Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Shares Tips for Managing Long Distance Caregiving

Staying Close, Despite the Distance

It wasn’t that long ago that most families lived in the same community generation after generation. As loved ones grew older and needed help with the activities of daily life, younger family members could share the responsibilities.

But today, families are often spread out all over the country and beyond. Children move for their careers…parents pack up to their dream retirement spot…great-grandparents may be the only ones left in the family’s hometown. Everyone stays in touch, but they do it by phone, e-mail, and occasional visits.

So, when a parent or grandparent needs care and support, or when a care crisis occurs, families may come face to face with the challenge of long distance caregiving. If this describes your situation, here are some practical suggestions for understanding your family member’s needs and working with friends, relatives, and professional service providers to make sure those needs are met.

Assessing Your Situation

The first step is to be well informed concerning the issues and the resources available to deal with them. Talk to those who are on the scene (your loved one, as well as family and friends who live nearby, the person’s healthcare providers and any others involved). Ask lots of questions. Listen to what people are telling you. Make notes to which you can refer to later.

Make a note of the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of anyone who can help keep you informed. And be sure to let them know how to contact you in case something happens of which you should be aware.

Making a Plan

Once you have a feel for what the issues are, it’s time to begin figuring out what your role can and should be. Here are some points to keep in mind as you do this planning:

• Make sure all the right people are involved during the planning process-other family members, professionals, and especially the person about whom you are concerned.

• A top goal is to support the person’s maximum level of independence. His or her self-esteem, dignity, and health status are all best served by remaining an active, informed decision maker for as long as possible.

• Remember, caregiving responsibilities often call for teamwork. If other family members are on the scene and are doing more than you are able to do, find ways to acknowledge the greater role they are playing. Ask their help in finding practical ways in which you can share the responsibilities.

Resources are Available to Help

As you prepare to get more involved in care, even though from long distance, it’s nice to know there is an entire network of eldercare support services out there to help. Here are three key resources you can contact:

• If your loved one is already receiving care (for example, home health care, assisted living, or a nursing home), coordinate with the care professionals. Schedule a visit to discuss your loved one’s needs and plan of care.

• If community-based eldercare services are needed, contact the person’s Area Agency on Aging.

• A private care manager can help family assess caregiving needs and coordinate eldercare services. Involvement can be on a one-time basis (for example, locating home care services or assisted living). Or the care manager can remain involved on an ongoing basis, as advocate and care coordinator. To find a private care manager in your area, ask your Area Agency on Aging for a referral.

Keep in Touch

Work out a communication strategy that’s best for everyone. Call your loved one on a regular basis, or provide calling cards or a prepaid cell phone. And what about e-mail? Seniors are one of the fastest growing groups when it comes to computer use. Find out whether your relative has e-mail access or would be open to learning.

It’s distressing to be far away when problems arise! But working with the available network of family, friends and service providers provides greater peace of mind for everyone.

(c)2008 IlluminAge Communication Partners

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

 

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Urges You to Consider Elderly Neighbors this Holiday Season

Local company urges community to help area seniors around the holidays through simple acts of kindness

 

It can take days, even weeks of searching to find the perfect holiday gift idea. It’s all worth it though when you see the reaction – that electric smile when the wrapping paper comes off of a thoughtful, heart-warming present for a loved one.

 

But who provides these moments of joy for those who have no family? And what about elderly individuals who don’t get to see their family for the holidays because they are too far away?

This holiday season Senior Helpers is urging the community to make an aging seniors day through a simple act of kindness.

 

We work with seniors across the area that simply don’t have anyone to bring them a present or help them get what they need. A quick visit to a senior neighbor living alone or a small gift can go a very long way. A little bit of outreach is a simple idea and an easy way for people in the community to show support for our senior neighbors who have a very difficult time around the holidays.

 

Of the nearly 40 million people nationwide over the age of 65, 20 percent of them suffer from depression – a number which drastically increases around the holidays. Senior Helpers brightens the holidays for a number of local seniors, but individuals and community groups have the power to do the same through a quick visit and a small act of kindness.

 

Small, inexpensive gifts can mean a lot to those who have no family or spend the majority of the holidays alone and isolated. A new pair of house slippers, a back-support pillow, a warm winter scarf, a new cane, or one of many other inexpensive gifts can all have a big impact on the life of a local senior living alone.

 

We visit and care for these people year-round, and we see what a big difference an act of kindness can have on their day, their mood, and their lives. Help us spread some holiday cheer to an elderly neighbor who could really use a smile this year – it’s a small gesture that can go a very long way.

 

Through JCPenney and the Salvation Army’s Adopt an Angel program you can adopt a senior and send them gifts online. Go to: http://angel.jcpenney.com for more information and to Adopt a Senior Angel today.

 

For more information about Senior Helpers or how to get involved with a senior in the community, please visit http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

 

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

 

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

Stroke Recovery Depends on Rehabilitation Says Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey

700,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year, and at present about four million Americans are living with the effects of stroke.

The effects of stroke can differ widely depending on which part of the brain is damaged and the severity of the stroke. While the effects of stroke can be quite serious, the news from the stroke front is not all bad: ten percent of stroke survivors recover completely and another 25% recover with minor impairments, according to the National Stroke Association. While rehabilitation cannot “heal” the effects of a stroke, it can help patients achieve the best possible outcome and improve independent living and quality of life.

How Does Recovery Begin?

Rehabilitation will help patients “relearn” the skills that are lost when stroke occurs. Think of how you first learned a new skill such as riding a bicycle. The ability to learn the skill came with practice. It’s the same with recovery from stroke. Rehabilitation professionals agree that the most important key to success is carefully directed well-focused repetitive practice. Recovery involves learning new ways to accomplish tasks. For example, patients may learn to bathe or dress using one hand.

Rehabilitation therapy begins in the hospital within 24 to 48 hours after the stroke occurs. Because the stroke may cause weakness or paralysis, the first part of recovery will involve independent movement. A therapist may assist movement of the limbs at first. This is called “passive” therapy. Or patients may be encouraged to perform exercises on their own if they can.

Regaining the ability to carry out the basic activities of daily living is the first step to returning to independent living. Ongoing therapy with a variety of therapists may be needed for months or even years.

Where Does Rehabilitation Occur?

Rehabilitation will usually begin as soon as the patient is stable, often within 24 to 48 hours after a stroke. At the time of discharge from the hospital, work with hospital social workers to locate a suitable living arrangement. Many stroke survivors return home, but some move into some type of medical facility:

• Inpatient rehabilitation units are facilities where you may stay for two to three weeks receiving intense therapy most days.

• Outpatient facilities provide access to physicians and the full range of therapists specializing in stroke rehabilitation. Patients will typically spend several hours, often three days each week, at the facility taking part in coordinated therapy sessions and then return home at night.

 

Home rehabilitation allows for great flexibility with scheduling and gives patients the advantage of practicing skills and developing compensatory strategies in their own living environment. However, one disadvantage is that they won’t have access to specialized rehabilitation equipment.

Who Will Help in the Recovery?

Generally, stroke can cause five types of disabilities: paralysis or problems controlling movement; sensory disturbances including pain; problems using or understanding language; problems with thinking and memory; and emotional disturbances. A patient’s rehabilitation regimen is determined by the type and degree of disability that follows a stroke. Post-stroke rehabilitation involves:

• Physicians

• Rehabilitation nurses

• Physical, occupational, recreational, speech-language, and vocational therapists

• Mental health professionals

Neurologists usually lead acute-care stroke teams and direct patient care during hospitalization, and they sometimes remain in charge of long-term rehabilitation. However, physicians trained in other specialties often assume responsibility after the acute stage has passed, including physiatrists, who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

The patient’s doctor will have the primary responsibility for recommending which rehabilitation programs will best address their needs. The doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes or medication to help prevent a second stroke as part of the recovery. These changes may include controlling high blood pressure or diabetes and eliminating risk factors such as cigarette smoking, excessive weight, a high-cholesterol diet, and high alcohol consumption.

(c)2008 IlluminAge Communication Partners

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

New In-Home Solutions offered by Senior Helpers In Home Care of Central New Jersey Help Local Elderly Live With Alzheimer’s

Families try new techniques for National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

(November, 2010) – Half of all Americans know someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. For one third of us, that person is a family member. The growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease among seniors is an increasing national concern, particularly now as we sit on the cusp of an unprecedented demographic shift. The first of the Baby Boomers turn 65 in January and 20 percent of the population will be seniors within the next two decades.

As scientists desperately search for a cure for Alzheimer’s, local families are experimenting with new prevention techniques in the comfort of their elderly loved one’s home. For National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Senior Helpers, a leading national in-home senior care provider accredited as an Alzheimer’s Association Early Detection Alliance (AEDA) Champion, is helping these families with innovative in-home programs to help seniors exercise their bodies and minds to stave off Alzheimer’s.

“One of the most important things we do is to educate seniors and their families,” says Jack Hoffman with Senior Helpers of Central New Jersey (NJ). “There is no cure in sight for Alzheimer’s, but research has proven time and time again that exercise for the body and mind are two of the best ways to prevent the onset and progression of the disease. We have some great activities and programs in place to help seniors work their muscles and their brains on a daily basis so they can stay healthy and sharp.”

Senior Helpers’ New Alzheimer’s Prevention Programs:

• Brainy Day Activities* – program that works different parts of the brain through specially designed games and puzzles

• Life Bio Journal** – Senior Helpers’ caregivers work with seniors to chronicle their life story in a journal that works the memory, verbalizes thoughts and provides a great keepsake for family

• Individual Exercise – based on the capabilities of the individual, caregivers get seniors up and moving to increase cardio and muscular health

“When a loved one develops Alzheimer’s, it affects the whole family,” Hoffman says. “Caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can be difficult physically and emotionally. Sometimes families need help from a trained, certified professional caregiver. This is especially important for people who can’t see their elderly loved ones on a regular basis or for those who live far away.”

More Fast Facts about Alzheimer’s***:

• The number Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s (currently estimated at 5.3 million) will more than double in the next two decades.

• Alzheimer’s hits women harder than men – 2/3 of those with Alzheimer’s are female

• Obesity and diabetes are leading risk factors; diabetes increases Alzheimer’s risk by 65 percent

• Annual per patient cost of Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is $56,800

• 60 percent of this cost is borne by the family

• Global cost of Alzheimer’s care is estimated at $604 billion

 

*The “Brainy Day Activity Program” is a product of HippoCampus Headquarters utilized by Senior Helpers

**Life Bio Journal is a product of LifeBio.com utilized by Senior Helpers

*** Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Media Contact:  Jack Hoffman, (732) 993-6991, JHoffman@seniorhelpers.com

For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409

# # #

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Says Communicate Clearly with Your Doctor

Tips for Older Adults & Family Caregivers

More Important Than Ever

Many people think that today’s faster pace in health care leaves no time for asking questions–no time for just talking with your doctor or other provider. But the truth is, good communication is more important than ever before. Why? Because the focus today is on a team approach. You, as the patient, need to play an active role. The better you understand your options, the smarter your choices will be. The clearer you are about your wishes, the easier it is for your care team to give you the care you want.

Everyone Benefits

Have you heard about your right to give or refuse your informed consent to treatment? This just means your provider must give you the facts about your care first…and then let you decide what path to take. The “facts” include:

• What’s wrong with me?

• What’s the outlook for the future?

• What does my doctor recommend?

• What are the risks and benefits in doing that?

• What are the other options open to me and their risks and benefits?

And don’t forget: clear communication about your care helps everyone. You need the facts so you can decide what’s best for you. Your doctor and other providers need to know where you stand, so they can carry out your plan of care.

Getting Ready

Clear communication doesn’t just happen. It takes some time and effort. For example, here are some things you can do to get ready for your next doctor’s appointment or care conference:

• If you use a hearing aid, make sure you have it with you.

• Write down your questions or concerns ahead of time.

• If you have an advance directive or values statement your doctor doesn’t know about, be sure to take a copy with you.

• For an especially important appointment, think about asking a close relative or friend to go along. Two sets of ears are often better than one.

The Patient’s Role

If you’re like most people, talking about your own care can be hard. You might be more inclined to avoid the subject, or you might be worrying about what to do or what will happen. You probably can’t change that. But focusing on your role can help. Remember:

• Try to relax, listen, concentrate. Take in as much as you can of what your provider is telling you.

• Give yourself time. Don’t feel rushed to make a quick decision. You have the right to think things over, and to talk them over, before you choose which path is best for you.

• Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, say so. Getting answers to your questions helps everyone.

This will help you participate fully in your care-which is truly a “team effort.”

(c)2008 IlluminAge Communication Partners

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

 

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Poses Reverse Mortgage Considerations

Is a Reverse Mortgage Right For You?

If you are a senior who is age 62 or older and you are living in fear that some day, when you need help, you’ll have to sell your house to pay for it, there is a solution. You may still be able to stay in your home while paying for home care, home improvements or medical bills.

How? If your home is paid off or you have only a small mortgage left, you can get a reverse mortgage to tap the equity in your home without selling or moving. These mortgages are called reverse mortgages because the lender makes payments to you, the homeowner, not the other way around.

The money you will receive is tax-free and will not affect Social Security payments or Medicare benefits. You do not have to pay off the loan until you move out of the house or the home is sold. You will never owe more than the value of the home at the time of repayment, even if the loan balance is higher than the value of your property. No debt will be passed on to your heirs. Reverse mortgage funds are available to spend any way you choose.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible, you must be 62 years or older. (If you are a married couple the youngest partner must be age 62.) You must also either own the home outright or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off with the proceeds from the reverse loan. You must also live in the home. Like all homeowners, you still are required to pay your real estate taxes and other conventional payments like utilities.

Cautions & Things to Remember

• Be sure to work with a reputable lender, consult with your financial advisor if you have one, and do your homework before you make any commitments or sign any documents.

• Investigate the costs involved in a reverse mortgage before making the decision. Closing costs and fees may amount to more than 5% of your home’s value.

• If you plan to live in your home for more than three years, a reverse mortgage can make good financial sense. However, if you know you won’t stay in your home that long, then the cost of the loan plus interest may make seeking a reverse mortgage an unwise choice.

• Using the equity in your home will reduce the amount of money you leave to your family as inheritance

• If you live alone and need to stay in a nursing facility for more than a year, your loan will come due.

• It takes 45 to 90 days to apply for and receive a reverse mortgage. It may be better to receive one when you do not urgently need the money for immediate home repairs or in-home care.

For More Information

The AARP offers information about reverse mortgages, including an online calculator you can use to find out how much money you may get from a reverse mortgage.

The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) includes information for consumers interested in learning more about reverse mortgages

(c)2008 IlluminAge Communication Partners

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

 

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Provides Lists of Adaptive Devices

Technology to the Rescue: Focus on Adaptive Devices

If you or your loved one is living with a condition that limits your ability to perform the activities of daily living, are you taking advantage of the wide range of technologies that are now available to lend-almost literally-a helping hand?

Many conditions, such as arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and injuries, can result in physical limitations. If you or your loved one is experiencing reduced range of motion, decreased strength, loss of hand function and lack of endurance, performing the tasks of daily living that most of us take for granted can prove challenging-and frustrating. Managing for oneself as much as possible when eating, grooming, bathing and in other personal care is so important to self-esteem and a sense of independence!

On the largest level, rehabilitation specialists help the person enhance mobility and upper body function with wheelchairs, walkers, canes, prosthetic devices, seating and positioning equipment, orthotics, etc. Another step is to adapt the home environment with modifications such as ramps, grab bars in the shower and built-up toilet seats.

Then there are the gadgets! Rehabilitation specialists have come up with devices to make the tasks of daily life easier. Here are some of the challenging activities we might face each day…and some clever implements to make it easier.

Mealtime

• Utensils with enlarged, long, and/or angled handles

• Non-skid plates, cups and place mats

• Tumbler with snap-on lid

• Long straws and straw holders

• Rocker knife, to allow a person to cut and pick up food with one hand

Dressing &Undressing

• Easy-to-put-on clothing, such as: front-fastening garments, Velcro fasteners, large buttons, slip-on shoes, elastic shoe laces, clip-on ties, belts with hooks instead of buckles

• Dressing stick

• Long-handled shoe horn and sock donning aid

• Elastic shoelaces

Bathing &Hygiene

• Long-handled sponge or back scrubbing brush

• Bath mitt

• Toothbrushes and hairbrush with built-up handles

• Large-handled nail clippers, tweezers

• Soap-on-a-rope

• Terry robe for drying

• Toilet tissue holder

Work &Leisure Activities

• Reachers

• Book holder/electric page turner

• Built-up pen, pencil

• Magnifier

• Typing stick

• Playing card holder

• Key extender

And don’t forget that creative thinking can solve a challenge! Could you substitute one everyday item for another, or alter an item slightly? A pizza cutter may be easier to use than a knife, and a cup is more secure to hold when equipped with a terry cloth sleeve. High-tech or low-tech, there is often a solution.

This list is just a small sample of the ingenious devices that are available through your loved one’s rehabilitation professionals, or from medical supply houses, or in many cases from your local drug store or variety store.

(c)2008 IlluminAge Communication Partners

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

 

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Invites You to Take the Quiz – Nutrition And Older Adults

Good nutrition is important throughout our lives, and the basic dietary guidelines are pretty much the same for people of all ages. But nutrition plays a special role in healthy aging. Try your hand at this trivia quiz to see how much you know about the special nutritional needs and concerns of older adults.

1. The average person gains 10 to 20 pounds from age 45 to 65. This is…

• a) normal and desirable. We need a little extra fat to keep us warm.
• b) to be avoided. A person’s recommended weight remains the same throughout adulthood.
• c) unusual. Few people gain weight as they grow older.
• d) caused only by growing older, and not by inactivity or overeating.

2. Being significantly underweight…

• a) is a “red flag” for possible health problems.
• b) is great-the thinner the better!
• c) can lead to fatigue, mental confusion and depression.
• d) a and c.

3. Poor diet in older adults can lead to…

• a) osteoporosis.
• b) mental confusion.
• c) increased risk of falls.
• d) all of the above.

4. If a person has Parkinson’s, stroke, arthritis or other condition that makes eating difficult, he or she…

• a) will never be able to relearn independent eating.
• b) should not rely on adaptive devices like long-handled spoons.
• c) can get help from an occupational therapist.
• d) should be discouraged from trying to feed him or herself.

5. People with heart disease should limit their intake of…

• a) cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium (salt).
• b) citrus fruit.
• c) whole grains.
• d) soy products.

6. Loss of appetite can be caused by…

• a) depression and loneliness.
• b) certain medications.
• c) tooth or denture problems
• d) all of the above.

7. Which of these foods does not contain cholesterol?

• a) Avocado
• b) Turkey
• c) Cheese
• d) Eggs

8. Older adults are the age group most likely to…

• a) be able to get all the nutrients they need from food sources alone.
• b) be targeted by sellers of fraudulent nutritional products and supplements.
• c) prepare a home-cooked meal every night.
• d) eat in a social setting.

9. Seniors on a limited income may skimp on nutritious foods. Help may be available through…

• a) Meals on Wheels.
• b) congregate eating centers, like Senior Hot Lunch.
• c) food stamps.
• d) all of the above.

10. Chewing and swallowing difficulties can be caused by…

• a) poorly fitted dentures.
• b) missing teeth.
• c) stroke.
• d) all of the above.

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

 

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

 

ANSWERS TO NUTRITION AND OLDER ADULTS QUIZ: 1=B; 2=D; 3=D; 4=C; 5=A; 6=D; 7=A; 8=B; 9=D; 10=D.

 

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Receives National Certification

(October, 2010) – Senior Helpers of Central New Jersey (NJ), a leading local in-home care provider, has just received national accreditation from Home Care Pulse, an organization dedicated to the measurement of client and caregiver satisfaction scores for the private duty home care industry. Based on exemplary results from a recent independent local client survey, Senior Helpers is now officially certified in home care quality.

“We work very hard to provide the best for our clients and all of the caregivers we employ,” said Jack Hoffman with Senior Helpers of Central New Jersey (NJ). “This certification is great validation that our work is translating into real results for local families and a better quality of life for those seniors who prefer to remain independent in their own homes.”

Senior Helpers specializes in in-home and companion care for area seniors. Services and care are available from just a few hours, a couple days per week, to round the clock, 24/7 live-in care as needed. Each client receives a professional evaluation of their individual needs, and Senior Helpers designs a personalized care plan catered to the specific situation facing each person.

“It is our goal to provide families with the ability to make an informed decision, have tangible ways to measure quality and help them find a comfort level when choosing an agency to work with,” commented Aaron Marcum, founder of Home Care Pulse.

Home Care Pulse, a company which measures client and employee satisfaction, created the certification program to measure key satisfaction aspects of in-home care delivery as well as the level of satisfaction of the caregiving staff.  Home Care Pulse believes that certifying agencies can both educate and help families to make better care decisions for their aging loved ones.

The Home Care Pulse Certification requires an agency to be reviewed monthly and includes the evaluation of areas such as loyalty, benchmarking improvements, client and employee interviews, caregiver performance, caregiver morale, agency incentives and caregiver rewards to name a few.

“We want to congratulate Senior Helpers of Central New Jersey (NJ) for becoming a Home Care Pulse Certified home care agency and commend their commitment to placing high priority on client and employee satisfaction,” concluded Marcum.

To find out more about the Home Care Pulse Certification, please visit www.homecarepulsecertified.com

Media Contact:  Jack Hoffman, (732) 993-6991, JHoffman@seniorhelpers.com

For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409

# # #

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.

About Home Care Pulse

Home Care Pulse was launched in 2008 and is a company specializing in measuring and benchmarking client and employee satisfaction for private duty home care agencies.  Recently Home Care Pulse conducted the largest study ever performed on behalf of the private duty industry.  Home Care Pulse helps agencies promote and drive business, improve service quality and increase employee loyalty. Visit www.homecarepulse.com for more information.

Simple Steps from Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Central New Jersey Help Seniors Conserve Energy and Save Money

The nation is more focused than ever on saving energy and taking care of the environment. However for the elderly, “going green” may not be the easiest thing to understand or do. That’s why we are urging families to follow these simple tips to help their elderly loved ones save hundreds of dollars in energy costs and help save the planet for future generations.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports consumers spend 6 to 12% of their incomes on energy and that is a big hit for seniors on a budget. These are simple tips family members can help their elderly loved ones take to not only save hundreds of dollars but also save energy.

1. Compact fluorescent bulbs are a bright idea for cutting costs.  However not all CFL’s produce the same type of light.  To get that traditional warm light people prefer, look for a CFL with a Kelvin temperature of 2,600 to 3,000.  CFL’s do cost more, but they usually last 10X longer than incandescent bulbs and can save up to $60 in electricity per light over their lifetime.
2. Appliances with a clock, charger, or remote use electricity even when the device isn’t being used. In fact, of the total electricity used to run home electronics, 40% is used when the appliances are turned off.  The best thing, pull the plug when not in use.
3. Hot water heaters built before 2004 don’t have as much insulation. Wrap the heater in an insulating blanket, and save 10%, or $30 off your water heating bill.
4. Get your furnace tuned up and save 10% off your heating bill.
5. For every degree the thermostat is lowered during the heating season, save 5% on your bill.  Seniors need to be careful not to keep their house too cold however.  A programmable thermostat is a better alternative because it will adjust the temperature when you’re away or asleep.  They cost about $70, but it saves more than twice its price in a year.
6. Use cold water to wash your clothes and save 50% of the energy you would use for hot water.  Use the moisture sensor, not the timer on the dryer, and save 15%.
7. Weather-strip the front and back doors and save $30 per year in energy costs.
8. Install low flow shower heads and faucets, and save 50% of the energy and 25-60% of the water needed to shower. Older shower heads use 5.5 gallons per minute, the newer ones use about half that amount or less. That can save $30-$100 per year. Check for leaky faucets and toilets as well.  Leaky faucets can lose 2,700 gallons of water per year.  A leaky toilet can lose 200 gallons per day.
9. Run full loads of clothes and dishes.  Most of the energy is used to heat a set amount of water, so running smaller loads wastes energy and water.

Source: Kiplingers.com

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in- home, caregiving services for the elderly in Bridgewater, Edison, Piscataway, Hillsborough, Somerset, Somerville and neighboring towns.  We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it.  Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren or W. Middlesex Counties, NJ, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references.  In home health care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you.  For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/3409.