GET PAID WHILE TAKING CARE OF YOUR LOVE ONES.

A HEALTH CARE CAREER OFFERS MANY WAYS TO HELP.

CAREGIVERS are in high demand in the State of Arizona and statewide.  The senior population is on the rise, In the Assisted Living language we are calling it “Silver Tsunami”.  Baby boomers are starting to look to find a better place to retire.  Look no further, Arizona is becoming a popular destination among the elderly population because of its low cost of living, blue skies year round, and a lot of medically trained individuals who are compassionately and willingly to take care of the elderly.  Caregivers are needed everywhere, hospitals, home health, nursing homes, assisted living centers, group home, private homes to name a few.  Caregivers tend to resident’s physical needs, activities of daily living, everyday challenges, providing comfort and companion, encouraging independence and promoting the resident’s self-respect.

Working as a caregiver, you will be able to establish the state of well being in every dimensions of resident’s life.  If you are that kind of person, who will work well with older adults and seniors, a team setting, positive attitude, compassionate, patient and understand the process of aging, being a caregiver is the career path for you.

ALTS – Assisted Living Training School for Caregiver and Manager provides job oriented program with simplified learning at affordable fees. ALTS  prides itself as one of the highest ranking school and  top producing caregivers and managers in the State of Arizona offering a high quality education that can caters to individual needs.  A comfortable and friendly environment to study with experience staff and approachable seasoned faculties.

ALTS simplified learning programs features classroom, distance E-learning classes, hands-on/lab skills.  A personalized learning materials and program is available to different individual who has different level of experience. Let us help each other to shape the future of health care industry.

Sounds like an ideal career for you?  Find your campus or call 480-969-5305 to talk with a representative to find the path for you

As people age, their healthcare needs become more complex, and it is essential to have quality care providers to assist them. Senior care providers play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and health of older adults. They provide support with activities of daily living, medication management, companionship, and emotional support. The quality of care they provide has a significant impact on the overall well-being of the elderly they care for. In this article, we will discuss the importance of well-being and health in senior care and how providers can prioritize these aspects of care.

The Importance of Well-being and Health in Senior Care

Well-being and health are crucial aspects of senior care, and they go hand in hand. Well-being encompasses all aspects of a person’s life, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health. On the other hand, health refers to the absence of illness or disease and the optimal functioning of the body and mind. Together, well-being and health promote a good quality of life for seniors.

Senior care providers must prioritize the well-being and health of the elderly they care for because they are more vulnerable to health issues than younger adults. As people age, their bodies and minds become more fragile, making them more susceptible to injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions. Care providers must be vigilant about any changes in the seniors’ physical, emotional, or mental health and take action promptly to prevent any complications.

Senior care providers must also promote healthy behaviors among seniors.
Physical Habits: Encouraging physical activity, a healthy diet, and regular health check-ups can help prevent chronic illnesses and promote optimal health. Proper medication management as directed by the Primary Care Physician is essential. For exercises, try low-impact activities such as walking, light stretching, or even water aerobics.

Social Habits: Care providers can also facilitate social interactions among seniors, which can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common among seniors. It can also improve their mood, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. Additionally, social interactions can provide opportunities for learning new skills, engaging in hobbies, and making new friendships, which can enhance their sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Emotional Habits: By fostering positive emotional habits, seniors can maintain a positive outlook on life, develop resilience, and cope better with stress and challenges. There are several ways to achieve healthy emotional habits among seniors in assisted living. A ways to promote this is create a comfortable and safe environment where seniors feel heard, respected, and valued. Additionally, activities like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help seniors relax, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of calmness and well-being.

Spiritual Habits: Caregivers can help seniors connect with their spiritual beliefs and values through various activities. For instance, seniors can engage in meditation, prayer, or contemplation, which can help reduce stress, promote inner peace and enhance their overall sense of well-being. Caregivers can also facilitate discussions on spirituality and encourage seniors to share their experiences and beliefs with peers, which can foster a sense of community and belonging.

Senior care providers play a critical role in promoting the well-being and health of seniors under their care. By prioritizing physical, emotional, and spiritual health, caregivers can help seniors maintain a good quality of life and enhance their overall sense of well-being. Promoting healthy physical habits through regular exercise and activities such as walking or swimming, encouraging healthy emotional habits through social interactions and stress-reducing activities, and facilitating healthy spiritual habits through meditation, prayer, and community involvement are all effective ways to promote overall health among seniors. By prioritizing these aspects of care, caregivers can ensure that seniors under their care receive the best possible care and support to live a fulfilling and happy life.

Compassionate

A good caregiver is empathetic and compassionate, in order to foster a genuine relationship with the patient. To embody a “family member” figure allows them feel secure and nurtured, especially when the patient has been neglected by their own family. Some accept this harsh reality, but deep inside it can be agonizing. Start by asking their interests, sharing stories or engaging in certain activities together, such as watching a particular show or listening to music. By relating to them, they start to open up, and make visits more enjoyable for both parties.

Patient

It may sound cliché, but patience is a virtue. This holds true especially in the caregiving career. Your patience will be tested, and if not managed, can result to burnout. That is expected when taking care of the elderly. Such strenuous demands require a certain fortitude that it takes a very special kind of person to choose this line of work as a career. Good caregivers say that planning ahead is key to keeping sanity. Try setting some time aside each week for future planning. By knowing who you care for, from medical conditions to background knowledge, a better understanding of how to care for them will follow
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Good Communication Skills

Due to age. the elderly have the tendency to communicate and comprehend poorly, which is why the need for assistance is high. An effective caregiver can explain things to the client in a way that they can understand. This can very from person to person. Adapting to a person’s way of communicating is a great skill to have.

Since ample amounts of time will be spent with them, you will assist in keeping a calm and comfortable environment. If possible, encourage relatives to keep lines of communication open about any changes in their relatives’ care plan or condition. Problem-solving is a vital part of providing care for another person and requires excellent communication skills as well.

Dependability

While caring for seniors is demanding, being someone that a person can depend on is important. Showing up and being present in this line of work gives the reputation of reliability. Possessing this quality, builds trust between you and loved ones. By doing what you say you will do, you build on a valuable and recognized skill.

Intuitive

The future is uncertain, and at certain times caregivers might have to deal with circumstances that are way beyond their control. It may involve doing something out of the box, or just purely instinctive. The important thing here is discernment. Being perceptive and being able to judge a situation will lead you to execute proper action. After a period of getting to know the patient a good caregiver becomes intuitive to make appropriate reasoning.

Embodying these qualities ensures that being a caregiver is the path for you. Compassion, patience, communication, dependability, and intuition are skills we can strengthen to better enhance our lives and the lives we care for.

To learn more, enroll in our Caregiver in-service units that you can take online!

Getting Ready to Sell Your Home

Once you’ve made the decision to sell your current home, it’s time to take stock of your belongings. Because you’ll be downsizing, this is the perfect time to get rid of extra clutter that won’t fit into your new living space. Once you know where you’d like to live next, you can begin to pare down those items that won’t fit into your new living space. Letting go of personal keepsakes is more difficult. Give yourself time to go through these items, and follow a few guiding principles to help you let go of sentimental items, such as family heirlooms.

Finding the Right Home for Your Retirement

When considering what’s next, you’ll want to ask yourself some important questions when you determine where to move. Do you want the independence of your own apartment in the city? Or, would you prefer to be with other seniors in an intentional community? If you have health concerns, you may be more comfortable in an assisted living home. Consult family, do plenty of research, and visit different living options to see what feels right for your next home.

Senior Living Arrangements

There are many different types of senior living arrangements, but the two most common are independent living communities and assisted living facilities. Assisted facilities provide constant care, from shopping and meal preparation to bathing and taking care of doctor appointments. If you struggle with health concerns or mobility issues, assisted living could be a great option.

Independent senior living communities (such as senior villages or intentional communities) are more hands-off, but still provide access to services such as medical care, along with the bonus of living around other seniors. Most communities will have amenities such as dining halls to help prevent feelings of isolation.

However, more and more seniors are choosing to live in personal homes, whether on their own or with loved ones. Older adults who live alone can make life simpler by hiring people to help them with everyday tasks, like cleaning, lawn work, and even grocery shopping. Another option is hiring a caregiver to visit them as needed. Loved ones of seniors can also be hired as paid caregivers, although they’ll need credentialed training. Assisted Living Training School offers caregiver certification to friends and family members of seniors who want to support older adults who wish to continue living in a private (but downsized) home.

Do Your Research

Spend some time looking online for housing in your area and get a feel for the prices of homes that match your needs. In Tempe, for instance, homes sold for around $350,000 over the past 30 days or so. By checking out online real estate sites, you’ll get a feel for how home prices have changed from month to month, and whether that trend is rising or falling. By doing your research, you can aim to buy when the market is favorable.

Planning Your Home Sale and Move

Once you’ve found the perfect home for your transition, hire a trustworthy real estate agent and be as flexible with your timeline as possible. Selling during a pandemic requires more time, so muster up some patience and lean on technology by offering virtual tours and video showings to help you find the right buyer.

When you find a buyer and have decided on a new home, you’ll be ready to plan the logistics of your move. Lean on friends and family if you can, and hire a moving company if possible. If you’ve decluttered and pared down your belongings, the moving process will be much easier.

Moving in the COVID-19 Era

Getting ready for a major life change during the COVID-19 pandemic can be very challenging, but there are small steps you can take now to get you started on the process of moving, such as decluttering and research.

Because seniors are at greater risk for coronavirus, it’s wise to limit your movement until the situation improves in your area. Take guidance from local health authorities, and be sure to check in with any senior living communities before visiting.

Moving is never an easy process, but following these tips will help make the transition as smooth as possible. Do the groundwork first: decluttering and researching possible living arrangements are great initial steps while you wait out the pandemic.

Care for others with confidence by enrolling in the Assisted Living Training School. Online training available! 480-969-5305

How Caregivers Lose Touch

Family members often fall into the caregiver role. They often accept the role with optimism and gusto, believing that since they are family, they will provide the best possible care. While they are correct to say that their intentions would be personal and, therefore, potentially more attentive, the reality is that family caregivers quickly realize the difficulty of the job.

There are three stages of caregiver stress:

• Frustration. The optimism that fueled the initial caregiver relationship quickly devolves when the caregiver begins to have feelings of frustration. The caregiver may feel that nothing they do will make the situation better, and they may be correct — often the diseases and conditions that call for family caregivers are terminal. When no amount of nursing results in improvement, there is an understandable amount of exasperation.
• Isolation. Often, the conditions require 24/7 care. This can remove the caregiver from their normal routine and residence. When someone has nothing in their life other than providing care in a situation full of discontent, they may avoid social situations and the normal life routines they enjoyed prior to the care.
• Despair. As the patient comes closer to the end of their life, there can be an overwhelming sense of dread and guilt that the caregiver shoulders.

Signs of Caregiver Burnout

Following the three stages of caregiver stress, the following are signs that the situation is unhealthy and the caregiver needs a break or some assistance:

• Lack of energy.
• Sleeping irregularly, either too much or not enough.
• Withdrawal from social situations, avoiding friends, and avoiding things that once gave the caregiver joy.
• Losing interest in hobbies.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Irritability.
• Depression.

A particularly harmful sign is when a caregiver resorts to self-medicating to alleviate their stress. Taking drugs or drinking excessively could result in harming yourself and the one you care for.

If you experience any of these signs, it’s time to take a break and recharge. Although you may feel that respite is not possible, there are numerous resources available to provide family caregivers with a break. These include calling on other family members, volunteer organizations, and paid short-term in-house assistance providers. Sometimes a family is unaware of benefits that may be available through government assistance. Reach out to your local senior resources provider for more information.

Beyond reaching out for a helping hand from others, family caregivers can recharge their batteries through self-care. Self-care refers to the steps we take to provide comfort in our lives. Self-care is a complementary treatment for everything from addition to weight loss, and it can alleviate many of the symptoms of caregiver stress.

Some particularly effective self-care techniques for caregivers include:

• Exercising regularly.
• Eating a balanced, healthy diet.
• Socializing with friends.
• Enjoying quiet time, meditating, and being mindful.
• Connecting with your spirituality.
• Taking time each day to do one thing that makes you happy.

If you neglect sleep as a caregiver, burnout is far more likely. Avoid sugar and caffeine near bedtime and create a sleep-friendly environment in your bedroom, which can include purchasing some blackout curtains and repainting your room in a more soothing color. Listen to some relaxing music or sounds before you sleep—a portable Bluetooth speaker is ideal for this purpose.

Caregiver stress comes about quickly and silently. All caregivers should be aware of its potential and follow these tips to avoid the feelings of frustration, isolation, and despair. By remembering to care for yourself, a caregiver will become effective at their labor of love.

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I’d like to introduce you to our August Student of the Month, for 2021 – Jenissa Phoenix. Scoring a 100% on her State Exam, Jenissa worked hard throughout her training and it reflects the dedication she has for this profession! I took a moment to chat with Jenissa to learn more about who the person behind the score is.

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Meet Jenissa Phoenix…

Jenissa, can you tell us a bit about you and your story?

I am 27 years old, from Glendale. I live with my partner and our 7 animals. By day I am the Director of a non profit day program for adults with intellectual disabilities. By night I am a caregiver for Manor on Paradise.

You really do have a heart for caring both people and animals! Where do you find that inspiration?

My inspirations come from my family and the clients I work with everyday. They inspire me to be better.

And how do you see success?

Success to me, means working hard until you achieve your goals. then continuing to get better each day to reach new goals. 

Goals are important, and I am so glad that you brought that up. To keep your goals in mind, do you have a quote or motto that you live by?

“Write it in your heart that everyday is the best day of the year.”

-Ralph Waldo Emmerson

On the days that you feel the pressure, what is your favorite way to de-stress?

My favorite way to destress is going on a hike with my dogs, or sitting on my back patio with my partner enjoying the weather.

Relaxing indeed, especially in our beautiful state! Jenissa, thank you for taking the time to chat with me. If you can leave our students with a piece of advice, what would that be?

Study for your test and take notes during the lessons. It will help immensely! 

Thank you again for your time and the work you put in. You are a rockstar and we wish you much success in your life and career! We are confident that the lives you touch will be impacted for generations.

Assisted Living Training School offers personalized caregiver and assisted living manager certification programs in Arizona! Complete this form to learn more!

Take a Break

You may have fewer responsibilities these days, but seniors today are more active than ever. Even though being engaged with life is healthy, we all need a break from time to time. One of the best ways to take a break is to disconnect from “real” life by going on a vacation. With travel not advisable for seniors during the pandemic, a safer alternative is to take a “staycation.”

How do you take a vacation without traveling? One answer is to rent a home near your home town or city. Renting a home makes it easier to take your mind off of obligations and focus on fun and relaxation.

Learn Something New

You’ve probably heard the phrase “use it or lose it” sometime in your life. This could be said for strength, but for older adults, it also applies to cognitive function. We use our brains for everyday tasks, but we also need to stretch our brains by learning. Many seniors feel self-conscious about trying new things, but the truth is that lack of self-confidence is the main thing standing in your way. According to Scientific American, researchers found that seniors who engaged in active learning, such as learning a language, how to use new technology, or how to draw or paint, experienced increased cognitive abilities.

You may not think of learning as self-care, but this doesn’t mean sitting in a college classroom. Simply choosing a new activity you would enjoy can be fun, rewarding, and helps your brain stay healthier as you age. If you’re on a budget, activities like genealogy, bird watching, and taking all sorts of classes can be incredibly affordable.

Find Your “Fit” in Fitness

Finding your “fit” in fitness isn’t about toning up. Instead, it’s about finding a way that fitness can work for you. Being active is the ultimate self-care practice because of how beneficial it is for your physical and mental health. However, for many seniors, being active isn’t as easy as throwing on some sneakers for a run. The good news is you can still reap the benefits of exercise at home by choosing a few good workout videos, purchasing inexpensive equipment, and clearing away enough space in a room to exercise safely.

Keep your diet in mind as well. It’s possible to still eat healthy yet delicious foods. Snack ideas like turkey jerky, roasted chickpeas, and tuna lettuce wraps are tasty options with energy-boosting protein.

Fill a Need

Sometimes self-care is about giving attention to areas in our lives where there may be a void. These can be bigger issues like loneliness, or they can be small things, like simple pleasures in life. Either way, it can be harder for seniors to meet these needs than it was when we were younger.

In this case, self-care is overcoming the obstacles to meeting these needs. Could you reach out to a friend or neighbor? Is transportation what stands in your way? If so, is there someone you can team up with, or a ride sharing service where you live? If you lack the motivation, try returning to the simple joys you used to relish. The website Bustle calls these practices old-fashioned, but truly, simple joys like getting your hair done or going shopping never go out of style.

These examples show how self-care can be even more important in your senior years. Your physical and emotional needs don’t go away, even when meeting them is more challenging. This is why focusing on regular self-care is such a vital part of aging healthier and happier.

Photo on Unsplash

Most people are well aware of the benefits of exercise, nutrition, stress management being important to maintaining our optimal health. But did you know that your mind and body’s need to rest and recuperate at night is equally important? Lets talk about getting better sleep and why it is important to have quality rest!

Experts suggest adults get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night, and this can vary from person to person. The bottom line is that we all need sleep.  About 33% of the United States aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep per night, and approximately one in five adults in the United States experiences occasional sleeplessness or difficulty sleeping.

Many people think that the only consequences of poor sleep is feeling foggy or grouchy the next day. Sleep deprivation has actually been linked to several health risks that can negatively impact the body. 

As someone who has been in the senior living industry for many years, I see you caregivers! Being a caregiver is hard work, mentally and physically . If you had access to tools available for your own self-care and to provide a better quality of life to come one you care for, essential oils may be the answer that you are looking for. Of course, always consult your doctor to ensure there will be no negative interactions with any medications you may be currently taking.

If you said yes to any of these questions, there is an upcoming opportunity to participating in an essential oil sleep study group. There are additional studies being offered for other health/wellness issues ie. pain, digestive issues, stress/anxiety). If you are interested in participating, register here. Youll be provided with FREE samples to try for 5 days. After the study, you would give your feedback and opinions.

Are you curious or excited to see if aromatherapy with essential oils could help you or someone you care for get better quality rest? Are you skeptical, but open to trying essential oils at no risk?

Jody Zvada, Vim & Vigor Essential Oils

Let’s talk about what the brain is. The brain is a complex organ that plays a vital role to function. Although it is not a muscle, it is good for us to exercise and care for it as any other part of our body. By being mindful of what we consume and the actions we take to release toxins, the better we can optimize brain health.

Your big, fat brain

Firstly, think about what you had for breakfast. How did that affect how you felt for the rest of the day? When you eat or drink something, your body processes it in a variety of stages. The components breakdown and travel to every part of your body via your bloodstream. This is how it can affect your brain and cognitive awareness. 

Your brain holds 25% of your body’s cholesterol. It’s safe to say that our brains love “fat”. But before you reach for shellfish, eggs, meat, and cheese, think twice about what kind of fat you are putting in your body. “Good fats”, also known as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats on the nutrition label, is your best bet on brain healthy fats. It can be found in avocados, nuts, and fish. Incorporating these into your diet will not only ensure a healthy brain, but also a healthy heart. Cholesterol is vital for proper function of both organs, be aware that it is not impacting negatively.

Too high LDL (bad cholesterol) or too low HDL (good cholesterol) can manifest in the body in the following ways:

• Feeling sluggish
• Memory decrease
• Slurred speech
• Shortness of breath
• in the worst cases, heart attack or stroke

Most importantly, if you experience any or all of these, contact your doctor. You may need to adjust to a more plant based diet.

Hydration is KEY

Water accounts for 75% of your brain’s mass. Not only does it filter out toxins, it helps keep you cool and collected. Being dehydrated could increase your risk of heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, both of which can damage the brain. Be mindful and avoid beverages with high sugar or alcohol content because types of drinks deprive your brain of moisture. While our brains absorb water to flush out these toxins, when feeling clouded judgement or brain fog, try a tall glass of water. H20 keeps us focused, energized, and experiences better clarity and creativity. 

Mental clarity

Take the time to clear any junk that is taking up too much space. A few ways to do so is to:

1) Get the blood moving. Exercise is a productive way to increase circulation to your brain and muscles. Going outside and taking a breath of fresh air, going on a hike/walk, doing a workout/activity, whatever movement you need to feel good, do that!

2) Limit your screen exposure. Stimulus can come from every which way, in ways more than just food, but what we consume visually too. Our brains take a lot of pressure from the outside world. With technology we have fast content at our fingertips. This can be considered a bad thing if not used properly. Try turning off your notifications to disconnect from constant alerts, or deleting social apps for a period of time, or set a time limit on said applications.

3) Rest. Our brains can become overworked, so it is important to rest effectively. Relieve stress by taking breaks often and getting a good night’s sleep. By doing so, productivity and clarity will increase. Sleep and resting from large amounts of stimuli is how the brain recovers, properly stores, and retains information. Effectively wind down from the day or large tasks by simplifying and slowing down. It is not wise to increase stimuli before bedtime because it can reduce your length of quality sleep.

Now that you learned a little bit about what it takes to have a healthy brain, how do you rate yourself or the loved one you take care of? What areas are you doing well in? What areas can be improved to help your productivity? Take a mental note of your answers. Integrate these methods into your daily routine, above all see how they can optimize your brain health!