The best way to eliminate elder abuse is to prevent it from ever happening. Yet, when it does occur, the cycle can be difficult to break as the elderly are often silent in their suffering. Seniors may be physically unable to respond to abuse or afraid of the consequences if they speak up and our society often turns a deaf ear to such cries for help. Thus, preventing abuse and neglect becomes even more difficult, but no less imperative.How can a family member, friend, or neighbor identify such neglect? After all, how can you tell that someone is threatening to chastise or deprive someone unless you see it happen? Without seeing it happen, how can you tell that someone is inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts, e.g. humiliating, intimidating, or threatening?Not attending to the elder; ignoring verbal/nonverbal calls for helpLack of attention to the elder's need for affectionFailure to provide necessary psychological care to the senior, such as therapy or medications for depressionElders can:Plan their financial future with trusted family members, thus helping to eliminate unwanted theft and fraud.Avoid social isolation which can make you vulnerable to abuse.Speak your mind if you think you are not receiving proper care, either in a facility or at home.Know who you can contact if you think you have been abused.Family Members can:Pay attention to warning signs of possible abuse.Review bank accounts for irregular activity.Call and visit frequently. Make sure your loved one feels comfortable enough to contact you in case of an emergency.Make certain your loved one is eating and sleeping properly and is properly medicated.Caregivers can:Stay healthy and get regular medical care.Seek counseling or spiritual guidance for signs of depressions stress, or burnout.Know your local resources for elder abuse, and contact them. Become familiar with the procedures for reported and acting on an elder abuse situation.Find support groups to help with the stress and to assist with education of other caregivers.All-in-all, communicating with our elders is the solution to almost all potential issues mental or physical. Calling mom, dad, auntie, and uncle to say hello and I love you not only lets our loved ones know they are loved, but it reminds them that they are not forgotten. It opens the door for communicating their needs and thoughts.Editors Note: Deb Harrison and Judson Haims are owners of Visiting Angels locations in Grand Junction, Garfield, and Eagle Counties. They may be contacted at: Grand Junction (970) 254-8888 and Eagle/Garfield County (970)328-5526.

Caregiving is a growing career option for many Americans looking for rewarding work. It gives people a sense of purpose and lets you see your works benefits in real-time. While there are many perks to working as a career, many qualities and skills set successful caregivers apart.Qualities of a Successful CaregiverA few innate qualities most caregivers tend to have that help them have a successful career include compassion, empathy, dependability, and drive. CompassionOne of the top qualities we look for in caregivers is compassion. Compassionate people go out of their way to physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually support others. Someone with compassion is also sensitive to others needs and knows how to make people feel comfortable in any situation. As a caregiver, you must put your clients needs first and do whats required to ensure they receive the proper quality care they deserve. EmpathyMany challenges come with aging; as a caregiver, its important to practice empathy when working with clients. There may be days when clients get frustrated with themselves for not being able to do something they once did, and they may take that frustration out on you. Try not to take reactions personally. Instead, put yourself in your clients shoes and let them know you understand where theyre coming from and that its okay to feel emotional about aging. Sometimes, that small act of empathy is enough to turn the situation around.DependabilityAs a caregiver, you must be dependable. You are responsible for showing up to shifts on time and performing all tasks to the best of your ability. Clients rely on their caregivers to help with daily tasks such as showering, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation. If you are not reliable, your clients likely wont feel comfortable with you caring for them and may refrain from asking for further assistance when they need it. However, showing up on time and providing quality care builds respect and trust so your clients can feel safe and comfortable in their homes. DriveCaregiving is a unique job in that youre responsible for your work without direct supervision from a manager. When youre working, its only you and your client. You need to have drive and take the initiative to complete your work. You should observe your client and step up and offer assistance without waiting for them to ask or for a care coordinator to ask you. Skills of a Successful CaregiverQualities of a successful caregiver are often something people have or not. The skills of a successful caregiver are learnable and tend to improve as you develop in your role. A few essential skills of a successful caregiver include time management, leadership, and communication skills.Time Management One of the benefits of working as a caregiver is the flexibility in scheduling. However, if you have a flexible schedule with non-traditional work hours, you must have good time management skills to ensure you are at each clients home on time. You also need to utilize your time management skills while working with clients. If you only have a few hours with each client, you should understand how to prioritize tasks and get everything completed in the given time frame. LeadershipLeadership is about your ability to influence others. As a caregiver, part of your job is helping seniors make healthy and safe choices. If you have good leadership skills, youll have an easier time convincing clients to eat more nutritious foods, be more active, or ask for help if they need it. Good leadership skills also help you build trust with your clients because theyll see you as an expert in their care and feel confident in your ability to help them. Communication Communication is about how you share and receive information. As a caregiver, you need to communicate with your clients effectively so they understand your role in their life. Strong communication skills also play an essential role in building relationships. The better you communicate, the easier itll be to connect and make a connection with your clients. Getting Started with Visiting Angels At Visiting Angels Grand Junction, were always looking for compassionate, dedicated caregivers to join our team. Were hiring part-time and full-time positions to help seniors in Grand Junction and the surrounding communities. A job with Visiting Angels comes with competitive hourly pay, paid training, flexible scheduling, bonus opportunities, and one-on-one client interactions. If youre interested in starting your caregiving journey, send us your application online or call 970-254-8888.

Parkinsons disease affects nearly 1 million people in the United States, and according to the Parkinsons Foundation, doctors diagnose almost 60,000 people each year. April is Parkinsons Disease Awareness Month. Its the perfect time to learn about the condition and educate yourself on ways to help a loved one if they live with the disease. What is Parkinsons DiseaseParkinsons disease is a progressive condition affecting the nervous system. During the early stages of Parkinsons, individuals may not experience any symptoms other than mild tremors. As the disease develops, people may experience difficulty moving, muscle stiffness, speech complications, and impaired balance. Parkinsons disease can also cause involuntary movements such as blinking and twitching.Parkinsons develops when specific neurons in the brain that produce dopamine break down. Dopamine changes the brains activity level, and not enough dopamine can cause impaired movement and other Parkinsons disease symptoms. Research is still trying to determine what causes the neuron breakdown, but top risk factors include a genetic mutation and exposure to certain environmental toxins. Parkins is also more common to develop in people after 60 and those with a family history of the condition.Tips for Caring for a Loved One with ParkinsonsIf youre a family caregiver with a loved one who has Parkinsons disease, consider the following to help you provide the best possible care. Invest in gadgets and household items to make life easierParkinsons disease can make it challenging to complete daily tasks such as dressing and personal grooming. Help your loved one complete these tasks more efficiently with accessible items such as electric toothbrushes, Velcro apparel, shower benches, and easy-grip utensils. Also, make sure all of the things they use most often are stored somewhere with easy access, so they dont have to dig through drawers or climb a step stool.Dont let their condition discourage themParkinsons disease creates boundaries that may deter your loved one from participating in their favorite activities. Remain positive and help them build confidence in their abilities. You can also reach out to occupational and physical therapists to help manage their symptoms and offer to accompany them to sessions, so they feel more comfortable. Allow them to care for themselvesIts hard watching someone you love struggle with basic things such as dressing, walking, and eating. And while you may feel compelled to help them with everything, try to give them space to do things independently. People with Parkinsons can still do many things, so let your loved ones take their time and complete tasks. If you notice their frustration, approach them with empathy and ask if theyd like your help before providing your assistance. And of course, if they ask, dont be afraid to step in and help. Ask for helpCaring for an aging loved one is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. Its even more challenging to care for someone with a progressive condition like Parkinsons. If youre feeling overwhelmed as a family caregiver, dont hesitate to reach out for help. You can talk to family and friends to arrange a schedule, so no one person takes on too much work. Or you can consider hiring a part-time or temporary caregiver to assist with tasks such as laundry, personal grooming, or medication reminders. How Visiting Angels Can HelpIf youre caring for a senior loved one with Parkinsons and need assistance helping them at home, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our passionate caregivers provide non-medical tasks such as light housekeeping, cooking, mobility assistance, transportation, medication reminders, personal grooming, and more. We also offer respite services to provide temporary relief for family caregivers who need to reset and recharge. Our Grand Junction office serves those in Mesa Country, Co. If youd like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or call us at 970.254.8888.

Many times caregivers need to have additional assistance when providing senior care for a family member or friend. When you are evaluating options for senior care, consider the difference between Adult Day Care Centers and Home Senior Care. Each provides a specific service and environment in senior care alternatives. This article will help you make the best choice for your situation by outlining the differences between these options.Adult Day CareAn Adult Day Care Center is an actual facility that provides a planned program of activities designed for senior care to promote well-being through social interaction. Facilities can be chosen to be medical or non-medical senior care. Transportation needs to be provided but in some situations transportation can be arranged. Adult Day Care Center participants need to be mobile, with the possible assistance of a cane, walker or wheelchair, and in most cases also be continent. Because Adult Day Care differs from Adult Day Health Care a required health assessment will be needed in most cases. Adult Day Care is a fine choice for seniors that want to remain actively engaged. Activities can include but are not limited to arts & crafts, recreational outings, live music and dance. The benefit of Adult Day Care for senior care is the opportunity for different social interactions. Home Senior CareHome Senior Care is a personalized option to meet your specific home care needs. It is senior care assistance given in the comfort of your own home. In situations where the person you are caring for is not willing, able or comfortable to leave home, many services can be provided by having a trained non-medical caregiver come into your home. As the primary caregiver, you are in charge of every aspect of customizing your Home Senior Care program. Often, you choose the right caregiver from many qualified. Services include but are not limited to aid with simple tasks such as personal hygiene, meal preparation/diet monitoring, light housekeeping, errands and shopping, joyful companionship. Options in Home Senior Care can vary in terms of service such as hourly rates, live-in/live-out, and sleep over, mornings, midday, and evenings, temporary or long term, weekends and holidays. The benefit of the Home Senior Care option is that you make all the right choices and all the right decision to customize your senior care in home program.Deb Harrison and Judson Haims are owners of Visiting Angels locations in Grand Junction, Garfield, and Eagle Counties. They may be contacted at: Grand Junction (970) 254-8888 and Eagle/Garfield County (970)328-5526.