We solve one of the most difficult challenges facing families today...caring for loved ones requiring in-home companion care and personal assistance.
Fall is here, and with it comes some of the most memorable times of year - the holidays. Perhaps more than any other occasion, the holiday season is steeped in family tradition, with cherished elements that sometimes span generations. 
Recognizing Warning Signs Over The Holidays That Care Is Needed
Holiday gatherings may be one of the few times during the year when the whole family comes together under one roof. It's a great opportunity for siblings and parents to discuss critical family issues and take a sincere look at their senior family member(s) health, finances, and potential caregiving needs. a guide of "10 warning signs" to help families and older Americans determine if help is needed. Any one of the behaviors listed below may indicate the need for additional action. Ultimately, the elder family member's physician should be consulted regarding any physical or psychological behavioral changes.
Has Your Family Member...
  • Changed eating habits within the last year resulting in weight loss, having no appetite, or missed meals?
  • Neglected personal hygiene resulting in wearing dirty clothes, body odor, bad breath, neglected nails and teeth, sores on the skin?
  • Neglected their home so it is not as clean or sanitary as you remember growing up?
  • Exhibited inappropriate behavior by being unusually loud or quiet, paranoid, agitated, making phone calls at all hours?
  • Changed relationship patterns such that friends and neighbors have expressed concerns?
  • Had physical problems such as burns or injury marks resulting from general weakness, forgetfulness, or possible misuse of alcohol or prescribed medications?
  • Decreased or stopped participating in activities that were previously important to them such as bridge or a book club, dining with friends, or attending religious services?
  • Exhibited forgetfulness resulting in unopened mail, piling newspapers, not filling their prescriptions, or missed appointments?
  • Mishandled finances such as not paying bills, losing money, paying bills twice or more, or hiding money?
  • Made unusual purchases such as buying more than one magazine subscription of the same magazine, entered an unusual amount of contests, increased usage of purchasing from television advertisements?
If any of these signs are noted, bring them to the attention of person's physician and consider additional care in the home. Visiting Angels of Pikesville provides in-home care assistance such as meal preparation, hygiene assistance, medication reminders, bathing assistance, and so much more.

You're not feeling well, but do you really need an antibiotic? Or, you've been prescribed an antibiotic and after a couple of days you feel better, so do you really need to take the entire course? Should all infections be treated with an antibiotic? Click the link to get the answers from Michelle Fritsch, Pharm. D., from Meds MASH to these and other questions.
Assistive Technologies Help Seniors Age In Place
Assistive Technologies from Health Trends 
Founded by a medical doctor, Health Trends helps seniors age safely in the residence of their choice through the use of assistive technologies. Health Trends takes the guess work out of finding the right product for the right situation.


What Are Assistive Technologies?
Assistive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative
devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating,
and using them. Assistive technology promotes greater independence by enabling people to
perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. Health Trends takes the guess work out of finding the right product for the right situation.

On behalf of the entire Visiting Angels staff, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Dave Pyser
Visiting Angels of Pikesville