Navigating Elder Care with Laura Daniels: Home Watch Caregivers: Expert Care at Home

NavigatingEldercare provides essential guidance and practical solutions for every step ofthe elder care journey. Host Laura Daniels, a Registered Nurse specializing ingeriatric care and founder of Care Advocates, brings over 30 years of expertisein advocacy and care transition planning. Each week, Laura shares expertinsights to help families and professionals make confident care decisions forseniors in transition—whether after a hospital stay, rehab, or when home careneeds change.Inthis episode, Laura is joined by Michael Zendejas, owner of HomewatchCaregivers in San Antonio, a certified dementia care specialist, and a veteran.They discuss the vital role of in-home care, differentiating it from homehealth, and exploring the comprehensive services an agency provides, includingassistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specialized care foradvanced diagnoses (like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's), and crucial respite careto combat caregiver burnout. Mike emphasizes the importance of choosing alicensed, insured, and locally-owned agency, focusing on caregiver matching andthe critical support provided during the first 72 hours of hospital-to-hometransitions to prevent readmission. This episode is a must-listen for anyoneseeking to understand in-home care options and the value of planning ahead forthe care journey.Chapters00:00Introduction: Navigating Eldercare with Host Laura Daniels, RN00:31Laura's Mission: Guiding Families and Professionals Through Care Transitions01:28Care Advocates: Services and Philosophy (Customized Care Plans, Advocacy,Support)01:55Introducing Guest Mike Sandeja,Owner of HomewatchCaregivers02:23Mike Sandeja'sBackground and Service to Seniors03:23Inspiration for Starting an In-HomeCaregiving Agency03:52Defining In-Home Care vs. Home Health04:39Services Offered by HomewatchCaregivers (ADLs, Specialized Care)05:14Who Needs Home Care? (Falls, Post-Discharge, Chronic Conditions)06:54Understanding and Utilizing Respite Care07:54The Reality of Caregiver Burnout and Self-Care08:37Misconceptions about In-Home Care (The Caregiver Team)09:33What Sets HomewatchCaregivers Apart? (Local, 24/7 Decision Makers)10:35Agency vs. Private Caregiver (Licensing, Insurance, Backup Care)11:32Matching Caregivers with Clients (Skills and Personality)12:21Caregiver Onboarding and Training Process13:25Involving Family in the Customized Care Plan14:18Creative Solutions and Preparing the Home for Discharge15:26The Most Important Question to Ask a Caregiving Agency16:21Focus on the First 72 Hours: Hospital-to-Home Transition17:15Reducing Readmission Rates and Coordinated Care18:43Service Agreements: No Long-Term Contractual Obligation19:28Where Caregivers Can Serve Clients (Assisted Living, Communities)20:41Mike Sandeja'sAdvice: The Journey Starts Now (Plan Ahead!)21:35Why It's Critical to Not Wait for a 911 Emergency22:34Contact Information for HomewatchCaregivers (210-346-1172)23:29Conclusion and Contact Information for Care Advocates (210-669-2222)ProfessionalAffiliations:•National Placement and Referral Alliance• Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA)• National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC)Laura'sapproach combines professional expertise with heartfelt understanding, makingher an invaluable resource for families facing the challenges of elder caredecisions. Her commitment to improving quality of life for seniors shinesthrough in every interaction, making her the perfect guide for listenersnavigating their own elder care journeys.Listen anytime on yourfavorite podcast app. Watch the full video episodes here on YouTube for addedinsights and resources.Contact Laura for a Free Consultation:📞 210-669-2222📧 [email protected]🌐 www.advocatern.comSee  forprivacy information.