Nutrition Tips for Agencies to Share with Caregivers

Nutrition is crucial to our well-being. In a caregiving setting, nutrition is equally important, and yet the topic is often overlooked. Nurse2Help is hoping to spread the word, and share with agencies how essential it is to keep caregivers informed of healthy eating habits that promote patient success.

Wholesome eating makes for a healthy mind and body. Most caregivers intend to prepare nutritious meals for their clients, and yet their efforts are thwarted when the patient states they would rather indulge. Sometimes, caregivers feel it’s easier to succumb to the client’s wishes and serve ice cream and pretzels for lunch.

Agencies, listen up! While this may be acceptable on the rare occasion, it’s important that you hold your staff accountable and share with caregivers the following nutrition tips.

1. Urge clients to drink plenty of fluids.

Patients will not only stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water — they will also be satiated for longer periods of time and less likely to overeat. The Mayo Clinic revealed that the average adult male should consume 15.5 cups of fluids per day, while the average adult female should drink approximately 11.5 cups per day.

Nurse2Help highly recommends that agencies urge caregivers to monitor their clients’ hydration. Water, milk of the low-fat or fat-free variety, and 100% fruit juices are all healthy options.

2. Incorporate healthy produce into the patient’s meals.

MyPlate is affiliated with the United States Department of Agriculture, and offers sound dietary recommendations to the general population. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins such as chicken and fish will keep patients energized. Along with dairy, these ingredients make up the five food groups (per MyPlate’s specifications).

To ensure caregivers are aware of these dietary recommendations, agency leaders should consider going over the MyPlate webpage with them, and encourage team members to implement what they’ve learned while preparing client meals.

3. Serve produce in a variety of colors.

Think of fruits and vegetables the way you would a rainbow. There are a variety of different colors available, and you’ve got to go through them all to reach the pot of gold at the end.

In other words, different-colored fruits and vegetables offer different nutrients, and caregivers can optimize their clients’ health by serving a rainbow of fresh produce throughout the day. Cabbage, carrots, kale, corn — the color options are seemingly endless!

4. Throw out food that might not be safe.

To minimize patients’ risk of contracting food-related illnesses, agencies should explain to caregivers the dangers of keeping unsafe ingredients in the fridge or lying out on the counter. If they see moldy bread or expired milk tucked away in the kitchen, tell them to throw it out. It may seem like a waste, but in some cases the decision to throw away questionable food can be lifesaving.

Agencies should also highlight how important it is for caregivers to adequately cook eggs, fish, meat, and poultry. In turn, these items in particular should not be left sitting out for hours on end.

5. Read the Nutrition Facts label before serving readymade items.

It is also important that caregivers understand the Nutrition Facts label on the foods they serve. By recognizing how many calories — and how much sodium, sugar, and saturated fat — are in the foods they prepare, they will be equipped to make better dietary decisions with their patients.

Agencies should note that an informed caregiver translates to a healthy client. By keeping abreast of government-sanctioned nutrition tips, all parties can do their due diligence in truly nourishing patients.

Stay tuned for more caregiving tips, tricks, and resources from Nurse2Help. The Nurse2Help app lists hundreds of prescreened caregivers in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.

3 Ways Caregivers Can Improve Their Patient Communication

Marty has Parkinson’s disease, and Sage was recently hired as his full-time caregiver. While she has her patient’s best interests at heart, their communication is a bit strained — Marty lashes out when the certified nurse brings up his health, and Sage is struggling to connect with her client on a personal level. To help people like Marty and Sage, Nurse2Help has compiled three techniques to improve communication, and ultimately strengthen the caregiver-patient relationship.

The home care industry can be difficult to navigate. In particular, if the patient believes the caregiver is invading their personal space and property, serious issues may ensue. That said, it’s important for the caregiver to understand where the patient is coming from — and vice versa.

Nurse2Help recommends that caregivers follow the three following tips to improve their communication with patients:

1. Practice active listening.

All clients, no matter their living situation or health status, have lived full lives. Perhaps they feel distant from their loved ones because of their compromised independence, or they are not coping well with changes to their physical condition.

Regardless of what the patient is going through, the caregiver must listen actively to their thoughts, feelings, and needs. If the patient is acting out, the caregiver should explore the root of the issue by asking questions such as, “What, in your opinion, is making you feel this way?” To strengthen the caregiver-patient bond, the professional should empathize with the client, listen to them when they speak, and maintain an open line of communication.

In many cases, frustration is the product of feeling misunderstood. Caregivers must let clients know they understand where they’re coming from. It is essential that they validate the client’s concerns, and take note of any insights they gain along the way.

2. Respect the patient, including their home.

While caregivers are trained to be familiar with the patient’s health-related needs, they should also acknowledge the patient’s household preferences.

So caregivers, make sure you convey your respect to the client, their family, and their property. Keep in mind that the patient’s home is your workplace, and it should be treated with the same level of care. Clean up after yourself, keep things organized per the client’s specifications, and act graciously as a guest in the home.

In short, by respecting the patient and their property, you will help to cultivate an atmosphere of comfort, relaxation, and open communication. Simply put, if the patient insists that visitors remove their shoes inside the home, take your shoes off.

3. Focus on body language.

Caregivers and patients spend a great deal of time together. Inherently, each party will pick up on the other’s nonverbal cues.

For this reason, it’s critical that caregivers set the tone for a welcoming environment. They should make eye contact each time they communicate with the client, and avoid putting their stress on display by presenting negative nonverbal cues. Crossing the arms, for instance, demonstrates the caregiver is closed off. Professionals should use positive gestures, keep their posture open, and soften their facial expressions to put the patient at ease. This, in turn, will help the patient be more receptive to warm, productive communication.

Stay tuned for more caregiving tips, tricks, and resources from Nurse2Help. The Nurse2Help app lists hundreds of prescreened caregivers in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.

Driving Staff Engagement: 4 Tips for Home Care Agencies

Gail and Bill own a home care agency, and they want to focus on cultivating a positive, welcoming company culture. Families are their forte — the duo can engage clients without any trouble. That said, when it comes to appealing to their team of caregivers, Bill and Gail don’t know where to start.

Company culture is at the core of every organization. In fact, a global study conducted by Gallup revealed that only 13% of workers across 42 countries were engaged at work during the 2011-2012 tracking period. Home care agencies are no exception.

In the same survey, Gallup described that disengagement can lead to absenteeism, high turnover, loss of customers, and a negative work environment overall.

So what can caregiving organizations do to foster staff engagement? Nurse2Help has compiled a list of tips for home care agencies to build a positive company culture. These techniques emphasize communication, collaboration, and transparency — a proven recipe for workplace success.

1. Adopt a team mentality.

If you are managing a group of home caregivers, chances are you have handpicked a roster of qualified, competent individuals. Caregiving is very independent work, but your staff should still feel taken care of — and that means your agency needs to adopt a team mentality.

To ensure your caregivers thrive on the job, and to keep them from searching for opportunities elsewhere, facilitate companywide events from time to time. Holiday parties, for instance, are a seemingly small gesture that your staff will surely appreciate. In addition, schedule weekly or bimonthly staff meetings to encourage discussion and get to know the people on your payroll.

2. Be transparent about agency happenings.

Transparency fosters trust — a key component to reducing turnover and promoting staff happiness. According to HubSpot, 50% of employees claim their superiors sharing company-related information has a positive impact on their productivity and motivation.

So, don’t hesitate to inform your employees of where the company is at financially — you can focus on agency growth rather than a specific dollar amount — and make sure to communicate any organizational changes in real time. Your team of caregivers will appreciate your honesty and openness.

3. Empathize with your staff.

Empathy is a crucial caregiving trait — and the same applies to you as the head of a home care agency.

If your caregivers are struggling with certain parts of the job, make sure to hear them out. Listen to their concerns, whether they are about the patient or the circumstances surrounding their employment. Perhaps the person in their care is acting belligerent — empathize with the caregiver, and then offer feedback and suggestions on how to address the situation. And if one of your nurses expresses a scheduling conflict, make sure they feel listened to and respected. Address the issue in a timely, professional manner.

4. Encourage flexibility.

Millennials in particular are drawn to work opportunities that promote flexibility. All generations, however, will enjoy this job perk. Strive to create a flexible environment that will nurture your team of caregivers. If one of your nurses requests a vacation, approve their time off unless you are truly in a bind. In turn, if another employee asks not to work during specific hours of the day, respect their schedule. Flexible work environment are critical to the health and happiness of your staff.

Stay tuned for more caregiving tips, tricks, and resources from Nurse2Help. The Nurse2Help app lists hundreds of prescreened caregivers in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.

3 Tips to Reduce Caregiver Isolation

Several months ago, Sarah left her job at a residential care home to work as an independent caregiver. She’s pleased with the one-on-one relationship she’s building with her patient, but the new position can be isolating. Helen, who is depressed about her recent Parkinson’s diagnosis, is pleasant but quiet, and she doesn’t like to leave the house very often. Sarah feels isolated as a result — where can she turn for support?

Caregiving is rewarding, but in many ways a consuming profession. When caregivers spend hours on end with their clients, they are forced to prioritize another person’s well-being above their own. This often leads to guilt or frustration, which can affect a person’s focus, as well as their overall performance on the job. For this reason, it’s important that caregivers take proper care of themselves.

Nurse2Help wants to help caregivers thrive in their professional and personal lives. We know how important it is to achieve a sense of work-life balance, and we want to help our caregivers succeed in their effort to do so. Here are three tips we’ve compiled to help caregivers push past their isolation issues and enjoy a greater sense of fulfillment:

1. Caregivers should not feel guilty or ashamed of their frustration.

Newer caregivers may grapple with the isolation they experience as a result of their profession, but the very best thing they can do is to accept their emotions. Loneliness and frustration are normal human reactions to stressful situations, or circumstances that lack a strong support network.

Above all else, it’s important for caregivers like Sarah to accept their feelings and recognize that they aren’t alone in their professional journey. While achieving a sense of balance is ideal, this is no easy feat, and it makes perfect sense that some caregivers feel isolated and overwhelmed. This brings us to our next tip.

2. Caregivers should engage with a community of like-minded people.

Sarah’s friends and spouse want to be there for her. However, since they aren’t caregivers themselves, she can’t help but feel as though they don’t truly understand what she’s going through with Helen. Sarah spends the bulk of each shift at Helen’s residence, trying to connect with the woman in her care, who despite Sarah’s best efforts is a bit withdrawn.

This is where community comes in. Sarah ought to search for online caregiving forums or local support groups to find other professionals who are coping with similar difficulties. They can learn from one another, spend time together, and discuss the difficulties and the rewards of the caregiving profession. In Sarah’s case, she could also reconnect with her colleagues from her previous position at the residential care home.

3. Caregivers should make time for themselves.

When work is challenging, it becomes especially important for caregivers to practice self-care in their free time. They can cook a leisurely meal, go on a long walk, or take in a movie they’ve been wanting to see. The options are endless, but surely Sarah and others like her can make time for the things they love. In addition, it’s essential for caregivers to spend time with their friends and family. Socializing, after all, is the best cure for feelings of frustration and isolation.

Stay tuned for more caregiving tips, tricks, and resources on behalf of Nurse2Help. The Nurse2Help app lists hundreds of prescreened caregivers in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.

3 Ways to Ensure Caregiver-Client Compatibility

Pat is a caregiver based in Virginia. She enjoys the flexibility of her profession, and is featured on the Nurse2Help app as a nurse and companion. Here’s the catch: She is looking for a new role, and doesn’t know how to screen potential employers for compatibility. Pat has sound credentials and great references, which means prospects are contacting her left and right — but how can she possibly determine who is the best fit?

In the United States, many employees have a take-what-you-can-get attitude toward employment. There is a great deal of information available on the tools you need to get a job. And yet, some members of the workforce have a number of opportunities, and getting a job isn’t the issue. Rather, these professionals are searching for proven ways to find the right clients. And clients, meanwhile, are eager to find the best staff based on their needs.

The Nurse2Help app features hundreds of prescreened caregivers in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. We are aware of these challenges, and would like to guide professionals and employers in the right direction. These are our recommendations in terms of striving for compatibility:

1. First and foremost, make sure the caregiver’s qualifications and skills align with the client’s expectations.

While this may sound like a given, the caregiver should consider the inner workings of every opportunity before accepting an offer. On-demand care apps like Nurse2Help ensure families are matched with qualified professionals, but the caregiver is equally responsible for making sure the position plays to their strengths and skills.

For instance, if the caregiver is looking for a social position with excursions and plenty of time spent outside the house, they should think long and hard before agreeing to a role where they will spend the majority of their shift in the client’s home. And if they loathe cooking or have little idea how to make nutritious meals, they shouldn’t accept a role that involves hours of food preparation.

2. Make sure the caregiver’s personality is a match with the patient’s.

This doesn’t mean the caregiver and the patient need to be alike. Opposite personalities are often complementary, and encourage both parties learn from each other. However, the caregiver must consider the implications of spending hours on end with someone whose disposition, to be blunt, simply doesn’t mesh with theirs.

If the patient is introverted and the caregiver is a major conversationalist, the pair may not get along as well as the employer would like. But that isn’t necessarily the case — they might very well enjoy each other’s company.

3. Don’t overlook the caregiver’s physical abilities.

Many caregivers have sound credentials and an extensive nursing background. However, sometimes even the most revered professionals lack the physical strength to work with certain patients. Pat, for example, is strong and petite, but she knows she can’t lift patients who weigh more than 180 pounds. If heavy lifting is listed in the job description, then that is something to consider before moving forward.

Fortunately, the Nurse2Help app features caregiver profiles that give clients a sense of the candidate’s background, interests, and capabilities. This will allow employers to filter through our selection of prescreened caregivers, and ultimately save time and money while searching for a suitable professional.

5 Tips for Families in Need of Last-Minute Care

Nora is scrambling. She’s a single mother, and her sitter has just canceled. Her son Jack is recovering from the flu, and Nora has already missed work twice this week — she desperately needs someone to look after her child. When her friend recommends the Nurse2Help app, Nora cannot believe it. She has hundreds of prescreened caregivers at her disposal!

When you think about caregiving, chances are you picture nurses and home health aides providing transportation and medical care to the sick and elderly. And you wouldn’t be wrong. But the home-care industry involves far more than that.

In addition to nurses and home health aides, the Nurse2Help app features experienced companions. Companion care is an effective way to engage the elderly on a social level, and like Nora discovered, many of these same companions are equipped to look after children. The on-demand care app features hundreds of prescreened caregivers in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.

Most families will need last-minute care at some point. Perhaps, like Nora, the sitter has canceled. Or, maybe your senior caregiver has a family emergency and needs to leave town for a week. In these situations, Nurse2Help is the solution. Here are five tips for families who are hiring last-minute care.

1. Take a deep breath.

This might sound silly, but it’s very important that you stay calm when you hire last-minute care. When we are stressed, we often become forgetful, which is disadvantageous to the caregiver when you fail to give proper guidelines. The important thing is to relax and communicate clearly with the professional.

2. Interview the caregiver.

If possible, schedule an in-person interview with the caregiver. If, like Nora, you’re in a bind and need someone to drop by as soon as possible, you need not worry — all the caregivers featured in the Nurse2Help app have undergone detailed background checks. Simply hold a brief phone interview, and if things go well, wait for help to arrive.

3. Be completely transparent.

Don’t hire a short-term companion under the guise of offering a full-time role. Families are encouraged to be open with the caregiver about what they’re looking for, and to make sure the professional knows they are either filling in for someone else or lending a hand during an emergency.

4. Make a list of everything you want to tell the caregiver.

This point is key for people in a hurry. If you’re in a rush to get out the door when the companion arrives, make a list of everything you need to share with him or her. From the patient or child’s dietary restrictions, to medications and dosage, write everything down.

If you don’t remember everything, that’s okay. The caregiver can always give you or a loved one a call. This brings us to our next point.

5. Leave emergency contact information with the caregiver.

Make sure to leave at least three phone numbers and email addresses — in addition to your own — with the caregiver. Include the number of the patient or child’s physician to ensure preparedness. The shift will almost definitely go smoothly, but you want to be prepared for anything that might happen.

4 Ways to Resolve Caregiver-Employer Conflict

Evan enjoys working as Joseph’s caregiver. The pair gets along well and goes out on frequent excursions. In fact, Evan has few complaints — except for Joseph’s family. He knows they care deeply about their loved one’s well-being, but their demands are starting to weigh down on him.

It’s important for independent caregivers to discuss job expectations with their employer. Written guidelines and a detailed conversation will ensure the patient is cared for in a way that both parties find reasonable.

Job expectations are meant to minimize conflict. However, there’s no proven way to eliminate conflict altogether. From time to time, caregivers and families simply have different expectations. Or, in some cases, families are so worried about the patient’s health that the job description evolves into an entirely new role for the caregiver.

Nurse2Help, our free app that connects families with prescreened, private nurses in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, has compiled a list of conflict resolution tips to strengthen the employer-employee relationship.

1. Sit down for a conversation with your employer.

Perhaps the patient’s family is upset about the meals you are making, the outings you are facilitating, or the medical care you are providing. If there is a disconnect in any of these areas, sit down with your employer and revisit your job description. Both parties have a right to share their feelings, and friendly conversations are much more productive than accusations and reprimanding. Your role might change over time, but you should be involved in the process.

2. Be empathetic. Voice your opinions without being defensive.

Say the person in your care has Alzheimer’s disease. If their memory is worsening, their family might say you aren’t doing enough to engage him or her. In response, consider telling your employer that while you understand where they’re coming from, you and the patient are spending the allotted 90 minutes per shift on stimulating memory-care activities. You might say that you would be happy to spend extra time on these activities, or suggest further treatment options.

Make sure to say your piece in a gentle, understanding way. Empathize with the patient’s family.

3. Say “no” — and offer an alternative.

If your employer asks you to do something completely unrelated to your caregiving position, you are under no obligation to perform the task. In these cases, the employer is typically oblivious rather than consciously trying to take advantage of you. For example, if the patient’s sister asks you to wash her car when she stops by for a visit, tell her, “Unfortunately, that’s outside the scope of my caregiving position. I know a great place nearby you can go to, though.”

4. Get to the root of the issue.

Recurring conflict over trivial things — like the way you make the patient’s bed, for instance — is often the sign of a greater issue. If you notice your employer fretting over small details, chat about how they’re feeling and ask them what you can do to improve. Often, informal conversations will help you and your employer identify what’s really the matter. Patients’ families often blame the caregiver for their loved one’s declining health, when the natural aging process is the real culprit.

The Dynamic New On Demand Caregiving App, Nurse2Help Has Launched!

Welcome!

It has been a long time coming, and today we are excited to share our first blog post, the launching of The Nurse2Help, On-demand Caregiving App!

The web app will launch today, February 3rd, 2017, in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas with hundreds of pre-screened caregivers (list growing daily) who are ready to provide private care (medical and non-medical) to members of their communities who are in need of these services. For more information on how the Nurse2help app is set to become a game-changer, here is an excerpt from our recent press release:

Ashburn, VA (February 3, 2017) – Obtaining in-home nursing care is about to become a whole lot easier following the launch of Home Support USA’s powerful new on-demand Caregiving app, Nurse2Help. Touted as the “Uber for Nurses”, the Nurse2Help App is designed to lead caregivers directly to clients without the hassle of costly advertisements and time-consuming searches. The platform features a significant number of skilled nurses, personal care workers and in-home assistants who have been pre-screened to ensure clients’ safety and peace of mind.

The Nurse2Help app is a solution to finding in-home support workers, such as. Nurses, personal care workers, home health aides, and companions.  A representative from Nurse2Help stated: “Obtaining home care should be as easy as ordering a pizza and having it delivered. With that kind of ease in mind, we turned to the use of technology to do just that. When using the Nurse2help app, you can expect convenience as you make an instant connection with a caregiver in a safe online environment. We are living in a time of shared economy in the US which is nothing new to other cultures around the globe. In places where healthcare is scarce, the local emergency room nurse is utilized by the people in her neighborhood. We want communities here in the US to use these skilled workers in their communities who are willing to offer their services and do so for a fraction of the cost.”

The Nurse2Help App is easy to use. Families can search for a caregiver located within their zip code or anywhere they choose within our service area.  For those looking for service, it’s easy to post a service description and connect with a caregiver in real time. Each caregiver has a profile which includes a verification badge indicating the caregiver have submitted to a criminal background check, professional license/certificate verification and references from current and past employers. The app also features reviews and ratings to show what a caregiver’s performance has been on the jobs they have performed. This level of transparency makes it easy when choosing a caregiver.

Unlike other types of platforms, there is no membership fee to use the Nurse2Help App. All services are supported by Home Support USA, which means you will receive premium insurance and assistance while using the platform. For further information, or to begin using the on-demand caregiver app, visit: http://nurse2help.com

If you would like to stay informed of what the Nurse2Help platform has to offer sign up now for “Caring Together,” the Nurse2Help blog.  Joining the blog is an excellent way to stay current on our newsletters and other exciting topics we will be discussing as we move forward to the future of in-home care.