Aging in Place; Staying Healthy and Connected in Arizona

Home Care: An Important Part of the Aging in Place Challenge



As our legislators work to shape the new face of healthcare in the U.S., many Americans have received a crash course on the topic of long-term care. The costs of caring for our seniors will climb as the population ages, and how best to provide this care has been the source of some debate. Under discussion is a mandate that every American purchase long-term care insurance to help cover costs if they become disabled. The related Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act is a proposed new voluntary insurance program that would pay enrollees a benefit that could be applied to nursing home care or in-home care. And the increasingly important role of family caregivers is in the spotlight, with policy experts urging the enhancement of programs that build better relationships between formal and family caregivers.

An increased emphasis is emerging on keeping seniors at home—for the best quality of life, and as a cost-effective alternative to institutional care. Two recent studies, taken together, show why the need for senior home care services will continue to grow:

• Last month, researchers at the UCLA Division of Geriatrics called into question the commonly held belief that Baby Boomers will be healthier than previous generations. The study suggests that people now entering their 60s could actually have an increased rate of disabilities, with functional limitations, and difficulties with the basic activities of daily living and mobility.
• Meanwhile, surveys by AARP and the National Association of Home Builders show that 85% of seniors wish to “age in place”—to remain in their own homes.

This desire to stay at home, combined with a projected increased rate of disability, means that our dwellings will have to adapt to our needs as we age. Modifications for safety and accessibility, including home medical equipment as needed, are part of the picture. And for many seniors, in-home care will be an indispensable part of successful aging in place…just as it is today.

Professional caregivers can provide a wide array of services:

Visiting nurses and rehabilitation professionals provide skilled medical services in the home. Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) perform hands-on procedures such as wound care and IV therapy. Rehabilitation professionals include physical, occupational and speech/language therapists.

Home health aides are trained to provide personal care and help with the activities of daily living, such as feeding assistance, dressing, bathing, oral hygiene, getting in and out of bed, and using the facilities.

In-home caregivers are trained to provide companion services that support the senior’s independence, including laundry and housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, and respite for family caregivers.

Though legislators have been slow to take notice, today’s healthcare reform debate is now shedding new light on the value of in-home care.

Learn More

Read Caring Right at Home each month for information about senior home care services and how home care can keep seniors independent in their own homes.

Read coverage of the generations study in “People Entering their 60s May Have More Disabilities Today Than in Prior Generations” on the UCLA website.

Right at Home is a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those we serve. We fulfill that mission through a dedicated network of locally owned, franchised providers of in-home care and assistance services.

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For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Study: Early Menopause =>Dementia for our In-Home Care Clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale & Fountain Hills, Arizona (AZ)

At Right at Home Senior Care in Phoenix, we are often asked by our clients and friends about Alzheimer’s Disease and its causes.  Here is an interesting piece of news we found at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com.   I hope you find it as interesting at we did.

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Early Menopause Can Result In Earlier Onset Dementia

Women experiencing an early onset of menopause could develop dementia at a younger age. Research by Tonnie Coppus of Erasmus MC has indicated this. She studied women with Down Syndrome, who are known to have an early onset of menopause. The results of her research can be translated to apply to the general population. Her results are published in the Journal of Alzheimer Disease.

Women with Down Syndrome have an earlier onset of menopause compared to women in the general population, 44 years of age and 52 years of age, respectively. Coppus’ findings show a strong relationship between the age of menopause onset and the age at which dementia is diagnosed. Coppus: “Women with Down Syndrome with an early onset of menopause also appear to suffer from dementia at an early age. In addition, my study shows that these women also die younger.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the major cause of illness and death among people with Down Syndrome. The Epidemiology department of Erasmus MC has been studying more than 500 people with Down Syndrome, above the age of 45, since 2000. In particular, the factors affecting the onset of dementia and death are studied. The health development found within this group is in fact an accelerated version of the developments found in the general population. The research results can therefore be translated to similar results for the general population.

A first step in the development of Alzheimer is the build up of so-called amyloid in the brain. The deposition of this amyloid occurs under influence of a certain gene, higher levels of which are found in people with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which there are three copies of chromosome 21. This chromosome has various genes that play a role in neurological diseases. The most important of these is the gene that is responsible for the production of the protein amyloid. Coppus: “Studying the various factors that influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease among people with Down Syndrome also improves our understanding of the role of amyloid in the development of Alzheimer’s disease within the general population.”

As it appears, not only can a relationship with the age of onset of dementia be determined but also a relationship between early onset of menopause and dying young. Coppus: “As dementia itself also leads to a reduced life expectancy, I made calculations in which I corrected the results of the effect of dementia on death. Despite this, the relationship between early menopause onset and dying young remains. The research results provide substantial information on the relationship between menopause and dementia and the relationship between menopause and death.”

For More Information, In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Senior Anti-Crime University in Maricopa County, Arizona

Right at Home is pleased to bring you some great information from the Attorney General’s office.  More information is available at http://www.azag.gov/seniors/sleuths/sacu.html

The Senior Anti-Crime University is a great opportunity for active, involved Arizonans to work with Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard to learn to detect scams against seniors and to help others avoid frauds, scams and abuse. Goddard wants all Arizonans to have the knowledge to stay safe and stop crimes before they happen.

The Attorney General’s Senior Anti-Crime University will offer classes in:

• Consumer Fraud & Scams • Life Care Planning/Health Care Directives • Financial Exploitation • Health Care/Medicare Fraud • Reverse mortgages/mortgage scams

• Identity Theft • Elder Abuse & Neglect • Charitable Giving • Personal Safety • Internet Safety

The classes are scheduled as follows:

February 18
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Phoenix
Tanner Square Office Building
700 East Jefferson Street
(Map)

March 24
8 a.m. to noon
Sun Lakes
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Sun Lakes Center
25105 S. Alma School Road
(Map)

• You can find more information about this great program at http://www.azag.gov/seniors/sleuths/sacu.html

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In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from things like companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Self Defense for Arizona Seniors (without a cane)

Earlier this year, I posted a pretty cool video that demonstrated “Cane Fu” for seniors.  It is still on the blog and, if you missed it, you can find it by searching us under “exercise”.

I was asked, “What about self defense techniques for elders that do not use a cane?”  Todays excerpt from http://www.eHow.com answers the question.  We here at Right at Home love eHow.  They always seem to have good information there.  Here’s a few tips to get us started:

Use What You Have

The self-defense website DontBeAVictim.org tells seniors to use whatever you have as a weapon. If you use a cane, make sure to have a solid one that not only supports you as you walk, but makes a suitable weapon for fighting off a criminal should the need arise

Always have your keys in your hand while walking in a parking lot. Keeping them wedged between your fingers makes them a serious weapon to use against an attacker. They can be thrust into an eye or used to stab the assailant.

Know Where to Strike

Target areas of vulnerability, such as the throat, nose and eyes. You might be surprised how quickly a punch to the throat disables an attacker. As long as it is a solid hit, even a person who is somewhat frail can use this tactic effectively and may even cause damage to the attacker’s esophagus or trachea that could require medical attention. This should not be a concern, however, when you are defending yourself. While the attacker is recovering, you can break away.

A solid kick to a man’s groin temporarily disables him. Seniors should take advantage of this to stop an assailant and escape.

Scratching and kicking an attacker are also helpful tools in your arsenal. Leaving marks on the attacker may also assist police in catching and identifying the assailant.

Be Prepared

Sseniors.lovetoknow.com gives self-defense tips for seniors, suggesting that they carry a whistle on their keychain. Boat horns can also be easily carried in apurse, and the loud noise brings much unwanted attention to the criminal. Know how to set off the alarm in your car BY using the remote keychain. Often holding down two buttons setS the theft alarm off, scaring off an assailant.

Carrying pepper spray is also an easy and inexpensive way for seniors to defend themselves.

Learn self-defense before you become a victim. AARP points out that not only is learning self-defense techniques a way to prevent getting injured by an attacker, it is also good exercise.

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NOTE from Right at Home – We want you to be safe.  Please do not do anything to put yourself in harm’s way.  Avoiding an incident is the BEST defense.  Additionally, use public safety personnel to assist you.  For instance, if you feel that you are being followed, one great resource tells us that you should drive to the nearest Fire Station and pull right into to the bay! Again, we want you to be safe.  Consider taking a class at your local center or contact Law Enforcement to see if they are holding seminars on Senior Self-Defense.

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In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Elderly / Senior Driving Issues to be Aware of in Phoenix, Arizona

When you operate a business that focuses on, works with and for Seniors, you receive a lot of questions.  One that I hear very often about to driving.  It might begin something like, “My grandmother demands the car keys and I feel she is unsafe” or “How do I really know if Dad’s vision issues are challenging him enough for him not to drive?”

I recently found this wonderful checklist and information on the web site aging-parents-and-elder-care.com.  It is a great site and I enjoy their information.  Please take a look at this article and their website.  I think you’ll find both quite valuable.

The first section describes good “evidence” to determine if a problem actually exists.  I believe that we sometimes can over or under react based on our proximity to the situation.  Either “Nah, that’s just Mom.  SHe’s fine” or “I know the doctor and the Motor Vehicles people say Aunt Jane is fine, but I just don’t believe them.” are potential problems.  Section 1 provides some objectivity.

The sections that follow are equally as valuable.   They reflect important things to consider as well as resources with more information and assistance.

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How does aging affect the abilities of elderly drivers?

A checklist on safe elderly driving

Watch for telltale signs of decline in the elderly person’s driving abilities. Do they:

• Drive at inappropriate speeds, either too fast or too slow?
• Ask passengers to help check if it is clear to pass or turn?
• Respond slowly to or not notice pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers?
• Ignore, disobey or misinterpret street signs and traffic lights?
• Fail to yield to other cars or pedestrians who have the right-of-way?
• Fail to judge distances between cars correctly?
• Become easily frustrated and angry?
• Appear drowsy, confused or frightened?
• Have one or more near accidents or near misses?
• Drift across lane markings or bump into curbs?
• Forget to turn on headlights after dusk?
• Have difficulty with glare from oncoming headlights, streetlights, or other bright or shiny objects, especially at dawn, dusk and at night?
• Have difficulty turning their head, neck, shoulders or body while driving or parking?
• Ignore signs of mechanical problems, including under-inflated tires? (one in 4 cars has at least one tire that is under-inflated by 8 pounds or more; low tire pressure is a major cause of accidents.)
• Have too little strength to turn the wheel quickly in an emergency such as a tire failure, a child darting into traffic, etc.?
• Get lost repeatedly, even in familiar areas?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is “yes,” you should explore whether medical issues are affecting their driving skills.

Medical issues to consider

Caregivers need to know if the elderly person:

• Has had their vision and hearing tested recently?
• Has had a physical examination within the past year to test reflexes and make sure they don’t have illnesses that would impact their driving?
• Is taking medications or combinations of medications that might make them drowsy or confused while driving?
• Has reduced or eliminated their intake of alcohol to compensate for lower tolerance?
• Has difficulty climbing a flight of stairs or walking more than one block?
• Has fallen – not counting a trip or stumble – once or more in the last year?
• Has had a physician told them that they should stop driving?

Adapting to changes

Driving is not necessarily an all-or-nothing activity. Some programs exist to help elderly drivers adjust their driving to changes in their physical condition:

AARP (the American Association of Retired Persons) sponsors the 55-Alive Mature Driver Program, which helps older people deal with issues such as how to compensate for vision problems associated with aging. And, the Association for Driver Rehabilitation offers referrals to specialists who teach people with disabilities, including those associated with aging, how to improve their driving.

There are many ways for elderly drivers to adjust so they are not a danger to themselves or others. Among them are:

• Avoid driving at night and, if possible, at dawn or dusk
• Drive only to familiar locations
• Avoid driving to places far away from home
• Avoid expressways (freeways) and rush hour traffic
• Leave plenty of time to get where they are going
• Don’t drive alone

Other forms of transportation

Encourage your loved one to rely more on public transportation. This will reduce their time behind the wheel and help prepare them for the day when they can no longer drive. Many cities offer special discounts for seniors on buses and trains, and senior centers and community service agencies often provide special transportation alternatives.

How to get them to stop

If you feel strongly that your parent cannot drive safely, you have little choice but to get them to stop driving. If they agree without an argument, wonderful. If not, you have several options:

• Stage an intervention. This approach, commonly used with substance abusers, involves confronting the elderly driver as a group of concerned caregivers. The group should include family members, health care workers and anyone else respected by the senior. The intervention needs to be handled firmly but with compassion in order to break through the senior’s denial of the issue.
• Contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles and report your concerns. Depending upon state regulations and your senior’s disabilities, it may be illegal for them to continue to drive. The DMV may do nothing more than send a letter, but this might help convince your parent to stop.
• Take the keys, disable the car or move it to a location beyond the elderly person’s control. Leave the headlights on all night or disconnect the battery to disable the car. But if your loved one is likely to call AAA or a mechanic, you have no choice but to eliminate all access to the car. While this may seem extreme, it can save the lives of seniors, other drivers and pedestrians.

Related Resources

AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) offers the highly recommended Driver Safety Program for older people. To find a class near you, visit AARP’s Driver Safety page online, call toll-free at 1-888-227-7669, or write to them at 601 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20049.

The Association for Driver Rehabilitation offers referrals to professionals trained to help people with disabilities, including those associated with aging. Visit The Association for Driver Rehabilitation online and click on Directory in the left hand menu, or contact them at: P.O. Box 49, Edgerton, Wisconsin 53534, 1-608-884-8833.

The USAA Educational Foundation, AARP, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration developed a very informative booklet, “Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully.” (To view it online, click here on elderly drivers.) It describes many of the physical changes associated with aging, and includes tips on coping with them so that older people can remain safe drivers.

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In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Free Flu Shots for Seniors in Arizona

Please click on the following link to bring up a map to all locations (by zip code or city & state).  Many of these locations offer both the Seasonal Flu Shot as well at the H1N1 Vaccinations.

http://azdhs.gov/flu/flushotlocator.htm

This is a service of Maricopa County, AZ Department of Public Health.

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In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Alzheimer’s Jokes from Families in Phoenix / Scottsdale, AZ

A while back, I posted a short commentary about whether jokes about illness, specifically Alzheimer’s Disease in this case, were in bad taste, funny, hurtful, necessary, etc.  The response was OVERWHELMING!  Although a few of you felt that they were in bad taste, more than 92% of you told me that they were NECESSARY to keep sanity while caring for a family member stricken by the disease.

As an owner of a Senior In Home Care Agency, I certainly wanted to tread respectfully around this area.  I have not posted the responses with jokes in response for fear that we would offend.  After many, many letters of urging, I am posting a few of them here today.

Please know that we do so with tongue-in-cheek and it is to brighten the day and help to let those caring for their families and friends, the ability to take a mental break and (hopefully) smile.  YOU that do this incredible service are our HEROES!

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Benefits of having Alzheimer’s disease

5. You never have to watch reruns on television.

4. You are always meeting new people.

3. You don’t have to remember the whines and complaints of your spouse.

2. You can hide your own Easter eggs.

1. Mysteries are always interesting.

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When I went to lunch today, I noticed this lady about 70ish sitting on a park bench near J.C. Penny and she was sobbing her eyes out. I stopped and asked her what was wrong.

She said, “I have a 32 year old husband at home. He makes love to me every morning and then gets up and makes me pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit and freshly ground brewed coffee.

I said: “Well, then why are you crying?” She said: “he makes me homemade soup for lunch and my favorite brownies and then makes love to me half the afternoon.”

I said: “Well so why are you crying?” She said: “For dinner he makes me a gourmet meal and wine and my favorite desert and then makes love to me until 2:00 a.m.”

I said: “Well, why in the world would you be crying ?”

She said: “I CAN’T REMEMBER WHERE I LIVE!!!!”

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“How am I doing, doc?”

“Mr. Smith, I’m sorry to say you have corns on your feet and Alzheimer’s disease.”

“Well, it could be worse.  At least I don’t have corns.”

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Two elderly gentlemen are playing cards on Saturday evening as they have done for the past 35 years. Max, the older, had been having problems remembering what cards were what, and usually needed help from his wife.

At the end of the card game Ed said to Max, “You did very good tonight. You didn’t need any help at all. Why is that?”

Max replied, “Why ever since my wife sent me to that memory school, I haven’t had any problems at all.”

“Memory school? What memory school?”

Max thought for a moment, “Oh, what’s that flower that’s red with thorns? A really pretty flower…?”

“A rose?”

“Yeah…that’s it!” Max turned to his wife and mumbled, “Hey, Rose! What’s the name of that memory school you sent me to?”

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An 80-year-old couple was having problems remembering things so they decided to go to their doctor to get checked out to make sure nothing was wrong with them.When they arrived at the doctor’s, they explained to the doctor about the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor tells them that they were physically okay but might want to start writing things down and make notes to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left. Later that night while watching TV, the old man got up from his chair and his wife asks, “Where are you going?” He replies, “To the kitchen.” She asks, “Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?” He replies, “Sure.” She then asks him, “Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?” He says, “No, I can remember that.” She then says, “Well I also would like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down cause I know you’ll forget that.” He says, “I can remember that, you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.” She replies, “Well I also would like whip cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down.” With irritation in his voice, he says, “I don’t need to write that down I can remember that.” He then fumes into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes he returns from the kitchen and hands her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and says, “You forgot my toast.” ————————————- My uncle came out of the closet yesterday. He’s not gay, he’s got Alzheimer’s and thought it was the car. ———————————– Donate to a Alzheimer’s charity. It makes you look like a better and more caring person, and they forget to take your money. ———————————– I suffer from Alzheimer’s and deja vu at the same time………I’m sure I’ve forgotton this before. ———————————- What’s the best thing about Alzheimer’s disease? You never watch a repeat on TV!

OK, that’s it.  Again, I sincerely hope they satisfy those that have requested them and that they are taken in the way they were meant when sent to me. …a way to lighten the day with no intention of offending.

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In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Why Anyone might need a Caregiver in Arizona

As an owner of an In-Home Care Agency, I find that one question keeps popping up….WHY WOULD I NEED A CAREGIVER?

I recognize that the Client/Caregiver relationship is a bit unnatural at first.  A new person in the Client’s home.  A new Client that the Caregiver has only just met.

It can be either the new Client or new Caregiver that voices the question, but it happens routinely.  My answer is almost always in the form of a set of questions.  If you ask yourself (Client or Caregiver), your family and friends questions like these, the answers come popping to the surface:

• What did you used to do that you cannot do anymore?
• What makes you smile?
• What do you enjoy most about family visits?
• If you were 20 years younger, what would you do today?
• What would you talk about with your grandparents?
• Are there places you cannot reach?
• Do you need help remembering things like medicine or meals?
• What do you like to cook/eat?
• Is your home as tidy as you’d like?
• If you could drive anywhere, where would you go?
• Do you need record of blood pressure or weight or sugar numbers written down for your doctor?
• Do you need help with the computer or other electronics in the home?
• Do you need a steady arm to walk with?
• What is the best thing your previous Caregiver used to do with you?
• What would you as k your best friend to do?

These questions, as well as the ones that you are thinking about right now, are a big help.  Remember that the Client/Caregiver relationship is one that needs cultivation.  Rarely does it feel perfect right away.  Knowing that seems to take the pressure off.

If after a few days or weeks, you find that you still don’t feel comfortable in the relationship, you can make a change.  This is one of the most important benefits (there are many) of choosing an In-Home Care Agency such as Right at Home.  If you were working with “Suzie down the street”, you’d be sunk if she didn’t work out.  There are many other reasons (insurance, backgrounds, licensing, training, experience, supervision, etc.), but having a large group of Caregivers from which to choose is very important.

In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Seniors in Arizona Fight Back with “Cane Fu” Training Class (video)

Right at Home Phoenix, your trusted resource for Senior Care issues, found this video for you from VOAVideo.

As America ages and the “bad guys” increase their taking advantage of elders for crime, some seniors are fighting back.

Cane Fu is being taught all over the Country.  Here’s a clip on a great class for you to get an overview.

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In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240

Coping with Medical Challenges During the Holidays in Scottsdale and Carefree, AZ

Coping with Medical Challenges During the Holidays

If you or a loved one is dealing with the challenges of diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis or other health condition, give yourself the gift of a lower-stress holiday season this year.

The holidays are generally considered to be a joyous time; however, for people coping with serious illnesses, the holidays can bring unwanted stress. Michelle Riba, M.D., professor of psychiatry and associate chair for integrated medicine and psychiatric services at the University of Michigan Health System, recommends ways to steer clear of these unnecessary stresses during the winter months.

1. Incorporate a healthy attitude. At this time of year, many families do not follow their normal routines. Parties and social events are excuses for people to eat and drink excessively, which has the potential to bring about stress. While it is not necessary to avoid these parties, Riba suggests watching your diet and continuing to incorporate an exercise routine into your daily life.

2. Don’t forget your medication. The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year. Forgotten medication will only add to the stresses and is something that can be easily avoided. Riba advises all patients to be sure they pack their medications in their carry-on if they are flying. She also suggests that travelers contact the airline ahead of time to be sure their medication will pass TSA regulations and can be taken on the plane. There are usually options that make medications easily accessible.

3. Keep medical appointments. Whether it’s a routine check-up or you are seriously ill, Riba stresses the importance of keeping your medical appointments.  With busy holiday schedules, many people forget to schedule—and budget—for doctor visits. During the holidays, it is important to remember that your health should come first and that keeping your doctors appointments will help to avoid unwanted stresses. Riba notes that many hospitals have funds for people who are having difficulties affording their medications and hospital/doctor visits.

4. Set limits. The holidays can be stressful when shopping for gifts. Stretching your financial limits can lead to increased stress. Riba encourages her patients to take control of the situation. It is necessary to set a monetary limit with family and friends to determine an appropriate gift amount and stick to it.

Source: Jessica Brown, University of Michigan Health System

In Arizona, Right at Home is standing by to assist you with your Senior In-Home Caregiving Needs.  Our trained, experienced, background-checked, caring, bonded and insured caregivers are waiting to assist you with everything from companionship, housekeeping and transportation all the way to helping with personal care items such as bathing, continence control and much more.

For Information or Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Arizona, please click Right at Home or call 602-569-7240