Fun Easter Activities to Enjoy with Your Grandchildren

Our twenty-hour hour in-home care services, here at A-1 Home Care, makes it possible for our seniors to spend some quality time with their loved ones on the holidays, including Easter. With our assistance, our caregivers are able to contribute to their routine duties such as kitchen duty from baking, cooking, and cleaning to monitoring medication so our seniors will never forget what time to take their next doze. The holidays can be stress free and you can do so by giving our Downey office  310-657-8780 or our headquarters in Santa Fe Springs 562-929-8400 a call to speak with one of our representatives.

So, sit back and relax because with our caretakers on-call, you can finally spend some one on one time with the grandchildren, working on different activities such as:

• Painting, stuffing, and hiding eggs for the Easter Egg hunt.
• “Time Machine” — a game where each individual writes down a note to themselves, advice that they will return to the following year. So, be sure to keep this note safe and secured in a plastic egg.
• “Ray of Light” — break off a piece of a glow stick and place each of the parts into a plastic egg for a night game of the Easter Egg Hunt.
• Pin the Cottontail on the Bunny — just like pin the tail on the donkey.
• Balancing Egg — if you are up to it, enjoy a relay race of balancing an egg on a spoon with a partner, just as long as both of you do not drop the egg.

Stress Management tips for Downey Seniors & Elderly

Life is a roller coaster. It has its many ups, and then it has many downs. It can, sometimes, seem appropriate to say that many events that are occur are painful; although, they are unexpected, therefore, out of our control. That is something we at A-1 Home Care try to our best to let you know — when there is bad, we want you to see the good. Our positive and strong-willed in-home AND 24-hour service caregivers  in Downey want you to know that everything will be okay. Our certified caregivers do what it takes to assist you and your needs to maintain, not only, a healthy but a happy living as well.

In life, as we grow, it almost seems that our number of problems do too. A-1 Home care caregivers are here to help you reduce any stressors in your life, whether it may be a physical, mental, or financial matter. Some ways to cope with your stress can vary per individual, however, most find this list helpful in their every day life:

• Read — whether you do so quietly or aloud to  yourself solo or with others, pick up that book you have always wanted to try out or finish or something inspirational to start your day off.
• Pray
• Play with a pet
• Change of scenery — sometimes, getting out of our norm “daily routine” will be a real eye opener on how it is needed.
• Exercise
• Laugh — they say laughter is the best medicine and it can be.

Here, at A-1 Home Care we strive to connect with you. It is important for someone to understand what you want. Even if that is sharing a laugh with someone. If you would like to get in touch with our Downey office, you can give us a ring at 562-929-8400. We are also in neighboring cities such as Whittier, Pico Rivera, Cerritos and more!

 

Caregivers in Downey Help Their Clients Find Motivation to Exercise

Finding the motivation to exercise can be difficult for any age group. It is universally recognized that exercising with a companion increases motivation and stamina. As our elders begin to age, it becomes increasingly difficult to convince them to go for walks and many times we may feel frightened to allow them to go alone. Moreover, we all live busy lifestyles and may not have the time to spend with our loved ones.

Caregivers Are Great Motivators 

A-1 Home Care in Downey provides excellent caregivers that grow to be wonderful companions to their clients. We alleviate the pressure of choosing a caregiver by finding the perfect fit for your family. Our certified health aides are experienced in care for the elderly. They will be able to help clients establish a health and easy work out routine to be performed daily. In addition, caregivers may prepare meals for their clients to ease the burden of healthy eating. Our caregivers are CPR-certified, First-Aid trained and malpractice liability insured. We strive to ensure safety and well-being to our clients and always look for ways to improve and promote a health lifestyle.

A-1 Home Care Services Orange County and The Greater Los Angeles Area

A-1 Home Care provide living assistance in Downey, Whittier, Norwalk, La Mirada and Cerritos. The surrounding hospitals in which we provide hospital sitters include but are not limited to USC University Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, St. Mary Medical Center, and St. Joseph Hospital. For more information about our caregivers, please give us a call at (562) 929.8400 or visit our website at http://www.downeyinhomecare.com.

 

 

What to Do When Your Parents Show Signs of Caregiver Burnout

Bless your dear mother’s heart for wanting to take care of her elderly mother in her golden days.  All seems well until you start noticing signs of burnout: lack of frustration with your grandmother, lashing out of emotions, living in denial that she [your mom] needs help with caregiving, and lack of patience.  You watch with concern as your mother slowly deteriorates from taking care of your grandmother 24 hours a day, yet when you offer to help, she refuses it because she feels guilty for stepping away for even a moment.  She remembers her promise from long ago that she would take care of your grandmother when she needs her, and now she is fulfilling her filial duties, although it’s taking a toll on her mental, physical and emotional health.  What do you do when your dedicated parents are at their wits’ end and refuse your help?

Introduce a “Friend” from A-1 Home Care

You’ve done all you can, and you’re not sure what to do next.  If you haven’t called A-1 Home Care, you haven’t done everything just yet! We can help you figure out ways around the situation so that you’ll be doing everyone a favor, including yourself.  Our experienced care managers will hear you out, listen to your particular scenario and understand your situation before they prescribe the perfect solution to end your parents’ caregiver burnout.  Nobody needs to feel guilty, and you’ll be glad you came to us for help.

A-1 Home Care offers various types of in-home care services, such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Arthritis Care, Diabetes Care, Kidney Care and more.  Our 24 hour senior care services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assistance with cooking, cleaning, bathing, grooming and dressing
• 24 hour companion care
• Transportation to medical, dental and optical appointments anywhere in Downey
• Patient lifting/transferring
• Assistance with using the hoyer lift
• Medication reminders
• Assistance with insulin administration
• Overnight care
• Toileting care
• Incontinence care

Why A-1 Home Care?

Your satisfaction is our #1 priority.  A-1 Home Care not only guarantees 100% satisfaction, we also protect your elderly loved ones from predators, scam artists, theft and fraud.  As one of the few licensed, bonded and insured agencies in California, A-1 Home Care recruits and screens the best caregiver talent that Southern California has to offer.  You can enjoy a wide range of in-home care services, from live-out care to live-in care, hospital sitting, 24 hour personalized care in the comfort of your own home or at an assisted living facility.  We are flexible with our scheduling; we understanding the changing nature of senior health, and we are here to offer you 24 hour support, whether that’s by phone or by providing excellent caregiving services.

Find a quality in-home caregiver today! Call A-1 Home Care (562) 929-8400 or visit us at www.downeyinhomecare.com for services in Downey, Whittier, Pico Rivera, Cerritos and other surrounding cities.

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What to Do When the Nursing Home Resists Your Efforts to Install a Granny Cam

You have reason to suspect that your elderly loved one isn’t getting the adequate attention and support she needs at the nursing home where she stays. You work full-time and have your own family to take care of after work.  Every time you visit, it seems like no one has changed your mom’s soiled linens in a while and when you ring the bell for service, it takes an awfully long time for a staff member to come and attend to your loved one.  The nursing home staff resists your efforts probably for privacy or legal reasons.  Instead of installing hidden cameras, why not move your elderly loved one home with you?  You can monitor your loved one 24 hours a day with the help of a live-in caregiver from A-1 Home Care in Downey.

Try 24-Hour Senior In-Home Care for a Peace of Mind

When you weigh the pros and cons of in-home care vs. nursing home care, the pros of in-home care far outweigh the pros of a residential care facility.  You get the following benefits:

• Immediate, undivided attention from a compassionate 24-hour caregiver
• No need to share your caregiver with other residents
• Get treated like a king or queen in the comfort of your own home
• Meal preparation, laundry and light housekeeping services for your elderly loved one and the whole family
• Help with transportation (e.g., rides to doctor appointments, pick-ups/drop-offs for the kids at school, etc.)
• Mobility assistance
• Overnight assistance with incontinence
• Behavioral management for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.
• Patient lifting/transferring assistance
• Medication reminders

A-1 Home Care’s certified nurse assistants and licensed vocational nurses will care for your loved ones as though they were their own family members.  You get the advantage of developing a relationship with your elderly loved one’s caregiver and you have 24-hour support from the home care agency when you dial our office number.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care has been serving seniors and their families in Downey and surrounding areas for over two decades.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care not only provides excellent senior care but we protect you and your loved ones from potentially dangerous and shady characters who prey upon seniors’ vulnerability.  Each of our caregivers is extensively screened for their criminal background clearance and all professional references are verified.

For in-home care you can trust, call A-1 Home Care (562) 929-8400 or visit us at www.downeyinhomecare.com for services in Downey, Pico Rivera, Whittier, Cerritos, Long Beach, Torrance and other parts of LA County.

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Is the Baker Act Appropriate for Seniors Who Act Out in Paranoia?

In case you’re wondering, the Baker Act is known as “5150” in California, a section of the California Welfare and Institutions Code that authorizes involuntary detainment of an individual when he appears to be a physical danger to himself or others.  The person is detained for 72 hours maximum during which time the person is evaluated for his psychiatric condition.  The act of “fifty-one-fiftying” your elderly loved ones can wreak havoc on them.  All too often, seniors are traumatized and harassed after the evaluation.

A Much Less Threatening Evaluation for the Elderly

If your elderly loved one is acting out in delirium or paranoia, chances are that they are experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia that is extremely common among seniors.  Symptoms include the following:

• Aggressive behavior and personality changes
• Cognitive impairment
• Memory loss
• Inability to remember important dates, places and names
• Swiftly changing mood swings
• Wandering at night
• Excessive repetition of words, questions, sentences and phrases
• Inability to recognize familiar faces
• Confusion
• Delusions

A-1 Home Care in Downey will send out a care manager to conduct a free assessment so you can spare your loved one from harsh treatment in a mental institution.

Affordable 24-Hour Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

If your elderly loved one needs Alzheimer’s Care, A-1 Home Care offers 24-hour dementia care all year round.  Live-in home care assistance includes cooking, cleaning, bathing, grooming, prescription pick-ups, errands, grocery shopping, patient transferring and positioning, excellent companion care, transportation to appointments in Downey and more.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care has been delivering exceptional in-home care services for over two decades.  Licensed, bonded and insured, A-1 Home Care serves to promote wellness and protect your loved ones from scam artists, fraud and theft.

Find a quality Alzheimer’s caregiver today! Call A-1 Home Care (562) 929-8400 or visit us at www.downeyinhomecare.com for services in Downey, Pico Rivera, Whittier, Cerritos, Long Beach, Torrance and other parts of LA County.

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A Surefire Way to Find In-Home Care You Can Trust Despite the Distance

On a recent visit to your mom in Downey, you discovered a few alarming signs that she needs help around the house; plus, it seems like her mental acuity is such that you seriously wonder if you should move across the states to live with her.  However, you are in the middle of a successful, thriving career, and your family depends on you.  The job market is super competitive in California and you can’t afford to resign and relocate unless you have an equally promising career that will pay you the salary you want.  How do you find a trustworthy 24 hour caregiver who won’t take advantage of your elderly loved one?

Signs of a Trustworthy Home Care Agency

Having heard of all kinds of caregiver scams, we’re sure you are reluctant to find someone from a private advertisement, yet you’re not sure which agency to use to find a trustworthy live-in caregiver.  The following list of traits should be characteristic of every private home care agency:

 

• Licensed, bonded and insured
• Long-standing reputation
• Solid establishment
• Excellent client testimonials
• 24 Hour Access to customer service
• Experienced, friendly personnel

Being licensed, bonded and insured is extremely important for home care agencies, as they are not regulated by the government.  In light of the overwhelming number of fraud cases that have exploded in the last ten years, it’s crucial to find an agency that will protect your elderly loved one and your assets.  Insurance companies will not cover a home care agency if even one employee or caregiver has a tainted criminal background.  And the farther away you live from your loved one, the more important it is to have a peace of mind, knowing that you are relying on a reputable home care agency in another state.

About A-1 Home Care in Downey

Since its inception in 1991, A-1 Home Care has been delivering exceptional senior care and other types of in-home care services all over Downey.  As one of the few state-licensed home care agencies in California, A-1 Home Care is committed to providing the highest level of in-home care possible for families in LA County.  You can connect with a live operator 24 hours a day and never have to deal with an automated answering system.  Our experienced care managers will help you develop an affordable elder care plan that fits your budget.

Find a quality in-home caregiver today! Call A-1 Home Care (562) 929-8400 or visit us at www.downeyinhomecare.com for services in Downey, Pico Rivera, Whittier, Cerritos, Lakewood, Long Beach, Pasadena, Hollywood, and other parts of LA County.

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3 Important Words that Set Your Home Care Agency Apart

Searching for a reputable home care agency in Downey can be tedious and tiring, especially when the clock is ticking and you don’t have much time to dilly-dally around.  Your elderly loved ones may be in a hospital waiting for a discharge, but the doctors won’t release until they know that someone will be home to take care of them.  Maybe you can’t move them in with you right now, so you have to find a way to welcome them home with trustworthy, reliable caregivers who won’t take advantage of your vulnerable loved ones’ state of being.  Do you find an independent caregiver and hire someone through a private ad, or do you find someone based on a friend’s recommendation?  What kind of home care agency do you look for?  What are some key characteristics that every home care agency should have?

Licensed. Bonded. Insured.

If you find an agency that is licensed, bonded and insured, you have found a winner.  Note that home health agencies are different from home care agencies.  Home health agencies are regulated by the Department of Health Services whereas home care agencies are private companies that do not have any governmental overseer at this time.  The home care agency scams you hear about are most likely involving those that hire questionable characters without requiring much experience or education.  As one of the few home care agencies in California that have successfully received state licensure, A-1 Home Care in Downey is licensed, bonded and insured, and we set the bar for recruiting only the cream-of-the-crop 24 hour caregivers with years of experience, training and education.  Being licensed, bonded and insured means that your elderly loved ones will be protected from predators, fraud, theft and other criminal activity while receiving care.

Senior Safety and Comfort – Our #1 Priority

A-1 Home Care promotes senior safety and comfort while the elderly receive assistance for Arthritis Care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Heart Disease Care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, and other types of 24 hour care.  Our care managers, caregivers and staff are available to you 24 hours a day.  That means that when you call, you will never get an answering machine.  Instead, you will hear a lively, friendly voice on the other end from a representative who’s ready to answer your questions and address your needs.  All caregivers are required to pass an extensive criminal background screening.  We check their DMV records and verify all professional references.  For over two decades, A-1 Home Care has been faithfully delivering high quality senior care to families all over Downey, Pico Rivera, Lakewood, Cerritos, Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Malibu, and other parts of LA County, and we will gladly do the same for you.

Find a quality in-home caregiver today! Call A-1 Home Care (562) 929-8400 or visit us at www.downeyinhomecare.com for more details. 

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Reduce Sodium Intake with Delicious Meals Prepared by Caregivers

Heart disease, in many ways, could be prevented by simply reducing the level of sodium we consume with the foods we eat.  Even if we did sprinkle less salt in our lunch or dinner, much of the sodium is already in the processed foods prepared by manufacturers and restaurants.  We like our food fast, easy and tasty but healthy, nutritious (and delicious) meals require time and effort.  If you don’t have the time to make meals from scratch and you have an elderly loved one at home who is on a strict diet, A-1 Home Care will find a caregiver with a culinary background for your loved one so you and the whole family can enjoy gourmet-style meals low in sodium!

Affordable, Preventive Cardiac Care 24 Hours a Day

While you’re at work, why not have a live-in companion stay with your elderly loved one?  Our professional, certified caregivers will establish an exercise routine and check vital signs every day to make sure that blood pressure levels are within range.  Not only will our seasoned caregivers prepare delicious meals based on doctor’s recommendations, but 24-hour care also includes grocery shopping, running errands, light housekeeping, bathing, grooming, overnight care, and personal care.

About A-1 Home Care in Downey

A-1 Home Care is a non-medical home care agency that was established in 1991 to deliver only the highest quality of senior care for the elderly and their families in Downey and surrounding cities.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care is committed to protecting your loved ones from fraud, theft, shady and questionable characters while providing quality care at affordable prices.  Our 24 hour care, live-in care, live-out care, overnight care and other types of in-home care services are covered by long term care insurance and veteran benefits, but if you are paying out-of-pocket, we have viable financing options that are easy on your budget.

For quality and affordable cardiac in-home care, call A-1 Home Care (562) 929-8400 or visit us at www.downeyinhomecare.com for services in Downey, Whittier, Santa Monica, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Pico Rivera, and other cities throughout Los Angeles County.

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Downey Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care for the Elderly

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects millions of seniors in the United States and all over the world.  Although “Alzheimer’s” and “dementia” are terms that are used interchangeably, they are two different things.  Dementia is an umbrella term for a host of symptoms involving memory loss and cognitive decline whereas Alzheimer’s is one form of dementia with its own specific set of symptoms.  In advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, it becomes particularly difficult for family caregivers to take care for their elderly loved ones if they have never received formal medical training and are only relying on brochures and pamphlets as guidelines.  A-1 Home Care offers professional in-home care help at the lowest rates you’ll find anywhere in Downey and LA County.

 

Live-In Dementia Care Relieves Family Caregivers

Caring for elderly loved ones in the long run without assistance will take a toll on your health.  Statistics show time and time again that family caregivers who carry the burden alone without assistance from other family members suffer from depression, social reclusion, extreme fatigue, frustration, irritability, significant physical health decline and even dementia, if the stress loads are heavy enough.  Some family members bear the brunt of the physical labor of elder care while receiving financial assistance from siblings who live out of state.  Round-the-clock professional care from A-1 Home Care relieves pressure tremendously, allowing family caregivers to rest and restore themselves from overexertion.

 

Affordable Year-Round Elder Care in Downey

A-1 Home Care is dedicated to delivering excellent dementia care, Alzheimer’s care and other types of in-home care services all year round.  We never close, and we’re open on major holidays including Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s so you never have to worry about getting access to help when you need it.  When you call our hotline, you are always connected to a live operator who’s ready to answer your questions.  Our care managers will work with you in developing a customized elder care plan based on your elderly loved one’s needs, your budget and availability.  A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency serving seniors since 1991.

Find a quality in-home caregiver today! Call A-1 Home Care (562) 929-8400 or visit us at www.downeyinhomecare.com for services in Downey, Whittier, Pico Rivera, Cerritos, Long Beach and other cities in LA County.

 

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