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  • HOW TO HIRE AN IN-HOME CAREGIVER

    HOW TO HIRE AN IN-HOME CAREGIVER

    It’s official: You’ve decided to hire an in-home caregiver for yourself or a loved one. That is a great weight off your mind, and you’re looking forward to getting the extra support you need. 

    Still, the practicalities seem daunting. How do you find the right person — or team of people — to meet your requirements? 

    Here’s our three-step plan on how to choose an in-home caregiver. 

    ●    Step 1: Work out when you need your caregiver to start 

    Some needs can’t wait, so deciding when to hire an in-home caregiver for an elderly loved one often comes first. For example, if a previously mobile senior suffers an injury, or is discharged from the hospital to recuperate after surgery, they may suddenly go from needing no care at all to requiring round-the-clock supervision. 

    If you must have help right away, we recommend you go through an agency. Hiring the right private caregiver takes time and cutting any corners could put you or your loved one at risk. Care Advantage promises to provide you with the help you need within 24 hours of your request. 

    ●     Step 2: Define what you’re looking for  

    Try to imagine what the perfect care plan for you or your loved one would look like. Do you want someone for companionship and grocery runs, or for 24/7assistance from a nursing provider — for instance, someone who can administer IV drugs and change dressings? 

    Next, to hire a private caregiver, turn this wish list into a job description, then advertise for candidates. However conscientiously you do this, there’s always a chance you’ll overlook something — like forgetting to mention your loved one’s menagerie and that caregivers with pet allergies need not apply. 

    An agency like Care Advantage can take this responsibility off your hands. By collecting detailed information on your health status, habits and preferences, we can roll out individualized care plans. And if your needs evolve, so does our plan. 

    ●     Step 3: Choose between an independent caregiver and an agency 

    Hiring an independent in-home caregiver is a good option for many seniors and can offer excellent value for money. Before taking the plunge, however, consider that you will be responsible for the following: 

    ○    Drafting and advertising a job posting

    ○    Researching hourly rates in your region and deciding whether to pay more for extra experience or skills

    ○    Writing a contract, interviewing candidates and organizing background checks

    ○    Paying applicable employment taxes and generally staying on the right side of the IRS and state regulators

    ○    Finding last-minute cover for caregivers who call in sick  

    If you go through an agency, you will pay somewhat more but do far, far less — including none of the above. Care Advantage, for example, has prescreened attendants covering a vast range of skills and experience — and we handle all the paperwork. We’re so confident that we offer both excellence and value for money that we promise to refund your first 24hours of fees if you’re not satisfied with our services. 

    One final thought: If you hire in haste, don’t think you have to repent at leisure. If things aren’t working out with your current caregiving team, there’s still time to change course. Contact us today for an informal chat on how we might help.

  • Care Advantage Named the Best In Home Care Provider in Richmond

    Care Advantage Named the Best In Home Care Provider in Richmond

    For the seventh year, The Times-Dispatch asked Richmonders to offer their thoughts about “The Best” of our region. During the spring and summer, members of the Richmond community visited Richmond.com to tell the publication about their favorite businesses, events and so much more in the area. Categories included Health & Beauty, Automotive, Entertainment and many others. After 270,000, the results were printed over the weekend.

    CARE ADVANTAGE NAMED THE BEST IN HOME CARE PROVIDER IN RICHMOND

    Care Advantage has been providing in home care services to Central Virginia and beyond for more than 30 years. Because of our experience with in-home care services, and our wide network of caregivers, we are able to provide you the flexibility and customized approach to caregiving you want. Whether you need a part-time caregiver, weekends-only help, or full-time skilled nursing, we work hard to provide what you need, when you need it.

    Relationships begin with mutual respect, and respect is one of our core values that everyone at Care Advantage strives to embody. We recognize we are coming into your home to help you or a loved one at a time of vulnerability, and we approach the work of caregiving with a can-do attitude. We’re here to make life better for a fellow human being, so we treat our clients like we would want to be treated.

    Because we are a caregiving agency, we save you and your family many of the challenges and pitfalls of hiring an in-home caregiver. All of our employees are screened and go through background checks, and we provide the legal and liability infrastructure so that you can focus solely on wellness – and our caregivers can focus on getting to know you and giving the best care.

    We’re able to offer a tailor-made approach to in-home care thanks to the wide-ranging talents in our team. While many of our clients simply need a little bit of extra help – from companionship to help with shopping, cooking, cleaning, dressing, or bathing – some of our clients need the extensive medical care of a licensed professional or registered nurse.

    We strongly believe that people do a better job when they love what they do. Our ongoing commitment to develop and enhance our employees’ opportunities and development is part of the reason why Care Advantage was voted a Top Workplace for three years in a row.  In addition, many of our locations have been voted an Employer and Provider of choice by Home Care Pulse.

    So, if you’re looking for a job or quality of care that gives you more of what you’re looking for, look no further than the Care Advantage family of companies.

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  • 6 Common Concerns in Senior Caregiving

    6 Common Concerns in Senior Caregiving

    Folks who must find a caregiver for their loved one have some common anxieties. For instance, they worry that the professional won’t care about their elder, their loved one won’t qualify for the service, or another obstacle will arise. But speaking to providers and reading other clients’ testimonials can alleviate those concerns. If you have a similar predicament, learn more about senior caregiver services below and get your loved one the support they need.

    People throughout the Salisbury, MD, area can turn to Coastal Home Care for personalized, reliable, and flexible in-home elder care. Our experienced staff members approach each patient with respect and dignity, providing them with one-on-one attention. If you’re interested in thoughtful and compassionate senior services, contact Coastal Home Care today.

    Below, we discuss common concerns about senior care and demonstrate the flaws of these beliefs:

    1. Professional Caregivers Don’t Care about Their Clients

    This misconception probably springs from the genuine anxiety of relying on a stranger. However, it disregards the nature of individuals who pursue such careers. Similar to nurses, teachers, and first responders, caregivers want to help others. Moreover, the caregiving process gives rise to rapport and kinship.

    We screen and train our caregivers because we want to send out staff members that we trust and vouch for. Moreover, we encourage potential clients to read the testimonials of patients and their families, as doing so provides a better sense of our care.

    2. In-Home Care Is for People Who Are Very Sick

    Some people may overlook in-home services because they believe such care is for seniors who are severely ill. Since their loved one needs a little help–rather than a lot–they assume in-home care remains out of reach.

    While some seniors receive round-the-clock, at-home medical care, others get non-medical support in the form of self-care, daily chores, or medication management. Indeed, research indicates that companion care provides seniors with non-medical benefits.

    3. I’ll Have No Control Over Who Comes into the Home

    Another natural anxiety about in-home care services revolves around individual caregivers. Seniors and their families may feel that they have no control over who enters the senior’s home. This prospect excites a great deal of concern for safety and comfort.

    However, reputable service providers vouch for all their staff members before sending them out. Moreover, those providers want to build a healthy rapport with their patients, and they’ll listen to feedback about individual providers. We also recommend that, when searching for a care service, you ask in-home providers about the details of their offerings.

    4. The Quality of In-Home Care is Inferior to That Provided in Assisted Living Facilities

    Although some people use them interchangeably, the terms in-home care and assisted living denote specific services. The former calls for a caregiver to travel to their patient’s home, where they fulfill their duties. The latter involves seniors moving into a designated facility, where the nursing staff provides care and attends to their condition.

    Another distinction between these options lies in the intent. In-home care allows seniors to remain independent, and it often involves non-medical services. Assisted living facilities are made for elders who can no longer live alone and require extensive medical services every day.

    5. If a Senior Only Needs Help with Personal Care, They Don’t Qualify for Home Care

    On the contrary, seniors who need help with just personal care are ideal candidates for in-home services. Virtually everyone wants to live in the home they’ve grown accustomed to, and home care allows seniors to do so. With the help of a professional, seniors can remain in the place they love and avoid the disruption of a move to assisted living.

    6. If a Senior Needs Around-the-Clock Care, Home Care Isn’t an Option

    While some folks simply require support for daily chores, others need constant medical attention. The latter calls for round-the-clock care, which Coastal Home Care offers to patients. Our planning for such care may differ from non-medical visits, but we can still help your senior retain their independence and comfort. You should keep an eye out for indicators that your senior requires 24/7 care.

    Compassionate and Reliable Senior Caregivers Available in Talbot County, MD

    Watching a loved one age is already a challenging and sensitive time–their care should grant you some peace of mind. So, turn to the professional senior caregivers at Coastal Home Care for reliable in-home care services. We work with families throughout Talbot County, MD, to ensure their elders can remain independent and comfortable in their homes. Moreover, our exceptional staff creates personalized care programs for each patient. Call us today at (410) 572-5606 or fill out our online form for more information.

  • The Differences of Elder Home Care vs. Independent Living Communities

    The Differences of Elder Home Care vs. Independent Living Communities

     

    On a spectrum between providing independence and assistive support, elder home care services and independent living communities lean toward independence for their patients. However, these options have key differences that make them distinctly better for seniors looking for support. Plus, just one involves top-quality senior caregivers helping elders maintain their personal lives and households.

    The Coastal Home Care team is dedicated to serving the seniors and their families of Kent County, DE, through quality in-home caregiving. Our trained nurses provide personalized care for each of our patients. They are also qualified to administer specialized care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other chronic conditions. We help seniors live independently by ensuring they get the support they need.

    Below, we discuss the key differences between elder home care and independent living communities:

    What are Elder Home Care and Independent Living Communities?

    An elder home care service calls for a trained nurse to assist a senior with daily living activities in their home. The level of care provided depends on the needs of a given patient. At Coastal Home Care, we ensure our caregivers cover the precise needs of each patient by performing a Plan of Care assessment before beginning our services.

    On the other hand, independent living communities involve a senior moving into an assisted living facility or retirement community. There, they receive daily assistance from nurses similar to that of a home care service. However, these patients’ daily living activities are limited to what they can do within the facility.

    Though independent living is far less restrictive than other forms of elder care, elder home care is far more flexible and less stringent than independent living. Below, we provide further detail on how elder home care and independent living differ.

    The Main Differences Between Elder Home Care and Independent Living Communities

    Living Quarters

    One major difference in elder home care from independent living is the senior’s living space.

    As the name suggests, home care primarily occurs within a given senior’s residence, meaning they receive the assistance they need every day while still living in the comfort of their own home.

    With this, seniors are allowed to leave things just the way they are, with exceptions to some safety installations such as ramps for wheelchair access, chair lifts for staircases, as well as railings and anti-slip mats in the bathroom.

    In the case of independent living, seniors move out of their residences and into private apartment suites or townhomes within a community of seniors and assistive nursing staff.

    While all areas of the facility are designed to keep seniors safe, this means certain limitations are made.

    For example, some facilities may not provide apartment suites equipped with full kitchens to ensure residents are safe from any potential cooking or fire hazards.

    Care Services and Other Amenities

    Another big difference between home care and independent living are the levels of caregiving. As we mentioned previously, elder home care is a personal, one-to-one form of caregiving in which services are tailored to the senior who receives it. This can involve simple companion care tasks like:

    They can also provide more personal care services, such as:

    • Assisting with bathing, dressing, and hygiene
    • Helping seniors with physical movement and exercise
    • Working together to prepare and cook healthy meals

    On the other hand, independent living communities are less direct in assisting seniors. Rather, the staff focuses on reducing the number of responsibilities for senior residents. They take care of housekeeping, maintenance, landscaping, security, and even provide dining facilities where seniors receive their meals.

    Compared to independent living, at-home care tends to provide much more independence for seniors to choose and perform their daily living tasks, albeit with some assistance from a caregiver.

     Costs

    Finally, among the biggest differences between elder home care and independent living is the overall cost. Each can vary greatly due to certain factors, particularly home care. Home care services are more flexible in terms of costs due to the variety of scheduling options they offer. This allows families and seniors to hire caregivers for as long as they need them, whether it’s only for a few hours each week or entire days.

    In many cases, families keep costs low by using elder home care nurses as supplementary caregivers. On the other hand, independent living costs are paid as monthly rental payments, including utilities and amenities.

    However, seniors would have to pay for their cable and phone costs, as well as various one-time fees upon joining. This could include a community fee, a pet fee, and if couples are joining together, a secondary fee for the additional tenant.

    Coastal Home Care: Senior Caregivers in Kent County, DE

    There are many differences between home care and independent living, but they both exist to cover the differing needs and preferences of each particular senior. For those seeking to continue living more independently in their Kent County, DE homes, consider working with a team of experienced senior caregivers from Coastal Home Care. Our nurses are well-trained and qualified to provide services in dementia and Alzheimer’s care, medication management, hospice support, and much more. Contact us at (302) 752-1800 to learn how we can help your senior loved one and your family through our excellent elder home care services.

  • How to Choose the Right Caregiver for Your Loved One

    Finding a compassionate caregiver for your elder is a difficult task. We expect that you are concerned whether a quality in-home caregiver can provide an accurate level of comprehensive care for your loved one. Moreover, entrusting your senior’s care to a stranger may feel like a risk, but it helps to know what aspects you should look for in choosing the right caregiver.

    At Coastal Home Care, we offer a certified and experienced nursing staff for patients throughout Kent County, DE. Our registered nurses assist patients with daily tasks as well as help them deal with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and more. If you want tailor-fit home caregiving for your elder, call Coastal Home Care.

    Below, we outline how to find the right caregiver for your loved one:

    Evaluate the Financial Limitations

    As you begin your search for a caregiver, you must research the costs of hiring and sustaining their services and the resources. In short, think about the level of care you and your loved one can afford.

    Consider all available options, including a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a home care service. Check their costs, their payment options, and the services that they offer.

    We’d like to add that, at Coastal Home Care, we provide flexible caregiving schedules so families can afford our service—even if the service is only for part of the day or week. This means you can get the assistance your loved one and your family needs right when you need it at a reasonable price.

    Understand What You Need in a Caregiver

    Why exactly does your loved one need a caregiver in the first place? Being focused and concentrated on these details will result in gaining a clearer sense of what is needed, which can be difficult to achieve since the care of your elder loved one can be deeply affecting.

    On top of that, there are many more questions to consider, such as:

    • Does your elder need assistance with every daily task, such as cooking, cleaning, maintaining personal hygiene, etc.?
    • Is your elder in danger of injury due to falling hazards?
    • Does your elder need transportation to their appointments and other activities?

    Discuss with Everyone, Especially Your Loved One

    Talk things over with your loved one and the rest of your family and friends—all involved in your loved one’s everyday life. Enlisting in the support of a caregiver is going to be a major change, and one that requires all-around support from everybody.

    Although your elder is being supported by a caregiver, they will know they still have the love and support of their family and friends.

    It’s also important to openly discuss how everyone, as a family, will support your loved one going forward, as putting the burden singularly on you or the caregiver only makes this more difficult and less sustainable for the future.

    Discuss what each family member can provide, whether it be a financial stake in paying for caregiving services, or providing personal care each week instead. If everyone pitches in, things will surely go smoothly.

    When Looking, Be Courteous But Thorough

    Finally, when going through various candidates, whether they are nursing agencies, home care providers, or independent caregivers, you should be thorough in finding out whether they can properly care for your loved one.

    Don’t just discuss costs and schedule; find out the full extent of services they provide. Consider discussing the following with them:

    1. Their caregiving services transition process
    2. What their caregiving services consist of
    3. Their level of experience in dealing with particular conditions, such as dementia.
    4. Certifications and training
    5. Request a background check

    Find a Quality In-Home Caregiver in Kent County, DE from Coastal Home Care

    These are some of the first things to consider when looking for a home care service for your elder loved one. Of course, knowing where to get the best in-home caregiver services in Kent County, DE, surely helps you arrive at your decision much easier. Coastal Home Care has provided excellent elder care services to elders and families throughout Kent County. Our trained nurses are experienced in providing personalized care to each of our patients. Contact us at (302) 752-1800 to learn more and schedule a service with us today!

  • CELEBRATING THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF AMERICANS WITH HISPANIC DECENT

    CELEBRATING THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF AMERICANS WITH HISPANIC DECENT

    “SAY YOU’RE DOMINICAN WITHOUT SAYING YOU’RE DOMINCAN”, A STORY OF GROWING UP IN A HISPANIC HOME FROM MAGGIE VICTORIA, SCHEDULING AND RESOURCE SPECIALIST FOR CARE ADVANTAGE.

    National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th, celebrating the culture and history of Americans with Hispanic descent.

    On the weekends when you’re cleaning your home, you have Bachataon blast, echoing through your hallways and you occasionally dance with your broom or mop. Your inside voice is really yoursitting-on-the-bleachers-in-Yankee-stadium-with-a-full-house voice, and your laugh is silent with tears streaming down your face and your stomach doing the jiggle.

    When it comes to mealtime the staple is rice, beans, stewed chicken, fried sweet plantains, and a green salad with avocado, served on your table and you may not be excused until you finish your plate, because according to your mom “There are children starving in the world so we cannot waste. “After lunch you take an afternoon nap and then continue your labor until the evening hours. Your mom teaches you how to clean and cook before you reach high school, and you must always look out for your younger brothers and sisters while your parents work. Everyone is either an aunt, uncle, or cousin who is allowed to tell on you when they catch you doing something you are not supposed to. All of us are taught to fear the dreaded “Cuco” or boogeyman who will steal you in the night when you misbehave.

    Most of all when it comes to family, we are taught to respect our elders, to always help each other out, and to never ever put our aging loved ones in facilities. Our family gatherings are filled with adults trading stories at the dinner table while they exchange dishes. All the women of the family prepare and take to “Mama’s”(grandma) house, while all the kids gather on the living room floor to play and eat. Mama’s house will have a ceramic statue of the “Divino Niño” (baby Jesus),“San Miguel” (Saint Michael) and/or Jesus, which often scare us as little kids until we grow accustomed to their presence.

    After the family meals, the adults would brew coffee and join Mama and the children in the living room to hear Mama tell stories of how our parents were growing up in (“En aquel tiempo…”) those times. Sunday mornings are especially hectic because everyone is running around trying to get ready to accompany Mama to Sunday service at the Catholic church. You will never find Mama without her rosary necklace, and she will give you the evil if you so cough in church preventing her from hearing the sermon. After mass we must wait until Mama speaks to the priest about how lovely the service was before we go home for Sunday dinner.

    When mama can no longer live alone, usually one of her children or grandchildren will move in to take care of her. We are always respectful and patient with Mama as she starts to forget things and lose her hearing. Everyone chips in to help care for her, all the way down to the young children, even if it’s just fetching her “chancletas” (slippers) from under the bed where she can’t reach. We never stray from her routines and never dare raise our voice or lose our patience.

    When it’s time for Mama to part with our Lord, we hold vigils by her bedside and sing her favorite hymns and pray with her, never once leaving her alone so she feels how much she is loved and respected until the very end. When Mama leaves us, we hold the wake in the family home, inviting the whole community who grew up knowing her. We serve coffee and cheese and crackers. We sing Mamas favorite hymns and continue to sing and pray and recount our fondest memories of Mama until we finally lay her to rest. After she is gone, we hold nine days of prayer in Mama’s house which culminates in amass at her favorite church on the ninth day.

    To say you are “Dominican without saying you are Dominican” is to express your culture through songs, dancing, and food but most of all love and unity.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

    Margarita “Maggie” Victoria is a Scheduling and Resource Specialist in the Chesapeake location for Care Advantage. Originally from the Bronx, New York, she currently resides in Portsmouth, Virginia with her family. She says, “You can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl.” While Maggie misses her friends and family in NYC, she is thrilled to be helping the clients and caregivers in her local community and truly making a difference to everyone she encounters.

  • SAFELY STROLLING INTO FALLS PREVENTION WEEK

    SAFELY STROLLING INTO FALLS PREVENTION WEEK

    Did you know? September 20-24 is Falls Prevention Week!  Throughout my career in home health, falls have always been a relevant topic.  We have tried to do everything we can to educate our physicians on the signs to look for, and guide families and patients on how to prevent falls from happening.

    I hear from our families way too often that our patients “were fine and independent before their recent fall.”  It’s only after the fall and hospitalization that families start gathering information regarding Physical Therapy in the home.

    After a fall everything changes. We must all learn how to operate in this new world where mom or dad may not be okay at home by themselves.  Where we once found stability in our parents, now we find fear. Our fear of not providing them the level of care they need after all those years where they cared for us.  Our parents’ fear of moving around freely in their home without another fall. Our fear when we haven’t heard from them in a day or two.

    In this blog I want to take some time to discuss who is at risk for falling, what you can do to reduce fall risks, how falls affect our seniors, and how falls affect our healthcare system.

    Our seniors are at a great risk for falls.  Here are some risk factors to consider:

    Decreased physical abilities and acute chronic health ailments.  If a senior develops a fear of falling or risk taking, it could limit their movement.  And we all know, if you don’t use it you lose it!

    Medications.  The type and quantity of medication they are on can cause dizziness and weakness which can contribute to falls. Tranquilizers, sedatives, antidepressants, and blood pressure medication are some examples of these medications.

    Habits. A lack of activity and exercise, poor sleep patterns, poor nutrition can all impact a fall risk.

    Environmental hazards.  Tables and rugs that can easily be tripped on, clutter in the home, and poor lighting can all be an issue.

    So I might fall? What’s the big deal?  Well, there are a lot of negative consequences that are possible with a fall.  According to the CDC, falls can cause:

    ·        Broken bones like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.  

    ·        Head injuries which can be very serious, especially for those on certain medications like blood thinners.

    ·        A fear of falling.  That’s a big deal because when someone has a fear of falling, they will cut down on their everyday activities.  When a person is less active, they become weaker, and this increases their chances of falling.

    What can you do to reduce fall risk?

    Exercise! It increases energy levels, improves strength, flexibility, blood pressure, blood sugar, and helps you feel great!

    Eye Exams. By age 65, seniors need three times as much light to see than they did at age 20.

    Footwear. Wear rubber-soled, slip resistant shoes.  Footwear is everything!

    Home Safety Evaluation. Obtain a home safety evaluation or checklist provided by most home health companies

    Alert System. Look into an alert systemin case of an emergency.  That way if a senior does fall and gets hurt, they can obtain help right away.

    TUG test. (Timed Up and Go test). The TUG Test assesses mobility. The tester needs a stopwatch, a tape measure, and a way to create a temporary line on the floor about 10 feet away from a standard armchair. The patient should wear regular footwear and use a walking aid, if needed. The patient sits in the chair; when the tester says “go” and starts the stopwatch, the patient stands up and walks at her normal pace to the line on the floor, turns, walks back to the chair and sits down again. The tester time show long it takes for the patient to complete the task. A patient that takes longer than 12 seconds to complete the TUG test is at high risk of falling, according to the Oncology Nursing Society.

    Finally, how do falls impact our healthcare system?  Falls are serious and costly.

    ·        According to the CDC, over 800,000 patients every year are hospitalized because of a fall injury.

    ·        At least 300,000 seniors are hospitalized for hip fractures. In 2015, the medical costs for falls totaled more than $50billion.  

    ·        Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.

    ·        Even more frightening, fall death rates in the US increased 30% from 2007 to 2016 for older adults, according to the CDC.  

    ·        If these rates continue to rise, we can anticipate 7 fall deaths every hour by 2030.

    It is our responsibility to open our eyes and recognize the warning signs.  To seek an intervention before the falls happen and life changes for everyone.  When it’s you in their shoes, you are going to want that same attention.  Just remember, it’s not if it’s you- it’s when it’s you. We may not be able to stop a fall from happening, but just imagine the possibilities if we could prevent it for a few more years…

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

    Kristine Fadely is a Home Care Specialist with All About Care, A Care Advantage, Inc Company. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family.

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  • How Do I Know if My Loved One Needs Care 24/7?

    We all have a collection of daily cares and responsibilities, which occupy our minds and schedules. Nevertheless, you may still worry about your senior loved one and wonder if they need regular care. Seniors may deny that they need help or struggle with chores because they want to maintain their independence. However, if your loved one shows bruising, suffers incontinence, or indicates mental decline, reach out to a professional elderly nurse.

    For elder care services in Kent County, DE, turn to Coastal Home Care. We offer personalized support so that your loved one can enjoy their retirement in the place they call home. Our team of nurse aides and companions provide Alzheimer’s and dementia care, hospice, medication management, and more services. We want you and your senior to feel comfortable and confident about their care. So, visit our website and read what our customers think of our work then contact us with any questions.

    Below, we further expand on the physical and mental signs that an elder loved one needs 24/7 in-home care:

    Physical Signs

    • Bruising
      First, recognize that persistent bruising can point toward a lack of strength or motor control. Although everyone has an occasional bump or stumble, bruises from repeated instances may suggest a more insidious problem.Keep in mind that your senior may struggle to remember accidents or deny their severity. Take a critical stance but remain sensitive to their hesitancy.
    • Incontinence
      Next, note any evidence of incontinence. This symptom is especially difficult for many people to admit, so tread carefully around it. Nevertheless, incontinence can signal that your loved one struggles to get to the bathroom or control their body.If your senior refuses to acknowledge their incontinence, try discussing aging in place services with them. Doing so may ease their worries about losing independence and help them recognize their predicament.
    • Dependence on assistive equipment
      When they start struggling with mobility, many people turn to assistive devices for support. Walkers, canes, stairlifts, and other aids can help, but complete reliance on them implies that the user also has difficulty with chores and self-care.Many seniors choose to struggle with or neglect self-care instead of asking for help. If you notice a loved one unable to move without support, look for signs of poor hygiene. This combination of symptoms should encourage you to seek elderly services.

    Mental Signs

    • Specific conditions
      Along with physical symptoms, several mental signs can indicate that your loved one requires care. Particular diagnoses, including any stage of Alzheimer’s and dementia, call for immediate support. If symptoms have not begun, you can expect your loved one to gradually exhibit them: forgetting important things, struggling with emotions, etc.
    • General decline
      Sometimes, no particular symptom or diagnosis calls for assistance. Instead, you may notice that the natural aging process has made daily life more challenging for your senior. A Coastal Home Care service like medication management can help ease their burden and ensure they have proper medical care. Both you and your loved one can have some peace of mind without requiring a move into a full-time facility.

    Elderly Nurse Services Available Now in Kent County, DE

    Hire a professional elderly nurse to help relieve your stress and worries of everyday burdens. Contact Coastal Home Care about in-home services for your loved one. Our staff of nurse aides and companions can help your senior with daily chores and self-care as well as symptom management. Plus, we personalize care for each patient so that all receive the help they need. Call our Delaware line today for Kent County services at (302) 752-1800 or fill out our consultation form online.

  • What Ingredients Make for a Great Caregiver

    What Ingredients Make for a Great Caregiver

    I was asked one day, “Amy, what makes a great caregiver? How do you know what to look for?”

    I replied, “Well, it’s like following a recipe.” And then I gave them what my favorite caregiver recipe looks like. First, you must find a person who smiles through the phone as well as face to face. When your heart is smiling it shows in your voice and eyes. Then, you add a pinch of sass, spunk and joi-de-vie, give that a stir and bada-bing you’ve got your base.  

    Now, here the comes the real work. You must have a cup of compassion, a cup of attitude, a cup of respect and two cups of excellence. Combine all your ingredients together and blend them into your base. While blending, add in a cup of education, a cup of positivity, a cup of love and two cups of communication. That ingredient is key. Slowly stir until the mixture is nice and smooth. Take your caregiver and pour into several shift cups and bake for one week at low temperature.  

    Now, you’ll need to baste your caregiver everyday with positivity, encouragement, and respect. When your caregiver is ready to be let go into the world, you’ll have baked a perfect CAREgiver. That’s mnemonic so you don’t forget your basic needs. Care, Attitude, Respect and Excellence.

    I had a caregiver just a few weeks ago that I had baked to perfection. Let me tell you, I was the proudest recruiter/baker you’ve ever seen. She and her husband came into my office to surprise me with the news that she had simultaneously gotten her PCA education completed and been accepted into the LPN program at our local community college! We took pictures together, had snacks and enjoyed our own little celebration. I was stunned! I asked her why she wanted to do this, and she said, “Mrs. Amy, if it hadn’t been for you holding my hand through the PCA class here and encouraging me to be positive, I would never have done this. You made me realize that with faith and hope, all my dreams are possible. You never let me give up, you emailed me a giggle every morning which reminded me to have fun and just breathe. Now look at me! I’m going to be a Nurse! I wanted you to be a part of our celebration and I’m going to stay with you here at Care Advantage for as long as you’ll have me.” Cue the tears…. 

    This is what it’s all about folks. Remember, you’re dealing with human beings who, most of the time, will respond to all the ingredients this recipe calls for. Sure, you’re going to occasionally have issues like burning, flattening, and just not rising, but at the end of the day, if you follow the steps of the recipe for every caregiver, they’ll amaze you with what they can do.

    So go on and get in those caregiving kitchens and bake up some wonderful CAREgivers! It’s what we do and why we exist. To make caregivers and clients happy, satisfied and fulfilled. That’s how we put our brand of sweetness and goodness out into the world. So, ‘til next time, Happy Baking!

    ABOUT THE WRITER:

    Amy Honeycutt, is a Recruitment and Employment Specialist with Care Advantage in South Hill, Virginia. She has been in the medical field since 1998. Her father is a retired Air Rescue Medic with the USAF during Vietnam and entering the world of caregiving was how she knew she could pay his amazingness forward. She is a nationally published writer and is excited to share her thoughts with the world.

  • Why Do Elders Need Medication Management?

    Why Do Elders Need Medication Management?

    As your loved ones age, they may need to take a number of medications prescribed by their doctor. Considering that many of those medications need to be taken at various times throughout the day and with different dosages, it can be difficult managing it alone. Medication mismanagement, also known as medication nonadherence, is a common occurrence. And hiring professional medication management support will help your loved one keep track of their medication and prevent inaccurate dosages.

    At Coastal Home Care, we understand that families need additional caregiving support now more than ever. Our clients are our highest priority, and we ensure that our registered nurses are providing the best care possible. Hear from previous medication management clients to see if we match your family’s needs.

    Below, we discuss why medication management support is crucial to maintaining your loved one’s health and how it can benefit your family.

    Why Medication Management is Important for Seniors

    The main reason why having professional medication management for aging adults is to prevent inaccurate medication dosages. Inaccurately-dosed drugs can be dangerous. While ‘under medication’ means that symptoms could still persist, ‘overmedication’ means that side effects could occur without treatment actually being effective. Taking incorrect doses also lessens a drug’s effectiveness by increasing how long it takes for any given dosage to be effective.

    When there’s no one available to handle inaccurate dosage side effects, the results could be severe. Many seniors don’t want a whole team involved in helping them keep track of their prescriptions, which is why enlisting the help of a skilled caregiver–like our registered nurses–is preferred by many elders.

    Benefits of Professional Medication Management

    1. More comfort

    This allows them to continue without the pain, discomfort, and other issues that untreated symptoms could cause while also decreasing their risk for frequently-occurring (and potentially life threatening) health complications from misuse of prescription medications.

    Families utilizing additional medication management services.

    2. Prevents dangerous situations.

    This is another reason that medication management is so important for seniors, particularly those who live alone or with family members who don’t have the time to monitor their medications.

    When someone has a condition such as high blood pressure (which could also result in problems like heart attacks) or diabetes (which requires constant monitoring otherwise things will quickly go from bad to worse), not having anyone around to ensure they’re taking what they should when they need it means increased risk of serious consequences down the line.

    3. Reduced side effects and drug interaction

    When it comes to being able to avoid dangerous side effects of taking too much or not enough medication, medication management can be a lifesaving measure.

    Having someone nearby, like medication management professionals, who can assist in identifying any potential side effects or drug interaction problems before they become serious is crucial.

    4. Peace of Mind

    With the extra support of skilled medication management nurses, your family can experience the benefits almost immediately. The stress of making sure accurate dosages are being taken are lifted and provided by an experienced registered nurse.

    Not only will your family feel relieved knowing your loved one is in good hands, but your elder will find comfort in knowing their needs are being fully met while maintaining their independence.

    Choose Professional Medication Management Talbot County MD

    Making sure your loved one is taking their medication accurately and on time is important as it will prevent serious consequences. Medication management support helps them avoid dangerous situations that could wind up putting them in the hospital if they aren’t careful. We understand caring for a elder can be a lot of work, so allow Coastal Home Care to improve their quality of life for the better. Our registered nurses are certified and experienced so you will be able to worry less and focus on being present with your loved one instead. Contact our medication management team at (410) 572-5606 to schedule an appointment today!