a natural in the kitchen? No problem. Your caregiver can also go to the grocery store and cook diet-specific dishes or your favorite foods on their own. We’ll even clean the dishes afterwards!
When tidying up becomes too much of a taxing chore, our caregivers can step in and help. They can assist with tasks, such as laundry, folding linens, light cleaning, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming and more. Our caregivers make it easy to keep your house feeling like home.
Remembering to take prescriptions can be tedious and even difficult. While our caregivers can’t administer medication, they can help keep you on track – from providing reminders to reading labels to opening packaging.
Our caregivers make life easier by taking care of your day-to-day responsibilities. They manage a variety of tasks, from dropping off dry cleaning to mailing letters to picking up personal items from the store. Enjoy the convenience of a trusted friend checking off your list of errands one by one!
Studies show staying social improves mental, emotional, and physical health. Our caregivers can provide transportation to appointments, family gatherings, events, or just a day out on the town. Whether you need a ride to the doctor’s office or a lift to see a friend, we’re ready to drive you. Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers can even drop you off and pick you up from your favorite destination – like the park, movie theater, or museum. We’re here so you can stay connected.
Keep up with your loved one, even if you’re miles away. Our caregivers provide regular updates, ensuring that distant family members stay informed and reassured. It’s like having a thoughtful friend who eases your nerves and helps you stay in the loop.
Broken bones can lead to serious health issues for seniors. At Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care agency, we help take every precaution to prevent falls and keep our clients safe. Whether for you or a senior loved one, our caregivers are happy to help identify potential tripping hazards and other injury risks in the home – giving everyone involved great peace of mind.
Need to replace a hard-to-reach lightbulb? Have a wobbly table leg that keeps shaking up meals? Rest assured; we can help. Our caregivers gladly tackle simple handyman projects, common household repairs, and other odd jobs. They’re capable of overseeing minor tasks – like hanging wall fixtures, assembling furniture, and fixing basic leaks. If you need a solution for a more complex job, our caregivers can even recommend a professional to contact.
Even the greenest of thumbs can sometimes use an extra set of hands in the garden. Make yard maintenance a breeze with help from your Seniors Helping Seniors® caregiver. We love to handle mowing, weeding, planting flowers, pruning, and other outdoor projects. The best part? You can join alongside your Seniors Helping Seniors® companion or choose to kick back and soak up some sunshine!
Furry friends bring a smile to our faces and joy to our lives, but meeting their needs can become difficult with age. Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers know how to keep your pet happy and healthy. From cleaning your cat’s litter box to taking your dog for a walk, your senior caregiver is there to support your four-legged companion. Let the purrs and tail wagging begin!
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