Navigating the Options: How to Choose the Right Philadelphia Home Care Agency

Right Philadelphia Home Care Agency

When it comes time to get additional care for your loved one, you want to choose a Philadelphia home care agency that offers the very best. But without a reference point, it can be difficult to find the agency best suited to your loved one’s needs. This article will discuss what to look for in a home care provider so you can make the best choice for your loved one.

What to Look for in a Philadelphia Home Care Agency

Service Options

Families must ensure the agency they choose is suited to their loved one’s needs. Some seniors require basic care, such as meal preparation, cleaning, and mobility assistance.

Others have more advanced needs for medical conditions. They may require vital sign monitoring, medicine administration, and other types of specialized care.

Find out what services the agency offers to ensure they provide the care your loved one requires.

Affordability

Affordability is not only about the rates the agency charges. Agencies can offer other services that make care more affordable.

For example, they may work with Medicaid to provide government-funded services. They may even train family members so they can get paid to care for loved ones.

Families should also look for agencies that accept their insurance and offer private pay plans that allow relatives to split the bill.

Skilled Workers

Find out about caregiver skill level. Do the aides receive ongoing training? Are they required to hold a certification to perform certain tasks?

A skilled caregiver is more likely to provide your loved one with the care and attention they require.

Referrals, Reviews, and Recommendations

Modern technology makes it possible to look online and learn about the level of service a Philadelphia home care agency provides. Research reviews and customer ratings. Determine if you feel the agency will be the right fit for your loved one.

Ask friends and family if they have an agency they would recommend. They may provide a trusted opinion.

You can also ask the agency if they can put you in touch with past and current clients. They will provide insight into the agency’s quality of service.

Caring, Compassionate Caregivers

It can be difficult to determine whether caregivers are caring and compassionate until you work with them. However, if you meet with the agency and staff, you will get an idea of their level of empathy and understanding. Your gut will tell you whether they will provide the loving care your senior relative deserves.

AmeriBest is a Preferred Philadelphia Home Care Agency

You can spend hours, days, or weeks navigating your home care options or save yourself time by choosing AmeriBest first. AmeriBest has been rated one of Pennsylvania’s top five home care agencies. We take a patient-centric approach, ensuring each client receives the personalized care they deserve.

We make care more affordable by allowing family members to get paid for caregiving. We offer competitive pay and an impressive benefits package. Caregivers train in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Contact us for all your loved one’s home care needs.  

 

What Is Companion Care For The Elderly?

Companion Care For The Elderly

As the golden years set in, tasks that once felt effortless can gradually become daunting burdens. It’s a tough truth that our beloved seniors often grapple with challenges such as reduced mobility, feelings of isolation, and the complexities of managing chronic illnesses independently.

These obstacles can cast a shadow over their quality of life. But don’t lose heart. There’s hope to help them navigate these rough waters while encouraging their cherished independence—the companion care services.

You might be wondering what exactly companion care for the elderly entails. And more importantly, how can it bring a positive change in the lives of your loved ones? 

What Is Companion Care for the Elderly?

Elderly companion care is a gift of friendship and support provided by dedicated companion sitters. These caring experts offer a hand with everyday tasks that are often tough in the golden age due to age-related issues. The kind-hearted companion sitters for the elderly extend help beyond typical medical boundaries.

Their services include light housekeeping, arranging transport for appointments, and offering gentle reminders for medication. They’re even there to rub shoulders for a card game or to cheer our elderly at social gatherings.

The beauty of this service is that it combats feelings of loneliness in the elderly by offering consistent companionship, uplifting their spirits and improving their mental wellbeing. These services, together, form the essence of non-medical elderly companion care.

Companion Care

Who Can Benefit From Companion Care Services?

Seniors With Limited Mobility

Aging is often accompanied by a decrease in mobility. This can stem from diseases like cardiovascular conditions or simply declining muscle mass due to age. Elderly companion care services are crafted to be an essential pillar of support for these individuals, making once tough tasks much more manageable again.

Seniors at Risk of Social Isolation

Isn’t it comforting to know you’re never alone? For seniors living away from family or by themselves, feelings of isolation can creep in. These feelings can cloud their golden years. With companion sitters for the elderly services, caregivers offer more than care; they offer friendship. Their emotional well-being is our top priority.

Seniors Living With Chronic Illnesses

Living with a chronic disease can be an uphill battle. Companion care providers are trained not just to offer support but consistency as well. They are here to regularly check in, provide relief for families, and ensure that the well-being of your loved ones is always monitored.

Those Experiencing Cognitive Decline

This is a reality for many seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. A reliable and caring companion care worker can instill a sense of routine and offer assistance where necessary, striving to make the journey a little less stressful.

What Is Involved in Companion Care for the Elderly?

  • Assistance With Everyday Activities. Companion care for seniors involves aiding them in day activities—from house cleaning and medication management to grooming. It is not hands-on care like bathing and feeding, but it involves everyday tasks.
  • Social Activities. Companion care also involves engaging the elderly in social activities, whether board games at home or social events organized by senior centers and community centers.
  • Medication Reminders. Companion caregivers can ensure that the elderly take their medication on time and correctly. They help with medication management, reminding seniors to take their prescriptions and adhering to any particular instructions.
  • Emotional Support and Companionship. Companion caregivers provide emotional support, reducing feelings of anxiety and loneliness and helping seniors maintain positive emotional health.
  • Transport to Appointments. Whether it’s a medical appointment or a social event, companion caregivers provide convenient transportation and ensure the elderly are not missing out on necessary engagements.

How Much Does Companion Care Cost?

The average cost of elderly sitter and companion care varies depending on various factors such as the location, the care tasks required, and the duration of services needed.

However, many insurance plans cover the cost of companion care, and some care agencies even provide caregiver listings for independent contractors, helping the one who pays for companion care for the elderly to negotiate and manage the financial aspects of this type of care more proficiently.

How to Choose the Right Companion Care

1. Professional Qualifications and Background Checks

The first step in finding the right companion care is to search for qualified professionals. These are individuals registered with care agencies, or sometimes independent contractors, with appropriate training in companion care.

Whether you’re choosing through professional caregivers or considering independent contractors, checking their qualifications assures you they are equipped to take care of elderly people properly and responsibly.

Aside from professional qualifications, a crucial part of the selection process is confirming they have been vetted appropriately via a background check. This gives you, as the family, the peace of mind knowing your loved one is in safe hands.

2. Experience With Elder Care

Having the right qualifications is one thing, but direct experience with elder care is another significant consideration. Someone who has previous experience working with seniors can better understand and cater to their unique needs. They are more equipped to handle age-related concerns, from physical limitations to chronic illness or cognitive decline.

3. Personalized Care Plans

Finally, a reliable companion care provider should be prepared to offer a personalized care plan, catering to your loved one’s specific needs and preferences. This plan shows that they understand and respect that each senior is unique and has different requirements to enhance their quality of life. The care plan should be flexible enough to adapt to any changes that might occur with the elderly’s health status or preferences.

Whether they require more assistance with daily activities or social events or have new medical appointments to keep track of, the care plan should encompass these evolutions.

Choose AmeriBest Home Care for Compassionate Elderly Companion Care

Ensuring a rich and fulfilling life for your loved ones as they age is at the heart of what we do at AmeriBest. We are experts in delivering non-medical companion care unique to your elderly loved one’s needs. For those in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Allentown, PA, consider us your reliable partner in providing sophisticated care for seniors.

Our dedicated caregivers are ready to provide the essential support, companionship, and care your loved ones deserve. We’re here to keep them comfortable, engaged and living life to its fullest.

Contact us today at 1-800-HOMECARE and explore together how our professional companion care services can enrich your loved one’s daily life. With AmeriBest, your loved ones are always in caring hands.

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. As a home care agency for stroke recovery in Philadelphia, AmeriBest sees the impact of strokes on individuals and families daily. Did you know that, according to the American Heart Association, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds in the United States? It can lead to disabilities and death. The good news is that 80% of strokes can be prevented. Keep reading to learn more about stroke reasons, risks, signs, and post-stroke care in Philadelphia.

The Makings of a Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to some part of the brain becomes blocked. Alternatively, it may happen when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When brain cells do not get oxygen-bearing blood, they will die. This creates a medical emergency. The sooner stroke treatments can be administered, the better chances physicians have of allaying some of the potential results. Delays in stroke treatment increase the risks of permanent brain injury or even death. 

Stroke Risks

There are a variety of factors that increase the potential for having a stroke. Some risk factors can be managed by medicine and monitoring, others cannot. If you have:

  • A history of smoking, alcoholism, or using illegal drugs
  • An abnormal heart rhythm
  • Damaged heart valves
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Hight Red Blood Count, Cholesterol, or Lipids. A high red blood count means your blood is thick, increasing the chance of clots. Cholesterol can thicken arteries
  • Obesity
  • TIA (transient ischemic attacks aka a mini-stroke) history

Then you have a higher propensity toward stroke, especially if more than one of these factors is in play. 

While strokes can happen to anyone at any time, people over 55 have twice the chance of having a stroke. Men experience strokes more often than women. One in four people who survive a stroke are at risk for another. 

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

Stroke Signs

The CDC explains the use of the FAST system to recognize the signs of a stroke.

F – Face drooping

A – Arm limp or weak

S – Speach issues, including stuttering

T – Time is of the essence – call 911 immediately.

What Can You Do?

When consulting with families in the AmeriBest Home Care Philadelphia, PA caregiver agency circle, we strive to educate everyone on ways to prevent stroke. The most important action is living a healthy lifestyle, including adjusting your meal and snack choices to more fruits and vegetables while avoiding trans fat, cholesterol, and salt. 

It’s also important to watch your weight. Obesity increases stroke risk. The BMI index is one that shows you if your weight is in a healthy range. If you know your weight and height check it here. Hand in hand with your weight comes activity. Movement helps stabilize or even decrease your weight while supporting healthy blood pressure. 

You can learn a lot and make great contacts by participating in a National Stroke Awareness event near you.

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

It can be overwhelming to care for a stroke patient while also attending to your own needs. That’s where home and community-based programs like those at AmeriBest come into the picture. We can provide your loved ones with improved safety, while also focusing on their recovery. Call the AmeriBest Home Care Philadephia office (215) 925-3313; 1-800-HOMECARE for information. You can also email info@ameribest.org, or use our online form for questions.

Home Care Agency for Stroke Recovery in Philadelphia

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America – Caregiving for Someone with MS 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Month takes place in March of every year. During this time, many organizations including AmeriBest Home Care Agency in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PA, shine a light on the struggles faced by people living with MS. In order to care for your loved one, you may find having a caregiver home health aid improves the individual’s quality of life. It also helps to learn as much as you can about how MS manifests and what you can do to make your life, or that of a loved one, better. 

An Invisible Disease

To look at a person with MS, you might never know there was anything wrong with them. The symptoms often remain invisible, and not everyone is vocal about their situation. Some days they may have a flare-up, and a week or month later the symptoms subside. It’s not a contagious condition. Researchers aren’t fully aware of the triggers for MS and continue seeking answers. 

MS A Closer Look

When a person’s immune reaction damages protective sheaths around nerves in the brain, Multiple Sclerosis begins. 

When MS appears it’s often in a young adult. Nonetheless, Multiple Sclerosis is age “blind”-it can be diagnosed at any time. There are various signs of MS, including

  • Visual changes or problems
  • Numbness
  • Bladder or digestive issues
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or joint pain

Multiple Sclerosis is rarely fatal. While new medications exist to help control the frequency of MS symptoms, there is no known cure. 

Worsening Progression

For some with MS, their condition continues to progress with more severe symptoms. As Multiple Sclerosis advances, it severely impacts every aspect of a person’s life, often shortening it by up to 7 years. Some families find it hard to help such individuals alone. 

That’s where caregiving for someone with MS can use helping hands, namely by seeking a top home care agency in their area. AmeriBest ranks highly among Home Health Aide Services in Harrisburg, PA, for our dedication, the quality of our care, and our compassionate aids. 

Consider the difficulty of attending to the safety and well-being of an individual who

  • Cannot talk or walk
  • Struggles with breathing
  • Experiences spasms or tremors
  • Has balance problems, creating a fall risk
  • Develops paralysis or partial immobility
  • Illustrates difficulty with swallowing
  • Show signs of memory loss

While not all people with severe MS develop all of the symptoms, these represent the range of potential problems ahead. 

Coping & Helping

There’s no question that people with MS and their families experience ongoing stress, worry, fear, and sometimes guilt. As you understand what a person is experiencing, you can find the best possible course of care, one where you’re supported too. From providing transportation to medical appointments and medication reminders to helping with everyday chores, a home caregiver aid is a support unit. 

You don’t have to try to do everything by yourself. Reach out to the professionals at
AmeriBest Home Care by filling out our contact form or by email: info@ameribest.org. You can also call one of our two offices: 

Philadelphia, PA 215-925-3313 

Harrisburg, PA 717-545-2920

or 1-800-HOMECARE

American Heart Month: What is it and How to Observe it?

Every February, AmeriBest Home Care of Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PA, joins with many other organizations, physicians, nurses, in-home care workers, and families alike to observe American Heart Month every February. Why? Because over 600,000 people die annually from heart disease in the United States alone. Heart disease shows no preference for age, gender, or ethnicity. However, the following factors impact your risk:

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Inactivity 
  • Poor diet
  • Smoking

If you have been thinking about caring for your loved one at home due to their heart health (combined with other matters), there are ways to give them heart-healthy habits and choices. In addition, you and your family can become advocates for raising awareness about heart disease by first learning about it. This is part of what American Heart Month is all about. 

Heart Disease 101

The term “cardiovascular disease” (CVD) is often used synonymously with “heart disease.” Both are umbrella terms covering everything from congenital heart defects and heart rhythm problems to the most common form of heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries going to the heart, leading to stroke and heart attack. And while all that sounds frightening, the good news is that many deaths can be prevented with proper care. The earlier, the better. 

Signs of Heart Disease

CVD often goes hand in hand with old age. At AmeriBest, we work with seniors, giving them ways of strengthening their circulatory system. The first step is teaching families and individuals the signs of heart disease so prompt medical treatment occurs:

  • Chest pain (or pressure in the chest)
  • Feeling constantly tired or exhausted
  • Nausea and vomiting regularly
  • Palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness

Preventing Heart Disease

Home health aid services like those AmeriBest Home Care provides help you monitor heart health, but that’s only one part of the equation. There are great ways to keep a person’s heart in shape. Think of healthy habits like a daily vitamin supporting wellness. 

By making minor changes, you can get on the road to improved heart health. Start with increasing activity levels. Don’t go from zero to one hundred—small, progressive steps matter. About two and a half hours of moderate activity a week is all it takes. If your loved one has physical limitations, AmeriBest’s outstanding caregivers can help develop a safe routine.  

Next, think about diet. Limit saturated fats, salt, and meats with high-fat content. Stress fruits, whole grain, nuts, and vegetables. Look into the Mediterranean diet for ideas.

Monitor yourself or your loved one. When you go for a check-up, talk with the physician about blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. There are medications specifically designed to target these two risk factors. And, people may not have to take them forever if they make suitable lifestyle choices. 

Finally, get more rest and avoid stress factors. Both support your immune system and improve both mental and emotional well-being.

Need Help?

If you’re in the Philadelphia or Harrisburg, PA area and have a loved one who needs more support than you can provide, reach out to us, asking about home care services. As a professional home health care agency, our staff provides compassionate and insightful assistance. Feel free to contact us HERE any time with your questions. 

Should You Become an Organ Donor? Pros & Cons

As a leading home care health provider in Pennsylvania, we at AmeriBest field many questions from families with aging clients. Among them is whether or not your loved one (or yourself, for that matter) should become an organ donor. It’s a complex decision and one in which reliable data is essential. 

Organ Donor Myths

In considering the pros and cons of organ donation, there are a lot of myths floating around that you need to circumnavigate. Misinformation taints your ability to make an informed choice. For example, some feel that physicians don’t work as hard to save organ donors. That goes against the Hippocratic Oath in every way. In fact, your health care team before a transplant is usually different than the one doing it.

Age and Health

You do not have to be young or in pristine health to be an organ donor. Before any transplant occurs, doctors evaluate all the conditions involved. There are a few exceptions, of course, like active cancer. Basically, the organ’s health is more important than your age group.

Living Organ Donors

Many people do not know about living donors. Tissues from certain parts of the body including the kidney, liver, and lungs, all qualify for living donations. By participating in this kind of organ donorship, you save the recipient’s life and that of someone who needs a full-fledged transplant. 

Religious Beliefs

AmeriBest works with families to get a familiar person into at-home care. Said individual typically knows the personal beliefs of someone before getting them involved in living or after-death donations. Most major religions have no taboo against organ donations; it is an act of kindness. 

Closed Casket Funerals

While you might think otherwise, unless there is serious disfiguration from the cause of death, there is no reason families cannot have an open-casket funeral. Donors get respectful, dignified care. Also, there is no cost for the procedure to the donor or their family. 

Organ Donation by the Numbers

One of the things that may figure into your discussions of organ donation is the sheer volume of need. Twenty-two people die daily while waiting for a transplant. There are over 120,000 people currently on the waiting list for organs in the U.S. alone. That number grows by 10 every 10 minutes.

The impact of organ donation is substantial. Just one person can save up to 8 lives, and a tissue donor can improve the lives of 50.

Organ Donation Cons:

  • Uncertainty: You, your loved one, or your family may find the idea uncomfortable or troubling. Allaying those feelings is often simply a matter of education and discussion.
  • Risk & Recovery: As a living donor, be aware that the process is major surgery, and it has risks that your physician will outline. Recovery can take time, and it is not always pain-free.
  • Scaring: Living donor procedures may leave lasting scars.
  • Insurance Woes: Some insurance companies do not cover any resulting problems ensuing from the donation.
  • Emotional Discomfort: If your loved one is a donor, their body will be kept on life support to protect the organs. For many, the “waiting game” is highly distressing.

Organ Donation Pros:

  • Knowing you Helped Others: Organ donation saves one, if not many, lives. 
  • Comfort upon Death: Knowing your loved one’s organs went forward to save others provides consolation and closure in the midst of tragedy. 
  • Comfort in Life: As a living donor, you’ll learn about some of the lives you’re helping (no specific names, of course, but situational information).
  • Full Body Donation: Should someone choose to become a full-body donor for medical research, the studies can lead to solutions for diseases in the future. Medical students can learn through working on cadavers, and in most cases, the organization accepting the donation provides a free return of the individual’s ashes.

Becoming an Organ Donor

If you want to learn more about becoming an Organ Donor, your caregiver, home health aid can become a bridge for learning more. It’s essential that an individual, or their power of attorney, can speak about personal wishes after death. The process includes:

  1. Signing up as a donor
  2. Register as a donor
  3. Add your status to your state identification
  4. Sign and carry your donor card (or let people know where to find it with other vital documents)
  5. Tell your medical care providers about your choice
  6. Include your directives in a living will

No matter what, AmeriBest is here for you. We have offices in Harrisburg (717-545-2920) and Philadelphia (215-925-3313). Or you can call any time: 1-800-HOMECARE.

Interested in working as an in-home care assistant? Start HERE.

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help? Be Mindful of These Signs

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help Be Mindful of These Signs

Your parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle in Philadelphia might be in need of home care assistance yet too proud to ask for help. You can do your part to ensure your loved one lives with dignity by keeping an eye out for the common signs seniors display when in need of care. If you notice any of the signs detailed below, do not hesitate to ask for assistance from our Philadelphia and Allentown home care providers.

Alterations in Physical Appearance

Be particularly mindful of your loved one’s personal aesthetic. Even a slightly diminished personal appearance is an indication of a senior in need of assistance. Significant weight loss or weight gain is also a sign that his or her nutritional intake should be addressed with the assistance of a meal preparation assistant. 

Furthermore, if you spot bruising and the senior refuses to explain how those bruises occurred or cannot remember how they occurred, it is an indication that he or she suffered a fall. If your parent or other loved one has an odor, it is a sign that he/she failed to bathe properly and should be provided with home care that helps with mobility, bathing and personal grooming.

Mobility Limitations

A senior who fears the challenge of getting in/out of the shower or bathtub or a senior who does not want to get out of bed due to pain when moving, is in desperate need of a home healthcare assistant. The installation of grab bars along with a shower seat will certainly help yet it will not be enough in and of itself. A home care specialist who provides ongoing care and mobility assistance will help your loved one make the transition from bed to the bathroom, into the living room and possibly even outside.

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help Be Mindful of These Signs

Mood Alterations and Forgetfulness

Though identifying depression in senior citizens is not easy, those who pay close attention to their parent or other loved one will be able to identify changes in outlook and demeanor that indicate depression. Money woes, health issues and the lack of friendships negatively influences mood. If your loved one is more irritable, lacks energy or no longer has interest in the activities he or she enjoyed in prior years, it is a sign of depression.

If you notice alterations in your loved one’s memory, an increase in forgetfulness or the mismanagement of medication, it is an indication of dementia. There is also a chance your family member is suffering from both depression and dementia at the same time. 

Assistance from a home care provider will lift your loved one’s spirit, give him/her something to look forward to and also prevent a spiraling depression that leads to suicidal thoughts. Home care service also provides invaluable reminders pertaining to medication, ensuring your family member takes his or her medication at the scheduled times every single day without exception.

AmeriBest Home Care is Here to Help

If you recognize the signs detailed above that indicate your parent needs home care, contact our Philadelphia home care specialists today. You can reach our home care providers by phone at 1-800-HOMECARE or by email at info@ameribest.org

Do Your Parents Need Home Care Help Be Mindful of These Signs

Thanksgiving 2021: To be, or not to Be 

This year’s Thanksgiving will be unlike any other. The cost of turkeys has skyrocketed and the fear of coronavirus continues to ominously hang overhead. You can still celebrate the holiday by taking the proper precautions at your Philadelphia home. 

The Safe Thanksgiving You and Your Loved Ones Deserve

The Thanksgiving celebration does not have to spread coronavirus throughout your family. If possible, move the celebration outdoors so everyone can breathe in the fresh air while enjoying turkey and all the fixings. There is no shame in wearing a mask while around loved ones until Thanksgiving dinner is ready. 

Above all, it will help to keep your celebration small. Limit the number of participants at your Thanksgiving dinner and you will have done your part to prevent the potentially deadly transmission of coronavirus between loved ones. 

Encourage Family Members to get Vaccinated

Vaccination is essential to safeguarding yourself as well as loved ones from COVID-19. If anyone invited to your holiday celebration is not vaccinated, encourage them to get the jab as soon as possible. Even one shot prior to Thanksgiving will help protect your family. 

Ideally, everyone who attends your Philadelphia Thanksgiving celebration will be fully immunized. Immunization helps to reduce the chances of severe illness as well as death. If everyone who attends your get-together is fully vaccinated, the event will be as close to normal as possible.

Thanksgiving 2021, Thanksgiving for seniors

Include the Kids

Kids between the ages of 5 and 11 are now eligible for vaccination. Have your kids vaccinated as soon as possible and you will be able to include them in your Thanksgiving celebration without even the slightest worry. Though your kids will not be fully vaccinated by the big day, partial vaccination will make a meaningful difference both in terms of health and wellness as well as your peace of mind. 

So don’t make any plans for a second “kids” table that is socially distanced from that of the adults. You can include vaccinated kids at the regular dinner table without worry by getting them vaccinated today.

Mind the Ventilation

If those attending your Thanksgiving celebration are not vaccinated, they can still interact with revelers at your home. However, it is in your interest as well as that of attendees to ventilate the area to the best of your ability. Open up the windows, turn on the ceiling fans and use air purifiers. Even opening a door every hour or so will improve ventilation, reducing the chances of a breakthrough case. 

Consider Rapid Testing

Though some family members might scoff at the idea of being rapid tested prior to socializing with their loved ones, it is in the interest of the collective family unit for such testing to be performed. Rapid tests generate results in mere minutes, providing everyone who attends the family get-together in Philadelphia, Allentown, or a nearby community with a truly invaluable peace of mind.

Learn More About Home Care by Connecting With AmeriBest Home Care

There is no shame in asking for Philadelphia home care assistance, especially when the grueling Philadelphia winter arrives. Our home care specialists are here to help you enjoy a high quality of life throughout the winter and beyond. Give us a call today at 1-800-HOMECARE or send us an email at info@ameribest.org to find out more about how our home care services will improve your quality of life or that of a loved one.

Halloween for the Elderly: COVID-proof Activities and Ideas

Halloween is only a week away. Now is the time to start preparing for trick-or-treaters, scheduling get-togethers and planning for other spooky Halloween festivities. If you are a senior citizen in Philadelphia or the child/grandchild of a local senior, do not assume the elderly cannot partake in all the fun Halloween activities. Be creative and you will find there are several ways to safely participate in Halloween even as the pandemic continues.

Whip up Some Tasty Halloween Treats

You can socially distance without completely skipping Halloween. Stay inside this year, bake some delicious cookies, cupcakes and other sugary concoctions with your family and play some Halloween music to get into the spirit of the holiday. A Graveyard Cake, a Berry Scary Martini and a Brainy Cupcake will lift your spirit and also provide something sweet to enjoy. 

A Halloween Movie Marathon

Instead of venturing out to a Philadelphia movie theater and risking exposure to coronavirus, stay inside and watch a couple Halloween movies with your parent, grandparent or other elderly relative. Fill a bowl with Halloween candy, stretch out on the couch with some warm blankets and enjoy a Halloween movie marathon.

Hold a Scavenger Hunt

If your parent or other elderly loved one is capable of walking and bending over without significant pain, hold a scavenger hunt on Halloween afternoon. Hide sweets and diminutive Halloween decorations around the house, dress up in a spooky costume and have a contest to see who can find the most Halloween treasures.

Create Your own Halloween Costume

As long as your beloved senior citizen doesn’t have painful hand/finger arthritis, creating a Halloween costume will be fun and fulfilling. Break out the sewing machine, draw some costume designs and bring them to life. Once your Halloween costumes are ready to go, load up on the candy and wait by the door for trick-or-treaters. 

Just be sure the costume you select doesn’t have a mask that restricts airflow.  Also, lean toward costumes that are more of a snug fit than a loose fit as costume elements that dangle or drag are that much more likely to result in a potentially debilitating trip and fall.

Consider Holding a Virtual Halloween Party

In-person Halloween parties will undoubtedly occur throughout the greater Philadelphia area and beyond this October. However, surrounding yourself with potential virus-carriers is especially dangerous if you are a senior citizen. 

You can enjoy the company of others without leaving your home by participating in a virtual Halloween party. If you are a Philadelphia senior citizen, ask your care provider or a family member to help you set up a Zoom videoconference where you interact with your family and friends through your computer and you won’t have to spend this Halloween alone. Be sure to don your favorite Halloween costume during the virtual get-together to enjoy this special time of the year to the fullest.

Schedule Home Care With AmeriBest

There is no shame in asking for help, especially when you have reached your golden years. If you or a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle in Philadelphia need assistance in the home, reach out to AmeriBest today. You can reach our Philadelphia care providers by phone at 215-925-3313 or through our contact form.

Coronavirus Holiday Safety for Seniors

Coronavirus Holiday Safety for Seniors

With a vaccine nearly here, health officials are still strongly encouraging mask wearing and social distancing. In fact, many states have recently added new safety precautions – including limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people at a time.

This makes holiday planning a little tricky for seniors this year.

But, not to fear! Seniors can still celebrate and partake in all the holiday cheer. They just have to do it smartly and safely.

In this article, we’ve included tips on how to keep your senior safe throughout the holidays, as well as suggestions on how to help your seniors make the most of their celebrations this year.

How to Keep Seniors Safe This Holiday?

As a word to the wise, here are some basic safety precautions to take this holiday season. You may be tired of hearing these tips, but it’s always good to have a reminder every so often. Especially, when it comes to the health and wellbeing of seniors we love. And, make sure your senior is following all CDC health guidelines.

  1. Avoid large parties.
  2. Social distance.
  3. Wear a mask.
  4. Wash hands frequently.
  5. Keep some hand-sanitizer nearby.
  6. Find out the health status of your guests.
  7. Sit 6-feet apart when eating.

How to Make the Most of the Holidays This Year?

Just because there are extra rules and regulations this year, doesn’t mean the holidays are ruined. In fact, you may find that some of these safety precautions actually have some positive impacts on the holidays. 

1. Focus on What Matters

Over the years, the holidays have become so commercialized, that we’ve easily lost sight of what truly matters. The real meaning behind the holidays.

Now, we have a chance and a reason to get away from the huge parties and instead stay home with family. The stricter safety regulations this year have given us a chance to spend quality time with our seniors and the people we truly love.

2. Send Gifts Ahead of Time

Sales have already begun. This means, that you can easily start your holiday gift shopping now.

If you can’t spend the holidays in-person together, sending gifts ahead of time to your senior is a sweet way of showing that you care. You can also make it an activity over the phone, and help your senior send his or her gifts to friends and family.

3. Learn How to Entertain Virtually

If you’ve got a big family, video calls will be your best friend this holiday season. Put your senior on a video call to keep him or her safe, but included. You can unwrap gifts together, watch holiday movies together, sing together, play games together, or even just sit and chat.

Video calls are a wonderful way to spend time with everyone this holiday season, while still being cautious.

4. Send Some Holiday Cards

Phone calls and video calls are nice, but there’s something extra special about a hand-written card. It may sound old-school, but sending a hand-written holiday card or thank you card, will really show your senior how much you care about them and how much you miss them. You may even want to help your senior write out some cards as well! 

Ready to provide caring and capable Home Health to a loved one in the comfort of their very own home? AmeriBest Home Care can help you! Call us today by number: 215-925-3313!