How You As a Caregiver Can Impact Patients With Parkinson’s Disease

Being a caregiver is no easy task. Your overall health and state of mind both play a role in providing proper care for those that you love. Remember, you need to take care of yourself at the same time, as they will become more dependent on you throughout the course of the disease.

We at A-1 Home Care Agency understand the reality of Parkinson’s Disease. It isn’t enough that you have to witness a loved one endure the overwhelming nature of the disease, but you’ll also need to provide both care and support day-in and day-out.

With a diverse cast of seasoned multi-lingual caregivers at your disposal, A-1 Home Care Agency has built up its reputation as one of the leading home care providers due to their affordability, versatility, and overall service quality.

Building a Relationship

As a caregiver, you’ll undoubtedly run into moments where frustration can boil over. On the other hand, you’ll also feel sad, angry, and overwhelmed. It’s important that you do not become discouraged as most caregivers are feeling a similar range of emotions. Furthermore, these feelings are normal and are nothing to be ashamed of. Not only are you providing care, but you’re also a part of a relationship that requires patience, understanding, and empathy

Knowledge is Power

Bettering yourself as a caregiver requires you to stay organized. Keeping records of your patient’s doctor visits, medications, symptoms, and upcoming appointments will allow you to be more flexible and confident in your caregiving ability – which in turn makes the experience more beneficial and efficient.

Understand Parkinson’s Disease

Prior to taking on patient that suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, it’s crucial that you gather as much information that you can so you can serve your patient and help him or her plan for the future. Additionally, with enough information on hand, you’ll be able to observe and share any symptoms such as mood/anxiety concerns, motor function concerns or speech issues that the family has not noticed or may not have mentioned.

Nothing beats open and honest communication. It can make a substantial difference in anyone’s lives; and in the case of those living with Parkinson’s Disease, it could mean the world to him them.

Do you have a loved one suffering from Parkinson’s Disease? Contact A-1 Home Care Agency at our Santa Fe Springs Office (562) 929-8400 or our Newport Beach Office (949) 650-3800.

A-1 Home Care Agency is Licensed, Insured, and Bonded.

The Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Learning a second language can be difficult. In fact, most people will associate it with it being too “difficult” for adults to grasp a hold of, let alone seniors.

It is all a myth, however, because studies have shown that picking up another language is good for seniors. Although the website, Our Parents, says that children are able to adapt quicker to a second language due to fewer distractions such as not working or having bills to pay, adults have a stronger sense of grammar, syntax, and pronunciation. In addition, learning a second language as a senior is said to be a “better” idea because as we get older, our cognitive ability decreases. But studies have shown that learning a second language will help decrease the chances, or at least the brain thinking quickly and making decisions.

Some other perks of learning a second language are not only boosting the brain power, but making one being able to multi-task; improved memory; stalled dementia and Alzheimer’s; and improving the first spoken language (Examined Existence, 2015).

A-1 Home Care is flexible when it comes to the care of our senior patients. With our twenty-four service, our caregivers can also assist their patients with hobbies such as reading or studying another language. Our agency is all about support and building a lifelong trust and bond with our senior patients. If you would like to hear more about our services, then be sure to call at (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400. You can also visit our website at www.losangelesinhomecareservice.wordpress.com.

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Upcoming 2017 Summer Concerts

We can all use a break every now and then and with summer just ticking closer our way, there are more upcoming events that should not be missed. However, with both doctor’s as well as our caregiver’s approval, a great outing for our seniors would be a concert. Get out and have some fun. Nowadays, there are fortunately more ways and options for seniors and disables to be able to attend a show and sit through it without a problem. It just depends on one’s condition, if it is more serious than most.

The city of stars and dreams, Los Angeles has at least hundreds of shows that are occurring this summer, whether at the Forum, Greek, or Staples Center, and more. Music is an escape for many people and studies have showed that it reduces both stress and anxiety. Here is a list of some of the concerts that are occurring this summer (Eventful, 2017):

• Shinedown

• The New Pornographers with Waxahatchee

• An Evening In Conversation with Yanni at his Piano

• Snoop Dogg

• Lil Wayne – Kloser 2 U Tour

• OneRepublic & James Arthur

• Neil Diamond

• Justin Bieber

• John Mayer

• Bruno Mars

A-1 Home Care services both Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino, and the Island Empire communities. If you would like more information about our Los Angeles In-home caregivers, please give us a call at (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400 or visit our website at www.lacanadainhomecare.wordpress.com.

Santa Fe Springs headquarters website: www.a-1homecare.comwww.a-1homecare.com.

Why Music Therapy Works for Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

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24 hour care, a-1 home care, alzheimer's caregiver, alzheimers, caregiver, dementia, dementia caregiver, elder care, homecare, in home care, in-home care, la county senior care, live in home care, live-in care, los angeles, music therapy, music therapy alzheimer's dementia, senior care

Can music therapy be a healthy substitute for medication when treating Alzheimer’s?  Research suggests that it serves as an effective remedy for reducing depression, diminishing agitation, increasing sociability, improving cognitive ability, and decreasing problem behaviors, according to the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function.  One certified music therapist, Concetta Tomaino, DA, tested music therapy on one of her clients.  She sang an old Yiddish song to an elderly gentleman and said, “You could tell by his face that he was watching.  Whenever I got a chance, I played a song this song to him and sang to him.  Within a month of doing this, he was making an attempt to speak, and he eventually started singing the song himself.  He also started talking again.  He continued talking and lived for many years after that.”

Why Music Therapy Works

Though scientists are still grasping to understand the connection between the brain and music, there is no doubt that music therapy abounds in positive effects on seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia.  Here’s why it works:

• Music is processed in almost every part of the brain
• Music carries a strong connection to personal significance or historical events
• Scientists discovered a strong link between the auditory cortex and limbic system where emotions are processed
• The limbic system triggers long-term memories associated with the song
• Emotions evoke desire to sing along. The more effort the senior puts into singing, the better he gets at regaining his speech
• Dancing with your elderly loved one allows you to connect with the person you once knew before Alzheimer’s took over

Music Therapy in the Comfort of Your Home

Consistency is the key to restoring your elderly loved one’s cognitive abilities to 100% capacity.  A-1 Home Care in LA County will help you by providing high quality 24-hour Alzheimer’s Care for seven days a week, 365 days a year.  Our traveling companions can accompany your loved ones on trips for the holidays or simply stay at home and apply evidence-based practices to assist your elderly loved ones.  Our live-in caregivers will sing for and dance with your loved ones, enhancing the quality of their lives while diminishing symptoms of Alzheimer’s!  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care will protect your loved ones from scam artists, fraud, theft and predators.

For high quality and affordable Alzheimer’s Care, call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu, Beverly Hills and surrounding cities in LA County.

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5 Tips You Should Know if You Want to Be a Better Caregiver

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24 hour care, 24 hour senior care, caregiver agencies, caregiver assistance, elder care, elderly, in home care, in home elder care, in home senior care, la county home care, los angeles home care, self care, senior care, tips to be better caregiver

Numerous family members are thrust into the role of caregiving in the face of sudden crisis, such as an elderly loved one having an unexpected fall or an unforeseen visit to the ER because a loved one had a heart attack.  When the hospital is getting ready to discharge a patient, they often won’t release the patient unless they know that someone is going to be home 24 hours a day to ensure that the patient receives adequate attention and assistance.

Without much former training in the medical field, many family members enter the role of caregiving blindly.  According to Dr. Barry J. Jacobs, licensed psychologist and author of The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers, blindly accepting the role of caregiving “is akin to the misguided runner in crocs and jeans with no clue about how far they have to travel.”

Regardless of how long you’ve been caring for your elderly loved one, whether you started today or you’ve been a caregiver for over five years, A-1 Home Care lists some helpful tips for you:

1.  Be good to yourself.  Acknowledge the contributions you have made toward your elderly loved one’s well-being and recognize yourself as the outstanding citizen and responsible, loving son or daughter that you are.

2  Make time for activities you enjoy.  Whether it’s 30 minutes a day watching a sitcom on your smart phone or listening to relaxing music for 15 minutes a day, do something that will lighten up your day.

3.  Find a respite caregiver.  Can’t find the time to get away?  Find some respite care relief from A-1 Home Care.  We will provide 24 hour care for your loved one while you take a few days off just for yourself.

4. Open yourself up to a supportive relative or friend.  Surround yourself with people who will also acknowledge your efforts and reinforce the positive difference you are making in your elderly loved one’s life.  Let them into your life, your mind and your heart so they can divide the burden with you, even if it’s just emotional burden.

5.  Be willing to accept help.  If a friend, neighbor or relative offers to help, say “yes” and don’t be ashamed to accept help.  It could be something as small as running an errand or picking up a prescription.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency providing high quality senior care and other types of in-home care services, such as Arthritis Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Kidney Care, Diabetes Care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, overnight care, short term and long term care, cancer care and hospice care.  As one of the few state-licensed home care agencies in California, you can rest assured that your loved ones are protected from fraud, theft, scams and predators.  Each 24 hour caregiver we recruit is required to pass an extensive criminal background check, and all professional references are verified.  Our live-in and live-out caregiver services are covered by long term insurance providers like John Hancock, MetLife Insurance and CALPERS.  Ask our care managers about an affordable elder care plan if you are paying out of pocket.

For quality in-home care, call A-1 Home Care today (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for more details.  Post-Surgery Care, Kidney Care, Diabetes Care, and other types of specialized care are available all over Los Angeles County, including Malibu, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, Culver City, Hollywood, and Manhattan Beach.

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Should Caregivers Marry Their Care Recipients? Banton vs. Banton: A Case in Point

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24 hour care, caregiver, elder care, financial predator, licensed bonded insured senior care, licensed home care agency, live in caregiver, live-in care, predators, scam, senior fraud, senior predator

The most vulnerable seniors prone to predators are those who are lonely, depressed, isolated, physically ill and cognitively impaired.  In the case of Banton vs. Banton, an elderly man who was resentful toward his children for placing him in a home fell in love with a woman who was 50 years younger than him.  They met at a residential care facility where the woman was working as a waitress, and she managed to get him to marry her despite his children’s protests.  Do you have an elderly loved one who lives alone?  Has your elderly loved one recently hired a sketchy caregiver who has moved in to take care of your mother?  Does your parent have a new significant other who seems to be much younger than your father?  In this article, A-1 Home Care in Los Angeles will delineate some of the warning signs of a questionable character in your loved one’s home.

Look for Signs of Financial Predators

Is your elderly loved one’s “new friend” simply a Good Samaritan who lives next door, or does he seem to encroach upon your parent’s life which doesn’t seem quite right?  Pay attention to some of these signs:

• The new friend tries to limit your parent’s contact with friends and family
• The new caregiver seems belittling and verbally abusive
• The new significant other shows signs of jealousy, forbidding your parent to talk to other men or women
• The caregiver prevents your elderly loved one from having access to his own financial information
• The new person tries to persuade or force your loved one to sign papers or change a Last Will and Testament

Licensed, Bonded & Insured Live-In Care: Safe for the Whole Family

If you ask any senior, you will get a 99.9% chance of getting a response like, “I prefer to live with my children or grandchildren when and if I become dependent on others for self-care.”  Unless your elderly loved one lives in another state or a few hours away from you, you may want to consider an affordable caregiving option with A-1 Home Care to move your parents in with you so they can feel loved, nurtured and appreciated.  A-1 Home Care is one of the few state-licensed home care agencies in California, offering the state’s highest quality of senior care.  Because we are licensed, bonded and insured, all our caregivers have passed an extensive criminal background check, DMV record check, professional reference verification check and character assessment.  Whether you need to provide senior care in your own home or for your elderly loved ones far away, you can be sure that your loved ones will not end up as a statistic for predators and scams!

For safe, secure and affordable in-home care, call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Malibu, Beverly Hills and surrounding cities in LA County.

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Need Help with Elder Care Planning?

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24 hour care, caregiver, caregiver services, elder care, elder care in la county, elder care planning, la county, live-in care, live-out care, long term care planning, Los Angeles County., los angeles home care, senior care

Elder care planning involves a lot of steps and can be overwhelming if you are planning your loved one’s care all by yourself.  A-1 Home Care’s seasoned advisors will assist you in coming up with a suitable plan for your elderly loved ones based on your budget, availability and level of needs.  Many families find long term care planning helpful because it reduces stress.  It usually involves discussion of your loved one’s preferences: do they want to stay in the comfort of their own home when they get older or do you plan on moving them into a nursing home?  (We guarantee you that every senior will vote for compassionate, skilled in-home care in the presence of their family members and friends.)  A-1 Home Care has been helping families in Los Angeles for a quarter of a century.

Factors to Consider in Elder Care Planning

The first thing on your “to-do” list is to call a meeting.  How many people can you gather in one place for an important meeting?  Who should you invite?   Siblings, first cousins, medical professionals, caregivers, expert elder care advisors, neighbors, family friends, and anyone else who could help should be part of the first meeting.  A-1 Home Care can send someone to attend your family meeting and offer input about what your elderly loved one may need when in-home care services will be required.  A monthly assessment from one of A-1 Home Care’s geriatric care managers can be especially helpful to you and your family as you chart the progress of your elderly loved one’s condition.  An experienced caregiver will tell you the signs and symptoms she recognizes in your loved one, and she will recommend the type of care your loved one may need, whether that would be 24 hour care, live-out care, live-in care and specialized care such as ALS Care or other.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care has earned a solid reputation with families in Los Angeles and other cities in LA County.  For a quarter of a century, we still hear from return clients who continually refer their friends and family members because of the satisfaction they get from our caregiver services.  We take senior safety and elder care very seriously; all caregivers are required to pass an extensive criminal background check and are covered by malpractice insurance.  Our geriatric care managers have years of experience under their belt, and they can make great recommendations for your elderly loved ones in collaboration with your parents’ health care team.

For a free consultation, call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit http://www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, Hollywood, Pasadena, Altadena, Burbank, and other cities throughout LA County. 

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Caregiving In Los Angeles Includes Online User Mentorship Programs

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24 hour care, caregiver, caregiving, elder care, home care, hourly in-home care, in home care, los angeles, Orange County

If your elder in the home is brand new to internet use, then it’s important to understand the fullness of what he/she is getting into.

At A-1 Home Care in Los Angeles, we offer compassionate caregiving professionals who are experienced in navigating the online world, bringing helping hands and a golden heart to seniors in the home who are just beginning to learn firsthand about their desktop or PC.

A-1 Home Care’s round-the-clock 24 hour care services have helped elders from all walks of life, including Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European, to enjoy the most exceptional in-home care found anywhere in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas.

A-1 Home Care provides additional caregiver services in the home that include:

• assistance with household chores like dusting, vacuuming, dish-washing, laundry, mopping, taking out the trash, and bed-making
• assistance with yard work and gardening tasks like watering plants, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves
• assistance with personal services like bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting
• transportation to and from medical appointments and other existing engagements
• delicious and nutritious meal preparation
• wake-up and tuck-in services
• errand running like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• medication reminders and administration assistance
• “brain games” and other cognition improving activities
• enjoyable conversation and companionship
• special needs care for physical handicaps and other disabilities
• child care
• pet care

Every elder care expert at A-1 Home Care is gun-ho about protecting new internet users from money fraud, identity theft, false dating proposals, and other common predatorial attacks employed by individuals who lurk for the most inexperienced users. After all, A-1 Home Care is dedicated to senior safety both in the home– and online!

You can discover more about the hourly in-home care options at A-1 Home Care by dialing (310) 650-3800 or (562) 929-8400 today. A-1 Home Care also provides care to surrounding communities in Downey, Burbank, Encino, Glendale, and Hollywood.

Exceptional Kidney Disease Care Options Relieve Elders In LA

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After surgery care, caregiver, caregiving, home care, in home care, kidney disease care, los angeles, Orange County

Do your loved one’s kidneys require additional care in the home– and you’re ready to invest in the best home care options in Southern California going forward?

At A-1 Home Care in Los Angeles and Orange County, our specialized kidney disease care experts extend helping hands and a golden heart to each and every elder they have the pleasure of working with, regardless of how bad their kidney disease has become.

Each senior care specialist on staff offers a variety of home health services to people from all walks of life, including Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European. Some of these leading in-home services include:

• assistance with household tasks like dusting, vacuuming, dish-washing, laundry, mopping, taking out the trash, and bed-making
• assistance with yard work and gardening duties like watering plants, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves
• assistance with personal services like bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting
• wake-up and tuck-in services
• transportation to and from medical appointments, renal dialysis treatments, and other existing engagements
• delicious and nutritious meal preparation that’s always kidney-friendly
• running errands like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• medication reminders and administration assistance
• enjoyable conversation and companionship
• special needs care

A-1 Home Care also offers in-home care solutions such as after surgery care for people who have been temporarily displaced in a medical setting following an injury or invasive medical procedure as well as postpartum care for recent moms with infants in the home. Fully Licensed, Bonded, and Insured, A-1 Home Care has stood alone as the caregiver agency trusted most for the past quarter century and counting already– with many years to come still on the horizon.

Learn more about A-1 Home Care by calling a compassionate caregiver at (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400 today. A-1 Home Care is proud to service neighboring communities in Downey, Palos Verdes, Pico Rivera, Hollywood, and Long Beach.

Hip Replacement Caregiving Enables Elders In LA Homes

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24 hour care, arthritis care, caregiver, caregiving, diabetic care, home care, hospice care, hourly in-home care, los angeles, Orange County

Do you have an elder in the home who has recently had a hip replacement, and would benefit from the leading home care services in all of LA?

At A-1 Home Care in Los Angeles and Orange County, we provide always affordable and daily diverse caregiver services for people of all ages, including infants and seniors alike. Each specialized caregiver on staff also serves people from all walks of life, including Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European.

A-1 Home Care provides elders with recent hip replacements specific in-home caregiving services like:

• assistance with household tasks like dusting, vacuuming, dish-washing, laundry, mopping, taking out the trash, and bed-making
• assistance with yard work and gardening duties like watering plants, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves
• assistance with mobility and gentle hip care in the home
• assistance with personal services like bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting
• wake-up and tuck-in services
• transportation to and from medical appointments and other existing engagements
• delicious and nutritious meal preparation
• running errands like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• medication reminders and administration assistance
• enjoyable conversation and companionship
• special needs care
• child care
• pet care

A-1 Home Care also provides specialized care that involves hospice care for the terminally ill, diabetic care for individuals with high blood sugar, arthritis care for elders with brittle bones and sore joints, and much more. It’s this dedication to only bringing the best 24 hour care services available anywhere in Southern California that has allowed A-1 Home Care to remain at the top of caregiving for the past quarter century and counting already.

You can learn more out more about the long-lasting hourly in-home care solutions available at A-1 Home Care when you pick up the phone and dial (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400 today. A-1 Home Care also serves adjacent communities in Glendale, Burbank, Beverly Hills, Downey, and Whittier.