CARE BLOG
The Changing Definition of Retirement
The Changing Definition of Retirement What will your retirement look like? Will you pack up and move to a warmer climate? Do you want to travel the world? What about volunteering or maybe an encore career? According to a recent study of more than 11,000 pre-retirees and retirees, the definition of retirement is changing. Among the findings: Today’s retirees say [...]
Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer’s
Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer’s Your aging loved one just received a devastating diagnosis… Alzheimer’s disease. Now what? “For those who have never cared for a family member or friend with the disease, it can be overwhelming,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “When my stepmom was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, we [...]
Seven Benefits of Home Care
Seven Benefits of Home Care Your mom and dad have lived safely and independently in their home for more than 50 years, but lately you’ve noticed things are a little off - there’s spoiled food in the fridge, mom’s hair is no longer perfectly styled and dad spends most of the day watching Gunsmoke re-runs. Is it time to start thinking [...]
Drink Up – The Importance of Staying Hydrated
Drink Up - The Importance of Staying Hydrated As the temperature rises, so does the risk of dehydration - especially among older adults. “My mom experienced dehydration just a few weeks ago,” said Debbie Hilt, a consultant working with the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “I encourage her to drink a lot of water, especially during the summer months, but she [...]
What Makes a Great Caregiver?
What Makes a Great Caregiver? Caregiving can be a life changing experience - just ask Aaron Blight. “My experience with caregiving started more than 20 years ago when I was working for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - I was in the federal Medicaid program, and I was relatively young,” he said. “My mother-in-law was unexpectedly [...]
Most Older Adults Believe They Will Eventually Need Assistance, But Few Plan For It.
Most Older Adults Believe They Will Eventually Need Assistance, But Few Plan For It. Do you want to remain in your home as you age? Have you thought about the things you’ll need in order to continue to live independently in 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. According to a new AARP Long-Term [...]
Can You Hear Me Now?
Can You Hear Me Now? Did you know that hearing loss is the largest modifiable risk factor against dementia? According to a recent study, treating hearing loss could eliminate 1 in 10 cases of dementia. In the study, researchers found that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia, moderate hearing loss triples it and severe hearing loss raises the [...]
Five Easy Steps to Start Your Caregiving Career
Five Easy Steps to Start Your Caregiving Career If you’re thinking about a career in caregiving, you’re not alone. It’s one of the fastest growing occupations in the country - with nearly 600,000 projected job openings through 2030. “With more than 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day, the need for dedicated, compassionate professional caregivers will continue to grow,” said [...]
The Benefits of Music Therapy
The Benefits of Music Therapy We know music is good for the soul, but did you know it’s also good for the mind? Studies show that music brings our senses to life and stimulates many parts of the brain at the same time, including those that affect language, mood and movement. Through research at the University of California, Davis, experts [...]
Helping Seniors Beat the Heat
Helping Seniors Beat the Heat It’s not even officially summer yet, but record heat has already gripped much of the country. While the high temperatures and suffocating humidity make life unpleasant for almost everyone, it can be dangerous, even deadly, for older adults. People age 65 and over are more prone to heat stress, because they don’t adjust as well [...]
The Importance of Socializing for Seniors
The Importance of Socializing for Seniors Whether it’s playing a game of Scrabble with a grandchild or enjoying lunch with a best friend, there’s just something special about being around people you love. “Socialization is important at any age, but it’s critical for older adults - especially for those who live alone,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager for [...]
At HCAN, We Don’t Sell Franchises – We Award Them
What does it take to be an HCAN franchises partner? “We don’t sell franchises at HCAN, we award them,” said Aaron McMartin, HCAN’s Vice President of Development. “When evaluating candidates, we look for passion… is it there? Is the culture fit there? Do they remind me of our other franchisees? Do they remind me of our executive team? Are [...]
Mom, Dad – We Need to Talk
Mom, Dad - We Need to Talk Mom can no longer keep up with household chores - beds are unmade, there’s expired food in the fridge and unopened mail on the counter. Dad spends less time with his friends and more time sitting in his recliner. Is it time to suggest in-home care? “It’s never easy to admit that you [...]
What is Sundowning and What Can You do About it?
What is Sundowning and What Can You do About it? If you’re caring for a loved with with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you may have noticed an increase in confusion, anxiety or even aggression at the end of the day. This type of late day confusion is often referred to as sundowning. “Sundowning is not a disease [...]
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference Does your mom still have decorative throw rugs scattered around her home? Is your dad’s living room cluttered with magazines, newspapers, books and other items? Do you worry that your aging loved one’s shower may not be safe? If you answered yes to any one of those questions, your senior’s home is probably [...]
Fighting the Darkness of Alzheimer’s on the Longest Day
Fighting the Darkness of Alzheimer’s on the Longest Day The summer solstice - it’s the day with the most light… the longest day. On June 21st, people from around the world will mark the occasion by shining a light on Alzheimer’s - honoring those living with the disease and their caregivers, for whom every day is the longest day. Did [...]
Summer Skin Safety Tips for Seniors
Summer Skin Safety Tips for Seniors Each year in the United States, more than 5 million people are treated for skin cancer - with most cases found in people age 65 and older. “Summer is here, which means we’ll all be spending more time outdoors soaking up the sunshine,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at the HomeCare Advocacy [...]
Five Reasons to Own a HCAN Franchise
There’s never been a better time to invest in home care. “We’ve long known that most seniors prefer to age in place, and the pandemic showed us that, for many, home really is the safest place to be,” said Aaron McMartin, vice president of development at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “Right now, the demand for reliable, compassionate home care [...]
Six Tips For Road Tripping With Seniors
Six Tips For Road Tripping With Seniors Are your senior loved ones traveling with you on this summer’s family vacation? “Lots of great memories are made on summer road trips, so it’s wonderful when grandma and grandpa are able to travel with the rest of the family,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). [...]
Are You Prepared to Age in Place?
Are You Prepared to Age in Place? If you’re like most people, you want to remain in your home as you get older… but according to a new poll, you probably aren’t fully prepared to age in place. New findings University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging suggest many people in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s need to do [...]
Professional Caregiving Can be Your Encore Career
Professional Caregiving Can be Your Encore Career Are you one of the almost 4 million people who retired prematurely because of the pandemic? New AARP research found that about two in five workers age 50+, who had recently retired, left a job or considered leaving a job, wouldn’t have done so had it not been for the pandemic. The data [...]
Ten Ways to Boost Your Senior’s Mental Health
Ten Ways to Boost Your Senior’s Mental Health The lingering COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone - especially older adults. According to an AARP Foundation report, two-thirds of adults reported experience social isolation and high levels of anxiety since the beginning of the pandemic. And, unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent loneliness. The good news is that [...]
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T. Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. Every 3.5 minutes, someone dies of a stroke. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain can’t get the blood and oxygen it needs, so [...]
Taking Steps to Reduce Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Taking Steps to Reduce Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease A brisk 30-minute walk could do more than boost the step count on your smartwatch. It could significantly reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. “We know that regular physical activity is critical to healthy aging. It strengthens muscles, improves heart health and can prevent or delay many age-related conditions,” [...]
Celebrating Older Americans Month
Celebrating Older Americans Month All of us at HCAN are proud to join others across the country to celebrate Older Americans Month - recognizing the important contributions seniors make in our communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the theme for this year’s celebration is Age My Way - focusing on the many ways we can help older [...]