CARE BLOG
Easy Meal Prep Tips for Aging Parents: Ensuring Healthy Eating
Easy Meal Prep Tips for Aging Parents: Ensuring Healthy Eating During a recent visit with your mom, you noticed that she let others do the cooking - which is unusual, because she’s always loved preparing family meals. Has she lost interest? Is she having trouble remembering or reading the recipes? Is arthritis limiting her ability to pick up heavy [...]
Ensuring Senior Hydration: Vital Tips to Prevent Dehydration in Elderly Loved Ones
Ensuring Senior Hydration: Vital Tips to Prevent Dehydration in Elderly Loved Ones “I thought he was having a stroke.” That’s how Debbie Hilt, a consultant with the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN) describes her 95-year-old dad’s scary bout with dehydration. “I called to check in and noticed right away that he wasn’t himself,” Hilt said. “He was very confused and [...]
Essential Aging in Place Safety Checklist for Your Loved Ones
Essential Aging in Place Safety Checklist for Your Loved Ones Identifying Potential Hazards Does your mom still have decorative throw rugs scattered around her home? Is your dad’s living room cluttered with magazines, newspapers, books, and other items? Do you worry that your aging loved one may slip and fall in their shower or bathtub? If you answered yes [...]
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 [...]
The Benefits of Music Therapy for Older Adults and Dementia Patients
The Benefits of Music Therapy for Older Adults and Dementia Patients We know music is good for the soul, but did you know it’s also good for the mind? How Music Stimulates the Brain Studies show that music brings our senses to life and stimulates many parts of the brain at the same time, including those that affect language, [...]
10 Signs of Caregiver Burnout
Recognize the 10 Signs of Caregiver Burnout Are you feeling overwhelmed or worried? Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy? Are you sleeping too much or too little? Feeling Overwhelmed or Worried? Here’s What You Need to Know “Caring for an aging loved one can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be very challenging - [...]
Choosing the Right Caregiver
Choosing the Right Caregiver 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? Understanding [...]
Ten Tips to Make Mealtimes Easier for People with Dementia
Ten Tips to Make Mealtimes Easier for People with Dementia If you’re caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, you know that encouraging them to eat nutritious meals can be a daily challenge - especially during the middle and late stages of the disease. Understanding Mealtime Challenges for People with Dementia “We work with many families [...]
Travel Tips for People Who Have Dementia
Travel Tips for People Who Have Dementia Prepare for a Memorable and Safe Family Vacation 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 [...]
Understanding Glaucoma
Understanding Glaucoma Your mom seems to have trouble focusing while reading or watching her favorite television program. Does she simply need new glasses or could it be something more serious? What is Glaucoma and Why is it a Concern? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 3 million Americans have some form of glaucoma - a [...]
Tools That Can Make Life Easier for People Who Have Dementia
Tools That Can Make Life Easier for People Who Have Dementia If you’re caring for someone who has dementia, you know that they often need help completing, what used to be, simple tasks. “Many of us at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN) have personal experience with dementia, so we understand many of the challenges that come with the disease,” [...]
Women and Stroke – What You Need to Know
Women and Stroke - What You Need to Know Did you know stroke is the third leading cause of death among women and kills more women than men? Surprised? If so, you’re not alone. Many women are not aware of their risk or the fact that symptoms can present differently in women. The Silent Threat: Understanding Stroke in Women [...]
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. [...]