Senior Care Agency in Arizona Welcomes Get a Balanced Life Month

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Have you ever wondered what it truly means to have a balanced life? After all, one person’s idea of balance may very well be the epitome of chaos to another. If you haven’t given it some thought before, January is a great time to do so. Its officially Get a Balanced Life Month and the staff at our senior care agency in Arizona want to help everyone live on an even keel. So our team of caregivers has put together a brief series of tips that may help:

senior care agency

Building a network of people you can rely on and communicating effectively with them are important aspects of a balanced life.

Build a Trustworthy Network

In our experience, one of the best ways to get a balanced life is to build a trustworthy network of people that are willing and able to help you get through the rough times. For some of us, that may mean relying on able-bodied relatives that happen to live nearby. For others, it may be necessary to crack open that inner circle and let strangers in. We know that can be a scary proposition. Consequently, we recommend soliciting the help of a licensed, insured, senior care agency that has a proven track record of helping maintain or improve ailing individuals’ quality of life.

Speak Up Often

Of course a network is only as good as its members’ ability to communicate effectively with one another. Therefore, it’s vital to speak up often and let those in your network know exactly what you need. If you are not sure what you need but just know that something isn’t quite right. That’s okay too. Just explain what you’re feeling and the things going on in your life. A highly trained healthcare team should be able to help guide you to a resolution from there.

Don’t Stay in a Box

When presented with those various solutions, don’t box yourself in. Remember, there is always more than one way to solve a problem. So never be afraid to look beyond conventional solutions or ask others to be flexible. They may just surprise you by saying “yes” or coming up with options that are effective but buck tradition. For example, maybe it’s better to ease a loved one into the idea of accepting home care instead of just showing up one day with professional help in tow.

To learn more about achieving a balanced life and how working with a trusted, senior care agency may help, please contact us at Endeavor Home Care. We offer personalized solutions and our team consists of people with extensive experience in nursing, social services, emergency medicine, occupational therapy and customer service.

Hiring an Aide: Home Care Agency or “Gray Market?”

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Most older people who cannot live alone prefer to remain in their homes. That makes sense; it is where their things are, where they know the neighbors and where their memories are based. Staying in their own homes is also a way to feel as if they are still somewhat independent. If your loved one needs companionship or assistance in daily living activities, you might be thinking about running an ad for an aide, or calling a person recommended by a friend. After all, is there any solid reason to use a home care agency? To answer that question, you need to consider several things.

Can you trust that someone you hire from the “Gray Market” will be trained in elder care? Will they know how to assist your loved one in standing or in walking to prevent falls? Will they know what to do if a fall occurs? home care agency

Will the person you hire be willing to do all the things your loved one requires?

Will they be loyal to you and guard your privacy?

Can you trust their integrity? Is your loved one, and her possessions, secure with the aide?

What will you do if the aide “calls off” or wants to go on vacation? How easy will it be to get a replacement?

What kind of expertise or training does the aide have in working with people with impaired abilities or memory?

Can the “Gray Market” aide be relied upon to know when a higher level of care is required? Will you be able to change from the aide to a nurse or nursing assistant readily?

Hiring from the “Gray Market” may seem less costly, but you cannot put a price on peace of mind. You need to know that your loved one is healthy, happy and not a victim of neglect or elder abuse. Hiring a certified home care aide from a home care agency may be far less expensive in the long run, when you consider that there is someone standing behind her, ensuring that she ( or he) will give your loved ones the care and attention they deserve.

If you are considering getting in home care for someone you love, contact us. We understand how much getting the right care matters.

Tips For Balancing Caregiver Duties And Your Emotional & Physical Well-Being

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Caregivers are a special breed of people who put the needs of others before their own. Caregivers can also become overwhelmed at times. Being responsible for the care of another can become all-consuming, and it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. Here are some things that you can do to help overcome this issue so that you can enjoy your work and your life once again.

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Taking care of yourself by eating right and getting enough rest — and fun! — is crucial to being the best caregiver you can be.

  1. Educate Yourself – Take the time to research the disease or condition that the person under your care is experiencing. When you understand, for example, that an Alzheimer’s patient can go through periods of lucidity immediately followed by confusion, it helps you manage better.

  2. Realize You’re Not In Control – One of the hardest things to deal with is the lack of control over anything in our lives. As a caregiver, you must understand that things change almost hourly and you have to accept it. No matter how much you wish the situation was different, you truly cannot change it, that is not your responsibility.

  3. Acknowledge Your Stress – Being a caregiver takes a lot out of you every day. It’s physically, emotionally and mentally draining at times. It’s okay to admit that you’re feeling the pressure and that it’s affecting you. Remember that you are only human and the emotions that you feel are only natural.

  4. Talk To Someone – You will find a great deal of relief if you can talk about your feelings. Even if they cannot help you directly, just being able to say what’s on your mind without worrying about how it sounds can be freeing. Join a caregiver support group, talk to a friend, clergy, doctor or even a therapist if you need to.

  5. Eat Well – Sometimes stress can rob you of your appetite and it’s hard to eat. When you deprive yourself of the proper nutrition, your body and mind will not able to cope with the stress as well. A good breakfast that features proteins and fresh fruit will set the tone for the day. Have a solid lunch and a light dinner and, if you need a boost, grab a snack.

  6. Drink Right – Feeling run-down and irritable is a sign of dehydration. One of the most effective ways of keeping yourself energetic and feeling good is to drink plenty of fluids. Avoid caffeine and alcohol for the most part, since they will actually dehydrate you.

  7. Get Some Rest – You simply cannot function properly without adequate sleep. But, it’s a sad fact that sleep deprivation is a major problem for many caregivers. The truth is, without adequate rest, you’ll be more likely to make mistakes and it will add to your stress.

  8. Go Have Some Fun – There’s nothing more effective for raising your spirits than laughing and playing with friends and family. Being a caregiver does not mean giving up everything that you enjoy. Watch a funny movie, sing karaoke or whatever it is that makes you smile.

  9. Ask For Help – One of the hardest things to do is to admit that you cannot handle everything yourself. But, asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is actually a sign of strength. Know your limits and don’t be afraid to say that you’re in over your head. If you can find someone to fill in for a day or even a few hours, it will help ease your load.

Caregivers first have to care for themselves in order to be able to take care of others. Contact us you are a caregiver that’s feeling the pressure, we can help. We look forward to helping you provide the best care for your loved one.

Home Caregiver Agencies Protect Against Elder Abuse

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Caregiver Agencies in Phoenix AZ

Protect your loved one from fraud and financial abuse by hiring a pre-screened caregiver from a home care agency.

In a recent news article posted on September 27, 2014, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) announced that “elder abuse is on the rise,” most commonly in the form of financial abuse.  Only 4% of fraud cases get reported out of 5 million seniors who are victimized each year.  Scammers pose as fraudulent private caregivers when they post advertisements on various print and online sites.  The elderly have no way of investigating private caregivers’ backgrounds, assessing their characters, or truly knowing their work ethics.  These predators have access to a score of seniors’ information when they purchase a “sucker list” from companies that solicit personal information through false contests, like winning an “all-expense paid vacation.”

To protect against elder abuse and fraud, it is vitally important to hire a highly skilled caregiver who is already pre-screened and pre-qualified by caregiver agencies in Mesa, AZ, and the nearby communities that have done the hard work for you, like criminal background checks, reference verification, and character screening.  When you contact a reputable home care agency like Endeavor Home Care, you have the option of signing up for service over the phone or coming in person to meet the professional staff members for yourself.

In addition to providing in home care assistance with daily living, such as meal preparation, house chores, laundry, bathing and grooming, Endeavor In Home Care raises the bar by having occupational therapists as part of our team.  Managed by a seasoned fire fighter and a licensed senior care nurse, our occupational therapists create customized exercise plans to meet each client’s unique needs.  Our management team of medical professionals provides unsurpassed quality of home care you won’t find anywhere else.

Contact us today (480) 535-6800 to ask about our caregiving services and why we’re one of the top home health agencies in Mesa, AZ and the surrounding area. We’re always happy to share more tips and resources to protect against elder abuse and to ensure seniors stay safe and well at home. We look forward to serving you and your loved one.

Elder Care Home Care Helps Seniors Age in Place

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If we aren’t dreaming of retiring on a tropical island, most of us just want to live out our lives where we are most happy, in our own homes. In fact, 90% of people over 65 want to live in their home for as long as possible, and 80% believe they will always continue to live in their own home. Until recently, this was not a feasible option for those individuals whose family must work or live far away, or in places where there are limited services to provide the necessary support. Fortunately, with today’s superior options in affordable elder care home care, aging in place can be a reality for many seniors.

elder care home care.

With today’s superior options in affordable elder home care, aging in place can be a reality for many seniors.

What is Aging in Place

Aging in place is the ability to spend as much of your life as possible where you are most comfortable– your own home. While the concept seems simple, it has not been a possibility for many Americans until very recently. Multiple factors made it difficult for seniors to remain in their homes, particularly once they need additional care and support. One of the biggest problems was a simple gap in service. Those who did not need full-time or on-going medical care but did need supportive care in medication management or daily living tasks were left with few options. For most, choices included moving to an assisted living facility or staying in the home without adequate help. Today, many industries have become more responsive to the needs of the senior community and together make at home care a possibility.

When is Eldercare Home Care the Optimum Choice?

Home health care options are for individuals wanting to stay in the home but need additional help in managing certain tasks, such as medication management, meal preparation, light housekeeping, bathing, grooming, and dressing.

Home health care solves common challenges such as:

  • Family that lives too far away to provide care
  • Family that must work to provide for the senior’s care and living expenses which takes them away from physical care
  • Family concerned about their loved one living alone
  • Seniors whose financial situation is such that staying in the home is most affordable
  • Seniors in good health but need support to maintain health and safety
  • Seniors that want to retain autonomy
  • Seniors that prefer care provided by others and who fear being a burden to family
  • Seniors that want to stay in the home and community where they have lived for some time

Society as a whole is becoming more aware of the needs of seniors and responding to those needs positively. If you have questions about eldercare home care, or how we can help your loved one age in place, please contact us today!

From Hospital to Home Care in 3 Simple Steps

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If you hire outside help to care for your loved one, the information you relay from the doctor will make the difference in how the home care service provider understands their needs.

The time has come when your elderly loved one is going to be discharged.  Sometimes the announcement comes with enough advanced notice so that you can prepare for your loved one’s return to his residence or yours.  If you are one of those lucky ones whose parent is discharged early during the week, you might be able to call a long list of numbers given to you by the hospital staff if you have any questions about your parent’s post-acute care.  However, if your loved one is discharged on a Friday, your chances of talking to a live operator for post-acute care advice over the weekend are slim to none.

As the family caregiver or point-of-contact, you will be the one receiving any kind of information about your parent or spouse’s prognosis.  Unfortunately, at the present time there is no universal system set in place when it comes to hospital discharge, and the information you relay to your caregiver (if you hire outside help) from the doctor will make the difference in how the home care service provider will understand your loved one’s needs.

Hospital discharges don’t have to be complicated.  To make life easier for yourself and the caregiver you hire, follow these simple steps:

Ask your loved one’s physician for a written, detailed report that an average person can understand. 

Your certified nurse assistant may understand medical jargon, but you as the family caregiver might not.  To be as engaged as possible, ask for clear language so you know the medications, prognosis, type of daily living assistance and any specialized care your loved one needs upon returning home.

If your loved one requires specialized care, ask your doctor to be specific if the report contains inadequate details.

Specialized care means going beyond the normal scope of assistance with daily living (e.g., light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, etc.).  If a patient’s condition calls for usage of a nebulizer, colostomy bag, G-tube, or other equipment, a regular family caregiver without the knowledge, training and experience of such care may do more harm than good.  You can avoid hospital readmission if you get the right type of care for your loved one.  Understand your limitations – what you can or cannot do for your elderly loved one.

Make sure you hire a caregiver from a 24-hour home care agency.

Knowing that you have support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, gives you an incredible peace of mind.  Not every home care agency offers 24 hour support, and you might find yourself in a bind if you can’t reach anyone for immediate answers.  Whether you hire a caregiver for a few hours a day or for 24 hours round-the clock, it’s always good to know in the back of your mind that you could call a hotline at any hour, day or night.

Contact us at Endeavor Home Care!  Our hotline (480) 535-6800 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Our exceptional team of medical professionals is ready to answer any questions you may have about in-home respite care in Gilbert and the surrounding areas.

In Home Care: How do You Know When it is Needed?

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Many of us have elderly parents or loved ones who live independently and seem to be doing well. At some point, however, you may have a nagging feeling that they aren’t faring as well as they seem to be. Something is wrong. Perhaps your loved one doesn’t need to be in a long-term care facility or even assisted living, but what are the signs they may need in home care ?

in home care

Your loved one may not need long-term care in a facility, but in home care may be a helpful option for many.

First, it might be something as small as a pile of unopened mail that grows daily. A review of the mail might reveal overdue bill notices. Consistently missing important appointments may signal that your loved one needs help. Another sign is a change in personal habits. Someone who has always been clean and neat may become disheveled and have body odor. This may mean she forgets to shower or is afraid to get into a tub. She may lose interest in activities or hobbies she has always enjoyed. You may notice that the home, which formerly was kept spotlessly, now is dirty and there might even be a smell of urine. Your loved one may show hesitation when doing familiar tasks, or even forget how to do them entirely.

Sometimes you will notice spoiled food in the refrigerator. That happens to all of us, but when it happens again and again, or when the loved one prepares and ingests the spoiled food anyway, there is a danger in not addressing the problem. Older people who live on a budget and who subscribe to “Meals-on-Wheels”-type programs may hoard leftover food, sometimes forgetting to refrigerate it.

A check of medications may show you a discrepancy. There might be more tablets than there should be ( forgetting to take the medication) or too few (taking too many). The medications may be out-dated. Another thing you might notice is unexplained bruises or scrapes (and dents on the car).

When you begin to notice these signs you may be frightened, but you needn’t be. Few people develop them all at once. Usually people who are experiencing some trouble that makes it difficult or dangerous for them to live unassisted can still function more-or-less independently with some help. For ideas on how to help your loved one deal with lessened abilities or for information on caring and dependable assistance at home, contact us.

The Benefits of Senior Home Healthcare Services

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Senior citizens face many challenges that often include needing assistance with the things they once took for granted. Simple tasks become difficult to perform and even preparing meals can become a challenge as you age. If you have a loved one who needs help with daily activities but who values their independence, home healthcare may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

home healthcare services

Home healthcare services can help your senior loved one with a variety of daily activities, from cooking meals to taking medication.

Many seniors don’t want to leave the home they spent years working for to live in an assisted care facility, which is understandable. You work hard all of your life to make your house a home and it’s difficult to leave. However, as we age, many people have disabilities that prevent you from doing everyday tasks like cooking or cleaning, which is necessary for your health and well-being. Home care services can help.

Home Healthcare Provides a Variety of Services

One of the great things about home healthcare services is that you can choose from a wide variety of options, which allow you to cater to the specific needs of the elderly person. For example, some elders need help preparing meals and taking medication correctly. Skipping doses or doubling up could have serious health complications, so it’s vital someone is there to help.

Some seniors need medical aide administered by a professional and there are qualified nurses available to provide this type of service. Checking vital signs and monitoring patients are part of the job and these professionals also have CPR and first aid training.

Home care services also offers personal care that includes helping the patient bathe, get dressed and move from one room to another along with transportation to doctor’s appointments and other places they need to go. Some seniors have disabilities that prevent them from doing housework or cooking meals and these services are also available.

Regardless of what your specific situation is, home care can provide the services needed for your loved ones to maintain a certain amount of independence, so they can continue to live in their own home.

Home Healthcare Offers Companionship

Some seniors may not say much but they need companionship just like everyone else and that is another benefit home healthcare provides. While these professionals are taking care of their needs, they are also giving them someone to talk to throughout the day.

Even if you have an elderly parent or other relative living with you, home healthcare can still be beneficial. You can’t always be there to provide the care they need but with these services, you don’t have to worry about your loved one because you know they will be well cared for when you’re away.

Here at Endeavor Home Care, we offer quality care for your loved ones and we provide service to the Scottsdale, Arizona, Phoenix and surrounding cities. Contact us to learn more about the services we offer and our mission to provide the best in home care for seniors in the area.

Dementia Care: Hard on Them, Hard on You

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Over five million people live with Alzheimer’s Disease in the U.S. What makes that figure even more staggering is that Alzheimer’s is not the only type of dementia affecting elders. When you consider the number of people who struggle with dementia of all kinds, that figure balloons. Being the caregiver for a loved one who is ill can be difficult. Dementia care adds another dimension. Dementia is usually progressive. That means we lose a bit more of our loved one every day. Communication is harder. Daily activities like bathing and caring for teeth can become confrontations.

dementia care

Reminiscing together may be a comfort to your loved one, as long-term memories are often retained.

Living with dementia can be hard on your loved one and on you, the caregiver; a few hints might help lighten your task.

There are reasons for behaviors like emptying a pots- and- pans drawer or sleeping on the floor. Maybe the person is feeling useless and needs a purpose. Folding washcloths could satisfy that need. Perhaps she is frightened of sleeping in a “high” bed and feels more comfortable on the floor where she can’t roll off. Look for the cause of a behavior and then try to accommodate it, not control it. There are worse things in life than sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Behaviors like tantrums can be terrifying for the adult and for his caregiver. Watch for “triggers” that seem to accompany the behavior. Perhaps there was a change in his routine or someone used specific words that elicited fear or anger.

Wandering is a major concern for the caregiver of a person with dementia. You might try placing alarms on the doors, or changing latches to be more challenging. Another idea is to set a regular exercise time, or a daily walk with you. One novel idea is to paint a black square or place a black mat on exit thresholds. The wanderer may perceive that as a barrier or a deep ravine that cannot be crossed.

Communication with a loved one who has dementia is hard–and becomes harder as the condition progresses. Remember that your attitude and body language telegraph a lot of information without saying a word. Get the person’s attention by saying her name and touching her. Then keep it simple. If you have to ask questions, keep the answers “yes” and “no.” If you are offering choices, show them: use the actual object or pictures and be patient while waiting for a response. Remember the person for whom you are caring is still the person he or she always was. Reminiscing may be comforting and enjoyable for both of you. Short-term memory almost always fails, but long-term memories may still be intact.

Caring for someone with dementia is exhausting physically and emotionally. Fatigue and frustration can make you resentful. Eventually, you might find it to be more than you can manage. When that time comes, a senior care service provider can save your health and your relationship with your loved one. In-home respite care can give you some free time, knowing your family member was safe and cared-for; live-in care could allow your loved one to remain in a familiar environment and free you to pursue other activities again.

Contact Endeavor In Home Care, the leading provider of in home care in Paradise Valley, AZ and the surrounding areas, if you have questions about how we could help you live more successfully as a caregiver for someone with dementia.

Senior Care Services: No Guilt Trip

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Did you know that one in five Americans is a caregiver? It’s true; twenty percent of us care for an elderly or disabled person at home. We try to be super-human and balance our jobs and family with caregiving duties, but that seldom works. Caregivers burn out. They get frustrated and angry, they have more sick days and they are exhausted. Added to that, most caregivers of people 65 or older are in their 60s themselves. That means they may be dealing with some age-related arthritis or other health issues themselves.

senior care services

An in home caregiver can provide socialization for your loved one, while protecting you from caregiver burnout.

If you are one of the twenty percent, you may have considered arranging for senior care services but you feel guilty at the prospect of hiring someone to help. You feel justified in having someone administer medications or lift your loved one for baths, but the idea of someone who will come and “just sit” makes you uneasy. After all, you are there and you can visit with your loved one, you can do dishes and vacuum, you can give massages and treat wounds.You can give adequate care without the added expense of in-home senior services.

Well, first, in home caregivers seldom “just sit.” They read to the patient to keep them alert or they visit to give them socialization. Beyond that, the service caregivers can help with light housekeeping. That is where the guilt often surfaces. After all, if you are there, why let someone else do the work…and why pay to have it done?

The answer is simple: it will keep you from burnout and the associated illnesses it brings. Seventy-five percent of family caregivers are women, and women need more socialization. In short, you need to get out from time to time. In addition, the service doesn’t provide all the care. You do a lot. You are the “first responder” in the morning and the one who answers the call at two a.m. You are more likely to be obese than the general population. Wounds heal slower and you get depressed easier. Added to this, the resentment you may feel from being “boxed in” by your caregiving duties can lead to an unhealthy relationship with your loved one.

Insurance companies don’t usually cover custodial help. Still, the expense might be just as justifiable as a routine medical exam or a gym membership. It is preventative treatment. The cost may be less than treating burn-out related illness. If you are the one-in-five, that is something to consider.

If you would like to know more about in-home senior care, contact us. Let us show you how, instead of a “guilty pleasure,” it might just be a “stitch-in-time.”