How to Care for Your Senior with Respect

 

If you’re a family member or an adult child caring for a senior parent, you understand it’s a complex relationship. The roles you traditionally held are reversed. Now that you’re in the position of providing senior care, it’s up to you to explain the doctor’s instructions and make sure your parents are taking their medications. You’re the teacher to the person who once taught you. 

The caregiver role can be incredibly stressful but try to remember that while you are thrust into a new role, so are they. To them, it probably feels like only yesterday they could jump into their car to run errands or hop on a flight to explore another country. Now, not only is their world a lot smaller, they may be forced to navigate it with a walker or scooter. But it’s important to remember, they are still the same people inside, even if their mobility and level of independence have changed. 

Respectful Senior Care Strategies 

As a quality home care agency, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton understands that family caregivers play an integral role in keeping their loved ones safe and happy at home. We also know that this role comes with a lot of stress. Below, we have put together a list of senior care strategies that can help family caregivers respectfully communicate, engage, and care for their loved ones. 

Subtly Assist Them 

Many seniors want to feel as independent as possible. Even though they may need assistance stepping off a curb, they don’t want to feel dependent. Those are the times to subtly assist. You can casually offer help with a comment like, “Wow, this curb looks slippery, let’s hang onto one another!” By inserting yourself into the situation, they won’t feel as needy. 

Listen to Them 

The world spins quickly for elderly people, and they may not be current with trending topics. They may instead wish to regale you with tales from their younger years. Let them. You may know the stories by heart, but if sharing them gives your loved one joy, then that’s all that matters. 

Defer to Them 

Over a holiday or family dinner, it’s easy for seniors to get lost in the conversations whizzing around them. Take opportunities to ask them what they think or encourage them to share a story about the topics being discussed. Giving them center stage can help to make them still feel connected to the family and the world around them. 

Gift of Your Time 

Time is a precious commodity, so give them quality time. You may have spent several hours on a Tuesday going to and from a doctor’s appointment. But, if possible, make a plan to pick up dinner another night that week and bring it over so you can enjoy a movie together. Their days are often full of maintenance-type, medical-driven tasks, so gifting your time to make new memories is priceless. 

Empathize with Your Senior 

Picture yourself in 40 years. Would you want to be treated differently just because you’re wearing a sweater or carrying a cane? Try to relate to what this new chapter is like for them. We know you want the best for your loved one, but we also understand that providing elder care is challenging with a busy life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, now is a good time to ask for help. 

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton is here to support you and your family with senior home care services. We can provide care in a way that makes sense for your family and your needs. Our professional in-home caregivers can handle personal care and household tasks, like showering, dressing and preparing meals, so you can focus on spending quality time together and building lasting memories. 
Together with your family, we will give your loved one all the respect and love they deserve. 

 

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton  

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency that has been providing quality in-home care for the elderly and people with disabilities for over eighteen years. Countless families have benefited from our respite home care, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, companionship service, live-in and 24-hour senior care, transitional aid, and elder home care services in Norwood, Westwood, Dedham, Needham, Newton, Boston’s (Upper) Back Bay, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, 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! 

Debunking Myths About Senior Home Care

Senior home care services are invaluable to older adults and their families. Professional in-home caregivers provide meaningful companionship and socialization, helping seniors age in place safely and comfortably. Families are assured that their senior loved one is receiving dedicated and compassionate care from a qualified responsible professional.

Misconceptions about in-home personal care do exist and may prevent the elderly and their families from considering this service. Here are four common senior home care myths and facts you need to know.

Myth: Senior home care is low-quality compared to nursing home care.

Fact: Visiting Angels Newton/Canton’s certified HHA and CNA caregivers undergo comprehensive background checks. They have the opportunity to participate in robust training on topics that include fall prevention, home safety, dementia care, and internal policies and procedures.

Visiting Angels’ caregivers are fully focused on their senior client’s needs — whether those requests include personal care assistance, light household tasks, or companionship. A Visiting Angels caregiver will get to know a senior loved one, making it easier to identify changes or concerns and update the family.

In contrast, nursing home staff typically care for several residents during each shift and may not have time to provide meaningful companionship to each resident. Living in a nursing home is also associated with a greater risk of contracting colds, flu, COVID-19, gastrointestinal viruses, and other contagious illnesses when compared to one-on-one personal care in the home.

Myth: Aging in place isn’t safe.

Fact: Visiting Angels Newton/Canton offers a comprehensive Fall Prevention Program, which includes a home safety walk-through and fall risk assessment. Our case managers will identify tripping hazards, poorly lit areas, and bathroom/kitchen risks and suggest modifications.

Our well-trained caregivers help seniors with mobility concerns navigate their home safely and reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Caregivers also keep seniors safe by helping them with light housekeeping duties, transportation, errands, and meal preparation.

Myth: In-home care is only for people who are very sick.

Fact: Home care is for any older adult who wants to remain independent and stay at home as long as possible. Professional in-home caregivers can provide the full spectrum of non-medical, supportive senior care — including assisting seniors who need companionship to prevent social isolation and managing unique personal care needs. They often serve as the hands and feet of their client to help them accomplish what they want to do.

Myth: Home care means giving up independence.

Fact: The thought of losing independence is scary for anyone. But hiring an in-home caregiver doesn’t mean an older adult is losing independence — in fact, it means the opposite. Professional home care enables seniors to maintain independence and provides them with the assistance they need to continue living safely at home.

Visiting Angels’ caregivers pride themselves on helping seniors maximize their abilities and providing them a sense of purpose and control over their care. Although a caregiver may make recommendations to enhance quality of life, seniors and their families have the final say on the home care plan.

Questions?

Hopefully, we have debunked some of the myths about home care services. If you are planning for a loved one’s future care or have an immediate need for in-home care, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton for an in-home, no-cost, no-obligation assessment. Our case managers will discuss your loved one’s specific situation, answer your home care questions, recommend a plan to provide the level of care that will meet your senior’s needs — and dispel any myths you may have heard about home care..

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA has been providing superior quality at-home care services for seniors and adults with disabilities for over eighteen years. Countless families have benefited from our private duty care, respite home care, companion care, live-in and 24/7 home care, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, and at-home living assistance in Needham, Dedham, Brookline, Watertown, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Stoughton, Canton, Jamaica Plain, 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 and CNA caregiver jobs.

How a Qualified Home Caregiver Works to Help Your Senior

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:

• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Errands and shopping
• Socialization and companionship
• Medication reminders
• Accompany to doctor appointments
• Dressing and laundry
• Walks, exercise routines
• Personal hygiene and bathing assistance
• Assist with all ADLs & transfers

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!

What to Look for in a Caregiver Job in Massachusetts

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.