Ways to Take Care of Your Loved One While Maintaining a Personal Life

Taking care of a loved one who has a high level of needs can take a serious toll on your physical, emotional and mental health.  Among the highest level of needs requiring nursing tasks, cancer, diabetes, lung disease and surgery wounds rank at the top, according to a report on Caregiving in the US (2015).  All too often, caregivers must sacrifice their social lives and personal needs to care for a chronically ill spouse, sibling or parent.  Family 24 hour caregivers lose a sense of identity and over time, they withdraw from social circles and experience depression.  Many of them do not want to place loved ones in an assisted facility out of feelings of guilt, so they take on the burden entirely upon themselves.

24-Hour In-Home Care to the Rescue

Caring for a loved one does not have to be taxing or expensive.  A-1 Home Care in LA County provides affordable, high quality 24-hour care for all types of conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s, and Kidney Disease.  With a live-in caregiver, you can kick back and relax.  There’s no need to feel guilty because your loved one will not have to be consigned to a residential care facility; you get all the perks of non-medical assistance in the comfort of your own home!  Round-the-clock caregiver assistance includes the following:

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Bathing
• Grooming
• Personal care
• Transportation
• Patient lifting and transferring
• Medication reminders
• Prescription pick-ups
• Errands
• Grocery shopping
• Social visits to friends, family and local senior centers
• Companion care

100% Trustworthy Elder Care That’s Licensed, Bonded and Insured

If you want to take a vacation, you can rest assured that your elderly loved ones are in good hands!  A-1 Home Care is one of the few licensed, bonded and insured agencies in California, meaning your loved ones are protected from scam artists, predators, theft and fraud.  For over two decades, we have provided excellent senior care services and home care services for adults with disabilities.  We thoroughly investigate all professional references and conduct extensive criminal background checks for your safety and peace of mind.

Looking for high quality in-home care?  Call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu, Beverly Hills and surrounding cities in LA County.

Stay in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

5 Tips for a Safe Environment to Avoid Fall Hazards in Your Home

Seniors are incredibly susceptible to falls at home due to limited mobility issues caused by arthritis, osteoporosis, neurological conditions, muscle weakness, and other common difficulties associated with aging.  Fall injuries have long-term impact on seniors’ health, worsening current health conditions and even creating new problems such as blood clots in legs, pneumonia and pressure ulcers. The good news is that fall injuries are totally preventable if the following precautionary measures are taken:

• Have a live-in caregiver around to check the house for possible hazards such as overturned rugs, cords or dim lighting.
• If you live in a two-story home and there’s a bedroom downstairs, have your elderly loved one stay in the downstairs bedroom.
• A 24-hour companion care aide should accompany your loved one when bathing or showering, especially if your loved one has difficulty moving and getting up. The caregiver can offer partial assistance by standing by with minimal assistance or give full assistance if the elderly person cannot move at all.
• Install extra guardrails along the hallway and stairways.
• Put non-slip shower mats in the bathtub so your elderly loved one won’t slip and fall in the shower.

You can find high quality and affordable 24 hour companion care with A-1 Home Care.  Round-the-clock assistance entails assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, bathing, grooming, personal care and more.  As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency based in Southern California.  Since its inception in 1991, we have delivered exceptional senior care and in-home care services to families in LA County.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care protects your loved ones from predators, scam artists, theft and fraud.  Each caregiver who walks through our doors is extensively screened for their criminal background and DMV record clearance.  All professional references are verified.  Talk to one of our care managers today about an elder care plan that fits your budget!

For affordable senior care, call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu, Beverly Hills and surrounding cities in LA County.

Stay in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Taking a Look at Lou Gehrig’s Disease through an NFL Player’s Eyes

In the gut-wrenching, heart-moving documentary Gleason, which opened in theatres last month, Steve Gleason made a film about his struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  The former NFL New Orleans football star wanted to produce something for his unborn child so that his son can remember his father’s former glory before the progressive disease would take over.  ALS was coined “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” after a famed baseball player Henry Louis “Lou” Gehrig, who played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939.  ALS is a motor neuron disease that destroys an individual’s ability to speak, swallow, and eventually, breathe.

In-Home Parkinson’s Care with Compassion

ALS is a slow progressive and fatal disease that is characterized by muscle twitching, muscular stiffness, and muscles shrinking in size.  The cause of Lou Gehrig’s remains unknown, but there is a lot of support for families who have a loved one with Lou Gehrig’s, such as A-1 Home Care in LA County.  The average survival rate for patients with ALS is 3 years after the initial diagnosis; some may live as long as 10 years after the onset.  You and your loved ones can benefit from 24 hour ALS Care, such as assistance with feeding, meal preparation, light housekeeping, bathing, grooming, and transportation to medical appointments in your area or beyond.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency dedicated to providing safe and secure in-home care for seniors and their entire families in LA County.  Being bonded and insured means that our caregivers have to go through a criminal background screening before they’re allowed to care for the elderly.  The advantage of hiring a caregiver through a reputable agency such as A-1 Home Care is that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will only release criminal history to a qualifying organization such as state-licensed agencies, schools, law enforcement agencies and non-profit organizations.  The DOJ will not release criminal records to private families should they decide to hire a caregiver on their own.  Protect your elderly loved ones and yourself by talking to an experienced care manager about your loved one’s needs at home.  Customer satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!

For affordable ALS care, call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu, Beverly Hills and surrounding cities in LA County.

Stay in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Los Angeles In-Home Care for Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Alzheimer’s is a disease, and dementia is an umbrella term for an array of symptoms.  Oftentimes Alzheimer’s and dementia are used interchangeably but they are not the same.  Alzheimer’s is an incurable disease that includes symptoms of dementia such as cognitive impairment, memory loss, and speech impairment.  In addition to symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer’s hallmark is the presence of aggressive behavior, personality changes, and cognitive confusion, among many other symptoms.  Dementia symptoms are also present in other diseases, such as Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.  Regardless of what type of dementia your elderly loved one may have, there is help.  A-1 Home Care offers affordable dementia care for seniors in all parts of Los Angeles County.

 

Live-In Care for the Elderly

The need for 24-hour in-home care is growing at an exponential rate, especially in LA County.  Many family caregivers carry the burden alone.  Women are cutting back on work hours, and if they are single moms or divorced mothers with full-time jobs, adding the responsibility of elder care to their plate is simply overwhelming.  The care managers at A-1 Home Care will help you find a solution to reduce your caregiver stress so you can take care of both your elderly loved one and yourself.  Live-in care includes assistance with light housekeeping, cooking, cleaning, bathing, personal care and more.

 

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care has been taking care of seniors and their families for over two decades!  When it comes to selecting someone to take care of your elderly loved ones, we take talent recruitment very seriously.  A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured agency that thoroughly prescreens every single caregiver, certified nurse aide, home health aide and licensed vocational nurse for your safety and security.  You have our round-the-clock support from a 24-hour hotline to live-in caregiver services for 365 days a year.  You can finance high quality senior care at the most competitive prices in LA County!  A-1 Home Care also accepts Veteran Benefits and long-term care insurance.

 

For affordable and reliable caregiving services, call A-1 Home Care today (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for more information about services in Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Manhattan Beach, Culver City, Hollywood and other surrounding cities.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Do you have a written long term care plan for your elderly loved ones?

Most people don’t think about elder care planning until it’s too late.  Perhaps your parents are in good health now and elder care won’t cross your mind for another 15 or 20 years.  In most cases, people don’t like going to the doctor’s unless they absolutely have to, and if your parents are in that category, they may not be aware of illnesses that are creeping up on them right now.  Do your parents watch what they eat?  Do they exercise regularly or do they work too much?  Do they have high stress jobs that could potentially put them at risk for a heart attack or stroke?  If your parents face constant pressure each day at their jobs and they are only a few years away from retirement, do you have a written long term care (LTC) plan in place in case of an event?  A-1 Home Care’s experienced and professional advisors have been helping families for over two decades.  They’d be a great resource if you’re not sure where to start.

What is a long term care plan?

A written long term care plan is part of life resource planning that is often overlooked by families.  It involves meetings with family members, the elderly loved one’s health care team, attorneys, caregivers and other involved individuals in the planning of a senior’s future, such as estate planning, long term care, 24 hour care, hospice care, and more.  Long term care plans aren’t just for seniors; if you have young children or adult sons/daughters with disabilities, this type of planning includes care for them in the event that something happens to you.  A-1 Home Care’s seasoned care managers will help you examine all the issues that need to be considered when producing a care plan for your elderly loved ones.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care has been helping families all over LA County since 1991.  Our seasoned and amiable care managers will help you plan for contingencies in case your elderly loved one might need Alzheimer’s Care, Arthritis Care, Heart Attack Care, Post-Stroke Care or other types of in-home care, based on your loved one’s medical history.  Our managers, certified home health aides, certified nurse assistants and licensed vocational nurses work closely with local hospitals to provide your loved ones the best elder care possible at the most competitive rates in Southern California.  Our 24 hour care and live-out care services are very flexible; we adjust to the changing nature of your loved one’s health needs.

 

Talk to a care manager today about some possible elder care options for you or your loved one.  Call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu, Beverly Hills and surrounding cities in LA County.

 

 

Stay in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Leading After Surgery Care Options Bring Relief To Elders For The Holidays

If your loved one is or will be spending time in the hospital this holiday season, don’t you think that he/she would benefit most from round-the-clock hospital sitters for continual companionship?

At A-1 Home Care in Los Angeles, our friendly caregivers provide after surgery care services that keep seniors upbeat and well-mannered during their hospital time. Each caregiver service is affordable because our caregiving professionals understand the importance of providing top-quality care at lower-than-the-rest prices.

The after surgery care services at A-1 Home Care include:

• assistance with personal services like bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting
• wake-up and tuck-in services
• running errands like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• maintenance inside the home including vacuuming, dusting, dishwashing, laundry, and trash
• assistance with mobility
• maintenance outside the home including yard work and gardening tasks
• transportation of items you need from the home during your hospital stay
• special needs care
• child care
• pet care

A-1 Home Care proudly serves elders throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County areas who come from all walks of life, including Jewish, Asian, Middle Eastern, and European, bringing helping hands and a golden heart into the homes of everybody they encounter.

The expert caregiver solutions at A-1 Home Care additionally include in-home services such as hospice care for terminally-ill family members, respite care for family caregivers who need some time away, and even postpartum care for new mothers. It’s this dedication to providing only the best– and leaving behind the rest!– caregiver solutions in all of Southern California that has allowed A-1 Home Care to retain the honorable distinction as the caregiver agency trusted most since its inception in 1991.

For more information about the exceptional after surgery care options available in LA and surrounding areas, call a friendly caregiver today at (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400. A-1 Home Care is proud to serve nearby communities in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Century City, Studio City, and Glendale.

Los Angeles Hospice Care Provides Lasting Comfort To Ailing Seniors

Having to see a loved one suffer through the final stages of his or her life can be difficult for anybody, especially adult children and other close relatives who have known that person for a long time. Because the end days can be so tough for ailing seniors and their loved ones, it’s important to provide such patients with care from the comfort of their own home if they’re terminally ill and need contentment rather than treatment at this time.

At A-1 Home Care, senior patients who are fighting through their final days can have their joy be rekindled with hospice care services that come complete with extra assistance in all their daily tasks. Specifically, the compassionate hospice care providers at A-1 Home Care bring their clients:

• compassion
• comfort
• improved quality of life by helping with day-to-day responsibilities which include:
  • cooking and cleaning duties
  • yard and gardening work
  • personal hygiene and general grooming care
  • transportation to and from engagements

With its constant in-home caregiving services that are provided 24/7 for suffering seniors, A-1 Home Care prides itself on improving patients’ emotional, social, and physiological well-being, as well as both their comfort level and their confidence going forward. They also provide care techniques that decrease the chances of bed and pressure sores from forming on patients who are bed-ridden during these difficult times, helping A-1 Home Care to serve as the number one option for pain relief in seniors throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.

A-1 Home Care’s hospice care professionals also provide a stress-release valve for worried family members who have been stretching themselves thin trying to lengthen their loved one’s final days.

You can discover more about the hospice care services provided at A-1 Home Care by calling (310) 657-8780 or by finding one of its many offices located in cities near you that include Beverly Hills, Anaheim Hills, Glendale, Alta Dena, and Long Beach by visiting www.a-1homecare.com today!

 

Ten Senior Advantages You Don’t Want to Miss

“I’m getting old.”  You hear women say this even when they’re barely 24 years old.  In the age of selfies and technology, we are wrapped up in vanity and age preservation because no one looks forward to sagging skin and health complications.  We dread end-of-life care talks, procrastinate on senior living options like home care, and deny that we are approaching our golden years because we don’t want to admit that we are getting older.  The elderly fight for every last shred of independence and dignity they have left, but growing older does not mean you have to act old.

Here are 10 ways to milk your golden years:

1. You can yell at people and won’t get in any real trouble for it.
2. Get away with wearing ridiculous clothing that doesn’t match.
3. Get senior discounts everywhere you go.
4. Sleeping in instead of waking up at ungodly hours to go to work.
5. Gross people out with your idiosyncratic habits.
6. Enjoy the company of children without the responsibilities of child-rearing.
7. No need to pretend you like anything.
8. Use your free time to do what you always wanted.
9. Pretend to fall asleep so you can hear what people are saying.
10. Show others with your life that growing old is the best thing anyone can do!

If you have a bucket list of wishes that you’ve been wanting to live out, this is the best time to do it.  Travel with a companion, go golfing or sailing, dine in fancy restaurants, and just enjoy life because life is too short to be unhappy.

A-1 Home Care has a team of pre-screened and pre-qualified traveling companions who will accompany you on trips, grocery store errands, or rides to appointments.  We are a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency that takes care of seniors all over Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Call us today (310) 657-8780 or visit our website http://www.lainhomecareservice.com for more information about our caregivers, certified nurse aides, and home health aides in Los Angeles, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood and surrounding areas.

Stay up-to-date with A-1 Home Care’s events on Facebook and Twitter!

Kidney Stones Worse Than Childbirth

Passing a kidney stone through your system can be one of the most excruciating experiences in life.  Some say that it’s even worse than giving birth!

What is a kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a small rock made of mineral and acid salts that forms inside your kidneys.  People usually have multiple, tiny kidney stones that can form anywhere from your kidneys to your urinary tract.  When the urine becomes concentrated, the minerals crystallize and stick together, forming a stone.  A lot of times a person may not know he has stones, but if the stones get big enough and obstruct the flow of urine, then he will surely get a rude wake-up call!

What is the treatment for kidney stones?

That depends on the severity of the situation.  A doctor may prescribe pain medication and order you to drink lots of water to pass them through, or a surgery may be in order. 

How can I avoid getting kidney stones?

Drink water.  Drink lots and lots of water.  Cut down on the sodium and take calcium supplements if your regular diet does not contain the daily recommended dose of calcium. 

Home Care for Kidney Stone Patients

Are you anticipating surgery soon to remove some troublesome stones?  A-1 Home Care provides surgery care for 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Post-surgery care entails assistance with daily chores, meal preparation, personal care such as bathing and hygiene, and transportation to follow-up appointments.  We can also send hospital sitters to take care of you at the operation site.  Wherever and whenever you need us, we’re here for you.

Call A-1 Home Care today (562) 929-8400 or visit www.losangeleshomecareagency.com  to view our full range of services in Los Angeles, Malibu, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Pacific Palisades, Hollywood, Brentwood, and surrounding areas. 

Meet our wonderful staff and caregivers on Facebook and Twitter!

Los Angeles In-Home Care Services for Cancer Care

In the past, the word “cancer” was a scary word because it meant a death sentence for many.  Before the advent of technology, our ancestors had to watch their elderly loved ones pass their days in pain and agony with no hope for cure.  Nowadays, the good news is that many cancer patients can get treatment and expect to live a long life once in remission.

When a person has cancer, this signifies that a cell or group of cells has multiplied rapidly into a clump of cells.  If it is benign, then this group of cell tissue is not interfering with other organs in the body.  If the cancer is malignant, then it spreads throughout the whole body and interferes with the function of vital organs like the lungs and heart.

Cancer treatment involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes surgery.  Under chemotherapy and radiation, the patient experiences severe physical weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, hair loss, anemia, and other changes.  Cancer patients need help at home with daily chores like cooking, cleaning, and hygiene.   After a long day of cancer treatment, the last thing a patient wants to do is lift a finger to do mundane chores.

That’s where A-1 Home Care comes in.  Our caregivers, home health aides and companions will help 24 hour care for you with whatever you need, especially if family members aren’t always around to help.  With your own personal assistant, you do not have to worry about being a burden to your family.

Call A-1 Home Care today to ask about cancer care services (562) 929-8400.  Visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for more information about services available in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and surrounding areas.

Meet our caregivers on Facebook and Twitter!