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.

Check out the latest episode of Elder Law TV where Attorney Patrick Kelleher interviews Sean McDonnell, President of Cottage Caregivers.

Cottage Caregivers Partners with HomeCare Express

Cottage Caregivers is excited to announce our partnership with Homecare Express of Hanover, MA. Cottage Caregivers provides high level compassionate, professional and dependable senior home care across with South Shore and Southeastern, MA. Homecare Express based in Hanover, MA has provided high quality durable medical equipment on the South Shore since 1999. They provide a wide range of home medical equipment and oxygen supplies coupled with a professional and experience staff to meets all of the healthcare needs for their clients. As a result of the partnership clients of Cottage Caregivers clients & families will receive special pricing and delivery programs from Homecare Express. Cottage Caregivers will also provide special pricing for any Homecare Express customer.

Sean McDonnell, President & Owner, stated “We are very excited to partner with Homecare Express to meet the needs of our valued seniors and their families. In a time when all healthcare costs are rising it is critical to provide maximum value for all the needs of our seniors for both home care and equipment. We look forward to working with the experienced and professional team at Homecare Express to meet those critical needs.”

Dianne Long, Homecare Express President “We are honored to partner with Cottage Caregivers to help our local seniors stay comfortable at home.  Homecare Express strives to deliver quality caring service from our family to your family.”

About Cottagecaregivers.com

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 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 Homecare Express:

Homecare Express is a family owned business that has been proudly serving the South Shore’s durable medical equipment needs since 1999. Our valued customers know they can rely on our wide range of home medical equipment and oxygen supplies and helpful staff for all of their healthcare requirements. With Homecare Express’s retail showroom and distribution center, we offer a quality, caring service and a customized experience for every client.

As a complete provider of health-related equipment and supplies; Homecare Express carries everything from durable medical equipment to aids to daily living and a full line of motorized wheelchairs and lift chairs. Homecare Express is your one-stop solution for durable medical equipment and supplies with the experience and the staff to assist you.

Visit us at 10 East Street Hanover MA or online at HomeCareXpress.com.

Cottage Caregivers is excited to announce our partnership with Bonnie Peterson and her dog Gurnet! Gurnet is a rescue yellow lab from Texas.  He is 7 years old and attended a three-month training at Petco & passed the Adult 1 training level with his owner/handler Bonnie Peterson of Marshfield, MA. Gurnet has an AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate and completed the therapy dog training program with Dog B.O.N.E.S. headquartered in Scituate, MA. Gurnet has worked at both the Marshfield and Scituate Libraries as part of our volunteer work. Therapy dogs are family owned pets that have great temperaments, love people, have good obedience skills and have an owner that wants to share their dog with others on social‐based visits.

“Gurnet and I enjoy making people happy.  We love working to bring smiles on people’s faces and allow them the opportunity to spend time with a pet as it makes you feel good!” said Bonnie Peterson, Gurnet’s owner. “We know that spending time with our pets and animals elevates our mood, makes us happier and feel connected.  We are so excited to be involved with Bonnie and Gurnet and to be working together to reach the seniors in the community. This program allows seniors to spend time with an amazing therapy dog who brings happiness and joy to all he meets!” said Karen Carroll, Managing Director, Cottage Caregivers.

Cottage Caregivers serves the following zip codes:

Weymouth, MA 02188, 02189

Quincy, MA 02169, 02170, 02171, 02269

Braintree, MA 02184, 02185

Hingham, MA 02043, 02044

Cohasset, MA 02025

Scituate, MA 02040, 02055, 02060, 02066

Marshfield, MA 02050, 02051, 02020, 02041, 02059, 02065

Duxbury, MA 02332

Plymouth, MA 02360

Hanover, MA 02399, 02340

Canton, MA 02021

Hull, MA 02045

Norwell, MA 02061

Norwood, MA 02062

Abington, MA 02531

Whitman, MA 02382

Rockland, MA 02370

Milton, MA 0237

Stoughton, MA 02072

Randolph, MA 02368

Holbrook, MA 02343

Sharon, MA 02067

Whitman, MA 02382

Hanson, MA 02341

Pembroke, MA 02359

Kingston, MA 02364

Bridgewater, MA 02324

West Bridgewater, MA 02379

East Bridgewater, MA 02333

Halifax, MA 02338

Karen Carroll, Managing Director and Julie Morse, Senior Client Care Manager working the Cottage Caregivers booth at last week’s Senior Service Networking Conference. A great event!

Unfortunately, most families are finally able to convince their senior parent to accept in-home care after a medical event such as a fall or other health related hospitalization. Seniors are often hesitant to accept in-home care as they feel they are quite capable of managing on their own. Hiring a caregiver is seen as a threat to their independence and an invasion of privacy. Below are a few suggestions to help you navigate what can be a challenging process at times

1. Ally with the more independent parent.

When your parents are both living and reside in their own home together, direct your attention to the less needy one. For instance, suggest that their spouse would be the one to benefit from outside assistance even when they both might. By allying yourself with the more independent parent, you may ultimately be able to get them both to accept the help they require. This is important as well as studies have shown that the primary caregiver in the home will often experience additional health issues to do the fact they are truly caring for two people.

2. Start with a Caregiver trial period to focus on general support versus personal care

Another approach might be to suggest hiring a caregiver to manage some household chores and NOT actual hands-on care or personal assistance. Often this is seen as less threatening to a loved one’s independence and will serve as a means to “get the caregiver’s foot in the door”. Suggest help with food shopping and traveling to appointments, particularly when driving is no longer an option. If you also let them know it is a trail period they are often more accepting and once they see the value they will almost always continue with the services.

3. Make it about “You” versus “Them”

If your parent is living alone or with you, redirect the attention on YOU as the caregiver needing the home care assistance for peace of mind. Emphasize that you would be the one to benefit a lot from such help as many parents place concern for their children’ welfare before their own. If a Caregiver can come in to assist your loved one with bathing and personal care, you would have more time to manage other household responsibilities. As a working caregiver, suggest that by having a companion or assistant stay with your loved one, it would relieve you of worries and concerns while away.

4. Use a Health Professional to help with the discussion

Another idea might be to seek the help and advice of a trusted professional who is someone your parents hold in high regard. They might surprise you by their willingness to accept the advice of a long-time family physician, a former or current home health nurse, or a family friend in the medical field. Many home care agencies will have a Nurse on staff for assessments which can help with the discussion as well.

5. Don’t take their resistance personally.

In many families, your conflicting role as the child and caregiver hinder your well-meaning attempts at helping your parents. The basis for your actions should not be confused by misguided guilt. Therefore, do not take their rebuttals personally or offensively, but rather focus on a necessary means to an end. As mentioned earlier, it is important to have them get the support they need prior to an event such as a fall or other health related issue due to not getting the support they need as soon as they need it.