Blog Archives - Ella Home Care

February 12, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

10 Reasons Why People Choose a Career as a Professional Caregiver

If you or someone you know is desiring a career that provides the opportunity to help others, grow professionally and enjoy flexible and convenient work schedules, it might be time to seriously consider becoming a professional caregiver. Now more than ever, our senior adult population is requiring more care to age safely and gracefully in the comfort of their home. This means the demand for caring and compassionate caregivers is also growing.

But how do you know this would be the right career for you? Take a look at some of the most common reasons that inspire people to pursue a career as a professional caregiver. Do any of these align with your own reasons or desires? If so, it might be time to take the next steps and learn more.

To help other people – As a professional caregiver, one of your greatest joys and honors will be your ability to have a positive impact on people each and every day. Most industries strive to help people in some way, but the help a professional caregiver provides is direct and immediate – often life-sustaining.
Because it’s fun and fulfilling – While helping others is a wonderful gift of being a professional caregiver, another gift is that it’s fun and rewarding for you too. Building a close relationship with someone else, getting to learn from their stories and share memories of your own is a beautiful thing.
The ability to work near home – Many jobs require a substantial commute. All that time spent in transit, and the money it takes to get to and from work every day can really add up and diminish your love for the job. At Ella Home Care, we strive to give our caregivers the ability to work near their home by matching them with clients nearby who need their care.
Continuing education opportunities – We know that the best caregivers are ones who are constantly learning and growing. This is why we invest in our caregivers by supporting them through continuing education and on-the-job training. When we grow together, we all benefit.
To give people the compassion and dignity they deserve – Without the help of an in-home caregiver, some people may not be able to fully receive the compassion and dignity they deserve to age with grace. If a family member cannot provide the care, the only other option may be moving away from home into an assisted living facility, which might not be what the person desires.
Flexible work schedules – We work with each and every caregiver to determine the type of schedule they prefer. Whether that is long shifts or short shifts, and which days of the week you want to work, we do everything we can to give you a flexible work schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Because no two days are ever the same – This couldn’t be truer for a professional caregiver! Just as no two people are the same, no two days are the same. You will have the enjoyment of new scenery, new activities and new people on a frequent basis.
To help people age in the comfort of their home – It’s becoming more and more common for people to express their desire to remain living in their home for as long as possible. And in-home caregivers make this possible! With your help, you enable people to live their life how they want to – with independence and comfort.
Competitive pay – Given all of the other benefits of being a professional caregiver, you might think that this makes up for a lack of pay. Not true at all! In fact, Ella Home Care offers competitive pay in addition to the eight other points we mentioned above. We appreciate our caregivers and do everything we can to take care of them.
To make the world a better place – Finally and most importantly, as a professional caregiver you help to make the world a better place. Even if you think that you’re only impacting a few lives here and there, each and every one of those lives impacts countless others over time. The work you do day in and day out makes a difference, whether you see it or not!

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a professional caregiver? We are looking for caring and compassionate individuals to join our growing team. Learn more today!

February 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

New Trends that are Reshaping In-Home Care

Both technology and healthcare are changing at rapid rates for our country. With these changes come opportunity for growth and development, especially for in-home care. As we move into 2019, there are some important new trends that are sure to change the way we view and use in-home care. The good news is these trends are likely to make in-home care more accessible for our aging loved ones so that they can fulfill their desire to age gracefully and comfortably in their home. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Embracing the Use of “Wearables”

Home monitoring devices or “wearables” will increasingly provide a broad range of health care options for older adults, their caretakers, and their health care providers. Beyond basic medical alert devices, like Life Alert, technology has advanced into the monitoring of chronic conditions. For example, EKGs have been implanted in smartphones and can be activated along with pocket-sized electrodes when patients begin to experience symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Additionally, diabetes monitors can provide patients with real-time glucose levels. Technology is now looking to expand into a next level of sensors that may provide physicians with information about diet, activity levels and stress to provide a complete picture of a patient’s condition.

Interacting with Technology

With the recent surge of in-home, interactive technology such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home, more and more seniors are benefitting from the use of this technology. Through a variety of apps, they can track and record their own daily health notes, have easier access to call a family member or alert 911 in a time of need, and can use the device for entertainment. While technology will never replace the need for interaction with other people, Alexa and Google Home can provide just one more way aging adults can feel connected to the world around them, even if they may not be able to get out as frequently as they would like.

Increasing Value for In-Home Care

Hospitals and health systems now, more than ever before, have realized the extreme value that in-home care provides. Patients who have the support of in-home care are less likely to have an accident or medical emergency when they have the oversight of regular in-home care. In return, this reduces the patient’s risk of needing to receive emergency care from a hospital. Even when a patient does need to seek care from a hospital, upon return to their home, they have a better chance of smooth recovery with help at home. For these reasons hospitals and health systems realize the value in-home care plays in the full spectrum of continuing care.

Growing Demand for Caregivers

And with the increased value of in-home care, demand is on the rise as well. As a result, the demand for professional caregivers is also growing. This demand is sure to re-shape in-home care as organizations who provide such care must change the way in which they recruit and retain quality caregivers. Additionally, for those passionate about pursuing a career as a caregiver, there will be more opportunity to work in this field and help serve others.

Combined, these trends stand to have a large impact on in-home care both now and well into the future. As technology continues to change at a rapid rate, and other health systems as well as individuals recognize the value that in-home care provides, there is room for substantial growth for the home health industry. Regardless of where the future leads us, what’s most important is that all organizations and industries who serve our aging community seek collaborative solutions to increase the quality of life for our senior adults.

What trend do you find most promising or interesting?

January 10, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

Winter Senior Safety Concerns You Likely Didn’t Think About

During the winter months, there are some obvious safety concerns that can affect almost anyone. Cold temperatures, increased illness, snow, ice and limited ability to get food and toiletries can leave a person feeling scared or frustrated. But specifically for our aging population, there are some real winter safety concerns that are easily overlooked because they aren’t as obvious. For this reason, it’s so important to know what they are so you can helping an aging loved one stay healthy and safe this winter season.

Inability to Seek Medical Help

One of the biggest safety concerns in the winter for seniors that we don’t often think about is their ability to seek timely medical help, should they need it. In case of emergency, this can be a very dangerous situation. Winter road conditions can deter an aging loved one from driving themselves to the doctor’s office, causing them to put off seeking medical help for a cold, the flu or other injury. Even keeping up with regularly scheduled appointments can be difficult if winter weather gets in the way. To support your aging loved one be sure to arrange for reliable transportation to their medical appointments, especially in the winter.

Frostbite

Most people know how to avoid frostbite and can usually do so successfully by bundling up and listening to their body. However for people with heart disease and other circulation problems, this is a bigger challenge. They are at a higher risk for frostbite because circulation is poor and they may not feel the warning signs that their extremities are getting dangerously cold. If this applies to your aging loved one, be sure they have someone who checks on them frequently to ensure they are properly dressed, staying inside as much as possible and have proper heating in their home.

Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

In the winter various heat sources in the home can pose a major risk, especially for senior adults. The first is fire. Equally as dangerous is carbon monoxide poisoning. Unlike a fire, carbon monoxide poisoning is nearly impossible to detect without a special detection device. Make sure your loved one has such a device and that it is working. Mostly importantly, make sure you know the warning signs. When visiting an aging loved one, look for signs of headache, weakness, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.

Lack of Access to Food and Water

All it takes is a couple of winter storms and possibly an injury or illness to prevent an aging adult from being able to make it to the grocery store or pharmacy for long periods of time. It’s likely they will run low on food, medicine and toiletries, unless they have someone who will step in to help. During the winter months, it’s so important to stay attentive to your aging loved ones to see if they need help restocking any of these essential items.

Injuries While Shoveling Snow

Adult seniors who live independently might still carry the responsibility of shoveling their own driveway and sidewalk. While many other aspects of independent living may not be a cause for concern, shoveling requires a great deal of effort and also requires someone to be outside for extended periods of time. Additionally, if this chore isn’t done, the person residing in the house can’t easily leave to run errands or make it to medical appointments. Talk with your loved one early about their plans for who will shovel their driveway and sidewalk. Make arrangements with a neighbor or professional company who can commit to taking on this task for them for the duration of the winter season. This will give everyone some much needed peace of mind.

This winter, don’t let these senior safety concerns catch you off guard. Take the necessary steps today to protect your loved ones from accident or illness. Most importantly, check in on your senior friends and neighbors frequently to be sure they have everything they need to be comfortable this winter!

January 3, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

With the start of the New Year, everyone’s minds naturally shift to thoughts of how they can make improvements to their life with this fresh start. One of the most common themes is adopting healthier habits like adding in more exercise and swapping out junk food for fruits and vegetables. While these good habits are a smart choice for people of all ages, there are some additional healthy habits that are particularly beneficial to our aging adult population. Learn what they are and how they might help you or a loved one improve the quality of your life in 2019!

Exercise your brain.

Staying healthy as you age goes far beyond your physical health, mental health is just as important! For this reason, you want to be sure you incorporate mental exercise into your daily routine. What’s mental exercise? It’s more obvious than you might think, and maybe you’re already doing it! Things like puzzles, word searches, IQ challenges and more all help to exercise your brain, keeping you more alert even as you age. Best of all this is low-cost or no-cost. Look for a puzzle book the next time you’re at the dollar store or search for any of the various free apps that may be available on your phone right now.

Never miss a check-up.

Life is busy, schedules fill up and then all of a sudden we realize we haven’t kept up with our regular doctor check-ups. When you’re feeling good, it’s easy to push these things off. But if you go too long without a regular check-up from your doctor, bigger issues could arise that could really have a negative impact on your life. It’s so important to stay ahead of any health issues that may be building up, especially as you age. Make it a point this year, and all years moving forward, to never miss a check-up.

Create a healthy routine.

If you’re like most people out there, healthy habits come easier when you develop them into a routine. Look at your daily routine right now. What are some areas that could be improved upon by swapping out unhealthy habits for healthier ones. For example, if you find you never have enough time for a balanced breakfast in the morning, consider prepping your food overnight so it’s a seamless part of your day. Or if you have trouble sleeping and spend too much time late at night on your phone, you can set a timer on your phone to turn off by a certain hour so that this isn’t a temptation. These simple swaps in your daily routine today will lead to long-term benefits in your health.

Stay educated.

Staying educated goes beyond the “mental exercise” we talked about in the earlier point. This also helps you to stay apprised of the latest health trends and findings that might allow you to improve your health. When it comes to personal health, you must be your own advocate. Reading the latest news articles on health-related topics will keep you educated on these issues and allow you to have a productive conversation with your medical provider.

Try new things.

At first you might wonder how trying new things will enhance your health as you age. The connection is that when you try new things you require your brain to work in a new way. This also requires focus and concentration, two other important things you want to preserve as you age. Finally, trying new things is fun and fulfilling! In addition to enhancing your physical and mental health, it will add to your quality of life!

Revisit old memories.

Revisiting old memories is one of the best ways to stay mentally sharp, especially as you age. There are many different ways you can do this, too. You can organize old photos into a scrap book. You can keep a journal and write down the stories and milestones you remember from each stage of life. You can also invite friends and family into the activity by asking them to share their photos and stories with you too.

Invest in relationships.

The correlation between strong relationships and happiness is undeniable. Especially as you grow older, you want to invest in your relationships with friends and family. It’s never too late! More than any material possession, it’s relationships that you’ll remember and appreciate the most. Make this the year that you reconnect with old friends, set a monthly lunch date with a distant loved one or host a family gathering to bring everyone together again. This is one New Year’s resolution that is fun to keep – and one you will never regret.

Listen to your body.

Finally and most importantly, make this the year that you tune into your body. Listen to what it’s telling you day-to-day. At the peak of busyness in our lives, we can sometimes forget how to calm down and find rest, especially as we age. If today your body says it needs rest, allow it to have rest. Tomorrow you may find you have more energy and want to tackle an activity or hobby. Also, if your body shows a new sign or symptom, don’t ignore it. Monitor how you feel in a daily journal and look for new trends that could alert you of a concern. Then, make sure you speak with someone about it soon!

Here’s to making 2019 your healthiest – and happiest year yet!

December 17, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

The Best Winter Activities for the Whole Family

When the winter weather rolls in, it can be hard to find activities that are both fun and accessible to the whole family, especially if there are varying interests and physical abilities. However, you still have options! Take a look at a few of the many activities that could be a great option for your whole family to enjoy together this winter.

Family Baking Competition

Your family doesn’t have to be a bunch of professional bakers to have a little fun with a friendly winter baking competition. Keep things simple, or be daring with your recipe choice. No matter what you choose to bake, make everyone feel included by dividing up tasks according to ability. Regardless of how young or how old your bakers are, there is surely something they can help with! Best of all, the prize at the end is getting to enjoy some delicious treats with those you love.

Crafts for a Cause

There are endless crafts for all seasons, but particularly in winter you have the opportunity to make these crafts for a specific cause. Every member of the family can partake in activities like making holiday greeting cards for soldiers overseas, or to give to friends and neighbors. You can also buy and assemble personal hygiene kits to donate to your local mission. Working together to create something as a family is a great memory, combined with the fact that you’re helping others, makes it an exceptional winter activity.

Wildlife Watching

Many people enjoy simply looking out the winter and taking in the scenic views of winter and the wildlife it brings. But to make this activity fun for all ages and abilities, you can take this one step further by turning it into a game. Create BINGO cards that have spaces for common things you’re likely to see outside, like deer, rabbits or sled riders. Whoever sees an item first, gets to mark it off on their card. This adds a little competition and fun to an otherwise relaxing and peaceful activity that the whole family can enjoy.

Game Night

An organized night of board games is a great activity especially when the weather isn’t conducive to getting outside. Try hosting this activity at the house of an aging loved one who needs a little company. Bring some snacks and games and spend the evening around the kitchen table. The games will serve as the ice breaker, and before long you’ll find yourself deep in conversation with one another!

Christmas Lights Sight Seeing

Load the family in a car (or two) and explore your local neighborhoods in search of the best Christmas lights. Be sure to play Christmas carols in the car – or sing your own! This is a great activity for the whole family because it doesn’t require any walking and yet you still get to see new things and take in some fresh views.

Holiday Movie Marathon

Finally, you might consider hosting a holiday movie marathon this winter. This is another great activity for all ages and abilities because all you need to do is get comfortable and enjoy! Choose a selection of movies from various eras to please everyone. And don’t forget the snacks!

Are you struggling to think of some fun winter activities to please the various generations within your family? We hope these ideas will help to spark some inspiration!

10 Reasons Why People Choose a Career as a Professional Caregiver

New Trends that are Reshaping In-Home Care

Winter Senior Safety Concerns You Likely Didn’t Think About

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

The Best Winter Activities for the Whole Family

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