Our Eating and Nutrition Services

At Impactful Home Care, our professional caregivers deliver a wide range of home care services, including our assistive-eating support. We know helping you with eating and nutrition is more than preparing a simple meal.

Many factors go into ensuring you receive your required nutrients. We assist some clients with eating meals due to physical limitations. Sometimes, caregivers prepare liquid diets due to dysphagia, trouble with swallowing. Other forms of care include gentle reminders to take medication and stay hydrated.

We strive to make this care accessible. These long-term, home care services may be covered by a variety of payment methods, including the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (a Medicaid state program), veteran benefits, and select private insurance plans.

Companionship and Proper Meal Prep

Eating a healthy and nutritious meal is critical for all of our clients. Many clients, especially seniors, who live alone, often lack the motivation to plan and prepare healthy meals.

Our service has dual benefits:

• Preparation: Our aides prepare nutritious meals for you. They’ll review diet instructions and cook meals which adhere to those requirements.
• Emotional Support: Our caregivers sit down with clients and provide companionship, turning what may have been a lonely event into an enjoyable experience.

Safe and Dignified Feeding Assistance

Some clients aren’t able to eat by themselves due to their health conditions. To assist these clients, our caregivers may include the following suggestions in their routine:

• Pacing the meal: Our trained caregivers are patient with clients, providing them ample time to chew and swallow their food before offering them another bite, ensuring clients don’t feel rushed.
• Avoiding childish language: Our trained caregivers avoid using “baby” terms, so the clients don’t feel like they’re being treated like a child.

Instead of calling clothing protectors “bibs,” they call them “napkins” instead. They don’t call clients “sweetie” or “honey.” Using the client’s first name or “Mr./Ms./Mrs.” is more appropriate.

• Asking for opinions: We value our clients’ opinions. That’s why our aides always ask for their input, including asking about their favorite meals. Then, clients feel like they’re being heard.
• Looking for cues: Caregivers are always monitoring for non-verbal cues, to make sure they can quickly respond if a client is trying to communicate a need they can’t verbally voice.

Mealtime Solutions with Adaptive Devices

Some clients use adaptive tools to make eating their meals easier. Our caregivers are familiar with these different devices and can provide advice about which tools are needed.

These devices can include: weighted utensils, large-handled utensils, universal cuffs, scoop plates or bowls, automated feeding devices, and dysphagia cups.

Expert Dysphagia Care

Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) is a common problem clients have. When helping clients with dysphagia, our caregivers concentrate on minimizing the risk of liquid entering the lungs through the trachea (the airway), which may cause aspiration.

To prevent this from happening, our caregivers may use some of the following tips:

• Using the “chin tuck”: Making sure the person is sitting in the “chin tuck” position, an upright, 90-degree posture while tucking in the chin toward the chest. This prevents food from entering the trachea.
• Fixing a liquid diet: To help clients have an easier and safer time swallowing, our caregivers may prepare a meal out of thickened liquids or pureed, soft, or minced food.
• Offering small bites: Clients have an easier time swallowing tiny bites. Make sure the client completely swallows a bite before offering them another one.
• Make sure the client’s awake: Always ensure the client is awake and alert while eating. If the client is drowsy, our aides will not offer any food.

Gentle Medication and Hydration Reminders

Some clients, especially those with dementia, may not remember to take medication or to drink water. Medication and water are a crucial supplement to healthy and safe food consumption.

Our caregivers use reminders, promptings, and established routines to help remind clients to take their prescriptions and keep hydrated. Some methods can include:

• Keeping food containing water nearby.
• Following a daily hydration schedule.
• Making sure there’s easy access to water bottles.
• Watching the fluid intake.
• Using pill bottles.
• Opening pill bottles for clients.
• Offering gentle reminders.

Who Benefits from Our Eating-Assistive Services?

There are many individuals who benefit from the eating-assistive services we offer. Our aides can always provide the help and support they need.

These groups include:

Seniors with physical and dietary needs: Some of our senior clients don’t have the ability to feed themselves. Others may have dietary restrictions like low sugar or gluten-free meals. Our caregivers assist with feeding and preparing meals.

Lonely seniors: Some of our elderly clients lack the motivation to eat. Compassionate caregivers can help with feeding them and provide them with companionship.

Individuals with difficulties swallowing: We have clients who have dysphagia. Our aides are trained in different methods and procedures to help this group receive the nutrition they need.

Family caregivers: Helping loved ones eat can cause families and friends a lot of stress, especially if they’re struggling with time. We have experienced caregivers who can relieve family and friends of stress and physical strain.

Why Choose Impactful Home Care?

Trained and Vetted Caregiving Professionals

We ensure our caregivers have clean backgrounds and receive the required training to provide the best services.

Personalized Plans to Fit Your Needs

You have unique needs. We get your input to build customized plans based on your needs, preferences, and routines.

Medicaid-Approved Assistance

You’ll be working with a Licensed and Medicaid Approved agency.

Companions Who Are Always There

Our caregivers provide the highest quality of care through compassion and open communication. They help keep loneliness and isolation at bay.

The 3-Step Process Is Easy

We’ve simplified the process for you, so you can get the help you need. Just follow these three steps:

1. Consultation: Give us a call for an evaluation. We’ll ask questions about your needs and situation.
2. Care Plan: With your input, we’ll create specialized plans outlining services, schedules, goals, and preferences.
3. Continuous Support: You can depend on our aides and their supervisors to provide you with consistent updates on your health, care plan, and services.

Families Trust Impactful Home Care

Commonly Asked Questions About Our Assistive-Eating Services

Still have more questions? Read on. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions for you.

How do your caregivers ensure they strictly follow all doctor-prescribed dietary restrictions for eating and nutrition?

During the intake process, we ask for medical documents consisting of any instructions or care plans the medical team has for the client. This includes what the doctor suggests as a restricted diet. The aides review these instructions to ensure they’re following the doctor’s orders.

How are aides instructed to maintain the dignity of the client during meals?

Our aides treat clients like any other person. They treat their clients with respect and dignity and to include them in the meal preparation process. They also avoid using childish language.

What system is used to monitor the client’s fluid intake to ensure they remain hydrated throughout the day?

The aides monitor a client’s fluid intake through different methods. They keep a routine of offering water at specific times, such as every two hours, with meals and when the client is taking medication. The aides also manually keep track of the fluid intake by measuring and recording the total amount of fluids consumed.

Are your aides trained in any of the physical cues which shows a client is dehydrated?

Yes. Our aides know to look at the client’s urine. A dark-colored urine means the client is dehydrated. Also having dry mouth, dry skin, or cracked lips is another indication of dehydration. Sudden cognitive changes, like confusion, dizziness, or fatigue can be another indicator.

Do you provide consistent caregivers?

Absolutely. We try to provide the same primary caregiver, because that is the best way to establish trust with our clients.

Do you perform background checks on home aides?

Yes. We conduct comprehensive background checks, because we want to make sure our clients are in the best of hands.

What About Payment Options?

You can sit with our financial assistants to find out more about our options. These long-term, home care services may be covered by a variety of payment methods, including the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (a Medicaid state program), veteran benefits, and select private insurance plan

Serving Philadelphia and Surrounding Counties

Our Philadelphia home care services reach all of the city and the surrounding counties, from the city’s historic residential areas like Queen Village and Bella Vista to the rolling hills of Bucks County.

Philadelphia

Bucks County

Montgomery County