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We are facing an unprecedented situation. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting all of us. During this difficult time, True Care continues to be committed to delivering high-level care for our clients, and offer support and guidance for our staff members. 

True Care’s mission is to provide quality home health care services by upholding the highest care standards and empowering innovation to make a positive impact. We stand by this mission every day, and even more so, during this challenging time. 

True Care is fully committed to the safety of its clients and staff. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues True Care has been examining the protocols and precautions that are necessary to protect our clients and staff. Our Emergency Preparedness Team (EMT) is closely monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and other experts.

Exercise is an essential part of any health regimen. "The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. That breaks down to at least 30 minutes per day, five times a week." This goes for seniors as well. If you are a home health aide, family caregiver, or friend of a senior and would like to help them maintain their independence, doing these exercises together will be beneficial to you both.

"Happiness! That is the secret ingredient." Those are the words of Betty*, who has been baking homemade apple pies for over 60 years.

Baking is a newly revived passion for Betty and her caregiver Michelle. Being in the kitchen connects their mutual passions, creates a positive environment, and awakens the senses.

As a nurse, I love my visits with Esther. She is a sweet lady in her 90s, who lives alone in an apartment building complex. Her home health aide visits every day to help her out, but Esther is mostly independent.

Esther is full of energy and personality, and like a lot of mothers and grandmothers, she is always eager to feed me. Esther and I have long conversations about what she and the aide prepare for dinner and where the recipes originate. One of Esther’s favorite foods is herring. Herring is a common ingredient in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine, served pickled or brined, which makes it high in sodium content. This is a big problem for Esther since she has heart disease. 

Home health care is a growing industry. With the onset of an aging population and ever-increasing hospital rates and fees, it is no wonder families have turned to in-home care to address the needs of their loved ones. However, this does not come without an increase in risk factors either.  “Home health aides employed by agencies have a reported incidence rate of 15.3 nonfatal illnesses and injuries per 100 workers, compared with 3.9 per 100 workers employed in the health care private sector, such as physician’s offices” according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).