Blog
You Can’t Rationalize with a Broken Brain
A Conversation with the Co-Founder of Living with Dementia, Sheila Ohstrom At Daughter for Hire, we believe that some of the most valuable lessons in caregiving come from those who have lived it. In this quarter’s feature, we sat down with Sheila Ohstrom, one of the founders of Living with
In-Home Caregiving for Seniors
What We Do. How We Help. It can be tough to know where to begin when we start to see signs of decline in our parents or other aging family members. From mobility issues to forgetfulness and fatigue, you begin to worry about what might happen to them when they’re
Denise Flihan Leads Daughter for Hire with Compassion and Purpose
As we look toward the future of Daughter for Hire, we want to take a moment to celebrate someone you’ve known and trusted for over a decade: our owner, Denise Flihan. For the last 12 years, Denise has been at the heart of this journey, leading alongside our founder, Kathleen.
Kathleen Rutishauser, Founder of Daughter for Hire, Announces Retirement
After years of supporting seniors and families across New York, Rutishauser reflects on a legacy of compassion and community care. After more than a decade of heartfelt service to seniors and families across New York, Kathleen Rutishauser, Founder of Daughter for Hire, has announced her retirement. Kathleen launched Daughter for
Nursing Home or Home Care? How Families Decide What’s Best
When a loved one begins to struggle with daily tasks, the conversation often jumps straight to the biggest, most stressful question: Is it time for a nursing home? For adult children, this question is usually born out of love and a heavy dose of burnout. You want them safe, you
Cooking For One: A Recipe for Caregivers
Caring for an aging parent or loved one? One way to show love is through nourishing, easy-to-enjoy meals. Cooking for one doesn’t have to mean boring or bland—and stocking the freezer with ready-to-reheat meals can bring peace of mind for everyone. Here’s a simple Chicken & Veggie Rice Bowl that’s
How Caregivers for the Elderly Make a Difference at Home
As our loved ones age, their desire to remain in the comfort of their own homes often remains unchanged. What does change, however, is their ability to manage daily tasks independently—and that’s where caregivers for the elderly becomes essential. At Daughter for Hire, we understand how deeply personal it is
Seeing the Signs: When Your Aging Parent Might Need a Little Extra Support at Home from a Care Companion
Watching a parent age isn’t easy—especially when you start noticing things that make you worry. Are they eating as well as they used to? Are they moving around the house with the same confidence? Are they showing signs of loneliness? If your intuition is telling you something feels a little
Cold Weather Safety Tips for Seniors and Caregivers
Winters in the northern states are notorious for their chill as the lake effect snow settles in from the west. With decreased temperatures and increased snowfall, the season can be particularly difficult for the aging population and those suffering from mobility issues. For elderly individuals living at home, Winters can
Abby Giannatelli receives prestigious Pride of Workmanship Award from Rotary Club of Utica
We are so excited to share that our very own Abby Giannatelli was honored yesterday with the prestigious Pride of Workmanship Award from the Rotary Club of Utica, New York! This award recognizes outstanding contributions in the workplace, and Abby exemplifies everything it stands for: excellence, consistency, commitment, professionalism, enthusiasm,
Tips for caring for aging loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
We know that caring for an aging loved one can be a difficult and lonely road. That road can be even more difficult if the person suffers from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Each day can be a struggle. It brings unexpected challenges for families and caregivers. And it
Finding Relief with Respite Care
How Respite Care Helps You Care for Your Loved One—and Yourself Caring for an aging loved one can be an incredibly meaningful experience—but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. The Hidden Toll of Caregiving Spouses, family members, and friends may not always understand the time and energy it
Creative Activities for Seniors and Caregivers
The treasure of time well spent together: There’s a common misconception that caregivers are only there to support seniors with their basic needs—tasks like getting dressed, preparing meals, or preventing falls. But caregiving is about more than just physical support. At its heart, it’s about connection, engagement, and spending meaningful
Technology Tools for Seniors Aging in Place
Embracing technology can be intimidating for some, but in the case of seniors aging in place in the comfort of their own homes, it can be positive, helpful, and even life-changing. Many tools of modern help seniors stay connected, safe, and thrive when living alone. From helping to keep in
Puzzles for Brain Health
Did you know that simple puzzles like crosswords and word searches can be a fun and effective way to help seniors stay sharp and engaged? At Daughter for Hire, we believe in nurturing our loved ones’ mental well-being through enjoyable activities that promote a healthy mind. And as we age,
World Alzheimer’s Day
September 21st, 2023 is World Alzheimer’s Day. It is a day that is important to us because so many of the individuals and families that Daughter for Hire serves are affected by this disease. Our specially trained care companions have experience in working with clients who have Alzheimer’s disease, and we
Embracing Independent Living
At Daughter for Hire, we understand the importance of independence and the desire your elderly relatives have to continue living in the comfort of their own homes. Our in-home care services are designed to support independent living while providing the necessary assistance to ensure seniors thrive in their preferred environment.
Daughter for Hire receives grant from The Genesis Group
Daughter for Hire was so pleased to receive a grant from The Genesis Group Small Business Assistance Program. The grant, sponsored by First Source Federal Credit Union, will be used to fund two Microsoft Surface Pro tablets to help senior clients in the Mohawk Valley stay connected with the world
Companions for Seniors: The Power of In-Home Caregiving
As our loved ones age, maintaining their independence becomes increasingly important. At Daughter for Hire, we recognize the significance of preserving seniors’ autonomy while ensuring their safety and well-being. Through our companions for seniors services, our mission is not just to assist, but to truly enrich the lives of the
Denise Flihan receives Women of Distinction Award
It was an honor for Daughter for Hire’s own Denise Flihan to receive the 2023 Women of Distinction Award from Assembly Woman Marianne Buttenschon. Congratulations to Denise and all of the powerful and inspiring women in our community who were also nominated.
See Our New Commercial!
Daughter For Hire gives your family peace of mind, and make it possible for seniors to age in place with the compassion, attention, and devotion of a daughter or son.
Today is our 10th Anniversary
Daughter for Hire is proud to announce that we have crossed another milestone in the history of our company. This December our company is celebrating 10 years of helping thousands of seniors remain safely and independently in their own homes. What began as a small company with just the founder
Daughter for Hire Celebrates 10 Years of Serving Local Seniors and Their Families
Daughter for Hire is proud to announce that they have reached another milestone in the history of their company. This December, Daughter for Hire is celebrating 10 years of helping thousands of seniors safely remain independent and living in their own homes. They will mark the occasion on Wednesday December
Senior Caregiver Burnout
Being a caregiver can be an exhausting and difficult task. It’s important to recognize caregiver burnout and cope healthily. Understanding caregiver burnout symptoms and coping mechanisms can help make caregiving more enjoyable and fulfilling. About 1 in 3 adults serves as an informal caregiver to another adult, like an aging
Summer Health Tips for Seniors
Summertime Senior Health: Tips For Seniors When the sun is out, so are many seniors. There’s plenty of fun to be had in the summer months but care companions and their seniors also face unique risks. According to the CDC, around 31% of weather-related deaths in the US are due
National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Understand the three stages of Alzheimer’s disease and how care companions can help patients in each of these different stages. Alzheimer’s Or Dementia? Alzheimer’s and dementia are often confused and used interchangeably, but they are different. Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a list of different symptoms, one
Client Testimonial – Marie
“My caregiver Linda brightens my day. There is nothing about her that I would change because she is just perfect! From the first day, she was always accommodating and pleasant. I enjoy it when she comes to visit me because she always has a plan and a smile on her
Quality of Life with Arthritis
It is difficult to watch the ones you love struggle to perform daily tasks that they used to do with ease. However, while arthritis is not curable, there are many options for improving quality of life. There are over 100 variants of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, scleroderma,
Meditation for Calm and Health
“Meditation is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment.” – Alan Watts So much of the lives of our older adults are encompassed with medications and doctor’s visits. They are focused on the stresses of the future and the memories of the past.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
We have all heard that sometimes, laughter can be the best medicine. At Daughter for Hire, we believe that this is especially true for our senior population. We can think of no better way to help brighten the day of our senior loved-ones by inserting a little laughter into their
How to Improve Sleep Patterns
During sleep awareness month, learn what can be done to help seniors establish healthy sleep patterns. Sleep deprivation and other sleep issues can impact senior health significantly. Learn how to improve sleep patterns for seniors. An average of 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep each night is considered healthy for most
Difficult Conversations: Helping An Aging Parent
Having a conversation about declining health with an aging parent can be a very stressful and difficult one. Your parent may not see the need or they might feel uncomfortable with the thought of losing their independence. We have put together a list of tips to help you have a
To Drive or Not to Drive
The dreaded time has come. The time that we all fear, and that signals the end of our independence aswe know it; the possibility of surrendering our driver’s license. Maybe you have had another fender bender, driven through the garage door, received a ticket for driving too slowly, or had
Stay up to date with our latest news
At Daughter for Hire, we’re focused on our day to day relationships with our care companions, clients and families. Communication is the focal point that makes everything run smoothly and provide peace of mind to our clients and their families. Our Daughter for Hire blog will share with you helpful tips, some of the latest news updates, and information on topics that are most important to you. Follow us by subscribing to our social media channels and email newsletter.