HomeCare Advocacy Network of Des Moines

06/18/2026

Caring for an aging parent costs more than time. 💚

The financial strain, the career sacrifices, the emotional weight on your relationships—these hidden costs are real, and they often go unspoken. If you're feeling the toll, please know: you're not alone, and your feelings are valid.

Our latest blog breaks down the hidden costs of family caregiving—and the practical steps you can take to protect your well-being while caring for the people you love.

You don't have to carry it all. Read the blog or reach out to HCAN to learn how we can support your family

Caregiving costs more than money. Discover the hidden emotional, financial, and practical toll—and how to ease it. Reach out to HCAN for support today.

06/17/2026

If you're caring for someone who has dementia, you know that daily activities that once seemed simple can now be very challenging. In our new E-Book, Navigating Your Dementia Journey, we share tips to help your loved one organize, plan and successfully complete day-to-day tasks.

Download your free copy today!
https://hcan.com/aging-in-place-resources-expert-home-care-support-for-seniors/

06/13/2026

Did your parent just come home from the hospital with a new list of medications?

That moment is more delicate than it looks. Medication mistakes after a hospital stay are surprisingly common — but the good news is they're also preventable.

A few simple steps can make all the difference for your loved one's safety:

📋 Review discharge instructions with the doctor before you leave
💊 Clarify every new prescription — dose, timing, and side effects
✅ Set up a tracking tool like a pill organizer or reminder app
👀 Watch closely for side effects in the first week

You don't have to manage all of this on your own. Reliable, compassionate support can give your whole family peace of mind during a tough transition.

Want the full step-by-step guide? Read our latest blog or reach out to HCAN to learn how our caregivers can help your parent recover safely at home.

Master post-hospital medication management for your senior loved one. Get expert tips on medication safety, discharge planning, and caregiver support. Learn more.

06/12/2026

Picture this: a line of people stretching around the building, every one of them waiting to wish one special woman a happy birthday.

That woman is Dorothy Mitchell of Elkin, North Carolina, and she just turned 100. 🎉

Her family and friends showed up to celebrate the milestone, and Dorothy's reaction will warm your heart. "This is wonderful. I don't know how to appreciate it enough," she said.

So what's her secret to a long, healthy life? It's wonderfully simple: soap and water, plus spending time with good company.

There's something beautiful in that. Aging well isn't about anything complicated. It's about caring for yourself and staying close to the people who love you.

Dorothy's story is the perfect reminder that the simple things really do matter most. Give it a read this Friday and let it put a smile on your face.

Dorothy Mitchell shared her secret to staying healthy as she celebrated her 100th birthday

06/09/2026

What if a robot could help someone stay in the home they love a little longer?

Meet Robbie. 🤖

Brenda and Brian Marquis of Durham, New Hampshire struggled to find enough home care support. So they found an unexpected helper.

A few times a day, Robbie rolls out to nudge Brian, who lives with a traumatic brain injury and dementia, through his routine: exercise, meals, hydration, medication, and reminders to wash up.

"It just really kind of set me free, almost," Brian said.
It freed Brenda too. She can run errands or join a mahjong game, knowing Robbie is there to help.

There's real promise here for aging in place. But here's the part worth pausing on: helpful tech should support caregivers, not replace them.

A robot can offer a reminder. It can't offer the empathy, trust, and connection that real care depends on. That still takes a person.

So we're curious 💬 Where do you think technology helps, and where must the human touch stay?

The decades-long quest to build home robots that are both helpful and lifelike — spurred on by fictional machines like "The Jetsons'" humanoid maid Rosie — is still mostly a pipe dream, but some developers are getting closer

06/06/2026

According to Alzheimer's Disease International, nearly 10 Million new cases of dementia are diagnosed every year. By 2050, 139 million people worldwide will be living with the condition.

06/05/2026

Meet Carolan Bledsoe — 81 years young and still showing up with her sewing machine, her family, and her whole heart. ❤️

She's spent nearly three decades hand-sewing patches onto the uniforms of every team in the Women's College World Series, turning a one-night hotel room into a family tradition that touches thousands of jerseys — and even more lives.

This ESPN story is a beautiful reminder that age is no barrier to purpose, passion, and showing up for something bigger than yourself.

Click the link to read and watch her story — you'll be smiling the whole time.

06/04/2026

Planning a family road trip this summer? 🌻 If an aging parent is coming along, a little extra preparation can make all the difference.

Traveling with seniors doesn't have to be stressful — it just takes some thoughtful planning. Things like organizing medications in advance, choosing accessible accommodations, building in rest stops, and keeping the daily activity pace realistic can turn a potentially overwhelming trip into a truly memorable one.

Because here's the truth: the goal isn't just to get there. It's to actually enjoy being together.

A few simple steps can help you:

Manage medications so nothing gets missed on the road
Find accommodations with the right accessibility features
Pace activities so your loved one stays comfortable and energized
Create space for real connection — not just logistics

We know you wear a lot of hats. This summer, give yourself permission to just be their daughter or son for a while.

Read our latest blog for practical, compassionate tips on traveling with seniors this season.

Have you taken a road trip with an aging parent? What's one thing you wish you'd known beforehand?

Planning a road trip with an aging parent? Discover essential tips for traveling with seniors including safety, medication management, and comfort to ensure a stress-free family vacation.

06/02/2026

Dementia doesn't just affect one person — it affects entire families.

6.7 million Americans age 65+ are living with Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia. Two-thirds of them are women.

Behind each of those numbers is a caregiver — often a family member — showing up every single day. Together, unpaid caregivers have given 18 billion hours of care.
That kind of love deserves to be seen.

If this touched you, share it with someone who might need to feel less alone in this journey. 💙

06/01/2026

Most people know that Alzheimer's is a cruel disease, but there's a lot people don't understand about the disease. June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month - a great opportunity for us to share information about Alzheimer's and resources available to support families who are coping with its challenges.