With so many home care companies to choose from, finding a quality home care provider can be challenging. Being prepared with questions can help you in deciding which home care company is a better fit. Here are few tips to assist you with your selection process.

Finding A Quality Home Care Provider Tip #1- Get To Know The Company- When talking to the company, get a feel for their standard of care. How informative are they? Can you interview the caregiver? How do they handle replacing a caregiver that is not a good fit or if the caregiver calls in sick? Do the caregiver have training specific to your needs?

Finding A Quality Home Care Provider Tip #2-Know Your Liability- Make sure that the company hire, fully screen, and insure their caregivers. If hiring through a home care registry or agency, the family may be liable for the caregiver's taxes and other obligations.

Finding A Quality Home Care Provider Tip #3-Training and Continuing Education- Does the company provide training and continuing education to their caregivers? This is important in ensuring that you have a highly skilled and trained caregiver that are up to date on current skills, techniques, and trends in providing home care.

Finding A Quality Home Care Provider Final Tip- Shop Around- Call more than one company. You will notice that prices will vary depending on the type of services provided. However, remember, you get what you pay for. If a company charges less than another, look closely at what the more expensive one has to offer that the cheap one isn't providing. It's safer to have a full-service company that supports your home care needs.

Rest Assured Nursing Inc. is a full-service private duty home care company that strives on providing quality home care. Call and speak to a nurse about home care services at 310-425-3030. Visit our website at www.restassurednursing.com to learn more about home care services that our caregivers and private nurses provide.

As the fall season settles with cooler weather and schools are now back in session, the flu virus erupts again. Seniors, children (6 months to 18 years old), anyone with certain medical conditions and residents in long term care facilities are at a greater risk. Health officials strongly recommend that everyone get vaccinated every year. The vaccine protects against three strains of flu: A type strains H1N1 and H3N2 and a B type strain. A high-dose flu shot is recommended for people 65 and older to create a stronger immunity against the flu virus.

You should consult with your physician if you are allergic to chicken eggs, have previously had a severe reaction to the flu vaccination or a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The vaccination is not available to infants under 6 months.

Although the flu vaccination will help prevent the virus, there are also preventive measures to take. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid being around anyone who is sick. Do not touch your face unless you wash your hands first. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Others include: eating healthy, drinking adequate amounts of water, exercising, get plenty of sleep and manage stress.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, avoid being in contact with anyone for at least 24 hours after your fever to prevent transmission. Symptoms of the flu include: fever, coughing, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, headache, body ache, chills, or tiredness. Please note that some can develop the flu without ever having a fever. Consult with your physician within 2 days of your symptoms. Your physician may prescribe anti-viral medication to lessen the duration and symptoms of the flu.

Flu vaccines are available through most major retail pharmacies, private physicians, health departments, and some home health agencies. Help protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated now. Call and speak to a private nurse for more information on how to get your flu vaccination at 310-425-3030. Visit our website at www.restassurednursing.com to learn more about home care services that our caregivers and private nurses provide.

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society shows that caregiver of a spouse with Alzheimer or any other related dementia, increases your risk of developing dementia. This study was based upon those who were married for an average of 30 years. There are many lifestyle factors that can be a burden on the spouse who are the primary caregiver. The study showed a decline in cognitive thinking, poor physical activity, social isolation from other family and friends, long term stress, depression, and poor eating habits.

In 2004, Harvard researchers reported that older women who took care of a disabled or ill spouse were 31% more likely to score poorly on a standard test for cognitive function compared to non-caregiver women of the same age group. At least 35 hours per week of care is provided by the caregiver.

Many of these factors can be avoided. The first step is to find a relief caregiver. Don't wait until you're overwhelmed to seek help. Find a caregiver that has experience in Alzheimer or dementia care. Once you've found a caregiver, take out time for yourself daily. Study shows that high-intensity aerobic exercising can improve cognitive function. Plan a lunch or outing with a good friend or family member. Make sure you eat healthy. There are also several community Alzheimer or dementia groups that can be very supportive.

Rest Assured Nursing Inc. offers an array of home care services. Our caregivers are highly skilled in Alzheimer and Dementia Care. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us now for more information at 310-425-3030 or visit our website at www.restassurednursing.com for a list of other home care services we provide.

In recognition of More Fruits and Veggies Month, our private nurses and caregivers are joining officials this month to encourage more fruits and veggies to our clients.

A few reasons to eat more fruits and vegetables are:
1. Good for your digestive system
2. Low Calories
3. High in Vitamins and Minerals
4. Reduces the risk of several diseases, like high blood pressure and some cancers
5. A great snack to eat instead of high sugar snacks

Eating more fruits and vegetables make it easier to control weight gain and reduces your risk of health issues.

For more information, please call and speak with a private nurse at 310-425-3030. Visit our website for more information about other services we provide, www.restassurednursing.com

Rest Assured Nursing Inc.'s Private Nurses and Caregivers are joining officials in raising awareness on health issues in honor of Men's Health during the month of June. Our Private Nurses will be providing free in-home blood pressure screening and health information to all senior men who are home-bound in the West Los Angeles, South Bay, Malibu, and Surrounding Cities. Space is limited. Our Caregivers will be giving out health information in the community. For more information, please call and speak with a private nurse at 310-425-3030. Visit our website for more information about other services we provide, www.restassurednursing.com

• Eating a nutritious diet

• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings

• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seat belt

• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress