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April 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

5 Things Only a Professional Caregiver Would Understand

Being a professional caregiver for senior adults can be an extremely rewarding career path. However, it is not without its challenges. Having the pleasure of serving the professional caregiving industry, Ella Home Care has seen the unique benefits professional caregivers can experience when working in this field.

If you or someone you know is a professional caregiver, you should enjoy this list of “5 Things Only a Professional Caregiver Would Understand.” Be sure to let us know if you agree!

Every day presents the opportunity to change a life.

As a professional caregiver, each and every day holds the potential to make someone’s life a little brighter. The same is true for other careers as well, but there’s something so special about being a professional caregiver and helping someone enjoy a greater quality of life, even just one day at a time. The immense gratitude that comes from those we serve is the best reward or accolade you can receive.

Showing love and patience, in all situations, is the most important skill.

Love and patience are skills that are heavily relied upon by professional caregivers. You need to have near endless amounts to pour out into those for whom you care. While that may seem like an overwhelming ask of someone, it’s amazing the newfound depths of your love and patience that you will find as you grow in your role as a professional caregiver. The best part is these skills wash over into other areas of your life, making you a calm and joyful person at home, with friends and with those around you.

You’re the “good kind” of tired at the end of a shift.

Most people leaving their jobs for the day will agree that they are ready for a break. For some it’s being physically tired, for others it’s emotionally tired, and others still it’s mentally tired. For professional caregivers, some days can leave you feeling all three kinds of tired! It’s true. But what’s also true is most caregivers will agree that when you reflect upon it, you realize this is the “good kind” of tired that leaves your heart full and wanting to go back and do it again!

There are few other careers you can imagine of being is closely as rewarding as this one!

In some careers, the rewards and recognition you receive come in the form of status of monetary gifts. As a professional caregiver, what you receive is arguably far greater and far longer lasting – and that’s love, fulfillment and deep relationships that feel as close as family. For those who have yet to experience something like this from a job, it may be hard to understand how these things can be better than a monetary bonus; however, a professional caregiver will assure you it’s among the top reasons they’ve chosen this career.

Even with pros and cons to the job, the upside is far greater!

Every job you will ever encounter will have both pros and cons. It’s impossible not to. What’s important is that the pros outweigh the cons, and for professional caregivers this is exactly the case. That’s not to say there will never be challenging moments, but when you look at the overarching trend, the upside of what you get out of this type of career is far greater than any drawbacks.

Are you a professional caregiver or know someone who is? Would you agree with this list or did we forget something? Join in the conversation by leaving a comment below!

April 2, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

How to Resolve Family Conflict Over Caring for an Aging Loved One

When it comes to the care and well-being of a loved one, the decisions that must be made among family members is a naturally very emotionally-charged one. Everyone wants what is in the best interest of that family member, yet may have different opinions as to what this is.

If you or someone you know is struggling with resolving family conflict over caring for an aging loved one, there are advice and resources that can be immensely helpful to reducing this conflict. Here are some great places to start!

Bring Everyone to the Table

One of the first steps to resolving family conflict over your aging loved one’s care is to bring everyone involved “to the table.” What this means is having everyone sit down together, ideally in person, to have a calm and mature conversation regarding all issues that could impact your decision. Pick a neutral setting that feels comfortable and welcoming. To help facilitate conversation, you might even want to put together a basic agenda that will make sure discussion stays on the most important topics.

Have Conversations Early and Often

Another important piece of advice is to have these types of conversations early and often as your loved one approaches the age or need to have someone professionally care for them on a regular basis. Having such conversations in a time of panic or emergency is far less productive and far more stressful than if you have them well in advance so a plan is in place.

Determine Your Decision Maker(s)

Even with frequent and productive discussions surrounding the care of your loved one, it can still be challenging to arrive at a final decision as to next steps unless there is someone who is the agreed upon decision maker. Consider what friend or family members is in the best position to take on this responsibility. Their role is to then facilitate discussion, listen to all opinions, research and present options, then guide everyone involved toward a mutually agreed upon solution. Having this designated “leader” will help resolve conflict and enable important decisions to be made efficiently and confidently.

Seek Mediation

Finally and most importantly, don’t be afraid to seek professional mediation from someone who can step into a tense situation and provide clarity. When a family is at odds over choosing the best method of care for an aging loved one, it can tear relationships apart – temporarily and even permanently. Before it comes to this, it is well worth the effort to seek professional mediation so that relationships are preserved and a sound decision can be reached in a reasonable amount of time.

Are you or someone you know struggling over making decisions for the future of an aging loved one? This can be one of the greatest challenges a family will face. Should you need input and advice, Ella Home Care is happy to explain the benefits of in-home care so you can make an educated decision for your family. Contact us today for a friendly conversation!

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!

September 10, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

Ways to Protect Your Aging Loved Ones from Scams

Your aging parents could be a prime target for any number of the many scammers out there that prey on innocent and vulnerable people. Our aging population is an ideal demographic for scams because cognitive function may be impaired, they may be less aware of new technology that makes some scams very convincing and they more easily believe claims that are simply too good to be true.

While the threat of being scammed is very scary, especially for adult children who are looking out for their aging parents, the good news is there are ways you can take a stand and stay in the know so that you can spot red flags as soon as they arise and help guide your aging loved one away from a scam before it takes place. Take a look at these tips for protecting a friend or family member from scams.

Stay Involved

Foremost, you don’t know what you don’t know. If you’re not able to check in on your parents regularly to monitor their mail and the types of phone calls and emails they are receiving, you may leave them open to engaging with scammers. If you live close by, be sure to visit regularly to make note of any suspicious behaviors or interactions you parents may seem to have with outside contacts. If you’re not local, ask a neighbor, friend or professional caregiver to the do the same. The more involved you remain, the sooner you can put an end to scam-like activity before it becomes serious.

Help Them Think Through the Reality of the Situation

One of the best things you can do is help your aging loved one take a step back and examine the reality and probability of the situation. Remind them of simple truths such as you can’t win a contest you never entered and you never have to pay money to collect lottery winnings. Explain the way things work as well as current laws that make such actions illegal. With a dose of common sense, and your reinforcement, your aging loved one is more likely to see the reality of the situation.

Don’t Spread Shame or Blame

Even if you become angry or disappointed by your parents’ actions, never shame or blame them. Scammers are very convincing and persistent, sometimes even hostile! Keep in mind that they may have harassed your parents to the point of complying. Instead, focus on finding solutions and justice. How can you immediately put an end to the scammers’ contacting your parents? Who can you call to report this activity and possibly work to get their money back? Rather than focusing on shame or blame, focus on preventing this from happening again.

Use Reverse Psychology

Many have found reverse psychology to help an aging loved one understand when a scam is taking place. If your aging parent or loved one claims that they’ve been offered a “double your money” guarantee, ask them how you can get in on the offer and do the same. Most often, they want to protect you, like you want to protect them, and in explaining the details of the offer, they realize the holes and risk that exist.

Empower Them to Help Others

If your aging parent or loved one does fall victim to a scam, work to find ways that their story and experience can be shared with others as a cautionary tale. Report the incident to higher authorities and take to social media. Warn people about the details of what took place and you will find that others will be grateful for the advice and may even have some advice of their own to share.

Ask for Oversight

Finally and most importantly, have the conversation with your parent about why it might be a good idea for you to have oversight of their bank accounts, bills, phone records and mail. This may feel uncomfortable at first, as your loved one may wish to keep their independence as long as possible. However, if the scamming won’t seem to stop, and your loved one is not capable of making good decisions on their own, the best thing you can do is explain that it’s truly out of love and care for them that you wish to take on this role. Work to set boundaries that everyone feels comfortable with.

Do you have a loved one that has been a victim of a scam? Or do you have another piece of advice to share that may prevent this from happening? Join in the conversation by sharing your experience below!

5 Things Only a Professional Caregiver Would Understand

How to Resolve Family Conflict Over Caring for an Aging Loved One

Winter Senior Safety Concerns You Likely Didn’t Think About

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

Ways to Protect Your Aging Loved Ones from Scams

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