Senior care should be about meeting individual needs. But we understand that for families who are considering care options for aging adults, the cost can be a major worry. Selecting the right care is important and you want to ensure its the best fit and value for your unique situation.Find Care That Enhances the Quality of LifeEvaluating Cost of CareWhen evaluating the cost of care, you should weigh the outcomes of care, beyond pricing alone. Its important to consider the persons safety, well-being, need for companionship and quality of life. Care is something that should be put in place to, not only to keep the person safe and healthy, but to enhance a persons enjoyment of life.Tailor-Made Care Plans & PackagesIn-home care services can help people at any point within the aging process. But care needs rarely fit neatly into a standard package. We start with the needs of the individual and develop a personalized care package and plan.Your Options for Paying for Home CareToday, you may be able to take advantage of many programs to make personalized in-home care a reality for your family. Contact our office so we can discuss cost and coverage options that best support your needs. Home Instead is here to help you make an informed choice that is right for everyone involved.Family-funded careVeterans (VA) assistanceLong-term care insuranceDementia Care Grant through our partnership with HFCHome equity line of credit

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.

Homewatch CareGivers Helps to Prevent Falls Among SeniorsYouve decided its best that your senior loved one spend his or her golden years living at home, where they feel safe in their own familiar atmosphere. Although ones long-time home can provide comfort and happy memories, it might need some simple updates to reduce the potential for injuries.According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, falling is the leading cause of death and injuries among adults over the age of 65. More than one-third of all seniors (or about 11 million people) fall each year, resulting in almost 12,000 deaths. Fall survivors lose their mobility in 50% of falling cases, and 40% permanently lose the ability to live independently.At Homewatch CareGivers, our caregivers can spot the most common fall risks that could endanger your elderly loved one. These include floor clutter, pets underfoot, slippery bathroom tiles, and more.If these facts alarm you, its time to take action. Check for problems you might not otherwise notice, such as:Dimly lit rooms and hallways: Make sure all rooms are well lit, as vision can worsen with age, chronic conditions or other factors. Change any dim lightbulbs to higher-watt bulbs. For nighttime, provide a nightlight or a touch-light on the nightstand near the bed.Cluttered floors: Your loved one may shuffle or not pick up their feet when they walk, resulting in falling if their foot catches an object on the floor. Move any extension cords out of the way, or any other clutter.Slick floors: The majority of falls in the home happen in the bathroom. If your senior has a standard bathtub that is very low to the ground, and no assistance to get in or out, install non-slip strips or a bathmat. Add grab bars and a shower bench in the shower stall. Make sure there is a non-slip carpet mat near the toilet and bathtub and that towels are low and easily accessible.Learn more about bathroom hazards to watch out for by clicking here! or call 303-625-9365 to talk with an expert. 

Believe it or not, youre either born a morning person or not. While your chronotype, or natural inclination to the time of day is passed down through your DNA, it doesnt change the fact that you might be forced to wake up at the crack of dawn. Heres a few tips to make you a somewhat passable morning person.Ease in to an earlier bedtimeNo need to rip off the bandaid from your night owl wings. Start slow, even just 20 minutes earlier per night until gradually building up to farmer status.To be in rhythm with your clock, be in tune with the lightYour bodys natural clock is sensitive to light changes. When its bedtime, only expose yourself to night lights or amber colored light bulbs. Avoid blue lights from laptops and smartphones.Practice calming ritualsDeep breathing. Stretching. Aromatherapy. Reading books. Meditation. Whatever calms your nerves, get in the habit of doing it before bed. And doing it regularly.Put bad eating habits to bedNight owls eat meals much later in the evening. They also skip breakfast, eat fewer vegetables, and drink more caffeine and alcohol. For starters, eat dinner earlier and with a few more veggies.Sweat with exercise. So you dont sweat the morningExercise is very beneficial to shifting your sleep patterns. But do it early in the day. If you wait until the evening, your post workout energy might crave a few more reps.