The emotional implications of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s

With the rising financial cost of private frail care facilities, more and more families have opted to care for aging frail relatives at home.  However, becoming the family caregiver of a parent or relative with Alzheimer’s carries an even higher cost on an emotional and physical level.

Watching a parent fade away physically is hard enough, but seeing the changes in personality and loss of memory is simply devastating to the family.

Helplessness is one of the most common emotions shared by families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s because they know that the decline is inevitable, whether it happens over a long period of time or takes hold quickly.

Once it has been confirmed that Alzheimer’s is setting in, families are faced with the reality that their beloved aging parent will be facing their final years dealing with:

·       Memory loss

·       Confused thought processes

·       Lack of judgement

·       An inability to problem-solve

·       Personality change

Other challenges facing the family, parent or relative include an escalation from mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s, to the final stages of severe dementia.

Dementia has a profound impact on intellectual and social abilities, so much so that even the most basic daily functions are curtailed.  There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the level of dementia, but, without a doubt, it’s a devastating experience to watch a loved one reach a point where they are unable to care for themselves properly.

There is also very little doubt that dementia caregivers have it a lot rougher than those taking care of a mentally healthy elder in the family. 

Watching the decline of a loved one with dementia is overwhelmingly stressful, which is why it’s important to know as much as possible about Alzheimer’s and dementia going in, so that family caregivers are given a fighting chance of rising above the emotional personal cost.

Physical and mental exhaustion, piled on top of tremendous stress can begin a downward spiral into depression for an unsupported family caregiver looking after a parent or relative with Alzheimer’s.

Without outside help from other family members, or respite from professional caregivers, Alzheimer’s will claim the lives of more than just an elderly parent on an emotional and physical level!

For those who are sole caregivers to a parent with Alzheimer’s, without the support of family or friends, life becomes a battle field of trying to juggle bringing in an income and at the same time experiencing high levels of stress as the caregiver worries about the parent being left alone during working hours.

In cases like this it’s essential to find community support. Community support can alleviate the stress of leaving an elderly relative with Alzheimer’s alone during working hours, and can also be of immense value in terms of offering emotional and psychological support to the caregiver.

If you know someone who is caring for an elderly parent with Alzheimers, offer help where you can, because you can be sure that they are battling with major physical, mental and emotional stress on a daily basis.

The ultimate answer to Alzheimer’s care in Cape Town is to contact CareChamp.  This dedicated team of professionals will tailor an affordable solution that will bring the physical, mental and emotional stress down to a bearable level, allowing the family caregiver the opportunity to be the best version of themselves during one of the most difficult experiences life can present.

Contact CareChamp today to find out more about what they can offer in terms of Alzheimer’s care, disabled care and companionship.

The emotional & physical cost of caring for an elderly frail parent.

No matter how much we love our elderly frail parents, most of us are ill-prepared to take on the role of caring for them, especially if there is little or no other support.

Even if there is a good support system in the family, the main caregiver faces a risk of poor health themselves from the demanding and complex role that has been taken on.

Caring for an elderly frail parent, especially one with chronic or disabling conditions adds a complex range of physical and mental health issues over a sustained period of time.

Impact of caregiving on mental health for family caregivers:

No matter how well-balanced and positive a family caregiver may be, there is no doubt that after any sustained period of caring for an elderly frail parent or relative, there will be psychological repercussions to deal with.

High levels of anxiety, depression and stress are very common effects for family members who are sole caregivers for elderly parents.

Research shows that anywhere between 30 to 70% of family caregivers show pretty significant symptoms of depression, with some even reaching the all-time lows of major depression.

Family members caring for elderly relatives with dementia and Alzheimer’s reach even higher levels of stress and depression as they watch the major personality changes that take place as these diseases progress.

Feelings of anger, frustration, exhaustion, guilt and helplessness become part of daily life for the caregiver, stemming from an inability to deal with the fact that nothing seems to improve, no matter how hard they try.

A main family caregiver would have to be a saint not to have days on which they direct their anger and frustration at the parent living with dementia, when in fact, it’s a normal response to an untenable situation as they watch a loved lose their identity day by day.

Impact of caregiving on physical health for family caregivers:

The combination of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems that arise in caregivers are merely compounded by the physical of caring for an elderly frail loved on.

In the process of caring for a frail family member or friend no longer able to carry out many of the activities associated with daily life, caregivers are themselves at risk of poor physical health and hygiene.

Assisting an elderly frail relative with simple routines like bathing, grooming and other personal care is definitely going to take its toll on the physical health of the family caregiver.

As physical health deteriorates in the caregiver, health issues such as lowered immune systems, physical aches and pains, headaches and other issues make it even more difficult to maintain a positive, balanced attitude to the role being played as caregiver.

Another negative effect that plagues many a family caregiver is that a lack of energy and time may inevitably lead to letting self-care slip as a result of a lack of energy and time, and the same goes for nutritional care.

The best thing that can be done for a family caregiver is to make sure that there is respite, which could be in the form of having a professional caregiver come in once or twice a week to give the caregiver a bit of time to recharge their batteries.

CareChamp has an awesome team of caregivers available to assist on a flexible basis at excellent rates, which will give any family caregiver the opportunity to do some of the things they miss doing.

It’s a known fact that a family member taking care of an elderly frail parent will also reach a point where, as a result of the depression that can manifest, loses interest in activities and withdraws from friends, until there is nothing left to stimulate them and lift their mood.

Let the passionate team of professionals at CareChamp lend a hand. The support of caregivers and companions from CareChamp will go a long way to alleviating the negative impact on physical and mental health for any family caregiver.

Improve the lives of loved ones with mobility aids & homecare furniture in Cape Town from CareChamp

CareChamp is not limited to offering the highest standard in home based nursing services, caregivers and companions.

This team has also gone all out to provide a comprehensive range of mobility aids and homecare furniture in Cape Town, to make life more comfortable for elderly frail and disabled relatives being cared for at home.

Simple, daily activities that we take for granted as young and healthy individuals, become major challenges for aging, disabled relatives and younger disabled family members.

Physical hygiene is one of the first areas that begin to slip away due to the major challenges presented by toilets, showers and baths that aren’t rigged to make maintaining personal hygiene something that doesn’t require herculean effort for a frail or disabled person.

In the case of someone trapped in a wheel chair, simply using the bathroom becomes an experience that is virtually impossible, and we owe it to our aging loved ones, or loved ones living with a physical disability, to raise their quality of life in every way possible.

It’s also not just about comfort.  It’s about dignity and independence, and holding on to privacy and independence for as long as is possible under the specific circumstances!

After living a full life, raising children and bouncing grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren on their knees, our parents deserve the best that we are able to give them to ease the physical limitations age may place on them.

The one thing that most elderly frail family members have in common is the determination to retain as much of their independence as possible, until the day they finally have to accept that they are no long able to remain independent without the assistance of a caregiver.

The combination of excellent patient care combined with the provision of affordable physical aids, when well-balanced, goes a long way to enabling elderly or disabled people to stay in their own home for as long as possible.

A flexible care plan can be arranged with the management team at CareChamp, so that a good balance is struck between care, where it’s necessary, and the retention of certain areas of independence through the use of mobility aids and furniture for the elderly or disable person.

Among the mobility aids and furniture available online you will find:

·       Wheelchairs

·       Bath stools

·       Toilet seats

·       Shower chairs – wall mounted & shower chair with back and arm rest

·       Commodes

·       Grab bar’s

·       Walker’s

·       Memory foam wheelchair cushions

·       Egg Box Mattresses…and much, much more!

The CareChamp online shop offers an easy experience for those shopping for mobility aids and furniture, with the option of selecting a three month rental option on some of the higher priced products.

Although CareChamp is based in Cape Town, this team delivers all their services, from the best in home caregivers and companions to high quality, affordable mobility aids and furniture throughout all the major centres in South Africa!

Whether you need the helping hand of a thoroughly vetted caregiver, full-time or part-time, or high quality mobility aids and furniture, make sure you call the friendly team of experts at CareChamp today, to make sure your loved one is receiving the very best in care

Before you become a burned-out caregiver, contact CareChamp for respite!

Don’t wait until you’re literally crawling on your knees out of exhaustion from caring for an elderly frail parent or relative before you call for support from others in a similar situation!

You will not be the first, nor will you be the first!

Regular respite with the help of CareChamp Caregivers and Companions will make a major difference to you when you start feeling utterly exhausted and overwhelmed.

Being a caregiver to a loved one is demanding on your time, energy and emotions, and even if the breaks you get aren’t long, they will have a positive influence on your ability to successfully care for an aging relative who is frail, or living with Alzheimer’s.

Being the family caregiver is a job for the bravest of brave, but even champions need to rest in order to gather their strength before the next big challenge!

The last thing you should do is guilt yourself out of asking for help!  A loving circle of friends and family will also contribute greatly to keeping your strength up, physically and emotionally!

In the absence of this kind of support, CareChamp offers fully vetted, highly trained and compassionate Caregivers and Companions who are able to take over for a while, to give you a chance to stop and smell the roses.

It’s going to mean more than just a bit of an adjustment for the person receiving care to accept the presence of a stranger in the home, however, the management team at CareChamp applies many years of experience to making sure that you and your loved one will be matched with the perfect Caregiver.

Welcoming respite is going to be easier on you than your loved one, and you may face objections such as:

·       I don’t need a babysitter, I’ll be fine on my own.

·       I don’t want a stranger with me, you’re the only one I trust.

It’s going to be a lot like it is when trying to convince a child that they’ll enjoy playschool and all the friends they’ll make, when all they want is to stay with you, but with the deep understanding of these issues, the team at CareChamp has, the transition can be made less stressful.

Once you’ve worked out a flexible, affordable care schedule with CareChamp, make sure that you plan well for your break.  Make it a time to nurture and care for yourself to shore up your strength for the next leg of the journey.  Don’t push it and try to fit too much into too little time.  This’ll just be self-defeating!

And don’t let guilt eat at you, because it will try to lower your resolve to keep up your own strength and health! 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with needing a bit of time away, and if you’re having trouble convincing yourself of this, speak to someone who has used respite caregivers, they’ll make it a lot easier for you to let go a little!

If you retain your health, physically and mentally, you will have far more to give your elderly frail parent!

If you’re already experiencing symptoms of burnout like impatience, exhaustion, frustration and difficulty in dealing with the demands of caregiving, you’ll know it’s time to do something positive about it, for you and for your loved one!

Work with the management team at CareChamp to plan a respite schedule that suits you so that you can start getting excited about what this type of trusted help will do to give you a boost in strength you really do deserve!

CareChamp offers the highest standard in homecare, caregivers, in-home nursing and companions in Cape Town, which is where they are headquartered. 

Their caregiving services are also available in all major centres in South Africa, providing caregivers who have received the highest level in training and certification!

Find out more about what CareChamp can do to offer you respite from a trusted team of caregivers who have all had police and health clearance, fill in their online contact form, or give the team a call!

Go on, take the plunge! You and your family deserve to have you happy and healthy even in challenging circumstances.

How Hiring A Carechamp Can Relieve You of Some Stress

Are you caring for a loved one but starting to feel stretched and stressed out from it? There’s no need to panic as there are numerous ways in which you can get assistance, one of which is to hire a caregiver. The biggest advantage of this is the ability to relieve you of some stress of having to care for someone and give you the opportunity to get to the things you've been able to attend to.

For some, introducing this into a family to assist with the caring process can prove to be challenging as the person requiring the care might not be comfortable with someone they don't know into their home and their private space. If you’re in the process of looking for a carer, here are some ways in which they can relieve some stress for yourself.

Ability To Do More Than Just Being A Carer

Depending on the severity of the situation and care required, by getting a carer in, it’ll free up some of your time to get back to doing the activities you used to do. If it isn’t activity, it can give you the freedom to visit the shops or take some time out to gather yourself and unwind.

Build Up Confidence In The Person Receiving The Care

Often when looking after a family member, because they know its family, the person may tend to lash out quicker than if it was someone new. By hiring a carer, they can assist the patient in building up their confidence and enable them rather than the person becoming completely reliant on getting assistance.

Getting A Qualified Person In To Assist

Often people don’t know what the person requiring assistance is going through. By getting a carer in, you can get someone who is more qualified to assist you in the caring process. As they've more likely to have experience in dealing with people in that particular condition, they’ll support the person from an emotional as well as physical perspective.

Putting Together A Care Plan

It might sound silly but by getting a carer in, you've more chance of the person buying into participating in a care plan. This care plan can serve the purpose of encouraging the recovery process or it can be simply to ensure the carer is completing the necessary tasks you've asked them to.

These are just some ways in which hiring a carer can assist in reducing your stress. If you’re considering getting assistance for a loved one, be sure to consider the team at Carechamp. With their combined years of experience, they've built up a network of qualified carers covering numerous medical conditions.

Tips To Assist You Hire The Right CareChamp

Having to care for a loved one doesn’t have to be as stressful as people make it out to be. Sometimes, getting assistance from a professional company for a short period of time might be all you need just to get on your feet when it comes to caring for a loved one. If you’re looking for assistance and not sure where to start, here are some tips to assist you in finding and employing the right caregiver.

Reach Out To A Professional Company Such As Carechamps

With their combined years of experience, they’ve put together a network of carers who have the ability to assist across a wide variety of medical conditions. By making use of their services, you can be sure your loved one will be cared for by a professional carer. Be sure to contact the team to discuss your requirements and allow them to match you up with the right carer.

Be Sure To Interview Carers Until You Feel Comfortable

As this person will be within your loved ones home and personal space, it's important to ensure both you and your loved one feel comfortable with the potential carer. Once you’ve reached out to a professional company, put together a list of potential carers and allow your loved one to meet them. By doing this, you’ve a better chance of them buying into the idea of someone coming in to assist with caring for them.

Request Recommendations and References

Once you’ve managed to find a potential carer, request references from previous employers. This will give you a good understanding as to what their work ethic is like and if you should offer them employment. This also gives you the opportunity to find out what other employers thought of them.

Invite Them For A Trial Period

To ensure you’re satisfied with the person, you can request for a trial period to be completed before you bring the person on on a short or long term contract. This gives your loved one the opportunity to first find their rhythm and build up their confidence with the person. Should they not feel comfortable with the person, this gives you the option to try out another carer. You can continue this process until your loved one feels comfortable.

These are just some of the steps in the process of finding and employing a carer that meets your needs and requirements. Following these tips can assist you not only to find someone compatible with your loved ones but also someone you can trust to leave alone. This gives you the freedom to start doing the things you weren’t getting to for yourself and your family. Be sure to contact the team at Carechamp and discuss your needs, they’re more than willing to assist you find the right person.

5 Ways To Manage Stress As A Caregiver

Have to take care of a senior like your parent or grandparent can put significant strain on yourself in terms of your stress levels and your emotional levels. If you’re having a difficult time in managing your stress levels and feel you are not giving your love one the attention and care they require then you should consider of these five ways to manage your stress levels.

Look For Ways To Relieve Your Stress

With being in a demanding position of having to care for a senior, it's crucial to try find ways in which to relieve your stress. This is the perfect opportunity to get in touch with yourself and create the white space you need.  Try some yoga or go for a walk in

Find Something That Inspires You

This can be books, movies, music or any other type of hobby that feeds your soul. The point is to break away, even if you can’t do so physically and spend some time recharging your mind, body and spirit. It doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby or time consuming but invest time in your own spiritual fulfilment.

If Possible, Take Some Time Off

When put in the position of having to care for someone, often the thought of getting away for a weekend or a holiday gets put on the back burner. This is so important not fall into that sort of mentality. The responsibility of having to care for a senior can put significant strain on yourself and it’s crucial to take time to unwind and relax.

Put Together A System Which Works For You

To ensure you’re able to care for your senior family member in the most efficient manner, there are many systems and processes you can put in place for yourself to assist you in keeping yourself level-headed. The kinds of systems you can put in place for yourself can include but is not limited to medication reminders, daily routine schedule, weekly menu planner as well as social activities for them.

Reach Out To A Professional Company

For some, this thought wouldn't have crossed their mind but sometimes the assistance from a professional company can reduce some stress. Whether its for two days of the week or the fully week over a short term period, this will assist you in getting some balance in your life and reduce your stress.

Contact the team at CareChamp today to discuss your caring requirements. Offering clients access to not just caregivers but companions, the team are all qualified in their respective specialisations and have their own support team should they need assistance. They’ll pair up a carer to match your requirements.

How Assisted Living Can Help You Build Your Confidence

As people grow older, some become more depend on assistance than others. Sometimes this is voluntary and in other instances, getting help is not out of choice and knock your confidence. This isn’t a permanent state of being as there are many tactics one can try to boost your confidence and realise getting help isn’t as bad as it seems. Here are some tactics you can try:

Don’t Be Shy When Giving Compliments

As your loved one is probably nervous about having assistance, it's important for carers to ensure they offer their patients compliments where possible. These subtle comments can go a long way in encouraging those around you to follow in that behaviour and compliment one another. For some elderly people, they long for company and appreciation, this is just one way to give them the boost they need.

Encourage Your Patients To Socialise

Often when elderly people move into old age homes or assisted living, there’s this great sense of loneliness or a feeling of not belonging. When a carer comes into play, it forms part of their role to ensure they encouraging socialisation amongst the people living there. Of course this may be overwhelming so be sure to start off with getting your patients to engage with just one or two new people a week.

Be Sure To Show Interest In Their Life and Story

To get your patients to open up to you and for them to get comfortable with you, be sure to show an active interest when they’re speaking. Engage in the stories they tell and ask about their past, things they did for fun, what work they did. Get to know your patients on a deeper level to show them you care and are interested in their well-being.

Ask Your Patients About Current News and Events

Another way in which you can get to know your patients is by asking them about current events or life experiences they went through. As everyone has walked through a different path in life, they may have some valuable insights on current matters.

If you’re looking for a way for them to still be in touch with everything going on around them, spend time reading the newspaper with them or watching the news. This’ll assist in enabling patients to engage with other residents on current affairs.

These are just four ways assisted living can benefit you and your confidence. As these ways can all be worked on in conjunction, by doing a little bit daily, you can be sure your patients will slowly but surely come out of their shell and see an improvement in their confidence.

Contact CareChamp Today

If you’re looking for a reliable carer for your loved one, be sure to contact the team at CareChamp today. All professionals working through the team have been trained up in these various aspects and are considered professionals within the industry. With the combined years of experience within management at CareChamp, you’ll be sure to find a carer who will meet your loved one's requirements.

Signs Of Depression In The Elderly And What You Can Do As A Caregiver?

Has your patient lost interest in favourite activities? Are they suddenly irritable? Are there persistent complaints of pain? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your elderly patient might be experiencing depression.

It is fairly common for the elderly to struggle with depression but they can be reluctant to talk about these feeling. So it's important for caregivers to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms.

Typical indications of depression in the elderly can include:

●       Memory difficulties

●       Vague complaints of pain

●       Insomnia

●       Irritability

●       Withdrawal from group activities

●       Excessive weight loss due to loss of appetite

●       Confusion

If you notice any of these signs in your patient, speak to their healthcare professional about the likelihood they might be depressed as well as treatment options.

All the changes that accompany ageing, can trigger periods of depression in seniors. One of the major reasons for depression is health decline - especially chronic pain or physical disability. Elderly people also risk depression if they live alone since they can experience a loss in purpose and feelings of isolation. Even more so if they've had a full life with children, work and other responsibilities. When all that is taken away, the senior years can become relatively quiet and lonely. It's best to help your elderly patient stay busy with engaging activities and to give them some kind of purpose.

Naturally, feelings of loss can also bring about depression. When your patient has lost a spouse, friend or even a pet, they might be at risk for depression. As a caregiver, you should keep a close eye on them for signs and symptoms of depression and contact their healthcare provider should you have any concerns. They will be able to properly diagnose depression and provide suitable treatment options.

If you have an elderly parent or loved one that needs special care, get in touch with Care Champs and allow them to lend you a hand.

How To Deal With Depression As A Caregiver

Being a caregiver bears huge responsibility and can be extremely trying, both physically and emotionally. More often than not, caregivers are so busy taking care of their patients that they forget to take care of themselves. Caregiving doesn't cause depression, however, the struggles involved can strain even the most qualified caregiver.

Signs and symptoms of caregiver depression:

●        

●       Feelings of hopelessness and emptiness

●       Frustration and bursts of anger over small issues

●       Insomnia

●       Reduced appetite or extreme weight loss

●       Loss of interest in thing previously enjoyed

●       Anxiety or panic attacks

●       Unexplained aches and pains

●       Suicide thoughts

Ways to combat depression as a caregiver

1. Acknowledgement

The first step is to admit that you are struggling. You aren't doing anyone any favours by suppressing your feelings and emotions. If you can be honest about the state of your mental health, you are taking a step in the right direction.

2. Take care of yourself first

Ever heard the saying: "You can't pour from an empty cup"? When you are a caregiver, this statement is true more than ever. Caregiving can quickly drain you physically and emotionally so it's crucial to take enough time to recharge. Make sure you drink enough water, get plenty exercise and follow a healthy diet.

3. Establish a routine

Being unorganised can quickly make you feel overwhelmed. By establishing a routine, you won't only benefit your patient but it will make your own life much less complicated. If you have a challenging patient, make sure you set boundaries. Ensure that they are aware of these boundaries and don't allow them to overstep.

4. Get professional help

Being a caregiver is one of the most rewarding yet challenging professions a person can choose. To be the best caregiver you possibly can, it's important to look after yourself. Don't be ashamed to admit that you are struggling and get professional help as quickly as possible. You don't have to do this alone!

5 Ways Caregivers In Cape Town Can Help Their Dementia Patients Using Music

According to recent studies, 47 million people worldwide live with dementia. The outlook isn’t great since predictions suggest that by 2030 that number will increase to 75 million. At the moment, there isn't a cure for dementia but research shows that numerous therapeutic treatments, like music therapy,  can be used to improve the condition.

Music always has and always will be a powerful form of communication between human beings. Nothing can communicate emotions better than music. This is mainly due to the fact that the nucleus accumbens lights up at the sound of music. In recent years neuroscientists have become more and more focused on finding out just how effective music therapy is to revive lost memories as well as improving cognitive functions in dementia patients.

Benefits of music therapy for dementia patients:

1. Music is thought to stimulate the medial prefrontal cortex which can help bring back memories.

2. Music can help enhance mood and lower stress levels. People with dementia often become frustrated with their illness and music has proven to have a calming effect on them.

3. Music can offer a dementia patient a sense of control over their life by

4. Music can offer a person with dementia the feeling of control of their life. By restoring their sense of identity, it will help them reconnect with family and friends.

5. Music can encourage physical movement as well as the chance to interact with others. Exercise is known to enhance mood and music can be used as the distraction to encourage exercise.

Sound frequencies stimulate different areas of the brain which have an effect on neurotransmitters and hormones. Music can help access lost memories that might otherwise be lost because it communicates with the part of the brain responsible for emotions and memory.

If you are a Care Champ Caregiver, you might want to consider adding music therapy to your activities list. With the possibility that music can improve the lives of dementia patients, it would be an injustice not to try it.

3 Unique Home Care Services Offered By Care Champ

When it comes to home care, there are many misconceptions as to what it really is and when it's needed. So to clarify why home care might be the right option for your loved one, let's look at what it entails.

1. Companion Care

Your loved one might not need care 24/7 but companion care can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Loneliness is a major cause of depression in the elderly and can even lead to dementia. Elderly care companies such as Care Champ, are committed to matching caregivers with patients based on backgrounds and common interests, thus, making it easier for them to connect.

2. Post Operative Care

Patients of all ages might need some special care at home when recovering from a big operation or an illness. Home caregivers can help with wound care as well as transporting them to and from the hospital for check-ups. To minimise complications after surgery and to support the recovery process, proper postoperative care is a necessity.

3. Child Care

Hiring an Au-pair might prove to be beneficial for your children since it enables you to concentrate your family's childcare needs around home-based care versus outsourcing to crèche or after-care facility. An au pair can be chosen with similar values to your family which will provide consistency in how you raise your children. They will also be able to assist with other duties such as grocery shopping, cooking and taking care of pets.

Quality home care by Care Champs can be customised to suit individual needs and preferences. At Care Champ, we listen to the client or patient - what it is that you need and what matters to you. If you need more information on our home care options, get in touch with our team today.

Raising the standard of home care for the elderly and frail is the top priority at CareChamp.

In order to remain true to their commitment to raising the standard of home nursing services and caregivers in South Africa, the management team at CareChamp is fully committed to setting high standards for any caregiver or companion joining their team, and becoming a member of the CareChamp  portfolio that represents the best available in the profession.

As professionals with many years’ worth of experience themselves, the management team at CareChamp know exactly what they are looking for each time they add a new member to the team, and just like management, all caregivers at CareChamp have undergone the finest in Care Giver training through NIDO Nursing (Pty) Ltd, which is the top educational institute for caregivers in South Africa.

Police clearance certificates and health clearance certificates, which include Hepatitis B Vaccinations and Tuberculosis tests (updated on a regular basis for the protection of all clients), ensure that not only will all clients be in the most capable hands possible, but that their immune systems will not be put at further risk.

CareChamp caregivers are fully trained in elderly frail care, disabled care and dementia care in order to offer a better quality of life at home for elderly frail, disabled clients or those living with dementia – in the security and familiarity of their home, which is one thing that many elderly frail people have in common.

It’s hard enough to accept the challenges that come with aging, especially when there is illness, frailty or dementia to deal with, without having to be completely uprooted and put into a frail care facility on top of it all! 

What CareChamp does is to do all in their power to enable elderly, frail or disabled people to stay in their home and still receive the best in care based on the tools provided to CareChamp caregivers, as well as maintaining a consistent approach to ongoing training for this team.

CareChamp fully understands the difficulty attached to bringing someone strange into your home to take care of your loved one, but, they involve you in the decision making process about the right caregiver to suit your loved one – once you have given CareChamp the go-ahead, the management team will send through up to four or five profiles of caregivers who would be ideal for your loved one.

The versatility of the home based nursing services and caregiver services at CareChamp is aimed at making life a lot easier for elderly frail clients who are struggling to carry out normal day to day activities and battling with accepting their limitations, however, each caregiver at CareChamp is trained to make accepting assistance as easy as possible for every client.

CareChamp also extends their services to providing qualified, experienced child care professionals with first aid qualifications, which, when combined, makes for a nanny that brings peace of mind to any parent!

Registered nurses work with the team at CareChamp to create care plans for individual clients based on their care requirements, as well as to offer medical assistance with wound care and to act as support to all caregivers should any queries arise out of caring for a client.

Post-operative care is another speciality offered by CareChamp, assisting clients with daily care during recovery from illness or surgery, including collecting patients from the hospital and getting them home, or taking patients back to the hospital for check-ups or other appointments associated with their recovery.

All services offered by CareChamp, whether caregiving, home based nursing services, companions for the elderly or nannies for children, are offered on a flexible basis designed to suit your schedule and budget, so that whether you require assistance on a part-time or full-time basis, there will always be a helping hand you can rely on at CareChamp.

Contact CareChamp to find out more about how they can assist you, your family or loved one to enjoy quality care for a better quality of life!

Looking for caregivers in Cape Town that take an innovative approach to elderly frail care?

CareChamp is the epitome of innovation, combining all the skills and training necessary to offer superior disabled care, dementia care, elderly frail care and post-operative care, with the latest in technology to deliver a streamlined service to clients who need assistance in caring for an aging loved one at home.

The certificates earned by each caregiver at CareChamp from Nido Nursing (Pty) Ltd, added to their experience in nursing homes, private hospitals and private homes, qualify CareChamp caregivers as the very best in South Africa!  In addition to this, there is a culture of ongoing training that is inculcated into the team at CareChamp; always looking for better ways to deliver the best service to all clients, irrespective of their care requirements.

What CareChamp offers is the opportunity for elderly, frail or disabled clients to remain safely in the comfort, familiarity and security of their home as their ability to cope on their own diminishes, and every caregiver at CareChamp is committed to maintaining the safety of valuables and respecting the privacy of their clients.

CareChamp caregivers are not there to push anyone around, they are there to bring a better quality of life to the elderly and those with mental or physical disabilities, and to respect the beliefs, culture and background of each client in the process of assisting them wherever it is needed.

Dementia is a form of mental disability, and the caregivers at CareChamp have been highly trained to deal with the difficulties this illness causes, bringing knowledge, experience, sensitivity and compassion into a situation that can be very difficult for family members to deal with on their own.

It’s hard enough for most of us to see our parents losing their autonomy and independence as they age, and dementia makes it that much harder because it feels as if the person we have known and loved all our life is slipping away a little more each day; this is when the training and passion for what they do makes the assistance of CareChamp caregivers a boon in many ways.

Physical disabilities or illness in elderly frail loved ones diminishes their abilities to carry out the simplest of tasks, such as brushing their hair or bathing, and although it is going to take some getting used to, with the right caregiver, accepting assistance is going to be a lot easier for your loved one!

Sometimes, all your elderly loved one needs is a little company to ease the sense of disconnection from the world as they knew it before they had to hand in the car keys and accept the loss of many forms of independence, which is where the caring companions at CareChamp enter the picture to ease isolation that often leads to depression in the elderly.

CareChamp companions are people who are passionate about adding value to the lives of others in their spare time, whether they are retired professionals or work part-time.  Companions at CareChamp are available to spend a few hours a week with elderly clients, building a friendship that will help to intellectually stimulate and motivate your loved one, and, if they are still involved in any social activities, to ensure that these activities continue.

A companion will also assist with a few household chores or see to the smooth running of the household if it is required; the point is that not only will your loved one have great company, they will also have someone who really cares on hand to help out with some of the tasks they can no longer carry out on their own.

CareChamp offers every home based nursing and caregiving service possible to make life a lot easier for you, your loved one and your family; they are dedicated to raising the bar when it comes to caregiving and home based nursing in Cape Town.  Give them a call to find out just how easy this team can make it for you to have the best in care for your loved ones at home!