During the holidays, you probably enjoyed the opportunity to stay home from work and simply sit around the house for a few days. However, those of us who are used to going to work every day are often surprised at how quickly we become restless at home. If you’ve ever suffered an injury that required a long period of recovery, you are even more aware of just how frustrating “cabin fever” can be!

An elderly loved one usually has the background of an entire life spent going here and there. Imagine how difficult it must be to transition to a stay-at-home mentality, especially when health issues make driving dangerous. Assisted transportation services can make all the difference in the world to a senior that isn’t able to just hop in the car and go to the store whenever they want to.

If you’re the adult child of elderly parents in Encinitas, or anywhere else in California, it’s no easier for you either. If you are a member of the sandwich generation, you are painfully aware of the difficulties of balancing care of parents with care of children and a full-time job. It’s very easy to suddenly realize that it’s been far too long since the last time your aging parent had a refreshing outing. While assisted transportation certainly doesn’t substitute for quality time spent together, it can fill an important role by getting a senior out of the house for a while under the capable supervision of a trained caregiver.

We’re not talking about a expensive limo services here. Assisted transportation is more affordable than you might think, and it has the important benefit of including an experienced senior care provider who is ready to help in the case of an emergency during the outing. It’s certainly much safer than relying on a ride from a neighbor or family friend who might not have adequate training to address a health crisis or a dementia-related incident. And while you try your best to make time for outings with your elderly parents in Encinitas, during unusually busy times or family vacations, a transportation service can really help break up the monotony of staying at home.

Think of all the times you run to the store for a gallon of milk; run to the gas station to fill up; or rush to the library to return an overdue book. Those trips might feel like inconveniences now, but to someone like your elderly parent who doesn’t have the ability to make them on their own, they are a very special time. An assisted transportation service can make those special times take place little more frequently.

For decades, experts in the medical profession have been kept awake at night by a national shortage of nurses and by a lack of young people entering the nursing industry. Not only does the shortage create real staffing problems currently for hospitals and private duty nursing in Rancho Bernardo and other California cities, but it could also lead to disaster as the “baby boomer” generation needs more and more assistance from nursing professionals. Concern over the situation has resulted in the establishment of agencies, nursing recruitment centers, and higher salaries in order to entice more people to enter the field of facility and private duty nursing.

In Rancho Bernardo and throughout California (one of the states hardest-hit by the nursing shortage), the health care industry is likely to benefit from those efforts in the not-too-distant future. A new report published by the medical journal Health Affairs contains the welcome news of a significant upsurge in new nurses between 2002 and 2009. Specifically, the number of young nurses (age 23-26) increased by an amazing 62 percent. This surge appears to be exactly what the industry needs at the moment (might we say, “just what the doctor ordered?”). The aging baby boomer generation poses a double threat to the nursing field, as not only more care is needed in the form of private duty nursing in Rancho Bernardo and similar communities, but nurses in the baby boomer generation are also nearing retirement age. In fact, it is estimated that over the next ten years, 900,000 registered nurses will retire. As these nurses leave the workforce, a sizable growth in the number of young nurses is needed to make up the difference.

Of course, it is impossible to tell whether this workforce growth will continue in a consistent manner; the current economic downturn makes it difficult to place any type of employment research in a normal context. For example, people who are choosing the nursing field purely because of the excellent job availability may switch careers as the market becomes more crowded. Only time will tell whether this dramatic change is part of a long-term trend or a short-term explosion driven mainly by the absence of job availability in other sectors. In any case, private duty nursing in Rancho Bernardo and other cities should feel a certain amount of relief as young, energetic nurses offer their services in greater numbers than ever before.

Sources:

Health Affairs, “Registered Nurse Supply Grows…,” http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/30/12/2286.abstract, accessed 12/24/2011.

The Tennessean, “Finally, more young people turn to nursing careers,” http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111222/COLUMNIST03/312220011/Getahn-Ward-Finally-more-young-people-turn-nursing-careers, last updated 12/23/2011.

On December 15, 2011, the White House announced that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will publish a proposed rule that will effectively end the companionship services exemption for home care aides. The proposal will revise the companionship and live-in worker regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act to more clearly define the tasks that may be performed by an exempt companion, and to limit the companionship exemption to companions employed only by the family or household using the services.

In addition, the Department of Labor proposes that third party employers, such as in-home care staffing agencies, could not claim the companionship exemption or the overtime exemption for live-in domestic workers, even if the employee is jointly employed by the third party and the family or household. Click here to review the proposed rule.

President Obama’s Order Increases In-Home Caregiving Labor Costs

Caregivers employed by employer-model companies such as A Servant’s Heart Care Solutions could work no more than 40 hours per week unless they were paid time-and-a-half overtime pay.  In order for that to be economically feasible, the companies would have to charge the clients and their families a corresponding time-and-a-half overtime rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.

As a practical matter, most clients and their families will decide not to pay for the overtime premium, and instead will choose to receive care from more than one caregiver if they need more than 40 hours of caregiving service per week.

Also, employer-model home care companies will not be able to offer more than 40 hours per week of employment to their caregivers.

President Obama’s Order Will Cause Financial Hardship and Lowered Quality of Care For The Elderly

Higher Costs

Clients will have to choose between paying drastically higher bills having more caregivers involved with their care.  The detrimental impact of higher bills is obvious.

Decreased Quality Of Care

The detrimental impact of having more caregivers involved in their care is that the continuity of care that they receive will decrease.  One caregiver can be more effective than two, in most cases, because the client and the caregiver develop a very effective working relationship when only one caregiver has to learn the routines and understand and interpret the client’s expressions and moods.

President Obama’s Order Will Cause Financial Hardship and Lowered Job Quality For Home Care Workers

Having to work for multiple employers

Since employer-model home care companies will have to limit most caregivers to working 40 hours or less per week, caregivers who need more than 40 hours per week of wages in order to make a living will have to work for more than one home care company.

Loss of  afternoon or morning shifts

Most home care clients receive caregiving assistance in four-hour shifts, either in the morning or in the afternoon.  Currently, many caregivers work a four-hour shift in the morning with one client and then drive to a second client to provide four hours of assistance to that second client in the afternoon.

When a caregiver works with one client in the morning and then with a second four-hour shift in the afternoon, the employer is required to pay the caregiver for the time and mileage spent driving from the morning client to the afternoon client.  President Obama’s order means that that travel time will, in effect, be paid at time-and-a-half overtime rates.  Most home care companies will decide either to not to offer two four-hour shifts to their caregivers, or to reduce their hourly wages to cover the difference.

President Obama’s Order Will Cause Financial Harm for Federal and State Governments

Increase in Non-Employer Model Caregiving Companies

There have been numerous Federal and state legislative actions during the past few years that have significantly increased the cost and risks of doing business as employer-model home care companies in California.

President Obama’s order is yet another such action, and is one more reason for employer-model companies to either stop offering employer-model services, or to start offering non-employer model services so that the agencies can offer caregiving help to the public at a rate that the public can afford, while avoiding many of the risks and costs of being the caregivers’ employer.

When caregiving services are provided by a non-employer caregiving agency, the worker may be the client’s employee or an independent contractor depending on the relationship the client has with the worker.  If the client directs and controls the manner and means by which the domestic worker performs his or her work the client may have employer responsibilities, including employment taxes and workers’ compensation, under state and federal law.

Increase in “Underground Economy” Caregiving

Underground Economy” refers to the situations in which families privately hire caregivers and neither they, nor the caregivers, report the wages paid to the caregivers.  The Federal and state governments never receive taxes for those wages.  In effect, there is an entire economic ecosystem that is “underground” and never sees the light of day, from a tax standpoint.

President Obama’s Order Will Harm Seniors and Home Care Workers – So Why Is He Doing It?

That’s a great question.  We hope that the American people ask him that.

• It is very clear that the Elderly and Home Care Workers will suffer hardships and setbacks.
• The main advocates for this change have been the far Left and the unions, who invested heavily in President Obama’s election campaign.
• President Obama is not a stupid person, so he must know how much harm his order will cause for the Elderly and for Home Care Workers.
• So, why is he pushing this agenda?  Who wins?  Please ask President Obama who really benefits from his order.

Chances are, your aging parents in San Marcos have some prized recipes that make holiday meals special. But as seniors begin facing the difficulties of arthritis, rheumatism, and other weakening conditions, preparing those beloved dishes becomes very challenging. In order to help your elderly loved ones continue their holiday cooking traditions in a safe, rewarding way, we have compiled a short list of simple but helpful cooking tools. The items featured in this article can all be found at www.seniorssuperstores.com.

Utensils and Accessories

 Using sharp knives is one of the most concerning kitchen hazards for aging parents in San Marcos. With these cool tools, cutting and slicing is made much safer:

• Finger protector: This guard easily slides over the fingertips of the non-cutting hand to protect them from any knife slips while cutting vegetables. Price: $5.95
• Rocking T knife: Provides more stability and leverage than a traditional knife, and is easier to grip. Price: $28.95
• OXO Good Grip knives: This complete line of knives and other cooking utensils is made safer by a large, soft, ergonomically designed hand grip. Price: about $7.95
• Foam handle tubes. These textured grips slip onto your existing utensil handles to instantly make them much easier to hold and use. Price: $13.95

Stability Products

 It is important for aging parents in San Marcos to avoid dropping and spilling things in the kitchen; hot food and broken glass are very common causes of injury. These tools help things stay securely in place during cooking:

• Grip mat: Simply place this mat on any countertop and it provides a non-slip surface for a container while stirring, cutting, or mixing. Price: $9.95
• Pot/Pan Holder: This frame fits over a pot or pan on the stove, holding it in one place and allowing the cook to use just one hand to stir. Price: $18.95
• Hot Hand: There are many jar openers available, but this one adds the feature of heat protection to its solid grip. Removing a hot plate from the microwave, picking up slippery dishes from the sink, and opening stuck jar lids are all made much easier with this versatile tool. Price: $17.95

Other Cooking Tools

 For wheelchair-bound aging parents in San Marcos, there are reach extenders specifically designed to turn stove knobs. If you are uncomfortable with a senior carrying a sharp knife around the kitchen, a cutting board with an attached knife eliminates the chance of danger. All these and more kitchen tools for seniors can be found at www.seniorssuperstore.com.

With the advancements in recent technologies, it seems that seniors are left behind in the ever-changing world of electronics and gadgets. While these new changes and incredible advancements can be difficult to keep up with, they can also improve the living conditions and quality of senior care in San Diego and surrounding areas. By taking advantage of different technologies that are becoming available, the elderly can have a better quality of life, while taking care of their bodies and living healthy lifestyles.

Different gadgets such as smart phones or iPads make browsing the internet or reading email easier than ever. With the right technologies, senior citizens can view emails and pictures from their kids and grandkids, keeping them up to date and improving their mood. Just a few pictures a day can make an incredible improvement in a senior’s day, and with an iPad or smart phone, seniors need not worry about difficult maintenance or confusing hardware and software. All that they need is located in one small device or tablet. With these tools, seniors can also improve their brain power by using applications that sharpen the brain and provide a quick way to guard against debilitating diseases like Alzheimer’s. Most scientists agree that the best way to delay the onset of these diseases is to regularly sharpen your brain through logical exercises and trivia games.

Video games are also a great way for senior care in San Diego to be vastly improved. Many games on Nintendo’s Wii can be played with just one button, and the motion technology makes exercising fun. Moving joints and working on hand-eye coordination while having fun is a great way to improve mobility and delay any problems that can come from decreased mobility. Although this is typically an activity that is associated with the younger generations, senior care in San Diego can benefit from minor usage of motion related video games that can get seniors up and moving while also providing some hearty entertainment.

Seniors need not fear the oncoming wave of technological advancements, but rather they should embrace it. By using the applications available on portable internet devices and using the technology to their advantage, senior care in San Diego, as well as living conditions for seniors can be greatly improved. Seniors can improve their mood, keep in touch with their family, sharpen their brain, and exercise regularly while having fun doing all of it.

Holiday gatherings are a time to catch up with far-flung relatives, sing carols by candlelight, and watch as the grandkids dive into a pile of gifts on Christmas morning. If you have elderly parents in North San Diego County who live alone, though, holiday get-togethers are a good time to evaluate the competency of your loved one.

When you live far from your parents, it can be hard to know what daily struggles they face, so when you are able to visit, be sure to look carefully for signs of trouble. Indications that it’s time to consider in-home care include missed doses of medications, evidence of falls such as bruises or abrasions, poor personal hygiene, and changes in housekeeping habits. In addition, keep an eye out for excessive amounts of spoiled food and pets that aren’t cared for. While none of these signs are cause for panic – though issues with medication do need immediate attention – when taken together they may indicate a need for outside assistance.

In-home care for elderly parents can take many forms, from a few hours per week of casual companion care to a full-time, live-in caregiver. A geriatric care manager can help you evaluate your loved one’s needs and make the right choice for everyone involved. While you’re spending the holidays with your older relatives, take note of any areas of concern, and address them promptly. Doing so will allow you to enjoy many more holiday celebrations together.

As we age, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the proper exercise needed to maintain overall health. For seniors that are unable to move freely, there are several activities that promote joint health, but do not create a burden or impossible amount of movement for your loved one receiving companion care.  In San Marcos and elsewhere in San Diego County are able to suggest, and transport clients to, community based organizations that offer fitness-related activities for elderly clients.

For seniors that still have moderate degree of movement, water aerobics classes can be a great way to spice things up. Many senior-friendly facilities such as family YMCAs offer some type of water classes, and while providing much needed exercise for the elderly, water aerobics also provides the opportunity for seniors to interact and socialize with people their own age. This can provide a sense of security and reduce feelings of loneliness, especially for those living on their own or those with deceased partners. This activity provides minimal resistance because it takes place in the water, but it allows muscles and joints to get a workout while enjoying a fun time with friends.

If your loved one is a little less mobile, activities like walking a pet or shopping can be a great sources of much-needed exercise. As providers of companion care in San Marcos, we provide caregivers who can suggest, and participate in community based and private activities that allow seniors to feel a sense of belonging and companionship that can keep their spirits uplifted. Walking a small pet or walking around the mall will provide exercise, while still giving the elderly a fun activity that does not feel like exercise, but so will taking part in Tai Chi at the nearest Senior Center.

For any senior, motion sensors built into video games can be an inviting way to exercise. Experts explain that using motor skills while playing a game can be a great way to improve brain waves and maintain the overall function of motor skills, while still getting a minor workout that can prevent the atrophy of joints and bones. Many video game companies have started to make video games that are easy to learn and easy to play, accompanying the needs of the elderly. While this type of exercise is probably not enough in and of itself, when accompanied by a daily walk, it can help keep senior citizens active and healthy. Overall, by taking advantage of these easy and fun ways to exercise, your loved one can improve joint movement, prevent muscle atrophy, and have an activity on their calendar that they can look forward to.

Medicare changes could benefit seniors:

With the regularly occurring changes in the medical field, attentive care for seniors in Oceanside is more important than ever. By making sure that you are kept up to date with the changes in medical policies, you can save hundreds each year by taking advantage of new programs and discounts that are offered. Medicare has recently changed its drug plan policies to benefit seniors. As of the beginning of November, Medicare has started their open enrollment period for the year that allows seniors to change their medication and health plan policies. The window to make these changes will only last through December 7^th, but by changing the policies to accommodate the medications that are being taken; you may be able to save up to $500 in the next year if you switch Medicare plans.

What to consider when choosing a senior health care plan:

When making the change from one policy to another, there are several things that can make attentive care for seniors in Oceanside more affordable. First, if medications have changed over the past year, a new plan may be better suited for the new medications. By getting a plan that covers only what is necessary; seniors can reduce their care costs and can save on their medications.

Second, you should compare rates and coverage details between plans to make sure that what you need is covered, but nothing additional is being paid for. Attentive care for seniors in Oceanside can be expensive, and by eliminating costs for benefits that are not needed, these attentive care costs can be lessened greatly.

Finally, in order to further reduce costs, you should make sure that your medical information is up to date and that you have had a recent physical examination. If you are in a healthy condition for your age, you can often get more affordable health care, especially if you do not take significant amounts of medication each day.

What this means for you:

Within the next month and a half, you can discuss with a professional what changes should be made to your Medicare plan. By calling your Medicare representative and asking about the open enrollment and how you can benefit from it, you may be able to save hundreds. This can help reduce attentive care costs for seniors in Oceanside and leave cash in your pocket for other important expenses.

Where do I begin my search for at home health aides?

When searching for the right in-home health aide companies in Carlsbad, it is important to keep a few things in mind. First, your home health care aide should be qualified and able to care for the elderly. Different companies cater to different needs, so you should find a company that deals specifically with at home care. Second, a good home health aide will provide you with the care you need, while personalizing your care and caring for you as an individual rather than just another patient. Finally, the right company will help relieve the burden of caring for your loved one, and will help create a stress-free environment for all those involved.

What do I consider when searching for a home health care provider?

When looking for a home health aide in Carlsbad, you should look for a company that has top quality workers. If you are able to find a quality company that handles its employees and customers effectively, you will not have to worry at all about the distance between you and the company itself. You should also search for a company that has years of experience with similar clients and a firm knowledge of the main diseases and disorders that affect the elderly. Finally, the right home health aides in Carlsbad will also be able to communicate effectively and appropriately, giving family members and friends the information that they need when they need it.

When should I schedule home health care?

After you have found an at home health aide provider in Carlsbad, you need to determine how often you want care for your loved one. If your relative is severely disabled with no ability to function on his or her own but can sleep through the night, it will be helpful and more cost effective to have a live-in health aide, but if the patient is able to move around and provide his or her own care at a basic level, then an hourly at home health aide in Carlsbad may be sufficient. Once you have a health aide in your home, he or she can provide the care that your loved one needs. This can be anything from helping with washing and bathing to giving reminders about medications and treatments when necessary.  This help can greatly reduce the amount of stress placed on family and friends during this difficult process. Finding the right at home health aide company in Carlsbad can be difficult, but if you do your homework and ask others who have gone through this process, you can find a company that is able to reduce your family’s burden of caring for an elderly loved one.

If your loved one has become increasingly dependent on the help and assistance of others, it may be time to look for an at-home health care provider. This daunting task can be stressful, and you want to make sure that you leave your relative in the hands of a capable caregiver that will give him the care and attention that he deserves. By finding an elderly care provider in San Marcos, you can have access to a wide variety of caregivers that offer in home visits.

When searching for an elderly care provider in San Marcos, there are two main types of caregivers that you can choose from. First, there are hourly caregivers. These caregivers are paid an hourly rate, and can stay as long as you need them to. This gives you the benefit of only having to pay for a few hours a day if your loved one is able to get by on his or her own throughout parts of the day. The disadvantage of this type of care is that it can be more costly if your loved one needs round-the-clock care. The other type of at home health care provider is a live-in caregiver. This type of caregiver can live in the same home as your loved one and help with daily tasks throughout the week. This gives you the ability to leave your loved one in the hands of a qualified professional, and it is much cheaper than paying an hourly worker to stay with your loved one 24 hours a day, but if your loved one is able to do some tasks on his own, it may be easier to pay an hourly worker to come in for a few hours a day rather than having an at home health care provider.

Working with an elderly care provider in San Marcos is a good way to find a knowledgeable caregiver. By researching companies and learning about company histories, you can find a reputable care provider that has dozens of qualified home health care providers that provide home visits to the elderly. A quality elderly care provider in San Marcos can assign a health care professional to your family who can help your loved one with everyday tasks like remembering to take pills, eating, bathing, and light housekeeping.