Category: Giving Care

Elder Advice Day: What Can We Learn?
Let’s make Thanksgiving the day we celebrate Elder Wisdom by asking older people to tell us their advice for living.

Our society portrays older persons as sick, frail, unproductive, and even the culprits for busting the federal budget.

We have become segregated by age such that young people’s contact with elders is almost exclusively within the family. It’s time to make a change. Our elders’ multitude of life experience is a unique source of advice for younger generations. What’s truly valuable are the many lessons our elders have learned in life and their desire to impart their knowledge to younger generations.

Here are some questions that might be great to ask elders you know:

What are some of the most important lessons you feel you have learned over the course of your life?

As you look back on your life, do you see any turning points, key events or experiences that changed the course of your life?

What are the secrets to a happy marriage?

What important choices or decisions have you learned from?

What do you know now about living a happy and successful life that you didn’t know when you were thirty?

What are the major values or principles that you live by?

Let’s declare Thanksgiving ‘Elder Advice-Giving Day.’ Our elders won’t be here forever, so start this year!

HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
hihealthcarehawaii.com
Let’s make Thanksgiving the day we celebrate Elder Wisdom by asking older people to tell us their advice for living. Our society portrays older persons as sick, frail, unproductive, and even the culprits for busting the federal budget. We have become segregated by age such that young people’s contact with elders is almost exclusively within…
We Have To Stop Falling…!
Senior fall injuries are serious and deadly. One senior will be taken to the ER every hour — for injuries from a fall. Many of these patients will die or never return home to resume a normal life. The pity is that most falls are preventable.

As we age we lose muscle strength, reaction time is much slower, and balance is compromised. Seniors must take personal responsibility for our own safety.

Broken hips may set off heart attacks and strokes. Preventing a fall prevents a host of subsequent injuries, so there are big reasons to get serious and prevent falls.

What can you do to be proactive?

Review your medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter drugs and supplements too — medications can cause dizziness.

Maintain good vision. This helps with balance and safety. Have your eyes checked at least yearly.

Balance and strength are essential. Plan exercise activities and do simple movements every day: walk, garden, yoga, swim, dance, Tai Chi.

Make your home safer. Things underfoot cause us to trip and fall. Remove fall hazards by keeping pathways open and free of objects.

For further information call the Department of Health Injury Prevention Program in Honolulu at 808-733-9202. Or go to www.nogethurt.Hawai‘i.gov for educational videos, home safety checklist and a listing of tai chi classes and fall prevention services near you.
Senior fall injuries are serious and deadly. One senior will be taken to the ER every hour — for injuries from a fall. Many of these patients will die or never return home to resume a normal life. The pity is that most falls are preventable. As we age we lose muscle strength, reaction time…
Independence Starts at Home!

When we celebrate the 4th of july with family, friends, food and fireworks, it is a time to remember what it means to be free.

With many of our aging, recuperating or ill ‘ohana, independence means being able to receive quality care in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. Home healthcare is not just about doctors, nurses, aides and companions providing safe, quality care in the home; it’s about the right to remain independent as long as possible, even to the end of life.

Home is familiar. Home is comfortable. Home is where most of us want to be when ill. The ability to age and get well in the comfort of your own home surrounded by family and friends helps keep the spirit of independence alive.

Fourth of July is also about patriotism. Being patriotic is not just about pledging allegiance to the flag and believing in American values, it is about being proactive in our community, and making things better for the young and the old.

Nurses, home health aides and companions emulate patriotism by caring for their fellow citizens and providing quality health services rain or shine, most likely without glory or recognition. These caregivers give back by providing all our seniors access to quality home care.

Let’s commend all the caregivers who are committed to our ‘ohana and by supporting the value and dignity of home healthcare, we are protecting our most vulnerable citizens, our fellow Americans!

HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
hihealthcarehawaii.com

When we celebrate the 4th of july with family, friends, food and fireworks, it is a time to remember what it means to be free. With many of our aging, recuperating or ill ‘ohana, independence means being able to receive quality care in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. Home healthcare is not…
Better Support for Family Caregivers

Hawaii’s family caregivers are starting to get the support they need. These caregivers are among the 247,000 sons, daughters, husbands and wives who help loved ones stay independently at home for as long as possible — providing help with everyday tasks.

In mid-April nearly 500 Hawaii residents joined elder advocacy groups and resource providers in paying tribute to family caregivers at an event at the Japanese Cultural Center. The event was to recognize the extraordinary contributions they make, highlight helpful community resources and provide an update of recent legislative efforts to support caregivers and their families.

During the 2014 legislative session AARP supported a measure that would allow family caregivers be more involved in the patient healthcare process. Senate Bill 2264 (the CARE Act) was a Kupuna Caucus bill backed by many House and Senate legislators and community groups. It was intended to give caregivers the instruction needed to safely care for loved ones when they’re discharged from the hospital.

AARP believes caregivers should be informed and recognized for their role in coordinating the care of loved ones transitioning from hospitals to home. Research found that family caregivers are under pressure to provide increasingly complex medical tasks — like wound care, injections, and medication management — when loved ones return home from the hospital. Caregivers often receive little or no training to provide care and are often the only option available to families, who may not be able to afford professional home care.

How serious are the challenges facing Hawaii’s caregivers? The answer may be found in personal stories of caregivers like Keri Yamamoto, a caregiver and occupational therapist, whose uncle was admitted twice last year to a local hospital. She was “highly dissatisfied” with the discharge procedure. She testified in Support of SB 2264. On Maui, caregiver Michele Paularena, also supported the bill when her husband was discharged from the hospital without adequate instructions on how to administer the medications prescribed.

While SB 2264 did not survive this session, the House Finance Committee passed a concurrent resolution (HCR 78) that calls for the establishment of a family caregiving working group to examine and assess the role of caregivers in the hospital discharge process. AARP welcomes the opportunity to work with hospitals and community stakeholders to ensure caregivers are properly instructed in the care of loved ones at discharge.

Hawaii needs coordinated care putting patients and families first. As our population ages, it’s essential that family caregivers are supported and our community recognizes the limits of what they can do on their own.

AARP Hawai‘i state office:
808-545-6024 | Toll-Free: 866-295-7282
www.aarp.org/hi | facebook.com/AARPHawaii
twitter.com/AARPHawaii

Hawaii’s family caregivers are starting to get the support they need. These caregivers are among the 247,000 sons, daughters, husbands and wives who help loved ones stay independently at home for as long as possible — providing help with everyday tasks. In mid-April nearly 500 Hawaii residents joined elder advocacy groups and resource providers in…
Doc, Follow My Orders

Momi and Roland are a retired couple living in Central O‘ahu. Last year Roland learned he has incurable lung cancer and has been in the hospital several times. The couple has had many conversations together and with the doctors. Because of his short life expectancy and desire for quality of life, he has decided to forgo aggressive life-prolonging treatments although he still wants hospitalization if needed. His doctor recommended that he put his wish to let nature take its course in writing in a document called POLST (Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). This form, signed by his doctor, will ensure that his healthcare wishes be carried out if he is not able to speak for himself at anytime. It also helps put Momi at ease, since she is the one who will be called on to make decisions for Roland if he is unable.

One night, Roland has problems breathing. Momi calls 911 and the paramedics arrive. Knowing her husband’s wishes, Momi wants to be sure that if her husband’s heart or breathing stop en route to the hospital, he can have the natural death he desires. She runs to the kitchen, grabs the completed and signed POLST form hanging on their refrigerator, and hands it to the paramedics. Momi can now feel a sense of relief that her husband’s treatment wishes will be followed, even if she’s not around to tell his medical providers.

So, what is a POLST, and how does it work? A POLST is a portable doctor’s order that makes you or your loved one’s wishes for treatment known. Portable means that it is valid wherever the patient is, whether it is at home, in an ambulance, in an emergency department or anywhere in the hospital or a nursing home. It is for people with a chronic debilitating illness or a life-limiting disease, such as end-stage lung or heart disease, a terminal cancer or anyone who may be approaching the end of their life.

How is the POLST different from an Advance Healthcare Directive (AD)? POLST is completed by you and your doctor and turns your healthcare wishes into orders for healthcare providers and ambulance personnel to follow. An AD is a form that you and everyone over 18 should have to document your values and future wishes for healthcare, and allows you to appoint an agent to act as your health care power of attorney in the event you are unable to speak for yourself. The combination of the POLST and AD will help make sure your wishes are known even if you cannot speak for yourself.

Be just as prepared as Momi and Roland! By talking about these issues ahead of time, you can prevent crisis, relieve stress and ensure that your family’s healthcare wishes are honored. Take action and start the conversations today. To learn more about the POLST and AD or to download forms, visit www.kokuamau.org.

Kokua Mau
Hawaii Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
808-585-997 | info@kokuamau.org
www.kokuamau.org

Momi and Roland are a retired couple living in Central O‘ahu. Last year Roland learned he has incurable lung cancer and has been in the hospital several times. The couple has had many conversations together and with the doctors. Because of his short life expectancy and desire for quality of life, he has decided to…
Home Care for Stroke Survivors
Caring for stroke survivors at home can be overwhelming for anyone. Getting outside help from home care agencies can make a difference in your ability to balance your life with your loved one’s needs.

Ask the following questions to find a trustworthy company with qualified, reliable caregivers who are also compassionate and dedicated.

Does the provider send a Registered Nurse (RN) to meet the family and develop a plan of care for the caregivers to follow?

As part of the admission process, an RN Clinical Manager should meet you and your family at the home, assess the family dynamics, perform a head-to-toe physical assessment, provide a home safety inspection and develop a customized care plan for the caregivers to follow. An RN should be available to you 24/7 to provide support.

Are caregivers supervised and evaluated by a Registered Nurse?

On a regular basis an RN should:

Perform assessments of the patient and make any changes to the care plan

Ensure that the family is satisfied with the caregiver and the services the agency is providing

Assure the family that they are there as a resource for all parties

HiHealthCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-534-7815 | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
hihealthcarehawaii.com
Caring for stroke survivors at home can be overwhelming for anyone. Getting outside help from home care agencies can make a difference in your ability to balance your life with your loved one’s needs. Ask the following questions to find a trustworthy company with qualified, reliable caregivers who are also compassionate and dedicated. Does the…
Conversations About Wishes
Auntie K was having trouble breathing at home and her son called 911. She is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctor asks the family, “What would your mother want us to do if she could speak for herself right now? She’s having more trouble breathing. Do you want us to “‘do everything?’”

Unfortunately, this is a very common scenario at hospitals in Hawai‘i. Sometimes, even when people have thought about these things and discussed them with their doctor, they haven’t sat down and talked with their family. And, yet, it is the family that the doctors and nurses turn to for answers.

No one says that conversations about these things are easy. They are not easy. So how do you get started? Who should be involved? In Hawai‘i, one place to turn is Kokua Mau, Hawai‘i Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Kokua Mau knows these conversations are crucial and it invites you to use its free resources to help explore options and begin the conversation.

Kokua Mau is a group of volunteers from many organizations and professions who have joined together “to weave a lei of caregiving and support so that the people of Hawai‘i facing serious illness can live in the place of their choice, with relief of pain and suffering and according to their values, beliefs and traditions.” (Kokua Mau Mission Statement)

Kokua Mau has information for individuals, families and health professionals. Its website (www.kokuamau.org), has direct links to community resources, such as downloadable Advance Directive forms and printable information that covers topics that we often find difficult to talk about. For instance:

If someone is not able to eat, what are the pros and cons of tube feeding? (You can view or download a guide for decision making about tube feeding on Kokua Mau’s website.)

What is POLST? (Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, a portable doctor’s order that makes your wishes known.)

What are the pros and cons of CPR for someone who is elderly and frail? (Did you know that among this group CPR is less than 5 percent effective?)

Along with written resources, Kokua Mau has a Speakers Bureau that can meet with your group to start the conversations that we all need to have.

As our state’s nonprofit hospice and palliative care organization, Kokua Mau recently received national recognition with the 2013 Trailblazer Award from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

So, what happened with Auntie K? Fortunately her son and other family members began to remember that when her brother had been hospitalized, Auntie K had spoken of what she would want if that happened to her. Because of this, they were able to come together as a family and follow her wishes. The members of Kokua Mau hope that with the use of its free resources, none of you will ever end up at the bedside of your loved one wondering what she or he would have wanted.

Kokua Mau, Hawai‘i Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
808-585-9977 | info@kokuamau.org
www.kokuamau.org
Auntie K was having trouble breathing at home and her son called 911. She is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctor asks the family, “What would your mother want us to do if she could speak for herself right now? She’s having more trouble breathing. Do you want us to “‘do everything?’” Unfortunately,…
Reverse ParentingReverse Parenting

The role of being a “reverse parent” didn’t occur to me until I dropped off my father on his first day at adult day care. While walking back to my car, I said to myself, I hope the day care doesn’t call me and say they’re sending him home because he soiled his clothing or worse yet; he got into a scuffle with another senior.

I chuckled to myself, Wow, now I’m the parent taking care of my father. The roles have been reversed.

I tell my fellow baby-boomer friends; we’re reverse parents. I get laughter and sometimes I get head shaking. In Hawai‘i and across the nation, there are adult children (like me) who are caring for their parents. A role few of us are prepared to take on. Caregiving blindsides many of us.

My father passed away November 2007, and then the reverse parent role started again two years later with my mother. I tell friends, “I have an 86-year-old daughter.” And just like anyone else — regardless of age — she wants to be heard … and, gratefully, I have learned to listen. This is one thing I’d like to tell my fellow baby boomers to do — ask … and listen. My mother has told me many stories that are “pearls.” For example, her father, my maternal grandfather, was a fisherman on the aku boat. She explained how he had very strong arms and legs, as it wasn’t an option for a him to tell the boat captain that he needed to take a break while the fish were still biting.

Another pearl involved my paternal grandparents who worked for the first governor of Hawai‘i, Joseph B. Poindexter. My grandfather was the chef and my grandmother (“Baba”) was one of the servers. She wore traditional kimono while serving dinner guests at the Governor’s Mansion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Poindexter for two full terms, 1934 through 1942. He was among the first to advocate Hawai‘i’s statehood, yet that endeavor was interrupted in December of 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

My mother told me that on the day of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, my grandfather was planning to go out fishing in his small boat that he had moored at Kewalo Basin. For some reason he decided against it, but his friend did go out to sea. In the mayhem that occurred, he was mistaken as being part of the Japanese Navy disguised as a civilian and was killed.

I’m fortunate to own a home care agency and have a brother who puts in just as much time and effort caring for our mother. My brother and I do the night shifts and one of our employees cares for my mother during the day. However, for families that don’t that level of support, there are respite programs, adult day care centers, transportation services and support groups in the community. Each family is unique, and needs different resources. If you want to discuss options available for caring for your parents, feel free to call 545-3700 or visit www.ComfortingHandsHawaii.com.

The role of being a “reverse parent” didn’t occur to me until I dropped off my father on his first day at adult day care. While walking back to my car, I said to myself, I hope the day care doesn’t call me and say they’re sending him home because he soiled his clothing or…
Your Health, Your Home, Your Choice!

It’s only natural to want to stay at home. So being informed about good caregivers and their services can enrich your home experience by making everyday tasks a little easier and safer. The services you need depends on your and health strategies and type of support, as well as your financial and insurance situation.

Ask the home care agency how they ensure safe, qualified, professional service:

Q. What types of screenings are performed before hiring a caregiver?

A. For your safety and health benefits, be sure the caregiver has been pre-screened properly and is qualified. Here is a checklist to help guide a wise decision:

□ Federal and State Criminal Background Checks

□ Drug Screening (ten panel)

□ Sex Offender Check (all 50 states)

□ Medical Disciplinary Screening

□ Employment and Education Verification

□ Professional and Personal Reference Checks

□ Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

□ Social Security Check

□ Adult / Child Protective Services Screening

□ DMV Motor Vehicle Report

Q. Are caregivers bonded and insured through the Home Care Agency?

A. The agency should provide you proof of current professional liability, general liability, workers’compensation and temporary disability insurance.

Q. Who is the caregiver employed by?

A. Caregivers should be employees of the agency and not an independent contractor. If they work more than 20 hours a week on a regular basis they are eligible for health care under the Prepaid Health Care Act.

Never compromise on quality and safety!

HiHealthCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Main (808) 534-7815 | Fax (808) 356-5014
info@hihealthcarehawaii.com | hihealthcarehawaii.com

It’s only natural to want to stay at home. So being informed about good caregivers and their services can enrich your home experience by making everyday tasks a little easier and safer. The services you need depends on your and health strategies and type of support, as well as your financial and insurance situation. Ask…
Fall Prevention

There I was, the Hawai’i State Fall Prevention Coordinator, fallen, spread eagled, with a dent in my car door in the shape of my own forehead. It happened so fast, one second of inattention and I was flat on the ground. And to make matters worse, I had just left the quarterly meeting of the Hawai’i Fall Prevention Consortium.

First, it’s important to know that falls are the most common fatal unintentional injuries in our state. Second, falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among Hawai’i residents with more than 21,000 emergency room visits per year. That’s more than two falls every single hour. That’s a lot of pain, misery and money. And the majority of the fallers are 65 years or older. One single moment of inattention and, in my case, stupidity, and I fell. However, this fall (like most others) was preventable.

I use the word “stupidity” because I should know better. Someone called my name, I turned to respond, and continued to walk without looking where I was going as I tripped on a curb and ran my forehead straight into my car door. Had my forehead come in contact with anything other than the soft spot in the side door of my car …say six inches to the left where the steel pillar and door hinges are, I would have been severely injured. I was just lucky.

At 72 years of age, and with lousy balance, I cannot afford to make these mistakes. I know that we all have friends who have tripped, fallen, collided with their dog, slipped in their bathtub or in some other way fallen and severely injured themselves. We are all old enough to know better … we must stop being inattentive especially while walking. While walking, walk and watch where you put your feet. If you want to chat with a friend while walking make sure you are on a level path with no obstructions. Don’t stop walking, as it is one of the best things we can do to stay active and strong. Just be careful and don’t forget to raise your head and look several feet ahead now and then so that you can respond to obstacles or a change in terrain, grade and, yes, as with my case … curbs.

Four simple tips:

You can prevent falls and stay independent by taking these simple precautions.

1) Medication — Some medications cause dizziness,vwhich can lead to falls. Be proactive andvmake an appointment with your doctor or pharmacistvtoday to review your medications, includingvany over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

2) Exercise — Balance and strength are essential to preventing falls. Be active and do simple movements — walk, garden, yoga, swim, dance, tai chi — every day to prevent a fall.

3) Vision — Maintaining good vision helps with balance and safety. Be proactive and have your eyes and eyewear checked at least once a year.

4) Remove Hazards — Make your home safer by removing fall hazards. Keep pathways clear and the floor free of objects. For a home safety checklist, visit www.nogethurt.hawaii.gov.

Hawai‘i State Department of Health offices:

Oahu: 1250 Punchbowl St., Honolulu
Ph: (808) 586-4400 | Fax: (808) 586-4444
health.hawaii.gov

Hilo: 75 Aupuni St., #201, Hilo
Phone: (808) 974-6006 | Fax: (808) 974-6000

Kona: 79-1015 Haukapila St., Kealakekua
Ph: (808) 322-4880 | Fax: (808) 322-1504

Waimea: 67-5189 Kamamalu St., Kamuela
Ph: (808) 887-8114 | Fax: (808) 887-8118

MAUI: 54 South High St., Rm. #301, Wailuku,
Ph: (808) 984-8200

Kauai: 3040 Umi St., Lihue, HI 96766
Ph: (808) 241-3614

There I was, the Hawai’i State Fall Prevention Coordinator, fallen, spread eagled, with a dent in my car door in the shape of my own forehead. It happened so fast, one second of inattention and I was flat on the ground. And to make matters worse, I had just left the quarterly meeting of the…
A Story to Tell of Life and Love

Taking good care of ourselves and helping others who suffer from disease is important not only for ourselves but for others who may be impacted by disease. In the context of Chronic Kidney Disease and kidney transplantation even young children can learn much and be shaped by the experience they share with adult members of the family. Consider the following story.

My Big Surprise
By Trevor Toma

“I have been surprised many times in my life, but the absolute greatest surprise was in March 2012 when my mother told me she was going to give away her kidney. When my mother came home from work, she looked way happier than usual. So I asked her, “Why are you so happy?” Then she told me the story of how uncle Gregg’s kidneys were running at 11% efficiency and how he was on the National Kidney Foundation Donor’s list. She told me that it would be a long time for him to get a kidney and maybe he wouldn’t even get one. He would die without a kidney transplant. Then she told me, “I have decided to give uncle Gregg one of my kidneys. Don’t worry because I can live just fine with only one. I am going to have surgery in San Francisco when it is time.” Then she asked me if I had any questions or suspicions about the transplant but I wasn’t worried at all. She decided to give her kidney away because it made her sad to think that he would die and his kids wouldn’t have a father and his wife wouldn’t have a husband. He was shocked, excited, and grateful because he didn’t even know that his wife and my mom were talking about it. He was surprised because he didn’t think that a friend would risk their life to give him a kidney. He was grateful because he knew that this kidney would give him a new life.

During the tests, my mom took x-rays, blood tests, urine tests, and an IV. Sometimes she was gone for hours then came back with some news – sometimes good, sometimes bad. But my mother knew it was all worth it. Then one day she had to go to San Francisco for 3 days with her co-worker’s family to get more tests. She had a very good time. When she got back, she gave me a baseball cap and showed me pictures of the house she stayed at. After, she told me that there would be only a few more tests to take and then they would have to wait for a kidney match to swap.

Well, now it’s only a matter of time before my mother and uncle Gregg are ready to swap. Now I see how much love and effort was put into this transplant. I hope to save lives like her one-day. Even now — this very minute — I see how much she cares for uncle Gregg and his family.”

The decision to donate a kidney so that another person may live is one that is made with much planning, testing, and care. Those who donate one of their kidneys profoundly affect lives besides the life of the recipient.

National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii
1314 South King St., #304, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96814

808.589.5976 info@kidneyhi.org www.kidneyhi.org

Taking good care of ourselves and helping others who suffer from disease is important not only for ourselves but for others who may be impacted by disease. In the context of Chronic Kidney Disease and kidney transplantation even young children can learn much and be shaped by the experience they share with adult members of…
The Juggling Duck

I have several friends who are caring for either one or two parents, and when we meet, of course, we ask about each other’s parents. No sooner does the conversation drift to sharing “war” stories about caring for our parents.

Taking care of my parents has taught me to be a juggler. I needed to learn to juggle my job, my own family and being a caregiver. And there have been countless times I’ve dropped one of the balls I was juggling— whether it be the job ball, family ball or the caregiver ball.

I would miss a deadline at work because something unexpected happened with my family. Or, I’d need to change a family commitment because of something I needed to do for my parents. Or worse yet, my mother would asked me to pick up a Sunday paper sale item from Longs Drugs and I’d forget to buy it because I was so busy at work.

I’m not the first adult child learning how to be a juggler. But I’ve come to realize the juggling act I was doing involved three balls of different sizes. As seen on TV, a juggler juggling three baseballs, then he throws out one of the baseballs and his assistant throws to him a bowling ball. To make it more challenging, the juggler then throws out another baseball and the assistant then throws into the mix a bowling pin. So now the juggler is juggling a baseball, a bowling pin and a bowling ball.

I’ve also mentioned to my friends who are taking care of their parents that I learned to be a duck. Yes, a duck … and it’s not because I’m “quacking” up. There are times when my parents say things that raise my blood pressure, so to keep my sanity I’ve learned to act like a duck. I take the attitude that when they say or do something that pushes a button (and parents can push buttons very well), I visualize that I’m a duck. I make every effort to have whatever they say roll off my back, just like water off a duck’s back.

So now when I get out of my car when it’s my turn to take care of my mother, I say, “Quack, quack. I’m a duck.” Of course, this hasn’t work 100 percent of the time but the visualization helps. And, so does the smile.

I have several friends who are caring for either one or two parents, and when we meet, of course, we ask about each other’s parents. No sooner does the conversation drift to sharing “war” stories about caring for our parents. Taking care of my parents has taught me to be a juggler. I needed to…

Category: Giving Care

Q. What types of screenings are performed before hiring a caregiver?

Q. Are caregivers bonded and insured through the Home Care Agency?

Q. Who is the caregiver employed by?

Four simple tips:

My Big Surprise By Trevor Toma

My Big Surprise
By Trevor Toma