Downey Care Center for an Arts & Crafts Day trip

Yesterday was a lovely bright and sunny day here in the Los Angeles/ Orange County area. Perfect conditions for members of the A-1 Home care family to trek out to Downey Care Center to host an afternoon of fun, laughter and friendship with our first of a series of art classes held every other month. 

First, we arrived at the lovely facilities and took some time to settle in. We met with the Activities Director Danielle, who introduced us to some of the clients there, such as Donald. Here is Donald pictured with Jackie. 

Then, we got to work. To our surprise, so many clients were ready to join us for our afternoon! Downey Care Center is a rehabilitation hospital for elders and adults who are receiving care following conditions or recovering from surgery. We understood that they were excited to get our of the "hospital" mindset and get to work on their artistic sides.

Showing off our finished works

We had an amazing time spending the afternoon with the eniors we met in Downey. We look forward to hosting classes again!

A-1 Home Care is an Orange County home health agency that provides in home caregivers to senior homes in Southern California. We provide loving care in the cities of Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa and other cities of Orange County.

Check out our new Facebook! We post pictures and updates weekly.

  Call 310-657-8780 for Experienced Orange County Home Care or visit www.ocseniorhomecare.com

Steps to hiring an elder law attorney/ A-1 Home Care Orange County

If you have an elderly parent recently diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other deteriorating condition  you probably are feeling overwhelmed. You and other family members may well have all kinds of legal and financial questions during this difficult time. ]

Fortunately, there are attorneys who specialize in the field of elder law. These professionals are able to provide valuable advice about guardianship, Medicaid applications, estate and asset protection planning, powers of attorney, and living wills should long-term care for your parent eventually be required. Finding a qualified attorney with experience in these matters and with whom your family feels comfortable is the first step.

A-1 Home Care suggests that you meet with more than one elder law attorney before you choose. After all, you are going to be sharing a good deal of confidential information with this individual. You will need the answers to some serious questions. Keep in mind throughout your search for a competent attorney that this person will be responsible for seeing to the best interests of your parent.

 

A-1 Home Care is an Orange County home health agency that provides in home caregivers to senior homes in Southern California. We provide loving care in the cities of Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa and other cities of Orange County.

Check out our new Facebook! We post pictures and updates weekly.

  Call 310-657-8780 for Experienced Orange County Home Care or visit www.ocseniorhomecare.com

A trip to Two Palms Convalescent Center in Pasadena

Last Monday, much to our delight, A-1 Home Care was invited to lead a round of arts and crafts at Two Palms Convalescent Home in Pasadena. We had never been there before, and it was an honor to be able to spend the afternoon socializing and making art with the fabulous senior population there.

The day was really beautiful, with clear blue skies and lots of sun. We headed out in good spirits.

After settling in, meeting the residents, everyone crowded around to munch on cookies and refreshments, while watching a fun video compiled by one of the A-1 Home Care team, Jesus.

Then we got down to business.

Today, we were making Christmas ornaments made of frosted glass and glitter glue. Everyone worked really hard at their crafts, and the artworks came out looking amazing! There was some serious talent in our midst,. and the A-1 crew got to chat and talk to the staff and residents present.

Here were the results:

We had a lot of fun taking the trip to come and meet the elders at Two Palms. We loved to see the smiling faces and laughter as everyone participated in fun, games, and music together. At the end of the afternoon, we were really grateful for the chance to come and play, so we offered activities director Lerna, a gift bag full of snacks and goodies to share with the staff!

A-1 Home Care is an Orange County home health agency that provides in home caregivers to senior homes in Southern California. We provide loving care in the cities of Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa and other cities of Orange County.

Check out our new Facebook! We post pictures and updates weekly.

  Call 310-657-8780 for Experienced Orange County Hospice Care or visit www.ocseniorhomecare.com

24 Hour Care in Orange County

Food can be difficult for the elderly. Typically, good meals are tasty, nutritious, and easy to eat. Obstacles like the spaces between the teeth, loose teeth, and badly fitting dentures often make it impossible to chew efficiently. But foods that are too soft, or too fluid can also lead to problems.

Problems with swallowing, which are common in the elderly,  not only take the enjoyment out of eating – they can also have dangerous consequences – such as acute difficulty in breathing or infection caused by food remains that could not be completely expelled from the respiratory tract. As a result, seniors must change their diets to accomodate these differences. 

Caregivers can try out soft recipes for the elderly clients. We love:

Paula Deen's Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding

2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
6 to 8 bananas, sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream

Directions

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/not-yo-mamas-banana-pudding-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

 

 A-1 Home Care specializes in providing live in Orange County Caregivers for hospice care and home care in the Orange County/ Los Angeles County area. We provide skilled OC Hospice Caregivers in the cities of Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa and other cities of Orange County.

Check out our new Facebook! We post pictures and updates weekly.

  Call 310-657-8780 for Experienced Orange County Hospice Care or visit www.ocseniorhomecare.com

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Even for the pickiest of eaters, there's something for everything on the Thanksgiving table. What sides are you going to make this year? A-1 Home Care suggests this delicious sweet potato casserole to keep your family warm this holiday season. 

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes 
• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/2 cup butter, softened 
• 1/4 cup milk 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed 
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted 
• 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
  

• Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Bake sweet potatoes at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Let stand until cool to touch (about 20 minutes); peel and mash sweet potatoes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°.
2. 2. Beat mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, and next 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon potato mixture into a greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish.
3. 3. Combine cornflakes cereal and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over casserole in diagonal rows 2 inches apart.
4. 4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows in alternate rows between cornflake mixture; bake 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
• A-1 Home Care wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

  Call 310-657-8780 for Experienced Orange County Senior Care or visit www.ocseniorhomecare.com

Hospice Care for Seniors in Orange County

In the Hindu religion, death is viewed as a natural part of life. The death of the body is not viewed as final because the soul is reincarnated and will return to earth as a new body. Many cultures practice end of life rituals that carry many similarities and differences. In the US, care of dying loved ones is typically done by a hospice care worker while in other cultures, spouses or different members of the village may do much of the caregiving work.

A-1 Home Care specializes in providing live in Orange County Caregivers for hospice care and home care in the Orange County/ Los Angeles County area. We provide skilled OC Hospice Caregivers in the cities of Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa and other cities of Orange County.

Check out our new Facebook! We post pictures and updates weekly.

  Call 310-657-8780 for Experienced Orange County Hospice Care or visit www.ocseniorhomecare.com

Senior Care for Respite in Orange County

Caregiver stress is a condition that hits those providing care for a terminally ill, handicapped or person requiring extensive care. The emotional and physical demands of caregiving for a loved one without respite can accumulate and create symptoms similar to depression. We encourage you to call a A-1 Home Care or another caregiving agency to hire an Orange County respite caregiver when you notice symptoms such as:

Extreme mood swings
Excessive tiredness
Pervasive sadness
Thoughts of death
Personality changes
Uncharacteristic anger

A-1 Home Care reminds family caregivers to take care of themselves and take a respite break for health and wellness. Each of our Orange County Respite Caregivers is fully licensed, bonded and insured. Our nonmedical homecare agency is A+ rated with the BBB and Shield Accredited. We can provide services in Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa and other cities of Orange County.

 Call 310-657-8780 for Experienced Orange County Live In Care or visit www.ocseniorhomecare.com