by Kay Bidwell | Feb 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
Home and Community Based Services. The Veterans Administration provides a variety of home based care for Veterans to help chronically ill or disabled Veterans of any age remain in their own homes. The Home and Community Based programs range from Adult Day Health Care and Respite to Home-based Primary and Palliative Care; from Homemaker/Home Health Aides and Skilled Home Health to Hospice services. A Homemaker or Home Health Aide is a trained person who can come to a Veteran’s home and help the Veteran take care of him/herself and his/her daily activities. Homemaker/Home Health Aides work for an organization that has a contract with the VA. Advocates In-Home Care is contracted with the Veterans Administration to provide Respite as well as Homemaker and Home Health Aid care. A Homemaker or Home Health Aide can be used as part of an alternative to nursing home care, and to get Respite Care at home for Veterans and their family caregiver. Respite Care allows a primary caregiver to attend to his/her own needs without having to worry about the person in need of care. Primary caregivers need to take care of themselves if they are going to be able to continue to provide good care for their loved one. The Respite Care program recognizes that need and provides care coverage for time away – or time for a nap! Homemaker Home Health Aide services are part of a service within the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package. Home based care for veterans is available to all enrolled Veterans if they meet the clinical need for the service. It will be necessary to be evaluated by a...
by Kay Bidwell | Feb 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
10 Tips for Beating the Winter Blues For those of us who live in northern climates, winter can be long and dreary. To avoid feeling depressed, try some of the following ideas for beating the winter blues. Exercise! Yes, it’s often listed as a cure for whatever ails you. And with good reason. Along with many physical benefits, exercise can improve mood and mental health. A brisk walk or some simple stretches may bring a boost to your outlook. Get outside as much as possible. Sure, it’s cold, but with proper outdoor gear, greeting the fresh air will improve sleep and mood. Just a few minutes a day outside can help to alleviate “cabin fever”. Get some Vitamin D. It’s especially good to get outside when (if!!) the sun is shining to soak up some Vitamin D. Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to depression. Taking a Vitamin D supplement during winter may help to improve mood. If you can swing it, head south for a few days to a place where the sun is shining Light up your life! Our short, gloomy days deprive us of light, causing some people to develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Even those who don’t have SAD may still feel down after a stretch of cloudy, gray days. So, open your shades, turn on your lights, and consider buying a full-spectrum light. Be sure to get a light box specifically made to combat SAD. Start a project. Clean a closet, sort & shred old papers, refinish a coffee table, or write down memories for your kids and grandkids. Having something purposeful...
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