by San Diego Home Care

Find Answers to Our Most Frequently Asked Home Care Questions

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compass solutions home care questions

Discover the answers to your home care questions.

You’re beginning to become concerned that Mom might be in need of some professional help at home, and so naturally, you know just where to go for assistance, right? No? Rest assured – you are not alone. Millions of people in the U.S. are faced with the same predicament, and most people have a lot of home care questions they need answered right away.

If you’re in the beginning stages of investigating home care options, it’s helpful to have some understanding of what exactly home care is and how it works. To assist you through this journey, the professional team at San Diego Home Caregivers, the top-rated private caregiver in La Mesa and surrounding areas, has pulled together some commonly asked questions about home care, along with the appropriate answers to help you make better, more knowledgeable care decisions for your loved one.

Q: Can Medicare cover the cost for long-term in-home care?

A: No. Even though it’s true that Medicare might pay for some home health care costs within very specific parameters, it was never meant to cover long-term in-home care.

Q: Is it less expensive to hire a caregiver independently than working together with a professional home care company?

A: No. While at first it might seem that hiring a caregiver independently is more affordable than hiring a caregiver through a professional home care agency, there are numerous unrevealed costs when hiring an independent caregiver. For instance, with an independently hired caregiver, you are the caregiver’s employer, meaning it is your duty to cover the cost for taxes, worker’s compensation, and more. When working through a home care agency, you do not have to worry about or cover the cost for any of these things.

Q: Is home care the right choice for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease?

A: Yes. San Diego Home Caregivers provides highly skilled, compassionate Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Our caregivers receive ongoing training on how to provide the highest quality support to older adults, offering families much-needed breaks from care and peace of mind.

Q: What do ADL and IADL stand for?

A: ADL refers to Activities of Daily Living, or activities that take place every day, such as taking a shower, dressing, transferring from the bed to a chair, walking, etc. IADL stands for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and covers such activities as managing household expenses, shopping, using the telephone, etc. ADLs and IADLs are evaluated when determining which level of care is best suited for a senior.

San Diego Home Caregivers can help older adults with both ADLs and IADLs, which results in safer, more comfortable, and more independent lives at home.

We know you probably have some additional home care questions, and we’re always here to provide the answers you need. You can reach us any time at (619) 487-9000 to learn more about our home care services and dementia care in La Mesa, CA and the surrounding areas.

by San Diego Home Care

Top Six Benefits of Home Care for Seniors

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beefits of home care reading to senior disabled man

Learn some of the top reasons home care is best for seniors.

As we grow older, it is common to start to be affected by challenges with daily activities, including showering, dressing, fixing meals, and even driving a vehicle. This can result in the fear of having to give up not just our freedom, but our home as well. Yet there is encouraging news for older individuals: home care services, like those provided by San Diego Home Caregivers, can help actually increase independence for seniors and help them continue residing at home where they are most comfortable.

And the reality is, these days, the majority of older adults are deciding to receive the care they need at home. To help you better comprehend exactly what home care is, we’ve provided the following benefits of home care for seniors:

  • Home care services are delivered on an individual basis, leading to more personal attention than in a nursing home or assisted living facility. There is never the need to have to wait your turn when care is needed.
  • A caregiver in the home can help encourage a healthier way of living. Professional caregivers are skilled in planning and preparing nourishing and delicious meals that are appealing to the individual and can also help keep track of the amount of food consumed.
  • A customized, ongoing exercise regimen can be implemented and carried out with the help of a caregiver, providing the extra safety measure of a qualified professional being present during exercising.
  • Home care strengthens self-esteem and independence, essential factors for a fulfilling lifestyle. Home care (in particular, private pay home care) ensures personalized care specific to the needs of the family and senior on any given day, whether the need is as simple as companionship, or more complex, such as help with personal care needs.
  • The additional benefit of accompanied transportation to and from medical appointments, social events or running errands means that families have the opportunity for more quality time together.
  • The recent pandemic brought to the forefront how dangerous senior isolation can be to both physical and emotional health. An in-home caregiver offers necessary socialization opportunities and the chance for seniors to have a companion at the ready to avoid loneliness and depression, through interesting conversations and reminiscing, fun activities, participation in enjoyable hobbies and interests, and more.

We would love the chance to chat with you and your family more about the benefits of our home care services. Call San Diego Home Caregivers, the leading provider of home care assistance in La Jolla and surrounding areas, at (619) 487-9000 to learn more about our trusted home care services for seniors.

by corecubed

Talking With Your Kids When You Have Mesothelioma

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Cute young daughter embracing her mother with love

Mesothelioma takes between 20 and 50 years to develop. Due to this long latency period, the asbestos-caused cancer affects middle-aged and elderly people most often. Read more

by corecubed

Be Proactive in Addressing Post-Holiday Loneliness in Seniors

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The holiday season can be overflowing with a whirlwind of activity for the seniors we love, with family gatherings, holiday parties, faith-based services, and shopping for the best gifts for those they love. Yet after the holiday ornaments are packed away and families have gotten back to the daily busyness of life, many struggle with a common but little-discussed condition: post-holiday loneliness in seniors. 

Although naturally seniors who live alone are most apt to develop feelings of isolation and sadness when the holiday activities are complete, all older adults are in danger of a case of the blues, as they look to the year ahead while reminiscing over years past. It’s vital for family members to create a plan to help their older loved ones experience a positive transition. Give some thought to the following tips: 

  • Make plans for the next get-together. Decide on a date in the coming weeks for another family celebration, offering the older loved one and the rest of the family something enjoyable to anticipate. For example, schedule an informal New Year’s resolution check-in party for the last week of January, where each person can report on his or her progress towards resolutions that were made, and each bringing along a dish to share a potluck meal.   
  • Create a chain letter. Split the family up into groups of five, and designate a number to each person who would like to participate, i.e., #1 – 5. The person with #1 begins by writing a short letter in the first week of January, mailing it to the #2 person, who reads and then contributes to that letter and then sends to the #3 person – and so on. The last person in the chain adds to the letter and sends back to the first person to read, and then a new chain can be initiated. Receiving ongoing mail with news about family members is a great pick-me-up for seniors. 
  • Partner with San Diego Home Caregivers. San Diego Home Caregivers’ skilled care companions are the ideal solution to post-holiday loneliness in seniors! Our caregivers are adept in helping seniors to remain socially and physically active through a wide range of engaging activities, according to each person’s interests:  
  • Reminiscing and conversations 
  • Puzzles, games, and crafts 
  • Exercise programs 
  • Transportation and accompaniment to fun outings 
  • And much more! 

Let us help alleviate post-holiday loneliness for the older adults you love, and maintain a sense of community, purpose, and connection all throughout the year. We’re available for once-a-week visits up through and including full-time care and companionship. Call the experts in senior companion care in San Diego and the surrounding communities at (619) 487-9000 and request an in-home consultation to establish what will work best in your particular situation, and help make your loved ones’ coming year the best one yet! 

by San Diego Home Care

Clean Indoor Air Benefits Individuals Diagnosed With COPD

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If you’re providing COPD care for an older loved one, you’re probably aware that outdoor air pollution can make symptoms worse. However, did you know that reduced air quality in the home can also lead to problems? Cleansing the air in the home can help those with COPD – and everyone else – breathe more easily.

The home care team at San Diego Home Caregivers recommends keeping the following COPD care strategies in mind:

  • Prohibit Indoor Smoking. Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke in the home of a person with COPD. If there is a woodstove or fireplace in the home, realize that it can also be a source of irritation for someone with COPD.
  • Reduce Chemical Exposure. Chemicals in the home such as paint and cleaning products can trigger COPD symptoms, so reduce the use of them, and be sure to keep lids on cleaning products when not in use. It’s also a good idea to look into healthier cleaning options, like baking soda and vinegar.
  • Minimize Dust. Wash bed linens weekly, remove clutter, and keep pets off furniture in order to limit the amount of dust and dander.
  • Purify the Air. Utilize an air filtration device with a HEPA filter. Even though air pollution is not as hazardous in rural areas as it is in the city, someone with COPD will still benefit from filtering the air and clearing away irritants and toxins.
  • Sweep Floors Often. Keeping floors clean reduces allergen buildup. Bear in mind that hardwood floors are easier to keep in an allergen-free state than carpet and rugs.
  • Use a Humidifier. Dry air from the heating system can make COPD problems worse, as can air that is too damp. Strive for a level of about 40% humidity inside the home for someone with COPD.

COPD patients can breathe easier with the help of San Diego Home Caregivers. We can provide:

  • Helpful information about COPD care and management
  • Exercise recommendations to ease symptoms
  • Nutrition and dietary tips
  • Skills to best contend with symptoms
  • And a full range of home care services

Our professionally trained home care team will first provide an in-home assessment to develop a care plan to address needs. San Diego Home Caregivers is here to help with personalized Carlsbad home care services. Contact us any time at (619) 487-9000 to learn more about the many ways home care can help.

by San Diego Home Care

San Diego Senior Home Care: Know the Elder Abuse Risk Factors for Older Adults

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Helping older adults continue being independent, healthy, and happy is the aim of not only our professional senior care team, but of each and every family caregiver who has ever helped care for a loved one. Since the wellbeing of older adults is so important to us, it’s vital that we review something that can be tough for many of us to even look into – elder abuse.

The CDC estimates that nearly 500,000 older adults are neglected or abused annually in the U.S. alone. However, many more elder abuse cases are believed to go unreported each year, which is why it’s important for family caregivers to be alert to potential abuse risks.

Following are a few of the risk factors associated with elder abuse:

  • Reliance on others: Seniors who depend on others for care are typically not willing to mention any abuse because they may feel unsafe or that their care needs will not be able to be met by somebody else if the abuser is reported.
  • Reduced physical health and mobility: Dementia, Alzheimer’s or other health conditions may raise an elder’s risk of being abused since the individual may not be capable of explaining or verbalizing the abuse.
  • History of abuse: If the older person was abusive as a parent, there is an increased possibility of elder abuse, specifically if an adult child who was abused by the senior is the primary caregiver.
  • Social isolation: Social isolation sometimes results when a senior loses a spouse or lives at a distance from friends and family, and it can result in the perfect atmosphere for elder abuse. Abusers quite often try to keep older individuals isolated by:
    • Refusing to request economic aid or services
    • Resisting outside help
    • Switching social and healthcare professionals over and over again to make it challenging to evaluate the senior’s health status
    • Controlling contact with the older adult
  • Family caregiver burnout or stress: Stressed caregivers can become frustrated, leading them to lash out at the older adults in their care.

If a loved one is currently being cared for by a family member or other caregiver, be mindful of these risk factors, visit and call as often as possible to appraise the senior’s health, and play an active role in the person’s care.

At San Diego Home Caregivers, we understand how important a senior loved one’s health and safety are, and we always take the necessary steps to ensure we provide the best care. Every member of our senior care team has undergone a comprehensive background check, reference checks, and a personal interview to guarantee they meet our high care standards. Contact us today at (619) 487-9000 to learn more about our La Jolla senior care services and the communities we serve.

by San Diego Home Care

5 Important Tips for a Parkinson’s Caregiver

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A great deal of older individuals with Parkinson’s disease are provided with the majority of their care at home from loved ones, especially during the early levels of the disease. As Parkinson’s caregivers ourselves, we at San Diego Home Caregivers understand the unique concerns experienced by family members who play the role of a Parkinson’s caregiver, and want you to know you are not alone! Our home health experts are always here to offer tips and to work with you in making certain your loved one is receiving the best care at all times.

To start, it’s helpful to keep these Parkinson’s-specific tips in mind:

  • Nutrition: A healthy diet helps lessen cell loss in a person with Parkinson’s. Consuming antioxidants, such as those found in blueberries, green tea, spinach, beans, broccoli, and some types of nuts, can help fend off oxidative stress.
  • Chewing and Swallowing: Individuals with Parkinson’s commonly have some level of difficulty with chewing and swallowing. Each person providing care for a loved one with Parkinson’s needs to learn the Heimlich maneuver to be prepared in case the person begins to choke.
  • Fall Prevention: Seniors with Parkinson’s commonly have difficulty with balance and walking, so it’s very important to assess the home surroundings and make alterations to lower the risk of falls. Installing items like customized toilet seats and grab bars where appropriate, and removing obstacles in and around the home is a good place to start.
  • Anxiety/Depression: Minimizing the risk for depression and anxiety is a key component in the battle against Parkinson’s. Keep a close eye on your loved one for indications of depression, and if detected, be sure he or she sees the doctor for assistance as soon as possible.
  • Medications: Parkinson’s treatments may have a wide range of side effects, and can impact the individual in a number of different ways. Some kinds of medicine can cause hallucinations or nightmares, for example. Make sure your loved one’s doctor advises you about any anticipated side effects of medications so you can be prepared.

We invite you to explore our San Diego Home Caregivers’ care services to understand how home care can lead to a better quality of life for both your loved one and the family members who are providing care. By working with our professional home care assistance team to help with some of the more routine aspects of caregiving, family members have the chance to spend more quality time together. Contact us online or call us at (619) 487-9000 to learn more about our team of experts in senior services in San Diego, CA and the surrounding areas.

by San Diego Home Care

Get in the Know: Questions to Ask when Considering In Home Health Care

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While there are some incredible, measurable results for seniors who utilize the services of a home health care agency, it all boils down to one simple statement: being at home just feels right. It’s where we’ve created our most precious memories, and it’s where we’re the most comfortable. Remaining at home also encourages enhanced independence for seniors, allowing countless opportunities throughout each day to make personal decisions: whether to sleep in or rise early; what to have for lunch, and who to share that lunch with; what activities to engage in, and much more.

When you’ve made the decision to investigate in home care options, the next step is determining which home health care agencies in San Diego, CA will be the most appropriate fit for your senior loved one. This step is often an overwhelming one. You may find a plethora of in home care providers to choose from, but how do you know which one is best? Because this decision is so important, the team at San Diego Home Caregivers has put together a list of questions to ask when considering home care options:

  • How long has the agency been serving the community?
  • Does the agency have printed materials explaining services and costs?
  • Does the agency offer a Patient’s Bill of Rights that outlines rights and responsibilities of both the agency and the patient?
  • Does the agency determine a care plan with input from the patient, his or her physician, and family?
  • How closely are caregivers supervised?
  • Will family members be informed of the care their loved ones are receiving?
  • How are caregivers hired and trained? What type of employee screening is done?
  • How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality?
  • How does the agency handle billing?
  • What procedures are in place to handle and resolve conflicts or problems? Who should you call if you have any complaints?

Knowing the answers to these questions when considering home care services will allow you to narrow down your search. And if your senior loved one is in San Diego or the surrounding areas, we hope you’ll consider San Diego Home Caregivers, the top-rated provider of San Diego senior care services. With our fully trained, experienced, and compassionate caregiving team, you can feel confident that we’ll treat your senior loved one just as we would our own family member. Contact us at (619) 487-9000 to get started with the home health care agency trusted by families in San Diego and the surrounding areas!

by San Diego Home Care

The Benefits of Aging in Place

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The facts speak for themselves: an overwhelming majority of today’s aging adults would prefer to age in place at home rather than facing a move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. And that’s certainly understandable. The benefits of aging in place are many. Professional services in senior care in San Diego and surrounding areas allows seniors to experience a continued sense of safety and security in the comfort and familiarity of their own home and community. When frailness and other conditions of aging raise questions about a senior’s ability to remain safely at home, professional home care agencies, like San Diego Home Caregivers, provide a viable solution.

Below are some of the top ways that professional senior care services can positively impact the lives of seniors:

  1. In general, home care leads to an overall higher satisfaction with life.
  2. Home care services enhance dignity, independence and comfort for seniors.
  3. Home care fosters healing. Research has shown that patients heal faster at home versus a hospital or nursing home setting with a significantly reduced chance of re-hospitalization during recuperation.
  4. Home care supports families, allowing them to stay more involved with their senior loved one’s care.
  5. Home care provides personalized care that meets the unique needs of the family and senior.
  6. Home care services are provided on a one-on-one basis, ensuring more personalized attention than in a nursing home or a facility. Seniors never have to wait their turn when care is needed.
  7. An in-home caregiver can plan and prepare healthy and delicious meals that are appealing to the older individual and can also monitor the amount of food consumed.
  8. An individualized exercise routine can be implemented and followed through, with the additional benefit of a qualified professional being on hand.
  9. The benefits of the familiarity of home are countless, from the ability to relax in a favorite chair to the peace that comes from enjoying a daily cup of tea in a familiar spot, and so much more.
  10. Home caregivers can provide safe, reliable transportation and accompaniment to and from appointments, social activities and outings, running errands, and more, allowing families more free time together as well as enhanced peace of mind.

San Diego Home Caregivers provides individualized home care services that meet each senior’s unique needs, allowing them to remain safe and well, right in the comfort of home. Call us at (619) 487-9000 to learn more about the benefits of aging in place, Alzheimer’s care services, and our San Diego home health care services and care in the nearby areas.