Caregivers and companions enable older adults to live comfortably in their homes while receiving the support they need to remain safe, healthy and happy. These roles have different benefits depending on an older adult’s physical and emotional needs.
What Does a Caregiver Do?
A caregiver, also called a personal care assistant, offers qualified personal care. They help older adults with physical needs such as bathing, toileting, dressing, positioning, walking and eating. They can also provide minor medical care.
What Does a Companion Do?
A companion caregiver helps older adults who need nonmedical assistance with aspects of daily living. Their primary purpose is to support mental health by providing socialization and companionship.
A few ways a companion caregiver may support an older adult include:
Playing games or doing activities together
Planning, preparing and cleaning up meals
Performing light housekeeping
Helping with laundry
Running errands with or for an older adult
Providing transportation
Companion Care vs. Caregiver Requirements
A main difference between companions and caregivers is the type of requirements associated with these careers. Because caregivers and companions offer different kinds of services and assistance, they have different training requirements to ensure they are prepared to provide the best support to their clients.
What Kind of Training Is Required for a Traditional Caregiver vs. a Companion Caregiver?
A traditional caregiver must complete extensive training to provide the physical assistance an older adult may need. They should be licensed and certified to handle physical and minor medical needs.
While companion care has no specific or formal training requirements, companions must be dedicated and compassionate individuals who are able to meet the mental and emotional needs of their clients. A good candidate for a companion is someone who is patient, kind, positive and respectful. They should be able to make their clients feel comfortable to help alleviate any feelings of loneliness and enhance overall well-being.
How Corewood Care Can Help
At Corewood Care, we understand that every individual has unique needs. That’s why we develop personalized care plans that suit each client’s situation. Our at-home care providers work closely with clients to ensure their safety and comfort as they live independently and age in place.
We believe every individual deserves to receive respect and quality care, which is why we are selective and attentive in our hiring process. We hire only the best caregivers and companions to ensure the highest level of care for the older adult in your life. Our caregivers and companions come with various training backgrounds, enabling us to match the right care professional to your family.
Schedule a Free Assessment Today
When an older adult in your life requires dedicated, compassionate care, you can trust Corewood Care to provide the services you need. Schedule a free assessment today to discover which type of care is right for your family. We are happy to provide more information about our companion care services and how we can support you in supporting the older adult in your life.
Recovery after surgery is a slow and sensitive process for older adults. The surgery itself is already nerve-wracking, as the risk of complications is higher for older adults. Couple that with a longer and often more intensive recovery process, and it’s easy to see why older adults need physical and emotional support during and after surgery.
From helping with medications and ensuring the home is conducive to their needs to transporting them to physical therapy appointments and checkups, there are many ways you can care for older adults following surgery.
Returning Home From the Hospital
Returning home from the hospital is undoubtedly exciting. However, it can also be overwhelming for older adults, especially if their mobility has been affected or they have many medications to keep track of. To help make their transition easier, follow these steps to welcome them home:
Take time off: If you have the flexibility, you may want to schedule some days off following their surgery. If you cannot take more than a few days off, you may want to enlist the help of a professional caregiver.
Make their home more comfortable: We’ll cover this more below, but before they arrive home, clear the floor of tripping hazards and ensure there’s enough room between furniture for your family member to move comfortably.
Set up activities: Think of some hobbies for your family member as they recover. You can set them up for success with board games, books, movies, puzzles, mobile games, magazines or sewing to keep them occupied and content.
Clean up: Nothing says “welcome home” like a clean house. Before your family member comes home, make sure things are clean and shiny. However, remember that you might want to avoid reorganizing — they could get frustrated when something is not in its usual place.
Take them through the changes: Give your friend or family member a tour of the changes to their home to decrease any feelings of stress.
Supporting older adults after surgery can be both satisfying and overwhelming. Prepare ahead of time, ask their nurses and doctors for any advice, and you’ll enjoy a smooth and informative transition.
Making Their Home More Comfortable
There are many ways to make a home more recovery-friendly and safer for everyone. Think of all the rooms your older adult will visit in the house and how these can be made more comfortable. Here are some ideas:
Remove unnecessarily obstructive and unsafe furniture, or move it so that it doesn’t block traffic.
If your friend or family member lives in a two-story home and cannot navigate stairs after surgery, move their bedroom furniture to the first floor.
Consider purchasing helpful items like nonslip bathmats.
Ensure the home and your family member’s room have enough lighting to make things easier to see.
Make sure medications, water, food, plates and silverware are within reach.
Set your family member up in a room with its own bathroom, and ensure adequate hygiene tools for incontinence episodes.
Stock up on healthy foods with lots of vitamins, like fruits and vegetables.
Before they come home — or perhaps before their surgery — you can also ask your friend or family member how they want their house set up. For example, they may want their slippery wood floors to be covered with rugs.
Showing Support by Staying Positive
When we use positivity correctly, it can have powerful effects on our psyche and mood. Though this may be challenging when your friend or family member is in pain or frustrated, seeing the best in every situation always helps.
Focus on the progress they make. Be their biggest cheerleader when they experience small wins. Invite family members to liven things up. Encourage peaceful time alone for them to engage in hobbies. And always make sure they know they have people rooting for them.
Changing up the scenery can also make a difference in mindset. If possible, take a walk in the fresh air or set up chairs for stargazing or cloud-watching. You can also take your family member with you on errands. Keeping them involved and active is healthy and stimulating.
If you’re having trouble staying positive, it might be beneficial to share caregiving responsibilities with another person. Finding a professional caregiver can take some of the weight off our shoulders while ensuring your family member is being cared for properly.
Helping With Daily Activities
The surgery recovery process is physically, mentally and emotionally tough. Helping an older parent after surgery means assisting with daily activities like eating, walking, dressing or bathing. Here are some ways you can help them navigate day-to-day recovery:
Help them get to appointments: Older adults will likely have follow-up appointments after surgery. Help transport them to these appointments and take notes to remember all of the information.
Encourage movement: While it may be tempting for them to stay still, especially if they’re recovering from knee or hip surgery, it’s not necessarily healthy. Work with their physical therapist or doctor to find ways to incorporate movement or exercises into the day, gradually increasing frequency and difficulty as appropriate.
Grab things for them: What’s not heavy to you might be too heavy for an older adult as they recover from surgery. If something is too high or too heavy, you can step in. However, try not to step in when they don’t need help, as this can frustrate them.
Keep track of medications and appointments: Help your friend or family member keep track of their appointments and medications so that they stay on track with recovery. It’s wise to write everything down in a planner or notebook.
Being Mindful of Hospital Delirium
Hospital delirium affects around one-third of patients over 70, especially those who have undergone surgery. Symptoms of hospital delirium can include confusion, difficulty understanding speech, agitation, jumbled memory, hallucinations or disorientation. If your friend or family member experiences delirium after surgery, remain patient and supportive. Make sure they stay hydrated and get adequate sleep, and help orient them to their surroundings by introducing familiar personal items like stuffed animals or photographs.
Keep your family member’s doctor updated on delirium episodes, as well. They can further advise you on what to do and how to support your family member.
Receive Support From a Corewood Care Caregiver
Supporting an older adult after surgery can be a daunting task, and it’s perfectly OK to feel like you’re out of your depth. Getting help from a professional may be the best thing that you can do for your situation. The expert caregivers at Corewood Care can provide hospital-to-home transitional care services, as well as assistance before and after surgery. Contact us online to find the best care option for your friend or family member recovering from surgery.
Dementia is different for everyone, but all individuals with it deserve compassionate and kind care to help them through each day. Due to the differences individuals with dementia can experience, their care plans are also highly personalized. While care is essential, understanding what you’re paying for is also crucial so you can provide professional help to your beloved family member.
At Corewood Care, we understand the financial worries and challenges of finding dementia care for your family member. We break down how much dementia care costs and the payment options for it.
Treatments for Dementia and Alzheimer’s
The cost of dementia care differs based on the type of treatment your relative is receiving. Common types of dementia care include:
In-home care
Live-in care
Assisted living facilities
Adult daycare
Respite care
Paying for Dementia Care
In addition to the type of care your relative receives, some other cost considerations include:
If medical treatment and equipment are necessary
Medication distribution
Hours of service needed, such as half a day or 24/7 care
Non-medical caregivers for in-home care are often paid hourly, averaging around $28.64 in 2022. Assuming you need assistance with caring for your family member with dementia for about 40 hours a week instead of around the clock, the price of care would be about $1,145 per week. As always, the specific agency or organization you’re working with will have their own pricing requirements based on their services and location.
Your payments also differ based on how the facility or agency bills their services. Many in-home care services provided by caregivers are by the hour. You must also consider if insurance will cover some of the expenses before you get the complete picture of how much dementia and Alzheimer’s care costs.
What Does Insurance Cover for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care?
Various insurance and government plans can cover some, if not all, of the costs of dementia care. Each program and what it covers vary based on the policies the individual has in place. For example, long-term insurance, Medicare and Medicaid cover some aspects of in-home dementia care, but all have their caveats.
Long-term insurance: Individuals can receive coverage for their dementia if they already have long-term care insurance before diagnosis. Long-term care often covers licensed home care and assisted living. Medicare: Medicare only covers some components associated with Alzheimer’s care. It will pay up to 35 hours a week for individuals who are homebound and need home health services, but it may not necessarily cover assistance with daily activities. Medicaid: Medicaid covers in-home care for individuals with dementia if they would otherwise require nursing home care if they didn’t receive in-home care. When considering your payment options for dementia care, review the insurance plans and government programs your family member is a part of to try to get the most coverage possible.
Learn More About Corewood Care’s Dementia and Alzheimer’s Services
At Corewood Care, we understand all individuals require individualized care plans for their dementia. We provide comprehensive in-home dementia and Alzheimer’s care services to help individuals access the necessary care.
Learn more about our dementia and Alzheimer’s services by contacting our team today. We’ll help you navigate the options that may be best for your beloved family member.
Individuals receiving 24/7 home care have access to professional caregivers who provide their services to help these individuals with their daily living activities and other tasks related to their medical conditions. When your family member needs 24-hour care and you can no longer provide the level of care they need, an excellent solution is to get a professional caregiving agency involved.
While the services a company provides are worth it, you may feel intimidated when thinking about paying for them. We break down the cost of 24/7 care services and the payment options you’ll have to ensure you can provide your family member with the assistance they need and deserve.
What Does 24-Hour Care Cost?
The cost of 24-hour care differs depending on the type of services your family member receives, such as live-in or regular 24/7 in-home care. It also depends on the individual agencies, what they factor into their costs and their location.
On average, the national rate for home health care professionals is $27 per hour, according to the Cost of Care Survey by Genworth Financial. For 24/7 services, the monthly cost would be around $19,600 per month. Though various factors go into the price of 24/7 home care, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars, regardless of your relative’s location.
How to Pay for 24-Hour Care Services
You have multiple options for paying for your family member’s home care service. Some choices include:
Personal resources: Use your parent’s retirement income, savings or part of your regular income to pay for the services.
Long-term care insurance: Some long-term care insurance plans may cover the costs of 24/7 home care, though your parent must have the insurance plan well before the care period starts. Ensure you know all the policies and requirements because the insurance may only cover part of the costs.
Veterans’ benefits: Individuals receiving care who are veterans may receive benefits that help cover the cost of 24/7 care. Eligible veterans could get financial assistance if they have Veterans Affairs (VA) health care.
Medicare: If your parent needs 24-hour care, Medicare will not pay for it. It only pays for part-time care services if your parent needs help with injury or illness treatment or assistance maintaining their health. Medicare usually won’t cover these services unless the client also gets skilled care services.
Medicaid: Various Medicaid programs may cover 24/7 in-home care services. The exact services they cover may differ by state. Additionally, some states may have Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers to let older adults receive in-home services and have them covered by Medicaid.
The organization you’re working with for 24/7 caregiving services may accept payments paid in full or split into a monthly payment plan.
Let Corewood Care Help You Find Appropriate Coverage
At Corewood Care, we do our best to provide your family member with the safest and most comfortable 24/7 home care possible. When you’re considering enlisting our 24-hour care services for your parent, we ensure you get a payment plan that works for your situation. Our caregivers will assist you in finding the most suitable plans while also helping you navigate the health care system. Learn more about your payment options when you complete our contact form and speak with a representative today.
Sometimes, you’ve done all you can for a family member, and it’s time to look for additional help to give them the care they need and deserve. When searching for a care plan that ensures your relative receives the best care possible, 24-hour in-home care may be the solution.
Twenty-four-hour in-home care provides individuals with the professional help they need while letting them stay in the comfort of their homes. Make an informed decision about the care your family member receives by learning what signs to look for when in-home care is an option and discovering how to get it for your relative.
Signs Your Relative Would Benefit From 24/7 Care
Older adults can benefit from additional support in their day-to-day lives. While some only require a little assistance, others may need more due to certain conditions they have or difficulties they experience in their daily lives. Some things that require a person to have 24-hour home care include:
Difficulties completing daily living activities
Declines in cognitive function
Frequent accidents or falls
Lack of mobility or decreased physical function
Additionally, a behavior change can indicate an individual may need 24/7 in-home care. Individuals who have become more aggressive toward themselves or others or have wandering issues would benefit from constant supervision. Also, an individual who suddenly starts isolating themself or neglecting their overall wellness would benefit from having around-the-clock care.
Common Conditions That Require 24/7 Home Care
While older adults with daily living difficulties can take advantage of 24-hour care, some specific conditions may make getting this care even more beneficial. Individuals with the following conditions may require 24/7 in-home care:
Dementia
Parkinson’s disease
Alzheimer’s
Physical disabilities
Mental health conditions
Post-surgery, -hospitalization or -rehab situations
Who Qualifies for 24/7 In-Home Care?
Adults over the age of 60 who live at home and have personal care or home management needs may qualify for 24/7 in-home care, depending on the severity of their situation. Often, individuals who require the service need it because they are incapable of caring for themselves or they can no longer complete multiple tasks. Having a professional caregiver provides much-appreciated help and assurance for your family member.
You may wonder if your parent needs 24/7 home care. Besides your judgment and experience in helping your parent, the ultimate decision for care is based upon the expertise of your parent’s health care professionals, like their doctors. Their support and diagnosis will determine if your parent qualifies for 24/7 in-home care.
How to Get 24-Hour Care in the Home
When you decide 24/7 in-home care is the route to take to provide care for your relative, ensure you take the time to research and meet with different organizations to find programs that would work best for your parent or relative.
Corewood Care is committed to helping older adults age gracefully at home while getting the care they need. We provide comprehensive 24/7 in-home care services to make sure your family member receives solutions that keep them safe and comfortable.
We serve older adults throughout the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland.
Get Around-the-Clock In-Home Care for Your Relative With Corewood Care
Corewood Care ensures your family member gets a high level of care, safety and support in the comfort of their own home. Get started with our services when you contact us for an in-home care assessment. We’ll determine if your family member would benefit from our 24/7 in-home care services and proceed from there to provide help for your relative.
Many individuals struggle with chronic health conditions on a daily basis. While challenging, there are services available like chronic care management designed to help individuals better manage their conditions and overall health.
What Is Chronic Care Management?
Chronic care management (CCM) is a type of preventive measure for individuals who have chronic health conditions. It was originally started by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to benefit both patients and physicians.
This billable Medicare service ensures individuals have access to care coordination services outside of regular office visits. As a preventive service, chronic care management means it can also help prevent hospital or emergency room visits as well as reduce the chances of being readmitted after being released.
How Is CCM Different From Typical Care Management?
Both programs are designed to provide individuals with assistance and support. As its name suggests, chronic care management is designed specifically for individuals who have at least two chronic conditions. There are requirements regarding the length of time the condition is expected to last as well as how long the clinical time spent with the patient will be.
Through this program, providers will be able to record and note changes in the individual’s health. By keeping care plans and sharing patient health information with other providers, CCM helps manage changes in an individual’s health.
Typical care management can provide support to older adults who need ongoing assistance with managing their health and safety. These programs are especially beneficial during transitional periods, ranging from transitioning back home after a hospital stay or moving into a nursing home.
A client’s care manager essentially serves as their advocate, ensuring they have access to the specific services they need to live gracefully. While a typical care management program can include chronic care, it also includes a range of other services, such as:
Client education
Care research and planning
Care coordination
Medication management
Hospital-to-home transition care
Transportation to physician office visits
Memory care
What Conditions Qualify for Chronic Care Management?
Chronic conditions are diseases and disorders that are long-lasting, not easily cured and can potentially get worse over time. Alzheimer’s disease is a common chronic condition that affects many older adults.
With this disease, individuals could experience difficulty focusing, remembering and communicating. Symptoms range from mood swings to physical problems like general discomfort and poor coordination. Some may experience delusions and hallucinations, or they might have a tendency to wander. These symptoms can make it difficult for individuals — and their family members — to continue caring for them alone.
Along with Alzheimer’s disease, CCM can help individuals with many other types of chronic conditions who may struggle with basic activities of daily living (ADLs), including:
Autism spectrum disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Dementia
Depression
Heart failure
Hepatitis (Viral B & C)
HIV and AIDS
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Stroke
How to Know When CCM Is Right for Someone?
Chronic care management is provided outside of regular office visits to help individuals manage their health and follow their care plan.
To qualify for CCM, a person needs to have at least two chronic health conditions that will last for a minimum of 12 months or the rest of their life. The condition must place the patient at risk for functional decline, acute exacerbation or death.
To be eligible, individuals must also first have a face-to-face visit with a Medicare-qualified provider. This visit can be:
An annual wellness visit
A transitional care visit
An initial preventive physical exam
Another evaluation or management visit
After the initiating visit is complete, individuals must consent to the program, and then they will receive an individualized care plan. Clinical time spent with the patient can vary, but it must be a minimum of 20 minutes.
Find the Right Home Care for Seniors With Chronic Conditions
At Corewood Care, our aim is to improve the way care is managed. Older adults and their families throughout Washington, D.C., and Bethesda, Maryland, have access to our care management services as well as other types of home care and care coordination services.
Every client is unique, so we tailor our services to meet each person’s specific needs and goals. We specialize in an integrated care management and home care model, and our multidisciplinary team of professionals supports our clients and their families however they need us to. No matter what chronic condition individuals may be facing, our team is dedicated to improving health management by effectively cross-collaborating and mitigating potential health risks.
Want to learn more about our care management solutions and how we can help you thrive and live gracefully? Contact us today to schedule a free assessment.
Transitional care management focuses on helping individuals transition between health care settings. This management system aids in improving health outcomes and ensures clients receive consistent services.
At Corewood Care, we offer comprehensive transitional care management services for older adults to help our clients thrive and live gracefully. Schedule a free assessment to learn how our services can help an older adult obtain trustworthy support as they transition to a rehabilitation or home setting.
What Is Transitional Care?
Transitional care involves the management and coordination of health services as clients move between health care settings. Typically, clients undergo transitional health care services within 30 days of discharge from a medical facility. The goal of transitional health services is to help clients continue receiving a high level of attention and care to help prevent injury or a need for rehospitalization.
What Is Transitional Care Management?
Transitional care management is coordinating a client’s safe transition from one medical setting to another or to their homes. For transitional care management to be successful, providers, clients and families work together to ensure the transition is smooth while reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes.
What Sets Transitional Care Management Apart?
The main difference between transitional care management and care management and home health services is transitional services only focus on the period when a client moves from one facility to another or to their home. In contrast, care management and home health services focus on assisting individuals throughout their entire health journey.
Care management refers to a collection of services and activities to help clients with chronic or complex conditions effectively manage their health. While the main goal of health management is to help clients improve their health, it can also include smaller goals, such as improving how the providers coordinate service and enhancing engagement.
Conversely, home health services only focus on caring for a client at their home. With home health services, a client may have health care professionals visit them at their home to provide services.
While a care management plan or home health plan may include transitional management services, it is not the main focus, making it essential to have transitional care management services in place to ensure more complete care.
Is Transitional Care Management Ideal in the Long or Short Term?
Transitional care management is a temporary solution and typically ends after the client reaches 30 days after discharge. Since transitional care management aims to provide a seamless changeover, once a client reaches their 30 days, they are no longer in a transitional period and, therefore, no longer require transitional services.
Situations Where One Would Need Transitional Care Management
For a client to qualify for transitional care management services, they must undergo a discharge from a qualifying service setting such as a hospital and have a medical record that indicates they require additional support. Some specific situations where an older adult would need transitional management services are:
Transitions within medical settings, like from a primary provider to a specialty unit
Transitions between medical settings, like from a hospital to a rehabilitation center or a home
Transitions across health states, like moving from curative care to assisted living
Transitions between providers, like moving from a general practitioner to a specialist
Find the Care Your Older Adult Deserves With Corewood Care Today
Having an older adult come home from the hospital or transition to a rehabilitation setting can include many challenges, including a higher risk of falls and medication mismanagement. At Corewood Care, we want to help your older adult be successful during their transition period through our transitional care management services. Schedule a free assessment to learn how our services can benefit you and your older adult.
You became a caretaker out of love and duty to a family member, friend or relative. You want the best for them and will give everything to help them live comfortably. However, what happens when caretaking duties become overwhelming and interfere with your role as a parent, spouse or friend?
If you overexert yourself, you may not be able to provide optimal care. You can become stressed, frustrated and ultimately exhausted. The name for these feelings is caretaker fatigue. Understanding caretaker fatigue is vital for healthily managing your responsibilities and preventing burnout.
What Is Caretaker Fatigue?
Caretaker fatigue describes feeling physically and mentally exhausted due to caring for a family member or friend. Looking after someone can be a delicate and demanding task. They might require 24-hour support, including personal, home and medical care.
Without proper support, balance and boundaries, caretaking can feel overwhelming. You might feel overstretched and tired, leading to poor mental and physical health. While you can support and care for your friend or relative, you must also care for yourself. Here are some common causes of caretaker fatigue:
Taking on more than you can handle on your own
Feeling defeated or angry about not being able to provide suitable care
Focusing all your time and effort on caregiving and neglecting other priorities
Signs of Caretaker Fatigue
Caring for a parent, friend or relative can be an enormous responsibility. When caretaking becomes too much for you alone, it can impact your mood, actions, physical and emotional health, and eating and sleeping habits. Here are some common symptoms and signs of caretaker fatigue:
Anxiety
Anxiety leaves you feeling stressed or anxious about the day or tasks ahead. You might find it challenging to relax or enjoy other tasks after completing your caretaking duties. You could also feel worried about your family member or friend’s well-being when you’re not around.
Depression
The responsibility of caring for someone else can impact your mental and emotional health. Although caretaking can feel overly demanding, you may also feel guilty about setting boundaries. You might feel stuck between your caretaking duties and wanting time for yourself. This conflict can affect your mental and emotional well-being and lead to depression. Signs of depression can include:
Feeling constantly exhausted and sleeping more than usual.
Poor Eating Habits
Taking care of someone can be consuming. While caring for another person, you might skip meals or overeat regularly. Emotions and stress can impact your eating patterns, causing you to gain or lose weight.
Concentration Issues
Focusing on work, family, hobbies or watching TV can be challenging if you’re facing caretaker burnout. You might find it difficult to focus on your other responsibilities or follow through on daily tasks.
Mood Changes and Intrusive Thoughts
When dealing with caretaker burnout, your moods may change uncontrollably, and minor inconveniences can trigger frustrated or angry outbursts. You might feel down or discouraged one minute and irritable the next. You may also start resenting your relative or friend, leading to intrusive thoughts.
Weakened Immune System
Stress and burnout can affect your physical health and resistance to illnesses like the flu and the common cold. You might get ill often and find it challenging to recover.
Self-Neglect and Avoiding Socializing
Intense stress can cause you to stop doing things you enjoy, like going to the gym, reading or watching TV, because you’re fixating on your relative or friend’s needs. You might also neglect needs like grooming, attending doctor appointments, vacationing or going out with friends and could find yourself spending more time alone.
How to Prevent Caregiver Fatigue in Maryland
When you recognize the signs of fatigue, you can mitigate burnout. Here are some ways to prevent caretaker fatigue.
Prioritize Self-Care
Making time for yourself is vital for maintaining your mental and physical well-being. You can be more present and provide better care for someone when you feel energized, healthy and motivated. You might go for a walk, take a run or enjoy a gym session to improve your mood, or you can engage in other enjoyable activities. Whether you like reading, listening to music or meditating, prioritizing self-care outside your caretaking tasks is essential.
Write It Down
While voicing your feelings can be challenging, it can help you work through and understand your emotions. Journaling is an excellent way to release your feelings healthily. You can set a time to write down your feelings or emotions daily so they don’t become too overwhelming.
Take Breaks
Taking a break from your caretaking responsibilities is essential. Taking breaks can help you refocus and feel more ready for tasks ahead. For example, you can take lunchtime or weekends off. You can also arrange for another family member or friend to help while you take a holiday, or you can get help with respite or temporary care services.
Prioritize Nutrition and Healthy Eating
A nutritious diet can help you feel more energized and strengthen your immune system. Eat at regular times and prep meals ahead of time to prevent missing meals. Adding more vitamins, minerals, fruits and vegetables to your diet can also enhance your physical health.
Get Support
Getting professional help for your mental well-being can help you deal with stress and emotions. You can speak with a therapist that specializes in family caretaking. Talking to people in your position is also an excellent support solution. You can join a support group and get helpful advice and tips for coping with different scenarios and feelings.
How to Care for a Family Member in Bethesda, Maryland
You can care for a family member with help from respite and caregiver support programs. Here are some resources for caregivers in Bethesda, Maryland.
Respite Care Program
The Department of Human Services offers reimbursement for caregivers. They also provide temporary care services when family members need a break or face an emergency. Respite services can include care for children, adults and older adults with disabilities. You can apply to see if you’re eligible for respite care services in Maryland.
Holy Cross Caregiver Support Group
The Holy Cross Health Caregiver Resource Center offers educational resources like newsletters and support for caretakers. They also have caregiver support groups, providing a space for children, spouses, friends and relatives to share information and support regarding caretaking.
Aging and Disability Resource Unit
The Aging and Disability Resource Unit offers helpful in-person and over-the-phone resources and advice for people with disabilities, older adults and caretakers. The unit can provide help with transportation and support services.
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a support group to educate caretakers on living with persons with Alzheimer’s. Trained volunteers lead the group, providing advice on caring for your relative or friend with Alzheimer’s.
Trust Corewood Care for Comprehensive Home Care Management Services
If you’re facing caretaker fatigue in Bethesda, Mayland, Corewood Care can help. Corewood Care offers care management services individualized to each person’s needs. Our multidisciplinary team can provide respite, personal care, companion care, in-home care and older adult care services.
We know how important it is to get suitable care and assistance for your parents, friends or extended relatives. That’s why we provide 24-hour care, including meal prep, light housekeeping service, companionship and emotional care, personal hygiene assistance, and overnight supervision. You can have peace of mind that the person you’re caring for will have professional and around-the-clock care while you’re away.
Many people are affected by Alzheimer’s, whether personally or through someone close to them. However, few are prepared for this life-changing condition — fewer still have the necessary skills or time to become caregivers for those affected.
Corewood Care aims to help. Our nurses and caregivers work tirelessly to remain at the frontier of Alzheimer’s and dementia care. We strive to use our knowledge to deliver consistent, compassionate services to those who need them most while helping them maintain their independence as much as possible.
Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia
When you hear “Alzheimer’s,” you likely think of dementia, and vice versa. While Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, the term “dementia” refers to a much broader range of conditions. Dementia encompasses any disease or condition that causes cognitive decline. This cognitive decline often impacts someone’s ability to remember things, complete daily tasks and regulate moods.
Around 60%-80% of people diagnosed with dementia are ultimately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Though major strides have been made in the fight against this disease, there is currently no cure.
How Our Nurses and Caregivers Help People With Alzheimer’s
People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can and do live fulfilling lives, and this is largely impacted by finding the right caregivers and medical team. The staff at Corewood Care focuses entirely on meeting the needs of our clients, helping them transition into this new phase of life and make the necessary lifestyle changes.
Between rigorous study and on-the-job training, we know that Alzheimer’s care varies day by day. Our around-the-clock medical and nonmedical services mean we’re prepared for any situations that arise. Our care managers coordinate with nurses, caregivers, personal trainers and family members to communicate the client’s needs and advocate for the level of care they deserve. Below are just some of the dozens of care options we facilitate every day.
Medical and Nursing Care
Most of our clients come to us first and foremost for our impressive medical care services. Our registered nurses are prepared to handle anything that may pop up unexpectedly and manage day-to-day care through:
Mood assessments: Nurses monitor mood and note any major changes.
Nutrition assistance: Nurses create meal plans and help with cooking to give clients balanced nutrients.
Mobility and memory care: Our team will help clients maintain as much independence as possible for as long as possible.
Pre- and post-treatment care: From doctor’s appointments to surgeries and injuries, our nurses make sure clients are ready for it all and recover just as well.
Hospital-to-home transition services: Coming home from the hospital can be an adjustment, and our team will help ease the transition.
Nonmedical Caregiving for Alzheimer’s Clients
So, what else do caregivers do for people with Alzheimer’s? Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s is as much about being there for them emotionally as it is about providing for their medical needs. While most family members and friends want to be there to offer this support to the person, there is no shame in recognizing that these needs are often much more than one person can handle.
Caregiving for Alzheimer’s clients is a constant, and Corewood Care trains our team rigorously to manage any situation by offering:
Medication reminders: We’ll keep clients on a routine to make life a bit easier.
Self-care assistance: We offer help with bathing, brushing teeth and other daily tasks.
Companion care: Living with Alzheimer’s can be lonely due to the growing communication barrier. We do our best to keep spirits up by serving as close and trusted friends.
Transportation: Anywhere they need to go, we’ll be there right alongside them.
Future preparations: Our support will last for as long as necessary, and we are more than willing to talk through and help make preparations for difficult decisions.
Seek Alzheimer’s Care and Treatment With Corewood Care
The care managers and caregivers at Corewood Care are specialists in Alzheimer’s care. We believe in around-the-clock compassionate services that give you or the people you love the quality care they deserve. We do all this and more as we navigate this time together. Schedule a free assessment today to learn more about what we do and why we’re passionate about our work.
Care management has evolved, providing clients with more options and services. Many people require more specialized care, especially as they age. Care management is essential for supporting older adults throughout various life areas.
With various care management providers available, research and consideration are vital. Understanding a provider’s services, qualifications and approach is the most effective way to pick a care manager.
What Is Care Management?
Care Management combines clinical services and activities to deliver holistic and personalized care based on each individual’s unique needs. Care managers support the health and well-being of clients by coordinating social, physical and emotional assistance. Clients can receive around-the-clock professional and comprehensive care through care management services and programs.
Examples of care management services include:
Daily exercise in place
Grooming and bathing
Assistance dressing
Advocacy during hospitalization
Help to manage health crises
Clinical management
Professional recommendations for additional providers and services
Diet and nutrition insights
Assistance with chronic conditions
Why Is Care Management Important?
Care Management services provide clients with professional support and assistance in various life aspects. Care managers are trained in holistic care and can provide reliable and quality services like health care, physical exercise and advocacy. Care management can improve clients’ lives and give the families peace of mind while also providing individuals with a trusted provider to accommodate their specific needs and preferences without requiring around-the-clock help from a family member or unqualified person.
How to Choose a Care Manager
Deciding on a care management provider is a significant task and requires careful consideration. Care management services can vary, and understanding vital factors like licensing and staff training is one of the best ways to find what’s right for each individual. Things to consider when choosing a care management provider include:
1. Licensing and Certifications
Finding the right care manager should start with licensing and certifications. Care management providers must have various licensing and credentials to verify their services and qualifications.
Providers and boards issue certifications and licenses to accredited care management providers. These certifications ensure a provider is reputable and can offer professional and knowledgeable assistance. They can also verify the quality of a care provider’s services, staff and facilities.
Care management providers must have licenses with accredited boards like the Department of Health and home support agencies in their regions. Ensure a care management provider is certified by a reputable board association before moving forward.
2. Staff Training Requirements
Understanding what types of training the care management staff undergo and their qualifications is essential. Care managers can have varying skills and disciplines in health care and ADLs. Some care managers are multidisciplinary and can assist with multiple needs, like scheduling health care appointments and educating clients on their conditions.
Some care management providers ensure that all their care managers have professional health care certifications. With professional certifications, care managers may have training in rehabilitation, chronic illnesses and acute medical illnesses. Staff may also have professional credentials and training in nursing, nutrition, psychology, aging and social work.
Care managers should also have training in daily living activities like grooming, bathing and scheduling physical exercises. Care management providers also use various methods for screening and vetting staff members. It’s essential that a provider has a screening process and can verify care managers’ qualifications and training.
3. Service Availability
Another essential factor is services and support availability. Consider the hours of care a care management provider offers. Understand when staff is available, how often they can provide care and if they are on call if needed. Care management that offers ongoing and around-the-clock support is essential for clients that require regular assistance.
Providing emergency care and daily support is vital in care management. Many care management providers offer 24/7 care and flexible hours and are available throughout the day. They can also provide support as needed and respond in emergencies.
Finding a care management provider that can provide convenient and ceaseless support is key for clients who rely on daily living assistance.
4. Technology Platforms
Communication between clients and providers is crucial when looking for a care management provider. Being able to check up on family members and get updates on care services, health care treatments and daily schedules is essential for families.
Technology and software platforms can help enhance communication between providers and families. Care management providers can have comprehensive platforms to record client information and track medical conditions and other information.
Platforms can be accessible to families allowing them to stay updated with their family members’ health and care. Families need to communicate with providers and check up on their family members at any time.
Care management platforms provide a convenient way of monitoring care providers’ services. They can also offer detailed information about caregivers, certifications and training. Platforms may offer client dashboards that families can access to view medical appointments, care plans and feedback from caregivers and care managers. They can also facilitate communication with the care managers and get assistance with health conditions and progress questions.
Families can also access informative resources that help educate them on various health care requirements and services. Ensure that technology platforms comply with confidentiality standards and have security measures like client approvals and passwords to protect sensitive information.
5. Additional Care Services
Many clients rely on care management services for comprehensive support. Care managers take on various responsibilities and can provide clients with additional daily services.
Support and assistance in emergencies are essential services that different care managers offer. They can also provide transportation services and help with scheduling medical appointments.
Holistic support is vital, especially as clients get older and require additional motivation and assistance with tasks. Creating and updating customer plans to meet each client’s needs is also an essential service care managers should provide.
Custom plans may include additional activities and treatment recommendations to support clients’ physical, social and emotional requirements.
Trust Corewood Care for Comprehensive Care Management Services
Choosing a care manager is a delicate task. Corewood Care offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to care management services.
We offer a holistic care plan and provide specialized services for each client. Our team of qualified and professional staff supports each client’s goals. We create custom plans based on every client’s needs, including health progress and physical activity goals.
Using a care management technology platform, we can gather extensive data on each client to provide specialized care. We can also use data to monitor and enhance caregiver services and client experiences. We offer every client the highest quality care and support.
Contact us online to speak to one of our team members about our comprehensive services.
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