aging Archives - Ella Home Care

April 23, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

4 Ways to Reduce Caregiver Turnover

When you find a great caregiver for an aging loved one, you want to keep them as long as possible! It can take a while to get familiar with someone else caring for a senior friend or family member, so once you reach that level of comfort it can be devastating to have a caregiver move to a different job.

Take a look at four tips for reducing caregiver turnover so you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing your loved one is being cared for by someone you all know and trust.

Invest in really getting to know the caregiver.

When a caregiver is new, you will both feel like strangers to one another. These first few weeks are the most important for showing an interest in getting to know them beyond their role as your loved one’s caregiver.

Ask them about their personal life, their passions and interests and what called them into a career as a caregiver. As you have these discussions, you will learn a lot about each other! They will open up and feel comfortable asking you questions and for advice related to caring for your loved one. Also, by creating an open channel for communication, you help make their job more reasonable and enjoyable – all reasons to encourage them to stay with you long-term.

Value their advice.

As your loved one’s caregiver, they will spend a lot of time in their home and notice things that may be of concern. Ask for their advice! Be sure to check in with your caregiver frequently to assess your loved one’s mental and physical health, the safety of their home and any other changes they may have noticed. Your caregiver is your eyes and ears when you cannot be there. Be sure to make use of this resource!

Make them feel appreciated.

There will be many times when your caregiver will step in and address hard situations. They may be there when your loved one falls or becomes ill. This is just as stressful and scary for your caregiver as it is for you. Be sure to find time to speak with them in a calm environment to see how they are feeling. Then, be sure to express your appreciation for them being there to help your loved one in a time of need. It’s why they are there and they will be happy to hear you notice this!

Also, make note of their birthday and be sure to acknowledge them for National Caregiver Appreciation month in November and for the holidays. Yes, it’s a few more reminders to add to your list; however, what they do day-in and day-out for your loved one and your entire family is invaluable!

Be attentive to early signs that they are discontent or looking for a new job.

If your caregiver feels unappreciated or discontent, they will likely start to show signs early on. This can show up in a variety of different ways including calling off work, shirking on responsibilities or seeming distant or short in your conversations with them.

When you feel you have noted these signs, have an open conversation with your caregiver. This should not be confrontational, but rather from a place of love and concern. If they are able to open up to you, you will have the opportunity to make changes or improvements to their work situation that may encourage them to re-engage their job instead of leaving you.

Have you experienced caregiver turnover? How did this impact your family? Please share your story or advice for reducing caregiver turnover!

April 9, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

Technology at Every Age: Best FREE Apps for Seniors

We are fortunate to live in the age of rapidly growing technology. Not only does this result in many medical and scientific advancements that are helping to improve our health and quality of life, but technology is also helping to keep us safe, add convenience to our lives and offer entertainment.

Older generations are taking advantage of technology by learning how to utilize new apps on their cell phones and iPads. With so many apps out there, and new ones entering the market every day, how can we easily find the ones best suited for our aging loved ones? More importantly, how can we find the best FREE apps? Take a look as we highlight seven of the best free apps for seniors that could greatly help you or a loved one!

AARP Now App

This app provides senior-specific news and current events, shares community activities happening near you and tells you if you qualify for discounts with your AARP membership. If you or a loved is an AARP member, this app is a valuable tool that keeps important and relevant information all in one place and at your fingertips.

Life360

With the free Life360 app, you no longer have to worry about whether a loved one made it home safely, or where they are now. This app uses GPS tracking to keep track of select friends or family while at home, at the doctors, out it the community or at work. The app can also share YOUR location so a loved one can see how close you are to them at any time, in case of emergency.

Big Font

iPads and smartphones can be hard for seniors to use because of the small buttons and hard-to-read text, making it nearly impossible for the visually impaired or for those with limited hand mobility. The Big Font app on iPads and iPhones helps seniors more easily see the words and touch the buttons on their device’s screen by enlarging the screen, functioning like a magnifying glass, up to 1000%.

Pill Identifier and Drug list

This free app allows you to identify pills by color and shape, read about the side effects of a medication and get reminders for when to take pills. Best of all, it’s like having a pharmacists right in your pocket so that you can easily reference or be reminded to take your medications whether you are at home, traveling or doing something in your community.

Red Panic Button

You’re likely familiar with the panic buttons people wear around their necks. Now there’s a free app for that! Press the red panic button and a message is immediately sent out to a designated list of people alerting them that you have an emergency and need their attention STAT. The alert also includes the address where you are located, so this is one less thing you have to worry about communicating in a time of need.

Tapestry – Connecting Seniors and Their Families

Tapestry is a social media app specifically created to connect seniors to their families without them having to worry about privacy or complicated features. All from one account, you can share messages, photos and videos with your family; no ads and no spam! This is a far better option to creating a Facebook and Instagram account just to be able to see your family’s photos and videos.

WordBrain

The word puzzle app WordBrain is a fun and educational way to pass the time while keeping your mind sharp. The puzzles are designed for users of all levels, starting out easy and getting harder as you go. This is one of the most highly rated puzzle apps on the market and is a great alternative to mindlessly watching television all day!

Have you or a loved one used any of these apps to add convenience, entertainment or safety to your lives? Share your personal experience by leaving a comment below!

February 6, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

Best Practices for Hiring a Quality Caregiver

Once you decide to hire an in-home caregiver for your aging loved one, you will have a very important decision to make. Who will you choose to be the caregiver? Allowing someone in your home to care for a member of your family requires a lot of trust and confidence in that person.

In order to hire a quality caregiver, you need to do your due diligence during the vetting process. You will never regret the time it took to do so! Take a look at five best practices for hiring the right caregiver to care for your loved one.

Interview them several times

It’s hard to really get a feel for someone from the first interview. The second or third time you speak to someone is when you really get a better understanding of a person’s experience, passion and interests. While this will add a little time and effort to your caregiver search, it is well worth finding someone you like and trust.

Ask open ended questions

During your discussions with your potential caregiver, be sure to ask some open ended questions that make them think and offer their own answers. Simple “yes” or “no” questions are not enough to fully gauge someone’s interest and experience. Offer some scenarios of what the caregiver might encounter in a day’s work and ask what they would do to handle the situation. If they seem unsure or inexperienced with common issues that arise when caring of a senior adult, they may not be the best fit for your family.

Observe their interactions

In addition to making sure a caregiver can tend to the physical needs of your aging loved one, you also want to feel confident that they are serving as a companion. Conduct at least one of your interviews with your aging loved one so that you can see how the caregiver interacts with them. Do they immediately connect with them and put effort into having a conversation or do they seem uncomfortable and disconnected? The natural reaction of the caregiver will likely be the default when they are left to care for your loved one alone. Look for a caregiver who is outgoing, engaging and warm.

Speak to their references

Finally and most importantly, take the time to call each and every reference provided for your caregiver. This is your chance to really gauge their character from people who know them well and have seem them in a caregiving role. Ask the references for their honest opinion, “Would you hire this person to care for your loved one? Would you want them caring for you?” Consider not only what they say, but how they say it. If the references, without hesitation, recommend the caregiver and all seem consistent in their character assessment, this is a good indication you have found a quality caregiver!

Do you have additional questions about hiring a quality caregiver to care for your loved one? Let us advise you! Call Ella Home Care today for a no-cost consultation.

September 6, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

A Healthcare Professional’s View of Home Care

Susan Severino is the owner of Severino Health Advisors, where she is an independent health advocate who works to represent the interests of the patient and their family. Her work as an Independent Health Advocate grew out of a need to help patients get the care they deserve and to also alleviate the stress and anxiety this often places on the family.

In the last 10 years, Susan has dedicated much of her time to caring for her aging parents. During that time, she learned ways to help her parents and others get the care they needed. Her personal experience caring for her parents, combined with more than 30 years in the healthcare industry makes Susan a wealth of knowledge when it comes to navigating the decision to use a home care agency to care for an aging loved one.

Ella Home Care talked with Susan to ask her a few key questions about her experience. What played a role in her decision to hire a professional caregiver to assist her in caring for her mother? What challenges or hesitations has she faced? Read on to learn more!

Ella Home Care: In your opinion, what are the benefits of using outside home care over taking care of your mother yourself?

Susan Severino: For me, one of the largest benefits was the peace of mind hiring a professional caregiver brought to my family. I regained the ability to work and live a normal life, while knowing my mother was in great care. It is also extremely convenient to have someone come to the home. Our caregivers are my eyes and ears to everything going on throughout the day and they can pick up on subtle changes taking place. Most importantly, a caregiver is reliable companionship for my mother.

EHC: How would you compare the benefits of home care over an assisted living community?

SS: My mother spent some time in an assisted living community, but did very poorly. With Dementia, she shuts down and becomes disoriented in an unfamiliar environment. She does best when she is in her home with one-on-one care.

EHC: What are the drawbacks to home care?

SS: The big question you have to answer is can you financially afford it? You are also welcoming someone into your home which can place you or your loved one in a vulnerable position if you don’t fully trust the person. There is less oversight to ensure a caregiver is administering proper care when you’re not there.

EHC: What are the signs that a loved one may need home care?

SS: I most commonly see a family transitioning into hiring a professional caregiver after a parent has experienced a fall or injury that makes it clear they need outside help on a regular basis. If you notice they cannot perform simple household tasks alone, such as cook a meal, clean the house or bathe, then it’s time to consider hiring a professional caregiver.

EHC: From a healthcare perspective, do you find many insurance policies cover home care?

SS: In certain instances, Long Term Care Insurance can pay for home care, but not everyone purchases a LTC policy. Another option could be a Medicaid waiver which provides money for care. However, in many circumstances I see the family pay out of pocket for these expenses. When you know it’s the best option for care for a loved one, you do what you have to do to make it work.

EHC: What are some of the biggest hesitations people have about home care?

SS: People often stress over whether they feel like they can trust an outside person to come into their home and properly care for a loved one. Have they been properly screened? Are they compassionate with their care? What if my parent develops a relationship with them and they take another job? My best advice is to listen to your instincts. Even if your home care company has fully vetted someone, do your job to screen them too! If you have any hesitations, request someone else. It’s important you know and trust the person caring for your loved one.

Are you considering home care for an aging loved one? Share what you have taken into consideration when making this decision.

August 14, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel Leave a Comment

6 Signs Your Loved One Needs a Professional Caregiver

As a loved one grows older, it may be difficult to tell exactly when they need additional care from an outside source. At first, it may just seem like a few fluke accidents or moments of forgetfulness. However, these incidents can become more frequent and dangerous for your loved one.

Many families wish they would have spotted the signs of needing a professional caregiver sooner. Here are some key indications that may signal the need for professional care for your loved one.

Forgetting to take medications

There can be dire consequences from not taking medications as prescribed. If your loved one repeatedly forgets to take medications without assistance or reminders, they may benefit from a professional caregiver who can take on this responsibility.

Feeling lonely or depressed

If your loved one lives alone, he or she may feel lonely and isolated, especially if they cannot easily get out to do things. Your other responsibilities, like your job and caring for your children, may keep you from visiting as often as you’d like. The solution could be a professional caregiver who can offer companionship on a daily basis.

Missing events and appointments

A difficulty with moving around, combined with increasing forgetfulness may result in your loved one missing doctor appointments and social events. This is a sign that a professional caregiver can offer assistance to help them keep track of their calendar and get them to these commitments safely.

Difficulty keeping up with household tasks

Have you noticed the house growing increasingly cluttered and dirty? This may be a sign that your loved one cannot adequately keep up with cleaning and repairs. With a professional caregiver, your loved one can continue to stay in their home, but without the burden of managing all the chores.

Mismanagement of finances

Forgetfulness and confusion can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to managing finances. Watch for signs of unpaid bills, missing money and unbalanced checkbooks. A professional caregiver provides daily oversight to assist your loved one with their finances and can be your second set of eyes to alert you of anything that seems concerning.

Needs daily or weekly medical treatments

Regular medical treatments means your loved one will need consistent transportation to and from those appointments. You may not be able to accommodate this schedule due to work and family. A professional caregiver can assist in this area, being a reliable set of helping hands to ensure your loved one receives the medical treatments he or she needs.

Do you have a question about the signs of needing a professional caregiver? Or do you have another sign to add to the list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

4 Ways to Reduce Caregiver Turnover

Technology at Every Age: Best FREE Apps for Seniors

Best Practices for Hiring a Quality Caregiver

A Healthcare Professional’s View of Home Care

6 Signs Your Loved One Needs a Professional Caregiver

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