September 2020
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Thank You to Family Caregivers
Appreciating our Caregivers

As we approach the weekend to celebrate Labor Day, it is worth considering other forms of work that exist that keep society moving. Labor not only exists in workplaces, but in our homes, as well. Think about the number of hours we spend cooking, cleaning, caring for our children, and so on. While we should celebrate the achievements brought about by labor movements in the U.S., we should also keep in mind the work we do outside of work and appreciate those individuals who sustain households and keep families together. Today, we want to bring your attention to the labor of family caregivers to help you appreciate the number of hours that define a typical caregiving role. Specifically, we refer to family caregivers caring for an aging loved one.

In 2015, there were approximately 34.2 million caregivers providing unpaid care to a family member over the age of 50.[1] This is about 10% of the U.S. population. Family caregivers are often unpaid, meaning they do this labor voluntarily in order to help their loved one. If we could put a price on the number of hours caregivers work, the figures would be staggering. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2015), the economic value of the care provided by these unpaid caregivers for those living with degenerative neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s, was around $217.7 billion.[2]  There also exist gender gaps among family caregivers, where women are impacted by the role of caregiving more than men. For example, 75% of caregivers are women and spend 50% more time caregiving than men. This is all to say that the impacts of caregiving are wide-reaching, and these impacts pervade our economic activities, social realities, and personal lives.  

We encourage you to appreciate the work that caregivers do. And if you’re a caregiver, we ask that you appreciate YOU. We certainly do. Being a caregiver is not easy.

If you are a caregiver, you should know that you are not alone. You can rely on ElderCare at Home to help find solutions to problems you might be facing. We are here to show you how much we appreciate you.


[2] Source: Ibid.

Tips for Outdoor Activities
Common Health Problems in the Elderly

As we age, our bodies change. Sometimes these changes lead to health problems. If you have an aging loved one in your life, you may have seen how these changes can impact their life in a significant way. As a result of these health issues arising from age-related changes, elderly populations need caregivers.
Caregivers are people who are either related by family or professionally trained and hired to provide health-related care for someone in need. In this blog, we are going to go cover common age-related health conditions that normally require caregiving. According to current medical research, within the next thirty years or so, the United States’ aging population will triple, meaning their will likely be an increase in health issues related to aging.[1] We hope that this blog can be an informative resource for those with loved ones who may live with one of these conditions.

What is Aging?

According to the World Health Organization, aging results from the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage in our bodies.[2] This damage, in turn, leads to decreases in physical and mental capacity, increased risk of disease, and death. These changes are not the same for everyone, and every individual will have a different experience as they age depending on their health history. Although everyone has their individual experience as they age, there are common health problems that arise.

Common Health Issues in Aging Populations

Fragile Bones and Joint Pain: As we age, the composition of our bones changes and we are more prone to fractures and other joint-related problems.[3] As a result, bone fractures from stress and accidental falls are a lot more likely. Whenever a broken bone occurs, poorer healing outcomes are usually common in aging populations. Cognitive Health: For reasons that are still being explored, aging individuals are more likely to develop degenerative neurological disorders.
It is estimated that about 47 million people live with dementia, or degenerative neurological disorders, worldwide.[4] These disorders negatively impact the brain and can lead to declines in memory, problems with language and speech, and trouble learning new information. Chronic Health Conditions: Many seniors live with a chronic health condition, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. These conditions can severely impact everyday life and if your loved one is living with a condition like this, then they may need more intensive day-to-day care.

If you think you might need a professional caregiver, then ElderCare at Home can help by matching you with a caregiver based on you and your loved one’s particular situation. If you have any questions, please call us at 888-285-0093 or visit our website.

1] Jaul, E., & Barron, J. (2017). Age-Related Diseases and Clinical and Public Health Implications for the 85 Years Old and Over Population. Frontiers in public health, 5, 335. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00335


[3] Boskey, A. L., & Coleman, R. (2010). Aging and bone. Journal of dental research, 89(12), 1333–1348. doi:10.1177/0022034510377791


COVID-19 FAQs
Adapting to COVID-19
We are monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak daily, and the health and safety of our referred caregivers and clients is our top priority. Our infection prevention practices are recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

We have shifted our focus from mitigating risk to proactively preparing to care for clients with COVID-19. Our staff is focused on emergency preparedness, obtaining necessary PPE supplies to keep our caregivers safe, and following CDC recommendations and the latest travel guidelines protocol to safeguard and support our caregivers, clients, and community.

What is Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  • It is a new Coronavirus that was recently detected in Wuhan, China.
  • Coronaviruses in general are a large family of viruses that typically circulate during cold and flu season and cause mild respiratory illness.
  • COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person in China, and person-to-person spread among close contacts has been detected in several countries outside China, including recently, the United States.

How is COVID-19 spread?

  • COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Person-to-person spread means:
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
  • From respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can possibly land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, be inhaled into the lungs, or land on surfaces that people touch.
  • COVID-19 is an emerging disease and there is more to learn about how it is transmitted, the severity of the virus, and what will happen in the United States.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

 Symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses and may include:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breathe

How soon after exposure to COVID-19 do signs and symptoms occur?

Symptoms occur anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

What is the risk to me?

  • For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to emphasize the importance of community preparedness, anticipating that there is potential for community spread to occur in the United States.
  • Clinical staff currently working in hospitals where clients with COVID-19 are receiving care are being provided with education and support to prevent transmission.
  • The CDC has placed very tight controls on the entry of people to the United States from China and other areas where person-to-person transmission has occurred.

What is ElderCare at Home doing to keep me safe?

  • All referred caregivers follow an Infection Prevention Program that provides the highest standards of infection prevention practices as recommended by the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
  • All employees, independent contractors and staff members follow the infection control procedures found on the CDC website located here.
  • ElderCare at Home has issued new procedures for employee travel-related concerns for guidance with managing potentially exposed employees.
From ElderCare's Award-Winning Blog
Creating a Safe Environment for Your Loved One
If you are caring for someone living with a degenerative neurological disorder, then it is imperative the importance of a safe and comfortable environment for your loved one. When we say “environment,” we mean their living environment and their immediate surroundings. As degenerative neurological disorders progress, it changes the way people living with them experience the world. So, once familiar surroundings can become unfamiliar and scary. Also, as we age, our bodies are less agile and flexible to maneuver around our environment, so modifying your loved one’s surroundings can ensure they do not hurt themselves.
Below, find our blog on practicing mindfulness and managing stress.
The Best Compliment
The best compliment you can give us is referring us to your friends and family.

We appreciate referrals from our satisfied clients and family members, as well as our from our professional colleagues. To refer someone, simply call 561-585-0400. Or click below to access our contact page.
ElderCare at Home
561-585-0400