4 Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Home Care Aide

The right home care provider can affect the quality and level of care for your elderly loved ones. However, many people don’t even know how to look for a good one in the first place. To help you, here are several questions you’ll want to ask before hiring any home care aide services:

How Do You Recruit Your Home Aides?

Do they find them on Craig’s List, use newspaper ads or work with staff agencies? If they handle the recruitment process themselves, do they provide their staff with training? That’s a good sign.

What Are Your Hiring Requirements?

Does the company check the background of any prospective employee before letting those employees join their team? Do they hire qualified applications or inexperienced ones? The more qualifications and credentials the staff have, the better it is for you and your loved one. The last thing you want is an untrained home aide to look after your mom or grandpop.

How Do You Screen Applicants?

Does the company perform criminal background checks along with federal and state checks? They should. Otherwise, you could end up with someone who could try to take advantage of your loved one. Don’t forget to ask if the applicant has undergone drug screening as well, says AmeriBest Home Care.

Do They Know CPR?

If your loved one suffers from a medical condition and wants to make sure your s/he gets immediate medical help in case of an emergency, hiring home care aide in Philadelphia PA that can provide you with medically trained staff is a big help. That way, you’ll be sure that your loved one has the help s/he needs. That kind of assistance is invaluable and could mean the difference between living with negative long-term effects and a full recovery. If you want your loved ones safe and healthy, you’ll want to keep this in mind.

Hire Home Care Agency in Philadelphia PA Today

If you have a family member who is physically or mentally unable to live alone, there may be some concern regarding who is going to care for them. Sometimes, it may be tempting to think about putting them into a rest home. Even though this is very convenient, it isn’t always necessary. Check into Home Care Agency in Philadelphia, PA today. This is where a nurse will come to the home to take care of anything that may be needed.

Perhaps the patient has Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, mental illness, or even diabetes or heart disease. If this is the case, it is essential to make sure they have someone available 24 hours a day. A nurse is going to want to meet with the patient to assess their specific situation. Ask what type of care is needed. Sometimes they need someone to stop by several times throughout the day. Other times, they may need someone to come in every day to make sure they take their medication and even possibly get a bath. Every situation is going to be different. Don’t get overwhelmed at the idea of a beloved family member living alone. Instead, learn more about home care agency in Philadelphia, PA.

Learn more about what type of services would be covered under the patient’s insurance policy. If the insurance company is willing to pay for everything, it makes sense to go ahead and utilize these services. There are plenty of resources available for anyone who is suffering. Set up an appointment today and rest assured, everything is going to work out for the best.

It doesn’t matter whether these services are needed for a few months or a lifetime. Either way, someone is always available. This is a great way to relieve the burden of family members. It is essential to have a nurse who knows how to care for a patient properly. Hire someone who is insured and rest assured, they will make sure this patient is comfortable as much as possible. Set up an appointment today, and someone will be there to answer any questions.

What It Means to Be a Black Caregiver

What It Means to Be a Black Caregiver

In solidarity with Black Americans all over the country, raise a fist for Black caregivers of Philadelphia.

Despite social and financial inequality, Black caregivers have stood strong against the odds and made a space for themselves in the field of home care. Even now, amidst a worldwide epidemic, they continue to give help and support their clients.

They are the unsung heroes of our community, and it’s time to give them the recognition they deserve.

To all the Black American caregivers – we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.

How to Care for Senior Parents Who Don’t Want Help

How to Care for Senior Parents Who Don’t Want Help

Refusing help is a classic defense mechanism.

In the case of home care – older adults often reject extra help and assistance out of fear and a sense of self-perseverance. 

Seniors fear the change in lifestyle that comes with admitting they need help. They also fear the loss of identity that comes with no longer being able to take care of oneself.

It’s completely understandable, but as the child of a parent who refuses help – it can be exasperating to deal with.

Here are 4 tips for taking care of senior parents who just don’t want help:

  1. Don’t walk away.

When your senior parents are refusing help, it can be frustrating to sit and watch them struggle. Frustrating because they won’t take your advice, but also because it pains you to have to see them suffer. And, because of this frustration, it’s easy to decide to leave it all behind and walk away.

But stay strong, and don’t just leave. Because that’s not truly helping anyone in the long run.

Instead, take a breather. Take a moment away and remind yourself that you can’t control everything your parent does. Sometimes you just have to let things go. 

When you’re feeling ready, come back to your parent with a fresh mindset.

  1. Ask at the right time.

As with many things in life, timing is often at the root of the situation. 

When you’re suggesting extra help or home care to your senior parents, it’s important to choose the right time to do so. Don’t throw the idea out there in the middle of a crisis or emotional circumstance. Rather, wait for a calm moment to talk. Bring it up slowly, and in a way, that’s easy for them to digest.

  1. Show, don’t tell.

This is a common tip for writers – show us what you mean, don’t tell us what you mean.

And, it holds true for all sorts of communication in life.

Which is why, it’s important not just to choose the right time to talk, but the right way to talk as well.

Instead of only mentioning facts and reasons, try giving examples and as much details as possible. With your words (and maybe some images online), paint a descriptive picture of what life could be like for your senior parents if they had the extra help around the house.

  1. Suggest a trial run.

Sometimes the thought of permanent change is what scares people off the most.

If this might be the case with your senior parents – remind them that this does not have to be permanent. Your seniors can try the extra help just for a time. And, if they like it – great! And, if they don’t – that’s okay, too.

A trial run allows your parents to feel more in control of the situation, as you are placing the final decision in their hands.

And, remember – take a breath, stay calm, and always be respectful. 

These are still your parents, after all.

Food Drive and Personal Protective Equipment GIVEAWAY

Food Drive and Personal Protective Equipment - AmeriBest Home Care

AmeriBest Home Care will be hosting a Food Drive
and Personal Protective Equipment giveaway!

WHEN: on Saturday, June 27th, from 3 pm to 6 pm
WHERE: 990 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

If you are an AmeriBest Caregiver or an AmeriBest Patient – WE WANNA SEE YOU THERE
at the back parking lot of our building at N 10th / Spring Garden St.

GET DIRECTIONS

This is a first come – first serve event.
⠀
We will be giving out FREE FOOD such as:
• Milk 🥛
• Eggs 🥚
• Cereal 🥣
• Vitamins 💊 etc.
⠀
We will also be giving out Personal Protective Equipment such as:⠀
• Surgical masks 😷
• Hand sanitizer 🧴🤲
• Gloves 🧤

For more information, please call ☎️ 1800-HOMECARE

   

   

 

Becoming a Caregiver: How to Navigate Your Way through the Stress

Becoming a Caregiver: How to Navigate Your Way through the Stress

As COVID-19 sends us all to our homes and families, many Americans are suddenly finding themselves having to act as caregivers.

Adult children, who never before had to care for someone else’s life, are now having to cope with the stresses of caregiving. They’re having to learn how to balance the time, the money, the work load, as well as how to actually take care of a senior citizen.

If you’ve suddenly found yourself in the same or similar boat, keep on reading for some pro suggestions to help you navigate your way through this ever-changing time.

Remember: You’re not alone.

The most important thing about becoming a caregiver is to remember that you are not in it alone.

In fact, according to AARP’s research report on Caregiving in the United States in 2020, there is an estimated 41.8 million Americans providing care for seniors 50 and older.

This means, that you have resources. And you should take advantage of those resources. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. You can get help and advice from those who have already gone through what you’re going through now.

And if you’re still struggling to stay afloat, you can always ask a friend or hire an experienced aide to come in and take care of your senior every now and then. This will give you some time to take a breath and get yourself caught up.

Don’t forget about your own health.

When you’re busy taking care of someone else, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself.

Sadly, 23% of Americans have claimed that caregiving has had a negative impact on their own health- a 6% increase from 2015.

No matter what, you should always be watching your health, both physical and emotional. Don’t neglect things like exercise, nutrition, social interaction, relationships, self-care, etc.

Family caregivers often rationalize that caring for their loved seniors takes precedence over caring for themselves. But, what they don’t realize is that it’s not an either-or situation.

You can care for your seniors and care for yourself.

  • If you’re making a healthy meal for your senior, make one for yourself too.
  • If you’re making your senior exercise, follow along with your own workout.

Find little ways to care for your own health at the same time that you care for your senior’s.

Get paid to be a caregiver.

One of the biggest stress factors of caregiving is finances. The reason is two-fold:

  1. Caregivers often end up dipping into their own checking and savings accounts to pay for their seniors’ medical necessities.
  2. Caregiving takes the time of a full-time job. Which means, that caregivers lose out earning money from jobs they would have been able to do had they not been caregiving.

Ease the financial stress by getting paid to be a caregiver.

Agencies like AmeriBest Home Care are always looking for new talent to join the family. AmeriBest has opportunities for full-time, part-time, and per diem work- no experience necessary!

Sometimes, caregiving isn’t a choice. It’s a necessity.

And, when that happens, you may as well make the most of it.

Summer Activities and Alternatives for Seniors Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

While the world is on a temporary pause, the seasons wait for no one.
Don’t let the summer slip by without enjoying your favorite summer activities.

We’ve gathered some of the most common activities for seniors and listed the health risks, safety precautions, and alternatives for each.

In deciding which activities to do and how, the key is to analyze how each might affect you or your senior, personally. There is no one size fits all when it comes to safety and health, and so it’s important to use cautionary judgment.

Backyard BBQ

Health risk: Eating in your own backyard holds very little risk. However, inviting other families to join, raises the threat level to medium.

Safety precautions: Limit the number of families you invite to just one. And, choose wisely. A family whose members are essential workers will be more likely to carry the virus than a family whose members haven’t left their home in a month.

Alternative: Video calls are always a safer option than in-person activities. Every family can party from their own backyard, together. Or, make it a neighborly event and party from across the fence.

Summer Soirée

Health risk: Whether it’s a party for a wedding, birthday, graduation, or retirement- parties are a high-risk activity right now.

Safety precautions: If you absolutely must attend a party (although it is highly recommended not to), be sure to wear a face mask, gloves, and keep your distance from the other party-goers. Try not to touch anything unnecessarily, and bring some hand sanitizer just in case.

Alternative: A car parade! If you’re planning to attend a party, the better option is to drive by the party and stay in your car. You can wave or hold up a sign, and the hosts will be just as happy with your attendance as if you had actually come inside. If you’re the one hosting, stand six feet back from the street, and wave to your friends and family as they slowly drive by. You’ll be surprised how creative people can get from within their cars.

Dining Out

Health risk: Eating out at a restaurant is a medium to high risk. Dining at an indoor restaurant is a huge risk as it puts you in close proximity to other guests, with little air circulation. Dining at an outdoor restaurant is slightly less risky. However, the activity still puts you in contact with a server and possibly other staff.

Safety precautions: Bring sanitizing wipes and wipe down the menu before perusing. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before eating.

Alternatives: Set the table nicely, dim the lights, add a bit of background music, and order takeout. The food will be just as delicious, but with less of a risk.

Stroll in the park

Health risk: Walking in a park or nature reserve is a low to medium risk. There will always be others walking around nearby, which puts you in danger. However, being in a large open space lowers the risk.

Safety precautions: Wear a mask, and avoid going on busy days like national holidays. If someone is nearing you, step off to the side with your head turned away, and wait. When the individual has passed and is six feet away, continue on your stroll.

Alternative: If you’re going to the park for exercise, an alternative activity is walking around your yard. Set a timer, and walk the perimeter of your front and back yard for as long as you want. It’s not as exciting, but it will get the job done. Plus, you might even find some small flowers or quiet birds in your yard that you never even noticed before.

Family Caregivers: The Unsung Heroes of PA

Family Caregivers: The Unsung Heroes of PA - AmeriBest Home Care

No amount of praise and applause can express the true gratitude we feel for front line health care workers. While we sit at home and protect ourselves, these courageous individuals go to do battle with the COVID virus head-on. They risk themselves and their families to help others, and they deserve every bit of our unwavering respect and thanks.

Yet, there is another hero amongst us who deserves the same gratitude. There is another kind of hero who risks just as much from behind the scenes for not even a penny in return.

That unsung hero is the family caregiver.

Family caregivers administer medicine, schedule daily routines, cook, clean, provide emotional support, and more. Family caregivers are unpaid, overworked, and they don’t even mind because they do what they do out of love and genuine human compassion.

As of 2019, the AARP’s Valuing the Invaluable 2019 Update placed the number of family caregivers at approximately 1.59 million individuals in Pennsylvania, with expectations of increase for 2020. This amounts to about 1.33 billion hours of caregiving and a total economic value of $18.2 billion.

However, these 1.59 million family caregivers do not get paid for the hard work they do.

In fact, they often lose money caring for those they love. Most family caregivers spend thousands of their own hard-earned savings to care for their family members. And don’t mistake their willingness to spend this money as a result of rich or wealthy status.

No, many family caregivers actually lose out on the opportunity to earn more money because of the time commitments that caregiving requires. Caring for someone else’s life takes time. And that means less time dedicated to their own ambitions and careers. That means less time to work overtime and less time for side businesses, all of which could be making these caregivers some nice extra money.

Yet, family caregivers don’t look down or despair at these numbers. They keep their spirits high as they take life by the horns and charge forward.

While front line medical professions fight to rid the world of the disease, family caregivers fight to prevent their loved ones from getting it in the first place.

At this point and time, the best the world can do to fight against COVID-19 is to continue to flatten the curve. Rather than allow an influx of patients all at once, the goal is to spread the rate of infection over a larger period of time. This enables doctors and hospitals to administer proper medical attention to each patient, rather than be stretched thin.

Family caregivers are helping to flatten the curve by protecting those they care for. As a result of their care, seniors are able to stay safe at home and out of harm’s reach. Seniors are able to get food, household supplies, nursing care, as well as companionship and emotional support.

Thanks to family caregivers, the unsung heroes of PA, seniors across the state are able to continue living their lives as normal as possible.

Thank you to all the family caregivers out there for keeping our seniors happy and safe!

6 Tips for New Caregivers During the COVID Pandemic

6 Tips for New Caregivers During the COVID Pandemic - AmeriBest Home Care

Stuck at home these days, many of us are finding ourselves having to take on new roles that we would otherwise pay someone else to fill. And this can be a little scary to do without positive guidance.

If you’ve suddenly found yourself having to act as a family caregiver, here are 6 tips and tricks of the trade.

Write things down.

When you’re caring for someone else, it’s important to stay organized. It’s all too easy to forget someone else’s schedule, so make things simple for yourself and write things down.

If you prefer typing that’s cool too.

Just having a mapped-out list of what needs to be done and when can easily knock down the stress levels a few notches.

Automate as much as possible.

Another easy way to keep track of everything is to set up daily reminders. There are a ton of apps out there that can help with medication scheduling, appointment tracking, as well as just general to-do list entries.

These apps will not only help remind you of what needs to be done, but also give you the extra push to get up and get going.

Don’t be afraid to ask for outside help.

One of the biggest mistakes new caregivers make is thinking that they have to take care of everything themselves.

But the truth is, there are plenty of people able and willing to help. If you’re getting overwhelmed, stressed, or just want some guidance- don’t be afraid to ask for outside help.

Call up friends, family, or professional home care aides. And, don’t let yourself get to a mental breaking point before you do so.

Asking for help demonstrates responsibility and caring.

Schedule family time.

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the work of caregiving, that you start to ignore the fun of it.

Caregiving is a remarkable task that lets you care, bond, and connect with your senior. If you’re not enjoying the work you do, you’re missing out on the core of caregiving.

To rekindle the spark, schedule some fun family time. This could be watching some TV together in the evening, building a project together in the afternoons, or even just bonding over some old photos in the basement. The main idea is to find something you both enjoy and set aside quality time for each other.

Watch your health.

You’ve probably heard this before, but you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself.

Letting yourself get run down and weary is no way to treat yourself as a caregiver. If you want to give your senior the best care possible, then you have to be up for the challenge and in good spirits. And, in order to feel that way, you have to take care of your own health too.

This means, taking breaks when you need them, giving yourself some alone time to refresh, watching your diet and fitness, and being overall kind to yourself.

Which leads us to our last tip…

Speak to yourself with compassion.

If you missed something on your to-do list, or you just didn’t have time to get something done- don’t stress. The worst thing you can do is beat yourself up over something you’re only just getting the hang of. You wouldn’t do that to others, so don’t do that to yourself.

Instead, look at where you went wrong with a non-judgmental perspective. Understand what led you to make that mistake and learn from it. Then move on and give yourself some compassion.

You’re doing the best you can.

Employment Opportunities! Become a Paid Caregiver

Employment Opportunities! - AmeriBest Home Care

During these past months, unemployment rates have skyrocketed as millions of Americans apply for unemployment benefits.

It’s no stretch to say that these have been tough times to navigate through.

But, they are certainly not impossible.

If you’re one of the many Americans worried about the economy to come and your finances, we might just have the perfect idea for you:

Become a paid caregiver!

What’s in the job?

As a paid at-home caregiver, you’ll be helping elderly live their best lives in the comfort of their homes.

All caregiving is done in the patients’ own homes. You’ll head on over to your client (or multiple clients depending on the schedule you set for yourself) and help with activities such as:

  • Dressing
  • Bathing
  • Meal prep
  • Light housework
  • Companionship

Why become a caregiver?

The bottom line: caregiving is a stress-free job that pays well.

As a caregiver, you won’t have to worry about making intense deadlines or coming up with the next biggest idea. You just need to concentrate on the little things: being compassionate, courteous, and careful.

It’s as rewarding as it is manageable.

And that’s really the best combination for any job.

What’s the time commitment like?

As a paid caregiver, you get to be in control of your own time and create the schedule that works best for you. Whether full time, part time, or per diem, the time commitment is up to you.

We know that some of our caregivers use this job as a supplement for their regular income. Which is why we provide maximum flexibility. After all, caregiving is about helping others grow upward, not chaining them downward.

However, we also know that many of caregivers come to us for a fresh start. To begin a new career in a place they can truly belong. And, for those employees, we do everything in our power to help them succeed.

AmeriBest is Hiring!

AmeriBest Home Care is currently seeking caring and motivated individuals to become a part of our family of healthcare workers.

Whether you’re looking for a new career or a part time gig, this could be the opportunity for you. You don’t need any prior experience. Just a good attitude and a willingness to learn.

At AmeriBest Home Care, we’ll train you and set you on the path to great caregiving.

We’ll teach you the necessary skills to succeed in the home healthcare world. And, we’ll be with you every step of the way, guiding you through the field and supporting you as your caregiving career develops.

At AmeriBest Home Care, we care about our employees just as much as we care about our clients. Which is why, we offer full-time benefits such as medical, dental, vision, 401K and paid time off.

How to apply?

Simply fill out the online form at the bottom of the page here: https://www.ameribesthomecare.com/join-our-team/

Or, give us a call at 215-925-3313.

Come join AmeriBest, today!

We’re not just an agency, we’re a healthcare family.