Senior homecare is quickly becoming the most popular alternative to nursing homes or assisted living centers. While these facilities offer excellent care for the elderly, they simply cannot provide the level of personal service that senior homecare provides every day.

It’s no secret that caring for your elderly loved ones can be a daunting and unfamiliar situation. Both the physical and emotional toll can become too much to bear. Senior homecare is the best option to taking care of your aging loved one yourself. The services are extensive and are performed by licensed and bonded professionals that have your elderly loved one’s best interests at heart. Skilled in both the physically and mentally challenging aspects of taking great care of the elderly, senior homecare specialists are highly trained and adept at providing exceptional care for the ongoing health and well being of your loved ones.

Senior Homecare Offers Your Loved Ones Many Important Benefits

A few of the many benefits of senior homecare include:

Maintaining their independence

Staying in their familiar and comfortable home environment

Receiving help with everyday tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, walking, using the bathroom, preparing meals, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, amongst other important daily living activities

Maintaining a positive state of mind and quality of life because they don’t feel trapped in an assisted care facility

Senior Homecare Questions

There are many questions to ask before selecting a senior homecare provider. You want to make sure that your loved ones are in good hands, especially when they’re in their most vulnerable position. Here are some things to consider when choosing a senior homecare company:

Who is the employer?: It may sound like a strange question to ask, but senior homecare companies come in all shapes and sizes. From a safety and liability perspective, you want to hire a senior homecare firm that manages everything from payroll to taxes to worker’s compensation insurance. If you don’t, you will be considered the employer and will ultimately be responsible for handling the many legal and financial issues.

A rigorous employee screening process: It’s critical that senior homecare companies conduct thorough background checks on all employees. References must be checked, and criminal background checks must be performed as well. A good senior homecare provider will have extensive employee records, including annual performance reviews.

An experienced senior homecare agency: This one goes without saying, but do your own research. How long has the senior homecare company been in business? What does its past and current clients have to say?

A free senior homecare consultation: Most senior homecare companies offer a free consultation to provide a comprehensive assessment of your loved one’s needs.

A plan of care: This is important because it enables the family and senior homecare company to clarify expectations about what care is going to be provided. From shopping and housecleaning to personal care, everyone is involved in determining the best course of senior homecare.

An office visit: Before deciding on a senior homecare firm, make sure it has an office you can visit to meet with the people that will be sending the caregivers. Is it a professional office? Do you feel like you can trust the people in charge?

Accessibility: How easy or difficult will it be to reach the senior homecare company? This is especially important on nights and weekends. Will you be able to speak with a person when you call the company or will you reach an answering machine if you call after normal business hours?

There are obviously many things to examine when deciding on the best senior homecare company. Ask the tough questions, do your homework, and make an informed decision. After all, you’re having your loved ones cared for in their final years. Make sure you select a reputable senior homecare company to make every day one more they can cherish.

A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology indicated that 48 percent of the 500,000 Americans suffering from kidney failure are age 60+. When considering that 90,000 of these Americans will die each year due to their failing kidneys, it’s clear that this is a serious problem. Even when unhealthy kidneys are treated and health is maintained, persons with poor kidney health (and their family care givers) are forced to cope with the burden of ongoing dialysis and rigorous medical and dietary regimes.

What exactly do the kidneys do?

The kidneys help the body maintain homeostasis by filtering out waste products, balancing electrolyte levels, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells. According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidneys filter about 200 quarts of fluid each day, removing about two quarts (in the form of urine) and returning an astounding 198 clean, filtered quarts to vital body systems. When kidneys fail, the body’s fluids are no longer filtered effectively, which results in a damaging build-up of toxins.

How dangerous is kidney failure?

Although medical tests must be done to confirm damaged kidneys, family care givers should be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of failing kidneys. Left untreated, kidney failure can lead to reduced cognitive function, congestive heart failure, coma, and even death. High blood pressure, blood in the urine, more frequent, painful or difficult urination, puffiness around the eyes, and swelling of the feet and hands are all warning signs, according to the National Kidney Foundation. While some of these symptoms may not be blaring or overly apparent right away, it’s important that you consult a doctor if your loved one is experiencing any of the above problems.

When is dialysis an option?

If your loved one has been diagnosed with kidney failure, it’s essential to prevent any further damage as soon as possible — so typically, dialysis or kidney transplant are the only (or best) options. Dialysis is given to patients in all stages of kidney failure, and the sooner it begins, the better the outcome. Dialysis is a medical treatment that makes up for decreased kidney function by filtering toxins out of the body, maintaining a safe level of chemicals and proteins in the bloodstream, and helping control blood pressure, notes the National Kidney Foundation.

Dialysis can be done either at a medical facility or at home (depending on what method of dialysis is needed), and is necessary multiple times each week, for multiple hours at a time. Dialysis is a physically and emotionally taxing process — for both the patient and their family care giver — and is usually necessary for the duration of a person’s life, unless kidney transplant is an option.

What other changes can we expect?

If you or someone you love is living with decreased kidney function, your doctor will most likely prescribe medications and recommend dietary and lifestyle changes. Prescriptions may include phosphorous-lowering medications, blood pressure medications, iron supplements, and medications used to stimulate red blood cell production. It’s imperative to help your loved one carefully follow any medication schedules or supplement routines to avoid further complications.

Maintaining a healthy diet is also essential in keeping kidney function optimal. Since the kidneys are the body’s filters, limiting foods high in salt, phosphorous and potassium, such as bananas (and other fruits), poultry, wheat products, nuts, pre-packaged meals, and other processed foods can help. It’s also important to moderate fluid intake so that excess fluid isn’t trapped in the body, with nowhere to go.

Can I prevent kidney failure?

Individuals with diabetes, hypertension and heart disease have an elevated chance of suffering from kidney failure, so if you or your loved one suffer from any of these, it’s important to monitor the disease and commit to maintaining overall health. Following strict dietary guidelines specific to each condition, engaging in routine physical exercise, and looking after medication routines are all essential to the prevention of kidney failure, and a host of other complications.

Is supplemental home care an option?

In home caregivers are specially trained to support those living with kidney failure and their families. Professional in home caregivers can assist with proper dietary implementation and meal preparation, monitor edema (build-up of excess fluids in the body), provide personal care, give medication reminders, support dialysis therapies, and assist in transplant recovery.

Getting old is bad enough – who wants to have to leave their home in addition? And being a burden on family members can sometimes be so stressful that the emotional strain of staying at-home may make moving into an assisted-care facility a more attractive option. However, there are several different ways that seniors can age in place and receive in-home senior care and assistance in the privacy and comfort of their own home, as an affordable alternative to facility care.

Non-medical senior care is often much less costly than assisted-care facilities or nursing home care, as not all nurse aides or care providers are trained medical professionals.

However, home care providers can ensure that all personal needs are met, such as help with grooming, bathing, dressing, and moving around the house, as well as other physical daily tasks such as preparing meals, grocery shopping, and escorting the senior to doctor’s appointments.

In addition, there is a “personal touch” that home care providers and nurse aides can give seniors, and a special companionship that they might be lacking otherwise.

If you are considering long-term care for yourself or your loved one, here are some options that can enable you or your loved one to remain at-home, aging in place.

1) Long-term Care (LTC) Insurance

If you have a long-term care (LTC) insurance plan, but decide, “I don’t want to leave my home”, you most likely can use your long-term care insurance for home care or nurse aides to visit or live in your home. Check with your long-term care insurance provider or find a local home care provider and ask if your insurance will reimburse them for home care services.

2) Part-time Nurse Aides

If you or your loved one does not require full-time care, an affordable option is to hire a nurse aide or home care agency. This is often a more affordable option because the care givers provide non-medical care. The Care Registry can provide at-home care for as little as four hours per week, or as much as 24 hours a day.

3) A Live-in Home Care Companion

If you or your loved one needs 24 hour personal care and attention, finding a live-in home care companion is often as affordable or less so than assisted-living or nursing home care. Instead of paying for medical professionals that are not always needed, care givers can give you or your loved one undivided attention, and depending on the home care agency you select, they can often have a medical professional to call as a back-up, if needed.

The option you select should be based on your specific home care and health-related needs. The burden of getting old is not going to go away, but as long as there are options to remain independent and at-home, the quality of life can be made simpler and better, and that is the best way to enjoy old age.

When it comes to caregiving assistance for aging parents, there are many questions that usually follow. What assistance is needed? Will it be few hours per day, a few hours per week, or is it full time 24 hour assistance that we need? For families wanting to proceed on their own, there are a number of considerations.

What type of care is required? Differences between caregivers can vary from those of a registered nurse, a registered practical nurse, a personal support worker or a companion.  Understanding your specific level of need and what the caregiver is trained to do and is legally able to do (ie such as administering medications) which may vary from Province to Province or may be defined within the caregiver’s Scope of Practice (for RN’s and RPN’s) as well as cost factors, need to be understood and considered.

What are the needs of the family of aging parents?  These needs can usually broken down to three basic needs:  In-home respite care during the day only; care away from the home during working hours which may include participation in an adult day program; or 24-hour full time care over a weekend or longer.

Hire a home health care agency or hire privately?  Understanding the advantages of each option is vital.  Several considerations inform the decision making process including ensuring references, experience and qualifications are in place; insurance coverage; illness coverage for the caregiver in the event they should get sick; billing format and practices; confidentiality; are the services tax deductible; and record-keeping, among others.

What overnight care solutions are available?  If overnight care is required for aging parents, should someone move into the home or should the loved one be moved into a facility.  If eligible, the Provincial Ministry of Health may be able to provide respite care in a long term facility.  If not available, short stays are often available at many retirement residences and daily costs and amount of personal care varies.

What is the cost of care?  In some cases, local community agencies may be able to provide minimal assistance of a few hours per week of a Personal Support Worker at no cost.  For Personal Support Workers hired through and agency, hourly costs vary and there may be a minimum time requirement.

What role does personality play?  While professional care is a foremost consideration ensuring personality matches is also important in the selection process.  Ensure more than once candidate is interviewed, speak to other families of aging parents and get references, and suggest an afternoon trial to assess engagement between caregiver, family and the senior in the home.

What information should your provide the caregiver?  Facilitating a quick and effective transition into the caregiver responsibility can be made that much easier by providing personal information such as how the older person prefers to be addressed; food likes or dislikes; allergies; whether they prefer companionship at mealtime; activities they like or dislike; areas of required assistance; best and worst times of days and other like considerations.

How do you find a caregiver?  If hiring through an agency, there are several home care agencies in most communities. They are listed in the phone book and seniors directories. You can also speak to a Geriatric Care Manager about reputable agencies in the community. They can also assist with screening candidates to ensure a good match is made.

If hiring privately, a referral from a friend or family is usually the preferred route. Note however that if someone’s previous experience has been looking after children, it is not the same as caring for an older adult.

Also consider joining a support group for caregivers which can provide an excellent forum for discussion and individual support to assist you in this journey.

The Differences In Elder Care Services

Time marches on and so do we. Before we know it, we are older and so are our parents or loved ones. Caring for them and being sure their needs are met become a prime concern especially when they begin to not be able to care for themselves as they used to. This dilemma touches most every family. The thing to avoid is to remain under a veil of ignorance by not understanding your options and waiting until the last minute to make an abrupt and often uniformed decision. Care for the elderly is of utmost importance. This will be addressed in a comparison between adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home care.

Adult day care has the shortest care periods and usually lasts up to 8 hours a day and 5 days a week. People with Alzheimer’s, the feeble, the physically handicapped, those infected with HIV/AIDS, people with declining brain function and the hearing and visually impaired are included in this type of care. It serves as respite for busy caregivers and offers social and recreational activities, meals, therapy, health and social services.

Usually there is an assessment made of the needs of each person before they enter the program. It is also important to find out how physically able they are because adult day care does provide rehabilitative services and personal care. One of its greatest advantages is that it helps people remain independent and be able to live with loved ones as long as they can plus it gives caregivers the break they often need.

Funding can come through Medicaid if the person qualifies, need-based scholarships, some medical insurance, long-term care insurance or tax credits for dependent care. Medicare doesn’t cover adult day care. Usually centers are non-profit (80% of them) and charge anywhere from – a day. This will vary according to location. Transportation is also provided. There are full-time nursing services and these places are licensed by the state.

The next step up in care, if the elderly are not living with friends or family, is assisted living. It is for seniors who are somewhat independent and who need more care than a retirement community has available. The focus is on allowing for individual residents’ independence, need for privacy, choice, and safety. The services offered are personal (bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and eating), health care (which also involves management of medications), social and physical activities, 24-hour supervision, education, laundry, linen, housekeeping, unit maintenance, shopping, meal preparation, money management and transportation. A person can occupy a furnished or unfurnished studio or 1-bedroom unit with a bathroom. Some places have a shared bathroom. Also some units may have kitchenettes or even a full kitchen.

A potential resident is assessed according to physical and cognitive abilities, mental awareness, medical history (including medications being taken) and some personal history to find out if assisted living is a good option. Family members are encouraged to continue being a part of the resident’s life and are welcome to attend social activities throughout the year and on holidays. Usually assisted living places have a full-time nurse and trained staff. Meals are eaten in a dining room and assistance is given when needed. Activities are planned throughout the day and residents have the choice to attend or not. Church services are held, some being a specific denomination and there is usually a non-denominational gathering. Assisted care is regulated by the state.

Sources of funding can include personal funds, assistance for families, Social Security, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance. The cost varies, depending on the size of the unit, the services needed and location. It’s between ,000 and ,000 per month, the average being ,873.

The nursing home is the most intensive in care (along with adult family care homes). The residents have definite physical needs. They usually have physical or mental disorders or happen to be too feeble and/or unable to move around, bathe or prepare their own meals. Their ADLs (Activities of Daily living) are minimal and low functioning. As a general rule, there will be no recovery or ability to take care of themselves, so assistance is a necessity for most or all ADLs. There are definite medical needs too.

Nurses and nursing aids are available round the clock. Because of the residents’ needs, nursing homes are staffed with that in mind. There is full management of medication and it is administered according to a physician’s orders. A person can obtain a private room if he/she is paying with private funds. Normally, there are 2 people to a room. Meals are brought to them or residents are taken to the dining area. Besides full assistance, nursing homes offer rehabilitative services, exercise, social activities, laundry, housekeeping, and prepared meals. Families and friends are encouraged to visit.

The cost depends on where the home is and what the surcharge is that is attached for private payers versus Medicare and Medicaid. Approximately 70% of nursing home costs are paid by the state and federal governments. The government pays part or all of the fees for about 85% of the residents. Another funding option is long-term care insurance. The actual cost is somewhere around 4 a day or more and can go well above ,000 a month. This varies depending on the location and the services required.

In summary, adult day care involves hours of care, while assisted living and nursing homes offer more care progressively. It helps to research all the residential and financial options. AARP is a valuable source, as well as Medicare. There are a wealth of other websites that will help relatives and friends find the right place for their loved ones and the phone book lists companies and people that have a network to draw from. Quality care of our elderly is essential. Knowing what can be done is being done, brings a sense of peace of mind.

Are current products aging us prematurely or cause actual harm to our skin. Depending on what is in the ingredients of what you are using. You need to be careful with what you use. Natural anti wrinkle products should be considered if they rejuvenate your skin to the point of reproducing collagen naturally and not a stop gap filler. Please let me explain.

Too prevent aging skin, contrary to what you may think, is surprisingly easy if you find a natural care product that delivers on what natural skin care products. This is the trick you need to master in acquiring beauty skin care products and use it regularly. While this might sound too simple to be true, it actually works. All personal care beauty products are not the same as artificial cosmetics are actually bad for your skin.

The first step in is to realize the fact that your skin needs constant care. You need to spend at least a few minutes every day to take care of your skin. If you do that, you will be able to keep your skin young, soft, and supple for a long time. But unfortunately, most people do not do this and suffer from premature aging even at a young age.

In order to be able to avoid the sands of time regarding your skin, you need to first know the signs. Some of the most common signs include wrinkles, lines, dark spots, loose and saggy skin, and dark circles around the eyes. The reassuring news is that all these signs can be treated easily with the right anti wrinkle beauty products.

In order to reverse the signs of aging skin, you need to find out a good skin care product which can not only get rid of your skin problems, but can also improve the overall condition of your skin. While we are at it, I need to tell you that you should stay away from artificial chemicals if you want to get the best results. Some of the chemicals you should avoid using include phenol carbolic acid, parabens, alcohols, triclosans, artificial fragrance, and liquid paraffin.

These chemicals can trigger allergic reactions and serious health problems like depression, stroke, renal failure, and even cancer. So, the most important thing you need to remember about preventing aging skin is that you should always go for organic skin care products which are both safe and effective.

Some of the best organic ingredients that can take care of all the skin problems mentioned above include wakame extract, manuka honey, coQ10, Eyeliss, maracuja, natural vitamin E, and natural oil extracts like olive, macadamia, avocado, grape seed, and jojoba oil. These ingredients are capable of reversing the signs of aging skin very effectively and the best part about using these substances is that you can use them no matter what your skin type is, as they are completely safe to use.

I have just one thing to say now. You now know what causes aging skin, the steps to be taken for preventing aging skin, and the best products that can help you do that and more. The decision is yours now. Act today and take good care of your skin. The link you can check out further can take to further information on how to learn more and take action.

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The average anti aging skin care product contains few beneficial ingredients, lots of added fillers and artificial ingredients that cause allergic reactions, redness and irritation.  There are many ingredients that you would be wise to avoid and some that you should always look for.  Here’s a quick look at the good, the bad and the ugly of the cosmetic world.

Petrochemicals

The processes that refine crude oil to make it into gasoline create numerous byproducts.  As a group, they are referred to as petrochemicals.  They include mineral oil, petrolatum and paraffin, which are often used as base creams in cheap personal care products of all kinds. 

This group also includes a number of alcohols, including ethyl, methyl, propyl and isopropyl.  Plant-based alcohols are safer and less likely to cause allergic reactions, but they cost more, so cosmetic companies don’t use them.  Petroleum-based alcohols strip the skin of its natural oils, as do the other petrochemicals mentioned above.  They cause irritation, burning and redness. 

They are not beneficial to the skin’s health in any way shape or form and they should not be present in an anti aging skin care product.  If someone tells you otherwise, they probably work for a cosmetic company.

Sun-screening Agents

This is a slightly controversial subject and a long one, but I think that I can summarize.  Sunscreens reduce the risk of some types of skin-cancer, but researchers have seen an increased incidence of malignant melanoma, a rarer, but more serious form of the disease, among regular sunscreen users.

It is not known if people rely to heavily on less effective sunscreens or if some of the compounds actually cause damage that predisposes the cells to cancer.  It is known that zinc oxide, with a 20+ SPF rating is safe and quite effective.  But, you only need to use it when you spend more than 15 minutes in direct sunlight.  Using an effective sunscreen on a daily basis often leads to vitamin D deficiencies, a big problem for the elderly, as it increases the risk of osteoporosis.

The best anti aging skin care product does not contain a sun-screening compound, although it does contain vitamins and plant extracts that provide some protection.

Collagen

The most popular anti aging skin care product is a cream that contains the protein collagen.  This protein is ineffective.  The skin’s cells can’t use it.  It is derived from cow or pigskin and is prone to cause redness and irritation.  Leave these products on the shelf.

Safe, Natural & Effective

The ingredients to look for include Functional Keratin, a hypoallergenic protein derived from sheep’s wool…grape seed oil, an effective moisturizer with high vitamin E content…Wakame Kelp due to its high nutritional value and ability to inhibit an enzymatic reaction that breaks down hyaluronic acid.  Antioxidants are also important, because they prevent free radical damage, the root cause of skin cancers, sagging wrinkling and all of the signs of aging. 

The most effective anti aging skin care product contains all of these and more, and to find out which ones I use and recommend, visit my website now.

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It is estimated that 22 million Americans are providing elder care for an aging parent or older relative. If you are among them, then you know how challenging the responsibility of assisted living services can be – physically, mentally and emotionally. Whether you’re providing personal care and companionship services seven days a week, or live out of town and try to manage their care long distance, there comes a time when you must ask yourself the inevitable question.

Is it time to consider in home care?

For Personal Care

As noted by Synergy HomeCare – widely considered the most trusted name in home care – after a lifetime of performing everyday personal care activities, the progressive inability to do so in older age can be devastating. If you cannot be there to help, your parent may need in home care if they are unable to:

Bathe and shower on their own, wash their hair, brush their teeth, use the restroom or perform any other personal hygiene activities
Dress themselves in the morning or undress themselves at night
Move around on their own, whether that means getting out of bed, sitting in a chair or simply walking through the house
Drive themselves to the doctor, the grocery store, a friend’s house or any number of other things they might want or need to do

For Keeping House

For parents who have spent their entire lives taking pride in keeping a clean house, it can be a real blow to their self-worth when their physical condition makes it impossible for them to do so. If you cannot be there to help, your parent may need in home care if they are unable to:

Do light housekeeping, like dusting, vacuuming and taking out the trash
Wash the dishes, clean the countertops or mop the floors
Scrub showers, tubs or toilets
Do laundry, ironing or change the linens
Prepare meals and clean up afterward

For Companionship

Often, the greatest gift an aging parent can receive is companionship from someone who can not only provide conversation, but also a helping hand. If you cannot be there to help, your parent may need in home care if they are unable to:

Arrange doctor appointments
Remember when to take medications
Plan and prepare healthy, balanced meals
Keep bills organized
Maintain a safe home environment

And remember. Even if you’re providing 24/7 care for your aging parent, that does not mean you can or should maintain that schedule definitely. Not only will it take a toll on the other relationships in your life, but it can also be detrimental to your health. In fact, your aging parent may need in home care in the form of respite care simply so you can take a well-deserved break.

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