For someone who has an aging parent at home, offering assistance with activities of daily living without compromising on their social life can be quite overwhelming. An assisted living facility solves this situation for all.

Elderly Care East Bay

Here are some of the key highlights about assisted living not many people know of.

• Different assisted living facilities offer different levels of care. In fact, not just the care levels, assisted living facilities differ in look and feel too. Even though a lot of these facilities sport a homelike ambiance, there are several others that may have a formal design.
• Because of the increasing popularity of pets among seniors, a number of assisted living facilities nationwide now also welcome their pets along with the seniors wholeheartedly. Pet therapy in assisted living facilities affects older adults positively by lowering their stress levels, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, and more.
• Contrary to popular opinion, most assisted living facilities are less expensive than employing a full-time home care aide.
• There are several points of difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 
• A number of assisted living facilities nationwide have also started offering specialized memory care for seniors having memory issues.
• There are a lot of communities and assisted facilities out there that work on keeping couples together.
• A number of assisted living communities are also being redesigned keeping the preferences of the local population in mind, in order to make the transition from home to the community easier for seniors.

Elderly Care East Bay

The elderly care providers at Always Best Care in East Bay are thoroughly screened, bonded, and trained to provide the safest and highest level of care. We also serve several other locations across the States. Schedule a FREE consultation today by dialing (925) 210-0323.

3 Tips to Ensure That Your Elderly Loved One Is Eating Right

 

Being mindful of what one consumes as they age is of utmost importance. Here are some small but significant changes that are very likely to have a positive impact on your loved one’s overall health:

1. Reduce sodium intake

A lot of observations suggest that excessive consumption of sodium by seniors may lead to health problems such as water retention and high blood pressure. This doesn’t only slow you down but also causes potentially serious medical issues. You can consciously choose to season your food with spices such as garlic and natural herbs instead of salt to get the almost the same flavor without risking your health. 

2. Get rid of excessive sugar

It is no surprise that sugar is one of the major contributors to weight gain in people from all age groups. As we age, our body starts slowing down and this includes the metabolism as well, reducing our body’s ability of breaking down sugars as fast as it used to do and this is definitely a problem that deserves to be addressed. Instead of offering your seniors with sugary eatables, give them fruits. It will not only satisfy their craving for sweet but will also provide them with a wealth of additional nutrients.

3. Consume more vegetables

We all know that vegetables contain a high number of vitamins and minerals which benefit our cells and organs in a number of ways. When your body does not get enough vitamins and minerals, it slows down, resulting in you slowing down. These necessary nutrients can help keep your body moving and your mind sharp.

If you feel your loved one is struggling with a task as basic as meal preparation in their daily lives, you should consider hiring an in-home caregiver to make their lives easier. Hire the best in-home caregivers in East Bay from Always Best Care. Dial (925) 210-0323 to get started.

3 Situations in Which You Might Want to Consider In-Home Care for A Senior Loved One

Majority of seniors prefer in-home care over other options of senior care as it allows them to remain in the comfort of their home while having most of their needs covered. If you are confused between choosing senior living communities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and more for your loved one, here are some insights that might help make a better decision.

• There are a lot of seniors who are well capable of taking care of most of their daily needs but need help with activities such as laundry and home maintenance. A little assistance from an in-home care professional will allow them to function fairly well at home. You can go ahead with choosing in-home care if you wish to have your aging parents at home but are too busy to watch over them yourself.

• Senior couples wanting to stay together is quite normal but poses a challenge if the two of them require different levels of care. In situations like these, in-home care is a great option as a caregiver takes care of the seniors’ needs without having them shifted to a senior care facility, offering just the right level of care to each of them.

• A lot of us choose senior care facilities for our loved ones’ end of life care wanting to rather avoid the idea of dealing with death without even realizing that most seniors hope to spend their remaining lives in their home instead of an institution. In-home care gives them a chance of spending some quality time with their family before they breathe their last.

Get in touch with Always Best Care for the best home care services in East Bay as they are known for combining national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal services. Dial (925) 210-0323 for free consultation.

3 Ways in Which Elder Care Assistance Makes Lives Easier

 3 Ways in Which Elder Care Assistance Makes Lives Easier

Leaving the comfort of one’s home to move to an assisted living facility or an old age home is never a senior’s first choice and thanks to the changes that have recently taken place in the medical technology, all kinds of services such as nursing to medical management can be offered to the seniors without having to shift them to an external facility.

Some of the many ways in which professional elder care assistance can make yours as well as your loved one’s lives easier include but are not limited to:

1. Professional caregivers have been trained to deal with routine as well as critical situations with great ease and the experience is exactly what allows them to identify the needs of an older adult and deal with the situation accordingly.

2. It is a known fact that the communication and socialization of a senior is very likely to be affected if he is being taken care of by a family member. Hiring someone outside of the family will help your loved one maintain a healthier emotional state.

3. As far as your life is concerned, taking care of an older adult when you already have a lot of other things on your plate can be really difficult. Seeking help will save you both time as well as energy and by all means, is the right decision to make.

Always Best Care is known for combining national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal advice. Whether you need help handling legal or medical matters or just with ensuring caregivers are thoroughly screened, bonded, and trained to provide the safest and highest level of care. For more information on elder care in Contra Costa County, feel free to dial (925) 210-0323.

Did You Know This About Assisted Living Facilities?

Assisted Living Contra Costa County

Considered to be a middle point between living independently and in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, in fact, is a lot more than that. The full picture as far as assisted living facilities are concerned is a lot wider than that. Depending upon their structure, the services being offered, and the communities, assisted living facilities can be categorized as large apartment complexes, individual cottages, duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes, converted homes or mansions, and many more.

One thing that remains common in all the aforementioned variations of assisted living facilities is the level of care and support that is being offered to the residents. The professionals at an assisted living facility put in their best efforts to ensure that the elderly continue to lead their lives with independence while receiving just the right assistance as and when needed to ensure their safety and well-being.

You can start off by selecting a package of services according to your loved one’s needs and the best part is, you can make necessary changes and adjustments as and when you like. Most of the reliable assisted living facilities in Contra Costa County offer services such as personal care, housekeeping, meals, transportation, social and lifestyle enhancement services, and a lot more. The whole concept behind assisted living facilities is to offer the right level of support to older adults without the having to compromise on their independence.

Always Best Care is known for combining national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal advice. Whether you need help handling legal or medical matters or just with ensuring caregivers are thoroughly screened, bonded, and trained to provide the safest and highest level of care. For more information on assisted living in Contra Costa County, feel free to dial (925) 210-0323.

Make This Festive Season Special for Your Grandparents with These Inexpensive Gifts

Looking for the perfect gift for your grandparents but running short on cash? Well, we have got you covered by sharing this list of some amazing, inexpensive gifts for your senior loved ones to brighten up their Christmas!

• Scented Candles

Scented candles are the perfect gift option for not just Christmas but every occasion. The warmth of a beautiful scented candle is sure to enlighten their homes and hearts. Optionally, you can also pair them up with a bunch of flowers, chocolates, or Christmas postcards and the best part is, there’s one for every budget.

• Homemade Cookies

How about surprising your loved ones with a box of their favorite cookies made by you? Everyone loves handmade gifts and nothing beats your favorite delicacies prepared by your favorite people! A box of handmade cookies along with a Christmas card will do all the magic you need.

• Books

Most seniors enjoy some quiet time reading about topics of their interests and that is precisely why a thoughtfully chosen book can be a perfect present for a senior loved one. Make sure you know their interests and choose a book that has been printed in big letters to make sure they have a seamless reading experience.

• Mugs

You can also go ahead and buy a lovely mug. You can customize this gift by getting their name or picture printed on it. Needless to say, they’ll think of you every time they sip their favorite beverage.

• A Pet

Gifting them the cutest companion in the form of a fur baby is probably the best you can do for them. Kittens and pups are easy to look after and a joy to have. The best thing is you can have them for almost free.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can go ahead and gift your loved ones with the best elder care assistance in East Bay by getting in touch with Always Best Care. Dial (925) 210-0323 to know more.

6 Duties a Geriatric Care Provider Can Perform Efficiently

The most important role a geriatric care provider plays is providing daily care to an older adult while keeping up with their unique needs. Geriatric care providers are usually patient, understanding, empathetic, and compassionate individuals who work with the true desire of working with older adults. 

A geriatric care provider can perform a number of duties for your loved one. These include:

1. Administering their medications
2. Measuring and recording all the vital signs
3. Helping them with exercises and massage
4. Looking for signs of elder abuse
5. Taking the patient to the doctor’s and taking care of other appointments
6. Helping the aging adults with their daily needs 

In addition to all these duties, a geriatric care manager is also expected to keep an accurate patient record and coordinate your loved one’s care as per the recommendations given by their physicians. Not just their physical well-being, a geriatric care provider also helps improve the patients’ mental as well as emotional health. They are trained to deal with the consequences of mood swings baby boomers often experience because of factors such as failing health, lack of independence, and isolation from their loved ones. These healthcare workers keep a close eye on their patients while remaining cheerful and compassionate even during the most difficult of times. 

Most geriatric care providers are encouraged to communicate with their patients’ family members to explain their care regimen or medications or even act as a liaison between them, their families, and the physician on several occasions.

Always Best Care provides the best geriatric care services in Contra Costa County through its strong relationships with area hospitals, social workers, senior communities and senior resources throughout the area. We are the experts in senior care. Feel free to dial (925) 210-0323 for more information.

Skincare Tips to Follow As You Age

As you age, many changes occur in your skin, making it less supple, dryer, and thinner. The aging skin also tends to get injured more easily and takes longer to heal than before. Besides that, older adults are prone to various skin problems ranging from scaling, mild dryness, and itching, to serious skin conditions, like infection & ulcerations. In order to keep your skin healthy while keeping skin-related problems at bay, here are some skincare tips to follow.

Be gentle while washing your face. Avoid harsh soaps with artificial ingredients or fragrances. Instead, for the milder ones that may have a soothing effect on your skin.

1. Do not use very hot or steamy water when taking a bath.  
2. Apply a good-quality moisturizer on your body after every bath to keep it hydrated.
3. Change your clothes and sheets regularly, especially if you are bedridden.
4. Always apply a sunscreen before you go out in the sun for longer periods of time.
5. To protect yourself from the harmful UV rays, cover yourself properly with the right clothing, hat, and sunglasses.
6. Hydration is very important to keep your skin youthful and flush out harmful toxins from your body. So, drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during the hot weather. 
7. Eat foods with all the essential Vitamins & minerals that can help you skin look and feel fresh. Some of the foods that are good for the skin are green vegetables, avocados, walnuts, berries, and melons.
8. Avoid smoking as it can cause your skin to age prematurely, and contribute to health conditions like heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.
9. Invest in a room humidifier during the winter season.
10. Regularly visit a dermatologist.

If you need elder care assistance in East Bay to help you maintain a healthier lifestyle, get in touch with Always Best Care today. Call @ (925) 210-0323!

The Many Benefits 0f Elder Care Assistance

Most of the older adults prefer staying with their family or in the familiar areas of their own house because of the comfort they feel there. The best thing is that with the advancement of technology and modernization, the elders are not required to shift to a nursing home or hospital. Elder care assistance allows them to remain in their own vicinity and take the benefits of the different services from basic assistance, nursing and medical management from day to day life.

Some of the most significant benefits of elder care assistance are:

·       Professional assistance

The care providers are trained to deal with routine and critical situations. They have the required experience for the field.

·       Social interaction

If a caregiver is someone from the family, there are certain limitations which restrict the communication and socialization of the person. In such situations, having someone from the outside can be beneficial. This will also help them in having a healthy emotional state.

·       A better lifestyle

The professional caregivers are trained in such a way that they can help an elderly citizen to live a lifestyle that they had lived formerly as they understand that seniors feel more comfortable in living and maintaining the lifestyle they were earlier accustomed to.

·       Save time

Taking care of an older adult becomes a bit difficult when you are a working professional yourself. Hiring someone who could offer elder care assistance can help save you a lot of time!

For the best eldercare assistance in Contra Costa County, get in touch with an expert from Always Best Care by dialing (925) 210-0323. Always Best Care combines national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal service. Caregivers at Always Best Care in the East Bay are thoroughly screened, bonded and trained to provide the safest and highest level of care.

Everything You Need To Know About Senior Care

What is Senior Care?

Senior care has specialized care that is designed to meet the needs and requirements of senior citizens at various stages of their life. Although aging in itself is not a reason to consider senior care, it is usually the various physical limitations and diseases that accompany old age that prompt a discussion about senior care.

When is Senior Care Necessary?

Senior care is not always necessary in fact; some senior citizens never require any type of care to live independently in their later years. However, senior care often becomes an issue when a loved one begins experiencing difficulty with activities of daily living. These daily activities may include cooking, cleaning, shopping, dressing, bathing, driving, taking meds, etc.

Warning Signs –

Physical & Emotional problems

· A loss or decline in hearing, seeing, smelling, etc

· Chronic health conditions

· Physical limitations that may inhibit the senior’s ability to perform daily activities.

· Depression

· Social withdrawal

· Changes in personality

Cognitive problems

· Confusion

· Memory loss

· Attention problems

· Forgetting to take meds on time

· Dementia

When to Begin?

Senior care should become a discussion as soon as changes are noticed, as postponing or delaying assistance could jeopardize your loved one’s well-being and safety.

You should ask the following questions along with your elderly loved one to get started:

· What types of care are available or we need it immediately?

· What types of services can be used to provide care?

· Can modifications or changes be made to the home or routine to remedy the situation, or is professional help required?

· Is the care provided in the home, or is the move to a facility a better option?

· What are the financial expenses of providing senior care?

At any moment if you plan to get senior home care services in East Bay, CA for your loved ones, then you can seek reliable as well as cost-effective service at Always Best Care. To know about them or their comprehensive senior care plans, feel free to talk to them at (925) 210-0323.

Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing an Assisted Living Facility

Here are some things for you to keep in mind when choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one:

• Get online :- Use the Internet to educate yourself in the various different types of senior care facilities and to conduct your initial search for the most appropriate communities.
   
• Do your research :- However you choose to do it, the initial research is very important. Primarily it can help you gage whether assisted living is the most appropriate choice and it can give you a greater idea of exactly what to expect and what to look for.
   
• Always visit :- You should always visit any assisted living community that you are interested in. This allows you to evaluate the facility and determine whether residents are happy with what is provided.
   
• Plan ahead :- Most assisted living facilities will provide basic help with things like medication, general health care, and healthy living. Many will also be able to increase the level of care that is provided should the need arise but do check beforehand because it can prove very unsettling to have to move when physical or mental health demands it.
   
• Check the services being provided at the facility thoroughly :- Regardless of the type of facility or community you choose, whether it's an assisted facility or a continuing care retirement community, check the amenities and services that are provided. If you can't find a service listed then ask whether it is provided and how it is provided.

Always Best Care offers a multitude of in-home care services to support your loved one as they age in place and can also work with you on getting them into one of the best assisted living facilities in East Bay. Call Always Best Care today at (925) 210-0323 to schedule a free consultation and learn more.

Tips That Can Help You Take Better Care Of Your Loved One

Find Support – Early in your care giving journey it’s important that you find a support group filled with individuals in similar circumstances. Even a little support will prove to be valuable as your journey unfolds. You may find extra comfort in having a friend who has been down a similar road with their aging parent or spouse.

Know Your Limits – Everyone has limits. It’s important to identify your boundaries ahead of time, before you or your loved one suffers. A good place to start is identifying your physical limitations (do you need the help of in home care?) in caring for your aging loved one. If you get injured while caring for your aging loved one your life will become even more hectic.

Accept Help – Once you have identified your limits, it’s time to find help. If you know there are certain duties that would be better performed by a professional or even friend, facilitate getting help. Just because you are physically capable of completing all of these tasks does not mean that it’s healthy.

Involve Your Loved One in Making Decisions – As a caregiver; you may feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. When possible, involve your aging loved ones in decisions regarding their care, daily schedule and future. This will allow you to conserve your energy to focus on decisions only you can make while allowing your aging loved one to feel as though they are still in charge of their life.

Do Something Fun Every Day – Whether it’s going for a bike ride, long walk, taking a bubble bath, reading a book or having a cup of coffee on your front porch, it’s important that you do something you enjoy every day.

Always Best Care constantly works towards making home care in Contra Costa County accessible and affordable for all. You can know more about the services we offer by calling us on (925) 210-0323.

Finding The Right Caregiver For A Senior Loved One!

No one can ever replace the care that parents give to their children. In the same manner, when they grow old, it becomes our responsibility to provide them the best care and comfort. Finding a personal caregiver that you can trust with the care of your senior loved one can be difficult. Here are a few tips that you must keep in mind while choosing a home caregiver for an aging loved one:

#1. Avoid multiple caregivers: “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, this phrase is well suited when you go for multiple caregivers. Coordination breaks and there is always a state of confusion for the duties that need to be performed by the caregivers. Also, your aging parents cannot have the same level of satisfaction with each caregiver.  

#2. The caregiver must not be phone addicted: Another very important thing that you can’t avoid is to check the caregiver’s phone usage during their working hours. A phone addicted caregiver will always remain distracted from their job and might miss many important things like giving medicines to seniors on time.  

#3. They shouldn’t violate their boundaries: Of course, you must look for a caregiver who is honest and have a good reputation for their previous work. Their track record must be clean such that your parents feel safe with them in your absence as well.

#4. There shouldn’t be any language barrier & cultural difference: Hiring a caregiver from a different state or region can also create confusion because of the language barrier. So, hire a caregiver who speaks a language that your loved one can understand.

To find reliable In Home Caregivers in East Bay, get in touch with Always Best Care. For more information about them or their care services, call at (925) 210-0323.

Bathroom Safety Tips for the Elderly

Bathroom safety is critical especially when it comes to fall prevention in the elderly. There can be many causes of senior falls in the bathroom, such as imbalance, tripping due to any obstacle on the floor or slippery surface. Injuries as a result of bathroom falls can range from mild injuries to serious accidents. However, it is possible to avoid these accidents if you take the necessary safety precautions. 

Given below are some useful tips that can reduce the likelihood of bathroom injuries due to falls, trips, and slips. 

Install grab bars: Installing grab bars in the shower or tub allows seniors to have something that they can hold when entering or getting out of the bath tub. This reduces the chances of falls and slips during bathing. You can also consider installing grab bars near the toilet area.
Use Non-slip strips: One of the other affordable ways to improve safety of seniors in the bathroom is using non-slip strips at the shower’s or tub’s bottom. You can also go for non-slip tiles or a non-slip bathmat. 

Look for bath seating: Having a bath seat installed in the tub or shower also provides extra safety to seniors while they are bathing. You can easily find bath seating in a variety of styles to suit different needs of seniors. 

Have proper lighting: Make sure your bathroom has good lighting. Keeping this room well-lit allows seniors to see if there is anything lying on the bathroom floor which could result in a fall. Proper lighting is even more important for the older adults that have balance issues or vision problems.
Families that are concerned about the safety of their senior loved one because they couldn’t be with them all the time can consider hiring a caregiver. Not only will he/she take care of the senior’s physical health, but also help boost their mental and spiritual well-being through different activities. To look for the best In Home Caregivers in Contra Costa County, contact Always Best Care today! You can reach out to them @ (925) 210-0323.

If You Think Dementia Is A Normal Part Of Aging, Think Again!

As we all grow older, it takes us long to learn new things and to recollect information. Many a times we worry that each time that we struggle to remember a name, a word, or an event; it could be the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease or it may be related dementia. However, only one percent of people with age-related memory loss issues develop dementia with time.

Dementia is overall a medical term for some symptoms clubbed together. Whatever may be the cause of dementia, symptoms can include following:

• memory loss
• loss of understanding or judgment
• decreased ability to make decisions
• changes in how the person expresses their emotions
• changes in personality
• problems coping with daily living
• problems with speech and understanding language
• problems socializing

Dementia is not at all a normal part of aging. Many people misconceive this fact and ignore the symptoms. It is an abnormal part of growing up which hinders the normal activity of human brain. A person is not able to think, speak, socialize, and take part in normal daily activities.

Detecting and identifying dementia early is the best way to provide proper care to the patients. An early diagnosis can help you, your family and friends, some extra time to prepare and connect with the right resources in your community to help maintain your independence and reduce the risks.

Although dementia is in curable and there is no sure way to avoid it, keeping your brain active may help to lessen the initial effects of dementia and prolong independence. As dementia, starts growing, different parts of the brain are affected one by one leading to a range of changes. Abilities lost in dementia are very hard to come back.

It can be very difficult to cope up during this stage of life, if you need any help or assistance Always Best Care has the best In Home Care Service providers in East Bay, CA. They can assist you in every way possible. For more information, call at (925)210-0323.