A qualified home caregiver, who has been screened, hired, trained, and supported by a high-quality home care agency such as Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, provides professional at-home care assistance to seniors. These experienced, dedicated professionals will get to know and understand your senior loved one to deliver compassionate and attentive care that meets your expectations. Home Caregiver’s Duties
A professional caregiver typically performs the following duties:
However, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton recognizes that each client is different and will develop a customized home care plan during your initial consultation. The plan acts as a “road map” and outlines the tasks and needs scheduled to be completed each day. Whether your senior loved one needs daytime assistance, overnight care, personal care, or companionship, Visiting Angels will work closely with you to ensure they receive the comfort and safety they deserve. What is a Typical Day like for a Caregiver? When a Visiting Angels’ caregiver arrives at the client’s home, they will greet your senior, assess their needs, consult the plan, and clock in for their shift. The caregiver may also ask about any current or upcoming schedules, appointments, errands, preferences, or needs your loved one may have. A caregiver in the morning may assist with a daily routine — helping with bathing, dressing, putting on makeup, eating breakfast, and engaging in other daytime tasks. At night, a caregiver may assist with bedtime or be there to offer comfort and support. Your case manager will constantly assess your loved one’s requirements for companionship and assistance — honoring their preferences and helping to promote independence, engagement, and a sense of self-worth. For example, suppose your senior is low on groceries and craving a pasta dinner. In that case, your Visiting Angels’ caregiver could arrange a trip to the grocery store for the ingredients and help prepare the evening meal. Or, the caregiver can coordinate activities such as a trip to the doctor’s office, helping with a load of laundry, or setting up a video chat with the grandkids. Whether your loved one is an active older adult or a person at the end of life, your caregiver will monitor their well-being, including looking out for hazards around the home and changes in their physical or mental health status. If the caregiver has concerns, they will alert your loved one’s case manager, who will communicate with you. Before your caregiver leaves, they will confirm your loved one is comfortable and safe. Depending on the time of day, they may ensure your senior is settled in for the night or prepared for a fresh start in the morning. Your caregiver will also review the home care plan to verify tasks have been completed and clock out when their shift has ended. Although there is no “typical” day for a Visiting Angels Newton/Canton caregiver, the goal is to meet your loved one’s individualized needs while providing you with peace of mind. If you’re interested in our compassionate in-home care services for you or a loved one, contact us today for a free initial consultation. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency that has been providing high-caliber home care services to seniors and people with disabilities for over eighteen years. Countless families have benefited from our respite home care, elder companion support, live-in and 24-hour assistance, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, in-home care services in Westwood, Norwood, Boston’s (Upper) Back Bay, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Needham, Newton, Roslindale, Stoughton, Watertown, Wellesley, and West Roxbury, and neighboring communities in Massachusetts. The non-medical assistance Visiting Angels Newton/Canton provides can significantly impact your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Call us at (617) 795–2727 to book a free in-home consultation with one of our knowledgeable case managers today!
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Being a caregiver is a rewarding job that allows you to care for older adults who need help while supporting and positively impacting your community in Massachusetts. It is challenging to work as an independent caregiver; that’s why most caregivers choose to work for a home care agency. If you are on the hunt for a caregiver job but don’t know what kind of agency to work for, here are some things to remember when applying and interviewing for your next caregiver job. What to look for and ask your potential employer
1. An agency that sees the value of their employees’ hard work. These agencies offer competitive pay, bonuses, and the opportunity for a raise. They also put effort into recognizing outstanding performance with awards to exemplary employees. 2. An agency that cares for the well-being of its employees. They provide paid sick leave when you get sick and need to take some time off. They offer benefits such as 401K retirement programs and competitive health insurance plans. They are willing to work with their employees to provide them with a flexible work schedule or allow them to work part-time. 3. An agency with supportive management and staff who will encourage and support you throughout your career as a caregiver and be there for you when you have any questions or experience challenges with your clients. 4. An agency that provides on-the-job training to ensure its caregivers will be successful and ensure they understand the role and expectations of the job. 5. An agency that values its staff and invests in them by offering their staff training courses to further their knowledge and skill set. The basic requirements of a caregiver Finding your dream job is one thing. Getting hired for it is another, so you must ensure that you meet and exceed home care agency’s basic requirements. The best home care agencies strive to provide the best care to their clients by choosing the best caregivers to work for them. These agencies will likely require a minimum of one year of experience as a caregiver, including either caring for an elder in your family or having experience as a professional caregiver. Most agencies will require you to be either an HHA or CNA-certified caregiver. Other conditions may include passing a background check, a TB test, the ability to speak, read and write English, and having good references. Good home care agencies will also choose compassionate employees dedicated to their job as a caregiver. Read this article to learn more about what home care agencies look for in caregivers. Join our team today! If you are looking for a rewarding job where you can provide comfort and assistance to seniors, have the support of a caring and experienced office staff, and have room to grow and develop your skills as a professional caregiver, we are the agency for you! Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has been providing home care services to seniors in Brookline, Boston’s (Upper) Back Bay, Canton, Dedham, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Roslindale, Stoughton, Watertown, Wellesley, Westwood, and West Roxbury, and neighboring communities in Massachusetts since 2004. We genuinely value our caregivers and provide them with the training and support needed to succeed in their careers. This could be the perfect fit for you! If a caregiver job at Visiting Angels Newton/Canton is something you are interested in pursuing, we would love to meet you! Click this link to apply for a caregiver job today or call us at (617) 795–2727. In any new relationship, there is an adjustment period. A relationship between your senior loved one and a new caregiver is no different. It may take some time to develop. It can be a little awkward for your senior loved one and a new professional caregiver to get used to each other. A good and trusting relationship takes time to develop. But this is an integral part of your loved one’s life and hitting the ground running is essential. Follow these tips, and you can set the foundation for a successful and long-lasting connection. Involve everyone in the family
Setting caregivers up for success starts before you meet them or contact a home care agency. This is a big decision in the life of your loved one and yours. This person will spend time alone with your senior in their home, so you need to gather the whole family or everyone involved in their care and include them in the decision. Then ask yourselves some questions: What are your senior loved one’s home care needs? Is it medical care? If so, in-home assistance may not be the right option. Does your loved one need a little help around the home with housework? Do they need support with personal care like bathing and getting dressed, or even just getting around the house? Does Mom or Dad require companionship? Isolation in seniors can often lead to further difficulties. Make a list of your loved one’s needs and be ready to share them with the agency so you can determine what kind of care you need. How often does your loved one need in-home care? Does Mom or Dad need someone to visit every day? Would a few hours a week be enough to help your loved one with what they need? Would morning shifts be more appropriate, or would it be better to schedule night visits? Hiring a professional caregiver to help can give you a much-needed break. But leaving your loved one can give you a sense of guilt: It shouldn’t. Be honest with yourself about what you need and communicate your requirements to your family and home care agency. Talk to Your Loved One Remember that talking to an elderly loved one about bringing in a professional caregiver can be an emotive topic. Your mom or dad may be fiercely independent, and it can be hard to bring this person around to the idea of daily assistance. For more help, check out these tips on talking to a parent about care. Consult the Professionals Once you have worked out what your loved one’s requirements may be, it’s time to contact an agency. Agencies should offer a free consultation. They can talk to you about your loved one’s needs and whether they align with what the agency can offer. The agency should give you an estimate of the cost of home care services in Greater Boston, and they may also be able to provide you with some advice on options available for funding in-home care. Choosing the Right Caregiver Once you’ve identified an agency, here are questions to ask when considering a caregiver: Is this caregiver’s personality compatible with your loved one? Talk to the caregiver to assess — you know your loved one best. This will be an essential person in your loved one’s life, and ensuring compatibility is vital. Do this caregiver’s skills and experience align with what your loved one needs? If your loved one has dementia and one caregiver has professional training in caring for seniors with dementia, that’s a solid match. If you’re worried about your loved one falling, look for a caregiver with a fall-prevention qualification. Does this caregiver’s availability match your loved one’s schedule? Availability can easily be overlooked. If your loved one needs assistance in the morning and the caregiver only works evenings, that won’t work. If your loved one requires care five days a week and the caregiver is fully booked on three of those, you’ll need alternative options. Develop a Home Care Plan The best home care agencies will take your concerns and use them to build a care plan. Be clear about what you will be doing as a family and what you expect from this caregiver. Make sure everyone involved in support of the senior knows their role: If everyone knows their responsibilities, then you can ensure that your loved one’s care is as seamless as possible. Introduce Your Loved One to the Caregiver Arrange a meeting between your loved one and the caregiver. Be there to introduce them and to help them bond. When your loved one seems settled, leave them to get to know each other and go to the kitchen or somewhere else out of the room. Your loved one will know that you’re close if they are not comfortable, but you’ll also give them space to bond. Communicate Caring for your loved one is now a shared responsibility. It is essential to keep the agency and professional caregiver abreast of any changes you’ve seen in the health and behaviors of your loved one, and they should do the same with you. Take advantage of their training and experience: They may pick up on subtle differences you may not notice. That’s when you know you’ve genuinely retained superior home care. If It’s Not Working, Act Give it a short time and see how things go. Talk to your loved one. Is Mom or Dad happy? Are they receiving the help they need? If it’s not working out for your loved one, contact your care manager and discuss your concerns. There are times when a caregiver can be given additional training and guidance to improve their ability to provide the best support possible. Inform your care manager if a change in caregiver is clearly necessary so they can arrange to introduce someone new to your loved one, you, and your family. This could be a long-term relationship for your loved one, and it must be with the right person. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA has been providing high-caliber in-home care services for seniors and people with disabilities for over eighteen years. Countless families have benefited from our private duty care, companion care, respite support, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, live-in and 24/7 home care, transitional aid, and home care services in Wellesley, Natick, Newton, Watertown, Brookline, Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Canton, Jamaica Plain, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. As a result of our exemplary home care service, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has won the Best of Home Care Leader in Excellence Award; the Best of Home Care Provider of Choice Award; and the Best of Home Care Employer of Choice Award from the national client satisfaction survey firm, Home Care Pulse, for six years. We have been honored to receive the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work award for seven years and one of the ten best places to work in Massachusetts in 2021 based on diversity and inclusion. Our dedicated and well-trained caregivers love their HHA jobs and CNA jobs. Maintaining or enhancing one’s health and wellness shouldn’t stop at a predetermined age. It is universally beneficial to pursue a balanced mind and body by focusing on our physical well-being and happiness, fulfillment, and mental fortitude. It’s never too late for your loved one to begin the path to living their best and most fulfilled life. With the assistance of family, friends, and professional in-home caregivers, seniors can successfully pursue the following seven elements of senior wellness. Proper Diet A proper diet is fundamental to good health. Without the right levels of nutrients, seniors will have trouble maintaining cognitive and physical energy. Here are a few nutritional recommendations:
Sleep According to research, most healthy seniors need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to feel recharged the next morning. Older adults may awake earlier in the morning due to body rhythm changes called advanced sleep phase syndrome. However, this means older adults may need to go to bed earlier in the evening. Additionally, a range of physical conditions associated with aging can make it difficult for seniors to get enough sleep, causing sleep deprivation. Here are some tips to help seniors get a better night’s sleep:
Physical ActivityA lack of exercise quickly leads to many health problems in both body and mind. Seniors don’t have to break records at the gym to stay healthy and feel well. A moderate amount of physical activity each day will keep the body in good working order and lead to a clearer mind and a greater sense of fulfillment. Consider the following recommendations for senior activity:
Socialization Loneliness is a silent killer for the elderly and contributes to dementia, depression, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other mental and psychological conditions. Older adults must have social interactions with others regularly to maintain their emotional well-being. Community activities, games, and projects can foster a sense of interest, usefulness, and social bonding. Even a good conversation from time to time is a necessity. For seniors living at home alone, an in-home caregiver would provide companionship and support. Purpose After retirement and withdrawal from economic and political involvement, seniors may need to find something new to provide direction and purpose. Volunteer work and other activities that help others are excellent outlets for seniors to find self-purpose. A Visiting Angels caregiver could assist with transportation to and from such causes. SafetyFalling is one of the most significant safety risks for seniors. Making a senior’s home physically safe and secure to navigate is the first step toward wellness. Seniors also need protection from scammers who prey on the elderly. Family caregivers need to take precautions ahead of time to prevent senior loved ones from falling victim to telemarketing and online scams. A home health aide can supervise and ensure both physical and non-physical safety measures for seniors. Identity As seniors grow older, they naturally begin to reflect on their lives and achievements. Seniors want to pass along their knowledge and information to younger generations.
Family and friends can help foster their senior loved one’s sense of identity and accomplishment by encouraging them to tell stories, write down memories, and participate in society as a mentor and teacher. Seniors may often discount the scope of what they’ve achieved during their life, but recognizing and celebrating these achievements can be an important source of satisfaction and well-being. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today. When someone you love needs help to manage daily activities at home, it’s essential to take proactive steps to keep them safe, comfortable, and content. For many families, hiring a professional home caregiver is an effective and attentive way to promote their loved one’s health and happiness. For older adults, mobility issues and other aspects of aging can lead to fears they’ll lose their independence and that they may have to leave their home and community. With the help of a professional home care provider, seniors who struggle with basic tasks, like cooking and grocery shopping, can receive the care they need and stay comfortably in their homes. Benefits of Hiring a Certified CaregiverCertified caregivers, such as an HHA or CNA, can assist with a wide range of day-to-day tasks while enriching your loved one’s life in the process. These tasks often range from preparing meals and cleaning up around the house to bringing your loved one to their appointments and making sure he or she keeps up with all of their medications. Certified home caregivers can also provide discreet support with more intimate tasks like bathing, getting dressed, and using the bathroom. With this assistance, your loved one can maintain their personal hygiene — which is vital for their health and self-image — while minimizing the pain, discomfort, or risk of a fall. While the concept of inviting a stranger into your loved one’s home may feel unnerving at first, the best care professionals are skilled at building warm, trusting relationships, so their clients feel at ease. That companionship can be crucial for seniors who have grown more isolated at home. If you live in another area and aren’t able to visit your relative regularly, a professional caregiver can be there to provide daily support. Caregivers providing long-distance care can also give out-of-town family members regular updates about their loved one’s day-to-day life and condition. Additionally, if you’re one of the millions of people across the country tending to a senior family member, hiring a caregiver can offer the relief you need to rest, recuperate, and keep up with other aspects of your life. Respite care allows you time to focus on your own needs while ensuring your family member has the support they need as well. Visiting Angels can Meet Your Loved One’s NeedsAs you approach this decision with your family, consider your loved one’s preferences alongside their care needs. Does your Mom want to remain at home as most seniors do? Which activities does she find more challenging to perform on her own? Are there times of day when she could benefit from more support than your busy schedule can accommodate?
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can help you address these questions during a free in-home care consultation. Then, we can work together to create a care plan and select the right caregiver(s) for your loved one. We offer customized home care services that are available at any time, day, or night. Our caregivers assist seniors with a wide range of needs. These include:
If you're interested in more information about how in-home care can help your elderly loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton at 617-795-2727 today. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton: Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our home Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, round-the-clock care, companion care, senior care, respite care, transitional aid, and home care services in Brookline, Watertown, Dedham, Needham, Westwood, Norwood, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Contact us today at 617-795-2727 for a free in-home consultation! |
AuthorVisiting Angels Newton/Canton is an award-winning in-home care agency that provides high quality home care to seniors and disabled adults in Greater Boston, MA. Archives
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