Preventing Holiday Crisis Care: Your Trusted Partner, Premier Caregiver Services

November 19, 2023/in Alzheimer's Disease, Avoiding Injuries, Blog post, Caregiver Services, Caregiving Support, Respite Care, Uncategorized/by Premier Caregiver Services

Blog written by: Jen Hull, Home Care Coordinator, Premier Caregiver Services

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, it can also bring about challenges, especially for those caring for loved ones with memory care issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s. At Premier Caregiver Services, we are not only dementia and Alzheimer experts but a non-medical service committed to providing companionship and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) for individuals with memory care needs. In this article, we’ll emphasize the importance of having a support system in place during the holidays to prevent accidents and ensure a safe and enjoyable season.

Understanding Our Expertise

Premier Caregiver Services specializes in memory care, but our services extend beyond that. We are equipped to handle various levels of care, including critical care. Our caregivers are trained to provide the highest quality care and companionship, making us a versatile choice for families seeking reliable support during the holiday season. However, the goal is to prevent crisis care especially during the holidays.

Preventing Crisis Care Over the Holidays

The holiday season can be a chaotic time, and with increased gatherings and festivities, the risk of accidents or emergencies can rise. It’s crucial to have a plan in place to ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones. Here are some essential steps:

Assessment-Start by conducting a thorough assessment of your loved one’s needs and capabilities. Whether it’s managing medications or providing companionship, we can assist you in identifying these requirements.
Companionship- Loneliness and confusion can be particularly challenging during the holidays. Our caregivers offer compassionate companionship, engaging in activities that stimulate cognitive function and create a sense of belonging.
Safety Measures-Ensure the home environment is safe, including removing trip hazards, securing handrails, and installing non-slip mats where needed.
Emergency Plan-Develop a comprehensive emergency plan that includes important contact information, medical history, and clear instructions for caregivers or family members.
Caregiver Support- Consider engaging our caregivers to provide dedicated support during the holiday season. Our trained professionals are available to assist with ADLs, medications, and more.
Check out this Guide to Navigate Refusal of Care for additional tips.

Understanding Respite Care: A Valuable Option for Family Caregivers

Family caregivers often need a well-deserved break to recharge and take care of themselves. That’s where respite care comes in. Respite care is a temporary caregiving service provided by trained professionals, allowing family caregivers to step away while ensuring their loved ones continue to receive the care they need. Premier Caregiver Services offers respite care to provide family caregivers with the support they require during the holiday season or any other time.

At Premier Caregiver Services, we recommend a checklist to help you prepare for the holidays:

Reach out to discuss Jen Hull, Home Care Coordinator, or our office staff.
Don’t be afraid to ask for including respite care.
Schedule a complimentary assessment
Enjoy the Holidays! With a comprehensive plan in place, you can truly enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind.

“During the holidays, having a reliable support system in place is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. We’re here to ensure that your loved ones can enjoy the season safely and with the companionship they deserve.”, Jen Hull, Home Care Coordinator, Premier Care Coordinator.

The holidays should be a time for joy and connection. However, ensuring the safety and well-being of your loved ones, especially those with memory care issues, is paramount. Premier Caregiver Services, as Alzheimer experts and providers of non-medical care, is here to assist you in preventing crisis care during the holidays and beyond. Contact us to discuss your specific needs, including respite care, and provide your family with the gift of a safe and happy holiday season.

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Drinking Enough Water Daily?

April 23, 2019/0 Comments/in Avoiding Injuries/by Premier Caregiver Services

Worried that Dad or Mom drink too much coffee, tea, juice, soda, milk, or even alcohol? These liquids increase the risk of heart attacks because they require digestion, which can create a blood-thickening effect. Water is absorbed into the bloodstream and thins the blood; therefore, drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day can lessen complications for senior citizens. Consuming at least one cup of water for every 20 pounds of body weight daily—six to eight glasses for most people may help keep Dad or Mom from suffering health issues that could later lead to rehabilitating senior home care.

A number one contributor to daytime fatigue is the lack of water, especially as the body ages. Staying hydrated can protect the heart and reduce the risk of heart attacks, as well as kidney failure. Encourage Dad and Mom not to wait until they are thirsty to drink water. Try freezing bottled water and introduce them to a chilled drink by allowing the ice to melt slowly. Sipping on it during the day can prevent dehydration and get them used to drinking water. Crushed ice in a glass of water can also be refreshing. Bring them lunch or dinner and serve chilled or sparkling water as a beverage instead of soda, tea or coffee.

Make the time you spend with Dad and Mom a training session on the values of water to the body. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides additional hydration; cucumbers, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, watermelon, strawberries, spinach, grapefruit, and broccoli are 90% water. Take them fruit dishes and/or baskets as treats and add a bottle of sparkling water in the center. Let them know you care about their health now, during a home care situation, and later.

Illness Prevention Tips: Keep those Hands Clean!

March 8, 2019/0 Comments/in Avoiding Injuries/by Premier Caregiver Services

Illness Prevention Tips from Premier Caregiver Services

Everything from the flu, strep throat and the common cold are being passed around right now; washing your hands has never been more important. Washing your hands effectively several times a day is a great way to prevent the spread of these illnesses. The Center for Disease Control reported $120 billion annually in preventive and infectious diseases in the US. Although washing with soap and water is the preferred method to clean your hands, you can also use an alcohol-based hand rub to reduce the number of germs and bacteria. Here are the best illness prevention tips from your friends at Premier Caregiver Services!

Use Any Soap

According to the Mayo Clinic, any liquid, bar or powder soap, whether it is antibacterial or regular soap, will work for hand washing. Bacteria can become resistant to the antimicrobial properties of antibacterial soap which, in the future, will make these bacteria harder to kill.

Use Friction

Before beginning hand washing, push the lever to dispense enough paper towels to dry your hands. Apply warm running water with soap and then rub your hands together briskly. Warm water is less drying to the skin than hot water, and it facilitates the removal of dirt and oils that allow germs stick to your skin. The friction created by rubbing your hands together will loosen germs and dirt. Don’t forget to clean the backs of your hands as well as between your fingers, thumbs and under your fingernails. If you are using hand sanitizer, rub your hands together for 25 seconds or until they are dry.

Time Yourself

Wash your hands for 15 to 20 seconds before rinsing. An easy way to teach your child to wash his hands for the recommended length of time is to instruct him to hum or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice each time he washes his hands.

Rinse Correctly

Hold your hands at a downward angle while rinsing with warm running water; the germs and dirt will run from your wrists down your hands and into the sink. This prevents transmitting the germs to cleaner areas like your arms and elbows.

Drying Hands

Avoid roughly rubbing your hands dry. Instead pat your hands dry with a paper towel, or gently rub your hands together under a warm air dryer. Vigorously rubbing your hands can lead to dry and chapped skin. Bacteria can enter the cracks and grooves created by chapped skin

Avoid Recontamination

After you are finished washing and drying your hands, use a paper towel or your elbow to turn off the water. If you touch the dirty faucet or the lever to the paper towel dispenser after you have washed your hands, you will re-introduce germs and dirt back to your hands. If possible, use a paper towel to open the restroom door.

Hand Sanitizer

Only use hand sanitizer if your hands are not visibly dirty. According to the Mayo Clinic, make sure your hand sanitizer contains a minimum of 60 percent alcohol.

Senior Skincare: Giving Your Feet a Helping Hand with Foot Care

March 16, 2015/0 Comments/in Avoiding Injuries/by Premier Caregiver Services

Giving your feet a hand:

Senior skincare isn’t all about looking younger and protecting our loved ones from skin cancer and other results of UV rays; it can also help to prevent foot pain! Due to an increased risk of damage to nerves and blood vessels, help you loved ones out by introducing senior skincare in regard to feet by following these simple foot care tips:

1. Wash your feet in warm water with mild soap every day, but don’t soak them. Dry them well.

2. Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or any other problem. Call your doctor if healing process doesn’t start after one day.

3. If your skin is dry, rub lotion on your feet after you wash and dry them. Do not put lotion between your toes.

4. Gently file corns and calluses with an emery board. Do this after your bath or shower while skin is still soft.

5. Trim your toenails once a week or when needed. Cut them with nail clippers then smooth the edges with an emery board. If you are unable to do this, ask a family member or your health care professional for help.

6. Always wear socks to avoid blisters.

7. Always wear slippers or shoes to protect your feet from injuries. Even around your own home.

Having the right footwear may help diabetics to keep their feet healthy and free from cuts or blisters. Of course, everyone will get blisters and minor foot injuries from time to time, but having wide, comfortable shoes can help to prevent them significantly.

Premier Caregiver Services can help manage your loved ones’ health with caretakers who know how to keep seniors in their best shape. Contact us today to hear about our care options.