CARE BLOG
’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 [...]
Ten Tips to Help Manage Meds
How many prescription drugs do your aging parents take? If they’re like most seniors, they take at least one - probably more. While medicines can help us live longer and healthier, taking them the wrong way or mixing certain drugs can be dangerous - and, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, as many as 55% of [...]
Making Home Safe for Mom and Dad
Aging at Home Your parents have been very clear, repeatedly - they do not want to move to a senior living community… at least not yet. “An overwhelming majority of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, and a new study shows they’re doing whatever it takes to make that possible,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and [...]
7 Signs Your Senior Might Need a Little Extra Help at Home
Need Extra Help at Home? She hasn’t said anything, but you suspect your mom is struggling to take care of herself and her home. “Older people rarely ask for help. They’re afraid of losing their independence, and they don’t want to burden family members or friends,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). [...]
The Risks of Not Hiring In-Home Care Through an Agency
Your aging mom is failing. She doesn’t need skilled nursing or assisted living yet - just a little help with things like light housekeeping, meal prep and getting in and out of the shower. You’ve heard a lady from your mom’s church sometimes works as an independent caregiver, but is that the best option? "Gray Market" Caregivers “Private caregivers [...]
10 Summer Safety Tips for Seniors
10 Summer Safety Tips for Seniors As the temperature rises, so does the risk for heat-related problems - especially for older adults. “Summer is here, which means we’ll all be spending more time outdoors soaking up the sunshine,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “While sun exposure does have benefits - including [...]
Can You Hear Me Now?
Can You Hear Me Now? Did you know that hearing loss is the largest modifiable risk factor against dementia? According to a recent study, treating hearing loss could eliminate 1 in 10 cases of dementia. In the study, researchers found that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia, moderate hearing loss triples it and severe hearing loss raises [...]
Avoiding Alzheimer’s Burnout
Avoiding Alzheimer’s Burnout Your dad got the diagnosis no one wants to hear - Alzheimer’s disease. It’s heartbreaking to watch him fall victim to confusion and memory loss. The fear that he will wander off or have an accident is overwhelming. His mood swings and unpredictable behavior are exhausting. 24/7, 365 Days a Year “Caring for someone who has [...]
Alzheimer’s and Dementia – Tips for Better Communication
Alzheimer’s and Dementia - Tips for Better Communication Communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging. “Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease. It robs people of so much - including the ability to clearly communicate and understand what friends and loved ones are saying,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at the HomeCare [...]