One of the biggest challenges for caregivers who are providing senior care for a loved one with dementia is coming up with activities for the person in their care.

Research has shown that providing activities can help a senior with dementia keep and use what cognitive function they still have and slow down the progression of the disease.

The good news is that there are tips that can help you come up with meaningful activities. Here are some senior care activities for seniors with dementia:

Consider the interest of the person

It can be difficult to just come up with activities for the loved one in your care. However, if you start by thinking about what activities the senior in your care has enjoyed that may give you a place to start. Keep in mind that you will need to consider how severe the dementia is before you settle on an activity but knowing what they have enjoyed in the past can be a good place to start. For example-If someone loved to garden, cook, sew, or do needlework you can offer an activity that is based on not only what they loved but their current cognitive skill. While you may have to simplify what you do (for example planting seeds instead of pruning), it can still put them in touch with activities that they have enjoyed in the past.

Set up routines

One of the most devastating effects of dementia is the fact that many people who get it begin to feel like they have lost their purpose. You can help the elderly loved one in your care by making them feel more useful and needed. You can do this by setting up activities that you and your loved one can do together. Keep in mind that these tasks do not have to be elaborate or outside of the norm. Simply by taking out the garbage, washing dishes, or folding the laundry you can help the senior in your care feel that they have purpose. Keep in mind that with any type of task that you offer you will need to make sure that it matches the senior’s present cognitive abilities.

Read on for more senior care activities and help keep your loved one healthy, happy and involved.

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If you are looking into senior care for your loved one with dementia, contact the caregivers at Andelcare. We are a home care agency providing senior care in Bellevue WA and the surrounding communities. Call 425-283-0408.

You would be surprised at the wide range of activities that can go along with senior care. Your aging parents who require a caregiver are not any different than we are. They still have a variety of interests and hobbies that can be changed up to meet their new level of abilities.

Raised-bed gardening.

Planters are raised to a height so that someone in a wheelchair or using a walker can easily reach them and there is no kneeling or bending uncomfortably. Gardening provides easy outdoor activities all Spring, Summer, and Fall, and can benefit not only your loved one but the senior care caregiver as well.

Easy Trips

Most malls, fairgrounds, farmers’ markets and other places now have wheelchairs or scooters you can rent for the day if necessary.

Local State Park with a Fishing Area

Fish from a handicap ramp or pier. Most states do not require seniors to have a fishing license but you should check just in case.  Call ahead and talk to the park employees. They can tell you where the wheelchair accessible area of the park is. You can reserve an area in advance and have a day at park.  Grill hot-dogs or hamburgers or bring a picnic basket.

Easy Crafts

You can find loads of easy crafts for your creative loved one. There are websites everywhere that give directions for crafts that most elderly can do.

Those who have a difficulty holding things with their hands might do best with crafts that use large pieces or where painting is the main activity.

What About the Wii?

You may have heard your own children or grandchildren talking about the new game called Wii. This is a device that mimics a sport, such as bowling, tennis, etc., without actually using the sport’s equipment. Wii has been a great success for senior care. Everyone gets a little exercise and it is fun. Start tournaments. A little competition is healthy and it gives your loved one something to look forward to.

Have a Singer in the Family?

Many towns have senior clubs, senior centers and gatherings…some of them include senior groups who get together just to sing!

Summary

Even though your aging parents may be using senior care, keeping them active physically and mentally is extremely important for quality of life. Anyone in the home who is providing senior care on a regular basis can easily incorporate a few of these activities into their weekly regimen.

What kinds of activities can you think of that are appropriate for aging adults who are requiring senior care?

For information about how Andelcare can help your family with senior care in Seattle and the surrounding areas, contact our caregivers today at 888-788-3051.

By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor, and Carol O’Dell, Caring.com contributing editor

How quickly every corner of a caregiver’s home seems to fill up with medication bottles, assistive devices, insurance paperwork, and all the other stuff associated with elder care services! These ideas will help you clamp down on clutter — and restore a bit of calm to your life:

1. Build an oasis: one little area that’s your “no caregiving” zone.

It doesn’t have to be a whole room or even a corner of a room — a certain surface, like a stretch of countertop or tabletop, will do. No pills, no papers. This area is meant to always stay nice. Place flowers there and forbid anyone else’s junk in this serene, worry-free space.

2. Set up stations.

Designate one elder care “station”, where you store medications, hygiene and cleaning products, emergency paperwork, and a care-tracking journal (in which everyone who takes part in the care can record events). It can be a cupboard or shelving. An entertainment station could store all books and DVDs, so they’re not scattered everywhere. A coat station (like a closet) becomes the only place outerwear is stored. Having designated areas teaches all family members what “the place for everything” is.

3. Pitch when your loved one isn’t looking.

If your loved one raises a fuss because you’re throwing out magazines she hasn’t read or paper cups that could be used again, get in the habit of tossing things out of the person’s range of sight. For your loved one, it’s usually “out of sight, out of mind.” For you, the purges are sheer necessity.

4. Call a five-minute cleanup.

Set a timer and involve everyone in the house in spending five minutes picking up stray items and putting them where they belong. It doesn’t take long — it’s even energizing! — but it goes a long way toward minimizing the drifts of stuff.

5. Preserve clutter digitally.

So much of clutter is memorabilia, framed photographs, collectibles, and other objects that family members dread letting go of. Only problem: They take up so much room! One solution is to take pictures of these items — then box the actual things up for storage, donation, or sale. Many older adults enjoy looking at the photos without actually needing to have the objects in the room.

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If you have a loved one who could benefit from the help of elder care services in the Bellevue WA area, contact the caregivers at Andelcare. We help seniors and their families with many levels of home care service. Call 888-788-3051 for more information.

The main objective for most families is to help their loved ones dwell in their own home for as long as possible. No one’s preferred choice is to go to a facility or an institution, despite how appealing the building or the decorations. For a senior to stay home securely they many need a few hours of support or around the clock care. An assessment by you, their doctor and a home care professional is needed to determine what care level is best.

UNDERSTANDING THE COST OF ELDER CARE SERVICES:

According to the MetLife Mature Market Annual Survey on the Cost of Care in the United States, the findings look like this:
• The national average daily rate for a private room in a nursing home rose 4.4% from $229 in 2010 to $239 in 2011.
• The national average monthly base rate in an assisted living community rose 5.6% from $3,293 in 2010 to $3,477 in 2011.
• The national average daily rate for adult day services rose 4.5% from $67 in 2010 to $70 in 2011.
• The national average hourly rates for home health aides ($21) and homemakers ($19) were unchanged from 2010.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST YOUR FAMILY?

The most effective way to know accurately the amount elder care services will cost is to speak to one of our professionals. All together you can come up with a plan of care and a number of hours that is not only reasonably priced, but keeps your aging loved one safe and in their own home.

Talk to someone about options like The VA AID and ATTENDANCE PENSION BENEFIT, Reverse Mortgages, Life Settlements, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Chances are that one of those programs may be able to help with the cost.

HOW SOON CAN ELDER CARE SERVICES START?

As soon as today in most cases. The start date is up to you, but our team is dedicated to getting a caregiver in your home as soon as you need them.

Contact Andelcare today: 888-788-3051

from www.thehomecaredirectory.com

In-Home Care is rapidly becoming the most commonly asked for service among today’s aging population.

In-Home Care involves a network of service providers who deliver personal care and maintenance right to the home. These service providers handle routine tasks including light housekeeping, meal preparation, errand running, mail sorting and a whole lot more. If desired, they can also provide assistance with personal care. Besides the elderly, in-home care is a wonderful service for new mothers and those with a short-term disability or illness.

If you’re wondering whether in-home care makes sense, then consider this:

It’s Convenient
Companies providing in-home care are springing up all across the country to meet the needs of the huge numbers of aging individuals so finding a reputable company is easy. When you meet with the contracted in-home care service provider, together you’ll work out a visitation schedule and a list of duties the provider will perform. That ensures the care you receive is personalized to meet your exact needs as well as your schedule.

It’s Comfortable
Because the in-home care provider comes to your home, you’re able to continue living independently, in familiar surroundings. It doesn’t matter whether you’re feeling ill or well, there’s something comforting about being in your home. An added benefit is that your caregiver gives you something your life may be lacking – companionship. That’s right. You can have someone taking care of your home, your personal care and your need for company. In additon, there are many organizations that offer additional in-home services such as Medical Alert System – which provides medical alert systems to seniors and disabled persons with an aim to promote independent living.

It’s Cost-Effective
Dollar for dollar, you get real value when you contract the services of an in-home care provider. You have someone on whom you can rely to handle all the tedious tasks involved with living on your own. You won’t have to contract separately with an errand service, a personal chef, a housekeeper, a nutritionist, and someone to help you get out and about. Think of all the time you’ll save and all the money, too.

It’s Secure
How do you know if the in-home care service provider will actually live up to its claims?  Before contacting an in-home care company, first check to see if it’s insured, licensed and bonded. That’s the best way you have of protecting yourself and your home.

It’s Peace of Mind
Many children of aging parents choose in-home care because it gives them peace of mind. With their own lives to live, oftentimes in completely different states, many adult children can’t regularly pop-in to check on their parents and tend to their needs. With an in-home care service provider doing the checking, families are regularly updated as to the well-being of their parents. That alone is worth the price!

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For information about how Andelcare can help your family with in-home care for your aging loved one, call 888-788-3051. Andelcare is the premier home care agency in Seattle, Bellevue and surrounding areas providing companionship, homemaking and personal care services. As a locally women-owned company experienced in caring for our own parents, we understand that Life is Sweet at Home for the elderly and other adults.

Fantastic Gift Ideas for Caregivers on Valentine’s Day!

If you have a friend or family member providing in-home care for a loved one, finding a wonderful treat for Valentine’s Day is a great way to say thanks. In-home caregivers empower clients to enjoy cheerful, healthy lives in the privacy of their own home and what better way to return the favor than by showing your appreciation for all they do.

Massage

A gift certificate for a massage is the perfect gift for someone who provides in-home care. Half hour and hour massages are available to reduce pressure and emotional stress.  The benefit of an intensive, hands-on massage might motivate them to make a massage a part of their monthly routine. There are many qualified massage salons in your area and who wouldn’t love a relaxing time at the spa!

Gift Basket

You can buy pre-packaged gift baskets at many retail stores, on the internet and at florists. If you already know the caregiver, you can build the basket yourself by including some of their favorite things. One example is, if you know they like to garden, fill up the basket with small garden tools, packages of flower seeds and a flowerpot. If the caregiver is a guy, fill the basket with sports-themed objects and a gift certificate for a round of golf.

Gift Certificates

Give the caregiver a Valentine’s Day card along with a gift certificate to dinner or to the movies. Attempt to find out some of the caregiver’s favorite places to eat and get a certificate to that certain place. Order movies tickets online so they will not  expire and the caregiver can use them at anytime.

Spa Treatments

Female caregivers will like a spa day or spa treatments. Provide her a gift certificate to a local spa. Some spas offer you half day and full day amenities. Another approach is to get a gift certificate to a local nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. This will allow the caregiver to spend time on herself and relax.

Tea or Coffee

If the caregiver enjoys tea or coffee, make a special gift to give them on Valentine’s Day. Fill sizeable coffee mugs with an array of coffee and a gift card to a nearby coffee shop. For a tea lover, fill sizeable glasses with different bags and boxes of tea.

Overview

In-home care takes a special person with a lot of patience. Show your caregiver how much you care about the things they do for you and your loved one by giving them a special gift on Valentine’s Day.

If you are looking into hiring a caregiver for in-home care in the Seattle WA area, contact Andelcare. We are a premeire home care agency providing quality and affordable home care in Seattle and the surrounding communities. Call 888-788-3051 for more information.

Caregiver Support For Military Home Healthcare in Bellevue WA
By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2012 – First Lady Michelle Obama today announced a series of measures intended to increase the nation’s support for caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members.

Joined by Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis and senior military leaders, Obama announced the Labor Department’s proposal to expand military family leave protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

These proposed rules will, in part, enable more military family members to take the time they need to care for their loved ones without fear of career repercussions, the first lady said.

“We want to recognize the extraordinary dedication, sacrifice and service of our nation’s caregivers, not simply with words, but with deeds,” Obama told the audience gathered at the Labor Department here. “These are men and women and children who will do anything for their loved ones, no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice, no matter the consequences.”

The Labor Department’s proposed expansions of the Family and Medical Leave Act will help more caregivers of troops and veterans provide home care to their wounded loved ones, Solis explained. FMLA, enacted in 1993, enables eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.

“Many service members come home stressed, ill and injured,” Solis said. “They need attention, care and support from the people that love them the most. And we’ve got an obligation as a nation to make that possible.”

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Andelcare is dedicated to providing quality and affordable home care support for your loved one. If you have questions, call us at 888-788-3051.

Comprehending the distinction between home care and home healthcare can be tough at first. When an elderly family member first begins to require help, it can be a struggle to figure out which services are important and when. If the senior needs an injected medication or nursing care while recovering from an operation, then home healthcare is needed. If the elderly family member needs assistance in bathing, cooking or housekeeping, then home care can provide the support.

Home care and home healthcare are different in two ways.

Home care offers non-medical services and is not paid for by by Medicare, but some home care providers and agencies may be licensed by the states. Home care services are private pay services, meaning the patient or the patients family will pay personally for this type of care. On occasion long-term care insurance may pay for home care as well. Home healthcare, however, is medical care that is contained by health insurance or Medicare. To get home healthcare, a senior or a patient must always be homebound and in need of assistance of medical care as determined by a physician. Medicare might cover non-medical solutions done by a home health aide, but these services are only covered when additional medical care at home is needed. Normally these non-medical services take place at the same time as medical care visits.

Home care offers non-medical services to seniors and patients recovering from operations. Assistance in bathing and dressing are ordinary home care services. Other jobs home care workers deliver include light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands and transportation. Guidance in walking or exercise and other light support to make life easier are supplied by home care professionals. As the population ages, home care agencies are proliferated to meet the large needs of the elderly who wish to continue to be in their homes, but who might need help to do so.

Home healthcare is doctor-prescribed, and is provided by skilled medical personnel such as nurses who can provide medication. Physical and occupational therapists may also be involved in the health care plan. Home health aides may be designated to support with activities of daily living. These services could be covered by Medicare as long as other medical care is also demanded.

Home care workers can give medication ticklers, but cannot administer the medication. Home care workers also assist with daily living activities such as cooking meals, light housekeeping, supporting with bathing, running errands and providing transportation to appointments. Home care services are privately funded by the patient, senior or their family. Long-term care insurance may also cover home care services.

If you are interested in how Andelcare can help your family with home healthcare in Seattle WA or the surrounding area, call our caregivers at 888-788-3051 for more information.

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you’re recovering from surgery or need long term care for a chronic illness — or you have a loved one facing a similar situation — you may be interested in the services of a home care agency. Home care services range from skilled care provided by nurses or therapists to household support, such as cleaning, cooking and running errands.

Whether you’re planning to enlist the help of a home care agency or hire a personal home health aide, knowing what questions to ask can help ensure that you receive quality assistance.

Qualifications

If you’re considering a home care agency:

• Is the agency licensed by the state? Most states — but not all — require agencies to be licensed and
• reviewed regularly. Reviews may be available on request through your state health department.
• Is the agency certified by Medicare to meet federal requirements for health and safety? If not, ask why.
• What type of employee screening is done? Can the agency provide references? Ask for a list of doctors, hospital discharge planners or other professionals who have experience with the agency, as well as a list of former clients. Ask doctors, family and friends for agency recommendations.
• Is the agency accredited by a governing agency such as The Joint Commission, an independent group that evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs that voluntarily request review? If so, ask to see the results of the most recent survey.

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If you are researching options for a home care agency in the area of Bellevue WA, contact the caregivers at Andelcare. We are dedicated to providing the right care for your loved one. Call 888-788-3051 for more information.

We are fortunate to live in a time frame where care at home is feasible for our loved ones as they age. Once limited to nursing homes,  home care agencies were often viewed as a last measure when family members could no longer handle the needs of their loved ones on their own. Home care makes taking care of our loved ones easy and comfortable. The ease of professional, skilled nursing assistants who go to see seniors in their, or their family’s, home, assures that the ideal care is given in cases where health or physical issues limit one’s capacity to care for themselves.

Home care agencies have popped up all over the country. The process of hiring an agency begins with proper investigation and taking the time to examine each agency in order to assess their level of quality, and their nursing staff’s experience, in relation to each family’s individual needs. It’s necessary that each family take the time to make sure the home care agency they employ are up to date in licensing requirements, and that their nursing staff are free from criminal backgrounds. This is primarily true if elder care will be provided when family members are not around to manage when skilled nursing staff comes to visit. A high sense of trust needs to be established between both parties in order to ensure a long-term, favorable, relationship.

The following five strategies are offered to those who are commencing their research into home care agencies for their elderly family members.

1. Referral Sources
Ask friends, family and co-workers for references to local companies they are familiar with. Ask about their personal experiences, good and bad. Contact the elder’s long term care insurance company and ask for referrals (if in-home care is covered by their plan.) You can even contact your family doctor and ask for local references. Your last choice is to try the web, but if you choose this route, make sure to spend extra time studying each company more thoroughly, as you won’t have personal experience to judge these companies by.

2. Background Checks
Once you’ve simplified a short list of companies you wish to investigate further, make sure to ask what types of assessment processes they put their nursing staff through prior to hiring them. Criminal background checks, credit checks, and checking individual references should be customary in all companies.

3. Staff Skills & Experience
Inquire as to what the minimum standards each company requires when hiring their care providers. Do they only hire college educated nurses? Are their care providers certified nursing assistants? Or, do they simply require that their staff have a background in helping care for the elderly? The more complex their requirements, the better care will likely be offered.

4. Company Reputation
Check with your local Better Business Bureau to analyze each company’s general rating. Do they have multiple complaints listed? Are there any remarkable criticisms? You can also try a typical search online by typing in the company’s name and the word “complaint” into any search engine to notice what comes up from the general public’s view.

5. Licensing
Be sure any company you manage has the proper city, county and state licensing up-to-date and in good standing. Eliminate the worry of hiring any company that is not legitimate in practice.

Finally, don’t be shy about asking many meticulous questions. All highly respectable companies pride themselves in customer satisfaction and should be happy to openly, and willingly, provide any and all information to prospective clients. Due diligence on your part will ensure a long-term, favorable experience for yourself and your family members.

If you and your family are researching home care agencies in Seattle WA or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Andelcare. We are a home care agency dedicated to providing quality and affordable care to our loved ones. Call 888-788-3051 for more information.