8 Potential Causes for Headache Symptoms or Brain Injury

If you feel pain at the base of your skull or in the back of your neck, you may have occipital neuralgia, a condition characterized by inflamed or injured nerves running from the spinal cord through the scalp.  Other symptoms may also include sensitivity to light, headaches, migraines, tender scalp, and pain during neck movement.  Because it is often confused for other types of headaches, doctors cannot detect a cause for it.  Up to this point, you may have had otherwise good health, but if these symptoms have been occurring lately, you may want to get a medical opinion before things get worse.  This condition has also been associated with the following:

• Osteoporosis
• Head trauma
• Neck tumors
• Infection
• Diabetes
• Cervical disc disease
• Blood vessel inflammation
• Gout

Top-Notch In-Home Care for Migraines, Occipital Neuralgia and Other Symptoms

When your head is throbbing from electric shock-like pain for hours at a time, it is virtually impossible to do anything.  Many of A-1 Home Care’s caregivers and licensed vocational nurses have a background in physical therapy; our trained professionals can help apply cranial osteopathy (a.k.a., head massage) to relieve some of the pain and help you relax.  Our round-the-clock certified nurse aides will also help with chores such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and transportation anywhere in Corona del Mar.  The most important priority for you is to relax and rest from doing anything that might trigger the pain.

About A-1 Home Care

For over two decades, A-1 Home Care has been delivering exceptional in-home care services to communities in Corona del Mar.  Because we are licensed, bonded and insured, all of our caregivers have passed an extensive criminal background screening for your safety and peace of mind.  We offer various types of home care services like Multiple Sclerosis Care and Brain Injury Care at competitive rates.  Our 24 hour care and live-out care services are covered by long-term care insurance and veteran benefits.  Paying out of pocket?  Talk to our care managers about an elder care plan that fits your budget.

For quality Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in Corona del Mar, Fountain Valley, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and other parts of Orange County.

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Staying Physically Active after Kidney Disease Diagnosis with In-Home Care Support

Exercising is more than a lifestyle; it’s a mindset.  Everyone knows that physical exercise is beneficial and necessary to stay healthy, but does that mean that everyone is doing it?  Of course not.  You either believe in it or you don’t.  For the gym rats who have been exercising for most of their lives prior to dialysis, getting diagnosed with kidney disease is one of the most disheartening events in life, and there may not be too much support in the community where you live.  In addition to symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, and chronic fatigue, you might experience side effects like neuralgia from taking medication.  A-1 Home Care in Corona del Mar provides full Kidney Care support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Staying Motivated to Exercise with Companion Care

If exercising was not your part of your lifestyle prior to the diagnosis, it’s never too late to begin a routine or program.  Bring a live-in caregiver with you to the doctor’s before you partake in vigorous activities.  In addition to increased energy levels, you’ll also experience the following benefits of exercise:

• Decreased level of cholesterol and triglycerides
• Better weight management
• Improved muscle strength
• Better sleep

Doctors usually recommend that you exercise in 30-minute increments or less, depending on your strength and energy levels.  If you start feeling chest pain, dizzy, or other symptoms that make it difficult to exercise, you should stop right away and not over-exert your body.

During the times when you feel too exhausted to do anything, you can rely on a helpful 24-hour caregiver to assist you with meal preparations, light housekeeping, errands and transportation anywhere in Corona del Mar and beyond.  Round-the-clock caregivers are especially instrumental when you need help going to the doctor’s and it’s too unsafe for you to drive on your own.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency in Southern California, delivering exceptional in-home care services in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Fullerton, Anaheim and other parts of Orange County.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care protects you and your loved ones from predators and scam artists so you can rest assured that your loved ones are in good hands.  Our caregiving services are covered by long term care insurance and veteran benefits; you can also finance Kidney Care with our affordable payment plan options!

For affordable, high quality Kidney Care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in your area.

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Long-term Effects of Caregiver Burnout and Why You Should Curb Your Stress Levels Now

If you have not taken any steps toward self-care, it’s time to start now.  A-1 Home Care applauds you for your efforts in caring for your elderly loved one.  As many families can attest, providing assistance with daily tasks such as meal preparation, overnight care, and toileting care can take a toll on your physical health, especially if your loved one’s condition is such that you have to stay awake all night to ensure your loved one’s safety.  Over a period of time, when your body’s stress response system is stimulated day after day, night after night, you will experience some of these long-term effects:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Osteoporosis
• Colon disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Viral infections
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Multiple Sclerosis

All of the aforementioned diseases have been linked to high levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), an immune system protein that’s activated in response to trauma, stress, cancer and infection.  One study showed that family caregivers had a 63% higher death rate than their counterparts, and about 70% of the caregiver participants passed away before the study was over.

How A-1 Home Care Can Help

If you are looking for affordable 24 hour care, look no further than A-1 Home Care!  We provide high quality senior care at the most competitive rates in LA County.  You can take a full break for a few days to a few weeks with 24 hour respite care, or you can sign up for long-term round-the-clock care for as long as you need it.  Live-in and live-out care services entail assistance with meal preparation, laundry, personal care, transportation, companion care and more.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency that provides exceptional in-home care to seniors and their families all over Corona del Mar, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Tustin, Fullerton, Anaheim, and other parts of Orange County.  As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, we promote senior wellness and safety.  Every caregiver, certified nurse aide, certified home health aide, licensed vocational nurse and home helper is thoroughly screened for their criminal background.  All professional references are verified.  Our caregiver services are covered by long term care insurance and veteran benefits.  We also offer quality care at affordable rates.  Talk to one of our care managers today about an elder care plan that fits your budget!

Avoid caregiver burnout by calling A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in your area. 

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When Pain Killers No Longer Work for Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease caused by an infection or injury, particularly in the joint areas where cartilage tissue is worn down to almost nothing.  The breakdown of the tissue could be from normal wear and tear (aging) or it can be caused by an autoimmune attack, as in the case of rheumatoid arthritis.  Doctors often prescribe pain medication to relieve arthritis symptoms such as joint swelling, stiffness, morning flares, and back pain.  Arthritis is common in the hands, fingers, knees and elbows.  What do you do, though, when pain medication no longer seems to work?

Some suggestions may go against logic. For example, why exercise if movement only aggravates the pain?  However, here are some long-term solutions to consider:

• Avoid alcohol at all costs. Even if your elderly loved one thinks that his choice of drink will relieve the pain, alcohol actually triggers and exacerbates the problem.
• If you can, try to move your arms and legs. The more you move, the more you increase the flexibility of your joints, which reduces the pain.
• Other foods to avoid: fried/processed food, candy, soda, dairy products
• Use a heating pad, especially in the morning if that’s when your loved one’s symptoms are most severe

If you can’t be home to assist your elderly loved one who has arthritis, you can get 24 hour care from A-1 Home Care.  Our live-in arthritis care services include meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, personal care, transportation and more.

About A-1 Home Care

A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured home care agency based in Corona del Mar.  Established in 1991, we have been serving seniors and their families for over two decades, offering a variety in-home care services such as Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Lou Gehrig’s Care, Arthritis Care, Parkinson’s Care, Kidney Care, Cancer Care, Hospice Care and more.  As one of the few home care agencies that have successfully received licensure from the State of California, A-1 Home Care ensures client safety and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction.  We screen every caregiver for their criminal background and all professional references are verified.  Our 24 hour care and live-out care services are covered by long term care insurance and veteran benefits.  We also offer high quality in-home care at unbeatably low rates!

For quality Arthritis Care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in Corona del Mar, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Garden Grove.

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4 Tips on Motivating Your Elderly Loved One to Bathe

Understanding why your elderly loved one refuses to bathe when she has always been the clean freak may decrease your levels of frustration when you try to get your aging parents into the bath tub or shower.  A common excuse that the elderly use is, “I’m not doing any yard work or errands that are getting my hands dirty.  Therefore I don’t need a shower.”  Maybe there’s an underlying fear of falling or slipping in the shower, or perhaps the act of bathing or showering is very exhausting for your spouse or parent.  In this article, we at A-1 Home Care will list some of the reasons for seniors’ reluctance as well as solutions to those reasons.

Control

Consider recent events that have happened.  Has your elderly loved one recently lost driving privileges due to poor vision or aging?  Did his physician recommend that your father move in with you for senior safety and monitoring?  Does his physical condition render him dependent on another human being for basic needs such as mobility?  Your father’s resistance to bathing might be one area that he still has control over, and he is not ready to relinquish that yet.  Knowing your elderly loved one’s personality well enough to motivate him to shower is tricky.  Depending on your relationship history with your parents, it might not be so easy to “trick” your parents into bathing; sometimes a perfect stranger like a professional in-home care aide will be sufficient to coax your elderly loved ones.

Depression

If memory isn’t an issue for your elderly loved one, take a closer look at other possible reasons.  Does your loved one seem sadder than usual lately?  Has she lost interest in activities and hobbies she once enjoyed?  It may be very possible that she has also lost interest in taking care of her personal hygiene as well, which is indicative of depression.  Encourage her to see a doctor, or have a live-in caregiver accompany her if you are not able to go with her for a check-up.

Decreased Sense of Smell

Physical health conditions and medication’s side effects could hamper your loved one’s sense of smell.  Your parents may not be aware that they smell a little, nor would they notice it on their spouse.  All they probably need is a gentle reminder to take a shower.

Memory

Last but not least, memory loss is one of the most obvious reasons why a senior would not shower for days.  The days and weeks blend together and the elderly lose track of time.  If your parents are strong enough to take showers by themselves, remind them gently; otherwise, if they are physically frail and for some reason you cannot be there due to distance, your own physical condition or work schedule, you can count on a caregiver from A-1 Home Care to assist with bathing, grooming and dressing.

About A-1 Home Care

Established in 1991, A-1 Home Care has been delivering exceptional in-home care services to seniors and their families all over Corona del Mar.  We are licensed, bonded and insured, which means that every caregiver you meet is thoroughly screened for their criminal background and DMV records.  As one of the few agencies that have successfully received state licensure from the State of California, A-1 Home Care remains the preferred home care agency for seniors in Corona del Mar, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove and all throughout Orange County.

For quality Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in your area.

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Side Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease which comes in many forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.  Most people experience arthritis after age 65, but some can have it as early as in their 40’s, depending on the type of arthritis they have.  Perhaps you have heard over and over again that rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints, but did you know the other side effects of RA?  A-1 Home Care lists some of the complications of RA here:

• Eye damage/pain
• Numbness
• Fever (caused by some medications for RA)
• Persistent cough
• Bone loss
• Dry mouth and eyes
• Hearing loss
• Chess pain

Arthritis In-Home Care for Seniors

It’s very difficult for individuals with arthritis to move around, but with help from a compassionate, highly skilled caregiver, your elderly loved one can live a life that’s as close to normal as possible.  Simple tasks like cooking, cleaning and getting dressed are excruciating; A-1 Home Care offers affordable arthritis care all year round, which entails assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companion care, and transportation to medical appointments in Corona del Mar and surrounding cities.

Safe and Secure Elder Care, Starting with A-1 Home Care

Your elderly loved ones are in safe, highly skilled hands with A-1 Home Care. As one of the few state-licensed agencies in California, A-1 Home Care has been serving seniors since 1991, delivering exceptional elder care in communities all over Orange County.  You can enjoy quality in-home care in Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Tustin while you take care of your own obligations at work or home.  Live-in care affords you the opportunity to take a break whenever you want, wherever you want.

For a free consultation, call A-1 Home Care today (949) 650-3800 or visit our website www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for more details.

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24 Hour Traumatic Brain Injury Care for Corona del Mar Residents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) account for approximately 2.5 million visits to the Emergency Room (ER).  TBIs are treated either as an isolated injury or in conjunction with other injuries, and they are commonly found in athletes and veterans.  A formal definition of a TBI is “an injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain.  It can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrative head injury.” (Marr and Coronado, 2004)  In Corona del Mar and other cities throughout Orange County, A-1 Home Care offers 24 hour assistance for individuals suffering from temporary or permanent head injuries.

Affordable Live-In Care for TBI Survivors

As you or a loved one adjusts to limitations after a head injury, A-1 Home Care in Corona del Mar will enhance your quality of life every day with high quality 24 hour care, which includes assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, bathing, grooming, personal care, companion care and transportation to appointments anywhere in Corona del Mar and beyond.  Highly skilled live-in caregivers are trained to respond to neurological disorders such as mood disorders and post-traumatic epilepsy, which could be hard on family members who have never received formal medical training.

 

Nothing Like a Licensed, Bonded and Insured Home Care Agency

 

Are you wary of hiring a live-in caregiver for your loved one because of all the scary stories you’ve heard in the media?  We at A-1 Home Care understand your reservations.  That’s why we take every precaution to make sure your elderly loved one is safe and sound in the hands of our caregivers.  As one of the few successfully state-licensed agencies in Corona del Mar and California, A-1 Home Care is insured to protect your loved ones from predators who are constantly prowling for vulnerable seniors and individuals in your community.  When you sign up for 24 hour services or live-out services from A-1 Home Care, you can rest assured that each of our caregivers is extensively screened for their criminal background, DMV record and professional references.

For safe, high quality brain injury care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in Corona del Mar, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Garden Grove.

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Corona del Mar Dementia Care: Statistics Projected to Triple by 2050

Currently, there are approximately 5 million seniors in the United States who have some form of dementia, and those numbers are expected to triple by 2050.  In the June 2016 publication of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, research suggests that seniors as many as 2.5 million Americans have undiagnosed dementia, which means that the elderly engage in potentially unsafe activities like driving, cooking, and taking wrong doses of medication without realizing it.  The responsibility becomes incumbent upon family members to recognize signs of dementia in their elderly loved ones so they can get the proper care at home.  A-1 Home Care provides such in-home care at low cost in Corona del Mar and other parts of Orange County.

Do you know the signs of dementia?

Aside from the obvious signs of forgetfulness, how can you tell if your elderly loved one is being absent-minded or really developing dementia?  Here are some telltale signs that should signal medical attention:

• Trouble with self-expression
• Disorganized thinking
• Impaired balance
• Hallucinations
• Personality changes (e.g., increased aggression or reclusion)
• Difficulty with movement
• Sleep disturbance

A-1 Home Care in Corona del Mar offers flexible scheduling with live-in and live-out care.  As your elderly loved one’s needs change over time, we can adjust our caregiving services to extend or decrease hours of in-home care as you need them.  Round-the-clock senior care entails assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companion care, transportation, personal care and more.

About A-1 Home Care in Corona del Mar 

A-1 Home Care has been taking care of Corona del Mar’s seniors and their families for over two decades!  When it comes to selecting someone to take care of your elderly loved ones, we take talent recruitment very seriously.  A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured agency that thoroughly prescreens every single caregiver, certified nurse aide, home health aide and licensed vocational nurse for your safety and security.  You have our round-the-clock support from a 24-hour hotline to live-in caregiver services for 365 days a year.  You can finance high quality senior care at the most competitive prices in LA County and Orange County!  A-1 Home Care also accepts Veteran Benefits and long-term care insurance.

For quality Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in Corona del Mar, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Garden Grove.

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High Quality In-Home Elder Care for the Childless

Whether you choose to have children or not, if you do not have any kids, you are among the growing number of adults who are childless.  According to statistics from the AARP (2013), about 11.6% of women ages 80 to 84 did not have any children in 2010.  Researchers predict that by 2030, the percentage will reach 16%.  What does this mean for caregiver support?  Elders without kids are coined “elder orphans,” a term that describes seniors without friends or family.  It’s a sad situation, but if you are young enough to plan ahead for your future, it is highly recommended to start planning for your own elder care support with a reputable agency like A-1 Home Care in Corona del Mar.

24-Hour Support When You Need It

No matter what time of day it is, if you want to talk to a care manager from A-1 Home Care in Corona del Mar, you will always be connected to a live operator when you dial our phone line.  Our care managers will walk you step-by-step through advanced planning.  Our in-depth analysis will take into account some of the following factors in senior care:  your overall financial picture, projected health and care requirements, your desires and wishes for end-of-life care, an overview of financial options and possible assistance programs, long-term care insurance, veteran benefits, financial strategies for various health scenarios, and more.

About A-1 Home Care 

Established in 1991, A-1 Home Care is a licensed, bonded and insured agency dedicated to serving seniors and their families all over Orange County.  We take great care in matching you with a highly skilled, seasoned caregiver whose personality is compatible with yours.  Customer service is 100% guaranteed.  Thanks to our wonderful team of caregivers, certified nurse aides, certified home health aides, home helpers and companion care works, A-1 Home Care has become Southern California’s most preferred home care agency, delivering exceptional senior care to communities in Corona del Mar.

For quality 24-hour care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in Corona del Mar, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Garden Grove.

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Corona del Mar In-Home Care: Examining the Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

In the United States, approximately 400,000 individuals have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), according to a report by National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  This debilitating disease is more common in women and is usually diagnosed when people are in their late 20’s and early 30’s.  At this time, researchers can only speculate what causes MS, a debilitating disease of the central nervous system.  Medical research reveals that MS occurs when the immune system attacks myelin, a protective layer around nerve fibers (Healthline, 2016).  The attack destroys communication between the brain and the rest of the body, causing symptoms such as difficulty with walking and debilitating fatigue that interferes with one’s ability to work and perform menial daily tasks.  Though no known cure exists, there are many treatments for Multiple Sclerosis as well as in-home care support offered by agencies such as A-1 Home Care in Corona del Mar.

How can I benefit from 24-hour in-home care?

One of the most common symptoms reported by individuals with Multiple Sclerosis is extreme, chronic, debilitating fatigue that stops them from working and doing the mundane but necessary things, like brushing one’s teeth, cooking, and cleaning around the house.  If you live alone, the benefits of having round-the-clock Multiple Sclerosis Care abound.  A live-in caregiver can help with meal preparations, light housekeeping, errands, grocery shopping, prescription pick-ups, transportation to appointments and more.  Our personable, affable caregivers are there to take care of you 24 hours a day or as long as you need them.  A-1 Home Care offers the best 24-hour MS Care in Corona del Mar at unbeatable rates.

Why A-1 Home Care?

Established in 1991, A-1 Home Care has become Corona del Mar’s most preferred home care agency for a variety of services, such as Multiple Sclerosis Care, senior care, Lou Gehrig’s Care, Arthritis Care, live-in care and live-out care.  We are licensed, bonded and insured, which means that every caregiver is meticulously screened for their criminal and driving records.  We consistently deliver high quality in-home care through our pool of culturally diverse caregivers.  When you call A-1 Home Care, you will always get a live human being on the other line instead of an automated answering service with endless menu options.  You can finance MS Care through veteran benefits, long-term care insurance or our reasonable payment terms.

For quality 24-hour Multiple Sclerosis Care, call A-1 Home Care (949) 650-3800 or visit us at www.coronadelmarinhomecare.com for services in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Anaheim, and other surrounding cities.

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