Traveling CareGivers

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Travel Companion Makes Family Reunion Possible

It was a beautiful spring day in April when Evelyn and her paid Travel Companion CareGiver boarded the airport shuttle going from Burbank CA to John Day OR. This would be a trip to remember. Evelyn 95 was on her way to reunite with her brother Howard 93 in Oregon.

Evelyn and Howard are the only two remaining of five brothers and sisters who grew up on a small farm in Missouri and then migrated to California and Oregon in the 1940s. It had been several years since the two had spent any time together.

The flight to Boise ID went smoothly as the Travel Companion had booked an easy connection and had arranged for a wheel chair and priority boarding for each flight segment. Her Travel Companion Pam easily handled the checked baggage and arranged for transportation from Boise airport to John Day OR, about a 3 hour ride. Once checked into a hotel in John Day, Pam and Evelyn went to the ranch to reunite with Howard.

Gary, Brian, Ron, and Donna had also come to join in the reunion. Howard and Evelyn were so excited to see each other they lost no time in catching up. Ron and Donna prepared dinner “Missouri” style setting the stage for hours of conversation about the old days.

For the next three days, Evelyn and Howard talked for hours, never seeming to run out of stories. They talked, fished in the pond (Evelyn caught the most fish for dinner), looked through scrap books, enjoyed Howard’s birthday party and just relished the time together.

Pam, Evelyn’s Travel Companion not only assisted all along the way making the trip possible, but continually made the extra effort insuring that Evelyn was well attended and cared for. Aside from the travel, Pam helped with meals, baited hooks for fishing, helped organize scrapbooks and took pictures. Pam also stayed with Evelyn in the hotel to be sure she was well taken care of and safe.

When it was time for the flight home, Evelyn and her travel companion boarded Southwest flight 405 to Oakland CA to connect to Burbank CA. The usual wheel chair and priority boarding were arranged and the boarding went well.

After about 30 minutes in the air, the pilot announced that there was a warning light in the cockpit and we were going to return to Boise to have it fixed. When it was discovered that the delay would be lengthly, the airline had everyone get off and wait for another plane. Evelyn was assisted off the plane and the situation explained to her. The Travel Companion again handled everything; explaining the situation to Evelyn, rebooking the connecting flight for Oakland, assuring priority boarding again, and handling snacks and drinks. Thankfully the flights home were uneventful and went smoothly.

We are reminded constantly how precious friends and family are to our well being. Seniors frequently let life close in on them because maintaining contact with loved ones who live far away becomes too difficult. Unfortunately, travel is one of the first things that can drop out of the life of our seniors. Travel Companions are a way for seniors to keep the lifestyle they love and maintain contact with friends and family.

Evelyn and Howard had a few wonderful days together and now have more memories to last a life time. At the last dinner in Oregon, plans were already started to have the next family reunion.

One company specializing in Travel Companions is Care-To-Go. For information on scheduling your Travel Companion visit CareToGoTravel.com

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Explains How To Talk With Someone With Cancer Or Other Serious Diseases

One of the most important ways to help your communication is not to ask "how are you" but also what are you feeling If you think about it, how are you is one of the most common questions we ask, but it can be a rather thoughtless one. The expected answer is OK or good. It does not lead to much discussion. When you ask, "What are you feeling?" you are digging deeper. Someone who is asked that may get the notion that you want to know how they are doing.

When you ask, what are you feeling be ready to hear anything. The person could say he thinks a great deal about death or he is worried about whatever the future has in store for the children. Or perhaps he is fearful that he won’t survive a year. Be ready to pay attention and hear the reaction he tells you. You do not have to have a response, but you have to be ready to hear the pain and anguish that the inquiry may provoke.
Communication with your loved ones must be direct and on an adult level.  The last thing an elder wants with a serious affliction is for you to be condescending or treat them like a kid. Your loved one needs straight talk constantly being empathetic and kind. Here’s a opportunity for caring support from their loved ones and their friends.
Elders with cancer every now and then need to get an opinions of those near to them on their illness, treatment, and treatment outlook. Stay open and honest, but don’t endeavor to respond to questions that you don’t know a good answer to. A senior with cancer will sense your honesty and appreciate it.

While having their illness, the elderly with cancer and serious diseases may express frustration and anger to friends and family. Remember that seniors with serious diseases pass through quite a few stages including denial, negotiation anger, and acceptance. Within the denial and anger stages, their conversation can offend families and their friends, but it can help to bear in mind that elders frequently shift their feelings onto friends and family close to him or her. Your loved ones do this since the people closest to them are safe. They know you will still be there for him or her, even if they act badly or create tension. Often, the senior is really frustrated and angry concerning the illness and the losses it brings, but that is hard to discuss. So they could take out their feelings on family, friends, or anyone else that happens to be near by at the time.

Commonly a high quality caregiver helping in the home can be a bridge for communication among family members.
More help for seniors posts can be found on Care-To-Go.com

Elder Care Retirement Choices

Retirement or elder housing alternatives can be baffling to seniors who has never approached the topic before.  The reason for the confusion is because most retirement care and elderly housing arrangements present duplicate services among the a range of categories.  A commonly accepted word for retirement living from one area may be used for different services from another.  The following terms explaining some kinds of care to assist you in determining your specific elder retirement requirements.

CareGiver and Home Care
Also is known as: Aging in Place, Home Care, In Home Personal Care, In Home Companion Care
Costs Range: $650 – $4,040

When a senior wants help and wishes to stay in their home (they all want to keep independence).  A Home Care CareGiver can be employed to assist on a part time or full time basis.  Normally a senior will need 3 days a week, then advancing to 5 or 7 days a week.  24/7 care can be arranged.  CareGivers can assist with daily activities:
?    Personal care
?    Shopping and errands
?    Meal preparation
?    Light housekeeping
?    Companionship
?    Medication reminders
?    Escort to Church, meetings and outings
?    Assist with therapies
?    Advocate for medical appointments

An extraordinary CareGiver can offer seniors the socially engaging productive lifestyle that experts say is so important to healthy aging.
Be sure to choose a high level CareGiver and Agency, don’t settle for an adult babysitter.

Click Here for the complete article listing care facilities and Home Care

Click Here for the complete article listing for a Home Care Carergiver

Retirement or senior housing alternatives could be perplexing to seniors who have never been faced with the question before.  The cause for such confusion is because most retirement care and senior housing alternatives provide duplicate benefits among the several categories.  A commonly accepted word for retirement living from one area could be used for different programs from another.  The following terms explaining several kinds of care to aid seniors in defining your particular elder retirement desires.

In-Home Care
Also can be known as: In-Home Personal Care, Aging in Place, Home Care, Home Health Care Companion Care
Costs Range: $650 – $4,040

When a senior desires help and wishes to stay in their own home (they all want to keep independence).  A Home Care CareGiver can be employed to assist on a part time or full time basis.  Generally a senior will require 3 days a week to start, then advancing to 5 or 7 days a week.  24/7 care is also available.  CareGivers can assist with daily activities:
?    Personal care
?    Shopping and errands
?    Meal preparation
?    Light housekeeping
?    Companionship
?    Medication reminders
?    Escort to Church, meetings and outings
?    Assist with therapies
?    Advocate for medical appointments

An extraordinary CareGiver can offer elders the socially engaging productive lifestyle that experts say is so important to healthy aging.
You’ll want to select a high level CareGiver and Agency, avoid settling for an adult babysitter.

Click Here for the complete article listing for a Home Care Carergiver

Phoenix Home Care Caregiver Reveals Twelve Things for Elderly Vision Loss Safety–How to Reduce the of Dangers at Home

Among the most overwhelming physical conditions linked to aging is the loosing of eyesight as a result of conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts.  As this happens it becomes obvious how important eyesight is to the elderly.  In later life seniors spend a lot of time just looking out the window, reading and watching TV.

Here are a few ideas to consider which could reduce the probability of this resulting in  problems at home:

Security In The Home
1.    Eliminate anything the elderly might trip over, such as small coffee tables, games on the floor, small rugs.
2.    Ensure there are clear pathways to and within all rooms.
3.    Paint doors and door trim colors that contrasts with the wall colors, so the doors will stand out more. Do the same thing with stair rails.
4.    Place yellow strips on the edge of steps and also at the beginning and ends of ramps.
5.    Install grab bars for the shower and tub areas.
6.    Ask your loved one and let him or her tell you what kinds of assistance, could be valued.

Patients and Physical Concerns
7.    Try to be as accepting as possible during the adjustment time, because frustration and anger could be forthcoming.
8.    Studies have found that eating big quantities of some carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly may have a better probability of developing some vision reduction when they age. Some examples of these foods are: white bread, white rice, potatoes, pasta, sugars and corn syrup.
9.    Encourage your senior to get together with a support group, where other seniors in an identical situation share their feelings about and strategies to cope with the loss of vision.
10.    Encourage your loved one to take part in eyesight treatment services, then accompany her or him to several. This will teach you what your senior can do independently, enabling you to support his or her successes.
11.    Encourage your loved one to get help from someone trained in vision issues, either individually or in groups.
12.    A lot of people with eyesight reduction are told to discontinue smoking, because smoking will double their chance of having macular degeneration, one of the main causes of vision loss in the elderly. Support your loved one to get help to stop smoking.

More help for seniors tips and articles are available at Care-To-Go.com   Home Care CareGivers in the Phoenix area are available for Senior assistance

Cruises have always been a favorite trip for Seniors. Balmy air, tropical swaying trees, soft steel drum music,; what’s not to like. Aside from the great ambiance in the Caribbean, Bahamas or Mexico, there are several reasons to choose a cruise over other types of vacation for Seniors. First, It is a place totally geared for all the seniors needs including food, activities, house keeping and medical services. It is so ni9ce to unpack once and watch the world pass by.

We all know that vacation tour prices including Cruises vary greatly. If you book through a travel agent, the Cruise Company, Orbits or a bulk Cruise buyer, the price varies greatly. When using a Travel Companion these prices can be easily compared and you can pick the best deal for you.

Speaking of a Travel Companion, you can now take a personal travel assistant with you to be sure that the trip goes smoothly. Your personal travel companion can travel with you all the way from your door and back again. How nice would it be to have professional assistance through the airport and flight, on the cruise and back again. One company providing Personal Travel Companions can be found at http://Care-To-Go.com

Here is an article explaining more about booking discount Cruises as reported by AARP

Low bookings for the cruise lines means a shipload of savings for you

Don’t let the storm-tossed economy discourage you from sailing on a cruise. With fewer people booking passage and more (and bigger) cruise ships being launched, cruising has become a buyer’s market. Here’s how to find the lowest fare at the best time.

Look for bulk buyers
Check out cruise consolidators, which buy large blocks of cabins from the cruise lines at a deep discount. Most of the deals don’t include airfare, but the savings are significant, and companies such as CruiseOne.com, CruiseBrothers.com, and Cruise.com feature dozens of discounted cruises around the world every week.

Don’t shrug off "shoulder season"
Rates are lower between peak and off-peak seasons, when fewer people are escaping winter. Try sailing to Alaska in mid-May or early September; to the Caribbean in late April or September and October; to Hawaii in late August, late November, February, or May; or to the Mediterranean in March or November.

Check the school calendar
Avoid any time kids are on vacation, such as spring or summer break. That’s when the supply of empty cabins is usually the lowest—and prices for them are highest. Cruises are wildly affordable right after Labor Day and during the week after Thanksgiving, for example.

Wait…Wait… Okay, now book it!
If you don’t have a specific cruise date in mind, try waiting until the last minute to book online. Almost all cruise lines quietly unload any remaining inventory as the departure date draws closer. Note: "Last minute" doesn’t mean what it used to. Post-9/11 security regulations require cruise lines to close the list of passengers as much as 96 hours before sailing.

Keep That Sail a Sale

Cruise lines don’t make a profit on your cabin, so they try to separate you from your money the second they pull up the gangplank. Here’s how to keep your budget afloat.

Factor in tipping
Some cruise lines automatically add gratuities, while others still rely on passengers to make that decision. One helpful resource is cruisetip.tpkeller.com, which calculates the suggested tip per day for each major cruise line.

Stick with the main dining room
More and more cruise ships have specialty—restaurants to give passengers options beyond the cost—included main dining room and midnight buffet. But eating at one of the ships’ designer restaurants will run you extra: on Royal Caribbean International, for example, dinner at Chops Grille is $25 per guest.

Budget for booze
Don’t expect to bring your own. Most cruise lines frown on this, and some actually employ a "liquor retention team" to seize alcohol not purchased on board (the bottles are returned at the end of the cruise).

The  Security check procedures at the airport change often and a Personal Travel Assistant can assist Senior travelers get through easily.

When elderly travelers pass through an airport it is  important for them to know all of  the ins and outs of baggage rules, check –in procedures, getting through the TSA security checkpoint and locating the correct departure gate.  This can be very confusing if traveling without assistance.  With the  hearing loss, eyesight loss, and some poor judgment, the airport  can be confusing.

A Travel Companion could assist an elderly traveler from the beginning of a trip, to the destination assuring a smooth and rewarding experience.  Traveling  is supposed to be fun and even exciting.  So, getting through the starting airport and arrival airport easily should be  an important part of the process.

One Travel Companion company starting trips anywhere nationally can be found at CareToGoTravel.com.  Here you will find  experienced travel experts and caregivers to make your trip a success.

To read a complete article on security changes, click here.

A Travel Companion Recommends 7 Ideas For Senior Travelers

1. A Pre Trip Visit To The Doctor Is Important
It’s always a good idea for your parent to have a checkup before traveling. At the very least, let your parents’ doctor know airplane travel is in the works and ask if a checkup is advised. This may be a good time to re check prescriptions with the doctor before the trip and have arrangements to refill prescriptions along the way if necessary.

2. Packing The Right Way Can Save The Day
Flying is uncertain, with delays, cancellations, and lost luggage. All of your parents’ medications (prescription and over-the-counter) should be easily accessible, packed in a carry-on bag. Other helpful items for a carry-on include body lotion, a toothbrush, tissues, a small container of wipes, and favorite reading material or games, for the trip. Be sure to use the 3-1-1 rule for TSA security.

3. Calling Ahead To Request A Wheelchair Will Make Getting Through The Airport Much Easier
Even if your parent normally doesn’t use a wheelchair, a chair can be extremely helpful when navigating airports especially if your parent is elderly and you’re rushed or carrying luggage. Request a wheelchair when making the reservation for the arrival airport and any connection airports. If you forget, you can always order one at a service desk or ticket counter. Consider a walker or cane if you don’t use a wheelchair along the way. Packing a portable walker can make travel easier for the entire trip. These devices are sold at drugstores, medical supply stores, and online. You may also check the Good Will for a deal. Caution—some canes purchased used at a thrift store may have a hidden sword in it. This will get you busted for sure at the security checkpoint.

4. Wear Loose Clothing
It is important to be comfortable during the flight, but loose clothing also allows blood to circulate more easily during periods of inactivity. Sitting for long periods is associated with blood clots, especially for people with poor circulation. You may also want to check with the doctor about compression stockings, which can assist with lower leg circulation and may be helpful for some seniors. Avoid tight socks or stockings. Slip on shoes are important when going through the security screener. Shoes must be taken off and put on the X-ray belt so don’t use lace up shoes.

5. Move Around During The Flight Often
The inactivity of air travel can be tough on muscles and joints as well as circulation. One of the best remedies is to take mini exercise breaks by standing, walking the aisles, and stretching or moving your arms and legs. An exercise break is recommended every 30 minutes.

6. Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Airplanes are notoriously dehydrating due to their low humidity. The best defense against dehydration is to drink plenty of fluids before, after, and during a flight. Water is best. Caffeinated beverages (colas) and alcohol are dehydrating and should be avoided. Experienced flight crews start with a large bottle of water and make sure it is all gone by the end of a long flight. 8oz per hour is a good rule of thumb too.

7. Taking A Travel Companion Along
Traveling is both fun and sometimes necessary for everyone. People who have had a lifestyle that included traveling can continue to enjoy travel even when they need assistance. A Travel Companion can handle all arrangements, accompany you on a trip from door to door. Imagine a Personal Travel Assistant taking care of everything for you; baggage, airport check in, getting through security smoothly, on board attendant, and handling all details on arrival. A traveling CareGiver  can make elder travel smooth and easy.

For more information on Travel Companions visit CareToGoTravel.com

Amtrak Discount to Seniors reported by Phoenix Home Care CareGiver and Care-To-Go.com

A Travel Companion from  Phoenix points to a discount available to the elderly on Amtrak.

Senior train travelers can Save 15% on Amtrak if they are over 62 years and the elderly traveler over 60 can have a 10% reduction in price.

Read Amtrak Article

Train travel is a favorite way to travel among our senior loved ones..  The tickets are low, and bedroom fairs include meals also.

Care-To-Go is getting more and more requests for a train  Travel Companion for their trips.

Care-To-Go at 1-800-818-0407 or on the web at www.caretogotravel.com

Boomers are discovering Medical Tourism (Travel) to foreign countries to have medical procedures.

For a variety of reasons, more and more people are going abroad for all kinds of medical procedures and surgeries etc.

As U.S. medical costs skyrocket and insurance companies pay less and less it becomes advantageous to go to a more economical location.

Med Tourism companies can schedule everything from which country, which doctor and hospital and transportation.

Care-To-Go Travel Companions are available to assist travelers to and/or from the country providing the procedures.

For more information on Med Tourism and Travel Companion Assistance call 1-800-818-0407 or see the web at www.CareToGoTravel.com