Hello everyone, thank you for stopping by our Caregiver Profile! Every month, we will highlight some of our outstanding employees. You’ll learn a little bit about our caregivers, the in home care services we provide, and what makes Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses so special (spoiler alert: it’s the people!).
Deciding to hire in home care help for a beloved relative is a big decision to make. In the greater Philadelphia area, there are literally dozens of options for home care, ranging from national franchises to nurse registries. But how do you tell the difference, and how do you decide which options are best for your own family situation? Here are some resources we have compiled that can help you to answer these questions:
We’re happy to share that Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses is celebrating 30 years of serving families in the Philadelphia area (1987-2017). PAN is a nurse-owned and nurse-operated home care agency, which makes us unique in the area. Our service offering includes In Home Care, Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Management, and Alzheimer’s Care, among other offerings. We had the opportunity to sit down with Janice Guckin Barry, founder and CEO of PAN, to ask some questions about her company and why they may be a good fit for the loved ones in your family. She has a pretty inspiring story of getting this business off the ground and to where it is today. Let’s get started!
The American Baby Boomer generation is getting close to retirement age, and this brings with it different dynamics when it comes to taking care of oneself into the golden years. For most of human history and in cultures around the world, multiple generations of a family would live under the same roof. This meant that grandparents, adult children, aunts, uncles, and children could all support each other in various ways as part of one family unit. In America today, however, cultural practices have changed, and most families are now spread over large parts of the country. This means that beloved elderly family members may find themselves alone or isolated from possible support systems. Let’s discuss some steps that your family can take now to prevent a beloved elder from becoming an “elder orphan.”
As we age, the likelihood that a fall can cause serious damage to a person increases quite a bit. Elderly adults are at an increased risk of injury when a fall – even a relatively benign one – occurs. In addition to the actual injuries sustained during a fall, seniors may develop a fear of falling, which can lead to a less active, more sedentary, and reclusive lifestyle. This in turn can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and/or decreased quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.” For these reasons, it’s important that caregivers and family members alike educate themselves as to fall prevention…and protecting their loved ones at home.
The holidays are upon us, and they mean different things to different people. For many, the holidays are a season full of joy, parties, visiting with relatives, too many cookies, and sometimes too much gluhwein. For others, however, the holidays can be lonely or even isolating. The winter months may be much more difficult for loved ones or relatives who live alone, or who are starting to have trouble with activities of daily living (ADLs). Thankfully, this month offers great opportunities to check in on your loved ones, and help them navigate a potentially tricky season. Read on for some things to look for, resources to turn to, and tips to help your loved ones this holiday season.
Did you know that seniors generally have different nutrition needs than other adults? The United States Department of Agriculture created a “Choose My Plate” initiative a few years ago that helps people to eat healthfully and nutritiously. For seniors in particular, it’s important to get enough fiber, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and calcium – we’ll discuss why below. Let’s also take a look at different ways to incorporate these nutrients into a daily diet.
Did you know that November is Home Care and Hospice Month? This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight some of our excellent caregivers, and share some tips to thank the caregivers in your life – especially if you live in the greater Philadelphia area. Let’s get started!
For many families, the decision to hire in home care (or other types of senior care) can come rather quickly or unexpectedly. Like most things, it’s best to plan ahead and anticipate what future needs your loved ones may have. Certain pieces of information, like whether a parent has a will, certain medication needs, do-not-resuscitate orders and other important documents, can help a family be prepared for all sorts of scenarios. Unfortunately, sometimes an elderly parent or spouse is rendered incapable rather suddenly. In these situations, it can be hard to make decisions about health care, finances, and other life factors.
Hello everyone, thank you for stopping by our Caregiver Profile! Every month, we will highlight some of our outstanding employees. You’ll learn a little bit about our caregivers, the in home care services we provide, and what makes Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses so special (spoiler alert: it’s the people!).
