Trail Ridge Home Care is Hiring. Click Here to Apply Now »
605-231-8141

November 2023

News / Resources for Families / Resources for Seniors

The holiday season brings out the best in most people. But for some, it brings out the worst. Experts say scams targeting older people ramp up this time of year, because seniors are typically more vulnerable and more charitable around the holidays.

“Seniors who live alone, have memory issues or don’t understand technology are especially vulnerable,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN).“Unfortunately, the holiday season provides many opportunities for scammers to prey on older people – turning what’s supposed to be the most joyous time of the year into a nightmare.” Continue reading ’Tis the Season for Holiday Scams

Read More

Resources for Families

You’ve been gathering with family members to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as you can remember… but this year, things are different.

Your mom’s dementia is worsening, and she’s becoming more and more frail. You worry that she may not be able to make it and, if she does, that she won’t enjoy the family gathering.

What should you do?

“The holidays can be particularly challenging for older loved ones who have memory or mobility issues,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “It’s important for family members to be aware of the challenges and make a plan to cope with them – so that their older loved ones feel included and not burdensome.”

Continue reading Helping Senior Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays

Read More

News / Resources for Families

Did you know…

  • Across the U.S., nearly 38 million Americans (about 11% of the population) are taking care of loved ones with chronic, disabling or serious health conditions.
  • 60% of family caregivers also have full- or part-time jobs.
  • 30% of all caregivers are caring for two generations.
  • The majority of caregivers (82%) care for one other adult, while 15% care for 2 adults and 3% for 3 or more adults.
  • About 15.7 million family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
  • Upwards of 75% of all caregivers are female.
  • Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care. Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers spends 41 hours or more per week providing care.
  • On average, caregivers spend 13 days each month on tasks such as shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation and medication management.
  • The average age of a family caregiver is 49.2 years old.
  • The average age of a care recipient is 69.4 years old – with 47% of recipients age 75 or older.
  • The average duration of a caregiver’s role is 4 years.

*Source – Family Caregiver Alliance and AARP

“Family caregivers are super stars,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and president of Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “These statistics show that while caring for an older loved one is extremely rewarding, it can also be challenging and exhausting.” Continue reading Honoring Family Caregivers

Read More

Resources for Families / Resources for Seniors

Few people deserve our respect and gratitude more than the brave men and women who served in the military. At Trail Ridge Home Care and our partner organization HomeCare Advocacy Network, we’re proud and privileged to care for older veterans and their family members – giving them the care and support they need to age safely and with dignity.

As we honor a veterans on November 11, we hope you’ll join us by showing appreciation for the older veteran in your life. Here are a few ideas:

Continue reading Ten Ways to Honor Older Veterans This Veterans Day

Read More