RSV and the Elderly – What you Need to Know

You might have heard it on the news… hospital pediatric units across the country are filled with young patients who are sick with respiratory syncytial virus or RSV – an infection that affects the lungs and breathing passages.

While we typically hear of outbreaks among babies and small children, adults can also get RSV, and those who are 65 and older are at risk of severe infection. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that more than 177,000 older adults are hospitalized with RSV infections each year in the United States.

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To Our Caregivers – Thank You

At Tudor Oaks Home Care, we’re committed to elevating the privilege of caregiving – it’s one of our five core values.

“Our caregivers are amazing. They’re rock stars. They’re the heart and hands of our organization,” said Lori Lutze, director of home care services for Tudor Oaks Home Care.“We’re beyond grateful for our team of caregivers who work day-in and day-out to help seniors age safely in their homes for as long as possible. Their compassion and commitment to seniors are second to none.”

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Enjoying the Holidays with Senior Loved Ones

You’ve been gathering with family members to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as you can remember… but this year, things are different.

Your mom’s dementia is worsening, and she’s becoming more and more frail. You worry that she may not be able to make it and, if she does, that she won’t enjoy the family gathering.

What should you do?

“The holidays can be particularly challenging for older loved ones who have memory or mobility issues,” said Teresa Steinfatt, Vice President of Business Performance at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “It’s important for family members to be aware of the challenges and make a plan to cope with them – so that their older loved ones feel included and not burdensome.”

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Seven Reasons to Consider a Home Care Career

What are you looking for in a career – flexibility, job security, opportunities for continuous learning, a chance to give back to your community?

If those benefits are on your wishlist, you should consider a career in professional caregiving.

“More than 10,000 people turn 65 every day – and an overwhelming majority of them want to remain in their homes as they age. That’s why home care is now one of the country’s fastest growing industries – with no end in sight,” said Teresa Steinfatt, Vice President of Business Performance at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). To meet the rapidly growing demand for home care, we’ll need reliable, compassionate men and women who can deliver the services needed to help seniors live their best lives – everything from companionship to personal and Alzheimer’s care.”

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Five Tips for Long-Term Care Planning

Do you have a long-term care plan?

Do family members fully understand the details – where you want to live, where your important documents are, how you plan to pay for the care you might need?

It’s estimated that a person turning 65 today has a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care or support as they age. With odds like that, it’s important to prepare for what lies ahead.

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10 Tips to Ensure Your Senior’s Home is Winter Ready

Winter weather is on the way, so now is a good time to prepare your senior’s home for the cold, snowy days that lie ahead.

Here’s a checklist to get you started.

Have the furnace inspected. Many people don’t discover a problem until they switch the heat on for the first time. To ensure your senior isn’t left in the cold, have a heating specialist give the system a thorough inspection, replace filters and complete any necessary repairs.

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