The Connections Bridgewater-Somerville Edition Sept 2020

SPOTLIGHT ON SENIORS theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 24 BRIGHTSTAR CARE 44 E. Somerset Street, 1st floor, Raritan, NJ 08869 908-333-9633 Home care can be confusing and over- whelming for families. The difficulty often begins with deciding if now is the time to hire home care help, especially if it’s for a loved one who once took care of you. You want to make the right choices for their well-being and your peace of mind while honoring their pride and dignity. Start by asking the right questions Look at your loved one’s typical day. Ask questions to assess what kind of care they might need. • When the phone rings, do they answer it in a timely manner? • Can they have a conversation? • Is food stored safely? Is disposal appro- priate? • Are their living areas clean? • Are they getting laundry safely to the laundry room, washing, drying, folding, and putting it away? • Do they drive safely? • Do they shop for their own healthy gro- ceries, transfer the groceries from store to car to kitchen? • Can they manage their finances? • Do they socialize regularly? • Are they able to do activities they enjoy on their own? • Are they able to take care of their pets? If you answered NO to any of these questions, your loved one might benefit from companion care . The more “Nos” you check, the more likely they need support. • Can your loved one get out of bed easily? • Can they navigate living areas without risk of falling? • Can they get into the shower safely? • Do they bathe regularly? Maintain over- all hygiene? • Do they prepare regular meals? Follow special dietary requirements? • Do they manage their prescriptions ac- curately? • Can they manage any illness needs (e.g., testing blood sugar) effectively? • Can they manage medical equipment on their own? • Do they make it to their medical appoint- ments? Understand their plan of care? • Do they get regular exercise? If you answered NO to any of these questions, your loved one might benefit from personal and/or skilled care . The more “Nos” you check, the more likely they need support. • Can they remember events from the pre- vious day or week? Are they able to re- member names of people close to them? • Do they remember to turn off burners? • Do they continue to come and go with- out confusion? • Are you able to go through your day without worrying about their safety? If you answered NO to any of these questions, your loved one might benefit from care provided by nurses or caregivers who are experienced in caring for those with memory loss . Talk with family and others Understanding your loved one’s need for care also comes through discussion with family and others involved, including if family members or others are available, willing and able to provide the level of care required. As you explore home care op- tions, also consult with the professionals in your loved one’s life: physicians, financial planner, social worker or mental health pro- fessional, etc. What’s next? You should now be better prepared to talk with your loved one about care op- tions that will help them live at home safely and happily. Still have questions? Call us or download our complete Home Care Planning Guide . https://www.brightstarcare.com/home_ care_planning_guide_skilled.pdf If your loved one would benefit from any of these services and you’d like to learn more, call us 24/7 at 908-333-9633 or contact us online. https://www.brightstarcare.com/ somerset. Our team is always ready to help. IS IT TIME FOR HOME CARE HELP? C ommends C onnection You want to make the right choices for their well-being and your peace of mind while honoring their pride and dignity. As you explore home care options, also consult with the professionals in your loved one’s life: physicians, financial planner, social worker or mental health professional, etc. “Providing home care services to seniors and the disabled” CONTACT US TODAY - AND SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LOVED ONE'S LIFE. Personal Care (ADL) Services • BATHING • TOILETING • DRESSING • WALKING • TRANSFER • FEEDING Lifestyle Support Services • LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING • MEAL PREP • MEDICATION REMINDERS • LAUNDRY • BED MAKING • COMPANIONSHIP 406 US Hwy 206 • Hillsborough, NJ 08844 908-359-4663 Fax 908-837-9604 info@ccare.us · www.ccare.us