Gerda Saunders served as the University of Utah’s associate director of Gender Studies until she retired in 2011. That year, her colleagues gave her a leather-bound notebook as a farewell gift. Nine months prior to leaving her job, Sanders was diagnosed with cerebral microvascular disease, a precursor of dementia. She was only sixty-one. In her…
DetailsCaregivers are the backbone of our society. Today, upwards of 30 million unpaid caregivers provide care to an adult 50 years or older in homes across America. According to AARP, the economic value of caregiving rivals that of Walmart, the world’s largest company. These statistics, however, hide an ugly truth: burnout among caregivers is high…
DetailsDementia is a cruel disease. The often slow descent into irreversible mental decline is horrific and traumatizing. Challenges abound at every stage, and not surprisingly, caregivers are at the forefront of the battle. To make matters worse, there’s no known cure for Alzheimer’s. For caregivers, hope often proves elusive. Fortunately, there are many books on…
DetailsAs we age, our risk for having a heart attack grows. We all should be acquainted with the signs of a heart attack. Chest pain or discomfort like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach. Shortness of breath…
DetailsFor the elderly population, a hospital admission can be life-changing. It is more difficult for people to recover from traumatic events as they age, and a health crisis requiring hospital care often signals a change in the level of support a patient needs. Here is an overview of some of the most common reasons elderly people…
DetailsFood guru Michael Pollan’s memorable words make good health simple at any age: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” There’s a great message packed into those short phrases. Essentially, what we eat makes a huge difference in our health. Pollan recommends the inclusion of unprocessed whole foods in our diet. So, healthy meals for…
DetailsAccording to the US Census Bureau, the aging population is set to double by 2050. Despite the challenges of aging, however, seniors remain a fiercely independent demographic. In fact, many are opting to age in place. Did you know that the fastest growing metro area in the United States is The Villages in Florida? The…
DetailsThe New York Times recently reported that even after 30 years of warnings regarding the dangers it poses to the elderly, use of benzodiazepine, sedative-hypnotic drugs like Valium, Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin, rises sharply with age. A study in the February 2015 edition of JAMA Psychiatry reports that 9% of those between 65 and 80…
DetailsSeniors are often more tech-savvy than they are given credit for. In fact, technology use among seniors has sky-rocketed. Today, seniors live more digitally-connected lives than ever. According to the Pew Research Center, 4 in 10 adults 65 years and older report owning smartphones. Additionally, almost 70% of seniors use the Internet today. That’s a…
DetailsSeniors with CHF At Risk Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can be fatal. Seniors are at an especially high risk. In people over the age of 65, heart failure is the most common reason for hospital admissions, with 900,000 people being hospitalized in the US each year. CHF…
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David York Agency fully understands that the elderly is most at risk with respect to the coronavirus (Covid-19). As such, we have put comprehensive measures in place to ensure the safety of your loved ones.
To protect our clients:
1 – We have extra in-service training for our home health aides on how to care for patients during this epidemic.
2 – We have instructed our aides not to take clients into crowded places.
3 – We have continued to emphasize the important of good hygiene in the elderly and re-emphasized the critical need for extra hand washing.
4 – We have instructed aides to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of the virus in their clients.
5 – We have stressed the need to keep the nutrition of the client up at this critical juncture.
6 – We have provided masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, aprons, and faces shields to all aides as needed.
7 – We have told all our aides to be in touch with our office if they notice ANY changes in behavior or condition of the client.
With respect to the aides,
1 – We have stressed the importance of their personal hygiene as well. They also must be meticulous with their own cleanliness including proper hand washing techniques as well as when to wash hands or sanitize.
2 – They have been instructed to take their own temperature at the beginning and end of every shift
3 – We are in constant touch with our aides to inquire about their own signs and symptoms. Just as in our clients, they must be aware of an increased temperature, shortness of breath, sore throat, weakness or fatigue, or a loss or decease of appetite.
4 – If a situation should arise where there is any question at all as to their status with respect to the virus, we will take them off the case and replace them immediately.
Virtual Visits provide secure video-conferencing and reduce the risk of client and staff exposure to COVID-19. We connect with our clients on a smartphone, tablet, or computer to perform wellness checks, answer questions, and share guidance.
David York Agency is up to date on the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on a constant basis.
