Keeping You Safe From COVID-19
Interested in a career at Golden Heart Senior Care. APPLY HERE!

Companion Care at Home Can Help Your Mom Run Errands

Companion Care at Home in Leesburg FL
Companion Care at Home in Leesburg FL

When your mom learns she’s no longer a safe driver, she’s going to be frustrated. She might even feel sad that she’s losing her freedom to come and go as she wants. Companion care at home can step in to help your senior parent with transportation and much more.

Transportation Services From a Home Care Agency

When your mom has a caregiver available for transportation, she has someone else to drive her around. Plus, she’s not alone while running errands or attending meetings or appointments.

Each week, your mom likes to purchase groceries and pick up household supplies while she’s out. It usually means a trip to a grocery store and a discount retailer. Once a month, she also has prescription refills to pick up at the pharmacy. If she needs clothes or shoes, there are additional stops to make.

With a companion care aide, your mom has someone else available to drive her where she needs to go. Her caregiver can carry bags for her and move them from the cart to the trunk. At home, her caregiver will bring everything inside and put items where they go.

Your mom has a series of medical appointments coming up. It’s the time of year when your mom’s mammogram, yearly check-up, and bone density screening are due. While it would be convenient to get these appointments scheduled in one office at the same time, that’s not possible.

She has three appointments, plus it’s been ten years since her last colonoscopy, so she also has to schedule that. She needs someone available to drive her to each appointment and bring her back home. Her caregiver can take her, wait until she’s done, and bring her home.

Other Benefits Available With Companion Care

What other services are available with companion care at home? Here are just a few of the many services that companion care at home offers:

Meal Preparation

Does your mom still cook meals or is it challenging for her? Caregivers can cook meals for her. If she wants to help, she can. But, she may be tired of cooking after decades of cooking meals for her family. That’s fine, she can also sit back and let someone else prepare meals.

Light Housework

Caregivers can clean her home. Your mom is happy dusting and washing windows, but she has a very hard time carrying the vacuum upstairs to bedrooms. Have caregivers vacuum for her. They can also do the laundry, change the sheets, and make beds.

Support During Exercise

Has your mom’s doctor told her to stay active? If she walks around her neighborhood or up and down the street, she may not be confident when she’s alone. All it takes is a neighborhood dog to run up and knock her over. Companion care providers  walk with her.

It’s time to make sure your mom doesn’t drive again. Companion care at home pairs her with caregivers who will help her run errands throughout the week. Call a companion care at home specialist to learn more.

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Leesburg, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

How Does Home Care Benefit Your Senior Parent?

Home Care in Clermont FL
Home Care in Clermont FL

It’s always been your dad’s goal to live in the family home for the rest of his life, but you’re wondering just how possible that really is. He fell getting out of the shower, and while he’s okay, you’re worried about him being alone. Have you considered home care services?

He’s Never Alone for Long

What happens with your dad when you live on the other side of the country? Does he have friends and neighbors checking in or is he alone? Do you worry about him falling in the middle of the night and laying for days before someone realizes he hasn’t been active?

Home care services eliminate this worry. He has a caregiver available to check in each day. Pair caregiver visits with an emergency alert system for optimal security and support.

If he likes to take walks, he doesn’t have to go alone. His caregiver can walk with him.

Personal Care Isn’t a Struggle

Your dad has a hard time with showers. Ever since he fell, his confidence diminished. With home care services, his caregivers can help him in and out of the shower, assist with dressing, and trim his nails. He has caregivers to help him pick out the right outfits and dress in the appropriate attire if he’s heading outside for a walk.

He Has Home-Cooked Meals

A CDC report found that around two out of five people eat fast food on any given day. Adults 60 or older account for almost a quarter of these people. If your dad is likely to eat fast food for a quick meal, it’s time to address healthier options.

With home care services, your dad has healthy meals. He has vegetables, fruits, protein, and whole grains. All of that is essential for balanced nutrition.

When your dad needs groceries, his caregiver can take him. Your dad’s caregiver can take him shopping or help him order groceries online. His caregiver can help him carry groceries in from the car and put things away.

Someone Is There to Help With Housekeeping Chores

Your dad has a hard time with his vacuum. It’s heavy and he often trips on the cord. He doesn’t vacuum and prefers to wait until you visit. The problem is that you only stop by once a month, so the carpet gets covered in fur, crumbs, and dust in the meantime.

With housekeeping services from a home care agency, your dad’s housekeeping is done. He has a caregiver available to do his laundry, clean his floors, wash his dishes, and change sheets and towels.

He Has Rides When Needed

Your dad’s caregiver can take him wherever he needs to go. If he shouldn’t drive, his caregiver can ensure he doesn’t feel isolated. He’ll have a ride to area businesses, medical offices, or his friends’ homes. Call today and ask about available services. You can have a caregiver with your dad during his morning routines and no longer have to worry. A home care agency can help you get started.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db322.htm

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Clermont, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

What Does Personal Care at Home Include?

Personal Care at Home in Groveland FL
Personal Care at Home in Groveland FL

Regular routines that support your senior’s daily well-being and health are a huge part of her everyday life. Over time, however, your aging family member may not be able to keep up with those routines on her own. That’s when personal care at home may be one of the best solutions for your senior. Personal care involves tasks that are related to the most personal needs your senior may have.

Personal Care Is a Specific Type of Care

When you first hear about it, personal care sounds exactly like what it is. This is assistance with tasks related to hygiene, toileting, grooming, and anything else related to your senior’s appearance and body. When your senior starts to have difficulty with these tasks, her entire life and even her health can be affected.

Other Types of Assistance Personal Care Offers

There are so many different ways that caregivers can help your elderly family member with personal care tasks. Some of the specific help that personal care at home offers your senior include:

  • Bathing
  • Applying topical creams
  • Tooth brushing and denture care
  • Foot care
  • Toileting assistance
  • Incontinence assistance
  • Transitioning assistance

Your elderly family member may need other types of help, as well. Anything that falls within the realm of personal care is what these types of caregivers can help your senior to manage.

Your Senior May Not Want You to Help

One of the best reasons to choose this type of assistance is that your senior may be adamant about not accepting your help with these tasks. Even when it becomes obvious that she needs assistance, it can be incredibly difficult for her to accept the help of people she loves. These are embarrassing tasks to need help managing, and it can be overwhelming for your senior.

Professional Caregivers Understand it’s Difficult to Accept This Type of Help

Elder care providers know what it’s like to need to accept help with personal care tasks. They’re able to offer your senior dignity and respect during the process, helping her to have the assistance that she needs. Caregivers learn your senior’s preferences and help to make sure that she’s cared for in the way that comforts her most.

Personal Care at Home Helps Your Senior to Maintain Quality of Life

Ultimately, personal care at home offers your senior a way to maintain her quality of life for as long as possible. When she’s not having to burn energy and time performing tasks that are difficult or impossible for her to manage on her own, your elderly family member is able to spend that time and energy enjoying her life. This can allow her to engage in hobbies that she loves and keep her brain as active as possible.

Bringing in personal care at home as soon as your elderly family member starts having difficulty can make the entire situation easier for her. Understanding what these care providers can offer her may take a little bit of time as your senior adjusts.

If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Clermont, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Boosting Stroke Recovery Through Nutritious Food

In-Home Care in Clermont FL
In-Home Care in Clermont FL

Keeping a careful watch on your parent’s health is essential as they age. In-home care may be a good option if you worry about your elderly loved one having a stroke but can’t be there for them every day. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you have an additional pair of eyes on your aging loved one. A senior’s health may be monitored more closely with in-home care, and a speedy recovery after a stroke is also possible.

Several things affect how often strokes happen in older people. The most likely reason might be that the longer we live, the more long-term health problems we get. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart and blood vessel problems, and high cholesterol can make a person more likely to have a stroke. But some parts of an older person’s lifestyle can also make them more likely to have a stroke. For example, a bad diet can worsen the above health problems and, when combined with not getting enough exercise, can cause weight gain. Many older people find it very hard to exercise, making them more likely to stay in one place all day. This is why it can be so crucial to have in-home care providers help your elderly loved one eat well.

Seniors who eat well while recovering from a stroke can control their weight, blood pressure, and the chance of having another stroke by a large amount. Family caregivers should talk to their loved one’s doctors about what foods to include in their meal plans and what foods to avoid. Here are four healthy food choices to improve recovery for people who have had a stroke:

Add in Spinach Salads

Spinach in the diet can help improve movement after a stroke, making it easier for seniors to do many things independently. When an older person eats spinach and other leafy green vegetables high in antioxidants, the blood flow to the cerebral cortex is less likely to get blocked. This helps improve muscle strength and cognitive skills like attention span and short-term memory.

Snack on Salmon All Year Long

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish are essential for improving cardiovascular health and lowering the risk of another stroke in older persons. At least three meals of salmon each week may reduce blood pressure and lipid levels, slowing the accumulation of fatty deposits that cause blocked arteries.

Start the Day With Blueberries

The consumption of this fruit helps mitigate the brain damage that strokes cause in older people. Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, which protect brain cells. Reducing cell loss may quickly improve memory and movement, easing the everyday lives of seniors and their family caregivers. Add blueberries to other meals, such as fruit salads and smoothies, for added variety.

Put Avocados on Toast or Salad

The avocado’s soluble fiber modulates the body’s usage of carbohydrates and reduces the blood cholesterol levels of elderly stroke survivors. Avocados include heart-healthy fiber, monounsaturated fat, minerals, and vitamins. In addition, the magnesium in avocados helps facilitate the metabolism of fats and carbs from other meals.

If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Clermont, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Elder Care Can Help a Senior After Major Surgery

Elder Care in Minneola FL
Elder Care in Minneola FL

When a senior goes through major surgery but still wants to age in place, it can be hard to ensure they’re healing correctly on their own. How can you be certain they get the help they need when you’re not there? The number one answer is to hire elder care for your senior before surgery happens. This allows an elder care provider and your senior to get to know each other before the surgery takes place and helps them build trust.

Surgery may be a difficult experience for anybody. However, seniors must have adequate post-operative care since they recover more slowly and are at a higher risk of complications. This is why so many children choose to hire someone outside of the family to help their senior parents during their recovery.

There are a few things to keep in mind about your senior’s recovery, and you can implement these in your daily routine to help a senior after surgery. These tips can help the healing process move quicker with fewer complications.

Start With a List

Hiring someone before the surgery can help a senior feel comfortable with a caregiver. However, you should think about creating a list of things that the senior will need before the surgery. You will need to think about some of the following things:

  • Wheelchairs
  • Compression socks
  • Leg braces
  • Railings for beds or toilets

Finding out things they will need will help keep a senior more comfortable after surgery and keep them healing faster. You can easily talk to the doctors and nurses before the surgery to find out what other equipment you may want to purchase before the surgery.

Prepare The Seniors Home In Advance

Clean the house and rearrange furniture to eliminate obstructions and risks during the journey home. This facilitates their rehabilitation. If your senior is messy, it is important to go through the house with them and figure out where to keep things out of the way. Nothing should be on the floor, and anything hazardous should be moved. If your older adult lives in a two-story house, try providing them with a bed on the main level to prevent climbing stairs.

Go To Follow Up Appointments With Your Senior

If you cannot make it to their next appointment, have an elder care provider go with them. This will help you understand how they are recovering and if anything needs to be added to the care routine. You may be able to fill in facts regarding their condition and recuperation that they may forget when the doctor inquires. This can help a doctor understand if any medication needs to change.

Understand a Seniors Limits

Even when a senior wants to heal on their own and remain independent, a senior who does too much after surgery can actually hurt themselves. Doing too much will be a setback to their overall health. The mending process is already slower in elderly bodies; the last thing you want is for them to do anything that resets the clock. It is crucial to watch them and then tell them to slow down when they’re doing too much.

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Minneola, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

4 Tips To Make Grocery Shopping Easier For Seniors

24-Hour Home Care in Groveland FL
24-Hour Home Care in Groveland FL

Malnutrition is almost an epidemic among seniors. Estimates are that more than 50% of seniors are malnourished. Seniors are not eating, or not eating enough, or in some cases eating the wrong foods. While there are many factors that contribute to malnutrition in seniors, one of the most common ones is that it’s difficult for seniors to grocery shop alone.

Seniors who can’t drive anymore need to arrange for transportation to the store and home. They need to carry heavy bags into the house and put things away, which can be physically difficult for them. And it can also be physically and mentally difficult for seniors to make a grocery list, walk around a store, put items in a cart or onto the check out belt, and to figure out money and how to pay. When shopping is too difficult, seniors may just rely on take out food or not eat. But there are things that can make it easier for seniors to shop for food, and 24-hour home care can be an essential one.

Make a List Together

Your senior loved one may have an easier time making a grocery store list if you help them. Together you can make the list and make sure that household items like laundry soap and paper towels are also on the list if needed. That way your senior loved one doesn’t have the pressure of trying to remember every item that is needed. If your senior loved one has a 24-hour home care provider, they can also help your senior parent make a grocery list. It can also be useful to keep a running list of items that are needed on the fridge or on a bulletin board.

Shop with a Pre-Loaded Debit Card

If money is difficult to manage for your senior parent a pre-loaded debit card can alleviate the stress they feel trying to figure out if they have enough money to pay for their groceries. Pre-load money on the card so that your senior loved one can easily pay for the purchase with the swipe of a card and they won’t have to worry about handling cash.

Take Advantage Of Help Offered

Many grocery stores offer help to seniors who can’t carry heavy bags. A bagger will take the bags to your senior loved one’s car and load them so that your senior loved one doesn’t have to lift heavy bags. A 24-hour home care provider can help unload them after your senior loved one gets home.

Use Curbside Pickup

Most grocery stores now offer curbside pickup where your senior loved one only has to pull up the the door of the store and the employees will load all the groceries right into their car. Your senior loved one will need to use an app or a website to pick out the food they need but after they choose all their items they can pay online and pick up all of their items right at the door. It’s a safe and convenient way for seniors to shop.

Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-malnutrition-in-older-adults
https://acl.gov/news-and-events/acl-blog/combatting-senior-malnutrition

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Groveland, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Can Being Read Out Loud to Help My Senior Parent?

In-Home Care in Mascotte FL
In-Home Care in Mascotte FL

Seniors may not be able to read books like they once used to. It can be for many reasons. They may have lost the joy of reading, the text may be too small, or maybe they are having a hard time remembering what they have read. The good news is in-home care can still help them enjoy books by reading out loud to them. Reading allows anyone of any age to use their imagination while being entertained for a short period of time.

Many people overlook reading out loud to seniors because they think it is something just for kids. However, that is not true. Reading aloud to a loved one allows both of you to relax, enjoy something new, and spend quality time together. There are thousands of books that both in-home care and seniors can choose to read together.

During times when a senior is alone, they can utilize audiobooks that can be played aloud on a tablet or computer. This allows the seniors to enjoy a book while still having someone else read to them. It can be beneficial for those who cannot see text, remember the words even after reading them, or connect sentences inside their head. In-home care should promote some form of reading because it can help entertain a senior and promote healthy brain functions.

Advantages of Reading Out Loud

So many people can benefit from someone else reading aloud to them. It is one of the best ways to connect on a deeper level and provides ways to relax and de-stress after a long day. Reading is typically a pastime that many people enjoy, but some seniors may not be able to do it because of various health conditions. It is perfectly okay for a caregiver to start a reading routine with their client. Here are some benefits to reading out loud.

Helps Seniors Focus

When a caregiver reads out loud, the senior has to focus on the words and the content. This allows them to use multiple parts of their brain while focusing on what is being read. It’s a huge advantage when trying to keep the mind sharp.

Boosts Comprehension

When words are spoken out loud, your brain takes them in and has to work to comprehend them. Reading out loud does the same thing. This may help seniors understand more of what is being said out loud.

Improves Listening Skills

No matter what age someone is, listening is an important skill. Listening and understanding someone or something is a very important thing for seniors to focus on.

Understanding Ideas

This allows seniors to think about things differently without focusing on the text. It allows them to understand hard-to-grasp ideas and mull things over. It can be a huge advantage when trying to maintain critical thinking.

Sources:
https://www.seniorhelpers.com/tn/chattanooga/resources/blogs/the-benefits-of-reading-aloud-and-in-home-help/

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering in-homecare in Mascotte, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

What to Do When Your Senior Needs More Help At Home

Home Care in Leesburg FL
Home Care in Leesburg FL

With good preparation and planning, aging at home can be a success for your senior. You do not have to do it alone.

There are care strategies to aid you on your quest to help your senior age at home, so you can rest easy knowing that they are safe, well-cared-for, and comfortable.

Help Them Regain and Maintain Their Confidence

As a senior grows older and more fragile, they are more likely to experience despair, discomfort, boredom, disease, and loneliness. This could be due to the fact that they now have to listen to you and follow your directions-even if it does not feel right to them. The inability to cook meals, bathe themselves, and perform simple chores can hurt their feelings and sense of independence.

But by simply showing respect and taking adequate care of your senior, you can help them restore their confidence. You can assist your senior in completing certain tasks on their own while caring for them at home, or you can sit down with them for a few minutes and talk about whatever they want.

Be Kind and Understand Them

While it may appear that seniors sometimes don’t act their age, this may just be a symptom of a loss in cognitive abilities. They may say things you do not agree with or that offend you, but you should control your temper and be civil with your senior.

Be On Alert for Emergencies

Emergencies can take many forms, and if you live far away from your senior, you should evaluate the location in which they live as well as their proximity to essential requirements in the event of an emergency. Personal protective equipment such as a mask and gloves, clean drinking water, a first aid kit, extra prescriptions, three days’ worth of non-perishable food, and a flashlight with batteries are all recommended items to have in an emergency kit box.

Fulfill the Need for Companionship

Seniors typically experience loneliness and isolation, which can lead to chronic diseases and decreased cognitive function. If you do not live with your senior, make sure to see them on a regular basis, hire an in-home caregiver to help them set up a regular phone line, and use technology to keep connected through Skype interactions.

Motivate Them to Stay Physically Active

Regular exercise can help a senior maintain bone, joint, and muscle strength, reduce the chance of falling, and speed up recovery time if they become unwell or injured. You can recommend at-home activities like online exercise sessions, YouTube dance videos, and video chats with grandchildren.

Seek Caregivers

Catering to the specialized requirements of seniors can be tough for those providing personal care, especially if you already have a lot on your plate. You should not let your overwhelming to-do list push you to the point of neglecting your senior. You can employ the services of a trained in-home care provider.

Conclusion

Caring for a senior at home can be difficult for you and even for a caregiver. However, you will discover that caring for seniors can be straightforward and simple if you take the time to listen to their needs and communicate with them while remaining reliable and dependable.

If your senior needs more help at home, consider home care. Home care will help your senior with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. Call us today and see your home care options!

Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/caregiving/caregiver-guides

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Leesburg, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

Top Reasons Why Senior Citizens May Need 24-Hour Home Care

24-Hour Home Care in Okahumpka FL
24-Hour Home Care in Okahumpka FL

There are many senior citizens that need 24-hour home care. If you are a family caregiver, but you aren’t sure whether your elderly loved one needs around-the-clock senior care services, here are a few reasons to consider. If you believe your elderly loved one connects with these, 24-hour home care services may be the best fit for your senior.

Brain Function Issues

Unfortunately, many elderly people have brain function issues. These can range from memory loss to decreased focus to the inability to form complete thoughts. If your elderly loved one is having any brain function issues, they could be impacting their life in negative ways. If this is the case, it might be best to get 24-hour home care services for your elderly loved one. The home care providers can be there to help your elderly loved one all day and night.

Severe Emotional Issues

There are many elderly people who start experiencing severe emotional issues. These issues might include depression, irritability, and many other negative emotions. If these emotions are taking over your elderly loved one’s life, it might be best to hire elderly care providers to stay with them. These providers can help your elderly loved one to feel less alone and happier, too.

Chronic Pain

There are many health conditions that can lead to chronic pain. Some of these conditions include arthritis, disc herniations, and much more. If your elderly loved one is in chronic pain, they may not be able to take a bath safely. They may not be able to do household chores either. If this is the case, your elderly loved one probably needs someone to stay with them day and night. 24-hour home care providers can be there for your elderly loved one all the time.

Loneliness

Many elderly people get lonely as they get older. Your elderly loved one might not see their family members or friends often. That can make their loneliness even worse. If this is happening, it is important to make sure your elderly loved one has people around that can make them feel better. Hiring senior care providers during the day and night can help with this.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, there are many physical, emotional, and mental health issues that often affect the elderly. If your elderly loved one is dealing with any of the above-mentioned issues, they may need 24-hour home care services. If you have other concerns about the care that your elderly loved one needs, make sure to talk to the elder care agency. They can give you more information on what 24-hour services they can provide for your elderly loved one.

Sources
https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/whats-home-health-care

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Okahumpka, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

How to Choose the Right Personal Care at Home Services After Your Dad’s Fall

Personal Care at Home in Howey-in-the-Hills FL
Personal Care at Home in Howey-in-the-Hills FL

Your dad fell, which isn’t uncommon. Older adults tend to fall more often due to the side effects of prescription medications, loss of muscle strength, joint pain due to arthritis, and worsening eyesight. When an older adult falls, arm, hip, pelvis, and wrist fractures are the most common injuries.

Use this checklist to find the proper personal care at home services for your dad. You can still help out as much as possible, but you don’t have to stop working or use up vacation time to help him out while he heals.

What Are His Injuries?

The level of care depends on your dad’s injuries. Hip fractures are one of the most severe injuries in the elderly. Studies show that a hip fracture can increase the risk of death within a year. A fractured femur often declines mobility within the same year the leg bone is broken.

The best way to keep this from happening is by making sure your dad has the care and support he needs as he heals. He needs to listen to his doctor, take calcium supplements if recommended, and eat foods that help with bone and muscle strength. He needs to keep up with his physical therapy sessions and exercise as much as is recommended, even if uncomfortable.

Caregivers can help him keep up with his physical therapy exercises and appointments. They’ll encourage him to get out of bed and walk around.

How Often Is He Supposed to Exercise?

After a bone fracture, your dad may need crutches, a cane, or a walker. This will change as he builds up muscle. Make sure he is doing what his doctor recommends. If his goal is to go for a daily walk once the cast is off, he needs to get up and walk around.

Someone needs to keep him motivated with daily exercise. A caregiver is a good choice for daily exercise. His caregiver can join him on walks and encourage him to walk farther every day.

Ask a Home Care Specialist About a Home Evaluation

Personal care at home provides your dad with the help he needs for as long as he requires caregivers. Call a specialist to make the arrangements. During that call, ask about home evaluations.

Almost 60 percent of all falls in the elderly occur in one of two areas: the bathroom or the bedroom. Reduce your dad’s risk of additional falls by learning more about the best ways to heighten safety in these areas. A specialist in personal care at home can help you schedule a home evaluation and arrange caregivers to help your dad while he heals.

Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235613/
https://reference.medscape.com/slideshow/falls-in-the-elderly-6012395#8

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home Howey-In-The-Hills, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.