How to find quality home care for your loved one in a down economy.

Yes, we are all feeling the ” pinch” through reduced income through layoffs or shorten working hours. It seem that everything is rising except our income. Furthermore, we are responsible for our parents to make sure that we give them the quality of life that most of us enjoy because of them. Yes, they made some great sacrifice such as buying that prom dress for our senior prom or buying that little league uniform for the next Babe Ruth. Yes we can still take care of parents who may need some home care taking the the following steps.

1. compare, compare, ask for referrals, search the internet.

2. compare service. (look the “UPS” services of homecare.)

3. compare price(Southwest get you there the same as other

      airlines

4. Check business history. Call the Better Business Bureau.

” Holiday Blues Depression in the Elderly

The holiday season is coming upon us. The holiday can be a great time to get together with family and friends. However, if you are a caregiver for an elderly loved one, you may notice a change in your loved one’s mood as the holiday approach. Perphaps you are one of many, who visit elderly parents and family during the holidays who live a distance away. When you visit you may notice that loved ones are not as physically active, or they show symptoms of fatigue or sadness and have no interest in the holiday or in their surroundings. We welcome your comments for our readers.

Boomerang Parents, We are here.

Kids are not the only ones who leave college to come back home to their bedrooms. Over 36 million people age 65 or older, about 13 percent live with their adult children or other family members. However this older generation requires more attention and care. Over the years children of aging parents find themselves providing more and more care to keep their parent independent. Such gradual increase in care are one reason many adult children don’t think of themselves as caregivers. As result most adult children sometime fail to seek help. Please share your story with our readers.

Know When to Ask for Help!

The one thing that is a trait among caregivers is that they feel that they cannot ask for help. Asking for help is a sign of strength. When you become a caregiver, there’s no rule that you have to do it all alone forever. When caregiving become more than you can bear or a family member requires more constant care that you simply cannot provide, it’s time to seek other options. You may want to check into other community resources such as home care, assisted living facilities or local and state programs for the elder. Please share with our readers what have worked for you.

Caregiving, Be Grateful

How do you give back to your parents? Yes, we know some days are harder than others. Remember, that caregiving will not go on forever. Cherish, the fact that your loved one is still alive and with you. Many caregiver have shared their success with us. During some of the most difficult days they remind themselves that life is precious and the opportunity to care for a parent become so special. They share stories of precious conversations with a parent that they never knew about and for some the closeness of caring have brought about a new balance in their personal lives. Please share your story with our readers.

With elder care issues for employees on the rise, companies can help

Employers today are realizing that their employees are facing more caregiving responsibilities for their parents. Business have lost between $11.4 billion and 29 billion in retention, absenteeism and productivity due to elder caregiving. Currently, there are more than 14 million employees caring for an aging family member. More than 64 percent of caregivings are working full-time or part-time accoerding to the most recent study on the impact of caregiving for workers. How can companies help their employees with these challenges? Please share your suggestions on our blog.

Ten Tips For Family Caregivers

1.Caregiving is a full time job. Respite is your reward!

2.Watch out for signs of depression.

3. When someone offer to help, accept the offer.

4.Learn about your loved’s condition.

5.Know the difference between caring and doing!

6. Seek assistance. It is okay to ask for help.

7.Be careful about lifting the loved one.

8.Grieve your losses, then dream new dreams.

9.Seek support from others.

10. Find time for yourself.

Just ask for some assistance!

First of all eldercare demands can require such an investment of time. In todays 24/7 world, you can find your self overwhelmed with the full time responsibility of cargiving. Talk to your employer about the situation. You don’t have to give every detail of care. However, your company may have an eldercare program. Your employer knows what affect you away from work will affect your productivity at work. Also, ask coworker if they know of services in the community to help out.

Does your supervisor know that you brought your parents to work today?

Some employees hide the fact that they’re taking care of their parents. The National Study of Employers stated that 79% of companies offer flexible work hours to allow staff to handle elder care issues. Many companies realize that when an employee have an aging parent it affects productivity. Handling elder care issues can be a nagging distraction at work. Employees become stressed and are not productive. Some employees hide the fact that they’re taking care of their parents. The employee do not want his/her supervisor to know about the personal calls to make doctor appointments and other arrangements that must be make between 8:00a.m and 5:00p.m. If you are helping an aging parent and working a full time time. Please share your challenges on our blog.