May is Mental Health Awareness Month – Identifying Mental Illness and How Exercise Can Help

Have you ever suffered from excessive nervousness, fear or worrying? Do you sometimes experience chest pains, headaches, sweating, or gastrointestinal problems? You may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Between 3% and 14% of older adults meet the criteria for a diagnosable anxiety disorder, and a recent study from the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that more than 27% of older adults under the care of an aging service provider have symptoms of anxiety that may not amount to diagnosis …

AZ Governor Doug Ducey Announces Stay at Home Ordinance

March 30, 2020 RE: AZ GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY ANNOUNCES STAY AT HOME ORDINANCE (Expires according to state or federal order) To Home Assist Health Employees: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Douglas A. Ducey has declared Stay at Home Ordinance effective March 31st at 5pm. This decision has been made out of an abundance of caution and concern for the health of Arizona citizens. In the interest of protecting citizens living with the challenges of aging, physical and developmental …

Home Assist Health Prevention Measures Against COVID-19

Steps Home Assist Health is Taking to Prevent COVID-19 Social Distancing and Spread Prevention: Office visitors will be restricted to employees, members, applicants, and building management who are symptom and fever free. In cases where vendors, or other business affiliates are unable to meet virtually, or telephonically office-based appointments may be considered. Office lobby area will be limited to a maximum of 5 visitors at one time. Training classes will be limited to new trainings only with a maximum of …

Please Support Elderly and Physically Disabled (EPD) Funding in AZ

The Arizona legislature is undergoing their annual budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2021. This means we need your support in encouraging legislators to adequately fund Elderly and Physically Disabled (EPD) provider rates. YOU CAN HELP! All you need to do is help us send letters to the legislature. All the work is already done for this, all you have to do is CLICK HERE, and select “Send a Letter” tab, and then submit your information. This is YOUR time to …

Coronavirus and Caregiving – What You Need to Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named 2019-nCoV). For many people that we care for at Home Assist Health, including the elderly and/or those with compromised immune systems, we must take extra precautions even though the American public is believed to be at a low risk at this time. What is coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common …

It’s National Nutrition Month – Aging Tips

Good nutrition for your care receiver helps make care easier. Up to half of all older adults are at risk for malnutrition, that’s why it’s important to make sure those you care for have a healthy diet. It helps prevent muscle loss, supports recovery, reduces risk for re- hospitalizations, and makes caregiving easier. But don’t let this information overwhelm you. Start with just a few small adjustments to your diet. This will help make the natural effects of aging less stressful on the body. …

Caregivers and Sleep – Sleep Awareness Week

March 8 – 14 is Sleep Awareness Week, a time to encourage better sleep to increase overall health and well-being. We all know how important a good night’s sleep is to our health. Regular sleep deprivation can increase the risk for many health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke and dementia. Quality sleep for family caregivers is critical as they can especially be at risk for sleep problems, including insomnia (the inability to fall or stay …

Join Us for Family Caregiver Day at the Capitol – March 5, 2020

For anyone who has availability to attend, we would like to encourage all family caregivers, friends of caregivers, caregiver supporters, members of the community to attend the Family Caregiver Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 5, 2020. There you can serve as an advocate for family caregivers and their care recipients through our advocacy training workshop, hear from state representatives about the legislative process and share your experience as a caregiver. The Arizona Caregiver Coalition will present the David …

Meet Our March 2020 Caregiver of the Month – LaTanya

LaTanya Sanders is this month’s Caregiver of the Month. She was nominated because while she was at a Members home, there was an accident outside on the corner.  The Member was concerned it was their loved one and asked her to go check.  When she got outside to the accident, a Police Officer was there before the ambulance and needed assistance with multiple people.  LaTanya provided CPR/First Aid to one of the drivers until Fire arrived and saved his life.  …

10 Safety Tips Every Caregiver Should Know

Seniors are involved in more than 2.3 million accidents in their homes each year. While many seniors prefer to live independently, most homes are poorly designed to meet their needs. Approximately 7,000 adults 65 and older die in such accidents annually. Falls are the number one safety risk for older adults – nearly one third of the senior population falls each year with 70% of falls occurring at home.  Older adults need to take extra safety precautions due to physical …