Falls – Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies

Is It Time For A Professional Caregiver?Aging comes with challenges, some of which may make it difficult to care for yourself effectively. If youre having trouble with daily activities but want to remain independent and live in your own home, it may be time to consider working with an at-home caregiver. What Is A Professional Caregiver?The idea of hiring a professional caregiver might feel nerve-wracking, and you may have some fears about what bringing a caregiver into your life will be like. All experiences with a professional caregiver and client will differ, but you can generally expect your caregiver to be compassionate, hardworking, and dedicated to helping you age safely. There are different types of professional caregivers and caregiving services. At Visiting Angels, we offer at-home, meaning our caregivers go to clients' homes to help them with daily living tasks so they can continue living independently. A few nonmedical tasks caregivers can assist with include medication reminders, cooking, transportation, grooming, light housekeeping, and mobility assistance. Visiting Angels Daphne offers various at-home care services to meet each client's needs. We also have specialized services for seniors with dementia, those in hospice, or those needing additional assistance after a hospital stay. All services are customizable to ensure each client receives the highest quality of care. Signs You May Need A Professional CaregiverIts never too soon or too late to hire a professional caregiver. However, if you are experiencing any of the following signs, you may want to start a conversation with a trusted home care agency like Visiting Angels.  You need help completing daily tasks like cleaning and cooking.  You find personal tasks like bathing and driving challenging. You have trouble remembering to take your medications.  Youve fallen within the last three months. You feel lonely, anxious, or sad when home alone.  You were recently diagnosed with a chronic health condition. You dont have nearby loved ones to contact if you need help.  Professional Caregivers With Visiting Angels Hiring a professional caregiver is a big decision, and finding the right home care agency and caregiver for you is essential. At Visiting Angels, we offer all potential clients a complimentary consultation to ensure our care solution fits your needs and expectations. During the initial consultation, a care team member explains our services and helps you discover which care service could work for you and how that service can fit into your life. This meeting is also a great time to ask questions and share concerns about caregiving. After the consultation, our care team will develop a personalized care plan addressing your needs. We then match you with a qualified caregiver with the skill set to assist you and a similar personality and interests to help build a foundation for a meaningful relationship. Once all the pieces are in place, Visiting Angels can provide care within 48 hours. Contact us today if youre ready to learn how at-home care from Visiting Angels can help you age safely and independently.Could your loved one living in Daphne, Fairhope, Orange Beach, Bay Minette, Mobile, Gulf Shores, or the surrounding communities benefit from our senior care services? Contact Visiting Angels today to book a no-cost care consultation.    

Saad Healthcare: A Family Tradition of Caring and 50 Years of ExcellenceFor over fifty years, Saad Healthcare has been a beacon of hope and healing along the Gulf Coast. Established in 1967 by John and Dorothy Saad, what began as a retirement community in Mobile, Alabama, has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare provider, offering a range of services including home healthcare, hospice care, rehabilitation, private nursing, and medical equipment supplies. Today, Saad Healthcare stands as a testament to a legacy of care, providing essential support for patients living with chronic conditions, those recovering from illness, or individuals facing life-limiting conditions.A Comprehensive Approach to CareSaad Healthcare's mission is rooted in the belief that every patient and customer deserves the highest quality of care. This commitment is reflected in their extensive range of services, which cater to diverse patient needs. Whether a patient requires around-the-clock nursing care, Physical, occupational, speech therapy or simple daily assistance, Saad Healthcare's team of experienced care providers collaborates closely with physicians to develop personalized care plans. This collaborative approach ensures that each patient receives the best possible care tailored to their unique circumstances.The Saad Advantage: Continuity of CareOne of the key differentiators of Saad Healthcare is what they call the "Saad Advantage" the continuity of care. For patients and families, this means that a single call to Saad Healthcare is all it takes to access a comprehensive suite of services. This seamless integration of care services provides peace of mind, knowing that all health needs can be met under one roof. From medical assistance programs to rehabilitation services, Saad Healthcare's family of caring professionals is equipped to handle any situation with compassion and expertise.Convenient Locations Across the Gulf CoastWith locations in Mobile, Alabama, Baldwin County, Alabama, and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Saad Healthcare is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of its community. Each location offers a full range of programs, including home healthcare, hospice care, and medical equipment supplies. This regional presence allows Saad Healthcare to deliver on its promise of personalized, accessible care for patients across the Gulf Coast.A Legacy of Compassion and ExcellenceSaad Healthcare remains the only locally owned, family-operated home healthcare company in Mobile, Alabama. This independence allows the Saad family to uphold the values and principles instilled by their founders. The companys motto, "A family tradition of caring," is more than just a tagline; it is a guiding philosophy that permeates every aspect of their operations. This mission-driven approach is evident in their dedication to providing high-quality, compassionate care while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.Guiding Principles and ObjectivesSaad Healthcare is committed to a set of guiding principles that inform their operations and interactions with patients, employees, and partners. These principles include: Compassion: Patient-centered care that prioritizes the well-being of each individual. Integrity: Honest and transparent business practices that build trust with patients and stakeholders. Quality: Delivery of safe and effective healthcare services using the best clinicians, technologies, and facilities. Professionalism: Employing highly qualified healthcare professionals and ensuring ongoing training and development. Efficiency: Wise resource management and adaptability to industry changes for value-driven healthcare. Respect: Fostering a supportive environment for employees and respectful communication with patients and partners. Dynamism: Embracing innovation and creativity to remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery. Looking to the FutureAs Saad Healthcare continues to grow and evolve, its commitment to excellence remains unwavering. The company strives to be a trendsetter in healthcare delivery, embracing new technologies and approaches to better serve its patients. With a focus on compassionate care, professional integrity, and community engagement, Saad Healthcare is poised to continue its legacy as a leader in healthcare along the Gulf Coast.For more information or to learn about their services, Saad Healthcare invites you to visit one of their convenient locations or reach out to their compassionate team. Whether you are considering care for yourself or a loved one, Saad Healthcare is dedicated to providing the support and expertise you need. Contact Saad Healthcare at 251-343-9600. 

Anger, Resentment, and Guilt: The Inter-Connected Emotions of Family CaregivingBeing a family caregiver is an emotional roller coaster. On the one hand, it feels good to care for someone you love. On the other hand, it can be stressful, time-consuming, and draining. This can lead to a set of interconnected emotions namely anger, resentment, and guilt.AngerAnger often comes from a sense of obligation or being taken for granted. Caregivers can feel as though theyre stuck with the biggest workload because theyre the oldest sibling, theyre closest to the one receiving care, or they are the most responsible.From the outside looking in, its hard for someone else to understand the time and effort youre putting in, and that can trigger anger in a caregiver. Caregivers want to know, and hear, that they are appreciated and doing a good job.ResentmentFeeling resentment is similar to feeling anger, but not quite the same.Psychologists label the feeling as the re-experiencing of past wrongdoings, real or perceived, a feeling that youre stuck serving the person, indefinitely, and thats causing your anger and discontent with the caregiving responsibilities.This means resentment is often aimed at the person youre caring for. This can happen as your loved ones aging process or illness creates more responsibilities for you and makes you take on an additional role on top of your everyday life.GuiltGuilt is a particularly draining emotion. It typically comes after noticing feelings of anger and resentment. Once you reflect on your emotions and begin to feel bad that youve developed hostile feelings towards a loved one, guilt is the next logical response.It can also be a primary driver of caregiver stress and burnout, as many family caregivers feel guilty for needing a break or not being able to do more for a loved one.These feelings of guilt can be related to many things, such as:               Feeling you are not spending enough time caring for your parent(s)               Feeling like youre not spending enough time with your kids because you are caring for your parent(s)               Feeling that your spouse might be the last person you think about.               Not taking care of yourself, missing a workout or being unfocused at work.You can also feel guilty about not having your parents move in with you or leaving your parents in a house they can no longer manage. And sometimes, you might even feel guilt thinking that your life would be easier if your parent(s) died.  How to Manage These Emotions1. Better understand the disease process of your loved one. This can help you develop the appropriate engagement style and communication patterns to reduce the likelihood of getting angry or resentful.2. Assess your ability to provide the level of care your loved one needs:               Are you physically able to care for this person?               Are you emotionally able to care for this person?               Is there an appropriate environment in which to provide the level of care that is required?3. Make a plan to provide the appropriate level of care. This will reduce your stress level because you will feel more in control.Be sure to tap into a local care manager to understand the local services and support that can be incorporated into your care plan, such as medical transportation, prescription delivery, Meals on Wheels and respite care from a home care agency such as SYNERGY HomeCare.4. Make peace that this will be an emotional time for your entire family. Theres no shame in seeking professional counseling to support you through this life-changing process.Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments.  Call Synergy HomeCare serving Mobile & Baldwin Counties in Alabama at 251-621-1900 to talk to a Home Care specialist.