Memorial Day, first called “Decoration Day”, is a day of remembrance for individuals who have perished in our nation’s service. You will discover many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also proof that organized women’s groups in the South were adorning graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, “Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping” by Nella L. Sweet delivered the dedication “To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead” (Source: Duke University’s Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s challenging to prove clearly the source of the day. It is likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every organized or unplanned meeting of people to honor the war dead in the 1860′s tapped into the common human need to honor our dead, each added honestly to the increasing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not essential who was the very first, what is essential is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about separation. It is about compromise; it is about joining together to honor those who gave everything they had.

Traditional observation of Memorial day has diminished over the years.

Many Americans today have forgotten the significance and practices of Memorial Day.

Since the late 50′s on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.

In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye’s Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

If you would like information about senior care in Wilkes Barre PA, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable senior care to seniors, veterans and the disabled loved ones in our communities. Call 570-450-0890.

Since 1963, towns across the nation have grouped together to celebrate Older Americans Month—a very proud tradition that exhibits our nation’s devotion to recognizing the impact and successes of mature Americans.

The theme for Older Americans Month 2012, “Never Too Old to Play…”
encourages older Americans to stay involved, energetic and interested in their own lives and in their area communities.

Here are some tips for Older American’s Month

Physical Activity

Here are some physical activity ideas:

- Wii bowling tournament. Wii bowling is a popular activity among older adults, and a good way to connect elders and young people in an intergenerational lesson of energizing activity that promotes fitness and fosters intergenerational connections.

- Miniature golf. Miniature golf is a fantastic sort of light exercise and enjoyment for people of all ages. For your Day of Play give consideration to an outing to a nearby miniature golf course. Call ahead to see if there is a group rate or senior discount. To make this an intergenerational event ask the older adults to bring along a friend from another generation such as a child or grandchild.

-Choreographed fitness. There are several choices for fun group exercise activities for older adults. For your Day of Play you may choose to organize training in one or more of these exercises in movement:

-Tai chi is a group activity in which participants move slowly and gently in unison. Tai chi improves balance and strength.

-Water aerobics is exactly what it sounds like. The gentle resistance of the water in a pool intensifies this low-impact aerobic workout. And exercising in a pool reduces the risk of injuries from falls.

-Yoga uses stretching and breathing to relax the mind and body, and it’s very good for circulation.

-Dancing improves balance and coordination. Plus, it’s a great creative outlet and way to meet new people.

Take care of the seniors in your life and celebrate National Older American’s Month.  

If you would like information about senior care in Hazleton PA, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable senior care to seniors, veterans and the disabled loved ones in our communities. Call 570-450-0890.

Around the United States, registered nurses are being honored.

On May 6, 2012, we are joining the American Nurses Association in commemorating Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring, as part of National Nurses Week, which is held May 6-12, each and every year. The purpose of the week-long festivities is to raise awareness of the importance of nursing and help educate a lot of people regarding the role nurses play in meeting the health care demands of the American people.

In honor of the dedication, commitment, and tireless hard work of the nearly 3.1 million registered nurses nationally to increase and preserve the health and wellbeing of this country, the American Nurses Association is honored to acknowledge registered nurses world over on this special day for the caregiving and excellent quality effort they provide seven days a week, 365 days a year.

In respect of Nursing: Advocating, Leading, Caring, all registered nurses in America are encouraged to proudly wear the official ANA “RN” pin or any other pin that visibly presents them as registered nurses, and/or their nurses uniform on May 6, 2012.

Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring

Typically illustrated as an art and a science, nursing is a line of work that embraces dedicated folks with varied likes and dislikes, skills and dreams because of the many choices the profession presents. Nurses are caregivers, work in emergency rooms, school based clinics, and homeless shelters, in addition to others. They have many roles – from staff nurse to educator to nurse practitioner and nurse researcher – and perform all of them with desire for the career and with a commitment to patient safety.

National Nurses Week History  

National Nurses Week commences yearly on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

These fixed dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition celebration. As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National Student Nurses Day, to be commemorated yearly. And as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week (May 6-12) each year.

The nursing career has been endorsed and approved by the American Nurses Association (ANA) since 1896.

Each of ANA’s state and territorial nurses associations promotes the nursing profession at the state and regional levels. Each conducts celebrations on these dates to recognize the contributions that nurses and nursing make to the community.

If you know a registered nurse, be sure to thank him or her for their service during National Nurses Week 2012.

If you would like information about caregivers in Hazleton PA, contact Comfort Keepers. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable caregivers to seniors, veterans and the disabled loved ones in our communities. Call 570-450-0890.

Are you providing senior care in Hazleton, PA for an aging parent?

Here are some ways to spread the spirit of gardening in your community.

Plant a Row for the Hungry at a Local Community Garden

In this land of plenty it’s hard to imagine not having access to excellent food at a sensible cost. Nonetheless, for a lot of Americans, acquiring a healthy meal is not always simple. It’s approximated almost 33 million people, including 13 million children, resort to  emergency food because they cannot pay for the food they need.

Host a Plant Swap at a Local Church

The finest plants aren’t always from your neighborhood garden center or seed catalog. Instead they are obtained through quick cuttings or by obtaining seeds from the garden of a friend or family member. These “pass-along plants” provide both beauty and sentiment to your garden.

Have a Spring Cleaning Green Up Day at a Senior’s Home

Spring cleaning — indoors and out — is a ritual that marks the end of winter and  the start of a new season, and similar to many activities, it’s more fun when you share it. A senior’s home, your street, neighborhood, town park, and any other public space could use some greening up; it just takes someone to organize a small group.

Yard Sale Philanthropy

The appearance of spring, followed up with a bit longer days and higher temperatures, generates visions of green oases teeming with tomatoes and brimming with beans. Spring is also a time for cleaning out. This year, celebrate National Garden Month in an unexpected way-by visiting yard sales in search of second-hand stuff that every senior’s garden needs.

Organize a Garden Visit with Senior Friends, Over Tea!

Gardeners grow more than plants – every one of us has stories to share. For a change, why not share them in over tea? Socialization and admiration of another person’s garden brings joy to everyone.

Other tips for having fun with seniors in your local community:

-Arrange or join in a town beautification day.

-Go to your neighborhood farmers’ market.

-Flatter a neighbor on his or her garden.

-Meet up with neighbors to purchase compost and mulch in bulk quantities.

-Volunteer to plant and keep up a garden at your city library.

-Present a gardening article or essay to your community paper.

-Interview an elder to learn what foods his or her family grew when he or she was a child.

-Search for neighbors from numerousethnic groups to learn about their native cuisine and gardening techniques.

-Green up your street or a local park by picking up trash.

-Share a cutting of one of your favorite landscape or houseplants with a senior neighbor.

-Inventory your gardening gear (e.g., pots, seeds, stakes) and gift the excess to a area gardening program, assisted living facility or school garden.

-Celebrate other important “green” holidays: Earth Day (April 22) and National Arbor Day (April 26).

-Volunteer at your local school’s garden.

-Volunteer at a local senior center’s garden.

-Start a neighborhood garden club.

-Share your garden’s bounty with a senior neighbor.

-Have fun doing a gardening project with a senior.

-Deliver houseplants or flowers to a nursing home, assisted living or children’s hospital.

-Donate past issues of gardening magazines to your library, or buy the library a gift subscription.

If you would like information about senior care in Hazleton PA, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable senior care to seniors, veterans and the disabled loved ones in our communities. Call 570-450-0890.

The four key symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or weakened balance and coordination.

As these warning signs end up being more distinct, patients may have difficulties walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.

PD usually strikes men and women over the age of 50.  Beginning warning signs of Parkinson’s Disease are subdued and occur slowly.  In some folks the disease moves forward a lot faster than in others.

As the disease progresses, the shaking, or tremor, which affects the majority of Parkinson’s Disease patients may begin to obstruct with every day activities.  Other symptoms may include depression and other emotional changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep disruptions.

There are presently no blood or laboratory tests that have been established to assist in diagnosing sporadic Parkinson’s Disease.  Thus the diagnosis is based on medical history and a neurological examination.

The disease can be hard to diagnose correctly.   Medical professionals may in some cases request brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases.

Is there any treatment method?
Today, there is no cure for PD, but an assortment of medications provide remarkable comfort from the signs or symptoms.

Homecare and Treatment
In the beginning, Parkinson’s disease may not greatly bother your life. But for the majority of people, the disease gets more disabling after a while. Private Duty Homecare can help patients as they become adjusted, and as the disease moves along. This of course, allows them to stay independent for as long as possible. The good quality of their life may be dependent in part on their capacity to continue working, take care of a home, care for their family, and remain independent. They may require customizable devices such as canes or walkers as the disease advances.

Factors of  Homecare that are valuable for an individual with PD are:

• Adjusting their routines and their property, for instance simplifying their activities and shifting the place of furniture so that they can hold something as they maneuver around the house.

• Eating healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.

• Exercising and doing physical therapy, which have benefits in both early and advanced stages of the disease.

• Dealing with tremor, which may include putting a little weight on the hand to help reduce tremor and restore control.

• Improving speech quality by working with a speech therapist (also called a speech-language pathologist).

• Reducing problems with eating and drooling by changing how and what they eat.

• Dealing with “freezing” by various means, such as stepping towards a specific target on the ground.

• Handling depression. If they are feeling sad or depressed, ask a friend or family member for help. If these feelings don’t go away, or if they get worse, talk to their doctor. He or she may be able to suggest someone for you to talk to or give them medicine that will help.

• Coping with dementia. Dementia is common late in Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms may include confusion and memory loss. If a family member notices that they are confused a lot or have trouble thinking clearly, talk to their doctor. There are medicines that can help dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease.

If you would like information about homecare in Wilkes Barre PA, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable homecare to seniors, veterans and the disabled loved ones in our communities. Call 570-450-0890.

Are you considering home care in Wilkes Barre PA for your aging parent?

Occupational therapy makes it possible for consumers of all ages to enjoy life by aiding them to encourage health, prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. It is a practice deeply rooted in science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each individual is supported by data, experience, and “best practices” that have been developed and proved over time.

If a senior in your life is receiving home care services, you might also consider asking their physician about Occupational Therapy services that are often covered by Medicare.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on “doing” whatever occupations or activities are meaningful to the man or woman. It is occupational therapy’s objective to get over troubles to the answers that promise living life to its fullest. These alternatives may be adaptations for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings, or aiding folks to revise their own behaviors.

When working with an occupational therapy practitioner, techniques and modifications are individualized for each particular person to resolve issues, improve function, and help everyday living routines. The mission is to maximize potential. Through these therapeutic methods, occupational therapy can help folks design their lives, build needed skills, adjust their environments (e,g., home, school, or work) and build health-promoting habits and routines that will enable them to succeed.

By obtaining the full picture into account—a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment—occupational therapy assists clients to do the following:

• Achieve goals
• Function at the highest level
• Concentrate on what matters most to them
• Sustain or rebuild their independence
• Take part in daily activities that they need or want to do.

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Hazleton PA, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at 570-450-0890 for more information.

(ARA) – For some, spring represents the budding of flowers and longer days filled with warm sunshine. But for one in five people, spring also usually means allergies are in full scope.

Seasonal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, cause cold-like indicators which include  itchy nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes and ears, along with watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. But different from a cold, allergies aren’t precipitated by a virus; they are triggered by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as mold, trees, pollen and pet dander.

Allergies, which have an impact on an estimated 60 million people in the United States both young and old, can genuinely take a toll on your daily schedule, and they are a hassle both in daily life and professionally. Regardless of whether you’re impacted all year or during a specific season, learning how to take care of allergy symptoms can be critical to restoring your comfort and well-being.

This disorder can also be expensive to cope with . From 2000 to 2005, the expense of treating allergic rhinitis nearly doubled from $6.1 billion to $11.2 billion, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. over 50% of that was spent on prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some experts advise patients buy store-brand, over-the-counter medicines as an successful means of dealing with both the allergy concern and its connected charges.

“There are a number of very effective over-the-counter treatments to address the symptoms of seasonal allergies,” says Dr. William Berger, professor of allergy and immunology at the University of California, Irvine. “In fact, to help patients save money, I would recommend many of the store-brand, non-sedating antihistamines sold at leading retailers and pharmacies, such as Cetirizine or Loratadine. These products are approved by the FDA, but cost significantly less than the brand names.”

According to Berger, a lot of allergy sufferers should find higher relief of their symptoms by taking one of these newer, more potent treatments now readily available in the aisle, like Fexofenadine, which just switched from prescription to over-the-counter in 2011.

“Effective management with medicines, ideally before the allergy symptoms start, is key,” he says.

When an aging loved one needs elder care, know of the interactions between over-the-counter medications and the elderly person’s prescription drugs.

You may think that over-the-counter (OTC) medications are always risk-free. But if you are  a senior  and in addition taking prescription medications, this kind of thinking can get you into some distress.

“The average number of prescription medications taken by people over 65 is five or six,” says Michael H. Perskin, MD, an assistant professor of medicine and an internist at the New York University Langone Medical Center. “As you get older, it increases and so does the potential for drug interactions.”

So how can you find effective and protected remedy from arthritis and other pain, and cold or allergy symptoms? “When in doubt, ask your pharmacist,” Perskin says. “If you have taken the medication before, it’s probably OK. But if it’s new or your other medication regimen has changed, check it out.”

You can find more details about the symptoms and treatments for allergic rhinitis at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.aaaai.org), or the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.acaai.org).

If you would like information about elder care in Parsons PA, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable elder care to seniors, veterans and the disabled loved ones in our communities. Call 570-450-0890.

A number of states are now requiring driving tests for older people or for people who have been in three or more collisions in one year, required. This is because senior drivers are more vulnerable to either being injured or killed. Statistically,  our aging loved ones are more often in hazardous or fatal wrecks than any other ages. The only way to successfully be certain that the unsafe drivers are off the roads is for them to be obligated to take a test to see who should and who shouldn’t be driving. Several see this as inequity, while other individuals see it as a comfort and a way to know for sure that their loved one will be safe while on the road. Many people, especially those with senior family members, are already aware of the possible risks.

A excellent choice for keeping your older parent or loved one safe is to use a home care agency that can provide transportation. Home care agencies not only offer transportation but more importantly they supply the prospect for men and women to keep their independence. This also avoids solitude and allows them to continue to get around to their own doctor appointments as well as run their own errands.

You will find a number of unique ways to find out how to get assistance in your community. Make contact with your local Area Agency on Aging. If they do not offer transportation, they can help you find more information in order to find  a home care agency who does. There are also door-to-door services in most areas and driver volunteers. The door-to-door service do require you to call and give them notice on what your plans are but this may offer the most range of flexibility.

However, if you are interested in paying a fee for each designated stop you should ask about a fixed route. The fees charged are discounted at senior citizen rates and in some cases are actually free. The option available with driver volunteers usually is a great option for people who need to be taken to a specific place at certain times such as doctor appointments or senior centers. For more information you can call the National Transit Hotline Toll Free at 1-800-527-8279, they can provide you with a list of local home care agencies that can help you find the right alternative to fit your specific needs.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Hazleton PA, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at 570-450-0890 for more information.

When a loved one can not move through their own home safely, it might be time for you to hire a caregiver. They can supply safety, relaxation, companionship and stability, all from the comforts of the seniors own home. This can also relieve any stress and anxiety the rest of the family may very well be feeling. Here are some pros to appointing a caregiver.

Caregivers used through an agency are pre-trained, screened and in case they call in sick, a back-up will be available to fill in. They are trained to be knowledgeable of possible hazards and safety concerns with respect to medication, falls and aid in daily activities.

Recognizing possible risks is crucial and should be at the top of the list when it pertains to senior care. A caregiver must be able to check up on the care recipient daily to make sure everything is in order and if there are any medications that need to be taken, it’s done so in a timely fashion. They will also be able to ensure that there aren’t any fallen objects or tripping dangers lying around your home that could cause a safety concern. CPR and first aid is also a requirement for a companion in this field and will be an asset in case an emergency develops.

Doing daily chores can become a challenging deed for some seniors. Things like changing light bulbs, getting the mail in icy weather, grocery shopping, cleaning, and meal preparation can all be challenging. Retaining the correct companion will give the recipient and the family peace of mind that they can still live in their own residence, yet have assistance in attaining these tasks that they can no longer do alone.

A caregiver will also be able to assist in personal care needs. These may include toilet help, bathing, dressing and aiding in their mobility. Caregivers can also deliver companionship to seniors living by themselves. It’s easy to be doing simple tasks and have an accident. By having a professional supply continuing daily care, the care receiver will feel at ease and feel less emotional stress knowing that someone is caring for their best interests and making them their top priority.

Aides are trained and know specifically what to look for and take care of to make certain your loved ones are safe, secure and provided with only the best care.

The caregivers at Comfort Keepers are available to talk with you and your family about all of your caregiver needs. Comfort Keepers is a home care agency providing quality, and affordable caregivers in Hazleton PA and the surrounding communities. Call 570-450-0890 for more information.

With a home care agency, knowing when to take medications on time will be a lot less difficult–to say the least. The reason is that a home care agency will supply you with the essentials to do what is expected, with regards to your medications. One of the necessities that you will be given is a personal aid, and although your helper will not be able to administer your medications for you, he or she  will be around to remind you to consume them on-time, as well as to guide you if you need help. Not only that, your caregiver will be there to help you keep track of your medications by making note of what you took and when you took it, ensuring that you are sticking to your physician’s orders and that you are not taking to little or taking too much.

True, your helper will not be present 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but that is fine. You’ll be able to obtain your scheduled medication reminders through an automated system, which is a phone call that will be made at preset times. This means that you do not have to be anxious about being hounded with calls throughout the day, and you do not have to worry about carrying on a conversation when the calls are made, considering that the calls will not be made by a live representative. Instead, the computerized voice can either tell you your medications or ask you if you are feeling well. If the answer is yes, you will be instructed to push number one; if the answer is no, you will be instructed to push number two.

Apart from getting medication reminders and phone calls on how you are feeling, you are going to receive the amount of attention that is needed to keep you healthy and alert. This is why, you can rest comfortably at night, knowing that your medications are taken and that you are being well taken care of.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Wilkes Barre PA, or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Comfort Keepers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at 570-450-0890 for more information.