As a San Jose caregiver, you play such an essential role in the life of your loved one. You know that many of their daily activities rely upon you, but what you might not realize is that emotionally, you make a big difference too. In your role, you can be the best positive influence in helping a senior find success in reaching their goals.

1. Help form a support team – you don’t have to do it alone! Help your loved one form a support network that will help them reach their goals. If it’s to eat better, consider hiring a nutritionist and encourage friends and family to adopt healthier eating habits around them too. If it’s exercise, attend classes with your senior and ask others to do the same.

2. Remind him/her it’s not always going to be easy – especially for seniors who often face so many challenges later in life, it’s easy to give up on something that’s not coming easy. Often, resolutions that will drastically change their life aren’t going to be easy. Certain goals can be physically and emotionally challenging, so give them a friendly push when needed

3. A slip up doesn’t mean give up – as part of overcoming the challenges that can come with new goals, seniors need to keep on going even if they slip up along the way. In that situation, encourage them to learn from what they were doing wrong, then put it behind them and move forward. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to give them a hand with starting new!

Via: Associated Content

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Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

There are approximately 5.1 million older adults living with Alzheimer’s today, and that’s a number that’s expected to double over the next couple of decades. Alzheimer’s care as provided for by medicine is currently lacking, with Alzheimer’s often going undetected even following hospitalization because it’s just not something that’s looked for initially. Unfortunately for many of these seniors, lack of awareness by medical professionals can lead to greater health problems or injuries. A new three-pronged approach with proven results in an American study has the goal of improving Alzheimer’s
care in hospitals.

1. Screening upon admission to the hospital – rather than learning that a senior has Alzheimer’s or dementia retroactively following a medical issue, this approach ensures seniors are screened when admitted to the hospital

2. Education of the nurses and medical practitioners – there are three levels of care depending upon patient needs, but all of them ensure that all medical professionals responsible for the care of a senior are aware of their Alzheimer’s diagnosis

3. Planning for the future – right from the time of admission in this three-tier program, medical professionals talk with seniors and family members about preparing for the future, and arrangements that will need to be made for discharge. For those who require more comprehensive care, follow-ups are conducted to ensure that a senior’s health comes first

Via: Hospitals and Health Networks

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Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

A new study has revealed that boomers and future generations of seniors might find their mobility compromised by increased instances of health conditions that can change their lives and increase their needs for medical care and senior care services. While the true scope of this issue might not be determinable until it begins, the health care and senior care industries can use this knowledge in proactive planning:

1. Caregivers can arm themselves with knowledge – with this study already circulating, professional caregivers and families with other generations alike can take this opportunity to become more knowledgeable. Professional caregivers can increase their knowledge about dealing with disabled seniors on a large scale, and families can take a long hard look at their prospective care options should this issue become a reality for their family

2. Organizations can improve personal mobility devices – new technology that can assist in the senior care industry is constantly becoming available on the market, but if  there is a greater need that’s upcoming, there’s room for further development and preparation

3. Studies can focus on preventative measures – increased numbers of disabled seniors, particularly if the boomer demographic is affected, could put a strain on the health care system. With this knowledge, health care professionals care work proactively to try and find preventative medicine or establish techniques that may reduce the likelihood that the number of disabled seniors will increase

Via: MedicalNewsToday

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Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

Every evening when the sun sets, you feel like you turn into somebody else. It’s like a case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but instead of turning into a monster, you turn into someone who is confused, agitated and completely restless. If this sounds like you, then you must be a San Jose senior who suffers from Alzheimer’s and sundowning. For you and your caregiver, this can be one of the most frustrating and challenging times of the day, but by working together to implement some simple tips it is possible to improve your life.

• Seniors should be checked out by their San Jose doctor to ensure that sundowning isn’t a result of another disease or illness
• Caregivers need to make sure that they’re flexible in their approach to dealing with their senior, especially at night
• Caregivers should ensure that seniors don’t consume caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening, otherwise restlessness can be worse
• Lighting in the home should be appropriate for the time of day, and there should be minimal glare and shadows so seniors don’t become more anxious by lack of visibility
• Caregivers and family should try to make seniors feel safe and secure by speaking soothingly despite their frustrations
• During the evening hours caregivers should make sure the senior’s needs are always met – that they’re not hungry, thirsty etc..
• Naps should be avoided during the day to ensure seniors can sleep at night
• Soothing music can be played in the evening to promote relaxation, or other activities that help seniors unwind can be tried
• Stimulating and physical activities during the day can help seniors sleep better at night
• Caregivers and family members must always remember that seniors with Alzheimer’s aren’t behaving that way on purpose

Sources:

1. New York Times
2. Health Central

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

When my family decided to move my mother into our San Jose home, we knew it would bring changes to the household and that it would probably be stressful since we hadn’t lived under the same roof since I was 18 years old. After talking about the fact that grandma was coming to live with us with my young children, my 4 year old daughter came to me in asked “Is Grandma going to be like our new mother?” Although I explained to my children that nothing would change in terms of the roles in our family, I had to take a big step back and wonder if this would in fact be true. I could foresee some serious problems in the future with my mom overstepping her boundaries in our household, so I talked to a San Jose doctor who treats seniors primarily. He presented the following tips, which we certainly kept in mind when bringing my mom and our children’s grandma into the home to ensure that we didn’t have any tension. I’d recommend these tips to anyone, although I will give you one warning – some tension will still occur despite your best efforts, but I’ve been told and keep telling myself that this is normal when there’s too many adults living newly under the same roof!

• All members of the family should be allowed to voice their thoughts – even after a decision has been made to move in mom or dad, every member of the family, including children should be allowed to speak their minds and make suggestions on how to make the living arrangements work for everyone
• Define roles and set expectations – all family members living under the same roof should have their roles defined in advance and should know what to expect of the changes that will be occurring
• Ask for help – when adult caregivers live with their elderly care recipients, they can feel like they’re overwhelmed with responsibility that they can never get away from; ask other siblings or family members to step in to provide respite care or help around the house
• Focus on family – establish family rituals that bridge the generational gap between all of the family members. Plan a movie night, or a family dinner so that everyone can bond over a shared enjoyable experience

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

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Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

Q – I have noticed some signs that my elderly mother is struggling to live independently in her own home. While I have some ideas about home care, I do come from a large family in Saratoga and feel it’s important that I involve my siblings and immediate family in the decision making. What’s the best way to go about this?

A – Ask your immediate family to get together in the San Jose area so that you can all discuss your concerns about your mother’s health and care. If not all siblings live close by, you can set-up a conference call so that everyone can be involved in discussing your mother’s care requirements. For the first meeting, don’t involve your mother, so you can talk openly about your concerns without upsetting her. Discussing elder care requirements for a loved one, can be stressful, so keep the following tips in mind when planning your first family senior home care meeting.

1. Establish a goal for each meeting – the first meeting might be about discussing concerns, and making suggestions for how to proceed with home care

2. Invite only close relatives – invite your close siblings or other family members you feel must be involved, but try to keep numbers under 7 people

3. Allow each family member the chance to speak without interrupting

4. Share resources – each family member can bring information about your mother’s specific conditions or local resources that may be able to help

5. Have a moderator – invite a 3rd, impartial party like a counselor or Geriatric Care Manager to help keep the meeting on track if you feel there will be disputes about your mother’s care amongst family

Sources:

1. Elder Care Online

2. Suite101

Image Source: Corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

Hiring a professional caregiver to help out a senior at home in San Jose, can be a big decision. Hiring a caregiver from a professional caregiving agency has its benefit over hiring a private caregiver for a number of reasons. Even though caregiving agencies can be more costly, the piece of mind a caregiving agency can offer is well worth the expense. A professional caregiving agency, like Home Instead Senior Care, helps mandate the care provided by its caregivers; it dictates exactly what role the caregiver will play in the home and care of a senior, and helps to select a caregiver that will best fit the care recipient’s lifestyle, needs and personality. With a professional caregiving agency, elderly home caregivers receive comprehensive training in non-medical care techniques, so families can feel confident that their seniors are receiving quality care.

While hiring a private caregiver might sometimes save money, the hassles that come with making that care decision aren’t generally worth the savings. Unless you hire a private caregiver who files their taxes as an independent contractor, families become the caregiver’s employer, which requires that you pay Social Security, Employment and payroll taxes.

Sources:

1. Caregiver’s Home Companion:

2. Elderlaw Cincinnati:

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

For many seniors, agreeing to accept help from a family member or caregiver is like the first admission that they’re aging and losing independence. That being said, it should come as no surprise that many seniors are reluctant to accept help, and even fewer suggest hiring a senior caregiver or moving to a senior residence or nursing home themselves. As a senior care specialist in San Jose or Santa Clara, once families have recognized that seniors need help at home, they ask me how they can convince their parents that it’s time to accept it.

While there is no answer that I can provide that will work to convince all San Jose area seniors that it’s time to accept help, it’s important to help seniors to understand that it’s about keeping them safe and making their lives easier; while helping them maintain their independence while living at home. Many family caregivers find that seniors may be willing to accept help when the options are out on the table, which can include assisted living facilities or nursing homes to help keep them safe and alleviate the burden of taking care of a home. When faced with these choices, senior care at home with a professional caregiver always looks like the more desirable choice. Seniors should also be aware that nothing is forever; if you choose to work with a reputable caregiving agency, if seniors are displeased, they’re able to cancel the caregiving services at anytime or request that a new caregiver come into their home.

Once families get over the hurdle of getting seniors to accept help, they’ll find that their elderly loved ones stress levels are reduced, and more often than not, their caregiver becomes one of their most trusted friends!

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.

San Jose and Los Gatos families often ask what the benefits are of hiring a senior caregiver to provide home care in order to understand why they should do it. The benefits are endless, so the question really should be more, why shouldn’t you hire a senior caregiver? Hiring an in home caregiver gives seniors the option of remaining in their own homes, and maintaining some level of independence they might not otherwise have if they were to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Home caregivers for seniors can also change the lives of family caregivers, who can find themselves devoting their lives and their time to care for a loved one. Family caregivers don’t need to give up their responsibilities, but with the help of a senior caregiver, can get the break that they need from someone who is able to allow a senior to maintain their chosen lifestyle, schedule and routines rather than have their world turned upside down just because they’re getting older.

Hiring a senior caregiver to help a loved one at home is about providing them the independence they deserve and allowing them to age with dignity while maintaining the way of life that they’ve chosen for themselves. Giving it all up would be too grave a loss, but with the option of home care, it doesn’t have to come to that for San Jose and Santa Clara seniors.

Source:

1. Caring.com

Image: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.