Tag Archive for: Caregivers in Dallas TX

We’re modernizing the process of setting up and managing care as well as improving upon communication between families, Care Professionals, and our Support Team.

Technology and Care that makes a difference.

Caregivers will be able to list their qualifications, skills, hours they’re able to work and distances they’re willing travel. Seniors will specify the type of help they need, the hours they want and important personal details – that they only speak Spanish, or that they have dogs, or that they live in a senior living community. Approved will match caregivers and seniors accordingly, with final approval of the match in the hands of the seniors and their families.

Approved will also give seniors a custom-built, easy-to-use internet portal where staff and families can view any changes in the senior’s needs or condition, so the caregivers will be better prepared when they walk in the door. Our portals and telephony system will also be used to record what services seniors received and for how long. Authorized relatives will have access to the information, so they’ll be able to monitor the situation.

We do things differently…

Approved family portal.

We’re modernizing the process of setting up and managing care as well as improving upon communication between families, Care Professionals, and our Support Team. Of course, our Care Pros are amazing. We make sure of that. Get to know your Caregiver. See when they arrive, what they help with, and when they leave.

Know who’s coming and when.

Caregivers you can trust. We interview and thoroughly screen every care professional before they can become an Approved Qualified Caregiver. Only the best meet our standards. Approved not only verifies skills, training, and references, we also look for people who are compassionate, caring, and bring joy to their work. View your caregiver’s picture & schedule before they arrive.

Schedule care quickly.

Request care on our website or call us, and a Care Pro can be there in just 2 hours. Schedule care visits by the hour, pay by the hour. It’s that simple. Our pricing is as variable as your needs.

Always informed. Always in touch.

Any special conditions?

Food preferences?

Allergies?
Approved keeps your Care Pro informed so they can provide great care, exactly the way you like it. You and your Care Pro can stay in touch about every step of your Care Plan, including scheduled visits, tasks, and goals.

972.658.4001 

Help for Understanding the Zika Virus

We care about you and your family’s health and safety. We want to make sure you are informed and know what to do to prevent catching the Zika virus.

The best source of information to stay current on Zika is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Zika website

Public health organizations in the U.S. and around the world are concerned about the recent, rapid spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cases of the Zika virus are now showing up in the United States as people travel to and from places where the virus is widespread. There is also concern that the virus will spread to more areas in the warm months when there are more mosquitoes.

What You Need to Know About the Zika Virus

  • Individuals infected by the Zika virus usually have mild symptoms, or may not be aware they have the virus. The most common symptoms of the Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes), and can include muscle pain and headaches.
  • Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
  • Only about 1 in 5 people infected with the virus will get sick. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Severe illness requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
  • There is no current vaccine or medications available to prevent or treat the Zika infection, but your doctor may order blood tests to confirm you have the virus. And if you have the virus, your doctor will be able to tell you how to best treat the symptoms.

Transmission
Knowing how the Zika virus is spread is important in keeping you and your family healthy and protected from the virus.

  • People usually get the virus from mosquito bites. It can spread when a mosquito bites a person that already has the virus, and then spreads it to other people through bites.
  • The mosquitoes that are known to spread the virus most often bite during the day, but also may bite at night.
  • The virus may also be spread by having unprotected sex with an infected person or by blood transfusion.
  • Health officials are concerned that the Zika virus is also being spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby during pregnancy. They are seeing an unusual number of cases of mothers having the Zika virus and their babies being born with birth defects. The most serious one is microcephaly, a birth defect that includes an abnormally small head and brain, as well as other impairments.

Prevention
Understanding how the virus is transmitted can help you protect yourself, your family and your community.

  • To reduce the chance of being bitten by a mosquito, and to help control the spread of the virus, it is recommended that you use an EPA-recommended insect repellent including DEET. But make sure to only use insect repellents on children older than two months of age.
  • It is important for pregnant women to take extra precautions in order to protect their unborn child. Read CDC’s recommendations for pregnant women.

“Pregnant women should realize that the transmission of the Zika virus to the fetus has been documented at all trimesters. As with any infection, the best course of action relies around prevention. If you think you may have been exposed, you should see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist as soon as possible, ” said Joseph R. Cunningham, M.D., Divisional Senior Vice President of Health Care Delivery and Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and OB/GYN physician.

Treatment
If you believe you have been infected, or develop symptoms, you should seek help from your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor if and where you have travelled recently. A health professional is the best source to determine if you have been infected with the virus and how to treat the symptoms. While there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika, currently, as recommended by the CDC, symptoms can be treated by:

  • Getting plenty of rest
  • Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
  • Taking medicine to reduce fever and pain
  • Not taking aspirin or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Talking to your doctor before taking medicine for any other condition while sick

Resources
For the most up-to-date information on Zika, visit these resources:

Caregivers in Dallas, TX

Caregivers in Dallas, TX – May is National Bike Month: Make Plans to Celebrate Now!

You know how important it is to get the physical exercise you need on a regular basis in order to keep your weight in check and maintain health. As a family caregiver for elderly parents you also know that it is important for you to encourage this same level of activity with your seniors. Many seniors slip into a largely sedentary lifestyle as they get older due to a variety of factors including physical, mobility, and cognitive challenges, no longer working or driving, or just distance from friends and family. Encouraging your aging parents to stay active wards off many health concerns, boosts mental health and stability, and encourages them to live longer, happier lives.

Finding ways to incorporate exercise into your caregiver plans can seem daunting, particularly when your parents are stubborn or you have little time. Introducing a fun activity, however, can take care of your need for physical exercise while just seeming like something new to do together. May is National Bike Month, so take this opportunity to get out, get active, and start biking with your elderly parents.

When you were a child, biking was more about the fun and freedom than anything else. You probably did not even realize that you were actually exercising. Now that you are older, however, you realize that the act of riding a bicycle requires several physical actions that work out the entire body. You must use your core to balance, the muscles and joints in your legs and hips to pedal, and the muscles in your arms to stay steady and steer. All of this adds up to a fantastic cardiovascular and conditioning workout. People of all ages from little toddlers all the way up to seniors can enjoy the benefits of biking. If your parents have not been on a bike in a while, though, it is important to take your time and help them acclimate to the activity so they can enjoy it safely.

Try some of these tips for making biking a routine part of your care relationship with your aging parents:

Find the right bike. Having the right bike is essential for safety and comfort. Bring your elderly parents to a store specializing in bicycles so professionals can measure them and determine what size and style of bike is right for them. Keep in mind the terrain you intend to traverse on your bikes so you can choose the right tires to keep you steady and moving smoothly

Wear safety gear. You are an adult now but that does not mean you can get away with not wearing your helmet. Proper safety gear is vital for keeping you safe if you happen to take a tumble while riding. Make sure you and both of your aging parents have proper helmets, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration leads to fatigue, muscle cramps, and disorientation, all of which are quite dangerous when you are riding a bike. Make sure to drink plenty of water before heading out on your ride as well as during the excursion to keep you properly hydrated and focused

Take it slow. Riding a bike may not seem as strenuous as other types of activity, but if you push yourself too far you could experience exhaustion, cramping, and plenty of soreness the next day. As with any new activity, start biking with short rides on flat, smooth roads and gradually build up to longer and more challenging rides as your parents’ capabilities allow it. If one parent is able to handle more intensive rides than the other, consider having a home care provider care for the other parent one afternoon a week so you can go out for a more challenging ride.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Dallas, TX and the surrounding areas, contact Approved Home Care at 972-658-4001 today.

Did you ever think that an animal could be considered a caregiver? While most of the time we think of ourselves as being the caregivers for animals, sometimes it’s actually the other way around.

Research studies have shown, throughout the years, that certain pats offer a number of benefits to patients young and old. They have the ability to help soothe a person’s worried mind, to bring comfort to those who are hurting, and to be a support to the individual who may be feeling lonely.

In this country, pets are often considered part of the family. They are given much the same treatment and care that any other individual in the family is provided. People spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on their pets and will often do anything that they can to help them recovery from an injury, illness, or other ailment, even to the point of getting into debt as a result.

So how could an animal make a great caregiver to an elderly individual? Here are three ways:

As a companion. Research has indicated that when a person has the companionship of another creature, such as a pet, it can help them feel less lonely throughout the days. Even though the pet can’t talk, it does communicate and just having another comforting, living being with us can have a powerful impact.

As a blood pressure controller. When you pet a cat or dog, research has shown that this process can actually lower blood pressure. If the elderly patient has any issues with high blood pressure, they might do well with a small pet, such as a cat. Believe it or not, descented skunks are actually one of the most affectionate animals and though they don’t purr like cats, they constantly thrive on attention. This doesn’t mean you should go out, capture a wild skunk and hand it to grandma!

As an exercise buddy. If the elderly patient has a dog, then the dog is going to need to go for walks on a regular basis. While the elderly patient may not be able to keep up a good clip, getting out and walking the dog will give both the animal and the patient the exercise that he or she needs. Small dogs are much better for elderly individuals, though, as they won’t be able to knock the individual off balance.

There are many other reasons why an animal can be a great caregiver. If you know of others, share them. The more people know about the power of small pets, the better overall care can become.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Dallas, TX, contact Approved Home Care at 972-658-4001 today.

Approved Home Care Dallas