Caregiver Connection

The ability to prepare food is one of life's most basic activities, and can be a wonderful hobby for improving the home health of seniors. Cooking is a rewarding activity that doesn't require much physical exertion and a great way for seniors to maintain a sense of independence.    

As parents and loved ones grow older, most people are prepared to see some changes, but these changes can still come as a surprise and a challenge. Parkinson's Disease is a degenerative nervous system disorder that impairs movement and cognitive function, making everyday life more difficult. The symptoms often show up gradually, worsening with time. Common characteristics include physical tremors,...

Spine disorders are caused by several factors. Ankylosing spondylitis is the result of progressive arthritis that causes inflammation of the spine and the joints of the spine and pelvis. Degenerative disk disease is caused by wear and tear on the discs between the vertebrae of the spine, which act as shock absorbers. Spinal fractures are caused by trauma, too much pressure on the vertebrae, or dis...

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder that help in movement while making it strong and stable. Due to wear and tear, the rotator cuff weakens and this may lead to related conditions like impingement, tendonitis and rotator cuff tears. Everyone can suffer these ailments not only while playing sports or any intense physical activity but also your normal, everyday chores...

At Best Care, we believe that everyone deserves the best care that aligns with their wants and needs. That could change over time, meaning you could need to change caregivers. If you've been working with a caregiver for a while, it might seem difficult to change your current situation. However, there's no reason for it to be any more stressful than it needs to be. So here's a guide to changing car...

Sure, it will help you relax. But massage therapy can do much more than that, especially for extended home care clients experiencing common complications associated with growing older. With the rise in the number of Baby Boomers, massage therapists are developing techniques for a new group: the PCA program clients of premier home care agencies like Best Home Care. Massage therapy no longer carries...

There are many benefits of receiving homecare services. You get to enjoy the comfort of your own home while receiving quality support to perform daily tasks from a loved one or experienced PCA (personal care assistant). But how does the process of getting started with PCA services begin? In this podcast, we'd like to provide a few simple steps on how to start receiving home healthcare services in...

Providing home care to a parent or grandparent is often a full-time job. In addition to you helping your loved one perform daily tasks and feel more independent, you also want to ensure he or she is eating well and making better decisions when it comes to daily health and nutrition. In fact, one major health concern that seniors experience is weight gain. Losing weight gets harder with age, as our...

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited muscle disorders in which there is skeletal muscle weakness and muscle tissue loss. The cause can be a mutation of a protein which is responsible for muscle strength or some other reasons such as nutritional defects during pregnancy. MD is passed down and can run in families but some types develop out of the blue without any family history. The diagn...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of developmental disorder which affects between 8-12 percent of children. It is characterized by behavioral problems such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a subtype of ADHD and lacks the hyperactive or impulsive features of ADHD. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educat...

Family caregivers juggle multiple responsibilities, and one of these tasks is often handling grocery shopping for home care recipients. With inflation and soaring food costs, it's become even more important to navigate buying groceries on a budget while ensuring nutritional value and affordability.  *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substit...

The ability to drive is significant, offering independence and freedom. But what happens when dementia begins to cloud the mind of someone we love? As we spend time with aging loved ones, we might observe subtle shifts in their cognitive function. This decline can change many things, including their ability to drive safely. The question is hard to address but is essential for the safety of all:  W...

Taking care of loved ones at home takes immense love and dedication. It allows those we care about to stay in a familiar environment while receiving the support they need. We often hear terms like Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), Family Caregivers, Companions, and Home Health Aides, but what exactly do each of these roles entail? It's important to understand the distinctions between home care work...

When we consider protecting our health during winter, we often think about outdoor threats, like cold temperatures and icy sidewalks. However, the air inside our homes can also pose challenges, especially if that air is dry. Can dry air cause a sore throat? Can dry air make you sick? Indeed, dry air can lead to several issues affecting our well-being, from respiratory discomforts to skin issues! *...

Spina bifida is a complex condition that affects every individual differently.  According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons : "Spina bifida is the most common, permanently disabling birth defect. The Spina Bifida Association conservatively estimates that 70,000 people live in the United States with the condition." *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational...

Some terms are often used interchangeably when describing the roles and responsibilities of people who provide in-home care. Today, we'll cover the differences between a homemaker and a Personal Care Assistant (PCA). Though both play pivotal roles in ensuring the well-being of those they care about, their responsibilities and required skills vary. In this post, we'll look closer at these vital rol...

Although Alzheimer's disease is a common condition for most families, dealing with a loved one's diagnosis can still cause uncertainty, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of the disease, meaning the symptoms begin after the age of 60, although early-onset Alzheimer's can occasionally occur at an earlier age. Since the condition is mor...

Lead poisoning is a serious medical condition that causes a growing concern about environmental pollution and occupational safety measures. Lead is a heavy metal that does not perform any useful function within the human body, but it causes a variety of harmful effects. Old water pipes, car battery factories, certain types of paint and other industrial materials are sources of household and enviro...

Anxiety disorders affect 40 million Americans, with cases ranging from mild to severe, all playing a role in how you function in society. Examples of anxiety disorders include panic disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and specific phobias. Anxiety disorders can lead to physical illnesses, including headaches, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, and...

Seniors are often faced with the prospect of living alone. Their children have moved out and are raising their own families. Aside from the psychological effect of having been left behind by loved ones, they also struggle to cope with running errands and activities of daily living. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional m...

Quadriplegia involves paralysis in all four limbs. Typically caused by a spinal cord injury, this condition leaves individuals needing to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. Performing everyday activities can be frustrating, tiring and depressing. In-Home care services for people with this condition can make life easier in a variety of ways. Good caregivers will develop a family-like...

Walking is one of the most straightforward exercises for seniors. Unlike other forms of exercise, it does not require expensive and bulky equipment or a lot of effort, so seniors who are wary of physical activity need not worry so much about starting (or failing) an exercise regimen. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional...

Home care for a person suffering from delusional disorder is a complex task due to the nature of the condition. Delusional disorder is a mental problem in which a person experiences non-bizarre delusions that are persistent and negatively affect interactions with other people in their daily lives. A delusion is a false belief that cannot be effectively challenged in spite of superior evidence. Unl...

Perhaps you have missed taking a pill or multivitamin for some reason. However, older people are particularly notorious for not sticking to their medication schedules. After all, they take more drugs than any other age group. A ccording to Harvard Medical School, as much as 75 percent of the elderly population in the United States are non-compliant. *The content on this podcast is for informationa...

Bipolar disorder affects everyone slightly differently. With the right healthcare considerations, medications, and lifestyle changes, many people with bipolar disorder can manage to live successfully and independently. For some people, however, seeking home care services is a helpful step that helps keep their lives on track and running smoothly. Personal care services for individuals with bipolar...