Home Caregivers Provide Essential Services for Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic

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:

• Doorknobs
• Light switches
• Counters
• Cabinets
• Phones
• Remote controls
• Handles on toilets and faucets

Home Caregivers on the Frontlines in the Fight Against COVID-19

COVID-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:

• Maintaining a routine

COVID-19 has altered the way many people go about their day. Drastic changes to daily routines may upset some seniors, mainly if they are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Predictable visits from an in-home caregiver can help seniors feel safe and comforted. Senior home caregivers also help maintain familiar routines as much as possible and ease the process of adapting to sudden necessary changes.

• Helping seniors to communicate with loved ones

Visiting Angels caregivers help seniors find new ways to connect with their loved ones. Whether setting up a new communication or virtual device or encouraging seniors to write letters, caregivers encourage clients to stay in touch with family and friends.

• Helping older adults “stock up”

Visiting Angels’ caregivers also help seniors obtain necessary household supplies by arranging for the delivery of life-sustaining medications, groceries, and other goods.

• Giving serenity to families

Visits from home health aides also provide peace of mind for families who are separated from seniors due to social distancing or because of long-distance caregiving. Through a partnership with Constant Companion, an Amazon Alexa-based system, Visiting Angels offers a useful senior home care tool that responds to voice-activated medical alerts and keeps seniors connected to their families and communities.

• Notifying family members

Visiting Angels keeps an open line of communication with an elderly loved one’s point-of-contact and new communication frequent updates. Caregivers continually check and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. If caregivers observe any disturbing symptoms, they will immediately alert the case manager as well as family members. In addition to monitoring a senior’s health and wellness, in-home caregivers watch for signs of depression and anxiety while looking out for changes in overall well-being.

Providing Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly Deserve

Visiting 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!