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This podcast is for caregivers and families seeking advice and inspiration on caring for someone with a mental or physical disability. It is hosted by Best Care, a Minnesota-based home care agency that, since 2005, has provided home and community-based services. Join us to discuss ideas, tips, and educational resources to support caregivers and their families. The content on this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or ...
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Welcome to MN Health Security, a premier podcast and security content delivery platform developed by William Muenchow. At MN Health Security, our mission is to bring you closer to the forefront of healthcare technology and security. We delve into a wide range of topics that are shaping the future of Minnesota healthcare IT. Each episode features in-depth discussions with industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators, providing valuable insights, expert opinions, and the latest informatio ...
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As a personal care assistant providing home health services, it’s a safe bet that your life is pretty chaotic. Balancing multiple patients’ medications, daily plans, and personal requirements while trying to keep up with your own life can be exhausting. Without an effective way to stay organized, it’s easy for home health professionals to become ov…
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According to a study conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 72% of family caregivers live within a twenty-minute drive of their loved one they provide home care for, and 13% live within an hour. This means that 15% of all informal family caregivers live an hour or more away from those they provide home care services for. *The c…
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In the US, the average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who is married, employed, and cares for her 70-year-old mother. While there are many men that work as personal care assistants or provide home care for a family member, women spend much more time providing personal care services. On average, a female caregiver spends nearly 50% more time provi…
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In this special episode of Patient Innovations, we're flipping the script! Our hosts, Rashmi Kandwal and Mary MacCarthy, step into the guest spotlight as our production engineer, Sam Devine, takes on the role of interviewer. Join us as we delve into the motivations and challenges behind launching the Patient Innovations podcast. Rashmi and Mary sha…
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Providing home care for a family member or friend is one of the most important tasks you will ever have. However, it is a safe bet that when the time comes, you will have little experience in home care and won’t know where to start when it comes to being a great personal care assistant. This lack of preparedness can often lead to trivial mistakes i…
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An exciting announcement was made at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference: Over the past 40 years, Alzheimer’s and dementia rates have steadily declined in the U.S. In fact, an American adult age 60 and older today has a 44% less chance of getting Alzheimer’s when compared with a U.S. senior citizen 30 years ago. Researchers largely…
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Caregiving is an incredibly rewarding career. Very few professions allow a worker to make a real difference in someone’s life. Every day, family caregivers and personal care assistants give of themselves to make life easier for others struggling with a physical or mental disability. While there is no better feeling than helping others in need, home…
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It’s human nature to feel called to provide care for a loved one in need. Whether a sick child staying home from school or an aging parent, home care services are a part of all of our lives. When it comes to aging parents, at-home care usually begins with a weekly visit to see if they need to run an errand or to just spend time together. However, t…
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At Best Care, we strive to stay current on new information related to activities that benefit home caregivers, and while we focus on helping seniors, children, and individuals living with a disability find quality caregivers, home nurses and personal care assistants that are best suited to support their unique needs, we also like to provide ways to…
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Episode Description: Welcome to the latest episode of the MN Health Security podcast, hosted by William Muenchow. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Behavioral AI, focusing on its applications and transformative impact on cybersecurity. Key Topics Discussed: What is Behavioral AI? Definition and explanation of Behavioral AI. Di…
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Join us for the inaugural episode of MN Health Security, where host William Muenchow explores the evolving world of healthcare technology and security in Minnesota. With a rich background in healthcare IT and cybersecurity, William shares his insights and experiences, setting the stage for an informative and engaging podcast series. In this episode…
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There are many individuals in need of home care services who choose to avoid it because they have heard negative rumors about home health care agencies and personal care assistants. These beliefs are generally based on misconceptions and, while some of these myths may hold water, the majority are just that: myths. We here at Best Home Care want to …
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are serious problems that can result in lifelong consequences. Though a person's return from the hospital due to TBI is often met with joy, as family members are reunited, caring for a family member with a brain injury has its challenges. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only …
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Personal care assistants and family caregivers are lucky to have such a great job! Home care is a very rewarding career that allows an individual to make a valuable difference in the lives of others. Home caregivers are very important in providing home supportive services for those they provide. While it may be easy to fall into a day-to-day routin…
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A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that two out of every five adults in the U.S. currently provide home care for a sick or elderly relative. The researchers also found that the number of caregivers in the country increased by 10% from 2010 to 2013. Experts believe that this rise in family caregivers is due to more Baby Boomers requir…
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As baby boomers reach retirement age and beyond, their children are finding themselves as part of a growing community known as the Sandwich Generation. The sandwich generation is the generation of middle-aged individuals who are pressured to care for their aging parents and growing children. In addition to the physical and emotional support require…
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As any medical professional will tell you, proving health care is a lot of work. As a personal care assistant you have likely experienced this first-hand. From early morning medication assistance to late night emergency calls, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by everything there is to do. This feeling of being overworked will only get worse the more…
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Ask anyone you know what their favorite song is and you are sure to be in for a long-winded answer as they struggle to narrow it down to just one. From the songs you sang as a kid to that annoying radio hit you can’t get out of your head, music has, and will continue to be, a constant part of all our lives. For thousands of years, music has played …
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One of the major factors that lead to disability and loss of independence among the elderly is falling and fracturing one or both hips. Research suggests that recovery at home can reduce the extent of disability. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or con…
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When you provide a friend, family member, or other loved one with care services, you are helping that person to live a more comfortable, independent life. While that individual’s life becomes easier, the home caregiver’s life often becomes busier. Providing home care is a demanding, if fulfilling, responsibility, and one that may lead to burnout fo…
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If you could do anything for the rest of your life, what would it be? This is a common question to determine what we feel is most important and what activities we enjoy the most. These interests typically have nothing to do with our daily work, but instead are things we do out of a personal passion.. *The content on this podcast is for informationa…
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Any family that has gone through the process of selecting a senior living community knows it can be lengthy and difficult. Long wait lists can leave seniors in limbo for months or even years while the need for care continues to grow. This is where transitional home care comes in. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational purp…
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A personal care assistant plays many roles in the life of a senior. Perhaps one of the least appreciated aspects of their service is the psychological benefit they provide for their clients. Isolation, boredom, depression, and vulnerability can make a senior’s emotional life difficult and even lead to serious medical issues. *The content on this po…
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Arey ou interested in receiving PCA Services? In order to receive PCA Services in Minnesota, you will first have to meet with a Public Health Nurse in your county to have a PCA Assessment. To schedule a PCA Assessment, you must contact the Public Health Department for the county you live in. For county contact information, you may contact a Minneso…
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The ability to prepare food is one of life’s most basic activities, and can be a wonderful hobby for improving the home health of seniors. Cooking is a rewarding activity that doesn’t require much physical exertion and a great way for seniors to maintain a sense of independence.By Best Care MN
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In this episode, hosts Rashmi and Mary dive deep into the critical issues of addiction and substance abuse, exploring various aspects of mental health. They are joined by three distinguished guests: Duffy Fallon A person in recovery, Duffy shares his personal journey and insights into how his experiences have shaped his work in the mental health fi…
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As parents and loved ones grow older, most people are prepared to see some changes, but these changes can still come as a surprise and a challenge. Parkinson's Disease is a degenerative nervous system disorder that impairs movement and cognitive function, making everyday life more difficult. The symptoms often show up gradually, worsening with time…
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Spine disorders are caused by several factors. Ankylosing spondylitis is the result of progressive arthritis that causes inflammation of the spine and the joints of the spine and pelvis. Degenerative disk disease is caused by wear and tear on the discs between the vertebrae of the spine, which act as shock absorbers. Spinal fractures are caused by …
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The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder that help in movement while making it strong and stable. Due to wear and tear, the rotator cuff weakens and this may lead to related conditions like impingement, tendonitis and rotator cuff tears. Everyone can suffer these ailments not only while playing sports or any intense physic…
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At Best Care, we believe that everyone deserves the best care that aligns with their wants and needs. That could change over time, meaning you could need to change caregivers. If you’ve been working with a caregiver for a while, it might seem difficult to change your current situation. However, there’s no reason for it to be any more stressful than…
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Sure, it will help you relax. But massage therapy can do much more than that, especially for extended home care clients experiencing common complications associated with growing older. With the rise in the number of Baby Boomers, massage therapists are developing techniques for a new group: the PCA program clients of premier home care agencies like…
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There are many benefits of receiving homecare services. You get to enjoy the comfort of your own home while receiving quality support to perform daily tasks from a loved one or experienced PCA (personal care assistant). But how does the process of getting started with PCA services begin? In this podcast, we’d like to provide a few simple steps on h…
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Providing home care to a parent or grandparent is often a full-time job. In addition to you helping your loved one perform daily tasks and feel more independent, you also want to ensure he or she is eating well and making better decisions when it comes to daily health and nutrition. In fact, one major health concern that seniors experience is weigh…
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Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited muscle disorders in which there is skeletal muscle weakness and muscle tissue loss. The cause can be a mutation of a protein which is responsible for muscle strength or some other reasons such as nutritional defects during pregnancy. MD is passed down and can run in families but some types develop out…
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of developmental disorder which affects between 8-12 percent of children. It is characterized by behavioral problems such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a subtype of ADHD and lacks the hyperactive or impulsive features of ADHD. *The cont…
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In April 2024 Mary MacCarthy and Rashmi Kandwal focused on learning about care and innovation in Alzheimer's Disease. They talked with Kanada Yazbek who has been living with dementia for many years, Susan Perriott who is the CEO of the Alzheimer's Association of Minnesota and North Dakota and Dr. Joseph Gaugler, Director of the University of Minnes…
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Family caregivers juggle multiple responsibilities, and one of these tasks is often handling grocery shopping for home care recipients. With inflation and soaring food costs, it's become even more important to navigate buying groceries on a budget while ensuring nutritional value and affordability. *The content on this podcast is for informational …
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The ability to drive is significant, offering independence and freedom. But what happens when dementia begins to cloud the mind of someone we love? As we spend time with aging loved ones, we might observe subtle shifts in their cognitive function. This decline can change many things, including their ability to drive safely. The question is hard to …
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Taking care of loved ones at home takes immense love and dedication. It allows those we care about to stay in a familiar environment while receiving the support they need. We often hear terms like Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), Family Caregivers, Companions, and Home Health Aides, but what exactly do each of these roles entail? It's important to …
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When we consider protecting our health during winter, we often think about outdoor threats, like cold temperatures and icy sidewalks. However, the air inside our homes can also pose challenges, especially if that air is dry. Can dry air cause a sore throat? Can dry air make you sick? Indeed, dry air can lead to several issues affecting our well-bei…
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Spina bifida is a complex condition that affects every individual differently. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons: "Spina bifida is the most common, permanently disabling birth defect. The Spina Bifida Association conservatively estimates that 70,000 people live in the United States with the condition." *The content on t…
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Dive into a discussion on Colorectal Cancer, the 3rd most common cancer in the US and worldwide. In this episode of Patient Innovations, Rashmi and Mary speak with three remarkable guests: Meghan Wallace: A recent survivor, Meghan shares her journey from diagnosis to treatment and being cancer-free. Dr. Subree Subramanian: Professor in the Departme…
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Some terms are often used interchangeably when describing the roles and responsibilities of people who provide in-home care. Today, we'll cover the differences between a homemaker and a Personal Care Assistant (PCA). Though both play pivotal roles in ensuring the well-being of those they care about, their responsibilities and required skills vary. …
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Although Alzheimer's disease is a common condition for most families, dealing with a loved one's diagnosis can still cause uncertainty, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of the disease, meaning the symptoms begin after the age of 60, although early-onset Alzheimer's can occasionally o…
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Lead poisoning is a serious medical condition that causes a growing concern about environmental pollution and occupational safety measures. Lead is a heavy metal that does not perform any useful function within the human body, but it causes a variety of harmful effects. Old water pipes, car battery factories, certain types of paint and other indust…
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Anxiety disorders affect 40 million Americans, with cases ranging from mild to severe, all playing a role in how you function in society. Examples of anxiety disorders include panic disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and specific phobias. Anxiety disorders can lead to physical illnesses, including …
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Seniors are often faced with the prospect of living alone. Their children have moved out and are raising their own families. Aside from the psychological effect of having been left behind by loved ones, they also struggle to cope with running errands and activities of daily living. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational pu…
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Quadriplegia involves paralysis in all four limbs. Typically caused by a spinal cord injury, this condition leaves individuals needing to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. Performing everyday activities can be frustrating, tiring and depressing. In-Home care services for people with this condition can make life easier in a variety o…
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Walking is one of the most straightforward exercises for seniors. Unlike other forms of exercise, it does not require expensive and bulky equipment or a lot of effort, so seniors who are wary of physical activity need not worry so much about starting (or failing) an exercise regimen. *The content on this podcast is for informational or educational …
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