What to Look for in a Caregiver for Your Loved One

As your aging loved one’s care needs increase, you may realize that you can’t do it all on your own. As much as you want to be there for them 24/7, obligations and responsibilities prevent most of us from providing round the clock care to our elderly parents or family members. Hiring an in-home caregiver is an excellent solution for many families that want to make sure that their senior is cared for and able to live a satisfying, independent life, but selecting a caregiver can be an overwhelming task. You want to choose a caregiver that will care for your loved one as much as you do. At FootPrints In-Home Care, we hire only the best caregivers. Here’s what we look for in the caregivers that work for us, you’ll find that these are the qualities you want in the person caring for your senior:

Talking to a Loved One With Dementia

Caring for someone with dementia can be demanding. As much as you care for your aging family member, memory loss can make communication difficult and frustrating. Understanding what your loved one is going through and modifying how you speak with them however, can make communicating with them easier and more enjoyable for the both of you. The caregivers at FootPrints Home Care have extensive experience in providing medical and companion care to seniors, we’re experts in communicating with those who have dementia, here are some of our simple communication tips:

Summer Heat and Arthritis

If you’re caring for an aging family member, their comfort is likely top of mind. You want your loved one to be happy and comfortable, but now that the weather’s warming up, an issue for many seniors is arthritis. Hotter temperatures can aggravate arthritis and make summer unbearable! FootPrints Home Care provides these tips on how to deal with the heat:

Top Place to Work 2017

FootPrints Home Care has done it again! We’re proud to announce that we’ve received the Top Work Place 2017 award. FootPrints is dedicated not only to providing excellent care and service to the clients and families we work with, but also to creating an environment where our employees know that they are valued and appreciated. Our employees are important to us, and we are always going out of our way to make sure they love coming to work every day.

What You Need to Know about Long-Term Care Insurance

Your mother or father has saved enough for retirement, but have they saved enough to cover the cost of long-term care if there’s a possibility they might need it? The majority of adults over 65 will require some sort of long-term care services at some point in their life, whether it’s in-home care or accommodations in an assisted living community. FootPrints Home Care knows that the cost of senior care can be astounding if you aren’t prepared for it, so we’d like to offer some helpful information about long-term care insurance. Here’s what you need to know!

Healthier Aging: Staying Active

Everyone knows that exercising is good for you, but did you know that exercise can actually reverse some of the physiological signs of aging? A recent recent study conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, suggests that working out may counteract some of the cellular damage we experience as a result of aging. Even at 70 or 80, it’s a great idea for seniors to stay busy. FootPrints Home Care encourages seniors to stay active and our caregivers enjoy spending time with seniors, helping them with their daily activities.

How to Talk to Your Parent About In-Home Care

Talking to mom or dad about aging can be an overwhelming and stressful conversation to have. Your aging parent may resist the fact that they now need assistance with their daily activities - no one wants to lose their sense of independence. But openly discussing in-home care with your elderly loved one can be easier than you think if you know how to approach it. At FootPrints Home Care, we’ve compiled these tips to make this subject easier to breach.

Seniors and Loneliness

According to a 2012 study published in the US National Library of Medicine, loneliness in older persons is a common source of distress and suffering, and can negatively affect daily living and overall health. The study also showed that nearly half of people over 60 feel lonely.

Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care

You’ve determined that it’s just not feasible for your aging mom or dad to continue living alone. You want them to be safe, and they want their independence, but it’s clear they need help going about their daily activities. Living at home alone is no longer an option. Many families struggle with the decision to put mom or dad in an assisted living community or to seek in-home care. At FootPrints, we understand that every situation is unique and that you and your family need to decide what’s best for your aging parent. If you are trying to weigh your options, here are some factors to consider.

Kathy Wagner: An RN's Story

As a clinical supervisor at FootPrints Home Care, Kathy Wagner ensures that every caregiver is upholding FootPrints high standards of professionalism, compassion, and care. She came to FootPrints with 25 years of experience in nursing. Kathy loves working at FootPrints and recommends home care to other nurses that are looking for a flexible and fulfilling career path.

FootPrints Earns Best of Home Care Provider of Choice Award Once Again!

FootPrints Home Care is honored to announce that we’ve recently received the 2017 Best of Home Care Provider of Choice award. We work hard to provide the best in medical and non-medical care to all of our clients, as well as a pleasant and positive atmosphere for our nurses and caregivers. We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to our clients and our employees!

Signs it's Time for In-Home Care

You’ve noticed mom’s dishes and laundry piling up. Or bruises on your father’s arms. Maybe your loved one is having trouble remembering their appointments or you’re seeing slight changes in their personality. As our loved ones age, they may face memory loss, illness, and frailty. Everyday activities can become increasingly difficult for your mother or father, but it may be even more difficult for them to admit that they need help. While it’s not an easy conversation to have, it is an important one. If you notice some of these signs, it may be time to consider FootPrints Home Care to provide in-home services for your loved one.

Serving the Underserved

A message from FootPrints Home Care President & CEO Brian Fletcher

I used to think leadership was about competence, hard work, and vision. I've since learned that leadership is about humility. Competence, hard work, and vision are important traits, but humility matters most because through it I have learned many lessons about the significance of the work we do. I have learned that I am not the boss, I am the steward. The steward of this business and the jobs it creates, the steward of the community impact we have, and most importantly, the steward of our culture.

A Message from Tax Help New Mexico

Tax Help New Mexico is an organization that provides free assistance with providing tax documents to households with less than $54,000 per year in combined income or seniors over the age of 65. With the April 18th filing deadline quickly approaching it's a good idea to take advantage of this service as soon as possible.