A Caregiver’s Guide to Telehealth: Tips & Limitations of Telehealth for Your Clients & Loved Ones – Part 2

By Roz Jones

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Telehealth has grown almost sevenfold since COVID-19 began to spread. While virtual doctor visits and remote monitoring devices could make medical care more convenient and accessible for any patient, your clients or Loved Ones may have the most to gain.

In March 2020, Medicare temporarily expanded coverage of telehealth services for most beneficiaries for office visits, preventive health screenings, and mental health services. At least some of these provisions may become permanent thanks to proposed legislation.

Find out how telehealth can help you, as a Caregiver, assist your clients or Loved Ones to maintain their independence and take care of their mental and physical health. Study this quick guide for those who want to see a doctor without leaving home.

Tips for Using Telehealth:

Master technology. Virtual visits can be as simple as using the phone. Your client or Loved One may need some additional devices and apps. However, if they need help with the necessary technology, and you are unable to assist, ask the local senior center for assistance.
Book an appointment. Maybe your client or Loved One already has scheduled visits through the patient portal at their doctor’s office or local hospital. If you need instructions, visit their website or call for assistance. Then, your client or Loved One just needs to log into the system a few minutes before their appointment starts.
Provide information. Their doctor needs their input whether they see them online or face-to-face. Your client or Loved One may have to fill out forms and describe their symptoms. They may also be asked to send a picture of their rash or stick out their tongue on a video call.
Ask their insurer. Medicare and private insurance have increased coverage for telehealth procedures. Still, it’s wise to double-check their insurance coverage first to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Limitations on Telehealth:

Maintain continuity. You may have heard the term continuity of care, which refers to your client or Loved One’s relationship with their health provider. Experts recommend that your client or Loved One consider telehealth a supplement rather than a replacement for conventional visits.
Report unusual symptoms. New and sudden symptoms are another reason to call the doctor. Early diagnosis will help your client or Loved One to receive the correct treatment and increase their chances for recovery.
Seek urgent care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room when your client or Loved One needs immediate attention. That would include any signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Prevent fraud. Telehealth can be safe and effective, but the usual rules for online safety apply. Guard your passwords and use secure internet connections.

Telehealth can help your client or Loved One to continue social distancing while receiving the medical care they need. Ask your client or Loved One’s doctor about which options are appropriate for them.

10 Tips for Stronger Mental Health – Part 2

By Roz Jones

To stay fit and healthy as a Caregiver, it’s important to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health. There are little things you can do each day that can contribute to your mental wellness.

Add these items to your daily routines and feel the difference:

Make time to exercise. Regular exercise helps to boost the production of chemicals in your brain that improves your mood. This helps to eliminate low mood, anxiety, and stress.

Have fun. Even if you are busy with caregiving, be sure to set some time aside for fun. Fun is actually very important to your mental health, life satisfaction, and a healthy outlook on life.

Be sociable. Having a few good friends is great for your mental health. They can support and encourage you in good times and bad, giving you inspiration and motivation to live your best life.

Volunteer. Helping others can be good for you too, as well as those you are helping. A little community spirit can go a long way to making you feel good about yourself.
- Find a charity that speaks to your heart and volunteer your time to help others.

Ask for help. Learn to recognize the signs that you aren’t feeling good and need to ask for help. There’s no need to feel ashamed about having to ask for help. We all go through tough times, but if you have support around you, you’ll be able to make it through to the other side.
- If you feel as though your friends and family cannot help, or if your mental health issues have started to get too much for you to cope with, make an appointment to speak with your doctor.

Your mental health is important and, if not looked after, it may start to affect your physical health as well. Do the little things regularly that can help you to build strong mental health. You’ll love the difference in the way you feel.

A Caregiver’s Guide to Telehealth: Benefits of Telehealth for Your Clients & Loved Ones – Part 1

By Roz Jones

Benefits of Telehealth for Your Clients/Loved Ones:

Enjoy more convenience. How far do you have to drive to the doctor’s office for your client/Loved One? With a virtual visit, you can forget about traffic and parking. Plus, if the doctor is busy, you can entertain yourself and your clientor Loved One at home instead of being stuck in the waiting room.
Treat chronic conditions. Almost 80% of seniors have at least one chronic condition, according to the National Council on Aging. Telehealth is ideal for the ongoing care needed to manage the typical symptoms of diabetes, cancer, and other chronic issues.
Access specialists. Depending on where your client or Loved One lives, they may be in for a long wait when a specialist is needed. Online care is more efficient, so it may speed up the process.
Support caregivers. Telehealth is great for caregivers and can also assist you with daily needs. Monitoring devices can free up your time by performing some routine tasks, and counseling services can help reduce stress.
Be proactive. Virtual care also empowers your clients or Loved Ones to play a greater role in staying healthy. For example, your client or Loved One has the ability to take their own blood pressure daily and upload the results.

10 Tips for Stronger Mental Health – Part 1

By Roz Jones

Add these items to your daily routines and feel the difference:

Get enough sleep. A lot happens in your brain while you sleep – for both your physical and mental health. Sleep helps to regulate the chemicals in your brain that manage moods and emotions. When you don’t get enough sleep, you may start to experience feelings of depression or anxiety.
- Most adults thrive with 7-9 hours of good quality sleep each night. Experiment and see how many hours work best for you.

Eat nutritiously. Good food is good for our bodies, plus it’s good for our mental health too! A deficiency in certain minerals, such as iron or vitamin B12, can negatively affect your mood during the day.
- Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and healthy fats like avocados. Avoid processed foods with unnatural chemicals. A healthy diet helps both your body and mind feel good.
- Limit caffeine, as this can increase feelings of anxiety.

Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs. These items can affect your mental health also.
- Drinking too much alcohol can leave you with a thiamine deficiency, which can cause challenges with your memory, coordination, and confusion.
- Withdrawal symptoms of smoking and drugs can lead to a host of issues. For example, you may feel irritable or anxious without having smoked, while withdrawal effects of drug use may include low moods and anxiety.

Get some sunlight. Your body needs sunlight because it is a good source of vitamin D. This vitamin helps our brains release chemicals like endorphins and serotonin. Chemicals that help improve our mood.

Try to reduce stress. Stress can sometimes be unavoidable but learning what triggers it and how to cope with it is key for your mental health.
- You can learn to better manage your worries by making a list or schedule of what needs to be done. Prioritize the most important items and do those first. When you get used to doing this each day, you’ll soon realize that your tasks are manageable, and you’ll feel less need to worry.
- Once your important tasks are taken care of, find relaxation methods that work for you and let the stress of the day melt away.

Your mental health is important and, if not looked after, it can start to affect your physical health as well. Do the little things regularly that can help you to build stronger mental health. You’ll love the difference in the way you feel.

3 Ways To Look After Your Mental Health While Working In The Home As A Caregiver

By Roz Jones

As we spring into May, Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re covering ways you can declutter and better your mental health as a Caregiver. We’re also providing you with methods on how to use your circle of technology to your Client or Loved One’s advantage.

If you’re feeling isolated working as a Caregiver, feeling mental fatigue, lack of support, or are overwhelmed from day to day, you may find yourself struggling with your mental health.

This is understandable, as just seeing others can brighten your day. Very few want to be stuck in the home all day, let alone have to work in the home every day. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule.

Consider these ways to look after your mental health while working in the home as a caregiver.

1. Try to Get into a Routine

Yes, it can be a challenge and isolating working as a Caregiver in the home. Often, you may find your attention wandering, or you may find yourself missing Loved One’s and/or work colleagues.

A routine can help you focus on your tasks.

Use these strategies:

Have a space for work that is free of any distractions.
Set a routine to get up and get started, take regular breaks including lunch, and finish work at a reasonable time.
Avoid working in your pajamas.
Set clear tasks for the day and prioritize them. Do the most important tasks first.
When you finish working, clean up as you would in an office.
If you’re homeschooling your children, it may be a good idea to let your employer know. You’ll want to set up a routine of when you can work and when you can give your children the attention they need too.

2. Keeping In Touch With Loved Ones and/or Colleagues

To avoid feeling isolated while working as a Caregiver, keep in touch with your Loved Ones and/or colleagues, both in a formal fashion and a more social one.

Try these techniques:

Discuss with your Loved Ones and/or colleagues when it is best to contact you and try to remain available during these times.
Use video calling software for formal discussions.
Follow up any video calls with a quick note to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding actions that need to be taken moving forward if needed.
You can also use video calling for more informal chats or use other messenger services if it is more appropriate.
Check-in with your work colleagues at the end of the workday to receive updates. These updates might be work-related, or you might use this time for personal updates.

Try to keep your work and social life separate. When working from home, it is easy for your work and social life to merge.

Not all of your colleagues will appreciate you sharing everything with them, so respect their boundaries, just as you expect them to respect yours.

3. Use Any Support Available

Working as a Caregiver in the home can be challenging, so if there is support available, make the most of it:

Many employers will have support available for their employees, with dedicated apps and websites offering support.
If you are currently struggling with a physical or mental health condition, your employer may be able to make reasonable adjustments to your work schedule, offer additional support from managers or other colleagues, and provide equipment if needed.
Look at the self-care techniques you’ve used in the past that have worked for you. You will have to be flexible sometimes, especially if you are stuck in the home. For example, if you usually walk around to meditate, to relieve your stress, you could try finding a quiet space and begin deep breathing to clear your mind.

Work with Roz Jones, an experienced Caregiver, who can provide fellow caregivers with support and further assist with planning.

Working as a Caregiver is not for everyone. Some people will thrive in this environment while others will struggle. Keep these tips in mind, especially if you’re struggling. They can help you remain a productive caregiver.