Our San Francisco Caregivers allow seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Type 2 diabetes is a common form of the disease that can affect seniors. There is no particular time of onset. Diabetes can affect people of all ages. This is why it is important to be aware of the risk factors associated with Type 2 diabetes. Below is a list that contains risk factors that all seniors should know.

1. If you are over the age of 45, you are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Family history also plays a large role in the risk factor.

2. If you are over-weight, you will be at a risk. Individuals who are not physically active will be at risk. Try to exercise daily and maintain a healthy weight.

3. Females who have had babies weighing more than 9 pounds, or who have had diabetes during a pregnancy will be at a higher risk.

4. High blood pressure is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. If your HDL cholesterol level is below 35 mg/dL, your risk factor is increased.

5. Previous diagnoses of metabolic syndrome and an impaired glucose tolerance both play a role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

6. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and acanthosis can affect Type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with either of these conditions, you will be at a high risk of developing the disease.

Do you have a parent with diabetes? The American Diabetes Association offers these tips on how to help your parent manage their diabetes.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

Home Care San Francisco joins the Social Network of Care one of the most advanced social networking programs in the country. It offers blogs, media exchange, forums, wikis (group-document building) and, of course, groups. Groups can be public or private, open or closed – whatever suits your needs. Each group you establish automatically gains access to all of these tools, embedded for your use. You can use the Social Network of Care for individuals, clients, families, work groups, and more. Or, you can create your own private Social Network of Care area for you and your employees.   Everything on the Social Network of Care platform is completely free. It is also free of any advertising or e-commerce.

Your San Mateo County Network of Care for Seniors & People with Disabilities site also includes:

• Personal Health Records
• A comprehensive, community-based Service Directory
• News from all over the country
• Free Web-site building
• The Network of Care for eLearning – a state-of-the-art Learning Management System.
• Special features such as Fall Prevention, Financial Abuse Prevention, and much more.
• A Call Center application, should you need this advanced software program.

For more information about the Social Network of Care or any Network of Care services, please contact us at any time. Click here to visit your site or check out the Social Network of Care.

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Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

It doesn’t matter from what walk of life we come from; most of us know a family caregiver who is responsible for caring for an older member of their family, and these are people that are not always recognized for their efforts or appreciated.  It’s National Family Caregiver’s month this November, and there is no better  time than now to show caregivers that they’re appreciated, and here’s some ways that you can:

1. Give them a break – offering to provide respite care or hiring someone to step in can allow caregivers to relax or reconnect with friends and family

2. Remind local businesses what this month means – then encourage them to offer freebies or discounts for family caregivers in the area!

3. Lend them a hand with holiday preparations – the holidays can create added responsibility, so help a caregiver decorate for the holidays or put stamps on their cards

4. Get them laughing – go see a funny movie with them, or pick up tickets to a local comedy club. Laugher IS the best medicine!

5. Take over holiday hosting responsibilities – caregivers already have a lot on their plates; host Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another holiday celebration so the caregiver can simply focus on enjoying the company!

6. Sign the petition – there’s a petition to establish a stamp that recognizes family caregivers; sign it in their honor!

7. Create something personal – a personalized gift, like a calendar with family photos, will help them feel like they’re appreciated, and it will help them stay organized

8. Send them a token of appreciation – a bouquet of flowers or a card might not be a big gesture, but it will make caregivers feel appreciated and special

9. Connect them with caregiving resources – free seminars and other events take place to keep caregivers better informed and help them manage stress

10. Lend your support – give them an ear to talk to, or help them find a support group

Via: The Family Caregiver

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

Most grandchildren love visiting their grandparents, but once they get there they find themselves bored stiff because they just don’t share anything in common with seniors when they’re children. Families can be brought together with the following activity ideas, suitable for multiple generations:

1. Take a field trip – take your senior care recipient out on a day trip, and even invite other caregivers and their seniors to come along. Travel to a museum, go see a movie, or visit a nice park. Keep the whole day to 6 hours or less, so it’s not sure long that the seniors still enjoy themselves. A nice day like this can help seniors and their caregivers bond.

2. Throw an intergenerational party – get all generations of family together for a nice meal and a casual day of games that everyone can enjoy. Serve foods that are good for even the pickiest eaters

3. Document family history – when all generations are together, use a tape recorder or create a scrapbook of family history. Let the older generations lead and have the rest of the family add on

4. Get creative – art is a great way to bridge the generational gap. Purchase some simple supplies and create a mural, or do a group craft together suitable for all ages

5. Garden – setting up a garden and getting all the family involved, creates a bonding experience which can be enjoyed over family meals when the fresh garden produce is cooked and consumed!

Via: Suite101

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Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

You can feel out of control during your elder years, as the status of your health and cognitive functions can change without notice and you experience loss around you. Here are some simple ways that you can regain that control, and make a difference in your life that will increase your appreciation and enjoyment of life.

1. Take a class – learning lasts a lifetime, so take advantage of the opportunities that you have in front of you in older adulthood. Take a college extension class or see what classes are offered at a local community center. You can take anything that interests you, whether it’s active, crafty or intellectual

2. Be social and seek support – don’t withdrawal from social activities like so many seniors have the tendency to do; no matter what’s going on in your life stay in touch with friends and family members with social activities, and get support from groups with any issues you’re dealing with

3. Live and laugh – they say laughter is the best medicine for a good reason, make sure that you do things that you enjoy that make you laugh and smile. Laughter is a great way to cope with grief, overcome stress, and gain a better appreciation of life!

4. Safety first – take the opportunity to look at how you can improve your safety so an accident doesn’t put a damper on your chosen lifestyle. Should you still be driving? Can you avoid busy driving periods or roads? Are there improvements you can make to your house? Are you aware of common frauds targeting seniors, and do you know how to protect yourself from them?

Via: Associated Content

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

When dealing with the emotional effects of watching someone you love undergo changes that come with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it can be easier to limit interaction to no more than the basic care needs you provide. But don’t forget that your loved one deserves enjoyment in their lives too, so try some of these fun activities that they’re sure to enjoy:

1. Reintroduce old favorites – reintroducing seniors to games and activities that they once enjoyed can activate old memories and nostalgia, and they are generally enjoyable. Try tic tac toe, checkers, cards, or large piece jigsaw puzzles.

2. Bond over magazines – looking through magazines like Reminisce or Good Old Days are a great way to share stories; or simply pick up any publication a senior enjoys  for an entertaining way to pass the time and create conversation

3. Reminisce with photos – get out the family photo albums to remind seniors of cherished memories or family members. This is also a great way to start sharing stories and memories of great times with loved ones

4. Get online – for a senior who loves to learn, get online and browse travel destinations, look up information about activities or facts that interest the senior, or simply use it to look at pictures. If your senior is feeling really adventurous, you can even get them signed up on Facebook or Twitter

5. Share a treat – a great activity can be as simple as going to a local bakery or ice cream shop to bond over a sweet treat. Or, it can be made at home and enjoyed there

6. Get outside – don’t underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine for a senior, get out there!

Via: Suite101

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Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

I work in a geriatric clinic in San Francisco where we see many seniors suffering from the later stages of Multiple Sclerosis. Mobility can be compromised due to problems with balance and muscular pain, and many seniors have increased sensitivity to heat. With these factors present, it can be hard for seniors to begin and stick to an exercise program; and many families and caregivers want to know how they can ensure that their loved ones remain active, while being safe.

In order to ensure that my patients have safe physical experiences, I send the families home with the following checklist to ensure that their routines make sure that health and safety always remains the top priority. When seniors with MS do use these methods, they can help to improve their overall physical condition, even with the disease present.

• Anytime you feel pain, overexertion or feel physically sick you take a break to rest, and if the feelings continue, you consult a medical professional

• You avoid exercising outside or in the heat of the day, especially if you are sensitive to hot temperatures

• You have built up your endurance by starting with 5 or 10 minute exercise periods at a time, until you are comfortable enough to exercise for 30 minutes

• You exercise near a grab rail or other safety support to assist with balance

• You exercise in a safe area where there are no tripping hazards
Image Source: HomeInstead.com

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

In many communities, there are programs that encourage seniors to get together and walk the malls. It’s a safe way for seniors to exercise in an indoor environment while socializing with their peers. If there is no large mall with a mall walking program near your home in San Francisco you can make your own, but keep the following tips in mind when mall walking:

1. Don’t walk alone – part of the fun of mall walking is to socialize, so bring a walking buddy; either a family member or friend, but make sure that they’re at your fitness level so you can keep the same pace and get the exercise benefits

2. Window shop – since you’re already in the mall, scope things out. You’ll spot stores that are having sales or other great bargains as you pass by the shops

3. Take motivational music – take your MP3 player with a compilation of music that motivates you to walk and push yourself to get the best fitness benefits

4. Make plans – having plans for after mall walking will help to motivate you. Make it a regular date to go for coffee with friends, or hang around to shop at the mall

5. Set incentives – organized mall walking programs may have prizes if you meet certain goals, but even when walking independently you can set your own goals, meet them, and then set some more!

6. Take in your surroundings – walking in the mall you can take in the décor, especially coming up to holidays and people watch

7. Clear your head – when exercising, there’s no better time to clear you head and make positive plans. Don’t allow your worries to plague your mind

8. Play games – when walking with a buddy, play games based on what you see around you. Try Eye Spy or other fun games based on signs and other things in the surroundings

9. Reward yourself – reward yourself after completing a mall walking session, it will help you want to come back and do it again and again!

Via: Grand Times

Image: lmrdevin7.blogspot.com

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

Does an older adult in your life have a San Francisco caregiver come into his/her home to help with day-to-day tasks so they can get through the day in safety and comfort? You might not know much about the background of your caregiver sent from Home Instead Senior Care, so here are a few details to help you feel even more confident about your choice.

Home Instead Senior Care looks for specific traits in each of their caregivers, and even in their administrative staff so that teamwork and a healthy work environment is promoted.

The traits of  Home Instead Senior Caregivers:

• Dependability - work history and employment reference checks are completed for all staff members
• Honesty - drug test and background checks are completed by HISC
• Experience – personal or professional experience in the senior care industry or dealing with senior citizens is considered
• Compassion – a sense of compassion for giving seniors a better quality of life is looked for during the interview process
• Motivation – someone who is motivated in everything they do is better suited to ensuring that seniors are provided the highest quality of care

HISC also has a Caregiver Leadership Training Program that focuses on creating a fantastic caregiver experience by focusing on the following elements:

• Treating CAREGivers with dignity and respect
• Nurturing positive relationships
• Showing appreciation
• Humanizing and professionalizing the caregiving journey
• Connecting CAREGivers to Home Instead, its mission and other CAREGivers
• Dealing with issues openly and honestly.

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.

Caring for an elderly parent or loved one can be incredibly stressful. Although it’s rewarding, it’s caregivers who are responsible for the day-to-day activities of a senior, while all the time being a witness to the changes that someone they love is undergoing. The physical and emotional burden of caregiving can really take a toll on caregivers, so the last thing that they need is to struggle to find resources that can help them and their loved ones leave more satisfying lives. Here are 3 ways seniors can access San Francisco senior resources:

1. Find out what local eldercare services are available in your area – contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 so you know what’s available near your loved one’s San Francisco home and how you can get in touch to arrange services.
2. Know which services your senior qualifies for – NCOA has developed an online questionnaire which allows caregivers and seniors to take a survey that helps them determine which services and benefits that they may qualify for. Visit www.benefitscheckup.org to learn about eligible benefit programs for prescriptions, utilities and health care.
3. Understand seniors rights and know how to get assistance – whether you are helping a parent or senior loved one prepare a will, dealing with a situation where a senior has been abused or neglected, or simply want a professional to help explain the legal rights of seniors, knowing where and how to get legal assistance is crucial. Many organizations provide pro bono legal representation for seniors. Contact the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging or use the Eldercare Locator to find other resources.

Via: The University of Vermont

Image: pro.corbis.com

Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.