Many schools, offices, and businesses have adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making working from home the “new normal” for millions of Americans. Senior centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities have also adjusted their policies and availability in many states, leaving numerous older adults without necessary supervision, recreation, and social interaction opportunities. As a result, many family caregivers of older adults have found themselves in the unexpected position of balancing working from home with increased eldercare responsibilities. Navigating these new and sometimes unchartered waters can feel overwhelming. Finding Work-Life Balance During COVID-19Here are nine tips to help family caregivers manage their new senior care roles while working productively from home: 1. Create a workspace Dedicate a space in your home as your “office.” Although having a private room with a door is ideal, placing a desk in a quiet corner of your home is also adequate. Make sure your desk is large enough to hold your laptop and other equipment while allowing you to work comfortably. If you are expected to participate in videoconferencing, consider the lighting and background when selecting your workspace. 2. Establish a routine Create a routine for yourself, and your senior loved one to help both of you know what to expect each day. Establish a predictable schedule for your loved one, including set times for waking up, eating meals, taking medicine, exercising, and other activities to help them feel comforted and secure. A routine will also help you establish set work hours around your loved one’s schedule. 3. Create needed boundaries Older adults who left the workforce before telecommuting was a common practice may not understand the concept of working from home. It’s important to let your older loved one know that there will be times when you cannot be disturbed, such as when you are in your home office or on a phone call. It would be best to let them know when it is okay to interrupt, such as when they need assistance using the toilet or do not feel well. 4. Minimize the potential for interruptions Before settling down to work, make sure your senior loved one is safe, comfortable, and has everything needed. As your work permits, check in to make sure they are doing well. It may also help to let them know when you will be back to check on them again. If your loved one lives in another household, it would be ideal to check in with a phone call before you begin working. During your call, let your loved one know when you will be available again and what emergencies warrant an immediate interruption. 5. Expect the unexpected Times will arise when you need to step away from your work to assist your loved one. Having realistic expectations for yourself and your loved one will help to prevent frustration. 6. Share your situation It is a good idea to inform your boss and co-workers that you are serving as a caregiver for your elderly family member. Many workers are juggling childcare and eldercare responsibilities during the pandemic, so there is a good chance that your boss and co-workers will be understanding. 7. Ask for what you need One of the benefits of telecommuting is increased flexibility. If your senior’s needs conflict with your work hours, consider asking your boss if you can adjust your schedule or makeup missed time later in the day. However, it is crucial to make sure your adjusted work schedule still enables you to complete your assignments and fulfill your job responsibilities. 8. Take time for yourself Balancing work and caregiving responsibilities can feel overwhelming, so it’s essential to take time for yourself. Try to take a walk, watch a movie, read a book, meditate, or do yoga at home to help you relax and recharge. 9. Get help If you feel exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for home care assistance. Consider asking your family members for support. If that is not an option, hiring a home health aide may be beneficial to properly care for your senior loved one while you manage your work responsibilities. Despite the pandemic, elderly in-home caregivers remain resolute in delivering safe and compassionate personal care that is essential to the health and well-being of older adults. If you are struggling and need assistance, respite care services are also available to provide a break for as long as you want. The home-care professionals at Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can help you find the work-life balance you need while caring for your senior family member. Contact us at 617–795–2727 for a free in-home 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 for seniors and people with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our in-home senior care, respite care, dementia, and Alzheimer’s care, senior companion support, live-in and 24x7 home care, transitional aid, and private duty care services in Brookline, Newton, Watertown, Natick, Wellesley, Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Canton, Jamaica Plain, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The non-medical assistance provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton home care can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton follows all CDC and Massachusetts safety guidelines and precautions. We will require all of our employees to be vaccinated or in the process of receiving vaccination by October 1, 2021 — except those with special religious or health reasons. Those who cannot be vaccinated will have regular testing and will follow rigorous safety protocols. We are committed to the health and safety of our clients and employees.
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It is not uncommon for families and friends to live a great deal of distance from each other, including their elderly parents.
Whether you have relocated for work or your loved one has retired to an adult community, you likely do not get to spend as much time with your parent as you would like. A visit every few months and a daily phone call can show your loved one that you care, but you may be missing crucial signs that they need more in-home living assistance than you realize. A small dent in their car, a refrigerator full of spoiled food, or a bruise from a fall they are too proud to admit could all be warning signs of underlying problems that you cannot see over the phone or via Zoom. Face-to-face interaction tends to remove the veil that is masking independence. That is why most home health care providers are hired at or around the holidays. But in many cases, underlying issues don’t begin during the holidays. That’s just when most people become aware that their loved ones require support. Staying On Top of Your Elderly Parent’s Care Many people’s fine motor skills will decrease as they age. The changes can happen slowly or rapidly. This could make it hard for a senior to do everyday tasks that they have taken for granted, such as preparing food or dealing with fasteners on clothes. Here are a few other variations you can’t see over the phone, but all of which could be signs that your loved one needs more care to live safely, comfortably, and happily at home:
Hire Professional Caregivers to Help Senior home care is an increasingly popular way to help your parents maintain their independence in their own home. The one-on-one caregiver will inevitably build a relationship with your loved one through the actions of going into their home to help with daily tasks — like assistance with hygiene, dressing or toileting, as well as meal preparation, light housekeeping, and grocery shopping. If your loved one loves to cook but has trouble standing that long or carrying in groceries, a caregiver can help with that, too — driving to the grocery, carrying the bags in, and assisting in the kitchen. The caregiver can be an additional part of your care team, so you can have peace of mind about your senior loved one’s health from afar. Even if you live close to your elderly loved one, it may be that a professional caregiver can spot warning signs that an untrained eye might miss, mainly related to dementia. There are small signs that can indicate problems, like little memory lapses or difficulty with numbers. Being proactive with your elderly loved one’s care now can help keep them safe and continue to live independently in their home. And in doing so, you will have more quality time and peace of mind during the holidays. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency providing high-caliber home care services to the elderly and adults with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our senior companion care, dementia and Alzheimer’s home care, live-in and 24–7 care, transitional aid, respite care services, and in-home care services for seniors in Watertown, Brookline, Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Canton, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Norwood, Westwood, Upper Back Bay, Roslindale, and neighboring communities. The non-medical assistance provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton HHA and CNA-certified in-home caregivers can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton follows all CDC and Massachusetts safety guidelines and precautions. We will require all of our employees to be vaccinated or in the process of receiving vaccination by October 1, 2021 — except those with special religious or health reasons. Those who cannot be vaccinated will have regular testing and will follow rigorous safety protocols. We are committed to the health and safety of our clients and employees. Your senior loved one may have hearing loss, limited mobility, an inability to manage household chores, or health complications. It makes sense that as you work to arrange care, managing straightforward tasks is top of mind: hearing aids, a walker, help with dishes — check, check, check. These are essential tasks to achieve. But many older people suffer from loneliness, depression, and isolation, too. Loneliness has been shown to precipitate declining health and can inhibit independence and mobility. That problem is not as easily solved. Loneliness can be an issue even for seniors who are not living alone. As you approach care options, there are multiple paths — primarily, task-centered care vs. person-centered professional caregiving — and it’s essential to consider the strengths, weaknesses, and outcomes in choosing a route for your loved one. 1. What is Task-Centered (or Task Management) Care?
Task-centered care is a social work practice frequently used in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities to accomplish measurable, specific goals quickly. A target condition is identified by a medical professional, along with steps to get there. For instance, in a hospital, the target might be discharge, and the steps would be the checklist to get there. A goal is accomplished, and the project is over. A problem with task-centered care is that the person affected is often not even involved. A study by BMC Geriatrics of the effects of person-centered care notes the many problems with the task-centered model. Care Is “primarily granted and delivered based on physical and functional needs, while psychosocial needs and quality of life requirements (quality of life) have been given less priority [causing a] gap between needs and services, between expectations and experiences, which may lead to expressions of dissatisfaction.” Furthermore, the study cites other findings that have demonstrated how “a trusting relationship between the older person and professional staff is essential to enable shared decision making to facilitate the older person’s autonomy and sense of being respected.” The research also finds another major issue with task-centered care, particularly in nursing homes: keeping good staff. Citing many previous reports, the authors note that “when it comes to nursing home services, a growing crisis has been described with high turnover rates and challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled care professionals. In addition, employees have reported experiences of dissatisfaction and frustration with work, citing a stressful and hectic environment, increasing demands for efficiency, not having sufficient time to converse, provide the “little extras” and support in the psychosocial domain.” But it doesn’t have to be this way, the authors say, and person-centered care is the solution: “Other studies in aged care have shown positive results from implementing a person-centered approach. For example, a report that implemented person-centered care in rehabilitation treatment resulted in functional improvements and higher satisfaction. Also, […] increased involvement in care resulted in lower costs, higher physical function, and shorter stays in hospital after hip fractures [and] person-centered care of older people with dementia can prevent and reduce agitation and depression.” 2. The Importance of an Interpersonal Connection While task-centered assistance can provide the absolute bare minimum of care your loved one needs, a professional caregiver offers that interpersonal connection that supplements task-centered aide essentially and exponentially. A professional caregiver offers holistic care to ensure the emotional and social needs of your loved one — needs that may not fall under task-centered care — are also met. While the above study demonstrates the danger of isolation, it can be helpful to consider real anecdotes, too. For example: In the aftermath of a stroke, an 86-year-old Florida woman, who lived most of the year alone, began receiving regular visits from a physical therapist and a nurse to aid in her recovery. Her family — nearby and closely involved in her care — found peace of mind in having their experience on hand and were thankful for some reprieve. While her family anticipated a boost in her physical health, they didn’t expect what ended up being the most significant benefit: her absolute joy in having the caregivers regularly visit and the resulting immediate improvement in her mental health. The aging woman recovering from a stroke relished the conversations she’d have during the visits, what they worked on, a funny thing about so-and-so. It was a social side of her that her family hadn’t seen in years. And — despite family members having tried everything to get her to do simple exercises — she eagerly performed these tasks for her caregivers. She wanted to do her best for these new people in her life, in the way that one puts forth even extra energy and effort at the beginning of a friendship or relationship. She was happy to be forging new connections and not to feel so isolated. Within weeks, she walked with energy around the house and completed tasks she hadn’t handled by herself in years. Not every instance will play out the same way, of course. That stroke was a wake-up call and her expeditious treatment allowed for a full recovery. But this is far from the only example of professional caregivers making a drastic difference in the lives of those they visit. The regularity of a visitor, the conversation, the company to anticipate, the “new friend” — these things can defeat loneliness and boost the quality (and length) of one’s life. The National Institutes of Health cites several studies demonstrating the adverse effects of social isolation in older adults — and not just mentally or emotionally. Per the NIH: “Social relationships are consistently associated with biomarkers of health. Positive indicators of social well-being may be associated with lower levels of interleukin-6 in otherwise healthy people. Interleukin-6 is an inflammatory factor implicated in age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer. Social isolation constitutes a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality, especially in older adults” and “People who are lonely frequently have elevated systolic blood pressure.” 3. What Can a Professional Caregiver Do Differently? Many older individuals are adamant about staying in their own homes. But as their health declines and the number of tasks they can no longer manage grows, the situation can become challenging. This is why many families turn to home health aides, who can help with grooming, household chores, exercise, taking medication, etc. But in a much more universal way, a professional caregiver can help by keeping loneliness and depression at bay and providing bright spots in what tend to be otherwise long and empty days that stretch into weeks and months. At Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, Your loved one is matched with a caregiver they connect with, who they look forward to seeing. Their companion gives them energy, on top of the benefits inherent in being in their own home, which lets them maintain essential self-respect and a sense of agency in being involved in their care plan. In a nursing home or assisted living facility, task management care is the common practice; it’s about checklists, the dedicated interpersonal aspect that seniors need is almost always missing. A professional caregiver goes beyond a measurable task. They are not shuffled room to room, marking charts and moving right along. Their presence is consistent and long-term; they become a reliable conversation partner, as well as an aid in health, well-being, and day-to-day needs. Loneliness is a serious health issue, and the companionship of a professional caregiver — someone who is focused on the person, not another list of tasks — can help stave off the isolation that leads to loneliness and depression. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency that has been providing high-caliber in-home care services for the elderly and people with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our at-home care, senior companion support, respite care, live-in and 24-hour assistance, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, and private duty care services in Natick, Wellesley, Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Brookline, Canton, Watertown, Jamaica Plain, Newton, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The non-medical assistance provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton home care providers can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Given the close, personal nature of in-home elder care, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton believes that care should be tailored for each client. Furthermore, our clients must have a say in how their services are personalized. Exemplary senior home care agencies give clients plenty of choices, allowing them to structure care as they see fit. Other providers offer limited flexibility and control, giving clients limited options for customized care. At a glance, you might not think that this makes a big difference. But in the world of eldercare services, the more control you’re afforded, the more likely there will be a positive outcome and satisfaction of care for your loved one. Why Customization Matters in Senior Home Care In-home services allow seniors and disabled adults the ability to “age in place,” i.e., live at home for as long as possible. Without in-home senior care, older adults may need to move into an assisted living or nursing care facility. With elder care, they can continue living in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure: at home. This is crucial for U.S. seniors, 90% of whom wish to age in place for as long as possible. Yet “aging in place” only tells part of the story. Elderly home care services aren’t only there to help seniors remain in the same physical space. They’re also there to help seniors continue their preferred way of life. A home health aide can prepare favorite meals, assist with light housekeeping, offer accompaniment on social outings, and help senior adults maintain their lifestyle in many other ways. The ideal elder care services provider will accommodate your loved one’s lifestyle preferences, as well as his or her unique age-related concerns. This is done through customized elder care services, in which the client gets to dictate critical aspects of care. This way, your loved one can build care around their current lifestyle, receiving care on their schedule and according to their personal preferences. Compare this with pre-set caregiving programs. A pre-set approach forces your loved ones to rebuild their lives around their elder care services. Instead of continuing their usual routine, your loved one may need to accommodate their caregiver’s schedule. With customized elder care services, your loved one won’t just continue to live in their home. They’ll also continue to live on their terms. The takeaway is simple: The more control they have during the care-planning process, the higher the quality of care they can expect. Choosing the Right Elderly Home Care Services Different elder care providers offer various levels of customization. It is recommended that you research home care agencies to find the right provider. You might find the perfect elder care agency on your first consultation or interview several agencies and caregivers before making your decision. This process will be much easier if you know what you need from a home health aide. Before your first consultation, spend time speaking with your loved one about how they envision their life with eldercare. What are their current routines? How important is it that they continue them? Which aspects of their lifestyle are they most attached to and why? What are their biggest concerns about eldercare? By asking and thinking about these questions, you and your loved one will have a much stronger sense of what you’re looking for in senior home care services. When evaluating different providers, you may want to ask:
Do you have a loved one in need of senior home care? Call Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today to request a free in-home consultation and discuss your loved one’s options for customized care. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency that has been providing high-caliber at-home living assistance to seniors and people with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our in-home care, elder companion support, live-in and 24-hour assistance, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, and respite care services in Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Brookline, Canton, Watertown, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Norwood, West Roxbury, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The non-medical assistance provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton home care providers can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Senior adults who are starting to lose their vision often need the support and assistance of family caregivers to help them with their daily routines. But if you don’t have experience with vision loss or blindness, it can be challenging to know the best way to provide elder care for a loved one who has a visual impairment.
First, you need to notice signs of low vision. These may include
Suppose your senior is suffering from low vision. In that case, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton suggests the following in-home senior care strategies to help reduce the risk of injury for visually-impaired seniors and make day-to-day life easier to navigate. Senior Fall Prevention Helping seniors avoid falls is a crucial element of elderly care. But when a senior is visually impaired or legally blind, the risk of falls becomes much more significant. Family elder care providers need to be especially careful to reduce the risk of slipping, tripping, and falling around the home. If your loved one still has partial vision, there are steps you can take to make it easier for them to see their surroundings and avoid risky areas. Consider replacing lights around the home with higher-wattage fixtures and bulbs to make the space brighter. You may want to install new lights in dark areas or spots where your loved one is at a higher risk for fall or injury, such as stairs. You can also make stairs easier to see by applying brightly colored tape along the lip of each step. Think about eliminating tripping and slipping risks; This means getting rid of clutter, keeping cords out of the way, removing rugs that could be stumbled over, and applying a non-slip coating to tile floors. Consider encouraging your loved one to wear rubber-soled shoes with a firm grip. For more tips on avoiding falls, please review our Fall Prevention brochure. Using Vision Aids to Cope With Vision Loss In addition to keeping your loved one safe, providing elder care at home for a family member with vision loss also means keeping them happy and comfortable. Unfortunately, vision loss can make favorite activities and day-to-day living much more difficult. As a caregiver, you can help your loved one cope with visual impairment by accommodating their vision loss in day-to-day life. One of the simplest ways to do this is by helping them learn about possible vision aids. In addition, you can provide them with products that make it easier to cope with vision loss, such as books with oversized print or large screen TVs with high contrast images. Keeping their home organized will be helpful so that it’s easy for them to find items by memory or touch. In most cases, it is best to keep things in familiar places. But in some cases — like a cluttered cutlery drawer — it can be better to organize items so that your loved one can easily pick things out by touch. Elder Care for Vision Loss As an elder care provider, you might be called on to help with everyday tasks. Your loved one’s visual impairment might prevent them from being able to cook, clean their home, do laundry, or any number of other activities, as well as shopping and errands. If you can’t always be there for your loved one, you might consider professional elder care services. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton caregivers regularly work with visually impaired seniors, offering a helping hand and fresh set of eyes around the home. Our case managers are happily available to schedule a free in-home assessment to discuss options with you to find the right care plan for your loved one. Contact us today at 617–795–2727. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency providing high-caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our in-home senior care, respite care, elder companion care, live-in and 24-hour care, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, and in-home care services in Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Brookline, Canton, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Newton, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Watertown, Wellesley, West Roxbury, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The non-medical care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. |
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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