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.

"Best of Home Care" 2016

FootPrints is excited to announce being awarded Provider of Choice by Home Care Pulse. This is our fifth consecutive year on the "Best of Home Care" list, a compilation of exemplary agencies across the United States and Canada. As one of only two agencies from the State of New Mexico, we are proud that our mission to deliver the highest quality is being recognized.

Engaging with Elderly Loved Ones

The University of Rochester Medical Center claims "Staying socially active and maintaining interpersonal relationships can help you maintain good physical and emotional health and cognitive function". Yet these interactions can be difficult to come by for those in greatest need: elderly individuals who find themselves alone for long periods of time.

Having another human presence in your loved one's home is understandably important for mitigating common risks among the elderly like falls, medication management errors, and meal preparation. But its most underrated benefit is companionship--ensuring they maintain a level of social interaction to keep their minds sharp and their emotions positive.

2016 Employees of the Year

FootPrints Home Care is proud to announce the 2016 Caregiver of the Year, Home Health Aide of the Year, and Nurse of the Year.

Winners demonstrate exemplary service in their respective fields, providing the highest quality care while being excellent in the "little things" like communicating with the office regularly, submitting timesheets and other documents on time, and a willingness to take on more work when an unexpected need arises.

APD on Mailbox Theft & Vandalism

The Postal Service is experiencing an increase in mail theft and mail boxes being vandalized. This is occurring across Albuquerque and in Rio Rancho.

Protecting your mail:

APD on Auto Theft Prevention

CAR BURGLARIES are very difficult cases to solve due to the burglars usually leaving very little physical evidence behind after a car burglary has occurred. The crimes usually occur in business parking lots and residential streets and driveways at night, when it is less likely the thieves will be seen. Some of the most common places we have seen car burglaries are locations where people are doing some type of physical activity requiring them to leave their valuables behind in their vehicle. Burglars will target parking lots that include businesses, shopping malls, and gyms.

In order to help reduce the rise of becoming a victim of a car burglary we have provided some easy tips to follow. ALWAYS close your windows and lock your car doors. An open window or unlocked door is an invitation to a criminal.