Prefer to talk to a pro?

Call today, and let us connect you with the perfect merchant!

1-855-979-9435

Call today, and let us connect you with the perfect merchant!


Top Health And Beauty Services in Melville, NY

My Parents were aging and healthy until they were not. When Mom needed back surgery I arranged to be with them for a couple of weeks until she were on the road to recovery. About a week in to my vi...

Prefer to talk to a pro?

Call today, and let us connect you with the perfect merchant!

1-855-979-9435

Call today, and let us connect you with the perfect merchant!

Where do you need Health And Beauty Services ?

Updates & tips

Assisted Living at Home

The family dynamic has changed substantially in the past half century, leaving care options very different than they had once been. I can remember being a teenager in the late '60 when my beloved Great Grandfather had a debilitating stroke. Not caring for him at home was never an option for us. Several of the women in our family were stay at home Moms and housewives and they cared for him in every way, from assisting him out of bed, grooming, socializing and pretty much seeing to all of his needs. Our family took care of him day and night until he passed away, during the night , in the comfort of his own home roughly a year after the stroke. I can remember my Grandmother telling me, after he passed that nothing meant more to him than being at home with those he loved. As unfortunate as it may be, most families today are not in a position to provide that type of care. Economic concerns, child care and the pressures of 21st century life have forced today's families to choose very different care options for loved ones who are no longer able to care for themselves. The problem has become so prevelant that the United States Senate has begun to focus on the issue. In a report issued in 2001 the Senate subcommittee for the Aging can be quoted as saying;  " It [long-term care] differs from other types of health care in that the goal of long-term care is not to cure an illness, but to allow an individual to attain and maintain an optimal level of functioning…. Long-term care encompasses a wide array of medical, social, personal, and supportive and specialized housing services needed by individuals who have lost some capacity for self-care because of a chronic illness or disabling condition." The report goes on to say; An estimated 10 million Americans needed long-term care in 2000. Most but not all persons in need of long-term care are elderly. Approximately 63% are persons aged 65 and older (6.3 million); the remaining 37% are 64 years of age and younger (3.7 million). The lifetime probability of becoming disabled in at least two activities of daily living or of being cognitively impaired is 68% for people age 65 and older. By 2050, the number of individuals using paid long-term care services in any setting (e.g., at home, residential care such as assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities) will likely double from the 13 million using services in 2000, to 27 million people. This estimate is influenced by growth in the population of older people in need of care.    So how do we meet these challenges as we move on? Of those who who require some type of daily assistance, more than half do not need medical care. And who among us does not want to remain at home? The concept of assisted living at home, while not new, is quickly gaining traction. From home health attendants, to in home nursing and companion care, the options are growing each day. For most, the opportunity to remain in the comfort of their own homes is a far superior option to any assisted living facility and in most all cases, far more cost effective. Assisted living at home allows a family the peace of mind of knowing that their loved one is in a comfortable,clean safe surrounding. In many cases, in home caregivers become like family members who the client and their loved ones grow to care for and trust. This person can relieve the pressures placed on the most well intentioned family members. Most who attempt to juggle care for loved ones are women (sorry guys) who work outside thier own homes, care for children and are responsible for keeping their own homes ticking. These caregivers, while feeling an overwhelming desire to care for those who once cared for them; Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles etc, quickly learn that there are limits to what they can do. The ensuing pressures can leave all feeling helpless and worn out. In home assisted living can be a viable solution. An agency such as Companion Home Care is uniquely equipped to assist in meeting those challenges. Our unique Perfect Match system will assure families that their loved ones are being cared for by the caregiver that is best matched to both the client and the family. If you find yourself wondering what the best solution for your current situation is, give us a call for a free needs assessment. Our highly trained assessment counselors can council you and your family about what the best care option is for your unique situation. Sometimes a companion is the best solution, other times you might need more specialized care, either way, we can help.  Reply Forward

Long Term Care

Does your long term care policy really address your long term care issues? No one likes to think about a time when they will not be able to handle the day to day chores most of us take in stride. Yet, the expansion of Long term care insurance options in this country show that we do think about it. We think about what would happen to our families, our lives, if we became sick with a long term illness such as Alzheimers, Cancer or and one of 100 other debilitating illnesses. We think about our loss of income, the cost of a stay in a nursing facility and the hard earned financial resources that we will watch drain away to pay for these life altering events. The answer for most is to buy a long term care policy. These insurance policies are good at addressing the problems I have listed above. Unfortunately they are not really adequate when it comes to the most common issues that seniors and the disabled face.  It's simple, advances in medicine have assured that people are living longer healthier lives. Yet all of those advances, while a blessing, have created a donut hole in care options. The simple effects of aging; a slowing of the mind,diminishing physical strength,  the loss of loved ones and friends, creates a need for a new class of caregiver. A person who can come in to the home of a senior and do the day to day chores that have become difficult, a person who can provide company and socialization when family cannot be with there, a person who can restore the independence of a senior who can no longer drive by taking them to appointments, social events, shopping and more. Dozens of companies have popped up to provide these services and most do a very good job, the problem now is how to pay for these services. Most people would be very surprised to know that the LTC policy they have paid into for years, the policy they thought would be there for them will not pay for this kind of esssential care. Most LTC policies will cover in home care for medical personnel such as nurses, they also have a rigorous and extensive vetting process to determine who quaifies for this kind of care and who does not. More often than not the patient must be critically ill. Even if they approve a patient for in home care, it is often sporadic and does not provide for assistance with day to day activities or the all important socialization that a companion aid provides In order to protect your family and the lives they worked so hard to build, read your LTC policy, contact your agent and make sure you are protected. If your policy does not cover this essential layer of care, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to explore the options that are available to you to assure you can access this care when your family needs it most. Companion Home Care of Long Island can help you to analyze your current policy. This service is part of our needs assessment and is free of charge. We will be happy to help you determine if a companion is the best option for your family's unique needs.

Vitamins and Mineral Supplements for Seniors

Vitamins and Mineral Supplements are Important for Older People Research has discovered that as we age, our diets and our need for dietary supplements become more. Doctors are increasingly concerned about boosting the levels of vitamins and minerals that we need as we grow older. As most people get older, they tend to eat less due to a loss of appetite. As a result, many elderly individuals do not take in adequate amounts of vitamins and other nutrients as they did when they were younger. Other factors that can affect appetite and the inadequate uptake of vital nutrients are medications, medical complications, certain disabilities, diabetes, changes in the digestive system and even the changes in our skin as we age. One study estimates that one-third of the elderly are alarmingly low on important vitamins and minerals. Another study indicates that two thirds of the elderly patients admitted to a hospital are mal-nourished, resulting in low levels of vital nutrients. When a person is vitamin and mineral deficient, he or she is more susceptible to illness and infections. It is estimated that deaths due to infections are ten times more likely in the elderly. Companion Home Careprovides in-home caregivers who will monitor your loved one's diet, eating habits and liquid intake along with medication and vitamin reminders. VitaminsSo what is a vitamin and why is it so essential to our bodies? A vitamin is a molecule that our bodies need to carry out certain biological functions. With only a few exceptions, we have no way to create vitamin molecules ourselves, so these vital building blocks must come in through food that we eat. The human body is known to need at least 13 different vitamins. We are able to store some of these for long periods of time in fat cells or in the liver -- such as vitamin A -- but most vitamins need to be replenished frequently. Vitamins don't supply us with energy. We need protein, carbohydrates, and fats for that. What vitamins do is to help the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins release energy. These vital compounds are very important and they are required for all sorts of complex chemical reactions in our bodies. Vitamins are also needed to assist the enzymes that repair tissue and help with the production of cells. Many studies show that vitamins and minerals can help or prevent some of the disorders or diseases related to aging. There are two types of vitamins -- water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in our systems. They pass through us quickly. In order to keep these nutrients in our bodies we have to consume them frequently. Water soluble vitamins contribute to our health, energy and stamina. This type of vitamin also helps in the function of over one hundred enzymes and chemical reactions that give our bodies energy. Listed below are some of the well known water soluble vitamins and their benefits. •Vitamin B5 – good for reducing swelling•Vitamin B3 – reduces tissue swelling and helps increase blood flow.•Vitamin B6 – also reduces swelling. When combined with vitamin B12 in proper concentration has shown to reduce heart disease.•Vitamin B12 – This is the most vital of the B's. It aids in the formation of cells, myelin production, healthy nerves, and maintaining immune system and mental function.•Vitamin C – Vitamin C helps in the formation of cartilage and bone. Some studies have shown it may reduce the progression of osteoarthritis.Fat soluble vitamins are vitamins that stay in the body and are typically stored in the liver. You can usually receive enough of these compounds by eating a well balanced diet. Any condition that can interfere with the absorption of fat in the body like tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, hypothyroidism, lactose intolerance, and many other diseases or disorders can cause deficiencies in these vitamins. Before taking the daily recommended dose of fat soluble vitamins you must consult your doctor. Overdosage of these substances can cause a toxic build-up. Listed below are the major fat soluble vitamins. •Vitamin A – Lungs, throat and mouth depend on vitamin A to retain moisture. This compound is also important for your skin, bones, teeth, digestive system, urinary tract, eyes and aids in preventing skin disorders like acne, boils, and bumpy skin. Some studies show that it may aid in slowing the aging process.•Vitamin K – plays an important role in the clotting of blood. Research has linked vitamin K to bone health.•Vitamin D – is produced in the skin by exposure to the sun. Deficiencies mostly occur in people living in northern latitudes where daylight is brief during winter months. Changes in skin as we age can also cause poor production of vitamin D. Studies show that osteoporosis might progress faster in women with low levels of vitamin D. This compound is essential in helping the body absorb calcium and in maintaining strong bones.MineralsUnlike vitamins, minerals are not manufactured by plants or animals. Minerals form in the earth, and are absorbed by plants and found in animals that eat the plants. Listed below are some of the essential minerals needed to maintain a healthy body. •Iron – helps carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron also helps the immune system ward off foreign entities.•Calcium – Most women as they get older need calcium supplements to prevent bone loss that causes osteoporosis. Calcium supplements will not do you any good if you do not have the right levels of vitamin D. your body cannot absorb calcium without vitamin D.•Zinc – Zinc deficiencies can affect skin, nerves, and the body's immune system.It is important that you take vitamin and mineral supplements with food. Fat soluble vitamins require fat ingestion to result in the best absorption. It is best to take your supplements at the biggest meal of the day. We use vitamins every day to support the processes our bodies use to maintain life. Ongoing reduced levels of vitamins can make you weak and more vulnerable to disease. Proper nutrition with vitamins and minerals is vital for seniors to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Other health issues related to aging are discussed on the National Care Planning Council website atwww.longtermcarelink.net. 631.956.4371 1.866.311.CARE (2273)