Thursday, May 14, 2015

IN THE SPOTLIGHT! Complete Hospice Care



We are pleased to announce our newest advertiser  
in the Phoenix SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & 
Welcome Complete Hospice Care!



Complete Hospice Care

Once upon a time a small group of unhappy hospice nurses and a disgruntled human resource manager got together over wings and fries to plan an escape form their frustrations in the hospice industry.  They wondered if all the things they thought would work well would actually work well.  They threw caution to the wind, and lo and behold, most of it not only worked well, but exceedingly well.  Complete Hospice Care is absolutely and without compromise about taking care of patients and families.  We’re also about taking care of each other.  Really, who wants a tired cranky nurse to come into their home anyway? 

Complete Hospice Care prides itself at “B” ing everything you need it to be!

Be great.  Be great at whatever you are.  Be a great nurse, a great social worker, C.N.A. etc., etc.  Complete Hospice is excellent because our people are excellent.  Mostly those of us that sit behind a desk stand back, get out of the way, and let people be wonderful.  They always are.

Be compliant.  All hospices are paid by Medicare, and Medicare requires all of us to follow the same rules. We’re sticklers for the rules.  In fact, we drive the speed limit when people aren’t looking, and always use the crosswalk.

Be nice.  This should be a standard of life. Nice feels better than not nice. It really is the little things that mean the most. We pay attention to the little things, for both the people we work for and the people we work with.

Be wonderful. This is where Complete Care really shines. We’re more than just the wound care or medication change. We are really about what we can do to make it better today? We really think about it. What could make this moment the best it can be? Our question isn’t why would we do something, but instead, why wouldn’t we?


Complete Hospice Care ~ What it means to be completely wonderful!  Give us a call… or drop by.  We love to talk about what we do, and we have cookies.  J

Visit us online @ www.CompleteHospice.com

GRAND OPENING Gardens of Ocotillo Senior Living in Chandler


Gardens at Ocotillo Senior Living Welcomes New Residents!

New community meets demand for Arizona’s growing senior population 
(CHANDLER, Ariz.) May 11, 2015 – Chandler’s newest senior living community,
Gardens at Ocotillo Senior Living  http://www.gardensatocotilloseniorliving.com/ , will welcome its first residents starting May 11. 

Located at 1601 West Queen Creek Road, the 135,000-square-foot community will
soon be home to 150 residents, adding quality living options for the state’s
fast-growing population of residents 65 and older. Apartments range from studio
suites to two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,200-square-foot apartments.

The community is developed and managed by Denver-based Spectrum Retirement
Communities, LLC http://www.spectrumretirement.com/ , ranked among the top
senior living companies in the country. Gardens at Ocotillo is Spectrum’s third
community in Arizona.

“We are proud to invite new residents and their families to come home to the
beautiful, safe and supportive environment at Gardens at Ocotillo,” said Jeff
Kraus, Spectrum’s Managing Director. “Each element of our programs has been
designed to strengthen health in every possible manner.” 

Gardens at Ocotillo offers Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care
residences that cater to the needs of individuals, including those with
Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The community also features a Transitional
Memory Care program, unique to Spectrum, which offers seniors with mild
cognitive impairment an option to remain in their assisted living apartments
while receiving additional support and structure.  

Denver-based Spectrum Retirement Communities, LLC, owns, operates and develops
senior living communities throughout the U.S. and is considered a leader and
innovator in senior living. Now in its tenth year of operations, Spectrum is
ranked in the top five senior living companies for excellence by its peers and
among the top 50 largest senior housing operators in the country.
www.spectrumretirement.com 

Gardens

Home Instead Senior Care ~ 5 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Senior a Pet






Ongoing research seeks to pinpoint the therapeutic benefits of pet ownership (such as reduced blood pressure), but we don’t really need science to tell us about the many ways pets can enhance our lives. They offer a furry shoulder to cry on and unconditional love. They offer amusement and loyal companionship. No wonder over 66 million American and 7.5 million Canadian households own a pet.
Pet ownership can hold real benefits for seniors, too. As Sandra shared in the online Remember for Alzheimer’s Facebook community: “My husband is in advanced Alzheimer's. We have a cocker spaniel, six years old, who we have had since she was eight weeks old. My hubby loves this dog to no end. Sadly he cannot remember her name now, but he is still her best friend. They sit in the same recliner all day long.”
Pets may also provide comfort to caregivers, as Mona described:
“My mom has Alzheimer’s, end stages. She stays at home and my dad, myself and a couple of others take care of her. My dad got a dog in November, and loves him so much. He treats him like his son. His dog Archie loves my dad and helps my dad not to be lonely, when I'm not there.”
Of course, pet ownership may not be appropriate for every senior. Here are five questions to consider before bringing a pet into your loved one’s life.
1. Is anyone allergic?
It’s hard to enjoy a pet if it makes you sneeze, break out in a skin rash or suffer an asthma attack. That’s why it’s important to rule out any medical reasons for not getting a pet.
First make sure your loved one has no allergies to pet dander. Next, poll everyone who provides care for your loved one to see if they have pet allergy issues. If anyone is allergic, then you should probably avoid getting a pet. Despite the popular term “hypoallergenic pet,” you need to realize that technically there is no such thing as an allergy-free animal.
2. Who will care for Fido?
Caring for a pet can provide a senior loved one with a real sense of purpose. No longer is your family member only a care-receiver; now he or she can be a care-giver, too.
But not all seniors may be able to take care of a pet on a daily basis. Be sure to take into account their ability to meet its needs—now and in the future. Will your loved one remember to feed and water the animal? Will he or she be able to walk the dog twice a day?
If physical or cognitive decline renders your senior family member unable to care for the pet, who will step in to help? If you think you eventually may need to remove the pet from the home, realize it can be an emotionally wrenching experience for both your family member and the animal.
3. What breed makes the best couch potato?
Companionship represents one of the greatest benefits of pets for seniors. Simply having a warm body to hug, stroke and love can keep a senior calm and congenial.
For this reason, you probably want to avoid getting a high-strung or high-energy dog or cat. Instead, opt for animals that exhibit an easygoing temperament. Some dog breeds, such as golden retrievers, are known for their laid-back nature. And sedate, elderly cats can be hard for shelters to adopt out, creating a win for both your loved one and the kitty. Consider choosing an animal that will be happy to sit quietly and snuggle with your loved one for hours on end.
4. Are you a cuddler?
Golden retrievers may be couch potatoes, but they’re not lap dogs. If your senior family member wants a pet that can be held and cuddled, be sure to get one of an appropriate size. And if bathing and grooming the pet won’t be an issue for you or your loved one, you might consider choosing a breed with longer, silkier hair. These animals can be a delight to touch and hug.
5. Who will choose the new pet?
It can be hard to cope with the loss of physical function or the cognitive decline that often accompany aging. Seniors often report feeling depressed when they become dependent on others for their care. Having a pet to take care of can help a senior feel needed again.
To start that journey to restored purpose, let your family member choose the pet instead of surprising them with a dog or cat as a gift. Allowing your loved one to pick out the new pet confers a sense of control and decision-making power they may be lacking in other areas of their life.
Take a trip to the shelter together and let your senior relative meet a selection of animals to see how they interact. If you’re concerned about your loved one’s decision-making ability, call the shelter ahead of time and tell them what types of pets you’re looking for. That way, your family member will interact with a pre-screened group that meets your criteria.
A furry family member can be a valuable part of your caregiving team. They offer boundless, unconditional love, lend a non-judgmental ear when you need to vent and can provide an amusing distraction with their antics.

Visit us online http://www.caregiverstress.com/

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

BrightStar Care "20 Questions Every Family Caregiver Should Ask"




20 Questions Every Family Caregiver Should Ask


20 Questions for Family CaregiversAccording to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 50 million Americans provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year. Nearly all of us will face this situation at some point. These 20 questions will help you consider key factors as well as accurately and realistically evaluate your loved one’s condition.
That’s why we pulled together a helpful questionnaire to guide family caregivers on some key considerations for assessing their ability to care for a loved one relative to their loved one’s needs. Things like:
  1. Assessing your loved one’s surroundings and safety
  2. Taking inventory of your loved one’s insurance and important documents
  3. Considering what support you have nearby for additional help if needed
And more. Click here to download the family caregiver questionnaire for free.
Visit us online @ www.brightstarcare.com