Many seniors don’t require assistance and can maintain independence for many years. However, some older adults do struggle with physical and mental limitations that may hinder the ability to safely perform daily tasks like personal hygiene, grocery shopping and getting to doctor appointments. When these situations arise, family members become concerned and want to provide help for their loved ones but realize that many options are going to take away the sense of independence and freedom that their loved ones value.

But they still need help!

What exactly does “aging in place” mean? Simply said, it is living in your beloved home as long as possible. In-home care is designed to help people do exactly that.

What are seniors up against? According to a new Harvard study, it suggests “that two-thirds of Americans over age 65 need help doing one or more everyday activities such as eating, bathing, and getting in and out of bed or a chair.”

More and more seniors are relying on in-home assistance for support while focusing on aging in place. The incredible surge of medical devices, telehealth options, advancement in technology, and assistance provided by home care services has given older adults a new level of support that they desire. And the more that we understand how much assistance the over 65 population needs, more help can become available.

Remaining independent with home care services

As new research has provided information about how to help seniors enhance their quality of life, home care services have grown to provide assistance that supports senior needs. For example, home care providers understand how important independence is for senior well-being. Home care assistance provides a range of services that help seniors not only maintain independence but also enhance it. Here’s how:

• Mobility – Perhaps an aged adult has trouble getting to and from the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or church – in-home care assistance can provide transportation so that seniors can get to where they need to go.
• Loneliness/Companionship – Aging adults often feel depressed and isolated due to limited social activity. Since COVID-19, this has become an increasingly bigger concern for senior health care providers. Home care services offer companionship that seniors may not otherwise get to enjoy and benefit from.
• Grocery Shopping/Cooking – Home care providers are available for meal planning, prepping and cooking. Many seniors miss out on dietary needs that can enhance physical and mental health because of challenges with grocery shopping and cooking. Home care can help put dietary concerns at the forefront of daily living.
• Personal Hygiene – Seniors who suffer from severe physical health issues often feel very discouraged and depressed about the limited tasks they can perform to care for themselves. This might include bathing, dressing and even brushing their own teeth. Assistance with personal hygiene may not take away the depression that comes with losing physical capabilities, which is why home care providers are trained to help seniors feel more encouraged and motivated, cared for and valued.

Senior home care is absolutely the best option to help aging adults feel independent and free while still receiving the support that they need. The best thing about home care is that it is flexible to meet the needs of each individual depending on the type of help that they need and how often. It is the perfect personalized support for any senior.

The post The secret of independence for seniors appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Charlotte.

The Institute for Healthcare Communication’s June 2018 newsletter explains that “while strong communication skills are essential to forming relationships and building trust, they are especially vital to understanding and addressing social determinants of health that affect the most vulnerable populations that healthcare organizations serve.”

Empathic communication skills are essential. According to Life at Work, “Empathic communication is communication that takes into account what we do, the way we do it, and our impact on other people.”

With empathic communication, home care providers offer so much more than just daily support and assistance.

Build Trust with Clients
Home care providers must build a trusting relationship with their clients in order to meet their client’s needs, keep them in home care, and help them receive the support that they need. To build trust with a client, communication needs to be free of judgment and full of compassion and care. Understanding the challenges and feelings that the vulnerable population experiences can help create an environment of genuine empathy which allows communication to flow more easily.

Help Clients Open Up About Their Needs
When a client doesn’t trust the care providers around them, they are less likely to disclose information. Fear of judgment, anger, confusion and frustration will keep clients tight-lipped. Empathic communication will help clients feel heard, understood and cared for which will promote a safe environment and relationship for information to be shared.

Clear Communication
Communication plays more than just one role with care providers. Clear communication means being able to communicate under stress, negotiating, expressing your own needs while considering someone else’s needs, listening fully and practicing honesty without insulting anyone. Strong communication for care providers builds mutual respect and sets a standard that solidifies integrity and honesty.

Emotional Support
People who seek care providers need emotional support but are often afraid, ill and confused. The emotional stress that patients endure when transitioning to receiving care is high and care providers can use good communication skills to ease the stress, promote a safe and comfortable environment, and provide the emotional support that their clients need – even when those clients are guarded.

Communication is an essential skill when caring for a vulnerable individual. Without good communication, many important needs of a client may be missed, clients might discontinue services and ultimately not receive the support that they need. Taking the time to build on empathic communication skills can greatly improve a care provider’s success in providing the support that will truly benefit the clients.

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Early research from Destination Analysts expects holiday travel for Americans to decline from last year’s 53 percent to only 28 percent. As the holidays are often the only time that families get to visit aging relatives and notice behavioral changes, this decline in travel rates signals that extra measures need to be taken to make sure our loved ones are safe. 

Benevolent probing is a simple way for adult children to assess their loved ones’ needs from a distance. This tactic combines careful observation and considerate conversation to gauge a loved one’s health and wellness in a respectful, non-threatening way. It is common for the aged population to strongly guard their independence and feel threatened and afraid when topics arise that risk the lifestyle they are used to and comfortable living. 

Benevolent probing is a way to minimize the feeling of threat for your loved ones and make it possible for adult children to accurately assess how their parents are doing. 

Benevolent Probing Areas for Discussion

Activities of Daily Living
Without in-person visits, you may feel that you miss out on opportunities to assess your loved one’s ability to care for themselves or perform daily tasks like personal hygiene, house cleaning, cooking/eating, and taking medication. From a distance, you can use video calls to help assess how they are doing without sounding like you are prying. 

• Gauge your loved one’s personal hygiene on the call. Are they struggling with shaving, weight, dressing, bathing, etc.?
• Ask for a house tour to see decorations. (Through the tour, you can easily watch for signs of declining health in the form of clutter, hoarding, lack of traditional decorations/cleaning behaviors, etc.)
• Prescription medications can be checked if it can be worked into the conversation. If health is brought up and you can get them to show you their prescription bottles, you can bring into the conversation of dosages, how the prescriptions make them feel, expiration dates on the bottles, etc. 

Memory
Memory loss is easier to gauge on phone calls and video calls. Be aware of signs of memory loss by asking simple questions. What did they do last weekend? When was the last time they spoke to another family member? Signals of memory loss can include short and simple answers to your questions like “Uh-huh,” “Yeah,” and “Hmmm,” or them repeating themselves.

Mobility
Even on phone calls, you can assess your loved one’s mobility. But video calls can achieve more in this area. Pay attention to cues of difficulty in mobility. Does your loved one talk about bruises, tripping, falling, or getting injured in other ways? Do they mention struggling with walking? Do they make elaborate sounds while moving that indicate pain or difficulty? Do they mention dings/scratches on the car or car accidents? If you are on a video call, pay attention to their movements and balance. 

Social Engagement
If your once social and perky loved one suddenly seems uninterested in social activities, this could indicate depression, which raises concerns about their overall health. Depression can impact cognitive function and daily living activities, which are very important to the overall health and wellness of seniors. Ask questions about social activities. Many social activities are canceled due to COVID-19, so offer alternatives to in-person activities. Online church groups or social hangouts are great alternatives. Virtually any type of class is available online and you can even take live tours and shopping experiences of places around the world. Perhaps your loved one just needs a ride or a companion to participate in an activity.

If you notice anything concerning, write it down, discuss with siblings and take some time to think about how to approach the situation. Don’t react right away. The holidays are a time to enjoy and you may need time to make a plan. 

Remember that there are amazing resources for senior care that allow your loved ones to remain independent while still receiving care, support, and companionship. SYNERGY HomeCare is committed to providing the support and resources that seniors need, plus extra care around the holidays. We strongly encourage adult children to use benevolent probing as a tool of care this holiday season and to lay some worries to rest – or to help create a plan for your loved one that will meet their individual needs. 

The post What is Benevolent Probing and how will it help my aging parents? appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Charlotte.

While it is a fantastic feat for seniors to continue to care for themselves as they age; eventually, adult children of these wildly independent baby boomers realize that their aging parents need more support – and likely are not asking for it. 

Baby-boomers are stubborn about maintaining their independence and for excellent reasons. These reasons are shaking up traditional senior living and senior care programs. 

They are Living Longer

Statista reports a higher life-expectancy for baby boomers. Women can look forward to a life expectancy of 81 years while men are averaging a 76-year life expectancy. 

Not only are they living longer, but medical and technological advancements have promoted healthier, fuller lives for this generation, more than any generation before. These advancements are how baby boomers have more drive, ambition and desire to maintain independent living. 

They are Passionate about Hobbies, Jobs, Activities and Lifestyle 

Don’t expect to see baby boomers sitting around knitting with NPR on the radio station. You’re more likely to see this age group hiking a popular trail with friends, participating in triathlons, volunteering at their grandchildren’s’ schools and working from the comfort of their home. 

Baby boomers DO NOT sit still. They are tech-savvy, active, social and are retiring at older ages than previous generations. They are more educated and on-base with modern technology. You might see them playing games on their smartphones, taking online courses or listening to podcasts. One thing is for sure – they are not sitting around waiting for other people to tell them what the rules are, what’s for dinner and what time lights are out. 

With the lifestyles that baby boomers are living, it is easy to see why this age group fearlessly challenges any threat of losing it. 

However, just because an aging parent has lived a strongly independent life does not mean that they will be capable of living without assistance forever. When the time comes for support to step in, in-home care provides the best type of care for individuals who want to remain in their homes, participating in the community and continue to enjoy a self-reliant lifestyle. 

Gone are the days where senior living facilities were the “go-to” method of support for seniors. With in-home services, your bold and active parents can rely on assistance catered to their individual needs. Suppose mom and dad enjoy decorating their homes, choosing their meals, keeping beloved pet companions and caring for their gardens, but struggle with personal hygiene and housework or have limited sight or mobility. In that case, an in-home aide can provide that extra support so that they can stay comfortable and happy. 

If you have a baby boomer in your family who is adamantly guarding their self-reliance but requires day-to-day or constant support, in-home care services are an ideal option that you can mold to meet specific needs. This way, they still get to live in the home they love, do the things they love without the fear of losing their beloved independence.

The post What to do when self-reliant baby boomers need help at home appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Charlotte.

A guide for seniors and their families

As we age, the fear of falling becomes top of mind. Often this fear keeps older adults from everyday activities such as visiting with friends, shopping or going for a walk. 

Fear of falling can lead to a reduction in activity that affects their health. The good news is that seniors can ease this fear and remain both physically and socially active by practicing a few fall prevention guidelines.

If you have elderly parents, chances are they have already had a fall or two, and the reality is that they will fall again. Helping them now by going over the seven ways to prevent falls can save a trip to the hospital, and maybe their life. It’s also an excellent time to talk with your parents to create a plan, should they fall. 

If you’re a senior and know exactly what we’re talking about, take comfort in these seven ways you can prevent falls. It’s also a good idea for you to discuss a plan with your family, neighbor or close friends you can contact should you ever fall and need help. 

First, understand the facts related to falls

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people ages 65 and older fall each year, making falls the leading cause of injury in this age group. More than one of four older people fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor. And falling once doubles your chances of falling again. 

One of the most severe fall injuries is a broken hip. Each year over 300,000 older people—those 65 and older—are hospitalized for hip fractures. It is difficult to recover from a hip fracture and after such an injury, many people are not able to live on their own. 

Know the risk factors

Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors, and the more risk factors a person has, the higher their chances of falling. According to the CDC, these risk factors include:

• Lower body weakness 
• Vitamin D deficiency (that is not enough vitamin D in your system) 
• Difficulties with walking and balance
• Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives or antidepressants. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet. 
• Vision problems 
• Foot pain or poor footwear
• Home hazards or dangers
• Not getting enough sleep 

5 age-related changes that increase senior fall risk 

• Decreased strength

Muscle loss starts very early, around age 30. In older adults, less muscle means less strength and weaker bones. 

• Weaker sense of balance

Many body systems work together to keep us standing upright. Age-related changes and medication side effects can make it more difficult for seniors to stay balanced.

• Declining eyesight

Vision helps us keep our balance and avoid obstacles. As vision worsens, so does the ability to stay upright and clearly see what’s in our path.

• Loss of flexibility

Age and health conditions make seniors less flexible, especially in hips and ankles. This stiffness increases the likelihood of falling. 

• Decreased endurance

Not being able to endure physical activity like standing or walking for a reasonable amount of time increases fall risk. 

Seven things seniors can do to prevent falls

1. Falls are not a normal part of aging. You can avoid the risk of a fall by taking steps to stay safe and independent longer. Many of the risk factors can be changed or modified to help prevent falls. Learn what you can do to reduce your chances of falling: 

• Take home safety precautions
• Remove things you can trip over that are on the floor or steps.
• Keep frequently used items in cabinets you can reach without using a step stool.
• Secure small throw rugs with double-sided non-slip backing. 
• Get a safety-grabber that helps retrieve items that are out of reach.
• Install grab bars in the bathroom, by the toilet and in the tub. 
• Place a non-slip mat or anti-slip strips on the shower floor and in the bathtub. 
• Use bright bulbs in lamps, consider curtains and drapes that reduce glare, and make sure staircases are well lit.
• Install handrails.
• Wear comfortable shoes with good support, whether you’re in your home or outside. 
• Make sure your clothing isn’t too restrictive or loose, as both can cause imbalance or a fall. 

2. Talk with your doctor 

• Ask your doctor to evaluate your risk for falling and discuss specific things you can do. 
• Ask your doctor to review your prescription and over-the-counter medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy.
• Ask your doctor whether taking vitamin D supplements would be right for you. 

3. Do strength and balance exercises
Ask your doctor to recommend helpful exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance.

4. Have your eyes examined
Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and update your eyeglasses if needed. If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking.

5. Consider assistive devices
Canes, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters can increase stability and prevent unexpected falls from occurring. 

6. Use an in-home care service
A home care agency that specializes in services for seniors can provide a professional caregiver who will come to your home and help with daily activities. Having a helping hand is sometimes all that’s needed to prevent a serious fall. 

7. Choose sensible shoes
The Mayo Clinic recommends you consider changing your footwear as part of your fall-prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. So can walking in your stockings. Instead, wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles. Sensible shoes may also reduce joint pain. 

Create an action plan

Whether you’re an adult child of an aging parent or a senior concerned about falling, now is an opportune time to create a fall reduction plan with your family or friends. 

Creating a plan begins with having a discussion with your parent or senior loved one. 

How to broach the subject with your aging parent(s)

If you’re an adult child, you may have some trepidation about broaching the topic with your parents. You are not alone; many do. How do you begin the conversation? 

A sensitive and meaningful way to begin the conversation is said best in the following excerpt from an article on Huffington Post by Jim T. Miller, syndicated columnist, NBC Today contributor and creator of SavvySenior.org: 

Tell your parents that even though they are okay now, you’re worried about their future safety if they were to fall and injure themselves and no one was around to help. 

And, let them know the unsettling statistic that nearly 30 percent of U.S. seniors who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries that can make it hard to get around or live independently in their own home, and can increase their risk of an early death. 

Be respectful with your comments, and try to avoid being bossy or overdramatic. And listen to your parent’s thoughts, concerns or fears that they express.

If you need some help, contact your parent’s doctor to see if they could examine your mom or dad and talk to them about falls. Many seniors will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family. 

After you have your parent’s attention, review the seven ways to prevent falls described above with them to create a personal plan for their surroundings. Many states, counties and cities have fall prevention programs for seniors. You can check whether one is available for your parent. If there is, perhaps your parent would be amenable to attending the program. 

Once the discussion is finished, hopefully, your parent(s) will have peace of mind from knowing they have a plan of action that identifies falling traps, how to overcome them and what to do if they should fall. 

Let us help your senior prevent falls in their home with a free home safety assessment.

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As the population of Americans age 65 and older is projected to grow from 56 million in 2020 to 88 million by 2050, the increasing need for care for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia is sure to increase. 

An estimated 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2020. This American population is dependent on family and other caregivers to live safe and healthy lives. The overall quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia can be influenced by the type of care and support that they receive. While it may be difficult to imagine that people living with cognitive diseases can live happy lives, it does happen. One of the best ways to support these adults is by establishing a safe and impactful in-home care program designed to meet individual needs.

“In-home caregivers understand that how patients are responded to can profoundly impact the quality of life.”

Although “quality of life” can be defined differently by different types of people, there are common factors that influence the quality of life for most. In-home care can help facilitate various aspects of Alzheimer’s/dementia patients that can help them live happier and safer. 

How In-Home Support Encourages Quality of Life During Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care

1. Supporting and Facilitating Relationships And Family Bonds – Many adults with Alzheimer’s live alone or a long distance from family. In-home support can help patients set up communication through phone calls and video chats that may be difficult for them to set up and initiate on their own. This can help keep family connections closer and decrease feelings of isolation for the patient. 
2. Encouraging Engaging Activities – The goal should not necessarily be to keep the adult occupied, but engage them in a meaningful activity in which they can participate. Patients with vision impairments may enjoy crossword puzzles but can’t read or write the answers. In-home aides can read the questions aloud and fill in the puzzle, encouraging the client to participate in finding solutions. 
3. Exercise – Exercise, as we know, is excellent for boosting physical and mental health. This can be challenging for people with Alzheimer’s struggling with executive functioning. In-home support can establish and help the patient maintain exercise schedules that are fun and productive while helping to keep the patient safe. 
4. Spiritual/Religious Involvement – Though spiritual and religious activities are not something that every patient may need. Many people report that practicing their faith is imperative to the quality of life. Many people who have Alzheimer’s or dementia find familiarity and comfort in participating in community church events as they have their entire lives. While the coronavirus pandemic has thwarted traditional in-church services, in-home aides can help patients find online spiritual and religious services to stay active.
5. Respite Care for Family – Family members who take on the role of caregiver often find that the daily responsibilities of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s come with tremendous pressure and stress. No matter how fulfilling they find caring for their loved ones, they are often juggling their own lives, spouses, and children on top of the adult care they must provide. In-home care can offer respite to those who need a break and more. This break for caregivers allows much needed time to rest and relax – making upcoming responsibilities easier to manage and can positively affect the relationship between the adult patient and the loved ones supporting them. 
6. Appropriate Response to Difficult Behaviors – People with dementia or Alzheimer’s suffer from confusion, memory loss, anger, and other challenging behaviors. In-home caregivers understand that how patients are responded to can profoundly impact the quality of life. Positive responses can help ease patients out of erratic behaviors and help transition a client from an outburst to a relaxing activity. 

Quality of life is affected by many different factors. When in-home support is being put into place, focusing on each individual’s specific interests is the best way to determine what a good quality of life looks like to them and how to implement that lifestyle. While the number of people living with or affected by these conditions is rising, the resources and information are more abundant than ever. If you have questions, give us a call today! 

The post Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care: The Increasing Need for Care appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Charlotte.

A choice you can live with

With the proliferation of COVID-19, parents of school-age children are scrambling to secure safe child care as they go back to school, either online or in the classroom.  Parents who work from home seek uninterrupted workdays, and those who go into their office need to know their children are in good hands and are taking safety measures to prevent COVID-19 infection.

Parents who once depended on daycare and afterschool programs are now questioning how safe it is to have their children attend programs with many children enrolled. Parents are challenged with the danger of their children being exposed to kids who may be infected.   

What can parents do?

Parents can follow guidance from their state’s governor, the CDC and local ordinances. They can stay informed about COVID-19 by reading from reputable sources such as the CDC and WHO. 

Suppose their children attend an in-person school or a childcare program. In that case, parents expect enhanced health and safety measures, including health checks on every visitor entering the facilities, employees wearing masks, and frequent handwashing and disinfecting workplace surfaces. 

Even with enhanced safety measures, the downside is enforcing the children to comply with the school or program’s safety measures mentioned above. If their children don’t comply, the safety measures taken by school or childcare employees are futile. 

Are there any safe child care options available?

An option that limits transmission potential is child care in your own home.  The logic behind in-home care is fewer people involved, less chance of COVID-19 exposure.  Plus, in-home care offers more than help with school and activities. Professional caregivers prepare meals, tidy the home, do laundry and run errands, and more.

“Parents who once depended on daycare and afterschool programs are now questioning how safe it is to have their children attend programs with many children enrolled.”

Home care for children is increasingly popular, as parents opt for a reliable and professional caregiver to care for their children and help with online school in their own homes, minimizing exposure.  Some ‘quarantine-partner parent couples’ have created a hybrid model of childcare where they pool resources to provide in-home care for both families’ children. The children stay at one family’s home with the caregiver while the parents go to their office or work from home. This hybrid model of pandemic childcare is popular for many reasons, with safety and peace of mind being the top two. 

Home care agencies such as SYNERGY HomeCare are amenable to the hybrid model. This model complements its 6-step safety protocol used in clients’ homes:

1. Complete fitness for work / Lack of exposure questions before each visit
2. Wash hands upon entering client’s home
3. Wear face masks when working around clients
4. Wear gloves when touching clients
5. Sanitize frequently-touched surfaces
6. Taking their temperature throughout the workday

It’s a hard decision for parents

Some parents need to get back to work to keep their households running. Others need the ability to work at home without interruption by their children.

After months of quarantine, parents are reluctant to allow their children to reintegrate with the world due to the fear of contracting the virus. Many parents have said, “If I let my child go to daycare and get the virus, I’ll never forgive myself.” 

Is it roulette, or do parents have enough information to make a decision that sits well with them? Agonizing choices between health risks and paychecks are weighing on parents throughout the country.

As one might imagine, this is the type of dialogue that prompted the birth of the hybrid childcare model of families who have been quarantining together since Spring and have chosen to care for their children together.

In-home child care certainly is a safer option for both children and parents, based on the number of people involved alone. While over 60 percent of the nation’s childcare centers have closed, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center, with the uncertainty of if or when they’ll reopen, many parents are trusting home care agencies to care for their children. 

The post The safer choice for childcare during the pandemic appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Charlotte.

You may be caring for your aging parent and just need someone to be with them while you run errands or take care of your own needs. Home care services are versatile, flexible and customized for your comfort, peace of mind and well-being. Every person we provide care for has a unique situation. Every home is different, every schedule is different and every person needs a different type of care to meet their needs. Some of our clients utilize us for as little as a few hours per month, and others have 24-hour care. We can do anything in between. We care for everyone, with every need.

Children with autism

We all know children on the autism spectrum are vastly different in many respects from children who are not. 

Autistic children see their world through a different lens. And that’s the good news to embrace if you have a child with autism, even when their different lenses can cause disruption. 

This is how autistic children communicate;  they try to let you into their world so that you can witness its beauty and understand them. They see things you can’t and appreciate things you may take for granted. These different yet beautiful children have so much to offer. The onus is on the parents to raise their children on the spectrum with a life of compassion and routine,  often with the help of caregivers. 

Living with disabilities

Disability home care is a service that provides in-home support for individuals with disabilities. These services benefit not only the individual but can also provide significant value to family members and other caregivers. In-home care providers can assist by preparing meals, providing transportation to and from doctor appointments, bathing and showering, offering social interaction and much more. While places like assisted living facilities focus on set schedules, activities and meals for all residents, in-home care is developed around the needs of the individual. 

Childcare during the pandemic

With the proliferation of COVID-19, parents of school-age children are scrambling to secure safe child care as they go back to work. Parents who once depended on camps and daycare are questioning how safe it is to have their children attend programs with many children enrolled. Some camps and daycare centers are weighing steps to open—but others aren’t certain if or when they’ll reopen their facilities.  Parents are challenged with the “what ifs” of allowing their children to be exposed to other kids. It’s a hard decision for parents.

Parents need to get back to work to keep their households running. After months of quarantine, parents are reluctant to allow their children to reintegrate with the world due to the worry of them contracting the virus. Parents are juggling their fear of their children being exposed to COVID-19 against their need to earn money to house, nourish and clothe their family. Many parents have said, “If I let my child go to daycare and they get the virus, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Is it roulette or do parents have enough information to make a decision they can live with? Agonizing choices between health risks and paychecks are plaguing parents throughout the country.

With no signs of the coronavirus decreasing its wrath or a clear message on how the spread of the pandemic is being handled, parents are in the biggest predicament of their lives.  

In-home child care certainly is a safer option for both children and parents. While over 50% of the nation’s child care centers have closed with the uncertainty of if or when they’ll reopen, many parents are trusting home care agencies to care for their children. 

Post-hospital care

Many of the risks that arise during post-hospital recovery can be reduced or eliminated by hiring a professional in-home aide who is trained and experienced in providing post-hospital care to people who need support. 

With the uncertainty of living with COVID-19, the considerations for transitioning from hospital or rehab to home have changed tremendously, particularly for seniors. Similarly, with safety in mind, many seniors are voluntarily transitioning from assisted or skilled nursing facilities to home under the care of a single caregiver to minimize exposure to the coronavirus.

In-home caregivers can help with daily living tasks that could cause further injury to a patient who was recently discharged or is recovering from injuries due to a car accident. Many people do not adequately follow the directions of the hospital after they return home due to a lack of care and support. Feeding pets, preparing a meal, buying groceries – all of these simple activities can potentially cause an injury and require readmission. With the help of in-home caregivers, these activities can be taken care of without adding risk to the patient.

After returning home from a hospital stay, patients may find it challenging to remember when to take medications, how the medications should be administered and what the proper dosages are, or when to get prescriptions refilled. In-home care provides medication reminders so medications are taken responsibly and on-time; caregivers can also monitor any side-effects that may occur so that a doctor can be notified. 

Continuous care and monitoring by experienced in-home caregivers help identify problems faster and can alert the patient and medical professionals of concerns that could cause readmission if not addressed early enough during the recovery process.

Along with the safety value that in-home care provides, home care also allows patients to recover in their own comfortable environments where they aren’t constantly interrupted by noise outside the hospital rooms and nurses checking in on them. Comfort alone can help people relax and recover a little faster; and these are just some of the many benefits that home care provides to patients recovering after a hospital stay.

Senior Isolation and Loneliness

Unless you have a reason to notice, you may not recognize the startling reality of the aging adult population who are plagued by loneliness and isolation. There isn’t a single factor contributing to this growing concern, but several complex reasons that over the past 10 years, the AARP Foundation is reporting a significant increase (a total of about 5 million people) over the age of 45 reports feeling lonely.

Social connections and interactions increase both psychological and emotional well-being and play a significant decisive role in physical health.  Caregivers, caregiving facilities and even communities are starting to acknowledge how much social involvement and companionship contribute to the well-being of seniors and are taking active measures to help reduce the risks of isolation and loneliness. Here are a few steps you can take to help improve the overall health and well-being of a loved one who may be at risk.

Care for special needs children

Parenting is not the easiest task in the world, but it is rewarding. As parents, we spend most of our time trying to take care of our children. Feeding and bathing them, dropping off and picking up from school, and helping with homework are just a handful of tasks that parents do daily. The list of tasks is endless, and as the laundry finishes, dinner made and dishes cleaned up each night, parents are already exhausted thinking about the next day.

When you are parenting a special needs child, the daily list of tasks changes and often increases, there are more doctor visits, therapy appointments, and health problems that bring constant worry and stress. Many parents do not realize that they can ask for help and support from outside services, but they can! 

In-home care is an option for parents who need an extra hand or respite during emotional and physically overwhelming times. Taking care of a child with special needs can quickly take its toll on a parent who does not have time for themselves. In-come care for children with disabilities also allows parents to better focus on other children and family members as well as providing extra time and help to complete tasks that need to get done.

Respite care for family caregivers

Caregiver burnout often happens when caregivers spend so much time caring for a loved one that they miss out on needed rest and leisure to recuperate and gain strength. Caring for a family member can be stressful, time-consuming, exhausting, and can put a strain on emotional and physical health. With the proper precautions and steps, caregivers can ultimately avoid caregiver burnout and remain in optimal health to provide the best support and care. 

COVID-19 did not create a need for in-home care, but it has given caregivers and disabled individuals a need to find alternative solutions to outside support and facility living. From the comfort of your home, you can find the help and support that will allow you to integrate with today’s world with flexibility and ease. In-home care for disabled individuals is an empowering solution. 

If you are considering home-care for your situation, call SYNERGY HomeCare for more information.

Aging parents

One of the hardest moments for an adult son or daughter is realizing an aging parent needs help with daily living. The signs are apparent: a once meticulous home becomes untidy, they wear the same clothes almost every day, new dents in their car, the refrigerator has little food inside, poor personal hygiene goes by the wayside. And sadly, the list goes on.

Most adult children begin with in-home care where a caregiver visits the parent on a regular schedule. It could be a half-day where the caregiver prepares meals, helps the parent with hygiene and dressing, ensures their medicine is taken on time and tidies up their home.  Or it can be up to 24-hours a day, which allows the adult child to help their parent remain independent, at home, and each is happiest with this decision.

We help you or your loved one in their own home by providing services that help aging seniors who need help to live independently. It’s the key to your loved one living the highest quality of life possible. It allows for safety, security and independence.

You might be thinking it would be a good idea to have some help for a few hours, every other day. Or your needs and expectations could require more hours and days. We provide more home care to aging parents initiated by their children than any other type of care.

Insider information

There’s a deeper meaning to our mantra, “Care for Everyone,” than you might realize. We typically reserve divulging the deeper meaning to insiders only. You’ve come this far, so you ought to know our special meaning of “Care for Everyone.” 

The deeper meaning is really simple. Sometimes we call it “trickle-down love.” You see, once you have home care for your spouse, your elderly mother or disabled son, that most excellent, compassionate care that they receive, trickles love down to you. Your loved one is happier and you are relieved. You have peace of mind just knowing they’re in good hands. That is trickle-down love, or “Care for Everyone,” is what makes SYNERGY HomeCare the right solution for you and your loved ones. 

So remember, when your loved one receives home care, it’s a gift for you and your family, too.

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