Category: Brand Specific

  • COVID-19 Vaccines: What Do They Mean for Seniors?

    COVID-19 Vaccines: What Do They Mean for Seniors?

    As nationwide vaccination efforts have begun over the past few months, people have received mixed messages about eligibility. For instance, seniors above a certain age can get the vaccine – but that age requirement differs from state to state. However, health providers like elderly home care organizations can help you to determine you and your family’s vaccination standing.

    If you or a loved one require elderly home care services in Sussex County, DE, turn to Coastal Home Care. Along with elder care, we provide Alzheimer’s, dementia, and hospice support services for homebound seniors. Our tested caregivers strive to keep our patients fit and independent within the comfort of their homes. Plus, we share insights about vaccination eligibility as well as follow safety policies that keep everyone healthy.

    Below, we outline the state vaccination policies in our primary service areas as well as our caregivers’ current safety procedures:

    COVID-19 Vaccination Procedures in Maryland and Delaware

    Maryland

    First, note that each state follows distinct vaccination procedures, and what works for one may not for others. Maryland’s vaccine distribution is a 5-phase system, within which we are currently in the third phase. At this stage, vaccines are available to adults aged 65 or older as well as lab, agricultural, and manufacturing workers.

    If you or your senior meet the requirements, use Maryland’s location database to find a nearby vaccination site. You’ll need to make an appointment, though that may be a struggle due to the limited vaccine supply. Nevertheless, the vaccine’s security against the virus makes it worth the hassle.

    Delaware

    Similar to Maryland, Delaware’s vaccine distribution works in a multi-phase system. However, it differs in the details: Delaware’s process has 6 stages and currently stands in the second. Thus, the vaccine is open to adults aged 65 or older as well as emergency service workers and teachers.

    The state is offering vaccination events, all of which require an appointment. In addition to this, several primary care practices and urgent care facilities have limited vaccine supplies.

     

    Coastal Home Care’s COVID Safety Policies

    While vaccination offers protection against COVID-19, it is only part of your senior’s defense. You and/or they must also follow social distancing guidelines and curb public interaction. These recommendations follow the CDC’s policies, and Coastal Home Care supports their instructions.

    As providers of healthcare to sensitive populations, our caregivers have studied COVID’s hazards. They all completed COVID safety training and receive daily health screenings. We will continue following these steps and enforce our policies through the remainder of the pandemic.

    Additionally, health workers – such as Coastal Home Care’s nursing staff – were among the first to receive vaccination access. Thus, we have that extra layer of protection from infection. Our staff is happy to explain further steps to protect your senior during the health crisis.

    Safe and Reliable Elderly Home Care Options Available in Sussex County, DE

    Although they seem frustrating at times, the large-scale vaccination efforts will lead us out of the COVID crisis. But while that process plays out, you can rely on Coastal Home Care for safe elderly home care services. Our tested caregivers work throughout Sussex County, DE, supporting seniors in their homes. We can help you to get your loved one vaccinated and keep them comfortable throughout the rest of the pandemic. Call our Delaware number today at (302) 752-1800 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation.

  • 5 Ways In-Home Care Services Can Boost Your Independence

    5 Ways In-Home Care Services Can Boost Your Independence

    An agency like Care Advantage can quickly answer most of the common questions about in-home care services, like: Is there home health care near me? What’s included in this kind of care? Is it worth the cost? Should I ask for companion care or personal care? But you may still be left with one nagging doubt:

    Will home care assistance really help preserve my independence?

    It’s natural to be skeptical. But once you fully appreciate the possibilities of in-home care, your caution may well turn to excitement. Here are five ways care at home can boost your independence.

    You can stick to your routine, or mix it up for fun

    Independence is about making your own life choices.  Are you a stickler for routine? Perhaps, rain or shine, you visit the farmer’s market on Tuesday and bake a cake on Thursday. Your home, your habits, your regular excursions and visits—help at home can make this possible.

    Or, maybe your independent streak is more impulsive: you might call an old friend out of the blue or sign up to learn a new language  course on a whim. Maybe trying a brand-new restaurant or coffee shop is one of your favorite things to do. An in-home caregiver provides the logistical support and encouragement we all need as we forge our own paths.

    You can stay active, healthy and energized

    Throughout our lives, our sense of independence is integrally connected to how we feel in mind, body and spirit. Whole-self wellness is empowering, even for those with underlying health conditions. Many of these can be alleviated by a nutritious diet, regular exercise and a low-stress lifestyle.

    With home care assistance, you’ll have someone to help with menu planning, physical fitness and medication schedules— someone who also understands that the occasional chocolate fudge brownie or movie binge night can be medicine for the soul.

    You can make time for things that matter

    No one ever wished they had more time to clean behind the refrigerator. Those dull household chores, after all, eat into the precious hours you have for activities you enjoy, whether pruning the roses or playing with your pets.

    That’s why in-home care services like Care Advantage take a holistic approach, crafting a unique care plan that encompasses tasks such as housekeeping, basic personal needs and meal preparation. The more time you spend doing the things that bring you pleasure, the more independent you will feel.

    You can enjoy “me time” again

    When the solitary life stretches on without boundaries or interruptions, it can bring on loneliness. People of all generations have faced this fact in the age of social distancing.

    Depending on your care plan, you may have a companion for just a short time per day—but that could be all you need to add some balance and variety to your routine. With that a few hours  of bustle and conversation just around the corner, you’ll rediscover the gifts of relative solitude.

    You can stay in your community

    Much of our sense of identity rests on the pleasure of being seen. Who doesn’t get a lift from walking into the local shop and being greeted by name? The clerks probably know what brands you prefer and how you like your bags packed, too.

    It’s unsurprising, then, that a 2018 AARP poll found that 77 percent of people aged 50 and up wanted to stay in their communities. Some of the most rewarding experiences of in-home care happen outside the home, and a caregiver or companion can help you continue to play an active role in your community.

  • COVID-19 Protocols with At-Home Care and Nursing Facilities

    Adjusting to our new normal has been an ongoing process. However, it has become an even greater challenge for older adults and caregivers. While you may be wondering if enlisting in home care support or residing at a nursing facility is safe at all, researching and checking that they follow federal, state, and local regulations are the best way to protect you or your loved one.

    As different COVID-19 variants of the virus develop over time, Coastal Home Care is staying proactive in maintaining the health and safety of our employees and clients. While many nursing facilities and at-home care providers are doing their best to mitigate infection rates, it can be challenging to choose the right option that’s safe and works best for you or your loved one.

    Below, we discuss the COVID-19 safety measures of at-home care providers and nursing facilities.

    At-Home Care

    Adults ages 65 year old and older are at a higher risk of experiencing a severe illness or even death from COVID-19, especially if they have chronic medical conditions. With this in mind, many families have reconsidered in-home care because the risks seem far too great to continue. However, doing so may reduce the amount of support you or your loved one requires on a daily basis.

    When researching your options for reliable and safe elder care, ensure your options follow federal, state, and local rules and regulations. When looking for additional home care support, here’s what the CDC’s guidelines are for at-home care providers.

    Some at-home care considerations include:

    • Patient must be stable enough for home care.
    • Caregivers are appropriate and available to provide support.
    • Patient has a separate area where they can recover away from others.
    • A separate bathroom is available for the patient. If this is not possible, frequent bathroom cleanings are advised.
    • Food resources and other necessities are readily available.
    • The patient and other household members are capable of adhering to home care and isolation precautions.
    • Household members who have been exposed to the virus must refrain from treating the patient who is receiving home care.

    Nursing Facilities

    The CDC recommends a number of actions for testing residents since they are at high risk for infection, severe illness, and death.

    Additionally, under the CDC Guidelines, nursing homes and senior living facilities must:

    • Limit and restrict visitors.
    • Require visitors (healthcare workers, aides, and staff) to wear masks over their nose and mouth.
    • Permit visits to specific hours only and limit the number of visitors per resident.
    • Schedule visits in advance to enforce social distancing.
    • Restrict visits to the resident’s room or other designated area at the facility.
    • Perform routine screenings of healthcare workers and residents for potential symptoms.
    • Limit activities with the facility to keep residents at a safe distance from one another.

    Personalized Home Care for Your Loved One in Sussex County, DE

    At Coastal Home Care, our caregivers are tested and adhere to CDC guidelines to ensure you or your loved one’s safety. With the COVID-19 vaccine supply gradually increasing, we will continue to uphold our promise to provide you or your loved ones the best personalized home care. We understand the difficulties you may be facing, especially during such a tumultuous time. Our Registered Nurses will support you or your loved one with companionship, Alzheimer’s or dementia support, medication management and much more.

    Contact our home care providers at (302) 752-1800 to schedule an appointment today!

  • Is Aging In Place The Best For Your Loved One?

    As we age, adults ages 65 and older often decide to live at home, which is also known as ‘aging in place’. Many older adults opt age in place because they have cherished memories in their home that provides them with comfort, alongside having a supportive network, a functional home, and an independent lifestyle. However, other individuals aren’t as fortunate and must consider additional at-home elder care services or move into an assisted living community.

    While we understand this isn’t an easy decision to make, our experienced and compassionate caregivers at Coastal Home Care are happy to help you or your loved one determine if aging in place is the right decision for you.

    Below, we discuss aging in place, living in an assisted living, and reasons why at-home elder care might be best for you or your loved one.

    What Does Aging in Place Mean?

    As previously mentioned, aging in place may be for those who enjoy their independence,  prefer to make their own decisions, and have the physical and mental capability to live comfortably day-to-day. These individuals, or their support networks, are also expected to provide their own care on a daily basis.

    When deciding whether aging in place is right for you or your loved one, there are three situational aspects to consider: the individual, current residency, and supportive network. Here are a few questions to ask in regards to each aspect:

    • The Individual: is the individual aging in place capable of caring for themselves physically and mentally? Do they have a network of individuals that can support them while they age in place?
    • Current residency: can the individual easily navigate throughout their current space?
    • Supportive Network: is the elder’s support system easily accessible? Can these individuals provide the level of physical and emotional support the elder needs?

    Is Assisted Living Right For You?

    For those who want to be independent but can no longer support themselves with the proper level of physical, emotional, and cognitive care they need, moving into an assisted living may be their best option. These individuals are often unable to rely on themselves or their supportive network of family and friends for daily assistance.

    Residing in a senior assisted living community is often accompanied with negative connotations related to safety, lack of staff, and insufficient funding. While this might not be the reality at every assisted living facility, one can’t help but keep the possibility of poor nursing home conditions at the forefront of their minds.

    If you are considering living in an assisted living community or your loved one is beginning to require additional assistance at home, we recommend doing as much research as possible prior to selecting your preferred assisted living facility.

    Why Choose At-Home Elder Care?

    At-home elder care may be a great fit for individuals who are more comfortable at home but require additional support with their daily routine. Support may consist of everyday activities, such as grooming, transportation, medication management, meal preparation and much more. Learn more about what you can expect from an in-home caregiver for further information.

    Providing Compassionate Elder Care Services in Caroline County, MD

    Our in-home elder care services support aging adults throughout the Caroline County, MD area. We create personalized Plans of Care for each individual we serve to ensure we provide the exact level of care they need to live a comfortable and enjoyable life. Reach out to our elder care team at (410) 572-5606 to schedule a consultation!

  • Is Home Care Covered by Insurance?

    Is Home Care Covered by Insurance?

    Those of us with an aging loved one in our lives must keep a close eye on them. This can be a difficult and delicate task, especially if your senior requires medical support. And while a caregiving service can provide extra support, that comes at an additional cost. Will your health insurance cover that bill?

    Although it can be difficult to discuss, you should speak with your family about caring for your elderly loved one. In reviewing the options, discuss the medical services offered at Coastal Home Care. We provide professional home care, hospice support, post-operative care, and other services in Sussex County, DE, and the surrounding area. Our expert staff is dedicated to treating patients with respect and empathy. Together, we can help your loved one maintain their independence and live on their terms.

    Below, we lay out the costs associated with home care as well as payment and financial assistance options for it:

    How Our Services Work

    Since we previously discussed the benefits of home care, let’s outline its functioning. Also, note the difference between home care and non-medical support services. Professionals in the latter field can help seniors with daily living activities but not their medical concerns.

    We start all our new patients with a personal assessment, carried out by one of our Registered Nurses. Then we develop an individual “Plan of Care,” which defines each patient’s daily medical needs. It may also incorporate support with self-care activities: showering, meal prep, cleaning, etc.

    Once a patient’s Plan of Care is developed, one of our Certified Nursing Assistants travels to that patient’s home to carry it out. Some clients receive a few hours of daily care, while others require round-the-clock assistance. Either way, our staff accommodates your loved one’s needs.

    Pricing & Payment Options

    We price our services at an hourly rate, and you can estimate an overall price using our online cost calculator. However, different services and Plans of Care may vary in specific price points. We suggest that you reach out to us for a more accurate estimate.

    There are several payment options for our services. Many private health insurance plans pay for home care, though coverage amounts vary between providers. You might also purchase a long-term care policy, which private insurers offer just for assisted living or home care services.

    Furthermore, Medicare will temporarily cover one’s home care costs at a qualifying care agency if a physician deems them necessary. Finally, veterans can receive VA-covered home care if they qualify, though further conditions may apply.

    Financial Assistance

    If you or your loved one cannot utilize any option listed above, you still have other avenues to afford home care. Several financial support options exist, including Medicaid as well as Delaware and other states’ non-Medicaid programs.

    Those with a life insurance policy could take out a loan on its cash value or convert it into cash. Assets can be liquidated or a reverse mortgage taken out on a home to cover the cost. You should consider home care loans if you must wait for other financing options to become available.

    If you’re still unsure of how to find coverage, speak with either your local area agency on aging or call our office.

    Personal and Professional Home Care Services Available in Sussex County, DE

    Seniors, like everyone, want to live on their terms. They deserve that independence even if they suffer from medical conditions that require daily assistance. Now, you can support them by reaching out to Coastal Home Care. We are an experienced caregiving service that offers professional home care, hospice support, and other services across Sussex County, DE. Call our Delaware number today at (302) 752-1800 or fill out our online form for a consultation.

  • Spending the Holidays in Hospice Care

    Spending the Holidays in Hospice Care

    The holidays are looking a little different due to pandemic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most out of it. While this time of the year is usually spent with your loved ones, those spending the holidays in hospice may find it incredibly challenging.

    At Coastal Home Care, we provide trained hospice care nurses to tend to your loved one as well as your family. With 10 years of extensive experience in the private home care industry, our Registered Nurses go above and beyond to maintain your loved one’s safety and independence.

    Terminal illness is one of the most difficult issues any person can encounter. Our team can assure the following below to ensure your loved one is comfortable and surrounded in love.

    Comfort First

    Our hospice care consists of support that ranges from emotional, social, and spiritual. Our experienced team will come to your loved one, get to know them better, and create a comfortable environment that helps them feel at ease.

    We also work together with family and friends to create the most desirable level of comfort possible. Feeling pain or fear of pain often drives the behavior of patients encountering the end of their life, but we will treat your loved one like our own family, and we will stay at their side.

    Care With Respect

    Our team has cared for many patients, so we understand that not every end-of-life journey is the same. We ensure our promise to be considerate of your family’s values around the clock.

    Our trained nurses help your loved one maintain their dignity during this difficult time by protecting their independence, personal information, and physical appearance. Not only do we uphold this respect with your loved one but we also give it to your family as well.

    Enrichment

    When someone encounters the end of their life, the most important thing you can do is cherish the time you have left with them. If your loved one would like to fulfill any particular goals or wishes, our team would be happy to help.

    An example of this would be any family members your loved one would like to make peace with or maybe they would like to establish a connection with a grandchild. Completing the goals you have in life is only made possible with help of others, and Coastal Home Care is dedicated to making sure your loved one’s life is well-lived.

    Choose a Compassionate Hospice Nurse in Wicomico County, MD!

    Determining whether hospice care is right for your loved one is a difficult decision to make. At Coastal Home Care, we take into consideration the thoughts of family members, friends, and caregivers to ensure we provide the best hospice care nurse and support possible. Over the last 10 years, we have conducted comprehensive background checks on all caregivers as well as have a Registered Nurse supervising them before they become part of our team. We welcome feedback from our clients to ensure our support is of the highest quality.

    Read our testimonials to get a better idea of our care or contact (410) 572-5606 to speak with a hospice team member today!

  • Alzheimer’s Support During the Holidays

    Alzheimer’s Support During the Holidays

    The holidays are filled with family reunions, hugs, laughter, good food, and making lasting memories. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will have to adjust our usual celebrations to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Older adults with underlying health conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, have been among those most affected by the virus, and may feel an acute sense of loss due to the changes they’ve experienced.

    If you are looking for assistance in caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s, reach out to the experts at Coastal Home Care, who provide professional Alzheimer’s Support to folks throughout Wicomico County, MD. Our experienced caregivers employ strategies and best practices to ensure your loved one continues to live safely and productively. Our services include assistance with daily tasks, comfort and safety management, and more.

    Below, we discuss a few ways you can celebrate the holidays safely with your loved ones living with Alzheimer’s:

    Manage Expectations

    In their efforts to make the holidays special for their loved ones, caregivers can feel overwhelmed as they juggle maintaining traditions with providing care and adhering to safety precautions. It’s important to remember that your health as a caregiver matters as well.

    In order to reduce stress and manage expectations, arrange a virtual group meeting with family members to discuss holiday celebrations and what precautions you’re taking as a caregiver to keep your loved one healthy. This is also an opportunity to update them about what changes they may see in the person suffering from Alzheimer’s.

    Finally, remember to only take on what you can comfortably and safely manage. This may look like smaller, more casual gatherings or activities.

    Celebrate with Social Distancing

    There are numerous ways to make the holidays special while social distancing. For example, you can leave a care package with some favorite baked goods and a card at your loved one’s front door.

    Drive by celebrations have also grown in popularity during the pandemic. Plan a festive “Holiday Parade” and ask friends and family members to decorate their cars with festive decorations and homemade signs.

    If you want to visit with your loved one in person, consider an outdoor activity like taking a walk around the neighborhood to look at the lights, or sit outside with blankets and hot cocoa. Remember to wear your mask and maintain six feet of distance between yourself and anyone outside your household.

    You can also use technology to connect during the holidays. Face-to-face interactions can reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness, so consider setting up video calls with software like Zoom or Skype. These can be a simple time to chat, or take on a more structured form such as playing a trivia game, watching a movie together, or singing carols.

    Another option is to video record special moments, like children opening gifts, to send your loved one to include them in the memories.

    Keep them Involved

    To make them feel included, think of different ways you can involve your loved one in safe, manageable tasks such as preparing food, wrapping gifts, setting the table, or putting up decorations.

    At the same time, it’s important to maintain a sense of normalcy throughout the holidays for the person living with Alzheimer’s. Have them continue with their daily routine as much as possible to avoid causing any disruption or confusion.

    Coastal Home Care: Alzheimer’s Care in Wicomico County, MD

    As different as things may seem this year, it’s still possible to make cherished memories with your elderly loved one. We realize that caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s presents unique challenges that can feel overwhelming when faced alone. At Coastal Home Care, we come alongside you and your family to provide comprehensive Alzheimer’s Support with an emphasis on professionalism, respect, and empathy. As the leading provider of elderly support services in Wicomico County, MD, we also provide senior companion care, hospice support, and post-operative care. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

  • Home Care for Elders Living in Their Own Homes

    Home Care for Elders Living in Their Own Homes

    As we age, we gain more and more independence. And part of growing older means you’ll need the support of others in order to take care of yourself. These changes inevitably occur for all of us, notably our aging loved ones. Though aging can inhibit their activities, many elderly people still want to live independently in their own homes rather than in an assisted living facility or nursing home.

    At Coastal Home Care, we help families provide the consistent care their elderly loved ones need. Through our dedicated elderly home care, our trained nurses ensure your loved ones remain active, independent, safe, and healthy while living in their own homes. Coastal Home Care has provided quality home care services to families throughout Sussex County, DE, including hospice support, Alzheimer’s care, and more.

    Below we discuss the details of providing home care for elders who seek to continue living in their own homes:

    Why Skilled Caregivers are Important

    Home caregivers are vital for helping their elder patients continue to live their daily lives independently while assisting them with routine tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, washing, or getting themselves dressed in the morning.

    However, proper home care involves more than having an extra set of hands and eyes. It also requires a caregiver to have the necessary knowledge and skills in order to provide the long term care your elderly loved one will need. For example, a caregiver should have a certain degree of medical training to provide the necessary treatment to keep your elder loved one in stable health.

    Comprehensive  knowledge and training is especially important if a caregiver is assisting a patient with a diagnosis that affects their ability to function, such as those with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

    A caregiver that is trained and experienced in dealing with patients with chronic illnesses is better equipped to handle situations in which their most severe symptoms arise. Their help at those crucial moments will ensure that your loved one will live longer and more comfortably.

    Thus , when seeking options in home caregiving for your elderly loved one, remember to search for companies that offer certified nurses and trained caregivers, such as Coastal Home Care.

    Patience is Key

    Our elders have spent much of their lives taking care of themselves and others. So, when you decide to hire a caregiver for your elder loved one, remember to focus on being patient, as your loved one will likely not want to change their independent lifestyle.

    Both you and the caregiver should work together to gradually familiarize your loved one with  having a companion in their home that will help develop their new routine.

    To help navigate these difficulties, our team at Coastal Home Care begins the process of caregiving by collaborating with you and your elder to create what we call a Plan of Care. It is a personalized plan that outlines the best possible course of action toward providing your loved one with the care they need in a way that fits their personal preferences.

    More Than One Way to Care

    There isn’t a one-size-fits all way to properly care for an elderly individual. Each individual is different with specific needs and conditions that will need attention.

    Some senior patients may only require assistance with simple tasks around the home, and others need a nurse with medical expertise to ensure they get the quality palliative or hospice care they need.

    One key advantage of home caregiving is flexibility. The ability to make changes to the home or customize the type of caregiving  facilitates easier and more comfortable care. This is often why we like to see elder home care over support through nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

    Our elder home care experts seek to provide responsive and effective support. They will look for unique ways for your loved one to improve in body and mind and work with you to find opportunities for your loved one to remain comfortable and healthy for as long as they can.

    Coastal Home Care: Quality Elderly Home Care in Sussex County, DE

    While assisted living and nursing homes can be useful options for many families, they may not be for everyone, especially for elders who desire to continue living in their own homes. Coastal Home Care offers your loved one the ability to continue living independently while helping them sustain their health and activity.

    Our certified nurses are trained in attentive elderly home care, as well as in hospice support, dementia care, medical assistance, and more. Families throughout Sussex County, DE have depended on and continue to trust in our services. Contact us at (866) 687-7307 for more information about elder care services today and schedule a consultation.

  • How to Protect Your Loved Ones During COVID

    How to Protect Your Loved Ones During COVID

    The pandemic has continued to place a tremendous amount of pressure on so many people across the country and the world. One group who has had it the hardest, and are also the most affected by it, are the elderly. They are the most at risk, but also the most in need of assistance and caregiving. Many families and services have had a difficult time figuring out how to provide proper care.

    Since the beginning of the pandemic earlier this year, we at Coastal Home Care have trained and outfitted our certified caregivers with everything they need to continue performing excellent senior companion care services to our patients throughout Sussex County, DE. We have also added numerous procedures to our operations to prevent any chance of infection, such as daily screenings and regular virtual communication among staff.

    Below, we discuss how the virus can spread and ways to prevent it from doing so to keep your elder loved ones safe and comfortable during this time.

    Ways COVID-19 Spreads

    Those who have caught and been infected with COVID-19 can spread the disease, even if they no longer have or seem to have never received serious symptoms of it. Here are some of the ways that the coronavirus has spread:

    • Prolonged close contact, usually within six feet.
    • Contact or inhalation of breath or water vapor after a cough or sneeze.
    • Contact with high-touch or potentially infected areas, then touching sensitive areas that could lead to infection, such as the face, eyes, and mouth.

    How to Protect Your Elders from COVID-19

    As we grow older, we become more susceptible to serious illnesses. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 adults who received a severe illness from COVID-19 were over the age of 65. This means that our elders are at higher risk than most others, which requires us to be more careful and vigilant when providing them care. Here’s what elder caregivers should do to keep their loved ones safe from any potential harm from the coronavirus:

    • Perform proper social distancing procedures with your elder, especially if you are aware that you or someone with you have been showing symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth, especially if you haven’t sanitized and/or have been in a high touch area.
    • Clean and disinfect any shared objects or surfaces.
    • Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap
    • Stock up on medicine and groceries to reduce the amount of trips you take outdoors.
    • Stay home as much as possible, since doing so is a vital way for your elder loved one to remain safe and protected.
    • Always wear face masks and gloves whenever you and your loved one are outside of your home to ensure you both are protected from spreading or receiving infection.

    Coastal Home Care: Quality Senior Companion Care in Sussex County, DE

    Giving care to our elders has become a significant challenge due to this pandemic. However, in following the tips and procedures listed above, you’ll at least be able to provide comfort and safety for your senior loved one. We at Coastal Home Care can help, as well, as we continue to provide reliable senior companion care to families and elders across Sussex County, DE. Our registered nurses and caregivers are trained to combat the virus while providing the essential elder care services that are needed now more than ever.

    Contact us at (866) 687-7307 for more information about our companion care services today.

  • Bpc #4: Taking Control Of Medications

    Bpc #4: Taking Control Of Medications

    BPC SERIES: A 9-Part Series on BEING a PRIMARY CAREGIVER (BPC)
    Approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months. *
    This series is dedicated to the heart and soul of this informal, unpaid, caregiving group, the primary caregivers. Silver Lining is dedicated to a healthier Delaware by using our expertise to empower a group of incredible people to give their loved ones the best care possible.

    What is a Primary Caregiver?
    A primary caregiver is the title given to anyone that is primarily (first-up) responsible for caring and providing for another living thing. A primary caregiver could be:the sole available person caring for anotherthe person who cares for another in the primary role (and has additional support people)the individual who lives with the person that needs cared forUltimately, a primary caregiver is responsible for making sure that the person they’re caring for gets the support and care they need. Our goal with the BPC Series is to support this amazing group of primary caregivers with resources, shout outs and access. We see you and we are here for you.

    * National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S

    Medication compliance is a key factor in well-being. If you’re thinking that a medication “should be skipped”, “isn’t important” or “they have too many medications,” then be an advocate and talk to the prescribing physician(s) about it, but never modify a prescription on your own accord. The importance or significance of a medication and its dose or frequency should always be discussed with the prescribing physician(s). Write down your concerns ahead of your discussion so that you can be thorough in talking about side effects, any new symptoms, or whatever the reason is for wanting to make a change. Even if an individual does end up going off of a medication, there are often specific ways of doing this to prevent side effects (i.e., weaning).

    We have a robust Medication Management Checklist made just for you that you can view or download here, as well as an in depth video on how to maintain Medications here.

    If your loved one needs a little extra prompting with meds and lives on their own, look into something like the Livi. The Livi is a smart home medication dispenser that simplifies managing multiple medications for patients while giving caregivers support.

    Visit our YouTube channel for talks around aging topics and to watch our Coffee Chats with Tiffany where RN Tiffany Rubin talks about matters you care about.