Elderly Safety: Reducing Falls and Slippage in Bathrooms

Bathrooms have been widely regarded as one of the most dangerous places in a household for the elderly. Unsupervised, they face the risk of tripping over misplaced objects, slipping on water puddles, and ultimately placing themselves in dangerous and precarious positions.

At A-1 Home Care Agency, our professional caregivers implement the finest safety measures to ensure that each and every patient is carefully looked after. By opting to hire an affordable senior caregiver, your loved one will be under close supervision each and every time he or she visits the bathroom or does anything around the house. Here are some tips that we recommend to maximize the safety of your bathroom.

Install Skid-Proof Surfaces

There are numerous types of skid-proof surfaces available for your bathtub, shower, and bathroom floor. Remember, individual pieces won’t suffice as they only cover a limited amount of space. Rather, consider looking into a mat for the entire floor surface or a rubber-backed rug.

Keep Your Bathroom Lit

Elderly individuals know that a good night’s rest is dependent on the number of times they have to get up to go to the bathroom during the night. Make sure that you implement different light fixtures – preferably those that run via motion sensor – to minimize accidental falls. Ideally, you’ll want to set them up at locations such as the entrance to the bathroom, by the toilet, and by a hand rail that’s used to prop them up.

Assisted Care Services

Remember, the elderly, especially those that are partaking in in-home care services, are in a vulnerable state once they get up in the middle of the night. For one, their vision isn’t what it used to be, which puts them in a disoriented state, bumping into objects on the way to their destination. This can lead to an assortment of injuries that can be unforgiving – especially at this stage in their lives.

With 24 hour caregiver services and a variety of other elderly home care options available at an affordable rate, let our team at A-1 Home Care protect your loved ones and provide them with the assistance that they deserve. Feel free to call us at our Santa Fe Springs Office at (562) 929-8400 or at our Newport Beach Office at (949) 650-3800.

Save $250 for your next in-home care service. See details here.

A-1 Home Care Agency is proud to be an official vendor of Lanterman Regional Center, MSSP St. Jude Caregiver Resource, and MSSP-PICF. We are also American Board of Home Care Certified, a National Readmission Prevention Certified Member, State Licensed in Home Care, and a CAHSAH Member.

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

Caregivers Provide Fun Activities for Seniors in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a beautiful and vibrant city. With so much to do and see it’s impossible to remain indoors for too long. Assisted living facilities have entertainment, but let’s face it, a day out in town sounds a lot more appealing. Finding the local beauties in your community is a great way to spend your time and A-1 Home Care understands the need to get out and explore your city.

A-1 Home Care provides caregivers in an extended number of communities in Los Angeles and Orange County. As a consequence, our caregivers are incredibly familiar with the area they are servicing. When providing companionship, our caregivers love to have a personalized schedule for our clients, especially when providing entertainment. So, they next time you and your caregiver are looking for something to do, check out these cool museum:

The Broad
The Broad is a fairly new contemporary art museum in Downtown Los Angeles. Since it opened in September 2015, it has become a very popular attraction to people of all ages. Featuring its infamous Mirror Room, it is a highly appealing art museum. The best part? It free to enter! Although people are willing to wait an hour or two to enter the museum, we recommend having your caregiver reserve tickets in advance to reduce your wait time. There are various restaurants in the area, so stop by one of them to have a nice brunch or dinner!

The Japanese American National Museum
It is important to remember our history, the good and the bad. Take the time to take a stroll down Little Tokyo and stop by the Japanese American National Museum with your care giver. Seniors receive a 40% discount upon entry which is a fantastic deal for this gem! The museum provides an audio tour and upon arriving to the top of the steps you will be greeted by a display of vintage suitcases piled on top of each other with information of the Japanese immigrants that came to America for a better life. As you and your companion continue your walk through the museum you will encounter an emotional display of exhibitions that will keep your attention until the very end. After you’ve finished your tour, make your way to one of the fabulous sushi or ramen restaurants in the area for dinner!

Getty Villa
If you want something a little more upbeat, check out the Getty Villa. It is located on the Malibu coast in Pacific Palisades in the Los Angeles neighborhood. The Getty Villa is dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. The art collection has thousands of artifacts that will have you astonished. The Getty Villa had free admission and only a $15 fee for parking. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to a stroll through the gardens with your companion?

There is so much to do in Los Angeles. A-1 Home Care wants to make sure that they provide as much entertainment to the elderly as possible. We provide caretakers that are educated and are genuinely interested in making your loved ones life as fun as possible.

A-1 Home Care provides companion elderly services in the Los Angeles communities including Hollywood, Santa Monica, Studio City and Sherman Oaks. For more information please give our friendly representatives a call at (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400 or visit our website at http://www.lainhomecareservice.com.

Use Palliative Care to Your Elderly Loved One’s Advantage When Quality of Life Subsides

The sandwich generation is probably the first to experience dealing with elderly loved ones living beyond their minds – when seniors are unable to communicate with others and appear to be in a vegetative state.  It’s the source of deep-seated emotions and sibling rivalry when it comes to difference of opinions.  Do you keep your elderly loved ones alive with life support when you know their mind is clearly gone, or do you pull the plug and allow nature to take its course?  According to a research study, not all patients who appear to be “vegetative” are completely unconscious.  Although many patients are not able to communicate through traditional means, some studies have shown that up to 20% can respond at some level, according to an NBC News source.

It’s difficult to determine each person’s consciousness, but if your elderly loved one happens to be one of those who are still conscious but trapped inside a “dead” body, you can take a chance on palliative care to provide 24-hour comfort for your loved ones.  A-1 Home Care’s 24 hour hospice care includes the following:

• A live-in caregiver who works with your elderly loved one’s interdisciplinary team
• Non-medical assistance with daily activities, such as bathing and personal hygiene
• Relief of depression and symptoms of the terminal illness
• Emotional and spiritual comfort for the care recipient and the whole family
• In-home care support with meal preparations, light housekeeping, and laundry for you and your loved ones
• Certified assistance with pain management and symptom control
• Referral support from A-1 Home Care’s staff regarding elder care law
• 24-hour phone support

A-1 Home Care is here to answer any questions you may have about end-of-life care, hospice care, long-term care and round-the-clock care.  Our seasoned care managers will assist you or give you referrals to other local government agencies that will assist you during this difficult time.

About A-1 Home Care

Established in 1991, A-1 Home Care has been delivering such exceptional senior care services that our caregivers have gained a reputation for being among the most highly skilled and compassionate in-home care aides in LA County.  We provide outstanding 24-hour elder care in various types of settings, such as hospice care, palliative care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Arthritis Care, Heart Attack Care and more.  As one of the few licensed, bonded and insured home care agencies in California, we also promise you safe and secure services provided by screened caregiving staff members.  A-1 Home Care protects your loved ones from scam artists and fraud so you can have a peace of mind.

For high quality palliative care, call A-1 Home Care today (310) 657-8780 or visit our website http://www.lainhomecareservice.com/  for services in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pasadena and other cities throughout LA County.

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A Good Argument for Keeping Your Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s at Home

Your elderly loved one is in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, and the primary family caregiver’s health is also failing.  Your entire family is considering transitioning your mother into a nursing home, but you are worried how your loved one will react to the transition.  No one else is able to handle symptoms of advanced Alzheimer’s, so you feel that a nursing home is your only choice because that’s the only way she’ll have constant supervision.  If you think a residential care facility is your only option for 24-hour supervision, A-1 Home Care in LA County has great news for you.

24-Hour Alzheimer’s Care in the Comfort of Your Own Home

In-home care is the #1 preferred method of senior care voted by the aging population.  And why wouldn’t it be?  You get the advantages of one-on-one individual care right there in the comfort of your own home, plus you get the following perks:

• Assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, and laundry
• Transportation to medical, dental and optical appointments
• Incontinence care
• Overnight care
• Companion care
• 24 hour supervision, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Reliable assistance from compassionate, highly skilled caregivers
• Undivided attention vs. sharing a caregiver with other residents in a facility
• Less stress on family household members
• Opportunity for family members to take a break or take a vacation
• Affordable rates for high quality Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

About A-1 Home Care 

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency that’s committed to providing high quality in-home care to seniors in Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Pasadena and other parts of LA County.  You can enjoy a variety of services such as live-in care, live-out care, respite care, traveling companion care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Kidney Care, Diabetes Care and more.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care protects your elderly loved ones from predators, scam artists, fraud and theft.

For quality Alzheimer’s Care, call A-1 Home Care (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for services in your area.

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How to Cope with Night Terrors in the Elderly

Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors or pavor nocturnus, are a sleep disruptive disorder associated with Alzheimer’s, dementia, parasomnia and Sundowner’s in the elderly.  Symptoms include the following:

• Excessive night sweat
• Abnormally rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Crying, screaming and/or thrashing throughout all watches of the night
• Cognitive confusion and disorientation
• Unresponsiveness during the episode (e.g., when you’re trying to wake up your elderly loved one, she won’t come to her senses while she is sleepwalking)

As a concerned yet exhausted family member, you don’t want to ignore her cries for help during the night, but you are depriving yourself of much needed rest for the next work day.  You can get 24 hour help and overnight care from A-1 Home Care to ameliorate the situation.

Overnight Care and 24 Hour Care to the Rescue

Having a 24 hour caregiver for your elderly loved one will bring much relief and peace of mind. You can choose to have one caregiver for 24 hours a day, or have two caregivers serving 12-hour shifts each so that neither one gets too tired.  Our overnight caregivers will stay vigilant throughout the night and provide the following types of assistance:

• Urinary and bowel incontinence care
• Ambulatory assistance
• Transferring and positioning
• Personal hygiene
• Compassionate companion care

During the day, our round-the-clock caregivers also assist with meal preparation, feeding, prescription pick-ups, light housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and more.

About A-1 Home Care in LA County

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured agency established in 1991.  For over two decades, we have delivered exceptional in-home care services to families all over Santa Monica, Malibu, Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, and other cities throughout LA County, ensuring senior satisfaction and safety.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care meticulously and thoroughly screens every caregiver for their criminal background clearance, and all professional references are verified.  We offer high quality care at the most competitive rates in LA County, and we also accept long term care insurance and benefits.  Talk to one of our care managers today about an elder care plan that fits your budget.

For quality in-home care, call A-1 Home Care today (310) 657-8780 or visit www.lainhomecareservice.com for more details. 

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Avoid Embarrassing Gastrointestinal Moments with These Tips

As our bodies work to digest the foods we eat, belching, bloating and passing gas naturally part of the digestive processes.  When we are young, we have a lot of control over the gas we choose to hold in or release, but as we age, we notice that we don’t have as much control as we used to.  You may have noticed this around your elderly loved ones.  To the kids, it may be funny but to your loved ones, this could be very embarrassing.  Abdominal pain among seniors is a growing problem as the aging population continues to skyrocket at an exponential rate.  Read on below as A-1 Home Care in LA County lists some of the choices you can make to prevent embarrassing distractions.

Potential Causes for Social Bloopers

There’s a myriad of potential factors for social bloopers, but we will list just some of those here:

• Fatty foods
• Beans, cabbage and dairy products
• Carbonated drinks
• Eating too quickly
• Smoking
• Stress and anxiety
• Gum and hard candy
• Talking while eating, thus swallowing excess air

Gas build-up and excessive air may be symptoms of a more serious problem, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acid reflux.  If your elderly loved one needs a ride to the doctor’s office while you’re at work, A-1 Home Care provides affordable live-in and live-out services to ensure that your loved one makes it to all her necessary medical, dental and optical check-ups.

Affordable, Safe and Licensed In-Home Care

A-1 Home Care has been serving seniors and their families since 1991.  As one of the few state-licensed home care agencies in California, A-1 Home Care is committed to attracting Los Angeles County’s best professional and certified caregivers to give you the highest level of in-home care possible at the most competitive rates in Southern California.  Our caregivers come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, from Middle Eastern to Hispanic, African-American, Pacific Islander and Asian.  Being licensed, bonded and insured means that we screen every caregiver for their criminal background, DMV and sex offender records.  All professional references are verified.  With A-1 Home Care, your elderly loved ones are in excellent hands!

For affordable live-in 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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Hourly In-Home Care Services Provide Lasting Solutions For Seniors In LA

The phrase “home care” doesn’t only imply long-term hospice care for ailing elders—in fact, it usually means short-term care or hourly care services in the home.

At A-1 Home Care in LA, our senior caregivers travel out to communities throughout Los Angeles and Orange County and provide hourly in-home care that’s as exceptional as it is affordable. Each senior care specialist on staff is ready and waiting to serve people from all walks of life, including Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European.

A-1 Home Care’s long-lasting senior solutions involve home services like:

• assistance with household chores such as dusting, vacuuming, dish-washing, laundry, mopping, taking out the trash, and bed-making
• assistance with yard work and gardening tasks such as watering plants, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves
• assistance with personal services such as 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
• assistance with mobility
• enjoyable conversation and companionship
• special needs care

The diverse caregivers at A-1 Home Care have helped the caregiving agency that’s trusted most in Southern California remain at the pinnacle of home care provision for the past 20-plus years and counting. A-1 Home Care provides a multitude of care options that include brain injury care, Lou Gehrig’s disease care, and hospital sitters for after surgery care.

If you would like to learn more about A-1 Home Care and its affordable caregiver options offered throughout Southern California, then call a compassionate caregiver today by dialing (949) 650-3800 or (562) 929-8400. A-1 Home Care serves neighboring communities in cities that include Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, and Sherman Oaks.

Leading Multiple Sclerosis Care Services Soothe Elders In LA

Does you or a loved one suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, and would benefit from MS care from the comfort of the home?

At A-1 Home Care in Los Angeles, elders who have difficulty living on their own in the home can receive continual care at the most affordable prices. A-1 Home Care has helpful senior care specialists who are as diverse as they are outstanding, reaching out to seniors from all walks of life, including Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European.

Some of the exceptional caregiving services that an A-1 Home Care caregiver can provide in the home 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
• 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 has been the non-medical home care agency of choice in Los Angeles and Orange County since its inception more than 20 years ago, providing a variety of caregiving solutions for every elder who calls on our name. We additionally provide services in the home that include companion care, Parkinson’s care, after surgery care, and more.

If you’d like to hear more about the caregiver solutions that are at your disposal when you choose A-1 Home Care, call a friendly caregiver today by dialing (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400. A-1 Home Care is proud to serve neighboring communities in cities like Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Brentwood, Calabasas, and Encino.

Los Angeles County In-Home Care: Bladder Stones vs. Kidney Stones

What is the difference between bladder and kidney stones?  The definition is the same: “A urinary calculus is a stone in the urinary tract, such as the kidney, urethra or bladder,” according to Medical News Today. Each name indicates the location of the stones.  You may not know that you have bladder stones until they grow so large that they cause excruciating pain when you use the restroom.  To remedy this problem, the bladder stones need to be surgically removed.  Many patients need quality post-surgery care, and that’s where A-1 Home Care comes in.  With caregivers who live all over Los Angeles County, you can count on a reliable, professional certified nurse assistant in your local area.

How Bladder Stones Develop

Bladder stones are a symptom of a more serious health problem.  When a bladder stops functioning properly, it doesn’t completely empty.  The residual urine in the bladder forms crystals that eventually become stones as residues accumulate.  When the stones become too large to be excreted through the urinary tract, the person feels excruciating pain.  After surgery, a urinary catheter is inserted for a few days until the patient is discharged from the hospital or clinic.  When the patient returns home, he will experience mild to moderate pain, which makes it difficult for him to resume menial chores.  He may also be heavily medicated with narcotics to control the pain, which prevents him from driving. Post-surgery care covers transportation, meal preparation, companion care, medication monitoring, bathing, grooming and oral hygiene.  The caliber of A-1 Home Care’s personal care aides is the finest you will ever find in all of Los Angeles County.

 

Respite Post-Surgery Care in Los Angeles County

Recovery time varies from one individual to another.  A-1 Home Care offers flexible home care options to families everywhere in Los Angeles County based on your budget, scheduling needs and level of care.  You can request part-time live-out care if you just need a lift to the nearest grocery store or pharmacy; you can also enjoy 24-hour care which provides added security if you live alone.  Established in 1991, A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured non-medical home care agency that promises 100% customer satisfaction.  Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day to respond to your inquiries and needs.  We are even open on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day!

 

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.

Leading Companion Services Abound For Seniors In Los Angeles

Do you have a loved one living in the Los Angeles area who would benefit from 24 hour companion care services?

At A-1 Home Care in LA, elders of every ethnicity and cultural background, including Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European, can receive lasting senior care options from the comfort of the home. Each compassionate caregiver on staff comes fully equipped for providing lasting companionship services to every senior they have the honor of working alongside.

The diverse and always effective caregiving solutions at A-1 Home Care have been leading the way in Southern California since the non-medical home care agency’s inception back in 1991. A-1 Home Care offers expert caregivers whose goal is to provide every senior with a living environment that is most conducive to an improved quality of life going forward.

Take a look below at some of the home care services A-1 Home Care has to offer seniors in Los Angeles and Orange County:

• assistance with maintenance duties around the home
• assistance with yard work and gardening tasks
• assistance with personal services
• enjoyable conversation and companionship
• medication reminders and administration
• running errands like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• assistance with mobility
• transportation to and from medical appointments and other existing engagements
• special needs care
• child care

The caregiving experts at A-1 Home Care also offer elder care options that include Alzheimer’s disease care, postpartum care, Parkinson’s disease care, kidney disease care, and more, making it so that no senior gets left out along the journey toward a full recovery.

If you’d like to find out more about A-1 Home Care’s leading caregiving solutions, then contact a friendly caregiver on site by dialing (310) 657-8780 or (562) 929-8400 today. A-1 Home Care serves neighboring communities of Los Angeles that include Burbank, Brentwood, Sherman Oaks, Alta Dena, and Beverly Hills.