Researchers all over the world have been working hard on immunotherapy approaches for treating Parkinson's disease.  

Just last week, the Irish biotech company Prothena announced that its vaccine to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease was safe and tolerable in a Phase I study.  That marks a second vaccine milestone within the past year.  Last July, an Austrian biotech company, AFFiRiS, funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation reported similarly promising results.  

According to a the Michael J. Fox Foundation blog, both vaccines take a similar approach, introducing an antibody against the protein alpha-synuclein.  That protein clumps in the brain cells of people with Parkinson's Disease, leading researchers to believe that clearing out the clumps of alpha-synuclein will protect the brain cells from further degradation caused by Parkinson’s.

While each of these therapies have only completed the first phase, further testing with Parkinson's patients is planned for early 2016.   If you would like to read more articles like this, follow us on Facebook , on Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

While it was once thought that dementia sufferers did not always feel pain, research has concluded that this is not the case.  However, sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia have limited ability to understand and communicate about what they are experiencing.

That makes it more important for in-home caregivers to look for non-verbal cues to detect pain.  Alzheimer's Australia published a helpful Q&A that helps caregivers to assess and manage pain for Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers.

Here are some non-verbal cues that the Q&A said to look for:

• facial grimacing 
• gestures that indicate distress
• guarding a particular body part or reluctance to move 
• moaning with movement 
• limited range of motion or slow movement
• increased heart rate, blood pressure or sweating
• restlessness
• crying or distress
• increased or decreased vocalizations
• withdrawn social behavior
• lethargy or increased sleep
• disrupted or restless sleep 
• decreased appetite (and decreased nutritional intake) 
• increased confusion
• anger, aggression, irritability or agitation
  

They point out that these can also be signs of other issues, pain should be considered as a potential cause.

For more information about how to assess and manage pain for Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers, click here for the full report.  If you would like to read more articles like this, follow us on Facebook or on Twitter.

Caring Hands Caregivers is a family-owned and -operated agency that takes great care of our clients--and our caregivers.  We recognize that our caregivers are our heart and soul, so we treat them like family.  In order to make sure our caregivers succeed at providing the best care possible, we provide on-boarding, and on-going communication and support.  

In addition, we now have quarterly caregiver recognition program to show our appreciation for all that our caregivers do.  Called the CARE award, eligible caregivers qualify to win recognition--and a nice gift card--based on the following CARE criteria:

• Communication - Consistent communication with the office team.
  
  
• Attitude - Can-do attitude, diaplaying proactive problem solving skills.
  
  
• Reliability - Dependability, day-in and day-out.
  
  
• Excellence - Going above and beyond daily duties.
  

We look forward to recognizing our great caregivers, and highlighting their stories. Look to this blog, or follow us on Facebook to hear about the latest winners.  Or, if your a caregiver and want to work with us at Caring Hands Caregivers, please submit your application.

Entrusting someone to manage your care, or that of your loved ones, is a daunting proposition.  Navigating the decision making process can also be fraught with emotions. How do you find an agency you are comfortable with and that will provide the best care?  

To figure out the right fit for you or your loved one, I recommend that you ask of any prospective agencies the following seven questions:

1. Are the caregiver W2 Employees of the agency?  This means the employees have taxes withheld are the legal responsibility of the agency.  Some agencies offer only a “match” of a caregiver but they are 1099 employees putting the full liability on you.
2. Does the agency carry proper insurance?  Ask for a copy of the agencies proof of insurance statement which will show all the lines carried by the agency. 
3. Can you speak with references?  Talking with current and past clients will give you a very clear picture of how the agency truly operates.
   
4. What is the recruiting and screening process for bringing caregivers on-board?  Are the caregivers given full background checks along with calling references? 
   
5. What is the communication process between the caregiver and the agency staff?   Careful and continuous monitoring ensures that appropriate action can be taken to ensure the safety of the client and identify any performance question with the caregiver.
   
6. How flexible is the agency?   The requirements of care recipients typically change over time, even day-to-day or week-to-week, depending upon needs and the availability of family members.
   
7. Will the agency help you plan for possible changes you may face down the road?  Staying at home is preferred by many seniors.   But what if the situation arises where staying at home is not an option?  Will your agency partner up with senior advocates that help find the best alternative to staying at home?  Advocates like Mary Meehan at “A Better Choice” who offer a no-fee service to help find the right facility.  
   

To find out if Caring Hands Caregivers is the right agency to provide care for you or your loved one, call me at 408.775.7626 to schedule a free home care assessment.