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Spring Cleaning May be on April’s To-Do List, but What About “Moms” Senior Care Needs?

April 1, 2021
Daniel Peters - Sales & Business Development Director
Spring is often a time of life-planning and reassessment for people and families across Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Brentwood, and the entire West Los Angeles region. From the traditional “spring cleaning” plans to yard sales, tax filings, and vacations, the season is often considered a time to get things done. And with Los Angeles reopening from the long COVID-19 closures, spring 2021 seems busier than ever!

But the transition from winter to summer is also a good opportunity for families to investigate Santa Monica senior care services that benefit vulnerable loved ones. Professional caregivers not only assist aging folks with activities of daily living (ADLs) but also improve quality of life and well-being more generally. Securing a great aide now can allow “Mom” or “Dad” to fully enjoy summer activities further down the road!

Here are ways a well-matched home care aide will benefit your older loved one while also easing family burdens this spring and beyond.

COVID-19 and the “Reopening”

Spring is often a time when families focus on their “to-do” lists. But the 2021 season is likely to be busier than ever as Los Angeles recovers from an unprecedented shutdown. Children are returning to in-person classes, sports activities are resuming, and businesses are reopening.

Families that explore home care resources sooner rather than later will secure the best-matched caregiver for their aging loved one. Many home care aides are returning to work as society reopens, but they will likely be scooped up quickly due to incredible demand. Folks who wait until the very last minute to enlist the help of professional home care may find their resources more limited.

Spring & Summer Vacations

Families who care for aging loved ones sometimes face challenges when planning vacations or special events. And the spring/summer window is a prime time for trips, weddings, and other major festivities. These activities are further complicated when people serve as the primary caregivers for vulnerable family members. Fortunately, a professional home care agency in Santa Monica, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, or the nearby areas can empower families and caregivers to take much needed breaks.

A BrightStar Care aide, for example, can provide reliable help with a bit of planning. Not only can she fill-in for vacations and temporary care needs, but she may also prove a good long-term fit for ongoing services. Many families find that while they had intended to provide senior care themselves, the needs were overwhelming. There’s no shame in getting professional support to ensure aging loved ones get the care they need!  

Rebounding from Social Isolation

Most seniors have been homebound over the past year due to COVID-19 concerns and social-distancing precautions. But with newly available vaccines, many now feel safe to leave the house and are wanting to make up for lost time. Now is a great time to enlist the help of a Santa Monica home care agency, which can help facilitate safe activities for your aging loved one.

Perhaps “Mom” would like to start taking escorted walks in the park again. Or maybe “Dad” is hoping to re-join his old buddies at the social club. A professional caregiver can help older folks safely leave their homes while promoting independence. And even seniors who prefer to stick around the house may be happy to have the assistance and companionship of a home care aide, since COVID-19 forced many to go it alone during the sustained lock-down period.

Driving & Fall Risk

Many seniors are cognitively sharp and full of life but suffer from mobility challenges. And these folks can still enjoy life despite their physical limitations. Professional caregivers, such as those provided by BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can provide the mobility assistance needed to facilitate safe activities for otherwise at-risk seniors.

A home care aide can help with “fall precautions” for someone who likes to get outside but is unsteady on his feet. Or a caregiver can drive an older adult with visual impairment to the store, cafĂ©, or friend’s house. With today’s available home care resources, there’s simply no reason a mentally alert and active senior should remain homebound due to mobility limitations!

Transitioning from Facility to Home

COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on society and perceptions, and the effects will likely outlive the pandemic itself. For many families and seniors, one of the consequences is a new outlook on senior living options. Specifically, many folks are reconsidering the benefits of aging-in-place at home versus living in a large senior community (assisted living facility).

Some families had hoped to transition their aging loved ones from facilities back home after the outbreak of COVID-19 but found it was too late. Moving during the height of the pandemic was a complicated endeavor full of health and logistical risks. In a way, society had grinded to a halt, and the ability to move itself was impacted by the overall shut-down.  

People researching home care in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood, and the adjacent areas are wise to view spring 2021 as a valuable “window” to make moves happen. While the pandemic prognosis looks good with vaccinations and lower infection rates, nobody knows for certain what the future holds. Any family or senior who feels they may prefer living at home as opposed to residing in a large community environment is wise to take advantage of the moment. And a trusted home care agency can empower these folks to return home and age-in-place safely and comfortably!

Final Thoughts

Consequential moments in history have dramatic effects on the lives of people, but they also impact society’s overall zeitgeist. As America recovers from a year of sustained pandemic and social lock-downs, many families are re-thinking their priorities. And for some residents of Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and the West Los Angeles region, securing home care services for an aging loved one is now at the top of the list.

Fortunately, a trusted Santa Monica home care agency can guide families through the process of securing reliable caregiver services. The right home care aide will help promote a loved one’s health and safety while also improving quality of life. And for seniors looking to return home after riding out the pandemic in large facilities, in-home caregiver services are the perfect solution!

If you’re seeking home care options for a loved one in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, or the Westside region, be sure to call BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse)!