Category: !CAI

Joining the Care Advantage family of brands has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my career. I have been able to join a work family and a culture that is truly a step above any place I have worked before. Care Advantage not only puts heart into every patient they care for but also every employee. They truly put care into every life they touch and every facet of their organization. The team culture is one success. Not only success for one individual, but success that is shared across the entire family. Every branch of our organization always pulls together to support those in need which is huge. As a veteran of the United States Airforce, the team comradery is near and dear to me. It is always refreshing to know that your work family will always have your back in your time of need.

I began my journey in healthcare as a home health aide in high school, later attending LPN classes through my local technical school. I was unable to afford college after my high school graduation and chose to join the Air Force leaving two weeks after high school graduation. My eight years in the Air Force were spent as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist maintaining the United States nuclear weapons arsenal. After completing my tour, I was able to use my military benefits to finally obtain my Registered Nurses license. After many years, I returned and completed my Family Nurse Practitioner certification as well as my Doctorate in healthcare systems leadership.

I was previously the COO with Interim Healthcare in Virginia oversighting skilled care. My current role as the Regional Director of Operations for the Care Advantage skilled home health family of brands entails daily oversight of all skilled division operations. I am involved in the skilled delivery of care from the time a prospective patient enters our care until the time they graduate from our services. We focus specifically in helping those in need of a higher level of healthcare services.  We strive to help our patients stay independent in their homes for as long as possible. Our nurses and therapists provide the highest level of care delivery for all those who choose our services. I have been blessed as a veteran to have been afforded many growth opportunities within healthcare over the years.

My educational journey has been a long one, taking many years to complete. However, I have been given the chance to see every level of healthcare and appreciate everyone for all they do in their respective positions. Care Advantage also recognizes the efforts of every individual from the CEO to the companion in the home. Every person in our work family is invaluable in their own way. While patient care is always at the heart of the services we provide, Care Advantage also ensures that we, as employees and as veterans, know we are at the heart of what makes us successful as an organization.

I could not be as successful as I have been without the support of both my family and my work family at Care Advantage. They understand the sacrifices I have made in my life as a veteran and the difficult scars that sometimes leaves behind. In summary, Care Advantage is a compassionate and genuine organization that truly cares for every individual connected to them. They have always had my best interests at heart, and I know that as a company, we will do all that we can to ensure we provide nothing but the best in home health services for your loved ones. As a veteran, I encourage anyone looking for a rewarding career in healthcare to come to Care Advantage. Their name really does say it all; its truly all about caring for those who depend on you!

‍

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What can you do to reduce fall risk?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

·        Medicare and Medicaid shouldered 75% of these costs.

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

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

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

‍

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE WRITER:

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

Have you ever found yourself just a few hours into your shift having already completed your client’s personal care needs…and wondered “Now what do I do?”

No worries…you got this!  

“Downtime” can be the perfect opportunity to get to know each other a little better, resulting in a more meaningful connection and enjoyable experience for both of you.   By engaging in pleasant and stimulating conversation you can learn more about the person and discover new ideas for activities that will bring them a sense of joy and purpose.  Start by doing a little “detective” work and then… get creative!  

Whether you’re caring for a person at home or in a senior living community… the key is to consider their interests and former occupation to determine what kind of activities might interest them.  Here’s a few tips on how to go about this…

• Ask Questions… such as “Where were you born? What was your favorite subject in school? What kind of work did you do before retiring?” If the individual is unable to tell you, try asking a family member or colleague if they know of any ongoing passions, personal hobbies or defining moments in that person’s life they’d be willing to share.

• Listen Closely… to their answers to discover likes/dislikes, favorite work experiences and/or life-long passions.

• Watch Closely…observe the individual’s reactions to different people, situations, and events.  

Okay… now that you’ve learned some new and interesting details about the person whose care you’ve been entrusted with, try out a new activity idea… and see how it goes. Don’t be discouraged if your first try isn’t successful. Remember the old saying… “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!!” Read below to jumpstart your creative process…

Different Kinds of People and Corresponding Activities they may Enjoy:

• The Homemaker – For those individuals who primarily took care of the home… you might offer a cloth for them to dust framed family photos or cherished, decorative objects.  Ask them to name who is in the photos and/or if they remember where the object is from? If a lighter task would be more appropriate, ask them to “help” you fold towels or give them a stack of colorful paper napkins to arrange.

• The Parent/Caregiver – Have you ever noticed how people with dementia brighten up and take note when babies and children are around? Interactions with children and babies have been a normal part of many people’s lives. Often when a person is living in a facility or at home and not getting out often, they no longer interact regularly with kids. You can help create opportunities by going on a walk together to a local park or playground. If appropriate, you might ask them about their own children and tell them about yours!

• The Office Worker – An individual who spent a significant amount of time sitting at a desk, working with papers, might enjoy the “job” of sorting a pile of documents or carrying around a notebook and pen to write down information, phone messages, etc.

• The Gardener – Was the individual and avid gardener? Provide them with a place to plant seeds(a cup on the windowsill will do,) water, and watch them grow.  They may also enjoy simple, flower arranging with an inexpensive bouquet from the grocery store. Use every opportunity to take them outdoors to enjoy the seasons gorgeous flowers and gardens.

• The Sports Fan – “Read” the Sports section of the newspaper together. Inquire about their favorite sport, team, or player. Is there a “big game” they’d enjoy watching on tv? Arrange the schedule around it or se if can be recorded to view later. Perhaps they would get a kick out of sorting through or organizing baseball cards, etc.

• The Animal Lover – If your client loves pets, ask about having a cat or dog visit on a regular basis. Is there an aquarium or bird cage in the community you could regularly visit together? Some people are comforted by holding a stuffed kitten or puppy, stroking its fur. They also might connect by paging through a picture book about their favorite animal.

• The Teacher/Reader or Writer – Often, people who have been wordsmiths all their lives are still capable of doing crossword puzzles, word searches, scrambles, and many other “brain games.”  Doing these activities regularly will not only only sharpen memory and cognitive skills but can provide a real sense of satisfaction! Pick up an inexpensive, large-print word puzzles book and give it a go! Also, people with substantial vocabularies often enjoy a good game of Scrabble, utilizing cognitive and social skills at the same time! Have some different word game options sitting out for them to do when the mood strikes.

• The Engineer – Does your individual have an innate curiosity about how things work? Do they like to put things together? A former engineer might really enjoy “building” with Legos or small, wooden blocks… an activity they can do repeatedly with different results each time. Many people also like working on a jigsaw puzzle… try a simple one to start and gauge their level of interest.

• The Artist/Teacher – Provide plenty of colorful supplies to inspire the creative process. Non-toxic clay, colored pencils, washable markers, watercolors, and paper are all great choices for tactile stimulation and help to strengthen the hands as well. Make something beautiful together!

• The Musician – If Music is what makes your senior come alive, offer opportunities to use this gift! Ask if they have ever sung in a choir or musical group. How about a sing-along? Make a point of learning favorite songs you can play for them on YouTube.

• The Faithful – For many people, as they age, the importance of spiritual nurturing increases. Offer books of faith in keeping with their tradition or encourage times of prayer and/or meditation. Just listening to favorite hymns together can be a lovely experience for both of you!

In summary, remember that we all need to feel useful in life. The object here is not to have the individual do large amounts of tasks… but rather… to give them something familiar and meaningful to do, providing an opportunity to succeed in a purposeful and joyful activity.

Molly Healy is our Social Engagement Specialist with Capital City Nurses. She has worked with the elderly for many years and truly loves to mentor our caregivers. For more great ideas to engage those for whom we provide care, visit our Pinterest Board‍

I often get asked why there are so many young people coming out. People think it must be a trend. The reality is, that the more people in the LGBTQ+ community that are visible, the more our young people feel comfortable coming out. They maybe recognize themselves in others.  Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, non-binary, transgender becomes normalized. The general population also starts to become more comfortable realizing these are people they know and love.  In part, we have our elder LGBTQ+ population to thank for paving the way for our younger population. Those that came out in a time it was illegal to be gay. Those that fought for accepting laws. Those that came out and lost families to be able to live an authentic life. Those that have passed the baton on to younger generations to fight for visibility and acceptance and basic human rights.

By 2030, it is estimated that the LGBT population over 65 will be approximately 4.7 million. Of this population, they are twice as likely to live alone and four times as likely to not have children. They may have a “chosen” family that needs to step in to help take care of them. Often, they may have come out later in life due to stigma or fear of rejection. They may fear seeking out services, due to discrimination or harassment or fear of having to go “back in the closet”. Studies show that few healthcare providers are competent to meet the needs of the aging transgender population.

Some common issues from our aging LGBT population related to healthcare environments include being forced to conform or wear clothing they are not comfortable in, misgendering or refusing to give hormone treatments. There are stories of abuse from fellow residents and caregivers refusing to bathe or touch them, which can create a distrust of medical providers.

What can we do as home health care providers? We can educate ourselves. We can learn to understand LGBTQ+ health issues, how to respectfully care for our LGBTQ+ elders and learn to understand the specific issues they deal with when seeking care and the desire to avoid moving into community care.

Using supportive and affirming language such as using a person’s preferred name and correct pronouns can make a huge difference between building trust or making them feel misunderstood, rejected, and unwelcome. And I will go a step further and say using the wrong name (often called a “dead name” in transgender communities) is abusive and violent.

In our role as compassionate and patient centered caregivers, we need to make sure all our clients, and sometimes our co-workers, family members and friends, do not feel overlooked but feel valued with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Some simple steps we can take – don’t assume! I know the adage is, treat someone the way you would want to be treated, but I say, ask! How would they like to be treated? Respect their wishes. Maybe start by introducing yourself with your pronouns and then ask what pronouns they use. Ask what name they use – it may not be their legal name, but it may make a huge difference in how they feel about themselves and you!

I have been asked why I have my pronouns on my signature. The fact is that to those who don’t understand, it doesn’t matter – though it brings up questions which are a great opportunity for education. But to someone whose whole identity depends on using the correct pronoun, it can make the difference of feeling heard, welcomed, and validated.  It is a small gesture of letting someone know they are safe with you, and it can have huge implications.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susanna Bedser, RN is a nurse in the Care Advantage Richmond Southside office. Susanna runs an online support group for parents of transgender kids and facilitates local groups in Virginia. In her spare time, she and her family help support Guiding Eyes for the Blind by training several support guide dogs.

Not all heroes wear capes. But many millions of them go to work in scrubs. 

We’re talking about nurses, of course. They’ve been at the forefront of every public health crisis over the past couple centuries, from smallpox outbreaks on the Old West frontier to the present-day battle against COVID-19. Just as importantly, they’re also first on the scene when your daughter goes into labor or your grandson cuts his finger at school. 

What can we do to celebrate nurses’ contributions to our lives? One way is to mark National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6th to May 12th (Florence Nightingale’s birthday) every year. Let’s kick things off by running through some of the more interesting facts about the profession. 

1. Nurses are the most trusted professionals

Every year, Gallup asks Americans to rate the ethics and honesty of various professions, from car salespeople to chiropractors. And nearly every year, nurses top the poll, leaving judges and even grade schoolteachers trailing in their wake. It’s no surprise — anyone who’s ever visited a hospitalized loved one knows how reassuring it is to see nurses at work. 

2. Nursing is a growing profession

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States has just over 3 million registered nurses — roughly equivalent to the population of Puerto Rico. We still need more nurses, however, and the profession is projected to grow 7 percent by 2029. That’s partly because seniors are living longer and more active lives, while at the same time managing chronic health conditions that require skilled nursing care outside of hospitals. 

3. Walt Whitman was a nurse

It’s hard to imagine America’s greatest poet in scrubs. But even though he lacked formal training, Walt Whitman spent three years as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War. He visited with thousands of wounded soldiers, both Union and Confederate, doing his best to offer comfort and hope, as only nurses can. Or, as he puts it in his poem “The Wound-Dresser”: 

Bearing the bandages, water and sponge,

Straight and swift to my wounded I go. 

4. Four in 10 nurses work outside hospitals

While nurses remain the heart and soul of every hospital, an increasing number work in other settings. There are nurses who teach, nurses who support the troops, nurses in industry and nurses who look after passengers on cruise ships. We’re particular proud of the nurses who work for Care Advantage, who share our mission to deliver exceptional care to patients in their residences. 

5. Nursing skills can take you anywhere

Trained nurses can become celebrities such as country music stars (Naomi Judd and Paul Brandt) and award-winning actors (Julie Walters). Core nursing skills like problem solving, adaptability and empathy mean nurses make great entrepreneurs, too. Take Debbie Johnston, RN, who founded Care Advantage in 1988. It was while working as a hospital nurse that Debbie noticed too many patients were being discharged while still in recovery. Thirty years on, Care Advantage has expanded to offer all kinds of services for seniors, but skilled nursing remains one of the things we do best.

April is Stress Awareness Month, and it arrives with impeccable timing. For many, the “year of COVID” has been the most stressful in living memory.

Few have been more affected than professional (and family) caregivers for older adults. Working remotely — a godsend for millions — just isn’t an option if your job involves changing dressings, prepping meals or helping with activities of daily living. 

If you’re the primary caregiver of an aging family member, you’ve probably been feeling added stress during the past year: delayed and rescheduled health care appointments, mandatory quarantine and stay-at-home orders, lack of socialization with other family and friends. Many family caregivers also juggle their 9 to 5 responsibilities and childcare with the added responsibility of caring for their aging parents. 

As the pandemic abates, so should some of the stressors associated with it. But caregiver stress management should remain a top priority for your own well-being. If you’re overtired and overworked, it might be time to look to a third party for trusted, timely help — and that’s where Care Advantage can step in.  

‍What is caregiver stress?
Being physically and emotionally on-call almost all of the time takes a toll. When our children are young, we expect this (and we know that that difficult season will pass!)
‍
We also experience this kind of caregiving stress when we’re caring for an aging family member. Of course, not all stress is bad. For example, if someone has a medical emergency, that will trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response, giving you an energy and alertness boost when you need it most.

But what if your heart starts to race and your muscles twitch at a time of apparent calm, such as when you’re watching TV or reading? Or, what if you become lethargic and uninterested in your work, and the job that previously brought you joy becomes a grind? These are classic symptoms of caregiver stress, along with headaches, insomnia, irritability, chronic indigestion and many other ailments, both physical and mental. You know your mind and body better than anyone. Listen to them. If they’re telling you something is wrong, it’s time to get help. 

‍Preventing, managing and relieving caregiver stress

‍Following are some general tips for combating caregiver stress, but they won’t work for everyone. Before you make any major lifestyle changes, consult your doctor.

‍Find a stress buddy

‍Caregiver stress is common enough that you probably have a colleague or friend who’s suffering from it. If they’re someone you trust, open up to them about how you’re feeling and ask them to share their own strategies for caregiver stress relief. You can also talk to agencies like Care Advantage for ideas and potential solutions. 

‍Sleep tight

‍Countless chronic conditions, including work stress, are linked to poor or inadequate sleep. Try to eliminate habits that can cause insomnia, such as coffee after lunch and screen time just before bed. Exercise helps promote healthy sleep, but do it in the morning, since an evening jog can leave you more stimulated than tired.
‍
‍Look after your body

‍We often stress the importance of exercise to our loved ones. But do we practice what we preach? Any kind of exercise that elevates your heart rate will work to reduce your stress levels, even if it’s little more than a brisk walk. As for nutrition, ignore the “miracle diets” and simply focus on eating more unprocessed foods, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and less junk (with the caveat that good mental health goes hand in hand with the occasional donut).

‍Seek more help if you need it
‍Left unchecked, and sometimes despite our best intentions, caregiver stress can lead to serious conditions such as burnout and depression. If you feel like things are spiraling out of control, talk to a doctor or counselor and consider bringing in professional help for caregiving. 

And remember, like COVID, stressful times are here just for the moment and they will pass.

As a Social Engagement Specialist for Capital City Nurses, I am in a unique and privileged position to experience, the deep connection between our dear clients and our incredible caregivers first-hand! While my job has enabled me to provide encouragement, social connection, and joyful moments to our clients over many years, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet, train and work with many of our highly-skilled and devoted, caregivers.  The difficult work they do and outstanding care they provide to individuals living with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease is both admirable and inspiring!

However, in my experience, I’ve found that even the most “seasoned” and professional caregiver can use a “refresher” from time to time on how to best meet the constant challenges of caring for a significantly, cognitively impaired individual. It is my sincere and humble hope that one of the ideas below may help push through a problem you’ve come up against recently. It takes a compassionate and deeply committed team to achieve the superior level of care we at Capital City Nurses and Care Advantage pride ourselves on providing to those in need.  So, go ahead and don’t be shy to share your own experiences and help us all become even better at what we do!

BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR SMILE!
The person with dementia will notice your emotional state, body language, as well as the tone of your voice. No matter what is going on in your own life, take a moment before you even walk through the door to prepare your mindset and remind yourself why you chose to be a caregiver for those in need. Take a deep breath, exhale, and get your SMILE on! Remember, your presence can only truly help someone if you are fully present!

INTRODUCE YOURSELF PROPERLY
Let them know who you are. Always make eye contact and tell them your name, where you are from and that you are there to help. Kindly ask permission to assist with their care. Remember to say, “please & thank you.” Manners still matter!

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY
Speak slowly and reassuringly. Make just one point at a time. Never give more than two choices. Make sure glasses and hearing aides are worn if needed. The person may not understand your words… but they will know and remember how you made them feel!

GET TO KNOW THEM…
Ask questions and listen attentively to their answers. For example, you may ask where they were born and grew up. Inquire about family members, pets, education, life’s work, travel, etc. Most people with dementia still retain long-term memories, so this can be key in better understanding the person whose care you’ve been entrusted with.

ENGAGE WITH AN ACTIVITY
“Read” the newspaper together… maybe discuss a story that interests them. Many seniors enjoy looking at and talking about the weather report. This helps better orient them to what season, month, day it is. Are there any special holidays coming up? If so, ask if they remember any special family traditions associated with that holiday.

KNOW WHEN TO STEP BACK
If the individual becomes aggressive. Try to identify the trigger of the behavior. Do they become agitated during personal care or mealtimes? Might they be in pain and unable to express it? Try redirecting them with light chatter about family and friends or look at family photos together. Give them something to do… perhaps folding laundry or paper napkins. If appropriate, give them a little space while still being able to observe and keep them safe.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
Sensory overload can cause stress and anxiety. Do your best to provide a relaxed environment…try playing soft, classical music. Avoid lots of noise, including loud people and places, and reduce conflicting noises, such as a blaring tv. Turning the tv off will provide the opportunity for you to engage them in positive, meaningful conversation.

GO WITH THE FLOW
…and never argue! Acknowledge and respect what the person is saying and doing, even if it makes no sense to you. Telling them they are wrong will often have a negative effect. For example, don’t correct them if they talk about a deceased relative in the present tense.  Instead of responding “Your Mother passed away many years ago,” you could say, “I know you must really miss your Mother…what about her do you miss most? Was she a good cook, etc.?”

RESPOND TO THE EMOTIONS, NOT THE WORDS
Repetition of words, phrases and questions is a common characteristic of those who suffer from Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. If your client starts to repeat a question over and over again, try to guess what the feelings might be causing the behavior. Confusion about where they are and anxiety about not knowing what to do is often the culprit here. Try getting down on their level. A gentle hand on the shoulder while calmly answering their question… just may reassure and soothe them enough to stop their need to keep asking.

TALK WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS
Facing similar care challenges. Discuss what has happened and possible, alterative solutions. Think about what has worked in the past and what has not. Record what you did to stay positive and solve a problem for future reference. You never know when your own experience may help another person facing the same issue. Remember, what goes around… comes around!

If you’re a senior worried about home safety, or an adult child concerned about a parent, take some advice from Ben Franklin: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The time and effort spent on a home safety plan is minimal compared to the distress and time that may come with recovering from an accident.

And, following senior safety tips isn’t just a way to bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones — it can be deeply satisfying and even fun. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself safe at home.

Ask a senior care expert to consider the full range of risks …

When most people think about home safety for seniors, they think about fall prevention. Replacing old scatter rugs and coating floors with non-slip wax will remove some hazards. Installing motion-sensor lights will also make navigating dark hallways safer. But these actions represent only part of the picture. In-home caregivers or experts on senior safety will also consider factors like the thermostat temperature on your water heater, which appliances might give off carbon monoxide, and whether the print size on your medication labels is legible.

… but don’t feel overwhelmed

Once your senior safety expert has noted all the risks, advice on mitigating them may look like the world’s scariest to-do list.

Don’t panic. One of the most satisfying things about home safety is discovering how many critical hazards are quick-fixes. By the end of day one, you and your helper will have identified appliances with frayed power cords, checked the batteries on your smoke detectors, reviewed your emergency contact information and removed obvious tripping hazards.

Focus on the bathroom

Not only are falls the biggest health and safety threat for seniors, but studies show that around 80% of household falls happen in the bathroom.

The good news? Most of these accidents can be prevented with the help of a senior safety expert and some simple additions such as non-slip floor mats, a raised toilet seat and grab bars.

One challenge is that many older adults are uncomfortable discussing toileting and bathing with their loved ones. This is where an in-home caregiver armed with a comprehensive care plan can be a huge asset. It’s often easier to talk about sensitive issues with a compassionate professional than with someone you’ve known all your life.

Embrace new technology

Home technology is designed to be simple and intuitive, so even if you’re not tech savvy, you can use devices known to help keep seniors safe at home. Many older adults use “virtual assistants” like Google Home and Amazon Alexa, which can do everything from adjusting the thermostat to phoning emergency contacts via simple voice commands.

Stay in control

Placing things you use often within easy reach is a simple safety measure, once you get started. Friends and family will gladly help you reorganize, but not always productively — sometimes, adult children or long-term friends aren’t the ideal home helpers, because they’re not acting in a professional capacity. Our advice is to put one trusted person in charge of the project, whether it’s a well-organized relative or a trained senior safety expert.

You can access all the resources you need through Care Advantage. If you’re an older adult or their loved one, feel free to call us today for a chat about senior safety. We’d love to help you turn your house into the safe haven you deserve.

‍