CARE BLOG
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 [...]
Honoring Family Caregivers
Honoring Family Caregivers Did you know… Across the U.S., nearly 38 million Americans (about 11% of the population) are taking care of loved ones with chronic, disabling or serious health conditions. 60% of family caregivers also have full- or part-time jobs. 30% of all caregivers are caring for two generations. The majority of caregivers (82%) care for one other [...]
Using Paid Leave to Care for Aging Loved Ones
Using Paid Leave to Care for Aging Loved Ones You used a half day of paid leave to take your dad to an appointment with his cardiologist. After a hospital stay, you used five days of paid leave to help your mom transition back home. Sound familiar? Sandwich Generation A new study shows men and women are now more [...]
7 Ways to Manage Caregiver Stress
7 Ways to Manage Caregiver Stress You missed an important meeting at work, because your mom fell in the shower. You left your son’s big soccer game to take your dad to a doctor’s appointment. You forgot to make cookies for your daughter’s school bake sale, because you were busy making dinner for your aging parents. If this sounds [...]
More Than a Meal on the Menu
More Than a Meal on the Menu When is the last time you enjoyed a meal with your aging loved ones? Research shows that seniors who regularly dine with friends and family tend to eat more and make healthier choices. More importantly, most older adults say they feel happier and more fulfilled when eating with others. “Sharing a meal [...]
What You Need to Know About the 2023-2024 Flu Season
What You Need to Know About the 2023-2024 Flu Season How bad will flu season be this year? Because there has been significant flu activity in the Southern Hemisphere, experts say flu season in the U.S. could be severe - starting as early as October, peaking between December and February and possibly extending through May. Doctors say one way [...]
7 Exercises For Seniors With Limited Mobility
7 Exercises For Seniors With Limited Mobility Regular physical activity is important at any age, but it can sometimes be a challenge for older people - especially those who have trouble walking, climbing stairs or lifting things. Benefits of Exercise Without Full Mobility “The good news - seniors don’t need to have full mobility to experience the many benefits [...]
Our Training Makes the Difference
Our Training Makes the Difference To maximize efficiency, some home care organizations rely on remote video- or Zoom-driven caregiver trainings. At the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN) we know there’s a better way. Training Makes the Difference “We believe the difference between a good caregiver and a great caregiver is training,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manger at HCAN. [...]
10 Tips to Help Seniors Prevent Falls
10 Tips to Help Seniors Prevent Falls When it comes to falls, the odds are stacked against our aging loved ones. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every four seniors will fall this year - it’s the number one cause of injuries among people age 65 and older,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and [...]
Helping Seniors Manage Chronic Conditions
Helping Seniors Manage Chronic Conditions Does your mom’s arthritis make it difficult for her to button a blouse or open a jar of mayonnaise? Is your dad struggling to read the labels on prescription bottles because of macular degeneration? “Nearly 85 percent of seniors live with at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and dementia,” [...]
How Children Can Help With Caregiving
Caring for Children and Aging Parents Are you a member of the sandwich generation - someone who is raising children while, at the same time, caring for aging parents? If so, you know that you have to make the most of every minute in every day. “Caring for children can be tiring. Caring for older loved ones can be [...]
Professional Caregiving Is The Perfect Career for Busy Moms
Professional Caregiving Is The Perfect Career for Busy Moms Looking for something to do when the kids go back to school? Have you thought about professional caregiving? At the HomeCare Advocacy Network, we offer flexible schedules that that allow busy moms to make extra money and do meaningful work without missing their kids’ school plays, soccer practice or other [...]
Sounding the Alarm About Loneliness
Loneliness and Health Risk Did you know that loneliness can pose a health risk as deadly as smoking? It’s a growing concern - one that recently was addressed by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness,” Murthy says in an advisory. “And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut [...]
What Does an In-Home Caregiver Do?
What Does an In-Home Caregiver Do? Your dad passed away about three months ago, and you’re beginning to realize just how much your mom depended on him. He did all the driving… now she rarely leaves her home. He was the cook… now her most of her meals come out of the microwave. He did the laundry… now [...]