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Alzheimer's Care
  • Eight Winter Fragrances that Can Help Create a Familiar Environment for Those With Dementia Eight Winter Fragrances that Can Help Create a Familiar Environment for Those With Dementia If you are a Caregiver for someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease or another type of dementia, then you know how important it is to create a familiar environment and establish a routine. Dementia impairs a person’s ability to plan, initiate, and complete activities, which is ... Read More

Alzheimers
  • Eight Winter Fragrances that Can Help Create a Familiar Environment for Those With Dementia Eight Winter Fragrances that Can Help Create a Familiar Environment for Those With Dementia If you are a Caregiver for someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease or another type of dementia, then you know how important it is to create a familiar environment and establish a routine. Dementia impairs a person’s ability to plan, initiate, and complete activities, which is ... Read More
  • Five Reasons Why In-Home Care Early Is Beneficial For Memory Care Five Reasons Why In-Home Care Early Is Beneficial For Memory Care Dementia is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions that interfere with everyday activities. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated five million adults over ... Read More
  • Alzheimer’s and In-Home Care Alzheimer’s and In-Home Care Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common type of dementia and is not a normal part of aging. Some people notice changes in themselves before ... Read More
  • A Home Helpers Owner Shares Her Expertise for Families Living with Alzheimer’s A Home Helpers Owner Shares Her Expertise for Families Living with Alzheimer’s As CEO of Home Helpers ® Home Care, it’s my privilege to work with the best and most dedicated group of home care professionals in the industry. This extends to both our staff at the National Support Center as well as the owners who operate offices that serve more than 1,000 ... Read More

Avoiding Loneliness
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More

Care Tips
  • Noticing the Need Noticing the Need For many of us, the holidays are the time of year when we get to spend a little extra time with loved ones. No matter how long you get to connect this year, you may start to notice some indications that loved ones aren’t quite the same. Maybe they’re a little forgetful, have ... Read More
  • Product Focus: Direct Link Can Help Keep You Out of the Hospital Product Focus: Direct Link Can Help Keep You Out of the Hospital According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 50 percent of patients do not take their medications as prescribed. It’s estimated in the United States that among seniors the percentage is even higher. More than 80 percent of seniors regularly take two or ... Read More
  • Happy Father's Day... Happy Father's Day... I think one of the benefits of growing older is gaining perspective. The concept of time, for example, can’t really be explained to a younger person that makes them really understand how fleeting our time is here on Earth. But to today’s high school graduates, for example, ... Read More
  • Practical Advice for When You Can't Be There Practical Advice for When You Can't Be There 5 helpful tips for those of you in long-distance caregiving situations. Jean writes: “ Your column has been very useful in helping us talk to my mother-in-law when we visit, but she lives half a continent away and is in her 70s. How can we tell if she needs help between ... Read More

Caregivers
  • Five Ways to Thank a Caregiver Five Ways to Thank a Caregiver A caregiver is a person who provides care for another person. There are many different types of caregivers, but they all have one thing in common: they serve with empathy and compassion, day after day, sometimes with very few breaks. Taking care of someone can be rewarding ... Read More
  • Five Ways to Thank a Caregiver Five Ways to Thank a Caregiver What is a Caregiver? A Caregiver is a person who provides direct care to people who need help taking care of themselves. A Caregiver could be a family member, friend, or a paid professional. At some point, many of us will need a Caregiver. We may need them temporarily while ... Read More
  • 10 Inspirational Self-Care Quotes for Caregivers 10 Inspirational Self-Care Quotes for Caregivers Inspirational Caregiver Quotes Whether you are a family caregiver or a professional Caregiver, you understand that caring for another person is rewarding and can come with challenges. Finding time for yourself can easily move to the bottom of the extremely long to-do list. ... Read More
  • Truly Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving Truly Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving I enjoy everything about Thanksgiving. In my part of the country, the change in weather is refreshing after a hot and steamy summer. The air feels cool and crisp (ask me in February, though, and that same “cool and crisp” leans more toward “cold and gray”). There’s a sense ... Read More

Companion Care
  • What is the difference between Personal Care and Companion Care? What is the difference between Personal Care and Companion Care? Changes in the health and well-being of our aging loved ones can happen overnight. Or these changes can happen in small ways as each day passes. If you are noticing your loved one could use a little more help with daily living and are considering in home care services, the ... Read More

Depression
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More

Difficult Conversations
  • Three Tips for Approaching Tough Conversations with Aging Loved Ones Three Tips for Approaching Tough Conversations with Aging Loved Ones Approximately 70% of people ages 65 and older will require some type of long-term care service and support in their remaining years, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For some, this need will arise suddenly after an unexpected health emergency or ... Read More
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More

Direct Link
  • Five Ways Monitoring Services and Medical Alert Systems Have Transformed The Home Care Industry Five Ways Monitoring Services and Medical Alert Systems Have Transformed The Home Care Industry Some people are reluctant to bring technology into their homes, but for Henry B. of Martinsburg, West Virginia, it was a lifesaver. Henry has been using Direct Link ® powered by Aloe Care, a personal emergency response system, or PERS, for five years. One evening, while he ... Read More
  • Personal Emergency Response Systems Can Ease Your Worries Personal Emergency Response Systems Can Ease Your Worries The first priority of most older Americans is to preserve as much of their independence as they can for as long as they can. For us as caregivers, that means being present enough to offer support without interfering. This can be challenging for some families, as we can’t ... Read More

Elder Abuse
  • We All Need to Know the Signs of Elder Abuse We All Need to Know the Signs of Elder Abuse Most of us have no tolerance for any type of abuse, especially to those who aren’t able to defend themselves. Each year, it’s estimated that five million seniors – that’s 5,000,000 people aged 65+ – are abused physically or taken advantage of financially. Even sadder is the ... Read More
  • The Elder Abuse Problem: How to Protect Your Loved Ones The Elder Abuse Problem: How to Protect Your Loved Ones It seems like one of the common principles that unite all cultures: Respect your elders. But sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. An under-appreciated problem The problem of elder abuse in our country — and it is a serious problem, with the Department of Health and Human ... Read More

Elder Care
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More
  • Keeping Loved Ones Active at Home Keeping Loved Ones Active at Home One of the most effective ways to stay protected during the Covid-19 pandemic is to stay home. Staying home does not mean that a senior is automatically sentenced to ongoing isolation and boredom. Good elderly care involves keeping one active and connected while safe at ... Read More

Family Caregiving
  • National Caregiver Month: Join Us in Celebrating Caregivers National Caregiver Month: Join Us in Celebrating Caregivers Some of my favorite blog posts each year come when we have the opportunity to recognize our Exceptional Caregiver Award finalists. These wonderful people provide the heartbeat to Home Helpers ® Home Care offices across the country and are the reason we proudly proclaim ... Read More
  • A Home Helpers Owner Shares Her Expertise for Families Living with Alzheimer’s A Home Helpers Owner Shares Her Expertise for Families Living with Alzheimer’s As CEO of Home Helpers ® Home Care, it’s my privilege to work with the best and most dedicated group of home care professionals in the industry. This extends to both our staff at the National Support Center as well as the owners who operate offices that serve more than 1,000 ... Read More
  • Improving Family Dynamics by Acknowledging Caregiver Personas Improving Family Dynamics by Acknowledging Caregiver Personas When you first start taking care of an aging parent or loved one it can, we know from experience, be an unnerving, even scary process. 5 Overarching Caregiver Personality Types Our research on caregiver isolation and family dynamics has yielded some insights on how the ... Read More
  • Grandparents Day: An Opportunity to Savor the Moment Grandparents Day: An Opportunity to Savor the Moment Every day is an opportunity to call home and talk to Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa—but today, you get a little extra encouragement: Sunday, September 13 is National Grandparents Day ! Celebrated each year on the first Sunday of September after Labor Day, Grandparents Day is ... Read More

Family Support
  • Eight Ways to Celebrate Your Grandparents Eight Ways to Celebrate Your Grandparents Grandparents hold a unique place in our hearts. They are a source of unconditional love, wisdom, and, often, a bridge to our family's past. Shouldn’t there be a day to honor grandparents? There is! National Grandparents’ Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday after ... Read More

Health and Wellness
  • Are You Up To Date With Your Vaccines? Here Are Five Vaccines The Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) Recommends Are You Up To Date With Your Vaccines? Here Are Five Vaccines The Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) Recommends August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a perfect opportunity to make sure you are up to date with the recommended vaccines. As we age, our immune systems may become slower to respond, making us more susceptible to illnesses. This is why it’s so critical that ... Read More
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More
  • Four Types of Physical Activities for Seniors Four Types of Physical Activities for Seniors There are many reasons why we tend to slow down as we age. You may feel discouraged by pains and aches or worry about falls. As we age, an active lifestyle, or regular physical activity, becomes more important than ever to our health. According to the Center for Disease ... Read More
  • Keeping Loved Ones Active at Home Keeping Loved Ones Active at Home One of the most effective ways to stay protected during the Covid-19 pandemic is to stay home. Staying home does not mean that a senior is automatically sentenced to ongoing isolation and boredom. Good elderly care involves keeping one active and connected while safe at ... Read More

Heart Disease
  • Three Ways In-home Care is a Valuable Resource for Supporting Heart Health in Seniors Three Ways In-home Care is a Valuable Resource for Supporting Heart Health in Seniors Heart disease is a condition that impacts 86.5 million Americans and is the leading cause of disability, constrained activity, and diminished quality of life. According to the National Institute on Aging, people 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to suffer ... Read More
  • Eight Ways In-home Care Can Support Heart Health At Every Phase Eight Ways In-home Care Can Support Heart Health At Every Phase Heart disease affects 85.6 million Americans and continues to be the number one cause of death in the U.S. – more than all types of cancer combined. It’s the leading cause of disability, constrained activity, and diminished quality of life. Managing this condition may ... Read More

Heat Related Illness
  • Six Ways Seniors Can Stay Safe in the Summer Heat Six Ways Seniors Can Stay Safe in the Summer Heat Many areas of the United States are currently undergoing a significant heat wave. The dog days of summer, the hottest and most sultry time of the season, are officially here. As the thermostat continues to rise, it’s important to remember that prolonged exposure to excessive ... Read More

Holiday Season
  • Five Helpful Tips When Hosting Seniors During The Holidays Five Helpful Tips When Hosting Seniors During The Holidays The holidays are an opportunity to be grateful for everything we have, spend time with family, and share a meal. If you are hosting family this year, you are probably busy preparing with preparations. But what if you have older guests coming this year? It’s important to plan ... Read More
  • Noticing the Need Noticing the Need For many of us, the holidays are the time of year when we get to spend a little extra time with loved ones. No matter how long you get to connect this year, you may start to notice some indications that loved ones aren’t quite the same. Maybe they’re a little forgetful, have ... Read More
  • Celebrate Independence at Every Age Celebrate Independence at Every Age When we’re young, we celebrate every new symbol of our emerging self-reliance: Going to the store by ourselves for the first time. Getting a driver’s license. Heading off to college. Paying our own rent or mortgage. While we take pride in these accomplishments in the ... Read More
  • How to Honor Veterans on Independence Day How to Honor Veterans on Independence Day I’m honored to partner with many local Home Helpers owners who are veterans, and together we serve countless clients who have also served in our military. A good number of these vets are older adults who sacrificed in their youth for the freedom we enjoy today. Now, we at ... Read More

Home Care
  • Keeping Loved Ones Active at Home Keeping Loved Ones Active at Home One of the most effective ways to stay protected during the Covid-19 pandemic is to stay home. Staying home does not mean that a senior is automatically sentenced to ongoing isolation and boredom. Good elderly care involves keeping one active and connected while safe at ... Read More
  • Noticing the Need Noticing the Need For many of us, the holidays are the time of year when we get to spend a little extra time with loved ones. No matter how long you get to connect this year, you may start to notice some indications that loved ones aren’t quite the same. Maybe they’re a little forgetful, have ... Read More
  • Five Common Misconceptions About Home Care Five Common Misconceptions About Home Care Let me begin by stating this unequivocally: I love the home care business! And I am passionate about it from every angle. Whether it’s watching one of our local owners grow their business and become successful or hearing the stories of our Exceptional Caregivers once again ... Read More
  • In-Home Support for the Vision Impaired In-Home Support for the Vision Impaired October 15 is White Cane Safety Day in the United States, an occasion to celebrate the equality of blind Americans and to affirm our commitment to their right to independence. Caregivers often encounter families with one or more members experiencing a profound loss of ... Read More

Home Safety
  • Five Spring Cleaning Tasks That Can Make Your Elderly Loved One’s Home Safer Five Spring Cleaning Tasks That Can Make Your Elderly Loved One’s Home Safer Springtime is often associated with new life, rejuvenation, and new beginnings. In many areas of the country, it’s the time of year when the temperature begins to warm up, the flowers and trees once again bloom, and the days become longer, which means more time for fun under ... Read More
  • Five Cold Weather Safety Tips Five Cold Weather Safety Tips Winter is coming – and with it brings colder weather and shorter days. Cold weather is no joke, especially if you are an older adult. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), older adults are more sensitive to the cold because they are more likely to have ... Read More

In-Home Care
  • Four Signs Your Loved One May Need A Helping Hand Four Signs Your Loved One May Need A Helping Hand Often, we hope the little things we notice in our aging loved ones are no big deal. But how do you know when to be concerned? How do you know when you may need to intervene? You can use the letters in C.A.R.E. to ask if it might be time for a helping hand. C.A.R.E stands ... Read More
  • When is the Right Time for In-home Care? When is the Right Time for In-home Care? A 2022 national poll from the University of Michigan on Healthy Aging, showed that more than half of adults over the age of 50 have helped an adult age 65 or older with health, personal, or other care tasks in the past two years. If you find yourself in this group, you may ... Read More

Medical Alert Systems
  • Five Ways Monitoring Services and Medical Alert Systems Have Transformed The Home Care Industry Five Ways Monitoring Services and Medical Alert Systems Have Transformed The Home Care Industry Some people are reluctant to bring technology into their homes, but for Henry B. of Martinsburg, West Virginia, it was a lifesaver. Henry has been using Direct Link ® powered by Aloe Care, a personal emergency response system, or PERS, for five years. One evening, while he ... Read More

Memory Loss
  • Eight Winter Fragrances that Can Help Create a Familiar Environment for Those With Dementia Eight Winter Fragrances that Can Help Create a Familiar Environment for Those With Dementia If you are a Caregiver for someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease or another type of dementia, then you know how important it is to create a familiar environment and establish a routine. Dementia impairs a person’s ability to plan, initiate, and complete activities, which is ... Read More

Mental Health
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More

News
  • Halloween: Here Are Some Memorable Tricks and One Treat Halloween: Here Are Some Memorable Tricks and One Treat Although Halloween is thought of as a fun and frivolous holiday today, it has taken time to evolve. In the United States, it began in the 18 th and 19 th centuries when European immigrants (usually from the Celtic regions) brought their traditions with them. The emphasis was ... Read More
  • Because You Have a Choice Because You Have a Choice Our locally owned and operated Home Helpers offices are evaluated by a number of outside agencies depending on the states in which they operate and the level of care their clients require. The training and preparation we invest in our caregivers is just one of the factors ... Read More
  • Home Helpers is Expanding Internationally as “Caring Hearts” Home Helpers is Expanding Internationally as “Caring Hearts” Home Helpers Home Care is now expanding internationally under the name Caring Hearts. Caring Hearts, available only outside the USA, is taking the tremendous senior home care franchise offering of Home Helpers Home Care to markets worldwide. Caring Hearts offers the same ... Read More
  • Agnes Freeman Honored as Caregiver of the Year 2014 Agnes Freeman Honored as Caregiver of the Year 2014 A hardworking 62-year-old immigrant from Ghana and a mother and grandmother, Agnes Freeman has worked with Home Helpers of Reston, Virginia for years as a trusted caregiver. She was recognized as Caregiver of the First Quarter 2014 for her extraordinary efforts with a client ... Read More

Outdoor Safety
  • Five Cold Weather Safety Tips Five Cold Weather Safety Tips Winter is coming – and with it brings colder weather and shorter days. Cold weather is no joke, especially if you are an older adult. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), older adults are more sensitive to the cold because they are more likely to have ... Read More

Parkinson's Disease
  • Six Ways In-home Care Can Support Those With Parkinson’s Disease Six Ways In-home Care Can Support Those With Parkinson’s Disease Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can be a very uncertain time for the patient, as well as their family members. Parkinson’s is a progressive condition, meaning a person’s needs will continuously evolve as it advances. The exact rate of progression for Parkinson’s ... Read More

Personal Care
  • What is the difference between Personal Care and Companion Care? What is the difference between Personal Care and Companion Care? Changes in the health and well-being of our aging loved ones can happen overnight. Or these changes can happen in small ways as each day passes. If you are noticing your loved one could use a little more help with daily living and are considering in home care services, the ... Read More

Senior Care
  • Six Ways Seniors Can Stay Safe in the Summer Heat Six Ways Seniors Can Stay Safe in the Summer Heat Many areas of the United States are currently undergoing a significant heat wave. The dog days of summer, the hottest and most sultry time of the season, are officially here. As the thermostat continues to rise, it’s important to remember that prolonged exposure to excessive ... Read More
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More
  • Noticing the Need Noticing the Need For many of us, the holidays are the time of year when we get to spend a little extra time with loved ones. No matter how long you get to connect this year, you may start to notice some indications that loved ones aren’t quite the same. Maybe they’re a little forgetful, have ... Read More
  • Product Focus: Direct Link Can Help Keep You Out of the Hospital Product Focus: Direct Link Can Help Keep You Out of the Hospital According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 50 percent of patients do not take their medications as prescribed. It’s estimated in the United States that among seniors the percentage is even higher. More than 80 percent of seniors regularly take two or ... Read More

Senior Health
  • Keeping Our Aging Family Members Mentally Healthy During Pandemic Keeping Our Aging Family Members Mentally Healthy During Pandemic For all of us, 2020 has been a difficult year in many ways as we have to cope with the continuing global pandemic. This is especially true for our aging population, who not only are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 but are also forced to self-quarantine more often as ... Read More

Senior Safety
  • Five Cold Weather Safety Tips Five Cold Weather Safety Tips Winter is coming – and with it brings colder weather and shorter days. Cold weather is no joke, especially if you are an older adult. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), older adults are more sensitive to the cold because they are more likely to have ... Read More
  • Keeping Our Aging Family Members Mentally Healthy During Pandemic Keeping Our Aging Family Members Mentally Healthy During Pandemic For all of us, 2020 has been a difficult year in many ways as we have to cope with the continuing global pandemic. This is especially true for our aging population, who not only are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 but are also forced to self-quarantine more often as ... Read More
  • How to Keep Seniors Independent – and Safe How to Keep Seniors Independent – and Safe If you’ve ever seen any of our Exceptional Caregiver videos, you’ll see that Home Helpers ® Home Care has all types of Caregivers who are focused on one thing: providing Exceptional Care. Having Caregivers of diverse origins and experiences enhances our ability to find the ... Read More
  • Shorter Days Impact Seniors in Many Ways Shorter Days Impact Seniors in Many Ways Since we’ve just had our clocks “fall back” to standard time across most of the country, that means darkness is already settling in even as we drive home from work. Less light, more cold (often accompanied by precipitation of some sort and/or wind) can have a debilitating ... Read More

Seniors and Health Issues
  • Send a Senior a Smile Send a Senior a Smile Mental Health of seniors is at an all-time low. In fact, according to a Gallup Poll in February 2022, American happiness has hit record lows. Increases in depression and anxiety will extend well past the pandemic’s impact itself. Our seniors and our Caregivers have been ... Read More
  • Keeping Our Aging Family Members Mentally Healthy During Pandemic Keeping Our Aging Family Members Mentally Healthy During Pandemic For all of us, 2020 has been a difficult year in many ways as we have to cope with the continuing global pandemic. This is especially true for our aging population, who not only are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 but are also forced to self-quarantine more often as ... Read More

Stroke
  • In-Home Care and Stroke Recovery In-Home Care and Stroke Recovery A stroke is a severe medical event when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and reduces mobility ... Read More

Veterans
  • Home Helpers Home Care, Veterans Care Coordination Partner to Get Veterans the In-Home Care That They Need Home Helpers Home Care, Veterans Care Coordination Partner to Get Veterans the In-Home Care That They Need Just like most of their civilian peers, veterans prefer to age in place in the comfort of their own homes and communities for as long as safely possible. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) currently offers a special benefit called Pension with Aid and Attendance, ... Read More
  • A Powerful Way to Say "Thank You" on Veterans Day A Powerful Way to Say "Thank You" on Veterans Day On Veterans Day, many Americans have difficulty finding the best way to thank a veteran, but simply being a friend to a veteran may be the best strategy. If you just go by the advertising you see, you might get the impression that Veterans Day is all about discounts on fall ... Read More
  • The Battle Continues at Home: In Home Veterans Care The Battle Continues at Home: In Home Veterans Care Today, as we reflect on the service and honor the bravery of the veterans whom have served in our military, we must not forget that once these soldiers return home, many are faced with different types of battles such as life-long challenges and injuries. No one comes home ... Read More
  • The Aid & Attendance Benefit for Veterans The Aid & Attendance Benefit for Veterans This blog courtesy of Kyle Laramie, President and Co-Founder of Veterans Care Coordination, a national organization that assists veterans and spouses in obtaining the Aid and Attendance benefit. This blog courtesy of Kyle Laramie, President and Co-Founder of Veterans Care ... Read More