CARE BLOG
Alzheimer’s Disease By The Numbers
Alzheimer’s Disease By The Numbers Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease actually begins 20 or more years before memory loss and other symptoms develop? “Most people know that Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease, but there’s a lot about the disease that people don’t understand,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “June is [...]
Tips For Traveling With Someone Who Has Dementia
Tips For Traveling With Someone Who Has Dementia Are aging loved ones traveling with you on this summer’s family vacation? While it’s a wonderful opportunity for quality family time, traveling with older loved ones can be challenging, especially if they have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. “Lots of great memories are made on summer vacations, so it’s wonderful [...]
Fast Facts About Arthritis
Fast Facts About Arthritis Did you know that arthritis isn’t a single disease? The term actually refers to joint pain or joint disease, and there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. Arthritis Awareness Month May is recognized annually as Arthritis Awareness Month - an opportunity for us to join the Arthritis Foundation and other organizations [...]
The “Eyes” Have It
The “Eyes” Have It Healthy aging includes healthy vision. May is Healthy Vision Month - a great time to learn about common age-related eye problems and what you can do to prevent them. According to the American Optometric Association, the risk of developing eye diseases significantly increases after age 65. The most common age-related vision diseases include: Glaucoma A [...]
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T. Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. Every 3.5 minutes, someone dies of stroke. A stroke occurs when arteries in the brain are blocked or burst - preventing areas of the brain from getting the necessary blood supply. This can cause brain cells to die, possibly impairing the ability to see, speak and [...]
Senior Green Thumbs – The Benefits of Gardening
Senior Green Thumbs - The 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. More Than A Hobby “For many seniors, gardening is much more than a hobby. Being outdoors and digging in the dirt is [...]
Jump-Start Your Health Care Career
Are you thinking about a career in health care? Would you like to gain valuable experience while completing your education? If so, professional caregiving might be the job for you. Perfect Job for Students “Caregiving is the perfect job for busy students - especially those who working toward a career as a nurse, physical therapist or other health care [...]
Parkinson’s Disease – What You Need to Know
Parkinson’s Disease - What You Need to Know April is Parkinson’s disease (PD) awareness month, so we’re joining with other organizations and individuals across the country to raise awareness about the disease that currently affects more than 1 million people in the U.S. PD is a progressive disorder that affects movement, including tremors, slowness of movements and trouble walking. [...]
Hiring the Right Caregiver
Hiring the Right Caregiver Your mom is failing - having trouble keeping up with day-to-day tasks like laundry, housekeeping and meal preparation. She needs assistance… but not assisted living. “The overwhelming majority of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, and with in-home care, they can do that,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at [...]
When Your Aging Loved Ones Need (But Won’t Accept) Help
When Your Aging Loved Ones Need (But Won’t Accept) Help Your dad shouldn’t be driving anymore, but he won’t give up the car keys. Your mom can no longer keep the house clean, but she refuses to hire a cleaning lady. Both of your parents could use a little assistance with day-to-day tasks, but when you bring up the idea [...]
What is Frontotemporal Dementia?
What is Frontotemporal Dementia? You may have heard the heartbreaking news - actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone,” his family said in a statement sharing the diagnosis. “For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of [...]
Weathering the Storm – Helping Your Senior Stay Safe in Severe Weather
Weathering the Storm - Helping Your Senior Stay Safe in Severe Weather As winter turns to spring, we start worrying less about ice and snow and more about severe weather. “Whether it’s damaging thunderstorms, flash flooding, or tornadoes, it’s important to prepare for whatever Mother Nature throws at us - especially if you have aging loved ones,” said Sierra [...]
7 Ways to Help Your Seniors Remain Independent
7 Ways to Help Your Seniors Remain Independent Independence is Important Your mom didn’t tell you about a nasty fall. Your dad won’t give up his car keys. Both parents shut down when you try to start a conversation about long-term living options. “It’s something we see a lot - seniors resisting any kind of assistance, because they view [...]
Five Reasons Why Caregiving is Meaningful
Five Reasons Why Caregiving is Meaningful Are you looking for a job that provides more than a paycheck? If so, you might want to consider a career in professional caregiving. “At the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN), we understand the power of compassionate caregiving. For us, caregiving is so much more than a job - it’s a calling,” said Teresa [...]
Social Isolation and Dementia
Social Isolation and Dementia Your mom lives alone and no longer drives. She rarely leaves the house and has lost connections with friends and activities that she used to love. You worry about her spending too much time alone - and with good reason. Risks of Dementia According to the National Institute on Aging, isolation and loneliness are associated [...]
Six Ways Technology Improve Your Senior’s Life
Six Ways Technology Improve Your Senior’s Life While it can sometimes be challenging, more and more seniors are turning to technology to help them remain in their homes as they age. “Certainly, nothing replaces the personal touch, but technology can help improve seniors’ lives and help them age a little more gracefully,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager [...]
Does Your Loved One Need a Caregiver?
Does Your Loved One Need a Caregiver? The last time you visited your mom, you noticed something was off. Maybe she was a little more forgetful than usual or she struggled to get out of a chair. Perhaps you spied an unopened stack of mail or an unexplained dent in her car. Although subtle, these can be signs that [...]
Are You Ready for an Encore Career?
Are You Ready for an Encore Career? You worked hard. You achieved your professional goals. You saved enough money to retire early and comfortably. You love traveling, playing golf and spending time with your family, but you’re also looking for more - maybe a meaningful encore career. “Professional caregiving is a great option for older men and women who [...]
Five Ways Home Care Can Help Seniors Living with Diabetes
Five Ways Home Care Can Help Seniors Living with Diabetes Do you have aging loved ones who are living with diabetes? A chronic condition, diabetes affects how the body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreases is no longer able to make insulin or when the body can’t make good use of the insulin it produces. Over [...]
Protecting Seniors From Tax Scams
Protecting Seniors From Tax Scams Tax season is upon us, and that means scammers will be looking for easy prey. “Tax time presents the perfect opportunity for thieves who are looking to con older adults,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder, and president of the HomeCare Advocacy Network. “They prey on peoples’ fear of the IRS and, oftentimes, unfamiliarity with technology. [...]
Five Tips to Help Aging Loved Ones Maintain a Healthy Diet
Five Tips to Help Aging Loved Ones Maintain a Healthy Diet A Balanced Diet is Important to Healthy Aging What’s in your mom’s refrigerator - fresh fruits and vegetables or frozen dinners and string cheese? “Maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet is important to healthy aging, but it can be a struggle for seniors - especially if they live alone,” [...]
Ten Ways to Boost Heart Health
American Heart Month It’s American Heart Month - an annual designation designed to raise awareness about heart disease and remind people of all ages to live heart healthy lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. In the United [...]
Seven Tips to Help Care for Someone With Alzheimer’s
Caring for Someone With Alzheimer’s While caring for an aging loved one can be very rewarding, it can also be very challenging - especially if your loved one has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. “For those who have never cared for a family member or friend with the disease, it can be overwhelming,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations [...]
Beating the Winter Blues
Beating the Winter Blues Are the short, dark days getting your senior loved ones down? “The short, dark days do more than usher in more than winter weather,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager for the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “During the winter months, many seniors begin to feel down. Freezing temperatures , ice and snow may limit [...]
Hearing Aids Can Lessen Cognitive Decline
Hearing Aids Can Lessen Cognitive Decline The volume on your dad’s television is blaring. When talking to your mom, she’s constantly asking you to repeat what you said. In group settings, your parents never join the conversation. Hearing Loss Hearing loss is a common problem that comes with aging. According to the National Institute on Aging, nearly 25 percent [...]