Home Instead

Everyone could use a little more kindness in their life. Yet showing kindness is often done while being present and engaged with those around us. With the ongoing pandemic, older adults are more physically distant from loved ones and friends than ever before. In fact, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging, 14.7 million older adults live alone often going days or even weeks without any social interaction.With such isolation, it has never been more important to find new ways to demonstrate empathy and compassion for older adults in your community. By prioritizing acts of goodwill and displays of selflessness, we can help build a kinder and more compassionate world.A year into the pandemic, its often hard to see the positive in the world, said Erin Albers, vice president of Social Purpose at Home Instead. But there is hope, and social distancing doesnt have to mean disconnecting. There are plenty of ways to impact the lives of our aging community from a safe distance.One of the easiest ways to let older adults know they are valued is by simply engaging with them, which can leave a lasting, positive impact. Research has shown that acts of kindness can improve the physical and mental health of a senior and strengthen the bond between the giver and the recipient.Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 14-20) is a great opportunity to make an older adult in your life feel seen, heard and loved. It all starts with adding a little bit of kindness to your everyday routine. Albers suggests a random act of kindness for each day of the week to connect with the older adults near you:Monday: Lend a hand. During the pandemic, older adults may be isolated without the normal help they receive from family or friends. Give a senior neighbor a hand by offering to finish an outdoor project for them. Tackle the activities that may prove to be more difficult for them first: bring their newspaper or mail to their doorstep, shovel snow or scrape ice off their car. If you need help getting started, download and print a card to say Im Ready to Help.Tuesday: Write a letter (or two). When we rely on our phones and text messages to convey love and appreciation, feelings can get lost in translation. A letter to an older adult is a simple gesture that bears great meaning. For isolated seniors, it may even be the one interaction theyve had in a long time. Take it one step further by becoming a pen pal. Skip the stamps by submitting your letter online at ReadyToCare.com/penpals.Wednesday: Deliver dinner. Social distancing can lead to feelings of loneliness, especially around mealtime. Surprise a senior friend by treating them to a home-cooked meal or an entree from their favorite local restaurant. Consider making several meals in bulk and freezing them. Having healthy frozen meals on hand may be particularly helpful for seniors who live alone.Thursday: Pick up the tab. It can be a scary time for older adults to leave their homes. Next time you see a senior at the grocery store, drive-thru or car wash, consider picking up the bill. Or, pay it forward in other ways. For example, create a video with Celebrate. Use the promo code KINDNESS to create a heartwarming gift for a loved one while simultaneously supporting the important work of charities that support older adults. 75% of every video purchased with this code will go directly to Home Instead Foundation to support seniors in need.Friday: Create a kindness jar. To fuel your kindness well beyond Random Acts of Kindness Week, fill a jar with ideas and inspiration for thoughtful acts. Once a week, select one idea from the jar and make it your mission to complete it for a senior friend or stranger. At the end of the year, think back on the difference you were able to make in the lives of others. For more ideas, sign up to receive free weekly text messages from Ready to Care by Home Instead.While these ideas are simple, theyll leave a lasting impression. Even the smallest interactions can increase someones quality of life and positively impact their health. Helping those in need through random acts of kindness and care will matter more than ever in the days ahead.

Home Instead believes quality of life has no expiration date. Our person-centric care helps people of all ages maintain comfort, connection, and quality of life in the place that they love the most. We provide home care no matter where you call home.Reasons to Age in Place with Senior CareIn-home care offers benefits other types of senior care just cant match.Care in the comfort of your own home. No matter where home is, receiving personalized care there can help seniors stay safe and well.Customizable, scalable hours and services. Personalized care plans can help meet a familys needs now and scale up if future needs require it.Minimize health exposures. Receiving care at home can help reduce potential exposures to germs that can cause illness.One-on-one care. Families deserve the undivided attention and focus on comfort and safety that only in-home caregiving can provide.Personalized care plan. Everyone needs something different from home care. Our person-centered care plans can help meet your familys individual needs right now and can flex to meet different needs in the future.Lifestyle continuity. In-home care can help a senior to maintain vital social connections within their existing community and circle of friends.Companionship. Seniors can build a personal relationship with their Care Professional to reduce loneliness and depression.Better health outcomes. The one-on-one care may improve medication adherence and nutritional status, which can improve health outcomes.Maintain independence and dignity. In-home care affords older adults a level of dignity and independence that institutionalized care simply cannot.Affordable. Compared to other senior care options, such as assisted living or a nursing home, in-home senior care may represent a much more affordable option.Seniors Want to Age In PlaceWould it surprise you to learn that 94% of surveyed senior homeowners said they want to live in their own home as they age? Probably not, because who wouldnt want to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their home as they navigate the latter stages of life?

Senior care should be about meeting individual needs. But we understand that for families who are considering care options for aging adults, the cost can be a major worry. Selecting the right care is important and you want to ensure its the best fit and value for your unique situation.Find Care That Enhances the Quality of LifeEvaluating Cost of CareWhen evaluating the cost of care, you should weigh the outcomes of care, beyond pricing alone. Its important to consider the persons safety, well-being, need for companionship and quality of life. Care is something that should be put in place to, not only to keep the person safe and healthy, but to enhance a persons enjoyment of life.Tailor-Made Care Plans & PackagesIn-home care services can help people at any point within the aging process. But care needs rarely fit neatly into a standard package. We start with the needs of the individual and develop a personalized care package and plan.Your Options for Paying for Home CareToday, you may be able to take advantage of many programs to make personalized in-home care a reality for your family. Contact our office so we can discuss cost and coverage options that best support your needs. Home Instead is here to help you make an informed choice that is right for everyone involved.Family-funded careVeterans (VA) assistanceLong-term care insuranceDementia Care Grant through our partnership with HFCHome equity line of credit