By Jon Izzo PT, Owner of Care Choice Home Care

Caregivers are a vital resource for the quality of life for many disabled and elderly persons, as they cannot always do the routine activities of daily life by themselves. More than this, caregivers are a source of support for many who need it, both physically and emotionally. Additionally, there is a huge need for caregivers in California so finding a job should be easy. If you are someone who is looking for a career where you make a difference in someone’s life, caregiving just may be for you. In this article, we’ll go over how to become a caregiver, what is required in the state of California, and the steps you can take to start your new career, and some variations of the job. In California, you do not need a special license or school degree to become a caregiver for the elderly. Basically, you just need to care about people and want to help. However, below is a list of requirements needed to begin your path to find elderly caregiver jobs. ● Cleared Live Scan DOJ/FBI. You will have to submit to and pass a fingerprint background check. ● TB Test Within 90 Days You need to be cleared and healthy so that you begin your work. ● Valid Driver’s License and Auto Insurance Driving is often required either for doctor appointments or trips to the grocery store. ● Register With the HCA (Home Care Aid Registration) It’s easy to register, all you’ll need to do is pass a criminal background check by the Department of Social Services in California. Many Agencies will do this for you once you apply for the position. In addition to the above here are some other qualities that will benefit you to be a proficient caregiver. ● Punctuality A caregiver for the elderly must be consistent and on time for all shifts. ● The Ability to Lift 25 Lbs. A few of your tasks may include carrying groceries, helping arrange their home, and in some cases, helping your client get around. ● A Positive and Kind Attitude All caregiving jobs require that you have a compassionate attitude, that you’re positive, and want to be of service. This job isn’t for everyone, you have to be willing to help and do what is necessary so that your client can have a good quality of life. There are many different caregiver jobs one can get, and they can range in difficultly. Some caregivers for the elderly have jobs that are straightforward such as helping a client to the grocery store, doctor’s appointment, or their pharmacy, while others are more trying. Caregivers for the disabled as well as caregivers who aid various types of situations have more specific job requirements and are sometimes more physically demanding. In-home caregiver jobs, as well as caregivers for an assisted living facility with elderly folks nearing the end of their lives, can be emotionally demanding and it’s important to know that you are the type of person who can handle it. If you’re passionate about helping people and want to be a pillar of strength for those who need it most, then caregiving may be the career for you. Reach out to a Caregiver staffing agency and learn how they will train and prepare you to succeed in a career that really counts. We are currently looking for Caregivers ready to work. Care Choice Home Care www.carechoicehomecare.com 844-239-1299

Managing long term care (LTC) insurance claims can be a tedious and frustrating journey for many consumers. Jahnke Consulting is a professional consulting service assisting those who are navigating the insurance system. In addition, they offer access to community services through Long Term Care Alliance, connecting those needing care with vetted, high quality care management and in-home supportive services. Linda Jahnke is a board-certified Patient Advocate and it is our privilege to work with the entire Jahnke Consulting team.

If you are living in Poway California as a Senior and you need caregiver services, it can be a challenge to find those services in your area. We have had many inquiries from the Poway area requesting Senior Care Services and where to find them. So, we wanted to offer a short list of senior care services you can find in Poway.  So, we receive calls for many different types of in-home care services. These can include but are not limited to, Meal Preparation and delivery, Companion services for Seniors, Home Cleaning Services, and Exorcise Services for Seniors. We realize that it can be difficult to find these services. 1. Meal Preparation and delivery is something many seniors may need full or part time. The City of Poway and Jewish Family Service are partnering resources to provide 21 meals per person per week to qualified seniors in Poway. ​ - Every Wednesday from 12 pm to 1pm - Food is currently being distributed at 13094 Civic Center Dr Poway CA 92064 - Distribution is a touch-free drive thru service Contact them at: “ Friends of Poway Seniors ”. For more information and to set up an appointment ​ Please call: (858)-637-3257 ​ or email: bretc@jfssd.org 2. Home Cleaning Services are easy to find just do a Google Search but when you’re a senior and would like to have a person in your home that you can trust it may be difficult to find the right person at the right price. There is a public service called IHSS that can provide housekeeping services if you qualify for their program. Contact them at: In-Home Support Services (IHSS) For more information Please (fax): (619) 344-8077 or email: ADRC.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov. 3. Transportation Services for Seniors in Poway may be a bit difficult to find but you can reach out to The Friends of Poway Seniors. They offer some Free transportation to Seniors. So, if you require transportation to a doctor’s appointment or just need a ride to pick up groceries they may be able to help. Contact them at: “ Friends of Poway Seniors ”. For more information and to set up an appointment Please call: (858)-637-3257 or email: bretc@jfssd.org 4. Exercise Services for Seniors is so important for the body and mind. That is why the City of Poway offers a variety of classes for the elderly. Everything from Dancing, Yoga, and even just stretching is offered as Free programs. Take a look at the City of Poway website to see what they offer. Contact them at: City of Poway For more information and to set up an appointment Please call: 858-668-4400 or email: Not Available 5. If you are in need of any of the above service, you can contact an In-Home Caregiver Services Agency that services Poway . We can provide you or your loved one the in-home senior care services you may need. Including companionship meal preparation, and just about any caregiver service all in one convenient call. Contact us for a Free consultation and create a custom needs list. Website Contact: Care Choice Home Care Please Call: (844)-239-1299 Or Email: care@carechoicehomecare.com

For more information about In Home Care

For More Information About In Home Care...

The summer season is here and activities for seniors are becoming all the craze these days. Many are discovering the freedom and fun that comes along with getting out to connect and engage with others, making new friends and learning new skills. We wanted to let you in on some of the best senior activities that are easy to enjoy and good for your body, mind and spirit! Walking Yes, that’s right walking is fun! Well, it is if you put some flare into it. Try going with some of your friends, or your caregiver or see if you can join a new walking club. The point is to find new and interesting locations like parks or trails and take some great walks with others and have stimulating conversation at the same time! Even if you are stuck with the regular “Mall Walk” you can make it fun by incorporating a game into the walk… a kind of treasure hunt where you have to find specific window products while walking and getting points for finding those items. This will keep your mind and body active while making it interesting in what might be a “boring” setting. Field Trips & Excursions No one likes to spend all their time by themselves. Life is just better when you’re connecting and making memories. Field trips are a great way to meet new people and visit your local museums, symphonies, and many other interesting historical or fact-filled locations. Venturing to these places will get you outside and exploring the community and city around you. You never know what fun you might find? Also, if you don’t already know, you can get a Senior Discount at most of these places, so the cost is usually very reasonable. In fact, there are many companies that can help you plan Senior Excursions even in your local town. Crafts & Hobbies There’s nothing like discovering a new hobby. Learning that you are super skilled at turning a potter’s wheel, or painting mountain scenes, or even making sushi is very gratifying. The options are limitless. With so many different crafts to try, and so many friends to make your family might think you forgot about them. So why not discover your creative side and try a HAM radio class, or the fine art of making Bee’s wax candles? You may surprise yourself and learn something new! You can find lots of options at your local community college, or even check your local publications for community centers and adult education schools that offer discounts or Free Classes. Additionally, there are online venues like “Meet-Up” that have groups that already get together for that hobby of choice. Exercise This will get your blood pumping. What better way to enjoy the outdoors than with some group exercise classes? For Seniors there are multiple options when it comes to getting your body moving. There are pool classes, Tai-chi classes, and even relaxing stretch classes to name a few. These can keep you on your toes and help your body move and think better. Any of these can be an excellent way for seniors to spend time with their friends while being active. Plus, improving your agility, flexibility, and brain activity helps prevent injuries in all adults. Find a group exercise class near you and start sweating to any song you want! Gardening This is one of the best meditative activities you can find for its simplicity and creativity while being outside. Spending time by yourself or with your friends in the community digging in the dirt allows you to relax and unwind. And there’s simply nothing like biting into fresh-picked produce and seeing the “fruit” of your labors. Check your local community posts for locations or just start digging and planting in your backyard. Video Games Wait?... What!? Okay, it’s not outside but think about this… you can’t play in the Majors or dunk over LeBron at your age, but who says that you can’t do it virtually. With many of the interactive games on the market they have just about every sport you can think of, and some are much easier than others to master! For example, the Wii is a great product that is super easy to learn, and at a reasonable price. So, picture yourself and your caregiver or friend playing a round of tennis, or venture into kayaking waters all while sitting on the couch. Be “warned”, you will get some exercise from these games. So don’t be shy and go “get your game on”. One of the best things we can do as we get older is stay active, and these fun and exciting activities help you do just that. One of the greatest parts of getting older is enjoying what life has to offer with the people you love and trying new things. As with all our suggestions we ask that you consult your doctor or physician before doing any of our recommendation, but when you get the “green light” bring some happiness into your daily life with these activities and have fun! Care Choice Home Care is San Diego counties leading agency to help Senior, Veterans, and any person in need of in-home caregiver service.

Ahh, summer. That wonderful, fun, lazy season of sunshine and heat is upon us. But with those warm days and nights comes the increase of Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) among our elderly population. Beware! Left undetected, the common UTI can potentially lead to severe complications without proper treatment. To understand a UTI, it’s important to know what, exactly, the urinary tract includes: • The urethra (the opening that carries urine from your bladder) • The ureters • The bladder • The kidneys When bacteria enter the urethra, they may spread to the bladder and kidneys if your immune system doesn’t fight them off. UTI’s are often due to E. coli which is a type of bacteria commonly present in stool. Improper wiping/cleaning after voiding will greatly increase the chance of getting a UTI. Older adults who have catheters are susceptible of getting UTI’ s from organisms entering through the catheter tubing or improper cleaning of catheter bags. Identifying signs and symptoms of a UTI in older adults can be very challenging. Classic symptoms may include: Urethral burning during urination; pelvic pain; frequent urination; an urgent need to urinate; chills; fever’ abnormal urine odor. Younger adults typically notice such changes and are able to seek the medical attention. However, in older adults, symptoms often present differently. To further complicate things, adults with age-related issues such as dementia may not be able to express their symptoms accurately. At Care Choice Home Care , our staff is instructed to watch not only for the classic symptoms of UTI’s but to watch for physical AND behavioral changes that might indicate a problem. • Urinary incontinence that is not normal for the individual • Lethargy • Urinary retention • Decreased mobility • Falls • Decreased appetite Changes in behavior are a BIG indicator that something is wrong; very often a UTI. Although there are various theories as to why symptoms such as delirium and confusion occur in older adults with UTI’s, one theory s that blood vessels supplying the brain have become weaker with age and may be more apt to allow infection to pass to the nervous system. • Restlessness • Confusion • Agitation • Hallucinations • Withdrawal If any of these signs are being exhibited by an older adult that you’re caring for, contact your Caregiver , and seek medical advice promptly. Once your doctor suspects a UTI, a simple urinalysis will be able to confirm it. Antibiotics are usually the treatment of choice. Again, contact your physician as early as possible to avoid further complications. So, how do we avoid those pesky UTI’s? Although not foolproof, here are some steps that might lesson your chance of infection: • Drink PLENTY of fluids (water’s always best of course). HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE! • Change incontinence briefs and pads frequently • Wipe and clean the genital area thoroughly, making sure you wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom. • Urinate as soon as you have the urge to do so • Talk to your medical provider immediately if you have symptoms that concern you. DON’T WAIT! We hope this information is useful and helps raise basic awareness to an all-too-often overlooked problem that MANY older adults develop. As always, if you or your loved ones are interested in learning more about Care Choice and the professional care services we provide, please contact us. Have a safe and HEALTHY summer! CARE CHOICE HOME CARE “You’ll love the way we care!”

Summer is here! This is the season for relaxing by the beach, backyard cook-outs, enjoying the sunshine, and getting out of the house. You want to be able to enjoy as many outdoor activities as possible and protect your skin from UV rays while relaxing. July is UV Safety Awareness Month and with that in mind, it is useful to have some tips on how to protect yourself during those really sunny days. For Seniors, it’s especially important to protect your skin consistently because as you get older your skin is more likely to get damaged from UV rays from the sun, even if it’s cloudy outside. With 1 in 5 Americans developing skin cancer over their lifetime ( https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer ), it’s important for people to have strategies to keep their skin safe. Because we love our Seniors, we wanted to remind you of a few ways to enjoy your outside activities and keep your skin healthy at the same time. Care Choice Home Care’s Senior Safety for the Season! 1. Lather Up With Sunscreen No matter your age, it’s critical to put on sunscreen when planning on going outside, especially during the summertime. Even if it is cloudy outside the sneaky sun’s UV rays will get you. It’s essential to take the time to look for the correct sunscreen that will provide the proper protection, such as Broad Spectrum. This means that is at least 15 to 50 SPF. You must also be aware of the amount of sunscreen you put on your body and make sure you cover specific areas such as your face, neck, arms, ears, etc. For ease of application, you can even get the spray on kind. Some seniors have the added convenience of asking your home caregiver to apply sunscreen before going outside. If you’re spending a decent amount of time outside, make sure you reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours. If you are swimming or doing activities that make you sweat, be sure to reapply in a shorter time frame. 2. Enjoy the Sun in the Shade While the summer weather may be beautiful, that doesn’t mean you have to be directly under it as you spend your time appreciating the outdoors. Take breaks to relax in the shade under a tree to still get some fresh air but gain some protection from the sun’s rays. If you haven’t already, invest in buying a hat to wear to protect both your face and your neck. Hats come in many varieties and styles, just make sure it covers your exposed areas. Additionally, you can get clothing that is super comfortable and “airy” for hot weather that also has UV protection. Recognize the different times of day when the sun is at its brightest, which is usually between 10am and 3pm, depending on where you’re located. Make the choice to stay in the shade or inside depending on the temperature that day. 3. Let’s not forget the Shades Okay I know it’s not the skin, but we need to protect our eyes. There are many different kinds of sunglasses to choose from, just make sure they have Photochromatic lenses. These offer 100% protection from UV rays. Or you can find sunglasses that are UV 400. These additionally offer 100% protection. 4. Get Regular Check-ups Regular checkups are imperative to do on yourself as well as schedule a yearly appointment with your doctor to ensure that there aren’t any new marks, bumps, or moles. You can do this on your own in front of a mirror every month or so to keep track. If you see a new mole or suspicious mark, make sure you notify your doctor before your next appointment. Wrap-up While you’re enjoying the amazing weather, you’ll have more fun knowing you’re taking the right steps to protect yourself from UV rays. At Choice Home Health Care , we strive to provide information and support to all our visitors and clients. Enjoy our Senior Safety for the Season.