Get a hobby!

Happy New Year!!
Hopefully the holidays brought much joy and time with friends and family!

As we move into our coldest months of the year, we all try to find ways to stay active while indoors.
For some of us, we consider these activities, or hobbies, something we get to enjoy when we have the time.

But, did you know that keeping up with hobbies is very important to seniors?  Primarily, seniors with early memory issues such as dementia or Alzheimer's can see great benefits from their hobbies. Anything that requires them to think through their actions will get the brain firing and working.

Not only can it help seniors with dementia, it can also help prevent it!
That's right!  According to a recent study by the Mayo Clinic, you can read it here, having a hobby can help prevent or delay memory issues.

Things as simple as knitting, daily bible study, arts and crafts, cross-stitch, reading or joining a book club, crosswords, etc.

All these activities require your brain to function at a higher level than it does while watching TV or other less-stimulating activities.
Remember, the brain is like a muscle.  In order to keep it going strong, we need to work it out!

Obviously, there is no guarantee that having a hobby can altogether prevent diseases like Alzheimer's.  Researchers are still working hard to tackle this issue.  But, it certainly cannot hurt.  The more we do to keep our brains working, the better!

When it's cold, like today, it is the perfect time to start a fun, new hobby or bring out an old one.  It's also a great time to sit and spend time with your loved one.

Maybe you can ask them to teach you their hobby?

Are YOU prepared?

Are you facing the challenge of caring for a loved one?
Not quite ready to bring in help?

Understandably, this can be a very stressful situation for everyone involved.  It's never easy to watch a loved one grow older and become less independent.  What is even harder is to know what to do next.

When you are ready, we would love to be there for you!
However, until then we would like to support you in other ways.  We have just launched a new page on our website with links to helpful videos.  It is still growing, but we hope that you will find useful information to help you when caring for your loved one.

For instance, did you know that many seniors are at risk for choking?  It's a serious problem that you will want to be prepared for.  We have included a video on how to help a choking victim.   You don't have to be a doctor to save a life! If you are caring for someone you could be that critical link to survival, at the very least until emergency personnel arrive.

Another useful video will show you how to best prepare your home for the safety of your loved one.  The bathroom can be a real danger zone if the proper precautions are not taken.  Watch and learn what you can do to prevent falls and possible serious injury.

Now, once you have been to our website, we want your feedback!  Let us know what we left off.  How did we do? Were the videos helpful?  We want to be certain we are giving you what you need to help take care of your loved one!  CLICK HERE!


Because helping people is what we do best!

(If the link doesn't take you there, just type our website into your browser: www.prestigepremiumhomecare.com)

We are incredibly Thankful for YOU!

Perhaps we don't say it enough.

THANK YOU!

We appreciate each and every one of you!  Whether you are a client, a caregiver, or just someone who reads this and (hopefully) gains some insight from us.  

We love what we do here.  Hopefully that translates through our actions.  We believe strongly in treating others the way we ourselves would like to be treated.  We believe that "paying it forward" is a valuable policy.
We believe that showing our gratitude and appreciation builds trust and long-lasting relationships.

We don't strive to simply have a "business" and/or "clients" like anyone else.  
We strive to make it personal.  In the end, why shouldn't life be personal?
We deal with PEOPLE.  Not objects.  PEOPLE.  We make it a point to treat everyone we encounter like family.  It's just how we roll.

Hopefully, as you read this, you are getting ready for a relaxing, long, holiday weekend filled with family and turkey.  Okay, I guess the relaxing part isn't guaranteed, but that is life isn't it?!

Regardless, we want to wish you a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember, we are here for you.  Even on holidays.  

Because caring for people doesn't take a vacation.

National Home Care and Hospice Month

Watching our loved ones age is a difficult thing.  Watching them become ill is even more difficult.

We are so grateful for people who dedicate their lives to making our loved ones comfortable in their final days.  A person must have a very special heart to care for these individuals.  
There are times when a patient is combative, maybe due to some form of dementia.  Possibly, they are embarassed by their situation and do not like asking for help.  Giving up even the smallest amount of independence can be heartbreaking.

Sometimes, caregivers must deal with family members who are overwhelmed, stressed, devastated, or all of the above.  That daughter/son may find themselves taking out that frustration on the caregiver.  It isn't intentional, and it is the compassionate caregiver who understands this and embraces them that is so valuable.

We want to take the time to say thank you and let all the caregivers out there know how much we appreciate them!  It is a tough job.  We want to recognize the dedication and love they supply every single day!

Earlier, while researching some articles, I came across this site.  It is so amazing!!  It is a collection of caregivers and nurses from all across the country, telling their stories!  Read them by clicking HERE.

It is extremely touching and heartwarming to know that these wonderful, compassionate people are out there!  I highly recommend you head over and read at least some of them.  

More than that, I dare you to try not to shed a tear in the process....

Some gave all...

This is the week we celebrate our heroes.  

The men and women who are brave enough to wear the uniform and protect our freedom.  It is a big job.  It demands our respect.  Remember, there are many who gave all they had to protect us.

I hope all of you will stop this week and thank those you know who have served. In fact, if you see someone in uniform, why don't you go ahead and thank them for their service.  It doesn't matter if you know them or not!  You can brighten someone's day with a simple thank you.  Better yet, pay for their coffee.  Pay for their meal.  They deserve at least that much.

For you don't know what that service member could be dealing with.  He/She could have wounds and scars you are unaware of, memories of things most of us cannot imagine.  The fact that you are thanking them could really make a difference in their day!

Last week, we had the opportunity to honor some of those heroes!  The Center, in Council Bluffs, hosts an annual Veteran's Luncheon.  We were so happy to attend and show our support to all the Veterans in attendance.  There were veterans there from every branch of the armed forces. 

We enjoyed a nice lunch as well as entertainment from a dance group at The Center! Several Veterans were honored with the gift of a hand-made quilt.  It was certainly an emotional moment for everyone in attendance.

    

You can see in the picture above, the dancers were great!  They even had a tap routine!

Now, last but certainly not least, let's make this personal for a minute.  We all know a veteran, right?
Well, I know so many it is hard to keep track.  My family is full of them. Seriously, I don't think I could give you an adequate number because I just cannot count them all.  And, if I were to go back through the years that number is too much to compile.
So, I am going to show you the 2 most important veterans in my life!  I love and appreciate them more each and every day.
The first is my husband, Chip.  He served about 4 years, mostly at Ft. Campbell (in the 101st Airborne), including a year in Korea.  

The second is my sweet daddy.  He served about 40 years, retiring as a full Colonel and the Aviation Director for the state of Tennessee.

(Forgive me, these photos do not show them in uniform.  Those are stored somewhere...)

Feel free to tell us about your veteran!  Give them a shout out and let them know how much you appreciate them!

Save $40 NOW!

Who doesn't love a good sale?!

As we roll into the holiday season, we want to help ease your budget a bit.  Are you looking to get assistance with a loved one, but maybe the possibilities are too overwhelming?
  
Sometimes, when faced with the upcoming expenses associated with the holidays, it causes the stress of finding caregivers to be that much more intimidating.

Give us a call NOW for a FREE in-home consultation.  We will come out and explain all your options, all the services we offer, and determine how we can best make it work for you and your loved ones.

Unlike many other home care organizations, we have NO minimums.  If all you need is someone to help with bathing and meals, then that is what you can get!

Right now we are offering an exclusive special!!  All new clients can present the coupon below to receive $40 off your first 10 hours of care!

Is it in the sugar???

As we enter into November, we cross into another time of raising awareness for a very important cause.
It is National Diabetes awareness month.

As with some other diseases out there, Diabetes is one that comes with many myths that are passed off as fact.  Many people may not realize the truths of the disease vs. the old wive's tales.

One prominent fact that often gets misconstrued is that there are 2 types of Diabetes.  While they encompass the same disease, they are truly different in how they affect the body.

So, let's go ahead and set the record straight for good.  After all, part of raising awareness is educating people on the facts.

Type I - (It is usually written this way, but when discussed you would say "type one")
  What this does, type 1, is cause fluctuations in blood sugar.  However, these fluctuations do not mean that person is somehow doing something wrong.  If it were that simple we wouldn't still be talking about the disease.
  
Type 1 Diabetes is controlled by multiple factors.  
  * Diet  * Excersice  * Insulin  * Blood Glucose (aka sugar) Tests.  
  All these factors combined make it possible for the individual lead a normal life; but they must be carefully monitored and maintained to make that happen.  If you know someone who regularly uses Insulin to control their Diabetes, you know they have type 1.

Type II (aka "Type 2) - is the one most associated with overeating and obesity.  The problem is that the body does not process insulin properly.  It is also called "insulin  resistence."

So, the answer to my question "Is it in the sugar?" is partly a yes.  This only applies to Type II.  This is where much confusion lies.  Many people are not aware which type requires insulin regulation, vs. regulation of sugar in the blood.
However, Type II is therefore the one you can more easily avoid.  Daily exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle has been found to greatly reduce your risk of Type II Diabetes.  That is the good news!  However, it is not 100%.  There have certainly been cases of individuals with Type II who follow all those guidelines.
Individuals dealing with Type II must also closely monitor their Blood Glucose (aka blood sugar), but the solution for levels that are too high or too low can be obtained through diet and exercise, and certain medications, rather than insulin.

This is why it is SO important we get the word out about this disease! 

Researchers are still trying to determine a cause for Type I.  Want to learn more?  Check out the link to get the facts!

Want info on Type II?  We've got you covered!  Click this Link to a page with all the details.

Help us get the word out about Diabetes in all forms!  Know the facts and know how to help those who suffer.  Hopefully, one day this awful disease will be a thing of the past.