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There is a common misconception that in-home care is reserved for elderly persons seeking assistance to maintain independence by getting outside help with daily tasks. While in-home services are a great fit for older folks looking to stay in their home longer, they are also beneficial for a number of needs including long term injury or illness recovery at any age, surgery recovery, and mental health limitations. The truth is, many of our veterans are facing struggles with daily tasks and care due to their service, but many are unaware of [...]

It’s that time of year again, the leaves are changing, and the temperature is dropping. It’s time to start planning for the season to stay healthy and happy. There are several things seniors and their loved ones can do to prepare for the seasonal shift and enjoy it at the same time! Here are five tips to make the most out of your fall! 1 – Make your cold-weather clothing more accessible. Spend some time this weekend helping the senior in your life go through their closet or dresser [...]

As Harvard Medical School points out “Vitamin D’s best-known role is to keep bones healthy by increasing the intestinal absorption of calcium.” According to their recent article, when humans have a vitamin D deficiency, they can only absorb about 10 – 15% of their dietary intake of calcium, when really, we need at least 30 – 40% to maintain bone health. (Harvard Medical School) In fact, our bone tissues are broken down and rebuilt all the time – some cells build new bone tissue while others dissolve it to release important [...]

At AmeriCare, we practice continuous learning in order to provide the best care possible to those seeking in-home services. Keeping up on the latest practices and techniques not only improves our care, it also allows us to help the loved ones of those in need of services better understand how to provide care and what to expect. Recently, Deborah Swanson, Coordinator for the Real Caregivers Program at allheart.com partnered with In the Know Caregiver Training to provide more information on how to prevent falls. Noting that falls are the leading cause [...]

There are many activities that can be both a source of comfort and good for your health. Things like creative art and hobbies can be forms of art therapy. Seniors who practice art therapy can enhance their wellbeing and live a less stressful life! What is Art Therapy? Art therapy uses the creative arts to help people cope with mental and physical stress through understanding, management, and expression. Research shows that while art therapy is often conducted by professional art therapists, many people see similar results by participating [...]

Scammers have long deceived people into parting with their money, investments, and properties. With advancements in instant communication techniques, scammers can target hundreds or even thousands of people at once, making their work even easier, leaving more vulnerable populations at greater risk. In fact, fraud against seniors is estimated at over $3 billion a year. Seniors are often targeted because they are more likely to be isolated, have larger savings, and tend to be more polite and trusting towards strangers, making them extremely vulnerable. Most fraudulent schemes targeting seniors are perpetrated [...]

Summer brings the hottest temperatures of the year and while it is a great time to enjoy swimming and riding bikes, it is important to be careful and avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. Spending time in extreme heat outdoors can be hazardous to health, especially for seniors. Join us as we review some great indoor activities that can help seniors (and everyone!) beat the heat, enjoy their time, and remain physically active despite high temperatures. Indoor Swimming Swimming is a great physical activity for seniors. It’s low impact, [...]

Hot weather can cause adverse health effects for many people, especially seniors. As we age, our ability to regulate heat decreases which makes us more susceptible to heat stroke. Heat stress and heat stroke are serious and are considered medical emergencies due to their potential health-damaging effects. Because seniors are at an increased risk of developing heat stress they may require special care during the summer. Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot cool itself and maintain a normal temperature. Sweating, the body’s primary cooling mechanism, is insufficient in the case [...]

Alzheimer’s disease poses a different type of challenge to caregivers. Those living with Alzheimer’s can often be adversarial to care and caregivers. Even though you are trying to help, your loved one may see it as the opposite and consider you part of the problem. This type of behavior can be a source of stress for caregivers who are typically a spouse, partner, adult children, or even professionals. It is important to understand, however, that it is the disease that is responsible for the behavior and not the actual person. As [...]