Home Care Daily

Each generation has its lingo. What was once the bees knees turned into groovy and now is awesome. It is fun to look back and remember the words and expressions of the past. Ready spaghetti?

Do you remember when gay meant happy? Now it has a completely different connotation. When something went well you were pleased as punch, or even happy as a clam at high tide.

A person who was astonished was likely to exclaim sakes alive. What about the term lands-a-goshen? Gee-whiz, that goes way back. Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.

Make no bones about it, people use profanity much more these days. When angry or frustrated, folks used to utter dagnabit, jeepers, cripes or for pete’s sake.

Someone who was off their rocker was mad as a hatter, not playing with a full deck, a complete numskull and ready for the funny farm. On the other hand, you could be sharp as a tack.

Mum’s the word. Keep it close to your chest. Hearing a doozy straight from the horse’s mouth may put you in such a tizzy that you let the cat out of the bag. A cock-and-bull story is likely to spread like wildfire. Better to let sleeping dogs lie than entice people to pick up their ears. Gossip is usually full of malarkey.

A wiseguy was called a smart aleck or smarty-pants. A good-looking guy was a dream boat. A gal was called a dish. She could be persnickety and still keep her dance card full, staying out on a Saturday night until the cows came home.

If you had the Midas touch your money could help you live high on the hog and buy something for an arm and a leg. Hard workers would get it by hook or by crook or just make it by the skin of their teeth.

When manna from heaven falls, you are in like Flynn. But a fool and his money are soon parted when falling for a pig in a poke. It doesn’t matter whether hoisted by your own petard or you can pass the buck. Golly, it’s hard to keep your chin up when you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Does anybody get lumbago anymore? Of course they do. This is an old-fashioned term for lower back pain. I bet it was harder to find a chiropractor back in the olden days. Scrivener’s palsy might be a thing of the past. After all, who uses a feather pen and ink well anymore? BlackBerry thumb is more common these days.

It just goes to show you, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Stay cool, and don’t be a fuddy duddy.

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

You would be surprised by how much and diversified the options can be. Your aging parents who need to have senior care are no different than we are. They have various interests that can generally be modified to their new level of abilities.

Raised-bed gardening.

Planters are raised to a height so that someone in a wheelchair can easily reach them. This can provide easy outdoor activities all Spring, Summer, and Fall, even for the elderly who require senior care.

Local Trips

Most malls, fairgrounds, farmers’ markets and other places now have wheelchairs or scooters you can rent for the day if necessary.

Local State Park with a Lake

Fish from a handicap ramp or pier. Eat hot dogs and hamburgers cooked on a grill.

Call ahead and talk to the park employees. They can tell you where the wheelchair accessible area of the park is. Reserve it in advance.

Easy Projects

You can find tons of easy crafts for seniors for the aging parent who is creative. There are websites everywhere that give directions for crafts that older seniors can do.

Those who have a difficult time holding things with their hands might do best with crafts that use large pieces or where painting is the main activity.

What about the Wii?

You may have heard your own children or grandchildren talking about the new game called Wii. This is a device that mimics a sport, such as bowling, tennis, etc., without actually using the sport’s equipment. They’re fun and good for keeping fit in any age.

Have a Singer in the Family?

Many towns have senior clubs, senior centers and gatherings…some of them include senior groups who get together just to sing!

Summary

Even though your aging parents may need senior care, keeping them active physically and mentally is really important for quality of life. Anyone in the home who is providing senior care on a regular basis can easily incorporate a few of these activities into their weekly schedule.

What kinds of activities can you think of that are appropriate for aging adults who are requiring senior care?

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

The main objective of almost all families is to guide their loved ones remain in their own home in a secure and well-known environment for as long as possible. No one’s favorite option is to go to a facility or an institution despite how appealing the structure or the decorations. For a senior to reside in their own household securely they many need just a number of hours of help or they may need around the clock care. An evaluation by a home care professional is needed to establish what is best.

UNDERSTANDING THE COST OF ELDER CARE SERVICES:

According to the MetLife Mature Market Annual Survey on the Cost of Care in the United States, the findings look like this:
• The national average daily rate for a private room in a nursing home rose 4.4% from $229 in 2010 to $239 in 2011.
• The national average monthly base rate in an assisted living community rose 5.6% from $3,293 in 2010 to $3,477 in 2011.
• The national average daily rate for adult day services rose 4.5% from $67 in 2010 to $70 in 2011.
• The national average hourly rates for home health aides ($21) and homemakers ($19) were unchanged from 2010.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST YOUR FAMILY?

The very best way to know specifically how much home care services will cost is to seek advice from one of our professionals. All together you can come up with a plan of care and a number of hours that are not only cost-effective, but keep your aging loved one safe and in their own home.

Ask about options like The VA AID and ATTENDANCE PENSION BENEFIT, Reverse Mortgages, Life Settlements, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Chances are that one of those programs may be able to help with the cost.

HOW SOON CAN HOME CARE SERVICES START?

As soon as today in most cases. The start date is up to you, but our team is dedicated to getting a caregiver in your home as soon as you need them.

Contact us today: 888-404-1513

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

Nice Gift Ideas for Caregivers on Valentine’s Day!

If you use a friend or family member providing In-home care for a loved one, you should really look into acquiring her a special treat for Valentine’s Day. In-home caregivers allow clients to delight in cheerful, healthier lives in the coziness of their own property. While they offer amazing handling to your loved ones, the holidays are the best time frame to point to how exceptional they are by showering them with a range of gift ideas to express how much they are valued.

Massage
Get a gift certificate for a massage for your caregiver. Thirty minute and Sixty minute massages are being offered to decrease strain, anxiety and problems. Seek out local massage parlors in your vicinity and find a respected place to send the caregiver. A fantastic intensive, hands-on massage could possibly motivate them to make it portion of their regular monthly habit.

Gift Basket
You can buy pre-packed gift baskets at a number of retailers, on the internet and florists. If you know the caregiver, you can build the basket yourself by including some of her favorite things. For example, if you know she likes to garden, pack the basket with small garden tools, packages of flower seeds and a flowerpot. If the caregiver is a male, fill the basket with sports-themed objects and a gift certificate for a round of golf.

Gift Certificates
Give the caregiver a Valentine’s Day card along with a gift certificate to eat or to the movie theater. Try to discover some of the caregiver’s favorite restaurants and get a certificate to that distinct place. Order movies tickets online so they will not become expired and the caregiver can use them at anytime.

Spa Treatments
Women caregivers will appreciate a spa day or spa treatments. Present her a gift certificate to a neighborhood spa. Several spas provide you with half day and full day offerings. Another notion is to get a gift certificate to a nearby nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. This helps the caregiver to spend time on herself and relax.

Tea or Coffee
If the caregiver enjoys tea or coffee, make a special gift to give them on Valentine’s Day. Fill huge coffee mugs with a variety of coffee and a gift card to a local coffee shop. For a tea lover, fill sizeable glasses with different bags and boxes of tea.

Overview
In-home care takes an extraordinary person with a lot of patience. Show your caregiver how much you care about the things they do for you or your loved one by giving them a special gift on Valentine’s Day.

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com

Recognizing the variation between home care and home health care can be difficult to start with. When an elderly family member first begins to really need support, it can be a struggle to work out which solutions are essential and when. If the senior demands an injected medication or nursing care while recovering from an operation, then home healthcare is needed. If the elderly family member needs some help in bathing, cooking or housekeeping, then home care can provide the assistance.

Home care and home healthcare are different in two ways.

Home care offers non-medical services and is not paid for by Medicare; however some home care companies and agencies may be licensed by the states. Home care services are private pay services, meaning the patient or the patient’s family will pay personally for home care. Once in a while long-term care insurance may pay for home care as well. Home health care, however, is medical care that is included by health insurance or Medicare. To obtain home health care, a senior or a patient needs to be homebound and in need of medical care as determined by a medical doctor. Medicare may additionally include non-medical services carried out by a home health aide, but these services are only covered when alternative medical care at home is necessary. Commonly these non-medical services take place at the same time as medical care visits.

Home care presents non-medical services to seniors and patients recuperating from operations. Assistance in bathing and dressing are typical home care services. Other responsibilities home care workers provide include light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands and transportation. Help in walking or exercise and other light help to make life easier are provided by home care professionals. As the population ages, home care agencies proliferated to meet the large needs of the elderly who desire to reside in their homes, but who might need assistance to do so.

Home healthcare is doctor-prescribed, and is provided by skilled medical personnel such as nurses who can provide medication. Physical and occupational therapists may also be concerned in the health care plan. Home health aides may be allocated to help with activities of daily living. These services would be covered by Medicare as long as other medical care is also needed.

Home care workers can supply medication reminders, but cannot administer the medication. Home care workers also assist with daily living activities such as preparing meals, light housekeeping, supporting with bathing, running errands and providing transportation to appointments. Home care services are privately paid by the patient, senior or their family. Long-term care insurance may also cover home care services.

Regards,

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Owner/ Managing Partner

LTC Expert Publications
Phone: 888-404-1513
Email: valerie@ltcep.com