If your parents are anything like ours, they've poured their hearts into creating a better life for you and their community. Now that they're in their golden years, they deserve to relax and savor the fruits of their labor.
However, as our loved ones age, the need for extra support around the home becomes evident, whether it's preparing meals or managing medications. When they can no longer care for themselves as they once did, worries about their safety and well-being arise. It's natural to think about their quality of life and how you can give back to them while balancing your own responsibilities.
Most seniors -94%, according to Forbes- prefer to remain in their homes as they age. If the senior in your life wants to stay at home as they get older, what's the best way to make that happen? For many families, non-medical home care offers a compassionate and affordable solution. In-home care is quickly becoming the first choice for older seniors because it supports your family while allowing your loved one to age gracefully in the familiar, safe surroundings they're used to.
If you're committed to keeping your mom, dad, or senior relative safe and happy at home, working with a home care agency might be the best way to achieve that goal.
When it comes to maintaining good senior health, early intervention is often key. Unfortunately, many adults with senior parents are stretched too thin to notice signs that their mom or dad needs help around the house. Wondering whether you really need to consider home care for you, your parents, or your loved ones? Keep these warning signs in mind.
As men and women get older, it's perfectly natural for them to have some aspects of mental decline. Age-related memory loss doesn't affect everyone, but when it involves your loved one, it can be a lot to digest. When forgetfulness begins to impact your parents' quality of life, it's time to take action.
Commonly referred to as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), this forgetfulness often arises from reduced blood flow to the brain, a phenomenon frequently associated with aging. Other contributing factors can include typical neural lapses and a decline in hippocampal function, which is a crucial area of the brain responsible for memory. These changes can lead to frustrating side effects, such as
Seniors showing any of these signs can greatly benefit from non-medical home care providers who can help them with their daily tasks. This support can include reminding them of scheduled appointments, preparing meals, light housekeeping, and assisting with reading and other essential activities. Professional caregivers can also incorporate healthy memory practices into your loved one's daily routine. Strategies may include social interaction, engaging in simple strategy games, maintaining a nutritious diet, and participating in light exercises like slow walks around the block.
As your parents or senior loved ones get older, they often have trouble completing dayto-day tasks that are fundamental to living a normal life. There are several activities of daily living, or ADLs, that senior citizens struggle with and include
A reliable caregiver from a trusted senior care agency in Maryland Heights, MO, can help make daily life much easier for your elder relative. If they have trouble putting on or tying their shoes, your caregiver is there to help them choose their shoes and put them on correctly.
If your senior citizen isn't eating healthy food, your caregiver can help create a nutritious meal plan and assist them in preparing the food they need for energy and daily activities. When searching for a home care agency, make sure they offer tailored care plans that address your loved one's needs, not someone who has similar issues.
If you notice that your loved one can't keep themselves clean and groomed, it could be a sign that their health is on the decline. It could also be a red flag that your senior may be experiencing the early stages of dementia. Other signs include:
The best non-medical caregivers are trained to attend to your loved one's needs and quality of life as they move through the Functional Assessment Staging test of Alzheimer's Disease, also known as the FAST Scale. If you believe your parent or relative might be in the early stages of dementia, it's absolutely critical to work with a home care business like ameriCARE that specializes in dementia care.
There's a reason why almost 12 million people in the United States rely on some type of non-medical home care. Working with the right home care agency and team caregivers can be life-changing for seniors who need help but don't want to live in a nursing home. Here are just a few of the most effective services that help older adults stay happy, healthy, and active as they age.
If you notice that the senior in your life can't or won't maintain their hygiene and health, hiring an experienced caregiver can help. They'll assist with daily tasks like:
Companion home care is a unique type of in-home support tailored for individuals who require help with daily living tasks while also benefiting from meaningful social interaction and emotional support. Unlike other care options that primarily focus on medical or personal needs, companion and lifestyle home care helps form strong personal bonds and improves the overall quality of life.
People who benefit the most from companionship and lifestyle home care include:
Veterans are a special breed. They're service members who have made sacrifices for our country and deserve dignified, respectful attention. In-home care gives Veterans customized, compassionate care when they need it most. Whether they have new health challenges after returning from combat or need an extra hand throughout the day, home care can make a meaningful difference for those who deserve the utmost respect and compassion.
In-home care can be very helpful for Veterans suffering from:
Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's can be quite challenging, as it involves managing a mix of complex and changing needs. Those living with the disease may face memory problems, mood swings, and difficulties in communicating. Alzheimer's care includes various services aimed at providing a supportive environment that helps maintain both physical and emotional well-being, even as the disease evolves.
Common Alzheimer's care services include:
Giving the older adult in your life the gift of in-home care can be a hugely positive decision on multiple levels. It not only gives them access to high-quality care in a place where they feel comfortable - it gives them the independence they crave and have earned over their lifetime.
Some of the most significant advantages of hiring a home care agency to help your senior loved one include:
Great in-home caregivers support your loved one's independence while providing the necessary assistance to ensure their safety and well-being. When you choose an agency that creates tailored care plans, your loved one can continue to live their lives on their terms, making choices about their daily activities and routines with the support of caregivers.
Receiving care at home offers a unique set of benefits that facility settings just can't match. Home care companies like ameriCARE offer personalized care services designed to cater to specific needs while allowing seniors to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
Choosing non-medical home care in Maryland Heights, MO, can be a cost-effective solution, especially when compared to long-term, residential options like nursing homes. Care provided in facilities typically incurs significant costs for lodging and extra services. On the other hand, home care enables clients to receive tailored support at a much lower price.
Having you and other members of your family involved in your loved one's care process is integral. If you're on the hunt for a home care agency to work with, make sure to choose one that encourages your involvement. This collaborative approach allows for care that aligns with your family values, expectations, and overall goals.
When you work with a senior care agency that carefully selects caregivers and provides ongoing training to provide a range of services, your parent or relative benefits greatly. ameriCARE caregivers are seasoned professionals, dedicated to serving others in ways that often go unnoticed.
We know that choosing the best senior care agency for your loved is a top priority. Some key factors to consider include:
The agency you choose should have a proven track record and should be transparent when talking about caregiver credentials, training, and programs.
Working with a home care company that pushes open communication, transparency, and responsiveness keeps everyone in your circle informed about care plan updates and adjustments.
Look for a company that offers a robust range of senior care services and provides custom care plans that meet your senior's unique needs.
Inquire about the agency's caregiver recruitment process, including background checks, screening procedures, and ongoing training.
By taking these factors into account, you can make a well-informed choice when selecting a home care agency that provides the quality, compassion, and support necessary to improve the well-being and comfort of yourself or your loved one.
At ameriCARE, we understand that in-home care should reflect the individuality of those we assist. Our guiding principle focuses on creating a caregiving experience that is tailored, uplifting, and impactful. We aim to broaden and strengthen your care circle.
Our dedication to conscientious in-home care has helped establish our reputation for outstanding service. We believe that non-medical in-home care holds the potential to sustain and enrich one's quality of life, regardless of the challenges a person faces. By adopting a holistic perspective on care, we ensure our services are thorough, nurturing, and beneficial to our clients' overall wellness.
At ameriCARE, our goal is to deliver caregiving that is reliable, compassionate, and respectful. We are committed to positively influencing the lives of those we assist by making certain that our care is more than just a service - it's a source of comfort and empowerment. We aim to foster an atmosphere where each person feels appreciated, supported, and honored, thereby enhancing their capacity to live while improving their quality of life.
Our agencies are at the forefront of a new kind of in-home care that extends beyond traditional services. Unlike some home care companies, we believe in addressing the needs of the whole person.
To that end, we see care as a collaborative effort. Our caregivers are dedicated professionals who serve others in often unrecognized ways. We honor their commitment by providing top-notch training and career opportunities, ensuring they have the skills and support necessary to deliver exceptional care.
By going above and beyond to provide care that exceeds your expectations, we help ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your family. Seniors, their adult children, and other relatives choose ameriCARE because we're committed to:
Our care plans are customized to address the specific requirements of every individual and their family. We consider personal preferences, health issues, and family relationships to deliver care that is both personal and impactful.
We utilize cutting-edge technology to enhance your home care experience. With straightforward booking and payment methods, along with real-time updates and feedback, our technological solutions simplify and optimize care management.
If you're looking for help after surgery, a break from caregiving, or just someone to keep you company, our trustworthy caregivers are here for you. We provide a free care assessment with no strings attached to help you develop a home care plan that's just right for you.
The first step to seeing your loved one happy at home is to call ameriCARE for a free, no-obligation care assessment. Let us help you create a home care plan that brings your family peace of mind, comfort, and support. Request More Info today, and by tomorrow, you'll be closer to keeping your loved one safe and comfortable, no matter how many miles you may be apart.
Ready to learn more or need personalized support? Contact ameriCARE today! Our dedicated team is here to answer your questions, provide expert advice, and guide you through every step of the homecare journey.
A routine mail route turned critical when a USPS carrier found a 96-year-old woman who had fallen outside in the freezing cold and couldn’t get up.MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — On Dec. 1 in St. Louis, over three inches of snow blanketed the region and many people stayed home. It was the second round of snow in three days and over 6 inches of snow was on the ground from the first snowfall just hours before, according to the National Weather Service.But one United States Postal Service mail carrier decided to deliver mail a...
A routine mail route turned critical when a USPS carrier found a 96-year-old woman who had fallen outside in the freezing cold and couldn’t get up.
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — On Dec. 1 in St. Louis, over three inches of snow blanketed the region and many people stayed home. It was the second round of snow in three days and over 6 inches of snow was on the ground from the first snowfall just hours before, according to the National Weather Service.
But one United States Postal Service mail carrier decided to deliver mail and that decision ultimately saved a stranger's life.
"It was snowing," Deanna Chatman said. "And (USPS) told us 'Don't go out and deliver mail if you don't feel safe,' but something told me just to go."
As she was in the middle of her route in a Maryland Heights subdivision, she saw an older adult waving her hand from inside her garage doorway.
"I stopped and asked, 'Do you need help?'" Chatman said.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, replied yes and asked her to call 911 because, unable to stand, she thought she had broken her hip or leg. Chatman made the call.
Little did Chatman know, the woman — who lives alone, is in good health and still drives — fell by the mailbox at the end of her driveway and crawled up to the garage and tried to open her door.
Chatman waited for the ambulance to arrive, which was a 20-minute wait.
While they waited, Chatman learned the woman was 96-years-old, in a little pain, and had been waiting for three hours without a coat for someone to come by so she could ask for help.
When Chatman asked the woman what she was doing outside, the 96-year-old woman told her that she was trying to put outgoing mail in her mailbox.
The older woman yelled when she heard the snowplow and then again when she heard her neighbors, her granddaughter said.
"She heard people, but they couldn't hear her, until Ms. Chatman came to drop off mail and heard her and ran into the garage."
"She must have slipped on her driveway because she didn't have any shoes on," Chatman said. "She just had on some pants and a shirt. No socks or anything."
The 96-year-old's granddaughter said she couldn't get into her house because of the steps. She said her grandmother told her she was trying to yell for help, but she didn't have her phone. However, she was able to open the door to the house to feel some warmth as she waited for help.
Her pants were covered in mud and scratched up because she was trying to drag her legs. They noticed those details when she arrived at the hospital, her granddaughter said.
A flood of emotions came over her granddaughter when she realized how her grandmother had been lying in that garage for hours.
"(The family) all tried to put ourselves in her shoes, like how scary that must have been, just lying there and no one hearing her or seeing her."
In Chatman's six years at USPS, she said she has never stumbled across such a dire situation.
"I'm blessed that I got a chance to save someone's life," she said.
Chatman is monitored on her routes to ensure that USPS workers are not sitting in one place for too long, so she called another carrier while she waited with the older adult and let them know why she had not moved. When the ambulance arrived, she was able to proceed with her route.
When Chatman returned to the post office, she intended to tell her supervisor what happened, but she was unable to locate her.
The 96-year-old's granddaughter said it was probably just another day for her.
"It probably happens more than we know, but the mail people are helping people all the time. Like she did this and probably went on with her day. ...She didn't think anything of it."
Chatman said she covers a different area each day, but she got a call a few days later from the supervisor she had on Dec. 1.
"You did an awesome job," Chatman said the supervisor told her. "Her granddaughter said if you hadn't called the ambulance, she wouldn't have made it."
Chatman reacted with tears, not realizing that the woman's pelvis had partially shattered and she was freezing to death.
'It was a blessing that I was there to help her, and she(her supervisor) was like "Yes, it was Chatman.'"
Chatman was recognized by her manager and USPS for her heroism with balloons and flowers.
“Deanna’s actions made a real difference that day, and we couldn’t be more proud of her conduct and dedication," said USPS Strategic Communications Specialist Tara Jarrett. "We are excited for her to receive her Postmaster General Award, which recognizes exceptional heroism that reflects positively on the USPS.”
"Ms. Chatman 100% saved her life because it was so cold. By the time the ambulance had gotten there, they couldn't get a temperature on her because she was so cold. ...There are no words to express how grateful we are for her," the granddaughter said.
The 96-year-old woman has been in the hospital since the fall. She has been sharing all that she has overcome, like two pandemics, multiple wars and the death of her husband. The traumatic fall is now added to her impressive list.
"She has had surgery, and you wouldn't even know that it happened, which is just wild at her age," her granddaughter said.
She is expected to be discharged from the hospital and undergo rehabilitation soon.
The family's gratitude is immeasurable, and Chatman reminds us that ordinary work can lead to extraordinary moments.
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