With the uncertainty of living with COVID-19, the considerations for transitioning from hospital or rehab to home have changed considerably, 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. 

Before the pandemic, it was common practice to send discharged hospital patients to rehab centers where they could comfortably convalesce from an illness, surgery or injury. Today, patients—particularly seniors and their families—are minimizing the risk of COVID-19 exposure by opting to bypass rehab and go directly home under the supervision of a caregiver. A bonus is the senior now has one-on-one care in his or her own home instead of sharing a rehab caregiver with a handful of patients. And as Dorothy has been telling us for years, there is no place like home.

Our SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are trained in CDC-approved safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include frequent hand-washing, temperature checks, home sanitization of common areas and wearing personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves.

“The decision for seniors to recover at home, interacting with one safety-compliant caregiver per shift instead of being exposed to rehab or skilled nursing facility staff and their patients, is an easy one. The sheer number of people potentially exposed to the coronavirus is a strong argument to consider to make the change to home care.”

Many seniors are choosing home care over rehab centers.  Nursing homes from coast to coast are also experiencing a steady exodus of residents—some who are asked to leave after testing positive for COVID-19 and some who exit voluntarily to avoid further exposure, as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb faster in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities than any other location.

The decision for seniors to recover at home, interacting with one safety-compliant caregiver per shift instead of being exposed to rehab or skilled nursing facility staff and their patients, is an easy one. The sheer number of people potentially exposed to the coronavirus is a strong argument to consider to make the change to home care.  

Seniors aren’t the only ones using home care to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19. As the country’s leaders continue to roll back sheltering in place and ease business restrictions, much of the workforce is transitioning from their work-from-home routines and returning to their offices. For those with families, including children and aging parents living with them, returning to work means finding safe care for them.

Daycare, as well as summer camps and programs, may be open, but are they safe? Senior centers and adult daycares harbor the same safety issues as nursing homes and care facilities: the gathering of those most vulnerable to COVID-19 are at a heightened risk of exposure. While the government has defined safety protocols, the virus remains active and that means increased risk where large numbers of people gather.

Many parents face the heart-wrenching decision of going back to work to provide for their families or keeping their kids and aging parents safe by staying home with them. Most Americans do not have the means to choose the luxury of staying home without an income. If they did decide to go back to work, could they handle it if one of their kids or parents contracted the coronavirus? 

The decision of whether to go back to work or care for your family doesn’t have to be complicated; in fact, it’s an easy one to make.  Choose the same solution that thousands of families have used as they transitioned from the hospital, nursing home or skilled nursing facility to home. 

Keep your loved ones safe at home with non-medical home care. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers care for those living with chronic illness, physical and cognitive disabilities as well as aging parents. It’s a safe choice that minimizes the risk of contracting the coronavirus and offers peace of mind for working families. Your family will be well cared for by a compassionate caregiver whose number one priority is your loved one’s well-being.

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According to CaregiverAction.org, “More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.”   

Caregiver burnout” is a real challenge that can affect all caregivers at some point. The best way to combat caregiver burnout is to know how to avoid it altogether and have some strategies in place to identify and prevent.

“Caregivers should NOT take on 100% of the care of a family member.”

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. 

Here are 5 caregiver tips that will help reduce stress and avoid caregiver burnout:

1. Healthy Acceptance – Feeling powerless in any situation is a large contributing factor to depression and anxiety. Many caregivers do not plan on becoming full-time care takers for loved ones and sometimes feel “stuck” in a role that they did not want to be in. Practicing acceptance and shifting your perspective can help alleviate feelings of depression and encourage happiness. 
2. Take Care of the Physical Self – Physical health plays a big role in the overall well-being of caregivers. Staying up-to-date on health checks and keeping doctor/dental appointments is crucial in staying physically healthy. Eating well and adopting a healthy eating plan can increase energy and improve physical and mental health. Exercise and good sleeping habits help maintain good energy, decrease stress, and promote patience and happiness. Taking care of the body will relieve feelings of stress and tension and allow caregivers to provide better support to those who need it.
3. Ask for Help – Caregivers should NOT take on 100% of the care of a family member. Even small breaks from full-time caregiving can provide essential support. Don’t be afraid of asking friends and family for help. Hire in-home support that can provide respite care and allow periodic breaks. Taking personal time is essential in avoiding caregiver burnout. 
4. Get Resources – Talk to a doctor about what local resources are available. There are oftentimes financial resources, as well as respite support and more available to caregivers.
5. Join A Support Group – Many places offer support groups where caregivers can find others who understand and relate to their situations. Support groups are a great place to get suggestions, information, learn about resources, make friends, relieve stress, and learn how to cope with the pressure that caregivers are often burdened with. If a local support group is not available, there are several online support groups that can provide powerful support.

“Physical health plays a big role in the overall well-being of caregivers.”

Caregiver burnout can result in depression, exhaustion, irritability, social withdrawal, changes in appetite and weight, excessive use of alcohol or prescription medication, increase in illness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. Use these pro tips to prevent burnout and continue to be your best self as you care for others. 

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5 Ideas to Stay Socially Connected

For the health and safety of all Americans, health experts and government officials have asked that we battle COVID-19 by staying at least six feet away from others, self-quarantine ourselves if we have a cough or a fever, and not to gather in larger groups. This social distancing is an important part of curbing the spread of the coronavirus and slowing the demand and need for medical equipment and care that doctors are growing increasingly short on.

“For seniors who already struggle with feelings of isolation and lack of social connection,  this added isolation can be a hard pill to swallow.”

While social distancing measures are not a permanent part of our lives, it may be very difficult for some to adjust to the feelings of disconnect from others. For seniors who already struggle with feelings of isolation and lack of social connection because of health issues, lack of mobility, or a large distance between family members, this added isolation can be a hard pill to swallow. 

Fortunately, social distancing does not mean social isolation, it just means that we need to be more creative with our social worlds. Seniors can stay safe and alleviate health risks while still gaining the benefits that socializing can provide.

“Fortunately, social distancing does not mean social isolation, it just means that we need to be more creative with our social worlds.”

Here are 5 ways that seniors can stay social during the time of “social distancing” and continue to enjoy the benefits of normal human connection.

1. Use Social Media and Online Messengers – Group chats on messengers or using social media to share feelings, ask questions, and stay connected can help reduce feelings of aloneness. One group on Facebook is helping people stay connected and drive a sense of community by members from around the world sharing photos of rainbows within the group. The members are creating rainbow art and displaying it in their windows, having their kids draw rainbows on the sidewalk, and sharing their unique rainbow art in the group. This is a great way to feel connected and involved – especially for those that particularly enjoy art and/or developing a sense of camaraderie. 
2. Digital Classes/Events/Activities – The internet is amazing because there is SO MUCH available to everyone. Seniors that enjoy learning something new can attend online classes. There are even fun events like virtual tours of museums that people can participate in online. 
3. Video Coffee/Dinner Dates – Don’t skip out on your Sunday coffee date with your girlfriends. Use a phone or laptop and enjoy your coffee experience from the comfort (and safety) of our kitchen. Not only is the experience going to be less expensive, it is also going to be more comfortable and convenient. 
4. Get on The Phone – Remember when people used to spend time on the phone having full conversations with friends and family members? Seniors can enjoy nostalgic moments while talking on the phone to family, wherever they may be. Many more people are at home with time to connect now – take advantage of it. 
5. Take it to the Neighborhood – You don’t have to violate social distancing requests to connect with others in your own neighborhood. People in Italy have been playing music together from the safety of their own patios and others have connected with neighbors by creating distance games from their sidewalks and front yards. Display something funny in your window each day for the kids in the neighborhood to look forward to. Make signs with humorous jokes to uplift your neighbors spirits each day. Get creative. 

There are many ways that seniors can stay in touch and keep social connections alive – it may require a little bit of thinking outside of the box or getting creative, but the experience will be one that is remembered and treasured. It may even become a new normal that keeps you connected long past this unprecedented time of national social distancing. 

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After a lengthy stay in the hospital due to a traumatic car accident, surgery or illness, the thought of taking care of yourself can be scary and overwhelming. Especially if your body is still recovering and you don’t feel like you can take care of your everyday living tasks like bathing, cooking, cleaning or even driving. After hospitalization, many people are afraid of not having the adequate care and for good reason. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported in September 2019 that being discharged from the hospital can be a dangerous event. Nearly 20% of patients experience adverse events within three weeks of discharge, three-quarters of which were preventable.  

Many adverse events can be related to the transition from hospital care to their home. Assessing a patient’s ability to take care of themselves or to have adequate support and care after discharge can be difficult. Patients are often left vulnerable to the health care system without the proper post-hospitalization care. However, post-hospitalization home care can reduce the risk of readmission and help ensure a speedy recovery.

“20% of patients experience adverse events within 3 weeks of discharge; 75% were preventable”

Even patients who have help from friends and family can face readmission after a hospital stay. This is often due to confusion and miscommunication during the discharge process from the hospital, or inadequate ability to care for the patient once they return to their home. 

Professional In-Home 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. 

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 difficult to remember when to take medications, how the medications should be administered and what the proper dosages are, or 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.

“$17B is the annual cost of hospital readmissions”

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Use these six tips to achieve the best possible result from your senior’s doctor visit.  Too often seniors return from a doctor’s appointment with a vague recollection of what was said and how to move forward. These six tips will fix the ambiguity of a doctor’s appointment and ensure the right measures are taken.

1. Prepare for appointments 
   Several days prior to your senior’s doctor appointment, begin to ask questions about how they are feeling. This knowledge will be helpful during the doctor’s exam, as you can provide information that your senior may have neglected or forgot to tell the doctor. If they have questions, concerns, problems or new symptoms, be sure to write them down to discuss during the appointment.
2. Take notes
   It’s nearly impossible to keep everything the doctor says in your head or remember months later. That’s why it is recommended to take notes during the office visit. If you’re taking an elderly friend or neighbor to the doctor, having written notes will be helpful in reporting the doctor visit results to their families.
3. Ask questions until you’re comfortable the answers
   When the doctor explains health conditions or answers your questions, make sure you and your senior understand what’s being said. Don’t be intimidated or embarrassed about asking questions until the answers are clear and make sense to you. Good general questions to ask are: Can you explain that in more detail? Why are you recommending that specific option? Is this common? How long will it take to resolve? 

4. Understand treatment options and side effects
   Since many seniors are managing multiple, chronic health conditions, it’s important to understand a newly diagnosed health condition, its treatment options and medication side effects. 

Key questions you should ask about current or future treatments include:

• • How will this benefit the patient?
  • What are the possible side effects?
  • Will this affect their ability to function independently?
  • What are the possibilities or consequences if we choose not to do this?

5. Ask for a full medication review  While you’re there, ask the doctor to do a full medication review to ensure your senior should still be taking all their current medications and to see if a new medication might react unfavorably with an existing medication taken. The fastest, easiest, and most accurate way to prepare for this is to bring the actual bottles of everything – prescriptions, non-prescription drugs, vitamins and even supplements. Or if you use a drugstore/pharmacy app such as Walgreen’s, all your senior’s drugs will be listed within their app, but supplements will not, unless they are prescribed by a doctor. Be sure to mention prescriptions that are from other doctors. 

6. Bring up concerns about costs
   Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor about easing the treatment costs for your senior. You’ll be surprised at what a doctor can offer—from a discounted fee to free prescription samples. Plus, the doctor should be well versed in treatment options and their respective costs, allowing them to recommend the course of treatment that best fits your senior’s medical situation at the lowest cost.

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