I enjoy working with veterans because they have a wonderful view of the world and of life itself, says caregiver Montana F. You get to meet amazing people and enjoy each others company, while helping them with their daily needs. Montana is just one of the caregivers at independently owned and operated BrightStar Care agencies across the country who are passionate about supporting their clients who have served our country. With more than 4,000 veterans tended to by our compassionate and experienced caregivers during 2022, weve found that our caregivers gain far more than they give. Were proud to share a few of these powerful relationships. Christines StoryMontana F. has been caring for veteran Christine S. for more than a year, handling those daily activities that Christine can no longer do herself or that cause extreme exhaustion. Since Christine was no longer eating well-balanced meals due to persistent fatigue, one of Montanas most important tasks includes cooking healthy food and prepping meals for future use. My diet has improved immensely since Montana started visiting and Im so grateful for all she does for me, Christine says. Montana is also there to help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like light housekeeping and ensuring Christine can take a safe and comfortable shower. Montanas care does more than just nourish Christines body, it also feeds her soul. Christine explains that she loves having someone listen to her, ask about her day and truly care how shes feeling. It helps me not feel so alone; having someone who cares enough to take time to sit and chat is amazing! But its not all about sitting. Another valuable service Montana provides is driving Christine to appointments and errands. Prior to their relationship, Christine would have to nap in her car in-between errands because her energy was zapped. BrightStar Care also helped her get a scooter, which she uses when grocery shopping or on other outings. Montana loves getting to know her clients and is committed to being kind and patient with each one. Thats the thing about genuine client and caregiver relationships its a two-way street of respect and affection.Jacks StoryMy caregiver is a great source of inspiration, says Jack K., a veteran in Chico, California, who has been a BrightStar Care client since January of 2022. Its nice to know that people care; and Im not as depressed anymore.Jacks praise demonstrates that caregiver Isabelle J. is meeting her goal of making her clients days a little brighter. Some of my clients have a lot of health issues and they can become discouraged, so I want to cheer them up, Isabelle says. Caring about people is really important. When people know you care, then they want to keep moving forward. Isabelle helps Jack keep his home clean, drives him to appointments, makes meals and is in the home when he showers to make sure he remains safe. Since having surgery on one of his eyes, a BrightStar Care team member has checked in with him every day. Another goal Jack has is to take his medication consistently. Sometimes clients need a gentle reminder about those activities that can keep them healthy and safe this sometimes includes staying hydrated, eating nutritious meals and avoiding falls. Isabelle is great, Jack says before sharing his future goal of enrolling in real estate classes. This friendship has become one of mutual admiration and inspiration. In Jacks own words, Shes a real nice gal.Kenneths StoryCorporal Kenneth R., served as a United States Marine completing two tours during the Vietnam War. With a choice between being drafted or enlisting, Kenneth chose to enlist., Kenneth has been receiving care from Karen M., HHA, CNA, of BrightStar Care of Burnsville / South St. Paul for just over a year. Karen provides companionship and support for activities of daily living (ADLs) for this veteran who has a personality that others gravitate to.  Karen shared an example of his engaging personality, Sometimes when I think hes fallen asleep and not be listening to whats being said, he will make a comment or wiggle his eyebrows to let us know he is still in there. I enjoy every moment with Kenneth and hearing his stories. She also says that its in Kenneths nature to look out for everyone around him. He is super grateful after all hes been through and thankful for a wife thats always been beside him in sickness and in health. In addition to meeting Kenneths needs, Karens service has enabled his wife to meet her own needs. This respite creates time and space for Leota to attend appointments and run errands, as well as satisfy self-care measures like going for a walk or seeing friends. Leota says she can do this because she knows she can trust and depend on the BrightStar Care Burnsville / South St. Paul team. Karen has heard similar comments from other families shes worked with. They often say that BrightStar Care agencies hire quality caregivers, offer more care than similar companies and provide peace of mind.The Privilege is OursWe consider it to be the highest honor to care for veterans by supporting their independence and dignity. We come into their homes to assist with meals, mobility, errands and more, but we are the ones who are blessed by the stories they share and the love they have for our country. Although we have provided nearly 600,000 hours of care to veterans this year, our true focus is on a much smaller number ONE. Our caregivers and nurses are committed to caring for one client at a time. One hour at a time. One special memory at a time. Whether its the joy we see on a clients face when we walk in the door or we notice their physical health is improving, these are the moments that matter. Caregiver Karen M. says it best, Veterans put their lives on the line for our freedom. Its our turn to serve them, by making their lives better every day.With locally owned and operated agencies across the United States, BrightStar Careis one of the countrys leading providers of in-home senior care. We employ nurses, CNAs, and caregivers to deliver a higher standard of care and nothing less in the comfort of familiar surroundings. Please reach out to us for additional insights about working with those who have served our country.  Please call us at 612-435-7390 or visit our website at:  https://www.brightstarcare.com/burnsville-south-st-paul

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia can be physically and emotionally draining, especially when they have behavioral changes caused by their anxiety and confusion. Many advanced dementia patients lash out at their caregivers with unexpected aggression later in the day or at night. The phenomenon is referred to as Sundowners Syndrome or sundowning because the disruptive behavior usually occurs after the sun has gone down and feelings of paranoia, sadness, fear, or anger seep into the mind, sometimes accompanied by delusions or hallucinations. Sundowning is stressful for both persons living with dementia and their caregivers. However, our healthcare professionals are here to offer helpful tips for managing anger and Sundowners Syndrome in loved ones with memory loss.One out of five dementia patients suffer from sundowningElder care presents many unique challenges to caregivers. If youre feeling overwhelmed about your loved ones late afternoon or nighttime mood swings, the most important thing to remember is that you arent alone. According to scientific studies, as many as one out of five people living with Alzheimers or dementia suffer from Sundowners Syndrome. Much mystery shrouds this condition, but experts believe the neurological changes caused by dementia affect the individuals inner body clock. This confusion about the time of day often manifests itself in the person shouting, pacing, and acting in aggressive manners. Sadly, these anger issues tend to worsen as the persons memory loss progresses. Understand their anger isnt directed at you or your actionsThe first step to handling your loved ones anger issues is to understand where this anger is coming from and recognize that it isnt aimed at you or something you have necessarily done. Anger is usually caused by physical, emotional, or mental triggers. Your loved one may be angry because they cannot do the simplest tasks, such as tying their shoes or going to the grocery store. They could be experiencing physical fatigue, discomfort, or soreness you arent aware of, and they are unable to articulate how they are feeling.Be aware that certain medications can cause behavioral side effects. Feelings of boredom or loneliness caused by their condition could also be the culprit for sudden outbursts. Memory loss and disorientation are often mental causes for aggression. Once you understand these underlying causes for your loved ones anger, it may make it easier for you to cope and even avoid sources causing such behavior.Observe what seems to trigger their aggressive behaviorObserving your loved one can provide valuable clues as to whats prompting their aggressive behavior. Do they seem to lash out more when theyre hungry or havent had a restful nights sleep? Sometimes, anger could be caused by overstimulation. Physical clutter, loud noises, bright lights, or lots of activity around them could cause this overstimulation. Consider light-blocking curtains to create a cozy atmosphere during the day, or on the flip side, surround your loved one with plenty of lights at night to alleviate fears when its time to go to sleep. Someone living with dementia may also become upset by anything that disrupts their day, such as diverting from their typical routine or switching caregivers. First-to-second shift rotations typically occur in the late afternoon or early evening hours at most group homes and could be the cause of disruptive patient behaviors.Evaluate how you communicate with your loved oneMuch of caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia is learning how to communicate with them. Always speak softly and slowly with easy-to-understand instructions. Try not to say too much or ask too many questions at once, as this could lead to overstimulation. People often pick up on feelings of uncertainty or irritability, so its crucial to remain calm and reassuring at all times. Even if your loved one lashes out at you verbally or physically, try not to get upset. Never react with force or violence. If theyre in a safe place or someone else can keep an eye on them, walk away from the situation and give yourself time to think and calm down.Consider defusing the tension with music or activitiesOften, you can defuse anger and tension with a relaxing activity, such as massage or music. Try to redirect your loved ones attention to something other than what triggered the behavior. Try putting on your loved ones favorite TV show, suggest taking a walk, or doing something else you know they enjoy.Remember to be kind and empathetic at all timesAbove all, remember to be kind and empathetic at all times when caring for someone with Alzheimers or dementia. You care about this person and their well-being. They are suffering from a disease and often have little to no control over their thoughts, feelings, or actions. Never punish or reprimand them for bad behavior. It is not their fault, and they will likely not remember the scenario afterward. Seek help from their primary care physician or a support group to learn how to detect, defuse, and prevent angry outbursts.Identify what caused the aggression so you can fix itTry to figure out what happened right before the aggressive behavior, so you can take steps to correct it. Keeping a consistent log of your loved ones behaviors and reactions can help you spot patterns and determine potential solutions. If you believe its the persons diet, sleep pattern, surroundings, or medications, consult their physician to make adjustments as necessary to avoid anger triggered by these factors. Be on the lookout for any signs of discomfort or pain and seek immediate medical attention if you believe this is the cause of your loved ones anger. Any time you are concerned about changes in your loved ones behavior, habits, or moods, consult their primary care physician. They are there to provide professional support and information. Ask about the possibility of prescribing anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications to modify behavior.Consider professional elder care from BrightStar CareIts important to recognize when you need help with caring for your loved one living with Alzheimers or dementia. BrightStar Care has nurses, CNAs, and caregivers available around the clock to provide compassionate care in the comfort and familiar surroundings of home. Caring is more than a job to our nurses and caregivers its their passion. Your family is our family!   Contact us for help at 651-770-8427 or visit us at https://www.brightstarcare.com/locations/st-paul/

When you or a loved one are recovering from a hospitalization or are being discharged from a rehabilitation center such as a skilled nursing facility (SNF), you may need short-term transitional home care. Our nurse-led care and team-focused approach are designed to optimize your health and well-being.Even if your loved one is receiving skilled nursing care from another agency (such as a Medicare-approved group), the companion care and personal care services we offer through BrightStar Home Care South Minneapolis Metro provide a wonderful supplement. These services can help meet basic needs such as light housekeeping, companionship, family respite, dressing, personal hygiene and ambulation (walking and moving around).  Professionally delivered care can help reduce undesirable outcomes such as re-hospitalization, medication errors and falls; it may even reduce long-term healthcare costs by helping to prevent the health conditions from getting worse.Short-Term Transitional Home Care ServicesA Registered Nurse (RN) from BrightStar Home Care South Minneapolis Metro oversees the plan of care to help provide a safe transition back home. Our team provides a wide range of services to support a variety of health needs such as:COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Well coach proper inhaler use, provide medication reminders and support habits to improve wellness.Diabetes: We will conduct foot inspections and perform blood glucose level checks, as well as provide family education.Heart Attack/AMI (Acute Myocardial Infarction): Well provide education and support to develop new lifestyle habits that promote heart health.Heart Failure: Well help manage medication adherence, diet and exercise.Pneumonia: Well provide RN-led medication management, help manage oxygen therapy and offer personal care.Post-Operative: We will assist with surgical recovery in the comfort of home.Stroke: We will help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating, dressing and mobility, as well as promote fall safety, offer medication reminders and provide transportation to physician appointments or therapy (physical, occupational and/or speech).Therapy for Post-Op or Stroke: We also have physical, occupational and speech therapists who can provide rehabilitation in your home.Care Paths Deliver Superior OutcomesOne of the unique services we offer is Care Paths for Falls and Change of Condition. Although care paths are fairly common, weve taken this approach farther by building person-centered and condition-specific Care Paths based on your loved ones unique needs, current conditions and past medical history.Using our proprietary technology, our caregivers are able to help predict and prevent a fall or worsening of your family member's current condition. When a change of condition is identified, we will communicate that information immediately to the supervising nurse at BrightStar Home Care South Minneapolis Metro and/or your loved ones physician so any needed action can be taken. If you or your loved one would prefer to receive transitional care at home instead of receiving short-term, facility-based care, please call us at 952.300.3698 or contact us online. We look forward to sharing how we can help.  Or visit us at - https://www.brightstarcare.com/locations/south-minneapolis-metro/