TAlking about Money Power and LoveCare Conversations supplies a lovely list of suggested books on caregiving. They also make some handbooks available on their site. Here at Encompass, we encourage research but also understand sifting through the vast amount of information and perspectives on the options and considerations for your parent can be daunting.

In this blog post, we will look at one handbook provided by Care Conversations, Fire Drill by John W. Gibson, DSW, and Bonnie Brown Hartley, Ph.D. Read more

Home Health Care Links April 2014

home Health Care Links via Kalamazoo Gazette

At Encompass, we are constantly reading new things about aging. We invite you to look at some links that portray fresh or interesting perspectives on the topic along with a special link to an online discussion on aging hosted by the Washington Post this month.

Carolyn Rosenblatt shares a short article on the power of developing new friendships and combating loneliness later in life Read more

3 Signs your parents need more help

Everyone ages and everyone ages differently. Often aging is gradual and it can be hard to distinguish to what extent it is affecting the life of a loved one. At some point the physical, mental, and emotional changes make living alone dangerous and it is necessary to get some extra help. When is it appropriate to start looking for those care options? At Encompass we look for several signs. Here are three:

Read more

Proper Denture Care for Seniors

Throughout this series, we’ve discussed oral health for seniors, from oral health related issues and their statistics, to proper care of your teeth.

As we mentioned, taking proper care of your teeth may help you prevent getting dentures as you age. However, in some instances, dentures are an unavoidable fact of some seniors lives. Read more

Seniors--Caring for Your Teeth

On Monday, we opened our series on oral health care for seniors by giving you a few statistics in regards to oral health care, as well as common oral health related issues.

As we mentioned, old age and dentures is a combination that’s often considered an inevitable fact of senior life. However, with proper care of your teeth, you or your aging loved one can keep that smile for many years to come.

To show you what we mean, here are a few tips to consider when caring for your teeth. Take a look below: Read more

Introduction to Dental Care for Seniors

Dentures and old age: the combination is a stereotype that we usually think of as an inevitable part of senior life.

But despite what you may think, not all seniors lose their pearly whites in old age. With proper care and an understanding of how oral health works, you or your aging loved one can keep your smile for many years to come. Read more

Pets for Seniors--Cats, Other Animals, and Caring for Your Pet

Throughout this series, we’ve outlined some of the great benefits of having pets in your home, as well as some considerations you should take when picking out a pet, such as a dog.

We’ve already mentioned a few things to consider when picking out a dog, but since dogs aren’t for everyone, we thought we would take a look at a few other pets that also make a great addition to any home. Take a look below: Read more

pets for seniors

On Monday, we opened our series on pets for seniors, outlining some great benefits of having them in your home.

As we mentioned, pets can be a wonderful addition to any home, providing a sense of companionship, responsibility, and renewed sense of value in you or your aging loved ones life.

Now that you have a better understanding of what pets can do for you, we are going to help you maximize those benefits by showing you how to go about choosing the right pet for you and your lifestyle. Take a look below: Read more

An Introduction to Pets for Seniors

Pets can be a wonderful addition to any home, providing a sense of companionship, responsibility, and more.

And the home of an aging loved one is no exception. In fact, studies have shown quite a number of benefits to introducing pets into the lives of our aging loved ones.

Throughout this series, we will discuss various aspects regarding seniors and their pets, from the benefits, to how to choose a pet that is right for them, to how to care for a pet in their old age. Read more

Outdoor Spring Cleaning Tips for Seniors

The much anticipated first day of spring is less than a week away, so it only makes sense that we get you prepared to make the best of the season.

Through this series, we’ve discussed a number of topics related to spring, from activities you should look forward to and health concerns to be aware of, to indoor spring cleaning tips.

To round off the series and get you geared up and ready to enjoy the festivities that come with the fresh and new season, we’re going to talk about a few outdoor spring cleaning tips that will get you excited to be outside. Take a look below:

Set up a lawn care service. If you parent already has a snow removal service, then you are already half of the way there “simply switch out snow removal for lawn service, such as cutting the grass and landscaping. Now is also the time to consider gardening plans, whether for a flowerbed or a vegetable garden.

Handle heavy outdoor furniture. With warmer weather approaching, the patio and deck will certainly see its fair share of use, meaning it is time to put out any lawn furniture your aging loved one has. To avoid any unnecessary strain or injury on your parent, it is best that you, or an able-bodied person, handles the heavy lifting. If possible, you should also consider securing any furniture to the ground with weight or ties in order to prevent them from being blown over by heavy winds.

Check for cracks in the sidewalk, steps, and driveway. Ice and salt can wreak havoc on our concrete, causing big cracks and uneven surfaces throughout the walkways and driveway. As such, it is important to make sure you get any damage taken care of right away in order to reduce the risk of falling. For situations like these, it is best to contact a professional who will be able to repair the damage immediately.

Put non-slip mats in and around the house. Unfortunately, winter isn’t the only season where the risk of falling can occur. Spring, especially the month of April, brings with it quite a few rainy days. If you aging loved one plans on being outside now that the weather is nice, be sure to put down non-slip mats on heavily trafficked areas in order to prevent any falls from occurring.

With these simple tips in mind, we hope to help you and your aging loved one get the most out of this wonderful spring season (and many to come). As always, if there are any questions or concerns about the information we’ve outlined throughout this series, please feel free to give us a call. We are always here to help!

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa “provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”