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At this time of year, you no doubt have your hands full. Getting everything ready for the holidays, in addition to your regular responsibilities, can be nerve-racking. Add in caring for a senior loved one, and the stress levels can be off the charts, especially if you are their primary caregiver. If you are running out of free moments and getting filled with frustration, you may want to consider turning to an in-home caregiver for help, especially at this time of year. Having a compassionate home care worker who is dedicated to caring for your senior can be like having an extra pair of helping hands, which, especially around the holidays, can be invaluable.
How They Can Help
Home care workers are trained professionals whose job it is to ensure your senior loved ones are safe and well-cared for. They can do everything from helping your senior with daily hygiene and getting dressed to spotting tripping hazards throughout the home. If your senior is writing out Christmas cards and drops all of them on the floor, a home care worker can even be there to gather them all up so your senior loved one doesn’t need to worry about bending over or tripping. After your senior prepares Christmas cookies, home care workers can do the dishes for your senior, so they don’t have to stand on their wobbly legs for too long. Or they can reach higher items such as rarely used spices from cabinets for your senior. They can even help with the actual preparation of food.
Home care workers can even simply provide companionship for your senior loved one, which is especially valuable for seniors as they often feel lonely or depressed around the holidays.
They can sit with your senior and talk about their plans for the holidays or listen to their stories about past Christmases. If your senior loves telling the origin story for each of the ornaments on the tree, home caregivers can be engaged, listeners and talkers. They even can sit with your senior and watch holiday movies. Home care workers can anticipate your senior’s needs and help with them. They also will follow a specific set of instructions and plans that you and your senior loved one work out ahead of time, so they can target the area they specifically need help with.
How Frequently They Can Help
It’s natural to want to be with your senior as much as possible and to do all you can for them. You might be thinking you don’t need a full-time caregiver. Home care workers do not need to be there all of the time. They can be there 24 hours a day, but they also can be present just in the morning when your senior loved one is getting ready or just at dinner to help them with meal prep or clean up. They can take care of the jobs that you find more frustrating when working with your senior and be there just for that part of the day. They even can just help out for a set period of time each week as you run errands. Many home care agencies, including Visiting Angels Punta Gorda, can work with you to come up with a schedule that works with your needs. Professional home care workers also can offer respite care, which means they come in to give the primary caregiver a break at certain times. For example, if you want to head out to your annual family holiday tea and your senior loved one won’t be coming, they can be on hand for a couple of hours it takes you to enjoy the event. If you are exhausted from all of your holiday preparations, they can also offer respite care so you can nap and refresh for your time with your senior loved one.
Benefits
Having an in-home caregiver assist your senior loved one can make all of the difference in your level of stress this holiday season. In turn, it can help improve your relationship with your senior loved one and make the holidays happier. If you are spending less time helping them get ready each morning or carefully watching over them every second of the day, you can have more time to enjoy their company. If you have less to worry about, you can find more joy in each moment with your senior loved one. Freeing up some of your time around the holidays can give you time to focus on what is most important in your life and to enjoy this precious time with your senior loved one.
A Helping Hand
If you are looking for help with your senior loved one this holiday season and every season of the year, our professionals at Visiting Angels Punta Gorda are here to help. We provide a variety of home care services, including companion care, fall prevention, a safe and steady program and more.
Our expert team of caregivers serves clients in Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Arcadia and surrounding areas. To learn more about our services, call us at 941-347-8288, or fill out an online form here.
As our parents age, it becomes increasingly important to be attentive to changes in their behavior, physical condition, and overall well-being. Identifying early signs that they may need in-home support can help ensure they receive the necessary care to maintain their quality of life. Here are some key indicators that it might be time to consider in-home support for your elderly parents:1. Changes in Personal Hygieneo Neglect of Grooming: Noticeable decline in grooming habits, such as unkempt hair, body odor, or wearing dirty clothes.o Difficulty Bathing: Struggling with regular bathing or maintaining personal cleanliness. Concern of falling while bathing.2. Physical Declineo Mobility Issues: Difficulty walking, frequent falls, or unsteady balance.o Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss or poor nutrition due to difficulty cooking or eating.3. Cognitive Declineo Memory Problems: Forgetting important appointments, medications, or familiar faces.o Confusion: Increased confusion, disorientation, or getting lost in familiar places.4. Emotional and Mental Health Changeso Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions, hobbies, or activities they once enjoyed.o Mood Swings: Noticeable changes in mood, increased irritability, or signs of depression and anxiety.5. Neglected Household Responsibilitieso Messy Home: A once tidy home becoming increasingly cluttered or dirty.o Unpaid Bills: Accumulation of unpaid bills or neglect of financial responsibilities.6. Medical Concernso Frequent Medical Issues: Increased frequency of medical appointments or hospital visits.o Medication Management: Difficulty managing medications, including missed doses or incorrect administration.7. Changes in Daily Activitieso Difficulty with ADLs: Struggling with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, eating, or toileting.o Reduced Driving Ability: Unsafe driving habits or reluctance to drive.When to ActIf you observe any of these signs, its important to have an open and compassionate conversation with your aging parent about their needs and concerns. Early intervention with in-home support can help provide: Personal Care: Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming. Meal Preparation: Help with cooking and ensuring proper nutrition. Medication Management: Monitoring and administering medications correctly. Companionship: Providing social interaction and emotional support. Household Chores: Assistance with cleaning, laundry, and other household tasks. Transportation: Helping with errands, appointments, and social activities.Recognizing the signs that your aging parent might need help at home is crucial for their well-being and your peace of mind. By being vigilant and proactive, you can ensure they receive the support they need to live safely and comfortably in their own home. There are services and items available that not only support your aging parent but also alleviate some of the tasks you might be managing. If youre uncertain about the level of care required, consider consulting with a healthcare professional or a senior care advisor to assess their needs comprehensively. As you navigate this path, resources from credible organizations can offer guidance and support. Remember, at CareAparent, we are here to assist you every step of the way in this important journey. If you are interested in learning more about our services or inquiring about a personalized care plan, dont hesitate to contact us at your convenience. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team is always here to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Take the first step towards peace of mind and reach out to us today at 651-702-4663.
Marita Ellers* was lucky. Her parents lived three blocks away in Greater Detroit. She enjoyed a close relationship with them and could tend to their needs as they continued to age, which was well into their 90s. They both passed away when Marita entered her 60s as she helped with their hospice care needs. But having never married, and with only a chronically ill brother and sister-in-law living in Seattle, reality set in when Marita needed major surgery which would incapacitate her for weeks or possibly months.Unlike her parents who had her to depend on, Marita had no one. Of course there was her circle of friends, but as it turned out most were married. Shed never thought about cultivating relationships with single people; it had just never occurred to her. Her married friends had busy lives of their own with spouses, adult children, and grandchildren, and the last thing Marita wanted to do was impose on them during a long recuperation.Ellers is part of a growing trend of elder orphans and solo agers: individuals ages 55-plus who live alone without a spouse, partner, children, or other family around at all, or if they are around, they cannot be relied upon sometimes due to family dynamics. In short, these individuals have no real support networkno safety net. In a survey of 500 elder orphans, nearly 70 percent hadnt identified someone to help them with health problems, while 35 percent had no friends or family to begin with who could help.Studies show the demographics numbers are on the rise and the group is so ubiquitous, it even has its own Facebook page with nearly 10,000 members to provide support through shared experiences. If you fall into this category, what are some of the steps you can take to prepare for successful aging?Planning to Live as a Solo AgerThe best kind of plan for almost anything is, naturally, to plan. If we dont do that, we may leave critical decisions to disconnected relatives, acquaintances, or ultimately overburdened, court-appointed strangers who have no idea what we need and want. Considering herself staunchly independent, Maritas lack of planning was twofold: she was in denial about her own aging process, and at the same time she figured the experience of seeing her parents through lifes end stages would enable her to apply all that knowledge to herself if the time came.While in some respects her experience puts her a step ahead of many of her contemporaries, her reasoning does not allow for what can happen when her mobility is compromised, cognitive capacity is diminished, or myriad other conditions where she may need more help than she can give to herself. Maritas upcoming surgery was a wake-up call, making her acutely aware of what steps she should have taken and scrambling to put as many as possible in place.Understand the Levels Between Senior Independence and Assisted LivingYesface things and research them, laying them out as early and comprehensively as you can. Avoidance will only get you so far. The antidote for anxiety, feeling isolated, and depressionthree issues elder orphans and solo agers have expressed are problems for themis action. Goethe said, Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid. Keren Brown Wilson, known as the pioneer of assisted living, says there are many steps and levels between independence and dependence. She recommends interdependence: a mutual reliance on one another on the path to better aging.Think about trained caregivers for when you may need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and a fiduciary or senior care advisor for your financial needs including Long-Term Care insurance. Go out and cultivate friendships if you dont already have them with other elder orphans or solo agers. People in similar situations may have more time to give you if the need arises, as you can give to them.Build a Senior Support Network That WorksIf you dont know how to go about something, network with people in your community. This may include professionals and others you know at work, where you volunteer, doctors, dentists, lawyers, librarians, teachers, salon and store owners, as well as neighbors. We all age and ahead of that most of us have aging parents or had parents who got up in years. That kind of personal experience is invaluable in terms of recommending others they trust who can help you put things in order now and down the line.Communities for Successful AgingGet Involved!With the rising tide of graying Baby Boomers, city and business leaders and policymakers need to embrace the task of developing solutions for better aging. This needs to be done on a nationwide basis. Elder orphans and solo agers are affected at even deeper levels than their counterparts who are surrounded by family and friends in a position to help. In some locations, there are more resources already in place in the realm of affordable transportation, technology training, respite care, senior advocacy, nutrition oversight, and home health care. But we have a long way to go.If you are an elder orphan or solo ager looking for involvement in your own community, turning your attention to the cause can bring awareness and even expedite results from which everyone can benefit.(* Name has been changed for purposes of anonymity.)
Until 100 years ago, many people never traveled more than 10 miles from the home in which they were born or lived in when they got married, which was usually down the street or the next farm over. Families remained grouped together for many reasons, including having emigrated from a foreign country and starting a new life together. There was strength in numbers: both economic advantages and in perpetuating long-held traditions that would tie loved ones together in the face of new challenges. Where seniors were concerned, the expectation that younger family members would always care for them was impliedand something not all that difficult if people were living within steps of one another.Clearly things have changed, and adult children can be hundreds and thousands of miles away from aging parents. This can make it challenging to determine changes in physical, mental and emotional health, often leading to stress and guilt. While long-distance caregiving isnt always the answer, there are things families can do to help ensure their senior loved ones needs are monitored and met.1 Hold a Family Meeting to Plan In-Home Care for a Senior Loved OneFirst, organizationally, if there are multiple adult children and other family members that can provide long-distance care, have a family meetingin person or video chatto decide what everyones strengths and skillsets are and what their availability is. Tantamount to that, realistically evaluate how much each can do, knowing that a trusted neighbor or someone else outside the family and local to the senior may need to be hired to fill in any gaps.If a family member is better at managing finances, for example, s/he should assume that responsibility when the time comes, always with written permission. A Merrill Lynch study revealed about 92 percent of family caregivers are managing their loved ones finances, including monitoring and paying bills from bank accounts, handling insurance claims, filing taxes, and overseeing investments.2 Communicate with Your Aging Loved One Every DayIts important to check in with an aging parent every day, even several times a day depending on the state of health, particularly if that individual lives alone. If the senior is adept at technology, FaceTime or other forms of video chat are always preferable as visuals are a useful tool in gauging changes. Today there are a variety of simpler forms of senior-friendly video call apps and devices available. These include but are not limited to the Jitterbug Smart3, GrandPad, and CallGenie (British-based product now available in the U.S.).3 Connect Regularly with Your Beloved Seniors Healthcare ProvidersSchedule regular calls with physicians, visiting nurses, and/or others for up-to-date information about you loved ones health and evolving needs. If an in-home senior care agency is involved, consistent updates should be part of the protocol.4 Set Up a Personal Emergency Response System to Maintain a Seniors IndependenceSometimes dubbed high-tech guardian angels, personal emergency response systems (PERS) support safe and independent living. At the touch of a button (or in some cases by voice activation) an immediate notification is sent to first responders when a fall or other medical emergency is detected. PERS devices can be worn by the senior as a pendant, or a unit can be set up strategically inside the home to provide 24/7 monitoring services.5 Obtain a Smart Pill Dispenser for Medication ManagementAs people age, memory can be affected with issues that include failure to take medication or not recalling if a dose was taken or not. Multiple medications are also a byproduct of aging and facing an array of bottles every day can be confusing and disorienting for seniors. A user-friendly solution lies in medication management with automatic pill dispensers, as these smart devices for healthcare can do so much more than hold apportioned pills in a little plastic box. Smart pill devices organize medications and ensure the correct dose is dispensed at the right time, and some can also notify the caregiver if a dose is missed.6 Explore Alternative Senior Living ArrangementsIs an aging parent amenable to moving closer to adult children? Independent living and assisted living fall under the broad banner of senior living communities and can make the stress that accompanies long-distance caregiving a thing of the past. Many seniors and their families are unsure where to start their search for assisted living and other senior housing options.7 Plan More Frequent Visits to Keep Tabs on Your Elderly Loved Ones WelfareWork, raising families, community responsibilities, and everything else can make life overwhelming today. But if a parent or grandparent is aging, theres no better way to monitor needs than to visit as often as possibleeven for a long weekend now and then. If there are multiple adult siblings or young adult grandchildren, spreading the visits out among family members can ease the burden of constant traveling and help ensure changes in health and mobility do not go undetected.Besides, the opportunity to spend time with mom or dad in their sunset years is precious, and something you will never have again. In your effort to monitor things and provide support, which no one argues can be time consuming and stressful, make sure to slow down and listen. As the saying goes, When a senior dies, a library closes.8 Ask for Information and Guidance from a Trusted Senior ResourceKnow that an Amada Senior Care advisor has the expertise and knowledge to assist without obligation as families with aging loves ones navigate their senior care journey. Click HERE to find an Amada office near you or call (866) 752-1961.
Welcome to Visiting Angels Punta Gorda! We provide senior care services in Punta Gorda, North Myers, Arcadia, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Captiva, Sanibel Florida, and the surrounding areas. Our in-home senior care services are designed to bring peace of mind to families and are adaptable to meet the special needs of your loved ones.Our ServicesFrom companion care a few hours each week to around-the-clock care for those with advanced Alzheimer's, our team of dedicated, compassionate, state-certified caregivers has the experience and expertise you seek. Our services include:Companion CarePersonal CareAlzheimer's and Dementia CareRespite CareAssistance with Daily Living ActivitiesTrusted CaregiversWhat sets Visiting Angels apart is our thorough assessment process. Every client is assessed by an experienced Registered Nurse before services begin, allowing us to identify underlying health and personal issues. This assessment guides the caregiver's care plan and is followed by ongoing assessments. We also make referrals to medical professionals if needed, enhancing our clients' lives and well-being.We prioritize the safety and security of our clients, partnering with ClearStar for comprehensive background screenings on all caregivers. This ensures that only the most trustworthy individuals are invited into our clients' homes.All of our caregivers are bonded and insured by our agency. We DO NOT USE independent contractors, ensuring that you receive consistent, high-quality care from our team members.Free Consultation If you have a loved one who needs personalized in-home care, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to providing compassionate care and support to your family.
Visiting Angels has been a trusted provider of elder care services in the United States since 1998, committed to offering families the best in-home care for seniors. Operating in southern Lee County, FL, Visiting Angels Fort Myers serves the Fort Myers, Estero, and Bonita Springs areas, providing personalized non-medical in-home care services. Our experienced and passionate caregivers, known as Angels, assist with meal preparation, personal care, laundry, transportation, light housekeeping, and errands, tailored to each individual's needs.Owned and operated by Kathleen Fleming, RN, BS, CDP, Executive Director, and Karen Hill, Director of Finance, Visiting Angels of SW Florida ensures that seniors can age comfortably in their own homes while maintaining their independence and self-worth. Our on-call office staff is available 24/7 to respond to emergencies and meet all homecare needs.What sets Visiting Angels apart is our thorough assessment process. Every client is assessed by an experienced Registered Nurse before services begin, allowing us to identify underlying health and personal issues. This assessment guides the caregiver's care plan and is followed by ongoing assessments. We also make referrals to medical professionals if needed, enhancing our clients' lives and well-being.We prioritize the safety and security of our clients, partnering with ClearStar for comprehensive background screenings on all caregivers. This ensures that only the most trustworthy individuals are invited into our clients' homes.If your loved one needs assistance with daily tasks or requires short-term care following hospitalization or surgery, contact us for a complimentary personal assessment conducted by a Registered Nurse. Visiting Angels is here to provide compassionate and professional care for your loved ones.
Welcome to Visiting Angels Punta Gorda! We provide senior care services in Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, Arcadia, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Captiva, Sanibel Florida, and the surrounding areas. Our in-home senior care services are designed to bring peace of mind to families and are adaptable to meet the special needs of your loved ones.Our ServicesFrom companion care a few hours each week to around-the-clock care for those with advanced Alzheimer's, our team of dedicated, compassionate, state-certified caregivers has the experience and expertise you seek. Our services include:Companion CarePersonal CareAlzheimer's and Dementia CareRespite CareAssistance with Daily Living ActivitiesTrusted CaregiversAll of our caregivers are bonded and insured by our agency. We do not use independent contractors, ensuring that you receive consistent, high-quality care from our team members.Free Consultation If you have a loved one who needs personalized in-home care, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to providing compassionate care and support to your family.