Navigating Eldercare provides essential guidance and practical solutions for every step of the elder care journey. Host Laura Daniels, a Registered Nurse specializing in geriatric care and founder of Care Advocates, brings over 30 years of expertise in advocacy and care transition planning. Each week, Laura shares expert insights to help families and professionals make confident care decisions for seniors in transition—whether after a hospital stay, rehab, or when home care needs change.

In this episode, Laura is joined by Michael Zendejas, owner of Homewatch Caregivers in San Antonio, a certified dementia care specialist, and a veteran. They discuss the vital role of in-home care, differentiating it from home health, and exploring the comprehensive services an agency provides, including assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specialized care for advanced diagnoses (like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's), and crucial respite care to combat caregiver burnout. Mike emphasizes the importance of choosing a licensed, insured, and locally-owned agency, focusing on caregiver matching and the critical support provided during the first 72 hours of hospital-to-home transitions to prevent readmission. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand in-home care options and the value of planning ahead for the care journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Navigating Eldercare with Host Laura Daniels, RN

00:31 Laura's Mission: Guiding Families and Professionals Through Care Transitions

01:28 Care Advocates: Services and Philosophy (Customized Care Plans, Advocacy, Support)

01:55 Introducing Guest Mike Sandeja, Owner of Homewatch Caregivers

02:23 Mike Sandeja's Background and Service to Seniors03:23Inspiration for Starting an In-Home Caregiving Agency

03:52 Defining In-Home Care vs. Home Health

04:39 Services Offered by Homewatch Caregivers (ADLs, Specialized Care)

05:14 Who Needs Home Care? (Falls, Post-Discharge, Chronic Conditions)

06:54 Understanding and Utilizing Respite Care

07:54 The Reality of Caregiver Burnout and Self-Care

08:37 Misconceptions about In-Home Care (The Caregiver Team)

09:33 What Sets Homewatch Caregivers Apart? (Local, 24/7 Decision Makers)

10:35 Agency vs. Private Caregiver (Licensing, Insurance, Backup Care)

11:32 Matching Caregivers with Clients (Skills and Personality)

12:21 Caregiver Onboarding and Training Process

13:25 Involving Family in the Customized Care Plan

14:18 Creative Solutions and Preparing the Home for Discharge

15:26 The Most Important Question to Ask a Caregiving Agency

16:21 Focus on the First 72 Hours: Hospital-to-Home Transition

17:15 Reducing Readmission Rates and Coordinated Care

18:43 Service Agreements: No Long-Term Contractual Obligation

19:28 Where Caregivers Can Serve Clients (Assisted Living, Communities)

20:41 Mike Sandeja's Advice: The Journey Starts Now (Plan Ahead!)

21:35 Why It's Critical to Not Wait for a 911 Emergency

22:34 Contact Information for Homewatch Caregivers (210-346-1172)

23:29 Conclusion and Contact Information for Care Advocates (210-669-2222)

Professional Affiliations:

• National Placement and Referral Alliance
• Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA)
• National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC)

Laura's approach combines professional expertise with heartfelt understanding, making her an invaluable resource for families facing the challenges of elder care decisions. Her commitment to improving quality of life for seniors shines through in every interaction, making her the perfect guide for listeners navigating their own elder care journeys.

📅 Tune in Sundays at 8:30am–9:00am on 930AM The Answer or listen anytime on your favorite podcast app. Watch the full video episodes here on YouTube for added insights and resources.
Contact Laura for a Free Consultation:
📞 210-669-2222
📧 laura@advocatern.com
🌐 www.advocatern.com

Navigating Eldercare provides essential guidance and practical solutions for every step of the elder care journey. Host Laura Daniels, a Registered Nurse specializing in geriatric care and founder of Care Advocates, brings over 30 years of expertise in advocacy and care transition planning. Each week, Laura shares expert insights to help families and professionals make confident care decisions for seniors in transition&mdash;whether after a hospital stay, rehab, or when home care needs change.
In this episode, Laura is joined by Michael Zendejas, owner of Homewatch Caregivers in San Antonio, a certified dementia care specialist, and a veteran. They discuss the vital role of in-home care, differentiating it from home health, and exploring the comprehensive services an agency provides, including assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specialized care for advanced diagnoses (like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's), and crucial respite care to combat caregiver burnout. Mike emphasizes the importance of choosing a licensed, insured, and locally-owned agency, focusing on caregiver matching and the critical support provided during the first 72 hours of hospital-to-home transitions to prevent readmission. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand in-home care options and the value of planning ahead for the care journey.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Navigating Eldercare with Host Laura Daniels, RN
00:31 Laura's Mission: Guiding Families and Professionals Through Care Transitions
01:28 Care Advocates: Services and Philosophy (Customized Care Plans, Advocacy, Support)
01:55 Introducing Guest Mike Sandeja, Owner of Homewatch Caregivers
02:23 Mike Sandeja's Background and Service to Seniors03:23Inspiration for Starting an In-Home Caregiving Agency
03:52 Defining In-Home Care vs. Home Health
04:39 Services Offered by Homewatch Caregivers (ADLs, Specialized Care)
05:14 Who Needs Home Care? (Falls, Post-Discharge, Chronic Conditions)
06:54 Understanding and Utilizing Respite Care
07:54 The Reality of Caregiver Burnout and Self-Care
08:37 Misconceptions about In-Home Care (The Caregiver Team)
09:33 What Sets Homewatch Caregivers Apart? (Local, 24/7 Decision Makers)
10:35 Agency vs. Private Caregiver (Licensing, Insurance, Backup Care)
11:32 Matching Caregivers with Clients (Skills and Personality)
12:21 Caregiver Onboarding and Training Process
13:25 Involving Family in the Customized Care Plan
14:18 Creative Solutions and Preparing the Home for Discharge
15:26 The Most Important Question to Ask a Caregiving Agency
16:21 Focus on the First 72 Hours: Hospital-to-Home Transition
17:15 Reducing Readmission Rates and Coordinated Care
18:43 Service Agreements: No Long-Term Contractual Obligation
19:28 Where Caregivers Can Serve Clients (Assisted Living, Communities)
20:41 Mike Sandeja's Advice: The Journey Starts Now (Plan Ahead!)
21:35 Why It's Critical to Not Wait for a 911 Emergency
22:34 Contact Information for Homewatch Caregivers (210-346-1172)
23:29 Conclusion and Contact Information for Care Advocates (210-669-2222)
Professional Affiliations:
&bull; National Placement and Referral Alliance &bull; Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA) &bull; National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC)
Laura's approach combines professional expertise with heartfelt understanding, making her an invaluable resource for families facing the challenges of elder care decisions. Her commitment to improving quality of life for seniors shines through in every interaction, making her the perfect guide for listeners navigating their own elder care journeys.
📅 Tune in Sundays at 8:30am&ndash;9:00am on 930AM The Answer or listen anytime on your favorite podcast app. Watch the full video episodes here on YouTube for added insights and resources. Contact Laura for a Free Consultation: 📞 210-669-2222 📧 laura@advocatern.com 🌐 www.advocatern.com

Navigating Elder Care