"I" Received "Decision Points" for Christmas.....

And two family members have dibs on it before I get to read it :)

Support Austin Groups for the Elderly (A.G.E.) - It's Easy! And Free!

If you order Amazon products via our search link (on the right side of this blog) 6% of the purchase price will be donated to Austin Groups for the Elderly (A.G.E.). 100% of earning via this program is donated to A.G.E to support their services for the elderly in Austin and Williamson County: Adult Day Care, Medical Equipment Lending and much more. So Buy Often!

Please note:  Skipping around on the Amazon after you have accessed their website via the link will not credit the account. Once you find the product you want to purchase  go to the Amazon Search feature on the right side of this blog to search for the product and purchase it from that link. Apparently Amazon loses track after just one page link!

Learn more about A.G.E. on their website.

Santa's Senior Helpers Lend a hand for The Holidays!

We enjoy helping our Seniors during the Christmas Season. Jennifer does a great job for one of our favorite clients -Bob. Merry Christmas Bob and Jennifer!

Full link and article on KVUE's Site.

Senior Helpers' President Joins Austin Groups for the Elderly Board of Directors

This month Frank Hayes, President of Senior Helpers of Central Texas, was asked to join the Board of Directors for Austin Groups for the Elderly (A.G.E.) and he graciously accepted.

A.G.E. provides many services to the senior community in Austin and also in Williamson County: Elderhaven Adult Day Centers (Austin & Round Rock); The Caregiver Resource Center (serves the elderly, adults with disabilities, their caregivers, families and health care providers with information, consultation, guidance and support); The SeniorNet Computer Learning Center (offers basic to advanced hands-on educational computer classes for older adults taught by volunteers in a peer to peer setting). 

"I hope that I will be of assistance in my new role as a member of the Board of Directors to help ensure that A.G.E. continues to be able to provide the services that our Senior Community in Central Texas requires", said Frank Hayes, President Senior Helpers.

A.G.E. is funded primarily by donations along with grants from Federal, State and private sources. If you would like to support the efforts of Austin Groups for the Elderly in Travis and Williamson Counties please visit their website to make a contribution or volunteer! 



You can also support A.G.E. by buying your Christmas gifts through this Amazon Link. It costs you nothing extra and a six percent proceed goes 100% to helping support the elderly programs offered by A.G.E.

AGE is a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing support to seniors, caregivers and their families since 1986. AGE is committed to empowering caregivers, the elderly and their families through education, advocacy, resources and support. Our programs include Elderhaven Adult Day Centers, the Caregivers Resource Center, SeniorNet Computer Learning Center, Durable Medical Equipment Lending Closet and the AGE non profit tenancy program.

Your Home Health Care Aide: Establishing A Positive Relationship

You've made the decision to let an aide come into your home to assist. That was hard enough. Now you re getting apprehensive about what to expect when the aide arrives for work. If you don't have experience with in-home assistance, all sorts of "worst case scenarios" are whirling about in your head. And then there are the questions. What should you do if you don't like the aide?

How should you approach problems? Who supervises the aide? Assuming that you have hired an aide from a home health care agency, you can expect a lot of support in easing your anxieties. It is the agency's job to answer your questions in advance and resolve any issues that arise. The key to facilitating your satisfaction and comfort is good communication with the agency management and with your aide.

Here are a few tips for establishing positive relationships with your home health care professionals:

Be completely honest about your needs

Overcome any embarrassment or guilt associated with describing why you need help and what kind of help you need. Remember that you are dealing with professionals who have helped a variety of clients. They are experienced in meeting the needs of people just like you. Home Health Care professionals are prepared to deal with tough situations such as Alzheimer's, alcoholism, Parkinson's, strokes, incontinence and stressful family circumstances.

State your preferences from the start

The best way to get exactly what you want is to be specific. Give a detailed request to the agency so that the aide they send will meet your needs. Items to include are your household rules, such as "no smoking" or "kosher kitchen". Also express your daily routines and how to follow the, such as "up at 7 a.m.", "breakfast first, medicine second, shower last" , "I need privacy from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.", "transportation to salon every Friday, using employee's car".

Give feedback to the agency on a timely basis

"Nip it in the bud," is good advice. Most problems start out small and can be best resolved when addressed promptly. If you are experiencing a problem with the aide, call the agency. This benefits you in two ways: you do not have to be involved in reprimanding the aide, and it prompts the agency to diplomatically resolve the problem. Employee supervision is the responsibility of the agency. If the problem cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, request the agency send a different aide. The agency will handle the hiring and firing for you.

If you start off with honesty and communication, having a home health care aide will be a successful and beneficial experience.

by Kim Champion 

http://www.caregiver.com/articles/homecare/home_healthcare_aide.htm

Getting Around the Customer Service Phone Tree!

Few things are more annoying than being stuck in the dreaded Support Phone Maze  - especially this time of year when you just want a new part or some technical advice!

Check out This Popular Mechanics Article for some savvy advice.

My favorite: If you are asked to "press 1 for English" or "2 for Spanish," press "2." The wait for Spanish operators is usually far shorter, and they are almost always bilingual

Ho HO HO
Merry Christmas!