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November 6, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month: How to Say Thanks

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month, and while we know that our caregivers deserve our appreciation every month of the year, this is a nice reminder to stop and think about how you can do something extra special to show your gratitude.

Most importantly, you will want to think about your unique relationship with your caregiver. How long have they been assisting your loved one? How many days a week do they work with your family? What are their interests? The best way you can show your appreciation is by showing you put thought into whatever you choose to do.

Here are some ideas that may help you find the perfect gesture. Take a look!

Put it into words.

This sounds so obvious, yet is often overlooked. Be sure to frequently put into words how much you appreciate your caregiver. Put it into words and put it into writing! Saying “thank you” at the end of each day will not go unnoticed. To take things one step further, a written note of thanks every once and while, especially after a particularly challenging event, will give the caregiver a boost of confidence and also something tangible they can keep and re-read for years to come.

Give them the gift of relaxation.

As you likely realize, being a caregiver can be hard and stressful work at times. One of the most thoughtful ways to show your appreciation is to give them a gift that helps them to relax in their off hours. This could be a gift certificate for a massage, gift card to their favorite restaurant or a gift basket of candles, lotions and chocolates. Encouraging your caregiver to take time for themselves is a great way to show you appreciate their hard work.

Ask them what would make their job easier.

Caregivers spend most of their time in your loved one’s home. One very thoughtful gesture to show your appreciation is to ask them what you can fix or buy new to add to the home to make their job easier. For example, they might appreciate some new cleaning supplies to make housekeeping more enjoyable. Or maybe it’s a new air conditioning unit to keep the spacer cooler in the summer. Whatever will benefit your caregiver, will also benefit your loved one! Investing in their comfort and convenience is a great way to show your appreciation.

Make a donation to a cause they care about.

If you’re still looking for a meaningful way to say thank you to your family’s caregiver, consider making a charitable donation in their honor. You may already know, or you may need to ask them what causes they care about. A donation to the local humane society or food bank in their name is a thoughtful way to say thank you that also continues to give back to others!

How do you plan to show a caregiver your appreciation this month? Share your ideas with us!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: aging loved one, appreciation, caregiver, elderly, gratitude, home health care, in home care, november, say thanks, senior, senior citizen, thank you

October 20, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel

How to Prepare a Family Member for Home Care

Maybe you have an aging parent who recently had an accident or illness that now requires they have more assistance at home? Or maybe you’re just beginning to explore the options for home care so you know the options available to you and your family. No matter where you are on the journey to hiring a professional caregiver, it’s so important that you and your loved ones properly prepare for this transition.

Here are some tips for preparing a family member for an outside professional caregiver to provide then with in-home care. Having clear communication and a plan for how you will transition can help ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Take a look!

Start the Conversation Early

If you are currently the primary caregiver for your aging family member, you will likely come to point when you know you need outside help. Don’t put off having the conversation about introducing a professional caregiver. Instead, introduce the idea early so that you have time to warm up to the idea and have multiple discussions before it becomes an urgent matter. This also allows your loved to feel like he or she has a say in the matter and can be a part of the process of finding the right caregiver to meet their needs.

Address Hesitations and Concerns

During your conversations about hiring a professional caregiver, allow your loved one to voice concerns or hesitations. Be sure to address each one. Maybe it’s the concern of privacy, safety or comfort. Maybe it’s the concern of cost or not getting to see you as much. Find a solution to resolve each concern so that unnecessary worries do not add stress to the transition.

Ease Into the Transition

Once you’ve come to an agreement on how often the caregiver will provide assistance and who this caregiver will be, gradually introduce the caregiver into your normal routine. Plan to stay and visit the first few times the caregiver comes over. This will help relax the situation for your loved one. Once they develop a familiarity to one another, you can gradually step out of the situation and allow the caregiver to take over. As your loved one becomes more comfortable with the caregiver, and also needs more assistance, you can increase the caregiver’s hours.

Stay True to Your Commitments

Finally and most importantly, keep your promises to your loved one. If they are concerned about not seeing you as much and you promised to still visit them once a week, keep your word! It’s natural that your loved one may feel tricked if you make promises to qualm their hesitations, but then do not stay true to your commitments. Make sure you are still emotionally available to your loved one whenever they need you. A casual visit or phone conversation to check in and say I love you will go a long way!

Do you need to have a conversation with a loved one about transitioning to a professional caregiver? Share your challenges or tips by leaving a comment below!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: benefits, caregiver, family member, home care, home health agency, home health care, in-home caregiver, loved one, professional, relative, research, spouse

October 10, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel

What the Latest Research Says About the Benefits of Home Care

Last year, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) released the report “Caring for America’s Seniors: The Value of Home Care” and the data it provides make a clear case for the rising benefits of home care.

Though many people may be hesitant about hiring a professional caregiver due to cost or the desire to remain independent, the following statistics will really make you rethink the option to have some form of outside help, and how accessible it is. Here are the highlights from the report.

Nine out of 10 Americans 65 and older want to stay at home as long as possible

It’s clear that the aging American population overwhelming wants to remain in their home as long as they are physically able. This makes in home care so important because it allows individuals to maintain a feeling of independence and to live in the comfort of their home, with some outside assistance.

40% of adults age 65+ require daily assistance, and 70% will at some point

Although aging Americans want to remain in their home, the majority will require assistance to do so; they cannot do it alone. Again, this speaks to the benefit of having a professional caregiver who can provide this assistance without requiring someone to move to an assisted living facility.

On average, adults 60 and older live 280 miles away from their nearest adult child

In some instances, a family member can care for an aging loved one. However, as children move further and further away from their parents, on average, this makes that less feasible. Instead, a professional caregiver can be found in virtually any location and can commute daily to assist someone with their day-to-day tasks and to provide companionship.

$25 billion a year in hospital costs is saved thanks to home care

Yes, hiring a professional caregiver comes at a cost, but there are also cost-savings associated with in home care. A combined $25 billion a year in hospital costs is saved thanks to home care. This means having a caregiver onsite increases safety, ensures medication is taken on time and helps to maintain hygiene, among many other things.

25% fewer doctor visits occur when home care is in place

With the assistance of a caregiver, doctor visits substantially decrease. The less an aging adult needs to visit the doctor, the less they need to worry about how they will get there and if they will be exposed to additional illnesses while there. All around, the more we can prevent necessary trips to the doctor’s office the better! A caregiver is proven to help with exactly this, adding just one more benefit to using in home care.

Be sure to take a look at this full report. It offers a lot of valuable information to consider when it comes to hiring a professional caregiver!

Do you agree with these benefits of home care? Are there other benefits that were not mentioned in the report? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: benefits, caregiver, home care, home health agency, home health care, in-home caregiver, professional, research

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