Not Just Another Doctor's Office: Inside Geriatric Assessment

Understanding and Caring for Memory Loss at Saint Alphonsus Memory Center The Saint Alphonsus Memory Center, located in the Treasure Valley, operates three outpatient multidisciplinary clinics dedicated to the prevention, early diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment of Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and mild cognitive impairment. Our expert team includes geriatricians, a neurologist, advanced practice practitioners specializing in dementia, a geriatric psychiatrist, clinical pharmacists, social workers, a chaplain, and administrative assistants. Patients and caregivers can self-refer through our website, by phone at 208-302-5400, or via referral from their primary care providers. We welcome individuals at any stage of their journey with memory loss, offering support for prevention, early detection, and treatment, including for those with advanced dementia. For those in the early stages, our Brain Health Program focuses on optimizing cognitive function through lifestyle medicine. This program targets 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, which account for around 45% of cases, including hypertension, obesity, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, low educational attainment, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, depression, physical inactivity, social isolation, diabetes, high LDL, vision loss and air pollution. Our team helps patients identify their strengths and risk factors, setting SMART goals to significantly reduce dementia risk and improve brain health. We provide resources and regular follow-ups to support patients in their brain health journey. All patients receive a comprehensive evaluation from our dementia experts, with additional team members involved as needed. Even for those with a well-established diagnosis, our team can assist by explaining disease progression, connecting patients and caregivers to resources, optimizing health, supporting emotional and spiritual needs, and planning for the future. Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Dr. Kara Kuntz, Medical Director for the Saint Alphonsus Memory Center, who can be reached at 208-302-5400.  

Seniors Helping Seniors In-Home Services Offers Advice for Rekindling Purpose and Joy After the HolidaysSeniors Helping Seniors owners C.J. Girod and Travis Hudson are placing a spotlight on advice and insights for how seniors can find meaningful ways to stay engaged and motivated in the new year.Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services, a franchisor with over 115 franchise partners and more than 300 territories nationwide, has grown rapidly in recent years. The company attributes its success to its skilled team of caregivers who foster meaningful connections with their senior care receivers. While the holiday season is often filled with joy and activity, the weeks that follow can be particularly challenging.According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 89% of U.S. adults report feeling the holiday blues. For older adults, this emotional slump can be even more pronounced. The shift from the holiday seasons energy to a quieter, more isolated period can lead to sadness and make it difficult to maintain an active lifestyle.After the excitement of the holidays, it can be especially tough for seniors to stay active, particularly in colder climates, said C.J. Girod, President of Seniors Helping Seniors Southwestern PA, which serves southern Allegheny County and northern Washington County. We see every year how the post-holiday season can bring unique challenges for our elderly friends, family and neighbors.The key to staying active once the holidays have passed is to find meaningful ways to stay engaged and motivated as the new year begins, said Travis Hudson, Owner of Seniors Helping Seniors Pittsburgh Northeast, which serves northern and eastern Allegheny County and western Westmoreland County.We work closely with our senior care receivers and their families to cultivate routines and activities that inspire a sense of purpose and fulfillment throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season, Girod and Hudson said.Some of Girods and Hudsons tips for seniors looking to shake off the post-holiday doldrums include:Set small goals for the new year.Maintain social connections.Stay physically active.Look for opportunities to volunteer.Create a cozy, positive environment.Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services has grown rapidly in recent years, extending its reach into more than 30 U.S. states as well as international markets.Seniors Helping Seniors services stand out from other brands in the elder care space partly through its commitment to hiring senior caregivers, which provides employment opportunities for seniors and better cultivates meaningful relationships between caregivers and care receivers.What I truly appreciate about working with Seniors Helping Seniors network is that its commitment to improving health and well-being goes beyond just our clients, Girod said. Our whole team is deeply committed to making a positive difference in the community as a whole, and we are always looking for new opportunities to offer support and care to those who need it most, said Hudson.Caregivers are at the core of what we do, and their work is essential to the health and happiness of so many people around the world, said Seniors Helping Seniors President Namrata Yocom-Jan. Nearly half of all caregivers in the U.S. are over 50 and face their own health challenges. Thats why Seniors Helping Seniors in-home service prioritizes hiring caregivers over the age of 65 and provides comprehensive support to promote their mental, physical and emotional well-being.Over the past 25 years, weve put a lot of work into ensuring that Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care is not only the best option for our seniors but also for caregivers across the country, Yocom-Jan said. Thats something we are extremely proud of, but its not something we take for granted. We will continue to make sure anyone who has the passion and skills to be a great caregiver will find a great opportunity to grow and make an impact with Seniors Helping Seniors services. Our caregivers truly have a way to give and to receive.For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com.

                                                     PRESS RELEASE:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              C.J. Girod                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     President                                                                                                                                    412-944-2470                                                                                                                      [email protected]                                                                                 National Caregivers Day: Seniors Helping Seniors In-Home Services Offers Advice for Keeping Caregivers Healthy Seniors Helping Seniors Southwestern PA President C.J. Girod is placing a spotlight on advice and insights for keeping caregivers healthy for National Caregivers Day on February 21st.  PITTSBURGH, PA  Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services, a franchisor with over 180 franchise partners with more than 350 territories nationwide, has grown rapidly in recent years by building a workforce of talented caregivers who create meaningful relationships with their senior care clients. These individuals build meaningful connections with the seniors they assist, enriching lives through personalized care. On February 21, in recognition of National Caregivers Day, Seniors Helping Seniors services is celebrating the caregivers whose unwavering commitment has solidified the brand as a trusted leader in in-home care."Caregivers are the heart of our mission, playing a vital role in bringing comfort, care, and joy to countless lives," said Namrata Yocom-Jan, Seniors Helping Seniors president.National Caregivers Day is celebrated nationally every third Friday in February. It was established in 2015 by Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies (PAHHHA).  Family members serve as the primary caregivers for most older adults and individuals with disabilities in the U.S. Recognizing this reality, Seniors Helping Seniors network has expanded nationwide, offering family caregivers a chance to transform their dedication and passion into rewarding career opportunities. At the same time, the brand provides much-needed support to family caregivers, helping alleviate caregiver burnout challenges. Our senior caregivers are the backbone of what we do and an invaluable part of our franchise, said C.J. Girod, President of Seniors Helping Seniors Southwestern PA. They bring joy and comfort to seniors by delivering compassionate care and assistance with daily tasks that become more difficult with age. By supporting our caregivers as much as our clients, we create a community that thrives on empathy and mutual respect. Nearly half of caregivers in the U.S. are over the age of 50, putting them at increased risk of health challenges. To address this, Seniors Helping Seniors services, which focuses on hiring seniors (individuals over the age of 65) as caregivers, offers extensive support to promote the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of its team members.Weve worked hard to ensure that Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care is not just the best choice for our clients but also a fulfilling opportunity for caregivers nationwide, Girod said. This commitment is something were incredibly proud of, and we remain dedicated to creating a supportive environment where anyone with the passion and skills to provide exceptional care can thrive. Our caregivers truly embody the spirit of giving and receiving.  ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS Seniors Helping Seniors franchise system was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked to advance humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa. After moving to the U.S. in 1995 and marrying her husband Philip, the Yocoms felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding homecare provider in the U.S., Seniors Helping Seniors locations stands apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors service aligns caregivers and care recipients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors network has grown to has grown to 300-plus locations, and over 180 franchise partners in 35-plus states and international markets. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/.