Welcome to the Caring for the Caregiver newsletter. In this issue, we offer tips for caregivers on a variety of topics to help you manage your caregiving journey.

February is Black History Month, a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans in U.S. history and culture. This year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts, which explores the key influence the Black community has had in visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural expression.  

The City of Boston celebrates Black History Month with a variety of events in and around the city. 

Winter Safety Tips for Caregivers

Winter weather has arrived, and with it comes the bitter cold, ice, and snow that can make life challenging for everyone. As a caregiver, winter presents new hazards both inside and outside the home. However, with some careful planning, you can keep everyone safe and comfortable this winter. Here are some helpful tips:

• Set the home thermostat to at least 68 degrees. Older adults tend to be sensitive to the cold, and those with heart problems are vulnerable to health problems from being too cold. Dressing in layers inside and outside the home can help to prevent a winter chill.

• Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are working properly and have fresh batteries. Remember that smoke alarms should be changed at least every 10 years, and experts recommend changing the batteries every six months.

• When a snowstorm is forecasted, plan ahead. Make sure cell phones are fully charged and there is at least a seven-day supply of medications and plenty of non-perishable food on hand, especially if the person you are caring for lives alone. Have an emergency kit ready in case of a power outage. The kit should include a flashlight, backup batteries, a wireless charger, battery-operated radio, bottled water, and extra blankets. 

• Beware of black ice. Winter weather in New England is unpredictable. One day, we have rain, and the next, snow. Those conditions are the perfect formula for black ice, the almost invisible layer of ice that forms on untreated services such as stairs, porches, sidewalks, and driveways. Black ice can make a simple trip to the mailbox treacherous. Spread a layer of ice melt on outdoor areas where you and your loved one walk to eliminate and prevent dangerous ice patches from forming.

• Winter often keeps everyone indoors. Keep a few board games or puzzles on hand to break up the day and stimulate the mind. Baking is also an enjoyable activity you can do together - and share the delicious results afterward!

Co-caregiving - Caring for a loved one together

Many people have heard of co-parenting, an arrangement when two people who are no longer in a relationship work together to raise a child. Co-caregiving is similar but involves siblings coming together to share the caregiving responsibilities for an aging parent or family member.

It is an option when one person cannot take full responsibility for providing full-time care due to work or childcare responsibilities or when distance prevents regular visits and personal interaction. A co-caregiving arrangement can be very rewarding, but it takes teamwork, organization, and good communication. 

Here are some things to help you get started:

• Set up a conference call with everyone involved to determine how much care is needed now and what will be needed in the future. Create a monthly calendar of check-ins to monitor the care being provided and make adjustments as needed.

• Decide who will be the primary caregiver. Often, this is the person who lives closest. While they may take on many of the everyday responsibilities, those who live farther away can also play an important caregiving role. For example, the sibling who lives close by can take mom or dad grocery shopping and accompany them to doctor visits, while others can handle paying bills and coordinating in-home services. Roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined to prevent confusion.

• Keep a notebook with detailed information about medical care, social and community-based services, and financial information. Be sure to include phone numbers and contact names. The list should be updated regularly, and copies should be distributed to everyone involved. This is especially important should you have an emergency and others must take over some or all of the caregiving tasks for a time.

• Make sure everyone takes a break from caregiving. Respite is an important element in care. Some co-caregivers rotate time off quarterly so everyone has time for a vacation or just time to recharge. Learn more about respite care.

• Finally, be patient with each other. Just like parents can have different parenting styles, siblings can have different caregiving styles. One sibling can encourage the care recipient to be independent, while the other is more watchful and concerned that too much independence will lead to a fall or accident. A caregiver support group can help everyone sort through caregiving challenges and different styles of care.

If you need guidance on creating a co-caregiving plan, our Caregiver Advisors can help.

Honoring Caregivers

Mark your calendar for Friday, February 16, which is National Caregivers Day. Unpaid caregivers should be celebrated year-round. But on this special day, we are reminded of the importance of caring for one another.

Caregiving is a near-universal experience and an act of love, but the physical, emotional, and financial demands of caregiving can lead to high stress. No matter what your caregiving experience, Boston Senior Home Care can help. 

Our Caregiver Advisors can arrange community services such as home-delivered meals, provide some relief from caregiving, and suggest Adult Day Health programs. They also offer education and training, support groups, tips on caregiving, scholarships for after-school programs, technology, and more.

If you have not enrolled in our Caregiver Solutions program, now is the time to begin.

Preventing Scams and Identity Theft

Each year, older adults lose billions of dollars to scams and fraud. Although many older adults live on a fixed income, scammers see them as easy targets. In general, older adults tend to be trusting, especially of someone claiming to be a person of authority, and many are not as technologically knowledgeable as today's generation. They may not be as adept at spotting scam emails, and they may not be aware that they shouldn't click on mysterious links, even if they look like they are coming from a friend or loved one.

Additionally, older adults who live alone may not understand that the friendly voice on the phone is trying to steal their money. There are many different types of scams, and new ones are being developed every day. Below are some of the more common scams targeting older adults to be aware of.

Medicare and Insurance Scams: Commonly, a scammer will claim to be with Medicare and ask for personal information such as Medicare, Medicaid, social security, credit card, or bank account numbers. You might be given a variety of reasons why this information is critical, including that an error needs to be fixed or your insurance coverage will end. Keep in mind that Medicare will not call to ask for your Medicare number or sensitive personal or financial information. 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Scams: Now that we are approaching tax season, the IRS is warning people to be on the lookout for new scams. One suggests people have somehow missed getting their tax refund. A text or email with a blue headline proclaims people should "claim your tax refund online." There are typically warning signs to look for in these fraudulent messages often urging people to click a link, including misspellings, poor grammar, and strange fonts. The IRS urges people not to click a URL link and emphasizes that they will never initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text, or social media regarding a bill or tax refund.

Another scam involves a mailing that arrives in a cardboard envelope from a delivery service. The enclosed letter looks authentic and includes a notice about an unclaimed refund. The IRS instructs people not to visit any website, or text or call the phone number provided in the letter. Read more about it here. 

Person of Authority Scam: Scammers take advantage of the fact that older adults are not likely to question a person of authority, such as a representative from the IRS, their local bank, gas or electric company, or police department. Most scammers claim that there is an outstanding account and payment is necessary immediately, or you will be cut off from important services – such as heat or electricity, or that you must pay back interest on unpaid taxes.

Some will send an email that looks very real but with a fake invoice asking for credit card information or requesting a wire transfer to cover the charges immediately. The best way to avoid scams and identity theft is to educate older adults on common scams and how to prevent them. Here are some popular tips:

• Don’t answer calls from phone numbers you don’t recognize or emails from addresses that aren’t familiar to you.

• Beware of anyone who asks you to send money immediately, no matter the reason.

• Don’t share information about you or your family with anyone you don’t know who calls, emails, or contacts you through other means.

• If someone calls or emails claiming to be a loved one needing help, ask questions that only your real family member would be able to answer. You should also contact other family members to determine if the request is real. 

• Be careful on social media. Make sure your privacy settings prevent strangers from accessing information about you or your family.

• Never wire or send money in response to a phone call, email, or online message. Once a fraudster has received the money, it’s almost impossible to get it back.

If you have been the victim of a scam or need more information, call the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Elder Hotline at 1-888-243-5337 or visit the website.

Balancing Caregiving and Other Relationships

As a caregiver, you might feel there is little room in your hectic life for personal and social relationships. However, maintaining healthy relationships is important to your own physical and mental health. These relationships are vital and can help you manage isolation, loneliness, and the ups and downs of caregiving over time. The following tips may help if you feel your caregiving responsibilities are negatively impacting your relationships.

• Although date night with your spouse or partner may be on hold, it's still important to spend free time enjoying each other’s company. A lunch date or dinner once a month can keep your relationships going. Put the dates on your calendar in advance, just as you do doctor appointments and other caregiving responsibilities, and give them the same priority.

• Create mini-events with friends and honor them. Although it is unlikely you have time for a day of shopping with friends, commit to coffee or breakfast once a month or a leisurely walk after work. Spending time outdoors is relaxing and provides time for free-flowing conversation. 

• Family time can be challenging in the best of times. Talk to your family about your added responsibilities and ask for their help with chores. Involve younger children in age-appropriate tasks you can do together, such as folding laundry, putting away toys, or making their beds. And, make time for family fun like playing a board game when time allows. 

Are you looking for more tips on maintaining relationships while caregiving? Our Caregiver virtual support groups can help. For more information, email us at info@bshcinfo.org.

The Extraordinary Legacy of Julia Martin

We recently lost a beloved community member, friend, and advocate, Julia Martin. From her humble beginnings, Julia rose to become one of Boston’s most respected community activists, co-founding “Mothers for Action” which took on causes to preserve the Boston neighborhoods she loved and fight addiction.

She was also involved in countless activities and initiatives to improve the lives of children and, later, of low-income older adults, particularly around issues of housing. Today, her name graces the Julia Martin House in Jackson Square, Jamaica Plain, where low-income older adults live independently in a supportive environment.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Julia’s family and friends. We will forever remember her legacy of love, compassion and care. 

Share Your Knowledge With Others 

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