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! 

5 Tips for Senior Care During the Holiday Season

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 Eating

Indulging 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 Ritual

The 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 Stress

Many 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 Family

The 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 Break

The 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.

Balancing Senior Care with Working from Home

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-19

Here 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.

Personal Caregivers Make Assisted Living Care Easy

If your loved one can no longer manage basic daily tasks, you may worry about their safety and comfort at home. This is especially true if you have reason to believe they cannot move easily, are not eating well, or starting to withdraw from others. Many families turn to assisted living communities, which allow seniors to maintain a level of independence while receiving ongoing support with everyday tasks.

Within these communities, your loved one may receive regular meals, participate in communal activities, access laundry and housekeeping services, and receive personal care, including bathing and dressing support.

However, as beneficial as these services can be for your loved one, you may still have concerns about their overall quality of life. This is especially true if you, like so many adult children, live in a different city or state from your elderly parents and cannot visit as often as you’d like.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton home care agency can help.

Professional Caregivers Enhance Assisted Living Care

As the demand for quality senior care soars, assisted living facilities are often functioning at capacity, catering to the needs of many residents at once. While your loved one may have access to many amenities, it’s natural to wonder if their needs are fully met.

By hiring a one-on-one caregiver from Visiting Angels Newton/Canton who is professionally certified as an HHA or CNA to assist your loved one, you can supplement the care they receive through assisted living, improve their quality of life, and enjoy greater peace of mind yourself.

The benefits of hiring an in-home caregiver from a home care agency for your loved one in assisted living include:

• One-on-one attention for more personalized care

A professional caregiver can ensure your loved one has their care professional’s full and undivided attention, with no other distractions or obligations. Your loved ones can have their needs addressed in the moment and on their schedule.

• Chance to build a true bond

Since your loved one will see the same home care provider during each visit, they’ll have the opportunity to develop a relationship based on trust, respect, and genuine friendship.

• Direct line of contact for greater peace of mind

In addition to whatever details you receive from your loved one and their community, you’ll have day-by-day insight from their caregiver. This will provide a clearer sense of how they are doing and a greater sense of connection and involvement in their care.

How Senior Home Care Can Complement Your Assisted Living Experience

At Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, our compassionate care professionals offer personalized home care services for seniors — wherever home may be.

Depending on your loved one’s needs and preferences, we can assist with everyday tasks, including:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Companionship
• Meal preparation
• Errands and groceries
• Medication reminders
• Walking and transferring support

Through our flexible care plans and schedules, we offer seniors the opportunity to age in place at home or to enjoy a higher quality of life within their assisted living community. We also work closely with families to keep them fully informed and involved in their loved one’s care.

If someone you love needs more support to live comfortably and contentedly at home or in assisted living, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can be there in whatever form they need.

If you’re interested in more information about how senior home care services can help your senior loved ones, contact us at 617–795–2727 to schedule 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 in-home care services for seniors and people with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our in-home care, senior companion support, respite care, live-in and 24-hour home care, dementia care, Alzheimer home 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 can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is one of The Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work, one of the 10 Best Places to Work in Massachusetts based on diversity and inclusion, and winner of the Best of Home Care Employer of Choice award from Home Care Pulse.

Interested in working for us?
Apply to be a caregiver on our website or call 617–795–2727.

Caring for Visually-Impaired Seniors

 

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

• Glare or haziness

• Night blindness

• Blurred vision

• Difficulty with sight while driving

• Reading struggles

• Recognizing the faces of people

Your senior loved one may need regular eye exams to check for early warning signs of low vision. If you notice any changes in your loved one’s vision that may be causing problems, make sure to inform an eye care professional. 

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.