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With over 5.5 million Americans suffering in 2017, Alzheimer’s is one of the most devastating diseases affecting seniors. In addition to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, and Frontotemporal dementia are other serious cognitive conditions that can cause dementia symptoms and make it necessary for your loved one to seek help. Luckily, Senior Helpers implements an approach to Alzheimer’s care that’s revolutionizing how the disease is treated. The Senior Gems approach is designed to create a positive environment, focused on your loved one’s strengths, rather than their weaknesses. Our caregivers make quality of life a priority for Alzheimer’s and dementia clients and are trained to create customized Alzheimer care programs tailored to each senior’s specific needs. Senior Gems Senior Gems is an overall approach to care designed specifically to improve the quality of life of Alzheimer’s and dementia clients. It focuses on identifying the characteristics of aging—from normal aging through the various stages and symptoms of dementia—and becomes an invaluable resource for creating a customized regimen of Alzheimer’s care. Senior Gems focuses on what is precious and unique about each senior, rather than harping on their weaknesses. We recognize that every senior will change as the disease progresses, but our caregivers focus on what faculties are still available to them, what makes them special, and able to continue living a purposeful, comfortable life at home. This positive approach to Alzheimer’s care is what makes Senior Gems so effective. Senior Gems Classification System Our Senior Gems classification system helps our trained caregivers identify and assess the characteristics of Alzheimer’s and dementia’s various stages. These assessments are based on a measurement system for a senior’s level of functionality, and we use this system to get an accurate reading of exactly what kind of care the senior needs. We use specific strategies to care for our Alzheimer’s clients, and generate a long-term plan to provide the best possible care. Here’s an introductory overview of the Senior Gems classification system. Providing Relief to Families One of the most difficult parts of providing Alzheimer’s care to a family member is the toll it can take on you and your family. Your loved one might require assistance with even the simplest daily tasks, like getting dressed and going to the store, or require constant surveillance. Oftentimes people with Alzheimer’s may wander off or put themselves in danger if not watched constantly. This can be a lot for families to handle, especially while juggling other work commitments and personal obligations. While you might ideally want to spend all your time focusing on your loved one, and making sure they’re safe, comfortable, and happy, a fatigued caregiver can’t provide the best care possible. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, let the professionals at Senior Helpers step in and provide expert Alzheimer’ care, and give you the peace of mind you deserve. If your loved one could benefit from Senior Helpers’ dementia and Alzheimer’s care, check out our range of services, and reach out to us today.

You probably know what an Amber Alert is. Maybe you were driving down the road, singing along to the radio, when suddenly the music stops. A general broadcast comes across the airwaves letting you know that a child is missing. Would you be surprised if, instead of learning that a child was missing, that broadcast was alerting you that someone’s grandfather was missing? That is called a Silver Alert – less well known than an Amber Alert, but a powerful tool for protecting the aging population… especially those who have dementia. For caregivers, safety is naturally a main concern. When dementia or Alzheimer’s is added to the mix, the need for a companion or helper to keep watch is heightened. The Silver Alerts Program is in place to aid caregivers and family members, and is much needed as the number of senior citizens living with Alzheimer’s and dementia is steadily increasing. Nearly 60 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease will wander, and up to 70 percent of wanderers do so repeatedly. For that reason, Silver Alerts are being implemented by many state officials and law enforcement agencies, to provide caregivers and families a peace of mind. What you need to know: Silver Alerts programs were put in place for seniors over the age of 65 with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and anyone with a cognitive disorder, regardless of age. If your loved one wanders and goes missing, immediately contact your local enforcement agency and a public notification will be sent. Information about your missing loved one will be broadcasted through outlets such as commercial radio stations, television stations and cable TV. Silver Alerts are also broadcasted on variable-message signs on highways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors. Most states have implemented Silver Alerts or a similar program, and the criteria used to activate an alert vary by state. Silver Alerts helps to ensure the safety of our loved ones living with dementia and gives caregivers one less thing to worry about. Do you have any special ways of preparing in case wandering happens?

he decision to turn to professional care for your loved one can be stressful. Ultimately, there are many benefits associated with getting professional caregiving help. Here’s a look at a few of the strongest benefits of turning to professional care. Reduced Family Stress Reduce the stress in your life by turning to professional senior care. Benefits include: Top-notch dementia care – your loved one will get all their needs met. A load off your shoulders – no longer will you feel overburdened with your mountain of tasks when professional care is there to help. Enjoy more time with your family – when you aren’t worried about the daily tasks, you can better enjoy the time spent with your loved one. Hiring a caregiver frees you up to be the best family member you can be. Trust the Experts At Senior Helpers, we’re experts in Senior Care. We understand: How to interact with seniors with dignity and respect. What it takes to make their homes safe, and to keep them secure. All about dementia care – ask us about our Senior Gems® program, designed by experts to provide the best possible care to seniors in all stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Compassionate and individualized care. Customized Care Plans We can arrange a customized care plan for your loved one. A few of the services we provide as needed are: Companion services: scrapbooking, playing games, and doing puzzles to keep them company. Caregiving services: meal prep and planning, basic housekeeping, personal care, and more. No matter what your loved one needs, we’re happy to work out a plan that fits their needs while always focusing on their dignity. Reach out to us today to learn more about how Senior Helpers can support your family! 1-800-760-6389 SENIOR GEMS® is based on GEMS™, techniques, strategies, and overall approach to care which was created and developed by Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC www.teepasnow.com. GEMS™ and POSITIVE APPROACH™ are trademarks of Positive Approach, LLC. SENIOR GEMS® is a registered trademark of Senior Helpers.

We understand the desire to not only run a business, but to run one that makes a difference in people’s lives. Our caregivers share this same mentality. They want to be part of a process that they can feel good about and look forward to going to work every day. Becoming a professional caregiver means more than just having a career—it means a chance to actively play a role in improving the lives of seniors in your community. The services you will be providing are hugely beneficial and vital for many families. How You Can Help Our caregivers know that they play an important role in the lives of families. Helping seniors age comfortably in their own home is a rewarding prospect, and a big motivating factor for many of our employees. If you’re thinking of becoming a professional caregiver, consider a few of the ways you will be assisting families, and making their lives easier. Improving Quality of Life When families are tasked with taking care of their loved ones themselves, they oftentimes find themselves under qualified and overburdened. Our caregivers take the weight off family members’ shoulders and allow seniors to retain a sense of independence in a familiar environment. This includes continuing to engage with friends and family on a regular basis and staying involved in their community. Stability It’s never easy moving into a nursing home, and many seniors would avoid the process of they could. When it comes to maintaining a healthy mood, and a sense of comfort, the importance of familiar surroundings can’t be underestimated. That’s why one of the main tenets of our business is allowing seniors to stay at home, and age in a familiar environment. In many cases, this wouldn’t be possible without an in-home caregiver; and our caregivers are proud to make it possible for seniors to age comfortably at home avoid nursing homes. Peace of Mind Many families who act as caregivers don’t at first realize how taxing and overwhelming it can be. Despite their best intentions, family caregivers are often unprepared, and quickly find themselves in need of support. When you become a professional caregiver, you will be relieving families of this burden, and allowing them to resume their daily lives with renewed peace of mind. Getting Involved Becoming a professional caregiver is a great platform for getting involved in the broader community. We encourage our caregivers to be as active in the community as possible and be an ambassador for promoting senior healthcare education. Our caregivers really enjoy educating local families about senior care and healthcare decisions. If you’re interested in becoming a professional caregiver and joining our Senior Helpers team, click here to learn more, or fill out our application.

osted on May 16, 2018 Unfortunately, you simply can’t always be there for your loved one every second of the day. You have your own job and responsibilities, and while caring for your loved one might be at the top of your priority list, it might be impossible to balance this with your busy life. When a loved one needs surgery or 24/7 care, it can be difficult to find the right solution. At Senior Helpers, however, our dedicated caregivers are trained to provide not only post-surgery assistance, but also an elderly sitter service. Surgery Assistance While our elderly sitter services are available anywhere from a few hours a day to 24/7, and are usually utilized by seniors undergoing surgery, they are available to any senior in a variety of situations. Our caregivers can monitor your elderly loved one while they are in the hospital, so that you can feel confident that they are getting appropriate care, and can avoid the hassle of communicating with the hospital for updates. Our professional caregivers are trained to make hospitalized seniors feel like they are never alone, and to ensure that their needs are met. Our services typically extend to hospitals and medical facilities, nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, and assisted living centers. Securing extra care in such facilities will give you the confidence and peace of mind that your loved one is getting everything they need to recover quickly, and according to schedule. It’s common for hospitals and nursing homes to not provide the level of watchfulness and attentiveness many elderly people require post-surgery. Our goal is to eliminate the uncertainty surrounding this difficult time and keep families as informed and comfortable as possible. The Benefits of our Sitter Services A watchful companion for your loved one We like to think of our caregivers as being jacks-of-all-trades. Our caregivers are trained in a variety of services, and for a broad array of situations. From sitting down and chatting with your family member, to helping with light housework, and reminding them when to take medications, our caregivers do it all. Our elder sitter services are designed to provide serious comfort to your loved one as they recover from their hospital stay. Peace of mind Like we always say—you can’t put a price on peace of mind. Knowing that your elderly family member is in good hands is one of the best feelings in the world, and our caregivers understand that. When you’re confident that your senior is being looked-after, you can carry on with your other daily responsibilities worry-free and focus on truly enjoying the time you spend in your loved one’s company. Add services with ease We’ve designed our elderly sitter services to be as flexible as possible. If your loved one needs additional in-home care, we make it easy to add services as needed. All our care options are based on individual need, which we believe allows us to deliver the highest quality care and results. To learn more about our elderly sitter services, or speak with a Senior Helpers expert, contact us today.

Posted on May 30, 2018 While it’s human nature to try to care for your loved ones yourself, there comes a time when that simply isn’t possible or productive. Whether they have specific dietary restrictions, are becoming increasingly forgetful due to a cognitive illness, or are susceptible to falling or other physical injury, your loved one might require care and attention beyond what you can provide them. In-home senior care can help address your senior’s health concerns and give you peace of mind that their needs are being met. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alzheimer’s is one of the most devastating diseases affecting seniors, with over 5.5 million Americans suffering in 2017. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia can be debilitating and make it absolutely necessary for your loved one to seek in-home senior care. At Senior Helpers, our caregivers are trained to improve the quality of life for Alzheimer’s and dementia clients and make their wellbeing a priority. Every client has specific needs, and we specialize in creating customized Alzheimer’s care programs designed to highlight seniors’ strengths, rather than focus on their weaknesses. Falling Falling is actually one of the most dangerous incidents a senior can face. Every year, 2.5 million people over 65 are treated in ERs for falls. Our bones become more brittle as we age, so an insignificant fall at 23 could prove life-threatening at 73. Seniors are less likely to safely break their fall and are therefore at greater risk for head damage. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that over 1/3 of seniors who visit the ER either revisit or die within the year. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to keep tabs on your loved one at all times and make sure they’re safe. Our trained, professional caregivers know how to create a safe environment and keep a watchful eye on clients. Heart Disease According to the CDC, heart disease is the #1 killer of adults over 65, causing nearly 500,000 deaths in 2014. The elderly are at greater risk for high blood pressure and cholesterol, which both increase your chances of heart disease. Lifestyle changes should be implemented to reduce the risk of heart disease, and caregivers are trained to implement these changes. They will make sure your loved one gets regular rest, eats a healthy, balanced diet, and exercises as much as possible. Are You Overwhelmed? While caregiving might not be your full-time job, it can sure feel like it. Taking care of an elderly loved one can be daunting, especially as many caregivers lack the specific training and expertise to be truly equipped for this role. We know you want your loved one to be comfortable and happy, but you can’t forget to look after your own happiness too. A drained, fatigued caregiver is ultimately a disservice to your loved one’s wellbeing. With in-home senior care, however, getting your loved one the proper care doesn’t have to come at the expense of taking care of yourself. Our caregivers can relieve your burden, help alleviate your stress, and give you peace of mind. If it’s time to enlist in in-home senior care to address your loved one’s needs, reach out to us today to learn about our wide range of services.

Posted on Apr 11, 2018 Alzheimer’s is one of the most devastating diseases affecting seniors, with approximately 5.7 million Americans suffering in 2018. Older man looking out the window. Along with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia are among the conditions that can cause dementia symptoms, and make it necessary for your loved one to seek help. At Senior Helpers, our caregivers are trained to make the quality of life for Alzheimer’s and dementia clients more enjoyable. We specialize in creating customized Alzheimer care programs, tailored to each senior’s specific needs. Our Senior Gems® approach is designed to create a positive environment, focused on your loved one’s strengths, rather than their weaknesses. Are You Overwhelmed? One of the most difficult parts of caring for someone with Alzheimer's and dementia is the toll it can take on the caregiver. Your loved one might require assistance with even the most simple of daily tasks, like getting dressed and going to the store. They might also require constant surveillance to ensure they don’t wander off or put themselves in danger. This can be a lot for you to handle, especially if you’re trying to juggle your own life, career, and responsibilities. Your focus might regularly be on your loved one and making sure they’re safe, comfortable, and happy, but a drained, fatigued caregiver can’t provide the best care possible. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and worried that your loved one isn’t getting the Alzheimer’s care they deserve, let the senior home care professionals step in and take some of the weight off your shoulders. Senior Gems® Senior Gems® is an overall approach to care, created to identify the characteristics of aging—from normal aging through the various stages and symptoms of dementia. Senior Gems® is designed to focus on what is precious and unique about each senior, rather than their weaknesses. Though every senior will change as the disease progresses, Senior Helpers focuses on what faculties are still available to them, what makes them special, and able to continue living a purposeful, comfortable life at home. Senior Gems® is all about taking a positive approach to Alzheimer’s care and honing in on strengths. How We Use Senior Gems® Our Senior Gems® classification system helps our trained caregivers identify and assess the characteristics of dementia’s various stages. Once assessed based on a measurement system for a senior’s level of functionality, we use specific strategies to care for those seniors and generate a long-term plan to provide the best possible care. Here’s an introductory overview of the Senior Gems® classification system. If your loved one is suffering from dementia and could benefit from Senior Gems’® dementia and Alzheimer’s care, check out our range of services 4 0 1

While almost everyone enjoys a homecooked meal, many seniors who live on their own don’t see the point of cooking just for themselves. Unfortunately, skipping meals or opting for frozen dishes can negatively affect their health. So, what can your aging loved one do? Cook in advance! While pre-planning meals is an ideal way to keep organized, it can be extremely overwhelming. To help plan and prep healthy meals, we put together a few of our favorite tips for quick and easy prep methods! Plan before shopping. It is important to plan exactly what your aging loved one will need before hitting the grocery store as to avoid buying too much or too little. Purchasing the exact ingredients is the first step to keep you on track. Cook in groups. Once your senior has planned their meals and purchased the proper ingredients, it is time to start prepping. Cooking in groups tends to make the process a little easier. For example, cook meats, then vegetables, and then carbs. Think outside the box. Meal prep is often associated with the same meal every day, but that doesn’t have to be the case! Encourage your elderly loved one to try new meals and ingredients so they don’t get tired of the same taste every day. Meal preparation might take some time to get used to, but for independent seniors it can save time in the end.

At Senior Helpers, we pride ourselves on giving back to the community. One of the best ways to do that is to devote your time to improving and bonding with your community. But what happens when you aren’t strong enough to build a playground or walk door-to-door raising money for schools? This may be the case for many senior citizens, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be a contributing member of their communities. Keeping your aging loved one social and active can help build a stronger and longer life for them. Staying active in the community (whether it be an assisted living facility or a neighborhood) is a great way to keep their social skills strong. If your senior wants to give back to their community but isn’t sure how, introduce them to this short list of ways any elderly person can give back: Bake Sales – If your aging loved one is a pro in the kitchen, help them make their famous desserts or side dishes to sell at bake sales. They can also create delicious treats for community meetings or parties. Clothing Drives – Our aging loved ones tend to collect a lot of clothing over the years. Help your senior clear out their closets and donate gently used clothing and coats to their neighborhoods. Historian – If your senior has lived in the same community for many years, they would be great resources for any historic preservation group. Their knowledge will not only save historic buildings, but also educate newer generations. Helping the community doesn’t always mean rolling up your sleeves, or emptying your pockets. Click here if you are looking for other ways to connect your aging loved one to their community.

Believe it or not, aging into their 70s, 80s, and beyond doesn’t mean an automatic ticket to the nursing home for the elderly population anymore. With a rise in senior citizens’ life expectancy, so too has there come a rise in elderly care service offerings. The best part about elderly care services? It means your elderly loved ones get to remain in their homes, getting the care and support they need to remain as independent as possible, indefinitely. Continue reading to help alleviate some of your questions, and for a more detailed introduction to elderly care service – including what it is, and how the services a company like Senior Helpers provides can help your elderly loved ones remain as independent as possible. What is Elderly Care Service? Elderly care is exactly what it sounds like – care for the elderly. This comes in a variety of different forms, and can be referred to in a variety of different ways. Senior care, in-home care, senior services, and home aids are all in the same family as elderly care. And though each might have slightly different meanings, they all have the same goal: giving your elderly loved ones the care and support that they need to maintain their dignity and independence, and the peace of mind of those who care for and love them. At Senior Helpers, elderly care services are our specialty Our mission is to ensure a better quality of life for our elderly clients and their families by providing dependable and affordable elderly care. We are a trusted and respected organization that takes a responsible role in supporting our clients and their families, our employees, and our community. Senior Helpers: An Elderly Care Service Provider Senior Helpers was founded by Tony Bonacuse with the help of Peter Ross after their firsthand experience in caring for their respective family members. From their experience, Tony and Peter saw a huge gap that was not being filled properly by the other companies providing elderly care services in the market. This led them to launch Senior Helpers. Our process is a simple one for clients and their families. When a prospective client contacts a Senior Helpers office, they set up a complimentary initial assessment at the client’s location to discuss the client’s needs and formulate a care plan. If necessary, a staff member, Social Worker or RN (depending on the State regulations) will conduct a full nursing assessment to gauge the client’s status and clarify the care plan. Then, we determine the most appropriate caregiver for the client using the assessment information and our caregiver matching process, and service starts soon after on the pre-determined date. Follow-up is conducted immediately after service begins and on a periodic basis to ensure excellent care delivery. Our care and support focuses on five main pillars: dependability of service, continuity of caregivers, peace of mind for the family, quality of life for the client, and maintaining independence while living at home. Continue reading for a closer look at the elderly care services Senior Helpers provides, and how we can aid your loved ones in their goals of at-home independence for as long as possible. Elderly Care Services Provided By Senior Helpers At Senior Helpers, we offer several different types of senior home care, including: Companion Care: Our basic level of care, which provide services such as companionship, meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, and other general assistance. This also includes sitter care. Personal Care: Basic companion care plus assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation assistance. Live-In Care: 24-hour coverage, as long as caregivers can sleep for eight hours per night and receive appropriate breaks. Peace of Mind Visits: Check-ins to help with daily activities, enough to give families “peace of mind.” Transition Assistance: For outpatients and recovery needs, this helps seniors transition back to being home. Respite Care: Helps families for a brief period of time, such as during vacations. Our mission is to ensure a better quality of life for our elderly clients and their families by providing dependable and affordable elderly care service. For more information on Senior Helpers and our services, contact us today to speak with a representative about getting your loved ones the care and support they need.