I'm Worried About Mom / Dad:
Simple Solutions for Aging Parents

SEATTLE, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly one out of every four households in the U.S. (22.4 million households) is involved in care giving*. Nobody knows what to do, what to trust and what to watch out for. Most people don't have a clue what they're talking about. Senior Care giving expert, Joshua Hoffman, gives simple solutions and things to watch out for. (*Statistics from the 1997 National Alliance for Caregiving Survey)

"At the age of 19, I became a caregiver in a nursing home. The experience made an immediate impact on me and left me with the desire to help people one-on-one. I soon found myself working with a homecare agency, giving non-medical care to seniors. The greatest reward was the ability to help make my clients feel comfortable and safe. I realized that heartfelt in-home care, provided by the right caregiver, could dramatically enhance the quality of life of a senior. With that, HomeWell Senior Care was born," explains Joshua.

Checklist of what to watch out for:

• If Mom or dad stays home more than before. This may be because of a decrease in strength or due to pain and/or discomfort.
• Keep an eye out for difficulties with walking, bathing, meals, dressing and other normal day to day activities.
• If mom or dad isn't communicating as much as before. This may be because of declining function and/or because they are embarrassed to tell someone about their declining abilities and do not want to be a burden.
• Frequent forgetfulness or self-neglect could be signs of Alzheimer's ordementia.
• If one parent is caring for another or family members are spending more and more time helping another who is becoming more demanding or needy.
• Significant personality changes or anger and frustration may come about when a parent is less able to help him or herself.

Advice from HomeWell Senior Care:

• Talk with your physician and explain the decline.
• Don't be in denial. It's best to accept these changes and be proactive.
• Call a Geriatric Care Manager -- they are available to come out and perform assessments and make suggestions to help with mom and dad.
• Talk to others who have dealt with their aging parents.
• Many in-home care agencies offer free consultations by Care Managers to recommend solutions and a plan of care for in home services.

The goal is to create heartfelt in home care so that your loved one can get their needs met without having to move to a nursing home. In-home care by the right person could dramatically enhance the quality of life of a senior and lessen the demands of family members. Professionals can recommend sound solutions to help give you and your loved ones peace of mind and help make life more comfortable.