It’s obvious to you and others. Your mother needs additional help to ensure her safety and well-being at home. You bring up the idea of hiring a Caregiver but she responds, “I don’t need a Caregiver!” Even though aging is a natural part of life, it comes with a set of challenges that require delicate navigation. The following suggestions can help you approach this with empathy and understanding. Recognize and respect your mother’s autonomy. She has lived a long and independent life, and the idea of relinquishing control can be daunting. By acknowledging her autonomy, you lay the foundation for ..read more

Alice and Tyrone depend on their Caregivers just to get out of bed or use the bathroom. A failure to show up can place them in an uncomfortable, vulnerable, or even dangerous situation. Still, Caregivers need time off or get sick. Is there a Caregiver backup plan? Having a Caregiver backup plan reduces stress and anxiety for both the senior and their primary Caregiver. Caregiving can be a demanding and stressful job. Knowing there is a plan in place can provide peace of mind. At Sunlight Senior Care, we believe that for clients with a consistent schedule, it is in the client’s best interests t ..read more

Senior loneliness is a widespread issue that affects a significant number of older adults. The National Institutes of Health noted that 43% of adults aged 60 and older report feeling lonely. And the problem is getting worse, due partly to the aging of our population. Additionally, changes in family structures and social norms may mean that seniors have fewer social connections and support networks than in the past. Elder loneliness has been found to be a significant risk factor for poor physical and mental health outcomes. Research suggests that senior loneliness can be even more harmful to he ..read more

She’s no longer paying $55 per hour. We recently welcomed a new client who told us she had been paying her former provider $55 per hour. While it’s hard to put a price tag on the value of the care services we provide, we also realize that such high fees put needed care out of the reach of many people. Caring for the elderly at home need not be so expensive. There are only a few factors that affect the rates our clients pay: Care provided on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays is priced higher than weekdays. As with many jobs, workers rightfully expect additional pay when working weekends and hol ..read more

Recently we noticed one of our new clients that lives alone whom we see daily was having wide swings in terms of energy and mood. When we asked him about it, he admitted he might not have been taking all of his medications. He got a pill box and his nurse helped organize his medications in it. His ‘morning’ compartment alone has ten pills! Within a couple days, both his energy and mood were much better. We added checking his pill box to make sure medications were taken to his care services we provide and remind him to take his medications if he has forgotten to do so when we visit him. He’s no ..read more

We’ve helped lots of people wrestling with this question. Choosing to have an in-home Caregiver is a major decision. While everyone’s situation is different, consider the following: Are there things you or your loved one has difficulty with that a caregiver could do, such as assisting with meal prep, laundry, or cleaning? Is a chronic illness or injury limiting mobility? Are you seeing balance issues and concerned about falls? Could you or your loved one use assistance with bathing or getting on/off the toilet? Are you struggling with providing or arranging rides for grocery shopping or trips ..read more

Losing your independence is the greatest concern Americans have about getting older, as reported in a 2021 poll by AP-NORC. We all want to be independent, make our own choices and do what we want when we want to. Being able to remain in your home is an integral component of independence. Hundreds of people have opted to have a Sunlight Caregiver, choosing to maintain their independence! Being able to pay for needed care is another top concern with aging. We often talk with people who are afraid the care they need will wipe out their savings and they will run out of money. While cost is always ..read more

Giving up the house where you’ve celebrated holidays and made memories can be heartbreaking. Most want to stay in the comfort of their own home as they grow older. In this article, we’ll discuss what you should do to ensure you’re able to remain living there. The first step is to update your home. Though you likely feel your house is perfect the way it is, aging may reveal challenges you haven’t yet experienced. A few small changes can ensure where you live is still comfortable while as safe as possible as you continue to grow older. Rugs should have non-slip bottoms. Handrails in showers and ..read more

As we get older, it becomes more and more important to have a solid, actionable plan for your long-term care. Although many of us would prefer to be independent indefinitely, the simple fact is that medical needs and physical ability can put you in a place where you need outside help in order to thrive. Fortunately, there are many different options for long-term care. Here’s some information to get you started. Start With a Budget Every plan must start with a budget. Getting a sense of exactly what you can (and can’t) afford puts you in a strong position when it comes to planning. It’s always ..read more

Many times, we may not initially notice someone we love or are providing services to is struggling with vision loss. Especially as many causes of vision loss are gradual such as with eye conditions like cataracts or glaucoma. Frequently we get caught up in the day-to-day way of life and often do not always notice the changes in how someone is completing a task, or that they might be asking for a little more assistance here or there in reading something or finding a lost object. Until there is an ah-ha moment for you or the individual you are working with. It may happen in an unfamiliar environ ..read more