Are you happy with your current career path?
Does your organization provide you with the support you need to be successful?
Do you feel valued and appreciated?
If you answered no to any of those questions, maybe it’s time for a change.
Your dad passed away several months ago… leaving your mom alone in the home they shared for more than 50 years. Your friends suggest getting her a pet – a furry friend that will keep her busy and reduce the risk of loneliness, but you worry a pet will be more work than it’s worth.
“No matter the age, pets have a way of nurturing the mind, body and soul,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “This is especially true for older people who live alone. We’ve seen it with our clients – playing with a dog, petting a cat or even watching a bird can bring a lot of joy to a senior who might be feeling lonely or isolated.”
Worsening eyesight, arthritis, memory loss and other age-related conditions can make even the simplest day-to-day tasks a little challenging – especially for seniors who live alone.
“We know an overwhelming majority of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, but sometimes they need a little help to do that,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “The good news – you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a big difference.”
Here are ten simple things you can do to make it easier for your aging loved ones to successfully navigate the challenges of aging, while reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Continue reading 10 Tips and Tricks That Will Make Life Easier for Seniors
When you visit your aging dad, he’s usually doing the same thing – sitting in the recliner watching Gunsmoke re-runs.
Is that normal?
“While it’s important for seniors to be active and engaged, many settle into a routine that’s hard to break – even when people visit,” said Sierra Goetz, operations director at Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “The next time you visit, try giving your loved one a little push to do something different – something that will engage their mind and/or body while making special memories with you.”
Here are ten things you and your senior can do to make the most of your time together.
Continue reading 10 Fun Activities to Engage Your Aging Loved Ones
Struggling to find the perfect holiday gift for the senior who has everything?
It’s even harder when you’re shopping for an aging loved one who has dementia.
“I know from my family’s personal experience that caring for someone with dementia can be challenging – especially as the disease progresses,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at Trail Ridge Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “We were always on the lookout for tools, technologies and devices that could improve memory, help with communication and ease anxiety.”
Continue reading 10 Holiday Gift Ideas for People with Dementia
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
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
Did you know…
*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
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
You missed an important meeting at work, because your mom fell in the shower.
You left your son’s big soccer game to take your dad to a doctor’s appointment.
You forgot to make cookies for your daughter’s school bake sale, because you were busy making dinner for your aging parents.
If this sounds like your life, you’re not alone.
A new report from AARP shows that there are 38 million family caregivers in the U.S. and they spent more than 36 billion hours caring for adults with chronic, disabling or serious health conditions. Other findings include: Continue reading 7 Ways to Manage Caregiver Stress