Why Family Caregivers Should Be Their Own Valentine
Valentine’s Day: People send cards, flowers and candies to special people in their lives, but some people tend to overlook themselves. This is especially true for family caregivers. Keep
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Pennsylvania ComForCare Franchise Owner Appointed to PHA Public Policy Committee
Franchise owner Cassandra Poland has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) Public Policy Committee for 2019. PHA is a state trade association representing nearly 700 homecare and hospice providers.
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Swindling Seniors: The Most Common Scams Targeting Older Adults
The Nigerian prince hoax is one of the most well-known scams in the U.S. The con runs like this: A royal family member in a faraway country asks the mark, through a letter or email, to transfer millions of dollars out of their country by depositing it for safekeeping in the victim’s bank account. The royal may even ask for money to pay a fee or taxes for the transfer. Either way the victim has money stolen from them. Keep
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Who Are Millennial Caregivers?
Millennials seem to get a lot of negative press. Some may call them selfish, entitled, lazy and even industry killers. But, these are just poor stereotypes. Let’s put a face to the 71 million people that make up Gen Y: Mine, for instance. Keep
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Gratitude Makes Life Better: Easy Ways to Incorporate More Thankfulness in Your Day
A mindset of gratitude brings benefits throughout the year. Gratitude is the ability to notice, interpret and appreciate the positives aspects of life. Being grateful can increase contentment and also may enhance health. According to various studies, gratitude can help: Keep
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Keep a Good Habit
New Year’s Day is over, but New Year’s resolutions are just getting started. According to Statista, 93 percent of Millennials and 91 percent of Gen Xers they’ll keep the resolution they made for 2018. However, only 84 percent of Baby Boomers reported the same. While this number is low comparatively, don’t be discouraged. You just need to make it a good habit. Keep
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Indianapolis ComForCare Franchise Owners Receive 2018 Franchise of the Year Award
Hayley and Ryan Murray honored with prestigious award at ComForCare's annual franchise conference. Keep
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Looking for In-Home Care? 8 Reasons to Choose ComForCare Home Care
Whether it’s due to injury, illness or aging, sometimes older adults need a little extra help, especially at home. However, family members and friends can’t always be there 24/7 to assist aging loved ones. That’s where home care comes in. When it comes to choosing an in-home care provider, here are some of the ComForCare/At Your Side advantages: Keep
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What to Do After an Older Adult Falls
Millions of older adults 65+ fall every year. In fact, more than one out of four older adults falls each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls can be dangerous and can lead to serious injuries – 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries each year. Keep
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All I Want for Christmas (Senior Edition)
That familiar holiday tune expresses a simple wish of a child – not for the expected list of toys – but for front teeth to grow in quickly enough to properly say “Merry Christmas.” Some older adults might have just as much trouble saying “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Hanukah” as that wistful child, if not for the benefits of dentures, bridges and dental implants. However, if you asked most seniors to sing their holiday wish list, it might sound something like this: Keep
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Santa’s Secrets for a Joyful, Long Life
You’ve heard about Santa’s list – the one with names of children, their behavior, where they live and what they want for Christmas. However, you might not be aware Santa has a list for himself of seven ways to age well and enjoy his best life possible. Here is a peek at his list: Keep
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To My Caregiver: What I Want to Tell You
Every day at 5 a.m., I hear you wake up across the hall, unraveling yourself from the bed covers. You walk quietly to the kitchen as not to disturb me, so I can continue to sleep. You brew the coffee for us, count out my pills for the morning and set everything on my breakfast tray. As you enter my room, you call my name sweetly, “Mom?” I open my eyes to see a fatigued but smiling woman. You help me sit up in bed, guide my hand so I can drink and place my medications on my tongue. You help me bathe and dress. You lift me into my wheelchair and comb my hair, parted the way you know I like. Then, you hustle to get yourself ready for the day: work deadlines, PTA meetings, etc. Keep
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Hospice Care Is Health Care
When someone mentions the word “hospice,” people often cringe or change the subject, fearing that hospice care somehow means giving up on life. Others view hospice with a lack of respect, as if it isn’t real medical care. I know this firsthand. I used to be employed in hospice as a volunteer coordinator. Keep
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The Holidays and a Loved One With Dementia
When someone in the family has dementia, two important facts need to be respected, particularly around the winter holidays: We want to spend the time we can with our loved ones. Yet, people, noise and activity can easily overwhelm those with dementia. Keep
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Providing Care for Military Caregivers
In the U.S., millions of injured, ill and disabled veterans depend on friends and family for care. In fact, according to the RAND Corporation, there are 5.5 million unpaid military caregivers in the United States. Of that group, nearly 20 percent are caring for someone who served after 9/11. This new era of caregivers is facing unique challenges. Keep
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Minimizing Frightening Hallucinations and Delusions for People With Dementia
People with dementia frequently make mistakes in judgment and understanding. They begin to have communication problems as use of language becomes more difficult. People with dementia also have high levels of confusion about the world we live in. Combine all these factors, and situations are ripe for misinterpretation. Besides hallucinations and delusions, there can be alternate interpretations for the situations below: Keep
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12 Tips on What to Do Before, During and After Doctor Appointments
There are momentous occasions in a person’s life: getting a driver’s license, having a child, graduating school, or, often overlooked, becoming the caregiver of a parent or another older loved one. Caregiving can take many forms. Family caregivers often accompany their parent to their doctor appointments and possibly even sit in the exam room with them. While there’s no studying involved for this exam, it’s important to be prepared, especially when you are advocating care for someone else. Below are 12 suggestions on what to do before, during and after a visit with the doctor. Keep
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Hiring an In-Home Caregiver – What Options Are Available?
Most seniors want to age in place. According to AARP, 90 percent of those 65 and over want to stay in their home for as long as possible and 80 percent think their current residence is where they will always be. However, to stay at home, older adults often require assistance with everyday activities from bathing and going to the bathroom, to running errands and preparing meals. Family and friends can often chip in, but sometimes they are not available, they live far away or it is more than they can juggle. That’s where home care comes in. Keep
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Understanding Brain Function with Dementia Care
People with dementia have many abilities and functions preserved for a long time – even through the end of life. When we take time to understand what people with dementia can still do, we are taking the first steps in creating better days for them. Here are two examples of how focusing on what is still possible can make a difference (all identifying information has been changed for privacy reasons). Keep
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Need Help Coordinating Health Care? Turn to a Case Manager
Case managers play a critical role in the health care system, but many do not know they exist. Case managers help individuals and their families understand a person’s illness or injury and then work with them and other health care professionals to develop a treatment plan. Keep
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