Tendercare Partners with Martin County Chamber of Commerce

TenderCare works with many families in Martin County and Palm Beach County referring caring, reliable and professional caregivers from 1 hour all the way through to 24 hours. Click here to visit our presence on the Chamber website.

 

Hear What Our Clients Are Saying

Dear Edward:
As long promised, here are my thoughts about using your services for more than a year now. From the very beginning when we fir made contact with you and your staff back in 2014, I have found TenderCare and its personnel to be outstanding. The care my 94-year-old father is receiving is remarkable. Ever since I’ve been associated with your company, he’s gained weight, is on the proper medications, is in happier spirits and is enjoying life so much more.

Because of his advanced age and declining mental and physical capabilities, we had a tough choice of how to care for him. We thought of assisted living facilities but felt that in-home care was the way to go for him. The associates who you have sent out for the 24-hour care he needs have been, for the most-part, fantastic. At first it was touch-and go in him accepting this outside help, but after a few months, he was hooked on the care and attention your staff gave.

Claudia Obregon, his primary caregivr for these past 18 months has been like one of the family. She treats my dad with utmost care, dignity and respect. She was a fantastic find for us and for this we are truly blessed and most grateful. We are so pleased she is with your management team. Keep up the good work.

— Jay Osborne, Jupiter, FL.

5.2 millions Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease in 2014

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease in 2014. This figure includes 5 million people aged 65 and older, and 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 200,000 Americans younger than 65 with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Of these, approximately 40 percent are estimated to have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.”

The Association also reports that women, who are most often caregivers in the home, are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Among people aged 71 and older, although 14% of the entire population had some form of dementia, the figures were 16% for women, compared to 11% for men in 2010.

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, including Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and others, are not one-size-fits-all ailments. Causes are still unclear; successful treatments are constantly evolving. Although the medical community learns more about these illnesses every day, one thing is certain: they don’t appear or progress in the same way in every case. Often, the type of care provided, and the time at which it begins, can make a difference in the comfort and well-being of a dementia patient as the illness progresses.

For patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or any other progressive illness, choosing the right provider for long-terms needs is critical. It is crucial that the patient be comfortable with his or her providers, and that the providers have a thorough understanding of the patient’s circumstances. Meeting patients in-home, when possible, is a good beginning. Providers need to be trained in dementia care and be sensitive to the special, and changing needs of their patients.

TenderCare’s professional contractors include Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nurses Assistants (CNAs), Home Health Aides (HHAs) and companions who provide respite care (to give family or friends a break), homemaker/companion care, personal care, live-in care, concierge nursing services, transportation and more.

Whether the need is simply transportation to medical appointments and prescription pick-ups or all the way to round-the-clock, live-in help, TenderCare ensures any referred caregiver will have the proper training and experience with dementias, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Concierge nursing services even include reports to absent family members if needed, to make sure that care is progressing as planned.

When an illness is progressive, as all dementias, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are, families can take comfort that TenderCare will be able to meet the increasing – or simply changing – needs of their loved ones in need of care, for as long as needed.

 

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570

New Location & 20 Years of Service…

blog-image-locationStuart, Fla. (June 25, 2014) – TenderCare has been providing the best in home healthcare to Floridians for 20 years, from transportation assistance to the finest concierge nursing care, from Vero Beach to Boca Raton. To celebrate that achievement and the company’s expansion to a new office in Stuart, TenderCare will host an open house social for special guests and invited members of the community on June 25, in the Treasure Coast office (210 Southwest Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, 34994).

The social, which will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., will include light refreshments, live music from a local violin and guitar duo and tours of the company’s new offices on Ocean Blvd. The entire TenderCare family management team – Linda, Alan, Annabel and Edward – will be on hand as well, providing the personal touch that is shown in all of their services.

With offices and providers throughout both Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, TenderCare is a convenient, one-stop location for connecting with registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, companions, licensed practical nurses and home health aides for any in-home service needed. For more information, visit their website: www.tendercarefl.com.

 

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570

Why Use Home Care?

Warm winters, year-round sunshine, sparkling white beaches, a relaxing pace of life…. who wouldn’t want to retire to the beautiful Treasure Coast of Florida? Unfortunately, due to retirement relocation, a lot of folks find themselves without family support or a close-knit community when they are ill or facing surgery, or simply just need an extra hand around the house or getting around on Florida’s busy roads. Luckily, the range of professional services offered by TenderCare are available to fill those needs and more, while making sure that clients of all ages are comfortable and at ease in their own homes.

TenderCare’s professional contractors include Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nurses Assistants (CNAs), Home Health Aides and companions who provide respite care (to give family or friends a break), homemaker/companion care, personal care, live-in care, concierge nursing services, transportation and more. Whether the need is simply transportation to medical appointments and prescription pick-ups or all the way to round-the-clock, live-in help, TenderCare will customize a program of services and providers that is right for each client. Concierge nursing services even include reports to absent family members if needed, to make sure that care is progressing as planned.

What are the differences in all those professionals? In Florida, RNs, LPNs and CNAs are licensed by the state. They have different levels of education and training requirements, with RNs having the most. Home health aides at TenderCare are also required to complete a training program with a licensed school. While home health aides and companions provide non-medical services, including transportation, light housekeeping and help with bathing and grooming, only CNAs, RNs and LPNs may provide medical care such as helping with physical therapy exercises, working with IVs, changing bandages and administering medications; in general, the more education the job requires, the more medical tasks the provider is able to handle. TenderCare makes sure that every client has access to the professional services and contractors that are best needed for the circumstances.

TenderCare’s providers don’t just serve an older population. They can assist post-surgery patients of all ages, whether they simply need the occasional check-in or more intensive care. Some health insurance plans that include long-term care will even cover the services if prescribed by a physician!

Planning ahead, finding out from the doctor what post-surgery needs or treatments during an illness will be, is very important to helping an at-home healthcare service such as TenderCare schedule the best possible therapeutic plan. The more information the service has, the more details they know about the situation prior to implementing a care plan, the more smoothly things will go when they are needed. Information truly is power when planning for at-home care, long or short term!

 

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570

Mesothelioma and Caregiving

The following is an article sent to us from a great organization; asbestos.com, who are a leading authority and resource on Mesothelioma Cancer.  Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, and effects approximately 2-3 thousand individuals each year in the USA alone.

Please visit www.asbestos.com for more information.

Mesothelioma and Caregiving:

Those diagnosed with mesothelioma often find reassurance and help from a support network of family and friends. In many cases, these same family members and friends act as caregivers and offer medical care that is intended to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. The aim is to keep a mesothelioma patient comfortable while offering individual attention and on-site care.

Mesothelioma patients may encounter difficulty in dealing with symptoms of the disease. These symptoms, which can be quite debilitating, may compromise quality of life and can make it difficult to carry out normal activities. Similarly, dealing with the side effects of treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can be life-changing. Although mesothelioma treatment options are certainly designed to help the patient combat the disease, they can weaken the body and mind.

Treatment for mesothelioma will vary from patient to patient, and thus affects what a caregiver may cope with depending upon the patient’s response to treatment. Although no cure exists, patients can elect to undergo therapy that may improve their overall quality of life. Attaining an early diagnosis can expand treatment options and may result in more effective treatment results. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, some patients may qualify for experimental treatments in the form of clinical trials.

When searching for a caregiving facility, patients and their friends or family should look for an environment that is clean and has helpful personnel. Sometimes having the right personnel that is kind and willing to assist patients makes all the difference. A local church, hospital or doctor can likely recommend a reputable caregiving facility or hospice organization. Some patients may wish to receive care in the comfort of their own home. There are many organizations willing to provide the convenience of in-home care to patients. In many cases, this form of in-home care is preferred by patients.

The patient and family advocates at Asbestos.com can assist mesothelioma patients in a variety of ways. They can help patients find the best doctors and treatment facilities in their area, provide access to local support groups, offer free literature and informational books on asbestos-related illnesses, and help veterans receive their VA benefits for asbestos-related health issues. In some cases, patients may receive financial assistance for medical treatment by filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit.

Whether or not a patient elects to undergo treatment, those who may aid in caregiving should find ways to reduce stress. Many choose to meditate, pray, read, exercise or take a walk. Stress and anxiety are factors when dealing with a terminal illness and are important issues to address after a friend or family member has received a diagnosis.

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570

How To Survive A Heart Attack

Recognizing a Heart Attack

The first Symptom may be a squeezing, vice-like pain in the chest, lasting 2 minutes or longer.  It may be felt as stabbing, heavy, or squeezing; rarely sharp or burning.  The pain frequently starts under the breastbone and may radiate to above the stomach, arms, shoulders, neck and jaw.  Numbness or tingling in the left arm, then both arms, may be felt.

The victim will most likely experience shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, severe perspiration, nausea or vomiting.  His or her skin may appear very pale and cool.  These symptoms may go away, but don’t ignore them.  Get help right away.

If you or anyone close to you experiences one or more of these symptoms, get help immediately.  Call 9-1-1.  If your community does not have a 9-1-1 system in place, call an ambulance or emergency medical help.

8 MINUTES THAT COULD SAVE A LIFE

A heart attack can cause a heart to cease beating suddenly, causing the victim to collapse.  You may be able to save a life by taking these steps in the first 8 minutes.

1. Immediately call 9-1-1 or emergency medical help before doing anything else. (Minute 1)

2. Shake the victim and shout, “Are you all right?” to see if they are conscious.  If they do not respond, determine whether or not they are breathing by putting your ear close to their mouth and listening for breath.  Check for a pulse by pressing firmly next to the Adam’s apple. (Minute 1)

3. Make sure the victim is lying on their back and loosen their clothes.  If the victim has no pulse or breath, start CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) immediately.  You may be able to get over-the-phone assistance from the emergency dispatcher.  (Minutes 1-4)

4. Continue CPR until you find a pulse and the victim begins breathing on their own, or until the emergency services medical team arrives.

5. As soon as possible within the first 8 minutes, a victim who is not breathing or who has no pulse should receive defibrillation to “jolt” the heart back into action.  This requires a defibrillator and qualified personnel to operate it.  (Minutes 4-8)

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570

Tender Care Services Client Survey, September 2010

In order to ensure that all of our valued customers receive the excellent on-going service they have come to expect from TenderCare Services, we rely on feedback through client surveys.

As a family owned and operated Home Care Agency, our highest priority is to ensure that we consistently offer exceptional service to every single one of our clients, enabling them to continue to live happily and independently within their own homes.  The client survey allows us to step back and assess our performance through client feedback and also endeavor to ask our clients what else we can do to improve our service.

We were delighted to receive an excellent response from our clients, who gave us very high praise in all aspects of the survey, as seen below:

“I would recommend TenderCare Services to provide Home Care to others?”

  • Strongly Agree:  76%
  • Agree: 24%
  • Neutral: 0%
  • Disagree: 0%
  • Strongly Agree: 0%

94% of our clients said that they “received good value for money”!

“Caregivers are courteous, professional, punctual and attentive?”

  • Strongly Agree:  94%
  • Agree: 6%
  • Neutral: 0%
  • Disagree: 0%
  • Strongly Agree: 0%

100% of our clients said that they felt their caregiver’s had been a good match for them.

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570

Grandparent Scam

Consumer watchdogs such as the Better Business Bureau are currently warning that the ‘grandparent scam’ has accumulated victims in 14 states and two Canadian provinces since 2008.

The authorities think that the grandparent scams don’t always get reported because the victims of the scheme are too embarrassed to report it to law enforcement or their families especially if they are living alone or fighting for their independence.

The scam works like this:- a man calls and says ”Hello Grandma”, and goes on to explain that he was jailed after a traffic stop in Canada and, (wouldn’t you know), there were illegal drugs in the car. He needs $2,814 to get sprung. Then another person comes on the phone pretending to be an official – ‘Officer Cohen’. The official asks you to go to the nearest Walmart store and use a MoneyGram to pay the ‘bail’ to a bondsman in Barcelona, Spain – you are asked to keep it confidential. Once the money is sent that’s the last you’ll ever see of it and needless to say you will find out later that you have been yet another victim of a growing scam.

The scam works in a lot of cases because the victim will inadvertently say the grandchild’s name to the caller after being addressed as Grandma and once the caller has any personal details and the emotional connection is made to the grandson the caller has the victim on the hook. Criminals are also gathering information on people from social media and other internet sites.

There are plans afoot for a public service announcements about the grandparent scam for TV stations and Internet sites. You the public can help by spreading awareness of this scam and by reporting it to authorities or a trusted Home Health Agency if you get such a call.

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570

Falls in the Home

The most profound effect of falling is the loss of independent functioning. Twenty-five percent of those who fracture a hip require life-long nursing care. About fifty percent of older people who sustain a fall-related injury will be discharged to a nursing home rather than return home.

Most falls do not result in serious injury and of course as a Home Health Agency we have many procedures in place to aid the prevention of falls. However, there is often a psychological impact leading to loss of confidence. Approximately twenty five percent of people aged seventy five or over unnecessarily restrict their activities because of fear of falling. At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home.

The most common hazard for falls is tripping over objects on the floor. Other factors include poor lighting, loose rugs, lack of grab bars or poorly located/mounted grab bars, and furniture that is not sturdy.

It is useful to conduct a walk-through of your home to identify possible problems that may lead to falling. Assessment by an occupational therapist might also be useful in that they are trained to identify risk factors and recommend appropriate actions. TenderCare Services assess homes for safety at the start of a case.

Prevention measures to take can include:
• Engage regularly (e.g., every other day for about 15 minutes daily) in exercise designed to increase muscle and bone strength, and to improve balance and flexibility. Many people enjoy walking and swimming.
• Undertake daily activities in a safe manner, such as reaching and bending properly, taking time to recover balance when rising from a chair or bed, learning the proper way to fall, and learning how to recover after a fall.
• Wear proper fitting, supportive shoes with low heels or rubber soles.
• Have visions checks regularly.
• Making sure your home is well lit.
• Get grab rails fitted in your bathroom areas and use non slip rubber mats.
• Keep walkways and stairs clear and remove loose rugs.

Just a few simple precautions like the ones above can help you to stay independent in your own home for longer.

 

For more information, please call toll free on: 1877-263-3570