8 Ways to keep your head while caring for an elderly frail parent!

If it has fallen to you to take care of your aging parent, you are in for an emotionally complex and deeply challenging experience, and it helps to have a little help along the way so that you can keep your head during the demands that will be coming your way!

One of the most important qualities you will have to nurture is compassion, it’s going to make many frustrating days a little easier to handle!  Putting yourself in your parent’s shoes, imagining how you would feel if after a lifetime of being independent you would have to start depending on your own children for some of the most basic things in life, like getting to the bathroom, having a wash and maybe even having to be fed –will make a difference to your levels of frustration which will undoubtedly arise in the process.

Try a few of these ideas on for size, and if they fit, use them, it will make you all happier in the long run:

1.      If you have a close enough relationship with your elderly parent, let them know that taking care of them and easing their daily life is something you do with great respect, even on the days you definitely may not feel that way – it’s part of the natural cycle of life, and as difficult as it is for you, your family and your parent, how you take this journey is determined by your attitude to a responsibility this great.

2.      Throw out expectations of anything emotionally or you will be headed for trouble.  The way things were before is over, this is a whole new phase of life for you, and the last phase of life for your parent, which means that there could be either positive or negative emotions brought to the surface that could bring you closer or push you further apart.  It’s best just to set expectations aside instead of watching them crash and burn in the wake of disappointment!

3.      This is going to be your turn to take care of your parent instead of the other way around, which means that nothing that used to work in terms of emotions, relationship, communication and more, is ever going to be the same again; taking care of an elderly frail parent is going to be about writing a completely new chapter, one that has never before been explored by either of you, and it will require a ton of courage for both of you.

4.      Don’t try to be everything at all times, both of you are learning a new way of living, at different stages of life, and taking it a little slowly as you each feel your way around this new way of life, may help you each to lead a little to get the balance right.

5.      Taking care of your elderly parent is never going to be a bed of roses minus the thorns, and the thorns you will be facing will have a lot to do with the frustration and anger at the loss of independence that your parent will be trying to adjust to – you are definitely going to need a little help from friends and family that you can talk to when the barbs get particularly nasty, and they can!

6.      Let your parent know that their opinions or advice still count to you, if that is the type of relationship you have already enjoyed.  Involve your elderly parent in even the smallest of decisions in your life, it not only shows your parent that their advice is still important to you, but shows them that you love them and respect their part in your life.

7.       Think hard before you start ordering your parent around instead of making them part of the decisions that affect their daily life, care and circumstances – this type of bullying turns even the sweetest of us into stubborn mules, add that to the moments of anger your parent feels at the sense of helplessness and you have a recipe for disaster!

8.      Make sure that you take care of yourself and that you have a supportive friendship you can rely on when you need to talk things out; you will be doing no one any good if you allow yourself to fall apart by giving in completely to the situation – take time out, take deep breaths, spend a little time with your Higher Power, and remember, your life is still yours, and it’s important to look after it if you are to be of any use as a caregiver to your parent!

If your parent is living with dementia, you are going to need even more support on every level; nothing can rob your relationship of love and great memories as easily as the face of dementia can!  No matter how compassionate you are, how patient you are, this will be one of the greatest challenges of your life, and if you don’t reach for help when you need it, you could easily be on the way to serious depression!

This is what CareChamp does, they come to your aid to relieve you for as many hours or days as you may need assistance, highly trained and experienced, ready to lend a helping hand when you need it most to give you the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that your parent is in capable, caring hands until you return from your breather!

Contact the team at CareChamp to find out more about their home based caregivers that are available to assist 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you will be making life easier for you, your parent and your family by enlisting help!

Looking for the best caregiver & home based nursing agency in Cape Town?

Finding the best caregiver or home based nurse to offer elderly frail care, disabled care or dementia care in your home is not easy when you go it alone.  Unfortunately one cannot just go on references and the strength of a CV when it comes to bringing a stranger into your home to care for a loved one, there are just too many things that will be difficult to follow up on as an individual.

You will need to feel that you can trust the person to carry out their duties responsibly and to care for your loved one compassionately and professionally, and, on top of all of that, you will need to take care of all the details that go with employing someone, including issues such as PAYE, UIF and other administrative issues that are enforced by the labour laws in South Africa.

If this makes you feel completely out of your depth, then CareChamp is the best caregiver and home based nursing agency in Cape Town to call on to take all of these issues off your hands!

CareChamp is run by an organised management team that has many years’ worth of invaluable experience in private hospitals and home nursing placements, along with their own Care Giver training certification from NIDO Nursing (Pty) Ltd.

This alone gives the management team at CareChamp the vital experience required to successfully place caregivers and home nurses with families and individuals in need of home based care.  In addition to this, the team also has extensive experience in Technology Businesses and Operational Management, which is what streamlines the administrative role this team plays in making life as easy as possible for their clients.

CareChamp is made up of the management team, Sylvia and Gizelle, as well as a case manager and general/marketing assistant, all of whom work hand in hand with a team of Home Nursing Assessors and Professional Nursing Executives in order to offer their services nationally, despite being based in Cape Town.

The vision at CareChamp is to offer clients the highest standard in home nursing services in South Africa and to have their collective hands open to assist wherever possible in making life more comfortable for the elderly, who may be frail or living with dementia and other age-related disabilities.

CareChamp Caregivers are all certified caregivers, having completed their own Care Giver courses at NIDO Nursing, which is the highest standard in caregiver training in South Africa.  They also have hands-on experience gained in private nursing homes, private hospitals and private homes, giving them each the ability to adapt to the individual care requirements of all clients with ease.

Trust is implicit in the fact that CareChamp screens each caregiver in depth in terms of their background, training and experience, backed up by a Police Clearance, which gives clients peace of mind, knowing that they can safely leave their loved ones in the hands of a compassionate, trusted professional.

The management team also furnishes clients with Health Clearance certificates for all caregivers, and, ongoing training is also an important part of the quality of home based care any client can expect from a CareChamp caregiver.

Contact CareChamp via their online contact form, or call the team direct to discuss care requirements, you will find that their tailored, affordable home based services are designed not only to suit the personality of individual clients but to suit your schedule and budget!

How much of a difference can companionship make to the life of an elderly person living at home?

In actual fact, it doesn’t matter what age we are, when we feel cut off and isolated from the world for any reason, no matter how strong or self-reliant we are, there is always a risk of anxiety and depression settling in, and, with time, both of these conditions can affect every aspect of our lives.

There has been a lot of emphasis placed on mental health recently in South Africa, encouraging those suffering with depression, anxiety or any other mental health issue, to speak up, and, with statistics that show one in every four people as suffering with varying degrees of depression alone, one can only imagine how easy it is for this to happen to us as we age and the world becomes a little smaller each day.

Because of the huge growth of technology, life has become so fast-paced that there are just not enough hours in the day to keep up with all that is expected of us; working, running a household, caring for children and still trying to find time for a little down time seems to be a delicate balancing act that is often hard to manage.

Add to that an elderly frail loved one, maybe living with dementia or other disabilities, and it becomes a little harder to cope, yet most families prefer to keep their aged loved ones at home, surrounded by the familiar, and the most essential ingredient, love!

If you have a loved one at home who needs elderly frail care, dementia care, disabled care, post-operative care or companionship, having an experienced, compassionate and highly trained home based caregiver at the side of your loved one is going to take a major weight off your shoulders – it is very difficult to concentrate on your business life or job while you are worrying about the safety of your elderly loved one left at home alone!

American scientist Sherwin B Nuland wrote in the 1930’s already that too many of the elderly do not have the family or the communal attachments necessary to feel valued; too many are widowed or otherwise alone; too many live in surroundings where they are essentially without the companionship necessary to stimulate a mind in danger of deteriorating - and it is no less true in the 21st century than it was then!

This is why CareChamp has made sure that over and above the caregiving and home based nursing services offered, they have very special people who are retired, often from the health care profession, who answer the call for companionship of elderly frail people who are alone for much of the time.

CareChamp Companions still feel that they have something to offer this world and have chosen to use their time to ease the loneliness and isolation of the elderly in need of companionship, and do so wholeheartedly!

As with any team member at CareChamp, the backgrounds and credentials of every companion is impeccable, which ensures that your loved one will have the mental stimulation and human company essential to keeping them as engaged in life as possible!

A CareChamp Companion is more than just company, they will accompany and encourage clients to take walks and to maintain the continuance of social gatherings if desired.  Companions will also happily drive clients to doctor’s visits or take them on simple daily routines, as well as take them on outings, the choice is entirely up to the client.

Health and safety is, of course, as with every other service offered by CareChamp, first and foremost!  If necessary, a CareChamp Companion will assist with ensuring that the household is properly run and manage staff or prepare meals if required.

 To find out more about companions for aging or elderly frail loved ones, please contact the management team at CareChamp, they will be more than happy to contribute positively to the life of your loved one!

Do you need the assistance of a trusted, fully qualified home based caregiver?

CareChamp has structured their caregiver and home based nursing services so well that there is a tailored solution to suit every care requirement, schedule and budget, to bring relief to families who are caring for an elderly frail loved one at home, or one who is living with dementia and any other age-related illness or disability.

Many elderly people are still able to remain in their own homes, which is, more than anything else, the one thing that can make the difficulties faced with aging, health and spirit so much easier to accept, surrounded by all that is familiar, however, when parts of their daily routine are upset by an inability to carry out the usual tasks alone, a compassionate, caring and well-trained caregiver can make all the difference in the world.

The philosophy at CareChamp is simple and has been the founding basis for the success they have achieved in making the lives of elderly or disabled people so much easier and companionable.  All caregivers at CareChamp are known as ‘Champs’, and they all reflect this basic philosophy in all they do to ensure the best care for all clients.

This CareChamp policy is based on being capable, honest, attentive, and mindful, and pioneering in all that is done, from the open and honest communication each client has with the management team, to the exceptional care that can be expected of any home based caregiver in their portfolio.

Where it comes to capability, CareChamp management is in constant communication with their Champs, and, as part of this, all caregivers receive training on an ongoing basis, despite their high qualifications and experience – CareChamp believes that if there is a better way to care for any client, it will be used!

The honesty and communication apparent between clients and the management team at CareChamp is extended to their commitment to encouraging all caregivers to maintain a transparency in all their dealings, which are also reflected in the ratings clients submit during the care period.

Attentiveness is a given with any Champ, each is responsible for submitting a detailed care report before they clock out of their shift, which maintains consistency to the care plan as drawn up according each client’s requirements.

Mindfulness is essential when a caregiver is spending time in the home and environment of their client, ensuring that their safety and security is a top priority, and that the client’s privacy will be respected at all times – a Champ is there to assist, not to rearrange any client’s life and home!

The pioneering spirit that drives the management team at CareChamp is filtered through to every caregiver or home based nurse, challenging each team member out in the field to be innovative in their approach towards making every client feel comfortable. 

CareChamp also uses innovative technology in order to ensure that not only do they deliver a streamlined, easy-to-use system, but that they are able to deliver world class home based care services.

It is well worth your time to visit the CareChamp website to find out more about the extensive home based care services offered by this team of professionals who dedicate themselves to the best in care for every client, irrespective of individual care needs and circumstances.

If you have chosen to stay in your own home and need assistance with various day to day tasks, or you have a family member who needs assistance in your home, whether on a full time or part time basis, CareChamp will guide you to a solution that suits every aspect of caregiving!

CareChamp is home to super-star caregivers and home based nursing services in South Africa!

Disabled care? Dementia care or frail elderly care? Companionship for the elderly? Hospital to home care or wound care? Post-operative care?  If you or a loved one needs assistance in dealing with these challenges at home, CareChamp has a tailored solution that will suit you or your family perfectly!

Home based caregiving is the best choice for anyone wishing to remain in the familiarity, safety and security of their own home when managing on their own becomes too much, and it is also a service that allows families caring for an elderly frail loved one at home to have peace of mind as they go about their daily lives, to carry on working and maintaining the home and family.

A CareChamp caregiver is highly trained, experienced and certified, and, to reassure all clients, each caregiver has the necessary health and police clearance, as well as being insured and fully supported by the experienced management team at all times to meet high standards in carrying out care plans.

CareChamp registered nurses assist with the assessment and drawing up of care plans to suit individual care requirements, which are then passed on to the caregiver chosen by the client, having a clear-cut plan to follow as they carry out their duties with compassion and professionalism.

Each CareChamp caregiver is trusted to contribute to maintaining the security and confidentiality of each client, ensuring that the safety of clients and the security of the home is a top priority, along with an inherent care for the belongings and valuables of each client.

This philosophy of absolute respect extends to remaining cognisant of the basic values of each client, including the right of the client to retain their own beliefs and customs, as well as their inalienable right to make their own choices; these are qualities essential to allowing a stranger into their home.

The ability to communicate clearly and to have excellent interpersonal skills is what makes CareChamp caregivers stand head above shoulders of the rest, and, with ongoing training based on innovative approaches to caregiving, there are few caregiver and home based nursing agencies in Cape Town that can hold a candle to the services offered by CareChamp.

Caregivers from CareChamp are able to assist with everything from bathing in the bathroom or with bed baths to personal hygiene and grooming, which includes hair care, shaving, and mouth care as well as nail care – these are the smaller things that add to the comfort and confidence of any elderly client no longer able to carry out these tasks alone.

Exercising, mobility and the safe lifting or handling of patients is all part of the training and experience each CareChamp caregiver is equipped with, to the extent that, if possible and recommended by the family and health practitioner, the caregiver will assist clients to remain involved in recreational activities. 

Maintaining and meeting nutritional needs, meal preparation or feeding, as well as medication reminders and light housekeeping to keep critical areas hygienically clean are all part of the role a CareChamp caregiver can offer clients.

Should your elderly loved one need a little company in order to remain intellectually stimulated and engaged, just someone on their level who can brighten up their day, CareChamp has a wonderful team of companions who will be there to ease the sense of isolation that can lead to depression and anxiety in elderly frail people who become more and more cut off from the outside world.

Whether it is full time, part time or once or twice a week for a few hours, CareChamp will work closely with you to create a care plan and schedule tailored specifically to your needs and the care requirements of your loved one! 

Please do not hesitate to contact this friendly team, they really are an absolute pleasure to deal with and are always available to alleviate the stress of caring for an elderly frail loved one!

The emotional & psychological cost of taking care of a loved one living with dementia is very high!

Having taken the time to speak to family members who opened up about just how tough it is to care for a loved one who is disabled, whether physically or mentally, as in the case of dementia, showed that irrespective of whether they had the patience of a saint or not, the cost is high, taxing everything from mental, emotional and physical reserves to a great extent.

Most of these people have been taking care of elderly frail loved ones who are losing more and more of who they used to be on a daily basis, which in itself is a frightening experience.  The mother or father who loved them and brought them up slips away, leaving only memories of what they used to be like and who they really are beneath the illness, which makes anyone feel utterly helpless.

Frustration was a prevalent emotion shared by many in this caregiving role, and, the fallout from the moments when frustration boils over into anger that is expressed creates a deep sense of guilt, yet, it is one of the most natural reactions to situations like this in which any individual feels completely lost, overwhelmed and out of their depth in an unfamiliar landscape they are ill-equipped to deal with.

Many caregivers in this situation start suffering symptoms of anxiety and depression, all of which can also lead to a situation where the most loving of caregivers will start withdrawing from friends and normal activities, making the situation even more difficult to cope with.

Moments of lucidity feel like a mini reprieve for family members who are sole caregivers of an elderly frail loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, however, these moments are so fleeting that it is heart-breaking.

The frustration and anger that affects many family members taking care of an aging loved one whose behaviour deteriorates rapidly, resulting in stubbornness, anger, lashing out and sometimes downright nastiness, which are all a manifestation of symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s, can be incredibly challenging to deal with without any support.

Even being sole caregiver of an elderly frail loved one who has lost all independence and now has to rely on others to do the things they were always able to do for themselves, can turn into a constant battleground as they fight the reality of all they have lost.

Most families cannot afford the exorbitant costs of frail care facilities, and the majority would prefer to have their loved ones under their own roof anyway, which is why CareChamp has made it easy for any family member who is taking on too much alone and sacrificing their own wellbeing to have a team of caregivers they can rely on to take some of the pressure off, with flexible schedules that allow caregivers to get the helping hand they deserve.

Just a few hours a day a few days a week can make all the difference to any family member managing the caregiving role alone, giving them precious time to take a breath and to recharge their spirits, to catch up on things that have been put off while trying to cope, and even to keep contact with friends and family to shore up reserves for the next round of caring!

Everything you need to know about the trusted, exceptionally high quality of home care offered by the caregivers and companions who are members of the CareChamp portfolio is available on their website, where you will be able to find out exactly why so many clients have absolute peace of mind when leaving a loved one in the care of a really special CareChamp caregiver!

Superb home health care & technology makes access to exceptional caregivers & companions absolute simplicity!

The highly qualified and experienced management team at CareChamp combined their respective areas of expertise in private hospitals and home nursing placements, as well as high level Care Giver training through NIDO Nursing (Pty) Ltd, with Business Technology and Operational Management to bring a streamlined system into being that would provide an exceptional standard of home nursing services and caregivers easy to access online.

The philosophy behind all that this team does is to enable elderly frail people and disabled people to have access to outstanding patient care, along with all the tools needed to do so successfully, that will allow them to remain in the comfort and security of their own home or the home of a family member.

As a result of the high standard of education and experience expected of all CareChamp caregivers, registered nurses and companions, there is no home based care service in South Africa that can hold a candle to the very best care offered by CareChamp.

You can rest assured that, as difficult as it is to make the decision to allow a stranger into your family home, and to entrust the care of your loved one into their hands,  each caregiver at CareChamp has more than just the highest qualification, they are also insured and fully supported by the CareChamp registered nursing team.

CareChamp caregivers, companions and registered nurses carrying out home based services all have police and health clearance certificates that back up the rigorous background check each team member goes through.

Ongoing training is as natural as breathing at CareChamp, and, as technology advances and great strides are made in the health-care sector for elderly frail people and those with physical and mental disabilities, CareChamp caregivers are encouraged to take a completely innovative approach to each client in order to perfectly align with their care requirements and personalities.

Talking about personalities, once you have contacted CareChamp and decided that you would like to make use of their flexible and affordable services, you will be sent the profile of up to five caregivers so that you are able to select the caregiver who will suit your loved one perfectly to make them feel completely at ease, even under such challenging circumstances.

The management team at CareChamp, Sylvia and Gizelle, work hand in hand with a support team of highly experienced Registered Nursing Professionals who are involved in many aspects of the care programmes, from carrying out home nursing assessments to the creation of care plans to suit every CareChamp client, available to act as support at all times should any caregiver need any support.

 CareChamp home caregiver services are affordable and flexible, making it easy for any family or individual to work out a schedule that not only covers all care requirements but also makes it a lot easier to work within a given budget.

Caregiver and companion services start at a minimum of four hours in a day to fulltime live-in care, so that no matter what type of assistance you or your loved one needs, CareChamp will have a solution to suit everyone perfectly!

Even if you cannot afford full-time care, just a few hours a week will make all the difference to you and your loved one; CareChamp is there to lend a helping hand, and to do it with such compassion and professionalism that their service is unrivalled in South Africa!

Fill in the online form or contact the team, a member of the fantastic support team at CareChamp will be available to assist you through each step that will make life easier for you and comfortable for your loved one!

Relax completely knowing that your elderly frail or disabled loved one is in good hands with CareChamp!

Nurses, doctors, emergency personnel, policemen, firemen and any of the other professions that deal with some of the greatest pressures involved in saving lives and being exposed to the darker side of life, especially in law enforcement and in the medical field, are people who are born to these callings, calls that most of us, if we are honest about it, would be too terrified to contemplate!

It is much the same where it comes to the extra special human beings who choose to serve others with absolute compassion, patience, understanding and respect, all of which is backed up by the type of high quality training and experience that makes them truly exceptional when it comes to caring for those who are no longer able to care for themselves.

These are the calibre of people who make up the team of home caregivers, companions, registered nurses and sisters brought together by the management team at CareChamp, committed to raising the bar where it comes to home nursing services in South Africa.

CareChamp offers affordable, flexible solutions that make home care services accessible to a broad range of families and individuals who need a helping hand in taking care of elderly frail or disabled loved ones at home, rather than in frail care facilities.

Offering a high level of trusted care for elderly frail or disabled clients is just one part of the comprehensive range of services offered by the experienced team at CareChamp, they have done as much as possible to assist in as many ways as they are able to lend a helping hand.

These home services include dementia care, hospital to home care as well as post-operative care, wound management, which is carried out by a CareChamp registered sister, childcare and companions who are committed to bringing a ray of sunshine into the lives of elderly people feeling the effects of isolation that comes with the loss of independence as they age.

CareChamp certified caregivers are able to carry out all non-medical services and to assist in making sure that the health and safety of all clients is a priority in the home, keeping critical areas affecting the health of the client clean, as well as doing all that is possible to prevent accidents - the CareChamp caregiver assigned to your loved one is also able to carry out light housekeeping in order to ensure that hygiene is maintained at a high standard, especially where it can have a negative impact on the health and well-being of each client in their care.

Registered nurses often work in conjunction with caregivers where it comes to carrying out medical services such as wound care, adjusting the care plan should circumstances change, as well as assisting with the management of medication.  Of course, a CareChamp caregiver is able to assist with medication reminders as part of their duties, which also include bathroom and grooming assistance – and more!

Everything that is done by the management team at CareChamp, along with their support staff, is designed to make life as easy as possible for you, your family and your loved one in every way, from the care your loved one receives right through to taking all the administrative stress right off your shoulders, keeping everything organised so that all you have to do is take a deep breath and know that your loved one is safe and in good hands!

How to go about booking a CareChamp caregiver or companion online for an elderly frail or disabled loved one.

CareChamp could not have made it easier for clients to communicate their care requirements online in order to start the process of finding the very best in home nursing services, caregivers and companions than with their very simple, straightforward system of communication, whether online or telephonically!  In fact, you are also able to chat with a member of the fantastic support team online to get the ball going!

Whether you contact CareChamp via the online form on their website or discuss it on the phone, they are going to need to get a good idea of what your needs will be in terms of the care requirements that will be necessary to take the best care of your loved one at home.

Some of the information that will be required includes:

·        Your contact details (naturally!)

·        A synopsis of what the background to the situation with your loved one is, such as whether they need frail care, dementia care, post-operative care or companionship – which is something that can bring much needed company and intellectual stimulation to an elderly loved one who is feeling isolated!

·        What you would require in terms of care for your loved one.

·        When you are planning on starting with the care and the times that would suit the circumstances and care requirements best.

·        Whether you will be needing hourly, daily or full-time assistance, and whether the care will be a once-off or recurring service that is required.

·        And finally, to choose the payment method that would make it easiest for you!

Once the CareChamp management team has ironed out all these details with you, they do something really unusual; you get to pick a Champ (which is what caregivers at CareChamp are called, for good reason!) yourself!  This team understands fully that this is an intensely personal decision for you and you have an inalienable right to decide on who you will allow into your home!

To make this choice as easy as possible for you and your family, CareChamp will send you the profiles of up to three suitable Champs to choose from, based on all the background information you have provided, giving insight into the person who will become part of your loved one’s life so that they will feel a lot more comfortable in a difficult situation.

It may be necessary, depending on the care requirements discussed with the CareChamp management team, to schedule an initial home assessment which will be carried out by a registered sister trained to create a care plan that will assist the patient perfectly and also provide a full plan to orientate the caregiver chosen by you.

Once this is all in the bag, and you know that your loved one will be receiving the highest standard of home care in South Africa, CareChamp will whip all the pesky admin tasks out from under you by managing all scheduling, payments, manage check-in and check-out times via automated time tracking through GPS – you don’t have to worry about a thing, just relax and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your loved one is in good hands!

Of course, communication is completely transparent between you, the CareChamp management team and caregivers or companions, which means that you will receive regular care reports and will also be encouraged to let the team know how things are going on your side!

Find out more about the comprehensive range of home care services offered by CareChamp by contacting the team or visiting their user friendly website which is chock-a-block full of information that will make the decision to call in this team of exceptional people to make life easier for your whole family a cinch!

When you need help taking care of an aging loved one at home, CareChamp is just a call away!

CareChamp has taken a truly pioneering approach to offering home care services that include dementia care, disabled care, wound care, frail care and more, using technology to streamline their services to the benefit of their clients and to make access to caregivers online a walk in the park.

The CareChamp management team itself has many years’ worth of experience in private hospitals and home nursing placements, making sure that they have also gone through the same high level of caregiver training each member of their team receives through NIDO Nursing (Pty) Ltd, which is regarded as the highest standard of care giver training in South Africa.

In addition to this, the management team has also had experience in technology businesses that also focus on operational management, which is what makes finding a caregiver online through CareChamp straightforward, streamlined and uncomplicated.

CareChamp has made it their mission to deliver the highest quality in home care services throughout South Africa, although they are currently based in Cape Town, they are able to service all major centres nationwide in conjunction with NIDO Nursing, which ensures the same standard of care no matter where you are based.

This team also understands how much of a challenge it is to bring a stranger into your home to care for an elderly loved on in need of frail care, dementia care or disabled care, and they make it as easy as possible to involve you completely in the process of finding the right caregiver to suit your loved one through their online portfolio.

This CareChamp online portfolio also gives you access to information about companions for the aged, trainee caregivers and registered nurses, listing the basics of the role that each is able to play in caring for your loved one in the comfort of their home, or in yours, if that is the decision that has been made.

It’s also great to know that any caregiver, companion or registered nurse recommended by CareChamp comes with a level of trust that is backed by in-depth background investigation as well as police and health clearance, and, although each member of the CareChamp team has the prerequisite qualifications and experience, consistent training is considered an essential part of the ongoing success been achieved by CareChamp.

CareChamp has also expanded their services to include child care, which is of the same standard as any other service you can expect from this team – these are passionate people who have made it their life’s goal to offer assistance and comfort in very challenging circumstances, and it is their intuitive, compassionate and innovative approach to every person they care for, whether it is an elderly frail client or a child, that ensures experienced care that can be trusted!

No matter what type of care arrangement you work out with CareChamp, or how flexible you need it to be, this team will find a way to assist you in making informed decisions that will make the life of your loved one comfortable and safe at home!

There is nothing to lose by simply filling in the online contact form, calling the team or chatting to a CareChamp member online, it will give you a great starting place towards making life a lot easier for your loved one!

When a frail care facility is not an option let CareChamp lend a helping hand!

When it becomes obvious that an elderly frail loved one is no longer able to care for themselves, conversations are going to become a challenge, most of all because they do not want to be uprooted from their homes and all that is familiar to them.

Even if you are going to be taking them into your home to care for them yourself, it is going to be really difficult to find the right way to broach the subject – the older we get, the more set in our routines we get, and some of our elderly loved ones can become really stubborn when faced with the complete upheaval that comes with either having to move into the family home, or to accept help in their own home, especially if they are still able to manage a few of their usual routines.

Health conditions such as severe arthritis, osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s disease complicate the situation a lot more; as frightening as it is for you to see, it is even harder for you aging family member or friend to accept these harsh realities that make simple tasks impossible to manage on their own anymore.

For the elderly frail person who is not living with Alzheimer’s or dementia and have all their faculties, it is an emotionally challenging change of life as they see their independence slipping away.  The mere fact of not being able to drive anymore and get out on their own is hard to accept, and it is issues like this that can cause a tremendous amount of strain on even the most well-intentioned family.

You want the best for your loved one but what you view as for their best does not mean the same thing to them, and this easily eats away at their sense of dignity, however, if you take the time to discuss the situation with a professional, whether it is with a social worker or a psychologist, you may find broaching all these points with your loved on a lot easier.

Not every family can afford frail care facilities, and many of them have no intention of putting their loved one into a facility, but, especially if everyone in the family is working outside of the home, it is incredibly stressful to have to leave an aging parent or elderly frail loved one on their own while you bring in the bread and butter.

What CareChamp has done is to put together a portfolio of carefully vetted caregivers, companions and registered nurses who are able to assist you and your family in keeping your loved one safe and comfortable at home, and they have made it really straightforward and simple with their flexible approach to individual care requirements.

The CareChamp management team handles all the administrative tasks for you, helps to set up an appropriate care programme as well as to make sure that each CareChamp caregiver has police clearance, health clearance and an in-depth background check, ensuring that you will feel comfortable about leaving your loved one in caring, compassionate and highly trained hands.

CareChamp has gone the distance to ensure that their services are fully comprehensive, affordable and able to fit into your schedule, whether it is on a full-time or part-time basis, or even just a few hours a day a couple of days a week.

Contact the CareChamp team to find out exactly what this highly trained and well-respected team can do to make the transition a lot easier for your family and for your elderly frail loved one, and to relieve you of the stress of leaving your loved one alone at home!

Don’t go it alone to find a caregiver for an elderly frail or disabled loved one, call CareChamp!

If you have ever spent a couple of weeks or months recovering from an illness or surgery, then you will be able to relate to the frustration that comes with not being completely independent and perhaps have even experienced a sense of isolation that may have brought about mild depression, however, once you have recovered you will be out and about your normal daily life and pick up the pieces quickly, and all of that frustration will be forgotten.

This is not the case for the elderly who may start finding that ordinary things like cooking, cleaning and even taking care of their own personal hygiene becoming more and more difficult, and, as much as anyone else, they are going to want to cling to their independence for as long as possible – most parents who are aging or frail do not want to become a burden to anyone, it’s just one of those things that come with having been independent their whole lives!

When you have a parent who is starting to exhibit signs of dementia, or of being too frail to be left entirely on their own, there are going to be some tough conversations to be had about how life could be made a lot easier for them if they want to remain in surroundings that are familiar to them.

No one wants to go into a frail care facility, but not many families have anyone who can stay at home to assist with frail care and take on all the duties involved in frail care, dementia care or disabled care, which is where CareChamp has a solution that ensures that your loved one has the highest standard of home care possible!

Every caregiver at CareChamp has had a high level of home care training as well as experience in private homes, hospitals and retirement homes, in addition to which, these are all very special individuals who have a calling to help others, which is not something all of us could do any more than we would become policemen or doctors.

CareChamp caregivers, companions and registered nurses all have the compassion, patience and experience to manage situations most of us would find extremely difficult, especially when it comes to looking after our loved ones as they age. 

Our own sense of helplessness can sometimes cause more friction in the family than is necessary during this stage of life, and it is a relief to know that there are special professionals who know how to care for our elderly frail loved ones, and who have a passion for what they do!

CareChamp caregivers are there to assist your loved one with everything from medication reminders to mobility exercises, nutritional needs, bathroom assistance and more, while CareChamp companions spend time with your loved one to stave off isolation, lack of intellectual stimulation and conversation, which often leads to depression in the elderly.

CareChamp services are flexible and affordable, designed to make life easier for everyone by offering care that could range anywhere from 4 hours a day a few times a week, to 24/7 live-in care – this team is committed to finding a care solution to suit every clients care requirements and budget!

Don’t put yourself through the strain of trying to find the right person to care for your elderly frail loved one on your own, that’s what CareChamp is there for! You can rely on this team to help you select the perfect caregiver or companion that will make it easier for your loved one to accept the help they need, and to know that they will have trusted care!

Visit CareChamp to find out more about what their happy clients have to say about this team and to find out more about how to find the help you need without any extra stress!

Did you know that you can find the highest standard of home care online at CareChamp?

When you need frail care, disabled care, dementia care or even companionship for an elderly loved one, finding the assistance you need on your own can be a real challenge.  You may only need help a few days a week, or require full-time assistance with a loved one, but finding someone with the necessary qualifications, experience and background is not that easy.

You will have to do interviews and background checks, especially since you will be bringing the person you hire into your own home or into the home of your loved one, which means that you will be looking for a lot of assurance about the safety and security of the family, as well as whether the caregiver you are looking for will suit an elderly frail or disabled loved one.

This is a tall order for anyone, which is why CareChamp has taken charge of all these details and only bring the best caregivers onto their team and into their online portfolio.  CareChamp is proud of their reputation for providing trusted services that include caregivers, registered nurses and nannies, in order to make sure that they carry their commitment to provide the highest calibre of home care possible in South Africa.

The management team at CareChamp are professionals who have spent many years in private hospitals and in home nursing placements, with a team of professional nursing sisters available in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Port Elizabeth on standby to do assessments and draw up treatment plans for each client.

These sisters are also involved in carrying out initial assessments of clients and then working out a treatment schedule that is tailored to meet the specific needs of each client, and to assist caregivers or companions with any guidance that may be needed while caring for a client.

CareChamp caregivers are fully qualified, having received their training and Care Giver Certificates from NIDO Nursing Pty Ltd, in addition to which they are carefully vetted and, as mentioned, always have the support of the CareChamp nursing team.

All non-medical services are carried out by certified caregivers, however, should you require assistance with wound care or the management of medication, along with other services that can be discussed as a care plan is set in place, CareChamp registered nurses step in to carry out medical assistance.

To start this far simpler process of finding a trusted caregiver or companion for your elderly frail, mentally or physically disabled loved one is really as easy as filling in the online form at CareChamp, giving the team your contact details and a bit of background to the type of care your loved one may need, and a member of the team will get back to you very quickly to take it from there.

It is hard enough to have to watch your aging loved one struggling without still having to jump through hoops to find the type of care that will keep your loved one safe and give you peace of mind that they are in good hands, which is exactly why CareChamp has tried to make the whole process as simple as possible.

The management team at CareChamp take all the administrative work off your shoulders, making sure that all scheduling is well-planned, carrying out GPS assisted check-in and check-out times and making sure that you are provided with daily care reports.  Of course, they also like to know how things are going from your point of view so that the communication channel is always open between caregiver, client and the management team.

CareChamp is committed to offering flexible, affordable home care that will suit your care requirements and schedule perfectly, making every effort to ensure that your elderly frail or disabled loved one is given the high standard of care they deserve.

Contact CareChamp today to find out more about how they can help to make life a little easier for your family in caring for your loved one!

When you need the best in home care services in Cape Town, only CareChamp will fit the bill!

Affordable, fully tailored home care service plans and the highest level in caregiving is the philosophy that drives the team at CareChamp to keep pushing the boundaries in terms of offering disabled care, frail care, dementia care, child care, hospital-to-home care and home nursing services that stand head above shoulders of the rest.

Each caregiver, companion, nanny or registered nurse who is a member of the portfolio at CareChamp reflects the commitment of the management team to deliver affordable yet high quality home care services that enable clients to age peacefully and comfortably in the familiarity of their own homes.

The loss of independence experienced by many of our seniors is one of the most difficult things to come to terms with, but, with the right person taking the right approach, bringing a caregiver into your family, whether it is on a full or part-time basis, is going to make a major difference to the frustration that comes with having to deal with these changes brought about by disability, frailty or chronic illness.

CareChamp has registered nurses as part of their portfolio who are able to manage the medical side of home care services in terms of initially assessing your loved one, and then creating a workable care plan that will make life a lot easier for all concerned.

The CareChamp registered nurses provide home nursing services such as wound care, administration of medication, oxygen therapy, catheter care and nasogastric tube feeding.  It is also important to know that every CareChamp caregiver has instant access to a registered nurse or sister should any questions arise regarding the care of your loved one.

CareChamp keeps an open line of communication with clients, ensuring that you have weekly updates through the submission of care reports, and the management team at CareChamp love to have their caregivers and companions rated regularly in order to maintain the high standards this team holds itself accountable to.

The CareChamp team have made reserving a caregiver or companion really easy, it is a simple process that can be done online by filling in a form that gives CareChamp your contact details, a bit of background to the situation, what your care requirements will be, and one or two other bits of information to get everything in motion, or, you can simply give CareChamp a call, they will be more than happy to guide you to the best solution for the situation you or your family are facing.

Your CareChamp caregiver or companion will not come to you sight unseen, based on the information you have provided the team with, they will send you the profiles of up to three Champs suitable for the role they need to play in caring for your loved one, and you pick the one that most suits your loved one – which also gives you an idea of who it is that you will be allowing into your home.

Allow the team at CareChamp to introduce you to exceptional caregivers, companions and nannies who will care for your loved ones in such a way that they will contribute to a happier, healthier lifestyle for your loved one when they need the help most!

How to ensure that our frail aged loved ones live as well as possible in the comfort of their own home!

To say the very least, it is heart-rending to watch the difficulties our loved ones are facing as they age, that feeling of helplessness is one of the hardest things to deal with.  Watching someone we once knew as being full of life and fiercely independent slowly lose that independence and spring in their step is highly stressful, for you, your family and your aging loved one, and the last thing you would consider is putting them in a frail care facility – home is always going to be the best option, but, it can also place a tremendous amount of pressure on you and your family, especially if there is illness or lack of mobility involved in the situation.

We watch as they may begin to experience memory loss, which leaves us feeling lost as well, or frailty and a chronic disease limits their ability to do even the simplest of things, leading to further loss of independence, and if there is one thing most of us fear, elderly or not, it is losing the independence not only to take care of what used to be simple, everyday tasks, but to get out and about in the world to remain connected to friends and outside interests.

Even tasks like bathing or cooking can become difficult to manage, and, in each of us there is that spark that simply does not want to acknowledge these limitations that memory loss, chronic illness, disability or frailty bring, which makes bringing a stranger in as a caregiver more an emotional decision than a practical one.

However, provided that the subject is approached with sensitivity, there is a helping hand available from the compassionate team of caregivers and companions at CareChamp.  This is a team that has been highly trained to respect the privacy and rights of every client, to maintain as much of their independence as possible, born of a natural compassion that has its outlet in helping elderly frail seniors, or those with disabilities, to navigate the new stage of life they have entered, with grace.

A CareChamp caregiver really is there to help wherever it is needed, from assisting with bathing or bed baths to giving a gentle helping hand to assist clients to retain their dignity through maintaining personal hygiene, grooming and appearance.

These may seem like simple, routine aspects of life, but for an elderly frail or chronically ill aged loved one, dealing with depression can become very real, and these simple acts have a positive impact in raising the spirits of your loved one under difficult circumstances.

Another very important aspect to helping your aging loved one to manage the anxiety, frustration and depression that often affects us as we lose our independence, is in knowing that the CareChamp caregiver you have chosen to take care of your loved one will also be able to assist in exercise activities, as well as the safe use of appliances and aids for mobility – these aids for mobility, if it is possible to use them, retain some form of independence for your loved one despite the circumstances.

Keeping aging family members actively involved in recreational activities is essential if it is possible, and it is here that you and your loved one will find the assistance of a caregiver invaluable! CareChamp has used their combination of high level caregiving and technology to also provide clients the opportunity to use their UBER business profile, which is strictly controlled according to the UBER credits you may purchase – this is a wonderful way to ensure that if it is possible, your loved one will still be able to get out and about despite the challenges they are facing.

Let the team at CareChamp understand your family’s care requirements, create a tailored care plan and then offer you the highest level of home care services in South Africa to ensure that our aged loved ones live as well as possible in the comfort of their own home!

High quality home care services, homecare furniture and mobility aids – expect full service at CareChamp for frail care.

Coming from a professional background spanning many years in the private hospital and home care placement sectors, high level training through Nido Nursing, which is the most trusted caregiving college sending out top notch caregivers throughout  South Africa, as well as a background in Business Technology, the management team at CareChamp has put together a portfolio of extraordinary caregivers, companions and registered nurses that have already raised home care services to the highest level possible.

None of us want anything less than the best in care for our frail elderly loved ones, especially if there is a chronic illness, disability or dementia that makes life a lot more challenging for the whole family in managing their roles as caregivers.

Taking care of a loved one in need of frail care, disabled care or dementia care can be overwhelming for even the most patient and loving family member.  Taking on the role of caregiver can lead to extreme stress, anxiety, loss of interest in doing the things you used to, frustration and even heading towards depression, especially if you are caring for a loved one who is living with dementia, or is having a hard time accepting whatever limitations may come about as a result of the loss of independence.

What CareChamp can do for you and your loved one works wonders in keeping you’re loved one safely at home with a certified, highly qualified caregiver who takes an intuitive and compassionate interest in caring for your loved one according to your requirements, always keeping in mind that each client has their own way of wanting anything done.

CareChamp home care services give you the peace of mind to attend to your professional obligations, keeping the home and family running, as well as being able to take well deserved time out to recharge your batteries, knowing that your love one is in caring, capable and well trained hands.

Aside from the fact that each CareChamp caregiver has undergone thorough training through NIDO Nursing (Pty) Ltd, the philosophy at CareChamp is that training is an ongoing necessity, in addition to which, the management team encourages all caregivers to implement innovative ideas that will lead to making each client feel completely comfortable in their own home, clearly understood and respected.

Each CareChamp caregiver is tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the safety and security of the client, ensuring that not only is your loved one kept safe but that all valuables are treated with the same respect as each client is given in terms of confidentiality and privacy.

CareChamp also sells and rents out high quality homecare furniture and mobility aids, all of which can be delivered nationwide, although, because CareChamp is based in Cape Town, deliveries to other centres will take just a little longer.

If you are renting any homecare furniture or mobility aid, CareChamp will give you a reminder two weeks before the rental period is over in order to arrange collection, and, should you decide that you would like to purchase the item you have hired, CareChamp will give back 50% of the price!

This team even goes as far as assisting clients to find a handyman in their area should they require assistance, a service which is as sterling as their home care services are!

Every home care service you need in order to improve the quality of life for a loved one who is frail, disabled, ill or living with dementia, is available from the team at CareChamp, whether it is on a full-time or part-time basis, there is always a helping hand available at CareChamp!

Learning to ask for help when frustration overshadows caring for a loved one living with dementia.

To say that it can be challenging, or downright frustrating at times when you are caring for someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s is putting it mildly!  No matter how much you love the person you are caring for, frustration is going to start pecking at your spirit and your psyche before too long, which is when you need to step back, take a good look at the situation and accept that the frustration you are feeling is absolutely normal!

You are not a Saint, no matter how patient you are as an individual, caring for someone you love as their memories start slipping away is painful enough as it is, but the guilt you may start storing up in your system each time you feel frustration building up could easily start you down the slippery slope of depression, which is the last thing you need in a situation that is tough enough on its own.

Believe it or not, once you start acknowledging that frustration is a normal and valid emotional response to the complexities of being a caregiver to someone you love, you will be able to start looking for positive ways in which to approach these feelings, before they start having serious consequences for you or the person you are caring for.

There are many techniques that you can explore to find the balance you need in order to cope, especially when you reach such a point of frustration that it starts having a negative impact on your health or causes you to become aggressive and angry towards the loved one you are caring for.

The ability to distinguish between what is isn’t in your power to change is essential in dealing with feelings of frustration, exhaustion and a sense of failure – we all want to feel that we have the power to cope with the debilitating changes that occur when a loved one is living with dementia, but, none of us is superhuman, and if you try to be, you are going to struggle a lot more than if you take a good look at what you can do to make your life as a caregiver a little easier.

There are so many little situations that you cannot control when caring for someone with dementia, even the most normal of daily activities such as eating, bathing and dressing can become totally frustrating; add to this the fact that your loved one asks the same questions over and over again, or wanders off the moment you turn your back, and you have the perfect recipe for physical and emotional exhaustion.

One of the greatest lessons to learn, other than recognising the warning signs of frustration and learning to calm yourself or communicate assertively, is to accept that you are going to need help in order to remain useful to your loved one!

There are many steps that you can learn to take to make the journey of caring for a loved one with dementia easier, for both of you, but the most critical step to take is to reach out your hand and say ‘I need help!’.

You cannot do it all on your own, and accepting that it is okay to let go a little and let in those who are able to help is all part of giving yourself permission to be the best possible version of yourself as a loving caregiver, and one of the ways in which you can do this is to find a trusted, professional caregiver to take on some of the daily tasks, so that you get the breaks you need and deserve.

This is why the management team at CareChamp put together a portfolio of trusted caregivers in Cape Town who are passionate about their role in caring for others and are highly trained in dealing with clients living with dementia, or those in need of frail care.

The caregivers at CareChamp have all received the highest level of training possible in caregiving and are trusted implicitly by clients to respect their privacy, maintain their safety and security in the familiarity of their own home.

Caring for any loved one who is in need of disabled care, frail care, dementia care or care due to a chronic, debilitating illness, will be a challenging journey if you try to take it on alone; allow yourself to take a break when you need it by contacting the management team at CareChamp to set up a care routine and plan that will bring you, your family and your loved one the relief you all deserve!

The best caregivers, registered nurses & caring companions are all proud members of the CareChamp family!

The founding principles that drive the team at CareChamp centre completely on offering top quality homecare along with absolute safety and security for every client who requires an exceptional caregiver or companion in order to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home as they age, or deal with physical and mental disabilities, whether brought about through aging or illness!

CareChamp has achieved this admirably and successfully, earning an exceptional reputation for being a team that can be relied on to provide solutions to suit the care requirements of each client perfectly via an online platform that streamlines the entire process of finding highly trained caregivers, companions and professional registered nurses to suit the individual needs of diverse clients.

The management team at CareChamp works with each client to provide affordable, tailor-made solutions designed to suit client care requirements on many levels, from post-operative care to frail care, dementia care, disabled care or companionship, as well as the highest level in trained childcare nannies available in South Africa.

CareChamp caregivers are able to carry out a full range of services in order to lend a helping hand to those in need of homecare, whether it is on a part-time or full-time basis, offering care that can be relied on at all times; when you book a caregiver through CareChamp, you can have absolute confidence in the fact that your caregiver will be there, on time, every time!

CareChamp understands the stress that caring for an elderly frail loved one can cause, especially when you are worried about their safety while you are at work or out running errands necessary to keep the home going, which is why they have made their caregiving services affordable and flexible.

A caregiver from CareChamp is trained to provide bathroom assistance for bathing, as well as being able to manage bed baths, depending on the requirements of individual clients.  CareChamp caregivers also assist clients in their care to maintain their personal appearance and grooming in order to help them to retain their dignity.

For anyone living with dementia, disability, chronic illness or struggling with the loss of independence due to frailty as they age, having a caregiver to assist with simple things that have become challenging, like haircare, shaving and nail care, is of great value to remaining positive in situations that could easily lead to depression.

CareChamp caregivers assist with keeping clients engaged in doing prescribed exercises, helping clients to use any aids for mobility as well as assisting them to remain involved with any recreational activities that allow them to retain a sense of engagement with life.

The duties that can be carried out by CareChamp caregivers in Cape Town, and in other major centres throughout South Africa, are fully comprehensive, allowing them to fulfil many roles which include everything from light housekeeping to ensure the hygiene in critical areas to meal preparation and taking the client out to do shopping or remain involved in uplifting group activities.

If you would like to find out more about caregivers, companions or registered nurses from CareChamp and their offering of the highest standard of homecare in South Africa, please do not hesitate to call on this dynamic team for their warm and professional guidance.

Contact CareChamp for the very best Nannies and Au Pairs in Cape Town!

Unless you have a large family around you willing to step in to assist with caring for your loved one while you attend to your responsibilities outside of the home, whether it is in caring for your toddler or elderly frail loved one at home, you will need to find a trusted professional in order to function out in the world, without constantly worrying about what is happening at home!

Where it comes to placing the safety and care of our children into the hands of what will always initially be a virtual stranger, CareChamp has done all the homework for clients by carrying out thorough background checks, which include health and police clearance certificates, to give you absolute peace of mind that your child is in the care of an experienced, highly trained nanny!

CareChamp offers high level, exceptional au pair, nanny and babysitting services in Cape Town, each available to fulfil duties according to the requirements of individual clients.  CareChamp takes care of all the nitty-gritty administrative tasks that are required when families hire an au pair or nanny. Whether assistance is required long-term, part-time or full-time, CareChamp will have a caregiver to suit your needs perfectly!

There are obviously differences in the qualifications of CareChamp Au Pair services in Cape Town and their Nanny services in Cape Town, the main ones being that:

CareChamp Nannies are better suited to infant and child care as, although they have a more basic level of education, they often have children of their own and bring with them the maternal instinct every infant and toddler really needs while Mom and Dad are away from home.  Most CareChamp Nannies in Cape Town are willing to assist with household tasks during their time with your little one, however, it is important for parents to understand that the care and well-being of each infant or child will always come first!

CareChamp Au Pairs in Cape Town are usually in the process of continuing higher education or have just completed their studies, interested in childcare and looking for part-time opportunities to suit this interest. CareChamp will assist you in finding the perfect infant care expert, toddler or pre-school expert, as well as qualified home-school teachers or tutors, all of which fall under the services available from CareChamp Au Pairs.

CareChamp has taken all the hassle out of finding the right nanny or au pair for your infants, toddlers and older children, allowing you to take a deep breath and relax, knowing that your little ones are in the safest, most capable hands possible.

In addition to these services, should you need a qualified, professional caregiver to assist your family with frail care, disabled care, dementia care, post-operative care, as well as companionship for an aged member of the family who may be feeling isolated, please do not hesitate to contact CareChamp, they are always available to lend a flexible, affordable hand when you need it most!

Visit the user-friendly CareChamp website today to find out more about how this exceptional team can assist you in selecting the perfect style of caregiver for your family, or contact the management team for a free, no obligation quote that will make keeping your child or elderly loved ones safe an absolute pleasure!