ella home care Archives - Ella Home Care

November 5, 2021 by Kirk Brechbiel

Ella Home Care’s Favorite Holiday Traditions

Traditions are among the most important part of any culture, and often they are tied to the holidays we celebrate. As we prepare to enter this holiday season, Ella Home Care wants to share the warmth of our own favorite holiday traditions with you! You may find that many of these are similar to your own. Or there may be something new you will learn! Keep reading to learn what Ella staff looks forward to most around the holidays.

Annual Holiday Open House

Every year Ella Home Care staff come together for a festive celebration during our annual holiday open house. We enjoy a wonderful spread of delicious treats and simply time spent together outside of work. This gives our whole team time to get to know one another on a more personal level and celebrate the holiday season.

Gingerbread House Kits

One of our favorite holiday traditions is putting together gingerbread house kits for our caregivers and clients. We encourage them to make this an activity they do together during the holidays to create an extra special memory. Creating a gingerbread house takes patience, creativity, and a light heart. So, this is one more way that we take special care to create a fun and loving environment when our caregivers and clients are together.

Cookie Decorating with Clients

Another holiday tradition that is shared between caregivers and clients over the holidays is cookie decorating. Just like our gingerbread house making, this is an activity perfect for all ages and abilities. You can’t go wrong! Together, we decorate fresh baked cookies with festive colors and decorations to express our holiday cheer. And beyond cookies, many of our staff also enjoy helping our clients decorate their homes. For those who need an extra hand or a little extra height to reach an area with décor, we’re happy to help!

The Big “Sweets Exchange”

For the first time this year, Ella Home Care is introducing the new holiday tradition of a holiday cookie exchange! We can’t wait to share all of our homemade and signature recipes with one another by trading sweets and treats that we can enjoy all season long. Best of all, this tradition expands well beyond just our staff but to their families and friends who may enjoy the benefits of this cookie exchange as well!

Which one of our holiday traditions is your favorite? Is there a unique celebration in your family you want to share with us? Join in the conversation by leaving a comment below!

November 1, 2021 by Kirk Brechbiel

The Hottest Holiday Gadgets for Senior Adults

As you begin your holiday shopping, do you have older parents or family members on your list and are stumped at what you can get them that is both useful and unique? Turn to technology! Sure, the new pair of socks or a book is always welcome presents but don’t really stand out. If you’re hoping to really brighten someone’s day and leave a lasting impression with your gift, finding the right tech gadget or tool is a great way to go.

Keep reading for a helpful list of ideas and advice for how to shop for a tech gift, particularly for older adults who may have hesitations or limitations. Through your generosity and thoughtfulness, you may be able to introduce them to a piece of technology that makes their daily life easier and more enjoyable. Here are some ideas we hope to inspire!

Keep track of easy-to-lose items with the Tile Mate Tracker

Everyone loses their keys (and other things) once in a while, and it can become more common with age. The Tile Mate helps you keep track of them and offers daily peace of mind. What’s the value on that? Best of all, its app is easy to use, and the tile itself is small, with a practical design. Simply attach it to a keychain or anything else you’re prone to lose and now you have a simple and discrete way to find it with the push of a button. There’s also a find-your-phone function which is highly useful!

Pills are a chore no more with the MedMinder

If your loved one needs to take pills on a strict schedule, but sometimes forgets, it can be a daily concern that weighs on your mind. This gift will help bring peace to everyone! Seniors with medications to manage every day will appreciate MedMinder’s reminders of when to open a pill compartment. The device’s built-in cell service connects to a monitoring station, so no phone or wireless network is needed. You can also buy refill trays that can be swapped in and out as needed.

Easy entertainment is always a welcome gift and Fire HD 8 makes it accessible to anyone

If your older parents get frustrated or confused by the television and countless remotes, a tablet may be a more user-friendly option for them to enjoy all the same entertainment on demand and in a convenient, portable size. The FireHD8 is one of the easiest tablets to use, and one of the cheapest. It has speakers and a bright screen and includes integration with services such as Amazon Prime Video. One option also comes with a wireless charging dock.

Using tech in the winter got a whole lot warmer with the COOYOO Touchscreen Gloves

Especially for people who live in colder climates, touchscreen gloves can lend a helping hand when you want to stay warm but still use your tech device. These gloves are a great price plus have the right features like thumb and index finger functionality. A perfect stocking stuffer for under $20.

If they don’t already have one, it’s time to own a Ring Video Doorbell!

This gift offers safety and convenience in one, plus a bit of entertainment! With the Ring Video Doorbell, you can detect when someone approaches your door, and see who’s there without leaving your seat — even when not at home. The device is easy to install, and the app is user-friendly. Plus, you can store and save videos if you choose the subscription service.

Give the give of never losing a password again with LastPass

One big challenge for seniors, and the rest of us, honestly, is keeping track of passwords. With LastPass, there’s only one master password to remember. LastPass takes care of the rest: password generation as well as automatically logging in. LastPass is available for smartphones and tablets as well as PCs, for protection regardless of the device being used. There is a modest annual subscription, but well worth the investment for the peace of mind it delivers.

Think beyond the power cord!

With one final thought, we want to remind you to think beyond the power cord when you’re considering tech gifts, especially for older adults. Technology comes in all shapes and sizes and is not limited to something with a screen or needs to be charged. Tech can be anything that helps to make daily life easier! So check out Amazon’s great listing of fun gadgets that are designed to not only help, but also add a smile to someone’s day.

We hope this short list of holiday tech gadgets has provided some insight and inspiration that will lighten your holiday gift-giving load. If you have a question or another idea to share, we welcome comments below!

October 11, 2021 by Kirk Brechbiel

Tips for Preventing Isolation in the Winter Months

The winter months can be hard on anyone, but especially our senior adults who already face the challenge of feeling isolated daily. The colder weather and wintery conditions create new challenges for staying connected in person, getting outside, and keeping spirits high. In order to stave off the “winter blues” it’s important to have a game plan and take proactive measures going into this season. Keep reading for our best tips for helping anyone, but senior adults in particular, feeling positive and connected during the winter months.

Develop an action plan now.

Before the dead of winter sets in, put a plan in place for events and activities that you can look forward to. When you leave your social schedule to chance, it’s far more likely that days and weeks will pass without much outside activity. While you have the energy and motivation to stay busy and connected during the winter months, commit to social engagements that you can put on your calendar well in advance. Whether it’s for you or a loved one, you’ll see these coming up on your calendar and they will offer a bright spot to look forward to. Even if you don’t feel like sticking with your obligation when the time arises, this will provide the encouragement you need to break away from dull habits and try something new. Speaking of which…

Try something new.

Beyond just meeting up with friends for coffee or a card game, look at the winter months as an opportunity to try something new and different. Explore a hobby you’ve always wanted to try or volunteer your time toward something productive. There is a lot you can still do from the comfort of home thanks to technology that enables us to be connected from afar. Make it a goal to end the winter season having gained a new skill, friend, or pastime.

Find people to hold you accountable.

Let friends and family members know now that you need their help during the winter months to check in regularly and to provide encouragement. As the season changes, the days get shorter, and the temps drop, it can be tempting to revert to daily habits that are comfortable yet stagnant. While it may feel good to “stay in” in the moment, the effort you put forth to see other people and partake in activities will always leave you feeling far more fulfilled. The best thing you can do is to ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable for the obligations you place on your schedule that help you stay connected and get out of the house every so often. A phone call or text to check-in will go a long way!

Be receptive to help.

And finally, know when you need help and be open to receiving it. If you ask someone to visit you regularly, check-in or encourage you with opportunities for events and activities throughout the winter, make every effort to say “yes” as often as possible. What may seem uncomfortable or like extra effort at the moment will be the nudge you need to keep you out of a slump and to avoid the winter blues. Plus, saying “yes” to social offers will always give you more opportunities to make memories you’ll cherish for years to come.

With the change of any season comes a new set of challenges as well as opportunities for joy and growth. We hope this advice will help you and your loved ones more into winter confidently with a plan to seek joyful moments of connectivity.

October 6, 2021 by Kirk Brechbiel

The Pros and Cons of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

With any important decision we face, it’s important to examine the pros and cons are careful as possible. This is true of deciding whether you or a loved one could benefit from the assistance of a professional caregiver coming to your home. While there are the obvious pros and cons you might imagine right off the bat, keep reading as we dive a little deeper into the challenges and benefits you’ll want to weigh when making this important decision.

Pro: The convenience and comfort of aging in your home.

As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. Often as we age, we value more and more the comfort and convenience of our homes and everything that goes with it – the familiarity, the memories, and having things just the way we like it. With the assistance of a professional caregiver, senior adults can age safely and comfortably in their homes longer than they could on their own without additional assistance as the need arises.

Con: Safety proofing the home and becoming comfortable with someone else assisting.

On the flip side, aging in your current home may yield safety concerns that need to be addressed along the way. This could include stairs, hallways that are too narrow for a wheelchair or walker, or kitchen hazards. Most of these concerns can be addressed with some effort and creativity. There may be bigger concerns that require some functioning of the house to accommodate. It’s wise to be aware of these potential concerns early. Take a walk through the home and identify areas that could become a hazard and then map out a plan for how you will address them as needed.

Pro: Family or friends are alleviated from the role of a caregiver.

Family and friends deserve to be exactly that – family and friends. Caring for one another from time to time is necessary and expected, but no one thrives as someone else’s full-time caregiver. This causes an imbalance and stress on the relationship that results in less-than-ideal outcomes. But with the help of a professional caregiver to alleviate this burden, family and friends can continue to visit or live together as they please, on their own terms. For this reason and many others, the help of a professional caregiver is invaluable.

Con: The added expense of hiring a professional caregiver.

Certainly, there is a cost associated with hiring a professional caregiver. Because of the conveniences and one-on-one care of being cared for in your home, it may come at a higher cost than moving to a continuing care retirement community, though that is not always the case. What’s most important to keep in mind is the value of peace of mind and the safety and well-being of someone you love. What is this worth to you? In many instances, families can prioritize and provide for a professional caregiver as the need arises.

Pro: Qualified care that can increase and adjust to changing needs.

One of the biggest benefits of having a professional caregiver is their ability to adapt to the changing needs of the person for which they care. This can change rapidly or slowly over time. Whether this is mental, physical, or emotional – it’s expected that an aging person’s needs will change and a professional caregiver offers the experience and expertise to adjust their course of care in real-time and make recommendations that are in everyone’s best interests.

Con: Some needs exceed the role of a professional caregiver.

It’s important to be aware that the abilities of professional caregivers only go so far. In some instances, a person’s needs are best met in a continuing care facility that is better equipped to care for them physically and mentally. Their home may not be an ideal living situation, or they may need round-the-clock medical care best suited for a professional team of doctors and nurses. A professional caregiver may still be able to care for a person up until they reach this point but will be quick to inform the family with the needs of their loved one exceed the services that can be provided in the home.

Are you or someone you know considering hiring a professional caregiver or working with an in-home caregiver service to care for you or a loved one? If you have questions that remain unanswered, we’re here to help! Contact Ella Home Care today to learn more about this important life decision.

July 12, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

5 Traits of an Exceptional Professional Caregiver

At Ella Home Care, we seek and hire only exceptional professional caregivers to join our team. What makes them exceptional? We found there are a few traits that these individual have in common. Keep reading to see if these describe you. If so, you might just have a future career as a professional caregiver!

Commitment

Commitment is important in anything we do, but especially when we are caring for senior adults. These individuals count on consistency and reliability. They need to know you are going to show up for them when they expect you to do so. Additionally, as they build a relationship and friendship with you, it can be difficult when that is taken away suddenly. A committed caregiver gives our clients the peace of mind that they will be cared for properly, and will develop a lifelong friendship they can count on.

Honesty

The next important trait of an exceptional caregiver is honesty. Communication is a critical component of professional caregiving so we need to know you will communicate openly and honestly both with Ella Home Care and the person for which you are caring. If you see a concern, speak up. If you need help, tell someone. You have a critical role of caring for someone else’s life and honesty greatly impacts that quality of life.

Compassion

When caring for our senior population, you will likely be met with situations where you will need to show compassion. We always want our clients to maintain their dignity even as they age, which is why we need compassionate caregivers who will help care for their personal needs when they no longer can. And mostly importantly, an exceptional caregiver shows love and kindness when doing so.

Positivity

You’ll be met with challenges as a caregiver, and it’s important to keep a positive attitude to help you overcome them. Maybe it’s an accident or illness, maybe it’s just been a real tiring day, or maybe there’s a time when you don’t see eye-to-eye with someone. We want caregivers who respond with positivity and who are team players when it comes to problem solving.

Energy

Caregiving is not running a marathon, but some days it can feel like it mentally, emotionally, and physically. An exceptional caregiver doesn’t give up, but rather maintains their energy to keep caring for someone even when you feel tired or depleted. We also want high energy caregivers who are inspired to go above and beyond for someone by seeking new activities or starting new conversations.

If these traits align with your own traits and you have a heart for caring for senior adults, we would love to talk to you. Reach out to Ella Home Care today to explore our career opportunities.

Ella Home Care’s Favorite Holiday Traditions

The Hottest Holiday Gadgets for Senior Adults

Tips for Preventing Isolation in the Winter Months

The Pros and Cons of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

5 Traits of an Exceptional Professional Caregiver

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