Tag home care

Despite our country’s annual, joyful celebration for independence, it’s also true that for many individuals and families, independence is not just a national concept; it’s a deeply personal goal

At Arcadia Home Care we believe that true independence means being able to live safely and comfortably at home with support that respects your choices, your routine, and your dignity. Whether someone needs help with daily tasks, guidance during recovery, or care and comfort during a serious illness, in-home support can be the key to maintaining that freedom.

Independence Doesn’t Mean Doing It Alone

It’s a common misconception that asking for help means giving up independence. In reality, the right kind of support empowers people to stay in control of their lives.

For some, that might mean assistance with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or preparing meals. For others, it may involve medication management, wound care, or navigating a new diagnosis. Still others may need emotional and physical comfort as they approach the later stages of life.

In all of these situations, in-home care provides the helping hand that allows individuals to remain in familiar surroundings while maintaining their sense of autonomy and choice.

Care That Meets You Where You Are

No two people are alike, and neither are their care needs. That’s why our teams provide personalized support that adapts to each person’s health, lifestyle, and goals.

Some people may be recovering from a hospital stay and need short-term help to get back on their feet. Others might be living with a chronic illness that is making everyday activities more difficult. And some individuals may wish to focus on comfort and dignity during a challenging stage of life.

Whatever the situation, we offer compassionate, person-centered care designed to promote safety, stability, and peace of mind, all in the comfort of home.

Family Peace of Mind

When a loved one needs extra help, families often take on the responsibility themselves, which can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where trusted in-home care makes a meaningful difference.

Our care teams support not only the person receiving care but also their family members. By stepping in with professional, reliable assistance, we help reduce stress and uncertainty, allowing families to focus on spending quality time together.

Whether care is needed a few hours a week or more frequently and consistently, families can feel confident knowing their loved one is receiving high-quality support with respect, compassion, and professionalism.

A Path to Independence for Every Stage of Life

Staying at home does not have to mean doing everything alone. With the right care in place, individuals can live more independently, confidently, and comfortably, regardless of their health needs or challenges.

Ready to Learn More?

Every person’s path to independence looks different. Let’s talk about how we can support yours. Reach out to us today to learn more about the in-home care options available in your area.

If you are researching in-home care for a loved one, it’s useful to understand the three main types of home care. Choosing the right level of care is key to ensuring comfort, dignity, and the best possible quality of life.

Perhaps an aging parent requires help while recovering from surgery or shows signs of memory loss or frailty.  Perhaps they struggle with a chronic illness or must navigate the final stages of life.

Individual circumstances and conditions are as varied as the clients we serve. Arcadia Home Care specializes in Personal Care Services and can help coordinate other levels of care. Here’s a helpful overview of the three primary types of home care that are available—Personal Care Services (PCS), Home Health, and Hospice—to help you determine what’s best for your situation.

Personal Care Services (PCS)

Best for: Individuals who need help with daily activities but do not require skilled medical treatment at home.

PCS provides non-medical support that helps individuals maintain independence, safety, and quality of life in their own homes. Care is delivered by trained Home Care Aides and includes assistance with:

• Personal hygiene (bathing, grooming, toileting)
• Dressing and mobility
• Attentive assistance to avoid falls or household accidents
• Meal planning and preparation
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Medication reminders
• Companionship and emotional support
• Transportation to appointments or errands (in some locations)

This type of care is ideal for older adults aging in place, individuals with disabilities, or anyone who needs a helping hand to manage day-to-day life. For families, PCS brings peace of mind and much-needed respite while ensuring their loved one is supported with compassion and dignity.

Home Health Care

Best for: Individuals recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, or those managing chronic health conditions under a doctor’s supervision.

Home Health brings skilled clinical care into the home. It is typically ordered by a physician and may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. Services are provided by licensed healthcare professionals and can include:

• Skilled nursing (such as wound care, injections, and chronic condition management)
• Physical therapy to improve strength, balance, and mobility
• Occupational therapy to enhance independence in daily tasks
• Speech therapy for communication or swallowing challenges
• Home health aide services for personal care during a treatment plan
• Medication education and monitoring
• Vital sign tracking and health status reporting

This care is most appropriate for individuals who might otherwise need to recover in a hospital or rehab facility but prefer to do so in the comfort of home. It helps reduce hospital readmissions and supports long-term health goals.

Hospice Care

Best for: Individuals with a life-limiting illness who are no longer seeking curative treatment and wish to focus on comfort and quality of life.

Hospice is a holistic, team-based approach to care that provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support during the final stages of life. Services are tailored to each patient’s needs and may include:

• Pain and symptom management
• Routine visits from nurses, aides, and social workers
• Emotional and spiritual care for both the patient and family
• Grief counseling and bereavement support
• Respite care to give family caregivers a break
• 24/7 on-call support for urgent concerns
• Assistance with medication, medical equipment, and care planning

Hospice care is delivered wherever the patient calls home—whether that’s a private residence, assisted living, or nursing facility—and honors their wish to spend this time in a familiar, comforting environment.

Importantly, hospice is not a one-time or permanent decision. If a patient’s condition improves or stabilizes, they may be discharged from hospice and resume curative or rehabilitative care. Patients can also return to hospice later if their condition declines. This flexibility ensures that care always remains aligned with the individual’s evolving needs and goals.

Choosing the Right Level of Care

Understanding the distinctions between PCS, Home Health, and Hospice helps families to make informed choices that reflect their loved one’s health, lifestyle, and personal values. In many cases, individuals may transition between services over time as their condition changes.

If you’re unsure which service is the right fit, our team can guide you through your options, coordinate with healthcare providers, and develop a care plan that prioritizes comfort, safety, and peace of mind. We are here to help.

While aging brings wisdom, experience, and resilience, it can also bring unique mental health challenges among older adults, many of which go unspoken or unnoticed. Life transitions, social isolation and health anxieties lead many to feel lonely, agitated, and depressed. These common feelings are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Other underlying mental health issues may also exist.

If untreated or unrecognized, mental health issues among seniors can affect those who care for them, whether family members or professional caregivers, since they can lead to behavioral issues that are challenging to manage.

Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Seniors

Mental health needs among older adults are more common than most people recognize. In one example, a global study published in the Annals of General Psychiatry found that nearly 20% of adults aged 60 and older experience depression.

Despite its prevalence, many seniors are reluctant to talk about their mental health, viewing it as a private matter or an unavoidable part of aging. But mental well-being is vital and addressing it can significantly improve a person’s quality of life.

As with physical health issues, the first steps are for the caregivers to communicate the issues to appropriate family members who can then inform their healthcare providers. Resulting behavioral issues can be very stressful for everyone involved. For example, a caregiver may feel uneasy, angry or frustrated if:

• The person receiving care is unable to listen or gets moody or overly emotional.
• They respond poorly or resist being helped.
• They exhibit behavior that doesn’t seem normal in some way.

Signs of Depression or Other Mental Health Issues

Family members, caregivers, and even seniors themselves should stay alert to signs that may indicate a mental health concern. These can include:

• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or worry
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
• Withdrawal from social interaction
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Unexplained aches or fatigue

Early intervention is key. Encouraging open conversations and routine mental health screenings can make a world of difference.

How In-Home Care Supports Mental Well-Being

At Arcadia Home Care, we understand that emotional well-being is essential to whole-person care. Our caregivers are trained to recognize changes in behavior and provide support with compassion and respect. They are also trained to manage their own emotions in stressful situations to remain patient, calm and understanding. We take the necessary steps to help our clients and families feel seen, supported, and connected.

Companionship and Small Steps Make a Big Difference

Supporting mental health in older adults doesn’t always require major changes. Simple strategies like encouraging social engagement, promoting physical activity (even gentle movement), supporting access to hobbies and interests, talking openly about feelings and mental health, and connecting to counseling or support groups can go a long way in fostering resilience, improving outlook, and restoring a sense of purpose.

Even though our masks are coming off across the country, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still affecting how we work, live, and take care of our health. Those who needed skilled nursing during the pandemic experienced the effects of the pandemic profoundly and gained fresh perspectives on the benefits of health care at home.

The pandemic kept many patients within nursing facilities, hospitals, and other group health care settings where they were at a high risk of virus exposure, isolated from friends and family even as they were living out their final days.

As a result, many patients and their loved ones were driven to seek out different care models that brought the clinicians to them, including in-home care, home health, hospice, and telehealth. Quickly, these patients and families found that getting their care at home not only kept them safer in the pandemic, but also improved their quality of life.

“The home care setting allows families to be more proactively involved in the plan of care,” explains Natalie Benda, Vice President of Business Development for Addus HomeCare, one of the nation’s largest providers of personal home care and support services. “They have more options for different types of providers or services than they might have at a skilled nursing facility.”

Patients are also realizing improved health outcomes, like fewer hospitalizations or emergency room visits thanks to home care providers like Addus.

Addus Vice President of Business Development Philip Cowles stated: “Our goal is to be the trifecta in every state – personal care, home health and hospice – and we are beginning to add house calls in our footprint. This is positioning us to give consumers what they need, and we know it makes a difference.”

Addus strives to keep new patients who have experienced hospitalization out of health care facilities, providing comprehensive care that successfully manages their conditions at home. The organization is also growing to meet consumer demand and serves approximately 45,000 patients through 211 locations across 22 states.

Addus Senior Vice President of Payer Innovations Diane Kumarich believes the future of health care is in the home, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend: “People are looking for alternatives,” she commented. “COVID brought a switch of people having to leave their homes for healthcare in the past, but then realizing they could have much of this care come to their doorstep.”

Kumarich added that Addus is not only a leader in providing a seamless continuum of care services for patients and families who wish to stay at home, but the organization is expanding its connections in terms of how care is provided overall to improve access for more patients.

“Addus has good relationships with all of the aging networks that provide meals and other senior support services, we accept almost every payer source, and are even layering in the ability to send out a doctor or nurse practitioner who can help manage patient care at home,” she explains. “This puts Addus in a good position to provide care and support to those home-bound elderly who haven’t been able to access care in the last few years.”

Even Medicare is responding to the consumer demand for home health by expanding personal care benefits to some Medicare Advantage plans. Previously, personal care could only be paid for by long-term care insurance, Medicaid, the Veterans Administration or through private funds.

“Though it is a small handful of plans that currently offer this benefit, it is ever-expanding,” Kumarich stated. “This is indicative of the changing dynamics in health care that involve more and more patients wishing to receive quality care at home.”

To learn more about Addus HomeCare and how to access home health care services, visit addus.com or call 888.233.8746.

As we grow older, watching our parent’s age can be difficult. In areas they once thrived, they now struggle. As they slow down, their needs increase, leaving you with difficult decisions to make. You’re now worried about whether they are taking their medications correctly and eating healthy meals throughout the day. Other major concerns present themselves as well; you worry about their physical mobility, their ability to maintain good hygiene, as well as their mental wellbeing.

You can alleviate your concerns by turning to comprehensive and compassionate home care services that can care for your loved one in their own home. The loss of independence is difficult for aging adults who are struggling with the effects of getting older. Hiring in-home care can be a great solution for many reasons.

Professional caregivers provide seniors with physical assistance, as well as help with the emotional and routine aspects of daily life. In addition to providing activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, homecare workers supply invaluable personal benefits, especially to an aging person who may live alone and have few family or friends visit regularly. Professional caregivers can provide precious social interaction like going to the movies, visiting a coffee shop, taking outdoor walks, or even cooking together. These interactions help reduce the chances of loneliness and depression in older adults.

Home care staffing services are able to help aging individuals continue living safely and comfortably at home. Visit ArcadiaHomeCare.com to find out about all the services provided. Request a free in-home consultation for more information.

Allowing your elderly family member to age in place requires modifications to their home. Hidden hazards in the home, that are often overlooked when eyesight is better and getting around isn’t as difficult, can put seniors at greater risk of injury. However, a few inexpensive, do-it-yourself home modifications can make a huge difference and make getting around a lot less challenging.

Comfort and safety are of the utmost importance for seniors planning to age at home. Whether they are receiving geriatric care or are still comfortable being on their own without assistance, simple changes around the house will result in a senior who is better equipped to age in place.

Home Modification Checklist

Main Living Spaces

• Rearrange furniture to create clear pathways without clutter
• Add more lamps behind and around furniture
• Replace curtains with blinds to let in natural light

Kitchen

• Move regularly used items to easy-to-reach spaces
• Use a table for prep space instead of standing by tall countertops
• Add lighting wherever possible

Bathrooms

• Install grab bars in and around the shower and toilet
• Place non-slip pads on tub floors and surfaces that often get wet
• Lower water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit

Bedrooms

• Place additional, easy-to-use lights on each side of the bed
• Install a bed rail for support getting into and out of bed

Ask questions and pay attention to what your aging loved one mentions as concerns. Watch carefully as they move about the house and take note of what causes them to hesitate or requires extra effort. Use this list, as well as what you see firsthand, as your guide for home modification requirements.

Aging parents want to continue to live at home, we know this. But we also know that there are concerns that come with elderly parent(s) being alone when their health or mobility is jeopardized. A family member can’t always be there to help them with daily tasks, but they also can’t do it all themselves. That leaves you two options: home care or nursing home care.

According to AARP, more than 95% of seniors want to stay in their home as long as possible, even if they need help with day-to-day activities; but there also comes a time when staying home may no longer be a realistic option. Utilizing this information you can make a better, more informed decision with your loved one about which elderly home care services option is best for them.

Home Care
The major advantage of home health care is that seniors get to age in place among their friends and surroundings that make them feel secure and happy. They can maintain their freedom. Home care allows for a more personal, one-on-one relationship with the caregiver. Also, seniors are able to remain as independent as they are able.

Assisted Living Care
Seniors who require more assistance than what can be provided in the home may need to consider an assisted living facility. Assisted living care provides a wide range of services to individuals who want to maintain some level of independence but require support with daily activities.

Nursing Home
Nursing homes, commonly known as skilled nursing facilities, serve as licensed healthcare residences for individuals who require a higher level of medical care than can be provided in an assisted living facility. Nursing homes are typically staffed with a variety of medical professionals and are secure facilities, ideal for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia who might be prone to wandering.

There is no magical age or one-size-fits-all solution when a senior may need help. It is our goal to provide the highest quality elderly home care services. Call today to schedule a free consultation with our qualified staff to discuss your needs.

Home care providers are special people, full of love and compassion for the elderly and disabled regardless of age. Whether their role in a senior’s life is as an aide, providing assistance with everyday living tasks like bathing, dressing and eating; or as a homemaker, helping with household chores like, cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping; or as a companion, offering a friendly smile and an ear to listen for those who don’t need hands-on assistance, home care providers are compassionate and dedicated to their jobs.

Caregivers do more than just look after their clients and attend to their needs. They are more like part of the family, sometimes seeing them more than their own loved ones. Therefore, it’s important for families to find home care aides who will treat their loved ones like their own.

Here are some of the attributes that one should look for in a quality caregiver:

•  Honest and trustworthy
•  Supportive and encouraging
•  Committed and dependable
•  Patient and flexible
•  Knows how to empathize
•  Puts the needs of his or her client first and is able to take charge when necessary
•  Passionate about what he or she does
•  Good communicator

Aging in place is made possible with assisted living at home services provided by the staff at Arcadia. Together we’ll customize a care plan to fit your loved ones needs, whether that’s a home care aide, homemaker, or companion. For more information, visit our website to find a local office in your area or call toll-free at 866-224-7541.

It’s a fact that the majority of older adults do not want to leave their homes. “Aging in Place” is becoming more common than ever before. Unless there is a medical reason, the best option for an elderly person is often the chance to stay at home for as long as he or she wants. Being in a familiar environment plays a large role in contentment. You may find that the family member in your life wants to hang on to the feeling of independence for as long as possible. He or she likes the idea of eating when they want and making other small decisions that add up to a lot in the long run. It is also easier to stay in touch with friends, neighbors, church groups—which allows them to keep certain routines they might not otherwise be able to.

When you choose elderly home care services from Arcadia Home Care, your loved one can have the care help he or she desires. Arcadia offers all of the following from which to choose for in-home assistance:

• Help with bathing, dressing, and feeding.
• Assistance with light exercising.
• Transportation to medical appointments and shopping.
• Care with toileting and incontinence.
• Housekeeping, including laundry.
• Assisting with self-administered medication
• Correspondence and making phone calls.
• Companionship.

Visit ArcadiaHomeCare.com to find out about all the services provided. Request a free in-home consultation for more information.

It’s a fact of life that as we age we experience the world a little differently. People over 65 are often dealing with health issues such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. These conditions result in reduced eyesight, poorer balance, less flexibility, and weakened muscles. Others may be suffering from osteoporosis or diabetes. No matter how routine the activity or how familiar the surroundings, at some point all senior citizens are at risk for accidents as a result of these changes in their bodies.

According to Consumer Affairs 80% of falls in the home are in the bathroom. These accidents most often occur at the following times:

• Climbing into or out of a tub or shower.
• Sitting down or standing up from the toilet.
• Using shower chairs that are not slip resistant.
• Grasping counters or towel bars for balance.
• Slippery floors.

Arcadia has been providing elderly home care services for over 40 years. We know from experience how essential safety features are for seniors. We recommend adding the following safety features to a bathroom used by an elderly person:

• Bath Chairs
• No-Slip Mats
• Built-In Safety Bars
• Anti-Scald Faucets

From medication safety to properly equipping a bathroom, we recommend you shore up the ways you protect the well-being of your family member or friend.