For this episode of #AskTheExpert, we sit down with Kimberly Mitchell, President of Home With Help, a provider of in-home care to the senior community in Arizona since 2002.
Kimberly explains what makes Home With Help so unique and what seniors can expect when using their personal care services.
To get access to Arizona’s best-rated senior resources, advice and guidance, get in touch with our team.
In this week’s episode of #AskTheExpert, we sit down with Dawn Fiala, Director of Recruitment and Marketing at Devoted Guardians.
Devoted Guardians provides #medical and non-medical services to seniors from the comfort of their own homes. Dawn explains the differences between non-medical and medical care and how they cater to these aspects.
For more information about Arizona’s top-rated home health services for seniors, get in touch with us today in the following ways:
Call Us: (602) 698-9720
Visit Us Online: https://seniorresourceconnectors.com/
In our latest #AskTheExpert series we chat with Krystal Wilkinson, the Founder of Adultcare Assistance Homecare.
Krystal chats to us about the reasons why home care is so important to seniors today, as well as what makes Adultcare Assistance Homecare unique from other home care providers.
For more information about Arizona’s best-rated home care services for seniors, get in touch with us today in the following ways:
Call Us: (602) 698-9720
Visit Us Online: https://seniorresourceconnectors.com/
Home health vs home care? Have you heard these two terms and just assumed they meant the same thing? Or have you been confused about what the difference was? Don’t worry; you are not alone. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things in our industry.
Home With Help® , a coalition member of ours is a home care agency. So, we get asked a lot of questions about what services they offer, because most people don’t know the difference between the two types of companies. We totally get it as our family didn’t know how they were different before we got into this line of work.
Hopefully, this will help…
Home care is a term people use to describe non-medical care provided by a caregiver in someone’s home. If a company says they are an in-home care (or home care) agency, then they have caregivers that will provide non-clinical services for people who need help with activities of daily living.
Below is a list of services that Home With Help® and most other companies offer as a home care agency. We pride ourselves in being able to offer a concierge approach to in-home care. So, this is not a comprehensive list of our services, but will hopefully give you a better understanding of what home care companies offer.
Most seniors think if they hire a home care company, it takes away their independence. But, it is actually the opposite. It is a great preventative tool to allow them to stay in their homes as long as possible.
Home care services are perfect for anyone who needs a little extra help with activities pertaining to daily living. Hiring a caregiver is a great idea for someone who has had a recent surgery or hospital stay and cannot perform all of the normal tasks at home. If you have an elderly loved one in another state, you could hire a home care agency to check on them and help around the house.
Home health is defined as in-home medical care and/or skilled services. Companies that offer in-home health care have licensed professionals on staff to help with acute or chronic health conditions.
This is a general list of services offered by home health care agencies…
If you or a loved one has recently been released from the hospital, rehab center, or skilled nursing facility and still need clinical help, you would hire a home health care company. Or, if an elderly loved one has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, home health care may be ordered by a doctor.
In a recent article published by The Huffpost, writer Ann Brenoff points out some insightful and sobering facts about millennials and their caregiving roles within the next couple of years.
In a recent AARP report, “Millennials: The Emerging Generation of Family Caregivers,” this reality looks rather scary. However, it notes that caregiving responsibilities are just starting to gain momentum. About 1 in 4 millennials are already putting in an extra 21 hours a week taking care of ‘boomers,’ or the sandwich generation more eloquently. That is 21 unpaid hours of caregiving ― while you maintain your full-time career and care for your own family simultaneously.
Close to half of all millennials will be helping a parent or an in-law, while it will be your mother in 65 percent of instances, said AARP. The average care recipient supported by a grandchild is 77 years old. And more than half of millennial family caregivers (51 percent) are the sole caregiver, utterly alone in their duties.
This trend is expected to continue as U.S public policy is too slow to respond to the +- 10,000 boomers turning 65 every day. As of 2020, more than 55 million Americans are age 65 or older, according to the Census Bureau’s 2020 population estimates.
The real question is, are millennials ready to tackle the challenges that caregiving entails? It is, unfortunately, a job that is often not glamorous. Bathing, bathroom assistance, and even changing adult diapers can be expected. While the boomer generation is traditionally better geared both in demeanor and grit for such tasks, it remains to be seen whether millennials will be able to rise to these challenges.
This is not to undermine the abilities of millennials to be caring, compassionate, and helpful. Still, generational gaps often go hand-in-hand with changes in attitude when dealing with difficult situations, such as caring for a senior loved one.
Are millennials ready for the financial aspect of caregiving over and above the physical and mental toll it can take? We’ve all been privy to jokes about millennials being more concerned with paying for avocado on toast than investing in property. Still, the reality is that with inflation, rising costs of living, and increasing mountains of seemingly endless student debt, many millennials will only ‘get on their feet’ in the financial sense at a much later age than the boomer generation did. Does this mean that they will be financially secure enough to afford to take time off from work to care for a senior loved one? Will they have the necessary funds to drive their senior to doctor’s appointments or pay for their chronic medication up-front if needed?
Some research has been done on the matter by AARP and notes that due to the financial strain caregiving has, most family caregivers reduce, if not stop, saving for retirement altogether. They don’t eat out or take vacations. And many have dipped into personal or retirement savings. This does not bode well for the compounding effect on the next generation that will one day need to care for millennials.
This is why using local resources that can assist with such issues before it’s too late is so important, not only for millennials but also for baby boomers. This is where Senior Resource Connectors comes in. Our vast network of vetted, reliable resources can offer the best advice, guidance, or referrals to have total peace of mind that your aging plan is on track.
It can be difficult to know where to start when looking for home care assistance services.
How do you know if a company is reputable?
What should you look for in a caregiver? And how much should you expect to pay?
Keep in mind that everyone’s needs are different, so these tips should not be considered comprehensive.
Always do your own research and ask around for recommendations before selecting a service provider.
When it comes to this kind of service, you want to be sure you are making the best decision for your loved one.
Here are eight tips to help make the process easier:
The first step in selecting home care assistance services is to consider the needs of your loved one.
You want to make sure the services are available for when your loved one needs them the most, whether that’s during a holiday or when you’re at work all day.
The next step is to talk with your loved one about their needs and preferences.
This will help match them with the correct service provider.
When looking for home care assistance services, be sure to find a provider that offers customized plans.
This way, you can be sure your services are tailored to your loved one’s needs.
Asking service providers about their training and certifications is important as well.
In fact, the service providers should have a minimum of eighty hours of in-service training every year.
When selecting home care assistance services, be sure to ask about the provider’s policies and procedures.
This will help ensure that your loved one is safe and comfortable while in their care. You should also ask how often the carer will visit.
Knowing the carer is important as well since they are who you’ll be working with most often.
Asking for references from previous clients can also help you get a better idea of the type of service they provide.
Ask the service provider what kind of credentials they have, as well as if they carry insurance coverage to help protect you in case something goes wrong while your loved one is under their supervision.
You should also ask the carer about liability insurance coverage.
Finally, make sure you get a contract signed by both your loved one and the carer before they start working together.
This protects everyone involved!
Home care assistance provides home-based services to seniors, allowing them to live independently in their home for as long as possible.
This level of care should be customized according to each client’s needs and preferences.
Home care assistance is available to seniors in Arizona who meet the following requirements:
First, home carers should be able to offer tailored plans for each client.
Second, home carers can help seniors live independently in their homes as long as possible by providing around-the-clock supervision and support services.
Third, home care assistance benefits include keeping clients safe and comfortable while allowing them to retain their independence for as long as possible.
These benefits include home-based services, ensuring clients are safe and comfortable while retaining a high level of independence.
This is the perfect way to keep your loved ones healthy and happy.
To select home care service providers, consider the needs of your loved one, talk with them about their needs and preferences, look for a provider that offers customized plans, ask about home care assistance service provider training and certifications policies or procedures before selecting home care assistance services.
Finally you should get home care assistance services contract in place before they start working together!
The best home care services are the ones that create a customized plan to suit your family’s needs.
We have compiled 8 tips for selecting these experts to help you find the right person or company for you and your loved one(s). If you require our expertise, please contact us at Senior Resource Connectors.
Our team of resource specialists offers free consultations in order to get started on dreaming up an optimal living situation together with your loved one (or someone close) who is experiencing challenges with daily tasks like bathing, dressing or cooking.
We’re a trusted coalition of Arizona companies committed to providing your senior loved ones with the best care resources in Arizona, at any age or stage. You can reach out to us for help directly, or submit an application to become part of our trusted coalition.
These specialists can also provide valuable insight into finding solutions that work within any budget constraints!
Your roadmap when it comes to determining the best care plan for your senior loved one in Arizona – at any age or stage. Visit our resource center, view our business directory, or connect with us below.
This blog article will give you all the information you need about home health care and how it can benefit you or your loved one.
When searching for the right care for your loved one, it is important to match the need to the solution carefully and accurately.
By proceeding with care in a facility that is away from your loved one’s home when they require minimal assistance, would be a really difficult experience for them.
To select the best care for your loved one, understanding the care and the extent of it across each senior living option is without a doubt, the most critical part of finding the best fit for them.
While it’s common for families to believe that relocation to an assisted living facility or a nursing home would be best, it’s often forgotten that the individual may not be ready to leave home and they may not yet require that either.
A popular solution for many families is Home health care.
This is also referred to as skilled home care and it involves an outside carer who tends to the needs of the senior during periods where the primary carer is not available to do so.
The carer is skilled in the caretaking of injured or ill individuals, both practically and in terms of drug administration.
Home health care is generally less expensive than a hospital stay, and a lot more comfortable too, without compromising on the level of care you will receive.
It also has a psychological effect on the patient, if they are admitted to the hospital for an extended period. The disruption to the life of an admitted patient can affect them negatively.
While most hospital staff are excellent at what they do, the effects of being hospitalized for an extended period can include feelings of being low or depressed.
Home health care ensures that the patient receives adequate care outside of the hospital and that the treatment is as effective as it would be while admitted.
The primary goal of home health care is to :
The services generally offered by home health care providers include:
The process of home health care starts with the recommendation of the patient’s doctor.
Senior Resource Connectors can then refer you to a reputable service provider in the area. Once you have that referral, you may contact the home health care agency and schedule an appointment with them so that they may visit your home.
They will also ask many questions and assess whether you and your loved one will benefit from the home health care.
The patient’s doctor will always be consulted and kept up to date with the status of the patient’s health and progress.
The home health care professional will see the patient as often as the doctor orders.
They are only to heed the instructions of the patient’s doctor and cannot prescribe or administer drugs without the consent or directive of their doctor.
Your caregiver should see to the needs of the patient regarding their health or wound care as per doctor’s orders.
Things you can expect from your caregiver are:
Professionalism in treating and caring for a patient in their home is of paramount importance, however, care and compassion can also be expected.
Senior Resource Connectors is based in Arizona and offers the service of a full directory for seniors requiring assistance in deciding on where the next move will be.
We also guide and refer seniors to facilities that best meet their requirements because we understand that the number of facilities available may be overwhelming for some.
In the Senior Resource Connectors coalition, there are professionals ranging from legal to real estate to healthcare and each has the very same goal; to ensure that services offered to a senior are of the very best caliber and with the best interest of the individual at heart.
Contact us today to find the perfect solution for the care of your loved one.
Your roadmap when it comes to determining the best care plan for your senior loved one in Arizona – at any age or stage. Visit our resource center, view our business directory, or connect with us below.
Home care refers to numerous in-home health services provided to seniors, such as wound care, administering medication, and assistance with pain relief, to name a few. Home care allows them to maintain independence and freedom while obtaining affordable and practical health care and help from home caregivers or skilled nurses. Below, our top 5 tactics for planning home care for your senior.
Initiating the home health care process may seem daunting, but we’ll assist you by providing a step-by-step plan.
1. Understand the importance of planning sooner rather than later
Planning for home care should start as soon as possible. This will give you enough time to research what options best suit you and your family’s needs when caring for your senior.
2. Establish the cost and funding options for home care
Available funding for in-home health care can be limited. Medicaid has stringent income requirements, with patients needing to be low-income to take advantage of their services, while Medicare does not pay for what they deem as “ongoing health care services.”
It would be beneficial to verify what you may qualify for so there is enough time to investigate any available and affordable insurance options. Click here for advice from Aging Care on how to pay for in-home care.
3. Check the safety and functionality of your senior’s home
Safety aspects in a senior’s living space are paramount. There are many factors to take into consideration: is infection control possible? Is the premises easily accessible to your senior?
Some alterations that can be made to the premises include building a ramp, installing grab bars in the bathrooms or shower, or even adjusting kitchen countertops. Replacing slippery flooring with slip-resistant tiles or carpets can also go a long way. First, however, it must be determined if this is financially viable and will result in the premises being liveable and safe for both seniors and caregivers.
4. Monitor your senior family member
As people age, it may become more difficult for them to ask for home care assistance. As the family member of an aging adult, look out for red flags that indicate a need for in-home care. Aging care has a list of signs that may suggest it is time to start in-home care services.
5. Know your goal
Home care is specific to the needs of an individual. What works for one person may not work for another, and cost implications differ for contrasting conditions. AARP has a worthwhile goals and needs checklist, which can be discussed amongst family members and your senior to make the best decision for forging a secure home care plan.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many factors in deciding the best way to plan home care for your senior. However, the benefits of planning sooner and vigorously assessing your senior’s needs will contribute to a cohesive and successful home care plan.
For any further questions about home care for seniors, contact us today. There is no cost or obligation for our services. We can connect you with Arizona’s most trusted senior living resources.
*Disclaimer: This blog post was inspired by a recent article posted by Aging In Place. To view the original, click here.
Many seniors find it challenging to keep track of their activities of daily living (ADLs), which may lead to health problems. However, when using a checklist for your activities of daily living, you will feel more in control and confident that you are taking care of yourself, your senior loved one, or your parent.
A checklist is a list of things to be done, such as a to-do list. Checklists can provide a sense of completion and fulfillment as you cross items off the list.
While there are many different ADLs, most caregivers will agree that these fall under five basic categories. So let’s take a look at those with the help of the below.
Personal Hygiene is essential for a variety of reasons. Most of us take personal Hygiene seriously when we are younger. However, as we age and don’t get out as much, some think it is okay to let some go. Well, it is not! Everyone should take care of their body and be clean at all times. Some personal hygiene things could include:
It is essential that your senior loved one can dress and make appropriate clothing decisions. It is also vital that the person can undress as well as do their laundry. They should also know what is clean and dirty and be able to keep track of that.
Eating refers to the ability to feed oneself, in this case. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the person is capable of preparing food. However, eating could be taken one step further into food preparation. Some elderly can work a microwave but not a stove for their protection, as an example.
Basically, can the patient know and use the restroom as they should? This includes wiping properly and pulling up their pants. Things to ask are:
This refers to how they get around. Can the patient:
While this is just a short checklist, things could be added in more detail if needed. However, having a checklist for activities of daily living is a good start in determining the needs of your senior loved one or parent.
This week, we’re honored to talk with Kimberly Mitchell from Home With Help, an Arizona-based home care company specializing in structured non-medical home care services for seniors.
Kimberly shares how her journey in senior care started and how her personal experiences shaped her view and fuelled her to provide families with better care for their vulnerable seniors.
Kimberly and Scott delve into the concerning issue of the lack of regulation in their respective industries. They highlight how this can lead to disastrous care for seniors if best practices are not adhered to, raising our awareness about the potential risks.
Furthermore, Kimberly and Scott discuss the importance of paying caregivers fairly and how many workplaces are not adequately equipped to support a workforce that is increasingly needed for care at home.
If you are an adult child responsible for a senior parent or aging loved one, contact us at Senior Resource Connectors for vetted advice, a trusted referral, or a patient ear.
Call Us: (602) 698-9720
Visit Us Online: https://seniorresourceconnectors.com/
To provide Arizona seniors and their loved ones easy access to the most trusted and highly professional resources for care as they encounter the many physical and emotional challenges that come with aging today.
