Hello everyone…as we (hopefully) leave the pandemic in the rear view mirror and search for normalcy, we will always be left with some baggage of how life had to be altered during 2020. The ripples that rolled out were endless and affected most aspects of life in some why, shape or form.

For seniors and their family, the pandemic meant not being able to see loved ones and access familial support. With that, came isolation, uncertainty and, in some cases, speculation about care. How can one monitor mom and dad’s care when they have no ability to lay their eyes on them!?

One thing some families took to were video cameras. However, capturing one’s life on camera comes with many questions (see this article in US News and World Report: https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/should-you-use-a-granny-cam-to-monitor-a-loved-ones-care). What about privacy? What about the capture of personal and confidential conversations? Even HIPPA compliance? And what about what cameras do not “catch.”

Use of cameras in largely an attempt to make sure care is sufficient and loved ones are safe. They can be useful but it is important to note that they also might only tell part of the story. What is seen can occasionally be out of contest and cause concern when nothing nefarious is is in play. What if a conversation took place out of the camera’s eye and mic that led to an action. And action that, to the viewer, deemed inappropriate or out of place? When if fact, it was a direct result of instructions from the very person one is monitoring?

We always tell our caregivers that are working in an environment with cameras to be extra careful. It is not that we do not trust them. Rather, we just want them to know that what is seen is in play…and always be mindful of how an action might appear on camera. However innocent it might be.

For now, camera as here to stay as are all the implications of that. Keep on caring evreyone!

A few weeks back Caring Companions had a brush with the dreaded COVID-19 virus. Fortunately, the situation did not yield any long-term complications and everyone is fine. However, the brush made me revisit a BLOG entry I wrote a while back entitled “Do You Have a Plan C?”

The premise of that BLOG was that if you have a loved one that needs care, who is plan A and who is plan B? And, with the introduction of a pandemic, who is plan C?

Many of the families we work with consider Caring Companions their plan A. We are the front-line help and to an extent become an extension of their family. If, for some reason, their primary caregiver cannot go to help them, we send the pre trained on-call manager or they go to plan B. That is usually the family caregiver (spouse, daughter, etc.). However, in the times of a pandemic, having a plan A and B might not suffice.

Imagine this scenario. One morning plan B (the family caregiver) wakes up with COVID-19. They are contagious and, as a result, their normal plan A (Caring Companions) cannot come in due to the risk of infection. Never-the-less, their loved one still needs help. The family member with COVID is flat on their back with a fever and other symptoms. What happens to the one requiring assistance? Is plan C a family member that comes in and lends a hand? Or, is there even a plan C?

Our brush with the virus came in the form of an asymptomatic, but COVID positive caregiver being in contact with a family. Before she even felt sick the caregiver was contagious and had helped the family. As soon as her symptoms kicked in, she was tested and was positive. Fortunately, we had considered the plan C possibility and, because we do not offer skilled nursing services nor do we have the protective gear to service a COVID positive client, had identified another company that could service them with increased gear and nurse supervision.

So, for two weeks, the family was without the beloved caregivers we provide to them. Instead, they had substitutes that got them through the crisis. Once the isolation period was over and the caregiver was COVID negative, we were able to resume service and get the train back on track.

The point of this whole message is this…if you do not have a plan C, you need to get one. As unlikely as it is, the diligence in laying the foundation could mean the difference between an inconvenience and a catastrophe.

Happy caring! Thanks to all you amazing caregivers out there!

Adam

Hi friends:

Most of you know that Caring Companions of Atlanta has had many touch-points with those living with dementia and their care. Our Geriatric Care Coordinator Lynn Ross has done many seminars on care techniques and I serve on the advisory Board for Amy’s place in Roswell.

Recently, the community outreach person from memorycare.com, Angela Williams, emailed me to share with what they are up to and see if I might include them in my BLOG posts. So, I went and took a look.

Memorycare.com is a privately-funded venture that “uses a dual approach of data-driven research and first-hand knowledge from aging experts, medical researchers, and its board of advisors to help caregivers and those living with dementia find the tools and resources they need to achieve the best possible quality of life, while maintaining cognitive function.” Their researchers then use a rigorous formula that identifies the best memory care facilities in a given area based on the following criteria:

Location (20%)

Availability and Involvement of Experts (30%)

Facility Features (30%)

Amenities (20%)

From there, one can see facilities in their area they deemed superior. I recognize all the names of the places in the Atlanta metro area.

It is worth a look to follow their link above and take a look if you have a loved on and are considering memory care. However, I always recommend using a placement company like Care Patrol of Metro Atlanta or Senior Living Specialists of Georgia rather than going it alone…their experience and insight can help a ton and save families from being inundated with solicitation calls.

Remember, to be a good caregiver, you need to take care of yourself! This is especially so for families living with dementia. Hang in there!

Adam