Senior Helpers is helping senior Veterans to understand how they can qualify and apply for the VAs Aid & Attendance Benefit, which pays seniors for the in-home senior care they need to live comfortably and safely. Veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses of veterans may be eligible for this benefit, which is a tax-free pension benefit that provides financial aid to help offset the cost of long-term, nonmedical in-home care.Veteran Assistance ProgramThere are currently millions of veterans who qualify for the VA Aid & Attendance benefit, but they do not know it or are uncertain how to access it. Veterans who served a minimum of 90 days of active duty, including one day of active duty during a period of war such as World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, all may qualify for this benefit.As experts in the senior care industry, Senior Helpers understands the needs of our Veterans. We work seamlessly with the professional assistance organizations to make sure that veterans and their spouses receive the benefits they deserve as quickly as possible. While the assistance organization helps you start your application, Senior Helpers will begin to provide the in-home quality senior care you deserve.Senior Helpers in-homesenior care helps our Veterans to get around and enjoy their senior years safely and healthfully. Personalized daily plans are developed and customized to your unique needs and designed to preserve your independence and freedom, while allowing you to remain in the comfort of your home.Our Veteran CareServices Include:  Assistance with Activities ofDaily LivingAlzheimers & dementia careBathingDressingLight housekeepingMeal planning and preparationMedication remindersCompanionshipTransportation to and from appointmentsPersonal careWho Should I call for More Information?You have served your country and earned this benefit. The time has come for us to take care of you.Senior Helpers is nationally known for world class in-home senior care for everything from light housekeeping and errands to full Alzheimers and dementia care. We will guide you through the process of understanding if you or your loved one may qualify for the benefit and will put you in touch with an accredited veteran agent who can assist you with applying for the benefit with a fully developed claim. A fully developed claim is processed more quickly and is more likely to be approved. Some claims are approved in as little as 30 to 60 days.*ContactSenior Helpers today to learn more 952-892-8403.  You can also visit our website at https://www.seniorhelpers.com/mn/burnsville/services/*Disclaimer: The purpose of this is to educate you about Veterans Administration (VA) home health care benefits that you may qualify for. Our office can educate you about the benefits available and put you in contact with an accredited agent to assist in completing and submitting the benefits application to the VA. Please contact Senior Helpers to help you make an initial determination regarding your potential qualification for the Aid and Attendance Benefit through the VA. Our desire is to help you receive the VA benefits that you deserve and have earned for your service to our country. We are NOT the VA, nor are we in any way affiliated with the VA. If you wish to contact the VA, you can do so by calling 800-827-1000 or visiting them at www.va.gov. NONE OF OUR SERVICES ARE INTENDED AS LEGAL OR FINANCIAL ADVICE. IF YOU ARE SEEKING LEGAL OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR LEGAL/FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Things to Do in the Summer in MinnesotaVisit the Minnesota State Fair.Also known as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, this massive event has something for everyone: tasty food, fun rides, live music, attractions, and more. Dont forget to pick up some chocolate chip cookies and milk from Sweet Marthas! This annual event occurs for 12 days, ending on Labor Day.Stargaze in Voyageurs National Park.Due to the low levels of light pollution, Voyageurs National Park is an excellent spot to admire the constellations! Plus, this is the only water-based national park in the country.Go for a bike ride.Relax and get some exercise in the great outdoors! Two great paths for beginner bicyclists are the Canon Valley Trail and the Midtown Greenway.Take a boat tour of Lake Itasca.The great Mississippi River starts right here in Minnesota, at Lake Itasca! Although you could certainly hike around the lake or rent a canoe or kayak, why not take it easy with a boat tour? Youll learn about local wildlife as well as logging and Native American history.Visit a lighthouse.Numerous photogenic lighthouses dot the shores of Minnesotas lakes, and many of them have nearby parks and hiking trails. Take a day-trip to one of these beauties: Split Rock Lighthouse, Grand Marais Lighthouse, Two Harbors Lighthouse, Duluth North Pier Lighthouse, and Minnesota Point Lighthouse.Admire Minnesotas picturesque waterfalls.While youve got your camera out, stop by some of Minnesotas beloved waterfalls. Top picks include Minnehaha Falls, Ramsey Falls, Wolf Creek Falls, Gooseberry Falls, High Falls, Vermillion Falls, Minneopa Falls, and Minnemishinona Falls.Check out the North Shore.The north shore of Lake Superior is a wonderful spot to enjoy the natural beauty of Minnesota. Why not go fishing dockside? Or maybe you could hit the green at one of the areas many golf courses. There are also hiking trails, bike paths, and kayak rentals.Pick berries at a local farm.There are loads of pick-your-own berry farms around the state. Though the varieties depend on the farm and the season, you might be able to pick strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries. Some favorite spots include The Strawberry Basket (in Monticello), The Berry Patch (in Forest Lake), and The Blueberry Fields of Stillwater.Enjoy a lovely afternoon of learning.If you would prefer to spend your day indoors in the refreshing AC, why not check out a museum? Here are just a few of your options:Charles Lindbergh House & MuseumGreat Lakes AquariumLaura Ingalls Wilder MuseumMinneapolis Institute of ArtMinnesota Childrens MuseumMinnesota Marine Art MuseumPaisley Park (Princes home and studio)Red Wing Shoe Store & MuseumScience Museum of MinnesotaSPAM MuseumWalker Art CenterDelve deep into Niagara Cave.Another cool option (it remains 48 degrees Fahrenheit year-round), Niagara Cave is a 200-foot-deep limestone cave. It includes a 60-foot waterfall, an underground river, a gemstone mining sluice, and more.Cheer on the Minnesota Twins.Visit the beloved Twins home stadium, Target Field, in Minneapolis. Grab a hot dog and some Cracker Jacks and root for the home team!Go shopping at the Mall of America.Well, we say shop, but shoppings just one thing you can do at this absolute behemoth. In addition to stores, the Mall of America contains roller coasters, an aquarium, a movie theater, a comedy club, restaurants, and much more.Check Minnesota Monthlys calendar for local events.Embrace your local community by attending a festival or other social event. Here are just a few of the events occurring around the state this summer:Pan-O-Prog (July 9-16, 2023)Lumberjack Days (July 14-16, 2023)Minnesota Original Music Festival (July 19-23, 2023)There are so many fun things to do in the summer in Minnesota. Whats on your bucket list?The Shores of Lake Phalen is an assisted living community in a quiet, peaceful environment in Maplewood, Minnesota. We offer numerous health and safety amenities, fun events and activities, a friendly and accommodating staff, and much more. Schedule a tour of the community to explore our spacious apartments, elegant dining room, and more. We look forward to hearing from you! 

When you find yourself caring for a loved-one living with dementia, the best strategies for positive interactions may not come easily.  But you can learn! Here are some easy tips to make your visits or caregiving smoother. Prove to them that they are right.  All the time.  This is hard, especially when your loved one who is living with dementia is telling the vacation story all wrong. Again! Rather than correcting the story, agree with them, say pleasantly is that right?, or tell me more.  If you try to correct their version, you are setting them up to be embarrassed, hurt or angry, none of which are going to make your next task easier!  Just give a side wink to other listeners and respect your loved one. Allow them to tell the story their way.  Remember, they want to be social, and you can encourage that. Check your expressions!  If your loved-one living with dementia cant find the right words, or you cant understand what theyre saying, do you furrow your eyebrows?  Have you look at them over the top of your eyeglasses at them like your elementary school librarian did?  Have you ever tossed back your head or rolled your eyes once you understood what theyre saying?  Sorry to be blunt, but your expressions just accused them of being stupid.  Making someone feel inferior isnt a way to set up positive interactions. Keep you hands off your hips and your expression neutral or positive. Limit their choices. When you put a 9-page menu in front of them they will be overwhelmed. Rather, suggest two items that theyve had before and liked, then ask which one sounds good today.  Either choice is a winner, and you are the hero for setting them up to succeed in a difficult situation! If your loved-one living with dementia refuses to do something you ask, for example getting up to use the bathroom, try asking them to do something different instead.  I just make some coffee. Lets go get a cup.  Then on the way, say something light-hearted, like oh look, a bathroom. My mother said I should never pass up an opportunity to pee! You can also try singing a song they like and ask them to dance, do a march together, go water the flowers or empty the dishwasher anything to get them up and moving. Dont ask them to remember! You are not their doctor and dont need to conduct a memory test.  Remember that word retrieval is hard and kindly provide them with the information they need to succeed.  Hi mom, its your favorite daughter Deb.  When said with a wink and a smile, she may get the joke, know who you are, and not have to struggle. Tell them things you remember doing together.  I remember how happy I was every time we would cook together.  They may or may not be able to add to your thoughts, but you are still visiting pleasantly. Forgive yourself when you make a mistake. Apologize, ask for forgiveness, try another approach, and learn from your mistakes.  Every tool we learn may work at some point in the dementia journey, just not today. For more helpful tips, visit our Insights from Arthurs page, which provides more information to empower families experiencing dementia to have positive relationships.  

This blog post outlines five essential tips for caregivers, including defining their role, respecting client privacy, maintaining professional boundaries, effective communication, and avoiding dual relationships.Caregiving is an essential profession that requires caregivers to be compassionate, patient, and understanding. In-home caregivers in Osseo and the surrounding area provide a wide range of services, from assisting with daily activities to providing personal care. Caregiving can be emotionally and physically demanding, and maintaining healthy boundaries with clients can be challenging, especially when these boundaries are not defined. It is essential for caregivers to maintain a professional relationship with their clients while also being empathetic and supportive. This is one of the most significant benefits of working with a reputable in-home care agency that prioritizes creating processes and training for caregivers.  In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to maintain caregiver-client relationship boundaries.Define your role as a caregiverOne of the essential steps in maintaining caregiver-client boundaries is defining your role. As a caregiver, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of your responsibilities and limitations. Communicate with your client and their family members about your role and what you can and cannot do. Set realistic expectations and boundaries from the beginning of your relationship. It is important to establish a professional relationship with your client while still being empathetic and supportive. At Comfort Keepers, we help our caregivers understand their role, what they can and cannot do, and set expectations with clients and their families. We work hard to create a safe, healthy, respectful, relationship between our caregivers and clients. Respect your client's privacyRespecting your client's privacy is essential to maintaining a professional relationship, and is something that is very important to us at Comfort Keepers. Each client's medical and personal information should be kept confidential and only shared with authorized individuals. As a caregiver, it is important to obtain written consent from your client and their family members before sharing any information. You should also be careful about discussing your client's personal or medical issues with others, even if you are not using their name. Respecting your client's privacy helps build trust and maintain a healthy caregiver-client relationship.Maintain professional boundariesMaintaining professional boundaries is critical to avoid crossing the line between a professional and personal relationships. It is common to develop a friendly emotional connection with a person whom you care for or who is caring for you. Yes, you can have conversations about your personal life, and absolutely, you should develop trust in one another, but there is a line between what you can ask of your client and what they should ask of you. At Comfort Keepers, we help our caregivers to know what information is acceptable to share and what information crosses professional boundaries. We also maintain a great relationship with our caregivers and have open communication channels with them in case there are questions about maintaining boundaries and what information should be shared. Communicate effectivelyCommunication is key to maintaining a healthy caregiver-client relationship. As a caregiver, you should communicate regularly with your client and their family members (with the client's permission) about their needs and any changes in their health or daily living. Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page regarding care. It is also essential to listen actively to your client's concerns and respond in a respectful and compassionate manner. Working with an in-home care agency, like Comfort Keepers, can help streamline the communication process. For example, Comfort Keepers offers Family Room, an app to help families stay on top of their loved one's care. Avoid dual relationshipsDual relationships occur when a caregiver has a personal relationship with their client outside of their professional role. Dual relationships can be harmful to the caregiver-client relationship, as they can blur the lines between personal and professional boundaries. As a caregiver, it is essential to avoid any dual relationships with your clients to maintain a healthy and professional relationship.TakeawaysMaintaining caregiver-client boundaries is critical to ensuring a healthy and professional relationship. Caregivers should define their role, respect their client's privacy, maintain professional boundaries, communicate effectively, and avoid dual relationships. Working with, or for, an in-home care agency, like Comfort Keepers, can help establish boundaries. Establishing healthy boundaries helps to build trust, respect, and empathy between you and your client. Caregiving is a rewarding profession that requires caregivers to be compassionate, patient, and understanding. By following these five tips, caregivers can provide high-quality care while maintaining a professional and respectful relationship with their clients.Personalized Care PlansComfort Keepers develops personalized in-home care plans for each of our clients in Osseo and the surrounding areas to ensure that their individual needs and preferences are met. These care plans are based on a thorough assessment of a client's health, living environment, and daily routines.Matching Caregivers with ClientsAt Comfort Keepers, we prioritize matching clients with caregivers who have the necessary skills, experience, and personality to provide the best possible care. We consider factors such as the client's needs and preferences, the caregiver's experience and training, and the caregiver's personality and communication style.Regular CommunicationComfort Keepers encourages regular communication between clients, caregivers, and family members to ensure that everyone is informed about the client's care and well-being. They provide families with regular updates on the client's condition and any changes to the care plan.Ongoing TrainingTraining is essential and a component of becoming a Comfort Keeper. We provide ongoing training to our caregivers to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest care techniques and are comfortable performing their duties. This helps our caregivers provide high-quality care and build strong relationships with their clients.Monitoring and Quality AssuranceWe actively monitor the care provided to our clients and conduct regular quality assurance checks to ensure that the highest standards of care are being met. We also have a system in place that allows clients and family members to provide feedback. Contact Comfort Keepers at Call (763) 400-8653  or visit us at https://www.comfortkeepers.com/offices/minnesota/osseo/