Cyber security is a huge threat. Hackers and scammers are targeting our industry and your clients. You, as our aides, are charged with caring for our clients and their most intimate details. When we first helped you log into ClearCare we assigned you a very simple password. These passwords are now vulnerable. You MUST update your password to something much stronger. Passwords must be at least 12 characters. This can be numbers, letters [...]
Aging can present numerous challenges for individuals and their families, causing more stress and health issues for those struggling to adjust. In addition to traditional therapies to assist these aging adults, many seniors are also getting involved in creative, alternative therapies like music, art, and even pet therapy. These programs provide additional benefits above and beyond what the traditional therapies can provide. Music Therapy Listening to your favorite tune has the power to [...]
At just 20 years old, Nathan Kottkamp took control of his life and his future by completing his own Advance Directive. Completing this type of documentation is quite unusual for someone so young, but through education and his work with a healthcare decisions advocacy group, he felt empowered to take this step for his future self. When we are young and in seemingly good health, it can make it difficult to think about, [...]
Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies are both devastating degenerative brain diseases. Neurodegenerative disorders are incurable conditions that cause gradual deterioration of nerve cells and parts of the brain. As these diseases progress and attack the nervous system and brain, individuals may begin to lose the ability to properly speak, move, balance, feel sensation, and a host of others. Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies are often thought to [...]
People often discuss the negative aspects of caregiving, but it isn’t often that we hear about the many benefits. Although caring for another person can be stressful and require sacrifices to be made, it can also be very rewarding. According to a recent survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center, 83% of caregivers say their experiences have been positive and have offered a multitude of benefits. The following benefits help caregivers love [...]
As we reach the official one-year mark since the beginning of the pandemic, it feels fitting that March celebrates social workers. Social workers play an extremely important role in the healthcare system, often helping others to solve or cope with complex issues that affect their quality of life. Social work takes an altruistic soul and a big heart dedicated to making life easier for others. Social work is not just a job – [...]
The “New Normal” The year 2020 brought many challenges, leaving many of us to figure out a “new normal.” Society has forever changed. From visiting family members or the doctor, to running errands and going out to eat, life as we know it has gotten a little more complicated. According to a 2020 Gallup poll, 60% of Americans report experiencing stress. Over the last several months, Home to Stay Senior Care Solutions has [...]
In caring for those with dementia, we were taught that dementia (according to the Mayo Clinic) is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities. It is not a specific disease, but rather several different diseases encapsulated under the term of dementia. In our agency’s work as dementia specialists, we recently came across a rare and little known form of dementia called Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA). According [...]
When someone is diagnosed with dementia, people might assume that life will stop for that individual. However, dementia is a chronic condition that can be managed based on its stage and our own understanding of the disease. Confusion is likely to increase as dementia progresses. Those living with dementia begin to rely on what is most familiar to them in an effort to feel safe. Confusion can trigger a number of psychological distress [...]
Director of Nursing, Tamara Scott, answers the top 10 most popular questions about the COVID vaccine below. Q: I know there are several vaccines available, which one should I get? A: The vaccines have all been thoroughly tested and the results are all very similar; they keep 100% of people from getting very ill or hospitalized, which is the goal. They are all considered safe with the same safety protocol across the [...]
