NPR: Hospital Care For Serious Conditions Is Moving Into Homes

The Benefits and Services of Non-Medical In-Home CareAs our loved ones age or face health challenges, ensuring their well-being and independence becomes a priority. Non-medical in-home care offers a compassionate solution, providing personalized support in the comfort of home. Homecare Companions specializes in delivering this care, catering to a diverse range of needs with services designed to enhance quality of life and peace of mind.Who Benefits from Non-Medical In-Home Care?Non-medical in-home care is ideal for individuals facing health-related challenges, including: Aging parents who need assistance with daily activities. Those living with chronic or progressive conditions such as ALS, Parkinsons disease, or dementia. Individuals recovering from surgery or rehabilitation after a stroke. Patients with visual impairments, mobility issues, or an increased risk of falls. People navigating the complexities of end-of-life care due to diseases like cancer, heart disease, or COPD. Amputees and others adjusting to significant physical changes. Whether the goal is regaining independence or enhancing comfort during challenging times, in-home care provides tailored support for every unique situation. Core Services Provided by Homecare CompanionsHomecare Companions focus on non-medical services that improve clients daily lives. Key offerings include: Help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and incontinence care. Meal Preparation and Nutrition Support: Cooking, feeding assistance, and ensuring dietary needs are met. Light Housekeeping: Tasks such as laundry, cleaning, and maintaining a tidy home environment. Medication Reminders: Helping clients stay on track with their medication schedules. Transportation Services: Driving clients to medical appointments, grocery stores, or social outings. Companionship: Providing emotional support and reducing feelings of isolation through meaningful interactions. Mobility Support: Helping clients with mobility and transferring. End-of-Life Support: Offering compassionate care and emotional support for patients and families in hospice care. Enhanced Services and CustomizationHomecare Companions also offer additional services to suit individual needs, such as: Personalized Care Plans: Based on a complimentary in-home assessment, tailored care plans address the specific needs of each client. Collaboration with Other Care Providers: Coordinating with home health or hospice care teams to provide seamless, 24/7 support. Insurance Assistance: We are a fully insured, certified and bonded long-term care company. With an RN on staff we can accommodate almost all long term care insurance requirements. FAQs About Non-Medical In-Home Care1. How Much Does It Cost? The cost depends on the level of care, location, and frequency of visits. Contact Homecare Companions for a customized quote.2. Is It Covered by Insurance? Medicare typically doesnt cover non-medical in-home care, but many long-term care insurance policies do. Homecare Companions is certified to meet insurance requirements and can assist with claims.3. How Do I Find a Qualified Caregiver? Homecare Companions carefully vets each caregiver with background checks, reference verification, and training to ensure professionalism and trustworthiness.4. How Can I Arrange Services? Contact Homecare Companions at (251) 699-3441 to schedule a complimentary assessment and create a care plan tailored to your loved ones needs. The Benefits of Homecare CompanionsHaving a homecare companion brings numerous advantages, including: Promoting independence by assisting with daily tasks. Providing genuine companionship to combat loneliness. Reducing stress for families by offering peace of mind. Enhancing overall well-being in the familiarity of home. Whether supporting recovery, navigating chronic conditions, or ensuring comfort during end-of-life care, Homecare Companions are committed to delivering compassionate and comprehensive support. Serving Baldwin and Mobile counties. Contact Homecare Companions today at 251-699-3441 to learn more about how we can assist you and your family!

Sleep Disturbances And DementiaAccording to the Mayo Clinics website, about 25 percent of people with mild to moderate dementia experience disturbances in their sleep. Nearly half of the individuals with severe dementia experience sleep disturbances, indicating that sleep troubles worsen as dementia progresses.If you or someone you love has dementia, understanding what sleep disturbances are and how to manage them may help improve life quality and sleep. What Is A Sleep Disturbance?A sleep disturbance is a condition that affects a persons ability to fall or stay asleep, including sleep disorders like insomnia. A sleep disturbance can also include a condition that affects a persons wakefulness, like sleep apnea.Signs and symptoms related to sleep disorders can vary depending on the condition, but people who have trouble sleeping may experience:  Difficulty falling asleep even when feeling tired Waking up throughout the night Feeling fatigued throughout the day  How Are Dementia and Sleep Disturbances Related?Experts are still trying to assess the exact correlation between dementia and sleep disturbances. One possible reason for sleep troubles is that dementia can affect a persons production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone in the brain that makes people sleepy when its dark and alert when its bright outside. As the brain changes with dementia, it may affect a persons melatonin production and sleep.Other causes of sleep disturbances for people with dementia may include dementia medications or confusion at night, also called sundowning. What Is Sundowning?Sundowning is when a person with dementia has increased confusion at night. Sundowning is not a condition but a symptom of dementia that may cause a person to feel anxious, disorientated, or agitated. A person experiencing sundowning may also begin to pace, have trouble falling asleep, or have hallucinations. Tips For Managing Sleep DisturbancesSleep disturbances related to dementia can be a bit more difficult to manage, but a few lifestyle changes may help seniors fall and stay asleep. Follow A RoutineRoutines are helpful for seniors with dementia because they give predictability to their day. Routines can also train the body when to be awake and tired. A solid routine includes establishing a regular bedtime to get the body and mind conditioned for sleep. Create A Relaxing Sleep EnvironmentYou want the environment you sleep in to be relaxing. It should be free of distractions like televisions, cell phones, and laptops. It should also be dim or dark and at a comfortable temperature. Find A Support GroupDementia support groups are a great place to connect with others going through similar situations. Group leaders and members may also offer advice on how they or a loved one have slept better. If youre interested in a free group, the Gulf Coast Dementia Services Support Groups meet for an hour on the second Tuesday of every month. Dementia Care With Visiting AngelsCaring for a loved one with dementia is hard work, and its not something you have to do alone. At Visiting Angels, we provide at-home care services to help seniors age in place, including specialized care services for those with dementia.Our team offers full-time, part-time, and overnight care to help dementia patients who may struggle with sleep disturbances. Caregivers provide physical and emotional support to help clients feel safe and comfortable at home. Services can include medication reminders, creating a relaxing sleep environment, encouraging bedtime, and mobility around the house. We also provide light housekeeping, meal preparation, appointment transportation, and personal grooming. Contact our Gulf Shores office at 251-943-7525 to learn more about our at-home care and dementia services.  

Emergency Kit EssentialsNo one wants to think theyll be in an emergency. However, preparing yourself for an emergency is important, even if you dont think itll happen. One of the essential steps in preparing for an emergency is putting together an emergency kit. An emergency kit is a collection of essential items for an emergency, like a natural disaster. Its a pack of essentials you can survive on if something happens and may even save your life.Do I Need An Emergency Kit?Everyone should have an emergency kit, especially if you live somewhere prone to natural disasters like Mobile, Alabama. Since Mobile is near the Gulf, there is a high natural disaster risk for hurricane-related incidents and wildfires because of the high temperatures. Even if a natural disaster doesnt directly hit your home, you could experience related effects, such as power outages, flooding, or decreased air quality. All of these may impact your safety and require an emergency kit. Emergency kits are not just for natural disasters. They are also useful in other emergencies, such as a house fire. Having a kit packed and ready to go makes it easier for you to grab essentials in case you need to quickly leave your home. What Goes in My Emergency Kit?Everyones emergency kit will vary, but it should include any daily necessities plus anything you can benefit from in an emergency. The National Institute on Aging recommends packing these essentials in your emergency kit: Food and water: Youll want fresh, bottled water and nonperishable items you can enjoy without much preparation, such as crackers, canned tuna, and dried fruit.  Flashlight: In case of a power outage, youll want a few large flashlights and batteries to help you see.   First aid kit: You should have a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment, cloth tape, and dressing. You can find pre-made first-aid kits at any local convenience or drug store.  Sanitation supplies: Your sanitation supplies should include things to clean an area, like disinfectant wipes and hygiene products, like a travel toothbrush and toothpaste.  Sleeping bag and blankets: Sleeping bags and extra blankets are helpful if you get displaced from your home and need something to keep you warm while sleeping.  Communication devices: Cell phones may not be reliable in a natural disaster. Secondary communication devices, like walkie-talkies and CB radios, can help you communicate with authorities during a natural disaster.  Clothes and shoes: Consider packing a few days worth of extra clothing and a pair of shoes.  Eyeglasses and hearing aids: Pack an extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts if you have them. Youll also want an extra hearing set and batteries.  Medications: Make sure you keep your prescription medications close to your emergency kit to be easily accessible in an emergency. You can also pack nonprescription medications, like pain relievers.  Health information and copies of important documents: Keep copies of any important documents in your emergency kit if something happens to the originals.  Assembling An Emergency Kit With Visiting Angels Visiting Angels wants nothing more than to ensure their clients' safety, including helping them prepare an emergency kit. Our caregivers are happy to help you make a list of essentials, provide transportation to pick up necessities from a nearby store, and assemble your kit for emergencies. Outside of helping you prepare for an emergency, our caregivers also provide non-medical services to keep you living safely at home. Caregiving duties include medication reminders, mobility assistance, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. We also offer specialized services like dementia care and assistance in returning home after a hospital stay. Our Mobile office works with local clients throughout the surrounding communities. Contact our office at 251-345-4100 to learn more about our at-home caregiving services.