In-Home Senior Care

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Tips for Making the Most of Assisted Living Services

Good elderly care is important. Whether you are an assisted living patient yourself or looking for care services for a loved one, you might have some questions about the world of assisted living. For anyone new to assisted living services, it can be helpful to learn more about how to maximize the experience.

Keep reading for some great tips on how to make the most of assisted living services.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living can be defined as a lifestyle for elderly people who cannot or choose not to live independently. Assisted living services involve the help of caregivers who support their patients in a variety of ways. This can range from periodic check-ins to around-the-clock care.

Typical assisted living services can vary depending on the level of care needed. However, there are a number of common activities you can expect from a caregiver, including:

Mobility support

Doing chores (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.)

Assistance with morning and bedtime routine

Help with hygiene and bathing

Medication reminders

Most people think of assisted living as occurring in a residential facility. While this is a popular form of care for many seniors, there are multiple approaches to assisted living. This includes assisted living in a residential community and in-home assisted living.

Make Yourself Comfortable

Assisted living patients can benefit greatly by becoming comfortable with the care they are receiving. Some elderly care patients might have trouble accepting assistance and support at first. It can be scary to accept help from others, especially when it requires putting your trust in new caregivers.

For patients, being comfortable with their living space and their caregivers can help make care more enjoyable. Family members can participate in this process as well. If you have a loved one utilizing assisted living, you can contribute to making them more comfortable with the situation.

Lead by example. Help make their living space comfortable, stay open-minded, ask for help when needed, and get to know your loved one’s caregivers.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

Many elderly care patients struggle to ask for help, even when they need it. This can be difficult for family caregivers as well. For both parties, reaching out for help can go a long way.

Assisted living services are intended to make people’s lives easier. While it may feel difficult at first, elderly patients should be encouraged to voice their needs with their caregivers.

If you have an elderly parent or loved one in assisted living, you can have an active role in this practice. Reach out to your loved one’s caregivers if you want to advocate for their needs. Sometimes when patients struggle to ask for help, it can be beneficial to have a loved one speak up for them.

Reevaluate Regularly

An elderly patient’s care needs often evolve and progress. Someone who begins assisted living with a low level of care is likely to need increased assistance as they age further. This is why reevaluating a patient’s care needs regularly is important.

Patients can consult with both their doctors and caregivers periodically to make sure they are receiving the proper level of assistance. If you are responsible for an elderly loved one, you can help reevaluate their needs.

Consult with their primary physician, as well as their caregivers and care agency on a regular basis. Be prepared to increase their care if they become less independent for any reason.

Reacting to accidents and illness is also important. When a senior has a hospital visit, major surgery, or develops a new or worsening condition, it is probably a good time to reevaluate their caregiving needs.  

Connect and Communicate With Caregivers

Getting to know caregivers is one of the most important and most helpful ways to maximize the assisted living experience. Connecting and communicating with caregivers can greatly increase the quality of care for care patients. When a caregiver knows their patients well, they can better respond to their needs.

Having a good relationship with caregivers can also make assisted living more enjoyable. Many care patients build close friendships and connections with their caregivers. This is a beautiful occurrence that often brings joy and compassion to people’s elderly years.

Ideally, assisted living is a positive experience for elderly care patients. With good caregivers and ample support, patients can enjoy their golden years with help along the way.

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Is In-Home Care the New Normal?

The world of elderly care is changing. Like so many other industries impacted by the pandemic, the way that caregiving agencies now approach their jobs work not the same as it was just a few months ago. Since the advent of coronavirus, new protocols to prevent viral spread have influenced nearly every aspect of caregiving work. With social distancing, the use of PPEs, and heightened disinfecting practices, providing often hands-on care certainly has its obstacles.

In-Home Care v.s. Residential Care

Many clients and colleagues are now asking me how these impacts are influencing elderly care. Minimizing contact with others is a clear way to diminish any potential for contracting the virus. With that being said, are people more inclined to avoid nursing homes and group-care settings out of fear of falling ill? With efforts to stay at home, is in-home care the new normal?

Differentiating between in-home care and residential care has always been an important distinction in caregiving. Now, the spread of COVID-19 adds a new layer to the differences between these two forms of care.  

As a provider of in-home care for over a decade, I want to help highlight why in-home care is seeing an upward trend that might have lasting effects.

The Residential Care Industry Faces Unique Challenges

Both in-home care and residential care services face challenges surrounding the spread of COVID-19. Caregivers must take extra precautions in both situations by wearing PPEs, increasing cleaning practices, and social distancing whenever possible. But with a communal style of living making these practices more difficult, does residential elderly care face the brunt of the challenges posed by the virus?

I have seen a lot of residential facilities properly adjust their protocols in order to better protect residents from the virus and prevent outbreaks. Unfortunately, this has some undesirable consequences that make residential life less enjoyable.

Many of the previous selling points of residential care are gone for the time being. Where residents used to enjoy socializing at meals and events, most nursing home residents are now confined to their rooms in order to adhere to social distancing practices. Building facilities such as gyms, pools, and common rooms are also largely restricted and less open for residents to enjoy.

Recognizing the Trend

These shifts provide a lot of explanation as to why many families might be more inclined to opt for in-home care for their loved ones today. Along with the unfortunate new downsides of residential care come new benefits of in-home care.

Elderly care patients can now enjoy more freedom at home than living in a residential community, as in-home care requires fewer COVID-19 protocols than residential care when it comes to social distancing measures.

Families might also feel that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is lower with in-home care. Patients can limit their interactions with anyone outside of their household to just their caregivers. This also avoids the scary potential of an outbreak that is always a concern in large living communities.

Choose the Care That’s Right for You

As an in-home care provider, I have helped families enjoy the many benefits of in-home caregiving for over a decade now. I have also worked closely with many residential care facilities, and recognize the benefits that nursing homes and senior living communities provide to many seniors.

I know from firsthand experience that different situations call for different types of care, and that it is important for everyone to have access to the form of elderly care that is right for them. Ultimately, reasons unrelated to COVID-19 might make certain forms of elderly care more ideal for different individuals.

However, there is no denying that now, COVID-19 is an huge factor that might influence people’s elderly care decisions.

Lasting Impacts on Elderly Care

While the future of the pandemic is uncertain, it will definitely continue to have lasting impacts on the way we conduct many activities of daily life. Even when coronavirus cases see a downward trend, caregiving facilities and agencies will likely continue to adhere to increased cleanliness and safety protocols.

When it comes to safety for seniors in need of care, in-home care is developing an understandable reputation for the most secure model of caregiving given the latest circumstances. In the era of “staying at home”, I see a clear case for in-home care as the new normal.

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The Benefits of Elderly Home Care During COVID-19

With the continued spread of COVID-19, elderly home care offers new and promising benefits. For many elderly individuals, receiving care at home increases convenience and comfort. Now, elderly home care might also keep patients better protected from COVID-19.

A lot has changed in the world of elderly care since the advent of COVID-19. If you are currently searching for caregiving services for a loved one, you might want to consider the emerging benefits of in-home care.

Stay at Home with Ease

Even after the end of official “stay-at-home” orders, many people are continuing to stay home as a safety measure. Staying out of public spaces can decrease the potential risk of coming in contact with the virus.

Home care services can help elderly patients stay home and safe. Many caregivers are even able to go shopping for their patient’s groceries and basic necessities.

Before the spread of COVID-19, having the help of a caregiver for errands could provide extreme convenience for many elderly patients with limited mobility. Now, it can also be lifesaving as it helps elderly individuals comply with CDC recommendations to stay at home.

Minimize Contact with Others

During the pandemic, home care is helping caregiving patients minimize contact with others.

In nursing homes and other residential care facilities, patients might come in contact with a multitude of caregivers and other residents. Home care allows clients to limit their contact to just two or three caregivers.

This is especially beneficial in light of the spread of COVID-19. Minimizing interactions to just a small group of people can significantly cut down on viral spread. Receiving care from just a couple of trusted caregivers is an easy way for elderly patients to keep their contact circles smaller.

Find Companionship

Having home caregivers can also give elderly patients an opportunity for companionship. With just one or two regular caregivers, patients can build strong and trusting relationships with those who provide their care.

The consequences of COVID-19 have brought on feelings of loneliness and isolation for many. Having a trusted companionship with caregivers can make an invaluable difference for seniors who might otherwise be isolated, and even afraid right now.

While many nursing homes and senior living communities once provided great opportunities for social interaction amongst residents, this is currently not the case. In order to maintain social distancing, many residents in living communities are currently confined to their rooms. Whereas home care may have previously been a more isolating option in elderly care, it currently gives patients more freedom and social interaction than they otherwise might not be able to enjoy.

Maintain Health and Wellness

With COVID-19 cases overwhelming hospitals, avoiding ER and doctor’s visits is perhaps more important now than ever. Maintaining all aspects of one’s health and wellness will not only improve general longevity, but better protect individuals from COVID-19.

This is an important factor to consider for elderly individuals who might be receiving care for the first time. If you have a loved one who is not currently utilizing caregiving services, consider how the spread of COVID-19 might influence your decision.

Is your loved one at risk of falls or other at-home accidents? Do they need assistance doing chores and errands? Have they recently experienced a notable decline in their physical or mental health?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, now might be a good time to consider elderly care. With the extenuating circumstances of the pandemic, elderly home care might provide added benefits for your loved one that can keep them as safe, happy, and healthy as possible.

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24 Hour In-Home Care Versus Live-In Care

Many elderly individuals will require some form of caregiving as they age. For those who need around-the-clock care, receiving this care at home is often a good option. When organizing full-time home care, it can help to know the differences between 24-hour in-home care and live-in care.

If you have already decided on home care over facility care for your loved one, you will need to choose between 24-hour in-home care and live-in care. Both provide around-the-clock care for patients, often with similar services and resources. They vary, however, in the duration of a caregiver’s shift and the number of caregivers someone might have over the course of the day. They can also vary in the type of payment plan and cost.

The Basics of 24-Hour In-Home Care

The term 24-hour in-home care might sound self-explanatory, but it is helpful to know the details of the services provided.

Caregiver Shifts

With 24-hour in-home care, a patient will receive full-time care from caregivers who work in 8 to 12 hour shifts. This means that in a 24-hour period, a patient will typically have 2 or 3 different caregivers working in their home.

Payment

Payment for 24-hour in-home care is usually at an hourly rate.

The Basics of Live-In Care

Live-in care is similar to 24-hour in-home care in many ways, but it varies slightly. The main differentiation with live-in is the way that caregiver shifts work.

Caregiver shifts

With live-in care, a patient will receive care from one caregiver in a 24-hour time period. Out of the 24 hours, the caregiver will sleep for 8 hours, and has a 4-hour break during the day. Families can decide to hire supplemental caregivers for these break periods, provide their own care, or leave their loved one without immediate care at these times.

Live-in caregivers can be scheduled for multiple days at a time, but usually only work for 4 to 5 consecutive days. This is intended to give a caregiver adequate rest from the demands of a live-in situation. On a primary caregiver’s off days, a patient might have an alternate caregiver that works fewer days of the week.

Providing Room and Board

It is important to note that clients must provide room and board for live-in caregivers. If you want to hire a live-in caregiver for your loved one, you will need to confirm that they have access to an extra bedroom or at least a bed.

Payment

Payment for live-in care is typically a daily flat rate. This does not include additional care during the live-in caregiver’s 4 and 8 hour breaks. Coverage from a supplemental caregiver during these times will likely be billed hourly.

Hiring Caregivers

The most common way to hire both 24-hour in-home and live-in caregiving services is through a home care agency. There are many companies that are dedicated to providing professional in-home caregivers for people in need of individualized care. A good care agency will ensure that all of their caregivers go through a rigorous training process, so you can feel secure that your loved one will receive professional, attentive care.

Because the main difference between the two home-care approaches is the shifts, no the type of care, it is safe to expect a similar style and standard of caregiving.

24-Hour In-Home Care–Pros

Caregivers might be more attentive due to shorter shifts.

More flexibility in scheduling.

Does not require an extra bedroom or bed to accommodate a caregiver.

Cons

A greater number of caregivers working can make it harder for a patient to build a deep, trustworthy connection with their caregivers.

More caregivers entering the home on a daily/weekly basis might be less optimal during the COVID-19 crisis.

The cost is typically higher due to hourly rates.

Live-In Care–Pros

A smaller, more consistent pool of caregivers might allow patients to get to know their caregivers better.

Having fewer regular caregivers minimizes contact with outsiders during the COVID-19 crisis.

Typically the more affordable option.

Cons

Longer shifts might lead to tired, less attentive caregivers

Clients must provide sleeping arrangements for the caregiver, which not every home has space for.

For care during a primary caregiver’s 4 hour breaks, it is necessary to arrange supplemental coverage.

If you are exploring full-time care services for a loved one, weighing your options is important. Hopefully, this breakdown can help you make an informed decision about the best-suited approach for your loved one’s needs.

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How to Support Someone Who is Aging in Place

You have likely heard the phrase “aging in place” before. According to the National Institute on Aging, the term refers to the practice of staying in one’s home as they grow old. If you have a loved one who has decided to age in place, it is important to learn more about what the process entails and how you can be involved.

While the process might sound relatively simple, aging in place requires proper guidance, preparation, resources, and support. With these safeguards in place, it can be a good option for many elderly individuals looking for the most comfortable way to spend their later years. Learning more about the potential needs or obstacles your loved one might face as they age at home can help you provide better support.

Evaluate Their Needs

You can help your loved one by evaluating the assistance they will need while they continue to live as independently as possible. This includes accounting for any future events in which they might become less independent and begin to need more help.

When discerning what needs might come with aging at home, consider the following questions:

Does your loved one require daily assistance? (i.e. help cooking, cleaning, bathing, remembering to take medications, etc.)

Does your loved one have limited mobility?

Does your loved one live alone? With a spouse, family, or roommates?

Does your loved one have any disabilities? Is your loved one prone to falls or other household accidents?

Does your loved one have any conditions that will require more help over time?

Can your loved one drive? If not, is there access to public transportation, alternate transportation services, or transportation from friends and family?

Are you, or any other friends or family members, living close to your loved one?

These are just a few factors that might impact your loved one as they age in place. Asking these questions will help you meet your loved one’s daily needs, as well as prepare for any future events.

Additionally, speaking with their doctor is a good idea. Your loved one’s regular doctor can likely help develop a clear idea of what their physical needs will entail.

Tips for Planning

Having a plan for how to best support your loved one can help make your involvement easier. There are multiple ways to prepare and organize for someone who is aging in place. This ranges from preparing for worst-case scenarios, as well as working to improve their daily happiness and quality of life.

Some tips for planning include:

Develop a plan for medical emergencies: decide beforehand how you will manage the issues that come with a medical emergency.

Determine who will be providing your loved one’s regular assistance: This is not always limited to one person. Whether this is just you, other family caregivers, or a professional care expert, it is important to have a clear idea of who will be involved.

Provide rides: If your loved one cannot drive, it is important to help them get around. Create a ride schedule, find good public transportation, or sign up your loved one for ride services like Lyft.

Enlist the help of neighbors and friends: This is especially important if you do not live nearby. Ask trusted neighbors or locally based friends to check in on your loved one when you cannot.

Find enjoyable activities: Many elderly people struggle with isolation and loneliness. This is often intensified for those living alone at home. Help your loved one find enjoyable activities. Senior centers socials, meet-ups, weekly classes, and hobbies can help seniors maintain happiness.

Prepare for the future: Aging is inevitable. Unfortunately, this also means that your loved one will likely need increased assistance as time passes. Even if your loved one is rather independent now, prepare for what additional services they might need down the road.

Continuously reassess: A Senior’s needs can change rapidly. Make sure to continuously reassess whether or not their situation is working.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Aging in place is a beneficial option for many elderly adults. However, it is not ideal for everyone. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of aging in place can help determine whether it is the right choice for your loved one.

Pros

The obvious benefits of aging in place include comfort and initial convenience. Your loved one will not have to move. Many seniors who move to a nursing home or senior living community struggle to acclimate to a new environment. Leaving the familiarity of home can be upsetting, and avoiding this experience can preserve peace of mind.

Aging in place can also help seniors maintain a sense of independence. Even for those who might need regular assistance, it might feel like less of a surrender to receive this help at home, as opposed to in a care facility.

Aging at home is often financially optimal as well. Nursing homes and other care facilities often charge high monthly fees. Even if you are paying for professional in-home care, aging at home can be affordable in comparison to alternatives.

Cons

Aging in place has its pitfalls as well, many of which become intensified over time. In many instances, the process is unsustainable. Your loved one might be able to live at home for a period of time, but quickly begin to need more and more care. When a senior’s needs increase rapidly, aging in place can suddenly become unfeasible.

Aging in place often requires a high level of involvement from others. This can be an obstacle for elderly adults with no support network. If you live far away from your loved one, or have a busy schedule, helping them continue to live at home might be difficult at times.

Additionally, aging in place can exacerbate struggles of loneliness and isolation. Many people become more isolated as they age, and living alone can intensify this.

Utilizing Professional Home Care Services

Seniors who age in place will almost always require support from others. Your support as a loved one is invaluable. However, you can also enlist the help of caregiving professionals.

Elderly individuals do not need to live in a nursing home to receive daily assistance from a caregiver. There are many in-home care companies that provide professional in-home care.

In-home care is an ideal option for those who want to live at home but need extra help. It can make it possible for seniors to age in place, even when they cannot do so on their own.

Professional caregivers can also alleviate some of the responsibilities of family members. In-home care options range from part-time to full-time caregiving, offering an array of options to best suit the situation.

With Proper Support and Planning, Aging in Place is Possible

Aging in place offers many elderly adults an ideal option as they grow old. It can offer a sense of comfort and maintained independence. However, the process is not feasible without adequate contingency planning and outside support.

Supporting your loved one as they age in place, can help them enjoy the comforts of their own home in their later years. Understanding the best responses to the aging process can help you do so.

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Choosing an Elderly Care Agency During the COVID-19 Crisis

The spread of COVID-19 has made choosing an elderly care agency more difficult than before. Because adults over the age of 65 are at increased risk upon contracting COVID-19, it is important to make sure that the care agency you pick is doing their best to protect patients from the virus. If you are searching for caregiving services for an elderly loved one, there are a number of new factors you want to consider in light of COVID-19.

Finding a Trustworthy Care Agency

Putting your loved one’s care in someone else’s hands is always difficult. It requires trust and confidence that a caregiver will be attentive to their needs. With the spread of COVID-19, putting your trust in caregivers might feel even more nerve-wracking.

COVID-19 has put many elderly people in a difficult situation. Seniors are encouraged to limit social contact in order to cut down on potential exposure to the virus. At the same time, many seniors rely on daily caregiving from others.

For elderly adults who cannot live independently, finding a trustworthy care agency is now more important than ever. It includes the security of knowing that a care provider is taking apt precautions in response to the pandemic.

Criteria to Consider

When choosing a care agency, it is always helpful to establish general criteria that guide your decision making. Considering factors such as the expertise of caregivers, services included, and cost can help evaluate care providers. Now, these criteria should also consider the agency’s response to COVID-19.

Because the virus can spread quickly and through airborne particles, there are a number of actions a care agency must take in order to protect both their clients and staff. Good care agencies will have properly adjusted their protocols to safeguard against COVID-19.

According to recommendations from the CDC on how to minimize viral spread, a care agency’s new practices might include:

Increased sanitization of equipment/surroundings.

Caregivers wearing masks, potentially requesting clients to wear masks.

Caregivers utilizing other personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face shields, and goggles.

Physical distancing practices in the caregiving environment whenever possible.

Regular testing for COVID-19 amongst staff.

Encouraging or requiring caregivers to minimize their time in public places or unnecessary contact with anyone outside of work.

Encouraging care patients to avoid public exposure whenever possible; i.e. receiving grocery delivery as opposed to going to the store, attending virtual doctor’s appointments instead of visiting an office, etc.

These protocols–and how well they are adhered to–can vary from agency to agency. Make sure you understand a care agency’s response to COVID-19 and how well they are able to carry out these plans.

Questions to Ask Care Providers

If you are helping a loved one find a caregiving service, it is always a good idea to conduct an interview with any agency you are considering.  

This is a good time to ask questions about how the agency plans to protect your loved one from the virus.

Some questions you can ask care providers include:

Have your caregivers been properly trained in best-practices to minimize viral spread?

Will you provide cleaning supplies and PPEs when needed?

Are your caregivers required or encouraged to practice social distancing outside of work?

Do you provide testing for your caregivers?

Do you have a contingency plan in case a client or staff member contracts COVID-19?

Does your agency provide any grocery/errand shopping for clients who want to avoid public spaces?

Is your agency willing to provide care to clients with COVID-19?

In-Home Care V.S. Residential Care

Another important decision in choosing a care agency is to decide between in-home care and facility care. In-home care agencies provide caregiving services to clients within their homes. Residential care agencies include nursing homes, seniors living communities, and assisted living facilities that provide on-site care.

Today, many clients are opting for in-home care agencies because they allow for easier navigation around issues related to COVID-19. In general, residential care facilities face more obstacles in adhering to recommended social distancing measures. However, both forms of caregiving do face their challenges in relation to the pandemic.

Comparing how in-home and residential care agencies are uniquely impacted by COVID-19 can help you determine which option might work best for your loved one.

In-Home Care

Typically sends 1-2 caregivers at a time to care for a client.

Might assign specific caregivers to each client in order to cut down on cross-contact during the pandemic.

Can range from around-the-clock care to daily or weekly check-ins.

Can provide a sense of companionship for seniors who might feel isolated or lonely.

Residential Care

Residents have access to facility caregivers. The level of personal caregiving varies amongst facilities.

Depending on the type of care facility and a client’s needs, assistance might range from around-the-clock care to daily or weekly check-ins.

The facility might restrict residents to their rooms during COVID-19 spread to minimize cross-contact amongst residents and staff.

Residents might have restricted access to facility amenities during the pandemic; i.e. dining hall closures, gym closures, cancellation of typical social events.

When choosing between in-home and residential care agencies, consider your loved ones living situation and circumstances. Is it viable for them to remain where they are currently living? How has the spread of COVID-19 impacted your loved one’s care situation?

Caregiving is Still an Option

Vulnerability to COVID-19 makes senior care a more challenging topic today.

For those who are dependent on caregiving, the situation might feel overwhelming and scary. Luckily, there are still a number of care agencies that are continuously providing care in the safest way possible.

While choosing the best care agency might require a bit more consideration than before, caregiving is still an option.

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Benefits of Hiring a Home Care Agency in Altadena Versus Assisted Living Facility in the Area

Having an elderly loved one enrolled in an assisted living facility in Altadena may be a good idea for some families for a variety of reasons. One of which is that these institutions have ease of access to all the needs of the senior individual, ranging from physical to psychological or emotional needs, resulting in providing seamless care..

With the current health situation in the world today,  seniors and their loved ones are now shifting to quality alternatives, particularly home care. As a result, home care agencies in Altadena are now becoming a top-of-mind option for families living with a senior.

A Safe Place to Live

One of the reasons elderly people choose home care is for their safety. It is a known fact that they are most vulnerable during these times, so having them in a place with many other people around increases the possibility of getting infected.

Especially nowadays, as a result of the pandemic, there is increased awareness of the vulnerability to infection, so families are choosing to stay away from options where the health of their loved ones could be compromised.

Right now, there is no safer place for our elderly loved ones to take shelter in than at home, especially in light of the pandemic-induced health protocols set forth by many  governments.

Privacy and Independence

Assisted living facilities provide a place for seniors to remain active and mobile, yet some of their restrictions and procedures place a limit on their privacy and independence.

People in this stage of their life tend to be more sensitive about their environment; that is why some of them prefer to be taken care of in the comfort of their own homes, rather than a facility where they would feel less restricted.

Home care workers also have high regard for their patient’s private life, so  do not cross certain boundaries where their services end.

Participation in the Care Program

Another benefit of hiring a home care agency in Altadena is to keep the elderly individuals closest to their family members. This approach gives them a sense of security in knowing that their loved ones are close by when they need them.  

It also provides their family with a more significant role in the care-giving plan, making it even more personalized and relative to the patient.

This method of care also encourages open communication for the family and the caregiver in providing and receiving updates about a patient’s status.

Peace of Mind

In-home care services provide personalized care plans that suit their patient’s lifestyles, habits, and ways of living. This alone sets them apart already from other nursing care institutions who have a diverse approach in looking after their patients.

While these facilities can accommodate large groups of seniors in their program, the trust and preference of families of senior individuals remain with home care agencies.

Your and your senior’s peace of mind is a major factor to consider in choosing your care partner. Rapport, integrity, trust, reliability, knowledge/experience, all go into a complete decision of which caregiver to engage. So make sure to be mindful of all the pros and cons of choosing a partner first before sealing the deal.

You would not want the “ghost of regret” chasing away your sleep!

Being With Someone Relatable

Feelings of loneliness and isolation can adversely affect the health of our senior loved ones. That is why it is essential to ensure that somebody is always available not only to look after and check on them but also to make sure that they have somebody around to converse with and have a meaningful human connection with..

The personalized approach  is common practice in homecare agencies, as  it  yields the most  positive effects to seniors who want a more personalized experience..

Aside from getting somebody to chitchat, they would also have someone to oversee their daily activities, especially to  assist and help them when needed.

Cost-Effectiveness

We know how expensive professional nursing care providers could be in an assisted living facility. On top of that, there are also other additional  fees charged by nursing homes to their patients, that when summed up, could be an added burden to the individuals.

That is why home care agencies are ideal for people  looking for a more affordable alternative to a nursing home without compromising the quality of care given to their loved ones.

Improved Quality of Life

One of the goals of home care specialists is to ensure that, as a caregiver, they would be able to help with the struggles of their patients by making their life simpler. Simpler life for them will result in  a calmer and relaxed environment for everyone!

At this stage, older individuals could now be able to spend quality time with their favorite pastimes or habits that they may have missed, such as tending the garden, taking a walk in the neighborhood or preparing their favorite food., etc.

Improved quality of life means there will be more time now for them to spend with their loved ones at the comfort of their home and see themselves active in family gatherings and celebrations.

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Reasons to Choose 24 Hour Home Care in Pasadena

When a loved one needs a new level of care, choosing the right services can be overwhelming. There are several options that are being used on a daily basis, but the most popular and on-demand choice during this time, especially in a pandemic, is 24 hour home care in Pasadena. This requires a caregiver to be present at all times to ensure that their client is well-attended to and doing well.

More and more families are considering 24 hour home care in Pasadena to help with their elderly’s overall well-being. Having an in-home care service that’s available and accessible 24 hours helps ensure that the family member needing care is properly taken care of, especially during their recovery.

Whether the need for home care is temporary or ongoing, 24 hour home care in Pasadena is the most preferred option in these times of uncertainty during the pandemic. Your elderly family member may need temporary care after suffering a traumatic injury or while recovering from surgery. However, if they have special needs or if their cognitive abilities are impaired by Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, brain tumors, or a stroke, they may need ongoing assistance..

One of the most important benefits of the 24-hour home care services in Pasadena is the way caregivers are being rotated in shifts thus being more alert and refreshed for their client’s service. Here are some of the other benefits that come with 24-hour care services in Pasadena:

1. Disability care and recovery after surgery

When seniors prefer to stay at home after surgery, a 24-hour home care service is necessary to provide full assisted care including food and medicine reminders, housekeeping, help with daily tasks, access to many resources, and more. Having a 24-hour home caregiver  helps to ensure seniors will feel more at-home and comfortable while recovering, compared to being in a hospital or nursing home or facility.

2. Cost-effective caregiving

The good news–A 24-hour home care service in Pasadena is often   less expensive than being in a long-term medical facility. One of the major expenses for a family with an elderly needing care is nursing home. A long-term resident could cost as much as $100,000 a year, an amount way beyond the budget of a typical  middle class family. Most families prefer to leverage insurance coverage specifically for 24 hour home care and save more (is the previous sentence true?). In addition,  the comfort of being in their own homes often helps seniors’ sense of overall well-being and to improve during their recovery. and their overall well-being.

3. Concierge level of Support

A non-medical private in-home care provider in Pasadena, such as New Wave Home Care, is a family’s choice for a 24/7 concierge-level support, offering a full range of senior care services. With skilled, compassionate, and committed caregivers, most daily activities can be successfully accomplished at home. A 24/7 caregiving service can help seniors prepare meals, grocery shop, or simply help to go about their daily routine like bathing and grooming, medicine reminders, as well as transportation. This kind of service is especially critical if the client is unable to perform these daily tasks during their recovery process from surgery.

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A Deeper Look Into Home Safety Checks

Back in April, we shared an article detailing some benefits of fall prevention and home safety checks. Now, we want to dive deeper into home safety checks and how they are conducted.

Safety Measures For Seniors Who Choose to Stay Home

When people age, they often lose mobility. Many elderly adults choose to live in assisted living communities, nursing homes, or other residences in which they can receive daily help. On the contrary, many seniors opt to stay within the comfort of their own homes as they age.

For those seniors who want to maintain a degree of independence at home, it is imperative that their living environment is safe.

The Benefits of Home Safety Checks

Home safety checks are an extremely helpful practice when caring for elderly individuals. They can provide added security and safety, especially for seniors who might struggle with falls and other household accidents.

The basics of a home safety check focus on ensuring that a home environment is free from hazards. This includes cutting down on falling hazards such as clutter, uneven flooring, poorly lit rooms, and more. Home safety checks allow for seniors and their caregivers to take preventative measures that can save lives.

Home safety checks can be completed by friends and family who want to check up on a loved one, as well as by professional caregivers.

Developing a Checklist

If you are helping an elderly individual keep their home environment safe, it can be helpful to utilize a checklist.

Professional caregivers can be expected to refer to a checklist when conducting home safety checks. Most caregiving providers develop their own safety checklists based on standard protocol and expertise regarding elderly care.

If you are providing home checks for a loved one, many nursing homes, elderly care services, and health experts offer online checklists that can work as a guideline. For example, the CDC has published a free booklet providing a checklist for home safety and fall prevention. The CDC instructs checking for potential hazards in areas including:

Kitchen

Bathroom

Floors

Bedroom

Hallway

Stairway

General Safety Guidelines

General guidelines for preventing falls and other accidents at home include:

Checking for clutter on floors (papers, clothing, shoes, books, boxes, etc.)

Removing any potential tripping hazards (cords, wires, rugs, etc.)

Keep areas clearly lit (especially hallways and stairwells)

Consider installing additional light switches around the house for easier access

Secure handrails in stairwells, hallways, showers, kitchens, etc.

Fix loose or uneven floorboards and steps

Place frequently used household objects in easy to reach areas (lower shelves versus high-up shelves)

Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone

Keep house phones in low areas for easy access in case of a fall

Preventative Measures

There are also a number of preventative measures you can help an elderly individual take to promote their safety. For added safety, an elderly individual who needs help around their home can:

Keep an emergency call button on them at all times in case they fall and cannot reach a phone

Exercise regularly to promote mobility

Get regular vision checks and correct poor vision as much as possible to prevent accidents

Talk to their doctor about avoiding medications that create dizziness or sleepiness

Get up gradually and slowly from chairs and beds

Wear supportive shoes at all times, avoid slippers

Clear Communication

For many elderly adults, falls and other at-home accidents are a scary reality. When someone experiences decreased mobility, accidents can become more frequent. On top of this, many seniors might be initially resistant to altering their home environment or accepting help with this.

If you are caring for a senior, it can be stressful to ensure home safety and accident prevention. Starting with clear communication with home safety is a good way to minimize stress.

Begin with communicating with your loved one about the home safety standards that they need. Going over a checklist with them is a good starting point. Encourage them to minimize clutter and potential hazards when possible, and reach out when they need assistance doing so.

If you have enlisted the help of a professional caregiver, make sure you are on the same page with them as well. Review the safety checklist you have developed or the one their home care company has provided.

Finally, emphasize that the safety measures you are taking are in your loved one’s best interest. At times, it might be frustrating to them to spend the time to take precautions against home accidents. However, helping them understand that it will ultimately improve their wellbeing can make the process easier.

Help with Home Safety Checks

If you want to conduct your own home safety checks or help a loved one in doing so, you do not have to create your own checklist. In addition to the CDC, there are many other elderly health and care experts who provide free access to checklists.

Here is a list of a few dependable checklists that serve as a good guideline for home safety checks:

CDC Booklet

NCOA fall prevention checklist

AIHC Elderly Home Safety Checklist

Home Instead Safety Checklist E-Book

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COVID-19 Makes Home Care the Best Option in Caregiving

In the era of COVID-19, cutting down on contact with others remains the most assured safeguard for staying healthy. At the same time, “social distancing” measures pose complications for many elderly individuals. For a population that is both vulnerable to the virus and often dependent on physical assistance from others, caregiving can pose a challenge. How can you choose between receiving much-needed care and staying physically isolated?

For those who rely upon daily assistance, in-home care services can mitigate this dilemma. Receiving care from a limited number of trusted caregivers within the home can safeguard against an increased potential risk of exposure to the virus. Many of us have heard stories of virus cases spreading particularly rapidly in senior living facilities. Home care makes it far easier to keep track of who, when, and where elderly care patients are coming into contact with others. Elderly individuals who already utilize care in an assisted living facility or nursing home can utilize in-home care as either a supplement or alternative to the daily services they receive.

Even before the advent of COVID-19, many in-home care patients have enjoyed the ability to remain in the familiarity of their home environment, rather than having to adjust to a new living situation. This bonus can even give some patients an added sense of independence.

The one-on-one style of caregiving that comes with in-home care also breeds companionship between a caregiver and their patient. In a time when many people feel isolated and lonely, this sort of bond can be invaluable to elderly individuals who otherwise would have extremely minimal social interaction. Home care has long provided the benefits of comfort and companionship.

Now, as the pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, those in need of caregiving should consider the added benefits of in-home care. With the uncertainties inherent in the spread of the COVID-19, in-home care has become the safest form of nursing.

As a leading provider of in-home care for over a decade, New Wave Home Care is proud to offer much-needed care services throughout the COVID-19 crisis. We are committed to continuing to provide care, with innovations to better respond to our client’s needs along the way.

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Helping a Senior With Chronic Disease Management

Chronic disease management can often become difficult for an individual struggling with a chronic disease. Especially for seniors, managing the pain and symptoms of a chronic disease often requires extra help and support. If you have a loved one struggling with a chronic disease, you may be wondering how you can help them, as well as how you can help find the professional support they need.

If you are taking the first steps to help a loved one manage their chronic disease, there are a few things you will want to consider.

Offering the Best Support Possible

The most important part of helping a senior with a chronic condition is to learn how to be supportive. It is important to understand what their physical needs are, as well as how you can be there for them emotionally.

Some ways you can offer the best support for someone with a chronic condition include:

Learn about their condition – do some research about what their diagnosis is and how it affects them.

Offer physical assistance – reach out and offer them help with getting around, chores, etc.

Don’t be condescending – treat them with the same level of dignity and respect as anyone else.

Be motivating – even when your loved one is struggling, stay positive for them. When their chronic disease poses a challenge, they will need extra motivation from you.

Listen – do not assume how they might feel or what they want–actively listen to their needs and concerns.

Stick with it – make sure they know you are committed to helping them for the long haul.

The Most Common Chronic Diseases

As stated before, learning about your loved one’s condition is extremely important. Once you know what their diagnosis is, start doing some research on symptoms and physical effects.

To start, you can begin to understand some of the more common chronic diseases that seniors face.

According to the National Council on Aging, some of the most common chronic diseases affecting seniors include (not in order):

Type 2 Diabetes

Arthritis

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Heart disease

Hypertension

Depression

Of course, this wide variety of chronic diseases indicates that not everyone struggling with a chronic illness will have similar needs. Chronic diseases range widely in the way they affect people, and how regularly they might impact one’s life.

Utilizing Professional Caregiving Services

It is important to discern whether your loved one will need professional assistance in addition to your support. Are you planning on caring for your loved one on your own, keeping the care within your family, or hiring the help of a caregiving professional?

If your loved one’s condition requires a high level of attention, they will probably benefit from the help of a professional caregiver. Likewise, this can take some of the responsibility off of familial caregivers.

Caregiving services can range from periodic check-ins to around the clock care. Discussing a patient’s condition and assistance needs with a professional caregiver can help families discern how often they want to utilize their services.

Respite Care

Respite care is a good supplementary option for family members acting as primary caregivers. It provides short-time professional care in order to provide breaks for unpaid familial caregivers.

This type of care is often helpful for families who may not be able to afford around-the-clock care, or who want to be involved in caregiving but need an occasional break.

Special Care for Chronic Conditions

If you do decide to seek caregiving services, it is best to hire caregivers who are specially trained to manage chronic conditions. Many care providers train their caregivers to understand the challenges of each individual client’s particular conditions.

This sort of specialized non-medical care can help many seniors suffering from chronic conditions maintain a quality of life. The benefits of individualized chronic disease care include:

Preventing hospital stays and re-admissions

Helping clients maintain quality of life

Monitoring conditions, dietary needs, and medication schedules

Preventing condition exacerbation and unnecessary emergency care

Promoting communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and facilities

Appreciating Your Time

Chronic disease management is an inherently difficult and emotional process. Many seniors struggle with the challenges of chronic illnesses, and it can affect their families as well. Throughout the difficulties, however, it is important to see the silver lining.

If you are helping a senior manage a chronic disease, you can have positive experiences too. Spending the time to selflessly provide your support is a greatly emotional event. You might find that caring for your loved one in this way brings you closer together.

Hopefully, both you and your loved one can both appreciate some of the time in which you spend in the caregiving process. Helping a senior with chronic disease management is not easy, but it can be fruitful.

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Chronic Disease Management in Seniors: Supporting the Elderly to Improve their Lives

Senior citizens often face many health challenges associated with aging. With their declining health, most of them deal with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, and other chronic diseases that deteriorate the body. Although such conditions may be common to seniors, dealing with a chronic condition puts them and their families in extreme worry.

If you have a senior family member who battles with a chronic disease, it is important that you understand and know their needs. Seniors with chronic conditions may have different and specific needs so it is best to know how chronic disease management in seniors works to provide the best care for them.

Caregivers and family members need to specially talk with the doctors and research more information about their loved one’s illness to know how to help them at home. You may also find a senior homecare program in your community such as New Wave Home Care to provide professional care for your senior member.

At New Wave Home Care, we provide reliable support that your family and senior loved one needs to live a safe and fulfilling life despite their health condition. With compassionate caregivers who understand the challenges your senior loved ones have, rest assured that your family member is on their way to an improved life.

Coping with multiple chronic conditions and managing various treatments can be problematic while maintaining the quality of life while it is a real challenge. It can be life-changing to anyone, especially to the older people dealing with multiple chronic conditions. It is a challenge that they cannot handle alone and thus, will need a lot of support and care from the people they trust.

The Role of Family in Chronic Disease Management In Seniors

Family members play a vital role in chronic disease management in seniors. Knowing that they have their families to depend on will provide tremendous relief to senior citizens coping with chronic illness.

Apart from the discomfort caused by their chronic illness, seniors may also experience anxiety, stress, and hopelessness which messes up their emotional state. As a family, the best thing that you can do is to sympathize with their emotional state and by being there for them. This alone provides the comfort they need to endure their condition.

Meaningful Ways to Support Seniors with Chronic Illness

For some people, having a family member who suffers from a chronic illness can be worrisome especially if they are already old. As someone who cares for them, you may feel the urge to help them and make them comfortable as possible.

Most seniors suffer from multiple chronic conditions, thus, family members need to know how to cope with a new diagnosis of their senior member. As family caregivers, being a beacon of support is one of the best care that you can provide someone with a complex illness.

Here are some meaningful ways on how you can support your senior loved one with a chronic illness:

1. Look out for changes

No one would understand the difficulty of taking care of a senior loved one especially one who suffers from a chronic condition unless they have done it. Expect for the needs of your loved one to change over time as they go through treatments and have more diagnosis of their condition. It’s better to be aware of the changes so that you can anticipate what kind of assistant that they might need.

2. Keep the home safe for your senior member

Make your home a safe place for your seniors to live in. Due to their health condition, some seniors may tend to be forgetful, may lose balance as they walk, or even forget that they’ve already taken their medication. This is why you need to make your home safe for them to not cause any accidents.

3. Be aware of their condition

Talk to the doctors about your senior member’s condition for you to be able to attend to what they need. Since they may need assistance most of the time for almost anything, you need to be aware of how they may cope with their condition so you can help them.

4. Plan for the future

When a senior adult is diagnosed with a chronic illness, it is important to start planning for the future starting from settling their health, legal, and financial affairs in order. Encourage your loved one to get involved with the planning while they can still make decisions.

5. Consider asking for assistance for you and your senior loved one

Arranging for care professionals to assist in taking care of your senior loved one is an ideal solution in providing them the utmost care that they need. These home care services can help provide specialized assistance for your senior member, which may be difficult for family members to do alone. Arranging for such service also allows caretakers to rest and do other things aside from caregiving

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The Benefits of Using Altadena Home Care Services

In many places across the United States, in-home care is becoming a preferred approach for elderly care. Utilizing in-home caregiving often offers a safer, more comfortable alternative to living in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

New Wave Home Care is a proud provider of home care services in the Altadena area.  For over ten years, we have been providing clients with professional and compassionate caregiving within the comfort of their own home. We are here to offer more information on current benefits and innovations of in-home care.

The Benefits of In-Home Care

In-home care is a great option for elderly individuals who need increasing care. Elderly care can range anywhere from periodic check-ins to around the clock care. From comfort to affordability, there are many benefits to receiving these services in the home.

Some of the benefits of utilizing in-home care services include:

The comfort of a familiar environment

Adaptability with new telehealth and remote care technologies

Strong one-on-one connection with personal caregivers

Support with daily living activities

Help with household chores 

Affordable payment options

Increased protection against COVID-19

Comfortable Care in a Familiar Environment

In-home care can ensure a stronger sense of comfort and familiarity for those in need of care. For many seniors, the transition from being independent to receiving daily support can be difficult. Receiving care within the home rather than at an alternate facility can help ease this transition.

Instead of having to reacclimate to a new environment of a nursing home or living community, home care poses fewer challenges for change and adaptation. Seniors can acclimate to their caregivers within a familiar environment. This can make the caregiving process far more pleasant and less daunting for both patients and their families.

Remote Caregiving and Telehealth Technologies

With new advances in communicative technology, home care offers a plethora of options for remote caregiving as well. Caregivers can check in with clients remotely when an in-person visit is unnecessary, undesired, or not possible at the time. Medical professionals can engage in remote health services as well.

Remote care and virtual doctor’s appointments are becoming increasing options for in-home care patients. Doctors can meet with elderly patients remotely when an in-person visit poses challenges. New Wave Home Care is amongst the first of in-home care providers to offer increasing remote care options.

One-On-One Connections with Caregivers

Receiving care at home can open up opportunities for deeper personal connections between patients and caregivers. In-home caregivers not only take care of their patients’ physical needs, but also provide them with companionship.

Support with Daily Activities

In-home care supports patients’ abilities to engage in their normal daily activities, such as hobbies, hygiene, mobility, and chores. This allows elderly individuals to remain in their home environments without facing the obstacles that living alone might pose. Support with daily activities within the home can help elderly individuals maintain a level of independence without having to face challenges on their own.

Help with Household Chores

Caregivers can assist with cooking, cleaning, and tasks such as laundry within a client’s home. Help with household tasks promises to keep home care patients comfortable within their surroundings without becoming overwhelmed by chores they might find difficult to complete on their own.

Affordable Payment Options

Many people often imagine in-home care as being more expensive than other care alternatives. However, there are often a variety of affordable payment options for home care services.

In-home care providers usually work with insurance companies to develop coverage and payment plans for home care clients. Additionally, many in-home care services work with clients to meet both the physical and financial requirements of a patient.

New Wave Home Care works closely with patients and their families to develop caregiving schedules and payment plans that are affordable. We encourage families to reach out for a free consultation to learn more about how we can work within the financial circumstances of our clients.

Increased Protections Against COVID-19

Considering the current spread of COVID-19, individuals over the age of 65 face increased risk upon contracting the virus. For seniors in need of daily physical assistance, this can pose an increased threat to their health as they require frequent contact with caregivers. Receiving care at home is increasingly becoming a safer option in light of the pandemic.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have always posed a greater threat of transmitting illness amongst residents and staff. This is an alarming reality now more than ever. Many families that have previously relied on care services from nursing homes and seniors living communities now must reconsider the safety protections that in-home care provides.

Home care can cut down immensely on the contact elderly care patients have with others. As opposed to interacting with a multitude of caregivers and other residents, patients instead have more liberty to limit their contact with others to a very small select group of caregivers. This can greatly decrease the risk of potential exposure to COVID-19.

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Making Senior Transitioning Care Easy and Safe for the Elderly

Older people with chronic health problems are frequently required to transition between home and hospital in dealing with their health condition. Frequent hospital visits and admissions during every episode of illness can be very stressful to both the senior patient and the family.

Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the risks that remain after getting discharged from a hospital. When a senior is finally discharged after a long hospitalization, this does not mean that they are completely recovered to good health. The first several days after being discharged are vital to a patient’s recovery, especially with the elderly who need constant care and assistance to avoid complications that may lead to further hospitalization.

In situations like this, a reliable senior transitioning care service is needed to ease the load of transitioning your senior loved one from the hospital to your home in a safe and timely manner. This also avoids the probability of readmission due to inadequate after-hospitalization care and other senior care issues.

New Wave Home Care encompasses a range of personalized senior transitioning care plans to help your senior loved one on their way to recovery. The services include transportation, in-home care, follow-up care so your senior patient doesn’t miss any doctor appointment, as well as other assistance to help make your senior member safe and comfortable.

How do You Know if You Need Senior Transitioning Care?

At least 2 out of 5 seniors are readmitted to the hospital only within a month of being discharged. This is because hospital care posts a huge difference when it comes to patient care. During the transition, medications may not be properly taken and doctor appointments may not be made. These important routines play a crucial role in a senior patient’s recovery.

After being discharged, a patient’s safety may be compromised because:

The patient might be experiencing stress during the transition.

The primary caregiver lacks the knowledge of the specific care needed by the senior patient.

Medication might not be administered properly and medical tools were improperly used due to lack of skills and training.

The condition of the home is unsuitable for a senior in need of day to day supportive care.

According to studies, high-quality post-discharge care is one critical part of the recovery process of a patient from long-term treatment. It not only determines the speed of recovery but also reduces the chances of readmission when administered properly.

Having a reliable senior transitioning care plan draws a positive impact on the physical and mental well-being of older adults suffering from chronic conditions, as they receive expert care even outside medical premises.

Ensuring Recovery through Senior Transitioning Care

High-quality senior transitioning care services are important for older patients especially with those who have multiple chronic conditions. Senior patients with such conditions typically undergo complex therapeutic regimens and move frequently to receive care from various providers. This makes it difficult not only for the elderly patients but as well as to the caregivers.

When senior patients are about to be discharged, their health care plan may include tailored support services that cater to older people. This allows them to continue to recuperate from their home while long-term care is arranged appropriately.

Finding a Good Transition Care for a Senior Loved One

As senior patients transition from hospital care under acute care settings to the recovery stage at home, they are particularly vulnerable to post-care errors received from a variety of healthcare providers.

Transitional care services are designed to align appropriate collaboration, communication, and professional care between various health care settings that are required for patients to move successfully toward recovery. Thus, selecting a good provider for senior transitioning care is necessary for any patient’s recovery.

Here are some points that you must check when hiring any transitional care service to work for you:

1. Ensure that the health service provider is insured and has a valid license.

2. Check the ratings and reviews from past clients to ensure that they are equipped to manage transitional care effectively.

3. They must offer a wide range of senior health care services.

4. The transitional care provider must have an extensive network of post-acute care setting providers.

5. Providers must at-least provide these transitional care services:

Must provide transport care for patients to drive them to and from the hospital or rehab to home and vice versa.

Ensure prescriptions are picked up and that your senior loved one takes them on time.

Offers in-home care and other assistance such as fulfilling errands and other daily home and personal activities when needed.

Helps safeguard your loved one from possible mishaps at home by ensuring their surroundings are safe for their recovery.

With the rising need for transitional care in helping improve the lives of the senior community, there are a lot of service providers today that you can find that promise exceptional care for your loved ones. However, always choose the ones that you can trust.

If your senior loved one is about to be discharged from the hospital and you feel the need for support to help them in their recovery, New Wave Home Care is all about facilitating the safe and easy transition for your loved ones as they are on their way to recover back to health at the comfort of their home.

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Reliable Transportation Service for Seniors Living At Home

The ability to move however we want and go to any place that we like is a freedom that we enjoy when we are still healthy and able. However, for many seniors, this is something that they are no longer capable of doing even when they want to.

As people get old, their dependence on others increases especially when they are not able to take care of themselves anymore due to their condition. As a result, they may feel the struggle to leave their homes, missing out on the activities or events that they used to enjoy, and feel isolated from their peers and family.

With age, seniors may face mobility issues and may not be able to drive themselves to go for checkups or do errands. This is where a reliable transportation service can help so seniors can feel a renewed sense of freedom in doing the things they want.

Transportation ensures them easy and fast access to the services they need. The availability of a reliable transportation service enables the seniors to manage their daily routine independently so they feel dignified about still being able to care for themselves.

New Wave Home Care offers senior transportation services that address such concerns for the seniors. By providing them transportation solutions and assistance when they need one, seniors can go for errands, attend events, and enjoy the outdoors as they want.

Benefits of a Reliable Transportation Service for the Elderly

As we reach our senior years, it becomes inevitable to find it difficult to move from one place to another and be physically active. Many seniors suffer from eye problems, mobility-related disabilities, and other common health conditions associated with old age. These conditions limit them from performing activities that they want to accomplish leaving them feeling isolated and unhappy.

On the other hand, transportation services offer a number of benefits to seniors. Here are some of them:

1. Seniors are given a sense of freedom

The lack of ability to walk or drive, or simply the lack of transportation can make anyone feel trapped in their own home. To a senior, having difficulty to walk or move properly by themselves could mean less freedom to do what they want. This feeling could lead to depression and loneliness which affect how they live their life.

Senior transportation services like New Wave Home Care offers seniors the chance to gain independence and freedom that they may have lost. They are provided with transportation to get them to where they want to go with caregivers to assist them while they do their activities.

2. Helps improve their emotional health

When seniors are able to do activities outside their home and are given the confidence that they are free to be active and participate in their favorite events and hobbies with their peers and family, it boosts their morale which helps improve their emotional health. As a result, they feel happier, active, and healthier than when they are only stuck at home.

Through senior transportation services, they are provided with transportation assistance to support them in getting to where they want to be.

3. Senior transportation services offer flexibility and convenience

Seniors can avail of this service whenever they need it. This offers them a lot of independence as they don’t have to wait for someone to take them to where they want to go.

New Wave Home Care offers safe, reliable, and flexible transportation services that can be arranged in advance prior to the trip.

4. Senior transportation services are more reliable than alternative transportation services

Seniors may feel uneasy commuting in taxis or may find other transportation services such as those provided by the community uncomfortable and may not always be available when needed.

Senior Transportation services are not only offered to give the elderly a ride to their destination but also to make seniors feel safe and secure. Reliable transportation services are operated by people who know how to care for the elderly.

5. Respite Care for Family Caregivers

Taking good care of an aging family member is a tough role to take. This duty requires anyone to devote their time in attending to the demanding needs of their senior family members. This can impact negatively on their social life, career, and family life.

When you have a trusted professional senior transportation service, you no longer need to worry about the hassle of personally taking your senior member to where they wish to go. Which lessens the load of family caregivers. These services can also assist with doctor appointments which ensures that the seniors get to the doctor as often as needed.

Your senior loved ones deserve to live the life that they want…

If you have an older loved one who needs help with transportation, New Wave Home Care offers the best transportation service so your loved one feels safe and comfortable where they want to go.

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Help in Daily Living for the Elderly

Getting old is a natural progression of life. Throughout one’s life in this world, time will come when we are not able to carry out tasks that we can easily do during our youth. One day, our time will come when we will be needing help in daily living from others.

While one can rely on their younger and able family members or friends to compensate where they lack due to old age, they too will find their hands full from taking care of the elderly.

This is one of the saddest facts about getting old. Unfortunately, some seniors live their late years uncomfortably with the lack of support from families who may not have the time to care for their aging members. As a result, some elders tend to lose their vigor in life as they feel like becoming a burden to their family.

This shouldn’t be the case. We all deserve to be taken care of when we get old.

Some families consider relocating an elder member or relative to an assisted living community where professional help with daily living is provided for. Whilst they are given with needed care, they are still allowed to practice independence so they are not too coddled as though they are incapable of doing things for themselves.

While such a community exists, some seniors prefer to live alone or independently. Seniors vary in terms of needs, independence and desires on how they want to live when they retire. Thus, knowing what type of elderly care that is available for them will help families decide which option is better for their aging family members.

Choosing the Right Type of Help in Daily Living of Seniors

When seeking for the right retirement community for your aging family member, it can be overwhelming to figure out exactly what level of care is right for them. As you assess which option to take, it is important to discuss it among family members especially to the individual about to retire. Family members should take their needs and opinions into consideration to ensure that they are living in a place that they can happily adapt to.

Some elders prefer living in an independent living facility, while others prefer to live with assisted living residences where all their daily needs are provided by the caretakers. The type and extent of help with daily living for the elderly can vary from person to person. Thus, knowing your options will help you navigate the extent of help your old family member needs from the living assistance.

Before deciding which daily assistance is perfect for your senior member, you must be aware of the type of help the seniors may need. These activities are categorized as “activities of daily living” and “instrumental activities of daily living”.

Activities of Daily Living include tasks in personal and bodily care such as:

Bathing

Going to the bathroom to pee or poop

Getting dressed

Eating

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living include household-related tasks such as:

Use of gadgets, such as phone or computer

Shopping

Cleaning and other housework

Preparing meals

Doing laundry

Independent Living VS Assisted Living: What’s the Difference?

Each type of living assistance for seniors offers a tailored approach to elderly care and is designed to meet the specific needs of each individual.

Independent Living

Independent living is perfect for seniors who are capable of doing things themselves. Elders live in an independent living community alone but with the assurance of any-time assistance should they need any help or in a state of emergency.

Independent living offers these following features:

Having to prepare meals on your own or have a caretaker prepare food for you

Having the freedom to invite family and friends to come over anytime you want

Enjoy independence and privacy

Having the freedom to socialize and join activities within the community and meet with peers

The facility will do the upkeep of your home and yard

Having the peace of mind knowing that there is always assistance when needed

In this type of living, the residents can live comfortably in private and doing their routines while receiving assistance with the more challenging tasks. Elderly couples or even those in walkers and wheelchairs are welcome in such facilities for as long as they are capable of doing the activities of daily living.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living communities provide a greater amount of assistance compared to IL communities. Assisted living is geared more towards assisting senior adults with their activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and taking medication. Nurse practitioners and caregivers are on call 24/7 for assistance in the AL facilities.

Here are some of the features of Assisted Living for seniors:

Assistance with personal and bodily care activities such as bathing and getting dressed

Medication assistance

Housekeeping services are

Meals are prepared for you

Nursing care 24/7

Can participate in group activities with peers

For senior family members, nothing is more comfortable than growing older in the presence of their families. Sadly, having an aging adult may need extra attention and time from family members to attend to their special needs in which some families might not have. However, some elders decide to go to retirement homes to lessen the burden of their families.

Finding the right kind of senior care for aging adults is an important decision for you and your family to discuss, in such a way that is compassionate towards them. After all, they deserve more love and understanding to allow them to enjoy the remaining years of their lives happily.

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Medication Reminders to Help Your Aging Loved Ones

When you’re taking care of an aging loved one, taking their medication exactly when they are prescribed to take it is vital to staying healthy. Doing so should be an easy task, but sometimes you just forget.

Good thing there are medication reminders services for seniors that are available that simplify such an important task. With the use of many devices, latest technology, and apps, care providers get the assistance they need in keeping track of their patients’ medical needs.

Taking care of seniors can be physically draining so medication reminders are a great way of helping you save a little brainpower. Prescriptions can be very specific for every individual, thus, getting all medication info organized and tracked is necessary.

Whether you are taking care of an aging or sick family member or basically taking care of your own health, medication reminders are one of the most useful innovations in the aspect of medical care.

Best Medication Reminders Apps that Caregivers for Seniors Should Know About

An average senior takes about 2 or more daily medications. As their bodies deteriorate due to old age, their bodies change the way they respond to medications. All these may create great health risks when not taken properly due to drug interactions and side effects.

The more medication the care-receiver must take daily, the easier it is to get confused and lose track of the dosage and when they should be taken. From balancing schedules, remembering medication, tracking symptoms, and other specialized help, all these aids in alleviating some of the stress that come with caregiving.

Here are some of the best medication reminder apps that caregivers may need to make things easier in 2020:

1. CareZone

CareZone offers several handy features that help caregivers keep track of medical information by organizing prescriptions, health conditions, doctor appointments, including ID and insurance cards all kept in one place.

This app allows you to scan pill bottles to instantly create a detailed list of medication to share with doctors during scheduled check-ups which the app can make a reminder of. CareZone also curates news that is relevant to your loved one’s illness or disability.

The CareZone app can be downloaded for free for iPhone or Android devices.

2. Dementia Talk

If you are caring for someone with dementia, Dementia Talk is a handy mobile caregiving app that helps caregivers deal with loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This app helps family members and caregivers respond to the challenging behaviors that individuals with such conditions have at home.

This app includes a behavior tracker, care plan, medication lists and a scheduler to help you organize your loved one’s medical needs.

This app is also free for download at App Store and Google Play.

3. Medisafe

Medisafe is a user-friendly medication reminder that delivers Just-In-Time-Interventions (JITI) and engagement resources to keep the patients updated with their condition. This app offers tips, progress reports, refill reminders, as well as discounted prescription, offers that they may avail.

Medisafe is an efficient app that helps patients and caregivers keep track of their overall treatment to ensure that the patient is in a maintained healthy condition. Health care providers may be connected to an account for free and can be downloaded for free at App Store and Google Play.

4. MyMeds

This app connects patients, family members, caregivers, health care providers and medication providers to facilitate interaction for a more convenient way of monitoring the patient’s condition.

Using real-time data interactions, patients can easily use their mobile to update their caregivers if they have taken the med via text message. Family members and caretakers can be added to the tracking list to get updated about their family member’s medication. Caregivers and patients can set up med reminders as well as chat with pharmacists to identify better options for their meds in terms of prices or brands.

This app can be downloaded for free on any iPhone and Android devices.

5. Caring Village

Caring Village is a caregiver app that allows you to create a care team to plan for a coordinate care such as arranging transportation and meals, errands and keeping track of medication. It also offers an in-app messaging feature, preparedness checklist and wellness journal. It also allows you to store essential documents in one place so you can access them whenever needed.

This app offers its users peace of mind about staying updated with their loved one’s care plan. This app is available for free at the App Store and Google Play.

Being a caregiver for a family member can be both rewarding and tiring so they need all the support and help that they can get. While a support network is crucial, caregiver apps are a great help managing the work and alleviating the stress that come from fulfilling the role of a caregiver.