Over 3.4 million strong, in-home caregivers serve a vital role in the American healthcare system each year. As the U.S. population continues to age, the home care industry is projected to grow markedly over the next decade. The value of professional caregivers goes up as they continue to provide an invaluable service to seniors and families by ensuring that aging-in-place loved ones can remain in the comfort of their own homes. As a home care aide, nurse, therapist, or another professional, here’s how your efforts are making a difference in the lives of those you serve.

The Value of Professional Caregivers in Senior Care

Millions of unpaid, or informal, caregivers volunteer their time and talents every week to care for aging loved ones. For various reasons, many of those family caregivers eventually rely on paid professionals to step in and provide the level of care that’s needed.

Professional home care services benefit seniors in multiple ways, starting with these:

Ensures all the comforts of home

As the old saying goes, “There’s no place like home.” The primary benefit of in-home elder care is that your client can stay in a place that’s most comfortable and familiar to them. Sleeping in their own bed, using their own bathroom, and continuing with their daily routines means more to them than you will ever know. As their caregiver, you are the catalyst that makes it happen.

Provides socialization

Regular social interaction benefits seniors in many ways, including improved brain health and a lower risk for experiencing a chronic medical condition. The personal, one-on-one nature of home care allows you to provide much-needed socialization and companionship to older adults. As a trusted personal assistant your very job is to deliver the attention and nurturing that ensures those you serve can remain safe and comfortable.

Promotes an active lifestyle

Another way you make a difference in the lives of those you serve is by allowing them to engage in activities and hobbies they truly love. Whether it’s walking in the park, playing a board game, or just sharing some laughs over old family photos, your efforts bring joy and calm to seniors week after week.

Empowers independence

One of the biggest fears for aging adults is losing their independence. One of the main advantages of the home care services you provide is empowering your clients to maintain control over many aspects of their daily lives. With a little help from you, they get to continue living according to their schedule while aging-in-place with dignity and higher self-esteem.

Provides reassurance

Today’s busy lifestyles often make it hard for informal caregivers to serve loved ones from a distance. Not only do your efforts as a caregiver directly benefit those you serve, but they also help restore peace of mind for all family members. The in-home assistance that you provide also offers reassurance that their loved ones are in good hands.

Ensures a higher quality of life

Older adults that feel more relaxed knowing that they don’t have to handle everyday challenges all by themselves tend to enjoy a higher quality of life. Whether dealing with a short-term recovery from surgery or battling a long-term illness, hiring you to assist their aging loved ones also allows families to rest easier. While serving as an extended family in the home, your efforts almost immediately make a difference in the lives of others— including your own!

Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of others by serving as a professional in-home caregiver, we invite you to join our winning team. Due to our expanding client load, 1776 Senior Care is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill several exciting caregiving positions. While proudly serving communities in Glen Ellyn and Geneva, we support clients and their families with services that include personal care, respite care, private duty care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more.

As a high-value member of the 1776 Senior Care team of caregivers, you’ll enjoy a fast-paced, positive work environment where your input is valued and hard work rewarded. We also offer competitive pay, flexible scheduling, ongoing staff training, and career advancement opportunities galore. No matter your experience level or education, we’d love to hear from you! To learn more about our open positions, please visit us today at 1776seniorcare.com.

According to a study by AARP, eleven percent of family caregivers live an hour or more away from their aging loved one. In addition to having the same concerns and pressures that local family caregivers face, long-distance caregivers spend approximately $12,000 per ng for a family member, nearly twice that of people caring for a loved one who lives close by. How can you best manage a senior’s care from a long long-distance Here are five tips to help you manage your loved one’s care when you live too far away.

Focus on what you can do to help, not what you can’t

No matter how far away they may be, there are things you can do to help your aging loved one from a distance. Takeprofitantage of your strengths and help by doing the things you do best.

For example, if you’re good with money, help them manage their finances. Have them add you to their bank and investment accounts so you can help manage their finances online by making sure all of their bills are getting paid and that they’re not a victim of elder financial abuse.

If an organization is a strength of yours, coordinate medical care, organize important documents like medical records and legal documents, and find local resources for needs they may have, such as transportation or meal delivery.

Plan visits

Your loved one needs to see you from time to time as much as you need to see them. If they have a primary caregiver, coordinate the timing of your visit with them to provide respite care and give them a chance to take a break.

Enjoy your time with your loved one and join them in their hobbies, take them out for a meal to their favorite spot, or enjoy reading and movies at home together.

Have an emergency plan

Have a plan in place if your senior has an accident or other emergency so you can get there on short notice. Have a support network set up to help out when you’re gone with child care, pets, or your job. Also, have a “go bag” packed with essential clothing and toiletries, so you don’t have to worry about what to bring if you need to get there quickly.

Stay connected

Many seniors are comfortable with technology and use smartphones and pads every day. Though it’s not the same as being there, stay connected with them via voice calls, video calls, and email.

Also, schedule telehealth calls with their doctors and other specialists who provide them with healthcare services. Speak regularly with their primary caregiver and stay informed about how your loved one is feeling and if any changes are happening physically or cognitively.

Recognize when home care is needed

Are you noticing changes in your loved one’s behavior This can be a sign of an underlying health condition or that they’re not taking their medication as directed. Other signs they need assistance are when they’re not properly caring for themselves (bathing, eating, cleaning, etc.) or no longer socializing regularly.

Senior Home Care You Can Trust

1776 Senior Care aims to provide families peace of mind by letting them know their loved one’s needs and how they’re being met. Compassionate caregivers are carefully screened and trained to deliver all of the services your loved one needs. Contact us today at /.

According to figures compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, over 3.4 million professional caregivers are currently employed in the home care industry. Although it’s a joyful and rewarding career, caregiving can be a complicated job that’s exhausting and frustrating. No paid caregiver breezes through the journey without feeling some degree of negativity and hopelessness creeping in. As a professional caregiver serving on the front lines, here are ten secrets to staying positive even on the worst of days.

10 Secrets to Being a Happy and Successful Professional Caregiver

Focus on the Good Things in Life

To keep negative thoughts at bay, try making a list each day of things that are going well in your life. When problems present, look for small bright spots in your life, like a warm, sunny day, binge-watching your favorite TV shows, or taking a well-deserved nap.

Speak Kindly to Yourself

One of the keys to positive thinking is never saying anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Turning off the negative dialogue in your head can be a powerful tool to harness optimism. For example, instead of thinking, “This will never work,” you might say to yourself, “I’ll try again later a different way.”

Lean on Positive People

Surrounding yourself with positive friends, family, and coworkers is helpful when trying to stay upbeat. Like the average person, you spend the most time with a close support group of roughly five people. Stay connected with those individuals regularly, either in person or online. If needed, join a supportive online community of fellow caregivers.

Seek Happiness Through Healthy Habits

A healthy diet and exercise program can go a long way in improving mood and overall wellness to counteract the rigors of caregiving. Regular exercise and good nutrition lower stress, increase energy and foster good sleep habits. Be sure to avoid unhealthy habits like smoking, overeating, and drinking alcohol to excess.

Take Time for Yourself

Whether it’s a quick walk around the block or meeting a friend for lunch, taking a break from caregiving duties to focus on self-care is essential for your health and wellbeing. Staying recharged and refreshed is also a reliable way to ensure that you continue to provide your client with the care they deserve.

Laugh More

You’ve probably heard that “Laughter is the best medicine.” Not only does laughter make you feel good, but its positive effects stay with you long after the chuckling subsides. Research has shown that regular laughter lowers stress hormones, relaxes tense muscles, improves mood, and eases anxiety.

Keep It Simple

Sometimes, only doing what immediately needs to be done, like dishes, laundry, and meals, can make the days less daunting. Don’t set unrealistic caregiving goals for yourself. Instead, keep it simple by picking one or two essential tasks to accomplish and then focusing on those.

Embrace Your Spiritual Side

The benefits of spirituality include improved mood and even physical health and longevity.

Experts recommend setting aside focused time each day for spiritual activities, including sharing prayers with loved ones, singing, or listening to spiritual music.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Sometimes, life gets so busy that we can easily forget about all the good things. The best way to remind yourself of the positives each day is by writing down in a gratitude journal five things you are thankful for, like family and friends.

Remember that You Are Only Human

As a senior caregiver, no matter how hard you try, in most instances, your client’s condition is eventually going to grow worse. That’s not a reflection on you. Instead, learn to let go of the guilt and give yourself grace. Remember to show up on time every day with a positive attitude and firm commitment to make a difference in the lives of those you serve!

Looking to Become a Professional Caregiver Join Our Winning Home Care Team Today!

Another secret that happy caregivers share is being part of a winning home care team. Due to our expanding client load, 1776 Senior Care is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill several caregiving positions. While proudly serving communities in Glen Ellyn and Geneva, IL we support clients and their families with services that include personal care, respite care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more.

We offer our employees a fast-paced, positive work environment where input is valued and hard work rewarded. Whether you’re an aide, nurse, therapist, social worker, or another type of healthcare professional, we’d love to hear from you! To learn more about career opportunities with 1776 Senior Care, please visit us today at 1776seniorcare.com.

Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise benefits people of all ages, including those 65-and-over. Sadly, millions of aging in place elderly Americans don’t exercise like they should, which eventually harms their health and wellbeing. On the other hand, seniors who follow a good exercise routine typically enjoy longer, healthier, and happier lives. If you are presently looking after an aging-in-place senior loved one, here are some specific reasons why encouraging them to have a good exercise routine is so important. 

How Regular Exercise Benefits Seniors

The aging process can be hard on our bodies, whether it’s a lack of energy, poor balance, and coordination, or the onset of arthritis. And although there’s no proven way to completely stop the effects of aging from occurring, exercising regularly can certainly make them much more tolerable. With that said, here are several ways that a good exercise routine benefits seniors:

Helps Prevent Falls

One-in-three at-home seniors experience a serious fall every year, and oftentimes poor balance and coordination are contributing factors. Most low-impact forms of exercise improve an older person’s balance and coordination, thereby reducing their likelihood to fall.

Sharpens Mental Acuity

One of the biggest fears for seniors is being diagnosed with dementia, and studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle is an important risk factor for developing cognitive impairment. On the other hand, researchers have found that regular exercise helps sharpen a senior’s mental acuity and concentration, both of which help protect them against dementia.

Increases Bone Strength

Elderly people commonly get osteoporosis and broken bones. However, weight-bearing exercises like walking or Yoga help increase bone strength which reduces the likelihood of developing osteoporosis and experiencing a bone fracture.

Lowers Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Exercise raises a participant’s heart rate, which helps protect them from cardiovascular disease. Studies have also found that following a good exercise routine also helps normalize a senior’s blood pressure and blood sugar, which also lowers their risk of having a stroke.

Reduces Stress

Many seniors feel stressed out, and exercise stimulates the release of “feel good” hormones known as endorphins that act as natural stress relievers. In addition to feeling happier and more satisfied, endorphins also help a senior get a better night’s sleep.

Improves Flexibility

As our bodies age, joint flexibility diminishes. That can make even the most simple activities, like driving a car or getting dressed, very unpleasant at times. Stretching and working out regularly improves flexibility and helps promote a more active lifestyle.

Boosts Immunity

The older a person gets, the harder it is for their body to fight off illnesses like the flu or a UTI. But participating in regular exercise has been shown to boost a senior’s immune system, which helps protect their bodies against pesky microbes.

Promotes Social Interaction

Joining a local senior-focused fitness center is a great way to make new friends and ward off feelings of loneliness and depression that can result from social isolation.

Longevity

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), leading a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main causes of death and disability. On the other hand, the WHO points out that exercising regularly can increase a person’s lifespan by up to 5 years.

Healthy Exercises for Older Adults

High-impact forms of exercise like powerlifting or running are generally not recommended for older adults. But there are several fun, lower-impact ways for them to get regular exercise, such as:

• Walking
• Water or chair aerobics
• Yoga or Tai Chi
• Certain forms of dancing
• Bouncing on an exercise ball or mini trampoline
• Working out with resistance bands, or hand and ankle weights

Our In-Home Caregivers Love Helping Seniors Exercise

Ensuring that an aging-in-place senior loved one gets enough exercise can be hard when you’re busy or live far away. When you need a hand, call 1776 Senior Care. As a fully licensed and insured home care agency, our highly trained caregivers love helping seniors exercise so they can continue aging comfortably in place right where they want to be. While serving as an extended family in your loved one’s home, our carefully screened aides can also perform duties including light housework, personal hygiene, meals, medication reminders, and transportation.

And, all our reliable in-home amenities can be personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! To learn why 1776 Senior Care is quickly becoming the preferred home care choice for Glen Ellyn and Geneva area families, or to schedule a FREE, in-home care assessment for a senior today, please visit us at: 1776seniorcare.com.

More than 3.4 million home care workers across the U.S. provide personal assistance and health care support to older adults and others with disabilities in-home and community-based settings. The home care workforce has grown significantly as the delivery of long-term services and support has markedly shifted from institutional settings like hospitals and nursing homes to private homes and assisted living communities. If you are considering a career in-home care, these ten fun facts will help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Provides Instant Gratification

When you choose to start a career in the healthcare field, you’ll feel instant gratification knowing that you’re making a difference in the lives of those you serve. As an in-home caregiver, you’ll develop personal relationships with your clients and experience a sense of accomplishment that can only come with knowing that you are enhancing another human being’s quality of life.

No Advanced Degree Required

More than half of all current home care workers have completed no formal education beyond high school. Those employed in the home care industry come from various ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Their level of education ranges from a high school diploma or less to postgraduate college degrees.

Promotes a Healthy Work/Life Balance

As a professional caregiver, you’ll be able to work as much or as little as you’d like. This makes for a great career for any person at any stage of life, especially for those with young children. Whether you’re in the middle of pursuing a higher degree or raising a family, a career as a home caregiver offers many rewards and opportunities, including a healthy work/life balance.

You’ll Assist Clients of All Ages

Contrary to what you might think, not everyone who receives home healthcare is older. Your clients could be infants, children, or young adults who experience injuries, have a chronic health condition, or depend on high-tech medical equipment for respiration or nutrition. They all have in common that they rely on in-home caregivers just like you for support.

Facilitates Independent Living

When an individual doesn’t have any reliable family caregivers to look after them, moving into a care facility is a distinct possibility. As an in-home caregiver, your efforts will allow them to live comfortably and independently in their own home. Older adults who remain independent tend to enjoy happier, healthier, and even longer lives than those who don’t.

Fosters Personal Growth

As an elder caregiver, personal development is also a priority. A career in the healthcare field will allow you to grow personally and professionally. Through a supportive and nurturing environment, there are many different options each home caregiver will experience, allowing them to choose a specific path for career advancement.

Encourages Career Enrichment

Being an in-home caregiver will also open new doors that allow you to specialize your skills. You can focus on adult care or pediatrics through home care while building a career working within a specialty you enjoy. Whether you love assisting new parents bringing their infant home for the first time or an aging adult with complex medical needs, becoming a home caregiver puts you on the right career path to success.

It’s Recession Proof

According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in all healthcare occupations should grow 15 percent over the next decade. Even during an economic recession, the demand for qualified home caregivers will only continue to rise. That means that you will be able to take advantage of a robust market for home health jobs for many years to come.

Job Satisfaction is Virtually Guaranteed

While serving in a client’s home, you’ll feel a deep sense of job satisfaction and fulfillment. Although many jobs offer comparable pay and benefits, few are as emotionally rewarding as in-home caregiving. As a caregiver, you’ll have the opportunity to provide meaningful work that benefits clients, families, and entire communities!

Join the 1776 Senior Care Family in Glen Ellyn and Geneva Today!

Home care can be a highly gratifying job when you’re part of the right team. At 1776 Senior Care, we offer steady hours, flexible scheduling, a family culture, training and growth, and competitive pay. While working in a recession-proof industry, you’ll enjoy career-enrichment opportunities that you’d never dreamed of, surrounded by like-minded, caring individuals who are equally passionate about what they do.

While proudly serving communities in Glen Ellyn and Geneva, we support clients and their families with services that include personal care, respite care, private duty care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more. What are you waiting for To learn more about 1776 Senior Care please visit 1776seniorcare.com!

Millions of elderly Americans are targeted by financial scam artists every year, and in many cases, it’s their own family members who are involved. Tactics that family fraudsters use include threats, intimidation, and withholding essential caregiving services, while non-related financial scammers oftentimes resort to email, fake charity, or door-to-door, pay-for-service scams. If you’re currently caring for aging in place senior, protecting them from financial scams is probably a priority. Thankfully, doing so is possible when taking these steps.

Is Your Loved One Being Targeted?

Financial scams come in many shapes, sizes, and forms, so it’s important for you as a caregiver to recognize the classic signs. While in your elderly loved one’s home be watchful for:

• Stacks of unopened mail are lying around with unused magazine subscription bills, sweepstakes notifications, boxes containing “free” gifts, and other suspicious solicitations
• Important monthly bills aren’t getting paid, like medical bills, utilities, and rent even though you know that your loved one has enough money
• A new caregiver, notably a family member, is trying to block your access to them
• There’s a lack of food, toiletries, or other essential items in the household
• They are suddenly acting confused, afraid, or look uncharacteristically unkempt
• There are unusual withdrawals from their bank account, new names have been added to their account, or there are signs of frequent ATM or credit card use.

Once your loved one has been targeted by a financial scammer unless something changes it won’t take long for their nest egg to disappear. Now it’s time to look at ways to keep them protected against this common form of elder abuse.

Keeping Financial Scammers at Bay

The National Council on Aging (NCOA; www.ncoa.org) has some great advice on how to keep financial scammers from targeting seniors:

Monitor their bank transactions

With your loved one’s permission, obtain online access to their bank accounts as a custodian so that you can conveniently monitor transactions.

Add them to the “Do Not Call” list

Doing so should block most phone scams and artists.

Analyze their credit report

Using an online source like www.annualcreditreport.com, review their credit report every 6 months for suspicious activities.

Discuss any unsolicited offers first

Ask your loved one to avoid speaking with strangers who are offering products or services in exchange for upfront money, including in-home caregivers, until they’ve contacted you first.

Enroll them in direct deposit

Most seniors get monthly Social Security and pension checks, so encourage yours to enroll in direct deposit to keep mailed checks from ending up in the wrong hands.

Read all contracts first

If your loved one needs some work done around their home, ask them to read over all contracts or major purchasing agreements first before they sign on the dotted line. Sell the idea by telling them you were scammed recently, and that you don’t want it to happen to them.

Shred any non-essential personal documents

Help your seniors go through their old personal documents, like tax returns or credit card statements, and shred any non-essential ones that contain their Social Security or account numbers.

Assign a durable power-of-attorney (POA)

Whether it’s you or another trustworthy individual, it’s a good idea for all elderly persons to have a POA in the event they become incapacitated.

If they’ve been compromised

If it appears that your loved one’s personal or banking information was compromised, contact a legal advisor or Adult Protective Services. In addition, notify their bank and credit card company, reset their PINs and cancel all potentially vulnerable debit and credit cards.

We Help Protect At-Home Seniors Against Financial Scams

Protecting an aging-in-place elderly loved one against financial scams can be challenging when you are busy or live far away. When you need an extra set of eyes and ears, contact 1776 Senior Care. As a fully licensed and insured home care agency, our fully screened caregivers know how to spot financial scammers while serving as another line of defense that protects your loved one when you’re not there.

While in the home, our highly trained aides can also help your senior with bathing, light housekeeping, dressing, meals, food shopping, medication reminders, transportation, and companionship. And, all our family-trusted in-home services can be individually combined within an affordable package that’ll restore your peace of mind! To learn more about 1776 Senior Care, or to schedule a FREE, in-home care consultation for a senior in the Glen Ellyn or Geneva area, please visit us now at: 1776seniorcare.com.

Home care is an integral part of the U.S. healthcare system projected to grow more than 30% in the next ten years. The demand for home health and personal care aides will only continue to rise as more and more Baby Boomers reach retirement age. In addition to being recession-proof, a career in caregiving may provide you with benefits that include personal growth and development, job satisfaction, and flexibility. What does it take to be a good caregiver Read on to learn more about the top qualities that professional caregivers should have. 

Patience

Taking care of a client’s most personal needs can get frustrating, while a condition like dementia may cause agitation or significant memory loss. A good caregiver is someone who practices patience in all types of situations by learning how to manage their emotions.

Responsible

A responsible caregiver is a mindful, conscientious person who truly cares about their clients, someone who can step in and respond to specific needs without always being asked. Responsibility also involves dedication to company requirements like being on time and attending employee training.

Professionalism

A good caregiver takes pride in what they do while having a clean and neat appearance, acting with respect, and using language that isn’t inappropriate or offensive. Another aspect of being professional is setting boundaries so that clients don’t get too emotionally attached and view you as a family member rather than a personal assistant.

Integrity

Integrity means being honest. Sadly, there are plenty of stories about dishonest in-home caregivers who took advantage of older clients. Some are even guilty of elder abuse. No matter how good a caregiver is, they must have integrity.

Empathy and Compassion

Empathy is the human emotion of understanding and sharing another person’s feelings. An aging client’s life experiences may be quite different than those of their caregiver. A compassionate caregiver can empathize with feelings like loss of independence, function, and friends while building a trusting relationship with their client.

Assertive

Good caregivers also advocate strongly for those in their care. They aren’t afraid to ask questions, for example, while accompanying a client to their doctor’s appointment to ensure their client gets the best care possible.

Optimism

A sense of optimism is the belief that the glass is half full. While the expression of optimism might differ with each caregiver, it should be an underlying emotion of positivity. This is notably important in a situation where the client relies heavily on the caregiver. In general, optimism is a necessary caregiver quality to encourage a better mood and improve functioning.

Flexibility

Every caregiver brings a unique set of skills to the table. An exceptional caregiver possesses a flexible mindset and can quickly respond to a different set of client needs even within a single day. When a client provides feedback to their caregiver, they need to hear what is being said and adapt accordingly to ensure a higher quality of life.

Detail-Oriented

Successful caregivers are also good managers of their time. They create and stick to tight schedules, plan well for emergencies, and organize responsibilities beforehand so they don’t have to scramble at the last minute. Being detail-oriented is notably important when caring for a client with memory loss or a terminal illness.

Cooperative

A good caregiver is someone who functions well while serving as part of a caregiving team. While communicating what they’ve learned with fellow members, they may be asked to coordinate care with professionals that include doctors, home health nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and others.

Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of others by serving as a professional in-home caregiver, we invite you to join our winning team. Due to our expanding client load, 1776 Senior Care is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill several exciting caregiving positions. While proudly serving communities in Glen Ellyn and Geneva, we support clients and their families with services that include personal care, respite care, private duty care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more.

As a highly valued member of the 1776 Senior Care team, you’ll enjoy a fast-paced, positive work environment where your input is valued and hard work rewarded. We also offer competitive pay, flexible scheduling, ongoing staff training, and career advancement opportunities galore. No matter your experience level or education, we’d love to hear from you! To learn more about our open positions, please visit us today at 1776seniorcare.com.

One of the biggest fears for that aged 65-and-over is tripping and falling. In fact, one-in-four older Americans trip and fall every year, and falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in the elderly population. Hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries are common, and countless seniors end up spending at least some time in a nursing home while recovering from fall-related injuries. If you’re currently caring for an aging-in-place loved one, helping them avoid a trip and fall will go more smoothly when using these prevention tips. 

Why Are Seniors More Fall-Prone?

Older individuals are more likely to trip and fall because of:

• Poor balance, coordination, and joint flexibility
• Vision problems
• Medications that cause dizziness
• Trip hazards in their home
• Diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s
• Weakened muscles and bones
• Chronic health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease

A fear of falling can also keep a senior from being active which can then diminish their quality of life. Fortunately, most falls are preventable when you take these steps.

Keeping Your Loved One Safer

Here are some reliable ways to keep an older loved one safer:

Discuss Your Observations

If you’ve noticed that your loved one lacks confidence when getting around, for example, they grab onto objects to steady themselves, sit down and discuss your observations with them. Ask if they are afraid of falling, and then gently reassure them that you’re there to help.

Have Their Balance Tested

Take them to a doctor or physical therapist for some balance and coordination testing. If they fail the test discuss with their doctor what could be causing the problem, including medications, and what lifestyle adjustments can be made. It might also be time for your loved one to start using a cane or walker to keep them safer.

Get Their Vision Checked

As a person’s eyes age, their ability to see trip and fall hazards gets harder. Get your senior’s eyesight checked, as a new set of prescription lenses may be “just what the doctor ordered” to help them avoid dangerous obstacles. If they already wear glasses with tint-changing lenses, ask them to wait until they turn clear again when going from sunlight into a darker building. And, keep in mind that bifocal lenses can be problematic when negotiating stairs.

Encourage Exercise

If they’re still mobile, encourage your loved one to exercise regularly. Participating in low-impact activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, water aerobics or walking will help strengthen their bones and muscles, improve joint flexibility, and boost self-confidence; all of which will lower their risk of experiencing a trip and fall.

Conduct a Home Safety Assessment

Walk around your senior’s home while eliminating any trip hazards like slippery throw rugs and furniture. Other things to look for during your home safety assessment include:

Lighting

Increase lighting throughout the home wherever necessary, and especially above stairways. Make sure their bedroom and hallway are well lit so they can see if they get up during the night.

Stairs

In addition to adding more illumination above the stairs, place some fluorescent tape on the steps and make sure there are secure handrails on both sides.

Bathroom

The bathroom is where most falls occur. Make your loved ones safer by installing grab bars near the toilet and in the tub/shower. For added security, install a walk-in shower or get them a shower chair and hand-held shower wand.

Pets

If there’s a dog or cat in the home, make sure that its supplies and bed are out of the way. If the pet likes to lay in a foot traffic area, ask your loved one to safely secure them in another room before heading to bed.

We’re Another Layer of Protection in Your Senior’s Home

Preventing trips and falls in your aging loved one’s home can be hard when you can’t always be there. As a fully licensed and insured agency, a 1776 Senior Care caregiver can serve as another layer of protection in your senior’s home so they can keep on aging safely and comfortably in place right where they want to be. In addition to fall prevention, while in the home our highly trained and carefully screened aides can also perform duties like light housework, personal hygiene, meals, medication reminders, transportation, and companionship.

And, all our family-trusted home care services can be individually combined into an affordable package that will restore your peace of mind! For more information about 1776 Senior Care, or to schedule a FREE, in-home assessment for your senior, please visit us now at: 1776seniorcare.com.

If you are thinking about becoming an in-home caregiver, you will be entering one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued growth for certified nursing assistants and personal care aides (no certification required) over the next several years. A rapidly aging population combined with a heightened desire to age in place has created the “perfect storm” for employment opportunities within home care. If becoming a professional caregiver interests you, this handy roadmap could be your pathway to success. 

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is someone who offers support to the aged or those with disabilities or special needs. Caregiving responsibilities may include companionship, daily care, homemaking, meals, personal care, and even medical assistance (home health care aide). These various caregiver demands require different training levels depending on your chosen role.

Caregivers Work in Different Settings

While serving in various capacities within the healthcare system, you may see paid caregivers working in private homes, rehab facilities, assisted living communities, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals.

The reasons why someone would want to become a caregiver are as varied as the individuals themselves. Since the job market is robust for caregivers, finding the right job in the community you want should be relatively easy once you are ready.

Qualities of a Good Caregiver

Becoming a professional caregiver requires specific skills, passion, and a commitment to serving clients on good days and bad.

In general, qualities of a good caregiver include:

• Compassion
• Empathy
• Flexibility
• Time management
• Focus
• Patience
• Assertiveness
• Communication skills

Caregivers must also be physically fit and in good health because of all the client lifting and transporting that they may be asked to do.

How to Get Started as a Caregiver

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, a career in-home care may be your true calling. Here’s how to get started in five easy steps:

Clarify your motivations

Revisit your motivation for wanting to be a professional caregiver while anticipating any challenges you might have once you get started with your first client. Be honest with yourself about whether you possess the traits and interests necessary to perform the essential job duties day after day while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Do your research

Speaking to other professionals in the caregiving industry will provide you with different perspectives about the occupation. During this information-gathering phase, be sure to research working hours, pay, education requirements, personal development opportunities, and other essential considerations.

Attend caregiver-related events

Industry-related groups and organizations offer seminars, classes, and the chance to interact with others who share the same passion for helping others. Participating in these professional events will allow you to learn more about the job, ultimately ensuring that you will be able to stay in caregiving for the long haul.

Know the educational requirements

More than half of all current home care workers have completed no formal education beyond high school. The level of education for caregivers ranges from a high school diploma to postgraduate college degrees. Any Medicare or Medicaid-certified agency will ask for proof that you’ve met their minimum educational requirements.

Investigate the salaries

According to Payscale.com, the median hourly pay for an in-home caregiver in the U.S. is $12.11. Depending on factors that might include where you live, job openings, special skills, and level of experience, your salary could range anywhere between $9.31 and $16.54 per hour.

Where to Find Caregiving Jobs

Caregiver jobs are posted through online sources like Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com, and LinkedIn, giving you a wide range of options when it’s time to launch your career. Using the above tips as a reference should make getting started less stressful and more rewarding as your exciting caregiving journey plays out!

Your Exciting Home Care Career Opportunity Awaits!

If you are ready to pursue an exciting career as an in-home caregiver, we’d love to hear from you. Due to our expanding client load, 1776 Senior Care is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill several caregiving positions. While proudly serving communities in Glen Ellyn and Geneva, we support clients and their families with services that include personal care, respite care, private duty care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more.

We offer our employees a fast-paced, positive work environment where input is valued and hard work rewarded. Whether you’re an aide, nurse, therapist, social worker, or another type of healthcare professional, we’d love to hear from you! To learn more about career opportunities with 1776 Senior Care, please visit us today at 1776seniorcare.com.