home helpers brentwood tn, home helpers nashville tn, home helpers Franklin, Bellevue, Belle Meade, Green Hills, and surrounding counties in Middle Tennessee.

Awareness in Senior Care in Middle TN: Migraine Awareness Month

Kathy — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:50:48 +0000

Over 37 million people in the United States suffer from migraines. With migraine sufferers being such a large total of the population, it is no wonder that there are many who wish to understand it more. Yet, despite how many have migraines, there is still a wealth of misinformation and myths about migraines that persist in the greater population and thus having a migraine awareness month helps to bring the issues to the forefront of society. If you are providing care for a loved one, migraines can be especially debilitating. If you provide senior care for someone who cannot do for themselves, you must remain vigilant, aware and capable of acting, which migraines can stop you from being.

As more and more people find the truth about migraines and the myth of them being just ‘severe headaches’ disappears, help has come to those who suffer. With a community of people who likewise go through these issues, the possibility of finding new treatments, becoming a block that researchers cannot ignore and comforting one another have started to become reality. Indeed already there has been a massive shift in public perception as people have realized that these debilitating migraines can happen to anyone of any walk of life, including children. As migraine sufferers learn the signs of an oncoming migraine and take steps to prevent or prepare for it, there is only left the stigma of other people in how they view your treatment of the migraine.

When it comes to those who provide senior care, it can be difficult to explain a migraine as a reason you cannot fulfill your duty. Many who do not get migraines have a hard time understanding the severity of the issue and thus need to be educated as to what a migraine actually is. For those people, Migraine Awareness Month is essential, and it is up to you to help spread the word and make everyone in your community understand that this ‘isn’t just a headache. Wear purple, post blogs and tweets and status updates about it, hand out flyers, participate in walks or any number of ways to promote the cause and get people asking questions about migraines. It is often that through migraine education, more people realize that they in fact get migraines as well, and are able to find help in explaining to employers, healthcare providers and schools their absenteeism. Find an event in your community today and spread the word about migraines.

If you would like more information about home care in Middle TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care to the elderly, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Awareness in Elderly Care in Green Hills TN: Stroke Awareness Month

Kathy — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:33:47 +0000

On May 11, 1989 President George Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation 5975. This proclamation designated May as the official National Stroke Awareness Month. Since then, every year the Stroke Association has led the nation in observing a month-long time it to honor those that suffer from stroke, elderly care providers who have helped these seniors, and other health care workers who have helped sufferers of stroke. This month is dedicated to raising public awareness of this serious condition in an effort to find ways to treat and overcome the condition.

As with many other conditions in elderly care, there is a tremendous effort and push for the medical community to find more effective ways to treat and manage stroke. Though it can happen to people of virtually any age, stroke is especially common in the elderly, and many elder care providers have learned the difficulty of helping an aging loved one cope with the physical and psychological consequences of having a stroke.

The specific goals of raising awareness of stroke include:

Modifying the mindset of Americans so more people express genuine care about supporting education into stroke and stroke research
Raising awareness of the emotional, physical and financial implications associated with having stroke. These implications are not just on the person suffers the stroke, but also his caregivers and the nation as a whole
Encouraging our nation to improve and support our health to avoid stroke
Sure and personal stories to encourage understanding of the condition, the aftermath, and the realities of providing elderly care for a person who has suffered a stroke
Influencing legislators and intellectual leaders throughout our nation to make valuable decisions that can make a dramatic positive impact on stroke survivors and their loved ones
Providing a valuable platform for the millions of survivors and their families to gain support, speak out about their experiences and do their part in helping raise awareness, education and encourage further research into the condition.

There is no role to small and raising awareness about stroke. If you have an aging loved one who has suffered a stroke, have known someone who has suffered a stroke, or have yourself suffered a stroke, it is your responsibility within the elder care community and the nation as a whole to be a part of the efforts to raise awareness and encourage education throughout our nation. Contact the elderly care referral services in your area to find out how you can become involved in a community event for Stroke Awareness.

If you would like more information about elder care in Green Hills TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable elder care services to help seniors, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community get to their annual appointments. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Elder Care Nashville TN: The Importance of an Elder Care Calendar

Kathy — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:16:23 +0000

If there’s one thing that most elderly care providers will agree upon is that it is critical to have not only an elder care plan, but an elder care calendar. When preparing to become an elder care provider for an aging loved one, you may not realize or appreciate how much planning and strategy will go into providing the best, most effective elder care as you possibly can. Once you enter into this relationship, however, you will quickly understand that in order to be the best care provider, you will need to be organized. Appropriately managing multiple medical conditions requires a close understanding of the frequency of medication doses and other treatments, how often you need to be bringing your aging loved one to medical appointments and the close monitoring and recording of new and worsening symptoms. All of this can be accomplished on an elder care calendar.

When picking out your elder care calendar, take into consideration how many things you think will be included on a daily basis. Some of the things that will need to be noted on this calendar include:

- What medication needs to be taken, in what does and how often

- Any medical appointments need to be scheduled or attended that day

- Any new symptoms that appear

- Any symptoms that seem to have worsened

- Any questions that you may have for the doctor

- Specific instructions for anyone else you may be providing elder care for your loved one on that particular day

- Notes for groceries or other supplies that you may need

- Events or obligation for your life outside of your elder care arrangement.

The specific items that you choose to include on your elder care calendar are completely up to you. What matters is that you remain organized and properly scheduled as to continue providing the best, most attentive care possible. Remember that many medications and treatments must be taken on a very specific schedule, and having this noted on a highly visible calendar will make it easy for you to remember, and to give reminders to your aging loved one. Noting a new behavior or symptom on a calendar can also help you to identify patterns that you may otherwise have ignored. These patterns can be indicative of a worsening or new condition that will need to be brought to the attention of your loved one’s doctor.

If you would like more information about elder care in Nashville TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable elder care services to help seniors, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community get to their annual appointments. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Home Care Services in Franklin, TN are Helping Seniors Cope with Parkinson’s Disease

Kathy — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:16:22 +0000

Next to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. This disease results from the dopamine generating cells in the patient’s brain undergoing a massive cell death. While the cause of this cell death is not known, it is obvious that these particular cells are rapidly and dramatically reduced. Over the course of the disease, the patient will exhibit primarily physical symptoms, as opposed to the largely cognitive symptoms exhibited by seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. These symptoms include tremors, continuous shaking, difficulty walking, rigidity and slowness of movement. During the later stages of the disease, seemingly the opposite of Alzheimer’s disease, patients may experience a variety of cognitive or behavioral issues. Other difficult symptoms of the disease include sensory problems, difficulty sleeping and emotional changes. This disease, also as with Alzheimer’s disease, is most prevalent among seniors, with the vast majority of patients developing the disease after the age of 50.

Diagnosis of the disease can be difficult because there is no laboratory test that can be used to identify the disease. Brain scans, however, are frequently used to eliminate the possibility of other diseases that may manifest in similar symptoms. If Parkinson’s is suspected, the patient may be given a drug known as levodopa. If this medication works to provide relief of the involuntary movements and motor impairment the diagnosis is considered confirmed. This drug works to replace the dopamine in the brain that has been lost due to the rampant cell death. Because even this diagnosis is not necessarily fool-proof, most experts recommend that patients having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease be reviewed periodically to ensure that the disease is progressing in such a way that it can still be considered Parkinson’s. The only true proof of a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is autopsy of the brain.

In the early stages of the disease, the senior will likely be able to care for himself normally, but as the disease progresses he will need more assistance taking care of his daily needs. When this time comes, home care services can be truly invaluable. An in home care provider offers ongoing care and assistance to seniors coping with Parkinson’s disease so they are able to maintain as much independence as possible and move through the progression of the disease with grace and dignity.

An in home care provider will be present in the home to help seniors cope with the symptoms of the disease, as well as the often-disorienting side effects of the dopamine-replacement drugs prescribed for these patients. Home care providers will help the senior cope with the physical challenges he is facing, as well as the onset of psychological and behavioral concerns as they arise for a more comfortable and productive quality of life.

If you would like more information about home care services in Franklin TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care services to the elderly, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Elder Care Brentwood TN: Care for Sensitive Skin

Kathy — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:46:10 +0000

Skin sensitivity can pose a multitude of problems regardless of your age. Aging adults, however, tend to experience increased skin sensitivity that can easily be irritated by elder health care services. If you are an elderly care provider for an aging loved one, it is important that you are aware of the potential for skin sensitivity and can address it promptly in order to ensure your loved one remains comfortable and healthy. Skin sensitivity is not just about developing an itchy rash if a senior comes in contact with an allergen. A senior with sensitive skin can experience serious rashes that can result in severe scratching. This scratching can break the skin and introduce germs and bacteria into the senior, leading to infection, pain and illness. Developing an elder care plan based around your loved one’s skin sensitivity is an important step in keeping him healthy and comfortable.

Here are some tips for providing elder care for seniors with sensitive skin:

• Make sure that your loved one is using only skincare products that are designed for sensitive skin.

• Eliminate soaps, body washes, lotions or moisturizers that contain artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals.
• Reduce or eliminate exfoliating products such as facial scrubs or body washes.

• Use the same laundry detergent and softener consistently. If your loved one is still showing signs of irritation, switch to a dye and fragrance free option.

• Lower the heat in your loved one’s shower or bath. Prolonged exposure to hot water can seriously irritate skin. Instead, allow your loved one to enjoy a briefer, warm bath or shower. You may also want to consider printing your loved ones skin in cool, not cold, water after bathing.

• If your loved one’s skin sensitivity resembles diaper rash, this can become an extremely painful and embarrassing situation. Provide a healing skin cream or balm that will create a protective barrier on the skin and allow it to heal.

• Use pure cornstarch baby powder to keep your loved one’s skin cool and prevent friction. This is especially helpful during the hot weather or if your loved one is overweight. The baby powder will help absorb sweat and keep the senior’s skin from rubbing against each other, causing pain and tearing.

• Address any allergic reactions by first contacting the physician to ensure that this may not be a side effect to a new medication or medical condition. If it is confirmed that this is a topical allergic reaction, hydrocortisone cream can take the itch away

If you would like more information about elder care in Brentwood TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable elder care services to help seniors, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community get to their annual appointments. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Adding Years to Life and Life to Years with Home Care Services in Nashville TN

Kathy — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:01:29 +0000

There is a common misconception among the younger generations that when a person gets older she is no longer able to live an active, productive and exciting lifestyle. While many seniors cope with difficulties such as mobility problems, cognitive issues or multiple chronic illnesses, this does not mean that their lives are already over and it is time to just tuck them away and move on. In fact, many seniors report that even with the challenges that come with aging, their later adulthood is an exciting and adventurous time for them. Now that they are from many of the responsibilities and obligations of younger adulthood such as caring for young children or going to work every day, they are given much more opportunity to participate in the activities that they enjoy and explore life with greater freedom. Hiring home care services for your aging loved ones is a fantastic way for you to lengthen their lives while also making their lives better.

Nearly everyone has a clear concept of the type of senior care that they would like to receive when they get older. Even younger adults sometimes stop and consider what they do and do not want in terms of care later in their lives. While it is not true for everyone, many people will immediately make the decision that they do not want to leave their homes ever if at all possible. Home care services allow seniors to stay in the homes in which they are comfortable and happy, while still receiving the high level of care that they need and deserve.

One of the most powerful benefits of home care services is the freedom that can be provided by having an in home care provider in the home for most or all of the day. Even seniors who are no longer able to drive want to be able to get out and enjoy activities such as shopping, going to museums or socializing with friends. A home care companion can offer transportation and mobility assistance so that your aging loved one is able to enjoy an even more active and exciting lifestyle.

Something very important to keep in mind is that even seniors who acknowledge that they need help taking care of daily tasks or getting around safely may be reluctant to openly embrace the concept of home care services. Few people like to admit that they are getting old and don’t want to feel as though they are being “babysat”. When you bring up the idea of home healthcare services to your aging loved one, make sure that you emphasize the benefits of such a care provider in terms of the increased freedom and ongoing independence that your loved one can enjoy by having a home care companion.

If you would like more information about home care services in Nashville TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care services to the elderly, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Important Factors to consider when Providing Elderly Care Services in Green Hills TN

Kathy — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:13:59 +0000

Providing elderly care services is one of the most basic requirements of any individual living with an elderly senior. This is because as time progresses, seniors’ needs become more crucial and they require more attention. This is evident especially with people living with their elderly parents. As days progress, they tend to require more attention and time in order to make their lives comfortable.

This can include providing more health services, doctor checkups and routine visits for regular tests in hospitals. This makes it hard for most individuals to juggle their day to day work and care for their elderly parents at the same time. It becomes a necessity for them to find alternative measures where they are able to provide elderly care for their parents and also manage their daily jobs. Many individuals opt to seek elderly care services.

There are some important factors that must be considered in order for one to get the best elderly care service.

First of all, what are the personal preferences of your aging loved one? Your parents can have personal preferences with regard to how they would like to be cared for in your absence. They can, for instance, decide whether they would like to receive care services at their home or travel to adult day care each day.

It is very important to take their preferences into consideration as they are the ones who will be on the receiving end of the services. If they have any complaints towards specific caregivers, do not ignore this. In most cases there is always evidence to back up their feelings.

Their preferences hold a lot of weight in determining how comfortable and effective their care and or rehabilitation will be. As the adage goes, “one man’s meat is another man’s poison”. What may seem fine for you may not necessarily be okay for them.

Another important factor to put into consideration is one’s financial situation. The budget that they have dedicated towards long-term care needs should be adequate to provide comfortable conditions for the elderly person.

Adult children should locate the best care that is comfortable for them and is within their financial ability. Home care is usually billed monthly depending on the policy of the company offering the service. With these factors considered, your aging parent can now enjoy efficient elderly care services and quality care.

If you would like more information about elderly care services Green Hills TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable elder care services to help seniors, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community get to their annual appointments. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Home Care Services in Franklin TN Bring Independence

Kathy — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:46:36 +0000

Home care services can bring independence to your loved one. Your senior has been independent their whole life. They have worked, raised a family and now are retired. Your senior probably has been married the majority of their life. When a senior loses their spouse, then not only does grief and depression set in, but a lack of independence does as well.

You don’t want your parent or senior to feel dependent on you for their everyday life. You want your senior to be able to stay in their home and surroundings. This will not only bring peace to your senior, but also independence. Your senior may not need home care services because they are ill. This isn’t the only time to think about having home care services out to your senior’s home. You should have home care services brought to your senior’s home for independence and security.

A home care service will allow your senior to stay in their home.

This is important for the senior as this is a familiar surrounding for them. This is their home and they are familiar with the home. Many times when a senior is put into an assisted living facility they become disoriented and depressed. This is all confusing to them. The senior will often regress with their health. They have the feeling of ‘giving up’. You don’t want this to happen to your senior and loved one.

Having a home care services at your senior’s home will keep the senior happy and feeling like they are still independent and important. You can let the senior know that you are having home care services provided to them so life can just be more comfortable. They will be able to have the in-home caregiver tidy up the home, help them cook and even drive them to social events as well. The senior will be happy that they will just have some help around the house.

Independence means a lot to a senior.

They don’t want to be dependent on their kids or grandkids. They want to be able to live life just as they have always lived life. Home care will allow the senior to be independent. You will be amazed at how great the senior will welcome a caregiver to their home. When the senior feels like they have a say in their own healthcare and life, then they feel independent in decisions.

This is one of the main reasons home care services are hired for seniors.

Independence and security for the senior and the family. The family will know their senior is being taken care of properly as they are unable to be at the senior’s home daily. If your senior has lost a spouse recently, then you probably have noticed a withdrawal. You can change that around with home care services. The senior will have companionship along with assistance and independence. For these reasons alone, consider home care services.

Elder Care Belle Meade TN: Annual Elderly Care Check-ups

Kathy — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:50:47 +0000

Preventative care should be the primary focus of your elderly care efforts. As an elder care provider it is your responsibility to make sure that your aging loved one is as healthy and happy as possible, which relies not just on reacting to issues that arise, but being proactive and making sure that your aging loved one’s health is always managed to the best of your ability.

An annual elderly care check-up is one of the best ways that you can make sure that he is at his healthiest throughout the year. While seniors are more prone to developing a variety of medical conditions, many of these conditions can be much more effectively managed, or even eliminated, if caught very early. Having elderly care check-ups at least once a year allows your loved one’s physician to thoroughly evaluate him and run a series of appropriate tests to detect health concerns that may have just emerged and monitor the progress of existing conditions.

Proactive elderly care is also about paying attention to the progress of any medical conditions that your loved one is currently coping with and evaluating the effectiveness of any treatments and management plans that are in place. Many of the medical conditions that seniors cope with are progressive, meaning that they will change and worsen over time. Bringing your loved one to annual check-ups allows the physician to stay on top of these changes and make modifications to the treatment plan in order to best deal with the conditions.

Your aging loved one’s annual elderly care check-up is also the perfect opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have or bring up any concerns that may have developed over the course of the year. Though it is likely that your loved one sees multiple doctors throughout the year, these specialized appointments rarely give you the opportunity to discuss his overall health and observations that you have that are not necessarily associated with the condition or issues that that particular physician addresses regularly. Encourage your loved one to make the most of his check-ups so he can enjoy a healthy, productive life.

If you would like more information about elder care in Belle Meade TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable elder care services to help seniors, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community get to their annual appointments. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.

Grief with a Purpose: Making Senior Care in Nashville TN Your Life Goal

Kathy — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:51:50 +0000

It is unlikely that when you were young you spent a lot of time thinking about the eventual need to provide senior care for your parents. Many young people have the perpetual perspective of their parents as being vital, young and healthy and simply cannot imagine the point in life at which their parents would be incapable of taking care of themselves independently. When the time came, however, you found yourself not only adapting quickly to your role as a senior care provider for your aging parents, but finding it fulfilling and satisfying. As the end of your parents’ lives grow near, however, you are coping with more responsibilities and more difficult emotions than before. There are two ways that you can approach this grief. The first is to let it overwhelm you and end your role as a caregiver. The other is to continue to love and honor your loved ones even after they pass by making senior care the ongoing focus of your life.

Grief with a purpose is about taking everything that you have learned in your role as a senior care provider for your aging loved ones and translating it into a career aimed at helping others. There are many options available that can help you channel the pain and loss that you are feeling into a productive and valuable ongoing role. Some of the options include:

Senior Care Provider

If you found your role as a caregiver comfortable and fulfilling, you may be interested in continuing your education and finding a permanent career as a care provider for other seniors. This can allow you to help others going through the aging of their loved ones feel more confident about their loved ones’ quality of life, health and happiness.

Support Group Leader

Within your role as a senior care provider you likely encountered stress, confusion and other difficult emotions. Being a part of a support group is an amazing way to get through these emotions and learn coping skills that can help you be a more effective and healthier care provider.

Senior Advocate

Most hospitals have senior advocates on staff that help families make decisions regarding ongoing senior care. It is the role of such an advocate to comfort the family, educate them on all of the options and protect the interests and rights of the senior.

If you would like more information about senior care in Nashville TN, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable senior care to the elderly, veterans and disabled loved ones in our community. Call our caregivers at 615-823-5454.