Home Care Heroes: In-Home Caregivers Provide Essential Services During COVID-19 PandemicEvery day, thousands of older adults depend on in-home caregivers to help them manage everyday tasks. These caregivers have become even more essential during this unprecedented coronavirus pandemic which has caused significant public health and safety concerns for the elderly.As the nation tries to find answers, in-home caregivers for the elderly remain resolute in delivering safe and compassionate personal care that is essential to the health and well-being of older adults. Older adults can rely on in-home caregivers to:Maintain routinesPredictable visits from an in-home caregiver can help seniors feel safe and comforted. Caregivers help maintain familiar routines such as bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, taking medication, and preparing and eating meals.Communicate with loved ones & stay engagedThe virus has changed the way this most vulnerable population socializes and interacts. Caregivers can helpseniors find new ways to connect, whether through setting up a new communications device or encouraging them to write letters. Caregivers can also support new ways to engage, such as participation in on-line classes or virtually touring cities or museums. Engagement with a caregiver reduces boredom and isolation which can be heightened during the pandemic. Their visits provide rewarding companionship.Stock upCaregivers can help seniors obtain necessary household supplies by doing the shopping or arranging for delivery of medication, groceries, and other goods.Give peace of mind to familiesWhen families cant be with their loved ones, caregivers are there to monitor a seniors health and overall well-being. Caregivers practiceproper hygiene to reduce health risks. They exercise frequent handwashing and disinfecting inside a seniors household to keep contagious illnesses and viruses at bay. They look for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, flu and other viruses, as well as depression and anxiety. Their efforts reassure families their loved ones are doing well, emotionally and physically.Providing Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly DeserveDespite the challenges with COVID-19, home care agencies like Visiting Angels partner with families to provide essential home care services for older adults. Caregivers continue to be heroes, taking the necessary steps toprotect the elderly and prevent the spread of COVID-19.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Karen Woodrow. Karen is the director/owner of two Visiting Angels locations. Visiting Angels provides compassionate home care for adults who want to remain independent in their own homes. She can be reached at KWoodrow@VisitingAngels.com.

Asking for help is hard. When seniors begin to show signs of needing assistance, they are usually not the first to point it out. If you are concerned about your aging loved ones safety in their home, it may be time to look into home care assistance from a trusted agency like Visiting Angels. If your loved one needs to be persuaded to accept the idea of an in-home caregiver. Here are elements that can help you navigate this important conversation.Common worries among seniorsIs your loved one uncomfortable with the idea of a stranger coming into their home. They might see this as an invasion of privacy, especially if they have lived alone or independently for a long time. They may also feel a loss of dignity from the inability to help themself. This is an understandable feeling, but hopefully, it is something you can work through for the betterment of their safety and your peace of mind. For those with Alzheimers or dementia, these feelings can be exacerbated.Focus on the positivesIf youre met with resistance, focus on the improvements an in-home caregiver will make in their quality of life. Emphasize that the caregiver will help them with household tasks and personal care needs. Remind your loved one that the caregiver will support their needs, but not take over their life.Emphasize your needsYou are likely looking for an in-home caregiver because you cannot be there for your loved one around the clock, and youre concerned about their safety. Communicate that having professional in-home support does not mean you will not be there to help at all. It means that having a caregiver, will bring you peace of mind and allow for more quality time when you are with them. Stress the mutual benefit you both will gain.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Karen Woodrow, Director/Owner, Visiting Angels of Chelmsford/Burlington and Visiting Angels of Newton/Canton. She can be reached at KWoodrow@VisitingAngels.com. Visiting Angels has been providing experienced senior home care since 1998. Contact your local office to schedule a complimentary care assessment with one of our senior experts.