Senior Care Agency in Arizona Welcomes Get a Balanced Life Month

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?”

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

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

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.