Home Care CareGivers

Archive for the ‘Travel News’ Category

NEW TRAVEL COMPANION SERVICE DEDICATED TO HELPING ELDERLY TRAVEL

Phoenix, January, 2010 – According to the Assisted Living Federation of America, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of persons aged 85 and over and that number is expected to increase by an additional 33.2 percent in 2010. With this increase in the elderly population, families are looking for ways to connect with their loved ones who live in other cities without sending them alone.

Families have found that navigating the transportation systems can be challenging. Many people may not know the availability and advantages of Professional Travel Companions.

Families on the hunt for ways to connect with family members that can not travel alone because of aging years, illness or injury will be excited to know that a Travel Companion can fly with Mom, Dad or Grandma from other parts of the country to Phoenix or from Phoenix to any destination.

There are many benefits of having highly trained Travel Companion fly with your loved one. They are there to serve as professional companions and as strong advocates as well as traveling caregivers for the entire trip.

ABOUT GARY AND BETH BATES AND CARE-TO-GO TRAVEL COMPANIONS

Captain Gary Bates of TWA and American Airlines retired and wife Beth Bates, provide years of travel experience and loving caregiving.

“After caring for people in airports and on board airplanes over the years, we realized there is a real need in for seniors to have professional Travel Companions accompany them on flights.”, States Gary and Beth Bates of Care-To-Go.

Captain Gary Bates, world traveler and travel consultant and Beth Bates understand the need to escort seniors traveling for their relaxation, enjoyment and safety.

The husband and wife healthcare duo have a passion for helping the elderly maintain their independence and lifestyle including traveling to family events, medical facilities or to re-locate to another city.

Care-To-Go can be reached at 800-818-0407 and on the web at www.CareToGoTravel.com

Care-To-Go Travel Companions endorsed by Phoenix Airport Chaplin and Travelers Aid for people needing a Travel Companion and traveling Caregiver.

It is always great to receive acknowledgement for Travel Companion services provided to seniors and people needing assistance.

The Phoenix Skyharbor airport receives lots of requests to assist travelers.  Sometimes it is confusion and sometimes it is a request for more complete travel assistance.

The following is an excerpt from Rev. Al Young, Chaplain, Sky Harbor Interfaith Chaplaincy

“In my opinion, Care-To-Go is providing a service that increasingly is needed as the U.S. population ages and air travel is complicated by new technology and security restrictions. A travel companion is just what some people need to make them comfortable venturing out on a visit to family or friends.

May you have good success with the service.

Sincerely,

Rev. Al Young

Chaplain, Sky Harbor Interfaith Chaplaincy”

To schedule a Travel Companion from Care-To-Go, call 800-818-0407 or visit the web, CareToGoTavel.com

Phoenix Travel Companion, Scottsdale Travel Companion, Saint Louis Travel Companion available plus numerous other parts of the country.

The following article confirms that a Home Care CareGiver can relieve a family so that a daughter can be a daughter again and leave the care giving to a professional caregiver from Care-To-Go, www.Care-To-Go.com.  Care-To-Go also provides Travel Companions to assist elderly travel.

Typical Caregiver Is a Woman in Her Late 40s Taking Care of an Elderly Parent, Study Finds

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Dec. 11, 2009 — About one in three adults in the United States cares for a loved one who is elderly, sick, or has special needs. And two out of three unpaid caregivers are women, a new report finds.

More often than not, caregivers are raising families and working outside the home in addition to caring for aging parents, chronically ill spouses, or children or grandchildren with special needs.

The report, commissioned by the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with the AARP and the insurance group MetLife, resulted from interviews with nearly 1,500 caregivers chosen at random. Similar interviews were conducted in 2004 and 1997.

Some 65 million American adults are providing care to loved ones independent of traditional parenting roles, Elinor Ginzler, senior vice president of Livable Communities Strategies for AARP, tells WebMD.

She says the typical caregiver is a woman in her late 40s caring for a parent, most often her mother, who is in their late 70s or older.

“Caregiving is traditionally women’s work,” she says. “And women are usually juggling work and family responsibilities while they are providing this care.”

Old Age, Alzheimer’s Major Reason for Care

The survey found that:

· 70% of caregivers were taking care of loved ones who were 50 years old or older. 

· Caregivers provided an average of 20 hours per week of care. 

· Caregiving lasted an average of 4.6 years. 

· Older care recipients generally needed help because of deteriorating physical health (76%). More than half (51%) still lived in their own homes and 29% lived in their caregiver’s home. 

· Old age was cited as the main reason for needed care, by 12% of respondents, followed by Alzheimer’s disease (10%), mental or emotional illness (7%), cancer (7%), heart disease (5%), and stroke (5%).

Ginzler says nearly three out of four caregivers who responded to the survey had paid jobs outside the home, and two-thirds said they had missed work as a result of their caregiver responsibilities.

She says the findings highlight the need for more support services for caregivers.

AARP has long pushed for a $3,000 tax credit for caregivers, and 56% of the survey respondents ranked a tax credit as important to them.

Health Care Debate Includes Caregivers

The tax credit is not a part of the sweeping health care legislation now being crafted by Congress, but Ginzler says the bill under consideration does include provisions that would help family caregivers.

Among the most ambitious is the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, authored by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. The act provides for a national, voluntary insurance program to help Americans pay for long-term care.

Under the proposed plan, workers who do not opt out of the program would pay premiums through payroll deductions for disability and long-term care insurance.

The House version of the health care bill also provides additional funding for the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which aids family and community caregivers, Ginzler says.

Although more support services would help many caregivers, government and community assistance programs may elude many others, says Donna Schempp, who serves as program director for the Family Care Alliance.

That’s because many people don’t recognize themselves as caregivers, even though they are.

“A husband or wife who takes care of a sick spouse or an adult child who takes care of a parent may not think of him or herself as a caregiver,” she tells WebMD. “As a result, they may not think to look for resources that can help them.”

Even those who do seek help may not find the kind of support they need most, such as day care services or other resources aimed at easing the caregiver burden.

“Most caregiver support programs focus on teaching skills to improve patient care,” she says. “While this is certainly important, it is also important to teach caregivers the skills they need to take care of themselves during a very stressful time.”

How Seniors Can Fight the Flu
by Rubyna Bhayani

As a professional senior care provider, the responsibility of protecting seniors from the flu becomes ever important during the winter season. Providers can easily pass along to their seniors simple tips towards staying away from the flu, fighting the illness, and preventing the spread of the flu.

* Wash Your Hands–The simple act of cleaning your hands can prevent germs from spreading or reaching your senior. Encourage your senior to wash their hands or carry hand sanitizer.

* Avoid People Who Are Sick–As much as a senior may love to see their grandchildren or children, if any party is sick, it is best to just stay out of close contact until no longer contagious.

* Stay in Bed–If you are a sick senior, try to not push yourself by going out on errands. Not only can rest help a senior recover faster, but you will also prevent others from getting sick.

* Sleep, Exercise, and Eat Healthy–Some of the best ways to fight the flu can easily be by getting a full night’s sleep, being active, and eating foods and drinking liquids beneficial to your health.

* Keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth–One of the most common ways germs can spread is by rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth after touching a doorknob or other item that is contaminated.

* Cover Your Nose and Mouth–When sneezing or coughing, it is always better to cover your mouth and nose to prevent your flu-like symptoms from spreading to others.

For professional Phoenix Home Care choose a CareGiver from Care-To-Go.com

CareToGoTravel.com

Contact Beth Bates at 480-284-8611 or 800-818-0407

Here is a good article for caregivers anywhere, however some of the tips won’t effect a Phoenix caregiver or Scottsdale caregiver because we don‘t use heating oil or have snow. If you are a Saint Louis Caregiver however it may all apply.

Gail M. Samaha

While there is some small comfort in knowing that the pressures you feel are shared by many others, the bottom line to this very personal matter is simple: finding the time and services that can help make your life and the lives of your aging parents a little easier. This year, as you care for your elder (either living with you or still in their own home); find the balance you need each day to continue to provide great care for your loved one and yourself.

Plan for winter safety

This is a time when caregivers’ concerns accelerate as their loved ones are negotiating the challenges of another winter. Consider doing the following:                                                   

• Fall prevention – inside and out.  Remove scatter rugs and secure handrails at all entrances of the house. 
• Be sure your elderly parents have the proper snow shoes or boots when walking outside. Won’t be a problem if you are a Phoenix CareGiver.
• Adequate heating – you can arrange for automatic delivery of heating oil (elders have priority for reinstatement of electricity if the power goes out).  
• If your elderly parent is still driving, check to see if the car is set with an overall winter protection (e.g. oil change, tires, battery, blankets, water, AAA membership).  It is also a good time to reassess if your aging parent should still be driving.

Ensure emotional well-being

The first of the year is when the blues are very prevalent with the let down of the holiday as the family returns home, sunshine is rare in many places and getting out every day can be a challenge. You can help your parents by:

• Making sure they’re getting some exercise (walking in a mall, neighborhood, exercises at a local senior center.)
• Checking B-12 (if low, it could impact memory), Vitamin D, and thyroid levels.
• Scheduling a weekly event they can look forward to (a movie, dinner out, or a visit by you or a friend).

Plan ahead for doctors’ appointments

If you’re unable to assist your loved one, make arrangements with a sibling, friend, aide or neighbor. Afterwards, have them communicate to you the doctors’ feedback and next steps. Some communities have transportation services for the elderly. Check with your Area Agency on Aging.

Ask for help when you need it

Know that you don’t have to do it all. — whether it’s taking your loved one to a doctor’s appointment, concerned about what to do next or just feeling overwhelmed.  Know there are many resources to support your caregiving needs through websites, books and groups.

Seek family support

Maintaining open communications with immediate family members and siblings gives you a chance to ask for help with various tasks. Plan a weekly check-in with friends and relatives to update them on your elderly parents condition (AgingCare has a new online tool to help you accomplish this) and get the help you need, reducing your caregiver workload and alleviating some stress.

Care-To-Go, a Phoenix home care company provides home care caregivers as well as Travel Companion. Contact Beth Bates at Care-To-Go at 1-800-818-0407 or on the web at Care-To-Go.com

Alcohol Use and Abuse Among Elderly Reported by caregiver

National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health

Anyone at any age can have a drinking problem. Great Uncle George may have always liked his liquor, so his family may not see that his drinking behavior is getting worse as he gets older. Grandma Betty was a teetotaler all her life—she started having a drink each night to help her get to sleep after her husband died. Now no one realizes that she needs a couple of drinks to get through each day. These are common stories. The fact is that families, friends, and health care professionals often overlook their concerns about older people’s drinking. Sometimes trouble with alcohol in older people is mistaken for other conditions that happen with age, but alcohol use deserves special attention.

Because the aging process affects how the body handles alcohol, the same amount of alcohol can have a greater effect as a person grows older. Over time, someone whose drinking habits haven’t changed may find she or he has a problem. A caregiver from Care-To-Go reports that formarly non-alchol abusive seniors can slip into alcholism.

A watchful caregiver providing home care can monitor drinking and redirect eating and dring paterns.

Care-To-Go offers home care caregivers as well as Travel Companions. Contact Care-To-Go at 1-800-818 or at Care-To-Go.Com

Elderly Travel and a Travel Companion

Care-To-Go, a Phoenix Home Care and Travel Companion company advise for senior travel

As we start the new year, many families are planning their family get togethers. The plans might be as simple as a short drive, or it may require a plane, train or cross country car trip. This can be challenging for anyone, but if you are offering eldercare, you know that other issues must be addressed.

For example, what does your aging loved one need to be comfortable while away? What medications do they need? Do they have an updated list of medications and medical history that they can bring along with them? Will they run out of their medications while away? Can they get those before they leave, or can they do so while away?
If your elderly travel is a loved one is driving to visit you, perhaps now is a good time to assess their driving skills if their skills aren’t what they used to be, perhaps another family member could drive them. Amtrak offers senior discounts and of course, if you can plan ahead there are often great deals on airfare.

Here are some other tips and tricks I’ve been reading about:

Vacationing Comfortably with an Elderly Travel Companion, consider  a traveling CareGiver.

When vacationing with an elderly travel companion, people need plan even more carefully than with a younger group to make sure that everyone can have a safe, fun vacation throughout the trip. Learning how to travel with the elderly is critical. The inclusion of a caregiver can make the vacation a real vacation for everyone.

Taking Precautions: Travel Insurance for the Elderly

When traveling with someone who is over the age of sixty, it is important to take certain precautions to make sure that the trip is safe and comfortable for him. Elderly air travel can be stressful since there is often confusion just navigating the airports and TSA security checkpoints. A Travel Companion can move the senior from check in through security and to the departure gate safely and quickly.

Planning Ahead: Elderly Air Travel.

Care-To-Go Travel Companions can be reached at 1-800-818-0407 and on the web at CareToGoTravel.com

The 2009 holidays are over and its time to celebrate 2010.

2009 saw the launch of Care-To-Go Travel Companions adding to the existing Care-To-Go home care providing Phoenix and Scottsdale caregivers. The idea of using a Travel Companion for elder travel or travel for disabled people is one idea that has been met with raving reviews.

As the holidays wind down with all the family get togethers, we all need to assure that our senior family members are taken care of. It is all to easy to pick up mom for Christmas because that is a special holiday and a traditional family get together. How about January, February etc.?  Mom still needs the same family contact that was there during the holidays. A caregiver can help fill the gap and actually help mom get to family events, and the caregiver can help fill the void after the holidays by reviewing Christmas cards, events, gifts and all the fun and tradition of the holiday with the family.

Care-To-Go has provided a travel companion for senior travel to family events, medical transport and fun vacations. It continues to become obvious that seniors need to keep the lifestyle they have been living. If elder travel is part of that, it is great that they can continue to travel with the aide of a travel companion.

Care-To-Go Travel Companions specialize in LA travel companions, Phoenix travel companions, and St. Louis Travel companions.

For more information on Care-To-Go home care and travel companion services call 800-818-0407 or visit Care-To-Go.com and CareToGoTravel.com

Care To Go Travel Companion reports on latest TSA rules

We have watched over three decades now the evolution of airport security.  It is almost always a reaction to the latest threat rather than using a well thought out plan.  Care To Go travel Companions have been advising air travelers how to cope with airport security. Phoenix Home Care CareGivers traveling over the Christmas holiday report normal security procedures, however the lines are long.  Allow extra time.  Your Travel Companion can assist you with the entire process.

Elderly Travel is always challenging, now with the new TSA rules, it is even more important for senior travelers to take a Travel Companion with them.

Reuters

December 29, 2009 – 10:20am

CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) – The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will now give air captains discretion over when commercial airline passengers can move about the cabin and what they can have on their laps.

The update of airline security rules follows what U.S. government authorities called a thwarted attempt by an individual on Christmas day to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight as it approached Detroit from Amsterdam.

President Barack Obama said that as a result of this oversight, he had ordered a thorough review of the screening process.

The TSA confirmed Monday that pilots can now decide whether to allow passengers to keep items in their laps or require them to be seated during portions of the flight.

The agency also will let pilots and airlines determine whether in-flight entertainment systems that show a plane’s location should be turned off to avoid a security risk, an agency spokeswoman said.

JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O) announced through its Twitter page earlier Monday that its LiveTV service resumed on its flights.

Airline industry experts have said renewed terror threats and potentially tighter airport security measures could dampen business travel demand just as it starts to recover. [ID:n28168827]

Shares of U.S. airlines slumped Monday, the first trading session following the attempted attack. The Arca Airline index .XAL fell 1.8 percent.

Care to Go Travel Companions can be reached at 800-818-0704 and on the web at www.CareToGoTravel.com

CareGivers and Christmas – Families Enjoy The Holidays With Phoenix Home Care

Platinum CareGiver Can Make All the Difference

Holidays can be a joyous family time or a time for loneliness and depression. All too often, seniors are alone or with another senior spouse who can’t properly care for them physically or emotionally.

Phoenix caregivers providing home care can make all difference in the lives of seniors during the holidays. Having another person attending the senior(s) at home can bring life to the home. A Platinum CareGiver can elevate the level of care for the senior from the minimum to extraordinary. Most caregivers will handle the activities of daily living (ADL), the difference however, lies in making each activity inclusive to their level, personalized and special for the senior.

Such activities as meal preparation and presentation, decorating and arranging the house should be inclusive of the senior to the extent that it is festive and empowering for them. A Platinum CareGiver can take the pulse of the seniors to see what level of participation is appropriate for them. Helping make Christmas cookies, or review Christmas cards may make the day for some seniors, but be overwhelming for others. Napping during the clean-up may be all that is needed for some. It is up to the creativity and intuitiveness of the Platinum CareGiver to valuate the level of participation for each senior. For example photos and memories may delight some seniors, but bring on depression and feelings of loss for others.

What Might A Senior Respond To With A Platinum CareGiver with phoenix home care

Christmas time evokes lots of memories; which ones are positive for the senior?

• Christmas traditions
• Christmas foods
• Going to parties
• Having guests in
• Going to church
• Christmas music
• Home decorations
• Sending Christmas cards
• Receiving and arranging Christmas cards
• Wrapping and sending gifts
• Visiting or talking with friends and relatives
• Shopping
• Window shopping and looking at decorations
• View Christmas lights in neighborhoods
• Visit family and friends in another city (contact Care To Go Travel)

A Platinum CareGiver will be able to take a senior down memory lane and find all the great Christmas memories for them allowing them to share and relive their memories. Or, if it is appropriate, the CareGiver can keep the senior in the present moment avoiding old memories.

For Phoenix area elder home care contact Care To Go for Platinum CareGivers

800-818-0407 or visit the web www.Care-To-Go.com

Care To Go Travel Companions can be reached at 800-818-0407

www.CareToGoTravel.com