According to the National Alliance of Caregiving the likelihood of receiving "free" care from a spouse is higher than that of any other family member. This is especially true when the care provided is particularly time intensive (21+ hours/week). Add the fact that this typically comes at a time when income is fixed and the caregiving spouse can understandably feel stressed and overwhelmed. Needless to say, because of the significant changes in the marital relationship and added responsibilities, like finances and household chores, spousal caregivers can be especially prone to "caregiver burnout". WebMD defines caregiver burnout as "a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude". As caregivers-and spousal caregivers especially-it's important to know and recognize the signs of burnout and learn how best to manage the symptoms. 10 Signs of Spousal Caregiver Burnout Withdrawal from your friends and family Lack of energy or overwhelming fatigue. Sleeping too little (or too much) Changes in appetite. Noticeable weight gain or weight loss An abnormal feeling of hopelessness, helplessness or depression Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed Increased headaches, stomach-aches, or getting sick more often than you used to. Neglecting your own physical and emotional needs Self medicating with alcohol and/or other medications Becoming unusually impatient, irritable or argumentative, especially when combined with feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person in your care Feeling of emotional exhaustion; difficulty coping with everyday things. The sense that caregiving is controlling your life. Though this list is not be exhaustive, it gives some of the top warning signs we notice when addressing caregiver burnout. It's important to remember that experiencing some of these signs is completely normal and, because of the situation, some symptoms of burnout may not be avoidable. Nevertheless, now that you know what to look for, here are a few tips to help you address caregiver burnout before it becomes a problem. Top Tips to Prevent Spousal Caregiver Burnout Caregiving is hard work, take regular breaks. Get out of the house. Meet a friend for coffee. Take a bath. Read a book. Go for a long walk. Get a massage or pedicure. All of these can be a wonderful respite to the stress and exhaustion of taking care of an ailing spouse. If you are still working full time and taking time off is a concern perhaps checking into family-leave benefits from your workplace would help ease some of the burden. Don't neglect your own care. Eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. Even though you're busy, make time for family, friends and the hobbies you enjoy. Make sure not to skip doctors appointments or other important self care tasks. We all have a tendency to overlook our own physical care when taking on the care of others. Additionally, taking time to pray or meditate can help you stay mentally and spiritually strong in the face of adversity. Watch for signs of burnout. Keep the above list in mind and evaluate yourself from time to time. Are you feeling more depressed than usual? Have you become increasingly impatient with your loved one? While some of this may be a completely normal response to the stress you are under, it's important to trust your instincts and seek out help when you feel particularly overwhelmed. This leads to our last tip: Ask for Help! No one can do everything alone. As the needs of your spouse or loved one become more demanding, accepting help can go a long way in preventing burnout. Make a list of your daily responsibilities and see if you can delegate any of your tasks. Friends and family usually want to offer their assistance, don't be afraid to take them up it. Maybe a neighbor can help prepare a few meals, perhaps a friend can run errands. These seemingly small tasks can make a world of difference for you when you don't have to worry about them. If you are still feeling overwhelmed or don't have the resources to pass on some of your tasks you can seek support from professional caregivers in your area. Most in-home care agencies provide a range of services to fit your needs and would be glad to help take some of the load off your shoulders, as little or as much as that may require. Too often we hear stories of a spouse getting overwhelmed in the care for their loved one and it's our desire to help. At Home by Choice it is our goal is to keep our clients safe, happy, and healthy in the comfort of their home. This includes assisting spouses in any way we can. As a spousal caregiver, burnout can be a real challenge and we have designed our services with this in mind. Whether you need just a little help so you can take better care of yourself or you feel like you need someone to provide full-time assistance, we understand and we are here. To schedule a free consultation simply contact us here , we'd love to discuss how we can help you and your spouse.

Summer is just around the corner and as the temperature rises, seniors can be at risk of potential heat strokes and severe dehydration. Not only can the heat increase the severity of an already present condition, some medications can increase the risk of dehydration. In fact, heat-related illnesses kill more people than most natural disasters in the United States alone. With the elderly being at a higher risk of heat stroke and dehydration this season, it's good to know the signs and how to act upon the situation. Symptoms of Heat Stroke You will notice when a senior is at risk or is really close to having a heat stroke. Some of the signs include: Body temperature over 104 degrees Altered state of mind or behavior Sweating profusely Nausea Rapid breathing Headache Racing heartbeat What to do If you noticed that your loved one has any of the symptoms above, call for medical assistance immediately. Take the person in need to an air-conditioned building or a shady area and try to cool them down. Remove any fitted articles of clothing and give them room to breathe. Essentially, try to cool their body down as much as you can before medical personnel arrive. Another recommendation is to place an ice pack or bags of ice on the person's neck, groin, armpits and back. Ways to prevent dehydration and heat stroke The key to preventing dehydration and heat stroke is water. Staying hydrated during these hot summer days is crucial. Thirst is typically our bodies resistance to dehydration but, as we age, it's harder for the brain to send out the necessary signals when our body needs water. During the summer it is a good practice to start drinking more water than you would normally. Carry water with you every time you go out and drink it on a regular basis, even when you don't feel thirsty. Try wearing loose articles of clothing to prevent your body from overheating. When planning any outdoor activity during the summertime make sure to schedule it during the cooler times of the day either in the mornings or early afternoon and protect yourself from the sun by wearing hats, sunglasses or lounging under an umbrella. Summer means long days, family, and fun. To make the most of it, ensure that you are taking the necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and remember to stay hydrated. Do you or a family member need assistance this summer? Please contact us , we'd love to hear from you.

We are all responsible for numerous roles throughout our lives. Caring for a senior family member or friend is one of the most important—and demanding—roles we may experience. Whether this role happens gradually as the result of aging or it occurs more suddenly as the product of an accident or unexpected illness we, as caregivers, may suddenly find ourselves responsible for anything from picking up groceries to making major financial decisions. For some of us, this new role may not affect our schedules much but, for many of us, it means rearranging existing priorities like work and family. Whether you are currently taking care of an elderly loved one or just beginning to anticipate an upcoming need it is important to consider how this new role will affect your lifestyle and take the proper steps to avoid weariness. We wrote this article to serve as a practical resource to help you, the caregiver, take care of... you. Take Care of Yourself Read the flight safety manual of any airline and under the directions, for the oxygen mask you will see something to the effect of: "put on your mask first before assisting others with theirs". The reason for this is simple: If you don't help yourself first, you may not be physically able to help others. Granted, that is a dramatic example, but its application in caregiving remains true. One of the most important things you can do as a caregiver is to take time to care for yourself as well. While caregiving is a labor of love, this labor can quickly test your enthusiasm and patience if you are not looking after yourself. In fact, in the 2011 National Study of Caregiving , it was found that caregivers who provide substantial (assisting with both care coordination and medication management) help are at a much greater personal risk for physical, emotional, and financial difficulty. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising and relaxing are going to be of greater importance during this season of life. Although you may not feel the effects of physical exhaustion, worry and anxiety are certain to take their toll and making time for yourself can dramatically affect your attitude through this demanding time. Make yourself a priority, it may affect your ability to help when needed. Ask For Help Sometimes we may feel like we are the only person going through a particular experience or we feel guilt for feeling a certain way and are reticent to ask for help. In these cases, we have a tendency to focus these thoughts inward where they fester instead of turning them outward and getting the assistance we need. If the role of caregiver is wearing on you, please don't hesitate to ask for help. You are not in this alone. Family members, support groups, and professional agencies can all offer much-needed assistance when the going gets tough. Be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses. Assess what you can do and how much. Seek help for the rest. Sharing responsibilities is important for your well being. Is it possible that local friends can help prepare meals? Perhaps it's easier for another family member to pick up medication. Maybe an in-home care agency can provide assistance while you are at work. With the right orchestration, the load can easily be shared and stress reduced. Caregiver Assistance At Home by Choice, we view our role as one of support. Our agency's philosophy has always been to "approach the health, happiness, and care of our clients as if they are our own family members". Our goal is to come alongside you, the caregiver, and provide assistance where needed. Our home health-care agency offers personal care , sitter and companion services , respite care, short-term care , and post-surgical care . So, whether you need help with medication reminders or someone to provide round the clock care while your loved one recovers from a hospital stay, we are here for you. Contact us today , we'd love to discuss how we can help.

Does this scenario sound familiar? You have a senior family member or friend that requires additional help and you've accepted the responsibility as a caregiver. Over time your loved one has reached a point where they need more help than you can provide alone. You discuss alternate options but time and again they refuse in-home help and insist that you can do the job. What they don't seem to realize is that you are getting exhausted, frustrated, or on the edge of burn out—yet they still refuse. This is undoubtedly a tough predicament and hopefully, it is not the case for you and your loved one. If it is, however, please understand that it is very common for seniors to refuse support and insist on their own independence, even when it is no longer the safe option. A senior family members resistance to care can often be extremely frustrating and difficult to overcome but we need to acknowledge the motivation for this response. Understanding their rationale is paramount to moving forward. Generally speaking, this type of reaction is motivated by fear. Our loved one may be afraid of losing control or simply fear change itself. Possibly they are afraid of the financial implications inherent in health care or it could be the fear of being perceived as "weak". Maybe they sincerely enjoy spending time with you and fear to lose that connection. Regardless, we need to understand and address these fears in a compassionate and careful manner. These situations can be extremely complex and no two motivations are the same. Several in-depth articles have been written with specific techniques to deal with this transition. For further reading, one that we recommend can be found here. For the purpose of this article, however, we wanted to outline a few underlying strategies for dealing with most situations. 4 Strategies to Help Loved Ones Adjust To In-Home Care Whatever the specific fear is, here are a few strategies we recommend to overcome them and get your loved one the care they need. 1. Take Time to Listen Take the time to listen to your loved one's fears and reasons for refusing in-home care. Put yourself in their shoes and work together towards a resolution. If possible involve them in the decision making. This will help create personal investment in whatever services you ultimately decide to entrust to an in-home caregiver. 2. Be Patient and Start Slow Understand that it may take several conversations with your loved one and the care giving agency to start making progress. Even then, it's best to start slow and go at their pace. Starting slowly allows them to acclimate to the change and develop the necessary relationships with the new caregiver. You can start with less intrusive services like running errands and gradually add hours and services as the situation permits. 3. Provide Reassurance Help your loved ones understand that change is normal and that they are not in this alone. Take time to comfort their specific fears and address the positives they will gain from the new experience. For instance, if they are afraid of losing you, reassure them that with help you will actually be able to spend more quality time with them. 4. Accept Your Limitations Understand that we all have our breaking point. If you are weary or feel unfit to provide care be honest about your shortcomings and don't allow them to interfere with getting your loved one the help they (and you) need. Additionally, the suggestions above work well if our loved one is not a danger to themselves or someone else. If the opposite is the case, do not feel guilty in recruiting a professional to help you navigate the process. Conclusion Getting our loved ones the help they need is important not only to them but to you as well. While they may be resistant to the idea, remember that a licensed in-home care agency can help guide and ease you through the process. We recognize that these are important decisions and this is a very delicate time. Home by Choice assures you that we will work alongside you to provide the personalized care your loved one needs. To get started, please contact us today for a free in-home consultation.

At its core, nearly every type of healthcare can be broken into two categories: Proactive and reactive. Reactive healthcare is the model we are most familiar with. It maintains that when we experience a symptom, malady or accident, we "react" by going to our local health facility and the appropriate care team responds accordingly. Conversely, the proactive model seeks to fix these problems before they arise. It's the difference between creating a program to stop a patient from smoking before they exhibit health problems vs. treating a patients cancer in the future. It's the essence of the old adage "an apple a day". No doubt, there needs to be a balance as we can't anticipate all of our future challenges but, as the tools and technologies advance, proactive care is widely becoming the more attractive approach in healthcare circles. Specifically, as it pertains to senior and elderly care, a proactive approach can make a world of difference in increasing quality of life and decreasing healthcare costs during an already demanding time. Four of the ways Home by Choice has implemented a proactive approach to our elderly in-home care are: We begin with a free in-home consultation, which includes suggestions on identifying potential safety hazards and health considerations. This consultation not only allows us to get to know our clients and provide professional advice. More importantly, it allows us to create a well informed, tailor-made care plan for our clients and their loved ones. Caregivers are instructed and provided the tools to report their concerns and/or observations. This is important because many of our patients are used to self-sufficiency and don't want to create unnecessary concern (some of the challenges that lead to a reactive culture in the first place). Without the careful eye of a trained, professional observer small, unaddressed problems can manifest into much larger conditions down the road. Passive health monitoring, like this, can facilitate early illness detection without intruding on the client's privacy or comfort. Caregivers are instructed to immediately report changes of condition. Changes in condition can occur suddenly or gradually over a period of time. Our caregivers are provided with the tools and support to report changes in condition to us. These changes may require a review and or revision of the care plan that has been established to ensure our clients continue to receive the care they need. We work closely with families and physicians to ensure a collaborative approach to care. We will be the first to admit that we don't have all the answers, but in conjunction with clients loved ones and health care personnel we will develop a plan to match our their needs with evidence-based interventions. Using a proactive approach to senior care is just one of the ways that Home by Choice is staying on the cutting edge of our market. We will continue to implement the best practices and latest technologies in the industry to ensure that we deliver the highest quality care possible. We feel that this is one of the main reasons our agency has been nominated the "Best of the Best" by the residents of Gainesville for the past two years running. If you have a loved one in need and are considering in-home care, we would love to speak with you. Give us a call today .

With an aging population, home healthcare is poised to be one of the fastest growing segments of the healthcare industry, if not the fastest among all industries. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recently stated that the compound annual growth rate for home healthcare services would be approximately 5% over the next decade, making it the highest among all industries surveyed. That type of growth will not only lead to great benefits like increases in efficiency and new jobs but it will also bring new entrants to the industry with a sole interest in maximizing profit and cutting costs. It is for this reason, and a few more discussed below, that we urge you to support established, local, owner-operated home healthcare businesses. Why support local business? Invest in your community Local businesses are owned by our friends and neighbors. They are the people we see every weekend at church or the park. They are the reasonable voice in the town hall meeting. They are the men and women willing to stand up for their community because they are so heavily invested in it and are also the ones that aren't likely to leave anytime soon. Their taxes, like ours, go to supporting the more efficient use of local public services which leads to things like better safety, better education and better transportation for our families. Local business owners have the same concerns and dreams for the community as we do and sincerely care about its future. Studies have shown that when we support independent, locally-owned businesses a far greater proportion of funds go back to the community, through their support of other local business and service providers. Additionally, they donate nearly twice as much to local nonprofits than their corporate competitors. Support local prosperity On a national scale, small businesses account for the vast majority of employment. Put simply, supporting small business leads to more jobs locally. More local jobs mean more money spent in our city, ultimately leading to more local prosperity and success, which is good for everyone. Get better service It's been said that the first commandment of customer service is: "know thy customer". Who knows us better than our friends and neighbors. Local businesses serve us like their reputation is on the line because-it is. If you want the best service, you can't beat local. Why Home By Choice? Home by Choice has been serving the Gainesville area since 2008. Locally owned and operated by John Markham and Sally Dahlem with over 40 years combined experience in home healthcare, assisted living, long-term care, and the medical equipment industries. We are dedicated to serving the needs of our senior community and have won Gainesville Sun's Best of the Best Award for the past 2 years. Think of us as experts in the family. Are you considering in-home care? We'd love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

The season is upon us and we don't have to go far from our doorstep to experience the spirit of the holidays. Activities, like setting up our decorations, attending the town holiday festival, singing the songs of the season, and finding that perfect gift, can all bring up feelings of cheer. The reality, however, is that many people feel isolated and lonely this time of year and seniors can be especially vulnerable. The seasonal focus on family traditions and close friendships can often bring sadness to those who are not as able as they once were. There is a lot of pressure, and we are all busy, but taking a few minutes and using some of these tips can definitely help brighten a loved ones holiday season this year. Remember what the season is all about. Spending time with family and enjoying each other should definitely be high on the priority list. Taking the time to just to sit and talk (and listen) to our aging loved ones this time of year can make a world of difference. Watch old holiday movies, do crafts, play games; whatever you choose, know that giving your time can be more precious than any gift. Visiting or contacting seniors in long-term care on a regular basis can help dispel feelings of solitude during the holidays. If they are unable to join you, bring the festivities to them. This time of year, we often attach favorable memories to a special ornament, treat, or tradition. Help aging loved ones reminisce about these memories by assisting them with decorations, special meals, and other trappings of the season. If they are up for it, include elders in your traditions and celebrations. Simplify your plans to incorporate them and continually remind them of how important they are to you and your family. Be careful not to act like you are doing this out of some holiday duty. Above all, show them that they are loved. Don't put too much on your plate or stress yourself out. Take some time to slow down and enjoy yourself this holiday. We hope these tips will help you spend quality time with your loved ones this season. If Home by Choice can help with any services that would otherwise distract you from what matters during the holidays, please contact us to set up a free consultation. From all of us at Home by Choice, happy holidays to you and yours.

Choosing in-home care for our aging loved ones can have many benefits over nursing home care or assisted living. Numerous studies support this type of personalized attention as it offers several key advantages such as increased quality of life for the patient; and affordability for their benefactors. Not to mention that recipients have been shown to recover better and experience improved mental health when cared for in the home. While these qualities are of utmost importance, they pale in comparison to the most favorable benefit that they provide. That benefit is the increased quality time that they promote with our loved ones at a point when time is particularly significant. Typical caregiving activities like scheduling and preparing meals, assisting with medication, and prompting or facilitating personal hygiene can take a toll on us, the adult children, and reduce our focus from those who are most important to us. This role reversal can be especially challenging as it is often met with hostility, which can quickly deteriorate a relationship. A caregivers presence in the home allows the adult child to focus on the parent, rather than assuming the role of one. Conversations can be kept on the level of fond memories and intimate conversation instead of meal times and bathing. Potentially, the surest ways to safeguard this precious quality time is to hire a licensed home care agency. Hiring an agency, rather than independent caregiver, offers several significant advantages during this all-important time, among these are: In-home agencies perform background checks on all their caregivers at time of employment. After the date of hire, the state of Florida has provisions in place to monitor and alert licensed agencies of disqualifying charges or offenses committed by their employees. Agencies can provide trained, licensed caregivers for a wide range of services. Home care agencies are required to be licensed and, in addition to workers compensation, carry professional liability insurance. Agencies offer backup caregivers when the primary caregiver is out sick or cannot work. Well managed home care agencies are accessible to their clients at any time services are being provided. Agencies manage payroll and withholdings which eliminates the need to claim an individual caregiver as a household employee. If a loved one in your life needs extra care and attention we hope you consider Home by Choice. We are the only locally owned and operated private home care agency in the Gainesville area and a recent recipient of the Gainesville Sun Readers Choice Award in the category of home care, for the 2nd year in a row.

As our loved ones' age we may begin to notice some of the common signs that long-term care will soon be required. Signs like not taking regular medication, declining personal care, reduced cooking/cleaning, or a trend towards improper nutrition and poor hygiene can all point to symptoms of larger conditions that may require personalized attention. Long-term care often involves the most intimate aspects of people’s lives—what/when they eat, personal hygiene, using the restroom and even more specific tasks like preparing a meal or answering the telephone. Those who chose in-home care agencies for their long-term needs do so for a number of reasons. Chief among these is the desire to have their loved ones attended to in the privacy and comfort of their own home. Dealing with a licensed, bonded and insured agency offers, not only a layer of protection, but also a level of confidence—as they are able manage many aspects of the process like withholdings and staffing. If you've made the decision that in-home care is the best option for your loved one, implementing an effective schedule with the right private duty agency can facilitate things for them and provide some much needed comfort for you. Caregiver Scheduling Home by Choice's goal is to provide the support our clients need to remain in the comfort of their home while also being respectful of their privacy and dignity. Determining the ideal schedule for care can help your home-care agency achieve this goal and make the transition as seamless as possible. Coordinating medical appointments, medication times, sleeping patterns, and social activity are just a few of the many aspects of everyday life that deserve careful thought and planning. For this reason, a major component of our free consultation is determining your loved one's’ current and upcoming needs and creating a plan to meet them. Next Steps Prior to your consultation creating detailed daily/weekly/monthly lists can go a long way in helping your caregiver create the optimal schedule for your loved one. Think about including things like waking and sleeping patterns, naps, medications and medication times, meals, bathing or hygiene, favorite activities, necessary chores, upcoming events or appointments and anything else that might come up on a regular basis. Be as detailed as possible as this will provide a window into your loved one's life and ultimately help us provide exceptional, personalized care. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you in this delicate transition. Please feel free to contact us as we are glad to assist in any way we can.