Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Inside Bay Area News Group talks about Senior Care Services and Agoura Hills Senior Retreat...

Inside Bay Area News Group talks about Senior Care Services and Agoura Hills Senior Retreat...

http://markets.financialcontent.com/mng-ba.iba/news/read/22811620/Senior_Care_Services_Extended_to_Those_Who_Decide_Not_to_Stay_Home

Senior Care Services Extended to Those Who Decide Not to Stay Home | FinancialContent Business Page
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Yahoo! news featured Senior Care Services of CSHI and Agoura Hills Senior Retreat

Yahoo! news featured Senior Care Services of CSHI and Agoura Hills Senior Retreat

http://news.yahoo.com/senior-care-services-extended-those-decide-not-stay-093044890.html





Thursday, November 15, 2012

Senior Care at its best... 'Circle of Care' flourished!

Senior Care at its best... 'Circle of Care' flourished!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=387484751327165&set=a.387484741327166.92267.111709445571365&type=1&theater



(5 photos)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Whittier Daily News about Caregiver Services


Whittier Daily News about Caregiver Services & Homecare Inc.

http://markets.financialcontent.com/mng-lang.whittier/news/read/22604075/Newly_Launched_


...


Newly Launched "Caregiver University" and Caregiver Services "Circle of Care" Successfully Providing

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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Yahoo ! News about Caregiver Services...


Yahoo! News about Caregiver Services tonight...

The Miami Herald article about CSHI


Cincinnati featured Caregiver Services

Cincinnati featured Caregiver Services

http://finance.cincinnati.com/gannett.theenquirer/news/read/22604075/Newly_Launched_

San Francisco Chronicle featured CSHI


Minnesota Public Radio MPR News featured CS:


Minnesota Public Radio MPR News featured CS:

http://markets.financialcontent.com/mpr/news/read?GUID=22604075

Monday, October 29, 2012

CBS5 News Channel talks about Caregiver Services

CBS5 News Channel talks about Caregiver Services

http://www.kgwn.tv/story/19921746/newly-launched-caregiver-university-and-caregiver-services-circle-of-care-successfully-providing-senior-care-training-and-in-home-care-solution-in-s


KFMB 760 AM Talk Radio of San Diego CA talks about Caregiver Services

KFMB 760 AM Talk Radio of San Diego CA talks about Caregiver Services

http://www.760kfmb.com/story/19921746/newly-launched-caregiver-university-and-caregiver-services-circle-of-care-successfully-providing-senior-care-training-and-in-home-care-solution-in-s#.UI1F8fAOoeI.facebook


San Francisco Chronicle article about Caregiver Services


Fox 14 TV featured Caregiver Services


Friday, October 26, 2012

'Caregiver University' and CS 'Circle of Care' successfully providing senior care training and in-home care solution


Newly Launched "Caregiver University" and Caregiver Services “Circle of Care” Successfully Providing Senior Care Training and In-Home Care Solution in S. California


Caregiver Services and Homecare Inc. (CS) http://www.mycaregiverservices.com Los Angeles California launched this year its in-house "Caregiver University" to provide training, orientation and screening of all Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA), Home Health Aides (HHA) and Caregiver trainees. Training classes have produced conclusive results where participants were indoctrinated with company's Service Philosophy, Vision, Mission, Core Values, standard on Character and Competence, Effective Communication to people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, CPR and First aid, checking of vital signs, S.T.A.R. philosophy concept and implementation of 'Plan of Care' needed to complete excellent senior care incorporated in CS "Circle of Care'. CS 'Circle of Care' guarantees continuum of care and several outstanding benefits to clients, family members and retirement facilities: 'Peace of mind' once they signed up and start with the service, substantial monthly savings on service rates (ranging from $500 -$1,500 savings) as compared to other companies and still maintain quality and better service, preserving client's dignity even with their health limitations, respect and understanding of their individuality thereby promoting well-being and better living condition, helping seniors live longer and live better, easier lifestyle with total or minimal assistance in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), safety from risk of fall, readily available health information about their family members day-to-day living and progress, high standard of service rendered and immediate staffing solution as guaranteed by Human Resource and Staffing department of CS.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

CSHI 'Continuing Health Education' Program


RLC shares part of his lecture at Malibu CA, with topic on "The Power of Health & Wealth" under the company's 'Continuing Health Education' program.

"Boomers are the 77 million Americans born from 1946 through 1964. Beginning January 1, 20
11, there are 10,000 Americans a day that will turn 65 years old and this will continue for 19 straight years.

Five million Americans are now diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Estimates for medical care expenditures for Alzheimer's this year will be $200 billion. In year 2050, 1 out of 2 seniors age 85 years old will have Alzheimer's disease. By 2050, it is estimated that up to16 million Americans will have it. Someone develops Alzheimer's in America every 68 seconds now; by mid-century, it will be every 33 seconds, according to Alzheimer's Association.

Healthcare use and trends:

Among people 65 and older, only about 5% managed to get through the year without seeing a doctor.

5 leading causes of death:
Heart disease (28%)
Respiratory disease (7%)
Strokes & other blood-vessel issues in the brain (6%)
Alzheimer's disease (5%) - expected to top this list in the next yrs.

As of 2010, the most recent data year, 59% of people 65 and older said they had to limit their activities in some way because of health problem.

In the book, "Cruise Ship or Nursing Home" by Dr. Lerner et al..., it tackles the 5 Essentials of a Maximized Living.
Essential #1 - Maximized Mind
             #2 - Maximized Nerve Supply
             #3 - Maximized Quality Nutrition
             #4 - Maximized Oxygen & Lean Muscle
             #5 - Minimized Toxins

This book articulates a staggering 98% of all diseases (as I presented earlier) is all due in part to 'lifestyle' - not genetics. That means that every day we are making a decision whether we will end up in a nursing home or establish our health now and finish our days vital and vibrant, on a cruise ship.

For seniors who have health limitations,below are the staggering data & statistics of what it takes to get help from healthcare facility, family members and health professionals. The number of people eligible for healthcare will nearly double from 46 million to 80 million by the time 'boomers' reach 65. It's estimated the cost will grow from $500 billion a year today to $929 billion by 2030.

There are more than 65 million family caregivers - average 20 hours a week. The value of services family caregivers provide for free when caring for elders is estimated to be $375 billion a year, twice as much spent on homecare & nursing home services combined ($158 B).

As a Homecare and healthcare solution, Caregiver Services & Homecare Inc. attains its Mission and Service Philosophy for all senior clients by:

- Respecting & understanding their individuality
- Helping provide best quality of life
- Preserving dignity
- Offering excellence in care & services
- Encouraging independence
- helping seniors 'live longer & live better'


For home care and healthcare solutions:

Why hire a caregiver directly and get all the problems of checking reference and criminal background yourself, compute deductions for state & federal taxes, look for a reliever when your caregiver does not show up, handle their workers compensation & run the risk of getting sued if they hurt themselves, interview 5-10 applicants & check their employment background, handle caregivers by yourself without any help…?

Or just hire Caregiver Services & Homecare Inc. (www.mycaregiverservices.com) and get all the benefit of hiring a professional caregiver service and still spend almost the same budget every month & save a lot of money & time on a long term. Have ‘Peace of Mind’, get all the benefits of why seniors choose In-home care, call 805-338-8100 / 310-779-6254 / 562-412-2420 / 213-351-9100 and have the best caregivers take care of your family member with proven success record in the senior community for more than 10 years.

Caregiver Services & Homecare, Inc, Caregiver Services in Los Angeles
www.mycaregiverservices.com
Caregiver Services & Homecare, Inc, Caregiver Services in Los Angeles, Orange County & Ventura County.

Monday, October 8, 2012

CSHI 'Continuing Professional Education' Program

CSHI 'Continuing Professional Education' program encourage staff to implement their own Personal Development plan. A simpler way to execute this is to follow the learning module by Jim Rohn.

Personal Development – The Plan by Jim Rohn

Now, here is my definition of success: A few simple Disciplines practiced every day. Do you see the distinction? A few disciplines... Here's a little phrase we've all heard, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." And my question to you is, "What if that's true?" How simple and easy is that plan?

The fact is, when you look at successful people, you will almost always discover a plan behind their success. They know what they want, they work out a plan that will get them where they want to go, and they work their plan. It is the foundation for success. We as humans have the unique ability to affect change in our lives; it is through our own conscious choice when we engage in the miracle process of personal development that we are able to transform our nature and our lives.

It is the combination of the materials and your open attitude towards learning, driven by the diligent following of a plan that is right for you, that will make this year the kind of success you want it to be. So let me challenge you to be no less sincere, be no less committed to the advancement of your philosophy, the set of your sail, your plan.

So, what are some good ideas on developing a plan that will work well and take you to the finish line powerfully and in style? Here are some major points to keep in mind:

Develop the Plan for You. Some people are very detail oriented and they will be able to follow an intricate plan closely. Others are a little more "free-wheeling" and not really "detail" people. That is okay too. In all the years of my speaking to audiences worldwide, people have asked the question, "What plan is the right plan?" And my answer, the plan that fits you. Your plan, the one you develop that is unique to you and for you. You see, each of us is unique and motivated by different factors and you've got to develop one that is right for you and fits you. Some plans will not be as intricate as others but we all must have a plan, along with goals in that plan, to move us along the program. If you are a free spirit type, don't tell yourself you are going to spend 2 hours a day with a book and tapes and journal. It probably won't happen and you will get discouraged! Whatever your personality, your strengths and your weaknesses, develop the plan around them! This is not a one-plan-fits-all proposition.

Establish Times to Spend Working on the Material. It may be every Sunday night. It may be 20 minutes each morning. It may be in the car listening to the CD's every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Whatever it is, set the times and do it. In your step-by-step plan, put down points that you can accomplish every week. They should be specific and achievable. Develop the discipline and take those steps every day, which will move you closer to your goals and where you want to be.

Keep a Journal. Take notes. It may be on paper, it may be on a micro-recorder. Mr. Schoaff taught me not to trust my memory, but to write it down, to find one place to gather the information that affects change. And that advice has served me well all these years. Record the ideas and inspiration that will carry you from where you are to where you want to be. Take notes on the ideas that impact you most. Put down your thoughts and ideas. Brainstorm with yourself on where you are going and what you want to do. Record your dreams and ambitions. Your journals are a gathering place for all the valuable information that you will find. If you are serious about becoming wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured, unique, if you come across something important write it down. Two people will listen to the same material and different ideas will come to each one. Use the information you gather and record it for further reflection, for future debate and for weighing the value that it is to you.

Reflect. Create time for reflection -- a time to go back over, to study again the things you've learned and the things you've done each day. I call it "running the tapes again" so that the day locks firmly in your memory so that it serves as a tool. As you go through the material in this plan, you will want to spend time reflecting on its significance for you. Regularly set aside time - here are some good guidelines for times to reflect: At the end of the day. Take a few minutes at the end of each day and go back over the day - who'd you talk to, who'd you see, what did they say, what happened and how'd you feel, what went on. A day is the piece of the mosaic of your life. Next, take a few hours at the end of the week to reflect on the week's activities - I would suggest at least one half-hour. Also during that weekly time, take a few minutes to reflect on how this material should be applied to your life and circumstances. Take a half day at the end of the month and a weekend at the end of the year so that you've got it so that it never disappears, to ensure that the past is even more valuable and will serve your future well.

Set Goals. While we are going to cover this soon enough in upcoming weeks, let's just remember that your plan is the roadmap for how you are going to get to your goals, so you have to have them. Of all the things that changed my life for the better (and most quickly), it was learning how to set goals. Mastering this unique process can have a powerful effect on your life too. I remember shortly after I met Mr. Shoaff, he asked me if I had a list of my goals, and of course I didn't. He suggested to me that because I lacked a set of clearly defined goals that he could guess my bank balance within a few hundred dollars... and he did! Well, Mr. Shoaff immediately began helping me define my view of the future, my dreams. He taught me to set goals because it is the greatest influence on a person's future and the greatest force that will pull a person in the direction that they want to go. But the future must be planned, well designed to exert a force that pulls you towards the promise of what can be.

Act. Act on your plan. What separates the successful from the unsuccessful so many times is that the successful simply do it. They take action, they aren't necessarily smarter than others; they just work the plan. And the time to act is when the emotion is strong. Because if you don't, here's what happens - it's called the law of diminishing intent. We intend to act when the idea strikes us, when the emotion is high, but if we delay and we don't translate that into action fairly soon, the intention starts to diminish, diminish and a month from now it’s cold and a year from now it can't be found. So set up the discipline when the idea is strong, clear and powerful - that's the time to work the plan. Otherwise the emotion is wasted unless you capture the emotion and put it into disciplined activities and translate it into equity. And here's what is interesting: all disciplines affect each other; everything affects everything. That's why the smallest action is important -- because the value and benefits that you receive from that one little action will inspire you to do the next one and the next one... So step out and take action on your plan because if the plan is good, then the results can be miraculous.

We are at the beginning of a fantastic journey that is going to help us become all that we want to - so let's get going!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Caregiver Services significant meaning and purpose


Caregiver  Services  stands  for  our employees who are:

C OMPASSIONATE

A MIABLE

R ELIABLE

E NDEARING

G OOD-NATURED

I NDUSTRIOUS

V IGILANT

E NGAGING

R ESPONSIVE

 

S YMPATHETIC

E XCEPTIONAL

R ECEPTIVE

V IBRANT                             

I NTERESTING

C HEERFUL

E XTRAORDINARY

S TEADFAST  

 

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Caregiver Services & Senior Care Living, maximizing help to seniors.


Caregiver Services & Senior Care Living, a strong commitment to provide seniors In-Home care services, referral to senior retirement facilities free of service, free assistance to which Skilled Nursing facility that best fit the patient, wh
ich Homehealth agency that can help most, what hospice care is needed and free evaluation and consultation of 'Plan of Care' needed by seniors experiencing some health limitations. Call hotline #213-351-9100 or visit www.mycaregiverservices.com to experience the help that you needed most.

Caregiver Services featured at AmericanTowns.com Thousand Oaks CA


Caregiver Services featured at AmericanTowns.com Thousand Oaks CA

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Caregiver Services news article release


Caregiver Services & Homecare Inc. submitted news article release to Acorn, Santa Monica and Los Angeles newspapers and other reputable newspapers all over California.

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Caregiver Services significant meaning

Caregiver Services stands for our employees who are: 

C OMPASSIONATE
A MIABLE
R ELIABLE
E NDEARING 
G OOD-NATURED
I NDUSTRIOUS
V IGILANT
E NGAGING
R ESPONSIVE

S YMPATHETIC
E XCEPTIONAL
R ECEPTIVE
V IBRANT
I NTERESTING
C HEERFUL
E XTRAORDINARY
S TEADFAST

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Alzheimer drug may stabilize brain plaque


Studies: Alzheimer drug may stabilize brain plaque

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE | Associated Press – Tue, Sep 11, 2012

An experimental drug that failed to stop mental decline in Alzheimer's patients also signaled potential benefit that suggests it might help if given earlier, fuller results of two major studies show.

Some patients on the drug had stable levels of brain plaque and less evidence of nerve damage compared to others who were given a dummy treatment, researchers reported Tuesday.

The drug is called bapineuzumab (bap-ih-NOOZ-uh-mab), made by Pfizer Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. The new results suggest it might work if given sooner, before so much damage and memory loss have occurred that it might not be possible to reverse, experts say.

"We're very disappointed that we were not able to come up with a treatment to provide to our dementia patients in the near term," said Dr. Reisa Sperling, director of the Alzheimer's center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and leader of one of the studies.

But brain imaging and spinal fluid tests are "very encouraging" and suggest the drug was "doing something to the biology of the disease."

"We've got a path forward" now to test it in people with mild mental impairment or those who show plaque on brain imaging but have not yet developed symptoms of dementia, Sperling said. Of people with mild cognitive impairment, about 15 to 20 percent a year will develop Alzheimer's disease.

About 35 million people worldwide have dementia, and Alzheimer's is the most common type. In the U.S., about 5 million have Alzheimer's. Current medicines such as Aricept and Namenda just temporarily ease symptoms. There is no known cure.

This year researchers had been hopeful of major progress in treating the disease, but study after study has proved disappointing, including results reported earlier on bapineuzumab. The drug failed to slow mental decline or improve activities of daily living for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's in two studies in the United States and Canada.

Bapineuzumab is designed to attach to and help clear amyloid, the stuff that makes up the sticky plaque that clogs patients' brains, harming nerve cells and impairing memory and thought. Doctors don't know whether amyloid is a cause or just a symptom of Alzheimer's, but many companies are testing drugs to try to remove it.

Sperling's study involved people with a gene that raises the risk of developing the disease. Dr. Stephen Salloway, a neurologist at Brown Medical School in Providence, R.I., led the other study of people without the gene. Both researchers have consulted for the companies that make the drug and presented results Tuesday at a neurology conference in Stockholm.

Brain imaging on a subset of patients in Sperling's study found 9 percent less amyloid in those on bapineuzumab compared to those on a dummy treatment. The drug group had stable levels while the others developed more plaque. Spinal fluid tests on some participants also showed the drug group had less of another substance called p-tau that is released when nerve cells are damaged.

There were potential safety concerns, including six deaths from various forms of cancer among those on bapineuzumab and none in the placebo group. But a wider review of all studies of the drug found that cancer was not more common among users.

"That's not raising any red flags," said an independent expert, Dr. Maria Carrillo, a senior scientist at the Alzheimer's Association. She said the biological changes suggest the drug is helping, so if it's used sooner, "we can perhaps affect cognition."

Salloway's study produced less evidence of benefit. Too few participants had brain imaging to make definitive conclusions about amyloid, and there was just a trend toward less of the nerve-damage substance in the group receiving the higher of two doses tested.

The hopeful signs on biomarkers are "the silver lining" in studies that failed to show the drug was helping patients, said Dr. Eric Yuen, head of clinical development for J&J's Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy unit.

Bapineuzumab is given as periodic intravenous infusions, and the companies have said they are stopping development of that form but continuing to test a version that can be given as a shot.

More results on this drug and a similar one — Eli Lilly & Co.'s solanezumab — will be presented at a conference in Boston next month. Lilly recently announced that combined results of two large studies of solanezumab suggested some benefit on cognition.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

The Four Phases of Resolution


The Four Phases of Resolution for Alzheimer cases as role played by Naomi Feil (Speaker & author of Validation Therapy for Alzheimer's)

                                            

Phase 1 Mal-Orientation

Phase 2 Time-confusion

Phase 3 Repetitive Motion (becomes non-verbal)

Phase 4 Vegetation (minimum movement & no speech) ---> Click & watch:

 


 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

'Baby Boomers' needing senior care for their parents


A great reading for ‘Baby Boomers’ with parents living in Los Angeles area, Orange County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County area to help them make a decision how they can hire an At-home or In-home Caregiver for their family members.

How to Hire an At-Home Caregiver

By Lisa Trottier, Caring.com

Quick summary

When your parents start struggling with everyday tasks, hiring a home care aide can help them remain in their home -- and take some pressure off the rest of the family. Here's help on finding the best care possible.

What is a home care aide?

At-home caregivers fall into three categories: certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care attendants. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) have some medical training and must pass an exam to get a license. They generally work under the supervision of registered nurses. CNAs can check vital signs, care for wounds, and help your parents with everyday activities like bathing and eating (you'll often hear these referred to as "activities of daily living," or ADLs). Home health aides generally assist with ADLs. And personal care attendants (PCAs), also sometimes called personal companions, assist with household chores like cooking, cleaning, and shopping. The job descriptions of these caregivers can overlap considerably, and they're often referred to interchangeably.

Your first hiring decision: agency versus independent

Hiring a home care aide through the classifieds or word of mouth is usually the least expensive option. But you should know that it might create unexpected liabilities for your family, which legally becomes the employer. For example, you'd be held liable for any costs related to an injury that happens on the job, including medical expenses and disability payments. This may not apply if you hire your worker as a contractor, but having a "freelance" aide rather than an employee may not create the long-term solution you're hoping for -- high turnover plagues this industry. That said, hiring someone on your own can be a good idea if you have a personal connection or a strong endorsement from a friend.

If you hire an at-home caregiver through an agency, hourly rates tend to be higher (often significantly higher), but the agency will pay the FICA taxes, cover the worker's liability insurance, and fill out the W-4 and W-2 forms. "Once you factor in taxes and insurance, it really comes out to close to the same price," says Jacqueline Dollar, a geriatric care manager in Des Moines, Iowa.

Also, because an agency has a stable of caregivers, you might be able to try out a few and find just the right aide for your parents. "With an agency, you also have the right of refusal," says Anita Silverman, a geriatric care manager in Lake Worth, Florida. "The agency can replace the person if the arrangement doesn't work out." An agency may be able to provide a substitute caregiver if your primary home aide is out sick or on vacation, which can save you a lot of frantic last-minute phone calls.

Keep in mind that agency caregivers are bonded and insured, and they're trained in the basics of care, and usually in CPR and first aid as well. Agency employees are expected to abide by an ethics policy and company rules. And agency CNAs may also have nurses checking in on them to make sure all is well and to offer advice.

Particularly if you live far from your parents, or don't want to get involved with supervising an at-home caregiver day-to-day, an agency can do some of that for you.

Finding a gem of an at-home caregiver

Whether you choose to hire independently or go through an agency, doing some homework on your candidates will help ensure that you hire a reputable worker.

An excellent way to find a high-quality agency is Medicare's new Home Healthcare Compare tool, which allows you to search for agencies in your area that have met with Medicare's approval. The site gives a summary of statistics on the quality of each agency, such as "percentage of patients who get better at walking around," that you can use to guide your decision.

Also look for an agency that's licensed (if state law requires it) and that has liability insurance. Check to make sure the agency's caregivers are bonded and insured and that they're screened for communicable disease like tuberculosis, since the elderly are especially vulnerable to these.

If you hire someone yourself, it's a good idea to find an individual who has (or who once had) a home health aide license, so you know a registered nurse has trained the person in the basics of care. Also get a criminal record check from a service such as Intelius or SentryLink and always call references. There are always a few bad apples who'll take advantage of vulnerable clients -- make sure you don't unwittingly hire one. "If the person doesn't want to submit to a reference check, that's not the person you want -- it's a big red flag," says Dollar.

It's important to find an at-home caregiver your parents are comfortable with. When you're interviewing caregivers, include your parents and make sure they interact well with the aide. Do they communicate well with each other? Are there language barriers? Do your parents enjoy the person's company? "Having shared interests can make a big difference," says Dollar. "One of my clients loved NASCAR and found a home health aide who did, too. They immediately hit it off."

Navigating the paperwork

If you choose to hire an at-home caregiver independently, the first thing you need to decide is whether to treat the person as an employee or as a contractor. If you hire an employee, you'll be legally responsible for paying taxes and benefits such as Social Security and Medicare (FICA), income tax withholding, and unemployment tax. Payroll preparation agencies such as Paycycle and SurePayroll can help you with the accounting and paperwork.

If you hire the worker as a contractor, you'll still have to file a 1099 form with the IRS on any wages you pay over $600 per year. However, the aide would be responsible for paying her own taxes.

If you choose to hire independently, you may want to consult a lawyer and an accountant to make sure you're meeting your legal and financial obligations to the employee and to the state and federal governments.

Forming a tag team

If your parents need full-time care, you'll need to hire at least two caregivers. Nobody wants to work seven days a week, complications will arise in any aide's schedule, and turnover is really high in this field, so if you hire two at-home caregivers, they can trade off and you can protect yourself from being left in the lurch with no help. One way to ensure a smooth handoff is to schedule a half hour of overlap between their shifts so that they can debrief each other on any issues that may have come up during the prior day or shift. If they work on different days, ask them to keep notes in a designated notebook about changes in routine or any concerns.

If you hire the caregiver through an agency, ask about backup provisions for when your aide is sick or on vacation -- or if he quits the agency. Does the agency provide an alternate? Is there an extra charge for this service?

                                                      Setting clear expectations       

"One big mistake people make when hiring an aide is to say, 'Your job is to take care of Dad,'" says Dollar. "That's not good enough -- you need a detailed job description." Do you expect the aide to cook? Clean? Do laundry? Pick up medications from the pharmacy and run errands? Will she bring her own lunch or cook and eat with your parents? You need to make your expectations clear. You also need to tell the aide when her routine evaluations and raises will occur. If you put all these details in writing, you won't run the risk of disappointment once you've hired your aide, and you'll have better luck keeping her on board.

"You should also enlighten your parents about what they should -- and shouldn't -- be asking for," says Silverman. If the contract doesn't say the aide will wash the floors, your parents shouldn't demand it.

Setting clear rules about food and cooking is also important, says Silverman. "One problem I often see is that the way the aide eats may not be the way the parents eat. You need to make sure an aide will shop and cook for your parents' dietary needs, not according to her own habits."

Keep in mind that aides are employees; don't try to make them your friends. "People are so happy to have help that they often treat the employee like a friend, and that creates problems down the line," says Dollar. If your employee thinks of herself as your pal, she may be more likely to take liberties such as bringing her kids or pets to work, or she may bridle when you assert your authority and request a change. The bottom line: keep it professional.