Tag: home care services

It’s Time for A Break: Caregiver Vacation Tips

Caregiver Vacation Tips - AmeriBest Home Care

It’s almost summer, and you know what that means… vacation time!

Caregiving is hard work. So, it’s important to give yourself time off to rejuvenate and unwind. This way, when you get back to work, you’ll be ready to get back at it with some pep in your step.

Now, as a caregiver, you’ll know that things don’t just stop moving the moment you go on vacation. Life goes on, and the people in your care continue to need caring.

Often times, this thought prevents caregivers from taking the well-deserved vacations that they need. But don’t let that happen! Because, there are ways around it.

If you’re planning a vacation, here are some tips to make sure everything is safe and sound at home, while you’re away.

Hire backup

The most important thing to arrange before leaving for vacation, is who will be taking care of your loved one in your stead. Although you’ll only be gone for a short time, it’s important to find someone who will take just as good care of your loved one as you do. This means, getting a caregiver who will actively listen to yours and your loved one’s needs, as well as is kind and experienced.

If you’re having trouble finding a caregiver on your own, consider contact-using a home care agency who will do the search for you. At AmeriBest, we match you with top-notch caregivers, who will work hard and do good by you and your loved one.

Make sure the house is stocked

Before taking off, make sure that everything is ready. And we don’t just mean your suitcase.

You’ll want to be certain that the house is fully stocked with everything your loved one might want and need. Of course, if there’s anything your loved one needs while you’re away, your hired substitute caregiver can take care of it. But, if you know that most things are already taken care of before you leave, you’ll feel a lot better about leaving the nest.

Not to mention, only you know what your loved one loves and his or her favorite things. Which means, that you can leave a few nice surprises in the house that will make your loved one happy and know how much you care.

Organize your contact-us info

It’s always a good idea to make sure your loved one or your hired caregiver can reach you easily. So, take the time before you leave to organize your contact-us info. Obviously, you’ll want to leave your regular cell or the overseas number you’ll be using. But it’s also smart to leave hotel contact-us info as well.

Leave your loved one a list with the names of the hotels you’ll be staying at, as well as the hotel numbers. This will leave your loved one feeling safe and relaxed, because they’ll know that they can easily reach you if the need should arise.

Plus, it might be fun to chat and catch up on all the vacation happenings.

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Caregiving is Actually Good for Your Health: The Why and How

Caregiving is Actually Good for Your Health - AmeriBest Home Care

It used to be said that being a caregiver for someone else, lead to both emotional and physical health troubles.

Luckily, this does not have to be the case.

Though caregiving can be tiresome at times, there’s a lot about it that actually enhances our lives and our health. And, just like any job, if you take proper care of yourself when times are stressful, you’ll come out all the better for it.

So, here are some ways in which caregiving can actually improve your state of being, as well as some tips to keep the good times rolling.

Giving makes us happy.

As social beings, when we willingly give to others, the act actually makes us happier.
Which means, that being a caregiver, and truly caring and giving to others, increases one’s level of joy and peace of mind.

When we take the time to selflessly give to others, especially those we care about, it makes us feel that we are living a more fulfilled life because of the positive actions we choose to take. Because, rather than obsessing over ourselves, caregivers look outward towards others. Caregivers concentrate on making someone else’s world a little better, and in return, get to share in the true happiness of others.

If you’re getting stressed- take a break.

Too often, caregivers push themselves to the brink of utter exhaustion. This is a bad idea. Because, not only do they harm themselves, but they also harm their loved ones. Our loved ones can tell when we’re tired, and overworked, and it makes them feel even worse when they know they might be the cause. It’s hard enough to rely heavily on others as it is, and to know your reliance is harming someone you care and love, doesn’t help at all.

That’s why, as a caregiver, it’s crucial to take breaks when you need them, maybe even before you need them. The key is, knowing what you can handle and acknowledging when you need an extra hand or time to rest. Know your limits.

Take time to check in with yourself to see what you’re feeling. Then act accordingly. If you’re starting to feel run down, or weak, notice the signs and take a rest. That’s your body telling you that it’s time for some me-time. It’s doesn’t have to be a long vacation or anything, but just a bit of time off to relax and rejuvenate, will do wonders for your mental and physical health.

We all need to reload and refresh every now and then.

The bottom line.

At the end of the day, every job or role in life has its ups and its down. though times may get hard, you’ve got to persevere and push forward, because the good times are right around the corner if you do. And they only get better.

Getting to share smiles, laughs, and good vibes with your loved one makes caregiving worth it all.

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Countering the Stress and Reaping the Benefits

Caring for a loved one can be tough.

And finding the right balance between taking care of your own needs and taking care of your loved ones’ need, is the hardest part.

That’s why so many caregivers find themselves running out of steam and out of spirit. They exert so much energy racing around between work, family, and personal activities –trying to make it all work just right –they eventually burn themselves out.

And that takes an emotional toll not just on the caregiver, but also on the loved one. Because our loved ones know when we’re stressed. They know when we’re exhausted, and they know when they’re part of the cause. Which makes them unhappy, too.

It’s an unfortunate cycle.

Luckily- it doesn’t have to be that way!
Caregiving doesn’t have to be a chore; it can be a passion, kindness, and a career.

When you become a professional caregiver with AmeriBest Home Care, we help you strike the balance you need to make you and your loved one happy.

Here are just some of the many benefits of becoming a professional caregiver.

Making Bank

For most caregivers, the biggest emotional toll is stress from finances. How do you take care of your loved one while also making enough money to do so? The anxiety of working all day in order to support yourself and your loved one, and then spending all night actually taking care of your loved one is difficult for anyone to handle.

That’s where professional caregiving comes in. When you sign up with AmeriBest Home Care to become a registered caregiver- you get PAID to CAREGIVE.

Yes, that’s right. You heard us correctly: becoming a professional caregiver allows you to get paid for what you’re already doing!

Fulfilling Career Goals

Becoming a professional caregiver isn’t just a one-time duty- it’s a career. When you sign up with AmeriBest, we won’t just leave you to figure things out on your own. We’ll teach you all you need to know to be the best caregiver you can be. Then, we’ll help you out onto the field, and get you set up to caregive.

When caregiving is your career, you’re not just helping your loved ones, you’re helping yourself too.

Getting Support

When you’re caring for a loved one on your own, one of the most tiresome things is not having the support you need- whether this be emotional, mental, or physical.

But, as a professional caregiver with AmeriBest Home Care, we make sure you always have the support you need. Our friendly staff is always there to give you an extra hand when you have questions. And our mentors are there to guide you through it all.

With AmeriBest, you’re not just working alone- you’re working with a family and a network. You’re working with a full support group that backs you every step of the way.

Everyone needs a little bit of help. Even caregivers.

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Caregiving is Hard- Give Yourself a Break

Give Yourself a Break - AmeriBest Home Care

Being a caregiver is a wonderful opportunity.
It’s a role that allows you to finally give back to your loved ones, make them happy, and watch them enjoy life.

But, it’s also a role that can be tiring, and a little difficult at times. Because being someone’s sole caregiver is full time job. And that can be hard to manage when you’ve got your actual full-time job to attend to and your own family to take care of.

Many caregivers think the solution to managing both their own life and their senior’s life, is to push themselves even harder; to spend less time leisurely, and more time running around. But this strategy can be detrimental to both your and your family’s health. Because it will eventually just wear you out.

The real solution to managing both your own life and your senior’s, is to make sure you take breaks and give yourself the rest you need. The real key to being a good caregiver, is knowing when to let yourself have some time off to recuperate and refresh. It’s extremely important to notice the signs of fatigue before the real fatigue hits, and give yourself time to rejuvenate.

If you’re feeling energized you’ll do a better job at, well, everything. You’ll be happier, healthier, and your loved senior will be better off knowing you’re doing well.

So, how does one strike this critical balance? How does one attentively care-give, while also watching their own personal health?

Ask for help!

Premium Homecare to the Rescue

Hiring homecare assistance gives you time to rest while making sure your senior is getting everything he or she needs. You can hire experienced nurses to watch over your senior on the regular. Or, you can hire trained assistants to stay with them just when you want a vacation.

Either route you choose, will give you the extra time you need to keep yourself going strong. No one works well when they’re burned out. But by getting yourself some extra help, you’re giving yourself time to relax and time to keep from tiring yourself out. This way, when you do spend time caregiving, you’ll be able to do it happily and with your best efforts.

Contacting a Homecare Agency for Help

When you call up a homecare agency for help, they’ll offer a wide range of services for you and your senior.

At AmeriBest we offer all kinds of services from physical therapy, to housekeeping, to transportation, to occupational therapy, and more. Our nurses and practitioners are all well trained and experienced to give you the help you need.

We cherish your and your senior’s health and happiness, at AmeriBest. When you hire an AmeriBest nurse or assistant, you’re hiring more than just a nameless face- you’re hiring a friend that cares. You’re hiring someone that’s going to give you the little bit of extra help you need to keep both you and your senior enjoying life, love, and good times.

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4 Must-Read Winter Caregiving Tips

With strong winds, freezing temperatures, and slippery roads, winter can be a dangerous time for the elderly. In fact, winter tends to have more casualties and accidents for elderly than any other season.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should make your senior stay indoors all day to avoid the weather. Because truth be told, that can be just as unhealthy. Rather, you simply need to take the right precautions to keep your senior safe and sound!

Here are 4 easy tips for winter caregiving!

Accompany your senior
The biggest danger for seniors walking in winter weather, is the chance of slipping and falling. Black ice, slush, and even bad rain, can make it hard for seniors to stay upright. Although falling may not sound like a big deal, it can be quite serious for elderly, because their bodies don’t hold up as well against sudden impact.

For this reason, it’s best to always accompany (or have someone else accompany) your senior when going outside during harsh winter weather. Hold your senior by the arm or elbow, so you can catch them if they start to miss a step- especially when crossing the street.

Make sure the heating works
Double check the heating is optimally functioning in the house and car! If you know some rooms are a little draftier than others, you may want to get some additional space heaters. It’s highly recommended to do a quick maintenance check before the winter weather truly hits. This way, if there is any problem with the heating, you can have it fixed before it’s too late.

Winter gear is a must
This is for both outdoors and indoors. Be sure your senior has a good, warm coat, hat, pair of gloves, and scarf. The last thing you need is for your senior to get sick with a cold, or worse. Also, be sure your senior has a pair of warm, sturdy snow boots. A good pair of boots will better prevent your senior from slipping.

Tip: Though it might sound like a lot to spend on just ‘clothes,’ if you spend the extra money on getting good winter gear, you’ll spend a lot less on medical bills later on.

Now, for indoors, winter gear comes in the form of blankets, socks and nonslip slippers. People often forget about winter gear for the indoors. But it is just as important, if not more important. Because chances are your senior spends more time indoors than outdoors. In which case, it’s crucial that your senior has the necessary clothes and whatnot to keep warm and toasty.

A little shoveling goes a long way
Even if your senior isn’t going outside while it’s snowing, he or she might still want to get the mail or newspaper at the end of the driveway. In which case, walking down snowy steps or an icy driveway will be a big danger. Save yourself the worry, and always shovel around the house during bad weather. And, don’t forget to add some salt as an added layer of safety!

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Learn to Care for Your Grandparents While Getting Paid

The hardest part about caregiving for family, is having to give up precious time from work.

Because less time at work equals less pay, which can be difficult when you’ve got your own bills to pay and family to take care of.

But what if we told you, it didn’t have to be that way? Nowadays, you can easily keep earning money while still caring for your grandparents. In fact, you can get paid to care for your grandparents!

It’s a total game changer. And here’s how that change can ultimately change your life!

No More Financial Stress
Say goodbye to the financial crunch and worry that comes with having to split all your time between financially supporting yourself and caring for your grandparents. Luckily, getting paid to care for your grandparents, takes the worry out of the situation! Not only does it take out the worry, but it adds in some additional relief.

Extra Downtime
When getting paid to care for your grandparents, you’ll find that you have way more time for other things, and other people. You’ll finally have time to finish that project you started months ago, or catch up with old friends, or maybe even have some much-needed self-pampering nights. Whatever it is you like to do with your time, it’s up to you! Because now you’ll actually have the time to do it.

Better Care for Your Grandparents
With less financial stress and more free time, you’re sure to be less overwhelmed. Which means, that you’ll actually be able to enjoy caring for your grandparents, as opposed to dreading it. And when you enjoy what you do, you tend to do a better job of it. You’ll be able to pay more attention to your grandparents, give them the consideration they deserve, have more patience for their needs, and most importantly, laugh, love, and appreciate every moment you spend with them.

A Happier Life
It’s no magic formula, it’s just simple math. When you don’t have to worry about money, and you have more free time to accomplish your goals, and you can rest assured your grandparents are getting the care they need- you’re going to be happier. You are going to be a happier person, with a happier life.

So… Now What?

Make the move to change your life! It’s that easy. There are two main ways you can get paid for caregiving. The first, is to apply for the right financial aid services and receive payments/stipends for you and your grandparents. The second, is to become a licensed caregiver and get paid for the work you do.

Have any questions? Interested in learning more? Give us a call at (215) 925-3313, or 1800-HOMECARE.

At AmeriBest, we’ll help you and your loved one in any way we can! So, learn to get paid for giving care to your grandparents and change your life in the process.

What more could you want?

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5 Easy Tips to Help You Care for Aging Parents

After years of them caring for you, it might be time to return the favor and start caring for your aging parents. This includes setting up a comfortable space for them to live, making sure their daily needs are met, making sure their daily wants are satisfied, and keeping them healthy and happy.

While that may sound like a lot to manage, it’s completely doable. Especially, if you create a care plan that takes into account both yours’ and your parents’ needs and limitations.

So, to help you better care for your aging parents here are 5 easy tips!

Create a Budget

When caring for aging parents, the first step is creating a budget- one for yourself and one for your parents. Before you can choose the best caregiving option for you and your parents, you’ll need to figure out how much money you can actually afford to spend. The most important question will be: are you paying or are your parents paying? Where will the money be coming from?

Once you’ve calculated a budget for how much you can afford to spend, the next step is to research which caregiving options align best with your budget.

Choose a Space

After you’ve got the budget set, you need to answer the next big question: where will you be caring for your aging parents? You can either move your parents into a communal home for the elderly, where they will be monitored and taken care of by staff members. Or, you can keep them at home, where you can watch over them and be sure they get the attention they need. Many parents prefer to stay in the comfort of their own homes, where they feel safe and at ease.

Plan for the Future

It’s an uncomfortable topic, but it has to be done. It’s extremely important to talk to your aging parents about what they want for themselves and their future, should something unfortunate happen where they can no longer make decisions later on. So that you don’t find yourself having to make hard choices on their behalf without knowing what they would want, talk to your aging parents now.

Know Your Limits

Taking care of aging parents can be physically and emotionally draining sometimes. That’s why, you have to realistically estimate how much time and effort you can put into caring for them, without damaging your own life.

Consider Extra Help

If you feel yourself getting worn down, you always have the option to call for some extra help. Look for home care services that offer trained medical attendants and personal care assistants. This way, you get the benefits of having a professional look after your parents, while also keeping your parents comfortably at home.

Plus, having someone else that you can rely on to take care of your parents, can be a real stress reliever when you have medical questions or simply want some time off.

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Life Hack: Get Paid for Caregiving

We all know job hunting is hard. We all know getting hired is even harder.

That’s why so many people find themselves jobless in a harsh reality. In the past year, unemployment rates in America increased to 3.9%. That’s roughly 6.3 million people in America with no job, and no income.

BUT, we’re here to fix that.

If you like helping others, we’ve got the job for you! At AmeriBest, you can get PAID for caregiving. We pay YOU to take care of others. It’s as simple as that.

Here’s just some of the great things we offer our employees:

Big Opportunities

With plenty of jobs to offer, AmeriBest is always looking to hire. Positions range from registered nurses, to physical therapists, to occupational therapists, to medical social workers, and more. There’s a whole list of great job opportunities to choose from. All you have to do is pick one and we’ll set you up on the road to success!

Don’t be afraid to find your dream job at AmeriBest.

Built-In Training

After choosing your dream job, we won’t just send you out onto the field to deal with the work alone. First, we’ll train you. You don’t need to have any prior medical knowledge- we’ll teach you everything. We’ll teach you all you need to know, so you can rest assured you’ll be ready and right for the job when the time comes.

Reliable Benefits

Our employees matter to us, and so does their health. If you’re working with us, we do our best to make sure you’re healthy and happy, always. Which includes giving you dental, vision, life, and medical insurance. With reliable medical benefits, you won’t have to stress about your own health anymore.

After all- you can’t take care of others, if you don’t take care of yourself first.

Excellent Pay

We offer competitive rates for non-competitive hours. We understand that many of you may be coming from homes where you need to be home some of the time. We strive to accommodate individuals from all lifestyles and backgrounds. So, we offer maximum flexibility with our competitive salaries.

AND, we offer holiday and overtime pay, so you’ll always be compensated fairly.
We care about doing what’s right by all our employees.

Great Environment

At AmeriBest, we pride ourselves on fostering a safe and nurturing place for our employees to work. The kind of environment where you comfortably grow at your own pace, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

Feel free to check out our excellent client and employee reviews!

A Better Future

At AmeriBest, we don’t just give you a job for the present. We give you a life for the future. That’s why we set you up a 401k. So, you can already start saving for retirement, now. Not only that, but with our training program, you’ll have a new practical skillset that you can use anytime, anywhere.

With a job at AmeriBest, you’ll be set for life.

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