lemoyne Archives - Ella Home Care

October 11, 2021 by Kirk Brechbiel

Tips for Preventing Isolation in the Winter Months

The winter months can be hard on anyone, but especially our senior adults who already face the challenge of feeling isolated daily. The colder weather and wintery conditions create new challenges for staying connected in person, getting outside, and keeping spirits high. In order to stave off the “winter blues” it’s important to have a game plan and take proactive measures going into this season. Keep reading for our best tips for helping anyone, but senior adults in particular, feeling positive and connected during the winter months.

Develop an action plan now.

Before the dead of winter sets in, put a plan in place for events and activities that you can look forward to. When you leave your social schedule to chance, it’s far more likely that days and weeks will pass without much outside activity. While you have the energy and motivation to stay busy and connected during the winter months, commit to social engagements that you can put on your calendar well in advance. Whether it’s for you or a loved one, you’ll see these coming up on your calendar and they will offer a bright spot to look forward to. Even if you don’t feel like sticking with your obligation when the time arises, this will provide the encouragement you need to break away from dull habits and try something new. Speaking of which…

Try something new.

Beyond just meeting up with friends for coffee or a card game, look at the winter months as an opportunity to try something new and different. Explore a hobby you’ve always wanted to try or volunteer your time toward something productive. There is a lot you can still do from the comfort of home thanks to technology that enables us to be connected from afar. Make it a goal to end the winter season having gained a new skill, friend, or pastime.

Find people to hold you accountable.

Let friends and family members know now that you need their help during the winter months to check in regularly and to provide encouragement. As the season changes, the days get shorter, and the temps drop, it can be tempting to revert to daily habits that are comfortable yet stagnant. While it may feel good to “stay in” in the moment, the effort you put forth to see other people and partake in activities will always leave you feeling far more fulfilled. The best thing you can do is to ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable for the obligations you place on your schedule that help you stay connected and get out of the house every so often. A phone call or text to check-in will go a long way!

Be receptive to help.

And finally, know when you need help and be open to receiving it. If you ask someone to visit you regularly, check-in or encourage you with opportunities for events and activities throughout the winter, make every effort to say “yes” as often as possible. What may seem uncomfortable or like extra effort at the moment will be the nudge you need to keep you out of a slump and to avoid the winter blues. Plus, saying “yes” to social offers will always give you more opportunities to make memories you’ll cherish for years to come.

With the change of any season comes a new set of challenges as well as opportunities for joy and growth. We hope this advice will help you and your loved ones more into winter confidently with a plan to seek joyful moments of connectivity.

October 6, 2021 by Kirk Brechbiel

The Pros and Cons of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

With any important decision we face, it’s important to examine the pros and cons are careful as possible. This is true of deciding whether you or a loved one could benefit from the assistance of a professional caregiver coming to your home. While there are the obvious pros and cons you might imagine right off the bat, keep reading as we dive a little deeper into the challenges and benefits you’ll want to weigh when making this important decision.

Pro: The convenience and comfort of aging in your home.

As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. Often as we age, we value more and more the comfort and convenience of our homes and everything that goes with it – the familiarity, the memories, and having things just the way we like it. With the assistance of a professional caregiver, senior adults can age safely and comfortably in their homes longer than they could on their own without additional assistance as the need arises.

Con: Safety proofing the home and becoming comfortable with someone else assisting.

On the flip side, aging in your current home may yield safety concerns that need to be addressed along the way. This could include stairs, hallways that are too narrow for a wheelchair or walker, or kitchen hazards. Most of these concerns can be addressed with some effort and creativity. There may be bigger concerns that require some functioning of the house to accommodate. It’s wise to be aware of these potential concerns early. Take a walk through the home and identify areas that could become a hazard and then map out a plan for how you will address them as needed.

Pro: Family or friends are alleviated from the role of a caregiver.

Family and friends deserve to be exactly that – family and friends. Caring for one another from time to time is necessary and expected, but no one thrives as someone else’s full-time caregiver. This causes an imbalance and stress on the relationship that results in less-than-ideal outcomes. But with the help of a professional caregiver to alleviate this burden, family and friends can continue to visit or live together as they please, on their own terms. For this reason and many others, the help of a professional caregiver is invaluable.

Con: The added expense of hiring a professional caregiver.

Certainly, there is a cost associated with hiring a professional caregiver. Because of the conveniences and one-on-one care of being cared for in your home, it may come at a higher cost than moving to a continuing care retirement community, though that is not always the case. What’s most important to keep in mind is the value of peace of mind and the safety and well-being of someone you love. What is this worth to you? In many instances, families can prioritize and provide for a professional caregiver as the need arises.

Pro: Qualified care that can increase and adjust to changing needs.

One of the biggest benefits of having a professional caregiver is their ability to adapt to the changing needs of the person for which they care. This can change rapidly or slowly over time. Whether this is mental, physical, or emotional – it’s expected that an aging person’s needs will change and a professional caregiver offers the experience and expertise to adjust their course of care in real-time and make recommendations that are in everyone’s best interests.

Con: Some needs exceed the role of a professional caregiver.

It’s important to be aware that the abilities of professional caregivers only go so far. In some instances, a person’s needs are best met in a continuing care facility that is better equipped to care for them physically and mentally. Their home may not be an ideal living situation, or they may need round-the-clock medical care best suited for a professional team of doctors and nurses. A professional caregiver may still be able to care for a person up until they reach this point but will be quick to inform the family with the needs of their loved one exceed the services that can be provided in the home.

Are you or someone you know considering hiring a professional caregiver or working with an in-home caregiver service to care for you or a loved one? If you have questions that remain unanswered, we’re here to help! Contact Ella Home Care today to learn more about this important life decision.

July 12, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

5 Traits of an Exceptional Professional Caregiver

At Ella Home Care, we seek and hire only exceptional professional caregivers to join our team. What makes them exceptional? We found there are a few traits that these individual have in common. Keep reading to see if these describe you. If so, you might just have a future career as a professional caregiver!

Commitment

Commitment is important in anything we do, but especially when we are caring for senior adults. These individuals count on consistency and reliability. They need to know you are going to show up for them when they expect you to do so. Additionally, as they build a relationship and friendship with you, it can be difficult when that is taken away suddenly. A committed caregiver gives our clients the peace of mind that they will be cared for properly, and will develop a lifelong friendship they can count on.

Honesty

The next important trait of an exceptional caregiver is honesty. Communication is a critical component of professional caregiving so we need to know you will communicate openly and honestly both with Ella Home Care and the person for which you are caring. If you see a concern, speak up. If you need help, tell someone. You have a critical role of caring for someone else’s life and honesty greatly impacts that quality of life.

Compassion

When caring for our senior population, you will likely be met with situations where you will need to show compassion. We always want our clients to maintain their dignity even as they age, which is why we need compassionate caregivers who will help care for their personal needs when they no longer can. And mostly importantly, an exceptional caregiver shows love and kindness when doing so.

Positivity

You’ll be met with challenges as a caregiver, and it’s important to keep a positive attitude to help you overcome them. Maybe it’s an accident or illness, maybe it’s just been a real tiring day, or maybe there’s a time when you don’t see eye-to-eye with someone. We want caregivers who respond with positivity and who are team players when it comes to problem solving.

Energy

Caregiving is not running a marathon, but some days it can feel like it mentally, emotionally, and physically. An exceptional caregiver doesn’t give up, but rather maintains their energy to keep caring for someone even when you feel tired or depleted. We also want high energy caregivers who are inspired to go above and beyond for someone by seeking new activities or starting new conversations.

If these traits align with your own traits and you have a heart for caring for senior adults, we would love to talk to you. Reach out to Ella Home Care today to explore our career opportunities.

July 7, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

4 Myths About In-Home Care – Debunked

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding care for senior adults. Everything from cost and quality of care, to concerns over socialization and much more. Take a look as we dive deeper into four common myths about professional in-home care and the truths you should know.

Myth: Professional in-home care is always more expensive than assisted living communities.

Fact: Sure, there are instances when this may be true, but there are also instances in which it will not. It’s important to not believe the “always” myth about the cost of professional in-home care when compared to assisted living costs. Many factors will play into what your unique situation will cost, including level of care needed, length of care, and if the one being cared for has advanced needs. In many cases, the cost of allowing a loved one to remain in their home with the assistance of a professional caregiver visiting several days a week can be more cost-effective than moving them into an assisted living community permanently. Furthermore, what is the cost of your loved ones happiness and quality of life? If their wish is to remain in their home as long as possible, it’s hard to put a price tag on that.

Myth: I won’t have any oversight over the type of care my loved one is receiving.

Fact: There is a lot of oversight, follow-up and monitoring of in-home professional caregiving. All of our caregivers must pass extensive background searches, clearances, and requirements to be qualified to care for one of our clients. We carefully match our caregivers based upon the type of care required, location, personality, level of experience, and much more. Our caregivers are also supervised by Care Coordinator and other administration staff who monitor the care being given to each client. In addition to the steps we take, when your loved one is being cared for in their home, you can also choose to install cameras for security. This is not commonly allowed of families in assisted living communities.

Myth: My loved one will be lonely or lack socialization.

Fact: An in-home professional caregiver is not only there to care for your loved one’s physical needs, they are every bit there to also care for your loved one’s mental and emotional needs. They are an ear to listen, a smile to brighten the day, and hands to do activities with your loved one. With an in-home caregiver, they are also receiving something not typically found in an assisted living community, and that’s undivided one-on-one attention for the entire time they are there. If your loved one craves extra socialization, we take care to choose the right caregiver whose personality aligns best with that.

Myth: My loved one will be bounced around from caregiver to caregiver.

Fact: At Ella Home Care, we know how important consistency and reliability is especially for aging loved ones. This is why we pride ourselves on hiring caregivers that are committed to being a part of the Ella family for as long as possible. And when a change does have to be made, we quickly find a compatible caregiver and ease them into building a new relationship with your loved one on their terms and comfort level.

Is there another myth you’d like to have us shed some light on? Ask us a question in the comments below and we would be happy to provide you with an answer. Or contact us today to have a discussion about professional in-home care for a loved one.

March 9, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

Myths vs. the Facts about In-Home Care

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic of in-home care provided by personal caregivers. To help you directly compare myths versus facts, we’ve compiled some of the most common sentiments and provided you with the facts. Take a look at what you should consider when exploring the option of in-home care or you or an aging loved one.

Myth: It’s too expensive.

Fact: The perception of the cost of in-home personal care is a very important topic, so let’s talk numbers. The national average daily cost for a private nursing home room is $253 dollars a day, according to a survey by Genworth Financial. The national average daily cost for in-home care services is $125 per day assuming 44 hours per week. Nursing care can cost nearly twice as much as home care. And while it can provide 24/7 services, many seniors residing at home don’t need that intensive level of round-the-clock support. In fact, many home-based seniors do not even need 44 hours of home care a week.

Myth: It will be awkward having a ‘stranger’ in the home.

Fact: While a personal care provider will be new at first, it’s just like meeting a friend for the first time. After a few interactions, you quickly learn more about one another and then there will come a time when you can’t remember not having them in your life. The same is true for a personal care provider working in your home or a home of a loved one. Yes, it will take some time and effort to forge a relationship, but given that they will be around frequently, and helping with essential tasks, it takes hardly any time to start to form a bond.

Myth: Home care is only for people who are very sick or terminally ill.

Fact: It’s important to not confuse home care for hospice. While each serve very important, and at times similar roles, they are different. In-home personal care works wonderfully for those who may only need assistance a few days a week to ensure their personal needs are met. In fact, these may be fairly mobile and independent people who simply need an extra set of hands or a regular check-in to ensure they are safe and well.

Myth: My parents are doing fine. It’s way too early to be thinking about this.

Fact: No one wants to believe that their parents are getting old and struggling to take care of themselves. As children, we want to forever believe our parents are as capable as they have always been. But the reality is this way of thinking is not helpful to our aging loved ones or ourselves. It’s important to be tuned into what’s really taking place. If your mom needs help remembering to take the correct medications at the correct times, or your dad is having difficulty balancing the check book, a personal care provider can help with all of this and more while enabling them to remain living comfortably in their own home.

Myth: We’re capable of handling this on our own.

Fact: Some families may believe they can fully handle the needs of their aging relatives on their own. And in some instances, maybe they can. But if you’re like most families, you have work obligations and other personal obligations that fill up most of your time. You wouldn’t want your mom or dad to become an added stress on your schedule or to be seen as yet one more item on your to-do list in a day. With an in home care provider, children get to remain children to their parents, even as they age. Sometimes being both a child and a caregiver can be too much and put a strain on a relationship that should be cherished.

Myth: My mom or dad are completely against it.

Fact: It’s perfectly naturally to be opposed to change, at least at first. There are many unknowns and misconceptions that can cause us to form a negative opinion without all the facts. If you find your mom or dad have expressed that they are against having a personal caregiver in their home, urge them to try it for just one week. What harm can it do? This will give them a chance to experience the benefits and really see that it’s like so they can make an informed decision based on experience and fact.

Myth: It will look like I’m putting my responsibilities on someone else.

Fact: First of all, who cares what anyone else thinks especially if you are acting in the best interest of your family? Second, seeking help for something that is beyond your ability is the most responsible thing you can do. It in no way reflects that you don’t care for your aging loved one. In fact, the opposite is true. It demonstrates your level of love and commitment to them by seeking out the best possible for of care to keep them safe and healthy as long as possible.

Are you or someone you know considering the help of an in-home personal caregiver for a loved one? We hope you found these myths vs. fact helpful and enlightening. If you should have additional questions or wish to explore your options for personal care, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Tips for Preventing Isolation in the Winter Months

The Pros and Cons of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

5 Traits of an Exceptional Professional Caregiver

4 Myths About In-Home Care – Debunked

Myths vs. the Facts about In-Home Care

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