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News / Resources for Families / Resources for Seniors

Your dad passed away about three months ago, and you’re beginning to realize just how much your mom depended on him.

He did all the driving… now she rarely leaves her home.

He was the cook… now her most of her meals come out of the microwave.

He did the laundry… now she sometimes wears the same outfit day after day.

You know she needs help, but she doesn’t want to leave the home she shared with her husband for more than 60 years.

“This is a very common situation,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “It’s completely understandable that mom or dad wants to remain in the family home – especially after the loss of a spouse. Thankfully, they don’t always need to move to assisted living to get the help they need. Families now have options to help their aging loved ones live safely in their homes for as long as possible – including enlisting the help of a professional caregiver.”

Continue reading What Does an In-Home Caregiver Do?

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Resources for Families / Resources for Seniors

How many prescription drugs do your aging parents take? If they’re like most seniors, they take at least one – probably more.

While medicines can help us live longer and healthier, taking them the wrong way or mixing certain drugs can be dangerous – and, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, as many as 55% of seniors fail to take their medications as prescribed.

“Managing medications can be difficult for a variety of reasons,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN).  “For example, it can be hard for seniors to read the small print on the pill bottles and, seniors who have memory issues, often simply don’t remember to take the right pills at the right time.” Continue reading Ten Tips to Help Manage Meds

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Resources for Families

Your parents have been very clear, repeatedly – they do not want to move to a senior living community… at least not yet.

“An overwhelming majority of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, and a new study shows they’re doing whatever it takes to make that possible,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and president of Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “The study, which was conducted by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, found that in 2020 and 2021, more than 1 million homeowners over age 65 made at least one home improvement to make their homes more accessible for those with limited mobility. In fact, older homeowners are now the fastest-growing age group when it comes to total home improvement expenditures.”

While some homes may require major renovations, others may only need a few modifications. Goetz recommends going room by room – looking for potential hazards or ways to make them more senior friendly. Continue reading Making Home Safe for Mom and Dad

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Resources for Families

She hasn’t said anything, but you suspect your mom is struggling to take care of herself and her home.

“Older people rarely ask for help. They’re afraid of losing their independence, and they don’t want to burden family members or friends,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “Unfortunately, that often means they’re not getting the help they need with things like housekeeping, meal preparation and personal care.”

So how do you know when it’s time to give mom a little extra help at home? Goetz advises looking for the following red flags:

Continue reading 7 Signs Your Senior Might Need a Little Extra Help at Home

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Resources for Families

Your aging mom is failing. She doesn’t need skilled nursing or assisted living yet – just a little help with things like light housekeeping, meal prep and getting in and out of the shower. You’ve heard a lady from your mom’s church sometimes works as an independent caregiver, but is that the best option?

“Private caregivers make up what we call the ‘gray market’ – providers who are unrelated to the client, not working for a regulated agency and potentially uninsured  and untrained,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and president of Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “While hiring one of these independent caregivers might seem like a good idea, families should be aware of the risks.”

Continue reading The Risks of Not Hiring In-Home Care Through an Agency

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Resources for Families / Resources for Seniors

As the temperature rises, so does the risk for heat-related problems – especially for older adults.

“Summer is here, which means we’ll all be spending more time outdoors soaking up the sunshine,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “While sun exposure does have benefits – including mood improvement – too much exposure can be harmful. For seniors, the risk of heat- and humidity-related problems is much higher.”

Below are ten tips to help you and your aging loved ones beat summer’s sweltering heat.

Continue reading 10 Summer Safety Tips for Seniors

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Resources for Families

Your dad got the diagnosis no one wants to hear – Alzheimer’s disease.

It’s heartbreaking to watch him fall victim to confusion and memory loss.

The fear that he will wander off or have an accident is overwhelming.

His mood swings and unpredictable behavior are exhausting.

“Caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease is a job with no off-time – you’re on duty 24/7, 365 days a year. It can be emotionally, physically and mentally draining,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “Burnout is a very real thing. Most caregivers try to do it all, and that can take a heavy toll. It’s important to understand the warning signs and seek out help if you suspect you’re burning out.” Continue reading Avoiding Alzheimer’s Burnout

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Communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging.

“Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease. It robs people of so much – including the ability to clearly communicate and understand what friends and loved ones are saying,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “The inability to communicate can be frustrating for everyone, so it’s important to have patience, good listening skills and different strategies.”

The Alzheimer’s Association offers the following advice to aid communication in every stage of the disease. Continue reading Alzheimer’s and Dementia – Tips for Better Communication

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Resources for Families

If you’re caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, you know that encouraging them to eat nutritious meals can be a daily challenge – especially during the middle and late stages of the disease.

“We work with many families who are experiencing this challenge,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “Refusal to eat can be caused by a number of things – there could be a medical condition, they may not recognize that food is something to eat, they may have lost the sense of hunger and thirst or they might get distracted at mealtime. Whatever the reason, it’s important to find ways to ensure they get the nutrition they need.”

The Alzheimer’s Association offers the following tips to help make mealtimes a little more calm and comfortable:

Continue reading Helping Loved Ones With Dementia Get the Nutrition They Need

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News / Resources for Families / Resources for Seniors

Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease actually begins 20 or more years before memory loss and other symptoms develop?

“Most people know that Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease, but there’s a lot about the disease that people don’t understand,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, so we’re joining other organizations to educate people about Alzheimer’s and share information about available resources and support.” Continue reading Alzheimer’s Disease By The Numbers

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