Benefits of Home Care for Adults With Functional Needs
“A bit of help with personal care can go a long way,” says Bullock. “It can mean the difference between living independently and residing in a facility. Our clients are like our friends and families. We support them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.”
Lifelong Caregiving: Creating a Rich and Meaningful Life
Betty retired from State Hospital in the 1990s, but she couldn’t shake her need to care for others. She provided regular care for the 95-year-old woman, taking her out for some exercise, to the beauty shop to get her hair and nails done, out to lunch on Saturdays, and to her church on Sunday mornings. The two women loved passing time together, spending most days together for five years, until the older woman passed away at the age of 100.
From Raising a Son With Functional Needs to Caring for Elders
“As a child, my grandfather would always tell me that when I grew up I should find a job I really loved and I’d never actually work a day in my life,” Larry Bell says. “I didn’t understand that sentiment until I became a caregiver."
Home Care Workers Recall Disaster Response a Year After Hurricane Harvey
When Karen Martin heard that a tropical storm—later known as Hurricane Harvey—in the Gulf was projected to make a landfall in Corpus Christi, Texas, she—the staffing coordinator of Right at Home Metro Houston—immediately reached out to all caregivers on her team via email.
How Learning a Client’s Story Helped a Caregiver Improve Care
When Beverly began working with her client, Adina, she was surprised to learn that Adina was a Holocaust survivor. Although Beverly had learned about the Holocaust in history class long ago in school, she decided to do more research about it to better understand her client and the issues she faced. What Beverly discovered horrified her.
A Mother’s Lasting Influence
From his own experience of caregiving for his mother, Steve Nowak emphasizes the importance of helping families to care for a loved one at home.
Caregiving for a Parent Drew Siblings Closer Together
Navigating parental conflict, such as a divorce, or the death of a parent can actually reinforce the strength of sibling relationships. For one son who lost a parent to cancer, “If anything, the devastating diagnosis brought me and my siblings closer together.”
Family Involvement in Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation
In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, Right at Home spoke with Dr. Jeff Snell, neuropsychologist and director of psychology and neuropsychology services at QLI to learn more about traumatic brain injury care.
“If you have a loved one who has a traumatic brain injury, your investment in getting that person back to a quality of life is going to involve helping them access something they are most passionate about,” says Dr. Snell.
Spring Cleaning to Reduce Fall Risks
Spring is when everything starts to come alive again. The sluggish energy from winter moves out, and there’s a vibrant spirit of rejuvenation in the air. This is the time for a fresh look around to see what moved in during our winter hibernation. And do you know what many of us will find?
Clutter!
2018 Tax Deductions, Exemptions and Credits for Seniors
How does the tax reform affect U.S. citizens age 65 and older in 2018? What financial credits are available for family caregivers?
Inspired to Serve: A Home Care Business Owner Living With MS
“I recognize every day that my health could be a lot worse, and I choose to be positive and move forward through challenges, rather than worry about what I can’t control,” says Kami. “MS has helped me dedicate my life to helping others.”
Common Misconceptions About CNAs and LPNs
"CNAs are not 'just an aide.' They're the real hands-on people who regularly get to see and know the care clients. Their job is important,' said Sandy Pellegrine.
Cancer Care--Caregiving, Support and Resources
The suspect lump, mole or nagging cough may be a health nuisance, but for millions of people around the world, these changes in the body are warning signs of cancer. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide; the World Health Organization reports that cancer killed 8.8 million people globally in 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions for Aging Life Care Professionals
Aging Life Care Professionals are specialized caseworkers who focus on holistic geriatric care management. They can be an excellent resource for both family caregivers and isolated older adults, providing help and advocacy across a variety of disciplines. We spoke with Brenda Shorkend, an independent Aging Life Care Professional with over 25 years of experience, and got answers to five most frequently asked questions for Aging Life Care Professionals.
Guide to Long-Distance Caregiving
If you live an hour away or across the country from an older loved one who needs care, you may be facing the complexities of long-distance caregiving. You want to help with the care of your senior relative or friend as much as you can, but the miles between the both of you pose a challenge to you staying accurately informed and the care recipient obtaining reliable help.
Treat Yourself: Self-Care Tips for Family Caregivers
“Managing your own care and a family member’s care is really challenging,” says Coatta, a Clinical Social Worker Specialist in Pasadena, California. “But you really cannot best care for a loved one if you don’t also care for yourself.”
5 Ways Seniors Can Beat the Post-Holiday Blues
The holidays are over. Sigh. After New Year’s Day, the letdown of the holiday season hits a low note for many of us, leaving us feeling lonely, depressed and just not up for socializing. How can we beat this post-holiday blues?
Adults and Children With Disabilities Receive Wheelchairs in Costa Rica, Gain Dignity
“Every day we see how lack of mobility affects the quality of life for the seniors we serve,” said Rosaleen Doherty of Right at Home Boston and North. “For people living with a disability in less-resourced nations, mobility encourages renewed self-confidence and hope.”
Award Winning Caregiver Discusses Caregiving and Dementia
When Vicky-Lee Layden heard that the Home Care Association of America selected her as the Caregiver of the Year 2017, she was shocked. "Why am I winning this? I am just doing what I love, and I am being rewarded for it?"
We Need to Talk about Death and Celebrate Life
Grote Johnson’s father brought the family together. He told his children that he wanted to go out of this world in comfort and dignity. He had decided on hospice at that point. Being a registered nurse and having experience working at a home health and hospice agency in the past, Grote Johnson felt thankful for her father’s openness to have such a difficult conversation with his children, and for his unconventional way of educating his family on the topic.
Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Resources for Caregivers
Although the number of people living with Alzheimer's and dementia has been on a rise, very few people realize the financial and medical resources available to the patients because of the linear nature of relationships between patients and physicians.
Is it time to ask for help?
He is staring right at me but somehow things feel a little “off.” There is tension in his eyes as though he is struggling to remember who I am. He is at a loss for words to explain what is going on.
He is my father, my go-to person for everything—guidance, love, support and comfort.
Former Teacher, Now Caregiver Provides Meaningful Alzheimer’s Care
After spending years as a middle school teacher, Burney learned not to take certain behaviors personally. In the same way he discovered that catching someone passing a note in class wasn’t a reflection of his teaching skills, through caregiving he has learned not to take client irritability to heart.
5 Easy, Nutritious Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
Here are five healthy recipes that can be made with a pre-cooked, store-bought rotisserie chicken:
Signs of Elder Abuse and What You Can Do to Help
At first, the actions may seem quite innocuous. An unpaid bill. The purchase of an item the older person does not need. The explanation that “she fell” or “he ran his wheelchair into the table.”
Bell’s Palsy vs. a Stroke
Bell’s palsy is a temporary paralysis of the face caused by inflammation, compression or trauma to the facial nerve. Typically, the disorder only affects one side of the face, and the resulting physical distortion occurs suddenly and peaks within 48 hours. Because of the facial paralysis and possible affected speech, Bell’s palsy may be confused with a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), but Bell’s palsy is not connected with either of these conditions.
Discover Train Tours and Vacations in the U.S.
For many of us, traveling is one of the great pleasures life has to offer. Experiencing new places, different cultures and beautiful sights adds depth and excitement to our lives. But with the rising costs of airline travel and the hassles associated with road trips, it’s easy to get discouraged about planning a vacation.
Caregiver’s Qualities Ensure Long, Successful Career Helping Seniors
When Karen arrived for work one afternoon and was kicked out of the home of a memory care client in her care who didn’t seem to recognize her, she didn’t panic. Instead, Karen walked out the door and decided to improvise. She put her hair up in a ponytail and knocked on the door. Her client greeted her with a big smile and invited her to come in the house.
Caring for a Loved One with a Cataract
A cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes increasingly opaque, causing cloudy or blurred vision.
Caregiver Associations and Support Groups
Call us at 877-697-7537 to talk to someone about how we might be able to help you care for your loved one.
How Family Mediation Can Help You Manage the Aging Process
As our parents age, it is time for the family to unite to create a working plan that considers the needs and concerns of the entire family. Family members need to have these difficult conversations in a real way to ensure that their aging parents are safe and that family relationships survive. Elder/family mediation is a successful tool that gives families a way to effectively manage the aging process that confronts us all.
How to Spot a Guilt-Tripper
As caregivers, we often feel guilty for losing our tempers, for having negative feelings toward our care receivers, or for wanting a little time for ourselves. Unless you have intentionally inflicted physical or emotional pain on someone else, however, guilt is not an appropriate response.
Safety Tips for Summer Family Fun
Summer is a wonderful opportunity for children, parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents to stack up fun memories while staying injury-free and healthy.
National Cancer Survivors Day Honors Those Who Beat Cancer
A cancer survivor is a person living with a history of the disease from initial diagnosis through the rest of his or her life. Each year on the first Sunday in June, National Cancer Survivors Day® honors the millions of courageous individuals who beat cancer.
Humor: A Radical Solution for Caregiver Fatigue?
Many caregivers have sacrificed sleep; however, when we don’t get adequate sleep, it affects our ability to think and reason. It can lead to poor decision making, erratic behavior, and increased falls and accidents.
Counseling Assistance for Every Need
How do you gain a better balance and not discount your mental and emotional health as you care for another?
Decreasing Fall Risk Through Dancing
A new study showed that elders who participated in a half hour of ballroom dancing (three days a week for three months) had a 50% improvement in balance and fewer falls.
Tax Credit Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers
If you are a senior receiving care or are caring for an older relative, you may be eligible for additional tax deductions and credits. Examples of elder care tax benefits include claiming a parent, stepparent, father-in-law or mother-in-law as a dependent on your tax return or deducting contributions you made toward your aging relative’s medical expenses.
Christmas – Not Always a Holiday for Mom!
Thank you for all the pressure, work and sacrifice of Christmases moms take on to make the holidays magical!
3 Home Modifications to Help Your Aging Family Members
87% of adults ages 65 and older “want to stay in their current home and community as they age.” How can you ensure the safety of your loved ones to age in place?
Sarcopenia: An Unfamiliar Cause of Falling
Sarcopenia begins around age 45 and increases thereafter. By age 65, people, especially those who are sedentary, have lost almost half of their muscle mass and strength. The muscles become so weak that everyday mobility becomes difficult.