Bickford Home Care provides compassion and personalized care to those in need in the comfort of your
Grab some tissues, because this new ad doesn’t just tug at the heartstrings… it pulls them with the force of a thousand holiday emotions!
The best part of the holidays is the memories, the ones we make and the ones we reminisce.Watch this heartwarming story about a woman’s holiday journey to gi...
The holiday season brings out the best in most people. But for some, it brings out the worst. Here are some tips to protect your older loved ones from holiday scammers.
Experts at the FBI recommend you encourage them to:
💻 Practice good cybersecurity hygiene
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites and social media. Be especially wary if a company asks them to update their password or account information.
🌐 Know who they’re buying from.
Check each website’s URL to make sure it’s legitimate and secure.
💳 Be careful how they pay.
Never wire money directly to a seller. Avoid paying for items with gift cards. In these scams, sellers will ask them to send them a gift card number and PIN. Instead of using that gift card for payment, the scammer steals the funds and never sends the items. Use a credit card when shopping online and check statements regularly.
Report suspicious transactions to their credit card company and dispute the charge.
🚚 Monitor the shipping process.
In order to follow the shipping/delivery process, they should always get tracking numbers for items purchased online.
If you’re looking for a career that offers more than a paycheck, join our team. We’re currently hiring caring, compassionate people who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Apply today!
📝: BickfordHomeCare.com
If you're caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease, you know there are many challenges - including other medical issues. Because your loved one may not be able to verbalize what is wrong, it's important for you and other family members to watch for signs of these common problems.
When caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, watch for these common medical problems, including fever, pneumonia, dehydration, incontinence, and falls.
Caring for an aging loved one is very rewarding... but it can also be very challenging. That's why taking care of yourself is one of the mosot important things you can do as a family caregiver.
Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. Find tips for making time for yourself.
A Minnesota bride chose a very special loved one to pave her path with pedals - her 100-year-old gardening granny. 🌷💐🌹
Jillian Klatte chose her grandmother, Ruthie Klatte, an avid flower gardener, to be her flower girl.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with peace, love and joy! 🦃
The holidays can be challenging for older loved ones - especially if they have mobility or memory issues. Here are 7 tips to help you plan a holiday celebration that will be joyous for everyone.
1️⃣ Plan ahead.
Clear clutter, move furniture and pick up throw rugs to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs and eliminate tripping hazards. If your aging loved ones tire easily, limit the number of activities they are involved in or the length of time they are included. The noise and confusion of a large family gathering can lead to irritability, confusion or exhaustion, so make sure they have a quiet space to retreat to, if necessary.
2️⃣ Modify festivities as needed.
Come up with ways to continue long-standing traditions – perhaps with slight changes to accommodate your aging loved ones. Be sure to account for potential challenges with meals and other activities for those with mental, physical or dietary issues.
3️⃣ Ask your loved ones to reminisce.
Seniors with memory issues may have trouble remembering recent events, but they’re often able to recall stories from the past. Break out family albums, videos and music to help stimulate their memory and encourage them to share the holiday stories and experiences they remember.
4️⃣ Create new traditions.
Consider adding something new to your celebrations – activities that will be easy for your older loved ones to participate in, such as baking, decorating, holiday crafts or driving through neighborhoods to see the holiday lights.
5️⃣ Acknowledge feelings of grief.
The holidays often bring back memories of family members and friends who have passed away. Understand that, while it’s a festive time, your aging loved ones may also be experience feelings of grief and sadness.
6️⃣ Monitor diet, alcohol and medications.
Holiday celebrations can be chaotic, but try to keep your older loved ones on their regular meal and medication schedule.
7️⃣ Find ways to have long-distance celebrations.
If travel challenges or other circumstances keep you from being with your aging loved ones, look for other ways to celebrate with them – such as FaceTime or Zoom.
As the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving, it’s important to pause and give thanks to those who make a difference in the lives of others every day. To our incredible team of caregivers: your tireless efforts and the comfort you provide do not go unnoticed. Thank you for your unwavering service. May your Thanksgiving be as rewarding as the care you provide.
You’re never too old to say I Do! 🥂👰🏻🤵🏻🕊
Dorris Kirks and Carl Kruse were married while both were 96 years old.
Did you know…
👉 Across the U.S., nearly 38 million Americans (about 11% of the population) are taking care of loved ones with chronic, disabling or serious health conditions.
👉60% of family caregivers also have full- or part-time jobs.
👉30% of all caregivers are caring for two generations.
👉The majority of caregivers (82%) care for one other adult, while 15% care for 2 adults and 3% for 3 or more adults.
👉About 15.7 million family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
👉Upwards of 75% of all caregivers are female.
👉Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care. Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers spends 41 hours or more per week providing care.
👉On average, caregivers spend 13 days each month on tasks such as shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation and medication management.
👉The average age of a family caregiver is 49.2 years old.
👉The average age of a care recipient is 69.4 years old – with 47% of recipients age 75 or older.
👉The average duration of a caregiver’s role is 4 years.
*Source – Family Caregiver Alliance and AARP
🌟Family caregivers are super stars.🌟 These statistics show that while caring for an older loved one is extremely rewarding, it can also be challenging and exhausting.
During the month of November, all of us at Bickford Home Care will join others from around the country to celebrate National Family Caregivers Month – raising awareness about caregiving issues, educating communities and supporting caregivers.
Looking for a career that offers more than a paycheck? If you want to join the area’s most amazing caregiving team, give us a call today!
☎️: (319) 774-0580
🌐: https://bit.ly/3IIk5VB
If you're caring for someone who has Alzheimer's or a related dementia, you know that every day may hold challenges - some of them overwhelming. Here are some tips to help with everything from communication to nutrition.
Find tips for caregivers and family members of people with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, including tips on everyday care, changes in behavior and communication, and caregiver health.
At 102, Eddy Goldfarb has a lot of stories to tell - and they're all about 100 words.
At 102 years old, University Village Thousand Oaks resident Eddy Goldfarb has no shortage of stories to tell. Find out more, and learn how to submit your photos!
At Bickford Home Care, our training makes the difference. When training our caregivers to work with people who have dementia, we teach from the Embrace Their Reality model developed by dementia expert Rachel Wonderlin. Using this method, we live in the reality that’s true for the person who has dementia rather trying to force them to live in the here and now.
Few people deserve our respect and gratitude more than the brave men and women who served in the military. We’re proud and privileged to care for older veterans and their family members - giving them the care and support they need to age safely and with dignity.
As we honor our veterans on November 11, we hope you’ll join us by showing appreciation for the older veterans in your life. Here are a few ideas.
1. Say “thank you.”
2. Wave the flag.
3. Listen to their stories.
4. Involve the kids.
5. Treat them to lunch.
6. Send a care package.
7. Attend a Veterans Day event.
8. Lend a helping hand.
9. Volunteer with a veterans organization.
10. Donate to veterans organizations.
Asking for help doesn't show weakness or lack of caring. Rather it shows you have the strength to do what's best for you and your aging loved one - especially if your loved one has Alzheimer's or a related dementia.
Looking for respite care or help with Alzheimer's caregiving? Learn about supportive resources like home care, adult day care, meal services, and hospice.
At age 80, Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby began the trip of a lifetime. They visited 7 continents and 18 countries... learning valuable lessons every step of the way. 🌎 ✈️
Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby shared the trip of a lifetime
Your aging mom is recovering from an unexpected surgery.
The hospital is ready to discharge her, but your dad is too frail to safely take care of her at home.
You want to help… but you live more than an hour away, have a demanding job and a busy family – so, there’s no way you can be her full-time caregiver.
What can you do? Home care is a great option.
Our highly trained professional caregivers can help with recovery, improve the quality of life, and ensure discharge instructions are followed. Services include:
🚗 Transportation
After a hospital stay, there likely will be prescriptions to pick up, therapy sessions to attend and follow-up doctor’s appointments. Whether it’s coordinating rides or providing safe transportation, we’ll make sure your senior gets to and from wherever they need to be.
💊 Medication management
Even under the best of circumstances, managing multiple medications can be challenging. A caregiver can help ensure the right meds are taken at the right time.
👚 Light housekeeping
Everyday tasks can be difficult after a hospital stay. We can help with laundry, vacuuming and other household chores.
🍳 Meal preparation
Healthy, well-balanced meals are essential for a good recovery. A caregiver can assist with grocery shopping, meal prep, kitchen clean-up and more.
🚶 Mobility assistance
Our caregivers are trained to help seniors safely get in and out of chairs, bed and the bathtub/shower. They will also look for & remove potential tripping hazards that could lead to falls.
🛁 Personal care
Bathing, toileting & dressing can be challenging during the hospital to home transition. Our compassionate caregivers can help with these types of personal care tasks – giving everyone much needed peace of mind.
🃏 Companionship
Oftentimes, companionship is the best medicine. From watching old movies to playing board games, our caregivers love spending quality time with our clients.
📝 Customized Care Plan
You may have several weeks to plan for discharge or you may only have a day or two. Whatever the case, our care team will work closely with you to develop a customized care plan to meet your loved one’s unique hospital to home needs.
We had so much fun at the Emery Place Assisted Living and Memory Care's trunk-or-treat. There were some pretty cute kids and costumes but we think we had the cutest pumpkin (and farmer) in the patch!
🎃 Happy Halloween! 🍬🕷️ We would love to see all your spooktacular costumes! 👻 Feel free to share your ghoulish pics below so we can all admire your hauntingly fabulous transformations!
A trip to the hospital or emergency room can be very stressful for those with dementia and their caregivers. Here are some tips to make the experience less stressful.
Going to the hospital can be stressful for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. Know what to expect and how to prepare for an ER or hospital visit.
Some life lessons withstand the test of time and are meant to be shared with younger generations. Check out this article to learn the important advice she shared with her grandchildren.
Essential, unsolicited advice that every grandchild needs to win at life
While caring for an aging loved one can be very rewarding, it can also be very challenging - especially if your loved one has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia.
To limit challenges and ease frustration, doctors at the Mayo Clinic recommend that caregivers:
📅 Schedule wisely. Establish a daily routine. Some tasks, such as bathing or medical appointments, are easier when the person is most alert and refreshed. Allow some flexibility for spontaneous activities or particularly difficult days.
🕙 Take your time. Anticipate that tasks may take longer than they used to, and schedule more time for them. Allow time for breaks during tasks.
🧓 Involve the person. Allow the person with dementia to do as much as possible with the least amount of assistance. For example, he/she might be able to set the table with the help of visual cues or dress independently if you lay out clothes in the order they go on.
✔️ Provide choices. Provide some, but not too many, choices every day. For example, provide two outfits to choose from, ask if he/she prefers a hot or cold beverage or ask if he/she would rather go for a walk or see a movie.
💬 Provide simple instructions. People with dementia best understand clear, one-step communications.
💤 Limit Napping. Avoid multiple or prolonged naps during the day. This can minimize the risk of getting days and nights mixed up.
🥁 Reduce distractions. Turn off the TV and minimize other distractions at mealtime and during conversations. This will make it easier for the person with dementia to focus.
When you’re caring for an aging loved one, it’s easy to forget about your own health and wellbeing, but neglecting your own needs could lead to caregiver burnout. Here are 7 tips to relieve some of the stress you might be feeling.
1️⃣ Accepting or asking for help.
If help is offered, take it. If you have to ask family or friends for assistance, do it. Be prepared with a list of ways others can help, and let the helper choose what he or she would like to do.
2️⃣ Delegating.
Make a list of daily tasks and, when possible, delegate. Maybe your spouse can cook dinner a couple of days a week or your children can take care of the laundry.
3️⃣ Taking breaks.
Understand that it’s okay take breaks from caregiving. When someone else takes over, get out of the house. Visit friends, go to a movie, get a massage – anything that can help you relax.
4️⃣ Prioritizing self care.
Eat well, exercise, relax and get enough sleep. If you’re not healthy, the quality of care you’re able to provide will suffer.
5️⃣ Getting connected.
Take time to learn about caregiving resources in your community, including options for meal delivery, transportation and housekeeping.
6️⃣ Joining a support group.
It helps to know you’re not alone. A support group can validate your feelings, offer encouragement and help you overcome some of the challenges you face. You also will be able to meet new people and perhaps build lasting friendships.
7️⃣ Enlisting the help of a professional caregiver.
Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, a professional caregiver will ensure your aging loved one is getting the best care possible – while giving you a much needed break.
It was a reunion three years in the making, and it's one that will warm your heart.
A 94-year-old woman from New Hampshire made a trip across the country because she wanted to see her 90-year-old little sister one more time. Their goodbye is now going viral on TikTok.
When is the last time you shared a meal with aging loved ones? October is month - a great time to make mealtime plans that include your aging loved ones. Here are some tips that could help you and your senior loved ones make the most of mealtime.
☑️ Try to eat at least one meal with your senior every week and, when possible, make it a family affair – bring the kids, grandkids and others who brighten your senior’s life.
☑️ When dining with older loved ones, set aside your phone and turn off the television. This will allow you to focus all of your attention on each other and great conversations.
☑️ Don’t rush. Take time to enjoy the meal and each other’s company.
☑️ Ask your senior to help with menu-planning, and encourage them to include their favorite foods.
☑️ Choose foods with nutritional value. Your senior’s plate should look like a rainbow – bright colored fruits and vegetables are always a good choice. Also be sure to include foods that are high in fiber and low in sodium.
☑️ To help maintain a healthy weight, help your senior eat the right amount food at mealtime. The American Heart Association offers a guide to help you determine the appropriate serving size based on age and activity level.
☑️ Incorporate herbs and spices to make bland food tastier.
☑️ If time or distance limits your ability to be with your senior loved one, consider hiring a professional caregiver – someone who can help them prepare nutritious meals and, more importantly, sit down and enjoy the meal with them.
Learn more about our Meal Preparation and Nutrition Services - BickfordHomeCare.com
Our compassionate caregivers are trained to deliver personal care in a very respectful way - helping seniors maintain their dignity while helping them with bathing, dressing, toileting and other very personal tasks.
Learn More - BickfordHomeCare.com
We love this! After years of operating a daycare, a senior living community in Iowa has now opened a daycare - increasing awareness about the needs of older adults.
After six successful years of running an intergenerational day care program within a senior living community, Perry Lutheran Homes, Perry, IA, launched a new preschool program to further integrate into the greater community and create awareness of the needs of older adults.
How did you celebrate your birthday? A North Carolina jumped into his 95th year and proved that age is just a number.
One man is proof that age is purely just a number. This past weekend, at 94 years young, Bill Mitchell went skydiving for the very first time.
Once the decision to hire a professional caregiver has been made, it's important to make sure you’re hiring the RIGHT professional caregiver. Here are some things you should keep in mind when you're exploring your options.
1. Using a trusted home care agency
2. Ask for referrals.
3. Read reviews and testimonials.
4. Make sure the organization offers all of the services you need.
5. Conduct in-person interviews.
Learn more about Bickford Home Care Today!
🌐: BickfordHomeCare.com
New to family caregiving? While it is a very rewarding experience, it can also be challenging. Here are a few tips to help you navigate your caregiving journey.
Get advice and resources from experts and fellow caregivers
Are you getting a flu shot this year? We share information you should know before you roll up your sleeve.
Here’s what experts want you to know:
Who should get a flu shot?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months old and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with rare exceptions.
When should you get a flu shot?
Flu season typically starts in October and lasts through May. Because it takes two weeks for protection to develop, experts recommend getting vaccinated before the end of October. After that, it’s still better to get the vaccine than not.
Where can you get a flu shot?
Doctor’s offices, pharmacies and health departments should all have doses – and most people with health insurance can get it with no co-pay.
Are there side effects?
Some people report having mild side effects, including soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Some may also experience a low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches.
Can you take multiple vaccines at the same time?
There are multiple vaccines that can protect against respiratory viruses – flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Experts say it is safe to get a flu and COVID-19 shot at the same time. As for RSV, in May the Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first vaccine to protect older adults from the infection. Since it’s so new, information about receiving the vaccine with others is evolving.
For more information about the seasonal flu and the flu vaccine, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website – cdc.gov/flu or talk to your personal physician and/or pharmacist.
Flu season is upon us, and experts say it could be a doozy. Here are 8 foods you should eat to bolster your immune system.
What to eat or drink to build a stronger defense this winter
Decades after most people retire, Jayne Burns is still at it - and she has no plans to quit anytime soon.
“I really don’t notice that I’m any older,” she says.
You know your mom needs more exercise but with arthritis, it’s challenging. We offer some exercise tips for all seniors - even those with limited mobility.
✅ Work out in water to reduce pressure on your joints. It will also help you build strength, improve balance and maintain heart health.
✅Use groceries instead of weights for bicep curls, shoulder presses and bent-over rows (standing or seated). A gallon jug of milk, a bag of apples or a container of laundry detergent work great!
✅Incorporate resistance bands into exercises that will improve strength and balance such as seated rows, squats, chest press, bicep curls and pull-aparts.
✅Squeeze a tennis ball for 3-5 seconds to improve the grip strength needed to open jars and lift objects. Do this 10-15 times with each hand.
✅Use a chair with armrests to build upper body strength. Sit with your feel flat on the floor and slowly push yourself out of the chair using only your arms. Hold for one second and lower yourself back into the chair.
✅Sit with your back straight against a chair and raise one leg and stretch it to be as straight as possible and flex your foot – be careful not to lock your knee. Lower and repeat with the other leg.
✅Stretch your chest by sitting in a chair and extending your arms to your sides. Ease your arms back so that you feel your shoulder blades moving toward one another. When you get a good stretch, pause and hold for 10 seconds.
At Bickford Home Care, we think it’s important for our caregivers to truly understand the challenges of aging. That’s we ask them to complete training activities with cotton balls in their ears (dulls hearing), drop kernels of popcorn in their shoes (to mimic arthritis), put on two pairs of colored glasses (black dots for macular degeneration and yellow dots for cataracts and put on heavy gloves with cotton balls in each fingertip and a popsicle stick in one finger (to experience neuropathy and arthritis). This training is just one of the many things that help our our caregivers deliver exceptional care to our clients!
Interested in becoming a caregiver? Apply today - BickfordHomeCare.com
It’s not a cure, but doctors say a new drug could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
By the end of this year, one Nebraska Medicine doctor says he hopes the hospital system will be able to provide a new Alzheimer's drug. It's called Leqembi, and it was FDA-approved last month. It's specifically for Alzheimer's.
Besides having good genes, 104-year-old has some simple tips for living a healthy, long life.
Vivian Levy started swimming when was 6. She's still doing it almost 100 years later.
1642 42nd Street NE, Suite “I”
Cedar Rapids, IA
52402
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Looking for a career that offers more than a paycheck? If you want to join the area’s most amazing caregiving team, give us a call today! ☎️: (319) 774-0580 🌐: https://bit.ly/3IIk5VB
We are expanding our team of caregivers! If you bring the desire, we’ll arm you with the skills you need to become an exceptional caregiver and truly make a difference in someone’s life. We offer extensive paid training, flexible schedules, an uplifting work culture and the opportunity to provide meaningful servicer to seniors. Apply today! 📝: BickfordHomeCare.com #Hiring #caregiving #jobopportunity #caregivers #caregiver
Do your aging loved ones need a little extra help at home? From companionship to personal care, you can rely on us to deliver consistent, compassionate care that meets your seniors’ unique needs. ☎️: (319) 774-0580 🌐: https://bit.ly/3IIk5VB
Here are the results of our raffle from our Grand Opening earlier this week! Congratulations Christa Payne! You won the amazing gift basket with items from Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery. #Bickford #BickfordHomeCare #GrandOpening #HomeCareIA
We're so appreciative of our amazing team! ❤️ ❤️ Thank you to everyone who came out for our grand opening and ribbon cutting on Tuesday! 🎉 🎈 We feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the community! #BickfordHomeCare #HomeCare #HomeCareIA
Let us help you at Bickford Home Care. Our Caregivers go through intensive training to be sure you are able to get the care you need. To learn more, email us a [email protected]. #Bickford #BickfordHomeCare #HomeCareIA
Bickford Home Care is your local caregiving family. We are here to help you or your loved ones who need every day care, or short term assistance. To check our availability, email [email protected]. #Bickford #HomeCare #DementiaCare #SeniorCare
Live your life with Bickford Home Care. Don't let your needs get in the way of how you spend your free time. Whether that be spending time with family, going on daily walks, or just going out to brunch! #Bickford #HomeCareIA #SeniorCareIA
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