Need some help? -Visiting Angels answers the call – wherever, however
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a sobering toll on local nursing homes. The Jefferson County Health Department reports that 18 of the county’s 25 COVID-19-related deaths have been in long-term care facilities.
“In the face of everything that’s going on, it’s more important than ever for families to have the resources to keep their older loved ones at home,” said Dawn Mitchell, director of Visiting Angels in south St. Louis County.
Visiting Angels’ franchises across the country offer a wide range of in-home care services including reminders for medication and fluids; light housekeeping and running errands; hygiene assistance; and exercises and therapy.
Services can be hourly, overnight or 24-hour care, and may take place at home, in the hospital or in a care facility.
Once the family contacts the agency, a free case assessment takes place, a custom care plan is developed based on the client’s particular needs, and a caregiver matched to the case.
Much of the paperwork involved can be taken care of over the phone or through email.
“We’ve done conference calls, Zoom calls, Facebook meetings – whatever they need,” Mitchell said. “Most people still want a face-to-face meeting, though, especially since this is someone who will be working in their home.”
She said caregivers are sometimes hired simply to serve as a liaison between families and loved ones under lockdown.
“We have clients in rehab, clients with dementia, and they haven’t been allowed to see their families,” she said. “It’s so hard for them. Families are hiring us to go into the nursing home or hospital and see their loved ones, just get eyes on them, maybe help them make a FaceTime call.”
Visiting Angels, headquartered at 11131 S. Towne Square Drive, serves all of Jefferson County plus southern St. Louis city and St. Louis County.
Call 314-842-5589 or visit the website for more information or to schedule an assessment.
