How Companion Caregivers Engage Seniors and Reduce Isolation
November 13th, 2020aging in place, Alzheimer's Care, Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Hire CNA, Hire HHA, Hire PCA, Home Healthcare, House Cleaning, In Home Care, Janitorial Service, Long Term Care, Office Cleaning, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Retirement Plans for Seniors, Senior Care Services, Spring Activities, Summer Activities for Seniors, Uncategorized,
Caring for Seniors: How Companion Caregivers Engage Seniors and Reduce Isolation
Seniors are prone to isolation. But the ongoing pandemic has increased the possibility of seniors becoming isolated even more. One way to reduce isolation is to connect seniors with a companion. Here is an overview of how seniors can benefit from companionship and increased engagement from companion caregivers.
What Companion Caregivers Do
The main thing that companion caregivers do for seniors is to socialize with them. They provide in home senior care on set days of the week, giving their clients something to look forward to during the week. Companion caregivers can assist seniors with household tasks like paying bills, caring for pets, and preparing meals, assist with transportation, and provide medication reminders. But it is the social aspect of their job that cannot be understated.
Companion caregivers provide a connection to the outside world, and for seniors who have difficulty leaving their house due to physical limitations or conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, this is important.
Making Connections and Engaging
Companion caregivers help connect with seniors by engaging them in activities like taking walks together, reading together, playing games, and simply having conversations about life and family. Studies conducted in recent years have shown that taking the time to do these things matters. Care workers at nursing homes in the United Kingdom were given care champion training to help them engage residents with dementia in conversation for at least one hour a week. The care workers were given prompts and cues to help elicit conversation.
Over time, researchers found that the seniors who participated in the study had a better quality of life and were less agitated compared to using medication to reduce it. Other studies have found that creating individualized care plans and teaching seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia how to do certain tasks saw their activities of daily living go up.
Benefits of Staying Active
Engaging with seniors by using conversations and activities has shown that seniors live longer and improve memory and executive function. Companion caregivers can also provide long term care and emotional support that connecting with family and friends would normally bring and make them feel joy.
If you’re searching for a companion caregiver for your elderly loved one, reach out to Polish Care Services. We’ll match a companion caregiver to a senior that meets their needs. Reach out to us today.
Caring for Seniors: Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 During Cold
September 28th, 2020aging in place, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Companion Senior Care, Dementia Care, Disability Care, Elderly Care, Fall Activities for Seniors, Long Term Care, Meditation, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Spring Activities,
COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future, until there is an effective and safe vaccine. As the pandemic considers, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep seniors safe during long term care as we head into the colder months. Here is what to keep in mind when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Covering Your Bases: Basic COVID-19 Spread Prevention
It is best to reinforce what is already known, wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times when outside the house and encourage everyone you live with to do the same. Keep one in your car or bag if you accidentally leave it behind. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Keep six feet of distance between yourself and others when outside the home. Avoid large gatherings with friends, and groups and observe social distancing and mask-wearing precautions if you do. Do not touch your face and monitor your health daily by going through the common symptoms. Stay home if you feel ill.
What to Do in the Fall
Flu shots are available starting in September. Experts recommend getting one starting in October so that it lasts for the entire season. Arrange for your elderly loved one to get one as well. Some medical providers or services may come to the house to give one for a fee if your loved one or client doesn’t already have home health care nurses seeing them.
How to Care For Clients or Loved Ones at Home During the Colder Months
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 during fall, winter, and spring relies upon following many of the same basic precautions for in home senior care. Both the care provider and the elderly person should be wearing masks while the care provider is in close proximity. Minimize indoor conversation and stay six feet away from any other family members or pets in the house. Minimize conversations indoors and clean surfaces touched as you go. If possible, increase ventilation indoors without making the room too cold. Encourage others in the home to clean surfaces after you leave as well.
If you have supplies such as gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer, keep the supplies in a sealed container in the home to use only when you’re there.
Finding a trusted care provider to help your loved one is a challenge. Polish Care Services will answer the call. Reach out to us to learn how our caregivers help the elderly receive quality in-home care.
Caring for Seniors: Managing Finances
July 28th, 2020Caregiver Employment, Caregiver job, Caregiver Service, Companion Caregiver, Companion Senior Care, Disability Care, Hire CNA, In Home Care, in home care assistance, Long Term Care, Outdoor Activities for Seniors, Polish Care Services, Senior Living, Senior Services, Seniors, Spring Activities,
Caring for Seniors: Managing Finances
Care is an expensive part of getting older. Everyone will need some type of long term care in their senior years. This knowledge does not make planning for these financial eventualities any easier. Long-term care insurance is one option that helps with the cost of care as people age. This article provides an overview of what this insurance option is and what it covers.
What is Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance covers services that help seniors as they get older. It helps with the cost of having assistance for activities of daily living or ADLs such as bathing, dressing, and transferring. Traditional health insurance doesn’t cover such costs. This insurance can cover:
– In-Home Care
– Home Health Aides
– Care at an Assisted Living Facility
– Care in a Nursing Home
Long-term care insurance is an option that some seniors choose because they may not want to use a loan, property sale, or to depend on family to help out if care is needed.
The Benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance can help pay for in-home senior care and seniors can stay at home longer. The insurance will typically begin covering services when assistance is needed with two or more ADLs. Because it covers in-home care, a senior can have caregivers come into their home and help them with ADLs along with things like cooking and cleaning.
The costs of moving to assisted living or to a nursing home has a monthly rate starting at $6,000 on average excluding the cost of medical care. If you are a senior in need of care, the cost is typically less expensive to stay at home with care.
What to Keep in Mind About Long-Term Care Insurance
The best time to buy long-term care insurance is between the ages of 50 and 65. Waiting longer may mean an increase in cost, especially for those with an existing condition. Insurance premiums are not cheap but for those who can’t afford care out-of-pocket and are not considered low-income, long-term care insurance is something to think carefully about.
If you’re in need of in-home senior care, reach out to the staff of Polish Care Services 860-255-8278 or [email protected]. We can help walk you and your family through the options for in-home senior care.