Seniors' Economic Struggles Continue This Holiday; Santa Program Provides Assistance The San Mateo County office of the Home Instead Senior Care® network, the world's largest provider of non-medical in-home care and companionship services for older adults, has partnered with Local Senior-Care Agencies and Area Retailers for the Be a Santa to a Senior program, which provides gifts and companionship to seniors who otherwise might not receive either this holiday season. Read more Craving Companionship: Recipe contest helps revive family mealtimes for local seniors According to research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network, lack of companionship is the biggest mealtime challenge for seniors. The local Home Instead Senior Care office is encouraging family caregivers to dig into the family recipe box to find that favorite dish, and prepare and share a meal with their elderly loved one. Enter that recipe and the story about what makes the dish so special to your family in the Homemade MemoriesSM Recipe Contest between July 15 and September 15, 2011. Read more Answering the Call: Local Program Helps Family Caregivers Prepare for Senior Emergencies If you're an adult son or daughter who lives in fear of getting "the call" – the one that tells you "Mom has suffered a stroke," or "Dad accidentally overdosed on his medications" – do you have the information you need to help your loved one? Many don't, according to research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network. The organization conducted research with family caregivers to find out how much they know and developed a public education program with resources that can help family caregivers keep important information at their fingertips. Read moreBattle of the Ages
Just when you thought that a family caregiver’s job couldn’t get more difficult, consider this: Many of the estimated 150,000 households caring for a senior in Contra Costa and San Mateo Counties are trying to help an aging relative who’d rather not have help. Read moreThe Grand Giveback The Grand Giveback campaign is all about giving back to a generation who has given so much to our communities over the years. We are proud to financially support local non-profit organizations that work with seniors and share our vision - Honoring a Grand Generation. Read moreToo Close for Comfort? When Mom and Dad Move In San Mateo County - When President Obama's mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, settled in with her family in Washington D.C. earlier this year, she became part of a growing national trend - seniors living under the same roof with at least one other generation. In 2000, 2.3 million older parents were living with their adult children, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By contrast, in 2007, that number jumped 55 percent to 3.6 million. Read moreWho Will Care for Mom? San Mateo, Calif. - In-home care giving is one of the hottest job markets, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is predicted to be the second fastest-growing field over the next decade. It's also one of the top five recession-proof industries, according to Careerbuilder.com, and that's welcome news as many search for a new line of work or additional income in today's economy. Read moreBe a Santa to a Senior San Mateo, Calif. Local seniors who otherwise might be forgotten this holiday season will receive gifts and companionship through the fourth annual "Be a Santa to a Senior" program. Non-profit senior agencies and area retailers are partnering with event sponsor Home Instead Senior Care of San Mateo to brighten the lives of Peninsula area seniors. Read moreOperation: Medicine Cabinet Medicines left unattended or disposed of carelessly are a danger, whether it's through accidental ingestion, illegal use, identity theft, or contamination of water supplies. But the public can now safely dispose of expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications during Operation: Medicine Cabinet. Read moreLocal Senior Care Agency Donates $10,000 to "Brown Bag" Senior Food Distribution Program
Martie Cruz, franchise owner of the Home Instead Senior Care of Walnut Creek, is donating $10,000 to make sure local seniors struggling to make ends meet are getting enough to eat. The money will go to the Brown Bag senior food distribution program administered by the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, which distributes free bags of groceries to low-income seniors in both counties. Read more10 Signs Your Aging Parents Need Help San Mateo, Calif. - If you're spending time with your aging parents this holiday season, add one more thing to your to-do list. Take note of signs indicating physical and mental changes that may be putting your mom and dad at risk. Read more | 