New Location for the Right at Home L.A. Blog

Along with the launch of our new website at www.glendale.rightathome.net we've moved our blog from our blogspot site to our new site.

We'll still keep our old blog up and running so you can visit it anytime right here at www.rightathomela.blogspot.com.

However, from this point forward we'll be posting on to our new blog site

So thank you to all of our old readers who are moving with us to our new site and we welcome all of our new readers.

Thank you for your continued interest in Right at Home.

Ad Men Use Beatles to Sell Senior Care

The other day I was in my car listening to the radio. On came the song "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. When I was in high-school, I became a fan of Pink Floyd and had friends who were huge fans of the band and "Wish You Were Here" is probably my favorite Pink Floyd tune. I saw them in concert at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island in 1989 - 14 years after that track was released.

When the song ended, I turned to another station and heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana.

Nirvana released their album Nevermind in 1991, which included the iconic, "Stairway to Heaven" of my generation - "Smells Like Teen Spirit." I thought about it, and I realized that even though "Smells Like Teen Spirit" seemed more current; seemed more modern it was actually now a 19-year-old song. Which of course made "Wish You Were Here" at 35 year old song and all of this made me feel rather--older than I thought I was.

So when I ran across this little nugget in the Wall Street Journal, it made me wonder how some of our clients might feel if I started advertising our homecare services to the sounds of Frank Sinatra...or Chuck Barry...or, Pink Floyd?

The songs you loved when you were 23 may someday be used to sell you retirement care. Researchers have homed in on that age as the likeliest time when music that triggers life-long nostalgia is heard. People who watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show at 23 are now turning 70, and a Florida care home is using images of the one-time youth sensation as part of a nostalgia-based ad campaign.

The good feelings nostalgia generates are a potent tool for marketers, and, execs at the care home say, help improve life for seniors with little short-term memory. The care home runs a pop-culture program taking residents back to their youth. "They might not remember what they had for lunch, but they can sing along with Sinatra and know all the words," the facility's director of sales tells the Wall Street Journal.

Social Security’s Online Services Take Top Three Spots in Customer Satisfaction Survey

Sticking with our theme of Senior Citizens on the Net, this recent survey taken from SeniorJournal.com shows the Social Security website being used and well-received by Seniors throughout the country.

The Social Security Administration’s online services, heavily used by senior citizens for matters dealing with Social Security and Medicare, have been recognized as the “best in government” and exceed top private sector sites in customer satisfaction, according to a news release.

In the latest results from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Social Security’s online Retirement Estimator and benefit application remain in the top spots, each with a score of 90, and the Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs application placed third with a score of 87.

“Online services are vital to good public service and I am pleased that Social Security continues to provide the best in both government and the private sector,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security.

“The Internet provides the public with the ability to conduct business at their convenience and at their own pace, without the need to take leave from work, travel to a field office, and wait to meet with an agency representative. It also reduces the time spent by our employees processing claims and frees them up to spend more time handling complex cases.”

Social Security’s three top-rated online services also meet or exceed the private sector’s highest score, which was recorded by Netflix, with a score of 87. The ACSI notes that this shows “that government sites can satisfy visitors just as well as, or even better than, private-sector sites.”

The ACSI is the only uniform, national, cross-industry measure of satisfaction with the quality of goods and services available in the U.S. According to ACSI, “Any website, whether in the private or public sector, that scores an average of 80 or higher can be considered superior in meeting site visitors’ needs and expectations.” Social Security’s Business Services Online, with a score of 82, also meets this superior threshold.

To view all of Social Security’s online services, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.

Tips for Caring for an Elderly Loved One - Day 5

Jacqueline Marcell wrote a book a few years back titled Elder Rage-or-Take My Father... Please! This is Day 5 highlighting some tips from the book about how to handle certain difficult issues.

Gets mad when told “No” they can’t do something?

Avoid responding with a flat-out “No” to their request. Let them know that you have considered the issue and understand their viewpoint, but explain that it’s not a good idea right now. Indicate that maybe next time, or at a later date, you will be able to handle their request. Cheerfully distract their attention to something else more positive. Most of the time, they will completely forget about this request and have a different one by the next day.

Just like some children, the more some elders are told “No” they can’t do something, the more they will keep fighting to do it. It can become a test of wills for power and control. In some instances, it may be best to just let them have their way (if there is no danger). Usually they will come to the conclusion on their own that it really wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Tips When Caring for an Elderly Loved One - Day 4

Jacqueline Marcell wrote a book a few years back titled Elder Rage-or-Take My Father... Please! This is Day 4 highlighting some tips from the book about how to handle certain difficult issues.

Prefers to stay in bed or do nothing-”waiting to die”?

This could be an ulterior motive to get more attention, or it may be a sign of depression. Carefully evaluate what’s going on. Drop in unexpectedly a few times and observe their level of activity. If you suspect depression, ask their doctor to consider prescribing an anti-depressant. There is such a wide range of effective medications available today that there may be no need for them to suffer.

Then, get your parent enrolled in Senior Day Care to create a life outside of lying in bed all day. They have to have something to look forward to, friends to see, varied activities to do. You cannot supply all this stimulation yourself day after day. Go with them a few times, have lunch and introduce them to everyone to encourage the making of new friends. Additionally, many centers have a shuttle service to pick them up and bring them home.

If your parent is a “Sundowner” who wants to sleep all day and be up all night, there are a few things you can do to alter this pattern. In the morning, open all the windows and drapes to let in fresh air and sunlight; make lots of noise by turning on the radio and television, running the vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, etc.; plan activities, exercise and visitors. Getting an hour or two of sunlight daily can help regulate their circadian rhythm. Ask your doctor about Melatonin that may help them sleep at night. Make sure they are not getting any caffeine from coffee or chocolate in the evening. Also, have their doctor regularly review all of their medications to see if any may be causing daytime drowsiness. If possible, switch them to be taken at night.

Tips Wend Caring for an Elderly Loved One - Day 3

Jacqueline Marcell wrote a book a few years back titled Elder Rage-or-Take My Father... Please! This is Day 3 highlighting some tips from the book about how to handle certain difficult issues.

Has become suspicious and paranoid?

Don’t make light of it, argue, or tell them that their fears are irrational. Calmly acknowledge how awful it must be to feel that way and assure them you don’t think they are crazy. Make them feel safe, loved, and assured of your continued support. Report these symptoms with examples to their doctor. If you get an unconcerned attitude from their doctor that it’s just part of the aging process, insist on taking them to a geriatric psychiatrist for evaluation. With the proper medication, these fears may be greatly reduced.

Tips When Caring for an Elderly Loved One

Jacqueline Marcell wrote a book a few years back titled Elder Rage-or-Take My Father... Please! This week we will highlight some tips from the book about how to handle certain difficult issues.

How Do I Handle My Elderly Loved One Who:

Makes constant unreasonable demands?

Focus on the positive things you can do for your parent and don’t emphasize the things that you can’t. If you continue to eventually give in to their extreme demands these behaviors will get worse. Assertively set your boundaries of what you will and won’t do ahead of time and stand firm, giving sympathy and empathy where appropriate. Don’t let your better judgment be swayed by your sense of responsibility. If their demand strikes you as illogical or irrational, BIG FLAG-it is! Call the Alzheimer’s Association to find out where your loved one can be tested for dementia. If the bad behavior stops, give positive reinforcement by acknowledging their ability to control their conduct. You may want to give a specific reward to further encourage them. If the negative behavior continues, give three warnings, use the silent treatment, then walk away.

Unique Christmas Gifts for your Grandparents

It's almost Christmas. You've bought gifts for your kids, your friends, your parents, maybe even your siblings. But don't forget your grandparents. Often times, it truly is the thought that counts, but as this article from Associated Content points out, sometimes you need to think outside that proverbial box when it comes to great gifts for your grandparents.

Need an idea of what to buy at Christmas for grandparents or other elderly friends and relatives? Some of the elderly have given up the hobbies they used to have, and may have moved to a smaller houses or apartments or live with family with little room for anything new.

If your grandparent is short of money, they may appreciate a card with a gift card or voucher for groceries. A surprise check to a utility company may come in handy for them. The gift giver can also make up a basket of the person's favorite food and drinks. When making a food basket, keep any dietary restrictions in mind.

A gift of a cleaning service or handyman (or a caregiver from Right at Home)might be appreciated by an elderly person who finds it hard to do any of these things for themselves. You may also print out a gift certificate and offer to do the cleaning, cooking or gardening yourself.

Elderly people tend to say they don't need a thing. But everyone including the elderly appreciates small luxuries. A gift certificate to a hair salon or even a spa for a facial or a massage is a great idea. Even a gift basket made up of moisturizers and bath supplies would be welcome as skin gets drier as we age.

Most elderly people stay home more often, some would like to get out more but don't socialize as much as they used to. A gift of an evening out would be welcome to a senior who has not been to a movie and dinner in a long time. Find out what the person likes and purchase tickets in advance. Maybe the person would like dinner and a movie, a play, concert etc..

A most unusual or interesting gift would be to purchase lessons for the receiver. A tennis or golf lesson, a ballroom dance class. Even learn to fly a plane! Talk to your grandparent and find out what their secret dream is.. You could possible make one of their dreams come true!

Elderly people also like music, movies and books just like younger people. Find out their favorite artists by talking to them. You would be surprised at what you find out. Getting an old album or movie or a signed book may just make their Christmas special.

Whatever you do just remember that grandparents are people too and sometimes the best gift of all is spending time with their family and friends making memories in front of the tree.

Help During the Holidays

As we get closer and closer to Christmas and New Year's, we want to remind everyone that Right at Home is here for all of your in-home care needs. From light housekeeping to transportation to meal preparation to assistance with bathing and dressing, Right at Home can supply your loved one the qualified, trained and thoroughly background checked caregivers that you need.

The Holiday season is a time to de-stress and enjoy your time together with your family and friends. Rest assured, Right at Home is here to help you when you need us. We take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Even on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve, we'll have someone there to answer your calls.

So if you do need a caregiver, don't hesitate to give us a call at 818-956-5905.