Starbucks Leading the Way in Senior Care Benefits

The need for senior care has had an impact on many families, and the repercussions of care have extended into the workplace. Some people are finding that it is harder and harder to balance work and family as their parents age. Others decide that it is better to leave their jobs and focus exclusively on caring for the needs of their parent. While each family is different and what’s best for one isn’t always going to be best for another, overall, studies have shown that it is more expensive to leave a job to provide care as a family caregiver than it is to pay for a professional to provide care.

 

Besides having a financial toll on a family, this also hurts businesses. In the last five years, there has been a push by companies to try and offset this loss of labor with different policies and benefits to help their employees cope with the challenges that providing senior care can create.

 

One company that has recently recognized that accounting for senior care can help both employees and the company as a whole is Starbucks. A new policy initiated by Starbucks involves covering most of the cost of a replacement caregiver if the regular caregiver is unavailable to help on a given day. According to one source, the end cost for the Starbucks employee will be $1 per hour. The rest is supplemented by the company.

 

Starbucks is one of many companies that is recognizing the value of providing senior care benefits to employees.

 

This new program of Starbucks’ might not seem like a very helpful one–unless you have ever experienced the need for a sudden respite caregiver. If you’ have a routine that involves going to work while a caregiver watches your mom or dad, think about what would happen if your regular caregiver called you and said that they wouldn’t be in to help today. Most likely, you would need to stay home from work in order to provide care yourself. Starbucks is hoping to avoid this. The policy is intended to help families, but it is also geared toward helping to retain employees and reduce turnover within the company.

 

Starbucks is not the only company that is providing these types of benefits to employees. They are just one in a long line of businesses that have recognized the importance of helping employees out with family needs. Apple and Home Depot also have recently announced programs designed to help meet senior care needs.

 

Finding a care solution that works for you and your family is important. If the company that you work for does not offer senior care benefits, then perhaps a conversation with your HR department can get the ball rolling here.

 

In other instances, you might find that your company just can’t help you with the needs that your family has. If this is the case, there are other resources out there that can help you. Get in touch with your county’s Department of Social Services department to see what’s available near you, and feel free to give us a call to see how we can help your family on our end.

The post Starbucks Leading the Way in Senior Care Benefits appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.

How to Spot Self Neglect

Elder abuse is one of the most serious issues that our elderly loved ones face. This can come in many different forms, ranging from emotional, to physical, to financial, to sexual abuse. It can also be characterized by a lack of action when needed, more commonly called neglect. The older people in our lives already have enough health challenges in front of them. Adding to those difficulties because of selfish reasons is completely unacceptable. Senior abuse is a serious issue and we should all be doing our part to try and put an end to it.

 

When senior abuse comes from our own loved one, it is a lot harder to spot and to know what to do about it. Self neglect is a form of abuse, even if it is self-inflicted. Self neglect occurs when someone is not doing the basic things to take care of themselves, and as a result of that, they are placing themselves or their property in a dangerous situation. Things like not eating, not bathing, not changing clothes, or doing tasks necessary to maintain a home all qualify as self neglect.

 

Self neglect is harder to spot and recognize, but that doesn’t mean that there are no warning signs present. It also is far more prevalent than you might think. Some estimates say that as many as 35 to 45 percent of senior abuse cases are self inflicted. If you see a loved one who is struggling or refusing to do these things, there’s a chance that self neglect could be happening.

 

Self neglect is often preventable with the right care.

 

Our families deserve the best. That’s why we believe so strongly in the importance of high quality senior care. A great caregiver can do a lot to help avoid the situations mentioned above. In-home care is designed to help your loved one stay as comfortable as possible in their own home, but to also make sure that all of your parent’s physical needs are being met. Self neglect is much less likely to happen when there is someone in the house with them making sure that they are eating, taking care of themselves, picking up, and staying socially engaged. In-home care provides for physical needs, but it also is a source of companionship for those receiving care. It might seem like a small thing, but seniors are far more likely to withdraw from the world around them, and this can increase feelings of isolation and depression. Sometimes, when there’s another person in the house with them, these things can be alleviated or even avoided altogether.

 

We’d love to talk with you about what Paradise In-Home Care can do for your family. Please feel free to reach out to us by phone, email, or through our website if you have any questions about care or what we do. We offer a free consultation service and would love to sit down and discuss what in-home care is, and how it can or cannot meet the needs that your family has. Even if we’re not the right choice for your family, we can still help you to learn more and get headed in the right direction.

The post How to Spot Self Neglect appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.

Are Diet Drinks Dangerous?

A new study published in the journal Stroke revealed some potentially startling information. Older women who drink more than one diet soda (or other artificially sweetened beverage) were at a higher risk of suffering a stroke than those that did not drink this amount. When compared to women who did not drink diet sodas, this group of women were about 23 percent more likely to have a stroke and 31 percent more likely to have a stroke that was caused by a blocked artery.

 

In this study, the researchers also found that the mortality rate of this group was 16 percent higher, too.

 

There’s obviously a lot to unpack regarding this study. For example, one question that might not be addressed is why this group of women were drinking diet soda. Women that are trying to lose weight or have been told to stay away from drinks with high amounts of sugar might already be at a higher risk for stroke or other cardiovascular conditions. If this is the case, then the artificial sweeteners found in diet drinks might not have anything to do with the findings.

 

Diet drinks may be dangerous in elderly women.

 

However, because this study did build upon previous research and the link between diet drinks and cardiovascular disease has already been established, there seems to be some basis for the statement that diet drink consumption should be moderated. Diet soda and other beverages may be a healthy alternative, but only if they are consumed in small amounts. Over 81,000 postmenopausal women were looked at for this study. On average, each of these women was tracked for almost 12 years. A compilation of medical data was looked at, made available through the Women’s Health Initiative study. Although this information is not definitive, it does provide compelling evidence to say that we need to be cautious when it comes to how much diet soda we drink. Healthier alternatives, like water, some sports drinks, or low caffeine teas and coffees (unsweetened) could provide a better choice in these instances.

 

This study comes on the heels of a study published by the American Heart Association that said that there was not enough evidence to say whether diet soda played a role in the future development of heart disease amongst younger adults and children. Even though current research makes this assertion, there is reason for all of us to take a step back and re-evaluate what we drink and eat. After all, Americans are living much longer than ever before, and entering our senior years in good health should be a goal for all in order to help reduce our dependence on senior care.

 

For many, this information is going to seem like it’s too little, too late. If your mother has already suffered from a stroke, then the goal is no longer prevention, but enhancing quality of life, healing, and helping to avoid a second stroke. Unfortunately, if someone has one stroke, they are likely to have a second stroke. Reducing the likelihood of this can go a long way toward helping them to live a better and happier life.

The post Are Diet Drinks Dangerous? appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.

What to Do When Care Doesn’t Go Right

Despite every precaution that we might take, the senior care that we plan out for an elderly loved one might not go exactly as we had planned for it to go. When something happens to someone that we love, it’s natural to want to take steps to correct the problem. Even if it’s not for the sake of our family member, doing something to prevent future individuals from being negatively impacted can be a good move. It all depends on the situation and whether or not the service responsible for care did something wrong. Either way, finding the right care is an essential part of keeping your loved one as healthy and happy as possible.

 

We will make mistakes. That’s part of being human. But when it comes to the care of someone that you love, you do not want to settle for something that is less than ideal. If you realize that the care that your loved one receiving isn’t quite right–for whatever reason–there are steps that you can take to help correct this problem. The first step is to find a caregiver or a service that can adequately meet the needs that your loved one has. Next, make sure that the staff members seem to be a good match for your parent. This is something that might take time to tell, but there’s always a first impression of care staff that you can work from.

 

Once these two foundational steps have been established, the third step is to take action. Find a new care service that can meet all of the needs of your loved one, meet with them, and start the transfer process.

 

Finally, be sure to always bring any sort of suspected issues to the attention of authorities. Even if something doesn’t seem like a big deal, it’s a lot easier for those in oversight positions to make that decision when they have more info.

 

Care decisions aren’t always perfect. Luckily, there are steps you can take to correct this.

 

We all have the gut feeling that getting senior care right the first time is the best course of action. That’s why multiple studies confirm the benefits of aging in place. In reality, it’s seldom this easy, though. What seems like the best course of action at first can be wrong. And what was the best decision as far as care goes can change over time. People change, and the physical needs that your parent is facing will change over time.

 

This is why we believe that in-home care can be a huge benefit to people. Although it’s not perfect, it is one of the few types of care that can easily be modified to match the changing needs of the person in question. If dementia care is needed after a couple years, in-home care can often easily be adapted to meet this new need. This is just one example of how in-home care can be changed to grow with the people that you love.

 

As always, we’d love to work with you in finding a good care solution. Give us a call today to learn more about what we do and how we can help your family.

The post What to Do When Care Doesn’t Go Right appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.

Staying on Top of Health Concerns

There are six health concerns that impact a huge number of seniors. These include anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, sleeping issues, and breathing issues. These health problems span many different categories and can range in severity, and they are incredibly common. One of the big issues with these things is that they can be so prevalent and the explanation of the symptoms can be so vague that they are often brushed aside, both by family members and by medical professionals. But as you can easily see, some of these things can be quite severe–even life threatening. Staying on top of health concerns, even seemingly minor ones, is an important part of helping your older parent to live a better life during their senior years.

 

Researchers from the University of Washington looked at these six issues and their prevalence in seniors. They found that almost half of all seniors experience two or more of these things on a regular basis. About a quarter of those aged 65 or older experience three or more on a regular basis.  

 

This is a huge concern. It’s really hard to enjoy your life if you are dealing with the repercussions of several of these things. Interestingly, researchers believe that these symptoms are often overlooked because when a patient does mention them to a doctor, he or she only talks about one, ignoring the less severe problem.

 

Many health concerns are overlooked in senior citizens.

 

It’s worth pointing out that there are can be overlap with these things. Someone who is experiencing clinical depression will often be tired and anxious much of the time. The good news is that helping to treat the root of these symptoms can often help to reduce symptoms across the board. When a doctor accurately assesses the problem, the resolution is often a lot easier than it might seem to be.

 

If your mom or dad does suffer from one or more of these concerns, then finding a caregiver who is familiar with how to work with someone who is experiencing difficulty in these categories is important. Finding a trusted caregiver with the proper training can go a long way toward giving you the peace of mind that you deserve when entrusting the care of your parent to a professional. This can be a tough process, and making a decision can be difficult.

 

Let us help make this easier for you. We have a whole team of trained caregivers that are ready to help you and your family. Give us a call, and we can schedule a free consultation to go over your concerns and goals in regards to senior care. Our in-home care specialists might be exactly what you need to feel confident that your mom or dad is going to get the care, love, and attention that they deserve. If we’re not the right service for you, we will let you know that, too. Our goal isn’t to get your business; our goal is to help. That might mean pointing you in another direction. Either way, we’ll be happy to help your family find what you’re looking for.

The post Staying on Top of Health Concerns appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.

How Do Care Services Specialize?

One concern that I often hear from older people is that they have so many different people working with them. There’s an older gentlemen I have grown close to over the last couple years and he recently asked me, “how many doctors does one person need?” He was concerned because he has five different doctors that he works with. Before I could answer, one of my peers took the question on.

“As many as you need to stay healthy,” he replied.

 

It was a brilliant answer. No one person will have the same set of needs or circumstances. While someone in good health might only need their general practitioner, someone who is older and has more health issues will necessarily need more assistance. This goes for both doctors and for the senior care that our loved ones receive.

 

The specialization of care is essential to making sure that your older loved one is receiving the right care for their needs. We are all different, and we each have a different set of needs. Trying to blindly match senior care with an individual ignores the fact that not everyone has the same needs in front of them.

 

Different types of care focus on different things. Some focus just on companionship. This is what senior living is all about. Here, groups of seniors live in the same home or apartment complex. The advantage here is that older people are surrounded by their peers. Other types of care are more focused on providing the right type of care. For example, memory care is focused on helping those with dementia get through each day safely. In-home care focuses on providing for the needs of someone who doesn’t need a lot of medical assistance, but might have trouble getting around or performing daily tasks safely. The right type of care focuses on just what your family needs. It is supposed to make life easier, not more confusing.

 

The specialization of senior care is supposed to make life easier, not more confusing.

 

The amount of choices that you have when it comes to senior care can be overwhelming. And the terms for these things might not be clear to you at first. Words and phrases like assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, life plan assistance, in-home care, home health care, and many other types of care can seem like a lot of words to describe the same thing, but there are often important differences between these types of care. Knowing how to navigate these differences will be helpful when it comes to finding the right level of care for your family.

 

A good place to start is with what you know. You know your mom or dad’s personal needs better than anyone else does. Start here, and find a care services that meets those needs. The names of the types of care can be a good starting place, but ultimately what it comes down to is finding what works best for you.

 

Have more questions? Feel free to give us a call. We can schedule a free consultation and let you know what types of care we specialize in here at Paradise In-Home Care.

The post How Do Care Services Specialize? appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.

Is the Cost of Care Really Going Down?

Recent reports are indicating that the cost of care is going down for the elderly. On the surface, this is awesome news. Care is necessary for many people, and reducing the cost of it is very beneficial to a group of people who are already struggling with the burden of a drastically reduced income.

 

Current estimates say that more than 50 percent of people who are over the age of 65 will need some sort of long term care during their lifetimes. Helping to make this cost more manageable is definitely an important thing.

 

As you probably suspect because of this post’s title, there’s a bit more to the story than meets the eye. Yes, care costs are starting to level out, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is paying less for care. Thanks to the better overall health that seniors are experiencing, the average individual in need of senior care is living longer, and receiving that care for longer. While the per day cost of care may have stopped rising so dramatically, the need for care is increasing. As a result, many seniors are paying more for care than before.

 

The main reason is that heart health has improved for seniors overall. Instead of being at severe risk of dying from a heart attack or a stroke, people are living longer, higher quality of lives. For many seniors, the big risk is no longer heart disease, but dementia. On the whole, this is impacting people much later in life. Still, the need for care exists. And it exists for a longer period of time when it is needed. The cost might be dropping, but people are paying more.

 

The cost of care can be misleading for many seniors.

 

One of the things that many families are experiencing is that they are in a position where they must help offset the cost of care for an elderly loved one. This is frustrating, but there is hope for those that are feeling the crunch.

 

Senior care is an essential part of aging. Planning ahead of time effectively can help to make the cost of this a lot more manageable. Not everyone is capable of this, and many of those who are currently seniors won’t be able to use this option. If this is the case, then looking at what options are available to you that can help reduce the cost of care can be a good choice. Whether that means advice from your local Department of Social Services, speaking with a caseworker, or getting in touch with an elder care attorney, there are many avenues that can help you and your family to figure out just how to afford the cost of care.

 

And as always, if we can be of any help on our end, please feel free to contact us. One of our team members would be more than happy to assist you and answer your questions pertaining to care. We offer a free consultation service and would love to sit down and go over your options and help you find the perfect solution for your family.

The post Is the Cost of Care Really Going Down? appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.