It’s Your Turn to Take Care of Mom

There’s nothing like a mother’s love. Whether she was making your school lunch, giving you a pep talk after a disappointment, acting as your biggest cheerleader, or spoiling your kids, Mom was always there for you.

Perhaps that’s why it is so difficult for grown children to accept the fact that they are not always able to take care of an aging mother themselves. In a perfect world, you would be able to take care of your aging parent in your home or theirs, relying only on family to help you. But the reality is that caring for an aging or ill parent is a full-time job that can take a toll on the caregiver; add to that the demands of raising a family, working, and other responsibilities, and chances are you’ll need a little assistance along the way.

That’s where Visiting Angels come in. A national network of franchised non-medical senior homecare agencies, the company provides senior homecare to help elderly and older adults continue to live in their homes. These caring, experienced home caregiversprovide up to 24-hour care in the comfort of the client’s own home.

Unlike most elderly care service agencies that assign staff and schedule appointments with little input from their clients, Visiting Angels representatives begin by meeting with potential clients in order to get to know them. They also talk with involved family members, and when necessary, a person’s physician or social worker in order to develop an individualized program to manage the particular daily needs of each care recipient. Clients participate in selecting their own caregivers, and the client and her family have the final say in the selection process, ensuring that the match will be a good one.

You can be confident that your caregiver is qualified and has excellent references. “Character counts,” says Richard Bitner, of Visiting Angels. “We build relationships with families and hire only experienced caregivers who pass a rigorous screening process.”

“The families schedule is our schedule”. The company also emphasizes the intangible traits of the caregiver, such as a caring personality. Many of the company’s caregivers are former hospital staff who have grown tired of budget cuts taking over healthcare and who appreciate the opportunity to do one-on-one personal care.

“We want our clients to look forward to a visit by their caregiver,” says Bitner. “That’s why the client is in complete control from start to finish.” After the caregiver has been placed in your home, the company continues its personalized contact through telephone check-in and home visits to make sure you and your caregiver are a good match.

Although Visiting Angels are non-medical caregivers, they can provide a vital link in patient care. In cases where seniors are coming home from the hospital or a nursing home, the agency will consult with doctors, nursing home staff, social workers, physical therapists, and of course, the family, to establish each client’s personalized needs. In addition, although Visiting Angels do not dispense drugs, they can help monitor whether the patient is taking their medication.

Because caregivers have access to a great deal of health information about their clients, Visiting Angels is one of very few national non-medical senior homecare providers to be compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). “Such information is very sensitive, and all of our clients deserve the protection that HIPAA compliancy can provide,” says Bitner. Many families request we take their Mother’s to their Doctor for scheduled appointments, so we can keep the family in the loop.

In addition to offering joyful companionship, Visiting Angels will also do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping — other ways they can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton senior homecare agency provides high quality in-home care services to seniors and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care service, Alzheimer’s care, companion care, elderly care, respite support, transitional aid, and elder home care services in Wellesley, Newton, Needham, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns . While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Call us today at 617-795-2727 for more information!

Keep Elderly Minds Sharp Using Elder Care Services

Summary:  Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can keep elderly minds sharp, including a proper diet, physical exercise, and mental exercise.  Using elder home care services can assist a senior in a healthy routine to maintain a sharp mind.  Visiting Angels provides non-medical home care and joyful elderly companionship.
_______________________________________________________________________
 
A healthy lifestyle can lead to sharper minds in the elderly.  This fit standard of living includes healthy eating, exercise, and stimulating the mind with mental activity.  By using elder care services, a senior can get the support and encouragement they need to keep up with their physical and mental health.   

In addition to physical health, diet contributes to brain health and protects against cognitive decline.  Five servings of fruits and vegetables a day should be consumed, as well as fish once or twice a week.  Trans and saturated fats should always be avoided.  A companion from elder care services can make sure that someone living on their own will continue with their healthy eating, and not skip meals. 

Physical activity that maintains cardiac fitness and vascular health can take of your brain as well.  Preferably thirty minutes of exercise every day, but at least three times a week, allows for cardiovascular benefits.  This vascular health and maintenance translates into a sharp mind for seniors.  Hiring a compassionate home caregiver to visit an elderly loved one can make sure that a patient keeps up with their daily exercise routine. 

Engaging in mentally challenging activities can also keep elderly minds quick and healthy.  Reading, crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, games, brain teasers, or learning a new language or musical instrument keeps minds active and occupied.  They are also very enjoyable pastimes, and an elder care service providing a friend to share in these activities can be a positive experience. 

A non-medical home care agency provides personalized care for seniors as an alternative to assisted living facilities or nursing homes.  The longer a senior can remain in their own home, the more active both mentally and physically they will stay.  Companionship provided by home care agencies can help an individual with their routine and assist in their activities.  It is crucial your loved one continue to live a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a sharp mind. Elder care services contributes to this goal.   

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 elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care, Alzheimer's care, companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and senior home care services in Needham, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Wellesley, Newton, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us today at 617-795-2727 for a free in-home consultation!

Preventing Falls is Important to Senior Health

When you think of your aging loved ones, what do you worry about most? Is it a heart attack or stroke cutting short their life, or perhaps cancer? While these illnesses are very real worries for everyone as they age, it may surprise you to discover that falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and 75 percent of these falls occur in the older adult population.

Falls are the single largest cause of injury among seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. One-third of older adults who fall, sustain a hip fracture and are hospitalized, die within a year. 

Even if a fall does not result in hospitalization, fear of falling can become a major factor in seniors’ quality of life. Fear leads to inactivity and loss of confidence which in turn produces a cycle of fear, loss of self-confidence and inactivity.

Dr. Roberta A. Newton, Ph.D., Temple University College of Health Professions in Philadelphia has spearheaded efforts to study and research why falls occur and how they can be prevented. Recognizing the importance of preventing falls, Visiting Angels, a national network of franchised non-medical senior homecare agencies, has partnered with Dr. Newton to increase the public awareness and importance of this sometimes overlooked issue.

To help seniors and their families find out more about falls and how to prevent them, Visiting Angels, a senior home care services franchise, conducts free seminars across the country. “As our loved ones age, it is important to recognize that things like throw rugs that once didn’t warrant a second thought, now become household hazards. Mobility and agility limitations require a fresh look at the everyday contents of the home,” says Pat Drea Vice President of Operations. Here are some easy tips to help minimize the risk of life-altering falls for your loved ones.

* Throw rugs can be a tripping hazard. Either remove them or make sure they are securely tacked down.

* Add hand rails to all stairs.

* Clear clutter from walking paths, and make sure hallways and stairways are well-lit.

* Eliminate long extension cords that snake across a room. Plug lamps into outlets near the wall so cords are tucked away.

* Add grab bars next to the toilet, tub and shower.

* Getting in and out of the tub can be hazardous. In addition to grab bars, make sure the tub has non-skid mats. A tub seat may make showering easier, too.

* Trade in floppy slippers for well-fitting slippers with non-skid soles. Also, avoid night clothing that drags on the ground.

The experts at Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can help you check for hazards in your loved one’s home. Call Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, the home care agency in Newton, or call us at 617-795-2727 for a free consultation to help you assess your situation and address the elderly home care issues that are important to you and your family.

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 elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care, Alzheimer's home care, elderly companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and senior home care services in Newton, Chestnut Hill, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, and nearby towns . While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life.

What to Do When Your Loved One Needs Long Distance Care

You took that fantastic job offer in another state. Mom and dad were healthy and fine. As time passed, you were promoted and became successful. Dad passed away and mom is not doing well on her own. She’s reached an age where daily assistance may be necessary and you’re a 1,000 miles away. How do you manage this situation without picking up and moving your family or your mother? If this scenario sounds familiar, remote care giving might be the answer.

Visiting Angels supports remote care giving, taking the burden off families and loved ones of those that need care. “Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are not the only options available,” says Richard Bitner, President of the national franchise, Visiting Angels. Non-medical home care services allows your loved ones to live where they want to be … their own home.

Visiting Angels has over 300 senior home care agencies around the country to help educate families and provide care to seniors and people with disabilities. Here are some questions to consider when determining if your loved one needs professional care:

• Does your loved one need assistance with walking?
• Has their physical and/or emotional health been declining?
• Are they able to prepare nutritious daily meals?
• Are they able to shop for themselves?
• Are they able to manage their bills and financial responsibilities?
• Are they taking their medications on time?
• Are they still able to drive safely?
• Are they in need of companionship?
• Are they able to dress and groom themselves?

If your answers to these questions highlight a loss of ability for your loved one to care for themselves independently, professional elderly home care might be an option for you. When considering agencies, choose one that can offer more than basic homemaker services, including dressing, bathing and other hygienic activities. If the home care agency is based in Massachusetts, be sure to check that it is bonded, insured and accredited by Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts.

For piece of mind for you and your loved one, understand the caregiver’s background and experience. Home care agencies should be able to provide you this along with conducting a criminal background check on its employees. You also should be able to meet with the caregiver before you agree to services to make sure that personalities match and you are comfortable with the service they provide.

“And you should be entirely comfortable with the person helping your loved one,” adds Bitner. “For example, at Visiting Angels, we try to match the personalities of our clients with the personalities of our home caregivers. If something doesn’t fit, we find someone who does. This makes everyone happy and allows us to give the best care possible.”

Since home care services are non-medical, they currently are not covered by Medicare. But you do have options. Elderly home care services can be paid individually or by long term care insurance. Often, funds from associations are available as well. For example, contact the organization that is involved with the illness that your loved one is afflicted with. Funds are sometimes available for their members.

Veterans and their spouses might qualify for the Disability Pension for Aid and Attendance. Others decide to take out a reverse mortgage. Whatever your situation, the proper research can determine the best route for financing care.

Most importantly, stay in contact with your loved one and the people involved in their care. Establish periodic phone calls and visit when you are able. Conversation shows you care whether you are in the same room or across the country.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton senior homecare agency provides high quality in-home care services to seniors and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care service, Alzheimer's care, companion care, elderly care, respite support, transitional aid, and elder home care services in Wellesley, Newton, Needham, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us today at 617-795-2727 for more information!

Take the Pressure Off with Respite Senior Home Care

Summary:  There are many responsibilities when caring for an aging loved one and sometimes family members cannot be there all the time.  Senior home care services from Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can provide a much-needed respite for families.

________________________________________________________________________

Many adult children are finding themselves in the role of primary caregiver for their aging parents (and other family members).  There tends to be a great struggle to find the balance between juggling their own families, careers, and the responsibilities of caring for their parent(s).  When at all possible, it is advised to seek support and ways to incorporate personal time and wellbeing into the caregivers’ schedule.  Visiting Angels Newton/Canton respite senior home care is helpful with daily tasks, overnight support, and live-in care.

A home health aide can take over tasks such as household maintenance and daily chores. Your Visiting Angels Newton/Canton caregiver can assist with bathing and grooming, changing of linens, and laundry, preparing meals, and helping your loved one prepare for bed. Having the help of a home health aide brings a substantial difference and much-needed balance and piece of mind to the family and senior receiving the care.

In addition to chores and keeping up with household duties, maybe a challenge is overnight care, or even being responsible for someone who lives out of town.  It is not unusual for loved ones to live in other states and countries, making transition challenging and decision making an immediate priority.  If the adult child who is responsible for their parent lives out of town, how will their loved one get to a doctor’s appointment, have a companion to check in on them, or take their proper medication?  Hired elderly home care is available, offering caring, secure, and trained caregivers.  You may only need home care at night, so your loved one is not alone and has assistance as needed.  Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can provide overnight coverage as well as live-in caregivers, offering 24 hour a day, seven days a week coverage. 

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton provides caring, at-home caregivers offering respite for families, alleviating the stress of trying to balance career and family. Using Visiting Angels Newton/Canton’s services can assist with learning how to function in a new and unfamiliar role as caregiver to a parent.  Our caregivers allow the maintenance of a family’s schedule while providing personalized home care to their loved one. 

If you are looking for home care services in Brookline, Watertown, Newton, Canton, Wellesley and nearby areas, call Visiting Angels Newton/Canton at 617-795-2727 for a free in-home consultation.