Comfort Keepers Can Help You
Posted on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 at 10:34 am and filed under Caregiving
There are many joys families experience within the relationships they have with senior relatives. Grandma and Grandpa are often able to tell the best tales of times past. The memories they impart during family get-togethers, along with valuable family history seniors recount, become the ties that bind many families together. Our elder ancestors are the very roots that strengthen each relative’s sense of place, comfort and knowledge of how they came to be in this world.
Along with the joys seniors bring to our lives come hard decisions that may eventually need to be made regarding their ability to live alone. Some seniors suffer mental or physical limitations that make it difficult for them to safely care for themselves. In these instances, family members find themselves in the position of deciding who can provide the best care for their loved ones.
There are two types of caregiving scenarios to consider – choosing a willing family member to provide care or hiring a home care company to deliver caregiving services for seniors.
An alternative to family caregiving is to hire a professional and experienced agency to provide care and support. Comfort Keepers® is one such home care agency that focuses on serving the senior population. Comfort Keepers perform duties ranging from occasional housekeeping to daily companionship for seniors who need close monitoring.
Please view this video link to learn more about Comfort Keepers and how we can help you. comfort_keepers_wb
The Importance of Independence for Seniors
Posted on Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 at 9:14 am and filed under Caregiving, Senior Independence
No matter our age, we all strive for and enjoy independence. From the time we are born, our parents teach us how to care for ourselves until we reach adulthood and we begin the process of teaching our own children the value of doing things for themselves. Success, happiness and other life achievements are often the result of doing things on our own.Independence is instilled in us throughout life – and the desire to be independent does not diminish with age. If anything, it becomes more important to seniors.
The importance of being independent is twofold for seniors.Independence is sometimes the only thing seniors may feel they can control as certain aspects of their life change as they age. Additionally, maintaining independence promotes a sense of achievement that for many seniors generates a great sense of self-worth and wellbeing.
Often, seniors are able to live independently with little or no help at all. However, some need assistance due to physical or mental limitations that come with aging. In these cases, living home alone does not become a lost cause. Home health care companies, such as Comfort Keepers®, help seniors achieve independence for as long as possible. Caregivers assist clients in activities of daily living, such as grocery shopping, light cleaning, cooking and other activities that enable seniors to lead independent lives, safely at home.
As experts in the industry, Comfort Keepers understands that in order to maintain true levels of independence, it is important for seniors to be involved in their own care. When assisting clients, their Comfort Keepers® do not come in and simply perform all duties for seniors in their care. Instead, caregivers employ a technique, called Interactive Caregiving™. This means they involve their clients in daily activities and duties, dependent on the client’s capabilities.
Some clients are able to help clean the house, participate in grocery shopping, cooking and other duties…and Comfort Keepers encourage clients to do so. Above and beyond performing duties together, Comfort Keepers also participate in other activities with clients, such as playing games, going for walks, eating meals together or simply engaging seniors in lively conversations.
Comfort Keepers encourage their clients to become involved in their own care because these types of activities actually foster a sense of purpose for the senior living alone. A sense of purpose facilitates feelings of accomplishment and maintains the very essence of independence for which seniors strive. For many seniors, the goal of independence — with a little help — can be achieved.
References
Comfort Keepers. Encouraging independence in seniors – maintaining quality of life. Retrieved on May 27, 2012, from http://www.comfortkeepers.com/information-center/news-and-highlights/encouraging-independence-quality-of-life.
Melchior, Deon. Promoting and maintaining independence whilst caring for the elderly. Retrieved on May 27, 2012 from http://www.articleclick.com/Article/
Promoting-And-Maintaining-Independence-Whilst-Caring-For-The-Elderly/929736.
Mason, Ohio Resident Named National Caregiver of the Year
Posted on Monday, July 9th, 2012 at 1:57 pm and filed under Caregiving
Nancy Heslop Honored by Comfort Keepers for Dedication as a Caregiver
Comfort Keepers recently named Mason resident, Nancy Heslop as a 2011 Comfort Keeper of the Year, an honor given to only eight caregivers, called Comfort Keepers, in the nation. Comfort Keepers has over 20,000 caregivers in its independently owned and operated franchise system.
Heslop was nominated by Comfort Keepers’ Owner Mike McGee for her outstanding work caring for seniors and other adults in the Cincinnati area. “Nancy exemplifies the mission and vision of Comfort Keepers,” said Mike McGee “She truly does treat clients with respect and dignity they deserve, as though they are a part of her own family.” Nancy stated “I love the satisfaction of knowing I have helped someone. I am not only meeting the physical and companionship needs of my clients but I am also taking some of the burden and stress off of their families. It is rewarding everyday.”
Comfort Keepers is the name given to caregivers in the Comfort Keepers national network. Comfort Keepers are nominated for this honor by the local franchise staff based on their demonstration of professionalism, exceptional client care services, teamwork with colleagues, collaborative relationships with the family of the client, and extraordinary personal characteristics.
Comfort Keepers provides in-home care services on an hourly, daily or weekly basis with tailored packages customized to an individual’s needs. Services include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, incidental transportation, laundry, recreational activities, and more.
All Comfort Keepers undergo thorough local and national criminal and driving background checks that ensure dependability and reliability. In fact, families employing Comfort Keepers’ services versus an independent caregiver are not responsible for Workers’ Compensation, taxes, background checks, or theft and injury liabilities.
Preparing to Care for Aging Loved Ones
Posted on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 10:39 am and filed under Caregiving, Caregiving Support, Family Caregiving
There are many joys families experience within the relationships they have with senior relatives. Grandma and Grandpa are often able to tell the best tales of times past. The memories they impart during family get-togethers, along with valuable family history seniors recount, become the ties that bind many families together. Our elder ancestors are the very roots that strengthen each relative’s sense of place, comfort and knowledge of how they came to be in this world.
Along with the joys seniors bring to our lives come hard decisions that may eventually need to be made regarding their ability to live alone. Some seniors suffer mental or physical limitations that make it difficult for them to safely care for themselves. In these instances, family members find themselves in the position of deciding who can provide the best care for their loved ones. Typically, this decision-making process – from recognition to solution – can take approximately a year and a half. Usually a female family member such as a daughter or granddaughter is the one who makes the final decision of care. In families where there is no daughter, this role often falls on the shoulders of the oldest son’s wife (the daughter-in-law).
There are two types of caregiving scenarios to consider – choosing a willing family member to provide care or hiring a home care company to deliver caregiving services for seniors. Deciding to become a family caregiver can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Family caregivers often find their relationships with their senior loved ones enriched and satisfying beyond words. It feels good to give the gift of time. Even so, becoming a family caregiver can have a negative impact in some ways, as well. Many family caregivers experience financial difficulties by either having to miss work to care for their loved one or by supporting two households. Family caregivers also become susceptible to suffering depression due to the physical and emotional impact caregiving for a family member can have. Careful consideration of all parties involved should be taken before a family member takes on a caregiving role.
An alternative to family caregiving is to hire a professional and experienced agency to provide care and support. Comfort Keepers® is one such home care agency that focuses on serving the senior population. Comfort Keepers perform duties ranging from occasional housekeeping to daily companionship for seniors who need close monitoring.
Comfort Keepers is an expert in helping families make these crucial decisions. As a leader in the home care industry, the company has devised a list of critical questions for families to ask when interviewing caregiving companies. That list can be found here: http://www.comfortkeepers.com/information-center/news-and-highlights/in-home-care-for-mom-and-dad. Choosing a company that best fits a loved one’s needs and facilitates a safe environment for a senior in his or her own home is essential for success.
Comfort Keepers conducted extensive research among families and other home care resources to determine the best way to broach caregiving with a senior loved one. Simply initiating the topic can cause tension and unease. This decision can inspire guilt for the person making the decision as well as resentment from the senior who needs care. Visit http://www.comfortkeepers.com/family-education-center/starting-the-conversation to find ideas that help families understand the core issues surrounding caregiving. This article also gives helpful insight as to how to discuss the matter without hurting feelings or making a senior feel uncomfortable.
In any event, deciding a loved one needs additional care can be a daunting experience. Deciding who can best care for a senior loved one is a very important decision. The end result should make everyone happy and provide peace of mind for all involved.
The Obesity Epidemic: How Does It Affect Seniors?
Posted on Thursday, March 15th, 2012 at 1:09 pm and filed under Caregiving, Healthy Living, Interactive Caregiving
Obesity, today, is a hot topic. In fact, due to the significant rise of obesity in children and the subsequent health issues it causes, health experts predict that today’s children may have shorter life spans than their parents. This projection has parents, the medical community and other health advocates promoting significant lifestyle changes and better eating habits for children in hopes they achieve brighter health statistics in their futures.
Another population suffering the effects of the obesity epidemic that is garnering widespread attention is America’s seniors. Many seniors battle weight issues, often thought of in terms of being too thin or malnourished. However, the growing population of seniors at risk of being overweight faces obesity-related serious health issues, as well, including risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, loss of memory and an even higher risk of developing dementia in later years.
In short – proper eating habits should begin early in life and continue through the golden years. The problem is – no one is that perfect and today’s fast-paced, fast-food society makes it easy to deviate from healthy choices. However, no matter what age, practicing healthy nutritional habits can make a big impact on a person’s overall health.
Caregivers of seniors play an important role in ensuring seniors consume healthy, well-balanced diets. Simply interacting with seniors by helping them shop for nutritional items at the grocery store, choosing healthy snack alternatives, and planning menus that provide adequate nourishment without unnecessary calories are key. Preparing healthy meals together can foster better eating habits and provides an activity enjoyed by all. Dining with seniors whenever possible adds another opportunity to oversee healthy food choices. This also offers seniors a bit of socialization, making seniors feel less lonely and isolated than when dining alone. Companionship during meals stimulates appetites, paving the way for seniors and caregivers, alike, to eat proper amounts of nutrient-rich foods.
The benefits of good nutrition are many:
- Improved energy and feeling of wellness
- Strengthened immunity
- Sharpened mental focus
- Stronger bones and muscles
- Improved weight control, digestion and regularity
- Better cardiovascular health
- Reduced incidence of mood swings and depression, and so much more
Along with good nutrition, daily exercise helps combat obesity. A stroll through the neighborhood or a bike ride in the park promotes cardiovascular health benefits for seniors while burning calories. Encourage seniors to develop an exercise regimen with their physicians’ help that offers the best benefits specific to their physical abilities.
Caregiving provides a unique opportunity for caregivers of seniors to make a difference in more ways than one. Interacting with seniors – talking together, sharing meals, and participating in other activities — cultivates overall healthy lifestyles that are crucial to helping seniors live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
References:
YMCA of the USA. The y recognizes national childhood obesity month. Retrieved on February 7, 2012 from http://www.ymca.net/news-releases/20100827-childhood-obesity-awareness.html.
Comfort Keepers. Senior nutrition: balanced nutrition leads to a healthier life. Retrieved on February 8, 2012 from http://interactivecaregiving.com/senior-nutrition.
Caring Right at Home. Seniors aren’t spared by today’s obesity epidemic. Retrieved on February 8, 2012 from http://www.caringnews.com/pub.59/issue.1641/article.6925/
Dryden, Jim. Washington University in St. Louis – Newsroom (2012). Diet-exercise combo best for obese seniors. Retrieved on February 8, 2012, from http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22091.aspx.
Testimonial from former Comfort Keeper Mary Leyendecker
Posted on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 at 9:32 am and filed under Caregiving, Testimonial
Mary Leyendecker, former Comfort Keeper
“In reflecting on my experience with Comfort Keepers, I cannot express how much the opportunity helped me. From the fact that I was just leaving a difficult corporate experience to the fact that I needed to get in touch with who I really am. I left a corporate job not knowing what my next calling was. I was starting to look into nursing schools, however did not know if this was right for me. On a whim, I called Comfort Keepers to inquire about a position the company had available for caregivers. After only a few short months, I felt that I had heard my calling. I was employed with Comfort Keepers for 2 years & loved every minute of my work. During this time I started & finished my Masters Degree in Nursing. Words cannot express how much the experience at Comfort Keepers prepared me for school, my clinical rotations & still today in the hospital where I am working as a Rehab RN. I know I have a strong future ahead & I truly admire and respect those who allowed me a chance to try something new & realize that the best way to help myself is by helping others. Bless All At Comfort Keepers.” Mary Leyendecker
Comfort Keepers 123 Caregiver of the Year for 2011 Announced
Posted on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 10:41 am and filed under Caregiving, Uncategorized
Comfort Keepers 123 announced their Caregiver of the Year for 2011. Comfort Keeper Nancy Heslop was awarded the 2011 Caregiver of the Year on January 31, 2012 at a luncheon given for all of the monthly honored “Caregivers of the Month” in 2011.
Nancy Heslop, Comfort Keepers 123 Caregiver of the Year for 2011
Nancy has faithfully served one of our total care clients since August 2007. Nancy applies the knowledge of her Registered Nurses’ training along with her 7+ years of past nursing experience at hospitals in Dayton & Fairfield, OH to skillfully care for the non-medical needs of her Comfort Keepers’ clients. Nancy’s humble approach to sometimes challenging client care is obvious to all who witness her as she masterfully exceeds all expectations.
Nancy not only provides excellent care to her clients but she has also been instrumental in training her fellow Comfort Keepers in the areas of mobility and transferring when our office has conducted in-service training for all our caregivers. Nancy is always willing to step up and be a mentor to a new caregiver who is eager to learn all that they can to make sure their clients are getting the best care.
Nancy says she joined Comfort Keepers 8 years ago so she would have the opportunity to provide more one-on-one care to her clients. “I enjoy being able to give one person all my time and attention for the hours I’m with them. It is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had”.
Nancy with Comfort Keepers 123 staff
Questions To Ask When Choosing An In Home Care Provider
Posted on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm and filed under Caregiving
Family caregivers often come to the realization they need help caring for a senior parent or other loved one when they consider their other responsibilities at work and home. However, giving up some of the responsibility to someone else can be difficult. After all, how are you going to find a caregiver who provides the same degree of quality caregiving and devotion that you provide your loved one?
To help you accomplish this, Comfort Keepers® has assembled a list of important questions to ask as you interview prospective professional caregiving companies:
How long has your company been in business?
If an in-home care provider has been around awhile, you should have no trouble researching their reputation through the Better Business Bureau, local senior service and healthcare providers, at church, around town, and from friends and family. Well-established providers generally have higher staff retention rates than fledgling organizations and thus offer more experienced, trained caregivers.
Can you send me information about your services and fees?
This will do more than help you compare services and fees. The quality of the informational materials you receive may indicate the attention an in-home care provider gives to all aspects of its operations. Also ask for references.
How do you select your in-home caregivers?
Look for agencies that balance experience and training with a person’s innate gift to serve and care for others. No amount of experience makes up for a lack of true compassion.
It is also essential that an agency thoroughly screen and interview candidates. This should include criminal and other background checks, interviews and reference checks.
Also look for organizations that provide training to candidates who pass the screening process and require that caregivers, once hired, complete ongoing training to maintain and update skills.
Are your caregivers bonded and insured?
Make sure the agency you choose has coverage to protect your loved one and your family. The provider should carry professional and general liability insurance, bond its employees and cover employees with workers’ compensation.
How are caregivers supervised?
Some agencies, such as Comfort Keepers, make regular quality assurance calls and visits to make certain caregivers consistently deliver quality care. To further ensure quality care, see that all caregivers are regularly and closely supervised by a qualified company representative.
Will you provide an home assessment prior to starting services?
Through a thorough in-home assessment with you and your loved one, a representative of an in-home care provider can discover needs and help you determine whether the organization can meet them to your satisfaction.
Will you provide a written care plan before you begin service?
A written care plan prevents misunderstandings. You can use it for reference when calling the in-home care provider with concerns. To be effective, the plan needs to be developed with your input and needs to be flexible so it can be updated as your loved one’s needs change.
What if I am not satisfied with the caregiver assigned to me or a loved one?
Reputable in-home care providers will assign a new caregiver when a match does not work out.
What procedures are in place for emergencies?
Ask how the agency or caregiver will deliver services in the event of a power failure, snow storm or natural disaster. Does the organization provide 24-hour telephone service for handling emergencies during weekends and holidays?
What is the process for addressing problems?
Confirm up front whom to contact—and how—when you experience problems or have questions or requests.
Click here to download a copy of Comfort Keepers’ 20 Questions to Ask Brochure.
In-Home Care: A Solution for Baby Boomers Now & In The Future
Posted on Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 10:35 am and filed under Caregiving, Caregiving Support, Technology
Baby boomers started reaching retirement age in 2011. With 78 million of them in total, they will make a significant impact in their senior years, as they have at every phase of their lives.
How will baby boomers influence how senior care is delivered?
First, consider the general characteristics of baby boomers. They are:
• Independent and self-reliant, having grown up in a time of change, challenging the status quo
• Expected to live longer than previous generations
• Health conscious and physically active
• Accustomed to technology, having grown up in a time of non-stop technological change
Because they are independent by nature, baby boomers are likely to look for alternatives to traditional facility-based senior care. In fact, many of the 13 million baby boomers now caring for their aging parents have discovered in-home care. Many are providing at least some of the caregiving themselves, relying on professional caregivers for the rest, as they help their mothers and fathers “age in place” in the comfort of their own homes.
A 2006 study at the University of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reports that baby boomers are more committed to caring for their parents than were their own mothers and fathers. (This research followed two generations of 333 families in the USC Longitudinal Study of Generations.) As they help their parents, baby boomers are seeing the advantages of aging at home and thus may be more likely to choose in-home care for themselves when the time comes.
However, baby boomers may not be as fortunate as their parents to have children to care for them. Many baby boomers have never married and as a whole have had fewer children. For instance, the Urban Institute reported in 2007 (“Meeting the Long-Term Care Needs of the Baby Boomers: How Changing Families Will Affect Paid Helpers and Institutions”) that women born between 1956 and 1960 had only 1.9 children on average, compared with 3.2 children for women born between 1931 and 1935. And between 1980 and 1998, the portion of women ages 40 to 44 without children almost doubled, to 19 percent.
This means baby boomers will have to rely more on professional in-home caregivers, since they may not have family caregivers available.
Baby boomers will be ideal candidates for in-home care because they have pursued active lifestyles and preventive health practices—and are likely to enjoy better health than previous generations of seniors. According to Health, United States, 2005, a report issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, baby boomers will age more slowly due to healthful habits that have contributed to such indicators as 60 and 70 percent drops since 1950 in the death rates for heart disease and stroke, respectively. Further, the cancer death rate has declined 10 percent since 1990.
Baby boomers will particularly feel at home with in-home care like Comfort Keepers’ Interactive Caregiving, which builds on seniors’ life-long activities and interests, helping them stay engaged in physical, mental and social pursuits that heighten their quality of life.
In-home care technology will further aid in making in-home care the ideal senior care solution for the baby boomer generation. Throughout their lives, baby boomers have been faithful adopters of the latest gadgets that have come along to make life better. Plus, in-home care technologies, such as SafetyChoiceä by Comfort Keepers, can help bridge the family caregiver gap for those boomers who don’t have children.
These technologies, which are continually being developed and improved, monitor seniors’ movements and vital signs and can alert help in emergencies when caregivers are not present in the home. Other examples include medication systems, which remind seniors to take their medicine as prescribed, and GPS tracking devices that help locate a senior who has become lost.
So, just as they have throughout life, baby boomers will make their own distinctive mark on senior care – and in a big way.
Finding Trusted Support for Caregivers
Posted on Thursday, November 10th, 2011 at 4:17 pm and filed under Caregiving, Caregiving Support, Family Caregiving
There are over 50 million informal caregivers in the United States who provide care for someone 20 years or older who is ill or disabled.[1] According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, a caregiver is generally defined as “anyone who provides assistance to someone else who is, in some degree, incapacitated and needs help. While the definition of a caregiver is simple, its meaning is broad and can affect every facet of the caregiver’s life.
Levels of caring depend on the need of the care recipient, and can be as simple as running occasional errands or as complex as assisting the loved one in eating, bathing and other personal acts of daily living. The complexities of being a caregiver may also include dealing with attorneys and estate planning, perhaps actually planning the last phases of someone’s final years – to speaking with doctors and other health care providers to be fully informed and able to assist in making decisions regarding the care of a loved one.
Many caregivers have their own households, families, and jobs and balancing these responsibilities is stressful. Caregivers often become depressed and isolated, which can lead to their own poor health and inability to care for others.[2] Caregiving can become a daunting task, but the good news is there are many local and national resources available to guide caregivers through virtually every aspect they might encounter, including care and support for themselves.
Finding trustworthy sources may seem hard, but a great place to start is at a local level, with agencies such as Health and Human Service Departments, Area Agencies on Aging, Public Health, and Mental Health Departments, and medical boards affiliated with area hospitals. Doctors and faith-based agencies have knowledge of reputable organizations such as support groups or psychologists and other counseling services. It is also a good idea to contact the local chapter of a disease group that pertains to the care recipient (such as Alzheimer’s Association or Parkinson’s Foundation), and reach out to home health and respite care companies like Comfort Keepers® for advice and assistance.
[1] Family Caregiver Alliance – National Center on Caregiving. Selected Caregiver Statistics. Accessed 10/8/10 at http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=439.
[2] National Family Caregivers Association; September 2010.