Determining the best overall care for an elderly loved one can be an overwhelming decision. It begins with assessing the pros and cons of different senior care options and weighing relevant concerns such as personal preferences, financial considerations, and health. You may even experience feelings of guilt and doubt that can make decision-making more challenging. As you consider what to do next and where to turn, the question of whether in-home care is better than nursing home care or an assisted living facility could arise. Here are seven benefits of in-home care: Familiar surroundingsPerhaps the most apparent benefit of in-home care is that it allows older adults to remain in their homes, which limits disruptions associated with relocation and enables them to maintain their routines. Sudden changes in surroundings or habits can be particularly distressing for older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Customized care programWhether your senior needs part-time care during specific hours of the day or 24/7 home care assistance, in-home care offers a variety of flexible scheduling options and a complete “menu of services” that can be customized to individual needs. Your loved one will be matched with a compatible home caregiver who can assist with specific tasks during the hours when care is needed. Lower costIn-home care is often less expensive than a nursing home or assisted living facility. Although many high-quality senior facilities offer comprehensive services, this “one-size-fits-all” model may result in your loved one paying for amenities that aren’t needed. Care options provided by in-home personal care providers can save many families money by paying only for required services on the days and times they need them most — without compromising on the quality and availability of care. Additionally, remaining at home eliminates moving or storage costs that may come with a move to an older adult facility. The personal relationship with a caregiverIn-home caregivers offer one-on-one care, which helps them develop a more personal relationship with clients. This level of personalized attention enables caregivers to learn about your senior loved one’s likes, dislikes, and interests. This approach also helps caregivers anticipate needs, communicate effectively, provide companionship, and identify issues that should be brought to your attention. Safety/health benefitsUnfortunately, nursing homes have been among the hardest hit during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Opting for home-based senior care may reduce the chance your loved one catches a serious illness by limiting their exposure to other nursing home residents, caregivers, and staff members. PrivacyNursing home residents share outdoor spaces, visiting rooms, dining facilities, recreation spaces — and sometimes even a bedroom and bathroom — with other residents. In-home personal care allows your loved one to maintain their privacy and have access to familiar spaces on their terms and timeframes. Although a caregiver will be invited into their home, our personal care professionals are trained to respect your loved one’s privacy by providing assistance and companionship when needed and taking a step back when requested. Encourages independenceYour loved one may require limited assistance with specific tasks. In that case, a move to a nursing home could force them to give up their cherished independence sooner than necessary. For example, your loved one may need help with grocery shopping. However, they still enjoy planning and preparing meals without assistance. Your loved one may not have the option to continue planning and preparing meals at a nursing home. An in-home caregiver allows your loved one to continue performing meal planning and preparation tasks independently while helping them receive assistance in other areas.
As a family caregiver, your loved one’s well-being is a top priority. Visiting Angel’s professional caregivers provide outstanding in-home care services for older adults – and peace of mind to family members. If you are considering home care for your loved one, our Visiting Angels care coordinators would be happy to discuss your loved one’s needs during a free in-home care consultation. 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, 24 hour care, live-in care, companion care, respite care, transitional aid, and in-home elder care services in Watertown, Brookline, Stoughton, Canton, Dedham, Needham, Westwood, Norwood, 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.
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The Coronavirus is presenting a serious worldwide public health threat, and older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. The coronavirus pandemic has caused family caregivers to feel more anxious about their senior loved ones’ health and safety — especially when some senior adults are rejecting changes to their behaviors to protect against contracting COVID-19. However, there are ways family caregivers can protect elderly loved ones and help them understand why coronavirus is a cause for concern. Get the Facts About COVID-19 And the ElderlyBefore talking to your older loved ones about COVID-19, you should arm yourself with facts and information from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or state and local health departments. Providing them with information from a healthcare provider or community organization is an effective way to boost credibility. You should also correct any misinformation that may be driving their inaccurate beliefs or behavior. Understand Seniors’ Position About COVID-19To help your elderly loved ones realize the seriousness of COVID-19, you need to uncover the reasons behind their behavior — and the best way to do this is by asking questions. You might start by asking them what they have heard about COVID-19, what they think about the pandemic, and what they have done to prepare. What you learn might surprise you. For example, a senior who is coping with cognitive decline may not understand or remember information they hear about COVID-19 and forget to follow essential safety precautions. Older adults may incorrectly believe the virus won’t affect them because they are in good health, aren’t THAT old, have “survived worse,” or never get sick. Some older adults may not understand how their refusal to follow public health guidance could contribute to the spread of the virus — or, they could simply be reluctant to take orders from the government or their loved ones. It’s also vital for family caregivers to remember a senior’s reason for failing to take COVID-19 seriously could be related to other factors, such as fear of isolation, concern over changing routines, or anxiety over an uncertain situation. Whatever the cause, learning more about the reasons behind your loved one’s stubbornness can help you develop the best persuasion strategy. Make Your CaseWhen making your case, it’s critical to use the right tone and approach. Pressuring, badgering, or talking down to your elderly loved ones could make it less likely they will listen to your advice. Make sure you let them know you aren’t trying to upset them and are only concerned about their health and safety. Make sure you address their specific concerns as much as possible. For example, if your loved ones are concerned about losing touch with family members, you could help them develop a plan to keep in touch and provide them with creative ways to communicate during social distancing. If they are concerned about missing their favorite activities, you could help them research safe alternatives or find new ways to stay active during the coronavirus pandemic. If they have concerns about being able to take care of themselves or obtain supplies during lockdowns, you could arrange for qualified home care workers to provide essential services during the coronavirus if they need help with daily activities. You could also mention the steps that you, or someone your loved ones know and respect, have taken to prepare or comply with public health guidelines. Be Open to Two-Way CommunicationNo matter how your older loved ones respond, it is essential that you avoid harming your relationship. Simply let them know you will be available to help them and answer any future questions they may have. Part of protecting your older loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic means doing your best to help them understand the seriousness of the situation and teaching them how to keep themselves — and others — safe. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care services can help your elderly loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton: Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home living assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our home Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, elderly companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and home care services in Stoughton, Canton, Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While primarily personal in nature, the senior home 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 for a free in-home consultation! We are staying Diligent
As the confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in our area, we are monitoring the situation and the advice from public health authorities. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton remains committed to our responsibility as your senior home care provider during this time. We recognize that our Visiting Angels home caregivers allow seniors to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, wherever that may be, and that some of our clients cannot get through the day or night without a home care aide. We want to assure you that we are communicating to our caregivers to follow best practices, including hand-washing, and staying home if they are feeling ill or have traveled to Level 3 CDC countries. Thousands of senior adults across the nation depend on in-home caregivers to help them manage everyday tasks, such as bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, medication reminders, and preparing meals – especially during the unprecedented crisis of the coronavirus pandemic. As COVID-19 affects more and more individuals and communities across the U.S., home caregivers remain resolute in delivering safe and compassionate personal care that is essential to the health and well-being of older adults. Their efforts reassure families their elderly loved ones are doing well, emotionally, and physically, in their home. Whether it’s shielding older adults from the flu or a harmful virus, home care providers practice proper hygiene to reduce health risks for seniors. They exercise frequent handwashing and disinfecting inside a senior’s household to keep contagious illnesses and viruses at bay. They also take special precautionary measures to clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces such as:
Home Caregivers on the Frontlines in the Fight Against COVID-19COVID-19 has caused significant public health and safety concerns for the elderly and those with underlying conditions. The virus has changed the way this most vulnerable population socializes, interacts, and communicates with family members, friends, and neighbors. As the nation tries to find answers, many elderly adults rely on HHA or CNA-certified home caregivers for physical and emotional guidance inside the comfort of their homes. Visiting Angels’ caregivers have stepped up their everyday workload by helping their clients comprehend and practice social distancing. They also plan and discover new ways to reduce distress, boredom, and isolation for seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the techniques they are employing include:
Providing Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly DeserveVisiting Angels’ priority remains the health and safety of its caregivers and the elderly clients they serve every day. As an award-winning home care agency in Greater Boston, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton follows and adheres to the latest health and safety guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite the challenges associated with COVID-19, in-home caregivers are fulfilling Visiting Angels’ mission of partnering with families to provide essential home care services for older adults.
Visiting Angels’ in-home caregivers continue to be homecare heroes on the frontlines, taking necessary steps to protect elderly loved ones and themselves as well as doing whatever it takes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 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, 24 hour care, companion care, senior care, respite care, transitional aid, and home care services in Dedham, Needham, Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While essential personal 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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