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How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties
Caregiving

How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Growing older almost always comes with physical difficulties. When those challenges arise, many seniors lean on non-medical home care providers. Caregivers help seniors live more comfortably, manage existing conditions, and limit the risk of injury or illness related to their physical concerns. How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties
At Visiting Angels, our home care providers, regularly assist seniors with physical disabilities, challenges, and concerns. Below, we’ve listed six of the most common physical difficulties faced by seniors, along with how home care can help.

Lack of Mobility

Poor mobility in seniors can be caused by loss of muscle mass, poor bone density, and joint problems, among other reasons. For some seniors, a lack of mobility simply means difficulty walking. For others, it may mean that getting around is only possible via a wheelchair or scooter.

Home care workers are experienced in assisting seniors with mobility issues. Caregivers can lend a steadying hand when walking, watch over seniors to ensure they are safe when moving around, and assist seniors with tasks they find difficult to perform.

Frailty

When growing older, it is natural that seniors lose strength. Frailty not only makes day-to-day life more difficult for seniors, it also puts them at serious health risks. Frailty can increase the risk of injury or illness, and can exacerbate the negative effects of a health event.

Home care providers assist frail seniors in a number of ways. We make daily living easier by performing tasks that frail seniors find difficult. We help seniors stay safe by limiting the risk of falls in the home. And we help seniors maintain their strength by encouraging healthy habits.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American seniors, claiming almost half a million lives every year. According to the CDC, heart disease affects approximate 37% of senior men and 26% of senior women.
For seniors suffering from heart disease, home care workers offer non-medical assistance and support to help them manage their condition. This includes preparing heart-healthy meals, encouraging light exercise, and helping seniors avoid situations and activities that place undue strain on their cardiovascular health.

Arthritis

Roughly half of all American seniors are coping with some form of arthritis. While many seniors are able to manage their condition through medications, natural remedies, and pain management strategies, the fact remains that arthritis can seriously inhibit quality of life.

When caring for seniors with arthritis, caregivers plan care around seniors’ joint pain and physical limitations. Care often involves assistance with joint-stressing tasks, such as those that require fine motor skills. Caregivers can also help clients manage joint pain using non-medical strategies, like hot and cold treatments.

Diabetes

About a quarter of American seniors cope with diabetes, which carries significant risks for seniors. Complications from diabetes can lead to quality of life complications for seniors and carry major health risks.

Non-medical home care providers can help seniors with diabetes in a number of ways. At Visiting Angels, our caregivers often remind seniors to check their blood sugar levels so that they can keep tabs on their condition. We can also prepare meals that are rich in protein and low in carbohydrates, and we can encourage healthy habits like light exercise.

Osteoporosis

As we grow older, it becomes harder and harder to maintain healthy bones. Seniors affected by osteoporosis are at significant risk of fractures, which can be devastating for older adults. Loss of bone mass can also lead to limited strength and mobility, making day-to-day life more difficult on seniors.

Fall prevention and injury prevention are a big part of home care for those with osteoporosis. Caregivers help limit the risk of falls around the home and perform tasks for seniors when those tasks could pose an injury risk. Caregivers also help seniors practice a bone-healthy lifestyle, encouraging light exercise and planning a diet high in calcium, protein, and vitamin D.

Do you have an older loved one who is suffering from physical difficulties? If so, Visiting Angels can help. Contact your local office today to learn more about our services or to schedule a free care consultation in the comfort of your loved one’s home.

How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties

How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties How Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical DifficultiesHow Home Care Can Help 6 Common Physical Difficulties

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4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver
Caregiving

4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Hiring a professional caregiver for your mom, dad, or grandparent is a major decision, one that’s not always easy to make. After all, you’re asking a stranger to look after one of the most important people in your life. If you’ve never hired a caregiver before, you might have no idea what to look for in an ideal candidate. 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver
That dilemma is one that Visiting Angels President and CEO Larry Meigs is familiar with. “I’ve worked in home care for more than two decades. In that time, I’ve met countless families who felt nervous about bringing a professional caregiver into their home. Putting them at ease and helping them find the right caregiver for their loved one is a big part of the home care process.” 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver

According to Meigs, many of these families are unsure what qualities they should look for when hiring a caregiver. The important qualities, he says, are the same ones that care agencies look for when hiring new caregivers. To help families find the right caregivers for their loved ones, we recently asked Larry what he considers to be the four must-have qualities in a caregiver.

“Compassion”

The first quality that Meigs believes distinguishes great caregivers is compassion.

“When someone reaches the point where they need home care, that’s always a sensitive situation. Many seniors feel self-conscious and nervous about hiring a caregiver. They might be defensive about strength, mobility, or memory concerns, or they might be embarrassed about needing a stranger’s help with personal activities.

“Nothing makes a bigger difference in these situations than a compassionate caregiver. Having someone with the empathy to understand what seniors are going through — someone who will treat seniors with respect, no matter the situation — that’s someone who I’d want caring for my mom or dad.”

“Experience”

The second quality that Meigs highlighted was a caregiver’s experience.

“When I’m looking at caregiver candidates, one of the first things I’m looking for is past care experience. But quality experience doesn’t always need to come from a home care setting. Many of our offices have found some of their best care staff by focusing on non-traditional experience, such as caring for their own family member. We look for caregivers who demonstrate the personality, skills, and approach that we consider essential to home care. Looking at a caregiver’s professional experience will really give you a sense of how they treat others and what kind of person you’re hiring.” 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver

“Dedication”

Along with compassion and experience, Meigs says that dedication is an invaluable quality when hiring home care providers.

“Caregiving isn’t always easy, and not everyone has the dedication that you find in successful caregivers. When I’m hiring a caregiver, I’m looking for someone who is going to stand by their clients through thick and thin, someone who’s willing to go the extra mile when it’s needed.”

Meigs says that one way to gauge a caregiver’s dedication to people in their care is to ask them about past clients. “The way caregivers talk about past clients says a lot about their attitude toward care. If someone’s willing to talk down about a past care recipient, they may not be willing to go above and beyond in service to other seniors.”

“Patience”

The final quality that Meigs includes in his top four is patience.

“There are situations that come up in almost any care relationship that demand patience from care professionals. When these situations arise, it’s vital that caregivers have the personality and temperament to maintain a calm, kind, and gentle presence.

“Whether they’re dealing with a frustrating situation, a repetitive or unpleasant task, or a care recipient who no longer has control of his or her own temper, caregivers need to be able to maintain that kind, gentle, and understanding approach that distinguishes superior care.”

Thinking of hiring a caregiver for your parent or grandparent? If so, we invite you to contact your nearest Visiting Angels office for a free, in-home consultation.
4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver 4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver

4 Must-Have Qualities in a Caregiver

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Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives
Caregiving

Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

After a hospital visit, there’s a lot that goes into a healthy recovery — particularly for seniors. Most elderly adults need strong support systems in place after coming home from a hospital stay, relying on their spouses, friends, and children to help them through their recovery. Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives
Increasingly, seniors are turning to another source of support after hospitalization: home care services. Elderly adults who already use home care services have found that a caregivers’ presence makes the recovery process far easier. Meanwhile, home care companies have begun to offer specialized post-hospital home care program, like the Ready-Set-Go Home program offered by Visiting Angels®.
Home care after a hospital visit isn’t just a big hit with seniors. Doctors and medical researchers love these programs, too. A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic shows why.
Researchers analyzed data for over 17,500 patients who had been discharged after a hospitalization. Roughly one third of the patients received home care services during recovery, while the other two thirds did not.
When researchers examined medical costs and health outcomes, they found that home care services saved money and saved lives. Adjusted post-discharge costs were $6,500 lower per patient when patients had support from professional caregivers during recovery. Home care services also reduced patient’s risk of being readmitted to the hospital within a year by 22%, and reduced their risk of mortality over the same period by 25%.

Why Home Care After a Hospital Discharge?

So, what is it that makes home care services so helpful during the recovery period? If you’ve helped someone recover after a major hospitalization in the past, you can probably imagine how helpful a caregiver’s assistance can be at this time. But if the recovery process is new territory for you, the benefits of post-hospitalization home care might not be as obvious.
Any doctor can tell you that the risk of a hospital readmission is highest in the first thirty days after a hospital discharge. That risk is particularly high for elderly adults. It can grow even higher depending on the reason the person was hospitalized in the first place.
Readmissions happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes, seniors forget to follow doctors’ orders. Other times, they remember the orders, but they don’t have the energy or physical capacity to follow directives without assistance. In either case, having a professional caregiver there increases the chances that these directives will be properly followed.
Readmissions can also occur because seniors push themselves too hard during their recovery. After being hospitalized, seniors’ physical well-being is typically compromised. Many need help with basic tasks like dressing and bathing. Others risk injury or complications by overexerting themselves. A caregiver’s presence reduces the likelihood of elderly adults pushing themselves beyond safe limits during their recovery.
Home care services offer benefits that go beyond reducing seniors’ risk of readmission to the hospital. By helping seniors with personal and day-to-day activities, caregivers make the recovery process more comfortable and livable for elderly adults. They also provide conversation and human contact, which housebound seniors appreciate during the recovery period.
Finally, caregivers make life much easier during the recovery period for family and friends, who are often tasked with acting as unpaid caregivers. Many people find themselves overwhelmed when helping someone recover after a hospital stay. In these situations, the respite and support of home care professionals can be invaluable.

Finding Quality Post-Hospital Home Care

A hospital discharge is a hectic, busy, and stressful time. That can make it difficult to find high-quality care services for a loved one who needs them. Difficult — but not impossible.
If you have a loved one who is currently hospitalized, or simply wish to be prepared in the event that this occurs, here are some tips on finding high-quality home care services for after a hospital discharge:

  • Start Researching Early. When an elderly loved one is hospitalized, it is a good idea to start planning for discharge care as early as you’re able to do so. In rare cases, such as a planned surgery, you may have months in advance to plan for care.
  • Speak with Medical Staff. You loved one’s doctors and nurses will be planning your loved one’s discharge. While they might not be able to give you definitive answers early on, they will have the strongest sense of what he or she will need from home care services.
  • Plan with Friends and Family. Talk to your loved one’s family and friends about how they might be able to contribute to post-discharge care. Plan for varying scenarios and try to figure out how much outside support you will need. Try not to be overconfident in terms of the time and energy you and others will be able to commit.
  • Research Local Care Providers. These days, it’s not hard to find high-quality home care services in most communities. Research your options for local providers online and compile a shortlist of possible companies.
  • Speak with Agency Directors. Get in contact with local home care service agencies and speak with staff over the phone to get an initial sense of whether they’re prepared to meet your needs. If you feel an agency may be a strong fit, set up an in-person meeting to discuss your care needs.

If you are currently searching for qualified post-hospital home care services in your area, we encourage you to contact Visiting Angels to learn more about our services and the availability of our Ready-Set-Go Home services. Simply call 800-365-4189 to get started, or contact your local Visiting Angels office.

Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives

Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives Home Care After Hospitalization Saves Money and Lives

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Woman examining medication treatment, several boats in the hand, conceptual image
Caregiving

How to Create a Caregiver Command Center

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Smoothly With A Command Center

Caregiving requires organization. Few caregivers have only one obligation – caring for a loved one – so juggling all of the tasks and managing your own life requires some serious organization. If you aren’t organized, you’ll become frustrated, stressed out and possibly drop a few balls here and there.

Of course, many caregivers are thrust into their role without much planning and it can be hard to create an organization system that will work for your family on the fly. If you were thrust into caregiving and are trying to figure out some sort of organization system, I highly recommend creating a Caregiver Command Center. It’s much less complicated that it sounds. Essentially, it is a space in your home where you house your caregiving life.

In my home, I have two small “Command Centers” since I don’t have any one large area to keep our life on track. One area is dedicated to knowing where everyone needs to be and the other is dedicated to housing whatever we need to get out the door. For example, my youngest son had picture day at school and my husband needed to take the order form. It placed it on the shelf near the door, under his wallet and keys so he wouldn’t forget it. Having drop zones as part of your Command Center will ensure that you don’t forget something important as you rush out the door.

Creating A Caregiver Command Center

Every home and family functions differently so you’ll need to decide on what will work best for your family. That being said, there are essentials that everyone needs to remain organized. Here are some elements to include in your Caregiver Command Center.

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.)

Central Location or Command Center Zones: The best way to stay on top of your caregiving tasks is to have a specific home for all things caregiving. In my case, since I’m in a very small home, I have two “zones” where we keep important information/things. I use the outside of our kitchen pantry door as our information center. I keep a calendar, cork board and dry erase board there and keep any important paperwork that is needed for appointments on the board until after the appointment. I also have a zone near the door where we keep our keys. It has hooks for bags and backpacks and a small shelf to keep paperwork that we need to take with us. If you have a larger area, you can store your caregiving medical file and any related paperwork for your caree (applications, vendor contracts, etc.).

Keep A Visible Master Calendar: I keep an electronic calendar on my phone, but I also use a wall calendar decal so that everyone can see what we have going on. I also use different colors for different activities since I want to make sure we don’t miss them. I love using a dry erase calendar since appointments/activities get canceled and I don’t want a calendar full of scribbles. I also have a calendar on my phone so that I can make appointments on the go. It is much easier to schedule a medical appointment while you’re at the office, versus waiting until you get home to call.

File/Paperwork System: Every time I go to the doctor, I get a post-visit summary and occasionally, a referral to another doctor. I keep referrals pinned to my corkboard until I make the appointment and I have a file for medical paperwork. That way, I don’t have to spend a ton of time searching for what I need. If your caree has a medical condition, I highly recommend creating a medical file where you keep all of their paperwork. If your command center is big enough, you can keep the file there, or do what I do and only keep paperwork that requires an action in the command center and file everything else in a specific location.

Contact List: I had a client who had a list of every phone number she could possibly need taped to the wall next to her phone. It was a fantastic idea as she had dementia and had many caregivers in the home who might need to contact someone on the list. In addition to a family contact list, you should have a service provider list (think plumber, electrician, cable provider, etc.) and a medical contact list. Keeping everything on one list makes things easier when you’re in a hurry.

Medications/Supplies: If you live with your caree and are tasked with their medication, it may be helpful to create a medication space in your command center. If you don’t have space, then make a small medication zone where you do have space (preferably not in the bathroom as some medications lose effectiveness in humid spaces). I have a section of my kitchen counter dedicated to my vitamins (I take a lot) and a pretty tray on my dresser to house my prescription medication. Everything is stored in those spaces so I know exactly where they are. If your caree has special instructions for certain medications or a specific schedule to keep to, print it out and keep it in that zone.

You may have other elements to your caregiving that you will want to add to your command center. The thing about organization is that it has to work for you, so it may take a few tweaks to make your command center work for you. I have changed my systems over time as my needs change. The key is to create a workable system for your caregiving situation.

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5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care
Caregiving

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At-Home-Care

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Anytime a child must care for their elderly parents it can be stressful for both parties.

Many people are turning to home healthcare to combat this reality. An estimated 12 million people use these services as an alternative to nursing homes. If you are using at home care or are interested in learning more, here are five things you can do to maximize your parent’s experience.

1.) Know Your Limitations

If you are going to provide at-home care for a parent, being honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do is important. Providing for another person in your home is an investment of both time and money. Your utility and grocery bills will increase. Adding things to a house to make it more comfortable for your parent can also get expensive.If your parents need help bathing and getting dressed, determine if you are comfortable helping them. Don’t forget to plan ahead, understanding that needs will change over time.

2.) At Home Care Requires Safety Precautions

Six out of every ten falls happen in the home. Falling can be a serious health concern for seniors, but there are steps which will lessen this risk. Tape down rugs and other floor coverings that pose trip hazards. For an elderly parent with mobility issues, make sure they have a cane or walker handy. Using walls to stay stable when walking is never safe. Install grab bars and rubber mats in showers and by the toilet, and make sure a panic button is accessible. Rooms should be well lit, with switches placed close to the entrance and within reach.

3.) Secure The Home

Seniors are at a higher risk for crime and financial scams than other age groups. Security has to be a top priority for the elderly.
To protect against potential scams, put your parent’s phone on the federal do not call registry. This list blocks their number from telemarketers. Sliding glass doors are a frequent target for burglars. Make sure they are secure by adding a bar that prevents them from sliding open when they are not in use. Use a hidden safe to protect important documents and cash.

4.) Know Who Comes Into the Home

If you are hiring someone to help your elderly parent, make sure you do some homework.
Get information about the company that is sending someone out. If you are hiring an individual, do a full background check and make sure they are first aid certified. Many states have agencies that regulate home care providers. Anyone you hire should be willing to show you their certifications and licenses.

5.) Maintain Their Quality of Life

Find local support groups that cater to the elderly. These groups are a great place to make friends and discuss issues that are important to elders. Many groups encourage physical activity and will go on mini-trips to local places. Mental stimulation becomes essential as the mind ages. Crossword puzzles and other hobbies will help combat boredom and keep the brain focused, especially in the cold winter months.

Get The Support You Need

For over 25 years, I have worked with thousands of clients around the world, consulting with them on ways to improve their quality of life.

Deciding in favor of at-home care can be a life-changing decision. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, I have helped families from various backgrounds confront life’s challenges.
Right now, I am offering a special 30-minute introductory session for only $49, with a $10 discount for seniors. This session will help us learn about each other and discuss ways that my services can help you.

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care

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Caregiving

The Care Needs of Older Adults

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

The older segment living without the support of grown children, a spouse or partner continues to rise. Having few to depend on, other than a handful of friends, in many cases, the population has little to no personal support if and when illness strikes.

Local medical and healthcare organizations are more aware of the segment’s needs and address the older adult’s functional declines to better facilitate maintenance of the aging process. And we need more ways to assess the patient’s lifestyle.

For instance, the medical paperwork asks for marital status, age, illnesses, diseases, and symptoms. What it does not ask, “what is the living arrangement, emotional and financial support system, and if the patient has legal documents in order?”

If they did, I believe more individuals would plan before an emergency. Other insights to capture from older patients:

  • Who would you call if an emergency or crisis would occur?
  • Have you fallen in the past six months?
  • Do you have 3 or more chronic illnesses?
  • Do you take 5 or more medications?
  • Have you been hospitalized in the past three months?
  • Identify Cognitive and Functional Abilities
  • Do you need help with bathing, dressing, shopping, and paying bills?
  • Do you feel sad?
  • Are you lonely?
  • Do you drive?
  • Have you had a car accident in the last year?

 

Post hospital care is another problem. In a Facebook group for those aging alone, many members deal with surgeries and planning for post acute care. It’s a surprise to see the intelligent conversations around such difficult issues. You’d think we were patient advocates, not the actual patients!

Too often this segment goes unnoticed especially by providers and live silently in danger of a medical crisis. I hope to build more awareness for the group who is in need of protection, security, connection and support.

And even if you do have loved ones, who’s to say that they’ll be around when if you need them? Our society has changed so much. Today, family members move around the country taking new jobs or even new lives and experiences abroad, leaving an older parent to fend for herself. The U.S. Census (2010) estimates 27 percent of people 65 and over live alone /directory/#key-senior-statistics. Today, that number reaches closer to 30 percent.

Another significant risk is isolation. If a person lives in the suburbs, they have a higher danger and exposed to risks like poor health, restricted mobility, admission to institutional care, low morale, inadequate rehabilitation, and mental illness.

Moving forward, organizations form like the Transition Network and many more who focus on the dire needs of the aging and alone market.

Are you on Facebook? Like my Page @Carebuzz and join the conversation every Tuesday at 3:00 PM CST.

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Caregiving

Aging Parents: Plan for All Seasons

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Plan now for where your elders will live as they age. Get their vision for what they want to happen if they need care or accommodations for an illness. Having a plan is the key. It reduces the stress, eases the frustration and makes caregiving easier for all involved. I’ve boiled it down to 3 steps.

Do your elders want to live at their own home as long as they can? Do they have a vision for where they’ll want to be if the time comes when they need care? Does each family member have a role?

First – talk to your elders. Do they want to live in their current home as they age (called aging in place)? Do they want to move to a retirement community where there is a continuum of care (independent living to assisted living to nursing or memory care, if needed)? Do they want to move to be near you or one of your siblings? Do they already have a retirement residence where they want to move?

This first step is critical. Discussing these details with your elders puts everyone on the same page. It brings all the parties who will be a part of their care into the same discussion. You can better accommodate their vision if you know what it is.

Waiting until the first emergency is not a plan. The resulting panic will probably not result in a decision that looks like what it would have if you had developed a plan and executed it.

Second – Based on input from your elders, your siblings and/or other family members, work toward developing a plan that incorporates your elder’s wishes, takes your own needs into consideration and can be accomplished within the budget that your family has.

If they want to age in place, you can help your elders make necessary accommodations to their home or property. Do those things now, before an emergency would make those changes infeasible.

If assets need to be sold to build a budget for care, work on a plan to maximize revenues and minimize the hassle of having to sell immediately because they need the money.

If they want to live with you, near you or near one of your family members, start looking for the right residential fit. If it’s in your home, you can start making any necessary changes now – additions, retrofits for older folks, etc. If it is moving to a retirement or assisted living facility residence, check out what’s available and arrange for a tour. Whatever their choices are, develop a plan, move to the next steps and don’t wait.

If your elder already has a retirement residence, are there any accommodations that might need to be made as they age? If yes, decide when/how those can be cost-effectively made and set a timeline in place. It may not be needed now, but determine at what point the changes would need to be made and stay on track to make them if the need arises.

Third – Know that even the best plans change. Keep an open mind about what might happen if their health changes or they need more care than can be given where they planned to live. Make them aware that you will incorporate their wishes and their vision as much as you can.

Have a positive attitude about this journey. Know it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Laugh as much as you can. Giggle when you find something funny and share that giggle with your elder.

If you know what your elder wants, you can develop a plan that incorporates your needs as well, recognizing that life happens and things change. You will have gone a long way to ease your stress in the caregiving/caretaking role. Frustration arises most often when an emergency happens, no plan is in place and you find yourself in PANIC mode. Making decisions in the PANIC mode produces the MOST stress and the LEAST optimal solutions.

Get out your calendar and set a date with your elders. With the holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to talk to your elders with the whole family there.

Start the conversation.

By Suzanne Asaff Blankenship

Suzanne’s experience with eldercare came the hard way – by doing it. Suzanne has two decades of experience managing her mother’s care as well as sharing the care for her in-laws. After years of sharing stories and receiving requests for advice, Suzanne found she wasn’t alone in her eldercare journey, or in her search for solutions. With her unique approach of organized preparation sprinkled with her tongue-in-cheek humor, Suzanne guides others skillfully through the challenging experience of eldercare.

theeldercarenavigator.com

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What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?
Caregiving

What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When hiring in-home care services for a spouse or family member, you’ll be faced with a number of options. Home care services cover a range of specialty services, along with more traditional forms of care, which include in-home companion care and personal care. What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?
Many families are unsure at first which type of care their loved one may need, particularly when choosing between companion careand personal care. Companion care services are for seniors who live by themselves and could benefit from conversation and a helping hand with housekeeping tasks. If seniors require hands-on assistance with personal activities, then they will need personal care.
If you’re uncertain about which type of care your loved one needs, it may help to know which services can be provided by personal care professional, but not by a companion caregiver. To assist you in selecting the right type of care for your spouse or family member, here is a short guide to the services that come with personal care.

Personal Care Services

Personal care is recommended for seniors with limited strength, poor mobility, physical disability, or chronic health conditions that limit their ability to perform activities of daily living. These are personal activities, like dressing and bathing, which require physical contact between the care recipient and the caregiver.
Given the sensitive nature of these activities and the risk of injury in the event of an accident, personal care should only be performed by highly trained caregivers. In most states, licensing requirements for personal caregivers are much more rigorous than the requirements for companion caregivers. While a personal care professional will be able to perform companion care tasks, it is unsafe and sometimes unlawful for a companion caregiver to perform personal care activities.
Once you’re familiar with the activities that personal care professionals are trained to perform, it’s easier to decide between companion care and personal care. If your loved one requires help in any of the following areas, personal care will likely be necessary.

  • Chronic pain, limited strength, and poor coordination make dressing difficult for many seniors. Whether your loved one needs help with their whole wardrobe or just a few items, a personal care professional can help them prepare for the day.
  • Many seniors find grooming difficult for the same reason they have trouble getting dressed. Moreover, grooming tools can injure seniors if improperly used. Personal caregivers can assist with hair care, nail care, shaving, and other grooming tasks.
  • Oral Hygiene.Healthy teeth and healthy gums play a crucial role in seniors’ well-being. An experienced personal caregiver can help your loved one follow their dentist-recommended oral hygiene program.
  • A slip in the shower or bathtub can result in a life-threatening injury. While grab bars, shower stools, and non-slip coatings reduce the risk of slipping, many seniors still require the assistance of a professional caregiver when bathing.
  • After showers and bathtubs, toilets are the leading cause of injury to seniors. Personal care providers are trained to help seniors use the bathroom safely, offering compassionate and dignified assistance.
  • If your loved one has mobility difficulties, personal care can make life easier both in and out of the home. Personal caregivers can help seniors get from place to place safely and reduce the risk of a mobility-related injury.
  • Individuals who are unable to transfer themselves from one position to another can benefit from personal care services, which can include transfer assistance performed by one or more caregivers.

Do you have a loved one who could benefit from personal care services? If so, we invite you to contact Visiting Angels®. Our team will provide detailed information about our services and can schedule a free consultation with one of our care directors.
Call 800-365-4189 today or contact your local Visiting Angels office directlyto request a free personal care consultation from Visiting Angels.

What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?

What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care? What Services Are Covered by Personal Care?

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What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled
Caregiving

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

As the population of Americans over the age of 85 grows dramatically, so too has the need for home caregivers. By the year 2026, demand for home caregivers will grow by another million. This is an alarming prediction, because there is already a serious shortage, which is making it very difficult for seniors and people with disabilities to find the assistance they need. Many overall healthy people have resorted to living in nursing homes and other institutions simply so that they can receive basic help with daily tasks. What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

Causes of the Home Caregiver Shortage

Although it is a quickly growing profession, there are still not nearly enough people interested in working as caregivers in order to keep up with the demand. Caretaking jobs tend not to pay very well; currently, the average home caregiver is paid only $10.99/hour. This is similar to what employees in retail or food service earn. Additionally, caregivers often have inconsistent schedules, part-time work only, poor benefits, and few opportunities for advancement (1).
Moreover, the job comes with a lot of responsibility, and mistakes can result in serious injury, police investigations, and other issues.
Strict immigration policies may also affect the caregiver shortage, as roughly one quarter of caretakers are immigrants.
With all of these factors combined, it is not exactly shocking that home care agencies experience an annual turnover rate of 60% (1).

Impact of Caregiver Shortage on Individuals and Families

The Columbus Dispatch recently interviewed a woman named Kenna Robinett, who is the guardian for her twin nephews, who are both on the autism spectrum. She was able to find home caregivers for her nephews, but they were far from reliable. The caregivers served her nephews frozen hot pockets (unheated), microwaved bread sticks until they were burnt to a crisp, and stored ice cream in a cabinet drawer. On one occasion, the boys’ school called because one of them had arrived with feces on his hands. Another day, Robinett received a message saying that there would be no one available to care for her nephews as of 3p.m. that same day, because the agency was shutting down.
In addition to causing the inconvenience of rapidly finding a replacement, caregiver turnover can be emotionally traumatic. “This is deeply personal, intimate care,” Patty Lyons told The Columbus Dispatch, discussing her 15-year-old daughter, who has several disabilities and health conditions. “She has a G-tube (which delivers food to the stomach), takes 13 different medications. Essentially, she’s nonverbal. She has to be left alone with a provider while I’m at work.”
Lyons’ daughter, Adriana, previously had a private-duty nurse. Then Medicaid policies changed and she was declared ineligible for nursing services, under the assumption that a less expensive care provider could meet her requirements. However, it took Lyons months to find someone who could appropriately care for Adriana(2).

Caregiver Shortage Causes Unnecessary Institutionalization

Although staying in an assisted living center or nursing home is a viable option for some, seniors increasingly prefer to age at home (3). For those with the financial means, this can work very well; 102 year old Leroy Neuberg told the Radio program Bostonomixthat he credits his longevity to his dedicated and qualified home caregiver (4). However, many seniors who are healthy enough to live at home with some assistance are unable to do so due to the lack of available caregivers. People with disabilities have the same issue –even those who are very young.
25-year-old Korrie Johnson has cerebral palsy and limited mobility, but is overall healthy and mentally fit. Her mother used to help her with daily tasks, but is now unable to do so because she was injured in a serious car crash. Johnson had no other choice but to move into a nursing home in order to receive basic assistance.
“This is no place for someone my age,” she told the Star Tribune. Most of the other residents have dementia and other debilitating conditions.
Johnson is far from the only disabled person living in an institution and wishing to be free. In her home state of Minnesota, approximately 1,500 people under age 65 live in nursing homes. With a bit of help, many of them would likely be able to live at home and lead productive lives.

Solving the Home Caregiver Crisis

Advocates argue that unnecessary institutionalization, such as what Johnson is experiencing, violates civil rights. The Supreme Court “Olmstead” ruling (1999) mandates that states provide their residents with care in the most integrated environment possible.
Even from an economic perspective, home care makes sense. It tends to cost taxpayers less than nursing home care (5).
A critical component of fixing the caregiver shortage is making home caretaking a better profession. Worker cooperatives may help improve conditions for home caregivers, as well as provide training opportunities. Additionally, changes to Medicaid rules could provide caregivers with increased pay and benefits, more stability, and room for advancement (1).
As a society, we must recognize the importance of this profession, and treat home caregivers with the respect they deserve.
Sources

  1. Forbes– The Shortage of Home Care Workers: Worse Than You Think
  2. The Columbus Dispatch– Crisis in care: Lack of quality caregivers, constant turnover tough on disabled, families
  3. The Chicago Tribune– ‘Crisis mode’: As boomers age, a shortage of caregivers
  4. Bostonomix– Demand For Senior Home Care Grows, But Its Pay Remains Low
  5. Star Tribune– Shortage of home health workers forcing young Minnesotans with disabilities into institutions

This guest blog post was contributed by Reiter & Walsh ABC Law Centers.

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled What the Home Caregiver Shortage Means for Seniors and Disabled

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