Caregiver Guide: Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

When a family member is chronically ill or showing signs of age-related issues, it leaves you with serious choices to make. Navigating private duty home care in Philadelphia, PA, can seem overwhelming. Nonetheless, understanding your options is vital to peace of mind.

It’s not surprising that many people prefer the comfort of their homes to facility care. It’s comfortable, familiar, and filled with memories. Private duty home care, like AmeriBest offers, allows a person the option of staying in their own house.

What, Exactly, is Private Duty Home Care?

Private duty home health agencies in Philadelphia, PA, offer services to individuals who need help with their day-to-day activities. From cooking and cleaning to personal hygiene, a trained aide comes into the home and begins filling in the gaps. The private duty aide also gives people vital companionship that combats depression.

Beyond supporting individuals, the private duty home caregiver gives families ongoing breaks to breathe and catch up with their own affairs. It is easy for people to burn out trying to juggle so many responsibilities. One of our goals at AmeriBest is to create a holistic atmosphere that considers all members of the family, including the client.

Factoid: The State of Pennsylvania requires all private duty home caregivers to undergo a criminal background check.

Benefits of Private Duty Caregiving

Medicare rarely covers private duty home care. So, this is an expense paid by the patient or their family. Yet, if you were to compare the cost of paying out of pocket for a facility, in-home assistance wins out financially.

There are other benefits of private duty home care, including:

  • Personalized care plans: If you hire your aide from an agency, the company will work with physicians and the family in designing a care plan that makes sense at the time. Needs change, and care plans change with them!
  • Medication counts and reminders: The AARP estimates that 75% of adults over the age of 50 take at least one prescription daily. Keeping track of medications can prove cumbersome, especially if a person suffers from short-term memory loss. The aide makes sure your loved ones receive their medications on time and in the correct order. They also provide an extra set of eyes for new medications, observing for potential side effects.
  • Teaching: The amount of knowledge to properly care for various conditions is not something most people have. Aides can work with you, and show you some handy tricks and instructions for caring for your loved one that save time and maintain safety.

Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

AmeriBest’s Private Duty Home Care Philadelphia PA

When you have questions at the ready, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We have highly trained personnel ready to provide helpful answers about hiring an aide. Don’t worry – we don’t mind a lot of them. It means you’ve thought things through.

There are three ways to contact us:

Call: 215-925-3313,

Email: info@ameribest.org, or

Fill out our online contact form.

We look forward to providing your loved one with superior, individualized, caring services.

Why Are We One of the Top Home Health Agencies in Philadelphia?

Why Are We One of the Top Home Health Agencies in Philadelphia?

There is any number of reasons you may need a home health agency. Perhaps your loved one is aging. Perhaps they have a chronic debilitating issue. Because everyone’s life is busy, you may not be able to give your loved ones all the time and attention they deserve. When you’re not there, you worry and become distracted from the tasks at hand. You need help, and there’s no shame in seeking it before you wear out. Reach out to AmeriBest Home Care – one of the top home health agencies in Philadelphia!

We take pride in being one the best. Our dedication to providing high-quality, individualized personal care services is of the utmost priority. We are there when you cannot be present (and even when you are, should you wish). We encourage family advocacy every step of the way.

Our Staff

Are you looking for an agency home care near Philadelphia? You’ve come to the right place. AmeriBest seeks out individuals whose personalities and traits fit this work. Our staff is compassionate, empathic, dependable, supportive, patient, attentive, and trustworthy. Not only does AmeriBest seek ‌the best of the best, but we also offer our team ongoing training to keep their skills up to date.

Customization

Dignity and independence matter greatly. Each individual receives a careful assessment, coordinating care between medical professionals and the family. No two plans are alike, and they will change as a person’s needs and goals transform. Effectively, we follow the best practices in everything we do, which sets us apart from other home health agencies in Philadelphia.

Why Home Health Care?

Many people look to various facilities at the outset of their exploration for help. The individual may give them a lot of flack, not wanting to leave the comforts of home. Aides fix that issue. Trained aides oversee your loved ones in familiar surroundings. They socialize with them while providing help with daily household needs.

AmeriBest teams provide you with a wide range of services, including

  • Superior care coordination
  • Dependability
  • Trustworthiness
  • Relief so you can manage other aspects of your life
  • RNs, therapists, and social workers (when required)
  • Meal preparation
  • Dressing and personal care
  • Medication reminders
  • Light housekeeping
  • Vocational assistance

By the way, AmeriBest can help train a friend or relative to provide care, too. If you are providing care already – get paid for it! It’s estimated that around 53 million Americans are providing unpaid care for their relatives or friends (source).

Benefits of Working With AmeriBest – One of the Top Home Health Agencies in Philadelphia

A home care agency cannot succeed without having exceptional employees. We value each person on our team and show it through our benefit plan. You get 7 paid holidays, PTO, Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, a life insurance policy, and so much more!

There’s also maternity leave, bereavement leave, a life insurance policy, and a 401(k). We’ve been in business since 2008, and welcome potential candidates who value dignity and compassion. Once hired, we continue to invest in your future with certifications and training. We want you to have all the resources necessary so you can reflect our corporate culture in the home.

For more information:

Call: 215-925-3313 or 1800-HOMECARE

Email: info@ameribest.org

What Home Health Services are Available in Philadelphia, PA?

What Home Health Services are Available in Philadelphia, PA?

As people age or become chronically ill, they don’t always want to go to a facility. The idea seems cold, with so many strangers passing through the halls. Being at home is comforting, and often achieves far better results than in more formalized settings like assisted living. That’s why families start looking for home health services in Philadelphia, PA.

Home Health Care comprises care that takes place in a patient’s home. The exact services differ based on individual needs and situations. Through AmeriBest Home Care, it may include RNs and therapists, as well as trained aides. The goal is to provide a person with daily living, including social services. Other examples of in-home care include:

  • Bathing
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Meal preparation
  • Socialization

Note that there is a difference between home health care and home health (it gets confusing). Home health is more medical. Licensed professionals come to the home to provide coverage for all kinds of ailments, including

  • Dementia
  • Chronic health conditions
  • Memory care
  • Nutrition consultation
  • Occupational therapy
  • Post-operative care
  • Psychiatric Care

Factoid: Homebound means that a person’s condition keeps them from leaving their home safely without help and/or assistive devices like a cane.

Benefits of Home Health Care

Services delivered to a person’s home are far less expensive than those incurred at a hospital. In this setting, families are encouraged to remain active participants in their loved one’s health and well-being without burning out. They can ask questions of professionals and get valuable advice for maintaining the happiness and safety of their loved ones.

When someone is recuperating from injury and illness, most times they experience a faster recovery. Over time, having home health care improves a person’s independence by maintaining their current functionality, or even improving upon it. Home Health Care, like what we offer at ArmeriBest, focuses on self-sufficiency, symptom management, and personalized care. You are never just a “number.”

Each individual has a plan, coordinated by their physicians and other health professionals. This ensures continuity of care.

The Role of Medicare

Home health care services may qualify for Medicare coverage. In order to be eligible, you must be homebound, require intermittent care to maintain the existing condition, and perhaps improve it, and have a medical doctor who prescribes the services.

Depending on the type of Medicare you have, there may be some deductible (or pay down) for home health care. This is a great relief considering Philadelphia’s home care rates can be as much as $286 a month, sometimes more. Mind you, compared to assisted living facilities charging $780 a month (estimate), home care is the way to ease your budgetary concerns.

If you are uncertain, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (215-765-9040) offers eligibility reviews, as well as other helpful services. Veterans should reach out to their regional Philadelphia office.

AmeriBest – Home Health Services Agency in Philadelphia

While no one wishes for a loved one’s restrictions, it simply happens. When it does, reach out to the experts at AmeriBest Home Care. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. You can use our online contact form or

Call: 215-925-3313 or 1800-HOMECARE

Email: info@ameribesthomecare.com

The Need for Homecare in Philadelphia Continues to Grow

Need for Homecare in Philadelphia Continues to Grow

As a whole, people in the world are living longer thanks to medical advancements. Most folks will need some type of home care services in their lifetimes, for various reasons. It’s estimated that a whopping 80% of seniors will need one year or more in a nursing facility unless they take advantage of professional caregiving services. In either case, Medicaid is paying about 45% of all claims, Medicaid 23%, and the rest is out of pocket. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that homecare in Philadelphia continues to grow. Roughly 7% of the state’s population are elderly, frail, or otherwise disabled. In the next decade, the demand for home care aides will be growing rapidly. Families don’t like the idea of their loved ones being in a facility where they cannot be certain of what’s happening when they cannot be present. In-home services fix that.

Using Medicaid and Medicare for Homecare in Philadelphia

Not everyone is in the position to pay for professional care at home. Medicaid is a joint Federal and State program that helps low-income people who would not otherwise have access to adequate care.

Need for Homecare in Philadelphia Continues to Grow

Begin or Continue a Successful Career in Home Healthcare

The need for empathic, attentive people for home care is growing by leaps and bounds. AmeriBest Home Care is currently hiring individuals who can provide support to seniors and their families. We don’t require experience as we will give you paid training so you’re ready to work in no time.

If you want to make a positive impact on lives, this is a very rewarding way to do so. You’re allowing people to maintain comfort and security in their own home instead of a care facility filled with strangers.

At AmeriBest we value our staff and show it by providing a wide array of benefits including:

  1. Sick, vacation, and personal time
  2. 7 paid holidays annually, with time and a half when you work them
  3. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  4. Life insurance for full-time employees
  5. 5 days of maternity leave

And so much more.

We believe that your happiness positively impacts the lives of our clients every day. Better still, AmeriBest offers ongoing training so you can continue with career development in areas of personal interest.

Are You Right for the Job?

Caregiving is not for everyone, but for those who have a natural ability for nurturing, strong empathy, and good instincts it could prove ideal. You will be giving an individual companionship and socialization. Plus, the job is far more flexible with hours than many other positions. AmeriBest HR works with you to find a match suited to your situation.

The families for whom you’ll work truly appreciate the help you’re providing. You are their eyes and ears when they cannot be present. Knowing a home care aide is in place alleviates a lot of fear and stress.

If you are interested, we are always in need of personal care assistants, home health aides, and family caregivers. If you’d like to learn more, call our Philadelphia office at 215-925-3313. You can also email us at info@ameribest.org, or use our online contact form for further information.

Agency Home Care Near Philadelphia

Agency Home Care in Philadelphia

A 2018 AARP survey concluded that ¾ of Americans age 50 and older would prefer to remain in their current home as long as possible as they age. The idea of “aging in place” has become a growing movement. There’s a sense of comfort in one’s own home. You know your neighbors and the mailman. Senior communities are the alternative, but they don’t provide the same sense of connection. The top choice for aging in place is agency home care near Philadelphia.

Professional home care enables individuals to retain some level of independence while having an on-call line of services they need daily. Safety is certainly a priority. And for busy families, they go to work knowing their loved one has extra eyes and hands at the ready.

How do You Determine the Timing for Home Care?

There are certain criteria that signal the need for home care. These include problems with:

  • Bathing
  • Depression
  • Driving (the need for transportation)
  • Falling
  • Housekeeping
  • Hygiene
  • Isolation (this is emotionally devastating)
  • Meal preparation
  • Mental Health
  • Memory
  • Mobility
  • Motor Skills (unable to handle daily household tasks)
  • Showering
  • Spoiled food
  • Toileting
  • Unpaid bills

In truth, many seniors face more than one of these problems at the same time. Having someone they trust standing by with a helping hand is a great relief.

Agency Home Care in Philadelphia

Traditional Home Care near Philadelphia

There is more than one type of home care. One is a traditional agency like AmeriBest Home Care. We have verified workers paid through our agency. Before beginning services, we work with you on a schedule of days and hours, including coverage for call-ins. If you have issues, your case manager will help resolve them.

So, say Aunt Annie has a problem preparing meals, keeping up with dusting, and going grocery shopping. Her arthritis hinders fine motor movements. Hiring a caregiver from an agency such as ours lets Aunt Annie accomplish those things, while her family is free to tend to their own responsibilities.

The process begins by assessing your needs. Your loved one’s medical team can help with this. You will also have a home assessment to determine what may be best based on the housing and the individual’s needs. Why housing? There are a plethora of safety issues most people never recognize. Professionals point them out!

Finding a Reputable Agency

You do a search for home care agencies near Philadelphia. Hundreds of results pop up. How do you choose? Word of mouth is always a good start, but once you’re interviewing agencies there are certain topics you should broach. It’s okay to be picky!

10 Questions for Potential Caregiving Agencies

  1. Do they perform background checks on employees, including confirming certifications they claim on their resume?
  2. What kind of training does the staff receive before going into a home?
  3. Does staff have first aid and CPR training?
  4. If you have a need, does the agency have varied language or cultural capacities?
  5. Do they have the proper certifications to operate in PA?
  6. How often are staff evaluated?
  7. Can you meet more than one caregiver to find someone right for your family?
  8. Will the agency help you navigate insurance applications?
  9. Can they provide you with references or referrals?
  10. How do they individualize a Plan of Care?

At AmeriBest Home Care we have professionals standing by to answer your questions at any time. You can call our office at 1-800-HOMECARE, email us at info@ameribest.org, or fill out our online form. Don’t be shy. This is one of those situations where every question and answer matters deeply.

Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia PA

Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia PA

There are a number of reasons why you might consider home health care for a loved one. Perhaps they’re dealing with chronic pain and illness. Or, perhaps the problems that come with aging have become too much for an individual to remain safe and healthy. No matter the reason, you’ll want to educate yourself on your options of home health care agencies in Philadelphia PA.

What is Home Health Care?

In defining home health care, bear in mind that some services extend into the community as well. The idea behind home health care is comfort and affordability. An individual receives highly personalized assistance in their own home instead of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility. In brief, having an in-home caregiver or private duty aide supports:

  • Recovery or stability
  • Independence and self-sufficiency
  • Proper med administration
  • Monitoring and watching for warning signs
  • Upkeep with the household chores
  • Personal care, completing errands

Many insurance companies have coverage for an aide service, as does Medicare. A health care provider (or even a home care agency like AmeriBest) can help you navigate the necessary paperwork.

Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia PA

How to Pick Among the Best Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia, PA

You want only the best care for your loved ones, and that means doing a little bit of leg work. Finding the right fit means having peace of mind. So how do you choose?

  1. Create a realistic list of your needs. Do you just need a few hours a week for small tasks or more intensive care? Make a list of everything you feel you might need an aide to do for your loved one. You can use this list as the beginning of discussion topics when you’re calling around.
  2. Ask people you know about their experiences. If you know someone who has used a service in the past (or is currently using one), ask for their insight. Word of mouth is often your best guide through this process.
  3. Go to consumer-oriented websites and check any reviews you find for health care agencies near you. Make a list of your top picks.
  4. From your top picks, check out their websites. What services do they offer? Do they assess individuals and make personalized plans of care? Can you receive both non-professional care as well as skilled nursing care?
  5. Call and ask how the company qualifies staff for hire. Are there background checks, for example? What kinds of consequences are when complaints arise?
  6. Availability is a big issue. You want to know you can depend on care when you expect it.
  7. Do they have any satisfaction guarantees?

Why AmeriBest Home Care?

At AmeriBest Home Care, we’ve received consistently excellent approval ratings. Our qualified, compassionate team is multi-cultural and focuses on high-quality care so your loved one maintains their dignity and safety at the same time. AmeriBest’s call-off and no-show percentages are incredibly low, while our ongoing training for staff remains a high priority.

If you’d like to learn more about our services, there are several ways you can contact us. Call our Philadelphia, PA office at 215-925-3313. Email us: info@ameribest.or, or use our online contact form. We are happy to field your questions and concerns, anytime.

Caregiver Guide to Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Caregiver Guide to Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Life sometimes goes sideways. At any moment a person can become injured, ill, or begin suffering from the natural issues aging brings. At first, you think you can “do it all” in helping your loved one… that is until you find you can’t. Caregiving is very taxing. It adds numerous tasks, heaping them onto your already very-full platter. That is where home caregiving comes into play. To help you navigate these waters, we created this caregiver guide to home healthcare in Philadelphia, PA.

What Does a Home Caregiving Service Do?

The idea behind having a home caregiver (or home care aide) is to enjoy a support service. An agency like AmeriBest Home Care of Philadelphia works directly with you and your loved one to come up with a safe, supportive plan for ongoing assistance. Companionship, assistance with daily living needs, med minders, and so much more go into each, personalized program. Each situation is unique, the needs vary, and a professional agency helps you navigate the waters of putting something in place you can trust.

Benefits of Having In-Home Aide Services

When you find the right home healthcare provider, there are many benefits for both you and your loved one. Overall, you know the individual will be safe and monitored; they’ll have socialization and personal assistance as needed. They can remain involved in their own wellness, improving their sense of independence.

It is very easy to burn out as a caregiver, which is where professionals step into the fray. They give you some personal time (hey, take that nap you’ve been craving!). You can walk away for several hours and shop, clean the house, grab a coffee-whatever. You need these breaks to maintain your own self-care regimen, otherwise, you’ll end up sick, frustrated, and stressed out.

Caregiver Guide to Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Regulations Regarding Home Health Agencies

All agencies in Pennsylvania are required to be properly licensed by the Department of Health. The Department has specific standards, rules, and regulations and enforces them with unannounced surveys. Additionally, if an agency accepts Medicare, it must have certification from the Federal Health and Human Services Center. The FHHSC also conducts regular surveys for compliance.

Who Qualifies for Home Healthcare?

Nearly anyone can qualify for home healthcare. How much it costs depends on your insurance company and income. Alternatively, Medicaid has both home and community-based service waivers. If you are receiving SSID, you will likely qualify for an aide service. You do have to enroll, something with which your medical provider can assist.

And now some good news: it’s not that hard, and we are here to help!

Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Most people when asked, say they would far prefer to stay at their own home vs. a hospital or assisted living center. Being able to remain in their house provides familiarity. It’s local; they know the faces walking daily by the window. At AmeriBest Home Care, we understand your home is not only your castle but your comfort zone.

As a highly-rated local agency, our professionals provide you with compassion and support. We know you may have a lot of questions about having an in-home aide, and our team is happy to help in any way we can. Call us at 215-925-3313. Email info@ameribest.org, or use our online contact form for more information.

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. As a home care agency for stroke recovery in Philadelphia, AmeriBest sees the impact of strokes on individuals and families daily. Did you know that, according to the American Heart Association, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds in the United States? It can lead to disabilities and death. The good news is that 80% of strokes can be prevented. Keep reading to learn more about stroke reasons, risks, signs, and post-stroke care in Philadelphia.

The Makings of a Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to some part of the brain becomes blocked. Alternatively, it may happen when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When brain cells do not get oxygen-bearing blood, they will die. This creates a medical emergency. The sooner stroke treatments can be administered, the better chances physicians have of allaying some of the potential results. Delays in stroke treatment increase the risks of permanent brain injury or even death. 

Stroke Risks

There are a variety of factors that increase the potential for having a stroke. Some risk factors can be managed by medicine and monitoring, others cannot. If you have:

  • A history of smoking, alcoholism, or using illegal drugs
  • An abnormal heart rhythm
  • Damaged heart valves
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Hight Red Blood Count, Cholesterol, or Lipids. A high red blood count means your blood is thick, increasing the chance of clots. Cholesterol can thicken arteries
  • Obesity
  • TIA (transient ischemic attacks aka a mini-stroke) history

Then you have a higher propensity toward stroke, especially if more than one of these factors is in play. 

While strokes can happen to anyone at any time, people over 55 have twice the chance of having a stroke. Men experience strokes more often than women. One in four people who survive a stroke are at risk for another. 

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

Stroke Signs

The CDC explains the use of the FAST system to recognize the signs of a stroke.

F – Face drooping

A – Arm limp or weak

S – Speach issues, including stuttering

T – Time is of the essence – call 911 immediately.

What Can You Do?

When consulting with families in the AmeriBest Home Care Philadelphia, PA caregiver agency circle, we strive to educate everyone on ways to prevent stroke. The most important action is living a healthy lifestyle, including adjusting your meal and snack choices to more fruits and vegetables while avoiding trans fat, cholesterol, and salt. 

It’s also important to watch your weight. Obesity increases stroke risk. The BMI index is one that shows you if your weight is in a healthy range. If you know your weight and height check it here. Hand in hand with your weight comes activity. Movement helps stabilize or even decrease your weight while supporting healthy blood pressure. 

You can learn a lot and make great contacts by participating in a National Stroke Awareness event near you.

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

It can be overwhelming to care for a stroke patient while also attending to your own needs. That’s where home and community-based programs like those at AmeriBest come into the picture. We can provide your loved ones with improved safety, while also focusing on their recovery. Call the AmeriBest Home Care Philadephia office (215) 925-3313; 1-800-HOMECARE for information. You can also email info@ameribest.org, or use our online form for questions.

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

Arthritis Awareness Month

May is Arthritis Awareness Month. This condition causes individuals chronic pain that can affect their ability to enjoy life fully. The swelling in a person’s joints often limits mobility and impacts having a normal lifestyle.

According to the CDC, there is no cure for Arthritis. Some medications along with structured exercise may, however, provide relief and improve joint flexibility with on-going effort. 

Prevalence: 

Arthritis Awareness Month recognizes the growing health problem Arthritis represents. There are over 53 million (or 1 in 4) people in the US at the time of this writing who have the condition. By 2030 that number will likely come close to 67 million. Some of these people will lose their jobs because of pain or the loss of joint functionality, range of motion, or decreased muscle strength for things like lifting and intricate handwork. 

With this in mind, AmeriBest Home Care Services, Philadelphia, PA strives to assist seniors struggling with arthritis in a variety of ways. Our highly trained staff offers home and community-based assistance with daily activities which, in turn, decreases frustration and anxiety. It also provides families with comfort in knowing their loved ones are getting excellent care, especially when they cannot be present for help.

Types of Arthritis:

There are three prevalent types of arthritis:

  1. Osteoarthritis: When the cartilage at the end of bones wears down, the bones rub together. This is osteoarthritis, and it’s the most commonly known form.
  2. Psoriatic: This form only happens to people with psoriasis, affecting ligaments, tendons, and joints.
  3. Rheumatoid: Rheumatoid arthritis is actually an autoimmune disease. The lining of the joints becomes inflamed, and they begin deteriorating. 

It’s important to remember that while more common in the aging community, arthritis can happen at any age. Also, just because your loved one is talking about joint aches, you need to have them see a physician to conclusively render a diagnosis. Other conditions including lupus, gout, and bursitis cause joint pain. 

Caring for Individuals with Arthritis

Arthritis Awareness Month isn’t just dedicated to raising awareness, but also to education. What can you do to help someone in your life with arthritis? Perhaps most importantly listen. It’s hard to understand the pain someone has radiating from within. You can, however, SEE how they move, when they hesitate or stumble, or when they strain to open jars (for example). 

Now, people have pride. They may not ask for help. So you can open the lines of communication. Approach it from the point of view that you want to learn from them about how arthritis impacts their life. A lot of great ideas will result from that conversation. Just take care to step back when the answer is, “no, let me do this.” A sense of independence is important so long as they are not putting themselves in harm’s way. 

Professional Assistance

When you have an in-home caregiver, that person can keep your loved one as active as possible while still taking safety precautions. Examples of the types of assistance AmeriBest Home Care Philadelphia, PA provides include:

  • Bathing
  • Bending/reaching
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Lifting
  • Medication regulation
  • Mobility, and much more. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us on our web form, by email at info@ameribest.org, or by calling our Philadelphia office 215-925-3313; 1-800-HOMECARE (PA only).

Wise Caregiving: ‘Toxic Positivity’ vs Validation

Wise Caregiving Toxic Positivity vs Validation

Ask anyone you know who has been the caregiver for one of their family members about the complexities of their roles. They become a nurse, companion, counselor, errand-runner, and so much more. One of the most difficult aspects of the “job” is knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it when a loved one is struggling with anxiety and negativity.

Toxic Positivity vs. Validation & Hope

While private duty home health care agencies and nursing services receive training on the difference between offering validation and hope vs. going overboard into toxic positivity, most people have no such training. There is no magic switch that turns dark clouds into sunshine. Many people who are home-bound are in situations unlikely to resolve themselves any time soon. So how do you help? How can you be a wise caregiver?

It’s OK to be Sad & Angry

If you’ve ever faced a truly rotten situation, you know how emotions become intense. You might feel outraged and mad at the whole universe. The LAST thing you want to hear at that moment is, “you’ll get over it” or “just be positive.” Such statements come across as trite and dismissive.

Now apply the same idea to caregiving. Your loved one wants to know their feelings have merit. Of course, you don’t want them wallowing in negativity 24-7, but you also have to recognize that a person is ready to change their outlook when THEY want to, not when you want them to. Here are some better responses to an elongated case of the blues:

  • This situation is hard, but I believe in you. I’m here if you need to talk, or just hold space. 
  • I don’t mind hearing how you feel. No judgment!
  • It’s perfectly normal to feel as you do. I’m here for you. How can I help make your day better?

Wise Caregiving Toxic Positivity vs Validation

 

Never offer false hope or reassurances

In effect, toxic positivity sounds impersonal, fake, or even insulting. They’re hollow words that really don’t offer any kind of help. True support happens when you can imagine walking in someone else’s shoes and accepting their reality. This is where trained professionals like our home care team at AmeriBest Home Care Philadelphia, can relieve some of your worries about communicating in all the wrong ways. You can observe and listen to the aid or nurse, and mirror their approach. 

The Truth About Support

Let’s use the example of grief. Denial, anger, and grief are all part of the human process. Here you have a person who is, effectively, grieving for the life they once had. It’s common for others to feel uncomfortable with the emotions, and that’s where toxic positivity begins. 

We as a society are not taught how to openly discuss difficult scenarios, so we try to make a person feel better using the first, overused response that comes to mind. One example is, “choose happiness!” When the individual cannot seem to do that, they can begin feeling like something’s terribly wrong with them.  You’re certainly not doing this with any intent to harm. Learning effective validation takes time. 

Getting Help

When you reach a point where you know you simply cannot meet your loved one’s needs effectively, reach out. AmeriBest is a top home care agency located in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, PA. We take great pride in providing superior service, personalized according to your situation. You can contact us HERE, email info@ameribest.org, or call either of our offices:

Philadelphia: 215-925-3313

Harrisburg: 717-545-2920

Wise Caregiving Toxic Positivity vs Validation