Care Advantage, Inc.

Category: Brand Specific

  • 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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  • How COVID-19 is Affecting Your Aging Loved Ones

    How COVID-19 is Affecting Your Aging Loved Ones

    The pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives. Those affected most by these changes, along with the risks in contracting the coronavirus, are the elderly. Limitations have made it difficult for them to perform their normal activities and access the resources they need to live healthily and comfortably.

    At Coastal Home Care, we have taken strides to improve our services in response to the pandemic so that we are able to continue providing the highest quality caregiving services possible. Our nurses are trained to provide personalized post-operative care, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, and hospice support. Along with our service, we also ensure our caregivers are prepared to follow local and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19.

    Here is what we’ve learned about the potential effects of the pandemic on your elderly loved ones:

    Lack of Physical Activity

    Among the biggest effects the pandemic has is the overall reduction and limitation of physical activity. Most of us, including our elders, end up becoming more sedentary while in quarantine, which can lead to some very detrimental health effects.

    Some of these include:

    • Reduced strength and muscle mass
    • Joint flexibility
    • Bone strength
    • Higher blood pressure
    • Higher risk of stroke and harmful diseases

    While it can be difficult to stay active during these times, it’s best to support your loved ones by ensuring they do what they can. Take them out for a walk through the neighborhood, or help them perform indoor exercises at home with whatever equipment you have, along with some instructional videos you can find online.

    Increased Isolation

    Another effect that can deeply impact your elderly loved ones is the absence of family and friends due to social distancing. For many, this can lead to feelings of isolation, further leading to depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

    According to the CDC, such conditions can result in raising a number of health risks for elders, including an increased risk of dementia, heart disease, and stroke.

    To diminish these risks, we recommend making as much contact as possible with your loved ones, whether it be by phone call, or through online video calls such as with programs like Skype or Zoom. Also, depending on your family’s social distancing practices, try meeting outside or for short increments of time.

    Additionally, you can also hire a caregiver from Coastal Home Care, who is trained and equipped to maintain current health and safety standards while assisting with and caring for the needs of elderly patients.

    Insufficient Medical Care

    The availability of healthcare providers has also been affected by the pandemic, with many hospitals and practices maintaining strict holds on non-emergency visits and appointments.

    This is done in an effort to limit the spread of the COVID-19, as many potential carriers could be mixed in with other patients seeking care for other conditions.

    Although it is good that your loved one avoids any chance of getting sick, they may need medical care at some point during quarantine, and it could put them at risk if they don’t receive it when they need it.

    We recommend having family regularly check on their condition, while also utilizing telemedicine services as a temporary alternative to a direct doctor’s visit.

    Ultimately, if an emergency arises, you can and should seek medical emergency services. Hospitals and practices all take the proper precautions to prevent exposure.

    Coastal Home Care: Qualified Post Operative Care in Wicomico County, MD

    The ongoing pandemic has deeply impacted everyone, and while many of us are able to manage the effects, it’s important to take care of those who are more vulnerable, especially our beloved elders. One way to do this is by hiring a caregiver from Coastal Home Care.

    Our registered nurses are trained in providing high-quality post-operative care, medication management, and many more personalized caregiving services. We provide regular companionship, as well as thorough health monitoring and welfare management.

    Contact us at (866) 687-7307 to schedule an appointment with a professional caregiver.

  • Aging in Place: Living on Your Terms

    Aging in Place: Living on Your Terms

    In the prime of our lives, we can take everyday capabilities for granted: our freedom and hobbies, our ability for self-care, our independence, and our pride of place. But aging does not guarantee the same capacities. Without proper planning, what was once simple and natural might become demanding or unreachable. Research indicates that one’s golden years come with a variety of draining challenges: isolation, financial troubles, and loss of mobility are common concerns.

    However, this foreknowledge has a silver lining: you can plan ahead, create a strategy for aging in place, and retain your quality of life. At Coastal Home Care, we will support your independence. We are trusted with compassionate companion care throughout Wicomico County, MD and much of the DelMarVa peninsula, and have built a reputation for excellence over the past decade.

    Here, we address some questions about aging in place and consider what it could look like for you or your loved one:

    What is Aging in Place?

    “Aging in place” applies to someone that lives in a residence of their choice for as long as they are capable. It includes folks who do so with or without outside support services. Either scenario would be ideal for many people, since most of us want to remain in the place we consider home rather than a nursing facility.

    As mentioned above, aging comes with a variety of challenges, and requires careful planning and a fair bit of imagination. You’ll need to consider how you or your loved one might be limited in the future: will stairs become unmanageable? Can retirement savings last for years (or decades)? Will others be around to check in and visit? These are valid questions for anyone planning to age in place.

    Additional Care and Support

    As you age in place, you are personally deciding on the following:

    • How to spend your retirement
    • How to customize your home layout and design
    • Health care options
    • Types of assistance/support
    • Course of actions during major life events (illness, living transitions, finances, etc)

    While making the following choices above on your own can be challenging, you’ll be able to have more freedom and control over how you live your life as you age. However, it’s important to note that aging in place doesn’t mean you need to take it all on alone.

    At Coastal Home Care, our companion care team can help make living transitions and other life events and decisions much easier. Whatever your wants and needs are, our team is trained to patiently listen to your concerns to ensure we carry out the support you require to live your desired quality of life.

    Companion Care Services That You Can Trust in Wicomico County, MD

    Coastal Home Care is proud to continue offering our personalized companion care service to those in need throughout the Wicomico County, MD area. We understand that times are challenging, but we will work with you each step of the way to ensure your loved one receives the highest level of care possible. With a custom Plan of Care, your loved one can feel comfortable knowing that we treat them like our own and will make sure they are properly cared for no matter what their needs are.

    Call us at (866) 687-7307 or fill out a form to schedule a consultation with a member of our team today!

  • What Is Home Care?

    What Is Home Care?

    Home Care can be confusing.

    What is it? Why would I need it? Why would I want it? Who pays for it? What is the difference between this and going to a facility?

    Here’s the deal. The healthcare system is complex. Every individual is different, which makes generalizations something we just don’t like. Here are some answers to common questions.

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    WHAT IS IT?

    Home care is a broad term that means any medical or non-medical care provided in a primary place of residence. That means you may see home care in a single-family home, at an in-law suite, in an assisted living or at a skilled nursing facility. Home care is generally divided into two main areas: home health and home care. Home health includes medical care like medication management and organization, PEG tube care, trach care, wound care, etc. Home care includes both Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) like dressing, bathing, check-ins, reminders, errands, transportation, cleaning, and cooking. For a peek into the difference between ADL’s (bathing/dressing etc) and IADL’s (cooking/cleaning), take a look at this post.

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    WHY DO OUR CLIENTS NEED IT?

    Two main overarching reasons: acute care (short-term) and chronic care (long-term). The biggest reasons for short-term home care include a hospitalization, wound care, or surgery. The biggest reason for long-term home care include a change to the primary caregiver (i.e. the passing of a spouse), chronic disease management (like diabetes or dementia) or a decline in ability to do things (like cook, clean or drive).

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    WHY WOULD OUR CLIENTS WANT IT?

    Home care exists to make our clients’ life easier and provide him with a better quality of life, keeping him independent at home as long as possible. That doesn’t mean it’s any easier to get older, or for him to feel like he needs help. Home care does allow our client to stay home longer. It lets him continue to do things he wants to do (like go shopping, eat the meals you want to eat) and have control over his environment. It may keep him safer longer. We know we’re caring for our clients in the most private of spaces: their primary residence.

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  • Senior Companion Care During COVID-19

    Senior Companion Care During COVID-19

    In order to avoid putting your elderly loved ones at risk, many family members have forgone or severely limited their visits and activities with them. Physical distancing has left older adults vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness, so it’s important for them to maintain a sense of connection throughout these difficult times. Research has shown that loneliness is linked to a higher risk for various physical and mental conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, a weakened immune system, and cognitive decline. One option to limit the effects of isolation on your loved one is with the companionship of a caregiver.

    At Coastal Home Care, we provide senior companion care to clients in Wicomico County, MD with an emphasis on respect and protecting privacy and dignity. As home-based care for seniors is considered an essential service during this time, we are continuing to operate while taking all necessary precautions to protect the health of our staff and clients. See the proactive measures Coastal Home Care has taken to stay safe in accordance with CDC guidelines.

    Below, we discuss the various ways senior caregivers can help your loved one during the COVID-19 climate.

    Wellness Checks

    In addition to completing daily health screenings themselves, our caregivers regularly monitor the health of our elders according to their completed COVID-19 training program. Comprehensive health screenings of clients are performed at every clinical touchpoint.

    Caregivers can also engage in mental check-ins with elders to identify any signs of anxiety or other issues. Fear surrounding the virus combined with social isolation from friends and family can impact a person in different ways, and it’s usually evident in their speech or behavior.

    Enhanced Cleaning

    Maintaining cleanliness and safety in the home has always been a priority for caregivers, who are now following additional protocols including:

    • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently used surfaces, such as countertops, faucets, cabinets, doorknobs, and light switches.
    • Frequent hand washing before, during, and after visits to the home.
    • Continued and updated training on infection protocol and prevention.

    Continued Activity and Connection

    With visitors restricted or limited in the home, a senior caregiver can ensure that your loved one receives the companionship and assistance they need. Some of the ways caregivers help include:

    • Encouraging the client to avoid boredom with physical and mental activity such as reading, stretching, painting, working on a puzzle, etc.
    • Making sure the client continues with daily activities such as personal hygiene and grooming, grocery shopping, cleaning, as well as cooking and preparing highly-nutritional meals.
    • Assisting older adults with communicating with loved ones virtually via Facetime, Zoom, or with other video applications.
    • Empowering the client by involving them in decision-making over ordering meals, groceries, or prescription medicine online for delivery.

    Coastal Home Care: Professional Senior Companion Care in Wicomico County

    It can be difficult to balance the desire to help your elderly loved one with the recommendation to limit physical contact during this time. At Coastal Home Care, we are continuing to offer senior companion care in Wicomico County, MD, and taking all preventative measures and precautions to protect our elders while providing quality care.

    We begin the process with an assessment by one of our Registered Nurses, who will then create a personalized “Plan of Care” for your loved one, which our Certified Nursing Assistants follow under careful supervision. Our elderly care options are individualized to match your loved one’s needs and preferences, and we offer services to help with a range of daily activities.

    Contact us at (866) 687-7307 to learn more about our compassionate care services, or fill out a form to schedule a consultation today.