Senior Matters

Needing Home Care Is Not Planned!

michellerogers — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:46:54 +0000

Last week I was involved in four conversations with non-related families and all of them have a need right now for home care services. As I spoke to each individual the same theme repeated itself, within a 24 hour period there lives were turned upside down due to circumstances they never predicted.

How do we help those individuals that are not prepared for these life changing events as it relates to their family members? I look forward to your comments.

Seniors & Animals

michellerogers — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:57:23 +0000

Yesterday I was visiting a perspective new client and when I arrived was greeted by a beautiful yellow lab. Rod! He is gentle, kind and sweet.

When Rod was younger he was a guide dog for the blind. He was trained in San Rafael but in his later years became afraid of the rain and other climatic weather. So Rod was given a new home.

Today Rod visits our new client’s home every day and is a great source of comfort and company to our new client. The dogs who return from guide duty are gentle and obedient plus they make great pets for our seniors.

Have you experienced a connection with a guide dog and if so what are your thoughts?

Seniors and Clutter

michellerogers — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:53:30 +0000

Recently I was at a couple of client’s homes and found they were holding onto many items and/or old paperwork dating back over 30 years. I have come to realize many people really want to hold on to their stuff but I wonder, is there a right approach where we can work with individuals to sort through and simplify their living quarters?

What are your thoughts and would you be willing to share your comments?

Dementia & Alzheimer Training

michellerogers — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:24:22 +0000

Last week Teepa Snow did her all day workshop in San Jose and all I can say is WOW! First of all what a knowledgable individual when it comes to dementia & Alzheimer’s disease.

We had approximately 90 people attend Thursday’s session. People were impressed because of Teepa’s energy and her ability to demonstrate how people with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s act, the telling signs. When she would demonstrate what someone might do then she would teach how to work with the individual. All I can say is she has a special gift.

Do you know your local resources for support in the area of Alzheimer’s or dementia?

For more information check out Teepa’s site @ http://www.teepasnow.com/

When is it time for care?

michellerogers — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:44:56 +0000

In the last couple of weeks I have been in conversations with two different family members with the same issue. Both have young children and both women are also caring for their mother in-laws. Feeling guilty, exhausted and overwhelmed was part of their story.

I continue to look for avenues to educate the community about services and resources that are available to families. If you have ideas on how we can bring attention to our baby boomers please feel free to comment back with your thoughts.

Changing the World of Alzheimer’s

michellerogers — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:35:25 +0000

Home Instead Senior Care Mountain View & Campbell, CA and the Alzheimer’s Association are hosting Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA national speaker on Alzheimer’s and dementia. Teepa is an occupational therapist specializing in dementia care and education. In addition to her private practice, Teepa has clinical appointments with Duke University’s School of nursing and UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine.

The all day event will commence on March 25th at the Crowne Plaza in San Jose, CA. Registration starts @ 8AM and the educational event will start at 9AM and end @ 4PM. A fee of $40.00 includes lunch and for those eligible, 6 CEUs. If you are interested in attending the event please call 650.691.9671.

CAREGivers and Client Relationships

michellerogers — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:08:35 +0000

This morning one of our CAREGivers stopped by my office to update me on one of our client’s who recently fell during the night. Unfortunately his wife had to call 911 and he is recovering in a rehab facility.

Yesterday she stopped in to visit with the client and found him sleeping. So she sat down and waited until he woke up. When he woke up he grabbed my CAREGiver’s hand and just smiled at her. He would not let go of her hand. His wife was so pleased to see him happy and smiling.

My CAREGiver told me she thought while he was rehabbing there would be no work for her but his wife insisted she continue to come and visit as well as help her at the rehab facility. The wife told my CAREGiver “you are our rock”.

The bond between a client and CAREGiver can be very special and this is what we strive for when helping and caring for our clients. When we hire people we focus on learning about the individual and how compassionate they are as individuals. Their compassion and passion makes the difference.

Seniors & Conversation

michellerogers — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:07:35 +0000

My CAREGiver was with a client for the third time this morning. Our client likes someone who will respect his space and who will keep a low profile based on his nature and request. This morning however, the CAREGiver took him to the window to show him the changing colors and falling leaves which triggered great memories. He expressed how his mother loved plants and how she would buy them and then ask her husband to plant them throughout the yard.

I welcome the stories from our CAREGivers because it really helps us to know how to more easily engage with our clients. It also enables us to develop a different level of trust and credibility and most importantly to bond with our clients.

So I honor the great work our CAREGivers do each and every day. They really are the heart of this wonderful business.

Senior Resources

michellerogers — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:11:53 +0000

At the end of the day on Friday I picked up a message from a business owner whom I had spoken with about her Mom and Dad 2 weeks ago. She was frustrated because Dad had become increasingly agitated and somewhat abusive. Her mom was tired and feeling as though she had no opportunity to get out of the house.

During the conversation she asked me lots of great questions and I made some suggestions to her that would stimulate and engage her father plus present an opportunity to enable her mom to leave the house so she could get her time and take care of her needs. We also sent some information to my caller. So when I listened to the message I was ecstatic to hear her excitement in her voice. She had identified a woman to come in and work with her parents on a project. Additionally she mentioned she was having conversations with them on those tough subjects we all tend to ignore, those last stages of care for our seniors. Mom and Dad were receptive and engaging with the dialogue.

She was grateful for having spent the time on the phone and ideas that were presented to her. It was the perfect way to end the day knowing someone is navigating through options for their family members and finding the right solution for their situation.

Senior Care Options, A New Book For Navigating

michellerogers — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:05:43 +0000

Paul and Lori Hogan, founders of Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest provider of non-medical in-home care for seniors, share their experiences in a newly released book, Stages of Senior Care.

The book serves as a comprehensive guide and resource that will help families about the many senior care options available including senior and/or adult care centers, non-medical care at home, medical care at home, retirement and independent living communities, assisted living, skilled nursing homes, and hospice care.

Mehmet Oz, M.D., host of the “Dr. Oz Show” and previously featured health expert for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” said the book will guide family caregivers through the surprisingly complex world of senior care.”

All the authors’ profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation. To order a book click the link below:

http://www.stagesofseniorcare.com/buy-the-book/?utm_source=Franchisee%2BBanner&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=large&utm_campaign=Stages%2BBook%20Banner” title=”Need More Help? Get your copy of the book, Stages of Senior Care”>http://homeinstead.com/resources/buy-the-book-300.gif” alt=”Need More Help? Get your copy of the book, Stages of Senior Care” />