Lewy Body Dementia, the Real Story behind Robin Williams’ Death

When Lewy Body Dementia claimed the life of Robin Williams in 2014, millions of fans around the world mourned the loss of an amazing actor and comedian.  His suicide was mistakenly attributed to major depression, but his wife Susan Williams revealed to a news source that he had Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a brain disease that’s often misdiagnosed due to its wide variety of symptoms that differ from one individual to another. Lewy Body Dementia has a lot in common with other diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression; an estimated 1.4 million Americans suffer from this disease and may not even know it.  What are the distinguishing characteristics of LBD, you might ask?  Below, A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley highlights some identifying marks of Lewy Body Dementia.

An atypical Parkinsonian disorder, Lewy Body Dementia is different from Alzheimer’s in the following ways:

• The brains of LBD patients contain Lewy bodies, which are proteins found in the brains of patients with Parkinson’s disease. These proteins are concentrated in the brain region that controls emotions, movements, reasoning and memories
• LBD symptoms resemble Parkinson’s more than Alzheimer’s (e.g., muscle stiffness and rigidity)
• Onset of LBD is characterized by disturbance of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. In the early stages, individuals actually act out their dreams, such as hurling oneself out of bed or hitting one’s bed partner

 

In the wake of the diagnosis, it is important to find a reliable, seasoned and certified caregiver who knows how to respond to seniors with LBD.  A regular family member will experience high stress in dealing with cognitive disturbances of their elderly loved ones.  The ability of LBD patients to function at a normal social and occupational level changes from day to day, but ultimately the progression of this disease will require total and complete 24-hour care.

A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley provides highly skilled, quality dementia care for seniors all over Orange County, from Fountain Valley to Irvine, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Yorba Linda, San Clemente, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano.  All of our live-in and live-out caregivers are fully certified and prescreened with verifiable professional references.  Established in 1991, A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency dedicated to improving the quality of life for the elderly.

To find a caregiver in your area, call A-1 Home Care today (949) 650-3800 or visit our website www.fountainvalleyinhomecare.com for more details. 

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Medication Risks for the Elderly: How much do you know about your loved one’s prescriptions?

Between 2006 and 2012, America saw a 78% increase in hospital visits from seniors with prescription misuse or abuse, based on statistics in US News & World Report.  By the time the elderly reach the hospital, it might be too late to save them from permanent damage caused by a prescription drug overdose.  Most medications such as oxycodone and fentanyl are given to those who suffer from arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia, or lower back pain.  Since pain killers for seniors are often prescribed, no one really gives much thought to the possibility of drug addiction among aging adults.  Besides agonizing physical pain, dementia also contributes to the problem of overdose, especially if the senior is in the middle to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.  A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley offers 24-hour support to regularly monitor your elderly loved one’s medication intake in order to avoid overdose accidents.

 

A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley is the perfect in-home solution for seniors at risk for medication mistakes.  Who’s likely to misuse medication, you may ask?  The elderly who are socially isolated, have blurry vision, suffer from cognitive impairment, struggle with acute or chronic pain, and are prone to addiction – without close attention, they fall through the cracks and are not noticed until an emergency occurs.  With a round-the-clock caregiver living with your elderly loved ones, you greatly reduce the chances of substance abuse.  A certified nurse assistant helps crush pills that are hard to swallow; a certified home health aide can make a quick run to a local pharmacy to pick up a prescription.  Having a caregiver accompany your parent or grandparent minimizes error, as your loved one might misunderstand the doctor’s instructions.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask your loved ones the right questions about their prescriptions.  If your parent lives alone, hiring a live-in caregiver to watch over her is money well spent for a peace of mind.  For 25 years, A-1 Home Care has been providing stellar caregiving services to seniors in Fountain Valley, Villa Park, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Orange, Anaheim, and other cities throughout Orange County.  Live-in elder care services give seniors the undivided attention they need – not just for medication reminders, but also for comfort, security and companionship.

 

To find a caregiver in your area, call A-1 Home Care today (949) 650-3800 or visit our website www.fountainvalleyinhomecare.com for more details. 

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Diverse Elder Care Solutions Include Alzheimer’s Relief In Fountain Valley

Suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening thing for the entire family. It doesn’t just hurt the person suffering, it also makes the whole family feel more stressed and in need of assistance.

A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley is the caregiver agency of choice in all of Orange County and Los Angeles, bringing lasting Alzheimer’s care in the comfort of the home to elders of every ethnicity and economic influence, including Jewish, Asian, Middle Eastern, and European. A-1 Home Care’s specialized caregivers have helped to improve the lives of elders throughout Southern California for more than 20 years already, exemplifying what it means to provide the best— while leaving behind the rest.

Our elder care experts provide in-home caregiving services that include:

• assistance with household responsibilities including dusting, vacuuming, dish-washing, laundry, mopping, and bed-making
• assistance with yard work and gardening tasks including watering plants, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves
• assistance with personal services including bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting
• assistance with mobility
• transportation to and from medical appointments as well as other existing engagements
• delicious and nutritious meal preparation that include brain healthy ingredients
• running errands like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• medication reminders and administration assistance
• enjoyable conversation and companionship
• “brain games” and other mind-boosting activities
• special needs care
• child care
• pet care

A-1 Home Care additionally provides caregiving options that include kidney disease care, cancer care, child care, and more, all while offering 24 hour services or temporary care in the home.

To learn more about the affordable in-home care options at your disposal when you choose A-1 Home Care, call a friendly caregiver today at (949) 650-3800 or (562) 929-8400. A-1 Home Care is proud to serve nearby communities that include Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, and Irvine.

Kidney Care Solutions Soothe Seniors In Fountain Valley

Are you a candidate for kidney dialysis, or have had a kidney transplant and would benefit from lasting care in the home?

At A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley, seniors with kidney disease and other renal issues experience the most lasting kidney care options available right in the comfort of their home. That’s because the affordable caregiving services provided by each and every diverse caregiver on staff is not only of the highest quality, but also the most reasonable costs.

A-1 Home Care is proud to provide caregiving services in the home to seniors of every ethnicity and economic background, including Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European. This unique blend of the most expert care offered by the most diverse, multi-lingual caregivers has helped A-1 Home Care to be widely recognized as the non-medical senior care agency of choice in Los Angeles and Orange County for more than 20 years and counting.

The kidney care solutions offered at A-1 Home Care include:

• help with chores around the home
• help with yard work and gardening duties
• help with dressing, grooming, bathing, and other personal services
• preparation of delicious and nutritious meals
• assistance with mobility around the home
• enjoyable conversation and conversation
• medication reminders and administration
• running errands like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• transportation to and from medical appointments and other engagements
• child care
• special needs care

A-1 Home Care also provides assistance to elders in need of cancer care, Multiple Sclerosis care, and Parkinsons care, among others.

If you’d like to find out more about the kidney care services that are bound to last a lifetime when you choose A-1 Home Care, contact a friendly caregiver in Fountain Valley today by dialing (562) 929-8400 or (949) 650-3800. A-1 Home Care also brings assistance to the homes of seniors in neighboring cities that include Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Irvine.

Fountain Valley Incontinence Care: Save Those Moments for In-Home Care

Do you have an elderly loved one who has Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia?  Studies show that individuals with dementia are three times more likely to have urinary incontinence than those who do not have it, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine by Robert Grant.  Incontinence is the loss of voluntary control over detrusor muscle contractions, especially at inappropriate times when laughing or coughing in public.  As reported by the authors of the study, “Incontinence is a common problem for community dwelling people with dementia.  Providers and planners of services of dementia should anticipate high levels of need.”  Consequently, many elderly persons depend on home care agencies like A-1 Home Care for quality 24-hour care in Fountain Valley and other cities throughout Orange County.

In-home incontinence care is preferred by most because they do not have to deal with the fear of humiliating themselves around other seniors.  In addition to providing personal care such as bathing, grooming and hygiene, dementia caregivers give undivided attention to seniors who live at home with their families or by themselves.  All you have to worry about is writing out a meal plan for the live-in caregivers, and they will take care of the rest!  Do you dread those awkward moments of cleaning your elderly loved ones when they have an accident?  Save yourself the awkwardness and save your parents the embarrassment by hiring a seasoned and professional caregiver from A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley!

For 24 years, A-1 Home Care has provided top-notch non-medical caregiver services to families throughout Orange County in cities like Fountain Valley, Villa Park, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach.  This licensed, bonded and insured home care agency selects only the cream of the crop of applicants who walk daily through their doors.  All professional references are verified; certified nurse aides, home helpers, home health aides, companion care workers, and hospital sitters are thoroughly screened.  Whether you need round-the-clock care or part-time respite care for temporary relief, you can count on A-1 Home Care to meet your elder care needs!

To hire assistance for incontinence care, call A-1 Home Care today (949) 650-3800 or visit the website www.fountainvalleyinhomecare.com for more information.

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Leading Home Care Solutions Relieve Kidney Issues In Fountain Valley

Suffering from kidney disease or accompanying renal failure certainly isn’t something to be envied—but the home care solutions available right here in Fountain Valley sure are.

A-1 Home Care is the leading non-medical home care agency in Orange County and Los Angeles, and has been since its inception more than 20 years ago. The friendly care givers on staff provide exceptional in-home care options at equally-friendly costs to your checkbook, because A-1 Home Care understands the value in providing outstanding care at upstanding prices to all seniors in need.

A-1 Home Care’s diverse caregivers are dedicated to providing the very best to seniors in the comfort of their own homes. Some of the specific in-home care services they offer include:

• help with household duties like laundry, dish washing, bed-making, and vacuuming
• help with yard work and gardening tasks like mowing the lawn, raking leaves, and watering plants
• help with bathing, dressing, and going to the bathroom
• running errands like grocery shopping and picking up clothes from the cleaners
• preparation of healthy meals that are always kidney-friendly
• good companionship and conversation
• enjoyable activities that meet every senior’s needs
• medication reminders
• transportation to and from medical appointments, renal dialysis, and other kidney treatments
• child care
• pet care

A-1 Home Care always strives for diversity and professionalism when one of its certified caregivers steps foot into a senior’s home. Because of this, you can feel safe that your kidneys are being rightly taken care of all the time, every time with A-1 Home Care.

For additional kidney care solutions and other home care options offered right here in Fountain Valley and surrounding areas, contact one of the senior care specialists at A-1 Home Care today by dialing (562) 929-8400 or (949) 650-3800. A-1 Home Care serves communities throughout Southern California, including cities like Monrovia, Irvine, Seal Beach, Garden Grove, and Calabasas.

Caregiving for Stroke Victims in Fountain Valley

When Elderly and Senior individuals suffer a stroke and come home, they’re urged to live a healthier lifestyle.  Nutrition, exercise, monitoring blood pressure, quitting smoking/drinking, are the main recommendations.  Of course it’s up to the Elderly individual how rigorously they want to pursue healthy living.  Realistically a lot of people know they should be living healthier, but don’t for one reason or another.  This article from healthtalkonline.org titled Preventing Another Stroke: Changes in Life Style provides information on recommended lifestyle changes and also provides links to real stroke survivors who did or did not follow the recommended lifestyle change.  For example, one man talks about how after his stroke, he did less exercise, but tries to balance it out with a healthy diet and taking prescribed medication.

At A-1 Home Care, we place healthy living in very high regard when it comes to stroke survivors.  We know that encouraging your loved one to lead a healthier lifestyle can be difficult after they’ve had a stroke, especially when you can’t be there for them all the time to provide encouragement and care.  A-1 Home Care provides compassionate and dedicated Post Stroke Care services on a 24 hour Live-In Care or Hourly Care basis in Fountain Valley, CA.

Our Post Stroke Caregivers can assist with various tasks such as complying with doctor/therapist orders, providing personal care, assistance with mobility, healthy meal preparation, exercise, errands, and anything else that you specify.  We know that the recovery process may be long and discouraging at times, but having someone with your loved one to provide emotional support and motivation can be a great morale booster.

All of our Post Stroke caregivers, nurse aides, companions, and home helpers must have prior at home caregiving experience, verifiable professional references, a National Background Check/DMV Check, Tuberculosis testing, Malpractice/Liability insurance, First Aid/CPR training, and a personal interview with our office staff.

We serve the OC communities of Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Garden Grove, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and others in Orange County. Our caregivers come from diverse multicultural backgrounds, including Jewish, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern. In turn, we service families from diverse backgrounds by providing them with these caregivers.

To interview and hire a compassionate Post Stroke caregiver in your area, CALL us today at 949-650-3800 for a low rate and affordable in-home assessment.

For more information, visit us at Fountain Valley In Home Care.

Fountain Valley Home Care for Seniors

If you have ever read the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, you may have heard of the five different ways humans feel loved: quality time, words of affirmation, touch, acts of service, and gifts.  Take a survey of seniors around you, and you will find that quality time tops the list of every elderly person.  Acts of service would probably be the runner-up, since many seniors suffer from conditions like arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease, heart disease, and Diabetes.  If you would like to give the gift of quality time of your presence and acts of service through home care services, A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley is here to provide top-of-the-line acts of service to seniors everywhere in Orange County.

Quality Time: Every Minute Counts

As you age, you realize that every minute spent with a loved one is treasured, because tomorrow is never guaranteed.  Numerous seniors suffer from depression and loneliness due to the passing of a spouse, close friends, or the premature death of a child.  A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley delivers quality home care services through experienced, highly skilled home makers, companions and caregivers who know just how to lift your parents’ spirits up.  A delightful conversation, a shared memory, story-telling time and building arts and crafts projects are some ways that our caregivers will bond with your elderly loved ones.  Many of our clients bond easily with our caregivers because of their generous and compassionate spirit.

Acts of Service: 24 Hours a Day

When you can’t be there, we can…24 hours a day, every day, including on major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day.  Caregivers from A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley will cook meals, assist with laundry and housekeeping, and provide toileting care.  If your elderly loved one needs help with driving or simply some company to go along for the ride, our live-in caregivers are there.  If your parent, grandparent or in-law needs help communicating with the grocery clerk, we can make the transactions quick and smooth.  If you want better communication between your parent’s doctors, nurses and loved ones, our in-home caregivers will document everything on paper for you so that there is clear communication between all parties.

To hire a caregiver today, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or check out our website www.fountainvalleyinhomecare.com to learn more about home care services in Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin and other areas in Orange County.

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Holiday Preparations for Seniors with Dementia

In the hustle and bustle of holiday gift shopping and traveling, it’s easy for seniors with dementia to get overwhelmed by the festivities, crowds, long lines, new faces and unfamiliar environments. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia make it hard for the elderly to adjust to long-distance travels, follow instructions and stay on top of financial transactions. Fatigue, hunger, thirst, and discomfort are big distractions that hinder safe and effective travel. A-1 Home Care’s traveling companions will assist your elderly loved ones on trips from Fountain Valley to anywhere in the United States.

Traveling Companions Ensure Safety

When you hire a caregiver from A-1 Home Care, the caregiver can assess your loved one’s home situation if you live far away in a distant city or state. Sometimes it’s not always ideal for seniors to go on long trips because their physical limitations may do more harm than good. If you are unsure about your elderly loved one’s true condition, you can have someone from A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley visit your loved one and give you a report. If your parent, grandparent or in-law is indeed okay to travel, our caregiver, certified nurse assistant, home health aide or companion will provide the following types of assistance:

• Accompany your loved one on a plane, train, bus or car
• Work with you on travel plans for your loved one
• Be the main point of contact for your loved one
• Pack plenty of fluids, food, medication and other necessities just in case
• Help your loved one navigate through long lines and security points
• Advise you on how to prepare for your loved one’s arrival
• Keep a consistent routine to avoid confusion
• Be a consistent source of emotional and physical support throughout the whole journey

 

Happy Safe Travels from A-1 Home Care

Don’t let your elderly loved one leave home without a caregiver! A-1 Home Care in Fountain Valley provides traveling companions 365 days a year, including major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day. Live-in care for 24 hours a day and hourly care are available. Since we never close, you can count on talking to a live operator 24 hours a day, including weekends, if you have questions or concerns.

To hire a traveling companion, call A-1 Home Care today (949) 650-3800 or visit us online www.fountainvalleyinhomecare.com for services in Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Orange, Anaheim, and other cities in Orange County.

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Eating Healthy with Senior Caregivers

There are too many reasons why your Elderly or Senior loved one may not be eating well or getting proper daily nutrition.  When you live far away or find it difficult to visit often enough to monitor your loved one’s eating habits, it can be detrimental to their health.  For whatever reason your loved one isn’t eating well, it’s important to assess the situation and find a solution accordingly.

Declines in the taste and smell senses, medications that reduce appetite, poor dental health, chronic illness, forgetfulness, and depression can make it incredibly difficult for your loved one to enjoy mealtime.  The article offers solutions such as enhancing the aromas and flavors of food with spices and providing foods packed with healthy calories and nutrition.

When you can’t be there for your loved one to go grocery shopping or prepare meals on a daily basis, hiring an in-home caregiver is a workable solution that can give you peace of mind and help your loved one remain comfortable and independent at home.  The caregivers from A-1 Home Carecan provide compassionate and experienced at home care on a 24 Hour Live-In Care or Hourly Care basis.  Our caregivers focus on helping your loved one lead the highest quality of life possible – providing healthy meal preparation, exercise assistance, and companionship for daily activities no matter what their care situation is. We specialize in care services such as Arthritis Care, After Surgery Care,Diabetic Care, Kidney Disease & Tumor Care, Post Stroke Care, Heart Attack Care, and more.

To interview and hire a compassionate and experienced caregiver in your area, call us today at 949 650 3800 or at 562 929 8400! Visit us at Fountain Valley In Home Care.