As we head into the warmer months and begin to emerge from this trying year there are many activities seniors can enjoy outside. It is important for our physical and mental health to enjoy the warm weather and fresh air. Soaking up the sunlight helps generate Vitamin D, which is necessary for a healthy brain, bones and muscle. This can also help improve cognitive function and mood. In addition to the physical benefits of natural sunlight and fresh air, being outside provides many emotional benefits as well. Here are just a few ideas to think about as we head into summer!

• Soak up the sun at a park
• Catch a grandchild’s sporting event or game
• Feed the ducks at a local pond
• Have a nice outdoor picnic with your caregiver or loved one
• Grab an ice cream and watch kids on the playground
• Attend an outdoor community event
• Go to a local farmer’s market to shop around

Whatever your choice just make sure to enjoy times with loved ones and take in the sun as the weather warms up!

The ease of hiring the caregiver is one of the bigger differences when working with a home care agency vs. a private caregiver. When looking for a home care agency, it is a very simple process. Finding an independent caregiver, on the other hand, can be a challenge. It is analogous to hiring an employee. One must write up a job description and post that description in various locations. The family and the care recipient will want to meet with the caregiver to “interview” them, and many interviews may be required. However, the difficulty in finding independent caregivers is one of the main reasons families opt for home care agencies instead. There also can be issues related to call outs, vacations and changes to caregivers schedules and without an agencies back up support can leave families without care during critical times.

A rigid hiring practice is critical as well as you want to make sure your caregivers have been fully vetted. Below is just a sample of what Cottage Caregivers provides families to ensure the quality of the caregiver:

Experienced Caregivers, HHA’s & CNA’s
Companion focused approach
Behavioral testing
Completion of Caregiver Exam
Reference checks
National background checks

Other major issues related to hiring caregivers privately, relate to taxes and liability. Families used to have the option of hiring the caregiver as an independent contractor (and therefore, the family would not be responsible for payroll taxes, withholdings, etc.). However, this is no longer an option for families, as the IRS has ruled that caregivers must be classified as employees, not independent contractors. The family must make sure they are following all unemployment insurance, workers compensation policies, state taxes as this can cause major headaches down the line. This also goes for having the proper insurance liability for any private workers in the home.

We hope this helps and reach out Cottage Caregivers for any questions you have related to working with a professional and experience home care agency!

The winter can be very difficult and dangerous for seniors living alone. It is important to make sure the house is prepared for winter storms and possible loss of power. This is even more important for senior living on the South Shore. Seniors living in Hull, Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Marshfield, Duxbury and Plymouth are even more susceptible to storm issues like road closures, power outages and storm damage. Make sure you follow some of the suggestions below to prepare for winter.

1. Make sure there are storm windows installed. Make sure all windows are fully closed and latched.
2. Install an emergency generator for any power outages. If that is not an option have an emergency plan in place to relocate your loved one if the power is out and there is not heat or way to keep food from spoiling.
3. Make sure the home has emergency food supplies and plenty of bottled water.
4. Make sure the fireplace and chimney have been professionally cleaned prior to winter. Also, make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have new batteries and test that they are fully operational.
5. Make sure the gutters have been cleaned from any fall leaves and debris to avoid ice dams.
6. Make arrangements for snow and ice removal for your loved on so caregivers and visitors and emergency personnel can easily access the home.
7. Make sure your keep an eye on your loved one for any wintertime depression. It is common for seniors to become more isolated in the winter as their social interaction decreases. Make sure they have the companionship and support they need during these critical months.
8. You need to make sure your senior gets plenty of Vitamin D during the winter as well. Plenty of milk, grains and specific seafood to keep them healthy as they will be getting less sun during the winter months.

Press Release:  Cottage Caregivers Partners with SafetyNet Tracking Systems

Cottage Caregivers is excited to announce our partnership with SafetyNet Tracking Systems (SafetyNet). Cottage Caregivers provides high level compassionate, professional and dependable senior home care across the South Shore and Southeastern, MA.

SafetyNet operates across 23 states State wide search and rescue capability in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. SafetyNet also offers individualized Medical ID Bracelets for people with a variety of  medical and cognative conditions. The tracking program utilizes proven radio frequency technology and works directly with law enforcement and other public safety agencies to locate individuals with autism, Alzheimer’s, dementia and other similar cognitive conditions who have wandered and become lost. All are individually numbered with wearer’s information kept in confidential database for use by SafetyNet, Law Enforcement and authorized entities in the event the person needs to be located using the identification assistance provided by SafetyNet’s 24/7 Emergency Call Center.

Sean McDonnell, President & Owner, stated “We are very excited to partner with SafetyNet to meet the needs of our valued seniors and their families across the South Shore. The safety of the seniors we work with is our highest priority and we believe strongly in the services SafetyNet can offer to our families. We can also offer special SafetyNet pricing to our Cottage Caregivers families.”

Scott Martin, Owner and CEO of SafetyNet Tracking Systems stated “Great to hear all of the good things that Cottage Caregivers is doing for our Seniors and we look forward to working with Cottage Caregivers and their families. SafetyNet is a great, lifesaving program and we are always looking for people and organizations like yours who are as committed to protecting those at risk as we are.”

About Cottage Caregivers, LLC

Cottage Caregivers, LLC is a locally owned business committed to providing professional, non-medical home care to the people of Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol Counties in Massachusetts. We provide customized, affordable, basic home care services, which allow individuals to maintain their independence and stay in the comfort of their own home environment. Cottage Caregivers also partners with Elder Living Advisors to help families find the best senior living options from Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care communities and Skilled Nursing facilities.

Cottage Caregivers is a proud winner of the Best of In-Home Care Award from SeniorAdvisor.com, the largest ratings and reviews site for senior care and services in North America. This recognition represents the top tier of in-home care, assisted living, and other senior living providers, based on the online reviews written by seniors and their families.  This exclusive designation places the winners in the top one percent of senior care providers according to those who matter most – the consumer.

The annual SeniorAdvisor.com Best of Awards celebrates the best of the best in home care and senior living across the United States and Canada.  Of the nearly 100,000 providers currently listed on SeniorAdvisor.com, just over 1,000 were recognized with this award.

Cottage Caregivers is one of the only home care winners in Massachusetts and has consistently ranked at the highest levels in family reviews across multiple online channels including Facebook, Caring.com. Care.com and the Better Business Bureau.

About SafetyNet Tracking Systems

SafetyNet is a Boston Based company that provides protection, tracking and identification for people who are prone to wandering and becoming lost. Unlike GPS or cellular systems SafetyNet has the capability to locate someone virtually anywhere as long as there is SafetyNet trained agencys available. The average search time for someone on SafetyNet is about 30 minutes from the time they are reported missing. 

SafetyNet not only saves lives it gives caregivers peace of mind knowing that if their family member does wander off and becomes lost Law Enforcement and other public safety agencies have the ability to bring them home safe and sound.

To date SafetyNet trained agencies have had over 800 search and rescue calls for SafetyNet clients around the country and ALL have been successful.

Often times the primary caregiver for a parent is the son or daughter who lives nearby and is juggling work as well as taking care of their own children. This “Sandwich” generation often as both parents working full time and trying to juggle their children’s soccer practice with their parent’s doctor’s appointments. Many times this leads to days off work, starting late, leaving early or long lunches all of which impact their work performance.

The infographic below shows the overall employment impact. It is important to use all of the resources you can to support you in your efforts as caregiver fatigue is a very real thing. Also, making sure not all of your time with your parent is in “caregiver mode” is important to this critical relationship at this important time. Remember, your are not alone and reach out when you need help or a break!

“I have been with Cottage Caregivers for almost a year. I cannot say enough about the staff and owners/managers. They are supportive, respectful and kind not only to the clients we all care for and their family members but to the staff that work for them as well. The other caregivers I have met since working for cottage are some of the most professional, reliable and compassionate people I have met since my 25 years in this line of work. Working in a management position myself at a long-term care facility for the last 19 years I admire the way my supervisors at Cottage Caregivers never speak down to me or make me feel undervalued, quite the opposite it is a team approach that you do not find many places. All the caregivers that I have met treat our clients like family members. Working for Cottage Caregivers does not feel like a job it feels like I get to go to somebody’s home and spend time with friends and family.” – Kara

“I work for Cottage Caregivers and absolutely love this company. They truly care about their clients and their employees. I highly recommend this company for your loved one”. – Patty P. Holbrook, MA, Caregiver

5 Star Google Review “Wonderful compassionate care and support given. A locally owned and family operated company who are a joy to work with. CHECK THEM OUT!” – Janice D., Marshfield, MA

5 Star Google Review “I have worked for Cottage Caregivers for several years and have been extremely happy. I have thoroughly enjoyed providing important care services for clients and feel very satisfied leaving work each day. Additionally, management at Cottage Caregivers is incredibly organized, communicative and understanding. This is a great company to work for!” Bridget C. Marshfield, MA

5 Star Google Review “I am a new employee (HHA) I wanted to state how amazing cottage caregivers is and how I finally found a job that I have a sense of belonging and each one works as a team! It really is a great place to work.” Hannah M., Bridgewater, MA

5 Star Google Review “Cottage Caregivers is an incredible company with compassionate and dedicated caregivers. Working for this agency has truly been an amazing experience. The administration is organized and supportive, putting the caregiver and client above all else. The staff is filled with individuals that go above and beyond to ensure the best care, and the clients are lovely people to work with. I would highly recommend joining the Cottage Caregivers team to anyone looking for a meaningful work experience.” Emily C., Boston, MA

The Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA) educates and certifies professionals who work with seniors. The Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® credential applies to professionals who are able to demonstrate their competence and knowledge of working with older adults into their professional practices. By creating a network of qualified professionals, SCSA strives to create a strong and safe environment for seniors and those working with them.

The CSA certification and education programs are developed through a rigorous practice analysis/research study involving hundreds of professionals who work with the older adults from the academic community, industry practitioners, regulators, business and non-governmental organizations. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the CSA credential applies to professionals in all areas of the aging industry. SCSA is committed to maintaining the high standards of ANSI and NCCA accreditation by continually improving its certification and education programs.

In order to maintain the CSA certification, individuals are required to demonstrate a commitment to high standards, continuing education, professional ethics, and trust. This sets the CSA credential holder apart from other practitioners working with older adults.