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At Home Care

Caregivers: nursing home vs. at-home care

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Of the 1,000 adults polled in a recent survey, 75% said they would prefer recovering at home instead of in an institutional setting after a serious health event. 

According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic has only solidified this opinion: “As consumers live through the ongoing public health emergency and read about the dangers of facility-based care, many are hoping all health care shifts into the home.” 

This is great news for the at-home care industry, not only, but also for the many caregivers facing a decision between finding a job in a medical facility or in an at-home care setting. As more and more seniors choose to enjoy care in the familiar comforts of home — whether help recovering after surgery or ongoing assistance with activities of daily living — opportunities for caregivers will continue to grow. 

But the growth of at-home care and its advantages for long-term job security isn’t the only benefit for caregivers. Here are a few more reasons to choose to work in at-home care: 

  • The at-home setting can be calmer and more relaxed. In at-home care, workers can generally choose more flexible hours and work at a slower pace. In each home, there typically is just one person needing care. Instead of rushing from bed to bed, caregivers can focus their time and attention on one person — getting better acquainted with the person’s needs, not only, but also with the actual person, building lasting relationships that are so important for well-being. 
  • The flexibility of the at-home care setting also means that services can be better customized to the needs of each individual. Some people might simply need a companion to help with cooking and groceries, while others might need help remembering to take medications, getting dressed and attending doctors’ appointments. 
  • The home setting is more comfortable and familiar for those receiving care. Many long-term care facilities attempt to replicate for residents the feeling of living at home, but there is nothing like the real thing. At-home living is much more comfortable for residents — which can make at-home caregiving a more pleasant experience, too. 
  • Restrictions due to COVID-19 aren’t as broad. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restrictions have been placed at the county and state levels on long-term care facilities, restricting such things as who can visit and when. In at-home care, caregivers have more flexibility to care for clients according to the clients’ wishes. 

Further reading: Why work in at-home care? 

If you are a nursing assistant or caregiver looking for fulfilling employment in Whatcom County, please consider Take My Hand At-Home Care. 

Is now the right time to choose at-home care?

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For most of us, there will come a time in our lives when our parents – the reliable and strong adults who took care of us as children – will need care of their own. It might be short-term, such as after surgery or a hospital stay. Or it may be longer-term, as parents face aging in place challenges like needing help with personal care or household tasks that have become harder with time.  

Although the thought of bringing in a caregiver from outside of your family might initially bring up some uncomfortable feelings, exploring some level of at-home care might be important for your loved one’s well-being. 

While you or a parent might be resistant, choosing at-home care assistance in meeting your loved one’s needs can relieve you or other family members of full-time caregiving burdens while preserving privacy and dignity by leaving care to a trained, non-related professional. 

Take My Hand At-Home Care provides help at home from licensed Whatcom County caregivers for elderly or disabled individuals. Services are customized to each client’s needs.  

Hospital discharge planning, which provides post-op care for those who’ve recently left Bellingham’s PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, is another great service Take My Hand caregivers offer. 

Caregivers can help with a variety of non-medical care, including meal preparation, medication reminders and prescription pickups, personal hygiene and supervised mobility. In addition, light housekeeping can include such tasks as cleaning laundry, washing dishes and changing bed linens. Take My Hand caregivers also can tackle household errands, grocery shopping and pet care, and they even can assist in social hobbies such as light gardening, crafts or holiday decorating. 

At-home care benefits also extend to the bank account, as hourly care can be less expensive than a higher level of care offered at assisted living or long-term care facilities. When working with at-home caregivers, clients pay only for the level of care they need. 

If this type of care sounds like something you or a parent could benefit from, Take My Hand offers complimentary and confidential home care assessments at no obligation. These at-home care assessments help determine what level of care may be needed while ensuring that Take My Hand is a good fit.  

While beginning at-home care is another of life’s transitions, it doesn’t have to be an overly burdensome or stressful one, and its benefits can leave you and your loved one feeling more at ease during an important life phase. 

Aging is something each of us will face, and there’s no need for shame or guilt if a little extra help is needed. Contact Take My Hand to learn more. 

Surgery coming? How to plan your recovery

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If you have the luxury of knowing that a surgery is coming — maybe you’re having a planned hip replacement, for example — it is important that you help ensure a successful recovery by planning ahead.

Many people choose to recover at home after surgery. That can be a wonderful option for recovery, provided that your house is ready and that you have adequate post-op care.

Here are some areas to consider:

Remove or plan around obstacles. Take some time to look around your house at potential hazards. Stairs — up to a bedroom or even onto a porch — can be difficult to manage. Bathrooms and kitchens, especially when surfaces are slippery, can present trip hazards. It also may be difficult to get into and out of bed. 

What to do: Spend some time cleaning potential hazards, such as stacks of magazines or loose-lying electrical cords. Consider renting a hospital bed that can be placed on the first floor, if necessary.

Plan your meals and other food. After your surgery, you probably won’t have time (or be able) to shop. And will you be mobile enough to cook your own meals?

What to do: Before your surgery, ensure you have your needed supplies on hand. Stock your refrigerator and pantry and make a plan for who will cook your meals. Consider calling on friends and family or hiring outside help.

Prepare for safety and security. Depending on the nature of your surgery, you might need help around the house to ensure you have the care you need and that someone is able to help if you need it. Falls can be common after certain surgeries, for example — what would you do if you fell and needed help?

What to do: Make sure you have phone numbers (and a phone) handy for calling people can help. Let some friends and family know what’s going on, and ask them to check in on you. Consider hiring an at-home caregiver who can be with you during the days or nights while you recover.

Get the scoop on rehab and medication. Depending on the type of surgery you have, your doctor likely will give you instructions for medications, rest and activities to help you recover.

What to do: Before the surgery, ask your doctor what might be involved and determine whether you will need help at home or some other accommodations.

Read more: Before and after surgery: Why you might need help at home.

How to prepare a home for aging in place

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On July 26, the United States celebrates National Disability Independence Day in commemoration of the signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

Celebrating this day each year helps us recognize the importance of the ADA and the many protections and improvements it provided. The act also placed a spotlight on important accommodations for people with disabilities, such as wider doors and ramps for those who use wheelchairs, and assistance technology to help people read.

As you look around your home, there probably are many accommodations you could make to help those who need assistance. In honor of National Disability Independence Day, here are a few changes to consider making to your home to make it more accessible for those with disabilities:

  • Simplify the furniture arrangements. Improving accessibility throughout the home can be as easy as removing unnecessary furniture and other trip hazards. Do couches partially obstruct walkways? Are there stacks of magazines or trinkets that could be stored safely away?
  • Install lever door handles and faucets. Knob-style faucets and door handles can be difficult to operate for many people, especially those with arthritis or muscular difficulties.
  • Remove steps at entryways. Stairs are barriers for many people, especially older people and those who use wheelchairs. Exterior ramps can help, and it’s even better if your home layout will allow a step-free threshold. It’s also important to ensure that your house has a first-floor bathroom so there’s no need to try to navigate a flight of stairs.
  • Widen doorways and hallways. Anyone who uses a wheelchair, walker or cane needs additional room to maneuver. Ideally, all doorways and hallways will be at least 3 feet wide.
  • Add grab bars and other enhancements to the bathroom. Because of the often-slippery surfaces, bathrooms represent particular trip hazards. Easily accessible grab bars can make it easier to use the toilet, bathtub and shower. A stool or bench in the shower can help prevent falls. You could even consider a shower that allows wheelchair users to roll right in.
  • Increase the lighting in dark areas. Extra light can make it easier to spot and avoid obstacles, especially for those whose eyesight is diminished. While you’re at it, make sure that the switches are easy to operate.

In addition to these changes, another way to help improve life for those with disabilities is to ensure that there is extra help around the home. Engaging the services of a part-time, at-home caregiver can be an enormous boost in helping people with the activities of daily living. Take My Hand employs certified nursing assistants throughout Whatcom County who can help with daily tasks and activities and provide respite for family caregivers. Reach out today for your free in-home assessment.

ADUs can be part of cost-effective option for eldercare

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As we age, the options for health care and assistance only get more expensive. Nursing home care, for example, can cost $90,000 to $100,000 per year in Washington state. Assisted living can cost approximately $50,000 per year and up.

However, one option for caring for aging parents and loved ones is to add an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, to your property to aid in the provision of at-home care. Doing so allows families to keep their aging loved ones nearby, not only being able to oversee their care but also to spend more time with them as they age.

ADUs have been around the Whatcom County area for a long time. The rules for ADUs — whether free-standing structures or finished basements or attics — can vary depending on your location, so it’s important to check with your local jurisdiction before getting started. The rules in Bellingham are different than the rules in Lynden, Ferndale and unincorporated Whatcom County.

In general, here are some options you might consider when thinking about adding an ADU to your property to help care for an aging loved one at home:

  • Refinish a basement or attic. Especially after children grow up and move out, homeowners often find themselves with extra space inside their homes that can be remodeled to accommodate a loved one. Adding a bathroom and small kitchen to a finished basement, for example, can turn unneeded storage or play space into important living quarters for a loved one.
  • Buy a prefabricated ADU to place behind your house. As ADUs become increasingly popular, more and more companies are offering prefab ADUs — built to your specifications — that can be sited on your property with minimal construction costs and delays. At a cost of less than one year in a nursing home, a gorgeous prefab ADU could provide years of comfortable living. A prefab accessory dwelling unit can provide some autonomy and privacy while also keeping loved ones nearby.
  • Convert a shed or detached garage to a “granny flat” or cottage dwelling. Do you have a shed or garage on your property that’s just storing unused junk? Converting it to an accessory dwelling unit could be a wonderful way to reclaim that wasted space.

No matter what type of ADU you decide on as an alternative for assisted living, remember to check your local government’s website or put in a phone call to find out exactly what rules and regulations govern the construction of an ADU on your property.

You’ll also want to consider how to get your loved one the help he or she needs. Will family members be providing the care, or will you hire part-time help to assist with activities of daily living, such as grocery shopping, transportation to doctor visits, cooking and more? For information on how Take My Hand At-Home Care might be able to help provide care in your new ADU, please feel free to give us a call.

Differences between communal living and at-home care

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Nearly 9 in 10 elderly people want to live at home for as long as possible, according to the AARP.

Why?

There are many reasons why a person might choose to age in place rather than move to an assisted living center or other communal living arrangement: cost, independence and the level of personal care needed all have a role in the decision-making process.

One of the most  obvious reasons why individuals might choose to live at home instead of in a communal facility is that it’s what they’ve always known. Living in their own home is what they’re used to; it’s comfortable. They can sleep in their own bed, use their own kitchen, enjoy the window views they’re familiar with and more. Whether it’s in Lynden, Ferndale, Bellingham, Everson or somewhere else, home is… home.

Related: Is your mom or dad ready for care?

Here are some other simple – but important – reasons why people might want to age in place:

  • Not having to share sleeping spaces. Among the simple benefits of living at home is not having to share a room with other elderly residents. Living at home means more privacy, more individual freedom. An at-home caregiver can provide services in support of the individual’s independence, offering as much or as little care as is desired.
  • Being able to set the heat. Living at home means being in control of your home. It may seem simple to be able to set the heat to one’s desired comfort level, to listen to music (or not) when desired or to turn on or off the lights when needed. But in a communal living environment, those choices aren’t always possible. There’s good reason for that, of course; in an assisted living home, the needs of many people must be met at once. At home, there’s just one person whose needs are most important.
  • Choosing what and when to eat. Communal living offers the convenience of having all meals prepared and served by someone else. That can free up an individual’s time for other activities. However, there’s some loss of choice in that, and many older people choose to have an at-home caregiver help with meal preparation – and even grocery shopping, too – to enable them to retain control over dining options.
  • Maintaining easy access to family and friends. Living at home, there are no restrictions on visiting hours. There is no need to keep voices down, meet in shared spaces or limit who is allowed to visit. Instead, family and friends can continue to visit grandma as they always have – at grandma’s house.

Of course, these aren’t the only things to consider when deciding between aging in place or moving to an assisted living facility. Cost can be a factor, as can the amount of care needed and the ease of completing activities of daily living. For some people, medical or other needs are great enough that moving to an assisted living center is the right choice. For many others, an at-home caregiver can be brought in to provide whatever assistance is needed, extending the amount of time that older people can continue to live at home – which, as we’ve seen, many people want to do.

Related: How can I fulfil mom’s desire to live at home?

Help! I have questions about caring for an aging parent.

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As we’ve mentioned before in previous TMH Client Profiles, at Take My Hand At-Home Care we hear often from adults who are wondering when and how to decide that mom or dad needs a higher level of personal care and attention.

These certainly are not easy decisions to make, and every situation is different. But read on for an example situation that may include elements of what you’re going through. Perhaps it will help you make those important decisions.

Mom is still pretty active. She lives nearby, so sometimes I accompany her to doctor visits in Bellingham or take her shopping, but she typically can do those things just fine on her own.

The other day, when we were working in her garden, she mentioned that she loves her home — she’s lived in the same home in Lynden for 50 years, after all — and doesn’t want to leave. When she eventually needs care, she said, she wants to stay at home. She doesn’t want to be moved to a long-term care center or assisted living facility; she’d rather just stay right at home.

The problem is that I’m not able to spend the time caring for her that probably would be required. I have a family of my own to care for, and I have to go to work every day, too. How can I meet mom’s desires to stay home while also being sure that she’s taken care of? Sometimes it keeps me up at night.

This is a common concern. Adults in the sandwich generation — those who are sandwiched between caring for aging parents and caring for their own young children — often find themselves having to make difficult decisions about how to spend their time and money. Do I sacrifice my family time to spend evenings and weekends caring for mom? Do I dip into our family savings to pay for upgrades to mom’s home so she can age in place? How do I even know when mom is ready for extra assistance around the home?

No single solution is a perfect fit for every family here in Whatcom County. However, there are some good options for adult children in situations like this to consider:

  • Set up a consultation with a home care provider to discuss your situation. A trained provider with experience in at-home care situations can take a look at your loved one’s situations and offer personalized advice. Take My Hand offers complimentary in-home assessments for folks in Lynden, Ferndale, Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County.
  • Ask an at-home care provider for part-time shifts to cover basic needs. This would help your mom or dad get used to the idea of having people other than family members in the home. Plus, part-time home care would help set a baseline for the care needed. At-home care situations can be new for everyone, and starting off slowly is often a good idea.
  • Caregivers like us are fond of saying that the best caregivers are those who are able to care for themselves and meet their own needs. Honestly, that’s critically important. If you, as a family caregiver, are constantly giving and never receiving, you’re going to run your own batteries so low that you won’t be able to help anyone. Please know that your family — spouse, kids, yourself — needs and deserves your attention, so don’t feel guilty if you can’t be with your aging parent as much as they might like.
  • Independence and self-sufficiency are good things for older adults. We try to keep them from becoming reliant on outside help too early; if they can do something for themselves, let them and encourage them! Of course, pay close attention to signs that they might need extra help — increasing bouts of forgetfulness, difficulty getting around, declining eyesight, lack of ability to process and understand doctors’ orders, etc. — and step in when necessary, but don’t feel obligated to help just because your parents are getting older.
  • Now is a great time to start considering payment options for long-term care. You never know what you might need in the future, and how much it might cost. Consider your family financial situation and the amount of money mom and dad have saved up and start investigating options that might work for you. Long-term care insurance can be a good choice, as can Medicare and private-pay options.

If you’d like to have a discussion about any of these aspects of eldercare in Whatcom County, please feel free to give us a call or send an email.

Longer lifespans can limit opportunities for family care

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Americans are living a long time.

In fact, the average lifespan in the United States is just a shade under 79 years — almost a full decade longer than in 1960. And if 79 years old is the average, you know that many Americans are living even longer, often into their 90s.

Those data certainly seem to be true based on observation at Take My Hand At Home Care here in Whatcom County. Many of the people helped by our caregivers are in their 90s.

Something particularly interesting about that statistic as it relates to family caregiving is that elders in their 90s typically have children in their 60s and 70s. That’s pretty old for the challenging work of caring for mom and dad on a daily basis, especially if health problems are involved.

Is your mom or dad
ready for care? Find out.

What’s more, their grandchildren are often in their 30s and 40s, meaning that they’re so busy with children, careers and the daily pressures of life that it’s a challenge for them to have time and energy to help their elderly grandparents with the activities of daily living. And when these members of the sandwich generation do provide eldercare, it’s usually at the expense of some other aspect of life.

That’s why the support of a part-time or full-time caregiver can be so critical. When the eldest generation needs help at home, caregivers from organizations such as Take My Hand in Lynden can be lifesavers. We offer in-home assessments to better understand the needs and expectations of you and your loved ones.

As we age, much of what we love to do — driving, gardening, walking, shopping, cooking, etc. — becomes increasingly difficult. However, at-home caregivers can step in and help out when family members aren’t able.

Is your loved one unable to drive?
Don’t let that hold them back.

There’s no need for family members to feel guilty about not being able to help mom or dad on a daily basis. If you’re in your 70s, or if you’re younger and with kids of your own to care for, not being able to be there to care for your elderly parents every day is completely understandable.

Take My Hand At Home Care provides caregiving services throughout Whatcom County, including in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Birch Bay, Blaine and Everson. Give us a call today to talk about how we can help.

The value of a little help at home

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An elderly woman looks at a large collection of flowers under a green and white tent.
At-home care can free us up to do the things we love, like browse the gorgeous flowers at the farmers’ market.

As we age, it can be common for us to start to scale back our activities.

After all, many of the things we’re used to doing — whether the activities we do for fun or the stuff of daily life — can become more difficult as our bodies and minds start to slow down.

Driving is harder, doing laundry is harder, gardening is harder, walking from point A to point B is harder, finding the motivation to exercise is harder, shopping is harder…

None of these things is impossible, of course — they’re all just a bit more difficult than they have been. Under these circumstances, our worlds can get smaller and less active.

That’s where a little at-home assistance really can be a great service. A little help around the house can be an enormous relief; having a caregiver companion stop by two to three times per week can really help seniors LIVE their lives.

Learn more: How Take My Hand helps Lynden senior Bernadette Millar live a full life.

In essence, having a little help around the home can actually increase a elderly individual’s independence.

That’s an important point to note, because one concern we hear occasionally here at Take My Hand At-Home Care is that caregivers can be limiting for an elderly person’s lifestyle. In fact, the eldery sometimes think that when their family recommends a caregiver, the goal is to take away their independence.

In truth, your family is not trying to take your independence away, they are trying to help you LIVE and enjoy what you have. If your loved ones are resistant to care, here are a few tips to help continue the conversation.

Learn more: How to tell whether your mom or dad is ready for at-home care.

A part-time caregiver at home can help you pursue your passions. A caregiver can help give you time, energy and drive to pursue health long into the future. In-home support can be an activity companion, working with you on fun activities that help maintain brain health. And with the holidays coming up soon, don’t overlook the many ways a caregiver can help with the Thanksgiving and Christmas prep and festivities.

To learn more about how Take My Hand At-Home Care can provide help for you or an elderly loved one, just give us a call or send a message online. Our experienced care providers are standing by to help!

‘We all need others in our lives’

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[ Editor’s note: Originally published in the Lynden Tribune ]

Bernadette Millar, center, gets everyday help and also socializing with Heidi Sorensen and Sue Sorensen. Photo by Laura Place/Lynden Tribune.

For Lynden senior Bernadette Millar, meeting with her caretaker Heidi Sorensen each week not only helps her with her everyday tasks, but provides a sense of companionship. Sometimes the two go shopping together, or Heidi helps Bernadette with her bills and appointments.

Bernadette has been meeting regularly with Heidi for three years now, after being connected to the in-home care service of Take My Hand of Lynden following a visit from her son and daughter-in-law. Those relatives made the initial connection to Take My Hand, and owner Sue Sorensen (Heidi’s mother-in-law) reached out to Bernadette directly.

“I didn’t call her — she called me,” Bernadette recalled. “It came right at the right time.”

Bernadette stopped being able to drive herself around a few years ago after a bad fall that resulted in nerve damage. She said the loss of the ability to drive a vehicle was devastating, but now being able to go to the places she needs to go and get out of her condo every once in a while with Heidi gives her something to look forward to.

The care service offers assistance to seniors with various tasks based on their needs, such as taking medication, scheduling appointments and going on errands. Or, as in Bernadette’s case, the client and caretaker will just go and enjoy coffee together.

“We do everything, from companionship to end-of-life care,” Sue Sorensen said.

For Bernadette, it’s a gift to be able to get out of the house with Heidi and know all of her appointments and bills are organized. Just as important, Sue points out, is having someone to laugh with. Sitting in Woods Coffee at Bender Plaza on a Friday outing, Bernadette and Heidi laugh together about Bernadette’s favorite saying, “Can’t be bothered.”

“I thought it was ‘think positively’?” Heidi asks.

“I’m always positive!” Bernadette says back, smiling.

This companionship from a caretaker can help to combat some of the isolation and loneliness experienced by many senior citizens, making it one of the most important aspects of the service offered by Take My Hand, Sue Sorensen said. Even just going on outings a couple of times a week gives clients something to look forward to.

“It’s a big deal for them, to get out of the house,” Sorensen said of the clients who are assisted by Take My Hand. “We all want to be independent, but we all need others in our lives.”

Take My Hand At-Home Care can be reached at 360-543-5777 and online at takemyhandathome.com.

Caregivers: nursing home vs. at-home care

Of the 1,000 adults polled in a recent survey, 75% said they would prefer recovering at home instead of in an institutional setting after a serious health event.  According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic has only solidified this opinion: “As consumers live through the ongoing public health emergency and read about the dangers of … [Read More...]

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Sue Sorensen became involved with Whatcom County eldercare and aging-in-place services in 2009. She launched Take My Hand At-Home Care in January 2012 … Read More...

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