Treat Yourself: Self-Care Tips for Family Caregivers
“Managing your own care and a family member’s care is really challenging,” says Coatta, a Clinical Social Worker Specialist in Pasadena, California. “But you really cannot best care for a loved one if you don’t also care for yourself.”
5 Ways Seniors Can Beat the Post-Holiday Blues
The holidays are over. Sigh. After New Year’s Day, the letdown of the holiday season hits a low note for many of us, leaving us feeling lonely, depressed and just not up for socializing. How can we beat this post-holiday blues?
RightConversations Guide--How to Initiate The Conversation With Seniors
Right at Home developed RightConversations Guide to offer tips on discussing home care with senior loved ones and family.
Award Winning Caregiver Discusses Caregiving and Dementia
When Vicky-Lee Layden heard that the Home Care Association of America selected her as the Caregiver of the Year 2017, she was shocked. "Why am I winning this? I am just doing what I love, and I am being rewarded for it?"
We Need to Talk about Death and Celebrate Life
Grote Johnson’s father brought the family together. He told his children that he wanted to go out of this world in comfort and dignity. He had decided on hospice at that point. Being a registered nurse and having experience working at a home health and hospice agency in the past, Grote Johnson felt thankful for her father’s openness to have such a difficult conversation with his children, and for his unconventional way of educating his family on the topic.
Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Resources for Caregivers
Although the number of people living with Alzheimer's and dementia has been on a rise, very few people realize the financial and medical resources available to the patients because of the linear nature of relationships between patients and physicians.
Is it time to ask for help?
He is staring right at me but somehow things feel a little “off.” There is tension in his eyes as though he is struggling to remember who I am. He is at a loss for words to explain what is going on.
He is my father, my go-to person for everything—guidance, love, support and comfort.
What does it mean to be a caregiver?
“There’s really no task too big or inconvenient that I wouldn’t do to help my clients,” says Adams. “It may be something small to me, but to them it can be very meaningful. Aging can be hard when you can no longer do things for yourself. I like helping others maintain their dignity, even when things get tough.”
Former Teacher, Now Caregiver Provides Meaningful Alzheimer’s Care
After spending years as a middle school teacher, Burney learned not to take certain behaviors personally. In the same way he discovered that catching someone passing a note in class wasn’t a reflection of his teaching skills, through caregiving he has learned not to take client irritability to heart.
5 Easy, Nutritious Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
Here are five healthy recipes that can be made with a pre-cooked, store-bought rotisserie chicken:
Caregiver Parlays Natural Talents Into Rewarding Career
Standing 6 feet tall, Jean Henke is strong in both body and heart—a winning combination when caring for those with physical disabilities.
5 Fun Board Games to Play With Grandparents
National Grandparents Day has been recognized as a holiday in America since 1978. Celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each September, Grandparents Day was created “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
5 Movies About Caregiving
Movies about caring for a loved one stir a special empathy and connection, often inviting us to chuckle and tear up with the films’ characters.
Veterans Helping Veterans
While both Larry and James are veterans of the military, their time in the service could not be more different—Larry was on the frontline while James worked as a medic behind the scenes. But that doesn’t stop them from feeling connected to each other, sharing a mutual life-altering experience.
Caregiver Associations and Support Groups
Call us at 877-697-7537 to talk to someone about how we might be able to help you care for your loved one.
Finding Success by Understanding whom You Care For
“My first Right at Home client was very special to me,” says Kim Schirrman, the Northeast Region winner of Right at Home’s 2017 Caregiver of the Year award. “She had high anxiety, and she was withdrawn and would not speak to anyone when I first met her.”
The Caregiver's Challenge
“LaQuita has a lot of respect for everyone. Even if the situation is difficult, she always handles it gracefully and professionally. She does an excellent job at preserving the dignity of our elderly clients.” - Jon Searles, owner of Right at Home Central Texas.
2017 National Caregiver of the Year - Sherilee Hopper
The National Caregiver of the Year was revealed April 6 at Home Improvement 2017 in Omaha, Neb. And the winner is Sherilee Hopper of Jeffersonville, Ind.! Franchisees Linda and Terry Rogers nominated Sherilee, who has been a caregiver with Right at Home since May 2013.
Right at Home 2017 Caregiver of the Year Award
What commendable care qualities do you see in caregivers you know?
Can Table Tennis Help Prevent Falls?
Table tennis is an activity that many elders participate in, regardless of physical ability. Aside from being enjoyable, playing table tennis can also help elders avoid falling. As a physical exercise, table tennis helps reduce the risk of falls.
Socialization –– How It Benefits Caregivers and Care Receivers
Caregivers are frequently told how important it is for them to stay engaged socially, but I think we sometimes forget how beneficial it can also be for the care receiver.
Do You Suffer From Caregiver Guilt? Bipartisan Support for Senior Issues
These and other stories are in the November edition of the Caring Right at Home e-newsletter, providing information, advice and support for adult caregiving.
5 Things We Learned From Reagan’s Alzheimer’s and Thatcher’s Dementia
In what is considered his farewell address to the American people, former President Ronald Reagan penned a November 5, 1994, letter announcing his recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, the irreversible neurological condition that is the most frequent form of dementia.
Moving Keeps You Mobile
Decreased mobility due to aging is not irreversible, even though studies show that people typically lose 8 percent or more muscle mass every decade after age 40. Muscle mass gives you strength and is associated with mobility. For some older adults, it is also vital to their independence.
3 Indicators That It Might Be Time to Bring In Outside Help
You don’t always have to wait until an emergency happens to get help, though. Here are three indicators that it might be time to bring in some help.
Centenarian Devoted Career to Civil Service
“People waste their later years because they feel defeated by age, or by health,” says Ladimer. “But there are still ways they can create change. It’s never too late for change.”
How Family Mediation Can Help You Manage the Aging Process
As our parents age, it is time for the family to unite to create a working plan that considers the needs and concerns of the entire family. Family members need to have these difficult conversations in a real way to ensure that their aging parents are safe and that family relationships survive. Elder/family mediation is a successful tool that gives families a way to effectively manage the aging process that confronts us all.
How to Spot a Guilt-Tripper
As caregivers, we often feel guilty for losing our tempers, for having negative feelings toward our care receivers, or for wanting a little time for ourselves. Unless you have intentionally inflicted physical or emotional pain on someone else, however, guilt is not an appropriate response.
Legal Issues for Family Caregivers; Is Yoga Safe for Seniors With Joint Pain?
These and other stories are in the August edition of the Caring Right at Home e-newsletter, providing information, advice and support for adult caregiving.
The Sandwich Generation Feels the Squeeze; Stress-Reducing Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
These and other stories are in the July edition of the Caring Right at Home e-newsletter, providing information, advice and support for adult caregiving.
Safety Tips for Summer Family Fun
Summer is a wonderful opportunity for children, parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents to stack up fun memories while staying injury-free and healthy.
Overcoming Caregiver Fear
As a caregiver, you will be confronted daily with people, situations and events over which you have little or no control, and if you allow yourself to dwell on what might happen, you could easily become overwhelmed by fear.
National Cancer Survivors Day Honors Those Who Beat Cancer
A cancer survivor is a person living with a history of the disease from initial diagnosis through the rest of his or her life. Each year on the first Sunday in June, National Cancer Survivors Day® honors the millions of courageous individuals who beat cancer.
Helping Seniors With Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal nasal allergies strain the body: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, itchy eyes and fatigue are some of the resulting symptoms. Extreme weather swings, particularly in spring and fall, kick up the production of pollen, the fine powder released by flowering plants. Spread by the wind, pollen settles in a person’s skin, nose and lungs and can cause an allergic reaction. Other common nasal allergens include animal dander and dust mites.
Bathroom Safety: A Shower Chair or Bath Bench?
Shower chairs, shower stools and bath benches are a good option to help with bathing safety and fall avoidance.
Humor: A Radical Solution for Caregiver Fatigue?
Many caregivers have sacrificed sleep; however, when we don’t get adequate sleep, it affects our ability to think and reason. It can lead to poor decision making, erratic behavior, and increased falls and accidents.
Counseling Assistance for Every Need
How do you gain a better balance and not discount your mental and emotional health as you care for another?
When Families Disagree About Senior Care; Keeping Alzheimer’s Patients Socially Engaged
These and other stories are in the May edition of the Caring Right at Home e-newsletter, providing information, advice and support for adult caregiving.
Coconut Fat May Slow Aging
Nutrition experts praise coconut fat as a super food that improves brain function, boosts energy and burns the body’s excess fat. Plus, research is finding that a diet high in coconut fat also may delay brain cells from aging.
3 Steps to Developing an Attitude of Creative Indifference Toward Caregiving
Maintaining emotional equilibrium while caring for a loved one who is aged, chronically ill or disabled is not easy. It takes constant effort, and some days you will do better than others so you must be gentle with yourself.
Boomers Need to Talk About Care; Distracted Driving Stats May Surprise You
These and other stories are in the April edition of the Caring Right at Home e-newsletter, providing information, advice and support for adult caregiving.
Coping With Caregiver Stress
Most caregivers frequently struggle with anger, fear, frustration, guilt, depression and grief. Coping with caregiver stress is something many people struggle with, although it’s hard sometimes to remember that you are not alone.
Decreasing Fall Risk Through Dancing
A new study showed that elders who participated in a half hour of ballroom dancing (three days a week for three months) had a 50% improvement in balance and fewer falls.
National Nutrition Month®
The 2016 theme of the March healthy eating campaign is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right.” One of the main goals of the March healthy diet focus is to help children through older adults make informed food choices and develop sound eating and regular physical activity habits.
Medical Skepticism Over Brain Games
The influx of computer-based brain games has promised people even more command of their mental acuity—improved memory skills, faster recall of childhood stories and even prevention of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive decline. But are these brain games really working?
National Social Work Month
Commemorated every March, National Social Work Month highlights the significant contributions that social workers make on behalf of all citizens, serving as champions for disadvantaged and vulnerable people in every U.S. community.
Tax Credit Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers
If you are a senior receiving care or are caring for an older relative, you may be eligible for additional tax deductions and credits. Examples of elder care tax benefits include claiming a parent, stepparent, father-in-law or mother-in-law as a dependent on your tax return or deducting contributions you made toward your aging relative’s medical expenses.