Uncategorized Archives | Just Like Family Home Care

Navigating Dementia in the Sunset Years

August 29, 2024

Dementia is a neurocognitive disorder which effects a large population in the U.S. According the study, over 3.4 million of Americans age 71 and older suffer from some sort of dementia, and in Florida alone over 580,000 people have been diagnosed with this disorder. Dementia is characterized by a number of symptoms. Signs typically include:

Memory loss
Difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as bathing, driving, or preparing meals
Confusion
Disorientation
Mood changes
Change is personality

In many cases during early stages of development, Dementia symptoms can be decelerated by certain modifications in lifestyle and diet. Here are some of the changes that seniors can make to help avoid cognitive disorders.

Quit smoking and avoid second hand smoking
Avoid alcohol consumption
Stay active – take walks regularly, do chair exercises for seniors, or go for a light swim
Avoid head trauma – wear helmet, when riding a bike or fasten seatbelt when driving a car
Change diet to Mediterranean style – try to eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, olive oils, and different fish varieties
Keep mind active – solve different varieties of puzzles, try to learn a new language or play an instrument, or make crafts
Maintain social interactions with family and friends
Try to reduce stress
Monitor blood pressure and blood sugar levels
Keep healthy sleep habits

Just Like Family Home Care is available to assist seniors during every stage of Dementia. Our team is specialized in

Helping with everyday hygiene tasks and dressing
Preparing healthy meals and feeding assistance
Assisting with exercises and walking
Administering medications
Monitoring vitals
Doing laundry and light housekeeping
Transporting to doctors’ appointments and other events
Companionship
Helping stay connected with others
Respite Care

Just Like Family Home Care provides professional support and care to seniors with Dementia to help them improve their quality of life while stay in their own homes. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

The Synergy Between Hospice Care and Just Like Family Home Care

July 29, 2024

Hospice care is a specialized form of medical care designed to provide comfort and support to individuals in the final stages of life, when aggressive treatment fails or no cure exists. It focuses to enhance the quality of life for patients by managing pain and other uncomfortable symptoms, rather than attempting to cure the illness. In addition, hospice offers emotional and spiritual support for both the patients and their loved ones. Hospice care can be provided in various settings, such as the patients’ homes, hospitals, nursing homes, or specialized hospice centers, with the most common being at home. Just Like Family Home Care works alongside hospice care to provide comprehensive support for patients. These are some of the ways in which we work together:

Filling in the Gap in Care: Hospice agencies may not always provide continuous care due to various reasons. Professional caregivers can step in to assist with tasks like bathing, dressing, companionship, medication reminders, and light housekeeping. This support ensures continuity of care when families need more assistance than hospice can offer.
Helping Discharged or Ineligible Patients: If patients’ conditions stabilize or get better, they may be discharged from hospice. Just Like Family Home Care offers a wide range of services to help patients remain safe and independent in their own homes, from assistance with daily living activities to transportation to doctor appointments.
Supporting Family Caregivers: Just Like Family Home Care provides break for family members. Family can take a break while professional caregivers watch over the patient, ensuring their well-being and relieving stress.

Hospice care and Just Like Family Home Care work hand in hand to provide seniors comprehensive care. This integrated approach not only improves the patients’ quality of life but also provides vital support to their families, helping them navigate the complexities of end-of-life care of the loved ones.

Golden Years Sun Safety: Seniors and Skin Cancer Awareness

June 28, 2024

Skin cancer, the abnormal growth of skin cells, most commonly develops on areas exposed to the sun. However, it can also occur on less sun-exposed areas, such as the palms, beneath fingernails or toenails. As seniors age, their risk of developing skin cancer increases. Sun safety is very important, since one of the most preventable types of cancer is skin cancer. Here’s what you need to know:

Types of Skin Cancer:

Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common type, often appearing as a pearly or waxy bump.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Usually presents as a red, scaly patch or sore.
Melanoma: The deadliest form, characterized by changes in moles or new growths.

Risk Factors for Seniors:

Sun Exposure: Accumulated sun exposure over a time contributes to skin cancer risk.
Age: Around 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.
Fair Skin: Light-skinned individuals are at higher risk.
Gender: More men over 55 develop melanoma.

How Just Like Family Home Care Can Help:

Assistance with Dressing: Help seniors dress in sun protective clothing, such as lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover arms, shoulders, and legs, as well as wide-brimmed hat to protect face, ears, and neck.
Assistance with Sunscreen: Help seniors apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, which is a highly recommended method of preventing skin cancer.
Assistance with Appointments: Help seniors attend dermatology appointments for regular skin checks.
Supportive Care: Provide emotional support during diagnosis and treatment.

Remember, one of the most preventable forms of cancer is skin cancer. An early detection and professional assistance play a vital role in management and treatment. Just Like Family Home Care plays an essential role in helping seniors maintain skin health and overall well-being.

Arthritis in Seniors

May 30, 2024

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. It primarily affects seniors and tends to worsen with age. It can have a major negative effect on seniors’ quality of life by impairing their capability to carry out everyday tasks and engage in social interactions. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for minimizing the impact of arthritis on seniors’ well-being. Just Like Family Home Care plays a vital role in helping seniors manage arthritis. These are some of the ways we can be of great service.

Skilled Nursing Care: Just Like Family Home Care can provide professional nursing care. Seniors with arthritis can benefit from the assessment, care, and pain management techniques offered by registered nurses (RNs).

Dietary Guidance: Just Like Family Home Care team can educate seniors about arthritis-friendly diets. We recommend avoiding pro-inflammatory meals like processed foods, sweets, and saturated fats and consuming anti-inflammatory foods like berries, leafy greens, olive oil, and fatty fish.

Support with Daily Life Activities: Just Like Family Home Care team can help seniors with bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation. By minimizing joint stress during daily activities, seniors will experience less pain and discomfort.

Emotional Level Support: Arthritis can influence seniors’ mental health. Just Like Family Home Care team can provide emotional support and companionship. We minimize elders’ sense of loneliness by listening to their worries and offering support.

Considering that every senior has different needs and preferences, personalized arthritis care is crucial. Just Like Family Home Care is able to modify support according to each person’s unique circumstances and degree of arthritis severity.

Benefits of Spring Cleaning for Seniors

March 30, 2024

Traditionally, spring cleaning gives us a chance to makeover our houses and get ahead of the busy spring and summer months. However, due to physical restrictions or health concerns, spring cleaning can be a difficult undertaking for elders. In this situation, Just Like Family Home Care’s support might be quite helpful. Here are some advantages of spring cleaning for seniors with the help of Just Like Family Home Care:

Safety First: A clean and organized home is a safer home. Clutter can be a tripping hazard, and accumulated dust can exacerbate respiratory issues. Just Like Family Home Care can ensure safety during cleaning, such as preventing falls and using non-toxic cleaning products.
Promoting Hygiene: A thorough cleaning can eliminate germs, allergens, and bacteria, which promotes a healthy living environment. Regular cleaning can improve air quality, which is particularly important for seniors with respiratory issues.

Reducing Stress: Getting spring cleaning chores done can make you feel proud and accomplished. A well-kept and arranged home can boost happiness, lessen stress, and encourage sounder sleep.

Fostering Independence: With a clean and organized home, seniors can navigate their space more easily, fostering a sense of independence.

Companionship: Spring cleaning with Just Like Family Home Care can also provide valuable companionship for seniors. The presence of a caregiver can make spring cleaning a social experience, making it more enjoyable for seniors and providing an opportunity for seniors to engage in conversation and share stories.

In conclusion, spring cleaning is not just about keeping things tidy. It’s about creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable living environment. With the help of Just Like Family Home Care seniors can reap the benefits of spring cleaning without the stress and physical strain. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Heat Wave

August 24, 2023

Florida has been experiencing a heat wave that has broken several records for the hottest summer ever recorded. Heat can be very dangerous for older adults, especially if they have chronic health conditions or take certain medications. Just Like Family Home Care can help seniors during high heat index by providing them with various services and support. Some of the ways a Just Like Family Home Care can help are:

Monitor health and well-being of seniors who are at risk of heat-related illnesses, such as those with chronic conditions, medications, or cognitive impairment. Just Like Family Home Care can check on seniors regularly, assess their symptoms, and provide appropriate care or referrals.
Educate seniors and their family members about the dangers of extreme heat and how to prevent and treat heat-related illnesses. Just Like Family Home Care can provide information and tips on how to stay cool, hydrated, and safe during hot weather.
Provide assistance with daily activities that may be difficult or unsafe for seniors to perform in the heat, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, or transportation. Just Like Family Home Care can help seniors reduce their exposure to heat and avoid using appliances that generate heat.
Offer companionship and social support to seniors who may feel isolated or lonely during hot weather. Just Like Family Home Care can help seniors stay connected with their family, friends, and community, and provide them with emotional support and comfort.

If you or someone you know is a senior who needs help during high heat index, you can contact Just Like Family Home Care to find out what services we offer, and how we can assist you. Stay cool!

Happy Independence Day

July 3, 2023

Just Like Family Home Care can help 4th of July celebration in many ways, depending on the needs and preferences of our clients. Here are some possible ideas:

Help with planning and preparing a safe and enjoyable barbecue. Just Like Family Home Care can assist with shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning up. We can also make sure that the food is cooked well, that the grill is supervised, and that the seniors follow any dietary restrictions they may have.
Accompany seniors to watch fireworks or enjoy them at home. Just Like Family Home Care can help seniors find a suitable location to watch fireworks, whether it’s a public show or a private display. We can also make sure that clients wear ear protection, stay hydrated and avoid crowds. If clients prefer to stay home, Just Like Family Home Care can help them watch fireworks on TV or online.
Engage seniors in patriotic activities. Just Like Family Home Care can help seniors celebrate the Independence Day by doing things like singing patriotic songs, making crafts with red, white and blue colors, or watching patriotic movies.
Follow Covid-19 safety guidelines. Just Like Family Home Care can help seniors protect themselves and others from the coronavirus by following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, avoiding close contact with people outside their household, and staying home if they are sick.

Happy Father’s Day

June 16, 2023

Father’s Day is a special occasion to honor and celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives. However, for some seniors who need home health care services, celebrating Father’s Day can be challenging due to physical, mental, or emotional limitations. Fortunately, Just Like Family Home Care can help make Father’s Day more enjoyable and meaningful for both seniors and their families. Here are some ways how:

1. Provide personal care and assistance. Just Like Family Home Care can provide personal care and assistance to seniors who need help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and medication management. This can help seniors feel more comfortable and confident on Father’s Day, as well as reduce the stress and burden on their family caregivers.

2. Plan and facilitate activities. Just Like Family Home Care can also plan and facilitate activities that are suitable and enjoyable for seniors on Father’s Day. For example, we can help seniors make cards or gifts for their children or grandchildren, watch a movie or sports game together, play games or puzzles, or listen to music or stories. These activities can help seniors stay engaged, stimulated, and entertained on Father’s Day, as well as strengthen their bonds with their family members.

3. Arrange transportation. Just Like Family Home Care can also arrange transportation and companionship for seniors who want to go out on Father’s Day. For example, we can help seniors visit their favorite places, such as a park, a museum, a restaurant, or a church. We can also help seniors attend family gatherings or events, such as a picnic, a barbecue, or a party. These outings can help seniors enjoy the fresh air, socialize with others, and create new memories on Father’s Day.

4. Offer companionship and support. Just Like Family Home Care can also offer companionship and support to seniors who may feel lonely or isolated on Father’s Day. For example, we can chat with seniors about their lives, hobbies, interests, or memories. We can also listen to seniors’ feelings and concerns, offer empathy and encouragement, and provide emotional support. These interactions can help seniors feel valued, respected, and appreciated on Father’s Day.

In conclusion, Just Like Family Home Care can help with Father’s Day celebration by providing personal care and assistance, planning and facilitating activities, arranging transportation, and offering companionship and support to seniors. By doing so, Just Like Family Home Care can help seniors have a happy and memorable Father’s Day with their families.

Easter Celebration Ideas

April 5, 2023

Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate with joy and hope. You can plan some fun and festive Easter things to do to create fun and lasting memories. Here are some ideas:

1. Decorate Easter eggs. Decorating eggs is a classic Easter thing to do that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. You can use eggs that are cooked or plastic eggs and decorate them with paints, markers, stickers, glitter, or other things. You can also try some creative ways such as using shaving cream, rice, or silk ties to make colorful patterns on the eggs.

2. Make Easter baskets. Another fun Easter activity is to make or decorate Easter baskets. You can use baskets made of wicker or make your own baskets from paper plates, cardboard boxes, or plastic containers. Then, you can fill them with candy, chocolate, cookies, or other treats. You can also add some personal touches such as photos, cards, or small gifts. You can give baskets to grandchildren, friends, neighbors, or keep them for yourself.

3. Host an Easter party. An Easter party is a great way to bring people together and celebrate the holiday with food, games, and music. You can prepare some traditional Easter food such as ham, lamb, deviled eggs, or hot cross buns. You can also play some Easter games such as bingo, egg hunt, egg toss, or trivia. You can also sing some Easter songs or hymns or watch an Easter movie together.

4. Plant some flowers. Easter is also a sign of spring and new life. Planting some flowers can help enjoy the beauty of nature and feel hopeful about the future. You can plant some flowers in pots or in a garden and choose some colorful kinds such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, or lilies.

5. Make Easter cards. Making Easter cards is another simple and meaningful way to celebrate the holiday. You can use paper for cards or recycled things such as magazines, newspapers, or cereal boxes.

By following these ideas, you can celebrate Easter and create fun and special memories.

St. Patrick’s Day

March 13, 2023

St. Patrick’s Day is a special day that many people look forward to. As a senior there are many ways you can enjoy this holiday and have fun.

One way to celebrate is by wearing green. You can wear green clothes, hats, scarves, or jewelry. It’s a simple way to join in the holiday spirit.
Another way to celebrate is by trying some traditional Irish food. If you enjoy cooking, you can make dishes like Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, or shepherd’s pie. If you prefer not to cook, you can order some Irish-inspired food from a local restaurant or bakery.
Listening to Irish music is also a great way to celebrate. You can listen to classic Irish songs like “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar,” or “The Wild Rover.” The music will transport you to Ireland and put you in a festive mood.
Watching an Irish movie is another fun way to celebrate. You can watch classic films like “The Quiet Man,” “The Commitments,” or “My Left Foot.” These movies showcase Ireland’s beauty and culture.

St. Patrick’s Day is a fun and festive holiday that seniors can enjoy in many ways. By incorporating some of these ideas, you can celebrate and make lasting memories with loved ones.