Hopefully helpful and inspirational is a book by Alzheimer's advocate Jo Huey from 2008 entitled "Alzheimer's Disease Help and Hope." In this book, caregivers will find a well known list of helpful tips for caregivers who care for those living with dementia. Sharing the Ten Absolutes here along with a link to the book above which can be found on Amazon, at your library, or in other bookstores. Great tips worth sharing.

Ten Absolutes of Alzheimer's Care

1. Never argue – instead, agree
2. Never reason – instead, divert
3. Never shame – instead, distract
4. Never lecture – instead, reassure
5. Never say “remember” – instead reminisce
6. Never say “I told you” – instead, repeat/regroup 
7. Never say “you can’t” – instead, do what they can
8. Never command/demand – instead, ask/model
9. Never condescend – instead, encourage
10. Never force – instead, reinforce

Source: Jo Huey, founder of the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Institute.

It’s no secret that living in a nursing home is not as safe as it used to be. I don’t know the statistics before the pandemic, but according to a recent AARP Bulletin:

“Fewer than 1% of Americans live in long-term care facilities. But 40% of COVID-19 deaths have occurred there.” That is a sobering statistic.*

It is also no secret that I started my home care agency back in the mid-1980’s as an alternative to institutions who were not providing adequate care to seniors. It was clear to me they were operating on a business model where the less services you provided, the more profit you made.

Although any of us can be exposed and infected by the COVID-19 virus, risk management and statistics say the safest place to be, at least until the pandemic is under control, is to stay home.

Christel’s Home Care offers seniors who are no longer able to maintain their independence the option of remaining in the security and comfort of their own home with the assistance of an experienced caregiver.

And with an abundance of hospice programs now available, most can remain at home until their last day.

Our caregivers specialize not only with hospice patients, but with dementia, cancer, and other debilitating illnesses. Also, having a live-in or full-time caregiver assures that the same caregiver is there, limiting exposure. Our continuity of care policy means you are not exposed to multiple caregivers, but bond with one who, in most cases, becomes like “one of the family”.
​
While no “bubble” is foolproof, the odds favor adding a home caregiver to help with activities of daily living as the safest option for seniors today. 


* AARP December 2020 issue, volume 61, no. 10, page 6.

1.    Has anyone in the nursing home tested positive for COVID-19?

• This includes residents, staff, vendors & visitors. 

2.    What is the nursing home doing to prevent infections?

• How are nursing home staff being screened for COVID-19, especially when they leave and re-enter the facility?
• What precautions are in place for residents who are not in private rooms?

 3.    Does the nursing home staff have the personal protective equipment (PPE) such as  masks, face shields, & gowns that they need to stay safe, and keep their patients safe?

• Have nursing home staff been given specific training on how to use this personal protective equipment?
• If needed, what's the plan to obtain personal protective equipment?

Read the rest of the FAQ on AARP's website.

If you are concerned about the safety and well-being of a loved one who lives in a nursing home, contact the California CRISISline at 1-800-231-4024. The CRISISline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take calls & refer complaints from residents in long-term care facilities.
​
Resources from AARP are also available online at www.aarp.org/coronavirus