CARE BLOG
To Our Caregivers – Thank You
Elevate the Privilege of Caregiving At the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN), we’re committed to elevating the privilege of caregiving - it’s one of our five core values. “Our caregivers are amazing. They’re rock stars. They’re the heart and hands of our organization,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and president of HCAN. “We’re beyond grateful for our team of caregivers who work [...]
Spreading Awareness About Alzheimer’s Disease
Spreading Awareness About Alzheimer’s Disease Did you know? One in seven Americans age 60 and older have a brain condition that could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease? It’s called mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that’s often confused with normal aging, because the symptoms are very subtle - such as forgetting people’s names or forgetting a story. “According [...]
Enjoying the Holidays with Senior Loved Ones
You’ve been gathering with family members to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as you can remember… but this year, things are different. Your mom’s dementia is worsening, and she’s becoming more and more frail. You worry that she may not be able to make it and, if she does, that she won’t enjoy the family gathering. What should [...]
Care Advocate Success Trainer Honored with the Hulda Osborn Award
Care Advocate Success Trainer Honored with the Hulda Osborn Award Congratulations, Linda! We’re very excited to announce that Linda Lundeen, our Care Advocate Success Trainer, has been honored with the Hulda Osborn Award - an award that recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions as a caregiver and/or helped support the home care industry. The award is presented annually by [...]
Ten Ways to Honor Older Veterans This Veterans Day
Ten Ways to Honor Older Veterans This Veterans Day Few people deserve our respect and gratitude more than the brave men and women who served in the military. At the HomeCare Advocacy Network, 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 [...]
Family Caregiving Fast Facts
Family Caregiving Fast Facts Did you know… More than 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care for someone age 50 and older in the last 12 months. 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 [...]
Seven Reasons to Consider a Home Care Career
Seven Reasons to Consider a Home Care Career What are you looking for in a career - flexibility, job security, opportunities for continuous learning, a chance to give back to your community? A Career in Home Care If those benefits are on your wishlist, you should consider a career in professional caregiving. “More than 10,000 people turn 65 every day [...]
Five Tips for Long-Term Care Planning
Do you have a long-term care plan? Does family members fully understand the details - where you want to live, where your important documents are, how you plan to pay for the care you might need? It’s estimated that a person turning 65 today has a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care or support as they age. [...]
10 Tips to Ensure Your Senior’s Home is Winter Ready
10 Tips to Ensure Your Senior’s Home is Winter Ready Winter weather is on the way, so now is a good time to prepare your senior’s home for the cold, snowy days that lie ahead. Here’s a checklist to get you started. Have the furnace inspected. Many people don’t discover a problem until they switch the heat on for the [...]
Regular Exercise Linked to Longer Life
Regular Exercise Linked to Longer Life What’s the secret to longer life… never smoking, avoiding alcohol, a nutritious diet? While those healthy habits certainly contribute to healthy aging, a recent study suggests walking, swimming, playing golf or other forms of regular physical exercise could be the key to living longer. Study Results According to Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, older [...]
Ten Things You Should Know About Medicare
Ten Things You Should Know About Medicare You’ve received the mailings, seen the television ads and gotten advice from your sister’s, friend’s cousin… but what do you really know about Medicare and the benefits you’re eligible to receive? “People are inundated with information - this and that,” said Holly Klein Gillespie, president of HKG Insurance Solutions and an expert in [...]
Another Reason to Get a Flu Shot
Could a yearly flu vaccine help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? According to a new study… the answer is, yes. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 936,000 patients age 65 and older who received a flu vaccine and an equal number of individuals who did not. They found that, over a four-year period, those who had at least one flu shot were [...]
More Than a Meal on the Menu
When is the last time you enjoyed a meal with your aging loved ones? Research shows that seniors who regularly dine with friends and family tend to eat more and make healthier choices. More importantly, most older adults say they feel happier and more fulfilled when eating with others. “Sharing a meal is about so much more than eating [...]
The Risks of Not Hiring In-Home Care Through an Agency
Your aging mom is failing. She doesn’t need skilled nursing or assisted living yet - just a little help with things like light housekeeping, meal prep and getting in and out of the shower. You’ve heard a lady from your mom’s church sometimes works as an independent caregiver, but is that the best option? "Gray Market" Caregivers “Private caregivers make [...]
Celebrating America’s Older Workers
Celebrating America’s Older Workers It’s National Employ Older Workers Week! From September 18 through September 24, employers and organizations across the country will celebrate older workers and bring attention to the important role those aged 55 and older play in the workforce. “At the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HomeCare), we don’t just care for seniors - we hire them,” said [...]
Ten Tips for Long Distance Caregivers
Ten Tips for Long Distance Caregivers Your aging mom lives by herself. She doesn’t drive anymore, so she’s lost touch with her friends and given up her hobbies. You visit as often as you can but, because she lives in Missouri and you live in Nebraska, you worry it’s not often enough. “It’s really hard,” said Debbie Hilt, a [...]
The Promise of a Better Tomorrow
The Promise of a Better Tomorrow When Mark and Sierra Goetz founded the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN), they did so with a vision of arming today’s spectrum of caregivers with hope, high-impact resources, and the promise of a better tomorrow. One way they’re doing that is through HCAN’s new Family and Friends Dementia Education class - a high-touch approach designed [...]
Raising Awareness About Fall Prevention
Raising Awareness About Fall Prevention Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) falls in the United States - making falls the leading cause of injury and death in that age group. The good news, many falls are preventable - which is the focus of National Fall Prevention Awareness Week. From September 18 - 24, we’ll be [...]
Advance Directives – What You Need to Know
Advance Directives - What You Need to Know Have you talked to your aging parents about their end of life wishes? Do you know if they have living wills, health care powers of attorney or do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders? “It’s a very tough, but necessary conversation,” said Teresa Steinfatt, Vice President of Business Performance at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “Developing [...]
Ten Tips to Help Manage Meds
How many prescriptions drugs/meds do you take? If you’re over 65-years-old, you probably take at least one - maybe more. Studies show that more than 85 percent of those age 65 and older take at least one prescription drug or meds - with more than 35 percent regularly taking five or more prescription and over-the-counter medications. While medicines can [...]
Survey Shows Most Adults Aren’t Planning for Future Needs
Survey Shows Most Adults Aren’t Planning for Future Needs With more than 10,000 people turning 65 every day, home care is quickly becoming an increasingly important part of the senior care continuum. Seniors want to age in their homes “We know that an overwhelming majority of seniors want to age in their homes,” said Mark Goetz, co-founder and president of [...]
Professional Caregiving Is The Perfect Career for Busy Moms
Professional Caregiving Is The Perfect Career for Busy Moms Looking for something to do when the kids go back to school? Have you thought about professional caregiving? At the HomeCare Advocacy Network, we offer flexible schedules that that allow busy moms to make extra money and do meaningful work without missing their kids’ school plays, soccer practice or other family [...]
Are You Feeling the Squeeze?
Are You Feeling the Squeeze? After a brutal day at work, all you want to do is grab a glass of wine and turn on your favorite TV show. But you know that won’t happen. In addition to checking in on your aging mom, you have to also feed your hungry kids and help with algebra homework. Before you can [...]
Ten Reasons Older People Need Pets
Ten Reasons Older People Need Pets Your dad passed away several months ago… leaving your mom alone in the home they shared for more than 50 years. Your friends suggest getting her a pet - a furry friend that will keep her busy and reduce the risk of loneliness, but you worry a pet will be more work than it’s [...]
The Highs and Lows of Owning a Home Care Business
The Highs and Lows of Owning a Home Care Business Listen to the HomeCare Hub podcast now: Rookies and seasoned veterans agree - owning a home care business can be an amazing ride. Home Care Rewards “There were a lot of highs and there were some lows,” said Teresa Steinfatt, vice president of business performance with the [...]