The Caring Resource

Update from Phoenix!

I want to take this time to personally thank the Private Duty Home Care Association and the many home care owners/staff that attended my round table discussions this evening.

Each one of us has a special role in life – one that provides lifestyle options that enhance health and independence.  We provide a service that is based on ethics and quality – a valuable resource for those in need.  It is a challenging role, one that requires dedication, commitment and a caring soul.  I applaud all of you for helping those, who for whatever reason need assistance.

Our discussions this evening addressed scheduling and on call issues.  For us, this is the heartbeat of our agency – the patient care coordinators (staffing schedulers) are charged with a tremendous responsibility:  to guide and schedule the employees, while taking the time to ensure the right match, to deal with incoming calls from staff and families and to ensure that all of our patients are covered at all times.  It is not the role for everyone.  It takes someone who is sensitive, yet firm – someone who is organized and capable of multi-tasking and most of all able to handle different personalities from a variety of individuals.  What a big job, with a lot of stress and pressure!

Finding the right person is the first challenge.  Including them as an important player on your team is second.  Taking care of them and ensuring that they know how much they are appreciated is third, but certainly not last. 

We are in the business of caring – and the first place that caring starts – is from within.

Serena L. Brock

Reporting from Phoenix!

As a private duty home care owner, I look forward to attending the PDHCA conference. Owners and directors from across the country gather to share their best practices and learn from one another.  We all will leave here with new ideas and options that we can implement in our individual agencies to serve you – the client, better.

Tonight, we had the privilege of hearing from Val J. Halamandaris, The President of the National Home & Hospice Association. (www.nahc.org) He reminded all of us of the critical service that we deliver: quality care for those in need. 

Caregiving is now one of the fastest growing occupations.  There are an estimated 78 billion baby boomers who are well educated, financially stable and who may – at some point in time – be in need of our services.

At Avenue HomeCare, we have already taken the steps to diversify our services and offer you – the client – a hassle free, ethical agency with nothing but the highest level of quality.  We can provide companions to certified aides to nurses to therapists.  We strive to help you through stressful times by continuing to diversify our mix of options such as hourly services, continuous care, live in services, mommy relief and travel companions.  As you plan your family vacation this year, consider taking a travel companion -  an aide, nurse or therapist who will accompany you on your family vacation.  You can relax and allow our employee – your caregiver – to assist you with mom so that you can hit the beach with the kids!

Serena

Serena L. Brock

Who pays for home care services?

There are a variety of payor sources for home care.  If you are in need of home care services, here are a few of the options:

1. Private pay – you are personally responsible for payment.
2. Private insurance – workers compensation, long term care insurance and sometimes your health insurance provider.
3. Medicare and Medicaid.  They two primary public payors.  Some of the programs include the Medicaid Private Duty Nursing (PDN) program and the Community Alternative Program (CAP).  In order to be considered for Medicaid or Medicare, you must qualify for the coverage.

Serena L. Brock

What is a home health agency?

A home health agency is an organization that provides caregivers to assist those in need of help.  There are several types of agencies.  Here are some examples for you:

1. Licensed and Non-licensed.  There are strict guidelines that are governed by the state.  In order to become a state licensed agency, the owner must comply with the rules and regulations and be able to produce materials including policies and procedures, in order to pass the state audit.  In my personal opinion, I am a strong advocate for licensure. This only helps to regulate agencies and more importantly, helps to ensure quality patient care.  If the agency you are considering is not a state licensed agency, you have no way of knowing how they screen their employees, nor what guidelines they follow in their operations (policies and procedures).
2. Medical or non medical agencies.  Those agencies who provide non medical care offer companions, home health aides and personal care givers.  Most of the care delivered will include errand running, transportation and assistance with ADL’s (activities of daily living). There are some very reputable agencies who offer caregivers that are trained, skilled and very qualified to provide non medical care.
3. Skilled or medical care agencies.  These agencies, although most are Medicare certified (able to accept funds through Medicare) provide skilled nurses and therapists.

If you are considering hiring a home care agency to provide care for you or a loved one, I would recommend that you review the document on our website “How to Hire a Home Care Agency”, provided by the National Home and Hospice Association.

Serena L. Brock

Wife, Mom, Career Woman and Caregiver?

For those of us that are referred to as the “sandwich generation”, we never imagined that during the heart of our career we would be faced with caregiving challenges.  As a child, it is hard to picture your parents getting “old” and as a grown up, it is heart wrenching to watch them age. 

So many of us feel as though we are not doing enough and become frustrated that we can’t do more. It is difficult to watch parents age – to observe the slow or fast decline in their overall health. But, unfortunately, it is a fact of life and the best course of action is to find support and manage.

1. Remember, you are not alone.  Don’t be afraid to talk to friends and other family members. The stress of caregiving can be very serious and the first thing you need to avoid is allowing the situation to have a negative impact on your own health.  A sick you cannot care for an aging parent.
2. Involve others – children, family, friends.  Delegate jobs and responsibilities. If you do not have help – you may want to consider hiring a home health aide. You could consider even just one day a week to assist with household chores and companionship for your parent(s).  You will need the personal time away.
3. Don’t lose sight of your personal life. Your family: husband and children – your friends.   Having the responsibility to care for an aging parent can be a 24/7 job, especially if they are non-ambulatory.  For the sake of your relationships, be careful not be become consumed with your new caregiving responsibilities.  Block quality time with all of those who support and love you.
4. Seek resources:  a licensed home care agency; an elder law attorney or trusted advisor; a senior center; on line support; your church; your employer (flex time options); books and others also caring for their parents.

It is one job to be a parent, but when you are faced with caring for your own parents as well, it is often an uncomfortable and stressful time.  It is important to care for yourself.  Be sure to monitor your own stress level and involve any and all resources that are available.  In the long run – everyone will be much happier and most importantly, safe.

Serena L. Brock

Welcome To The Avenue

Our competent and sensitive caregivers ease the difficulties brought on by advanced age while allowing seniors the space and independence they require, while cultivating a harmonious, long-term relationship. The bond between a caregiver and a person requiring care to be able to stay in their home or place of residence, can be a beautiful relationship. It allows a precious measure of independence and autonomy for the senior. It can also relieve an elderly person of their concerns about burdening his or her own children/family with the infirmities of aging.

Our caregivers are dedicated professionals selected for their suitability for the rewarding yet highly demanding work of in-home care. Because most persons requiring care cannot be left alone for any period of time, it can be confining. It also requires enormous patience, repsect and a high-level of attention to detail and accountability. Our high caliber caregivers are skilled and loving individuals who have chosen to dedicate their career to helping and caring for others. They have a strong commitment to their work and exude a passion for caring for those who require some level of care.

Serena L. Brock