Thank you to all of our great clients, caregivers and referral sources that have helped make Right at Home in Los Angeles such a success. Because of all of you, we have grown steadily and have decided to move into new, bigger offices.
We'll still be in Glendale, but our new mailing address is:
Right at Home
249 North Brand Blvd. #539
Glendale, CA 91203
We actually started moving in to our new space on January 15th, but officially as of February 1st we'll be moved.
We still have the same phone number - 818-956-5905 - and the same website - www.glendale.rightathome.net - and we'll still provide you with the same great service.
Thank you again for helping Right at Home continue to serve and assist the senior population in Los Angeles.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Multigenerational Households: A Rising Trend in Caregiving
Multigenerational households, those that consist of at least three generations living together, are greatly increasing in numbers in the US. Many adult children are choosing to move their elderly parents and loved ones into their homes for several reasons, including aging, health problems and economic considerations.
Multigenerational households were once a common occurrence in the U.S. In the late 1800’s, almost 70 percent of elderly widows lived with an adult child, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 1990, that number drastically decreased to 20 percent but the trend has reversed again. U.S. statistics show the number of parents who have moved in with their adult children increased 67 percent to 3.6 million people between 2000 and 2007.
It is important for caregivers in multigenerational households to be aware of the stress that may arise from this type of living arrangement. For those with children still at home, caring for their older relatives under the same roof can increase the stresses of caring for the rest of the family. In addition, caregivers may worry about their own health or have their own financial issues. It is also important to consider potential needs such as home modifications, the division of chores and outside assistance.
Whether the creation of a multigenerational household is permanent or temporary, sandwich generation family caregivers should keep the following tips in mind to help all family members peacefully adjust to their new living arrangement:
- Discuss the circumstances: Discuss the circumstances upfront with the entire family so that everyone understands why the arrangement is in place. Every living arrangement has its benefits and drawbacks, and in order for it to work, the benefits must be recognized and outweigh the drawbacks. In the future, remembering why one has chosen to live in a multigenerational household will help family members cope with any conflicts that may arise.
- Share responsibility: Caregiving is a family responsibility and it lessens the weight for all involved if everyone works as a team. Devise a system to help out with household chores; each person should be responsible for something that helps the whole household.
- Prepare the home: Several physical modifications may be necessary to ensure the home is safe and convenient for seniors. Make sure there is proper lighting throughout the house and no loose carpeting, cords or other hazards to help avoid falls. It also may be necessary to modify the bathroom by adding non-slip surfaces in the tub or shower and grab-bars near the tub, shower and toilet.
- Consider hiring a part-time caregiver: Help is available for those caring for their elderly parents or relatives in their homes. Hiring a trained caregiver from an in-home care agency such as Right at Home can provide much-needed respite for family caregivers. They offer individualized services ranging from companionship, meal preparation and housekeeping to personal hygiene, bathing, medication reminders and more.
- Be flexible: This new living arrangement will take adjustment time. What works at the beginning will most likely change within the first few months and even more so in the next few years. Use a trial and error approach to refine boundaries and guidelines to keep peace in the household.
With family members living longer, many people are faced with the prospect of becoming a family caregiver for a significant number of years. It is important for the family to recognize that they will not be able to tend to all the needs of their loved ones alone and that occasionally they will need to rely on others for support. Communication is the key to making a multigenerational household a beneficial experience for all.
Multigenerational households were once a common occurrence in the U.S. In the late 1800’s, almost 70 percent of elderly widows lived with an adult child, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 1990, that number drastically decreased to 20 percent but the trend has reversed again. U.S. statistics show the number of parents who have moved in with their adult children increased 67 percent to 3.6 million people between 2000 and 2007.
It is important for caregivers in multigenerational households to be aware of the stress that may arise from this type of living arrangement. For those with children still at home, caring for their older relatives under the same roof can increase the stresses of caring for the rest of the family. In addition, caregivers may worry about their own health or have their own financial issues. It is also important to consider potential needs such as home modifications, the division of chores and outside assistance.
Whether the creation of a multigenerational household is permanent or temporary, sandwich generation family caregivers should keep the following tips in mind to help all family members peacefully adjust to their new living arrangement:
- Discuss the circumstances: Discuss the circumstances upfront with the entire family so that everyone understands why the arrangement is in place. Every living arrangement has its benefits and drawbacks, and in order for it to work, the benefits must be recognized and outweigh the drawbacks. In the future, remembering why one has chosen to live in a multigenerational household will help family members cope with any conflicts that may arise.
- Share responsibility: Caregiving is a family responsibility and it lessens the weight for all involved if everyone works as a team. Devise a system to help out with household chores; each person should be responsible for something that helps the whole household.
- Prepare the home: Several physical modifications may be necessary to ensure the home is safe and convenient for seniors. Make sure there is proper lighting throughout the house and no loose carpeting, cords or other hazards to help avoid falls. It also may be necessary to modify the bathroom by adding non-slip surfaces in the tub or shower and grab-bars near the tub, shower and toilet.
- Consider hiring a part-time caregiver: Help is available for those caring for their elderly parents or relatives in their homes. Hiring a trained caregiver from an in-home care agency such as Right at Home can provide much-needed respite for family caregivers. They offer individualized services ranging from companionship, meal preparation and housekeeping to personal hygiene, bathing, medication reminders and more.
- Be flexible: This new living arrangement will take adjustment time. What works at the beginning will most likely change within the first few months and even more so in the next few years. Use a trial and error approach to refine boundaries and guidelines to keep peace in the household.
With family members living longer, many people are faced with the prospect of becoming a family caregiver for a significant number of years. It is important for the family to recognize that they will not be able to tend to all the needs of their loved ones alone and that occasionally they will need to rely on others for support. Communication is the key to making a multigenerational household a beneficial experience for all.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
List of Senior Citizen Centers in Los Angeles
The Department of Recreation & Parks operates 27 senior citizen centers throughout the city. In addition, there are activity centers offering special events to accommodate seniors including: shuffleboard, croquet, arts and crafts, language lessons, oil painting, cards, entertainment and social dancing.
Below is a list of those 27 Senior Centers operated by the Department of Recreation & Parks in Los Angeles.
* Ahmanson Senior Center 3990 S. Menlo Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90037
* Anderson Senior Center 828 S. Mesa Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
* Betty Hill SSenior Center 3570 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90018
* Boyle Heights Senior Center 2839 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
* Canoga Park Senior Center 7326 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303
* Claude Pepper Senior Center 1762 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035
* Costello Senior Center 3121 E. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023
* El Sereno Senior Center 4818 Klamath Street, Los Angeles, CA 90032
* Fairfax Senior Center 7929 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
* Felicia Mahood Senior Center 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
* Glassell Senior Citizen Ctr 3750 Verdugo Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90065
* Griffith Park Senior Center 3203 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles CA 90027
* Highland Park Senior Center 6152 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042
* Jim Gilliam Senior Center 4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008
* Las Palmas Senior Center 1820 N. Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
* Lincoln Heights Senior Ctr 2323 Workman Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031
* Lincoln Park Senior Center 3501 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90031
* Mid-Valley Senior Center 14450 Valerio Street, Van Nuys, CA 91406
* Montecito Heights Senior Ctr 4545 Homer Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031
* Mt. Carmel Senior Center 830 W. 70th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90044
* North Hollywood Senior Ctr 5301 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
* Slauson Senior Center 5306 S. Compton, Los Angeles, CA 90011
* Sunland Senior Center 8640 Fenwick Ave., Sunland, CA 91040
* Van Nuys Multi-Purpose Ctr 6514 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
* Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Ctr 5040 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
* Vineyard Senior Center 2942 Vineyard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90016
* Watts Senior Center 1657 East Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90002
* Westchester Senior Center 8740 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
* Westminster Senior Center 1234 Pacific Ave., Venice, CA 90291
* Pan Pacific Senior Center 141 S Gardner Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
* Wilkinson MultiPurpose Ctr 8956 Vanalden Ave., Northridge, CA 91324
For more information on these facilities and other city services for seniors, cick on http://www.laparks.org/dos/senior/senior.htm
Below is a list of those 27 Senior Centers operated by the Department of Recreation & Parks in Los Angeles.
* Ahmanson Senior Center 3990 S. Menlo Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90037
* Anderson Senior Center 828 S. Mesa Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
* Betty Hill SSenior Center 3570 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90018
* Boyle Heights Senior Center 2839 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
* Canoga Park Senior Center 7326 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303
* Claude Pepper Senior Center 1762 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035
* Costello Senior Center 3121 E. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023
* El Sereno Senior Center 4818 Klamath Street, Los Angeles, CA 90032
* Fairfax Senior Center 7929 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
* Felicia Mahood Senior Center 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
* Glassell Senior Citizen Ctr 3750 Verdugo Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90065
* Griffith Park Senior Center 3203 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles CA 90027
* Highland Park Senior Center 6152 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042
* Jim Gilliam Senior Center 4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008
* Las Palmas Senior Center 1820 N. Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
* Lincoln Heights Senior Ctr 2323 Workman Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031
* Lincoln Park Senior Center 3501 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90031
* Mid-Valley Senior Center 14450 Valerio Street, Van Nuys, CA 91406
* Montecito Heights Senior Ctr 4545 Homer Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031
* Mt. Carmel Senior Center 830 W. 70th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90044
* North Hollywood Senior Ctr 5301 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
* Slauson Senior Center 5306 S. Compton, Los Angeles, CA 90011
* Sunland Senior Center 8640 Fenwick Ave., Sunland, CA 91040
* Van Nuys Multi-Purpose Ctr 6514 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
* Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Ctr 5040 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
* Vineyard Senior Center 2942 Vineyard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90016
* Watts Senior Center 1657 East Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90002
* Westchester Senior Center 8740 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
* Westminster Senior Center 1234 Pacific Ave., Venice, CA 90291
* Pan Pacific Senior Center 141 S Gardner Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
* Wilkinson MultiPurpose Ctr 8956 Vanalden Ave., Northridge, CA 91324
For more information on these facilities and other city services for seniors, cick on http://www.laparks.org/dos/senior/senior.htm
Monday, January 11, 2010
2009 CAREGIVER OF THE YEAR
It was a close race, but the ballots have all been cast and the votes have all been tallied.
The Right at Home Los Angeles 2009 Caregiver of the Year is SUSANA A.
Susana has worked for Right at Home for 2 years and has been a model of consistency. She has worked with one client for over 1 year and has worked a weekend Live-In case with another client for the past 6 months. Sometimes this has resulted in Susana working 7 days a week, but she has never complained.
Not only is Susana A. reliable and always on time, she superbly documents all of her cases after each shift and has a calm and easy going demeanor that has allowed her to work through even the most difficult and stressful of situations.
Susana showed particular grit and smarts this year when she helped prevent one of her patients from being scammed out of thousands of dollars by an relentless con artist preying on vulnerable seniors. Susana recognized what was going on immediately, informed the office and then was able to deftly delay the situation until family members were able to address the issue.
We are proud to have Susana as part of our team.
CONGRATULATIONS SUSANA!
The Right at Home Los Angeles 2009 Caregiver of the Year is SUSANA A.
Susana has worked for Right at Home for 2 years and has been a model of consistency. She has worked with one client for over 1 year and has worked a weekend Live-In case with another client for the past 6 months. Sometimes this has resulted in Susana working 7 days a week, but she has never complained.
Not only is Susana A. reliable and always on time, she superbly documents all of her cases after each shift and has a calm and easy going demeanor that has allowed her to work through even the most difficult and stressful of situations.
Susana showed particular grit and smarts this year when she helped prevent one of her patients from being scammed out of thousands of dollars by an relentless con artist preying on vulnerable seniors. Susana recognized what was going on immediately, informed the office and then was able to deftly delay the situation until family members were able to address the issue.
We are proud to have Susana as part of our team.
CONGRATULATIONS SUSANA!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Understanding Home Care
What is “home care”? How is it different from “home health”?
This is a question that is important for anyone who has an aging parent, relative, or acquaintance who they are trying to help deal with disability, or retain their independence by remaining at home. If keeping a parent or loved one at home is the goal, then understanding clearly what home care models are available is important.
Most of us think of the traditional “visiting nurse” when we think of home care, but this is actually usually home health care. We kind of get stuck in what I call the medical model mode of thinking. When we think of care, we assume services are designed like most of our medical care services to help us recover from an illness, and usually just short term. This kind of care is paid for by Medicare or health insurance, and comes most often after a stay in the hospital.
Home care as provided by companies like Right at Home is substantially different in its focus. We provide many services all geared to help maintain the quality of life in a home setting. This can be an array of care, including support with everyday activities like bathing and dressing, preparing and serving nutritious meals, running errands and keeping up with housework–in other words, a lot of stuff that family members do if they have the time or capability.
The problem is, and you know this already if you are caring for an aging parent–it is not always possible for family members to help with this sort of care. Without it, the quality of life of the aging parent continues to decline. They don’t eat well, they don’t take care of basic hygiene, and if they are forgetful they can do things that create a danger to them without someone checking in.
For further information, check out the definition at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_care. For an informative newsletter on caring for an aging parent see www.rightathome.net and click on newsletter signup.
This is a question that is important for anyone who has an aging parent, relative, or acquaintance who they are trying to help deal with disability, or retain their independence by remaining at home. If keeping a parent or loved one at home is the goal, then understanding clearly what home care models are available is important.
Most of us think of the traditional “visiting nurse” when we think of home care, but this is actually usually home health care. We kind of get stuck in what I call the medical model mode of thinking. When we think of care, we assume services are designed like most of our medical care services to help us recover from an illness, and usually just short term. This kind of care is paid for by Medicare or health insurance, and comes most often after a stay in the hospital.
Home care as provided by companies like Right at Home is substantially different in its focus. We provide many services all geared to help maintain the quality of life in a home setting. This can be an array of care, including support with everyday activities like bathing and dressing, preparing and serving nutritious meals, running errands and keeping up with housework–in other words, a lot of stuff that family members do if they have the time or capability.
The problem is, and you know this already if you are caring for an aging parent–it is not always possible for family members to help with this sort of care. Without it, the quality of life of the aging parent continues to decline. They don’t eat well, they don’t take care of basic hygiene, and if they are forgetful they can do things that create a danger to them without someone checking in.
For further information, check out the definition at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_care. For an informative newsletter on caring for an aging parent see www.rightathome.net and click on newsletter signup.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Caregiver of the Month for December
The Right at Home Los Angeles caregiver of the month for December is Dorothy T.
Dorothy has worked for Right at Home for about a year, much of it with the same client the past 8 months. Despite driving over 20 miles to her shift, Dorothy is never late and has created a close and personal bond with the client that she cares for as well as the client's family.
A Certified Nurse Assistant (C.N.A.), Dorothy is currently in school to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (L.V.N.)
Reliable, always professional and exceedingly competent, Dorothy is an exemplary example of the best Right at Home can offer.
Congratulations Dorothy!
Dorothy has worked for Right at Home for about a year, much of it with the same client the past 8 months. Despite driving over 20 miles to her shift, Dorothy is never late and has created a close and personal bond with the client that she cares for as well as the client's family.
A Certified Nurse Assistant (C.N.A.), Dorothy is currently in school to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (L.V.N.)
Reliable, always professional and exceedingly competent, Dorothy is an exemplary example of the best Right at Home can offer.
Congratulations Dorothy!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
Right at Home in Glendale wants to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year! Get those resolutions ready - 2010 could be your year to thrive!
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