While Christmas and the Holiday Season are usually beloved by children, adults can have mixed feelings about this special time of the year. Many enjoy the celebrations and time spent with family while also experiencing increased stress levels and scheduling challenges. It seems everyone is busy running around, shopping, and attending to family needs.
But the challenges are even greater for families who look after aging loved ones and folks with daily care needs. Their Holiday Season can be particularly chaotic and especially this year with the surging COVID-19 crisis. Fortunately, Santa can arrive early in the form of professional home care services!
Here are 5 ways a Santa Monica or Marina del Rey caregiver agency can help bring more holiday cheer into the lives of stressed-out families:
1) COVID-19 & Senior Housing – Unfortunately, this year’s pandemic is the proverbial “elephant in the room” that just won’t go away. And a second surge hit right at the beginning of the Holiday Season. The timing and longevity of the crisis has left many families wondering how to best care for aging loved ones. Some are specifically reviewing housing alternatives for family members in senior living communities, which are more vulnerable to virus spread.
A professional caregiver company, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can help folks wishing to keep an aging family member at home or those considering relocating a loved one from an assisted living community back into a home setting. Home care agencies provide caregivers that can either aid loved ones in their own homes or serve as “respite” (back-up) for family caregivers who need a break. So, even if “Mom” plans to move in with the family, additional help is available to assist with the transition.
2) Peace of Mind – Busy holiday schedules can contribute to increased stress levels, but so can worrying about the safety of a vulnerable family member. When these two factors are combined, many folks feel entirely overwhelmed. Fortunately, a Los Angeles home care agency can offer peace of mind to reduce anxiety.
A professional caregiver will provide companionship and supervision to a vulnerable loved one during the Holiday Season, reducing risk of dangerous falls, medical emergencies, and household calamities (like fires). Home care aides also ensure better nutrition and medication adherence for aging seniors who may otherwise neglect their health when living alone. If family members are too busy to visit their older loved ones daily, at least they can know they’re well cared for!
3) Child Care & Household Duties – Supervising children in the age of COVID-19 is quite challenging. Many are home from school, but parents must still work and manage daily duties. Other youth are struggling to stay active and suffer effects on mental wellness.
A professional caregiver from BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey can serve in a number of ways. First, home care is for people of all ages and not just seniors. So, children can benefit from supervision and companionship when other family members are unavailable. Some caregivers can even assist children struggling with distance learning.
Second, a home care aide can perform household duties that otherwise require parents’ attention, enabling more family interaction. A caregiver might supervise a child during the “virtual” school day and then help with laundry and meal preparation later, freeing up time for a family walk or beach outing.
4) Travel & Shopping – Millions of Americans are following CDC guidelines that call for reductions in non-essential travel amid the pandemic. However, data shows many still visited family and friends over the Thanksgiving Holiday. And for those who must travel, home care services fill important gaps in care.
As most people know, seniors are at particularly high risk for COVID-19 contraction and complications. So, some families might decide to travel while leaving aging loved ones at home under the care of a professional caregiver. And home care agency services can even free up time for short excursions, such as afternoon Christmas shopping.
5) Work – Unfortunately, many people have found themselves out of work due to COVID-19’s broad-reaching and ongoing effects. But others are busier than ever. These folks often include “essential workers,” emergency responders, and healthcare professionals. On one hand, they are blessed to have jobs. But on the other hand, they have little free time and suffer high stress levels.
People who do find their work lives particularly busy this Holiday Season might enlist the help of a home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, to assist with family caregiving obligations. If loved ones are left alone due to overtime hours, a professional caregiver can fill-in to provide care and companionship in the evenings. A home care aide can even work overnight assignments to ensure safety and address needs 24/7!
Closing Thoughts - It’s been said many times already, but 2020 has proven an unprecedented year for most Americans. And COVID-19’s continued surge has made this Holiday Season unusually challenging for millions of families. While home care agencies have provided supplemental aid for decades, their resources may be particularly apropos now. And families across the financial spectrum who budget for respite caregiver services will likely find their money is well spent!
If you’re seeking caregiver services in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood or the adjacent communities, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free registered nurse (RN) assessment!
But the challenges are even greater for families who look after aging loved ones and folks with daily care needs. Their Holiday Season can be particularly chaotic and especially this year with the surging COVID-19 crisis. Fortunately, Santa can arrive early in the form of professional home care services!
Here are 5 ways a Santa Monica or Marina del Rey caregiver agency can help bring more holiday cheer into the lives of stressed-out families:
1) COVID-19 & Senior Housing – Unfortunately, this year’s pandemic is the proverbial “elephant in the room” that just won’t go away. And a second surge hit right at the beginning of the Holiday Season. The timing and longevity of the crisis has left many families wondering how to best care for aging loved ones. Some are specifically reviewing housing alternatives for family members in senior living communities, which are more vulnerable to virus spread.
A professional caregiver company, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can help folks wishing to keep an aging family member at home or those considering relocating a loved one from an assisted living community back into a home setting. Home care agencies provide caregivers that can either aid loved ones in their own homes or serve as “respite” (back-up) for family caregivers who need a break. So, even if “Mom” plans to move in with the family, additional help is available to assist with the transition.
2) Peace of Mind – Busy holiday schedules can contribute to increased stress levels, but so can worrying about the safety of a vulnerable family member. When these two factors are combined, many folks feel entirely overwhelmed. Fortunately, a Los Angeles home care agency can offer peace of mind to reduce anxiety.
A professional caregiver will provide companionship and supervision to a vulnerable loved one during the Holiday Season, reducing risk of dangerous falls, medical emergencies, and household calamities (like fires). Home care aides also ensure better nutrition and medication adherence for aging seniors who may otherwise neglect their health when living alone. If family members are too busy to visit their older loved ones daily, at least they can know they’re well cared for!
3) Child Care & Household Duties – Supervising children in the age of COVID-19 is quite challenging. Many are home from school, but parents must still work and manage daily duties. Other youth are struggling to stay active and suffer effects on mental wellness.
A professional caregiver from BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey can serve in a number of ways. First, home care is for people of all ages and not just seniors. So, children can benefit from supervision and companionship when other family members are unavailable. Some caregivers can even assist children struggling with distance learning.
Second, a home care aide can perform household duties that otherwise require parents’ attention, enabling more family interaction. A caregiver might supervise a child during the “virtual” school day and then help with laundry and meal preparation later, freeing up time for a family walk or beach outing.
4) Travel & Shopping – Millions of Americans are following CDC guidelines that call for reductions in non-essential travel amid the pandemic. However, data shows many still visited family and friends over the Thanksgiving Holiday. And for those who must travel, home care services fill important gaps in care.
As most people know, seniors are at particularly high risk for COVID-19 contraction and complications. So, some families might decide to travel while leaving aging loved ones at home under the care of a professional caregiver. And home care agency services can even free up time for short excursions, such as afternoon Christmas shopping.
5) Work – Unfortunately, many people have found themselves out of work due to COVID-19’s broad-reaching and ongoing effects. But others are busier than ever. These folks often include “essential workers,” emergency responders, and healthcare professionals. On one hand, they are blessed to have jobs. But on the other hand, they have little free time and suffer high stress levels.
People who do find their work lives particularly busy this Holiday Season might enlist the help of a home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, to assist with family caregiving obligations. If loved ones are left alone due to overtime hours, a professional caregiver can fill-in to provide care and companionship in the evenings. A home care aide can even work overnight assignments to ensure safety and address needs 24/7!
Closing Thoughts - It’s been said many times already, but 2020 has proven an unprecedented year for most Americans. And COVID-19’s continued surge has made this Holiday Season unusually challenging for millions of families. While home care agencies have provided supplemental aid for decades, their resources may be particularly apropos now. And families across the financial spectrum who budget for respite caregiver services will likely find their money is well spent!
If you’re seeking caregiver services in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood or the adjacent communities, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free registered nurse (RN) assessment!