Tyler Moon asked:


There was a time when your mom used to keep the house squeaky clean and your dad could remember the last due date of every bill. But presently, mom is facing lot of problems in doing the basic household chores and dad tends to remain absent minded most of the time. Probably, this is time where you need to seek help of elder care provider.

With age people show different symptoms that signal to the fact that they need help. Some of the symptoms that you should consider as cry for help from your elderly near and dear ones are:

• Problems in maintaining personal hygiene.

• Cluttered home that needs immediate cleanup.

• Incapability in managing medical appointments and medications.

• Decrease in mobility.

• Increased forgetfulness and missing date of important events.

• Decline in social activities and increase in self-isolation.

• Vigorous change in overall behavior pattern or in mood.

With these behavioral changes, you can conclude the fact that you should go for elder care planning guide. Sometimes it becomes hard to devote your time to elderly near one. Under this type of situation, the decision to ask for a professional help would be sensible. You can get elder care service provider by searching on Internet. If you wish you can study about this topic on Internet also. This will help you in giving some ideas about handling with the issue of elder care.

Depending upon the need and requirements, you should look for elder care provider. The main aim lies in making the senior citizens self-sufficient. The provider tries to achieve this goal with various home care tasks like:

• Preparing meals.

• Helping the elders in attending events.

• Reading elder’s books of interest, holding a lively and jolly conversation and providing companions.

• Helping the elderly person in housekeeping.

The services of elder care provider also prove to be beneficial when any senior citizen returned to home after a long phase of hospitalization. It is noticed that under this type of situation elder person lacks confidence in managing their work. Sometimes, they feel lethargic in keeping themselves clean and doing everyday works like collecting mails and letters, watering plants, picking up the newspaper etc.

But thanks to services of elder care providers, who intends to improve the life of elder person and makes them realize that old age is not a curse, burden and loneliness but to live life in it’s fullest and enjoy the brighter aspect of life.

 



Lily

Simona Rusnakova asked:


Smiling? Helpful? Good looking? Nice and tidy?

So what should a good carer be like?

Normally you get to meet them just once before you say: “Yes, we want to go ahead with this company, we would like this carer to look after our parents.”

Then what is the best methodology to assess care givers so that you really get the best person who will look after your loved ones really well? How to spot whether there’s that nice match of personalities between the two, which makes sure that they will understand each other?

Generally, there are three main criteria:

1. Passion & Love

Does the carer have the passion for his work? Will they be able to look after your dearest even though they might be tired or not just in mood? Will they be able to bring their whole personality into the job, having real interest in the elderly, talking to them about their hobbies and making them feel well in the first place?

2. Professionalism

Does the carer have the necessary qualifications, such as Fetac 5 in Caring for the Elderly? Do they understand issues of home care for the elderly people? How many years of experience do they have?

Do they know what to do in case of an emergency? Are they familiar with patient’s health?

3. Patience and Persistence

With elderly people, one must be sometimes really tolerant and patient. It’s not only about that their movements are slower, it’s also that the time might flow in slightly lower pace in their presence. And yet it can really be nice to spend time with them, listening to them, talking to them, and learning from their life experience.

A good carer should be really curious about their life, about their dearest, hobbies and stories. A great care giver should be looking forward to the job every day and not rush away when it’s their time to leave the patient.

Now ask yourself whether the carer you are having at the moment meets these main criteria. Do they love the person they look after, do they know what the person really needs, are they able to keep going for longer time and build a long-term relationship with their client?

Home Help: Let Them Do What They Love!

Looking after flowers, going for a walk, watching TV, drinking beer… Let them do what they like. It’s essential, also from psychological point of view, that we spend some time during the day doing what we really enjoy.

The age doesn’t matter. Your parents want to do their favourite hobbies even if they are 70. And this does not have to be limited just to cooking or gardening, they also might have some more interesting pastimes, like going fishing, going to see their favourite football match or going swimming - yet without your help they perhaps are not able to do these things.

Please, don’t leave it like that. Don’t let them forget about what they like, as they will lose the joy and passion in their life. Don’t let them convince themselves that they are old enough and that they “are not allowed” or “cannot” have this fun.

If you don’t have time yourself, get a carer, find somebody who will bring them to their favourite place, somebody who will help them enjoy life even at their age - and you will see the difference in their eyes.



Evan

just a guy with an opinion asked:


OK, now that I have your attention I will ask a question about national health insurance in the US. (I am tired of seeing questions like “why do conservatives want to deny poor children health insurance, and for once I decided to respond in kind, to illustrate the absurdity.)

We know from experience in other countries that government control of health care results in rationing to save costs, and the waiting periods and “triage” that goes with it. Many times, procedures are not performed on patients because of their age. Even if one company does this in the US, there’s an ability to “shop” for different insurance providers. If the government ran it, there’s only one game in town.

Shouldn’t we “fix” the health insurance system by REMOVING some of the distortion resulting from existing government regulation, rather than make it worse?

Nost importantly, what’s YOUR solution?

Thanks.
Many good answers. Again, I apologize for the “headline,” but sometimes that’s the only way to get responses.

Deandre

zangizao19 asked:


A close friend’s mum is in the early stages of dementia and they don’t know how to care for her and handle her ‘dark moments’. I really want to help them but need some advice too, so anyone who could help with information on care and maintenance of dementia or any tips on useful websites which could give more info….I’d really appreciate it.

Kierra

Rich Herman asked:


There are many different elder care options available today. One option that you may want to consider is elderly home care. It allows parents or a loved one to remain at home, in familiar surroundings, and still get the assistance that they need. Often, caregivers include family, friends, or caregiving professionals that provide a wide range of senior home care services. This can be an ideal situation if you are caring for elderly parents or overseeing their care, where their primary needs are non-medical care.

In this type of setting, care can range from someone stopping in periodically, to a live-in caregiver that provides 24 hour care. Some examples of non-medical elderly home care may include: preparing meals or help with feeding, assistance with bathing and grooming, light housekeeping, assisting with medication, grocery shopping, bill paying or running errands.

In our particular caregiving situation, family members have teamed up to provide much of the home care for my mother-in-law, who has advanced Alzheimer’s disease. However, at times, we have enlisted the help of friends, our church family, and companies specializing in elderly home care services to provide for her needs. Even if your family is well equipped for caregiving, its important to be familiar with some of the senior home care services that are available today. Taking advantage of these services may give you the occasional day off or vacation that you need, without putting undo stress on your family or friends.

Even if you have other family members or friends that assist you in caring for a loved one, there are times when they are not available. At these times, being familiar with companies or caregivers that specialize in providing elderly home care can be important. Each local area normally has companies that offer a wide range of elderly assistance services. Normally, you can find these online by searching for the word “caregivers.” However, here are some nationwide, senior care service providers, that you may want to consider.

Visiting Angels - Specializes in non-medical home care services for the elderly, allowing them to maintain as much independence as possible in familiar surroundings. They have over 300 offices across the country. Their website is: www.visitingangels.com.

Cargiver Needed - Search by state for caregivers, nurses, and sitters. They offer both non-medical and medical care for the elderly and for children. Both live in and live out caregiving options are available. Their website is: www.caregiverneeded.com.

Right at Home - They can provide home health care from as little as a few hours to 24-hours a day. Services include: caring companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, bathing assistance, respite for family caregivers, and much more. Their website is: www.rightathome.net.

These are just a few of the many resources that are available for today’s caregivers. Over the years we have been blessed to have family members and close friends that have teamed up with us to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. However, utilizing other caregiver resources has given us much needed breaks, while still providing excellent care.

Are you looking for more information on Elderly Home Care?

Get more information on Senior Home Care here.



Mary Ellen

Chelsa K asked:


I am a Certified Nurse Assistant, and have been assisting familys with there elders for quiet sometime, and would love to have my own business

Frances

Patrick Tourian asked:


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.



Isaac

YSK asked:


Just curious, What kinds of plans do you have when your parents get old and can no longer take care of themselves? do you plan on putting them in a nursing home or keeping them in your own home, or providing care so they can stay in their own home, other plans, or no plans.

Valerie VanBooven asked:


Learn more at http://www.SeniorServiceAuthor.com

In the past, writing your own book has been considered a time consuming and expensive process. Self-publishing is a wonderful way to get your book on the market, but how? Most business owners have no idea where to start or how to proceed.  Now there are many options that make the process easy and inexpensive.

Having a book “ghostwritten” for you is a very viable option, keeps the “hassle factor” minimal, and gets your book in your hands much faster than doing it yourself. Ghostwritten books of all genres have become very popular. But the typical cost to have a book ghostwritten by a proven writer is somewhere between $30,000 - $50,000 on average. Dan Rather, William Shatner, Hillary Clinton, Lee Iacocca - and so many more famous people- had books ghostwritten for them – and they became best-sellers!

Having your own book opens many doors:



Imagine the attention you will get in your community as you become the “go-to expert” for your elder care or senior service business.

 Speak to more groups.

Turn more leads into client

Gain the trust of more referral sources.

Enjoy “the instant credibility factor”.



 

Today there is a “low cost” way to have your own book, and enjoy the credibility and trust that comes with being an author.

Keith Ferrazzi from Fast Company comments on the power of being a published author- for you and your business: While following these steps, I guarantee you’ll begin to see your personal and organizational cachet grow in the marketplace. And if you complete step five (writing a book) and have that book in hand, you’ll enter a club I never knew existed before I was a published author. Because being a thought leader does take hard work, people have tremendous respect for those who have taken it to the final stage. And they put their money where their mouth is….

Wall Street Journal, Career Journal Build Your Own Brand To Rev Up Your Career William Arruda says: “Whether you’re a sole proprietor, president of a small business or a large-company manager, you must differentiate yourself to succeed. This requires understanding, building and communicating your unique personal brand.”

In response to this need, companies like LTC Expert Publications developed a 130-page book for elder care and senior service providers called: “The Senior Solution: Secrets to Maintaining Independence and Choice for Life.” This exceptional book, ghostwritten by Valerie VanBooven RN BSN, has customizable portions throughout. Except for completing the template for the customized chapters and book cover, all the work is done for the business owner. Within 30-60 days, they become an author of a great book.

Imagine this conversation: “Hello, Melissa. My name is Jim Brown and I’m the author of the book “The Senior Solution: Secrets to Maintaining Independence and Choice for Life.”

Maybe you’ve read it. It’s a great book on the subject of elder care. I understand that you are the program chairperson of the local Women’s Business Owners Association and I just wanted you to know that I’m available to speak to your group at an upcoming monthly meeting. And, I’ll be glad to give away one of my books after my speech. I know your membership will appre­ciate the information because it’s one of the hottest topics today.” Imagine Melissa’s response – “I’d LOVE to have you speak to our group!” If you’ve ever been a program chairperson for a civic club you know that you are ALWAYS looking for credible speakers. With the LTC Expert Authoring Program YOU can now be the credible speaker in demand in your community.

 

Or, imagine this conversation:

 

“Hello Ms. Shields. My name is Mary Peters and I’m calling about your inquiry over the internet about our services. May I ask you a few questions?  I’d like to stop by to drop off our information. I just completed my new book, “The Senior Solution: Secrets to Maintaining Independence and Choice for Life.” and I’d love to provide you with your own copy! Imagine Ms. Shields response – “I’d LOVE to have a copy of your book!” Anyone in the senior service or elder care business knows how much a caregiver appreciates any additional information they can get their hands on in a time of need. Can you imagine Ms. Shields hiring any other service BUT yours? She’d be crazy to do business with anyone else. After all, you wrote the book on elder care and senior services!

 

For over 6 years, Valerie VanBooven RN BSN has literally built her business around one very important business component: her books “Aging Answers: Secrets to Successful Long-Term Care Planning and Crisis Management”,  and “The Senior Solution: A Family Guide to Keeping Seniors Home for Life!”.

 

All of her marketing materials and her marketing strategies are initially based on those very important elements of her business.  Valerie is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, successful author and marketing expert – and it all started with her original book written in 2003.  Her book was her “hook”. This led to appearances on The Today Show, CNNFN, quotes in Time Magazine, her own radio show, and much more.

 

Having your book writing in the manner actually costs less than a nice vacation and it will build your business exponentially! The publishing business has changed dramatically - and for the better. It is now possible to print books in small quantities at reasonable prices. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by all of the possibilities that come with having a book ghostwritten for you.

 



Jayden

LittleFreedom asked:


My husband’s father is old and in need of 24 hour care. Some days he (the father) is completely unable to care for himself and other days he is a little competent in taking care of himself. Some siblings think he is dying and others think he is just getting old. It’s a very sensitive situation watching someone get to this point in their life and we are very unprepared. Anyone know of any good websites that offer suggestions and support?
Thank you.

Melinda