CARE BLOG
Physical Exercise and Cognitive Decline
Physical Exercise and Cognitive Decline When it comes to healthy aging, a little exercise goes a long way - especially when it comes to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Research Findings: Exercise and Dementia Risk Reduction Experts with the Alzheimer’s Society, analyzed data from 16 studies into exercise and dementia. They found that regular exercise can reduce the [...]
Ten Tech Gadgets That Can Help Seniors Age in Place
Ten Tech Gadgets That Can Help Seniors Age in Place I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! Do you remember that commercial? At the time, wearable medical alert systems, like those featured in those memorable ads, were really the only technologies available to help seniors age safely in their homes. Not anymore. Technology to Simplify Daily Activities Today, there [...]
Tips to Help Overcome Dementia Challenges
Overcoming Dementia Challenges: Simple Tips for Caregivers Understanding Dementia Challenges If you’re caring for someone who has dementia, you know that every day brings unique, unpredictable challenges. “Many of us at the HomeCare Advocacy Network have personal experience with dementia, so we understand many of the challenges that come with the disease. The unpredictable behaviors can try the patience [...]
Ten Benefits of Gardening
Ten Benefits of Gardening Whether it’s tending a large vegetable plot, working in a community garden or planting a few potted pansies, gardening can do wonders for a senior’s overall health and well-being. Gardening for Physical and Emotional Health “For many seniors, gardening is much more than a hobby. Being outdoors and digging in the dirt is a great [...]
What is Dementia?
What is Dementia? Most people know that dementia is a cruel, but there’s a lot about the disease that people don’t understand. Understanding Dementia According to the Alzheimer’s Association: Dementia is not a single disease. It’s an overall term to describe a collection of symptoms that one may experience if they are living with a variety of diseases. Alzheimer’s [...]
Should Your Senior Loved One Be Driving?
Should Your Senior Loved One Be Driving? It’s one of the hardest things older people have to do - give up their car keys. “It’s one of the most difficult discussions that families will have with senior loved ones, because they equate driving with independence.” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director of the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “There [...]
Battling Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults
Battling Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults Your mom lives alone. She no longer drives, so she rarely leaves her home. She’s lost contact with friends. You visit as often as you can, but you worry she’s lonely and becoming more and more isolated. What should you do? Understanding the Risks to Senior Health and Well-being “At the HomeCare [...]
Tips to Help Siblings Have Positive Caregiving Discussions
Tips to Help Siblings Have Positive Caregiving Discussions You think your mom and dad need help at home. Your sister disagrees. Your brother, who lives 500 miles away, doesn’t want to make waves. Now what? Starting the Conversation “Sibling relationships can be complicated - especially when it comes to caring for aging parents. They may be in denial, have [...]
Nutrition Tips for Older Adults
Nutrition Tips for Older Adults It’s never too late to start eating smart. A healthy, well-balanced diet can help your senior loved ones maintain a healthy weight, stay energized and lower the risk of developing chronic conditions, such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Recents studies also suggest it could ward off [...]
Finding a Purpose Can Reduce the Risk of Loneliness
Finding a Purpose Can Reduce the Risk of Loneliness Does your job offer more than a paycheck? A new study shows that living a purposeful life can stave off loneliness - especially in older adults. That’s why professional caregiving may be a great option for seniors who are interested in an encore career. Embracing an Encore Career in Professional [...]
Mom, Dad – We Need to Talk: Navigating In-Home Care Conversations for Aging Parents
Mom, Dad - We Need to Talk Mom can no longer keep up with household chores - beds are unmade, there’s expired food in the fridge and unopened mail on the counter. Dad spends less time with his friends and more time sitting in his recliner. Is it time to suggest in-home care? Aging parents “It’s never easy to [...]
Keeping Your Senior Safe This Winter
Keeping Your Senior Safe This Winter While winter can be a wonderland, it’s important to remember that colder temperatures, ice, snow and hours of darkness can pose serious risks for older adults. “The cold weather months present some significant challenges for older adults,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “As temperatures drop, [...]
Women and Heart Disease – Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Women and Heart Disease - Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore Women and heart disease More than 60 million women in the U.S. are living with some form of heart disease. Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age. Heart disease is the number one killer of women - it’s responsible for 1 in every 5 female deaths. [...]
Reducing the Risk of Dementia
Reducing the Risk of Dementia It’s never too early, never too late - that’s the theme of the 2023 World Alzheimer’s Report. Proactive Steps to Reduce Dementia Risk Developed by Alzheimer’s Disease International, the report focuses on risk reduction - outlining the proactive steps people can take to ward off Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Recommendations include: Eat as healthy [...]
10 Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder
10 Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder Your dad is sleeping more than usual. Your mom has lost interest in Bingo and other activities she used to love. Is it just the winter blues or could it be something more serious? Winter for Seniors Is Hard “The winter months can be hard for seniors. The days are cold and gray [...]
Recognizing the Need for Assistance: Five Signs Your Senior Loved Ones Might Require Help at Home
Five Signs Your Senior Loved Ones Might Need Help at Home Recognizing the Need for Assistance When you visited your aging parents during the holidays, you noticed a few things that worried you - your mom had lost a little weight, your dad rarely strayed from the recliner and there was spoiled food in the fridge. Although subtle, these [...]
New Year… New Career: Exploring Opportunities in Professional Caregiving
Time for a Change? Are you happy with your current career path? Does your organization provide you with the support you need to be successful? Do you feel valued and appreciated? If you answered no to any of those questions, maybe it’s time for a change. “We understand that in the current environment, people often have many employment options,” [...]
Ten Reasons Older People Need Pets
Ten Reasons Older People Need Pets Your dad passed away several months ago… leaving your mom alone in the home they shared for more than 50 years. Your friends suggest getting her a pet - a furry friend that will keep her busy and reduce the risk of loneliness, but you worry a pet will be more work than [...]
10 Tips and Tricks That Will Make Life Easier for Seniors
10 Tips and Tricks That Will Make Life Easier for Seniors Worsening eyesight, arthritis, memory loss and other age-related conditions can make even the simplest day-to-day tasks a little challenging - especially for seniors who live alone. “We know an overwhelming majority of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, but sometimes they need a little [...]
10 Fun Activities to Engage Your Aging Loved Ones
10 Fun Activities to Engage Your Aging Loved Ones When you visit your aging dad, he’s usually doing the same thing - sitting in the recliner watching Gunsmoke re-runs. Is that normal? “While it’s important for seniors to be active and engaged, many settle into a routine that’s hard to break - even when people visit,” said Sierra Goetz, [...]
10 Holiday Gift Ideas for People with Dementia
10 Holiday Gift Ideas for People with Dementia Struggling to find the perfect holiday gift for the senior who has everything? It’s even harder when you’re shopping for an aging loved one who has dementia. “I know from my family’s personal experience that caring for someone with dementia can be challenging - especially as the disease progresses,” said Sierra [...]
’Tis the Season for Holiday Scams
’Tis the Season for Holiday Scams The holiday season brings out the best in most people. But for some, it brings out the worst. Experts say scams targeting older people ramp up this time of year, because seniors are typically more vulnerable and more charitable around the holidays. “Seniors who live alone, have memory issues or don’t understand technology [...]
To Our Caregivers – Thank You
Elevate the Privilege of Caregiving At the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN), we’re committed to elevating the privilege of caregiving - it’s one of our five core values. “Our caregivers are amazing. They’re rock stars. They’re the heart and hands of our organization,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and president of HCAN. “We’re beyond grateful for our team of caregivers who [...]
Helping Senior Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays
Helping Senior Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays You’ve been gathering with family members to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as you can remember… but this year, things are different. Your mom’s dementia is worsening, and she’s becoming more and more frail. You worry that she may not be able to make it and, if she does, that [...]
Ten Ways to Honor Older Veterans This Veterans Day
Ten Ways to Honor Older Veterans This Veterans Day Few people deserve our respect and gratitude more than the brave men and women who served in the military. At the HomeCare Advocacy Network, we’re proud and privileged to care for older veterans and their family members - giving them the care and support they need to age safely and [...]