Summer Activities and Alternatives for Seniors Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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

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

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

Backyard BBQ

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

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

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

Summer Soirée

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

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

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

Dining Out

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

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

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

Stroll in the park

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

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

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

Family Caregivers: The Unsung Heroes of PA

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

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

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

That unsung hero is the family caregiver.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 Tips for New Caregivers During the COVID Pandemic

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

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

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

Write things down.

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

If you prefer typing that’s cool too.

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

Automate as much as possible.

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

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

Don’t be afraid to ask for outside help.

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

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

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

Asking for help demonstrates responsibility and caring.

Schedule family time.

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

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

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

Watch your health.

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

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

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

Which leads us to our last tip…

Speak to yourself with compassion.

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

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

You’re doing the best you can.

Employment Opportunities! Become a Paid Caregiver

Employment Opportunities! - AmeriBest Home Care

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

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

But, they are certainly not impossible.

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

Become a paid caregiver!

What’s in the job?

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

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

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

Why become a caregiver?

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

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

It’s as rewarding as it is manageable.

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

What’s the time commitment like?

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

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

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

AmeriBest is Hiring!

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

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

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

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

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

How to apply?

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

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

Come join AmeriBest, today!

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

7 Stay-at-Home Activities for Elderly and Caregivers

7 Stay-at-Home Activities for Elderly and Caregivers - AmeriBest Home Care

Don’t let the days slip away just because you’re indoors!
Here are 7 at-home activities for the elderly and caregivers:

Pick up a new book.

Or listen to a new podcast. Whether educational or fictional, stories are a great way to get you feeling happy and motivated. You can even get an online book club going. Check with your local library for a pre-existing book club. Or, start your own with friends and family.

Never underestimate the power of a good book.

Clean up and redecorate.

It’s easy to fall into a rut when you’re stuck at home, looking at the same scenery day after day. Luckily there’s an easy fix. Spring cleaning and redecorating! If you’re not into big house projects, sometimes just organizing a room or two can make a huge difference as well.

After all, new spaces make for new perspectives.

Take advantage of the internet.

With social distancing at the core of society right now, tons of companies and individuals have begun making their content available on the internet. And, many of them are free. If you’re looking for something to do at home, look online for Broadway shows, ballet productions, operas, e-sports, educational courses, exercise classes, museum tours, zoo tours, and more.

There’s so much happening on the web right now!

Sit down and chat.

We’re always so busy running to get things done, that we often miss just sitting and talking with our family and friends. But what’s truly more important than connecting with our loved ones?

Grab a cup of coffee, tea, water, whatever you want, and just sit down and chat. If you’re home alone, you can always do this over phone calls and video chats. It’s time to take a breath and slow down.

Soak in some sun.

If you have a backyard or porch, spend at least 15 minutes out in the fresh air. Meditate, think, stare out at the world, eat a snack, make some phone calls, draw. There are tons of things you can do outside in your own yard. If you don’t have a yard, just open a window. Breathing in the crisp air with the sun on your skin will keep you feeling relaxed and happy. Not to mention, help you sleep better at night.

Just don’t forget your sunscreen!

Try out some new recipes.

We eat three meals a day, with drinks and snacks in between. And when we eat so much, eating sometimes becomes a boring chore. But it doesn’t have to be. Spice things up with some new recipes. You can search on Pinterest and YouTube for some fresh meal ideas. Or, create your own!

And, don’t forget to take pictures. Your family and friends will love to see what you’ve come up with.

Produce your own content.

Now, while the world is homebound, people from all over are craving for online content. If you’ve ever wanted to start your own YouTube channel, TikTok account, podcast. Or, if you’ve ever wanted to write stories, give advice, provide tips, or just share your life story, now is your time to shine! It’s easy to start, and you’re sure to make some friends along the way.

Have fun and give back to the world in a way that only you can do.

AmeriBest Field Staff Info Updates on Coronavirus

Updates on Coronavirus - AmeriBest Home Care

Attention, dear AmeriBest caregivers! We will be reaching out to each and every one of you with the following info. Feel free to share it with your fellow coworkers and please stay safe!

3/20/2020 update:

Good afternoon.  In the ever-changing environment with COVID-19 for safety purposes for all associates, we have closed the office until further notice.  We are still open for business and the corporate staff are all available by email or phone.  Please call the main number 215-925-3313 if you have questions regarding COVID-19, PPE, Symptoms experienced by either yourself or your patient, or any other concerns.  You can also visit our website:  Ameribesthomecare.com for ongoing updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please follow all CDC recommendations for social distancing, no large gatherings, and hand washing.

3/21/2020 update:

This is a payroll reminder for anyone submitting timesheets.  Timesheets are due by Sunday evening as per the standard timesheet procedure.  We accept timesheets by fax, email, or by dropping them off in the blue drop box behind the main corporate building.  Please make sure we have your correct address on file.  If you need to update your information, please call human resources with the updated information at 215-925-3313, Option #.  Thank you.

3/23-25/2020 update:

Due to the temporary office closing, all paychecks will be mailed out.  Please do not come into the office as it is closed.  If you have an issue with your check, you can call payroll at 215-925-3313 Option # or email the payroll department directly.  If your timesheet is late, please fax or email the late timesheets and we will send a manual check when it is processed.  Again, please do not come to the office, as it is closed.   We are taking these safety measures to protect everyone from exposure.  You can also visit our website:  Ameribesthomecare.com for ongoing updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please follow all CDC recommendations for social distancing, no large gatherings, and hand washing.

COVID-19 Memo for AmeriBest Caregivers from the CEO, Omar Khanataev

COVID-19 Memo for AmeriBest Caregivers

[UPDATE 2]

AmeriBest Colleagues,

It’s really difficult to articulate the grief and anxiety we have all collectively felt over the past couple of months. From the ongoing pandemic, that seems to have no end in sight, to family, friends and neighbors losing their jobs. Lastly, the pattern of distrust in our public servants. I am sure I am not alone when thoughts percolate through my mind, while all these events transpire in real time, and frankly, it’s easy to be enraged and overly emotional. However, I am a firm believer in taking a moment for a deep breath, disengaging and listening to those that are suffering.

Like many of you, I was sickened by the public execution of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It’s all of our duties to do better and be empathetic. To listen to our fellow man and hear their concerns. Our public servants have a tough job, one that requires trust from the community. When that trust is fractured by a bad police officer, and others don’t care to listen, crazy things happen. That trust needs to be built from the bottom again. Change happens from the ground up. Drawing awareness and speaking loudly is critical, but then the tough work starts. Holding our public servants accountable, electing officials that will make concrete policy changes and giving the people (you!) a seat at the table.

Which is why, now more than ever, I am so proud of our mission. I really believe that in its core, we contribute in serving our communities, empowering our clients, our caregivers, providing them with concrete skills and laying the groundwork in their career paths. I am proud of our skills lab that we are rolling out, assisting our caregivers in becoming CPR certified, encouraging our employees to attain higher education. Taking the lead in educating our caregivers on how overtime is structured, what health insurance means, why a 401k is so important. For our clients, I am especially proud of the resources we help allocate, the independence we help them achieve and the risks we help mitigate with their health.

Finally, our direct caregiver workforce, our PCAs, CNAs, nurses and therapists. The amount of work, sacrifice and resolve in your everyday lives is truly a noble and sometimes thankless job. Thank you!

Everyone has their motivations but ultimately, having security, providing for our families and being a good citizen is something we all strive to achieve. Someone much smarter than me named Maya Angelou once said, “I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it”. Those words are so powerful and optimistic. I remain optimistic that good change lies ahead, as long as we all have the courage display it.

Sincerely,

Omar Khanataev,

CEO

AmeriBest Home Care

[UPDATE 1]

Dear AmeriBest Caregivers,

As most of you know, the Governor has instructed all non-essential businesses to stay closed for the time being. AmeriBest is, however, an essential business and provides a service that now more than ever is so crucial to the health and well-being of our vulnerable patients.

While we realize what you do is so essential, we must continue to stay vigilant and follow best practices. Wearing personal protective equipment, washing your hands for 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer, not touching your face and coughing into a tissue are just a handful of precautions we can all take to limit the spread of COVID-19. Our goal is to always best serve our patients and keep them safe and comfortable in the comfort of their community and homes.

Also, please never hesitate to call our offices at 215-925-3313 to obtain an essential worker letter so you can go to work and provide care to patients. We have attached a letter for you to use should you be questioned about going to and from your patient’s home. You should always also have your ID on you to limit disruption. If you do not have an ID, please email or call our HR Department so we can mail or email an ID to you. If we do not have a photo, we will reach out to you for a picture to match to your ID identification you submitted on file and will then send you and ID.

In a time of such great anxiety and uncertainty, you have continued to be amazing and supportive to our mission in providing high-quality personal care services. I am not alone when I say how grateful for the work you are doing in our communities. Thank you now and thank you always!

Omar Khanataev

CEO

Dear AmeriBest Caregivers,

Like everyone else, we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely and understand the concerns and anxiety built around this new challenge to all of us. Our hearts and thoughts go out to all the people who have already been affected by this unprecedented event and we appreciate the healthcare workers, local communities, state and federal government who are on the front lines, working to contain this coronavirus. Please know that we are vigilantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation around the clock and have precautions in place to ensure that our patients and caregivers are in a safe environment.

Firstly, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has activated the Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline.

That Helpline could be reached by calling 1-800-722-7112, and is a free resource, available 24/7 to anyone in the greater Philadelphia area. Here is what it could help you with:

  • Symptoms and risk factors for the coronavirus & what to do if you think you have been exposed
  • Testing resources
  • Recommendations for social distancing

COVID-19 Memo for AmeriBest Caregivers

Also, we ask that all employees cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases and the spreading the COVID-19 virus. Here is what AmeriBest is currently doing:

  • Social Distancing – stay a “social distance” of 6 feet or more away from other people.
  • Increased office cleaning – we are working with building management to conduct thorough cleaning of our offices. Including but not limited to: wiping down keyboards, door handles, desk surfaces and installing hand sanitizer stations throughout the whole building.
  • Limit large gatherings – until further notice, we will cancel large meetings, lunches, trainings and other gatherings at the workplace. AmeriBest office is temporarily closed until further notice and the corporate staff is mobile.
  • Wash your hands! – wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use common sense – cover your mouth with tissues when you sneeze or cough, and discard used tissues in the trash. Use hand sanitizer, cleaning sprays and wipes constantly. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home if you are sick or show symptoms of exposure.
  • Monitor developments – Monitor local & state departments and the CDC for additional developments.

Visit our website for more information.

We hope that these measures give you confidence that we are taking the necessary precautions in this evolving situation. We remain committed to providing you and your clients with quality service that you can depend on.

With that goal in mind, I implore that you wash your hands frequently and that you avoid patient contact if you are feeling under the weather.

For additional information about COVID-19, please read the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov, your local health department website or visit our website at www.ameribesthomecare.com.

On behalf of everyone at AmeriBest Home Care, thank you for your hard work and dedication to helping your clients remain safe, healthy and independent in the comfort of their own homes.

CEO,

Omar Khanataev