No one wants to think about having to leave their home for assisted living or a move to their childrens’ home due to aging and safety. Home senior care from Andelcare is the answer! Receiving care in the home makes life easier and less stressful on our loved ones. Enjoy this article from money.usnews.com and contact Andelcare if you need help with home senior care for your retired loved one.

How to Help Retirees Stay in Their Homes
by Philip Moeller  http://money.usnews.com

Helping people stay in their homes as they age has been a formal, if poorly understood, goal of U.S. aging policy for some time. Experts say it’s far cheaper than housing seniors in nursing homes and other institutions. And public surveys find that it’s also the overwhelming preference of 9 out of 10 seniors.

As much as we want to age in our own homes, however, the network of government, volunteer, and family caregiving resources needed to support older Americans with home senior care is able to meet only a fraction of the elder population’s needs. And with soaring numbers of older Americans, coupled with stressed government and philanthropic budgets, the scale of unmet needs is likely to rise sharply.

America’s resources for home-based seniors are coordinated chiefly by the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Support services are defined and delivered through a network of state
offices, some 630 local areas on aging districts, and thousands of connected local government and volunteer programs.

Still, according to a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), there is no definitive picture of the home-based services America’s seniors are receiving or of their unmet needs.

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If you or a loved one needs help with senior care in Bellevue WA or the surrounding area, contact Andelcare at 888-788-3051. We provide quality and affordable senior care to the seniors, veterans and disabled in our community.

As our parents age, we can become concerned about their safety and care. In home care is a wonderful option for adult children who find themselves worrying about their parents’ elder care. Enjoy this article from eldercarelink.com and contact Andelcare if you have questions or need help with in home care for your loved ones.

In-home Care Can Fill A Variety of Needs
by Carol Bradley Bursack, Editor-in-Chief

In-home care is one of the most flexible types of care for the varying needs of our aging loved ones. As a family caregiver with multiple elders to care for, I used in-home care for both short-term and long-term situations. While getting used to “strangers” in the home was an adjustment for my elders, the advantages were worth the stress of change. How can an in-home care agency help you and your loved one?

Prior to my need to find care for my elderly neighbor, Joe, after he dislocated his shoulder, the closest thing I’d seen to “in-home care” was the public health nurse who used to come to our home to give my grandmother her vitamin B-12 shot. That was decades before I became Joe’s caregiver. I simply hadn’t had a need to keep up with care trends.

After Joe’s wife died, it became evident to me that Joe needed someone close by that he could count on. His only child, a son, lived on the east coast, while Joe remained in his native North Dakota. Joe’s total hearing loss didn’t make life any easier for him, as his only contact with his family was by mail. He had some long-time friends to check on him, but that was it. I as his neighbor felt a draw to help him, so I did.

Joe had a history of falling, but his first serious fall happened while he was out in his garage. That time, he dislocated his shoulder. I rode the ambulance with him, accompanied him through all of his medical work, and then chatted with a social worker who insisted we get him some in-home care, at least temporarily.

Learning the Ropes: Nursing Care is Generally Covered by Medicare while Custodial Care is Not

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Andelcare is the perfect solution to temporary or long term in home care in Seattle WA. If you have questions or need help for your loved one, call us at 888-788-3051. We provide quality and affordable in home care for seniors, veterans and the disabled in our community.

Checklist As You Visit Your Aging Parents Over the Holidays
by Dale Carter, www.transitionagingparents.com

Did you know that the holidays bring more than just delicious food and gathering with family?  The holidays bring a spike in admissions at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and calls to elder care agencies. I asked a nurse friend of mine, “Is this true” and she said, “It definitely is”. So, why?

Many of us live across the country from “aging in place” parents. A lot can happen in one year, in terms of your parent’s health and home. If you find yourself in a home that’s in disarray or facing someone who is in frail health, you may find yourself in a reactive mode, wanting to jump at a solution. You may want to immediately ask direct questions. But that will likely put the your parent on the defense. There’s a better way to approach the situation.

Before you leave to visit your aging parents, here is a simple checklist and suggestion on how to approach concerns with your parents.  And, by all means, if you face a deteriorating or emergency situation with your parent, take a step back (and some deep breaths)…and try to frame the situation with an empathetic and loving approach.

1. Look in the frig (is there outdated food in it?)

2. Drive their car (check the state of the tires, oil, antifreeze)

3. Take a peek at the mail (keep an eye out for unpaid bills)

4. Investigate the bathroom (check for cleanliness)

5. Take a note of how the pets are doing

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If you have questions about caregivers or elder care for your aging parents, call Andelcare, 888-788-3051. We provide quality and affordable elder care and assistance to seniors, veterans and the disabled in our community and can help your family decide what type care is best for your loved ones situation.

Holiday Season Brings Almost 20 Percent Spike in Elder Care-Related Calls to ComPsych
by Jennifer Hudson, ComPsych(R) Corporation

(BUSINESS WIRE) — Spurred by holiday visits, calls and inquiries related to elder care are expected to increase by 18 percent during November and December, according to a new report on work-life trends by ComPsych. ComPsych Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the pioneer and leading provider of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR and FMLA administration services under the GuidanceResources brand.

“People can be surprised and upset by how their parent’s or elder relative’s situation has deteriorated since they saw them last. This can include worsening health, mobility and cognitive problems,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. “November is an ideal time for employers to promote work-life programs, reminding employees of available elder care resources before they travel for the holidays to see family.

“Employers also should consider choosing an elder care services provider that integrates work-life with employee assistance programs. This allows employees to be referred for other resources such as counseling and financial/legal guidance related to the multifaceted nature of elder care issues,” he added.

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For information about how Andelcare can help your family with elder care in Bellevue WA, contact our caregivers at 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency providing care and assistance to seniors, veterans and the disabled in our community.

Women of Influence honored by Puget Sound Business Journal

Marla Beck, founder and CEO of Andelcare, is honoree

BELLEVUE, WASH. – Wednesday evening, in the Hyatt Regency grand ballroom, more than 600 people gathered to honor 15 women who were awarded the distinction of being the 2011 “Women of Influence.”  Marla Beck, founder and CEO of Andelcare, was an honoree at this annual regional event that was begun eight years ago by the Puget Sound Business Journal.  This event honors women leaders who are standouts for their contributions as business women and mentors and for their commitment to community through service.

The three-hour event was highlighted by the insights shared by the honorees.  Marla Beck shared, “I attribute the success of Andelcare to my great team of 100+ employees and their dedication to provide outstanding in-home care to our aging and disabled clients.”

The fifteen honorees are: Marla Beck, Founder and President, Andelcare; Bobbe Bridge, Founder and CEO, Center for Children and Youth Justice; Harriet Bullitt, President, Owner and Founder, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort and Icicle Broadcasting Co.; Janet Denyer, CEO, Gene Juarez Salons and Spas; Sheila Edwards Lange, Vice President Minority Affairs/Vice Provost Diversity, University of Washington; Anne Farrell, President Emeritus, Seattle Foundation & Co-founder, City Club and Washington Women’s Foundation; Jan Hendrickson, Managing Partner, Denny Hill Capital; Leslie Jackson Chihuly, President, Chihuly Inc.; Lynette Johnson, Founder and Owner, Lynette Johnson Photography & Founder, Soulumination Photography; Sharelle Klaus, CEO & Founder, DRY Soda Co.; Jennifer Potter, President and CEO, Initiative for Global Development; Mary Snapp, Corporate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Products & Services, Microsoft Corp.; Myra Tanita, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Janet True, Co-owner, Iron Springs Resort & Immediate Past President, PONCHO; and Kelly Tweeddale, Executive Director, Seattle Opera

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT: DENNIS NOLAND (206) 622-8011

For information about Andelcare and how we can help your family with elder care in Bellevue WA and the surrounding area, call 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency that is dedicated to helping the elderly, veterans and the disabled in our community.

10 Ways to Volunteer To Help Caregivers in Seattle WA
by Patti Shea

Quick!  What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word November?

For lots of us, November means the Thanksgiving feast.  It’s also a month we associate with the sights, tastes and smells of delicious food and spending time with family and friends.

But there’s an “extra helping” of the Thanksgiving spirit that Suzanne Mintz would like us to consider.  And that’s in recognition of the more than 65 million unsung heroes of family life:  family caregivers.

Mintz is co-founder, President and CEO of the National Family Caregivers Association,  a nonprofit that focuses on supporting family caregiving.  NFCA coordinates National Family Caregivers Month, “a time to offer thanks, support, education and empowerment to family caregivers.”

How can you get started volunteering to help caregivers?  Mintz and the NFCA offer these 10 simple ways to do it:

1. Offer a few hours of respite time to a caregiver so they spend time with friends, or simply relax.

2. Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up a caregiver’s day.

3. Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregivers through the month of November.

4. Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards.

5. Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite funny movie to view, or provide them an amusing audio book to listen to while doing their caregiving activities.

6. Find 12 different family photos and have a copy center create a monthly calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments and events.

7. Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.

8. A United States postage stamp honoring the more than 50 million family caregivers in America is officially “under consideration” by the U.S. Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. Sign the petition at www.thefamilycaregiver.org and ask others to sign the petition letter.

9. Help a family caregiver find information and resources on the internet or to locate a local support group.

10. Ask your local elected official to issue a proclamation celebrating National Family Caregivers Month

source: AARP.org

The caregivers at Andelcare are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Andelcare is a home care agency providing quality, affordable caregivers in Seattle WA and the surrounding areas. Call 888-788-3051 for more information.

Senior Care in Seattle WA: Talking Dementia with Your Doctor
from Alzheimer’s Weekly
Health care can be confusing.

Whether you are just starting treatment or your treatment is already underway, it is never too late to take an active role in your health care.

By talking with your doctor, nurses, and other people on your health care team, you can make sure you are not missing the best treatment for you.

Here are a few tips to help you better understand your treatment options:

1. Give your doctor as much information as you can.
Don’t wait for your doctor to ask questions. Share everything—even information that might be embarrassing. This information can help your doctor make better recommendations.

• Tell your doctor about all your symptoms.
• Talk about what is most important to your quality of life. You can use the Department of Health & Human Services’ Health Priorities Tool to make a list of what is important to you.
• Keep a list of your past illnesses, operations, and treatments. Share the list with your family and bring it to your appointment.
• Bring a list of your medicines (or bring them in a bag) to your appointment. Tell the doctor how much and how often you take each medicine.
• Tell your doctor about allergies, reactions, or side effects you’ve had from medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you take herbal products or alternative medicines, supplements, or treatments.

2. Ask as many questions as you need to understand your diagnosis.

If you do not ask questions, your doctor may think you understand everything you are being told.

Write down your questions before your visit so you do not forget anything. Start by asking the most important ones and work your way down the list. To get you started, here are some questions you might want to ask:

• Why would this treatment be good for me?
• What are the chances this treatment will work?
• When will I notice a difference?
• How much does this treatment cost?
• Will this treatment hurt?
• What are my other options?
• Are there side effects?
• What can be done about the side effects?

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If you and your family are facing dementia in a parent or loved one and need help with care, Andelcare is the answer. For information about how Andelcare can help you and your family with senior care in Seattle WA, call our caregivers at 888-788-3051. We provide quality and affordable care and assistance to seniors, veterans and the disabled in our community.

Caregivers Seattle WA: Balancing a Loved One’s Needs With Your Own
When you’re a caregiver, finding time to take care of your own health can be challenging — but doing so will help both you and your loved one.
By Krisha McCoy, MS

Do you provide assistance for an older person who needs care? People of all ages can be caregivers, but it is very common for older people to become caregivers to their spouses or other loved ones, and – too often – they begin to neglect their own health at an age when they should really be paying more attention to it.

Caregiving is both mentally and physically stressful, and caregivers are considered to be at increased risk for physical health problems and depression. If you are a caregiver in your senior years, it is even more important that you take care of your own health.

The Health Effects of Caregiving

Whether caring for an ailing spouse or another loved one, many caregivers become so concerned with their care-providing role that they neglect their own health, putting themselves at increased risk of:

• Poor physical health: 16 percent of caregivers say that their health declined after they become caregivers.
• Psychological stress: Approximately half of all people who provide Alzheimer’s care, a common type of elder care, report experiencing distress. The effects of psychological stress can be widespread and may include depression, burnout, alcohol and drug use, and other problems.
• Self-neglect: Caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to eat poorly, be sleep deprived, not exercise, not rest when ill, and postpone medical appointments.
• Death: Caregivers are at higher risk of dying than the general population.

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For information about how Andelcare can help your family with caregivers in Seattle WA, call 888-788-3051. We are an elder care agency that is dedicated to helping the elderly, veterans and the disabled in Seattle and the surrounding communities.

12 Fun Ways Seniors Can Get in Shape
Take up tango. Hit the bowling lanes. There are plenty of great low-impact exercises for seniors; and the options on this list are fun, too.
By Wyatt Myers

Senior Care Seattle WA: If you’re a senior, few things are more important to your health than exercise. The problem? Many seniors find themselves able to do fewer physical activities as they get older. Frustration often ensues, and this can create a vicious circle that leads to even less activity, further senior health problems, and in some cases, immobility. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Seniors shouldn’t feel that they are limited in the activities available to them. In fact, it’s quite the contrary — there are dozens of exercises for seniors, many of which are non-traditional, low-impact exercises that limit stress on the body and risk of injury.

Here are 12 exercises that are sure to keep you engaged at every age.

12 Great Exercises for Seniors

1. Take up dancing. A recent study at the University of Missouri showed that dancing helped improve seniors’ gait and balance and could help prevent dangerous injuries from falls. “Dancing is a fantastic way to get some cardiovascular benefit, improve your coordination and balance, and meet local seniors who enjoy similar activities,” says Carrie Plummer, MSN, an instructor at the Vanderbilt School of Nursing in Nashville, Tenn. For many types of dance classes, you don’t even have to bring a partner.

2. Become a Zen master. “Research has shown that participating in low-impact exercise classes, such as tai chi or yoga, can help improve strength, balance, and coordination and reduce stress,” says Plummer. “Many yoga poses can be modified to work for those who are less flexible or have decreased upper or lower body strength.”

3. Hit the links. Golf is a go-to game for competitive seniors who want to get back to nature in a fun way.

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For information about Andelcare and how we can help with all of your senior care needs, call our caregivers at 888-788-3051. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in Seattle WA and the surrounding communities.