NOMINATE CAREGIVER HERE!

THE CAREGIVER CONTEST DRAWING IS TOMORROW, MARCH 31st!!!

You may have already entered the contest– in which case, please rest assured that once you have entered the contest, your name will be “in the hat” indefinitely: you are eligible to win the award each month, and you are automatically entered to win the Kindle. If you’d like to enter a new caregiver to be considered for the contest, please do so by following the instructions below!

Carebuzz knows that being a family caregiver is a thankless role! That’s why we’re celebrating caregivers on our site and providing you the opportunity to nominate someone in your community, family or yourself who exemplifies the definition of a ‘family caregiver’ and to win the honored Caregiver of the Month Award! Each month, we will select a caregiver to be featured on the Carebuzz site, and the winner will receive a special gift to honor the work they do. Each quarter, all names submitted will have a chance to win a free Kindle! That’s right, a Kindle! As we have learned from an AARP report on caregiving, there are over 65 million potential nominations out there in the United States. So, who do you think deserves to be honored?

How it works:

1. Submit a Nominee for the Family Caregiver of the Month Award by sending an email to carol @ carebuzz.com
2. In your email, use the subject line “Caregiver Contest Entry”
3. In 25 words or less tell us why this family caregiver deserves recognition and be sure to include the nominee’s name and email address
4. We will draw a name out of the “hat” to select the featured caregiver on the 1st of each month
5. Enter one time and we will keep your name in the “hat” for each monthly drawing, as well as the quarterly Kindle drawing!

NOMINATE CAREGIVER HERE!

Winner Notification:

We will contact each month’s winner by email to ask for a photo and mailing address so that we can send you your special gift!

On Twitter today, there is an article about standardizing all medical forms, so that when you visit the doctor, just make a copy of it and hand it to the receptionist. We hear that doctors complain that the medical history forms are inadequate anyway and we, the patients, complain that we are duplicating our efforts and wasting valuable time. In addition to this, patients or caregivers may not have available, medical information handy at the time. Yet studies have shown that 80-85% of diagnoses are made based on historical information provided by the patient.

An immediate solution could be when caregivers or patients go to the medical office for the first time, they still fill out a basic medical history form by hand, containing basically the same information that could be shared with all medical offices. If we have a standard form, the patient can maintain that information themselves at home, and provide a copy when visiting a new provider. Now that’s a solution we all would buy into! One standardized form. Then our physician could provide corrections and updates to both the caregiver and the patient. The patient would have a transparent view of their health and make clearer, better informed decisions. The goal being, to have patients take responsibility for their own health data.

Read the full article on One Med Form.

Caring for a senior takes a lot of time and patience and these two aspects are even more important for those who are long distance caregivers. It may seem impossible to be able to care for a senior when there are many miles between you, but it is possible. Below is a list of suggestions and tips that can help long term caregivers continue to provide the care a senior loved on needs.

1.    As a long distance caregiver, you will not be able to do everything, which is why it is important for you to ask for help when you need it. Meeting the crucial needs of the senior is the first priority.

2.    It is possible to do an assessment from a distance. This will help caregivers determine if changes have to be made or if the senior would benefit from certain improvements. Pay attention during phone calls with the senior. Listen for warning signs and whether the senior refers to any changes in their situation, including physical, financial and social.

3.    Plan face-to-face meetings with the senior. While this cannot be done on a regular basis, it is important to develop some type of schedule where you can physically check on the senior. Some long distance caregivers will try to visit once a month. Take this time to assess the senior’s abilities and their living conditions.

4.    www.aarp.org offers a lot of information that can help long distance caregivers, including a list of resources available including The FamilyCaregiversOnline.com

1. Limit red and processed meats – processed red meats are high in saturated fats and come with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease

2. Avoid artificially sweetened drinks – you might have already cut back on soda, but sweetened juices and other drinks can also lead to future heart problems through the development of conditions like diabetes. Even one soda per day increased the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by about 50%, a condition that includes three of the following: a large waist, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting blood sugar, elevated fasting triglycerides, or reduced HDL or “good” cholesterol and can increase the chance of developing both heart disease and diabetes.

3. Cut out the salt and fat – the fact that you should limit these foods shouldn’t surprise you, so avoid fast food, limit salt and saturated fats (a Mediterranean diet is a great way to go!)

4. No more bad cholesterol – it’s a myth that all cholesterol should be avoided. It’s just the bad kind that comes from saturated and trans fat that should be cut out from a healthy diet. Trans fats are mostly man made and absolutely can be reduced to nearly zero. Most trans fats are formed during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils.

The best way to avoid aging quicker in an unhealthy way is to exercise, eat right, and avoid smoking.

When seniors become ill or injured, they may require additional care. While many people believe seniors who require care should be placed into a nursing home, there are many seniors that would benefit from at home care instead. There are some major differences between these two things. Seniors who are cared for at home actually stay healthier and heal faster than those in a nursing home. The information below discusses the major differences between the two.

1.    Home care can consist of different services. Some seniors will only require one while other may need a combination of services. The most common at home care services include home health aides, physical therapy, speech therapy, nursing care and occupational therapy.

2.    While these same services are available in a nursing home, seniors who are in a nursing home will lose their independence. This is an important thing to consider when making a decision regarding the right form of car for a senior loved one.

3.    At home care must be provided by an approved Medicare group.

4.    The services offered at many nursing homes, aside from the senior being watched around the clock, include wellness programs, meals, assisted living and activities.

5.    While it may seem a nursing home is the easier choice, it does depend on the functioning of the senior. If they are able to care for themselves and just need some additional assistance, there is really no need to place them in a nursing home.

HealthCoreFAQ.info

1.            After each meal, drink a half glass of pineapple juice.

2.            When indigestion strikes, combine two tablespoons of honey with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Add this mixture to a glass of warm water. This is one of the best home remedies for indigestion.

3.            Eating oranges will reduce indigestion. The orange will allow the digestive organs to rest and will also provide the body with vitamins and nutrients.

4.            Grapes and grape juice have been known to cure indigestion.

5.            Lemon juice will fight bacteria that can cause indigestion. Adding some lemon juice to a cup of water and drinking it before eating will help reduce the chances of suffering from indigestion.

6.            Using an ice bag on the stomach for 30 minutes after each meal offers relief from indigestion.

7.            Some seniors will find relief from making a drink with either cumin seeds, coriander leaves or ginger.

8.            Eating ½ tablespoon of aniseeds effectively enhances digestion.

Source: Dr. Granny

1.            To help with flexibility, individuals over the age of 50 will benefit from yoga and Pilates classes. These exercises can be easily modified. Seniors who have arthritis will benefit from these forms of exercise because they help to loosen the tendons and increase elasticity in the muscles.

2.            After every workout, it is important to spend some time stretching. This will reopen joints and is a very important part of any exercise regime.

3.            Stretching provides the most benefit when it is done when the muscles are still warm. A 10 minute stretching session following exercise is recommended.

4.            Since heart disease affects many older individuals, it is important to have a cardio workout in an exercise regime.

5.            To avoid impact on the joints, riding a bike is a great way to get a full cardio workout.

6.            Many seniors still enjoy a night out dancing. Not only will this be a great way to spend the evening, but this activity is also considered a cardio exercise.

7.            Swimming is also a great way to stay fit. This will strengthen muscles and provide a cardio workout.

Source: Inforum.com

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

1.            A recent study conducted on 300 patients with dementia in Boston shows that 30% of total expenditures were spent on hospital stays.

2.            Skilled nursing accounts for an additional 10%.

3.            It is believed that more than 75% of all hospitalizations of dementia patients can be avoided. They could actually be treated in the nursing home where they are currently located instead of being transported to an unfamiliar environment.

4.            Dementia patients are often sent to the hospital when they develop respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, which is actually a recurring and common problem in patients with progressed dementia.

5.            It is believed that the reason for the high number of hospitalizations is due to cost shifting by the nursing home. When a patient returns from a hospital stay, their next 100 days in the nursing home will be covered by Medicare at a higher rate than Medicaid payments have been paying.

6.            The billions of dollars that could be saved by reducing the number of hospitalizations could be better spent improving nursing home care.

Source: Senior Home Care Info

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

5.            With extended life expectancies, many seniors are working well past the age of retirement in hopes of being able to save up money to enjoy later in life, especially if they reach the age of 100.

6.            While some seniors have the desire to work, it can be difficult. Not many companies will hire older adults. Some companies will not allow employees to work past the age of 65. This has raised some serious discrimination issues.

7.            For people who are in their 50s, it may be very difficult to save enough money by the time they reach the age of retirement to ensure income that will last until they are 100 years old.

8.            Reaching 100 should be a cause for celebration, and for many people it will be. However, there will still be many financial concerns for the future.

Source: Easier.com

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

1.            Always make sure to get enough sleep. The body needs this time to recover from the events of the day. Getting enough sleep will not only help improve physical health but it will also promote mental health and cognitive functioning. Seniors who nap during the day must make sure they are still getting a full night of sleep.

2.            Stay active and engage in physical activity. Regular exercise will help keep the body healthy and can also help seniors recover quicker after an illness.

3.            Have a healthy and nutritious diet. This is very important. Many seniors do not eat the right foods and do not get the nutrients their body needs.

4.            Have a positive social circle. Having a healthy social life has many benefits for seniors. It will help with emotional and physical health.

5.            Make sure to see a doctor on a regular basis. Some seniors will only go to the doctor when they become ill. By having regular appointments, health problems can be detected in advance and seniors will be able to avoid problems in the future.

6.            Find ways to deal with stress. Daily life is full of surprises and it is common for seniors to experience high levels of stress. This can have a negative effect, causing anxiety and loss of sleep. Stress is a factor in many diseases as well, so finding ways to reduce stress is essential.

Source: Submityourarticle.com

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.