Published by the Athens CEO: Remain at Home Healthcare Treats Golden Years with Golden Rule
Enter the concept of skilled (medically-based) Home Companion Care through Remain At Home Senior Care, based in Athens. According to Carrigan, RAH revolutionizes the current sphere of home care offerings by providing both ADL and skilled medical care for seniors, in the comfort of the place they call home.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Athens-based Remain At Home Senior Care names new CFO
Tim Collins recently joined Remain At Home Senior Care LLC as CFO to assist in the Athens-based company’s country-wide expansion.
On News Talk 1340 WGAU: Dr. Toni Miles interviewed by WGAU’s Liz Dalton
“Dr. Toni Miles, Director of the Institute of Gerontology at The University of Georgia praises the Remain At Home Senior Care model as one that can keep our aging senior population at home while receiving quality medical care along with more traditional companion care services.”
On News Talk 1340 WGAU: RAH Founder & CEO Brian Carrigan interviewed by News Talk 1340 WGAU’s Barbara Dooley
“RAH’s Brian Carrigan interviewed by Athens, GA legend (and radio personality) Barbara Dooley on News Talk 1340 WGAU.”
On News Talk 1340 WGAU: Brian Carrigan & Leslie Kimbel on “Liz Talk” with Liz Dalton
“Liz Dalton interviews Brian Carrigan and Leslie Kimbel about Remain At Home Senior Care’s unique patient-first model in home health care.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Are We There Yet? How to Know When You’re Ready to Retire
For many seniors, the last several years of unstable economic conditions have made the idea of retiring a daunting venture. Even Wes Craven, the creative genius behind Freddy Krueger, recently wrote a column on the nightmare of his own retirement attempt (his story involved a motor scooter, a kickstand, and a hospital, but still).
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Flu Season for Seniors: Three Critical Steps to Staying Healthy
“Flu season is once again upon us, and while the flu does not discriminate based on age, it can present dire – and even tragic – outcomes for senior citizens.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that compared to other demographic groups, citizens 65 and older are at greater risk of serious complication from the flu. The agency adds that due to the weakened immune system defenses of the elderly, 90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths (and more than 60 percent of flu-related hospitalizations) affect older Americans.”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Wanderlust: Tips for Seniors Who Travel
“After spending many years working hard to cover mortgages, car notes, insurance premiums and tuition bills, many seniors spend their “golden years” satiating the lifelong wanderlust to travel.
But like everything else in life, traveling requires some front-end groundwork to be enjoyable. Planning ahead is especially important if a traveler requires special accommodations. Even seemingly small details, such as getting from curbside to the gate at the airport, require a good plan.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: The Wonderful World of Home Care: Remain At Home’s Innovative Vision for Taking Care of Seniors
“In all my years of working with seniors, I’ve only met a handful who were adamant about being put in a skilled nursing facility (and their primary reason was that they didn’t want to be a burden to their loved ones). Fair to say, placing a loved one in a nursing home can be a traumatic experience for all involved. The truth is that most people dread the notion of institutionalization—and for good reason: In a recent study, 53 percent of the nursing home residents studied died within six months. Why such a harsh statistic?”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: The Good Death: Seniors Find Peace at the End of Life
“History has amply displayed one incontrovertible fact – everyone dies. Given our human condition, the big question some of us would like to know is, “When is it going to happen?”
Another big question is, “What is a good death?” I feel comfortable saying I have a unique, “hands-on” perspective on this often-avoided topic. Derived from professional and personal experiences, mainly working in the wonderful world of geriatrics and, unfortunately, having endured several years of Stage IV cancer treatment myself, I have experienced many, many an example of what I feel to be a life well-lived.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Seniors and Pets: The Transforming “Power of Paws”
“Over the course of our lives, it is likely there will be moments when we are “fed up to here” with family members, co-workers, even friends – basically, anything that resembles a human being.
It is less likely that we’re anything less than enamored with our pets (although the occasional in-home “accident” or wandering episode might cause an anxious moment or two).”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Chronic Illness: How Seniors Survive Medical Hardships
“Chronic illnesses, especially in senior citizens, can be frustrating and even traumatic events for both patients and their caregivers. As a disease progresses, there is often a seemingly endless scope to the physical hardships, the cost of treatments and the sometimes invasive attempts to cure the illness. Worse still are the considerable emotional costs for all involved.”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: The Isolation Trap: How to Help Seniors Stay Socially Connected
“In the normal course of life, most of us go through occasional periods of isolation and loneliness. For the elderly, these “lonely patches” tend to be more frequent and more pronounced and can lead to emotional strain and even acute depression.”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Elder Law: Protecting Seniors from Financial Fraud
“Lately there has been a major effort among U.S. legislators to enact what has come to be known as ‘Elder Law.’ This specialized genre of directives has been put into place to guard against potentially catastrophic paperwork mistakes, fraud and even elder abuse.”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Genetic Testing: Using Your Family Genes as a Guide to Your Medical History
“Fortunately, medical care has progressed to the point where doctors know much more about genetics. Today, we can test for close to 900 inherited diseases, and the number keeps growing. “
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Brain Health”: Fighting Alzheimer’s through Exercise and Diet
“Who among us doesn’t worry that our minds will give out before our bodies do? Personally, it’s one of my biggest fears. And clinical evidence suggests this concern isn’t merely paranoia. For most of us, our bodies will outpace our mental facilities.”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Organ Donors and Recipients: Giving the Gift of Life
“A sobering fact of life is that many of us at some point may need an organ transplant. If you are among the pool of people needing such a procedure, you are not alone. In the U.S., 85,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants.”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Balance is Key: Traditional vs. Alternative Medicine
“One of the most important choices a person can make in his or her lifetime is deciding on which path of healthcare treatment to pursue: traditional, alternative or a combination of both.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: ‘Tis the Season to be a Caregiver
“Although the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are a time of great joy and fellowship, many folks (even the most chaos-tolerant among us) will admit to facing at least some stress, whether the source is gift selection, kitchen duty or trying to keep the peace in a fractious family.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Second Opinions: Not Just for the Comedian in Your Family
“So why is this practice of obtaining a second opinion so widely accepted? First and foremost, most physicians genuinely care about your health and well-being. Simply stated, they want you to be cured of what ails you. Secondly, as scientists, doctors are innately curious about all things physiological. Oftentimes, a second opinion is useful for gaining new perspective, new information and new options for dealing with medical conditions.”
The full article is available to print here.
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Honoring Veterans and Their Wartime Experiences
“’Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,’ defined as “a serious disorder that results from exposure to a traumatic event [and] involves severe fear, helplessness and horror,” was first diagnosed during the Vietnam War, but there’s not much argument the condition existed long before it was identified. In the WWI/WWII era, it was mostly referred to as “shell shock.””
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Hearing Impaired Seniors: Tips on How to Communicate Effectively”
“In addition to our capacity to love and care for one another, perhaps a human being’s greatest gift is the ability to communicate. Thanks to breakthroughs in technology, we now can carry on conversations in dozens of ways, both real and virtual.
But our innate skill to communicate orally, which comes so easily to most of us, can be a challenge for others, primarily due to physical impairments, like being “clinically deaf” or “hard of hearing.” Major differences exist between the two and the terms are by no means interchangeable – perhaps another article for another day.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Hearing Impaired Seniors: Tips on How to Communicate Effectively”
“In addition to our capacity to love and care for one another, perhaps a human being’s greatest gift is the ability to communicate. Thanks to breakthroughs in technology, we now can carry on conversations in dozens of ways, both real and virtual.
But our innate skill to communicate orally, which comes so easily to most of us, can be a challenge for others, primarily due to physical impairments, like being “clinically deaf” or “hard of hearing.” Major differences exist between the two and the terms are by no means interchangeable – perhaps another article for another day.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Hanging Up the Car Keys: When it is No Longer Safe for Seniors to Drive”
“One of the most-asked questions of geriatric physicians throughout America won’t come as a surprise to many of you: When is it time to take away the keys? Also not surprising is that for many senior citizens being able to drive a vehicle represents the last bastion of independence.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Disaster Zone: Keeping Seniors Safe During A Home Emergency”
“For some of us more imaginary types, the word “disaster” immediately conjures up visions from a Bruce Willis or Will Smith movie: fiery infernos, killer tornadoes, even invaders from another planet. For others, Hurricane Katrina or 9/11 comes to mind.
Yet there are plenty of disasters that are far more common and can be equally as dangerous to seniors: grease fires, snowstorms, excessive rain, broken pipes, and slick or uneven surfaces. These kinds of “everyday” catastrophes are most likely to happen at home and require an up-to-date, easy-to-follow disaster plan.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Moving On: New Life and Love After the Death of a Spouse”
“Spouses who are left behind when their wives or husbands of many years pass have untold changes and challenges to weather as they face a future, ostensibly, alone. But the human spirit has a tendency to survive, and even thrive in the face of adversity. While widows and widowers must do the hard work of facing the essential tasks of life bravely, it is heartening for them, as well as their families, to know they don’t have to face these challenges on their own.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Hospice Care: Reality vs. Misconception”
“Hospice and palliative care (a fancy way of saying “comfort care”) are concepts that have been around for hundreds of years. In fact, the term “hospice” can be traced back to medieval times when it referred to a place of shelter and rest for weary or ill travelers.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Sundowner’s Syndrome: Some Helpful Tips on Diagnosing and Coping”
“With a handful of exceptions (i.e., shift workers, college students and arguably rock stars), most of us would agree that we’re often sharper during the waking hours, rather than when evening comes to call. But imagine the unfortunate situation when towards the end of the afternoon, you realize your cognitive abilities and mood are diminishing proportionate to the setting sun.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“What Matters Most? Senior Caregivers and the Upcoming Election”
“With a tremendously important presidential election just months away, it’s been interesting to read what caregivers of seniors (professional or otherwise) perceive as their primary political concerns and/or issues.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Growing Old: Paying Attention to the Signs of Illness…and Wellness”
“While geriatric experts differ on the ranking of the most prevalent health issues, all agree that most people who live to be 65 years and older will eventually have to deal with one or several unwanted medical conditions. ”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Caregivers: Do Unto Others”
“An astounding statistic was recently released by AARP: Some 42 million Americans between the ages of 40-60 are caring for older adults, in many cases, their parents. Of this group of “unprofessional caregivers” roughly 60 percent are spending an average of 10 hours per week providing “hands-on” support.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Managing Your Finances or Vice-Versa?”
“Regardless of one’s age, getting a handle on personal or family finances can be challenging. But imagine the difficulty of that task if the “manager” is older and suffers from any number of maladies, including dementia, diminishing eyesight, or arthritis.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Penning A “Bucket List” – Macabre or A Worthwhile Exercise?”
“Such is the case with the committed team of skilled clinicians who work at Remain At Home Senior Care – one of our many principal care goals is a dogged commitment to helping facilitate the very best life has to offer for our clients and families. All while doing so while they age with dignity and comfort in the place they call home, as opposed to an institution.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Supplemental Insurance: Necessary or Excessive?”
“For many of us, our only connection to the concept of supplemental insurance is an amusing series of commercials featuring a slightly obnoxious, but delightfully quirky duck.
Here’s a real definition: Supplemental insurance is extra or additional insurance you can purchase to help pay for services and out-of-pocket expenses that your primary carrier does not cover. This is especially true in regards to adding an extra layer of protection/coverage to a “standard” Medicare policy.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald:
“Elder Abuse: What It Is and What You Can Do About It”
“According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse covers both intentional abuse (physical and emotional) and unintentional abuse (negligence) by a trusted individual. Studies report that more than 10 percent of the elderly in the United States have been the victim of abuse, representing some 6 million cases. Still other studies indicate that many incidents are under-identified and under-reported, with as few as 1 in 14 cases reaching the attention of authorities.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Alzheimer’s and Dementia: When Lying is the Best Medicine”
““Re-direction” essentially entails changing the topic when the patient becomes obsessed with one subject and acts agitated or angry. Behavior that is often “out-of character” for a dementia patient can sometimes be thwarted when caregivers divert attention from stressful situations to something more pleasant.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Genealogy: Enjoy the Process of Finding Your Origins”
“Many times the best answers to our queries about the past come simply from asking the right questions. Nothing can replace the spoken word or oral tradition from family elders, many of whom are living, breathing libraries of history.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
On News Talk 1340 WGAU: Brian Carrigan & Leslie Kimbel on “Liz Talk” with Liz Dalton
“Liz Dalton interviews Brian Carrigan and Leslie Kimbel about Remain At Home Senior Care’s unique patient-first model in home health care.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “I Will Survive: Keeping Seniors Safe During Extreme Heat”
“After last week’s scorching heat, we were reminded that everyone, especially senior citizens, are vulnerable to extreme weather.
The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control Prevention estimates that hundreds of Americans die each year due to oppressive temperatures. Sadly, most of these deaths could have been prevented.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Technology: A Brave New World for Seniors”
“While many seniors today are often chided (gently, we hope) by their families for their aversion to new things, it’s instructive to remember that seniors have in their lifetimes adapted to a wealth of potentially unsettling changes and inventions: seeing people walk on the moon, cable television, food processors, cell phones, and beyond.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Home Alone: Senior Tips for Living Safely on Your Own”
“My kids, and I’m guessing scores of other fans of the seriously silly, slapstick hit movie from 1990, will appreciate this stat: More than 30 million people in America today are “home alone.” Many of these are seniors. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that just three years ago, 25 percent of men age 75 and older lived alone and 49 percent of women 75 and older lived alone.
For many seniors, living on their own represents independence, something they guard fiercely. But there can be health and safety challenges to living alone that seniors should be aware of to keep themselves safe and comfortable.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Remain at Home Senior Care chooses Athenian director of patient advocacy”
“Most appealing is the company’s distinctive ability to keep seniors healthy and happy at home,” she said, “There is no other model out there that is even close to what Remain At Home Senior Care has to offer our aging population — not only here, but within the context of the entire country as well.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Long-Term Care Insurance: Planning Now to Live Longer”
Good News/Bad News: All of us are living longer. The average life span of an American male is now about 75 years, while the life expectancy of an American female is approximately 84 years of age. That’s great news for seniors who have dreams of enjoying travel, family, and beloved hobbies during what many have come to call the “golden years.” Yet figures also show that our golden years are likely to involve an illness – or several – that can be not only be physically, but also financially debilitating.
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “SPOTTED: Remain At Home Senior Care Ribbon Cutting”
Online Athens has published their photo gallery from the Remain At Home Senior Care ribbon cutting gala on May 31, 2012.
Published on April 21, 2012 in the Athens Banner-Herald: “Senior care provider focuses on quality of life”
“This is probably the first time in health care where the patient has input into their own care,” he said. “This is the only time in curative care where the patient can dictate the direction of care. Why not empower people to be able to have control of their lives?”
Working under the motto of “Keeping the promise of independence,” RAH will offer three-tiered coverage to its clients. The company will have in-home coverage (which ranges from a few hours a day or week to 24/7 care), drop-in coverage (for clients who don’t require intensive supervisory care) and discharge coordination at local hospitals (which will cover “every aspect imaginable” for clients being released from hospital care).
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald: “Early Onset Alzheimer’s and Dementia: An Epidemic?”
“Here are some important stats that you need to know: In 2006 estimated that 220,000-640,000 Americans suffer from early onset dementia. But according to The Mayo Clinic, there are explicit reasons for this glaringly huge phenomenon – I was surprised to find that the research indicates a large number of reported cases are from “co-morbid” diseases that include multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, lupus or HIV.
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald: “Listening: The Key to Preventing Caregiver Breakdown”
“Caring for a loved one who is sick, day-in and day-out, can be challenging to say the least. This is particularly true when you are caring for someone who is in the advanced stages of a disease and who may also be suffering from severe depression as a result of their illness. How does one balance performing not-so-desirable caregiver tasks and listening to a daily commentary of negative criticism with the goals of being happy and helpful? In short, how does a caregiver maintain sanity?”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald: “Diabetes Management: No Need for Martyrdom”
“This story has always stuck with me: A while back, a diabetic client of mine share with me her “secret” to maintaining a health sugar/insulin level without compromising on the food that she so dearly enjoyed or, as she emphatically put it, “My quality of life.” Her story, or more accurately, her adage, went something like this: “A small sliver tastes the same as eating the whole pie.””
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald: “Is A Reverse Mortgage Right for You?”
“Although the term “reverse mortgage” may conjure up some pretty acute anxiety, it’s actually a pretty basic financial concept and, in a good number of cases, can be of great benefit to our country’s seniors. Like anything of significance (especially in the financial arena), one must consult with a trusted, professional advisor who can assist you in your decision-making process.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald: “How Many Medications Are You Currently Taking?”
“One of the stereotypical archetypes of the advanced-age set is an older man or woman sitting at a table littered with orange pill containers, confused and worried half to death about utilizing the correct timing and dosage for myriad medications. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this far too many times during my career in geriatric care.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald: “Losing A Loved One: Take Control of the Grieving Process”
“The undeniable certainties in our lives are, of course, death and taxes. And the undeniable certainty of death is that in most cases, surviving loved ones are left behind to struggle with profound feelings that aren’t of the everyday variety.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald: “Case of “The Blues” or Clinical Depression?”
“It’s not easy getting older. Even folks who remain relatively free from major health issues find that their bodies start to slow down and it can be a fairly slippery slope in regards to functionality as compared to just a few years prior.”
Published by the Athens Banner-Herald: “Keeping the Promise of Independence”
“As the Founder & President of Remain At Home Senior Care, I’m really excited to announce that our doors will officially open for business in just a few short weeks. I can say with great pride that all members of the “RAH” Team have tirelessly poured our hearts and minds into developing a home-care agency that we believe will provide the very best medical and non-medical attention to local seniors in the place they affectionately call home.”
The full article is available to print here [PDF].