Have you ever considered a career in professional caregiving? “More than 10,000 people turn 65 every day – and an overwhelming majority of them want to remain in their homes as they age. That’s why home care is now one of the country’s fastest growing industries – with no end in sight,” said Teresa Steinfatt, Vice President of Business Performance at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN).
Do you have a long-term care plan? Do family members fully understand the details – where you want to live, where your important documents are, how you plan to pay for the care you might need? It’s estimated that a person turning 65 today has a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care or support as they age. With odds like that, it’s important to prepare for what lies ahead.
Winter weather is on the way, so now is a good time to prepare your senior’s home for the cold, snowy days that lie ahead. Here’s a checklist to get you started.
According to Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, older adults should engage in 150 – 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise (walking, weight-lifting and other low-intensity activities) or 75-150 minutes a week of vigorous physical activity (jogging, running, swimming, biking and other high-intensity activities).
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 936,000 patients age 65 and older who received a flu vaccine and an equal number of individuals who did not. They found that, over a four-year period, those who had at least one flu shot were 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who were unvaccinated.
If you’re a long-distance caregiver, here are ten tips to help you help overcome some of the challenges.
Trail Ridge Senior Living, a trusted provider of senior care for nearly 30 years has added a new home care division – offering non-medical, in-home care to Sioux Falls area seniors who want to remain in their homes as they age.
“We have strong roots in the community, and we’re passionate about providing exceptional care to our residents,” said Jeff Hongslo, Chief Executive Officer of Trail Ridge’s parent company American Baptist Homes of the Midwest. “We look forward to extending the same compassion and care we show our residents beyond the walls of the Trail Ridge community and into the homes of area seniors.”
Trail Ridge Senior Living Community is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM), a nonprofit organization that currently provides care to more than 1,300 residents in seven Midwestern senior living communities. Through its new home care division, Trail Ridge’s highly trained, professional caregivers will provide companionship, personal care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care and other services designed to help seniors age safely in their homes.
“More than 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the United States, and an overwhelming majority of them say they want to grow older in their homes,” Hongslo said. “Our goal is to help them live safely and independently for as long as possible, while giving their families much needed peace of mind.”
The Trail Ridge Home Care Division is supported by the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN), a home care franchisor based in Omaha, Nebraska. As a franchise partner, HCAN experts will provide structure, system support and ongoing training for the Trail Ridge Home Care team.
Over the next 12 – 18 months, Hongslo expects Trail Ridge Home Care to add nearly 20 new jobs. Team members are currently actively recruiting and interviewing people interested in professional in-home caregiving career.
“As we learned during the pandemic, caregivers provide an essential service, so our team is devoting a lot of time an energy into finding the right caregivers for the job,” he said. “It’s the perfect career for people who are looking for positions that offer flexible hours and an opportunity to give back to their community.”
For more information about services or career opportunities at Trail Ridge Home Care, call 605-231-8141 or visit Trailridgehomecare.com.
Do you know if they have living wills, health care powers of attorney or do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders? An advance directive is a legal document that goes into effect only if a person is incapacitated and unable to speak for themselves. It helps others know what type of medical care they want – or don’t want.
How many prescriptions drugs/meds do you take?
If you’re over 65-years-old, you probably take at least one – maybe more.
Studies show that more than 85 percent of those age 65 and older take at least one prescription drug or meds – with more than 35 percent regularly taking five or more prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Whether it’s playing a game of Scrabble with a grandchild or enjoying lunch with a best friend, there’s just something special about being around people you love.
“Socialization is important at any age, but it’s critical for older adults – especially for those who live alone,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager for Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “Research shows spending time with family and friends can boost a senior’s quality of life – including their physical and mental health.”