Caregiver Background Checks: OK Advocates for Improvement
How much is it worth to ensure that your clients are in the hands of capable, trustworthy caregivers? While reputable homecare providers do their best to investigate the background of in-home caregivers, Oklahoma State AARP President, Marjorie Lyons, is advocating for tougher rules regarding caregiver background checks in an effort to keep seniors safe. HB2582, currently under review in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, proposes a $4 tax that would fund a requirement for home care providers, nursing homes, assisted living and residential long term care facilities to check caregiver backgrounds against Sex Offender and Violent Offender Registries. According to an op-ed piece recently featured in the Tulsa World, written by Lyons, the bill would require direct care providers to read more »
Best Practices in Parkinson’s Home Care: Nutrition
Parkinson’s disease can be debilitating for seniors who desire to age in their own homes. However, with the assistance of loved ones and a well-equipped home care provider, seniors suffering from the effects of Parkinson’s disease can manage their symptoms and continue to live in their home for as long as possible. By providing home care under a set of best practices, providers can ensure that their clients diagnosed with Parkinson’s lead a fulfilling, comfortable life at home. In an upcoming multi-part series, we’ll examine these practices that can help your agency become a premier Parksinson’s care provider. This week, we examine best practices in nutrition for Parkinson’s care. Nutrition Best Practices: Parkinson’s disease may cause an individual to lose read more »
Celebrating a Motherless Mother’s Day
Guest Post by Lucy Andrews Sunday is Mother’s Day. The barrage of radio and tv adds are upon us, the heart jewelry, the roses, the cards, the presents, all celebrating our beloved Mother on her special day. But what of us, the ones who’s mothers are gone? The ones who cannot give her that card or take her to a special brunch, what of us? Well, we celebrate too! My Mother is no longer here, she died last year, I miss her everyday. Yet, instead of being sad and lonely, I choose to make my Motherless Mother’s Day a celebration of all things Mother. In order to do this, I start by quietly remembering the best things about my mom, read more »
3 Ways Home Care Can Help in Parkinson’s Care
Part 2 of a Multi-Part Series on Parkinson’s Disease Individuals living with Parkinson’s disease have a unique set of needs and challenges. This does not mean, however, that Parkinson’s patients are unable to live comfortably at home and maintain their independence. While Parkinson’s disease can limit a person’s movements, qualified home care professionals can help patients cope with their symptoms and enjoy a full life. With the assistance of a sophisticated home care system or home care software, such as ClearCare, caregivers are better equipped than ever before to provide excellent care to Parkinson’s patients. 1. ClearCare’s extensive research has helped them develop a fully integrated home care system that gives home care agencies a higher level of supervision for read more »
Parkinson’s Disease: An Overview for Home Care Providers
Part 1 of a Multi-Part Series on Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system, may develop gradually and can vary in intensity from person to person. Since symptoms can be different from one individual to the next, it is important for in-home caregivers to be aware of the early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Care providers who use ClearCare’s home care system and home care software have the advantage of accessing detailed information regarding Parkinson’s anytime it is needed. What is Parkinson’s Disease? Originally referred to as “the shaking palsy,” Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that affects movement. In a normal brain, nerve cells produce dopamine, a chemical which transmits signals to produce smooth movement of read more »
3 Common Senior Scams & How to Avoid Them
While the wisdom and compassion of the elderly are traits that should be respected, criminals often view seniors as an easy target for scams due to a typically trusting nature and potentially failing memory. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, seniors are increasingly popular target for scammers due to a polite and trusting nature, as well as a reduced probability to report a scam due to embarrassment or a lack of knowledge regarding who to report fraud to. However, there are ways to help keep seniors safe from scams. By being aware of the most common types of senior scams, and tracking any suspicious activity with the help of home care software or home care systems, family members and read more »
The Cost of Aging: 2011 MetLife Survey
It’s no secret that aging is expensive. As seniors transition into their golden years, and begin to need more assistance with activities of daily living, or to aid in recovery from an unexpected health event, the bill can often be immensely troubling for seniors and their families. However, by being aware of realistic long-term care costs, and planning ahead, seniors can help prepare their finances for the funding of long-term care. The MetLife 2011 Market Survey of Long Term Care Costs was recently released and revealed the average cost of long-term care, both in-home, and facility-based across the country. According to the report, the costs vary from State to State, and one locale to another based on economic status and read more »
5 Tips for the Best Activities for Seniors With Dementia
Providing in home care for seniors with dementia can provide much needed relief for family members. Meanwhile, care also provides safety and a sense of routine for elderly individuals struggling with memory loss and cognitive impairment. While seniors dealing with a dementia diagnosis may be displaying symptoms of confusion, agitation and depression, it’s still important to keep them engaged. By providing your caregivers with suggestions of activities that are appropriate for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you’ll be providing care tailored to help your clients thrive. 1. Set Time for Activities: While providing care and companionship for a senior with dementia can be full of unexpected activities and daily monotony of medication reminders, housekeeping and hygiene, it’s important to make read more »
Teenagers: A Younger Generation of Family Caregivers
According to a 2005 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the United Hospital Fund, more than 3 percent of all children ages 8 to 18 are caregivers, usually for a parent or grandparent. The study reported that the children had to help their family member with toileting, dressing, feeding, housecleaning, shopping and taking medicine. Approximately one third of the young people in the study admitted feeling anxious or depressed, that no one loved them and that they were worthless. The burden of care is heavy for these teens without the help of homecare software to keep them organized and on schedule. Teen caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to miss or have trouble in school. One such teenager, read more »
Paying for Eldercare: 3 Ways to Help Fund Care
Last week, Jane had to reduce her hours at work to start providing more care for her aging father. Since recovering from a fall last year, he’s never quite gotten back to his old self and requires help with preparing meals, keeping up the house and managing his medication routine. The lack of work is taxing Jane’s bank account, but she just doesn’t know how she could afford to hire someone else, such as an in-home care agency equipped with homecare software or a homecare system, to watch out for Dad during the day. These difficult circumstances face families across America everyday. While care for a senior loved one is required, families don’t know how to pay for a homecare read more »
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