At LiveWell Elder Care Management, we understand the pressures you are under as a family caregiver. This blog is designed to support you in the incredibly important work that you do. As north Middlesex County, north Worcester County and surrounding communities expert in family caregiving, we have resources, tips and information that can make your life much easier. If you would like help, give us a call at: 978-660-7835.
If your loved one has COPD, it’s important to understand which foods are most helpful and which should be limited. You might be surprised by the difference nutrition can make!
As a family caregiver, it’s easy to put your own needs last. You may feel it is a virtue, but actually, you are putting yourself and your loved one at risk. You simply have to take breaks and to safeguard your own well-being. Caregivers who don’t experience significant mental and physical health consequences.
How to pay for care is a big worry for families. Learn about options for financial support, as well as tax and workplace protections to assist you as the family caregiver. There are also legal documents your loved one will need to prepare to be sure their wishes are followed. For that, it’s best to work with an attorney.
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Whether you are new to family caregiving or have been doing it for a while, we outline the top strategies that will help you navigate the process effectively and keep stress to a minimum. This week we focus on gathering information and finding help.
November is COPD Awareness Month (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). If your loved one has respiratory problems and needs oxygen, they can still travel by plane. You just need to plan ahead.
Perfectionism is a mental habit that can get in your way as a family caregiver. Your intentions are the best, for everyone. But it will be better for you, and your loved one and family, if you can develop a more nuanced approach where doing the best you can REASONABLY do is the gold standard.
Many families instinctively feel that the amount of money spent on a funeral reflects the love felt for their departed relative. Not so! That belief can result in unnecessary debt. Consider separating the disposal of the body from the memorial service and focus on what will be the most personally meaningful for survivors.
Pain is no fun, whether in a knee, a neck, or elsewhere in the body. There are drugs that dull pain. But they don’t cure the problem. Plus, prescription drugs usually have side effects or are addictive. Physical therapy (PT) is a proven treatment that can relieve pain and in some instances, cure the problem.
Perhaps you wonder if your family member is a “hoarder.” (You may even harbor secret fears about yourself!) We all have cherished possessions. From trophies to teacups. Spare buttons to cans of half-used paint. But hoarding is different.
Does your loved one need to downsize? Move? Does the prospect seem overwhelming? Perhaps not just physically, but emotionally too? Enter the senior move manager: Part mover, part interior decorator, part compassionate friend. These professionals take a holistic approach. They handle the physical logistics. They are also skilled at assisting older adults with the emotional side of a move.
Angela has been a godsend for our family!She truly understands seniors and is skilled at connecting and communicating effectively with them. She has been managing key healthcare tasks for our aging parents, including coordinating specialized medical procedures for our Mom.This has been extremely valuable for us since we live time-zones away.It is obvious Angela has a passion for elder care given her level of expertise. She has gone above and beyond for us, even sacrificing her personal time to help us.It takes a special person to provide this kind of care for seniors, and we thank Angela tremendously for her services.
Angela is actively involved in overseeing our father’s care allowing him to continue living safely in his home even as his cognitive abilities and physical health continue to decline.She monitors his medications, in-home care services while also transporting him to and attending all medical appointments. Angela keeps us well informed of interactions and communications with his team of medical professionals.Our family is profoundly grateful to have Angela’s knowledge and understanding to guide us. Her experience is invaluable and has helped prevent re-hospitalizations.Angela’s calm presence, professionalism and compassion give us all peace of mind knowing our father is in very capable hands.
Angela is great, very easy to work with. Her clients' well-being is her top priority. She contacted us here at Visiting Angels of Leominster to provided in-home visits for one of her clients, and I have been impressed with her compassion and professionalism. I would highly recommend Angela's services to anyone looking for elder care for a loved one.
This past year has been an interesting year for and with an older relative, dealing with hospitalizations and cognitive issues. Because she lives along, there were concerns that she may have had to leave her home and go into an assisted living facility. But then we found LiveWell Elder Care Management. With Angela Ashton’s guidance and help to arrange home care services, Angela has made it possible for our relative to continue to live in her home. Thank you for helping us to make sure our relative has an even better quality of life living safely at home.
LiveWell Elder Care Management has been a total lifesaver for me. I live on the opposite side of the country from an elderly parent. When there was an urgent situation in the middle of the ongoing pandemic and there was no way for me to safely fly to the east coast, they jumped in on a moment's notice and alleviated the concerns greatly. They have provided great ongoing support ever since as well!