With World Hospice and Palliative Care Day coming up again on October 13^th, we wanted to commemorate the event by offering a closer look at what hospice home care can offer those patients who do not want to spend their remaining time in an unfamiliar place. Continue reading Hospice Home Care is Available →

As a full-time caregiver for a family member or other loved one, you know what it’s like to be “on call” 24 hours a day/7 days a week even though caregiving is not your chosen profession. You’re in good company, as it has been reported that upwards of 34 million Americans provide care for no pay to an adult over the age of 50, and the majority of these caregivers have no formal training or background in caregiving. Of course, that doesn’t keep you from feeling overburdened and even totally burned out at times.

The good news is that there is help available to allow you to rest and recharge whenever you feel the need. This help is known as respite care, and it provides short-term relief for primary caregivers.

Today we’re taking a closer look at just how this care can help both you and those you care for. Continue reading What is Respite Care and How Does it Help? →

Have you recently learned that you or a loved one that you serve as a caregiver is facing surgery in the near future? As you prepare for the procedure, you will likely have many questions about what’s involved with the healing process and how long it might be before things can get back to normal. In addition to typical nervousness about undergoing the surgery itself, you may be feeling overwhelmed trying to decide about options for after-surgery care. Or perhaps you have yet to think about this critical recuperative period. In either case, there’s no need to worry or struggle with uncertainty.

Here at MediQuest staffing, most people know that we connect our professional healthcare workers with families in the Lancaster County, PA area facing long-term care needs.

We work with you to determine what specific services and personnel will be the best match for your unique needs. You can learn more about our different types of compassionate caregivers here, or simply give us a call at (717) 560-5160 to start the conversation. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable services that caregivers offer for post-surgery assistance. Continue reading The Top Ways a Caregiver Can Help After Surgery →

If you are reading this, you are likely serving a family member or other loved one as a caregiver, though that role is probably one you have no formal training for. As we discussed in an earlier blog post 2015 report created by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving showed that about 34.2 million Americans were providing care for no pay to an adult over the age of 50, and fewer than 20% of those individuals claimed a professional background in caregiving.

Undoubtedly, there are many of us caring for an aging parent, relative, or another family friend with no compensation and probably little to no support from others. Some provide this care out of a sense of duty or gratitude, but many family caregivers are still stressed out, burned out, and struggling to balance their own full lives with providing compassionate care. Have you considered the benefits of hiring a professional caregiver to complement and support the caregiving work you are doing today? Continue reading How a Professional Caregiver Can Help with Family Events →

If you listen to news reports, the tragic opioid epidemic in the United States today primarily seems like a youth and young adult problem. These populations are mobile and highly visible, and reports of overdoses occurring in public places like convenience store parking lots and even hospital bathrooms are frighteningly familiar. The sad truth, though, is that opioid abuse is also hurting older adults and seniors at alarmingly high rates, as well.

The older population is suffering silently in many cases, as large numbers of affected individuals live in rural areas without access to supportive care or many resources at all. Older Americans are overdosing in their homes, which goes unnoticed by the media. Or, they’re misusing opioids on a long-term basis in ways that are making them sick as they suffer serious side effects (nausea, dizziness, respiratory depression) of their pain relief efforts. Still more are embarrassed to admit they have a drug abuse problem, or they don’t even realize that they are addicted and at risk of overdosing.

The good news is that there are lots of ways to break the cycle of relying on opioids for pain management. Even doctors who once were quick to write prescriptions for oxycodone, hydrocodone, or codeine have now learned that these drugs have more drawbacks for almost all patients than positive qualities, and they’re focusing on alternative therapies. Chronic pain, or even acute pain following surgeries or dental procedures, is undoubtedly a real problem in many people’s lives. Unfortunately, the “quick fix” answer of opioids for pain control turned out to cause a crisis instead of solving problems.

So, what are your options for pain management without opioids? Let’s take a look at some of the proven treatments and more creative methods that are gaining in popularity now. Continue reading Pain Control without Opioids is Possible for Seniors →

Are you looking for a new career? If you’re interested in helping others in the healthcare field, you’ve probably considered the possibility of becoming a nurse. However, obtaining a full Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification can be a long and expensive process. If you want to get started quickly, you can choose instead to become a Home Health Aide or a Certified Nursing Assistant. You still get to perform many of the duties of a nurse and help people in need, but without the time and cost involved in becoming an RN or LPN.

There are a few differences between a Home Health Aide and a Certified Nursing Assistant you should be aware of before you embark on your new career. Here is what you need to know about the two careers, what makes them different, and which may be right for you. Continue reading The Difference Between a Home Health Aide and a Certified Nursing Assistant →

When a loved one’s health begins to fail or they’ve suffered a recent illness/injury that has diminished their abilities, the most common reaction is to take on the role of caregiver. Even with friends and family helping, this can still be a daunting task for many people who are forced to balance caring for their loved one, their personal life, and job. Continue reading How to Choose the Right Homecare Service for Your Needs →

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can be a life-changing experience. Your work will introduce you to an array of fascinating people you can form bonds with, and you gain a sense of pride to be able to care for others who need it. Caring for seniors can make for a truly gratifying and humbling experience, giving you a new perspective on life you won’t soon forget. Aside from being one of the most important roles in a healthcare team, CNAs do more than help other medical staff—they provide invaluable assistance to the patients as well. Continue reading Why Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant Can Change Your Life →

When we enter the winter years of our life, many of the most basic household tasks become potentially problematic and even unsafe. Our bodies don’t always hold up in old age, but even when they do, it pays to increase your awareness of how safe—or dangerous—living in your home might be. With the right planning, seniors still living at home can take the proper precautions to increase the safety of their home so that they can continue enjoying it for years to come.

As more seniors 65 and up are choosing to live alone, it’s important to talk about any potential dangers and ways to improve home safety. Here are our top 20 safety tips for keeping yourself or your loved ones happy, healthy, and safe throughout their homes. Continue reading 20 Safety Tips for Throughout the Home →

Veteran nurses and newbies alike have probably asked themselves at one time or another: is home healthcare for me? The prospect of leaving the hospital or other care facility for work in someone’s home might seem like a big change, but many professionals find it a highly rewarding field that also benefits their personal lives and schedules as well.

Continue reading The Benefits of Working in Homecare →