While not particularly common, Alzheimer’s Disease can take hold in people much younger than its typical victims, who are generally over age 65. For reasons that medical science is still attempting to determine—though genetics seems to play a major role—some individuals as young as 40 can begin to exhibit Alzheimer’s or dementia symptoms.

Called Early or Younger Onset Alzheimer’s, the disease experience is particularly tragic for both the diagnosed person and his/her family and friends because it strikes during prime adulthood, when many people are busy parents, spouses, and employees—and they may even be providing care for older relatives with Alzheimer’s or dementia themselves.

Luckily, there are many resources available to help both patients and loved ones—in the form of support groups, educational opportunities, medical therapies to help alleviate symptoms, and in-home care/assistance with daily living tasks from qualified caregivers at MediQuest Staffing.

Today’s post offers insight to some of the signs to look for if you or a loved one has been exhibiting troubling memory loss or personality changes regardless of their age.

No one likes to think about getting old. We especially don’t want to think about when we may need help dressing, eating, or bathing.

However, because seventy percent of all seniors will need such assistance, everyone should develop a long-term care plan. Waiting until care is necessary to think about your long-term care is too late.

Among other benefits, creating a plan early helps to ensure that funds can be set aside to cover the inevitable expense of care. It is also easier to evaluate care options now—before a medical or aging crisis—than it is during a crisis. Long-term care planning also gives peace of mind to loved ones because plans take the guesswork out of others’ difficult care decisions.

Today’s post addresses four crucial components that every effective long-term plan should contain. These include identifying where a senior wants to live when they need daily assistance, what funding and insurance are available to cover care costs, how to know when living at home may no longer be feasible, and who is authorized to make care decisions when the patient can’t.

Are you currently caring for a family member or loved one with increasing care needs? It may feel overwhelming at times, especially if you—like many family caregivers—wear multiple other hats in your daily life, like full-time employee, homeowner, parent, grandparent, etc.

You wish you had more time to dedicate to your loved one’s needs, but there are only so many hours in the day. Here at MediQuest Staffing and Homecare, we deeply understand this. You need help. And the good news is, home care services can provide the support you require with a variety of options to improve your and your loved one’s unique lives.

Today’s post introduces some of the most helpful home care offerings you may not have yet discovered, especially if you’ve just begun the caregiving journey. We’ll also answer a few of the big questions you likely have on your mind about home care. Continue reading What to Know About Different Home Care Services You Can Choose →

Two separate crises are facing senior adults “aging in place” at home, and the problem is worsening. Here in 2019, there are the dual issues of few families being prepared to help loved ones with care needs when they can no longer care for themselves, as well as a troubling shortage of paid, professional caregivers.

So, who will care for our senior friends and loved ones when the need arises? Naturally, there will continue to be skilled and compassionate home healthcare workers available, but their ranks simply aren’t growing to meet expanding demand. Today’s blog post offers a closer look at the caregiver shortage problem and some of the ways the home care industry is rising to meet the challenges. Continue reading What the Shortage of Caregivers in the USA Means →

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year 3 million mature individuals (age 65+) are treated in emergency rooms for fall injuries. From 2007 to 2016, the rate for deaths from falling for this demographic increased by 30 percent and is still rising. While the topic of fall safety may not seem dire or important, annual statistics such as these say otherwise.

As the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for Americans age 65 and older, it’s important to MediQuest Staffing & Homecare to help educate you and your family about ways to keep your loved ones safe. By understanding the problem and identifying ways to prevent falling, we hope that these simple tips will help to reduce the risk of injury for you or your family. Continue reading Simple Tips to Prevent Fall Injuries in Older Adults →

Exercising regularly as we age has many benefits, from lowering our risk for heart disease and stroke to reducing chronic pain, improving sleep quality, and even making us happier. Yet, despite these benefits, “Only 35-44% of adults 75 years or older are physically active, and 28-34% of adults 65-74 are physically active,” according to statistics reported by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

While the CDC’s physical activity guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, many older people have physical challenges, injuries, or chronic conditions that can make regular exercise difficult, if not impossible.

But, even if you have physical challenges, it’s still possible to get regular exercise that is safe, easy on the joints, and beneficial for your whole body. Check out our roundup of the top 11 chair exercises for seniors to help you increase strength, stabilize muscles, increase circulation, and gain flexibility to make every day activities easier. Just be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any regular exercise program. Continue reading Top 11 Chair Exercises for Seniors →

We’ve all heard the prediction that the aging Baby Boomer generation is poised to overwhelm the nation’s healthcare resources very soon. In some ways, this is good news, as the home healthcare industry will benefit from a robust demand for services like those we offer here at Mediquest, and in turn, be able to extend families and senior patients higher quality care.

Of course, many challenges are standing in the way of meeting that demand, including a significant shortage of qualified home healthcare workers.

No matter your perspective, it’s certainly an exciting time to be involved in home healthcare! And this is why we’re offering a closer look at some of the emerging trends that will make 2019 another interesting year. Read on to learn more about the challenges, as well as the exciting innovations that are currently driving our industry. Continue reading The State of Senior and Home Care in 2019 →

Home healthcare used to be a career that nurses and therapists would choose after many years of working in hospital or doctor’s office settings as a transition toward retirement or “slowing down” in their professional lives. It’s true that home health positions offer great flexibility and opportunities to connect with patients. Today, many professional caregivers just getting started in their careers are choosing home healthcare for precisely these reasons.

In a previous blog post, we discussed some of the benefits to working in the home healthcare field. In today’s post, we are taking a closer look at why individuals might choose a career in home healthcare. Continue reading Why You Should Choose a Career in Home Healthcare →

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? →