Home of the Brave

Many of America's seniors have an independent streak.

We know this, and we also know that various kinds of stigma around long-term care facilities and planned retirement communities have many Americans aging in place – sticking it out in their homes as they get older and health conditions compound. That can be ok, in fact, it can be something to be proud of. It can also be dangerous and lamentable, as people learn about their limitations the hard way. Every case is different – but we think that if more people understood the very real need of seniors for care, regardless of the individual’s “toughness,” lives would be saved, and vastly improved. 

There's a certain extent to which staying at home is seen as admirable and resourceful – but then there are those concerns and questions that pile up as problems develop and decreased mobility, increased fall risk and other things crop up. What about when a senior is unable to drive? How will they get what they need to their home?

Observation and Companionship

Many of the seniors who are living alone in their homes suffer from a kind of social isolation that can be difficult to see from the outside.

They also have some of the more concrete dangers that we talked about above – not having another person in the building to notice if anything happens.

Again, retirement communities are planned to offer both the companionship and the safety that seniors need, but not every elderly person is on board. And that’s okay – as we said, every case is different – but it’s important to make sure someone’s needs are served. 

In-Home Care Solutions

In many cases these people don't need round-the-clock care. They just need check ins. They need people to help with meals, monitoring, medications, and a basic daily social interaction that will help keep them steady and more engaged with the world around them.

At Like Family Home Care, we offer personal care, housekeeping, transportation, meal prep and more. We build our business around offering the models that help seniors to remain in their homes more safely, and with more of a social connection, so that their quality of life and their security is improved as they remain in their own homes. Talk to us about what your family needs – and we will help you to make a plan that sets everyone’s mind at ease! We are proud of our excellent track record of supporting seniors, and knowledgeable about the right ways to succeed. 

Home of the Brave

Many of America's seniors have an independent streak.

We know this, and we also know that various kinds of stigma around long-term care facilities and planned retirement communities have many Americans aging in place – sticking it out in their homes as they get older and health conditions compound. That can be ok, in fact, it can be something to be proud of. It can also be dangerous and lamentable, as people learn about their limitations the hard way. Every case is different – but we think that if more people understood the very real need of seniors for care, regardless of the individual’s “toughness,” lives would be saved, and vastly improved.

There's a certain extent to which staying at home is seen as admirable and resourceful – but then there are those concerns and questions that pile up as problems develop and decreased mobility, increased fall risk and other things crop up. What about when a senior is unable to drive? How will they get what they need to their home?

Observation and Companionship

Many of the seniors who are living alone in their homes suffer from a kind of social isolation that can be difficult to see from the outside.

They also have some of the more concrete dangers that we talked about above – not having another person in the building to notice if anything happens.

Again, retirement communities are planned to offer both the companionship and the safety that seniors need, but not every elderly person is on board. And that’s okay – as we said, every case is different – but it’s important to make sure someone’s needs are served.

In-Home Care Solutions

In many cases these people don't need round-the-clock care. They just need check ins. They need people to help with meals, monitoring, medications, and a basic daily social interaction that will help keep them steady and more engaged with the world around them.

At Like Family Home Care, we offer personal care, housekeeping, transportation, meal prep and more. We build our business around offering the models that help seniors to remain in their homes more safely, and with more of a social connection, so that their quality of life and their security is improved as they remain in their own homes. Talk to us about what your family needs – and we will help you to make a plan that sets everyone’s mind at ease! We are proud of our excellent track record of supporting seniors, and knowledgeable about the right ways to succeed.

Is In-Home Care a Better Option for Seniors? 4 Key Things to Know

Is in-home care a better option for seniors? Seniors deserve the best care, comfort, and security during their golden years. Various statistics and facts have shown that home care in the United States is a preferred option for most people.

Individuals receiving the most home care in the United States are over 65 years old. It is also known that 97 percent of seniors need assistance with bathing, and getting in and out of bed.

If you’re unable to care for your loved one, in-home care is a valuable option for you to consider. Read along to discover 4 reasons why this is beneficial.

1. Transportation Services

Completing daily errands can be a stressful situation for an elderly person. Home care services are beneficial for seniors who need help with transportation. 

Seniors who no longer drive can rely on someone to take them to their doctor’s appointments, to pick up prescriptions, grocery shopping, and a host of other errands. Seniors have the convenience to rely on compassionate professionals to give them safe and comfortable transportation. 

2. Meal Preparation

Daily meal preparation can be a challenging task for aging individuals. A home care service prevents seniors from doing all the work involved in meal preparation. 

Home care services enable seniors to maintain proper diet and nutrition according to their specific needs. Seniors can have an enjoyable experience getting their breakfast, lunch, and dinner on time. 

3. Individualized Care

A senior has the benefit to stay on top of their health with assistance from an in-home care service. Seniors are known for developing various types of age-related health issues. 

Some of these may include bone and heart health, depression, incontinence, and other health concerns. A personalized in-home care service enables a senior to maintain their health and dignity in the privacy of their home. 

4. More Home Visits

Visiting the elderly in a nursing home can be a difficult, exhaustive process. In-home care makes it easier for friends and family members to visit their loved ones. 

The elderly have the experience of getting unlimited visits from people who love them. Home visits from friends and family members also keep seniors happy when they’re feeling lonely.

Get the Home Care Service That Fits Your Needs

Trained and reliable professionals are always available around the clock to provide the best care to your aging parents. They give you the peace of mind that seniors will receive attention and optimal care.

Do you want to find an in-home care service that you can trust? Contact us to learn how we can give you comprehensive assistance.

Tips For Senior Citizens Who Want To Take Control Of Their Health

A recent study found that things like avoiding obesity and access to quality healthcare were an essential part of living a longer and fuller life. As you start to get older, you will have to renew your focus on staying active. Sitting indoors can lead to things like weight gain and even depression. Rather than allowing your health to decline due to a lack of physical activity, you need to take charge. 

The only way to fix your issues with inactivity is by making a game plan. With the help of health professionals and trusted friends/family members, you can make your golden years the best years of your life. If you are trying to make a plan for how to take control of your health, consider the great tips below.

A Healthy Diet is a Must 

If you live alone, you know how hard it can be to find the motivation to cook a meal. Some seniors think the best way to avoid the work of cooking is by eating a steady diet of fast or processed foods. The longer you subject your body to these foods, the harder it will be to stay healthy. Processed foods can wreak havoc on vital organs like your heart, which is why you need to make better meal choices. 

These meal choices should include healthy staples like lean proteins, leafy greens and whole grains. Preparing meals for a few days can help you avoid getting frustrated when having to cook on a daily basis. Investing in a few healthy cookbooks is also a great way to keep your meals fresh and delicious. 

Get Outside and Exercise

As the frosty temperatures of winter start to move out of most areas, many people will start to spend more time outside. If you are getting little to no physical activity, you have to make some changes. Ignoring the need for this physical activity can put your health in jeopardy. This is why you need to get outside and start walking. 

Walking is a low-impact form of exercise that provides your heart and body with a great workout. Investing in some comfortable shoes and clothing is crucial when trying to make the most out of your exercise time. Asking a friend to walk with you is also a good idea if you have a problem staying motivated to exercise. 

Socializing is Important as You Age

Another important thing you need to consider when trying to take charge of your health is getting more socialization. As a person gets older, they will usually have fewer and fewer interactions with people. This lack of socialization can be bad for your mental health. Using the power of technology is a great way for seniors living in a COVID-19 world to get socialization. Social media websites and video chat software are great tools that can be used to connect with friends and family members. 

We Can Help You With Tasks Around Your Home

Are you having a hard time performing tasks like meal prep or cleaning? If so, contact the team at Like Family Home Care for help. 

How Older Adults Can Stay Active During Cold Weather

As the temperatures continue to drop outside, it’s tempting to stay inside, grab a blanket, and cozy up on the couch. However, getting out and staying active is critical, especially for seniors. Physical activity can decrease your risk for various diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, and depression. Also, exposure to sunlight gives you some necessary Vitamin D thanks to sunlight, which can improve bone health. Today, we are sharing a few tips for you to stay active, even during the winter:

·       Take a walk.

There is a reason why walking has been considered one of the best exercises. It’s easy for everyone to do, you don’t need any expensive equipment, and it has many benefits that can’t be overlooked. Walking not only maintains a healthy weight, but it also strengthens your bones and muscles, prevents many conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and improves coordination. Before you head out the door, check weather conditions and make sure your walking path is shoveled and clear of any ice. Also, let a few people know where you are going and how long you will be gone.

·       Take a class.

Even though we are social distancing, it’s possible to take an exercise class. These days, many exercise classes have gone online, where you receive instructions and guidelines inside of your home. It’s a great way to exercise without being exposed to any harsh weather conditions. Reach out to your local gyms and find out if they offer any classes for seniors.

·       Tend your garden.

If you love gardening, you can practice your favorite hobby in the cold weather. First, you can start by winterizing your garden. This can include getting rid of weeds, clip any dead parts of plants, plant bulbs that grow in early spring, and store any tender plants away for warmer weather. You may also want to look into crops that do well in the winter seasons. Contact your local gardening center for recommendations on which plants will do the best in your local region.

·       Do household chores.

Don’t wait for the spring to start spring cleaning. Doing household chores such as laundry, vacuuming, and polishing can be a great physical activity to do around the house. It gets you moving and helps you stay productive.

Even though it’s cold, it doesn’t mean that your physical activity should come to a stop. There are ways of getting up and moving around that keep you safe and helps you follow any COVID-19 restrictions. As an older adult, it’s important to stay active and get moving to be in your best health. If the senior in your life needs in-home care, contact us at Like Family Home Care today.

Three Ways Meal Prep is Efficient

One of our most needed services for seniors is meal preparation. But sometimes this kind of service is hard for families to figure out.

Can't mom or dad just open up a can of soup, or one of those frozen chicken pot pies that he or she loves so much? Maybe, but if we're going to make a decision either way, let's err on the side of comprehensive care. Let’s make sure that he or she is taken care of.

Here are three important things that meal prep services can do for your family.

Buying In Bulk

Obviously, one of the financial benefits of meal prep is that it's distributed and served by economies of scale.

Instead of somebody buying a loaf of bread, somebody is buying 12 loaves of bread and making them all into sandwiches. When this is done right, it cuts down on the overall cost of food. Of course, there's still the cost of delivery and all that, but there's less food waste and less time and energy involved in feeding a given number of people. So even though you may end up paying the same, you’re not winding up with a bunch of discarded food trash and wrappers in your loved one’s home from day to day – which can be nearly a full-time job in itself!

Safety

You don't always think about meal preparation as a safety issue – but when it comes to seniors, in so many ways, it is. First, you have the potential for knife accidents. As your family members get older, they may tend to have less dexterity, and that's something to consider. Then there are the burns and scalding injuries that come from trying to heat food. Meal prep is the service that eliminates those dangers for your aging family member.

Eyes On Your Senior

Is mom or dad hungry? Are they even eating?

If they're preparing their own meals, you might not really know. But meal prep ensures that there will be someone keeping an eye on a senior’s diet and how often they are eating. That additional monitoring and supervision can be important in some types of assisted living scenarios.

Let’s have a conversation on what will work for the senior citizen in your family. We know that this is not a one-size-fits-all type of field. So we can work with you to get the right solutions in place. Enjoy your family time in this holiday season!

Great Tips Designed To Make Traveling With a Senior Citizen Safe and Enjoyable

Over 115 million Americans will travel this holiday season. Dealing with traffic and unsafe driving conditions common during this time of year can be stressful. If you are traveling with a senior citizen, you will need to make sure they are comfortable during the trip. Failing to properly prepare for your road trip can be disastrous for everyone involved. 

Before you embark on your holiday trip, here are some things you need to do to ensure a safe experience. 

Encourage Your Elderly Loved One to Visit Their Doctor

Familiarizing yourself with the health conditions an elderly loved one has before going on a trip with them is a wise move. If you are familiar with their past health issues, you can alter parts of your trip to accommodate the senior citizen onboard. Talking to a senior citizen before the trip and encouraging them to go to their doctor for a checkup is a must. 

If a senior citizen visits their doctor before the trip, they can get a clean bill of health before getting in the car. This will also provides a senior citizen with an opportunity to get refills on their medicine. While going to an appointment with a doctor is time-consuming, it is definitely worth the effort. If your elderly loved one is getting help from an in-home care service, you need to speak with the nurse that visits their home. By speaking with this nurse, you can get information regarding their daily routine and important medical information that you may not be aware of. 

Take Time To Create a Travel Plan

The key component of a successful traveling experience is having an adequate plan in place. If you are traveling with a senior citizen, you need to plan for plenty of stops along the way. Trying to drive for hours on end without breaks can lead to a senior citizen developing cramps and aches. You also need to think about breaking up a long trip into a few days’ worth of driving. 

Stopping along the way and resting in a motel for a night allows a senior citizen to recuperate. When taking long trips, you need to split up the driving responsibilities among the adults in the car. This will help you avoid getting exhausted while traveling across America.  

Maintain a Prescription Schedule

Most senior citizens are on multiple medications at a time. Generally, these medications will have to be taken at a certain time of day. A medication may also require a person to eat food before consuming it. Getting the details of a senior’s prescription schedule is important when trying to keep them safe and healthy during the trip. Using technology like Google Calendars can help you create digital alerts on your phone to ensure you remember to remind your elderly loved one to take their medicine. 

We Provide In-Home Care

If your elderly loved one needs some help performing daily activities, contact Like Family Home Care to find out about the in-home care services we offer. 

Common Health Concerns for Older Women

Much of the women’s health research conducted today is focused on women during their reproductive years. Also, much of the aging-related research is strictly focused on older men. However, health issues occur in both men and women who are older, and it is essential to understand the risk factors facing women during their Golden Years. Keep reading to learn what these are. 

Bone Health 

It has been proven that women have thinner and smaller bones than men. As a woman’s hormones change after they go through menopause, which means the risk of osteoporosis increases. When this happens, it can cause fractures that rob a senior of their independence. It is estimated that up to 80% of people who have osteoporosis are women. 

Heart Health

Cardiologists have revealed that the risk factors, causes, and treatment for heart disease are different for women than men. This is another situation where hormonal issues and changes could increase the likelihood of heart-related problems. 

Also, many people do not realize that the symptoms of a heart attack differ in women and men. For example, while women may experience the common shortness of breath and chest pain, they are also more likely to deal with nausea and back pain symptoms. 

Brain Health

According to experts, senior women have a higher likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types than men. This is because women tend to live longer than men, and the risk of these conditions increases as you age. Factors like a woman’s education, reproductive history, and even hormones (once again) also factor into the equation. Also, what makes the situation even more complex is that Alzheimer’s disease is more difficult to diagnose in women than men. 

Incontinence 

While men may experience incontinence issues, it is estimated that twice as many women will have this problem. It is most common in women who have gone through menopause. It may be due to the weakening of pelvic muscles, which is a common occurrence as you age, or the increased likelihood of UTIs (urinary tract infections). It could even be due to the ongoing effects of childbirth and pregnancy. 

Anxiety and Depression

Issues related to depression and anxiety are twice as likely in women than in men. Again, this is due in part to hormonal imbalances; however, there is not all. Other issues include changes in a woman’s circumstances, financial concerns, and health problems. 

Overcoming Common Health Concerns 

When it comes to overcoming these common health concerns, help may be required. If this is the case, using the services of in-home care can be invaluable. With these services, you can have someone help you prevent these conditions and manage any issues that you may already be dealing with. 

Knowing the most common issues for women is the best way to minimize health problems and ensure you remain healthy and happy throughout your Golden Years. Learn more about home health to see how it may be beneficial.