Elderly Care in Johns Creek GA

Pets can make a tremendous difference in your elderly care journey with your aging parent. Interacting with animals can help your parent maintain better mental, emotional, cognitive, and even physical health, and can act as a fantastic means of stress relieve for you. April 24 is National Pet Parents’ Day. Set aside this fun day to honor the love that your parent shares with her pets and plan activities that will celebrate their bond and further pursue your care efforts for her.

Let these ideas inspire you for fun and creative ways that you can celebrate National Pet Parent’s Day with your aging parent and her furry friends:

• Make treats. Everybody loves a treat and that does not just stop with humans. Help your parent show how much she loves her pets by helping her make special treats for them. Making pet treats at home is not only much less expensive than purchasing them at the store, but it also allows you to control what goes into them. This lets you select ingredients that are healthy and good quality to support health and wellbeing in the pet. This is especially important if the furry friends have allergies or sensitivities. While you are in the kitchen making treats for the pets, also whip up some treats for your parent to enjoy. Encourage her to come up with some creative ideas for snacks that would be appropriate for National Pet Parents’ Day such a “chow” mien or bone-shaped crackers. This is a fun way to stimulate her mind and encourage her creativity and imagination.
• Buy some presents. This day might be all about celebrating pet parents, but there is nothing that a pet parent likes more than to spoil her favorite furry best friend. Head to the local pet shop with your aging parent and let her choose some new pet toys to give to her pets. In the end, these are really as much for your parent as they are for the pets. She will love seeing how excited her pets are to receive their gifts, and playing with them is a fantastic source of mental stimulation, emotional boosting, and even physical activity.
• Make a difference. Being a pet parent can be a tremendous bright spot in the lives of elderly adults. Help her to honor this in a meaningful way by finding out how she can give back to the animals of her community. She may be able to find a volunteer position at the animal shelter helping to take care of or socialize the pets before they head to their new homes. A couple of days a week of playing, walking, and feeding animals can make a huge difference in their lives, and can also help your parent stay healthier and stronger. If this is not an option, consider collecting items that you can donate to the pet shelter that can then be used by new pet parents. Bedding, treats, toys, and food are usually welcome. Contact the shelter to find out exactly what they need.

The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable elderly care in Johns Creek, GA and the surrounding areas. Call (678) 828-2195 for more information.

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Valerie Darling

Founder, Owner at Home Care Matters

Valerie was born in Miami, FL and after a few family moves, grew up locally in the Marietta, GA area.Valerie is the oldest of 4 (3 younger brothers).She is married and has one child.Valerie is the Founder, Owner and CEO of Home Care Matters.Valerie’s mom, Dee, is the inspiration and primary driver as the how and why the business was born.Valerie says, “My mom is never far from our thoughts.Mom was an integral part of developing and starting HCM before she passed away.Our goal is to stay true to her memory and continue to honor her with the love, values, and ethics she taught us.”

Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”

Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”

You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).

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