How to cope with the holidays

The holidays are not always a time of cheer and joy. Often, the holidays are the days in which most people will avoid due to the absence of a loved one or ones.

Our in-home care agency, A-1 Home Care, has worked with many senior patients who have a hard time getting through the holidays. It is our duty to make sure that our seniors are comfortable when it comes to the holidays, both physically and mentally. Often, our seniors’ loved ones come down to their home to spend some quality time.

Your loved one should not dread the holidays, or the holiday itself when it finally arrives. Here are some tips to cope with the holidays, coping with depression and stress, something that you can go through with your loved one as well if further assistance is needed (Mayo Clinic, 2014):

1. Make plans ahead of time – understand that putting something off will only delay time. Make plans for the holidays. Your loved one deserves to be around loved ones.
2. Acknowledge your feelings – it is okay to be sad or angry.
3. Reach out – send a text, call, or ask someone to keep you company. Talk it out.
4. Bake.
5. Color.
6. Say “no,” if something seems too overwhelming.
7. Take a deep breath.

If you would like to hear further of our in-home and twenty-four hour services, including companion care, then do not hesitate to give our Malibu branch 310-657-8780 or our Santa Fe Springs headquarters 562-929-8400 a call.

 

 

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Breast Cancer Symptoms for Women in Malibu

Every October, we see this hanging around on almost every board, door, fence, wall, and more–

Breast Cancer is one of the top cancers that affects millions of women, and even men too, each year. Although, it is treatable with radiation and chemotherapy, a majority of people are rediagnosed with it a second or multiple times, until it hits Stage Four Cancer.

Women over the age of forty are encouraged by their doctors to get a breast examination (mammogram) each year to detect any potential signs of breast cancer, which anyone can get, including many women in their twenties.

A-1 Home Care continues to work with many seniors who have battled, or currently are, breast cancer. Our caregivers treat this cancer very cautiously, understanding the side effects that many diagnosed individuals have faced. Although, most doctors recommend a self-examination of the breasts, primarily for women, you can take extra precaution by paying attention to these details (2017, American Cancer Society):

• Discomfort
• Inverted nipple
• Lumps
• Nipple discharge
• Redness or swollen lymph nodes

A-1 Home Care is an agency who strive to go above and beyond for our senior patients. If you would like a representative to further assist you, please be sure to contact our Malibu branch 310-657-8780 or our Santa Fe Springs headquarters 562-929-8400.

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Malibu Home Care: Beware of Caregivers in Sheep’s Clothing

It’s no secret that the elderly get lonely around the holidays, especially if their family members are either geographically distant or are no longer around.  For kind, unsuspecting seniors like Donald Hodgins, an 84-year-old widower, the holidays can be excruciatingly gruesome when predators seek out vulnerable older adults in the least expected places.  Hodgins met his senior predator, a 24-year-old waitress, at a restaurant where they began an ongoing rapport.  The young lady eventually took advantage of Hodgins’ kindness and scammed over $100,000 out of him.  If you need a trustworthy caregiver for an elderly loved one, don’t hire an in-home caregiver without doing an extensive criminal background check.  A-1 Home Care in Malibu is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency that conducts thorough background checks, including verifying professional references and DMV records.

 

24-Hour Companion Care with Senior Safety in Mind

Inviting a complete stranger into your home and having her perform menial tasks in your personal space require trust.  But trust takes time, and those who need live-in or live-out caregivers don’t have a lot of time to build trust with potential caregivers who might be able to look after your elderly loved one in some distant future.  This is why numerous families turn to A-1 Home Care in Malibu, a reputable company that’s been around for 24 years and is still going strong, thanks to its reliable and seasoned caregivers.  Sometimes the need for in-home care is immediate due to the unforeseen event of your loved one falling.  Other times you see it in the near future, when you notice that your parent is unusually forgetful lately.  A-1 Home Care does all the hard work for you so you can be reassured about the competence and character of your caregiver.

 

Quality Elder Care at Unbeatable Rates

Let’s face it: A-1 Home Care offers the most competitive in-home care rates in Malibu and all of Los Angeles County!  You or your loved ones can enjoy senior care in the comfort of your own home 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without having to worry about the motives of your companion care aide.  Customer satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!  With a huge pool of caregivers to choose from, you have the freedom of ease to change caregivers if they don’t perform to your standards.  A-1 Home Care has an exceptional standard that all caregivers have to meet, but we understand that things change and personalities may clash over time; we work with you and for you to ensure your happiness.  Easy financing options are available, and A-1 Home Care accepts Veteran Benefits and long-term care insurance.

 

For senior care you can trust, call A-1 Home Care today (310) 657-8780 or visit our website www.malibuinhomecare.com for services in Malibu, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Agoura Hills, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, and other cities throughout Los Angeles County.

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Tips to Help Seniors Enjoy The Holidays Better

Older adults and seniors have been there and done that, and it may be more difficult to get them excited about the holidays.  As a result, we want to share a few tips that you may use to help your elderly loved ones enjoy the holidays this season a little more.

1. Provoke old memories – Strolling down the memory lane with seniors is probably one of the most powerful ways to see emotional reaction to the holidays.  Even with cognitive impairments, patients can have clearer memory of older events compare to more recent events.  Use pictures, videos, and music to best stimulate these old memories.
2. Be inclusive – Don’t prepare the holiday feast alone.  Get everyone to participate and help, including them can make them feel part of it and enjoy the holiday spirits.  On top of that, it helps you relieve stress!  If the seniors are limited physically, create simpler tasks for them to participate with.
3. Avoid embarrassments – Joke around is fine, but if it is directed toward a senior about their lack of memory, or other limitations, it can be out of line and embarrassing for them.
4. Detailed planning –  Be courteous when it comes to seniors.  Be mindful that many of them could be on medication, and make sure nothing can create unwanted reactions with the drugs.  Moreover, make sure mobility is not a problem during the party.  Allow seniors to sit at the end of the tables for easy in and out.

If you are able to include these tips this season, then your elderly loved ones can surely enjoy the holidays without any problems.

Having a in home caregiver can dramatically improve the quality of life in a senior depending on the severity of their limitations.  A-1 Home Care in Malibu has over 20 years of experience in matching caregiver with clients for any home care scenarios, making sure each one is compatible with one another.  Moreover, our caregivers have at least 2 years of experience, CPR certification, criminal background checked, and more importantly, the dedication and compassion to become a quality caregiver.  All our caregivers, nurse aides, home health aides, and senior companions are expert in Alzheimer Care, Diabetic Care, Brian Injury Care, Parkinson Care, Kidney Disease Care, Incontinence Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, and home care scenarios.  With coverage of areas such as Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Redondo Beach, Westwood, Century City, Studio City, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, and other cities around Los Angeles and Orange County.

For more information, contact us at 310-657-8780, or go online and visit our Facebook or our website Malibu In Home Care today!

 

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Home Care for Seniors in Malibu

There are many type of home care services that you can find for your aging loved ones. Finding the right kind can provide the best support, as well as saving time and money in the search process.  Here are two main types of home health care.  First there is short-term home care.  This usually ranges from a few weeks to a few months, and usually for those recovering from certain illness or surgery.  However, for those with chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, a long-term home care solution may be more fitting.  Many of the long-term caregivers can be live-in caregivers, which means they stay for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Because every situation is different, it is best to ask as many questions as you can in order to find the appropriate type of care services for them.

A-1 Home Care in Malibu offers quality and reliable caregivers for seniors.  We also have other caregivers with expertise in diabetic care, hospice care, cancer care, postpartum care, and other in home care for elderly.  As an industry leader for over 20 years, we can provide caregivers in many areas in the Los Angeles County, like Santa Monica, Huntington Beach, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas, and much more.

For more information, please call us at this number 310 657 8780, or visit our website at Malibu In Home Care today.

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Caregivers Look After Alzheimer’s Patients in Malibu

Memory loss is the most common symptoms when discussing Alzheimer’s, and the Federal Drug Administration has approved several types of medication to treat the cognitive symptoms from Alzheimer’s.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these drugs have shown effects on memory loss, disorientation, and reasoning problems.  The reason Alzheimer’s disease affect cognitive function is because brain cells die from the disease, and the connection between cells are lost to lose the various type of functions in that region of the brain.  It is also important to note that different medications apply to different stages of the disease.  If you have an elderly loved ones affected by the disease, consult the doctor about the availability of options in medications in controlling the symptoms.

A-1 Home Care in Malibu has compassionate and dedicated caregivers all over Los Angeles and Orange County, many of which service patients with Alzheimer’s. Each care professional is covered by liability/malpractice insurance, and are certified in CPR and First Aid for your peace of mind.  Our caregivers are ready to go when your loved ones has a need, whether it is Alzheimer Care, Parkinson Care, Cancer Care, Post Stroke Care, After Surgery Care, Diabetic Care, and other In Home Care for Elderly.  With thousands of testimonials from our satisfied clients, you don’t have to worry when your loved ones are under the care from one of our caregivers.

Call 310 657 8780 or 562 929 8400 today to begin service, or visit Malibu In Home Care to learn more! We service the cities of Malibu, Redondo Beach,Santa Monica, Hollywood, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, and more.

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Managing Your Diabetes

Diabetes remains to be one of the most common disease in America.  We are seeing over 29 million people ranging from children to elderly being affected by this disease, and alarming, 1 in 4 does not know they have it.

If you don’t know if you have diabetes or not, please see the doctor and get tested.  However, if you are part of the 29 million people in America living with Diabetes, here are some ways that you can manage your disease and avoid serious health complications.

First, you must get healthy by eating a balanced diet and exercise regularly, that way you can maintain a healthy weight and make a strides in your blood sugar battle.  Next, a routine sleep schedule is one way to help manage and control your blood sugar levels as well.  It is also a good idea to limit your alcohol consumption as well according to WebMD.  Finally, always be in the loop of your blood sugar levels, and keep all scheduled appointments with the doctor to monitor your health and keep your diabetes under control.

Is your elderly loved one living with diabetes but you are too busy to care for them at home? Caregivers from A-1 Home Care in Malibu is capable of stepping in and providing an excellent in home care service to your loved ones.  Companionship is also one of the more important factors when it comes to home care services since having a caregiver provides the seniors with someone to bond with and share their stressful feelings.  Our company started in 1991, and we have accumulated the experience to handle all home care scenarios, specializing in Arthritis Care, Alzheimer Care, Diabetic Care, Brian Injury Care, Incontinence Care, Parkinson Care, Kidney Disease Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, and other in home care services.  Clients from the cities of Malibu, Redondo Beach, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Santa Monica, Hollywoodand others are praising about our service, and we hope to offer our helping hands for your loved ones as well.

For service inquiries, please call 310-657-8780, or visitwww.malibuinhomecare.com for more info.  Be sure to find and like us on Facebook!

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Fun Facts About July 4th

238 years ago, America declared its independence from Great Britain to become its own sovereign nation.  238 years later, Americans continue to celebrate this momentous day across the country.  Since it’s has become part of our tradition to celebrate this national holiday, we want to share a few facts about July 4th to gain some perspective on this day.

Despite being the most “American” holiday there is, most of the fireworks and the America flags are actually imported from China, and it is simply a part of the global economy that we are in today.  However, the value of trading with United Kingdom, the land that we declared independence from back in 1776, exceeds $100 billion. However, the most staggering fact about Fourth of July is the population of the country.  Back when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, there was only about 2.5 million people in the entire nation.  Although the number of stages have nearly quadrupled since then, , our population today exceeds 318 million (and growing) in merely 238 years.

Population growth is especially noticeable in the elderly population with the medical and technological advances in today’s world.  As the preferred home care agency since 1991, A-1 Home Care is ready to address the need for long term care with our quality in home care services. All home health aides at A-1 Home Care are skilled in Alzheimer Care,Diabetic Care, Brian Injury Care, Parkinson Care, Kidney Disease Care,Incontinence Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, and home care scenarios. Find our home care service today in Malibu, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Westwood, Century City, Hollywood, Studio City, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, and other cities around Los Angeles and Orange County.

For more information, contact us at 310-657-8780, or go online and visit our Facebook or our website www.malibuinhomecare.com today!

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Arthritis Increases Risk of Falls

Arthritis affects millions and millions of people around the country, and many of them are older adults and seniors who have weakened muscle and bone structure that decreases their strength, flexibility, and balance.  As a result, studies have showed that seniors are involved in more falls and fall-related injuries than any other group.  Moreover, those living with arthritis are two and a half times more likely to have fall related injuries according to the CDC. Falls do not only cause bumps and bruises,seniors are also at risk to fracture their bones due to their lower bone mass.  Furthermore, falls can often lead to head injuries, which can be especially dangerous for seniors.  Luckily, researches have found that exercise and physical therapy can help improve balance and strength for those with arthritis.  So if you or you know someone living with arthritis, consult the doctor about how to safely go about exercising to improve both your health and your balance to avoid future fall-related injuries.

It is not difficult to find the perfect caregiver at A-1 Home Care in Malibu,  because we carefully screen, select, and place each and every caregiver so they are compatible to the care recipient and the family.  Most importantly, we only seek caregivers who are dedicated, compassionate, and experienced in this field.  They are all experts in Arthritis Care, Diabetic Care, Brian Injury Care, Parkinson Care, Kidney Disease Care, Incontinence Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, and home care scenarios. We serve Malibu, Redondo Beach, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Santa Monica, Hollywood and other cities around Los Angeles and Orange County.

Find the right service for your loved one today, please call 310-657-8780, or visit www.malibuinhomecare.com for more info.  Be sure to find and like us on Facebook! 

Non-Medical Home Care in Los Angeles and Orange County from A-1 Home Care / A-1 Domestic

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Reducing Risk of Kidney Stones

March is the official National Kidney Month. A-1 Home Care wants to raise awareness on kidney health, especially the kidney stone, which is one of the more painful conditions that anyone can endure.  Recent findings suggests that a diet that lowers blood pressure is also beneficial toward reducing the risk of kidney stone.  Not only do these type of diets are high in fruits and vegetables, but also contain a high amount of nuts and legumes.  Furthermore, limit animal proteins, refined grains and sweets to help reduce the risk of kidney stones.  Finally, make sure you are drinking at least 2 liters of fluid each day, mostly from water and not sugary soft drinks, to further minimize your risk of kidney stone.

It can be difficult to find the right caregiver for your loved one, but at A-1 Home Care in Malibu,  we work diligently to screen, select, and place each and every caregiver so they are compatible to our clients.  Seeking only those who are dedicated, compassionate, and experienced in this field, we make sure we only hire the best caregivers in the business.  Our home health aides and other professional caregivers are equipped with the skills Alzheimer Care, Diabetic Care, Brian Injury Care, Parkinson Care, Kidney Disease Care, Incontinence Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, and home care scenarios. We serve Malibu, Redondo Beach, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Santa Monica, Hollywood and other cities around Los Angeles and Orange County.

Inquire about affordable senior care service at 310-657-8780, or go online and visit our Facebook or our website www.malibuinhomecare.com today!

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