Personalization Matters in Elder Care Services

 Given the close, personal nature of in-home elder care, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton believes that care should be tailored for each client. Furthermore, our clients must have a say in how their services are personalized.

Exemplary senior home care agencies give clients plenty of choices, allowing them to structure care as they see fit. Other providers offer limited flexibility and control, giving clients limited options for customized care. At a glance, you might not think that this makes a big difference. But in the world of eldercare services, the more control you’re afforded, the more likely there will be a positive outcome and satisfaction of care for your loved one.

Why Customization Matters in Senior Home Care

In-home services allow seniors and disabled adults the ability to “age in place,” i.e., live at home for as long as possible. Without in-home senior care, older adults may need to move into an assisted living or nursing care facility. With elder care, they can continue living in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure: at home. This is crucial for U.S. seniors, 90% of whom wish to age in place for as long as possible.

Yet “aging in place” only tells part of the story. Elderly home care services aren’t only there to help seniors remain in the same physical space. They’re also there to help seniors continue their preferred way of life. A home health aide can prepare favorite meals, assist with light housekeeping, offer accompaniment on social outings, and help senior adults maintain their lifestyle in many other ways.

The ideal elder care services provider will accommodate your loved one’s lifestyle preferences, as well as his or her unique age-related concerns. This is done through customized elder care services, in which the client gets to dictate critical aspects of care. This way, your loved one can build care around their current lifestyle, receiving care on their schedule and according to their personal preferences.

Compare this with pre-set caregiving programs. A pre-set approach forces your loved ones to rebuild their lives around their elder care services. Instead of continuing their usual routine, your loved one may need to accommodate their caregiver’s schedule.

With customized elder care services, your loved one won’t just continue to live in their home. They’ll also continue to live on their terms. The takeaway is simple: The more control they have during the care-planning process, the higher the quality of care they can expect.

Choosing the Right Elderly Home Care Services

Different elder care providers offer various levels of customization. It is recommended that you research home care agencies to find the right provider. You might find the perfect elder care agency on your first consultation or interview several agencies and caregivers before making your decision.

This process will be much easier if you know what you need from a home health aide. Before your first consultation, spend time speaking with your loved one about how they envision their life with eldercare. What are their current routines? How important is it that they continue them? Which aspects of their lifestyle are they most attached to and why? What are their biggest concerns about eldercare?

By asking and thinking about these questions, you and your loved one will have a much stronger sense of what you’re looking for in senior home care services. When evaluating different providers, you may want to ask:

• What kinds of scheduling options are available for my loved one?
• Can schedules be modified around my loved one’s existing routines?
• Will caregivers support my loved one’s favorite pastimes and activities?
• How much input will my loved one have in meal planning?
• Will care services be adjusted for my loved one’s specific needs?
• What systems exist to help my loved one find the right caregiver?

This pre-consultation process will also give you a firm sense of how to personalize care services. This way, you can take an active role in the care-planning process. When you find the right senior home care provider, you’ll be ready to make the necessary choices to ensure high-quality support and peace of mind.

Do you have a loved one in need of senior home care? Call Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today to request a free in-home consultation and discuss your loved one’s options for customized care.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency that has been providing high-caliber at-home living assistance to seniors and people with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our in-home care, elder companion support, live-in and 24-hour assistance, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, and respite care services in Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Brookline, Canton, Watertown, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Norwood, West Roxbury, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The non-medical assistance provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton home care providers can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life.

Professional Elder Care Supports Family Caregivers

 If you provide care for a loved one living with age-related challenges or disabilities, you’re not alone. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving & AARP, around 44 million Americans act as family caregivers.

While such a considerable portion of the population is involved in providing unpaid assistance for those they love, these individuals rarely have the support they require to maintain their health and well-being. That’s why it’s crucial for family caregivers to have access to reliable, high-quality elder care services they can reach out to for assistance.

Many people view elder care as being primarily beneficial for older adults who need support with necessary activities of daily living. However, professional care providers also work to promote family caregivers’ well-being by giving them respite from their duties, relief from worry, and time to focus on their own self-care.

At Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, we’re proud to offer in-home care services that support elderly adults and any family members or close friends who are involved in their care.

The Emotional, Physical, and Mental Demands of Being a Caregiver

Caring for a loved one can be demanding on many levels. For example, if your loved one requires support with getting out of bed, bathing, or general mobility, you may feel physically exhausted. Rather than using free time to cook yourself a healthy meal, get some exercise, or socialize with friends, you may find you no longer have the energy to do the kinds of activities that once brought you joy.

Caregiving is also mentally exhausting, which is especially challenging for those helping a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a memory disorder. Family caregivers are responsible for ensuring they’re loved one is keeping up with their medication schedules and attending the appropriate doctors’ appointments or therapies. It’s also up to you to keep your loved one mentally stimulated and engaged in conversation. Having to be “on” all the time can leave you feeling burned out.

Finally, family caregivers must also deal with a range of emotions that often arise when assisting a loved one with age-related challenges. Although you may wish you could focus on making memories and spending precious time with your loved one, it’s almost impossible to maintain the relationship you once had while also managing their care needs.

It is easy to become frustrated or angry when your loved one refuses care or pushes back on your caregiving style. After all, they may not be prepared for this kind of role reversal. It can also be heart-wrenching to see them struggle with daily living activities that once came naturally to them.

How Senior Home Care Services Help Family Caregivers

In-home elder care can make the responsibility of caring for a loved one so much more manageable. It’s totally up to you which tasks you want the home caregiver to handle and how often you want them to visit. You can choose to continue meeting some of your loved one’s age-related needs or concentrate on being the caring son, daughter, or grandchild you’ve always been.

From transportation to doctors’ appointments to medication reminders, mobility assistance, and dignified support with personal care, our team at Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can offer the assistance required to help older adults age in place. This means we can easily step in to deliver care while you’re on an extended vacation, or we can take over the management of your loved one’s care requirements completely.

You can also have a professional care provider visit for a few hours each week to give you a much-needed break from your duties. Doing so will give you the gratification of participating in your loved one’s care while ensuring you can maintain a balanced lifestyle. Visits can be scheduled around your work and social life, and you can build a flexible plan of care based on both your needs and the needs of your loved one.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

It’s never too early to get started with a professional care provider. Even if you feel your loved one’s needs are manageable for the moment, they could change significantly without warning. Helping your loved one become familiar with their caregiver and establishing a regular schedule will make the transition to professional in-home support manageable and more comfortable for everyone.

Still unsure of whether it’s time to get started with professional elder care? Here are some signs of stress that could indicate your responsibilities are having a negative impact on your health and well-being:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Constant worry or anxiety
• Often feeling overtired or exhausted
• Inability to adopt a regular sleep schedule
• Significant weight changes
• Frequent headaches or body aches
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy

If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones, contact us today.

Providing Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly Deserve

The healthy and safety of our clients and caregivers are our priority. 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 fulfill Visiting Angels’ mission of partnering with families to provide essential at home living assistance 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, following regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton 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 in-home dementia care, Alzheimer’s care, respite care, live-in and 24-hour care, companion care, transitional aid, and in-home care services in Brookline and Boston area neighborhoods, including Canton, Dedham, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Roslindale, Stoughton, Upper Back Bay, Watertown, Wellesley, West Roxbury, Westwood, and neighboring communities.

Care for the Elderly During the Holidays

 The holiday season offers many long-awaited experiences, from spending time with family and friends to enjoying favorite holiday meals. However, if you provide eldercare for a loved one, you may wonder how the holidays will affect your typical routine, especially this year.

Most of us experience some shake-up in our routines around the holidays, but these changes are often more acutely felt by seniors. We have outlined some tips below to help make caring for a senior living at home more comfortable on everyone involved during the holidays.

Make a Senior Care Plan for the Holidays

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 season. Here are just a few of the ways you can prepare:

• Healthy Eating Between Holiday Meals
  Indulging in delicious dishes is one of the most sacred holiday traditions. Not only do these nostalgic flavors bring back wonderful 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 will also have an easier time sticking to their doctor’s dietary guidelines.

• Exercise
  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.

• 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 the members of your family, 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.
  
• Fall Prevention at Family Members’ Homes
  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 make the home both safe and accessible to prevent your senior from falling. This could include removing rugs that present a fall hazard and installing nightlights if the senior stays overnight.
  
• Time Off for Yourself
  The holidays can be a stressful, chaotic time, especially for those who are frequently 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 get respite care service 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.

Visiting Angels Provides Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly Deserve

Visiting Angels’ priority remains the health and safety of its caregivers and the 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 fulfill Visiting Angels’ mission of partnering with families to provide essential at-home care 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 by 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 in-home dementia care, Alzheimer's care, respite care, live-in and 24-hour care, companion care, transitional aid, and in-home care services in Brookline, as well as Boston neighborhoods including Canton, Dedham, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Stoughton, Watertown, Wellesley, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The essential personal care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, can make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life.

Essential Elements of Senior Wellness

 Maintaining or enhancing one’s health and wellness shouldn’t stop at a predetermined age. It is universally beneficial to pursue a balanced mind and body by focusing on our physical well-being and happiness, fulfillment, and mental fortitude.

It’s never too late for your loved one to begin the path to living their best and most fulfilled life. With the assistance of family, friends, and professional in-home caregivers, seniors can successfully pursue the following seven elements of senior wellness.

Proper Diet

A proper diet is fundamental to good health. Without the right levels of nutrients, seniors will have trouble maintaining cognitive and physical energy. Here are a few nutritional recommendations:

• Flavor foods with spices and herbs, but use less salt: Seniors can lose the ability to taste salt in food, but don’t try to overcompensate. Too much salt can increase the risk of heart disease.
• Drink milk: Milk provides calcium and protein to promote healthy bones.
• Don’t depend too much on nutritional supplements: Vitamins and minerals in natural foods are always better than dietary supplements.

Sleep

According to research, most healthy seniors need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to feel recharged the next morning. Older adults may awake earlier in the morning due to body rhythm changes called advanced sleep phase syndrome.

However, this means older adults may need to go to bed earlier in the evening. Additionally, a range of physical conditions associated with aging can make it difficult for seniors to get enough sleep, causing sleep deprivation.

Here are some tips to help seniors get a better night’s sleep:

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the evenings
• Go to bed and wake at the same time every day, even on weekends
• Don’t take naps longer than about 20 minutes during the day, if possible
• Ask a doctor if a medication or physical condition could be preventing sleep
• A trained in-home caregiver could help monitor proper sleep habits and assist with any discomfort.

Physical Activity

A lack of exercise quickly leads to many health problems in both body and mind. Seniors don’t have to break records at the gym to stay healthy and feel well. A moderate amount of physical activity each day will keep the body in good working order and lead to a clearer mind and a greater sense of fulfillment.

Consider the following recommendations for senior activity:

• Older adults should achieve at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Gardening, walking, and outdoor hobbies can provide proper physical activity
• Cardiovascular health workouts and muscle-strengthening exercises are recommended together to prevent the potential for falls, heart attacks and many of the most common causes of senior debility

Socialization

Loneliness is a silent killer for the elderly and contributes to dementia, depression,  obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other mental and psychological conditions.

Older adults must have social interactions with others regularly to maintain their emotional well-being. Community activities, games, and projects can foster a sense of interest, usefulness, and social bonding. Even a good conversation from time to time is a necessity.

For seniors living at home alone, an in-home caregiver would provide companionship and support. 

Purpose

After retirement and withdrawal from economic and political involvement, seniors may need to find something new to provide direction and purpose.

Volunteer work and other activities that help others are excellent outlets for seniors to find self-purpose. A Visiting Angels caregiver could assist with transportation to and from such causes.

Safety

Falling is one of the most significant safety risks for seniors. Making a senior’s home physically safe and secure to navigate is the first step toward wellness.

Seniors also need protection from scammers who prey on the elderly. Family caregivers need to take precautions ahead of time to prevent senior loved ones from falling victim to telemarketing and online scams.

A home health aide can supervise and ensure both physical and non-physical safety measures for seniors.

Identity

As seniors grow older, they naturally begin to reflect on their lives and achievements. Seniors want to pass along their knowledge and information to younger generations.

Family and friends can help foster their senior loved one’s sense of identity and accomplishment by encouraging them to tell stories, write down memories, and participate in society as a mentor and teacher. Seniors may often discount the scope of what they’ve achieved during their life, but recognizing and celebrating these achievements can be an important source of satisfaction and well-being.

If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today.

Is In-Home Care Better Than Nursing Home Care?

Determining the best overall care for an elderly loved one can be an overwhelming decision. It begins with assessing the pros and cons of different senior care options and weighing relevant concerns such as personal preferences, financial considerations, and health. You may even experience feelings of guilt and doubt that can make decision-making more challenging.

As you consider what to do next and where to turn, the question of whether in-home care is better than nursing home care or an assisted living facility could arise. Here are seven benefits of in-home care:

Familiar surroundings

Perhaps the most apparent benefit of in-home care is that it allows older adults to remain in their homes, which limits disruptions associated with relocation and enables them to maintain their routines. Sudden changes in surroundings or habits can be particularly distressing for older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Customized care program

Whether your senior needs part-time care during specific hours of the day or 24/7 home care assistance, in-home care offers a variety of flexible scheduling options and a complete “menu of services” that can be customized to individual needs. Your loved one will be matched with a compatible home caregiver who can assist with specific tasks during the hours when care is needed.

Lower cost

In-home care is often less expensive than a nursing home or assisted living facility. Although many high-quality senior facilities offer comprehensive services, this “one-size-fits-all” model may result in your loved one paying for amenities that aren’t needed. Care options provided by in-home personal care providers can save many families money by paying only for required services on the days and times they need them most — without compromising on the quality and availability of care.

Additionally, remaining at home eliminates moving or storage costs that may come with a move to an older adult facility.

The personal relationship with a caregiver

In-home caregivers offer one-on-one care, which helps them develop a more personal relationship with clients. This level of personalized attention enables caregivers to learn about your senior loved one’s likes, dislikes, and interests. This approach also helps caregivers anticipate needs, communicate effectively, provide companionship, and identify issues that should be brought to your attention.

Safety/health benefits

Unfortunately, nursing homes have been among the hardest hit during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Opting for home-based senior care may reduce the chance your loved one catches a serious illness by limiting their exposure to other nursing home residents, caregivers, and staff members.

Privacy

Nursing home residents share outdoor spaces, visiting rooms, dining facilities, recreation spaces — and sometimes even a bedroom and bathroom — with other residents. In-home personal care allows your loved one to maintain their privacy and have access to familiar spaces on their terms and timeframes. Although a caregiver will be invited into their home, our personal care professionals are trained to respect your loved one’s privacy by providing assistance and companionship when needed and taking a step back when requested.

Encourages independence

Your loved one may require limited assistance with specific tasks. In that case, a move to a nursing home could force them to give up their cherished independence sooner than necessary. For example, your loved one may need help with grocery shopping. However, they still enjoy planning and preparing meals without assistance. Your loved one may not have the option to continue planning and preparing meals at a nursing home. An in-home caregiver allows your loved one to continue performing meal planning and preparation tasks independently while helping them receive assistance in other areas.

As a family caregiver, your loved one’s well-being is a top priority. Visiting Angel’s professional caregivers provide outstanding in-home care services for older adults – and peace of mind to family members. If you are considering home care for your loved one, our Visiting Angels care coordinators would be happy to discuss your loved one’s needs during a free in-home care consultation.

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, live-in care, companion care, respite care, transitional aid, and in-home elder care services in Watertown, Brookline, Stoughton, Canton, Dedham, Needham, Westwood, Norwood, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While non-medical 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.

Reasons to Hire a Professional In-Home Caregiver

When someone you love needs help to manage daily activities at home, it’s essential to take proactive steps to keep them safe, comfortable, and content. For many families, hiring a professional home caregiver is an effective and attentive way to promote their loved one’s health and happiness.

For older adults, mobility issues and other aspects of aging can lead to fears they’ll lose their independence and that they may have to leave their home and community. With the help of a professional home care provider, seniors who struggle with basic tasks, like cooking and grocery shopping, can receive the care they need and stay comfortably in their homes.

Benefits of Hiring a Certified Caregiver

Certified caregivers, such as an HHA or CNA, can assist with a wide range of day-to-day tasks while enriching your loved one’s life in the process. These tasks often range from preparing meals and cleaning up around the house to bringing your loved one to their appointments and making sure he or she keeps up with all of their medications.

Certified home caregivers can also provide discreet support with more intimate tasks like bathing, getting dressed, and using the bathroom. With this assistance, your loved one can maintain their personal hygiene — which is vital for their health and self-image — while minimizing the pain, discomfort, or risk of a fall.

While the concept of inviting a stranger into your loved one’s home may feel unnerving at first, the best care professionals are skilled at building warm, trusting relationships, so their clients feel at ease. That companionship can be crucial for seniors who have grown more isolated at home.

If you live in another area and aren’t able to visit your relative regularly, a professional caregiver can be there to provide daily support. Caregivers providing long-distance care can also give out-of-town family members regular updates about their loved one’s day-to-day life and condition.

Additionally, if you’re one of the millions of people across the country tending to a senior family member, hiring a caregiver can offer the relief you need to rest, recuperate, and keep up with other aspects of your life. Respite care allows you time to focus on your own needs while ensuring your family member has the support they need as well.

Visiting Angels can Meet Your Loved One’s Needs

As you approach this decision with your family, consider your loved one’s preferences alongside their care needs. Does your Mom want to remain at home as most seniors do? Which activities does she find more challenging to perform on her own? Are there times of day when she could benefit from more support than your busy schedule can accommodate?

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can help you address these questions during a free in-home care consultation. Then, we can work together to create a care plan and select the right caregiver(s) for your loved one.

We offer customized home care services that are available at any time, day, or night. Our caregivers assist seniors with a wide range of needs. These include:

• Walking assistance
• Medication reminders
• Grocery shopping and preparing meals
• Transportation to appointments and for other errands
• Laundry and other essential housekeeping duties
• Hygiene and grooming care
• Specialized care for dementia
• End of life and palliative care

Our compassionate caregivers are bonded and insured and have each undergone a rigorous vetting process to verify their skills and experience. Based on your loved one’s care needs and personality, we’ll recommend an in-home caregiver whom we believe will be the best fit.

If you're interested in more information about how in-home care can help your elderly loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton at 617-795-2727 today.

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, round-the-clock care, companion care, senior care, respite care, transitional aid, and home care services in Brookline, Watertown, Dedham, Needham, Westwood, Norwood, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While non-medical 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!

How to Talk to Your Elderly Loved One About COVID-19 Precautions

The Coronavirus is presenting a serious worldwide public health threat, and older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. The coronavirus pandemic has caused family caregivers to feel more anxious about their senior loved ones’ health and safety — especially when some senior adults are rejecting changes to their behaviors to protect against contracting COVID-19.

However, there are ways family caregivers can protect elderly loved ones and help them understand why coronavirus is a cause for concern.

Get the Facts About COVID-19 And the Elderly

Before talking to your older loved ones about COVID-19, you should arm yourself with facts and information from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or state and local health departments.

Providing them with information from a healthcare provider or community organization is an effective way to boost credibility. You should also correct any misinformation that may be driving their inaccurate beliefs or behavior.

Understand Seniors’ Position About COVID-19

To help your elderly loved ones realize the seriousness of COVID-19, you need to uncover the reasons behind their behavior — and the best way to do this is by asking questions. You might start by asking them what they have heard about COVID-19, what they think about the pandemic, and what they have done to prepare.

What you learn might surprise you. For example, a senior who is coping with cognitive decline may not understand or remember information they hear about COVID-19 and forget to follow essential safety precautions.

Older adults may incorrectly believe the virus won’t affect them because they are in good health, aren’t THAT old, have “survived worse,” or never get sick. Some older adults may not understand how their refusal to follow public health guidance could contribute to the spread of the virus — or, they could simply be reluctant to take orders from the government or their loved ones.

It’s also vital for family caregivers to remember a senior’s reason for failing to take COVID-19 seriously could be related to other factors, such as fear of isolation, concern over changing routines, or anxiety over an uncertain situation.

Whatever the cause, learning more about the reasons behind your loved one’s stubbornness can help you develop the best persuasion strategy.

Make Your Case

When making your case, it’s critical to use the right tone and approach. Pressuring, badgering, or talking down to your elderly loved ones could make it less likely they will listen to your advice. Make sure you let them know you aren’t trying to upset them and are only concerned about their health and safety.

Make sure you address their specific concerns as much as possible. For example, if your loved ones are concerned about losing touch with family members, you could help them develop a plan to keep in touch and provide them with creative ways to communicate during social distancing. If they are concerned about missing their favorite activities, you could help them research safe alternatives or find new ways to stay active during the coronavirus pandemic.

If they have concerns about being able to take care of themselves or obtain supplies during lockdowns, you could arrange for qualified home care workers to provide essential services during the coronavirus if they need help with daily activities.

You could also mention the steps that you, or someone your loved ones know and respect, have taken to prepare or comply with public health guidelines.

Be Open to Two-Way Communication

No matter how your older loved ones respond, it is essential that you avoid harming your relationship. Simply let them know you will be available to help them and answer any future questions they may have.

Part of protecting your older loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic means doing your best to help them understand the seriousness of the situation and teaching them how to keep themselves — and others — safe.

If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care services can help your elderly loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton:

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home living assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our home Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, elderly companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and home care services in Stoughton, Canton, Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While primarily personal in nature, the senior home 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 for a free in-home consultation!

We are staying Diligent

As the confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in our area, we are monitoring the situation and the advice from public health authorities. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton remains committed to our responsibility as your senior home care provider during this time. We recognize that our Visiting Angels home caregivers allow seniors to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, wherever that may be, and that some of our clients cannot get through the day or night without a home care aide. We want to assure you that we are communicating to our caregivers to follow best practices, including hand-washing, and staying home if they are feeling ill or have traveled to Level 3 CDC countries.

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!