After a brutal day at work, all you want to do is grab a glass of wine and turn on your favorite TV show.
But you know that won’t happen.
In addition to checking in on your aging mom, you have to also feed your hungry kids and help with algebra homework.
Your dad passed away several months ago… leaving your mom alone in the home they shared for more than 50 years. Your friends suggest getting her a pet – a furry friend that will keep her busy and reduce the risk of loneliness, but you worry a pet will be more work than it’s worth.
“No matter the age, pets have a way of nurturing the mind, body and soul,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “This is especially true for older people who live alone. We’ve seen it with our clients – playing with a dog, petting a cat or even watching a bird can bring a lot of joy to a senior who might be feeling lonely or isolated.”
Other benefits of pet ownership include:
What will your retirement look like?
Will you pack up and move to a warmer climate? Do you want to travel the world? What about volunteering or maybe an encore career?
According to a recent study of more than 11,000 pre-retirees and retirees, the definition of retirement is changing. Among the findings:
Your mom and dad have lived safely and independently in their home for more than 50 years, but lately you’ve noticed things are a little off – there’s spoiled food in the fridge, mom’s hair is no longer perfectly styled and dad spends most of the day watching Gunsmoke re-runs.
Is it time to start thinking about moving them to an assisted living community?
Not necessarily.
“Many people still think that when mom or dad needs help with the activities of daily living, they need to move them to a senior living community,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “For many families, in-home care is actually the better option – especially for those who don’t yet need the level of care provided in assisted living or skilled nursing communities.”
Your aging loved one just received a devastating diagnosis… Alzheimer’s disease.
Now what?
“For those who have never cared for a family member or friend with the disease, it can be overwhelming,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “When my stepmom was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, we had so many questions. However, since every case is different, we didn’t always get answers. With Alzheimer’s, there’s a lot of uncertainty – so many unknowns. It’s scary.”
Did you know that hearing loss is the largest modifiable risk factor against dementia?
According to a recent study, treating hearing loss could eliminate 1 in 10 cases of dementia. In the study, researchers found that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia, moderate hearing loss triples it and severe hearing loss raises the risk of dementia up to five times that of those who are not hearing impaired.
If you’re thinking about a career in caregiving, you’re not alone. It’s one of the fastest growing occupations in the country – with nearly 600,000 projected job openings through 2030.
“With more than 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day, the need for dedicated, compassionate professional caregivers will continue to grow,” said Teresa Steinfatt, Vice President of Business Performance for Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “If you’re looking for a rewarding career that offers more than a paycheck, I encourage you to consider caregiving.”
Continue reading Five Easy Steps to Start Your Caregiving Career