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Wishing all of our clients, families and friends and happy and healthy 2009.
The Visiting Angels Team
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| 1/2/2009 12:56:30 PM |
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Many of our older clients experience symptoms of depression when the holiday season rolls around. Because this is the time of year when families gather and memories are made, seniors are often more aware of feelings of loneliness and the opinion that their best memories are all behind them. This is commonly referred to as, "the holiday blues." Unfortunately, there are some older adults who suffer more serious side effects as a result of the holiday blues- some that may lead to suicide.
There are many things you can do to help a senior you know beat the holiday blues. This article from the Washington Post provides suggestions for conquering the symptoms of depression that creep up around the holidays and ensuring that the seniors in your life enjoy the holidays to the fullest.
For more information about how we can help the older adults in your life, please feel free to contact us at one of our Bay Area offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 12/24/2008 10:06:19 AM |
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We at Visiting Angels wish all of our clients, families and friends and very happy holiday season!
The Visiting Angels Team |
| 12/22/2008 2:38:05 PM |
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Long-term care is expensive. Whether it's in-home caregiving services, like those provided by Visiting Angels, or an assisted living community, many seniors in our community struggle to cover the extensive costs involved in maintaining a comfortable standard of living after retirement.
Long term care insurance is one option available to subsidize the cost of services like those listed above. However, as this article from the Contra Costa Times discusses, long term care insurance is an option that many hold off considering until it's too late.
If you already have long term care insurance and are in need of homecare services, Visiting Angels can assist you in billing your insurance company.
For more information please feel free to contact one of our Bay Area offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 12/8/2008 10:33:42 AM |
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December is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. This serves as a reminder to all of us to be vigilant about who has access to our personal information.
It is especially important to increase awareness of the freqeuency at which seniors are preyed upon by identity thieves and financial abusers. Unfortunately, the news is peppered with stories of elders who have lost their savings, homes, cars and other valuable possessions to the hands of criminals- often people they consider to be trustworthy.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there are 4 types of identity (ID) theft:
Financial ID Theft: Thieves use victims’ names, Social Security numbers, and other identifying information to apply for telephone service, credit cards or loans, buy merchandise, or lease cars or apartments. /strong>
Criminal ID Theft: Imposters provide victims’ information instead of their own when stopped by law enforcement. Eventually, when warrants for arrest are issued, they are in the names of the victims.
Identity Cloning: Imposters use victims’ information to establish new live. This form of ID theft is often committed by undocumented immigrants, criminals avoiding warrants, people hiding from abusive situations, or people who want to leave behind poor work and financial histories.
Business or Commercial Identity Theft: Businesses may also be victims. Typically, perpetrators get credit cards or checking accounts in the names of businesses, which find out when unhappy suppliers send collection notices or their business rating score is affected.
There are many local, state and national resources avilable to help prevent ID theft and assist victims. The following list is just a sample:
The Federal Trade Commission
United States Department of Justice
California Office of Privacy Protection
Contra Costa County District Attorny
San Joaquin County Superior Court
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| 12/4/2008 2:46:56 PM |
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Thanksgiving is a day set aside to recognize how grateful we are for what we have. This Thanksgiving, we at Visiting Angels are thankful for everyone who has allowed us to serve so many in our community over the past year.
To all of our caregivers, clients, families and colleagues, THANK YOU!
- The Visiting Angels Team |
| 11/26/2008 3:34:59 PM |
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The holidays provide a great opportunity for families and friends to spend time with each other and reconnect. Occasionally, family members notice subtle changes in loved ones that lead to health concerns and questions.
The Alzheimer's Association helpline experts (800-272-3900) assist callers who often, especially this time of year, have questions about warning signs and resources available to help family members possibly confronted with Alzheimer's disease.
There are 588,208 California residents age 55 and older living with this disease. It is critical for people with dementia and their families to receive the information, care and support they need as early as possible. Being aware of the different warning signs of Alzheimer's disease can equip families to look out for behavior and actions that may warrant concern and require follow up from a health professional.
The Alzheimer's Association has developed a checklist to help you recognize the difference between normal age-related memory changes and possible warning signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Additionally, if your family is struggling with the disease, the Alzheimer's Association website provides some suggestions to make your holiday celebrations enjoyable for all.
* Article provided by the Alzheimer's Association
For more information about how Visiting Angels can help individuals living with memory impairment, please feel free to contact one of our Bay Area offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585 |
| 11/24/2008 4:17:59 PM |
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President Reagan launched a national campaign against Alzheimer's disease 25 years ago when he proclaimed November as National Alzheimer's Disease Month. The former president courageously announced his Alzheimer's diagnosis to the public in 1994 and passed away ten years later.
Every November since President Reagan's proclamation in 1983, the President issues a White House proclamation calling upon American's to observe the month as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. Communities around the country hold events, memorial services and forums. Organizations like the Alzheimer's Association use the month to increase awareness of the need for research, advocacy and support, as well as to educate the public about the disease.
At Visiting Angels we work with many clients who are living with Alzheimer's disease. Our caregivers provide compassionate and tireless service to increase the quality of live of these clients and help them remain at home as long as possible. This month we recognize the contributions made by our caregivers and remember our clients, past and present, who have been touched by Alzheimer's disease.
To find out more about how Visiting Angels can help you, a loved one, or someone you know who is living with Alzheimer's disease, please contact one of our offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 11/17/2008 11:22:52 AM |
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November is National Homecare and Hospice month, a time set aside to recognize the men and women who have dedicated their lives to caring for others through providing homecare and hospice services.
Our caregivers often provide supplemental assistance to clients who are receiving hospice care. In these special circumstances, Visiting Angels works closely with various hospice organizations to help ensure that clients are comfortable at the end of their lives, and that families can focus on their loved one rather than worry about meals, housework or errands.
Hospice care is a valuable resource to many in our community, but it is a service that is often misunderstood. In honor of this month's dedication to homecare and hospice workers, please enjoy the following article written by one of our local hospice organizations, Hospice of the East Bay:
Hospice isn’t a place. It’s a type of care that focuses on living; living as fully as possible, up until the end of life.
Talking with Bonnie Safine, Vice President, Clinical Services of Hospice of the East Bay, about hospice care, one soon understands that a significant component of the great work of hospice is bringing comfort during what can be the loneliest of experiences -- dying. "We make the journey less solitary," says Safine. "When a cure is no longer possible, hospice is with you every step of the way."
Since 1977, Hospice of the East Bay has worked to ease physical and psychological pain for terminally ill patients and their families by offering in-home medical care, practical assistance, emotional support, and bereavement services. “Until the 1950’s, most Americans were born and died at home, surrounded by those they loved. Death was seen as a natural part of life’s journey,” remarked Safine, “In today’s high-tech world, most people die in hospitals, isolated, and challenged to find meaning at the end of their lives.”
Surveys show that 8 out of 10 Americans wish to die at home, cared for by family, and in control of their medical and personal choices. They understand that death is as much an emotional and spiritual passage as a physical one. When they choose hospice care, terminally ill patients become part of a new tradition: death in the comfort of home, supported by a team of professionals who offer compassionate, practical, medical, emotional and spiritual care.
Hospice of the East Bay offers specialized programs that include: Anna’s Program (for women with recurrent breast cancer), Comfort for Kids (pediatric hospice and palliative care) and Skye’s Angels (perinatal hospice care). In addition, in 2004, hospice opened Bruns House acute care hospice facility in Alamo. Bruns House accommodates six terminally ill patients in comfortable, attractive, medically appropriate private rooms. Patients experience privacy and quiet that cannot be achieved in a hospital, and intensive around-the-clock care that cannot be achieved at home. Family members enjoy unrestricted access to the House.
During the 31 years that Hospice of the East Bay has been serving terminally ill patients, public awareness of the value of hospice care in general, and of the excellent quality of our services in particular, has increased dramatically. As a result, hospice’s patient load has grown from one patient in 1977 to more than 1500 in 2007.
“Hospice of the East Bay helps our patients and their loved ones meet one of the most difficult times in life with grace, dignity, comfort, and compassion,” says Safine, “We empower them to take control when they feel most powerless. Our focus is on quality of life, not the length of time left to live.”
To find out more about how Visiting Angels can help you, a loved one, or someone you know who is receiving hospice care, please contact one of our offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 11/14/2008 12:43:57 PM |
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November 11, 2008 is Veterans Day. This is a day set aside to thank and honor those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.
On Veterans Day at Visiting Angels we remember and celebrate the many veterans who we have had the pleasure of working with. The stories we have heard from our clients who have served in the military are inspirational and remind us of the great contribution these individuals have made to our country.
Unfortunately, many of our veterans are no longer around to share their experiences with us. There is only one living American veteran from World War I. Once 16 million strong, U.S. veterans of World War II are dying at a rate of more than 1,000 a day and now number about 2.5 million, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates. Judging by the passing of the World War I veterans, it's predicted that WWII veterans will all be gone by 2020.
When our veterans pass they take their memories with them. In an effort to counteract this loss, Visiting Angels has committed to help preserve the stories of our veterans by participating in and publicizing the Veterans History Project, a program of the Library of Congress.
The Veterans History Project (VHP) collects and preserves the remembrances of American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
VHP relies on volunteers throughout the nation to collect veterans’ stories, both written and spoken on video or audio recordings, on behalf of the Library of Congress. These stories are made available to researchers and the general public, both at the Library in Washington, D.C., and via the VHP website.
If you are interested in contributing your story or the story of a veteran you know to the VHP, visit the VHP website for information about how to collect and submit remembrances. |
| 11/10/2008 11:19:49 AM |
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You took that fantastic job offer in another state. Mom and dad were healthy and fine. As time passed, you were promoted and became successful. Dad passed away and mom is not doing well on her own. She’s reached an age where daily assistance may be necessary and you’re a 1,000 miles away. How do you manage this situation without picking up and moving your family or your mother? If this scenario sounds familiar, remote care giving might be the answer.
“This scenario plays out each and every day in thousands of American’s lives,” says Richard Bitner of Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services. “I had relocated to Florida in 1985 and my mother followed shortly after. In 2000 I relocated back to Pennsylvania to start a life with a new wife and family. My mother stayed and many questions arose. What do I do if she cannot live day-to-day being able to care for herself? How can anyone take care of a loved one so far away?”
That’s when Visiting Angels began to focus on remote care giving and taking the burden off families and loved ones of those that need care. “Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are not the only options available,” says Bitner. Non medical home care allows your loved one’s to live where they want to be … their own home.
Visiting Angels has over 300 offices around the country to help educate families and provide care to loved ones. Here are some questions to consider when determining if your loved one needs professional care:
* Does your loved one need assistance with walking?
* Has their physical and/or emotional health been declining?
* Are they able to prepare nutritious daily meals?
* Are they able to shop for themselves?
* Are they able to manage their bills and financial responsibilities?
* Are they taking their medications on time?
* Are they still able to drive safely?
* Are they in need of companionship?
* Are they able to dress and groom themselves?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, professional home care might be an option for you. When considering agencies, choose one that can offer more than basic homemaker services, including dressing, bathing and other hygienic activities. Because not all states require licensing, be sure to check that the agency is bonded, insured and licensed.
For piece of mind for you and your loved one, understand the caregiver’s background and experience. Agencies should be able to provide you this along with conducting a criminal background check on its employees. You also should be able to meet with the caregiver before you agree to services to make sure that personalities match and you are comfortable with the service they provide.
“And you should be entirely comfortable with the person helping your loved one,” adds Bitner. “For example, at Visiting Angles, we try to match the personalities of our clients with the personalities of our caregivers. If something doesn’t fit, we find someone who does. This makes everyone happy and allows us to give the best care possible.”
Since home care services are non-medical, they currently are not covered by Medicare. But you do have options. Home care services can be paid individually or by long term care insurance. Often, funds from associations are available as well. For example, contact the organization that is involved with the illness that your loved one is afflicted with. Funds are sometimes available for their members.
Veterans and their spouses might qualify for the Disability Pension for Aid and Attendance. Others decide to take out a reverse mortgage. Whatever your situation, the proper research can determine the best route for financing care.
Most importantly, stay in contact with your loved one and the people involved in their care. Establish periodic phone calls and visit when you are able. Conversation shows you care whether you are in the same room or across the country.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
For more information about how Visiting Angels can help you care for a loved one living in the Bay Area, please feel free to contact one of our local offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 11/5/2008 3:17:13 PM |
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If you have an older adult in your life suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you may worry about them wandering away and not being able to find their way home. A new law that addresses this issue is under consideration right now.
In September, the House of Representatives passed the National Silver Alert Act. Much like an Amber Alert for missing children, the act would establish a formal, public notification system to spread information about senior citizens who are missing. The bill was introduced after an 86-year-old Florida woman wandered away from an assisted living facility and was later found dead.
Visiting Angels is urging everyone to call and write their senators to encourage them to sponsor the bill.
"Senior safety is first and foremost for Visiting Angels," says chief operating officer Patricia Drea. "The National Silver Alert Act would give families the peace of mind that, if their loved one is missing, the public would be notified and on the lookout for them."
Currently Silver Alert programs operate in about a dozen states and the National Silver Alert Act would provide federal support to the state initiatives and assist in the expansion of Silver Alert. The bill, S 3579, would create a Silver Alert Coordinator within the Department of Justice, who would set voluntary guidelines and monitor state Silver Alert programs. The coordinator would consult with agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Transportation and the Administration on Aging to develop best practices and provide federal funds to implement state Silver Alert programs.
"Reuniting missing seniors with their families requires a rapid and united response," says Drea. "With the National Silver Alert Act our communities can use and build on existing resources to help keep our seniors safe."
Visiting Angels and other organizations serving older adults are asking the public to contact their senators and encourage them to become a co-sponsor of S 3579 and to support the bill when it comes to a vote on the floor. You can find your senator at www.senate.gov. |
| 11/3/2008 11:08:44 AM |
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Hoarding and cluttering is a problem that effects many American adults. It is characterized by an extreme accumulation of possessions, including items such as newspapers, food, clothing and sometimes animals. For older adults, hoarding/cluttering can pose many risks including falls and health problems.
Although often misunderstood as laziness or lack of hygiene, hoarding and cluttering is a mental health issue that can be caused by depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other disorders. It is possible to treat hoarding/cluttering, and to do so it is first necessary to identify if the problem truly is hoarding/cluttering or a separate issue.
Use this list of questions composed by Gail Steketee of the Boston University School of Social Work to find out if you or a loved one may have a hoarding/cluttering problem:
1. Am I afraid I will get in trouble with my landlord because of clutter or have I already gotten in trouble?
2. Do I have too much stuff? Have I fallen over my clutter?
3. Do I have to move stuff off the futniture in order to use it?
4. Do people tell me that my place is dirty, a mess, or that it smells bad?
5. Am I reluctant to have people come over because of clutter?
6. Do I have to move stuff off the bed to go to bed at night?
7. Do I lose things all the time in the clutter?
8. Am I unable to get to my windows, fire escape, and doors?
9. Do I bring things home even though my place is already cluttered?
10. Do I get anxious when I think someone might take, rearrange, or throw away my clutter?
Answering "yes" to two or more of these questions is indicative of a potential hoarding/cluttering problem.
To learn more about resources for managing and treating hoarding/cluttering, or to find out how Visiting Angels can help anyone of any age who is living with this condition, please contact one of our offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585 |
| 10/29/2008 10:39:33 AM |
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You’re rushing out of the office on a weeknight, hoping to get your daughter to soccer practice on time, cook dinner and help your other child with their homework. Just as you hit the road, your cell phone rings. It’s the pharmacy telling you that the two prescriptions your father needs immediately are ready for pick up. Or you’re off to your son’s school play just as your mom’s neighbor calls to inform you that she has fallen again and needs you right away.
If these scenarios sound familiar, you’re stuck in the middle and have joined the “sandwich generation.” The term refers to adults with families of their own who find themselves caring for their parents as well. According to numbers from the National Family Caregiver Survey, 44 percent of Americans between the ages of 45 and 55 have aging parents or in-laws as well as children under 21.
This means that lots of families are dealing as best they can with the stress of running two households. Whether your parent lives with you, lives nearby or lives in another state, trying to juggle all these responsibilities is stressful, no matter how much support you have from family and friends.
And don’t forget the guilt. There’s plenty of that, too. Guilt over not spending enough time helping your kids with their homework because you’re cooking and freezing meals for your dad. Guilt over making your mom postpones her doctor appointment because your meeting at work ran overtime. Guilt at not having enough time to spend with your spouse. Guilt over asking your next-door neighbor to drive the kids to football practice – again – because you have to make long distance arrangements to attend to your loved one’s needs in another state.
“Caring for an aging or ill parent is a full-time job that can take a toll on the caregiver. Add to that the demands of your job, lost time at the job plus your immediate family’s needs chances are you’re going to need assistance along the way,” says Richard Bitner of Visiting Angels, a national network of franchised non-medical senior homecare agencies.
“Not everyone needs to be placed into an institutional facility and can remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home,” says Bitner. “Visiting Angels provides something these families have been missing -- stability in everyone’s lives and peace of mind.”
The company provides senior homecare to help elderly and older adults continue to live in their homes. These caring, experienced home caregivers provide up to 24-hour care in the comfort of the client’s own home.
In addition to offering joyful companionship, Visiting Angels can provide a vital link in patient care. Although Visiting Angels are non-medical caregivers, they are an important link between the patient, their family and their doctor.
Caregivers will also do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping -- other ways they can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.
Courtesy of ARA Content
For more information about how Visiting Angels can help relieve the burden on "sandwich generation" caregivers, please feel free to contact one of our Bay Area offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 10/27/2008 10:39:45 AM |
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Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia brings with it many unique issues. Caregivers working with people suffering from various forms of memory loss often struggle with the ambiguity and uncertainty it causes. They also may have difficulty coping with the fact that someone living with memory impairment is physically present but is mentally and psychologically drifting away.
The Family Caregiver Alliance has compiled a helpful Fact Sheet outlining these and other issues facing caregivers working with memory impaired care recipients, why such issues arise and how caregivers can address them and better cope with the situation.
For more information about how Visiting Angels can help individuals living with memory impairment, please feel free to contact one of our Bay Area offices:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 10/13/2008 10:39:39 AM |
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Senate Unanimous on Increasing Falls Safety Awareness
Falls Are Leading Cause of Injury Deaths among Persons Over 65
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Retirement and Aging, announced the Senate's unanimous passage this week of her resolution to designate Sept. 22 as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Day." The resolution was intended to promote public awareness about how to prevent and reduce falls among older Americans, which are the leading cause of deaths from injury among persons over 65.
Falls among seniors are a very serious matter, and are costly not only in terms of spending for care and rehabilitation but in the quality of life of many older Americans. Falls often lead to reduced mobility and exacerbate other previously manageable problems, making independent living more difficult to maintain and fueling a negative outlook for those who suffer them.
But even modest efforts to increase fall awareness among seniors, as well as the clinicians who provide care for them, have been shown to have a significant positive impact. To boost these efforts, the Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) has made fall prevention resources available for its members to help their clients avoid falls.
To learn more about how Visiting Angels can help prevent falls in your home or the home of a loved one, please call one of our Northern California locations:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 10/9/2008 12:09:30 PM |
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Seniors are one of the groups hit hardest during flu season. It's important for anyone who spends time around older adults to take precautions in order to keep from spreading the flu to this vulnerable demographic.
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy during this year's flu season:
1. Avoid close contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Printable Materials for Promoting Good Health Habits
* Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/flu |
| 10/6/2008 12:08:21 PM |
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With caregiver fatigue and burnout being more prevalent than ever, it is vitally important that caregivers maintain a sense of well-being so that they can provide those important services required by the care recipients. We are always concerned about making sure the care recipient is well cared for, yet we rarely discuss the needs of the caregiver. Caregivers must take care of themselves if they are to remain effective in their duties for the care recipient.
There is no doubt that caregiving is stressful, even in the best of circumstances. With that in mind, below you will find a Caregiver Stress Test (from www.seniormag.com) which will help to identify particular areas of concern for caregivers.
Which of the following are "seldom true," "sometimes true," "often true," or "usually true"?
I find I can't get enough sleep.
I don't have enough time for myself.
I don't have time to be with other family members besides the person I care for.
I feel guilty about my situation.
I don't get out much anymore.
I have conflict with the person I care for.
I have conflicts with other family members.
I worry about having enough money to make ends meet.
I don't feel I have enough knowledge or experience to give care as well as I'd like.
My own health is not good.
If the response to one or more of these areas is "usually true" or "often true" it may be time to begin looking for help with caring for the care recipient and help in taking care of yourself.
To learn more about Visiting Angels, our caregivers and how we can help lighten your load by providing respite care, please feel free to call us:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 9/29/2008 3:14:08 PM |
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On October 11, 2008 Visiting Angels will join thousands of walkers participating in the Alzheimer's Association Treasure Island Memory Walk. This annual event raises money for the Alzheimer's Association's research and support programs.
Alzheiemer's disease effects many of our clients at Visiting Angels, and we have wittnessed firsthand the impact it has on the friends and family members of those living with the disease. Our caregivers have devoted countless hours to assiting people in our community to stay independent at home while suffering the debilitating side effects of Alzheimer's disease. We believe that participating in the Memory Walk may one day lead to a world without Alzheimer's disease.
At last year's Memory Walk our group of 18 coworkers, friends and family took the leisurely 3 mile walking route around Treasure Island where we chatted, enjoyed the view and danced to the bands that played along the way. We all wore matching t-shirts bearing the names of the friends, family and clients who we walked in honor of. It was a beautiful morning and a rewarding experience- not to mention a whole lot of fun. Together we raised over $3,000 for the Alzheimer's Association!
We're looking forward to this year's event and hope to see you there!
For more information about how Visiting Angels can help care for someone you know who is living with Alzheimer's disease, feel free to call us:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585 |
| 9/26/2008 1:25:43 PM |
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How do you know when it's time to take the keys away from an older adult driver? Here are a few signs that you may need to have a difficult conversation with your family member or loved one about their ability to continue driving:
Abrupt lane changes, braking or acceleration
Reacts slowly to changes in driving environment
Has close calls or more fender benders than usual
Fails to use turn signal or keeps signal on without changing lanes
Drifts into other lanes
Drives on the wrong side of the road or in the shoulder
Appears fearful or scared of driving or excessively tired after driving
Has trouble reading signs or navigating directions; gets lost more than usual
Notices the irritation and honking of other drivers but doesn’t seem to understand, or seems oblivious to the frustration of other drivers
Fails to pay attention to signs, signals or pedestrians
Misses exits or backs up after missing exit
Experiences physical difficulty or range of motion issues (looking over the shoulder, moving hands or feet, etc.)
For more information about safe driving and to read a story about how Visiting Angels helped one older adult stay independent after losing her keys, read our previously posted article, "When It's Time to Take the Keys Away."
To learn more about Visiting Angels, our caregivers and how we may be of assistance to you or a loved one, please feel free to call us:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 9/22/2008 12:16:50 PM |
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Visiting Angels is a member of the National Private Duty Association (NPDA), the nation's first association for providers of private duty homecare.
Membership to NPDA is limited to agencies who employ their caregivers, create a plan of care for clients, maintain 24/7 on call coverage, perform regular supervisory visits, maintain Workers' Compensation coverage and carry liability insurance.
Because of these rigorous standards, NPDA members offer more than just home care: They offer peace of mind. From their code of ethics to their continuing education to their gentle, compassionate services, NPDA members are ready to help you and your loved ones.
Visiting Angels is proud to be a member of the NPDA!
To learn more about NPDA and take advantage of their resources, visit their website.
To learn more about Visiting Angels, our caregivers and how we may be of assistance to you or a loved one, please feel free to call us:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 9/20/2008 1:13:08 PM |
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a major new web resource for families, caregivers, and seniors to help navigate long-term care needs. The new website, activated Sept. 18, is part of the Medicare program's consumer site and includes links to help locate providers of services. It also provides a link to direct users seeking information on home care and hospice services to the National Association for Home Care & Hospice's (NAHC) home page.
The new Medicare caregiver site includes links to information on the variety of long-term care services and how to pay for them, including the types of Medicare coverage for eligible individuals and financial assistance. A link to the Administration on Aging's website helps caregivers locate federal, state, and local assistance and support through organizations and providers. Users of the caregiver site can also sign up to receive a free newsletter on updates from Medicare and learn about other caregivers' stories. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a major new web resource for families, caregivers, and seniors to help navigate long-term care needs. The new website, activated Sept. 18, is part of the Medicare program's consumer site and includes links to help locate providers of services. It also provides a link to direct users seeking information on home care and hospice services to the National Association for Home Care & Hospice's (NAHC) home page.
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| 9/20/2008 12:55:19 PM |
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It is so easy to get wrapped up in the quickening pace of life. This time of the year is especially busy with kids heading back to school and holidays to prepare for, not to mention the demands of caring for a loved one! Many of us become stressed, which leads to high hormone levels and health problems down the road. It’s extremely important to remember to take care of yourself amid all of the hustle and bustle.
Here are some tips to help you slow down:
Take at least 20 minutes for yourself everyday. Go for a walk or run, close your eyes and breathe deeply, take a bath- do anything that gives your body and mind time to de-stress.
Organize your time. Divide your day into three lists: “Must do,” “should do,” and “could do.” Try limiting your could-dos or bundle them together. Don’t forget to put “relax” on your list of must-dos!
Leave space in your schedule: Try leaving at least one evening a week open. Set some time aside on the weekend for slowing down.
Stay away from the screen: Try limiting the time you spent surfing the internet or checking your email. These activities are useful but take up a lot of your spare time.
Call Visiting Angels and let our caregivers give you a break!: Visiting Angels can send a caregiver to provide respite anywhere from 1 to 7 days a week, 4 to 24 hours a day. There's no set schedule involved- call us when YOU need us. Just a few hours off duty once in a while can help give you the time you need to take care of yourself so you can better take care of someone else.
To learn more about Visiting Angels, our caregivers and how we may be of assistance to you or a loved one, please feel free to call us:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
Parts of this post taken from “Top Health,” a publication of Care West Insurance Company.
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| 9/22/2008 11:58:22 AM |
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As the number of seniors in the U.S. continues to grow—the first “Baby Boomers” will turn 65 in 2011—so does the market for senior homecare. Chances are you will at some point be looking for a caregiver for a family member or for yourself. Due to the increased need for such assistance, many non-medical homecare agencies are sprouting up across the landscape. However, not all agencies are alike, and it’s important to understand the differences.
When interviewing a homecare company, be sure to ask the following questions about their caregivers:
Are your caregivers employees or independent contractors?
Do you interview your caregivers in person?
Are your caregivers screened, bonded and insured?
What screening processes do you employ?
Do you require that your caregivers attend an orientation?
Do your caregivers need to have experience?
A homecare company is only as good as its caregivers, and at Visiting Angels we work hard to attract and hire the very best caregivers in the Bay Area. All of our caregivers are our employees, which means that they are bonded and we handle their taxes and worker’s compensation insurance. It also means that we have an opportunity to meet and get to know each caregiver on many different occasions and maintain oversight while they are working with our clients.
In addition, all of our “angels” have to pass a rigorous screening process. This process includes an in-person interview, skills assessment, DMV and Social Security background checks, drug testing and an orientation. We require that all Visiting Angels caregivers have at least one year of experience before they work with our clients.
To learn more about Visiting Angels, our caregivers and how we may be of assistance to you or a loved one, please feel free to call us:
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties: (925) 552-6500
Marin and San Francisco Counties: (415) 499-1200
San Joaquin Valley: (209) 952-3585
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| 9/22/2008 11:59:40 AM |
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When It’s Time to Take the Keys Away
(ARA) - How would you react if you were sitting in the back seat, one of your parents were driving, and they became slightly confused when it came time to take an exit? Or if they brushed a curb while driving down the road? Most people wouldn’t consider either situation alarming, but what if your loved one got lost on the way to the grocery store or some other place they had been to dozens of times before?
It happened to 84-year-old “Mary” of Charlotte, N.C., about two years ago. She was supposed to drive herself to a dentist appointment, but somehow ended up about 10 miles away at a post office. Fortunately she remembered her home phone number and was able to call her husband for help. When he arrived, he hugged her and with tears in his eyes told her it was time to take away the keys.
As the baby boomers age, taking away the keys is a decision more and more of their children and spouses are going to have to make. Safe driving is no longer possible once a person’s vision, hearing and/or reaction time have become impaired by old age; or once diseases like Alzheimers and dementia have robbed them of such cognitive abilities as memory, judgment and understanding.
“In Mary’s case, it wasn’t the first time she had taken a wrong turn. Fortunately, her husband found the strength to take away the keys, but a lot of people are reluctant to do so because they fear their loved one will see it as a loss of their freedom and dignity. We make sure that is not the case,” says Pat Drea, vice president of Visiting Angels, the agency hired to help Mary just days after she lost her keys.
Some days the Visiting Angels would play cards with Mary or help her do housework and make dinner; other days she’d drive Mary to doctors’ appointments or the store, or just take her to the park for an afternoon stroll. “Our Visiting Angels did everything possible to make life seem normal that year before Mary entered the nursing home which I’m sure both she and her husband appreciated,” says Drea.
In addition to helping out at home, Visiting Angels can also be hired as companions for people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Their services are covered by most long term care insurance plans.
Visiting Angels is the nation’s fastest growing franchisor of non-medical senior homecare. The company now has 300 offices across the country. To find the one nearest you, log on to www.visitingangels.com or call (800) 365-4189.
Courtesy of ARA Content |
| 9/22/2008 12:09:17 PM |
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Mom Took Care of You -- Now the Tables are Turned
There’s nothing like a mother’s love. Whether she was making your school lunch, giving you a pep talk after a disappointment, acting as your biggest cheerleader, or spoiling your kids, Mom was always there for you.
Perhaps that’s why it is so difficult for grown children to accept the fact that they are not always able to take care of an aging mother themselves. In a perfect world, you would be able to take care of your aging parent in your home or theirs, relying only on family to help you. But the reality is that caring for an aging or ill parent is a full-time job that can take a toll on the caregiver; add to that the demands of raising a family, working, and other responsibilities, and chances are you’ll need a little assistance along the way.
That’s where Visiting Angels come in. Visiting Angels is a premier provider of in-home care helping all those with short or long term needs. In addition to helping elderly and infirmed adults they care for those with extended illnesses, disabilities and other short or long term personal needs. These caring, experienced caregivers provide up to 24-hour care in the comfort of the client’s own home.
Unlike most service agencies that assign staff and schedule appointments with little input from their clients, Visiting Angels representatives begin by meeting with potential clients to thoroughly review the specific needs. They talk with involved family members, and when necessary, a person's physician, social workers, hospitals or nursing home staff. Working in conjunction with the family they develop an individualized program to manage the particular needs of each care recipient. They match the client needs to the best possible caregiver and then bring them to the home so that the client can participate in the selection process. Clients who participate in selecting their own caregivers always ensure that the match will be a good one.
You can be confident that your caregiver is qualified and has excellent references. “Character counts,” says Eric Jensen, one of the owners of the Bay Area Visiting Angels offices. “We build relationships with families and hire only experienced caregivers who pass a rigorous screening process.
“We want our clients to look forward to a visit by their caregiver,” says Jensen. “That’s why the client is in complete control from start to finish.” After the caregiver has been placed in the home, the company continues its unique system of personalized contacts through telephone check-in and home visits.
Although Visiting Angels are non-medical caregivers, they provide a vital link in patient care. In cases where seniors are coming home from the hospital or a nursing home, the agency will consult with doctors, nursing home staff, social workers, physical therapists, and of course, the family, to establish each client’s personalized needs. In addition, although Visiting Angels do not dispense drugs, they can help monitor whether the patient is taking their medication.
In addition to offering companionship, Visiting Angels provides light housekeeping, does errands and shopping, prepares meals, provides transportation, and does anything they can to provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.
Visiting Angels has three offices in the greater bay area. For more information on services visit their website www.jmhomecare.com or call (415) 499-1200.
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| 9/19/2008 1:53:24 PM |
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