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Nourishing Our Greatest Generation

Older adults in this decade have rightly been called the Greatest Generation. Raised during the Great Depression, they defended our freedom, and helped secure our future.

Some of those in the Greatest Generation need our help.

IMAGINE…Not having money to buy or the ability to prepare a special Holiday meal.

IMAGINE…Not having family or friends close during the Holiday season.

IMAGINE…Helping low-income, older adults this Holiday Season.

This generation, the Greatest Generation is responsible for the foundation we have as Americans.

They taught us the value of hard work, a strong faith, planning for the future and great integrity.

Our mothers and grandmothers worked in airplane factories in the 1940s, assisted in USOs, managed households and businesses while their husbands were fighting in Europe or the Pacific.

Our fathers or grandfathers fought in World War II, or supported war efforts here at home such as running troop trains or raising the food needed to support America and troops all over the world.

After the war they were on minimal incomes. Those times were the happiest times of their lives. There were no big screen TVs, no X-Box, no Wii games to play. Instead there were great family get togethers. Pot luck family dinners, a picnic in the park, Bar-B-Qing hot dogs in the fireplace were great fun and low cost.

Now, these proud Americans need our help. So, how can you help? There are hundreds of volunteer programs in every city. We can assist at a senior center, donate presents at a church, contact the Salvation Army, visit a assisted living home or a hospital and just talk. On Christmas day the Holiday project takes teams of people to various senior locations to bring a present, sing a Christmas song and offer a smile. All low or no cost offerings. Many of the home bound senior don’t have a CareGiver and depend on volunteer help.

Care To Go Home Care and Travel Companions supports the Mesa Adult Senior Center in their Holiday meal and gift program. Teams of volunteers bring Christmas gifts and a meal to home bound seniors in the Mesa Arizona area. For more information contact Care To Go on the web at www.Care-To-Go.com

Care To Go Home Care is acknowledged for contributing to CareGiver book

Beth Bates founder of Care To Go home care and Travel Companions contributed a loving and touching story of her relationship with Louise. Louise’s’ story of a Phoenix CareGiver takes many twists and turns requiring many levels of CareGiving above and beyond normal Home Care.

Here is the story of a Phoenix Caregiver and a very special person.

What In-Home Care Giving Really Should Be for Your Loved One

This is a story of Louise T., a person even you couldn’t help but love. She’d inherited a beautiful home from her mother in Scottsdale, Arizona. Surprisingly, the unforeseen death of her beloved mother occurred on April 29, 2007 and by mid December, stress had taken its toll. Notably, her hair became brittle and began falling out.

She thought it was because of the deep mourning for her mother’s death, but after visiting her doctor, Louise was then diagnosed with cancer. Saddened by this news, Louise’s schedule became riddled with radiation and chemotherapy treatments; and after such treatments, Louise became weak to her core. Yet, she was trying to handle everything on her own.

Louise, being as incredibly self-reliant and independent as she is, was determined to take care of herself. Her brother could see she was in need of help, but he was unable to give the motherly care she needed. So, he sat her down and with all the love in his heart he said, “Louise, it’s time we get you some in home health care”.

At that time, she couldn’t see how important it was to have that kind of support, but as she looked around at her house, she knew her brother was right.

Enter Care-To-Go In-Home CareGivers…

Once Louise and I met, we quickly got into the routine of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. After each session, I would make a light lunch, shop for food at a local grocer, and then prepare dinner. We so enjoyed each others company, laughter, edgy conversations and inspiration spiced up our long emotional days. I tell you, her treatments took a toll on her strength, but not on her spirit.

Well, after several months of taxing treatments Louise was more than ready to get back to her apartment in California. By now she was using a walker and a wheelchair just to get around. I mentioned to her that we, Care-To-Go, could escort her back to California and with a smile, Louise welcomed the idea.

We’re Going Back to Cali…

So we were off… to the airport, through the baggage area, through airport security, onto the airplane for a relaxing flight, and to Louise’s apartment in California. While there, I set up her apartment following her personal directions, prepared a welcome home meal, and then rested in her comfortable apartment. Louise then looked at me and told me she was grateful for the support and realized she could have never done this on her own.

After some time, Louise moved from her apartment to a home she’d purchased in California. But the day she moved in to her new home, she fell and fractured her hip. For the next four months during her healing, Louise took residence in an assisted living facility.

It’s not what you know, but who you know!

Since Louise and I had a wonderful friendship, we kept tabs on each other. And again when she was ready to go back home, she called me to help her get settled in her new home.

We came up with a plan of action that involved:

· Unpacking and organizing her home

· Maintaining her physical therapy schedule

· Scheduling a handyman to revamp her bathroom

· Planning dinners with her son Steve (where laughter was definitely the main course)

· Plus other daily living activities which had to be accomplished

Well, after about 10 days it was time to head back to Phoenix, but we weren’t finished yet. I’d taken pictures of the contents of her mother’s home back in Scottsdale, Arizona and made two catalogs, one for her one for me.

We went through the catalogs determined what she’d like me to send her after her mother’s home was sold. When the time came, the furniture and smaller items were packed and sent to her new home in California.

In conclusion, Care-To-Go assisted a person in much need of aid. We all know someone who has had the misfortune of a physical / mental illness, a physical condition, or just plain old age. Regardless, in-home care is just a phone call away.

You can contact us directly at 800-818-0407. Look us up on the web at –

www.Care-To-Go.com and www.Caretogotravel.com for Travel Companions

Priceless CareGiving, Stories of Elder Care, Success, Courage, and Strength

This wonderful book is now available from Care To Go phoenix Home Care for $15.00  Principals of Caregiving, compiled by Valerie VanBooven RN BSN is a compilation of CareGiver stories from all over the country.  The book includes about 44 heart felt CareGiver stories including one from featured author Beth Bates of Care To Go, Phoenix Home Care and Travel Companions.

Beth Bates, owner of Care To Go Travel Companions and Phoenix Home Care tells the story of Louise of Scottsdale AZ.  When Louise began cancer treatments at the Mayo Clinic, she thought she could handle her own care.  The story reveals how quickly she needed and depended on Beth Bates and Care To Go Home Care.

Beth supplied the appropriate care needed as Louise’s needs changed.  Beth helped her through her treatments and recovery and then assisted her moving to California.  Little did she know that the Care To Go Travel Companion services would be needed so quickly.

The complete story of Beth and Louise will be posted tomorrow.

Phoenix home care caregivers from Care To Go can be reached at 800-818-0407 or on the web at www.Care-To-Go.com

Travel Companions for Elderly Travel and Phoenix Elder Travel Assistance can be found at www.CareToGoTravel.com

The following article outlines several considerations when traveling abroad. Care To Go travel companions have found that there are challenges for anyone, but for the elderly travel, they may be insurmountable. Taking a professional travel companion with you can make all the difference. An experienced travel companion can shortcut most problems in advance and handle other challenges as they arise.

Phoenix home care caregivers from Care To Go can be reached at 800-818-0407 or on the web at www.Care-To-Go.com

Travel Companions for elderly Travel and Phoenix Elder Travel Assistance can be found at www.CareToGoTravel.com

Challenges of travelling the World

Anybody considering travelling the world should take into consideration the numerous obstacles that they might encounter during their trip. The idea of travelling the World is incredible, but without serious planning for the trip the traveler could find themselves in a difficult situation thousands of miles from home.

Things to Consider When Travelling the World
The number one obstacle to world travel for the majority of people is the language barrier. Hundreds of different languages and dialects are spoken all over the world. If you are lucky you might speak two or three languages, but during your world travels it is likely that you will encounter languages that you do not speak. Having a plan to get around this obstacle will be necessary. A conversion dictionary for the language in question might be useful.

Another problem that world travelers painstakingly have to deal with is currency. Every country you go to will most likely require the traveler to convert their currency. Several European countries have adapted to using a common currency called the Euro which helps to make travel in between these countries much easier now.

Every country has unique laws that dictate what requirements a tourist must meet in order to be eligible to enter into the country. Some countries may only require a traveler to have a valid passport. Other countries might require a tourist visa for travelers. Research the requirements for each country you are planning to visit. For countries that require a visa make sure you submit your application for one well ahead of your vacation.

Knowing the laws of each country that you will visit during your trip can prove to be extremely difficult. A great source of information pertaining to the most relevant things a tourist should know about each country is a world travel guide. This type of guide will let you know which side of the road you need to drive on and things of that nature. Keeping a copy with you during the course of your travels may prove to be an invaluable asset.

Travelling the world also takes a considerable amount of time. Depending on how many countries that you are planning to visit and how long you stay at each can drastically alter the length of the trip. Getting enough time off from work can prove to be a challenge for many travelers. Consider the amount of time that you will be spending away from your home and how that will impact you, your family, and friends.

During your travels it is important to pay attention to what you eat. Staying healthy while you are traveling abroad is important. Feeling miserable during your trip can ruin the entire event. Not to mention you might need to seek medical attention in a country that might not have the level of health care that you are accustom to. Before you leave for your trip call your health insurance company and see what type of coverage your plan provides for travel abroad. Some plans might not cover any travel aboard and additional health insurance should be purchased.

Article from world wide traveling.com

Phoenix home care caregivers from Care To Go can be reached at 800-818-0407 or on the web at www.Care-To-Go.com

Travel Companions for Senior Travel and Phoenix Elder Travel Assistance can be found at www.CareToGoTravel.com

Professional CareGivers can supply much needed home care help

Too many families find themselves overwhelmed by the level of care needed for their loved one. It usually starts out with only a little assistance needed and the care may be shared by several family members.

As time goes by, the care becomes increasingly more difficult and time consuming and the load now rests on the shoulders of one family member.

Professional CareGivers can provide much needed respite time for the family caregiver, or take over the care completely. There is great relief for returning to being a daughter instead of CareGiver.

Advocates say there are options that offer some relief

Caregivers need as much support as the person they are caring for, advocates say.

"If you’re not watching over the caregiver, you’re not taking care of the (ill) person, either," said Jeannette Koijane, executive director of Kokua Mau, a hospice and palliative care organization.

Advocates spoke in general terms of the enormous stress caregivers deal with in the wake of the death of Robert M. Yagi of Kailua. Yagi, 71, committed suicide over the weekend.

Since October, Yagi’s wife, Leatrice, also 71, has been hospitalized at Castle Medical Center for a terminal illness.

Yagi was seen in his wife’s hospital room daily, keeping her company and tending to her needs, according to a police affidavit.

But last week, Yagi entered his wife’s room and shot her with a plastic flare gun, police said. He may have tried to take his own life at the same time, using another flare gun loaded with a 12-gauge buckshot, according to the affidavit. Leatrice Yagi suffered minor injuries.

Six days later, Robert Yagi committed suicide.

"It’s incredibly unfortunate that this is the option that he thought he had," said Dr. Anna Loengard, medical director of St. Francis Hospice. "He was certainly suffering. His wife is suffering."

Depression, isolation, frustration, anger and guilt are emotions that some caregivers experience, according to Loengard. Caring for a loved one 24/7, "you feel like you can’t get out and reach out to anyone."

Palliative care is one option that family members can turn to. In contrast to hospice care, where an individual is suffering from a terminal illness and has less than six months to live, palliative care can provide care as early as the time of the patient’s diagnosis. It is more of a holistic approach, involving support for the family, said Loengard.

Professional home care is available in the Phoenix, AZ area from Care-To-Go.com

Phoenix home care caregivers from Care To Go can be reached at 800-818-0407 or on the web at www.Care-To-Go.com

Travel Companions for Senior Travel and Phoenix Elder Travel Assistance can be found at www.CareToGoTravel.com

By David Lowell, MD

The holidays can be a time of renewal – renewal of friendships through visits and cards, renewal of family relationships through gatherings and shared meals, and renewal of one’s faith. But the holidays also are a time that can be particularly challenging for a caregiver. It is a time during which the changes in one’s life are highlighted and there are additional demands placed upon on an already stressed life.
The holidays are always a whirlwind and this is especially true for caregivers. During the holidays it is important for caregivers to seek a balance – between caring for someone else and caring for oneself; between celebrating good memories of past holidays while not dwelling on what might have been lost. Here are ideas to keep in mind for both the caregiver and the care receiver as the holiday season arrives:
Ideas for the Caregiver:
1. Don’t try to do it all. In the past you may have prepared Christmas dinner for 20 and created hand-made gifts for all of your relatives. Ask other members of the family to carry on specific family traditions. Dividing the responsibility will help you manage your stress level. 
2. Don’t attempt to travel long distances by car if your loved one is not used to it and tires easily. You will both be exhausted by the time you reach your destination, and you will have a difficult time enjoying yourself. 
3. Ask family or friends to provide respite care. Make time to enjoy holiday decorations or window shopping. Just a few hours of time by yourself or with a friend can be renewing and help combat a sense of isolation. 
4. Avoid comparisons with past holidays. It is often emotionally draining to look upon change as loss. “Life is change” can be a helpful concept to hold onto. 
5. Create new traditions that can be carried on year to year, rather than dwelling on old traditions that your loved one can no longer participate in.
Ideas for Your Loved One:
1. Find a way to have your loved one participate in the holidays, whether its making decorations or counting the days on an Advent calendar
2. Decorate your loved one’s room or living area for the holidays. Incorporate symbols and decorations that are meaningful. 
3. Stimulate all of your loved one’s senses with the sounds, sights, smells and tastes of the holidays. Ideas include holiday music and decorations, a favorite dessert and familiar scents.
4. Familiar holiday foods are a nice way to evoke positive memories.
5. If your loved one is in a care facility, extend traditions to other people in the facility. For example, pass out holiday cards or make a traditional dessert to share.

CareToGoTravel.com for Elder Travel Assistance

Saint Louis, MO once the Midwest hub for Trans World Airlines and American Airlines is now reduced to serving very few cities with a non-stop flight.  American now runs several flights to their hubs at Chicago, Dallas, and Miami.  Connections can be made to about everywhere in the world from those cities.

Elder travel can be difficult at best and often very confusing.  Now that most destinations for St. Louis senior travel require a connection at a hub, the need for a St. Louis Travel Companion becomes very important.

Care To Go Travel companions, a Phoenix, AZ Home Care and Travel Companion company now provides St. Louis MO Travel Companions for elder travel assistance.

Seniors may choose travel to visit grand kids, attend family reunions or weddings, vacations, or move to a new city.  Whatever the need, St. Louis Travel Companions can make the trip easy and safe for Senior travel.

Travel Companions for Senior Travel and St. Louis Elder Travel Assistance can be found at www.CareToGoTravel.com

Holiday travel can be stressful for anyone, especially Seniors.  Elder Travel can be accomplished easily and safely with the assistance of Care To Go Travel Companions serving Phoenix, Scottsdale and the East Valley.  Care To Go Travel Companions also available from California and St. Louis.

Phoenix home care caregivers from Care To Go can be reached at 800-818-0407 or on the web at www.Care-To-Go.com

Planning by caregivers can avoid holiday stress

Phoenix home care caregivers from Care To Go can be reached at 800-818-0407 or on the web at www.Care-To-Go.com

Travel Companions for Senior Travel and Phoenix Elder Travel Assistance can be found at www.CareToGoTravel.com

Published: Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 4:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 2:13 a.m.

The holidays are times for family gatherings and happy memories, but for families caring for persons with memory impairment, the holidays may be filled with stress and frustration. To assist families and persons coping with Alzheimer’s during the holidays, the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association developed 10 Holiday Survival Tips.

If you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at home, host a quiet gathering. Television, conversation and meal preparation may make the environment noisy or over-stimulating. To avoid disorientation, tone down blinking lights and large decorative displays. Avoid candles and decorations such as artificial fruits that could be mistaken for edible treats.

Involve the person with the disease in holiday preparations to the extent they are comfortable. Open holiday cards and wrap gifts together.

Caregivers also must consider their needs. Bake fewer cookies or ask others to help with meals. Let family members and friends help with cleaning and shopping for gifts. Ask a close friend to stay with your loved one while you do something fun.

You can’t control the progress of Alzheimer’s, but by planning and setting firm boundaries, you can avoid needless holiday stress and enjoy the warmth of the season.

For the complete article of the 10 Holiday Survival Tips developed by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www.alz.org/FlGulfCoast or call 1-800-772-8672.

Phoenix home care caregiver series Holiday Stress continues on next post

Caregivers from Phoenix and Scottsdale home care watch for Holiday Anxiety

The Holiday season can bring extra anxiety to seniors in situations involving illness or loneliness.

Caregivers from Care To Go providing phoenix home care and travel companions watch for signs of extra holiday stress.

Holiday travel can be a source for extra anxiety too. The use of a Travel Companion can ease the stress of holiday elder travel. Travel Companions can assist with senior travel to help with everything from packing, getting to the airport, handling the flight and arrival at the destination easily and safely.

What’s Your Anxiety Level For Cancer?

During a stressful illness such as cancer, caregivers often become anxious. They may be afraid of what the future will bring, worry about their loved one’s illness, and worry about their own ability to handle all the tasks of caregiving. These are normal reactions that may last from a few days to a few weeks. But a more intense anxiety, beyond ordinary worry, can develop over time and keep people from doing things that are important to them.

Did you know anxiety can be managed and treated so people enjoy life again? Below are some of the symptoms of serious anxiety.

• You tire easily, yet have trouble sleeping 
• Your body is constantly tense 
• You have racing thoughts. 
• You are unable to control how much time you spend worrying 
• You have frequent aches and pains that can’t be traced to physical illness 
• You are irritable most of the time 
• You have had angry outbursts that are unusual for you 
• You find yourself trembling or shaking 
• You have noticed a racing heart, dry mouth, excess sweating, or being short of breath 
• You feel the worst will happen (even though no one has told you that)

Some worries are normal for people who are taking care of loved ones with cancer, and sometimes people will have 1 or 2 of the symptoms for a short time after starting to care for a loved one. You may want to talk with friends, family or a doctor about these concerns. Some people find that it helps to get more information about managing caregivers’ responsibilities, including how to talk about cancer, and how to find a support group.

However, it is important to see a doctor if your anxious feelings are strong, if you have fearful thoughts, or if you can’t accomplish your ordinary, daily activities. Another sign you may need help is when your anxiety lasts for more than two weeks. If you have any of the above symptoms, we encourage you to print out this checklist and talk it over with a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other professional on your cancer care team.

Contact Care To Go travel companions at 800-818-0407

Disabled Traveler Accessible Travel

This horror story was reported by a business man who asked to remain anonymous but wants to express his concern of the frightening truth about unpracticed laws and unscrupulous people.

After an unexpected accident a successful businessman was forced to dawn crutches for a short period while his injury healed. This injury so effected his ambulatory ability he was subject to the use of a wheelchair while navigating large public dwellings.

Traveler X as we’ll call him states he was asked by airport security to step aside while a handful of able bodied passengers where shuffled through the security process in order to speed things along. This seemed almost understandable for the first two passengers escorted through security. The issue arose when the 5th then 8th passenger was paraded through the detector.

Finally Traveler X was asked to step up and practically disrobe while funneling his travel-ons through the conveyor. Once through he was asked to quickly pick up his belongings, which by this time had been pilfered through like rummage, and proceed to his destination.

When Traveler X informed the security teem of his concern for there treatment of his belongings, they quickly retaliated by expressing their dismay at his lack of consideration for their efforts.

Traveler X boarded the plane and completed his journey…only to find himself in a worse scenario a few weeks later. After missing a connecting flight our temporarily less able business man found himself sitting in a strange airport with no wheelchair assistance, no one available and it appeared no hope of ever receiving any service.

By a stroke of luck there was a flight attendant exiting the plane after performing whatever closing procedures they conduct.

The attendant was an angel, the only light in this experience. She asked if she could be of any assistance and promptly contacted the facilities wheelchair assistance department.

A wheelchair attendant delivered mobility assistance, baggage was received and business was attended. Stories like this are common although not to the point of epidemic proportion. I believe this  in-part to there being an abundance of good in this world  despite its obvious flaws. A Travel Companion and traveling caregiver who is skilled in home care as well as travel situations can make all the difference.

The Issues Before Us Aren’t Difficult to Grasp…

Compassion maybe the first step.  Some seem to lack empathy for situations they may be unfamiliar with. This is natural which is why the Disability Discrimination Act is in-place.

The legislations main goal is to protect everyone and provide proficient service for the less able in public dwellings and communal surroundings. It does this by firmly stating basic guidelines for assisting the less able while in or near any public establishment.

Specific conditions are covered by law i.e. Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Cancer, HIV just to name a few. The link above leading to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) will provide details.

Overall equality for the less able is what the Act shoots fore. Unfortunately at times it falls short. Not necessarily due to any fault of its own but more due to the responsibility of the factions controlling its’ execution.

Those Responsible For Making Things Happen, Need Someone to Make Them Make Things Happen

In many cases that someone will be YOU! You will need to take hold of your particular situation. Apply your best decorum and persuade those in question to first acknowledged you, then assist you. This is an unfortunate truth and warrants attention.

Story after story reminds us that we have a ways to go in bringing awareness to the corporate moguls that additional measures may need to be taken in assuring pleasant travel experiences for all.

Eric Lipp founder of the Open Doors Organization believes the airlines know exactly what needs to be done  but simply are unwilling to shell out the cash to bring airport and airline accessibility to a peak!

Eric has Von Hippel Lindau, a condition that has led to his ambulatory disability. Needles to say Eric is to familiar with the obstacles plaguing the less able. Eric non-profit organization (ODO) is dedicated to bringing awareness to the door step of corporate America. Eric peaks at national conventions such as the National Restaurant Association Hotel-Motel Restaurant Show and the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality World Congress. Eric is the recipient of the 2003 Access to Freedom award given by travel agents from around the world. Eric’s’ commitment is unprecedented as an advocate for the less able.

Consistent Lack of Monitoring, Poor Internal Management, Less Than Perfect Contractors and Poor People Skills Seem to Be the Overwhelming Norm In Reported Disability Discrimination Cases

The problem will continue until the moral standards of society has stepped up a notch. None of the conflicts, misunderstandings, bouts of confusion or blatant lack of concern will cease until individuals directly involved, from the wheelchair attendant to the CEO of the airlines takes ownership of the situation and lays down the law.

There are Several Pre-Trip Procedures You Can Implement to Aid In a Smooth Boarding and Flawless Arrival

1. Know Your Rights!
2. Contact travel agent familiar with needs of less able.
3. Book hotels and accommodations before arrival.
4. Confirm with agent or for yourself that accommodations are accessible and friendly.
5. Always, Always Arrive at Departure Destination Early!
6. Pre-arrange for DME storage arrangements with travel agent or airline.
7. Familiarize yourself with location of hospitals and police stations for longer trips.
8. One very important aspect of creating a DREAM vacation or getaway is making sure you choose a destination established as disabled friendly. If you are aware that your destination may not comply with all DDA regulations then be warned and travel at own risk.

Now that all is out in the open and eye brows have been raised, there is a lighter side to speak of. The number of reported disability discrimination cases  even-though high is not out of control and with help from disabled travelers such as yourself we can be sure that our voices won’t go unheard. Hopefully we can bring enough attention to the situation people within the system will improve the system.