Last updated 8 days ago
As a follow-up to the release in March, Nativity B.V.M. School students went above and beyond when it came to making a BIG difference. For a month, the students collected spare change and held bake sales that raised $1,000. As an added incentive, Home Helpers of Media and Home Helpers of Drexel Hill offices matched the total raised. A donation of $2,000 was presented to Paul Isenberg, CEO/Founder of Bringing Hope Home (formerly Great Guys Group).
“Beyond assisting the sick in the community, this process has had an immense effect on us” said Megan Carroll, representing the 6th grade class. This idea started from studying cancer in library class. Almost immediately, the kids wanted to do something to help those diagnosed with cancer. With the shared efforts and generosity of all the students and the Nativity BVM family, they learned that they could make a significant positive impact on those who need it.
“This money will stay right here in your community”, said Isenberg. “And I promise you, that because of all your kindheartedness, you have brought HOPE to a family battling cancer today!”
About Bring Hope Home
Bringing Hope Home (formerly Great Guys Group) is a 501(c 3 organization located in Wayne, PA and serving the Delaware Valley region and those effected by cancer and who need financial support. Their mission is: Alleviating the burdens of cancer by providing a light of hope to families through emotional and financial support. By working with the nominated patients and their families, Bringing Hope Home works directly with their utility companies and lenders to negotiate on their behalf and provide funds to make sure they are able to stay in their house, with the lights on, heat and air pumped up, cell phones working and food on the table.
About Home Helpers
Home Helpers offers a full-range of non-medical caregiving services for seniors, people coping with a lifelong illness or disability, and those recuperating from a recent surgery or hospitalization. Their services empower their clients to have the best possible life experience given their own personal situation, enabling them to live healthier, happier and more rewarding lives in the privacy, safety and comfort of their own homes.
Home Helpers offices are locally owned and operated by professionals who believe in serving their communities by providing the best personal care services for their clients. For more information, visit HomeHelpersPhilly.com.
Last updated 15 days ago
For seniors living at home, nutrition is very important. A healthy, well-balanced diet can help prevent disease, give the body the fuel it needs to run properly, prevent mental fog, and improve mood.
Here are some tips to help seniors get the proper nutrition they need:
Ask for Help
From in-home care to food delivery programs, there are many ways to ensure you have enough nutritious food to eat. Find out if you qualify for senior assistance if you can't afford food or talk to your home care service for help with shopping and preparing your meals.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Make sure you are eating foods from each food group. You want to include fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Try to include a variety of different foods, including lots of colorful fruits and veggies, to make sure you get the vitamins and minerals you need.
Stay Away from Overly Processed Foods
Frozen meals are often full of preservatives and sodium, which can be detrimental to your health. Look for foods with simple ingredients that are as fresh as possible.
Prep Food in Advance
Food preparation can go a long way to helping you eat healthy during the week. Spend a little time each week chopping and peeling vegetables and fruits, cook a big batch of chicken at one time, and prepare individual servings from one large meal. If you have in-home care assistance, this can be a great job for you to do together, since you'll have help.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water will help your body run and keep you from becoming dehydrated. You can also add milk and 100% fruit juice to your diet for added vitamins and minerals. Ask your doctor about tea or coffee in moderation.
For in-home senior care, call Home Helpers in the Philadelphia area. We provide senior assistance to help you live your golden years where you want: at home. Call us at (888) 903-4365 to learn more about our home care services today.
Last updated 21 days ago
As people age or become ill, there are some considerations and competencies that family members should assess to determine if a loved one may need assistance with daily living. Many people who face health-related challenges or limitations will not ask for help, as they tend to place a high value on their privacy and independence. In addition, most people do not want to be a burden to their family and friends.
The following list of 10 Caregiving Considerations was developed to help family members and friends quickly assess a loved one’s condition, and identify potential areas of concern. We suggest that if you have any concerns, even with one issue, it may be time to take a more active role in a loved one’s life. Chances are your loved one may be struggling unnecessarily and it may be time to explore way to help in a ‘proactive’ fashion, rather than waiting to react.
- Medical Condition- Has your loved one been diagnosed with a disease, illness or other condition that could affect his/her functional ability and daily living?
- Driving- If your loved one drives, is there a reason to believe he/she poses an above average risk for being involved in an accident? How are his/her reflexes, vision and hearing?
- Food/Nutrition- Is your loved on eating well-balanced meals? Is his/her weight stable? Does he/she have a reasonable variety of food in the refrigerator (with future expiration dates)?
- Hygiene- How does your loved one look and smell- including his/her breath? How is his/her overall appearance, grooming and ability to match clothing compared to prior years? Do the bed linens and bath towels appear clean? Is he/she able to manage the laundry?
- Behavior- Does your loved one seem anxious or irritable? Does he/she seem depressed? Does your loved one remember names, places and current events? Does being away from home make your loved one uncomfortable?
- Daily Tasks- Are basic tasks becoming overly challenging, frustrating or time consuming for your loved one?
- Medication- Can your loved one manage his/her medications properly including dosage, frequency and changes to prescriptions? Is it clear to your loved one why he/she is taking each medication? Are prescriptions being refilled in a timely fashion?
- Finances- Does it appear that your loved one is capable of making sound financial decisions? Is he/she able to manage personal finances and handle paying bills?
- Mail- Is the mail stacking up? Do you see any past due or delinquency notices? Does your loved one appear to be a target for solicitation offers?
- Safety- Is your loved one careful about turning off appliances, extinguishing candles or cigarettes? Are sharp objects properly put away? Does he/she keep the doors and windows locked?
Whenever possible, try to observe your loved one in a variety of situation. Ideally, this evaluation should be informal, so as not to cause alarm or appear disrespectful. If you have concern, even with one area, chances are that your loved one may be struggling unnecessarily. Trust your instincts. We suggest that you and your family begin by acknowledging any areas of concern and start to learn about the issues and alternatives. Often there are simple things you can do to provide assistance.
To learn how Home Helpers can help your loved one with daily activities of living, click HERE.
Last updated 29 days ago
Looking for more information about the topics addressed in our recent posts? Read through the following resources for more details on in-home care for senior patients and loved ones.
- To learn more about the kinds of services offered through in-home senior care, see the FCA (Family Caregiver Alliance) website—here you’ll get an overview of how to hire in-home help, what to look for, and how to help you senior loved one acclimate to assistance.
- If you’d like to know more about what a caregiver does and what qualifications they must attain, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for helpful statistics, required training, and various working environments associated with the profession.
- For more counsel on how to choose between home health care, assisted living, and a nursing home facility for your elderly loved one, read this Health.com article.
- To find out more about home care services for seniors and the various considerations involved in making the decision to choose at-home assistance, see this HelpGuide.org post.
- If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of resources on caregiving for elderly and invalid patients, visit the NFCA (National Family Caregivers Association) library of informative sites and articles.
Last updated 1 month ago
When you’re bringing an elderly care specialist in to your home, you should be sure to thoroughly investigate the company. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the home care service provider as well as the individual caregivers, because they’ll be providing important services for your loved ones.
Here are a few home care services to keep in mind:
Individualized Programs
Different patients require different levels of care. Additionally, each family has a particular routines, preferences, and lifestyles. A top-notch care service should be able to customize their services to best suit your family’s needs.
Medical Supervision
Look for a service that offers supervision by a nurse or other medical professional. In many cases, these professionals can help to evaluate your loved one’s needs and provide direction to the hired caregivers. A medical professional should always be available for the non-medical caregiver in case of emergency.
Written Care Plan
A good home care service will work with you and your loved one to develop an appropriate plan for your loved one’s care. This plan should be written and periodically updated as situations change.
High Availability
Make sure the senior assistance service makes availability a priority. Are their caregivers available 24 hours a day? Can they respond to an urgent request for in-home care?
A great in-home care service should have enough staff to send a replacement if your original caregiver is unable to come.
Employee Screening and References
Finally, check the service’s employee screening and reference procedures. They should be transparent about the kinds of checks they do on their employees, and they should be happy to provide references or refer you to their online reviews.
Home Helpers prides itself on professional, caring staff. We provide many types of in-home care services to fit your needs. Call us at (888) 903-4365 to learn more.
