How many times have you heard a company make this claim, only to come up short in practice? At First Choice Senior Care we not only say it, we mean it. We know that to attract top certified caregivers, we need to reward and recognize them for their exceptional skills. We are dedicated to hiring the most compassionate and experienced caregivers available. We treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. We pay at the upper end of market scales, provide better benefits, and offer meaningful training and advancement opportunities.
Caring is not a job, but a passion.
First Choice Senior Care management team members are experienced caregivers, both personally and professionally. When we say we understand your situation, we do. We have all experienced firsthand the role of caregiver for a loved one. We understand the uncertainty, the challenges, and many times the overwhelming responsibilities that come with that role. We have also experienced having a caregiver come in to our home to care for our loved one, and know what to look for in hiring caregivers and supporting patients and families during some of their most difficult times. We know care, and we are passionate about it.
Local and independent is better for you.
Bigger is not always better when it comes to caring for your loved one. We are the antidote to large, impersonal, national homecare companies and franchises. Caring for your loved ones is a very personal, customized service industry like no other - and there is huge demand for service that is truly caring and localized. We focus on a market we know intimately – Central Arkansas; where we have community, business and family ties. This focus is an important factor in our delivery of unprecedented levels of customized, compassionate, local service and care.
Professionalism is the key to great service...and peace of mind.
First Choice Senior Care distinguishes itself in providing professional service from the top down. On the business side, we are owned and operated by senior executives with decades of experience. On the caregiving side, we meet those same standards. One of our owners has spent her entire career caring for seniors as administrator to three nursing homes and general manager of the largest senior care franchise in the area. The other owner spent thirty-four years in business and management including eighteen years with a fortune fifty company. Over the past fifteen years he has helped care for his Grandmother, Mother, and Father. This unique blend of business expertise and professional care is where First Choice excels and truly distinguishes itself from all others. Our professionalism at all levels is reflected in the unparalleled service and expertise of those who interact with, and care for, your loved ones. And that’s what peace of mind is all about.
The caring continues.
Placing our caregiver is just the beginning of our relationship. A member of our care team will visit periodically to check in with your loved one—and the caregiver—to make certain everything is working well and to ensure the plan of care is working as it should. In addition, we keep in touch with the primary caregiver regularly to make certain you’re informed, involved and reassured. When our relationship starts, we regard it as our ongoing privilege to help care for your loved one.
First Choice Senior Care is dedicated to protecting our clients, their families and our caregivers from the threat of COVID-19. Read our policies and procedures for taking care of our patients, staff and families below.
As seniors age, they become vulnerable to many ailments and health conditions. Controlling their blood pressure is one of the common challenges most elders face. Identifying the signs of blood pressure fluctuations at an earlier stage can help you seek timely medical care.
As we age, making sure that all social needs are met can be pushed to the side to tend to the usually increasing physical ones. However, it is vital to continue to provide social interactions for seniors to ensure their emotional health and psychological well-being thrives into their later years.
As the day progresses, people with dementia diseases like Alzheimer's can experience a condition known as sundowning. Sundowning occurs late in the day and can last through the night. A state of confusion referred to as sundowning occurs as the sunlight fades away. Symptoms get worse over the remainder of the day and improve the next morning. An Overview Sundowning is a disorder highlighted by a disconnection from reality. Sufferers will show aggression, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and disorientation. They may refuse to follow directions or perform their regular tasks. Sufferers might pace or wander and could have trouble sleeping. The patient's stress is, of course, transferred to the caregiver. Caregivers can find themselves not getting good rest and having difficulty functioning during the day. It's believed one out of five Alzheimer's patients has sundown syndrome . This is also a condition that appears in mature persons who have no form of dementia. Possible Causes of Sundowning Scientists still debate the actual cause of sundowning. One hypothesis is a disruption in the "biological clock." The biological clock is a regulating cycle of circadian rhythms. Composed of molecules and cells interacting throughout the body, the process manages our 24-hour cycle of mental, physical, and behavioral activity. Circadian rhythms influence hormone release, eating, digestion, and even body temperature. They greatly impact sleep patterns. Our rhythms scan information about light. That info is delivered to the brain and transformed into preparation for sleep. In essence, when we "see" night coming, our brain makes melatonin that makes us drowsy. If there's a glitch in that delivery—such as the transmission to a brain not completely operational—the brain will receive messages but not send out signals. The body will never be told it's tired and should get ready to sleep. That, in turn, leads to the agitation and confusion associated with sundowning. Sundowning is often aggravated by: ● Fatigue ● Hunger and thirst ● Pain ● Depression ● Boredom ● Low lighting and increased shadows ● Inability to separate dreams and reality ● Infection such as a urinary tract infection Dealing with Sundown Syndrome Keep an eye out for symptoms of sundowning which tend to show up in the late hours of the afternoon and the early evening. Sufferers may be confused or irritated. They might yell, pace, or wander. If you come across this behavior, reassure them they have nothing to worry about and everything is fine. Listen calmly to their frustrations and concerns. Here are some other tips you can try: ● Minimize the number of people around the sufferer. ● Reduce clutter and noise. ● Relieve the stress by distracting the person with a favored snack, object, or activity. Give them a drink. Try talking about something they enjoy, like their grandkids or a cherished memory. Suggest a simple chore like folding clothes. Turn on a familiar and calming television show or movie. Avoid the news as it can be upsetting. ● Prepare so that the period where sundowning starts is quiet. Have soothing music playing in the patient's room or use a wave machine. Take them for a walk. Have a friend or family member call. Help the sufferer focus on a book. ● Shadows can agitate sundowning. Close blinds and curtains. Turn on lights at dusk to minimize shadows. Avoid Sundowning The restlessness associated with sundowning gets worse when everyone's tired. You can use the following tips to avoid restlessness among patients. Use them to give everyone a chance to reduce stress and possibly get a good night's sleep. ● Make sure the patient gets outside or sits by a window. Getting exposed to bright light can assist in keeping the body clock on point. ● Make sure the sufferer gets exercise or physical activity at least once a day. ● Have the patient take a short nap early in the day. There are also a few things you can do to keep sundowning from getting worse. ● Do not let sufferers drink cola, coffee, or other caffeinated drinks late in the day. ● Do not serve any alcoholic beverages. The psychotropic effect can aggravate the anxiety and confusion associated with sundowning. ● While we advise some exercise, do not think keeping sufferers busy with activities will help. Full schedules can be too tiring and may leave patients with unwanted energy. Get Professional Help Sundowning can be difficult for everyone. Even when following all the above guidelines, problems could still occur. Should you see any signs of sundowning in a loved one, talk to their doctor. They will conduct an exam to identify potential causes. The doctor will determine if it's a sleep disorder, a pain-related condition, or even a medication side effect. If the doctor prescribes a medication to aid with relaxation and sleep, make sure you know about side effects. Medication can increase the chances of falls, dizziness, and confusion. Medications are typically only used for short periods. It may be necessary to contact professional help to provide care at home that can help guide you and your loved one through difficult scenarios. First Choice Senior Care is the premier home care provider in Central Arkansas. Please contact us to learn more or visit our website for more information.