Homecare Agency, Homecare Services, Senior Homecare No comments yet

Long Beach Homecare Services for Veterans

By on May 5th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

After courageously serving their country, many veterans living in Long Beach need in-home assistance in their golden years. Help with day-to-day living allows many elderly veterans to maintain their independence and live in the comfort of their own homes.

Many veterans and their families are shocked to discover that Medicaid won’t pay for the in home assistance they deserve. Luckily, there are other options available. Although the VA doesn’t publicize it widely, a VA program known as the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit is designed specifically for veterans and their widows. As long as a veteran qualifies, this special VA program will pay for unreimbursed medical expenses.

The veteran pension amount varies depending on marital status, and provides Long Beach homecare services for veterans after they meet two levels of qualification:

Level 1 Qualification for Veterans Homecare

  1. Long Beach homecare services for veterans require the veteran to have served 90 consecutive days on active duty.
  2. The veteran must have received an honorable discharge.
  3. The veteran must have served at least one day of active duty during a period of war, but there is no requirement that the service must be performed in a combat zone.
  4. The widow must not have divorced the veteran or remarried after the veteran’s death to qualify for Long Beach homecare services for veterans.
  5. A doctor must certify that the veteran or widow needs assistance with daily living activities.

Level 2 Qualification for Veterans Homecare

  1. The household can’t have more than the allowable countable assets to qualify for Long Beach homecare services for veterans.
  2. The adjusted household income must be less than the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit.

Understanding what it means to qualify for level two can be complicated, so it’s best to contact a Long Beach homecare agency that specializes in veterans homecare for assistance. If the homecare company can’t provide direct help to crunch these numbers, it can point you in the right direction to get the right amount of Long Beach homecare services for veterans.

Advantages of Long Beach Veterans Homecare

Veterans and widows of veterans can receive a wide variety of Long Beach homecare services in the comfort of their own homes, including:

  • Personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, and grooming
  • Managing medications
  • Transportation, such as trips to and from appointments
  • Grocery shopping and meal preparation
  • Running errands
  • Doing laundry
  • Making sure all areas of the home are safe, including bathrooms, bedrooms, stairways, carpets, cords, smoke detectors, etc.
  • Ensuring proper nutrition

Learn more about the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit and how your father, mother, or other loved one can benefit from Long Beach homecare services for veterans by visiting www.CambrianHomecare.com or calling 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Homecare Agency, Homecare Services No comments yet

Ten Questions to Ask a Long Beach Senior Home Services Agency

By on May 5th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

Finding the right Long Beach senior home services agency for your elderly loved one can seem like a daunting and stressful task. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. By asking some direct, pertinent questions, you can learn all you need to know to select the right homecare company.

Here are ten questions to ask before choosing an agency to provide senior home services in Long Beach:

  1. How long has the company been providing homecare services and what is its background? Although the number of years in business doesn’t always equate to the quality of care, it gives you an idea of the homecare agency’s stability and success rate. Research the agency’s background to get a clear understanding of its reputation in the community, which includes checking the homecare company’s Better Business Bureau ratings.
  1. Does the Long Beach senior home services agency perform background checks on employees? Don’t take this one for granted. For the protection of your elderly loved one you need to ensure that the agency performs a thorough background check for arrest records indicating senior abuse, sexual misconduct, DUIs, and other crimes.
  1. Are employees bonded and insured? It’s important to ask whether the homecare agency has workers’ compensation insurance for its employees. This protects you legally and financially if the caregiver is injured in an accident.
  1. Can your loved one meet the caregiver before service begins? A professional Long Beach senior home services agency will allow your loved one to meet and approve the caregiver. This is another step in the process of building trust and letting your loved one know that they have control over their care.
  1. Will one caregiver be assigned? Care is almost always better when the same caregiver regularly assists your loved one. This helps create a strong bond, trust, and higher level of comfort with the caregiver.
  1. How does the homecare agency hire, train, and review employees? Make sure you understand the entire process to ensure the quality and ongoing education of the caregiver.
  1. Does the Long Beach senior home services agency provide a written plan of care? A plan of care is important because it sets everyone’s expectations and goals for the type and amount of homecare services to be provided.
  1. Will the agency provide references? Ask for a list of the home caregiver agency’s professional references and clients, and take the time to speak with as many of them as you can. After all, your loved one’s care and safety will be in its hands.
  1. Will the company provide a no-charge, no-obligation assessment? Ask if the homecare agency will visit you and your loved one in his or her living environment. This builds rapport, gives the senior the ability to meet and decide whether the agency is a good fit for them, and enables you to compare one Long Beach senior home services agency with another.  
  1. Is the agency licensed by the state? Most states require homecare agencies to be licensed, accredited, and reviewed on a regular basis.

You can ensure your elderly loved one receive the best possible care if you take the time to ask the right questions and do your homework. The sooner you get started the better, so begin your search for a Long Beach senior home services agency today by visiting www.CambrianHomecare.com or calling 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Elder Abuse, Homecare Agency No comments yet

Orange County Homecare Agencies Help Prevent Senior Abuse

By on April 7th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

Senior abuse affects thousands of elderly adults every year, often in their own homes, relatives’ homes, or long-term care facilities. Seniors can become victims of abuse for a wide variety of reasons. Since they are typically not as strong and may not see, hear, or think as well as they once did, they are especially vulnerable to both active and passive attacks. One of the best ways to prevent senior abuse in our area is to hire a trusted Orange County homecare agency to care for your loved one and watch out for the tell-tale signs of senior abuse.

Signs of Senior Abuse

These are the most common types and warning signs of senior abuse:

  • Physical senior abuse: Physical abuse can range from unexplained scars or bruises to sprains and even broken bones. Other signs of physical senior abuse include the improper use of prescribed medications as indicated by having too many or too few pills remaining, and evidence of restraint such as having rope marks on wrists.
  • Emotional senior abuse: Psychological abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse, and can be both verbal and nonverbal. Verbal senior abuse can include intimidation through constant threats and yelling to the use of humiliation and ridicule. Nonverbal emotional senior abuse can include isolation from family and friends or ignoring basic needs. An Orange County homecare agency can provide the type of daily support many seniors need and help prevent emotional abuse.
  • Financial senior abuse: Since most seniors are on a fixed income, financial abuse can be especially devastating. Signs include suspicious changes in insurance policies, wills, titles, and power of attorney; large amounts of cash missing from the senior’s bank accounts or home; and payment of unnecessary good, services, or subscriptions.
  • Healthcare fraud and abuse: Medical identity theft and healthcare fraud are prevalent in every part of the population, but seniors are especially vulnerable. Signs of healthcare fraud and abuse include abnormal activity on credit reports, inaccuracies in insurance statements or explanation of benefits (EOBs), overbilling or duplicate billings for healthcare services or devices, incorrect info evidence of insufficient care when healthcare bills have been paid, and evidence of being either undermedicated or overmedicated. If you are not available on a regular basis, an Orange County homecare agency can be a vigilant protector against senior healthcare fraud and abuse.
  • Sexual senior abuse: This type of senior abuse is particularly unconscionable. Signs include unexplained anal or vaginal bleeding, bruises around genitals, and even venereal diseases.
  • Neglect: Signs that Orange County seniors are being neglected by a caregiver include untreated bedsores, unexplained weight loss or malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions, being unbathed or improperly clothed, and even living in a home without heat or running water.

Preventing Senior Abuse

There are many things you can do to help prevent senior abuse, starting with recognizing there is a problem and reporting it right away. Pay close attention to the behavior of seniors and their caregivers, be on the lookout for the various types and signs of senior abuse described above, and consider hiring an Orange County homecare agency to be your eyes and ears. All seniors deserve an advocate to protect them from any kind of abuse.

Remember that you can report senior abuse by calling the 24-hour Orange County Adult Protective Services (APS) abuse hotline at 800.451.5155.

If you feel overwhelmed by caring for a senior and are seeking help, or simply want to learn more about the services provided by an Orange County homecare agency, visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Homecare Agency, Homecare Services No comments yet

Orange County Homecare Makes Caring For Elderly Parents Convenient and Affordable

By on April 7th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

Many adult children find caring for elderly parents to be a challenging, worrisome, and often exhausting experience. They wonder if their elderly parents are able to maintain their personal hygiene, whether they’re taking their medications properly, and if they’re safe in their homes.

Orange County homecare agencies can remove the anxiety and burden of caring for elderly parents from afar. Homecare enables seniors to continue to live independently in their homes by receiving assistance with their basic needs. This can include help with:

  • Eating, bathing, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom
  • Getting to the pharmacy, the doctor’s office, and other appointments
  • Shopping and household chores
  • Making home modifications like installing grab bars in the bathroom
  • Identifying opportunities to socialize with other seniors

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, between five and seven million Americans are caring for elderly parents from afar (defined as living at least one hour away from an older relative). This trend will continue to grow as more and more of the baby-boomer generation gets older and opts for homecare instead of nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

For people living in our area, homecare services from reputable Orange County homecare agencies promote independence, provide dignity, and encourage peer interaction (which is proven to improve brain function). Caring for elderly parents does require you to make some important decisions. You shouldn’t hire a company to care for your elderly loved one from afar until you know what they offer and why they’re the best agency to care for your elderly loved one.

Make sure to ask the following questions when you meet with Orange County homecare agencies:

  • Who is the employer? It may sound like a strange question to ask, but homecare agencies come in all shapes and sizes. From a safety and liability perspective, you want to hire a company that manages everything from payroll to taxes to worker’s compensation insurance. If you don’t, you will be considered the employer and will ultimately be responsible for handling the many legal and financial issues involved with homecare.
  • What is their experience? It may go without saying, but experience matters. How long has the Orange County homecare agency been in business? Has the agency provided similar services to other clients in the past? What do its past and current clients have to say about the quality of the services?
  • Do they offer a free consultation? Most reputable homecare agencies offer a free consultation to provide a comprehensive assessment of your elderly parent’s needs.
  • Do they have a rigorous employee screening process? It’s important that the Orange County homecare agency conduct thorough background checks on all employees. Checking criminal, professional, and personal references is critical to make sure your loved one is being cared for by a qualified caregiver.
  • What is the plan of care? Developing a plan for caring for elderly parents is important because it enables you to clarify expectations about what and how much care is going to be provided. From personal care to cooking meals to attending doctor visits, everyone is involved in determining the best course of homecare.
  • How accessible are they? How easy or difficult will it be to reach the people in charge? This is especially important on nights and weekends. Will you be able to speak with a person when you call the agency or will you reach an answering machine if you call after normal business hours?

If you’re caring for elderly parents and want to learn more about Orange County homecare services, visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Homecare Services No comments yet

Orange County Homecare Services Ensure Medication Compliance

By on March 10th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

Medication compliance is important for everyone taking prescription medications, but it is especially crucial for the elderly who generally have more difficulty with adherence. Why? Because the elderly are far more prone to noncompliance due to overuse and abuse, forgetting, and altering schedules and doses.

As a parent or other loved one, it can be difficult to be available every day to monitor adherence to medications, so hiring an Orange County homecare services agency to oversee medication compliance can ensure the daily safety of your loved one. This is critical, because decreased compliance to prescribed medications almost always leads to symptoms worsening, health declining, the need for additional treatment, hospitalizations and, most drastically of all, death.

The prevalence and consequences of noncompliance are alarming:

  • Approximately 125,000 Americans pass away every year due to poor medication compliance
  • As many as 25 percent of hospital and nursing home admissions are due to people being unable to take their prescriptions as directed
  • As many as 40 percent of people do not follow their prescribed treatments and up to 20 percent of all new prescriptions go unfulfilled

An Orange County homecare services agency can make sure loved ones avoid becoming a statistic and enable them to live happily and safely in the comfort of their own homes. Proper medication compliance involves:

  • Seniors understanding which medications they are taking and why they are taking them. They must also understand that their medications need to be continued as ordered by their doctor regardless of whether they feel better. Adherence is important for every medication, but especially for high cholesterol medication, antibiotics, and high blood pressure medication.
  • Ensuring medications are refilled on time and throwing out expired prescriptions. Expired medications lose their efficacy and can cause toxic side effects.
  • Making sure all medications are correctly labeled. If the senior is taking several prescriptions, it may be easier to remove the pills from their containers and put them in a daily pill organizer. An Orange County homecare services agency can refill the pill organizer each week and monitor daily use.
  • Establishing daily routines, such as taking the first medications of the day with morning coffee, taking midday medications at lunch, and taking evening medications before bedtime. Knowing when they need to take their medications is often one of the biggest barriers for seniors to overcome.

The bottom line? All medications must be taken as prescribed, at the dosage prescribed, at the time prescribed, and for the length of time prescribed. Some seniors can manage prescriptions themselves. If they can’t and if family members are unavailable, the easiest and most cost-effective solution may be to hire an Orange County homecare services agency to ensure safety and medication compliance.

Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270 to learn more about homecare services and medication compliance.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Homecare Agency, Homecare Services, Senior Homecare No comments yet

Orange County Elderly Assistance Agencies Are Senior Advocates

By on March 10th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

Orange County elderly assistance provides seniors with a broad range of homecare services, including personal care, companionship, medication compliance, light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and other services to provide support and enable them to live at home independently.

In addition to offering typical homecare services, an Orange County elderly assistance agency can be a senior’s advocate to look out for her best interests in the event of a hospital stay. When family members aren’t close by or are too busy to be available 24/7, a homecare agency can ensure the best possible care during a hospital stay.

Hospitals are overcrowded, nurses are overworked and, even though it isn’t intentional, compassionate patient care is often overlooked. More than anyone else, seniors need and deserve an advocate from the moment they enter the hospital until they safely return home.

A dedicated Orange County elderly assistance agency is acutely aware of a senior’s medical history, insurance, medications, personality, and daily needs. He or she also has a unique understanding of the senior’s condition that hospital caregivers will likely not know. This results in improved communication and a decrease in errors because the home caregiver is at their bedside throughout the duration of the hospital stay.

In addition, since the agency already has a trusting relationship established with the senior and her loved ones, it can be proactive and take charge in the event of an emergency. The Orange County elderly assistance agency can help ensure the senior gets to the hospital safely and quickly, provide the right information right away, and get her back to the comfort of her home faster and with better health outcomes. Since the home caregiver handles everything, family members—whether on the other side of town or on the other side of the world—can be confident that their loved one always receives the best possible care.

When your elderly loved one is in the hospital, an Orange County elderly assistance agency ensures:

  • Regular, reliable communication between medical providers, the patient, and the family
  • All treatment options are thoroughly discussed and all medical questions are asked and answered
  • Companionship that improves comfort and quality of care
  • Appropriate treatment by hospital staff
  • Reduced levels of stress during the hospital stay and when she returns home
  • Proactive hospital discharge planning
  • Proper coordination of care for additional healthcare services when she arrives home

An Orange County elderly assistance homecare agency can be the difference between a problematic hospital stay and one that is controlled and stress-free. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270 to learn more about protecting your elderly loved ones and improving their quality of life.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Homecare Agency, Homecare Services, Respite Care, Senior Homecare No comments yet

Orange County Respite Care Helps People With Developmental Disabilities

By on February 6th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately six million individuals in the United States have developmental disabilities. A developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability that can be attributed to a physical or mental impairment or a combination of these factors, originates at birth or during childhood, and requires special care and services for an indefinite period.

People with developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, mental retardation, and other conditions can benefit from a broad range of Orange County respite care services to be more active, productive, and independent. Individual care plans can be developed to meet the specific daily needs of a developmentally disabled person so he or she can experience a higher quality of life.

Orange County respite care agencies give families temporary relief from the responsibilities of caring for a person with developmental disabilities by providing:

  • Personal care: Washing, dressing, grooming, using the bathroom, transferring from bed to wheelchair, and other services help with daily hygiene and personal needs.
  • Companionship: Maintaining regular interpersonal and social contact encourages conversation and exercises the mind. Orange County respite care promotes better communication and can include accompanying a developmentally disabled person to community activities.
  • Medication compliance: Taking the correct dosage of medication at the right time each day and ensuring that prescriptions are refilled on time can be a critical component of a developmentally disabled person’s daily life.
  • Light housekeeping and meal preparation: An Orange County respite care agency can help with cleaning, organizing, managing mail, and doing laundry, as well as assist with cooking and eating.
  • Transportation: Running errands or providing transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, the pharmacy, grocery store, or social events helps a developmentally disabled person stay active.
  • Safety modifications: Some developmentally disabled people require special modifications to the home to ensure safety. An Orange County respite care agency can improve safety in all rooms of the house, such as installing grab bars in the bathroom or handrails in areas that are susceptible to falls, or by making the kitchen more functional for people who may have difficulty using appliances or utensils.

Before hiring an agency, it’s very important to perform research and ask pertinent questions to ensure the caregivers are well-trained and have experience providing homecare for your loved one’s specific developmental disability. Qualified caregivers will have verifiable work references, a spotless criminal record, CPR/first aid certification, and appropriate licenses.

Learn more about Orange County respite care by visiting www.CambrianHomecare.com or calling 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Homecare Services No comments yet

10 Signs a Senior May Need South Bay Homecare Services

By on February 6th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people age 65 and older will comprise over 18 percent of the population by 2030. That’s almost double the current senior population. As a result of aging, many of these seniors will eventually require some form of assistance with daily living. A South Bay homecare services agency can provide a broad range of services to enable them to age independently at home.

Before deciding whether homecare makes sense for your elderly loved one, it’s important to take an inventory of his or her health issues, daily needs, and general ability to manage the household. Here are 10 areas of concern when assessing an elderly loved one’s condition and whether he or she could benefit from South Bay homecare services:

  1. Medical issues: Illness or injury can make it difficult or even impossible for seniors to function by themselves on a daily basis. The prospect of moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility may be either cost prohibitive or too emotionally taxing (or both). In many cases homecare is ideal because it’s affordable, maintains independence, and provides services targeted to specific needs.
  2. Daily tasks: If basic tasks such as going to the bathroom, bathing, preparing meals, or going grocery shopping have become too difficult or time-consuming, South Bay homecare services can provide the daily assistance seniors need to be able to stay in their homes.
  3. Hygiene: Seniors may pay less attention to their hygiene and appearance, which can lead to health problems. The cleanliness of bed linens, bath towels, and laundry should be checked, as well as their ability to clean themselves.
  4. Behavior: Depression, anxiety, irritability, and memory loss can be common with seniors to a certain degree, but severe changes in behavior and mood may be symptoms of dementia and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
  5. Safety: Home safety, such as remembering to turn off appliances or keeping doors and windows locked, is crucial if seniors wish to continue to age at home independently. The home should also be inspected for areas that cause falls. A South Bay homecare services agency can help prevent falls by ensuring all rugs have a slip-resistant backing, rearranging protruding furniture, removing clutter from walkways, and making sure there is adequate lighting throughout the home.
  6. Nutrition: A proper diet becomes increasingly more important as we age, so seniors should be monitored to make sure they eat well-balanced meals and maintain a steady weight.
  7. Finances: An inability to manage their personal finances, pay bills on time, and balance their checkbook is a clear sign that seniors need assistance to avoid services being shut-off or other issues that will affect their health and well-being.
  8. Medication: Since most seniors take several kinds of medication every day, it’s important to make sure all medications are clearly labeled, conveniently located, and not expired. An inability to manage medications properly, including dosage, frequency, and refilling prescriptions, is a sure sign that they can benefit from daily South Bay homecare services.
  9. Driving: Many seniors have driver licenses but may pose a danger to themselves and others due to impaired vision, hearing, and reflexes. A health professional can assess their ability to drive safely.
  10. Mail: Stacks of mail are signs of forgetfulness at best or, at worst, demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to manage the household.

If you have any of these concerns with your elderly loved one, it may be time to evaluate South Bay homecare services. Trust your instincts, and let him or her know that your intent is to ensure safety, comfort, and independence. Learn more about homecare services in the South Bay area by visiting www.CambrianHomecare.com or calling 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency started in Long Beach, California in 1996. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

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Orange County In-Home Care Improves Senior Health

By on January 6th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

The New Year inevitably brings resolutions, and what better resolution than to take steps to improve our health? Although fitness is important for people of all ages, it becomes crucial for seniors whose muscles and joints begin to weaken and lead to an increase in the risk of falls and a loss of mobility. Orange County in-home care can help seniors stay mobile and healthy in their homes by assisting with manageable exercises that can make a huge difference in their independence and well-being.

Many falls happen as a result of shuffling. Trying to walk on deteriorated muscles can cause tripping, which can lead to broken bones and other injuries. If your senior loved one is on the verge of becoming immobile, an Orange County in-home care agency can help with exercises to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance. The type of exercises will depend on the level of care needed and can include hip extensions to strengthen the buttock and lower back muscles, and side leg raises and hip flexion to strengthen hip and thigh muscles.

There are many activities that should be included as part of a senior’s fitness regimen. But before beginning any kind of exercise, it’s important to first consider his or her physical and mental limitations, interests, and accessibility of the activity.

Once the fitness level is determined, an Orange County in-home care agency can implement a variety of low-impact exercises and activities. Stretching exercises help the senior keep his or her body flexible and move more easily, as well as improve circulation. Balance exercises reduce the risk of falls and increase agility. Endurance exercises such as walking or dancing improve the heart rate and breathing. Strength exercises are important for building muscle and reducing age-related muscle loss.

Before starting a senior fitness routine, an Orange County in-home care agency will recommend taking several actions to avoid injuries and improve performance. They include:

  • Stretching: Stretching before even moderate exercise will warm-up the muscles and prevent injury.
  • Strengthening: Lifting a moderate amount of weights for both the upper and lower body will increase the strength in muscles that would have otherwise been vulnerable to falls.
  • Balancing: Balancing exercises can also prevent falls by standing on one foot while waiting in lines. Balance can also be improved by placing one foot in front of the other (heel to toe) while walking.
  • Endurance: Walking, swimming, or any other aerobic exercise done on a consistent basis will build endurance.
  • Breathing: Breathing properly is essential for strength exercises where irregular breathing can cause changes in blood pressure.

It’s impossible to overestimate the rewards of senior fitness and the many positive physical and mental health benefits it provides. Physical exercise is proven to prevent chronic disease and illness, help maintain or lose weight, and increase flexibility, balance, and mobility. The mental benefits of exercising are just as important, and include stimulating the brain, increasing sleep, and improving mood and self-confidence.

Results of exercises can begin to show right away, regardless of age or physical condition. Better health doesn’t require strenuous workouts. It just takes a little effort, will-power, and ability to engage in moderate exercise to promote better health and improve quality of life.

Learn more about senior fitness by contacting an Orange County in-home care agency. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a Long Beach and Orange County homecare agency. From its Long Beach, California inception in 1996, Cambrian Homecare now serves four Southern California counties, employing outstanding caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.

Homecare Agency No comments yet

Choosing an Orange County Homecare Agency for Seniors With Alzheimer’s

By on January 6th, 2012

By Rhiannon Acree, Cambrian Homecare

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and interferes with a senior’s daily life by causing problems with thinking, memory, and behavior. It’s a progressive disease that gradually worsens over time, typically beginning with mild memory loss and advancing to a point where seniors cannot carry on a conversation or respond to their surroundings.

Alzheimer’s can cause physical, emotional, and financial stress for the individuals who have the disease as well as their loved ones tasked with caring for them. Sometimes the burden can be too much. Although there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s, help is available. An Orange County homecare agency specializing in the care of seniors with Alzheimer’s can provide the daily assistance they need and improve their quality of life.

Homecare agencies offer a wide range of services based on the senior’s specific needs, which may change as the disease progresses. They can assist with personal care, such as using the bathroom, bathing, dressing, cooking, and eating; household care, such as doing laundry, cleaning, and running errands; companionship, such as playing games or going on social outings to keep their minds engaged; and medication compliance.

Many families find the services and support provided by an Orange County homecare agency to be invaluable. In addition to providing seniors with daily homecare, the agency’s professional caregivers can also ensure that the home is safe, especially if they live alone. This includes inspecting the home to make it accident proof from falls, wandering, and other dangerous situations. To ensure safety around the house the Orange County homecare agency can:

  • Remove sharp objects that could cause injury
  • Install locks so the senior cannot wander out of the house and get lost
  • Label drawers and doors
  • Label and lock away all medicines
  • Use reminders such as notes or timers

Hiring an Orange County Homecare Agency

It’s important for families to do their homework before selecting an agency to care for their loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. As they begin to interview prospective homecare agencies in Orange County, families should prepare a list of questions to assess their experience and make sure they understand the level of care that will need to be provided. These are some questions to ask:

  • Is the homecare agency licensed and accredited?
  • Are employees bonded and insured?
  • Does the agency conduct thorough background checks?
  • Does the Orange County homecare agency have staff specially trained to work with people who have Alzheimer’s disease?
  • Will the same caregiver provide care on a regular basis? If not, what is the substitution policy?
  • Does the agency have a list of references specifically related to care for people with Alzheimer’s disease?
  • Are there a minimum number of hours or days per week to provide care?

After gathering as much information as possible, families should consider which Orange County homecare agency seems like the best fit for their loved ones. Choosing wisely will ensure they receive the best possible care during what can be a very difficult time in their lives.

Learn more about Orange County homecare services and support by visiting www.CambrianHomecare.com or calling 877.422.2270.

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a Long Beach and Orange County homecare agency. From its Long Beach, California inception in 1996, Cambrian Homecare now serves four Southern California counties, employing outstanding caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270.