Congratulations to our 2022 Caregiver of the Year, Merline Ward. Merline is a steady, reliable, compassionate giver of care. No matter what her client’s situation, Merline arrives on time, devotes herself to the task, and delivers care with excellence and compassion day after day. Thank you, Merline, for all you do!
Season’s greetings sometimes greet family members with alarming signs that additional care or daily assistance is needed in the home of aging loved ones. With busy schedules or long distances separating families for much of the year, especially during this year’s pandemic — subtle (or not-so-subtle) indicators that senior care is needed can easily be missed. The aging care experts at Aker Kasten, serving Boca Raton & nearby communities, can help. Seniors are not always aware of what would be considered by others a compromising health condition, and sometimes the fear of losing independence can make someone want to disguise […]
Unfortunately, as the experts in home healthcare services in Boca Raton and nearby areas, we know there are quite a few misconceptions regarding mesothelioma and abestos. Some people ask, “Is mesothelioma contagious?” Others believe the disease is linked to smoking. These incorrect assessments range from how people develop mesothelioma to where the disease forms within the body. Other mesothelioma myths include the demographics affected by mesothelioma, the amount of asbestos exposure needed to develop the sickness and the legality of using the substance in the United States. Below are some common myths and misconceptions about mesothelioma and asbestos, as well […]
We are committed to the health and well-being of our clients, caregivers, and community. Naturally, as the reports about the spread and danger of COVID-19 continue to stream across our news media, we have become alert to the need for action. In light of this, as the leading providers of home health care in Boca Raton and surrounding areas, we have taken steps to educate and protect our clients, caregivers, and community about the importance of proper hand washing and respiratory precautions. We distributed to each of our clients and caregivers gift bags containing informational and practical items to assist […]
Family members who provide care for those they love share a lot of common traits: selflessness, patience, and compassion, for example. Unfortunately, many caregivers share another, often unspoken, characteristic that needs resolving: caregiver guilt. Unresolved feelings of guilt can be detrimental to the physical and emotional wellbeing of caregivers, and can also be harmful to their care receivers. It’s important for caregivers to not only acknowledge these feelings, but to understand that there are resources available to help you with resolving caregiver guilt : Reinforce the positives. It’s easy for caregivers to fall into the trap of negative thinking, such […]
Whether a senior is receiving home health services in a facility or at home, maintaining a sense of independence is a major consideration when looking to improve quality of life. When providing care for a loved one, it is easy to get into the habit of doing everything FOR the person rather than WITH the person. However, this well-intentioned behavior can actually have a negative influence on the person’s wellbeing. Sustaining feelings of senior independence is important for many reasons: The person receiving care will appreciate that you are seeing him as an individual still capable of making a contribution to […]
For most people, the holidays represent a wonderful time of year to share the joys of family and friendship. But for some older adults, this time of year can be extremely difficult if their mental, physical and emotional needs are not taken into consideration. For the elderly, the nostalgic season and memories of friends and family members that they have outlived, or the long distances that separate family member can become even more painful during the holidays. In addition, older family members with special needs can get lost in the shuffle and chaos of happy family gatherings. This year, bring […]
Deciding what type of long-term care loved ones need when they are no longer able to live totally independently is an important decision that should not be considered lightly. If given the option to live one’s golden years in an institutional setting or in one’s own home, the majority of people would choose their own homes. There are many instances when home care is a perfectly appropriate and less expensive care choice than nursing home placement or a permanent move to a retirement or assisted living facility. When making a long-term care decision for a sick, elderly or frail family […]
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease of the central nervous system which currently affects approximately 400,000 people in the U.S. In recognition of National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness month, we would like to offer some information for families. With a progressive disease like MS, education about the disease can lead to better management of symptoms. Living With MS People with MS typically don’t appear outwardly ill but that doesn’t mean the disease isn’t always present. In fact, 86% of MS sufferers list fatigue as the number one symptom of their disease. The exact mechanism of MS fatigue […]
A healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and fitness is highly emphasized in today’s society, but when it comes to frail older adults, senior exercise and fitness are not necessarily health topics that come readily to mind. However, the benefits of even moderate exercise for seniors are so great that it should not be overlooked. Recent studies suggest that senior citizens who exercise – even if they didn’t exercise when younger – tend to live longer, healthier, happier lives. This is due in no small part to a renewed or strengthened ability to perform daily activities independently and better fight through […]