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  • Bpc #3: How To Be Sure Your Loved One Is Eating Enough

    Bpc #3: How To Be Sure Your Loved One Is Eating Enough

    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.

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

    By Brittany Stoltzfus, RD, LDN, owner of Simply Nutrition LLC in Pennsylvania

    Being a caregiver of a loved one involves multiple responsibilities. This role can be stressful at times, especially when meal and snack times arrive. As people age, different medications, disease states and emotional health can influence one’s ability to eat. How can you as the caregiver know if your loved one is eating enough? Every person is unique in their exact nutrient needs so overall goals can vary person to person. A person can show physical signs of not eating enough through increased weakness, increased fatigue, and a high level of weight loss. While working with your loved one, patience is helpful. Remember, your loved one will have good days and challenging days with food intake and that is okay. Read the tips below to aid with increasing your loved one’s food intake.

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    NO RESTRICTIONS

    When your loved one has a decreased appetite, allow them to choose what foods sound good to them. If they are interested in seconds, offer another portion. If your loved one is on a restricted diet, speak with your physician first before loosening restrictions.

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    AMBIANCE

    Creating an enjoyable eating experience for your loved one is key. This can include eating together at the table, playing soothing music, and presenting the food in an appealing manner.

    MEAL SCHEDULE

    Offer 4-6 small portions throughout the day versus 3 meals. This approach provides manageable portions and variability based on individual’s needs.  

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    FOOD CHOICE

    On days your loved one is not as hungry, offer high calorie options such as nut butters mixed in yogurt or oatmeal, avocado toast or smoothies to boost calories.

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    SIMPLE FLAVORS

    Prepare foods with few spices or flavors. Choosing bland food such as bread, applesauce, rice, or bananas can be helpful or protein with limited seasoning.

    If you notice your loved one is struggling to eat most days (4 out of 7 days), working with a registered dietitian or the team at Silver Lining Home Healthcare can be helpful for a personalized plan for your loved one.

    Simply Nutrition LLC is a registered dietician-owned nutrition and wellness company focused on bettering every client’s relationship with food. They focus primarily on remote interactions (through Telehealth) to enable access to anyone. If you’re interested in learning more, visit their website.

  • Bpc #2: How To Get Your Loved One Out Of Bed

    Bpc #2: How To Get Your Loved One Out Of Bed

    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.

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

    Getting safely in and out of bed, or doing transfers of any kind, can be physically taxing. Our resident nurses, Tiffany and Amy, offer these steps in learning the ropes:

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    STEP 1: DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE YOUR LOVED ONE CAN PROVIDE YOU. TYPICALLY, IT’S ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

    • Independent – no assistance is needed
    • Partial assist – light assistance is needed (i.e., to get the feet to the edge of the bed, to get them sitting up)
    • Dependent – your loved one can’t get out of bed without someone helping the entire time

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    STEP 2: DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF WEIGHT-BEARING CAPABILITY YOUR LOVED ONE HAS.

    • Full weight-bearing – able to fully stand on their own feet/own accord
    • Partial weight-bearing – able to stand but not able to put all their weight down (common in hip and knee surgeries)
    • No weight-bearing – unable to stand or bear weight on their own

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    STEP 3: DECIDE ON YOUR METHOD:

    For someone who is dependent or non-weight-bearing, you MUST use an assistive device to safely get them out of bed. A hoyer lift is the type of equipment you will need. They come in manual or electric options as well as  floor or ceiling options. If the hoyer device will be temporary, renting a it may be most beneficial. Go through your insurance company first. If the hoyer lift will be permanent, then adapting the floor layout, home modifications and adjusting the type of lift is necessary.

    For someone who is a partial assist, there are a variety of options. If you can safely get them to the edge of the bed on your own, there are sit-to-stand lifts, transfer boards and walkers that can safely allow them to pivot to a chair. A transport chair or light wheelchair is a preferred type of seating to transfer to in these cases.

    If you can’t safely get your loved one to the edge of the bed on your own, then look at adjustable bedframes/hospital bed options (for two-person beds, there are adjustable beds that offer different settings for both sides) so you can elevate the head of the bed prior to turning your loved ones legs to hang over the side of the bed. This eliminates you lifting them up and straining your back.

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    STEP 4: LEARN PROPER BODY MECHANICS!

    You can’t care for your loved one if you are hurt. Always bend your knees/hips and keep your back straight. Lift with your legs (not your back), and keep your loved one as close to your body as possible (pretend you’re dancing!). NEVER twist. Here are some additional resources that offer direction on proper body mechanics:

    Body Mechanics During Transfers for Caregivers

    Prevent Injury! Use Proper Body Mechanics for Lifting and Transferring

    ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN

    If you anticipate your loved one will have issues getting out of bed, ask your physician for a Physical Therapy home health referral. A trained professional can assess your situation, provide recommendations, and discuss appropriate exercises. This should be covered by most major medical insurance policies.

    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.

  • Bpc#1: How To Get The Right Medical Equipment

    Bpc#1: How To Get The Right Medical Equipment

    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.

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

    Getting the right durable medical equipment or DME (which is the official umbrella term for any medical equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc.) can be cumbersome and difficult. Why? Because in order for an insurance company to approve DME, they need information from your physician (and sometimes this includes backdated notes/information). If your insurance company approves the DME, then the DME company needs to get you what you need and submit a reimbursement claim to the insurance company. Medicare, through which a lot of individuals over 65 get their DME, has a list of approved DME. They’ll cover 80% of the allowable cost. You cover 20% plus your Part B deductible.

    You can typically get equipment in two main ways:

    1. Pay for it out of pocket. This makes it easier to pick what you want and you typically can get it faster because the insurance company doesn’t have to be involved..
    2. Use your insurance. This usually means it’s free or you have a low co-pay. It may take more time to get it, but not having to pay for it is a plus, especially if it’s something expensive like a hoyer lift.

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    RESOURCES

    Tomorrow Health is an excellent resource in helping you find the right medical equipment and in navigating your way through the insurance process. They’ll work with your doctor and your insurance to get you the right products at the right prices.

    DME Supply USA is an online DME store through which you can view, sort, and purchase DME.

    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.

  • Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Assistance at Home

    Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Assistance at Home

    For many people, parents are role models who help to shape their decision-making processes. Parents teach right from wrong, healthy from harmful, and how to care for oneself. However, aging parents can get stuck in their ways and may ignore the very advice that they offer to you. 

    If you’ve noticed that one of your aging parents struggles with chores and self-care, you should reach out to Coastal Home Care. We offer numerous at-home care options so that your loved one can remain self-sufficient in their own house. Our patients throughout Sussex County, DE, receive companion care services, Alzheimer’s or dementia care, hospice support, or medication management. And these services aren’t one-size-fits-all. We create a “Plan of Care” for each patient to promote personalized, flexible support that fits your parent’s needs. 

    Here, we outline the shifts in daily tasks, moods, or conditions that could signal a need for companion caregiver:

    Changes in Physical Appearance and/or Activity

    You may first notice some bodily changes in a parent. Sudden weight change, for instance, may attest to a struggle with cooking, diet, or grocery shopping. Likewise, poor hygiene and sloppy appearance can speak to difficulties with self-care. 

    Daily activities may change as well. A parent might start struggling with routines: bathing, dressing, toileting, or even moving around. Likewise, a sudden loss of motivation or interest in hobbies suggests that they struggle with doing these formerly amusing endeavors. 

    The prospect of a senior care center tends to alarm older adults, as they equate it with a loss of autonomy. But Coastal Home Care services promote aging in place, where seniors can choose to live and age in their own homes. Thus, in hiring us, you can assure your loved one that they don’t have to give up their home. 

    Changes in Behavior and/or Mental State

    Oftentimes, the most difficult part of watching a parent age is to see their struggles with moods and mental health. Coastal Home Care offers Alzheimer’s and dementia care specifically for such struggles. Still, you and your family must remain alert for symptoms of these conditions. 

    Along with a general loss of interest and motivation, your loved one may struggle to keep track of time. This frustration, in turn, can increase their confusion and anxiety. Such mood swings are unfortunately common for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. 

    Sleep cycles tend to shift as well. A senior parent may start sleeping into the day, which in turn affects their mood and energy levels. They may also start forgetting to call family members back – again, loss of memory is a distressingly common symptom. 

    Changes in Their Household

    Even if your loved one insists that they are fine, their home may indicate otherwise. After all, taking care of a house or apartment takes a great deal of work. If your loved one struggles with it, the burdens stack up quickly. 

    The most obvious indicators will be mess and clutter: dirty dishes and surfaces, spoiled food, piles of unopened mail, and so on. Additionally, general upkeep tasks like lawn care, snow removal, or trash collection may be noticeably incomplete. 

    These concerns are particularly distressing at a time like now, as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 situation. Our caregivers can help with some light housekeeping for their patients. Plus, with daily testing for themselves and their patients, our senior companion care during COVID-19 helps to keep your family safe. 

    Compassionate Companion Care Now Available In Sussex County, DE

    When a parent ages and shows signs of physical and mental constraints, you can turn to Coastal Home Care for personal care. Our comprehensive companion care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, hospice support, and other services are available for Sussex County, DE, residents. With us, your loved one can age in place, sustain their quality of life, and remain independent. Call us at (302) 752-1800 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation. 

  • 4 Ways to Help Your Elder Recover After Surgery

    4 Ways to Help Your Elder Recover After Surgery

    Recovering from surgery is difficult for anyone, but it’s especially hard on elderly folks. Seniors need more time to heal and are prone to injury and infection during their recovery. However, they must also continue with their daily routines for mental well-being.

    If you want to help a loved one sustain a comfortable recovery, hire a trained caregiver from Coastal Home Care. We provide all forms of home caregiving including dementia care, hospice support, and attentive post-operative care to seniors throughout Sussex County, DE. Our personalized, high-quality service has made us a trusted name in caregiving.

    Here, we describe 4 ways you can help your loved one have a speedy recovery after a surgical procedure:

    Organize Their Home For Their Needs

    After an operation, it will be difficult for your elder loved one to move around his or her (or your) home as normal. It will also be difficult for him or her to reach for important items like phones, remotes, plates, glasses, and more. A crucial aspect of post-surgery care involves reorganizing to accommodate the needs of the patient.

    First, you should create open paths throughout the home’s interiors by arranging furniture to clear obstructions in your loved one’s way. Also, move any rugs or other items that present a falling or tripping hazard.

    Then, ask your loved one for the things he or she needs and place the key items within his or her reach. Later on, offer to get any other items. And if you live in a two-story home, create a comfortable sleeping area on the ground floor so your senior loved one won’t risk him- or herself by going up or downstairs.

    Plan Out What Your Elder Needs

    Before the surgery, try to have everything your loved one may need on hand. Discuss with their physician what the likely effects of the surgery will be and what equipment or other items he or she will need for a comfortable recovery.

    Make a list of the items and purchase them according to the needs of the patient. Planning in this way will ensure both a faster and easier recovery for your loved one as well as a less strenuous experience for you and any caregivers.

    Attend Follow-Up Appointments

    Another way to facilitate a faster recovery is by attending your loved one’s post-op appointments. Although he or she may not have memory issues, the doctors may give overwhelming amounts of details about conditions, recovery needs, and medicine. Hearing all this first-hand can help you accurately remember these details later on.

    Plus, attending appointments with your loved one provides you a chance to ask his or her doctor about questions and concerns you’ve had when taking care of them. You can get the answers needed to ensure you continue giving the best care possible.

    Ensure Support in All Circumstances

    Finally, recognize that not all circumstances are the same. You can manage some challenges, but there will be others where professional help is required. That’s when you’ll want a friendly and expert caregiver from Coastal Home Care.

    Our nurses provide all manner of post-operative care and form personalized care plans that suit each patient’s needs. Hire a trained post-operative care nurse and discuss your loved one’s preferences to ensure they get the care they need.

    Coastal Home Care: Dependable Post-Operative Care in Sussex County, DE

    Seniors struggle with recovering from surgery, but they can return to full health and a higher quality of living with the right support and caregiving. At Coastal Home Care, we aim to ensure that all of our patients get the best personalized post-operative care possible. We also provide other home care services to patients and their families throughout Sussex County, DE. Our quality services are flexible and affordable for almost any schedule and budget.

    Contact us at (866) 687-7307 to learn more and make an appointment with one of our trained post-operative caregivers today.

  • Is Alzheimer’s and Dementia Home Care Right For You?

    Is Alzheimer’s and Dementia Home Care Right For You?

    Everything gets a bit more complex when a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia. All of the sudden, he or she may be confused or forget schedules and plans. And such forgetfulness may upset or depress your loved one. At that point, you must decide whether to be a devoted caregiver yourself or to hire outside help.

    Recently, these conflicts gained a new dimension: COVID-19. Now, you must reduce your loved one’s risk of infection from both the outside world and yourself. Instead of trying to manage this burden alone, turn to Coastal Home Care. We proudly provide reliable Alzheimer’s and dementia care to folks in Wicomico County, MD. Our home care services allow your loved one to live where they choose, and our updated care methods will help maintain their health.

    Here, we discuss how Alzheimer’s and dementia care can help ease the dangers posed by COVID-19:

    Our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

    First, let’s outline our standard care practices for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. We strive to help them enjoy their independent lives by focusing on specific concerns:

    • Instead of solving all issues at once, we work through daily obstacles. We help patients to create routines and practices that help them manage symptoms and care for themselves.
    • We also try to help patients feel comfortable. The memory loss that occurs with Alzheimer’s and dementia can make them feel baffled and depressed. So, we tweak common tasks and give them chances for self-expression.
    • We maintain our patients’ well-being. Dementia patients often wander or stop physical activities. Thus, we adapt patients’ homes for safety and prepare for accidents.

    How We Have Adapted Caregiving for COVID-19

    Next, let’s detail how caregivers adapted their processes for Alzheimer’s and dementia care in response to the pandemic. We have summarized the strategies for COVID-19 care on our website already, but let’s review them here.

    We’ve added wellness checks to our routine duties. Now, both caregivers and patients are screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms. We also conduct mental health screenings on patients to address symptoms of loneliness and depression.

    We’ve also boosted our cleaning procedures. Caregivers already helped patients with cleaning, but now they disinfect frequent-use surfaces including light switches, countertops, faucets, and so on. What’s more, caregiving now requires increased hand washing.

    And since many families are protecting their loved ones’ health through distance, caregivers promote activity and connection. We help patients combat boredom by urging them to perform daily activities and hobbies as well as self-care. We can also help your loved ones stay in regular contact with Zoom and Facetime.

    Benefits of Hiring a Dementia Caregiver during COVID-19

    So, how can hiring a caregiver for your senior loved one help you (and the rest of your family) in the COVID environment? We’ve already posted advice on caring for elders during COVID-19 and how the pandemic might affect them. But our services suit Alzheimer’s and dementia patients particularly well.

    Even though many families mean well by isolating their loved ones, this may confuse a dementia patient. So, our caregivers can remind them about the situation during visits. We can also check for symptoms while ensuring that we don’t introduce the virus ourselves.

    Also, if your loved one has coronavirus symptoms, you and your family should avoid contact with them. A caregiver can get them to a hospital safely thanks to our training with infectious diseases. You need not endanger yourself or your family’s health.

    Contact Coastal Home Care for Reliable Caregiving in Wicomico County, MD

    In such a difficult environment, we know the challenges of an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient can feel hopeless. That’s why you should not take it on alone: by reaching out to Coastal Home Care, your loved one can receive professional Alzheimer’s and Dementia care at their home in Wicomico County, MD. Call us at (866) 687-7307 to discuss your options for home care. We’re available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week!

  • Responsibilities of Professional In-Home Caregivers

    Responsibilities of Professional In-Home Caregivers

    When an elderly family member reaches a point where they need the help of a caregiver to provide care and support on a regular basis, can also signal a time when their loved ones must make some difficult decisions. Families frequently have to decide whether to place them in a facility setting or elect for in-home care services. In-home care services in many instances are becoming the preferred choice for a number of reasons, but mainly because they can be customized to meet the specific needs and wants of the client. But what exactly can you expect from an in-home care program, and how can your loved one benefit from it?

    Detailed below is a rundown of some of the most critical duties and responsibilities of professional in-home caregivers.

    Preparing a Care Plan

    While the issues that necessitate in-home care services may be broadly similar, the truth is that every case is unique in some way. In other words, a care plan that is working for one person may not necessarily work for your loved one. This is why Care Advantage companies conduct a detailed in-home care assessment by a RN before starting any client services to ensure the needs and wants of the client are met.

    Assess Medical Needs

    Most, if not all seniors, have some special medical needs. A lot of them live with chronic conditions that require close monitoring, multiple medications, and regular hospital visits. In-home caregivers understand this, and when you hire them, they will help monitor your loved one’s medical needs and help him or her with keeping track of medical appointments, assessing pain levels, and provide medication reminders when needed. However, it will still be necessary for you to continue discussing your loved one’s health with their doctor and other relevant health professionals on a regular basis.

    Basic Personal Needs

    Many seniors will to some extent, require assistance with basic personal items, such as bathing toileting, transferring in and out of bed, and grooming.  Although in many cases seniors may still be healthy, issues such as loss of sight and reduced range of movement mean that they will, at some point, need to be assisted with these basic and personal tasks. If your loved one is in such a situation, you can count on professional in-home care services providers to help them, and consequently, make their lives more comfortable.

    Meal Preparation

    In addition to basic personal tasks mentioned above, meal preparation is another task that seniors may need help with. Even if your loved one is relatively healthy, and he or she can perform more basic tasks, without any help, meal preparation can be quite exhausting and even risky for them. A professional caregiver will help with going grocery shopping, preparing meals, and ensuring that your loved one is staying nourished. In other words, hiring an in-home caregiver will ensure that your loved one is receiving the sustenance and hydration they need in order to stay healthy.

    Housekeeping

    As your loved one ages, taking care of his or her house can become very difficult or even impossible task. As such, they might need help with housekeeping tasks, such as washing the dishes, vacuuming, and taking out the trash. Professional in-home care service providers help with these tasks and therefore, hiring one will ensure that your loved one is living in a clean and organized environment.

    Transportation

    Another important duty of a caregiver has to do with providing transportation. As people age, their hearing, sight, and reaction time deteriorates, and this makes it significantly risky for them to drive. Unfortunately, convincing some seniors to stop driving can be quite an uphill task. The good news is that in-home care service providers will help your loved one with transportation. Hiring a professional caregiver to take care of your loved one will go a long way in persuading them to quit driving without necessarily preventing them from going out.

    Companionship

    ‍In addition to the physical needs mentioned above, seniors also need emotional support. One of the most common challenges that seniors struggle with has to do with loneliness. Unfortunately, loneliness can contribute to mental health issues such as stress and even depression. By seeking the services of a professional in-home care services provider, you can rest assured that your loved one will have someone to interact with regularly, which will help promote their emotional wellbeing, and in turn, help to avoid social isolation which can lead to a decline in overall health, which will go a long way in boosting their overall quality of life.

    The Bottom Line

    As you can see, the importance of in-home care service providers cannot be overemphasized. These kind, compassionate professionals play an important role in helping seniors and other incapacitated persons to live more comfortably. They help with physical needs and offer emotional support as well. If you have an elderly loved one, it may be wise for you to seek the services of professional in-home caregivers. If you are looking for a reliable in-home care services provider in Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, or Delaware, the Care Advantage, Inc. family of companies is your best choice. Feel free to contact us today for more information about our organization and the range and quality of services that you can expect from us.

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  • How We’re Caring For You During Covid-19

    How We’re Caring For You During Covid-19

    While safety precautions have always been part of the way we deliver care, we want to make sure our clients know exactly how we’ve augmented our precautions during COVID-19. We’re taking extra steps to make sure we’re keeping our clients, their loved ones, and our vulnerable population safe. Here are some of the key steps we’ve implemented, plus the “Why” behind them.  We’re also providing cautionary steps you can take and resources you can use for getting tested for COVID-19, symptomatic or not symptomatic!

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    WHAT WHY
    We are fully stocked on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including masks, gowns, gloves and goggles. We’re ensuring distribution is effective for all team members and clients. It matters to protect our clients and our staff. Without appropriate PPE, care cannot be provided and spread cannot be prevented. We’re very fortunate to have never run out of PPE. We continue to work closely with the Office of Health Care Quality to ensure adequate supply is maintained at all times.
    Whenever we are providing care in a client’s home, we always wear a mask (in addition to standard precautions). This is whether someone is symptomatic or not; masks are always worn. That way there is no accidental exposure.
    For COVID-19 presumptive or positive cases, we’re using full-droplet precautions–goggles, masks, gown and gloves. Full-droplet precautions prevent transmission to anyone else and ensure safe and great care at your home.
    We have extensive protocols in place for testing, tracking and screening. All clients get a COVID-19 screener completed with every visit, and all team members complete a COVID-19 screener daily. We have a robust tracking system to ensure follow-up of all potential exposure cases that are reported to us. The most common situation we’re currently running into is when a family member of a client develops symptoms, not our staff or our client. In these situations, we treat it as a positive case and will do full PPE until COVID-19 is ruled out. This is to protect our client, staff and community against transmission.
    We’ve developed a consistency score to minimize the number of staff coming into a client’s home. Our internal consistency score takes into account things like how many hours a client has in a week, the client to caregiver ratio, and level of need of the client. By having a baseline score, we can minimize the number of staff coming into a client’s home, protecting our clients and their families to an even higher degree
    We have a Registered Nurse in-house to manage and monitor all clients. As a Home Health company in the state of Delaware, we are required to have a Registered Nurse on staff.  Our RN/Clinical Director ensures we respond quickly and intelligently to any situations or exposures. Home Care companies do not have an RN overseeing care.
    We have extensive COVID-19 protocols and testing requirements in place for all scenarios, including possible exposures and COVID-19 positive cases. No team member with COVID-19 symptoms can work until they are medically cleared (even if they do not have COVID-19). Why? Because there are no shortcuts to safe, reliable care. Our primary purpose is to deliver care to you with safety that’s consistent on every visit, with every interaction. You can be 100% confident that we know how to be prepared, what to look for, how to track, and how to follow-up.

    WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

    To protect your vulnerable loved ones:

    • If you live with them, do the minimum CDC recommendations at ALL TIMES, no exceptions.
    • If you’re sick, get tested immediately and maintain distancing when possible. It’s inconvenient but it could save a life.
    • ALWAYS alert Silver Lining if you’re getting tested for COVID-19 or if you’ve developed symptoms. This will ensure we can protect our team members and prevent transmission to others. We’ll do full-droplet precautions (use of PPE with goggles, mask, gown, and gloves) until COVID-19 is ruled out.

    If you’re visiting a vulnerable loved one:

    • Never go if you’re sick.
    • Always wear a mask the whole time (so as to not infect commonly touched spaces).
    • Wash hands prior to entering, before and after eating, after toileting and after exiting

    HOW TO GET TESTED:

    Testing is FREE by federal mandate. You will not have a copay to use your insurance. For the mail-order option, you can choose to either go through your insurance or pay out of pocket. Different testing options have different results time. The primary reason to get tested if you’re not symptomatic is because you’ll be in an area where maintaining social distancing is not possible.

    Know Your COVID-19 Status – Order a mail order kit – Want to go on vacation? See family? Get tested before and/or after!

    Access COVID-19 Testing at Home – You can go through your insurance and the testing is free. Or you can pay out of pocket.

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  • COVID-19 Advice for Caring for Sick Elders

    Caring for a loved one during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic can be challenging if you don’t have the proper guidance you need to provide care efficiently and safely. As the CDC has provided expert recommendations for seniors who are already sick, elder care providers at Coastal Home Care are prepared to help your loved one if they require additional care and companionship.

    At Coastal Home Care, our companion care providers are taking the necessary safety precautions and adhering to the CDC, state, and local health guidelines. We understand that we are being faced with difficult times, but our team remains current on the pandemic and is trained to provide the companionship your elder needs at this time.

    Here’s what we recommend if you are caring for a sick elder or are considering additional companionship support:

    Watch for Signs & Symptoms

    The CDC has stated that people with “underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.” If your elder is experiencing the signs below, seek medical assistance immediately:

    • Difficulties breathing
    • Chest pain and/or pressure
    • Confusion
    • Insomnia
    • Bluish lips or face

    Be attentive to your elder and have their primary care doctor’s contact information ready in case of an emergency. Coastal Home Care providers are trained in cases of emergencies so you can trust us to ensure your elder will receive medical attention immediately, especially in emergencies.

    Take Care of His/Her Basic Needs First

    Keeping your senior hydrated with a lot of fluids and having them rest regularly will help their systems function properly. As they consistently receive those essential needs, their body will be strong enough to fight off whatever sickness they may have.

    Be sure to contact their primary physician for instructions for proper care. If they recommend over-the-counter medications, then help your elder take those in a timely manner and refill prescriptions as needed. Our companion care providers not only offer assistance with this, but they provide a real connection with your elder so they are able to find more contentment in their daily lives.

    Assist them with grocery shopping. During the pandemic, grocery shopping has been made more accessible and easy with online shopping apps that are available for people who feel more comfortable staying home. For example, Instacart allows you to choose a grocery store, shop, pay online, and have your groceries picked up or delivered to you.

    Provide pet care as needed. As a companion, taking care of an elder’s pet is often an additional task we are given. Just as much as our companions care for your elder, we care for their beloved pets too. If you are providing elder care, maintain distance between your elder and their pet while they’re sick to ensure your elder is receiving a sufficient amount of rest.

    Keep Yourself Protected

    Considering the on-going pandemic, limiting contact with yourself and your elder is crucial. You might need to eat in separate rooms and avoid sharing common objects or implement increased cleaning and disinfection routines. Making sure you are wearing personal protective equipment is also a requirement our companion care providers adhere to while providing the companionship your elder needs.

    If you are caring for an elder at this time, ensure you are also following standard social distancing, cleaning, and disinfection procedures as necessary.

    Choose Compassionate Companion Care Providers in Sussex County, DE

    At Coastal Home Care, we have the experience and training to provide personalized companion care support for your senior’s needs. We understand that each individual has their own personal needs and will create a customized Plan of Care that’s specific to each individual. Companion care options will vary depending on what the individual’s specific quality of life needs are.

    Let’s discuss your elder’s needs today! Call our companion care team at (866) 687-7307 to schedule a consultation.

  • Connecting Clients With A Home Care Agency

    Connecting Clients With A Home Care Agency

    Most clients don’t want to call a home care agency for assistance. After all, we don’t want to need help as we age. And most of us don’t want to pay for it. More often than not, a match between a client and a home care agency starts with a referral from a professional source (like your doctor), a family member (usually a son or daughter), or a close friend or neighbor. People who are close to the client usually take the first step in researching care options.

    So when do you know if someone close to you would benefit–and even enjoy–having home care?  You educate yourself on key indicators of help. Our Level of Need Calculator looks at some key factors that contribute to someone needing assistance. Being aware of recurring scenarios is also important. Some scenarios that indicate it’s time to acknowledge the need for help are:

    • Frequent falls
    • Frequent doctor appoints
    • Increase in urinary tract infections
    • Forgetfulness
    • Trips to the emergency room
    • Increase in medications

    When these indicators are not acknowledged, health outcomes are usually poor. Ignoring them increases the likelihood of a lifestyle change being forced rather than chosen (i.e., a broken hip from a fall means moving to a a rehab hospital).  If you or your loved one wants to stay home and age in place, it is critical to be alert to these scenarios. Keep in mind that home care doesn’t have to be permanent, invasive, or even from a professional company.

    What do I do if I need help or someone I know needs help?

    1. Call, or email. Even if we’re not the right fit, we’re happy to answer questions and get you connected with the right resources. We can go as fast or slow as you or your loved one needs to go.
    2. Plan. Call an elder law attorney. We have three that we highly recommend. Take a peek here. They can help you protect what you have and plan for the quality of life you want to have. The sooner the better. We recommend this step for any client. For some clients, an elder law attorney will meet with you and you won’t need any services. For others, an elder law attorney can be the difference between staying at home as long as you want to or being forced to leave your primary home and move to a facility.
    3. Take a look at our Resource Center for more information like Payment Options, Veterans Benefits, and Who we Are at Silver Lining.

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