Synergy HomeCare - Boulder

Do you have a loved one living in an assisted living facility? Assisted living facilities are residences designed for people who are independent but need some help with daily activities. These facilities can be freestanding communities, part of a retirement community or integrated within nursing homes or hospitals.Assisted living maximizes the dignity and independence of residents while also providing 24-hour supervision. In addition to housing, which can range from a private or shared bedroom to a full apartment, assisted living facilities generally provide meals, housekeeping, transportation, security and activities for residents for a set monthly cost. In addition to monthly costs, personal care services may be provided at an additional charge. Such personal care services could include laundry, medication reminders, or assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and ambulating/transferring.While people in assisted living dont require skilled nursing around the clock, they do need help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Depending on the facility and its staffing ratios, your loved one may need additional one-on-one care to complement the care provided by the facility staff. In addition to always being ready to help with ADLs, SYNERGY HomeCares assisted living home care services can provide more regular supervision and companionship as well as encourage your loved one to eat meals or participate in activities.This added layer of support for your loved one living in an assisted living facility can provide you with peace of mind, as well as help reduce the anxiety and agitation your loved one may experience in a new environment.If youre interested in supplemental caregiving, begin by consulting the facilitys administration to understand what services they cover and where a professional caregiver can add the most value. SYNERGY HomeCares assisted living home care services ensure that the caregiver, while working at the facility, will report directly to the loved ones family who contracted their care.In my opinion, this offers the best of both worlds: a safe and secure living situation with the added support of a personalized caregiver.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. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimers or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. If you have any questions, please call us at 720-204-5788.

According to a 2023 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving, 53 million Americans are unpaid family caregivers, making up over 21% of the U.S. adult population. Many of these caregiver's juggle at-home responsibilities with full-time jobs, meaning they never truly clock out, even once their work shifts have ended.This around-the-clock workload greatly affects caregivers productivity, mental health, and relationships. Despite the high number of caregivers across the country who experience these adverse effects, many struggle to find the support they need, often fearing that asking for help might make them seem like a failure. However, stress reduction programs in the workplace, such as employee assistance programs, can provide the necessary support. The opposite couldnt be truer.The Role of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)Most major employers recognize the burden placed on family caregivers, as over 80% of companies with more than 1,000 employees offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), according to the International Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA). These programs provide:Caregiving provider referrals Flexible working hours Remote work options Support groups and networks Child/elder care subsidies Caregiving seminars Paid time off On-site childcare Maternity/paternity leaveNot only do these services alleviate at-work stress, but they also free up more time for employees once they get back home. According to SYNERGY HomeCares Ultimate Guide to Caregiving, some of the simplest tasks like running errands, cooking family meals, and even doing laundry can become overwhelming when compounded with other everyday responsibilities. Fortunately, many of these responsibilities can be addressed by the support services available through employee assistance programs.Care Mapping: Identify Where You Need HelpTo make the most of EAPs, SYNERGY HomeCare suggests care mapping. This involves categorizing daily tasks into bucketswork, home, caregiving and self-care. Identifying the most stressful areas helps caregivers pinpoint where they need support, guiding their discussions with employers about specific EAP services.Explore Employer-Sponsored Support During Open EnrollmentMany companies offer employees the opportunity to shop their healthcare benefits and select programs that best fit their needs in a period known as open enrollment. Open enrollment is the perfect time to fully explore what EAP services would address your needs as a caregiver. While many in-house offerings normally include health, dental, and retirement saving options, do your due diligence to find other local resources that may be worth tapping into. Beyond workplace offerings, local resources like Meals on Wheels, transportation services, and in-home care programs can provide additional support. These stress reduction programs in the workplace can often be integrated into employee assistance programs (EAPs) if discussed with employers.For more resources, AARP and the Northeast Business Group on Health offer a digital support guide with valuable information that you can access anywhere.Remember, caregiving is challenging, and its okay to ask for help. Whether you talk with your local SYNERGY HomeCare provider, or chat with your employer about available support options, communication is key and can make you feel better as a caregiver and as a person. For more information, please call 720-204-5788.

SYNERGY HomeCare, the nations fastest growing home care franchise, an Entrepreneur 500 ranked enterprise and a Top 200 Franchise according to Franchise Business Review, today announced the launch of ConciergeCare, a new high-touch home care offering designed to ease the process of returning home post-discharge from a hospital, rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing facility, or specialty outpatient surgery center.Offering highly personalized levels of care, ConciergeCare can begin as early as pre-discharge. Packages range from a few days of post-discharge support to an entire month or more of care. All care packages can be extended as needed, and optional add-on services are available.  According to Rich Paul, Chief Partnership Officer for SYNERGY HomeCare, the ConciergeCare program is designed to make the clients home the most comfortable environment for recovery, while anticipating the myriad of personal needs clients may have as they progress through their healing journey.Home care plays a vital role within the care continuum and care circle, and that is especially true during the transition from hospital to home, said Paul. This is a critical juncture in the path to recovery, one that can support compliance with prescribed medications and interventions to reduce the likelihood of readmission to the hospital. Specially trained, compassionate SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers can enhance clients quality of life during healing and recovery, and ultimately ensure the best possible outcome for the long term.Services include:Companion careMedication remindersLight housekeepingMeal planning and preparationGrocery shoppingPrescription pick-upAccessible transportationMobility assistanceCare coordination and planningFamily outreach and video conferencingClients receive the comfort, familiarity and independence that comes with recovery at home while having an attentive and experienced SYNERGY HomeCare caregiver available to help with personal needs, including meal preparation, mobility around the house, bathing and dressing, and transportation to and from follow-up appointments. Caregivers provide companionship and support with aftercare plans. Client benefits include:Peace of mind that an experienced caregiver is providing five-star level care and attentiveness for their complex needsImproved satisfaction and quality of life throughout the healing and recovery journeyReduced social isolation and lonelinessCare coordination with family members and other care providersIn addition, family members get peace of mind knowing that their loved one is receiving the highest level of compassionate care in the comfort of their own home, designed to promote recovery, safety, and overall well-being. The SYNERGY HomeCare ConciergeCare program is built upon a Five-Star approach to care, which is based on quality indicators used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).Personalized CarePersonalized level of care with turnkey packages to fit any need and budget. Packages range from a few days of post-discharge support to an entire month or more of care. All care packages can be extended as needed, and optional add-on services are available. Compassionate CareHigh-touch, attentive, compassionate care throughout every step of the clients recovery at home. Safety FocusedProactive measures ensure the home is a safe environment for healing and recovery. Healing and RecoveryCare in the most comfortable and familiar place to heal and recoverthe clients home. Outcomes DrivenLevel of care supports efforts to reduce hospital readmission, emergency room visits, and prevent falls and injury. If you have any questions, please call Synergy HomeCare - Boulder 303-465-4663.

Ive spent the bulk of my career focused on building strategic partnerships that enhance service delivery in several health care sectors, including homecare. Im a self-professed nuts and bolts kind of guy where small tweaks can often make big changes.But Im focused on the big picture as well. And something came into my view recently that is sure to make a significant impact on our industry.That is, how we talk about aging.As a society, we often dont like to talk about aging and all the things that come along with it. That may be why we experience pervasive ageism and a negative connotation to growing older.A recent conference sponsored by the trade publication Advertising Week attracted members of creative industries such as marketing, technology and culture to bring key issues and ideas to the forefront. This four-day event with more than 800 speakers drew thousands in the advertising industry.I noticed that AARP was involved in two prominent sessions: The Rise of the 50+ Tech Consumer and Why Ageism Must Be Part of the DE&I  (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Discussion. Martha Bourdreau, AARPs chief communications & marketing officer, was joined on the stage by Kristin Flanik, who is president and CEO of the advertising agency power BBDO NY.First of all, congratulations to AARP for bringing these topics to the forefront. It is fantastic that ageism is being addressed by the advertising industry, which tends to ignore older demographics because they are not considered target markets. As they wrote in their session description, those over 50 make up 47% of the U.S. population and drive more than $8.3 trillion in annual economic activity. Clearly, the aging demographic should not be ignored.But the aging population is hindered by stereotypes in advertising. It wasnt that long ago that E-Trade received negative reactions to its This Is Getting Old commercial during the 2018 Superbowl. The following year, Fast Company noted that ads geared toward older consumers tended to be condescending at best and offensive at worst. More recently, author Ken Dychtwald addressed the continuation of ageism in advertising in an AARP article, saying ads that show contempt for older people are still far too common.Thats why I appreciated a recent article in New York Magazines recurring column, The Strategist. Staffers put together a 57-question survey for Strategist readers 65 and older. Included were questions about their most beloved clothing brands, their most coveted electronics and the gifts they love to use.Guess what? They are busting stereotypes! They are interested in looking good and feeling good. Sixty-one percent shop online at least once a week. The stationary bike is a big post-retirement buy. Hoka and Nike are mentioned as prominent shoe brands. They debate the merits of Kindles vs. iPads.This doesnt sound like the end of the road for an aging population. And thats great, since we know that by 2035 there will be more people 65 and older than those 18 and younger for the first time ever.Those of us working on the front lines with an older population should pay attention to these trends and share them broadly. We are the ambassadors of the aging process, which is why were in a great position to influence how we talk about aging. Here are some ways to do it.1. Change the language. Take a look at Words Up: A Guide to Inclusive Language, a report from an advertising agency that tackled numerous aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), including ageism. After addressing stereotypical ads, they came up with a series of words that should be welcomed and those to avoid:Adopt these words: older, an elder, mature, wise, seasoned, experiencedAvoid these words: old person, golden years, elderlyPersonally, Im on a mission to eliminate the use of term elderly. Getting older is part of life. Elderly connotes an affliction, not a life stage.2. Focus on later semesters. Our SYNERGY HomeCare gerontologist Dr. Macie Smith refers to aging as another semester in life. Think about high school and college. Werent our last semesters so much better than the early ones? Aging is part of lifes education. Our clients are still learning, doing, growing, caring and loving. Lets work to always share these examples. And we should always be trying to learn from them, and then share their wisdom, as we all work to show these later semesters should be welcomed, not feared.3. Embrace positivity. Unfortunately, many of us are dealing with older people who have physical and cognitive concerns. But that shouldnt stop us from saying wonderful things about our clients and what they have achievedand are achievingin life. Lets emphasize the joys we bring our clients, the joys they bring us, the pleasures in their days and the things theyve done and learned. During our SYNERGY Effect ad campaign, we focused on how we propel lives forward. We all do that every day. Lets make sure we share it.4. Say something. I was on a video conference recently and one of the participants on the call said, I was in a store and this old cashier lady I stopped the call and politely said, Why did you say old cashier lady? Isnt it great that shes able to live her life and still work? Sure, its not easy to correct someone, but we should all do it.Ive concluded that even though Im not a marketer, I am in marketing. The interactions we have every day provide us with great insight in the positives of aging. Lets commit to showcasing them.If you have any questions, please call Synergy HomeCare - Boulder 303-465-4663.

More than 750,000 Americans experience a stroke every year. Readjusting to life after a stroke can be overwhelming, but SYNERGY HomeCare Gerontologist Dr. Macie Smith has tips for a successful home-based recovery. When focusing on stroke recovery at home, be sure to review all of the information you received from the hospital and/or rehab facility. This will include any new medications that have been prescribed. It will also include information about in-home care providers for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. If there are prescriptions for any durable medical equipment like a walker or gait belt, make sure to understand how to use them properly.As you recalibrate to your at-home routine, it is important that you stick to the prescribed therapy sessions and that you do the prescribed exercises in between home visits from your therapists.The biggest focus of stroke recovery is getting ones strength back. But its equally important to recognize that a full recovery from a stroke may mean having a new baseline of ability and function. That means you may not get back to what you had before the stroke. Doing your therapy will mean that you get as much back as you possibly can.Another important component of recovery relates to understanding the recovery journey, which is specific to each person. Knowing what to expect during recovery can help manage expectations so frustration or despair doesnt set in. Talk with the doctors and therapists to get a clear picture on how much progress you might expect to make over specific time periods.Pay attention to your or your loved ones mental state during this period of recovery. An extreme sad mood lasting longer than two weeks may be a sign of depression, which will need to be addressed.The bottom line is that there are a lot of moving parts during stroke recovery at home. Family caregivers may be overwhelmed and need some assistance with activities of daily living. Respite care for the family caregiver may also be warranted.SYNERGY HomeCare offers highly personalized levels of quality care as early as pre-discharge from the hospital, and our Stroke Recovery program specializes in supporting a recovery plan at homethe best place to be.To learn how SYNERGY HomeCare can support you following a stay in the hospital, click here.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. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimers or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more information, please call 720-204-5788.

What do Richard Simmons and Bob Saget have in common? The curly-haired fitness advocate and comedian, actor, TV host were both household names and they both died as a result of a fall.Over 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 fall every year, resulting in 3 million annual emergency department admissions. Every 11 seconds an older adult is admitted to the ER, and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from a fall.The reality is that falls can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Here are some essential fall precautions to help you stay safe and reduce your risk.Assess Your Health FactorsIn order to prevent falls, first you need to evaluate how likely you are to suffer one. Older adults are particularly susceptible due to impaired vision, chronic conditions that affect mobility, weakened muscles or certain medications. If you or a loved one fall into any of these categories, that puts you more at risk for a fall, speak with a care provider to see if they can address any of these conditions to reduce your risk.Address Your Mobility ConcernsIf you or a loved one struggles to move around freely, dont hesitate to utilize assistive devices. Walkers and canes are affordable solutions to mobility impairment, while shower chairs or bed rails can help you with some of the most routine parts of the day. Appropriate footwear can be another easy solution to mobility concerns. Buy socks with grip on the bottom or shoes that can be easily slipped on and worn around the house to avoid the possibility of slipping and sliding on hardwood floors.Accident-Proof Your HomeAccident-proofing is the most easily controllable method of fall prevention. While falls can happen anywhere, theyre most likely to occur where you spend the most timeat home. With that in mind, you can make your home safer by doing the following: Clearing clutter on the floor and stairs Making sure hallways and stairways are well-lit Securing rugs and other floor coverings with non-slip adhesives Keeping everyday items in easily accessible places that dont require much bending or climbingAsk for HelpYou dont have to tackle fall precautions alone. Numerous professional organizations and experts are ready to provide you with all the additional resources you need. The National Council on Aging and local Area Agencies on Aging, for instance, are great resources for fall prevention. SYNERGY HomeCare also offers a comprehensive Fall Prevention Guide and can provide a free in-home assessment with a professional caregiver who can come to your home and identify its biggest risks. SYNERGY HomeCare can also provide you with an around-the-clock team of professional caregivers who are trained to provide much-needed respite care when aging-related difficulties arise. If you have any questions, please contact us at 720-204-5788.

April is Parkinsons Awareness Month. The second most common neuro-degenerative disease in the country behind Alzheimers, Parkinsons disease affects millions of Americans. While there is no cure, it is possible to live a full life with the disease.Commonly known for its movement or motor-related symptoms, such as tremors, abnormally slow movements, shaking, lack of facial expression, involuntary movements or freezing, Parkinsons disease also has non-motor symptoms like apathy, depression, sleep behavior disorders, loss of sense of smell and cognitive impairment.One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with Parkinsons is that everyones disease progresses differently. Symptoms can develop slowly over years and the order in which they appear can vary from person to person. That often makes it hard to diagnose, which can be very frustrating. Symptoms to be aware of include slowness of movement and rigidity; difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking; cognitive impairment and dementia; and mood disorders.The good news is that there are ways to slow the progression of Parkinsons and preserve a high quality of life. As a gerontologist someone who specializes in aging and owner of a non-medical homecare company, Ive made it a point to help spread awareness of Parkinsons and share ways to help people with Parkinsons. SYNERGY Homecare has an educational partnership with the Parkinsons Foundation and we are fortunate to have access to tremendous information and resources.One of the most important things to know is that exercise and activity are key. According to the Parkinsons Outcomes Project, the largest clinical study of Parkinsons disease through the foundations Centers of Excellence network, increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week can help slow decline in quality of life.People living with Parkinsons disease should also keep up with their therapy regiments. Caregivers can help them stick to prescribed physical therapy exercises, occupational therapy, recommended daily living modifications and speech exercises. This can include gait and balance training, resistance training and regular exercise.Having a physical as well as emotional support system can make a huge difference for people with Parkinsons. In the early stages of Parkinsons, people typically require emotional support more than anything else as they get a handle on having a progressive disease.In order to preserve a high quality of life, its important to let someone with Parkinsons disease maintain their independence for as long as possible. As the disease progresses, some activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating and bathing, may require workarounds and there are multiple ideas and suggestions for adaptations on the Parkinsons Foundations website such as:Movement Tremors can make walking difficult Take care of the home, clear things off the floors, arrange furniture in a way that promotes easy access and safety Encourage doctor recommended exercises as well as facial exercises Activities like singing, dancing, or reading aloudBasic grooming Daily hygiene is greatly affected by hand tremors Opt for an electric toothbrush over a manual one Opt for an electric razor over a manual one If balance is off, try sitting down while brushing or shaving.Bathing Stand-in showers are much easier to access than tubs Shower stools also help, especially when unsteadyDressing Opt for clothes that are easier to put on Elastic waistbands Velcro Dress the side most affected first Avoid button-ups and lacesEnsuring a high quality of life with Parkinsons is possible thanks to a complementary approach that includes medications, regular activity and modifications for activities of daily living. If you have any questions, please call Synergy HomeCare - Boulder at 303-465-4663.

Did you know September is National Senior Center Month? Senior benefits centers are often overlooked as a vital source of support for our older loved ones. Heres what you should know.1. How to Find a Senior CenterAs of 2024, there are an estimated 11,000 senior centers in the U.S., serving roughly 1 million older adults every day. In contrast, there are roughly 58 million Americans over the age of 65, meaning that many are neglecting the benefits of the services available at these centers.One of the biggest reasons these centers are underutilized is because not everyone knows how easy they are to find. A simple Google search for senior centers near me, can redirect you to your towns office of aging and disabled services, or you can also visit the website for your local Area Agency on Aging. Both resources can provide you with plenty of options and information about the senior centers nearest to you.2. A Senior Center is a Community HubSenior centers not only provide older adults with a community hub to interact with other people of the same age, but they also provide productive outlets to keep our older loved ones engaged. From fitness classes and health screenings to organized social events and parties, a senior center can provide a lifestyle similar to what youd find at an upscale country club.3. Senior Centers Combat IsolationOne of the biggest risks to older adults is isolation. Isolation can expedite the aging process and is a leading factor behind depression in older adults. Senior centers offer the perfect social outlet to avoid these threats by providing older adults with a wealth of group-centric entertainment options to choose from.4. Senior Centers Promote Health & WellnessMany of these group activities are centered around fitness and health. From group yoga to swim classes to readily available health screenings, there is no shortage of options to choose from for a person to stay in shape at a senior center.5. Senior Centers Provide Support and ServicesSenior centers can also handle many day-to-day needs for older adults that they may not feel comfortable doing on their own. Some centers come with in-house nutritional programs and meal prep to keep diets balanced, while others also provide transportation assistance and direct access to other nearby social services. The ultimate goal of these senior centers is to provide the everyday assistance that an older adult may need in order to continue living independently.SYNERGY HomeCare offers many services that complement those found at a typical senior benefits center. Both outlets are designed to provide much-needed respite for everyday caregivers, meaning your local SYNERGY HomeCare office likely has a close working relationship with nearby senior benefits centers.If you want to tap into SYNERGY HomeCares professional in-home caregiving services, visit our website here, or call (877) 432-2692. Conversely, if you need information or guidance on how to get your older loved one some out-of-home help, the professionals at your nearest SYNERGY HomeCare location are happy to point you in the right direction. If you have any questions, please call us at 720-204-5788.