April is National Foot Health Awareness Month. Many people take their feet for granted until they have a problem. Once that happens, it is often hard to walk or get around. The most serious problems can become infections leading to permanent injury or even amputation. Interim Healthcare’s home caregivers help our senior citizens, cancer patients and diabetics in particular to be extra vigilant with their foot health. [More]

National Health Care Decision Day is on April 16th. This is a time for people to consider the long-term health care choices that will affect them and their loved ones. At Interim HealthCare, we encourage our patients and their families to talk about the future and what types of healthcare decisions will be made. While a challenging topic, it is best to address these issues while you are coherent and able. This is not just for those receiving senior home health care, but anyone in the household or family. [More]

When people have a terminal illness, one of the more difficult topics of discussion is hospice care. This is the care that patients may receive during the end stage of a disease. It is a special type of care that includes both the patient and “caregiver or family.” At Interim HealthCare Hospice, our services focus on quality of life and making the patient comfortable. While most people are aware of hospice, they do not know much about it until they are faced with terminal illness. [More]

Part of our home health care service to patients involves having nurses, nursing assistants and companions come to the home to help with medical care and other necessities of daily living. All of our nurses and nursing assistants are specially trained and certified according to state and national requirements. They all work together to provide total patient care. [More]

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Week is Feb. 14th-20th. Many of our patients and their family members are affected by these conditions every day. This might be a good time to reflect on the way they affect both patients and their caregivers. For those fortunate enough not to be familiar with it, this is an opportunity to learn some of the signs and symptoms associated with both conditions. [More]

February is National Senior Independence Month. This is a time for senior citizens to evaluate their lifestyles with help from family and friends. This is a sensitive topic, but one that can be addressed respectfully.At Interim Healthcare, we strive to help seniors keep their independence as much as possible by providing a number of services which will allow them to live happy enriched lives. Rather than being forced to move into assisted living facilities, our clients are able to live active, safe, healthy, enriched lifestyles with help from our home health care providers.Interim HomeStyle Services focuses on our non-medical senior care. We feature light housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship, medication reminders and transportation services for errands or doctors’ appointments. People using our non-medical home care agency can be comfortable in their own apartment or house, even if they have certain limitations.For example, seniors who no longer drive can still go to doc... [More]

One of the most sensitive issues we see at Interim Healthcare involving our senior citizens is driving.While it is primarily a safety issue, most seniors think of it as one about independence. As we age, our vision, hearing and reflexes decline. Sometimes memory, range of motion and temperament are affected as well. While this may be a result of the natural aging process or due to health problems, the hazards must be considered. At some point, it may no longer be safe to operate a vehicle. Safety for passengers and other drivers is important.For our in home elder care clients, it might be time to consider handing over the keys if you or a loved one has had more than one of the following happen recently:Getting LostForgetting where you are going is a warning sign. No longer knowing how to get somewhere you have been many times is another. Close CallsTake a look at the car. Are there dings, dents and scrapes? Cutting it close while parking is one sign that the driver is not capable of sa... [More]

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Winter months can be especially hazardous for everyone, but especially senior citizens. At Interim HealthCare, we put a special emphasis on senior home health care during holidays and cold weather, when both indoor and outdoor safety risks are greater than usual. By following a few guidelines, we can work together to keep the elderly in good health and high spirits.Before senior friends and family come to visit for the holidays, take a look around the home and try to eliminate any tripping hazards like loose floor mats, shaky railings or stray phone and electrical cords.Designate a special area for the kids to play with their new toys when Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit. While you may be accustomed to stepping over blocks and Barbie dolls, most seniors are not. Eliminate safety issues by steering the children clear of pathways and high traffic areas. Consider sending them to the playroom or bedroom if they do not need supervision.Going shopping can be fun and a great way to ge... [More]

The holiday season can be a lonely time for those away from home or far from family. Seniors are especially susceptible to depression during this time of year that many celebrate with cheer. Statistics from the National Institutes of Health remind us that of the 35 million Americans beyond the age of 65, approximately 18% suffer from full-blown depression, with another 7% experiencing less severe depression.At Interim, our home care professionals are always on the lookout for signs and symptoms of depression, but during this time of year, everyone should be watchful of friends and neighbors and give them support to help endure the holidays when they seem blue or withdrawn. Symptoms of depression may include lack of energy, sadness, lack of interest in friends or activities and a loss of appetite. In seniors, depression can often trigger arthritis pain or headaches.Health problems can also contribute to depression, leaving people feeling inadequate and left behind. They may be unable to... [More]