Finding the right professional caregiver for your senior loved one often takes time, adjustment, and patience. In the current caregiver crunch, when there are more HHA and CNA caregiver jobs than qualified caregivers, having a compatible and competent caregiver is valuable. But your loved one’s needs may change over time, perhaps due to memory loss, a stroke, or a new illness, and their current caregiver may not be suitable for the assistance needed. You may begin to consider requesting a new caregiver. Navigating a caregiver change requires honest communication between family members and your care manager and articulated expectations from family members. Here are a few things you should consider. Key Questions to Ask Before You Change CaregiversIf you are contemplating a caregiver change, first ask yourself if you have given the home caregiver enough time with your loved one. Take time to talk with your loved one’s professional caregiver and the home care services provider to share your concerns. They may be able to help navigate the issues. Also, be honest with each other and yourselves. A few fundamental questions to ask yourself and your loved one:
If you can’t resolve the issue with the caregiver and your home care agency. An experienced agency will work to see if they can provide another caregiver more suited to your needs. Before You Make a ChangeIf the current provider cannot meet your family’s needs or if your family isn’t comfortable staying with the agency, it is best to do your research before you make a switch. Some questions you should be prepared to answer:
Also, please keep in mind federal regulations require home health care agencies to be more responsive to their clients or risk losing Medicaid or Medicare funding. While it remains unknown when the changes will be fully implemented, it seems clear that new rules will continue to focus on the rights of the client and families. Going Forward with the ChangeYou and your loved one should never feel pressured to stay with a professional home health aide who does not meet your needs or an agency with which you remain uncomfortable.
If you and your loved one decide that changing home care agencies is the best option for everyone, be sure you have vetted a new home care provider before ending your agreement with your current provider. Here are the critical first steps to follow to help you:
Remember, too, to be patient as your loved one adjusts to a new professional caregiver. Sometimes, it just takes time. And sometimes, there’s a better fit. Either way, the critical thing to realize is that this is a problem that a superior home care agency like Visiting Angels can solve. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation. 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 at-home living assistance, companion care, respite support, live-in and 24/7 home care, 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. 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 CNA jobs and HHA jobs.
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The winter holiday season has finally arrived. As we look forward to spending time with friends and family, shopping, and enjoying our favorite holiday meals, we also experience some shake-up in our routines. These changes are often more acutely felt by the elderly. Being prepared for the holidays will make your job as a family caregiver easier to manage. It will also ensure your loved one stays comfortable and content through what is often a chaotic time. Below are tips that will help you prepare for a joyful and comfortable holiday season: Encourage Healthy EatingIndulging in delicious dishes is one of the most sacred holiday traditions. Not only do these nostalgic flavors bring back marvelous memories, but they also bring the family together in a shared experience that shouldn’t be denied to seniors. It’s essential to keep an eye on balance throughout the holidays. Holiday meals are special occasions to look forward to, not to stretch out for days on end. In between those rich holiday meals, make sure your loved one has something light and nutritious within reach. They’ll feel better physically and have an easier time sticking to their doctor’s dietary guidelines. Make Exercising a Holiday RitualThe cooler winter months often lead us toward a more sedentary lifestyle, even as our calorie intake increases thanks to the holidays. While it’s normal to want to spend more cozy time indoors as the weather cools off, less movement can make us feel more sluggish. It can also trigger a spell of the holiday blues. Ensure your loved one benefits from exercise by making fun physical activities part of their holiday experience. For example, you could have the whole family bundle up and go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood after each family meal. Or, you can help your loved one get in the holiday spirit by doing a few laps around the mall while window shopping. Spending time in nature and watching the leaves change colors is also a great way to enjoy being active. Manage Gift-Related Financial StressMany seniors love to dote on their children and grandchildren with holiday gifts. Unfortunately, those on a fixed income often feel the financial strain as they struggle with the desire to be generous within their limited means. To minimize stress for all your family members, including seniors, suggest opting for a “Secret Santa” or “white elephant” gift exchange so everyone can experience the joy of giving without going over budget. Prevent Falls While Visiting FamilyThe last thing you want is for your loved one’s holiday joy to be marred by a dangerous fall. If they visit other family members this season, take time to practice fall prevention to make the home safe and accessible. This could include removing rugs that present a fall hazard and installing nightlights if the senior stays overnight. Take a BreakThe holidays can be a stressful, chaotic time, especially for those who are constantly on the go. As a family caregiver, it’s crucial to remain aware of your stress levels and take time off from your caregiving duties as needed.
One of the best ways to make your health and well-being a priority during this busy season is to book respite care visits from a professional elder care provider. Being proactive about meeting your own self-care needs will make this time of year much more enjoyable and give you the energy required to provide the quality of care your loved one deserves. For more information about in-home elder care services, please contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton at 617-795-2727. 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 at-home living assistance, companion care, respite support, live-in and 24/7 home care, 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. 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 10 best places to work in Massachusetts in 2021 based on diversity and inclusion. Our dedicated and well-trained caregivers love their CNA jobs and HHA jobs. Thanksgiving is a time for family and celebration. But when a member of your family requires elderly care and support, you might worry about whether they’re up to a big family event. At Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, our experience as senior care providers has helped us counsel our clients and their families about how they can make holidays, like Thanksgiving, more senior-friendly. We hope the following tips and advice will be helpful to you in making your Thanksgiving Day a more enjoyable and less stressful time for you and family members of all ages. Choose Senior-Friendly FoodsAs a traditional harvest celebration, Thanksgiving is a time for feasting with friends and family. But older adults often have more trouble eating due to dental health, mature taste buds, and chewing strength concerns. If a member of your family requires elderly care, it’s a good idea to build parts of your Thanksgiving dinner around what they can and cannot eat. Consider making dishes that are easy to chew and gentle on those with dentures. Also, try to cut back on salt in favor of other seasonings. And if your loved one has a Thanksgiving favorite that they might have difficulty chewing — such as turkey — you can help by cutting their food into manageable pieces. Make Traveling EasierIf you need to travel long distances with an elderly loved one this Thanksgiving, take steps to make sure their ride is a comfortable one. Seniors are often more sensitive to cold, so consider bringing a blanket if you’re driving and the weather is a little frosty. You might want to make sure they are comfortable by offering a support cushion to help with their posture. Also, make sure you’ve packed any medications that your loved one might need while away from home. Schedule Professional Senior CareWith the current hiring crunch, there are more caregiver jobs than certified caregivers in many places. Nonetheless, most eldercare agencies try to keep caregivers available throughout the year, including over holidays like Thanksgiving. If you think that your loved one would benefit from having an elderly care provider with them during the holidays, speak with their agency about scheduling in-home companion care. Having a professional caregiver around for Thanksgiving can help you ensure your loved one is looked after, giving you the chance to spend your day enjoying your time with the whole family.
“Professional elderly care can be a big help over the holidays,” says Larry Meigs, President, and CEO of Visiting Angels. “As elderly care providers, it’s important to us that your family — and your loved one — can get the most out of your Thanksgiving.” About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA has been providing high-caliber home care services for senior adults and people with disabilities for over eighteen years. Countless families have benefited from our in-home care, companion support, respite care, live-in and 24/7 assistance, transitional aid, dementia and Alzheimer’s home care, and personal care services in Stoughton, Canton, Natick, Wellesley, Dedham, Needham, Brookline, Watertown, Jamaica Plain, Newton, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. It is so important to research and consider options carefully when looking into a home care agency to assist your loved one. Some agencies may not provide adequate screening or training of their caregivers. Also, finding a compatible caregiver for a client is crucial and should be a priority to the home care agencies you consider. Here are 15 questions to ask when contacting home care agencies. 1. How do you recruit caregivers, and what are your hiring requirements? In-home caregiver jobs have different requirements. Most highly regarded home care agencies require CNA or HHA certifications. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, for example, hires CNAs and HHAs with experience in caregiving, and the caregivers typically have a strong employment history in caring for seniors. 2. What types of screening and background checks are performed on caregivers before you hire them? You want to ensure that the agency has checked the caregivers’ background through legitimate records and databases, not through an unverifiable source. 3. Is your agency bonded and insured, and does your agency meet all state and local requirements? Visiting Angels Newton/Canton is bonded and insured. It not only meets Massachusetts state requirements but is also an award-winning home care agency. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has won the Best Home Care Provider and Best of Home Care Employer awards from Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction and quality assurance company, for the past six years. 4. What kind of health-related training, if any, do your in-home caregivers have? It’s essential to ensure that the caregiver or home health aide you choose is appropriately trained for your needs. For example, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton provides an orientation class for new caregivers, Visiting Angels University, an online educational program, and a partner program with a local community college. Caregivers are taught how to assist clients with transfers through Hoyer lifts and gait belts, provide comfort to seniors with dementia, and other crucial skills to help ensure clients are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. 5. Does your agency provide specialized and continuing education for caregivers? A good agency will have caregivers trained to handle specific needs, such as dementia care, through specialized education. Some agencies may have advanced training programs available, such as Visiting Angels’ Palliative Care Training. 6. How are your training programs developed? Reputable agencies like Visiting Angels often provide training that has been developed with nationally recognized experts, such as their Dementia Care Professionals of America (DCPA), which is an Alzheimer’s Foundation of America-sponsored formal training and qualification program for caregivers. 7. What competencies will the caregiver have (e.g., lifting and transfers, homemaking skills, personal care skills including bathing, dressing, toileting, behavioral management training, cognitive support)? Not every situation will require a caregiver with all of these skills, but it is important to know what a caregiver can do. Be sure to share your loved one’s requirements and ask the agencies you are contacting if they have caregivers available with the skillsets needed to provide the appropriate support to them. 8. How do you assess what the caregiver is capable of doing? Not every caregiver is a match for every client’s needs. A good agency will conduct an initial assessment to determine the client’s requirements and evaluate each caregiver’s skills, strengths, and personality to provide a good match. 9. What is your policy on providing a substitute caregiver if a regular caregiver cannot provide the contracted services? Emergencies happen, but you need to know that your care needs will still be met. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton and other quality agencies have policies to ensure that clients are not left without a caregiver. 10. If there is dissatisfaction with a particular caregiver, can they be replaced “without cause”? Home care is very personal, and sometimes the right match between caregiver and client doesn’t happen right away. An agency like Visiting Angels Newton/Canton will work with you to find a different caregiver to make sure your loved one is cared for, and you have peace of mind. 11. Does the agency provide a supervisor to evaluate the quality of home care regularly? How frequently? Does supervision occur over the telephone, through progress reports, or in person at the older adult’s home? A combination of monitoring, such as telephone and in-home visits, is recommended to ensure the best level of care. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton assigns a case manager to each client and their family. The case manager supports the client and their family every step of the way. The office and on-call staff are also available to assist and support clients and their families twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 12. How long has the home care agency been in business? A national franchise should have a high level of agencies with a long track record — at Visiting Angels, 60% of all franchises have been in business five or more years, which is more than 10% higher than the national average. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has been in business for over seventeen years. 13. How does the agency stay abreast of new techniques and research in home care? Franchise agencies usually have a strong network of ongoing skills training to draw on. Still, every agency should participate in local network and education opportunities to ensure they are providing the most current care modalities. The Visiting Angels Newton/Canton staff and owners participate in ongoing training and franchise conferences regularly. 14. What hours can the caregivers work? When are they available? You need to be able to schedule help when you need it, and a good agency will work to provide care. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton offers hourly care, 24-hour home care and live-in services, temporary or long-term care, weekend and holiday care, as well as respite for family caregivers. 15. Can we meet the caregiver before the person starts work? Meeting and approving the proposed caregiver before hiring helps to reassure you and prepare your loved one. Caregivers and clients build a special bond and feel like part of the family if there is a good match. Starting up home care for a senior loved one can be daunting. Too often, families don’t know what questions to ask, so they choose an agency that may not be the right fit. It’s so important to ask questions and be confident that the agency you choose can stand by you when you need them. We hope these questions will help you feel more confident in your choices. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones in Newton, MA, and surrounding communities, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton at 617–795–2727. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency providing high-caliber home care services for seniors and people with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our home care assistance, senior companion support, respite for family caregivers, 24-hour and live-in home care, dementia, and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, and home health care services in Dedham, Needham, Natick, Wellesley, 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 can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. If you are interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones, contact us today at 617–795–2727 to schedule a free in-home consultation. 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. |
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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