Amada Blog Archives - Amada Senior Care

End-of-Life Peace of Mind: Family Tools for Hospice

July 21, 2017

When Juanita, an Amada Senior Care caregiver from Western Massachusetts, arrived to provide hospice care for Becky Robirds* in her family home, she could not help but notice the house’s decoration. Juanita saw rosaries everywhere, in every room of Becky’s home. She guessed that the Robirds family was devoutly Catholic. She knew upon arrival that Becky’s passing would greatly affect everyone spiritually. Sensing this, Juanita took it upon herself to become Becky’s guardian angel. “I told her family about an app I have on my phone,” Juanita remembered, “I asked if it would be ok to sit beside Becky and…

Bridging Long-Term Care with Estate Planning: The Basics

July 13, 2017

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As senior loved ones age, many families face challenging decisions regarding care. Frequently, these decisions involve both estate planning and long-term care. This article is meant to provide a basic framework of knowledge to prepare for some of the more difficult estate planning challenges that occur in conjunction with a senior’s need for long-term care. Long-term care and estate planning are necessary for senior citizens who wish to age and pass as comfortably as possible, while minimizing the negative impact of their passing on their families. Well-planned long-term care removes the burden of caregiving from relatives and ensures seniors get…

Treasuring Independence by Caring for Our Veterans

July 3, 2017

On July 4, 1776, the United States claimed independence from England by issuing its “Declaration of Independence.” Today, July 4 is celebrated as a national holiday where families gather to barbecue, celebrate freedom, watch fireworks and enjoy their day off. In addition to participating in festivities, we have a duty as Americans to honor those who have made sacrifices to preserve our freedom and independence. While this duty is often forgotten, there are unsung heroes who serve our veterans not only on this holiday but every day of the year. At the forefront of our borders and in the face of…

Swapping Care from North to South: A Snowbird’s Guide

June 29, 2017

Nearly a century ago, the term “snowbird” described seasonal workers who moved south for the winter. Today, there are about two million snowbirds migrating every year for the same warmer winters in the South. These snowbirds, however, are typically retired from work completely. Some places in the North, like New York, are infamous for formidable winters with chill, blizzards, snow and icy hazards. Cold environments like these threaten the health and safety of seniors who may already have health issues. Instead of facing risks like pneumonia, falls atop icy surfaces and other hazards of northern winter weather, some seniors choose…

The Dangers of Unrecorded Care

June 22, 2017

If an elderly loved one is receiving care from a family member or hired caregiver, how do you know their needs are consistently being met? Can you be sure they are safe? Do you know they are being well taken care of? When care is recorded, the answers to these questions are ensured. Hopefully, for the caregivers helping seniors in your families, documenting their care is a habit. Documented care means detailed written and oral communication between caregivers, health professionals, agencies, insurance agents and families about the treatment of a senior citizen receiving long-term care. Under the supervision of caregivers,…