This post is sponsored by Clearday at Home™. All opinions and statements are my own.
We have been living this pandemic life for over a year now.
We have all had to create and adjust to our ‘new normal’ and find new ways to combat isolation, boredom, and physical inactivity.
I know when I find myself complaining about being stuck at home on back-to-back Zoom meetings with two dogs vying for attention in the background, I quickly realize there is a population of 53 million in the US that has it way worse.
I think about the family caregivers trying to work remotely, help their children with their online education, AND care for a loved one with a chronic or terminal disability or disease. Before the pandemic, their life was overwhelming enough – now, their stress level is at an all-time high.
In many cases, the exponential stress is brought on either by having less help from family, friends, and professional caregivers to minimize the risk of contracting the virus or by not being able to have face-to-face visitations with loved ones in senior living communities.
What Used to Help Caregivers
As a Certified Caregiving Consultant, I would often introduce caregivers to local day program options.
These traditional adult day programs would essentially be a win-win for a caregiver and care recipient. The caregiver would receive a bit of respite from their caregiving responsibilities, and the care recipient would be engaged in a meaningful activity.
Obviously, the Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted these programs. Suddenly, the bits of respite a family caregiver had were no longer available.
The Pivot to Digital Care Programs
When COVID hit last Spring, Clearday was planning to launch a new chain of innovative, membership-based daily care centers – called Clearday Clubs. They immediately saw the crisis as a major opportunity.
They brainstormed and discovered a new model to help family caregivers with Clearday at Home.
For those caring for friends or family members, Clearday at Home offers a digital membership that helps promote aging in place through personalized guidance and structure for managing care each day. Their program is accessible in-home and from mobile devices, offering engagement and human connection while remaining safely at home.
Clearday at Home offers monthly health tests, personalized care plans, professional counselors, and daily activities — all from the comfort of home. Below is just a taste of the types of virtual programming offered by their cognitive care specialists.
Monthly Health Tests & Care Plans
Sometimes as family caregivers, we are so close to the care situation it can be challenging to determine what level of care is required. Clearday offers an objective opinion that can help you have those courageous conversations with your care recipient or someone on your care team who may be in denial. They have a virtual Behavior Engagement Stimulation Temperament (BEST) Test that evaluates your loved one’s cognitive health and mobility, so everyone will know precisely the level of care they need.
The BEST Test results inform the Clearday licensed experts so they can create a customized Care Plan for your care recipient. The plan is holistic; it also recommends how you, as a family caregiver, can care for yourself.
Since the care needs often change from month to month, the Clearday plan includes a new BEST Test and Care Plan for each month.
Support for the Caregiver
To help guide family caregivers through the care process, Clearday at Home offers support services and training. Its services include:
- Video calls with professional counselors, who can help you navigate your care recipient’s journey
- Virtual support groups with other caregivers who understand what you are going through
- Valuable training content to help you feel confident in supporting your care recipient’s daily needs
Cognitive & Wellness Activities
A library of curated puzzles, trivia, and games is available on-demand with a Clearday at Home membership. It also offers tailored exercise courses to encourage physical activity while remaining safe at home. Here is an example of a seated exercise that promotes mobility for all strength levels:
It’s exciting to see Clearday at Home’s options to help restore purpose and positivity into both a caregiver and care recipient’s day.
Clearday at Home offers the Happy Healthy Caregiver community 10% off one month of membership. Click here to get started and use invite code HHC10.
