Home Instead

10/20/2026

Touring senior living communities for a loved one? Look beyond the scheduled visit.

In this clip from Caregiver Chats, Nicole Will shares why it can be helpful to stop by at a different time—like an evening or weekend—and notice the everyday experience. Are residents interacting naturally? Do team members seem calm, attentive and familiar with the people they support?

The right community is about more than the building. It’s about finding a place where your loved one can feel connected, valued and at home.

Watch the full episode for more guidance on choosing a senior living community: https://www.homeinstead.com/caregiver-chats/nicole-wills-checklist-for-choosing-a-senior-living-community/

10/16/2026

Choosing a senior living community is about more than finding the right building. It’s about finding a place where your loved one can feel known, connected and able to thrive.

In this Caregiver Chats conversation, Dr. Lakelyn and Nicole Will share what families should consider—including the questions that help reveal whether a community is truly the right fit.

Watch the clip, then explore the full episode for more practical guidance: https://www.homeinstead.com/caregiver-chats/nicole-wills-checklist-for-choosing-a-senior-living-community/

10/14/2026

A safer home doesn't always require a big renovation. Sometimes, it's the little things that make the biggest difference.

From brighter lighting to clearer walkways, a few simple updates can help make everyday life at home easier and more comfortable for everyone.

Explore more ways to make your home work for the years ahead: https://www.homeinstead.com/c/drew-jonathan/

10/07/2026

If you have ever lain awake wondering, “Am I doing enough for my aging parent?” this is for you.

You were never meant to carry caregiving alone. Asking for help can create more support, more breathing room and a more sustainable path forward for both you and the person you love.

If Alzheimer’s or dementia is part of your family’s story, explore our resources for guidance and support: https://bit.ly/3UXY7sU 💚

10/01/2026

💜 Care Pro of the Month: Rachel 💜

Please join us in celebrating Rachel, our Care Pro of the Month at Home Instead Clinton!

For more than six years, Rachel has been a familiar, caring presence for the seniors and families she serves. She loves getting to know her clients, hearing their stories, and building relationships that often continue long after her time providing care has ended.

As Rachel shared, “Caregiving is very rewarding, and I can’t see myself doing anything else.” That heart for helping others shows in the compassion, dedication, and kindness she brings to every visit.

Outside of work, Rachel’s family and church community are a big part of her life. She enjoys singing in the choir, serving through church projects, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

We’re so grateful to have Rachel as part of the Home Instead Clinton family and proud to celebrate the meaningful connections she has built over the years.

Read Rachel’s full story and learn more about the care our team provides in Clinton.

Want to learn more about what makes Home Instead Care Pros so special? Read about our September 2026 Care Professional of the Month!

10/01/2026

“Hospice is another word for hope.”

Families may worry that choosing hospice means they are giving up. Hospice can offer something very different: a team of people who come alongside your loved one and your family with comfort, care and support.

In this Caregiver Chats clip, gerontologist Dr. Julie Masters shares why learning about hospice sooner can help families access the resources available to them.

Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Lakelyn wherever you get your podcasts. 💚 https://bit.ly/4h6Pwvm

09/30/2026

Did you know dementia can affect people under age 65?

When someone is still working, raising a family, or making plans for the future, cognitive changes can be easy to explain away or dismiss.

While age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, younger-onset dementia can happen. If changes in memory, thinking, or behavior feel unexplained, it is okay to ask questions and seek answers.

Learn more at homeinstead.com 🫂

09/26/2026

Have you ever been afraid to seek answers about changes in someone you love? That fear is completely understandable.

But getting a diagnosis does not change what is happening. It can help families understand the changes they are seeing, find support, explore care options, and plan for what comes next.

You do not need to have every answer today. Sometimes one step toward clarity can make the road ahead feel a little less overwhelming.

Learn more at homeinstead.com 🫂

09/24/2026

When dementia changes the way someone communicates, it can be easy to wonder what they are able to understand or feel. But moments of connection can still surprise us.

In this powerful story from Caregiver Chats, gerontologist Dr. Julie Masters shares how a simple question brought a meaningful response from a man in the final day of his life.

For anyone loving and caring for someone with memory changes, this is your reminder to keep talking, keep sharing and keep being present. 💚

Listen to the full episode with Dr. Lakelyn wherever you get your podcasts: https://bit.ly/4h6Pwvm

09/17/2026

At the end of life, it can feel like there is so much to do, say and get right. 🫂

But sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can offer someone we love is simply our presence.

In this Caregiver Chats conversation, Dr. Lakelyn is joined by gerontologist Dr. Julie Masters to talk about the emotions that can come with end-of-life caregiving, from identity shifts and saying goodbye to finding connection through life review and memory changes.

If you are navigating this season with someone you love, you are not alone. 💚 Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

https://bit.ly/4h6Pwvm

09/16/2026

After a dementia diagnosis, it's common for families to pull back from social situations, but isolation can make the journey even harder.

Even when someone has difficulty finding words or remembering names, they may still recognize the emotions, relationships, and people who help them feel safe.

A familiar voice. A favorite song. Holding a hand. Simply sitting together. These moments of connection still matter.

What helps your loved one feel comforted and close to you? Learn more at homeinstead.com 🫂

09/09/2026

Have you ever felt like something was different with someone you love, even if you could not explain exactly why?

Dementia can affect much more than memory. Changes in communication, judgment, mood, behavior, or problem-solving can sometimes appear before significant memory loss.

Trust your instincts. If something feels different, it is okay to ask questions and seek support.

Learn more at homeinstead.com 🫂

09/09/2026

How do you feel after spending time with your parents? 🤔

Dr. Lakelyn is joined by licensed mental health counselor Rebecca Johnson for an honest conversation about one of caregiving's most complicated and often unspoken realities, caring for a narcissistic parent.

🎧 Watch the full episode of Caregiver Chats wherever you get your podcasts: https://bit.ly/3V3ebtc

09/04/2026

Have you ever wondered if a loved one’s changes were “just part of getting older?”

Dementia is not a normal part of aging.

If you have noticed changes in someone you love and are carrying questions you do not quite know how to ask, you are not alone. We are here to help families find support and take the next step when they are ready.

Learn more at homeinstead.com 🫂

09/03/2026

Have you ever heard “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” used as if they mean the same thing?

It is understandable. But dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and everyday life. Alzheimer’s disease is one specific type of dementia.

Learning the language around a diagnosis can help families feel more prepared for the road ahead.

Learn more at homeinstead.com 🫂

09/03/2026

Are we helping, or are we making assumptions based on age? Sometimes the best way to support an older adult is simply to ask what they want and need. By listening first, we can help preserve independence.

What do you think? When does helping cross the line into ageism? 🤔

09/01/2026

Narcissistic parents don’t inspire their children to care for them. Sometimes, the well of loving memories and connection has run dry. 💔

In this Caregiver Chats conversation, Dr. Lakelyn and licensed mental health counselor Rebecca Johnson unpack one of caregiving’s most complicated and often unspoken realities: caring for a narcissistic parent.

If this is part of your story, you are not alone. 💚 Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://bit.ly/3V3ebtc

08/27/2026

There’s more to the Iowa State Fair than corn dogs and butter sculptures—it is also a place for meaningful conversations. 🎡🌭

Dr. Lakelyn spent the day at the Home Instead booth talking with fairgoers about aging, caregiving and the many ways families can find support.

One conversation that will stay with her was with Marv, who cared for his late wife, Sharon. He shared how meaningful Home Instead’s support was for them—a powerful reminder that care can make a real difference for both the person receiving it and the family member beside them.

She also stopped by the Iowa Department of Transportation booth to talk about one of the harder caregiving conversations: driving. Starting early, leading with empathy and focusing on safety can help make the conversation feel less like taking something away and more like supporting independence.

Grateful for everyone who stopped to share their stories, questions and wisdom. Stay tuned for more from the fair! 💜 Iowa DOT Iowa State Fair