The Connections Bridgewater Somerville Edition November 2020

SENIOR LIVING theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 41 Right Care WithRight at Home Get The Call us to see how we can help. 908.281.7961 During these times, home is the right place to be. In-home care is the perfect choice for those who want to remain independent but are challenged by the activities of daily living. Serving Somerset & Hunterdon Counties PERSONAL CARE · COMPANIONSHIP · LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING · TRANSPORTATION Serving Somerset & Hunterdon Counties November is National Family Caregivers Month – for those of you who take the time and make the sacri ce to care for a loved one, we salute you!! “Family caregiving is a labor of love, and studies show it offers many emotional rewards,” said Janet Kuebler, Certi ed Senior Advisor and Owner of Right at Home homecare serving Somer- set and Hunterdon Coun- ties. “But caregiving is hard work. Caregivers can put their health in jeopardy. They often have little time to exercise, go to the doc- tor, or relax and unwind. They may be nancially supporting their loved one, while cutting back on their own work hours.” For fam- ily members, being a caregiver also makes it hard to maintain your relationship as a “spouse” or “son/daughter.” And in 2020, as they help loved ones stay safe, they are under even more stress! The Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention recently noted, “Unpaid caregivers for adults, many of whom are currently providing critical aid to persons at in- creased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, had a higher incidence of adverse mental and behavioral health conditions compared with others.” How can caregivers get ad- ditional help? “If you know a family care- giver (and no doubt you do), this is a great time to lend a hand,” said Janet. “If you’re a family member, organize a family meeting to talk about sharing caregiving tasks. Friends can join in, too.” If you are a family caregiver, it is import- ant to recognize when you may bene t from some assistance; caregivers often slowly give up their own lives and activities over time without even recognizing it. Don’t let a sense of obligation or guilt stop you from looking into help or accepting help from oth- ers. Some things to consider: • Look into the services of an aging life care professional (also known as a geriatric care man- ager or Certi ed Senior Advisor), who can help locate services. Also, support groups are a great setting in which to share emotions safely and nd tips from people who have “been there.” • Skilled nursing care can be provided at home and may be covered by Medicare or private insurance. These services can include physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) or speech therapy. • Homecare can provide great ‘nonmedi- cal’ assistance, including services such as per- sonal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, help going to the toilet), light housekeeping and laundry, meal preparation, health reminders, transportation, and companionship. Having some help only a few days a week can provide a much needed break. In choosing partners to assist your family, do your homework. Choose a reputable agency that screens, trains and supervises their caregiv- ers, and handles liability insurance and workers’ compensation for their employees. And espe- cially in 2020, it’s important to check out the agency’s infection control policies. About Right at Home of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties Right at Home is a locally owned and operated New Jersey licensed Health Care Service Firm, accredited by CHAP, serving Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Our mission is to provide our clients and their families with an improved quality of life. For more information, contact Janet Kue- bler by phone at 908-281-7961 or by email at janetk@rah-wcnj.com. Choose a reputable agency that screens, trains and supervises their caregivers, and handles liability insurance and workers’ compensation for their employees. “Unpaid caregivers for adults, many of whom are currently providing critical aid to persons at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, had a higher incidence of adverse mental and behavioral health conditions compared with others.” RIGHT AT HOME 105 OMNI DRIVE, HILLSBOROUGH, NJ 08844 908-281-7961 www.rightathome.net/west-central-new-jersey SOMETIMES FAMILY CAREGIVERS NEED HELP TOO Janet Kuebler, Certi ed Senior Advisor (CSA), Certi ed Dementia Practitioner (CDP)