Homecare Discussion from CEO and President Walt Benson

At FootPrints Home Care, we pride ourselves on the ability to take a complex topic like home care and make it simple to understand and because we focus on using home care to add value and provide peace of mind to those we serve, we have become experts in our field. Recently, FootPrints President and CEO, Walt Benson, was invited to speak at the Senior Resource Seminar at Hope Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Flu and Pneumonia Hazards for the Elderly

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a virus that causes a contagious respiratory illness which attacks the upper and lower respiratory tract.

The Business of Healthy Bones

When we think of our bones and the skeletal system in general, we think of words like, hard, strong, or solid. While we realize bones can be broken (6.8 million broken bones are reported each year), we often take for granted that bones are a living, growing tissue. All throughout our lives we are losing old bone while new bone continually grows. Children and adolescents form bone at a faster rate than they lose it, but for seniors it’s the reverse, they can lose more bone than they are able to form.

Help is Available!

In 2015, the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP conducted surveys and found that approximately 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older within the previous year. These surveys also found that of these caregivers, 82% cared for one other adult, while 15% care for 2 adults, and 3% care for 3 or more adults! In the same year, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 15.7 million adult family caregivers were caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s or another form of Dementia.

Partnering with Facilities

As in-home care providers, we bring peace of mind to the families we serve in the comfort of their own homes. What some don’t realize is that we also serve clients in independent living facilities. This program is called our Boutique Care Services plan, also known as our “Rounders” program.

As we begin 2018, many start the New Year with resolutions and goals. Some want to lose weight or get their finances in order or start a new hobby. Here at FootPrints Home Care, we believe in making goals and following through to achieve those goals. Our company goal or vision is to be THE STANDARD by which all home care providers are measured, resulting in the Highest Quality, Excellent Stewardship, and the Best Place to Work.

Many of us tend to overindulge in tasty treats during the holidays. At FootPrints Home Care, we know from personal experience how easy it is to forget your diet when someone is cutting a slice of pie for a special occasion. Don’t settle for hiding extra pounds under a large holiday sweater! Instead, try the following tips for you and your senior parent to move around more, stay in shape and drop some unwanted pounds. It’s never too late to get healthy!

While dementia is not fully understood, researchers have found that there is a link between what you eat and your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Some researchers believe that if you have an elderly loved one, you can help them prevent, or slow the onset of Alzheimer’s by watching what your family eats. FootPrints Home Care recommends that the next time you go grocery shopping, keep an eye out for these superfoods and try to incorporate them into your family’s regular diet.

Everyone wants a career that is meaningful and allows them to make a difference in the world, something that will utilize their interests, skills and knowledge. At FootPrints, we are not only devoted to providing the highest level of care to each senior we assist through in-home care service, but also to creating the best environment for our employees. If you are a dedicated individual who enjoys helping others, why not make 2018 the year you change careers?

At FootPrints Home Care, we take to heart that younger generations have a duty to protect the most vulnerable members of society against criminal predators. It’s an unfortunate fact that criminals sometimes view seniors as easy targets because they typically have high credit ratings and savings in the bank. What’s more, seniors who came of age in a more trusting and polite era may find it difficult to hang up on strangers calling them to offer them an exciting opportunity. In some cases, a senior may have cognitive issues such as poor memory that can prevent them from recognizing that someone has scammed them. With that in mind, here are common scams targeting seniors, as well as our advice on how you can help them avoid falling into financial traps set by crooks.

For many generations, staying home late in life meant having a live-in assistant. Today's technology, however, gives your loved one more options to continue living independently at home. Here's a quick look at some of the best options that, coupled with help from a FootPrints caregiver, can help keep your loved one home and safe:

Nearly 33 percent of those over the age of 60 have trouble hearing. As one ages, hearing loss is often not preventable or reversible. A loved one who has trouble hearing could have a difficult time performing daily living tasks or even keeping themselves safe. Perhaps the most serious side effect, though, is the potential for losing connections with others, leading to social isolation and withdrawal. You can help your aging parent cope with their hearing loss with the following communication tips from FootPrints experienced home caregivers:

Developing and maintaining fulfilling relationships is an important part of an individual’s overall well-being. In fact, people who have satisfying relationships often live longer, healthier lives. Unfortunately, many seniors that live alone do not get the social interaction that they need.

You’ve noticed a change in your mom or dad. Perhaps after extensive research and with the help of our blog Signs it’s Time for In-Home Care, you’ve determined it’s time to call FootPrints Home Care. At FootPrints, we know no two clients’ needs are the same, that’s why our care plans are customized to what your family member needs. But with all of the flexibility that we offer, how can you determine just what exactly your loved one needs? Which services will benefit your mom or dad? When you contact us and request your free in-home assessment, we will help you and your loved one come up with a plan of action, a customized care package that fits your loved one’s lifestyle. Here are some of our tips for assessing your needs to help start the conversation:

Being a caregiver to someone you love gives you an immense amount of satisfaction. However, it can also lead to stress and burnout. To help guard against this, Footprints Home Care offers these tips to help you prevent this common occurrence.