Category: Blogs

The Top Ways to Promote Brain Health and How Caregivers Can Help

Posted on by Risa Margulies

New research suggests that dementia cases will double in the United States by 2060, underscoring the importance of proactive brain health strategies. While aging is the primary risk factor for cognitive decline, there are several everyday habits that can help lower the risk. From physical exercise and a nutritious diet to social engagement and mental stimulation, these lifestyle choices can make a significant impact. Caregivers can play a vital role in supporting older adults in maintaining these healthy cognitive habits.

Top Ways to Promote Brain Health

Nearly 7 million people in the U.S. currently live with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. With that number projected to substantially increase in the coming years, this highlights the need for proactive approaches to address the issue. Encouraging brain health doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some key ways older adults can maintain cognitive function:

  • Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain and supports cognitive function. Walking, yoga, and strength training can all provide significant benefits.
  • Adopt a Healthy Diet: Meals that are low in fat, have adequate protein, and include plenty of vegetables and fruits, such as leafy greens, berries, and nuts, can help protect against cognitive decline.
  • Engage Socially: Loneliness and isolation are linked to an increased risk of dementia. Engaging in regular social activities, such as community events, family gatherings, and hobby groups, can help keep the mind sharp.
  • Keep Learning: Reading, playing musical instruments, doing puzzles, and learning new skills can help stimulate the brain and build cognitive resilience.
  • Prioritize Restful Sleep: Poor sleep can contribute to memory problems and cognitive impairment. Encouraging good sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent bedtime and limiting screen time before bed, can support brain health.
  • Manage Stress and Mental Health: Chronic stress and anxiety can negatively impact the brain. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can improve overall mental well-being.

The Role of Caregivers in Supporting Brain Health

Professional caregivers play a crucial role in helping older adults incorporate brain-healthy habits into their daily lives. Family & Nursing Care provides access to experienced caregivers who offer personalized support, companionship, and encouragement to help clients stay mentally and physically engaged. Some of the ways caregivers can assist include:

  • Encouraging Routine Exercise: Caregivers can assist with daily walks, stretching exercises, and light physical activities to promote mobility and cognitive function.
  • Meal Preparation and Nutrition Support: Ensuring that clients receive well-balanced, brain-boosting meals is a key way caregivers can support cognitive health.
  • Providing Social Interaction: Through conversation, activities, and companionship, caregivers help prevent isolation and promote emotional well-being.
  • Facilitating Cognitive Activities: Caregivers can engage clients in puzzles, reading, music, and other stimulating activities that enhance brain function.
  • Promoting a Healthy Sleep Schedule: Caregivers can establish calming bedtime routines to support restful sleep.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

“At Family & Nursing Care, we understand how overwhelming a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia can be for families,” said Kelly Salb, Vice President of Client Services. “That’s why we are dedicated to providing access to personalized, compassionate care that helps clients maintain their independence while offering families peace of mind.”

Family & Nursing Care is one of the oldest and most well-respected resources for private duty home care in the Mid-Atlantic region. We connect clients and families to skilled caregivers who provide customized support to help clients live independently, maintain cognitive wellness, and enhance their quality of life.

To learn more about how Caregivers can help support individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or general cognitive health concerns, visit Family & Nursing Care’s Home Care Services and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care webpages.

Decade of Distinction: Family & Nursing Care Earns 10th Consecutive NBRI Circle of Excellence Award

Posted on by Risa Margulies

NBRI Circle of Excellence Recipient AwardFamily & Nursing Care is honored to receive the National Business Research Institute’s (NBRI) Circle of Excellence Award for the 10th consecutive year. This prestigious recognition highlights organizations that demonstrate exceptional client, staff, and caregiver satisfaction, as measured by data collected throughout 2024. The award is especially meaningful because it reflects the feedback of our own community.

“Receiving this award for the 10th consecutive year is a testament to our enduring commitment to providing access to compassionate and reliable home care services,” said Jeff Zukerman, President of Family & Nursing Care. “The trust and satisfaction of clients, caregivers, and staff drive us to continually improve, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Family & Nursing Care remains dedicated to enhancing the experiences of clients, caregivers, and staff, and will use insights from the NBRI survey to better understand their needs. The survey results reaffirm our commitment to excellence, and we are proud to share some key insights from last year’s feedback:

  • Caregivers rated 90% of the survey topics as strengths, with Job Satisfaction and Culture ranking at the top for Family & Nursing Care Select Caregivers. Caregivers did not classify any topics as weaknesses or threats. The highest scoring item, exceeding the best-in-class level of 90% satisfaction, was “I am proud to tell people I work with/for Family & Nursing Care.”
  • Our office staff survey assesses 14 different areas, all of which were identified as strengths. Several topics exceeded a satisfaction level of 90%, including office culture, fair treatment of staff by the company, and the feeling that their work is impactful.
  • New clients reported 90% satisfaction with the office staff at Family & Nursing Care. Nearly 90% felt their concerns were addressed during the initial intake process and they are satisfied with their Client Service Managers. Among all clients, 100% said they would recommend Family & Nursing Care to a friend or family member.

For over 56 years, Family & Nursing Care has been a trusted and leading home care resource in the Mid-Atlantic region. By consistently assessing and acting on the feedback of everyone in our community, we can ensure that the services offered continue to meet the highest standards today and in the future.

To learn more about our award-winning culture, visit the Family & Nursing Care Why Us webpage.

The Impact of Caregiving on Family Caregivers

Posted on by Risa Margulies

With an estimated 48 million people in the U.S. taking care of adult relatives or friends and 61% working fulltime while caregiving, it comes as no surprise that these people are having trouble balancing their competing responsibilities. What’s more, the sandwich generation – adults who care for their parents while still raising their own children – is growing faster than ever, putting increased pressure on individuals caring for family members of all ages, whether it’s assisting with daily activities, medical care, finances, and emotional support.

Combatting the Strain on Family Caregivers

Fortunately, there is greater recognition of the strain that caregiving can have on families, and industries are beginning to come up with new ways to help ease the burden. For example, some employers are starting to expand their benefits to help with elder care. According to a recent Mercer survey of companies with 500 or more employees, 34% currently offer or plan to offer within the next year elder care referrals or consultations; 20% offer access to back up elder care services; 17% offer concierge caregiver support; 16% offer care coordination navigation services; and 14% offer elder care leave. Not only will these benefits help keep workers in their jobs longer, but it acknowledges the important role of caregiving.

At the same time, there also are tried-and-true methods to help family caregivers, like home care. Not only can home care make a big difference by providing older adults with personalized, daily living support to help them maintain their independence at home, but it can offer respite to family members that their loved ones are being taken care of when they are not there.

The Impact of Home Care on Family Caregivers

Home care provides many practical benefits for family members who may not have the extra time to care for their aging parents on top of their other responsibilities like raising children and working a full-time job, including:

  • Keeping loved ones out of the hospital. Research shows that when people can recover at home after a hospitalization, they recover faster. For this reason, home care can be especially helpful for older adults transitioning home after a hospital stay, as caregivers can help with daily activities like picking up prescriptions and preparing meals that allow them to get the rest and recovery they need.
  • Providing peace of mind. The average family caregiver spends more than 20 hours per week caring for their loved one at home. Home care is an ideal solution for the sandwich generation and older adults who need help with daily living activities but can’t always rely on family members to maintain their independence. Caregivers can help with medical appointments, mobility around the home, medication reminders, and more.
  • Improving mental health. A strong social life has been linked to many benefits for older adults, including a longer life expectancy, fewer health conditions, and improved well-being. Later in life, it can become harder to maintain the same levels of social connectedness that was once had. That’s where caregivers can play an important role by offering companionship, friendship, and warm conversation.
  • Giving people more time to do what they love. As we age, it’s normal for activities to take a bit longer than they used to, and home care can help ensure the tasks of daily living don’t keep older adults from enjoying the activities that matter most. Whether it’s putting away groceries or hanging clothes in the closet, caregivers can help older adults complete tasks around the house safely and more efficiently, so they can spend more time focusing on their favorite pastimes.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

Family & Nursing Care stands ready to support families and reduce their physical and mental load. As one of the most well-respected home care resources in the Mid-Atlantic region, we’ve made it our mission to help older adults live their fullest independent lives in the comfort of their own homes. For more than 56 years, we have helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to a network of over 1,500 experienced caregivers who can assist with a range of home care tasks, including:

  • Activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, feeding, and toileting.
  • Mobility assistance, including helping someone get up, walking, transferring into or out of bed or a chair, turning and positioning in bed, range of motion exercises, and more.
  • Companionship, which includes taking walks, providing company at mealtime, social activities, family events and other functions, errands, accompanying on appointments, and transportation.
  • Support services, such as doing laundry, washing dishes, taking out the trash, and light housekeeping.
  • Nutrition and paying close attention to dietary needs, preferences, and restrictions by preparing meals and snacks, assisting with feeding, and encouraging fluids.
  • Disease specific care, which can include specialized support for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hospice and palliative care, pneumonia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services, visit the Home Care Services page on our website.

 

 

 

What Observation Status Means for Patients and How Family & Nursing Care Can Help

Posted on by Risa Margulies

Imagine a family member goes to the hospital for a routine outpatient procedure. During the visit, your loved one encounters some unexpected complications, like their blood pressure rising or the doctor discovers something else during the procedure, and the hospital decides to keep your family member overnight for additional testing and monitoring. While many might think this person has been admitted as an inpatient, this person may actually be put on “observation status.”

Why Does Observation Status Matter?

The distinction between inpatient versus observation status can have a significant impact. Financially, for patients on Medicare, they are considered outpatients when on observation status, meaning there may be greater copays and other uncovered out of pocket expenses. Further, since outpatient status is not considered a hospital admission, this means patients won’t qualify to go to a rehab facility following their hospital stay. Only those formally admitted for three overnights are covered by Medicare for follow up care in a skilled nursing facility. Yet, these patients who were put on observation status may still require support at home, especially since the first 48 hours after discharge from a hospital are critical to their safety and health. That’s where home care can make all the difference.

Enter Family & Nursing Care

Regardless of status, Family & Nursing Care helps patients receive the crucial care they need as they transition home from the hospital. During the first 48 hours post discharge, when there is the most confusion and misunderstanding of needs and instructions and there are often delays in the start of Medicare or Medicaid services, there is a dramatic difference in successful transitioning between patients who utilize home care services and those who do not.

As a regional leader in providing access to compassionate and reliable home care services since 1968, Family & Nursing Care’s Hospital to Home program helps ease the transition for patients after a hospital stay in the following ways:

  • Easy and quick access to experienced and compassionate caregivers can provide clients a safe and comfortable environment for recovery at home.
  • Family & Nursing Care liaisons are available to visit with patients and their families while the patient is still in the hospital to help them understand their options for coverage and care at home.
  • Support can be obtained on a short-term basis to help with the transition home or on a longer-term basis as needed.
  • No up-front deposits or long-term commitments are required.

Family & Nursing Care is always willing and ready to help people even at a moment’s notice when they leave the hospital. With responsive and supportive staff and access to compassionate and reliable caregivers, Family & Nursing Care can truly make a positive difference in older adults’ lives while offering their families peace of mind.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

With 75% of Family & Nursing Care clients needing in-home care within 48 hours, we pride ourselves on being nimble enough to get a caregiver in the door within that immediate timeframe. These caregivers can help in many ways, including:

  • Managing tasks of daily living, such as errands, medication pick-up, groceries, meal preparation, bathing, dressing and support for those who may be at risk for a fall, as well as helping clients digest all the information thrown at them upon discharge from the hospital.
  • Assisting with specific client needs by ensuring they adhere to a special diet, practicing breathing techniques and required exercises, reminding them to take medications on time, and more.
  • Using their knowledge and to recognize “red flag” symptoms, such as edema, shortness of breath, and fever.

The bottom line is regardless of whether a patient is on observation status or considered inpatient, when they are discharged from the hospital, Family & Nursing Care stands ready to provide the resources needed to help them recover in the comfort of their own home because when hospital readmission statistics are lowered, everyone benefits.

To learn more about how Family & Nursing Care can help clients with their transition home from the hospital, visit the Home Care Services page on our website.

 

 

 

 

 

The Role of Home Care in Supporting Older Adults with Pneumonia

Posted on by dcadmin

Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that disproportionately affects older adults, making them more susceptible to severe complications and hospitalizations. Each year, over 1.5 million people in the United States seek medical care for pneumonia, with seniors representing a significant percentage of cases. Older adults are at a heightened risk due to weakened immune systems, chronic health conditions, and reduced lung capacity. Recovery can be prolonged and challenging, especially when compounded by age-related factors.

While hospital care addresses the acute phases of pneumonia, post-acute recovery at home is equally crucial for regaining health and preventing complications, especially since 18.5% of pneumonia patients return to the hospital within 30 days. That’s where pneumonia home care services can play an invaluable role to help avoid readmission.

How Home Care Can Help Older Adults Recover from Pneumonia

Tailored home care support helps seniors recover from pneumonia in a comfortable and safe environment while reducing the risk of re-hospitalization. Caregivers can provide essential home care assistance, such as:

  • Monitoring Symptoms and Recovery Progress: Experienced caregivers can observe any signs of worsening symptoms, such as increased fatigue, difficulty breathing, or fever, and notify healthcare providers promptly.
  • Medication Management: Ensuring that prescribed medications, including antibiotics and breathing treatments, are taken on time to promote effective recovery.
  • Support with Daily Activities: Pneumonia can leave seniors feeling weak and fatigued. Caregivers help with tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping to reduce strain on the individual.
  • Nutritional and Hydration Assistance: Proper nutrition and hydration are critical for recovery. Caregivers can prepare nutritious meals and encourage fluid intake to boost immune function and energy levels.
  • Encouraging Rest and Gentle Activity: Balancing rest with gentle physical activities helps promote recovery without overexertion. Caregivers can assist with light exercises or supervised walking to maintain mobility and prevent complications like blood clots.
  • Emotional Support and Companionship: Facing an illness like pneumonia can feel isolating, especially for older adults living alone. Caregivers provide companionship and emotional reassurance, which is vital for overall well-being.

Family & Nursing Care: Trusted Pneumonia Recovery Support

At Family & Nursing Care, we understand the unique challenges older adults face when recovering from pneumonia. Our network of dedicated caregivers can provide personalized, compassionate support designed to promote recovery and prevent setbacks, including:

  • Meal preparation in accordance with a plan set by a doctor, home health nurse, or nutritionist, such as low sodium, low cholesterol, low fat, vegetarian, or vegan.
  • Symptom and recovery monitoring, including vital signs, assisting with coughing and deep breathing techniques, or using a spirometer and oxygen. Clients of Family & Nursing Care Select can also access one of the nurses on staff to discuss any red flag symptoms or changes in condition to address a problem before it becomes an emergency.
  • Transportation to and from doctor appointments as well as mobility assistance.

Whether a loved one needs a few hours of help or round-the-clock care, we offer flexible solutions tailored to their needs. Through our services, clients recovering from pneumonia can receive home care with a focus on safety, comfort, and effective recovery strategies.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s pneumonia recovery services, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit our Home Care and Pneumonia webpage.

How Home Care Can Help Older Adults Combat Depression and Isolation

Posted on by dcadmin

As individuals age, they often face unique mental health challenges. Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions among older adults, affecting an estimated 7 million people in the United States aged 65 and older annually. Compounding this is social isolation, which is prevalent among seniors and has been linked to an increased risk of mental and physical health problems, including depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and chronic diseases. What’s more, research shows that prolonged isolation can be as harmful to someone’s health as smoking.

Home care can play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, providing much-needed support to help older adults maintain their independence while improving their mental and emotional well-being.

How Home Care Can Help Prevent Depression and Isolation Among Older Adults

Home care offers tailored support that addresses the specific needs of older adults facing depression and isolation. Caregivers can provide the following home care services to not only alleviate practical burdens but also promote emotional and social well-being:

  • Companionship and Social Interaction: Regular interactions with a caregiver can help reduce feelings of loneliness and foster a sense of belonging. Whether it’s sharing meals, engaging in conversations, or participating in hobbies, caregivers provide meaningful connections that can improve mental health and reduce isolation and depression.
  • Encouragement of Routine and Activities: Depression often leads to withdrawal and inactivity. Caregivers can help establish and maintain daily routines, encourage participation in enjoyable activities, and even accompany clients on outings to boost mood and engagement.
  • Emotional Support: Having someone to talk to and share concerns with can be invaluable. Caregivers offer empathy and reassurance, which can make a significant difference in managing depression
  • Monitoring and Communication: Caregivers can recognize changes in mood or behavior and alert family members or healthcare providers, ensuring timely interventions.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference: Home Care for Depression and Isolation

Family & Nursing Care is a trusted leader in providing specialized home care services tailored to the needs of older adults. We understand the profound impact that depression and isolation can have on seniors and offer a comprehensive range of services to support their mental health, including:

  • Companionship Services: Our network of experienced caregivers can help foster deep relationships with clients, offering emotional support and reducing feelings of isolation. They focus on meaningful interactions that enhance emotional well-being through engaging conversations, eating meals, playing games together, and more.
  • Mobility and Social Access: Transportation support ensures that older adults can attend social events, visit loved ones, or participate in community activities, helping them stay connected and engaged.
  • Daily Living Assistance: By helping with personal care, meal preparation, and household tasks, caregivers reduce stress and free up energy for clients to focus on their mental health and well-being.

At Family & Nursing Care, we are committed to enhancing the lives of older adults by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs. Our network of highly skilled caregivers provides not just care, but companionship and support that can make a world of difference for those facing depression and isolation.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s services to help combat depression and isolation, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit our Home Care and Depression/Isolation webpage.

The Importance of Home Care for Older Adults with Heart Disease or Recovering from a Heart Attack

Posted on by dcadmin

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming approximately 700,000 lives annually. Among older adults, the impact is particularly profound. Each year, over 800,000 people experience a heart attack, with individuals aged 65 and older making up the majority of cases. Recovery and ongoing management of heart disease require a comprehensive approach to reduce the risk of complications and improve quality of life.

While medical interventions are critical, home care following a heart attack or for managing heart disease is equally important. Home care services provide essential support to help individuals recover safely, avoid hospital re-admissions, and regain their independence. In fact, more than 25% of heart failure patients return to the hospital within 30 days due to poor nutrition, medical oversight, and mobility limitations.

How Home Care Supports Recovery from Heart Disease and Heart Attacks

Home care offers tailored assistance to meet the unique needs of individuals with heart conditions, focusing on both physical health and emotional well-being. Caregivers can provide the following home care services to assist older adults with heart issues:

  • Monitoring Symptoms and Recovery Progress: Caregivers can monitor for warning signs such as shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling, and alert healthcare providers to address issues promptly.
  • Medication Reminders: Heart disease often requires complex medication regimens. Caregivers can offer reminders to help ensure medications are taken correctly and on time, reducing the risk of complications from missed doses.
  • Nutritional Support: A heart-healthy diet is essential for managing heart disease. Caregivers can prepare meals aligned with dietary restrictions, such as low-sodium or low-fat diets, and encourage hydration to promote cardiovascular health.
  • Assistance with Daily Activities: After a heart attack, fatigue and physical limitations can make tasks like bathing, dressing or cooking challenging. Caregivers provide the necessary support to reduce stress and allow for focused recovery.
  • Encouraging Gentle Exercise and Rest: Balancing light physical activity with rest is vital for recovery. Caregivers can support light exercises recommended by healthcare providers, helping to improve mobility and overall heart health.
  • Emotional Support and Companionship: Dealing with heart disease or recovering from a heart attack can be overwhelming. Caregivers offer emotional reassurance and companionship, reducing stress and feelings of isolation.

Family & Nursing Care: Expert Support for Heart Disease Management

At Family & Nursing Care, we specialize in providing compassionate, personalized care for older adults managing heart disease or recovering from a heart attack. Our network of experienced caregivers is trained to deliver services designed to support recovery and long-term heart health, including:

  • Symptom Monitoring: Tracking vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, and helping identify any changes in condition early. Clients can also access one of Family & Nursing Care Select’s nurses to help prevent return trips to the hospital by identifying and reporting red flag symptoms before they escalate to a crisis level.
  • Dietary Assistance: Preparing heart-healthy meals in accordance with a plan set by a doctor, home health nurse, or nutritionist, such as low sodium, low cholesterol, low fat, vegetarian, or vegan.
  • Transportation and Mobility Support: Providing assistance with getting to medical appointments and maintaining safe mobility at home or in the community.

Family & Nursing Care is committed to helping older adults live independently and safely while managing heart disease. We offer flexible home care solutions, ranging from a few hours a day to 24/7 assistance, to meet each client’s unique needs. With our network of highly skilled caregivers, clients can receive the compassionate support they need to thrive at home.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s heart disease and heart attack recovery services, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit our Home Care and Heart Attack/Disease webpage.

Perfect 10: Family & Nursing Care Remains the Best of Bethesda

Posted on by Risa Margulies

After a joyous holiday season, Family & Nursing Care is excited to continue the celebrations into the new year by announcing a significant milestone: for the 10th time, our company has earned the distinction of “Best In-Home Care Service” in Bethesda Magazine’s annual Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll! For us, this award is especially meaningful because it was voted on by people in our community.

“At Family & Nursing Care, nothing is more important to us than the positive experiences of our clients, and this award reflects our enduring commitment to enhancing the quality of life of older adults,” said Jeff Zukerman, President of Family & Nursing Care. “We’re proud to offer access to compassionate and reliable home care services year after year, and our gratitude goes out to the families who continue to place their trust in our team to take care of them and their loved ones.”

From things to do and places to eat to service providers and more, each year local feature and lifestyle publication Bethesda Magazine encourages readers to identify the best of all that Bethesda and its surrounding areas have to offer. The Best of Bethesda awards allow locals to highlight companies within the community that are benefiting the local economy, offering quality customer experiences to neighbors, and continuing to make Montgomery County a beautiful, quality place to call home.

For more than 56 years, Family & Nursing Care has helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to caregivers who assist older adults with their needs – whether it’s daily living support, companionship, mobility assistance, disease-specific care, and more. Clients like Phyllis Ross know firsthand the difference this care makes. “My caregiver knows when I need an arm around my shoulder or when I need to be alone listening to music or reading a book – she truly has wonderful instincts and feels like a member of my family,” said Phyllis.

As we celebrate this incredible achievement, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to clients, caregivers, and professional partners for allowing our team to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve each year!