Are You a Family Caregiver in Gilbert, AZ? This Month Engage With Seniors and Learn More About Your Family History

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Seniors have a wealth of memories and family history that they are always eager to share. October is National Family History month! This is an ideal time for family caregivers to devote some extra time to listening to elderly family members relive treasured moments from their past and to share stories that need to be passed to the next generation.

There are various ways to encourage seniors to share information regarding the family history. As a caregiver, you could draw a picture of a large tree on a piece of poster board. Cut some leaf shapes out of construction paper. Write family member’s names on the leaves. Get the person you are caring for to help you place names in appropriate places to construct a family tree.

You could step aside from your role as caregiver and assume the role of interviewer. Get your family member to tell you stories from their past. Write them down and compile them into a family memory book.

Family recipes are true treasures. If the person you are caring for used to be the one who had the best family dinners or made the best cake or cookies, get them to share their recipes with you. You can compile these and make a family recipe book. You might even want to make several copies and give them as gifts to family and friends.

Serving as caregiver to a family member can sometimes seem overwhelming. National Family History month is the perfect time to set aside some time to simply sit with the person you are caring for and browse through family photos. Quite often, the responsibilities of caregivers tend to consume so much time that simple pleasures often get ignored. Setting aside some time to look at family photos and hear the stories that accompany them can be a pleasant diversion from your usual caregiver duties.

Arrange for as many family members as possible to gather together and share stories about their childhood. Be sure to include the young children in this event. This is a wonderful way for them to learn about how things used to be.

Sometime during the month of October, set aside a day to celebrate the senior members of the family. If possible, take the family to revisit a place that has some significance to your family history.

When researching options for caregiver agencies in Gilbert AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing caregivers in Gilbert, AZ.

Senior Care in Chandler, AZ: World Heart Day Sept 29, 2012Teaches Us to Be Aware of Stroke and Heart Disease

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The risk of developing heart disease or stroke is higher for individuals suffering from an unhealthy weight, harmful diet and a lack of physical activity. It also increases for tobacco users and those with high stress levels. Heart attacks do not always happen suddenly and may take some time for pain and discomfort to be recognized as a symptom. Chest pain is often the most associated symptom. Other symptoms may include discomfort in certain areas of the body, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and cold sweats. Although men and women typically experience similar symptoms, women are more likely to suffer from back pain, shortness of breath and nausea. The warning signs for a stroke may be more apparent. It can include numbness, confusion, severe headache, dizziness and a sudden onset of coordination problems.

The World Heart Federation was created to raise awareness among everybody across about these deadly diseases. This organization is an advocate for healthy living and developed the World Heart Day to promote health and wellness across the globe. Created in 2000, the World Heart Day is observed on September 29 of each year and features concerts, sporting events, national runs and walks, public discussions and health screenings.

World Heart Day 2012 focuses on the importance of understanding heart disease in women and children. The intention is to successfully raise awareness among women and children as well as their loved ones and encourage them to lead healthier lifestyles to reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Children are often at risk because of their inability to make certain heart-healthy decisions concerning their environment and diet. Women are more likely to be the educator and enforcer within a household so it is important that they are well-informed to have the ability to pass on the knowledge they acquire to their loved ones.

Many of the individuals and volunteers of the World Heart Federation have been affected by CVD and are willing to share their experiences with others. Reaching out to others and sharing the knowledge of acquiring a heart-friendly lifestyle is the primary goal of World Heart Day. Addressing important issues such as the dangers of high blood pressure and the regular use of tobacco can help spread awareness to others and bring people together to lower the numbers of those who may become affected by deadly diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Chandler AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Chandler, AZ.

How Caregivers in Sun City West, AZ Can Help Parents Deal With Psoriasis

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Psoriasis is a skin condition that can occur in varying degrees in some people. It causes an overgrowth of cells on the body. This disorder can be an annoyance, or it can cause more serious problems. Caregivers can help seniors manage symptom by understanding the causes and different forms of treatment.

How It Forms

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that can be a chronic problem for those affected with it. The cells of our body are constantly renewing themselves. However, sometimes the process of cell renewal accelerates and a thick layer of white or silvery cells develop in patches on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body. This disorder can occur along with other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and heart disease. Treatment of the skin conditions must be done in tandem with treatments for the other illnesses. Thirty percent of those with symptoms will develop psoriatic arthritis, a condition that causes swelling, soreness and stiffness of joints.

Causes

The onset of the disorder has a genetic component. Researchers believe that up to 10 percent of the population may have the genes that make them susceptible to this disease. Then, certain triggers must occur for the overgrowth of cells to begin. Stress, injury to the skin, medications, allergies and diet are implicated in the onset of symptoms.

Topical Treatments

Topical corticosteroid medications are applied to the skin to relieve inflammation and suppress the immune reaction. Other types of topical creams are often used, such as vitamin D creams, retinoid compounds, Anthralin, salicylic acid compounds, calcium inhibitors or coal tars.

Light Therapy

Light therapy can also be applied to affected areas to encourage healing and inhibit immune system reactions. Either natural or artificial light is used. UVA and UVB light is often used in combination with medications.

Other Medications

Methotrexate, a powerful drug used to treat cancer, can be used to treat severe cases. Cyclosporine helps to suppress the immune system that causes the overgrowth of cells. Biologic drugs can also be infused into the body to suppress the immune reaction.

Managing Psoriasis in Seniors

Caregivers helping aging parents to deal with symptoms can help by seeing that the senior bathes regularly to remove excess skin cells, moisturizes affected areas and exposes the skin to small amounts of sunlight. Keeping the senior on a healthy diet with no alcohol and no smoking can also help to control the condition.

When researching options for caregiver agencies in Sun City West AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing caregivers in Sun City West, AZ.

Video: How Do People Pay for Home Care in Phoenix AZ?

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Video: How Do People Pay for Home Care in Phoenix AZ?

Non-Medical Home Care in Sun City, AZ- What a Non-Medical Companion Can and Cannot Do in the Home.

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With the aging population and busy work schedules, it is likely that more seniors will require care services in the coming years. Home care allows elders to stay in their own home environment while still getting additional help with daily tasks. Non-medical care may be needed even when the senior is relatively healthy and without medical issues. Contact us at 480-498-2324 for help at home for senior loved ones.

What Is Non-Medical Home Care?

Non-medical home care encompasses a variety of daily tasks that can be challenging for seniors in their own homes. Non-medical care may mean help with getting to the bathroom, dressing, preparing food, reminding about medication, transporting them to appointments, light cleaning and other household tasks. Often, non-medical care can mean interacting with the senior on a meaningful level to help keep them alert and engaged in activities. The non-medical caregiver may play cards with the senior, engage them in conversation on favorite subjects and be a companion for shopping trips. Non-medical care helps to enrich the home environment and social circle of the elder.

What Caregivers Can’t Do

Non-medical caregivers do not provide any medical procedures for clients. They cannot administer medications, give injections for insulin or other drugs and cannot monitor vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar or other physical indicators. They cannot engage in any services that would be considered clinical or invasive. Strict legal requirements determine the limitations of medical and non-medical home caregivers.

How Non-Medical Home Care Helps

Primarily, the non-medical caregiver ensures that the normal physical care of the elderly person is consistent and adequate for his needs. A non-medical caregiver provides regular companionship for the elder and a ways to monitor the condition of the elder on a regular basis, outside of his regular medical care. Non-medical care companies generally provide updates on the status of the elder’s mental, social and physical condition so that family members can take action when needed. Non-medical caregivers can provide important social and mental stimulation that helps to keep seniors alert. A non-medical helper can also provide respite for other family caregivers so that they can spend some time on themselves.

Matching Caregivers With Seniors

Because non-medical senior home care companions come into the home and have close interaction with the elder, it is important to find a good mix of personalities. A good non-medical home care agency will work to find the right person to make your elder family member feel comfortable and secure.

When researching options for Non-Medical Senior Home Care agencies in Sun City AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your Non-Medical Home Care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing Non-Medical Home Care in Sun City, AZ.

Home Care Questions in Paradise Valley, AZ: What Happens if a Caregiver Doesn’t Show Up?

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Many people initially assume that hiring a caregiver directly will be easier and less expensive than working through an agency, but this is usually not the case. Since they are usually under stress when hiring, people don’t always think the home care relationship all the way through.

Hiring an Acquaintance

Sometimes people believe that hiring an acquaintance or someone recommended by a friend will be easier, less expensive, or less intrusive into their day-to-day family life than going through an agency.

A few days or weeks into the relationship, if they decide that the person they hired is not working out as they had envisioned, they are at a loss as to how to handle the situation. They may be afraid of hurting someone’s feelings, so they let the person stay on, even though the professional relationship isn’t working.

With a home care agency, this is never an issue. A simple phone call resolves the problem at once.

One of the worst things to happen occurs when you need to be somewhere and nobody shows up to care for your loved one. Imagine you’ve been up all night caring for your parent or spouse. You have an important day at work coming up and you’ve managed to get ready to leave on time. You’re waiting for the care person to arrive, and the minutes tick by, but nobody comes. You’re getting frantic. You’re going to be late for work and you don’t know what to do.

Worst Case Scenario.

If you’ve made a direct hire, you have nothing to fall back on at a time when you may need all the support you can get. You may have to make a lot of phone calls to find someone who is free to stay with your loved one. In the worst case, you might miss a day of work. If this scenario happens at night instead of in the morning, you might have to go without sleep.

This uncertain situation only adds to the natural stress of caring for someone who is ill. If you hire home care through an agency, a single phone call is all it takes to ensure that another qualified professional caregiver is immediately on the way.

Best Case Scenario

You shouldn’t have to deal with the complexities of hiring and firing when coping with family health issues. This is a time when you should be good to yourself. It’s a time to let someone else take care of details.

Let Home Matters Home Care manage schedules and other details while you focus on more important things.

When researching options for home care agencies in Paradise Valley AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Paradise Valley, AZ.

Caregiving in Fountain Hills, AZ: Learn More About World Alzheimer’s Day 2012

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September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day. “Dementia: Living Together” is the theme for this year’s event. World Alzheimer’s Day was created by the World Health Organization in 1994 to draw attention to Alzheimer’s Disease. This special day will highlight a month of worldwide activities designed to combat the social stigma Alzheimer’s victims and caregiving family members face.

Alzheimer’s is the most common dementia. It is a slow, progressive disease that gradually robs victims of their memory. There are no cures or effective treatments for the disease’s symptoms. In fact, experts can’t even figure out how to slow it down. The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is expected to explode in the next few decades as the post-World War II generation, the baby boomers, age.

Misconceptions and detrimental attitudes about Alzheimer’s are still too common. Caregivers struggle as their loved ones slowly lose touch with reality. They face not only overwhelming physical care and financial stress, but also the social stigma of Alzheimer’s. National Alzheimer’s Day will help victims and caregivers by encouraging positive discussions about this devastating disease.

The World Alzheimer’s Report will be released during September. Worldwide seminars, special events and workshops highlighting Alzheimer’s awareness will also take place this month. Increasing numbers of people are familiar with Alzheimer’s because of loved ones who are victims. Unfortunately many still don’t recognize Alzheimer’s symptoms or behavior. National Alzheimer’s Day will educate community members to be aware of symptoms and of dementia victims in their area.

Many communities will host fundraising Memory Walks on National Alzheimer’s Day. Caregiving families, their friends and neighbors will walk together to remember those lost and to encourage those currently fighting the disease.

Dedicated researchers are actively fighting the disease. Many diseases have been eradicated or tamed by devoted researchers who have the money to take on the task. National Alzheimer’s Day will highlight one of the worst diseases researchers have ever battled. The day will raise research money, provide information and promote awareness about Alzheimer’s victims. It will highlight their caregivers’ struggles to keep them safe. Anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s dreams of the day this deadly disease will be cured. A world without Alzheimer’s is definitely going to be a better place for all of us.

When researching options for caregiving agencies in Fountain Hills AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Senior Care at Home in Mesa, AZ: Great Foods for a Heart Healthy Diet

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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), coronary heart disease affects almost 5 percent of the population. Heart attacks occur in over 3 percent of the population, while heart failure affects approximately 2 percent of the population. Obviously, heart health is something that no sector of the adult population can ignore.

Some of the factors that may increase the risk of heart disease or heart attack include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity, smoking and/or physical inactivity.

However, reducing the risk of heart problems is possible through simple lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise and choosing a healthy diet. The same is true for young adults and seniors alike.

Here are some great heart-healthy foods to incorporate into senior care:

– Fresh fruit and vegetables

According to WebMD, fresh vegetables and fruits help remove free radicals from the bloodstream, which helps maintain the health of blood vessels.

Some of the best heart-healthy produce includes blueberries, which are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, beta-carotene and potassium, as well as carrots, which are high in alpha-carotene and fiber. Try adding shredded carrots to pasta sauce or zucchini bread batter for an added heart healthy boost. Put blueberries on oatmeal or eat some for a quick snack.

Other heart-healthy fruits and vegetables include broccoli, spinach, red bell peppers, sweet potato, oranges, asparagus, cantaloupe, squash, tomatoes, papaya and other berries. All are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and easy to incorporate as a side dish or snack for seniors.

– Whole Grains

Look for bread products that are labeled “100 percent whole grain” and list “whole wheat flour” as the first on the ingredient list for the most heart-healthy benefits.

One whole grain that appeals to many seniors is a bowl of oatmeal, which provides omega-3 fatty acids, as well as calcium, soluble fiber, potassium and magnesium. Add a little milk and some fresh fruit to make this a healthy and delicious breakfast.

– Beans and Legumes

High in fiber and protein, beans and legumes offer a low fat, satisfying way to feel full. Add some kidney beans or black beans to a broth-based soup with vegetables and whole grain pasta to add soluble fiber, B-complex vitamins, magnesium and niacin in a satisfying and nurturing meal. Soup is also easy to freeze and defrost for senior care providers.

– Fish

The omega-3 fats in fish help increase heart health and may even reduce inflammation. Buy some grilled salmon and add it to a salad for an easy way to add omega-3 fatty acids and protein.

Tuna is another fish that is easy to incorporate into a senior’s diet. Buy canned “light” tuna, mix some with some low-fat mayonnaise and mustard, add to whole wheat bread for niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, and foliate for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

– Brown Rice

Like whole wheat bread, brown rice adds fiber, vitamins and minerals where white, processed pasta and bread items do not. Brown rice has B-complex vitamins, niacin and magnesium. Pick up some steamed vegetables and brown rice from a local Chinese or Thai restaurant for an easy meal for an at-home senior.

– Tea

Tea is high in flavonols and catechins, which are good for the heart. Brew up a nice afternoon cup of tea or brew some sun tea and pour it over ice for a delicious, healthy beverage.

While many of these foods are easy enough for many seniors to eat and prepare on their own, home care services can also help grocery shop, prepare meals and snacks. This will help ensure that a healthy variety of heart-smart foods is provided on a daily basis.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Mesa AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Mesa, AZ.

September is Healthy Aging Month: Home Care Services in Scottsdale, AZ Can Help Seniors Get Healthy and Stay Healthy!

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Here are just some of the ways home care services can assist seniors who want to get healthy and stay healthy, after all – it’s never too late to start taking care of ourselves!

EAT FRESH. Make a commitment to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. September is still harvest time in many areas so seek out local farmers markets and buy local produce. Make it a point to try to make foods from scratch… skip the processed foods as much as you can. How much do you need to eat? Home Care Services can help by preparing light meals and helping with grocery shopping.

TAKE A WALK. Walking with a companion can keep the energy level high and the motivation strong to improve each day. Seniors don’t have to walk long distances, start small and work your way up to longer walks. Walking is good for your overall health and can even be done around the house, at the mall, or around the neighborhood.

DO SOMETHING NEW. Tired of the same old scene? Seniors can go on short day trip to new places, visit new museums, parks and other places that give them a fresh perspective. Look online for recommendations in your area for short trips that are within an hour drive of your area.

GET SOCIAL! Good health for the mind is just as important as good health for the body. Seniors can invite friends over for lunch, participate in church groups, book clubs, senior center activities, card clubs and more.

HealthyAging.net gives us this advice for staying “BRAIN” healthy:

“If you think old, you ARE old. A decline in memory is not always a function of serious disease, like Alzheimer’s. Sometimes memory loss is caused by factors that can be changed — such as diet, medication misuse, depression, etc… At the National Institute on Aging, research is showing that memory may be like other parts of the body. Research showed that the very gradual declines in memory take place until age 70 — when the pace increases, but not so much as to impair us. The conclusion?

The processes of normal aging do not rob you of your memory.

The greatest enemy to the healthy senior mind is depression. New activities, hobbies, and exercise are wonderful anti-depressants. If you truly are depressed, don’t bear it alone — SEEK HELP!

Stay active doing things that use your memory:

• Take a class, play games, be with people

• Pick up the phone now and call someone, just to “chat”

• Volunteer your time. Get involved with a cause you believe in or in something that interests you

• Seek out variety and challenge in your daily life

These are just a few tips for Healthy Aging in September 2012- Healthy Aging Month!

When researching options for home care services in Scottsdale AZ, call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your home care services needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care services in Scottsdale, AZ.