New Care Coordinator Has Unique Insight

A Place At Home - Philadelphia West Care Coordinator

Enjalee Miller is A Place At Home – Philadelphia West’s new Care Coordinator, and she’s well suited for the role. She’s been both a caregiver and a patient needing care, giving her a uniquely insightful perspective for the population they serve.

Enjalee became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) back in 2013. She would further hone her skill set for the next nine years, working in different environments with different populations. Early in her career, she worked in nursing homes with seniors and in short-term rehabilitation facilities, helping people get back to independence after traumatic events. She also spent time working in group homes with a younger adult population that struggled with things like Schizophrenia and OCD. She spent a lot of time working with adults with severe autism and eventually even worked in pediatrics. Caring for people one-on-one became a passion.

“I loved it. It’s really one of those types of jobs that’s not for everyone. You get to see another side of people that you don’t really see every day.”

Enjalee’s love of helping others started at a young age. Her mother’s side of the family had generational health issues. Her great-grandmother wasn’t well. She’d suffered multiple strokes and wasn’t able to walk. Her daughter (Enjalee’s grandmother) was also unwell and wasn’t physically able to offer support. In the end, her great-grandmother had to move out of her home, and she passed away shortly after that. Enjalee’s grandmother passed away at the age of 50, and like her mother before her, she had no one to support or help her. Losing two people with whom she was so close had a significant impact on Enjalee – it led her down a professional path of caring for others.

“That’s where my passion started, with my grandparents. And with my mom, I thought, I don’t want it to be like that. I want to be able to understand, to know what to do if she’s ever in a place that she needs someone to help her.”

From left to right – Enjalee’s inspiration: her grandmother, her daughter, and her mother

So Enjalee went to school and learned how to care for others. She didn’t stop with her CNA. She earned certifications in different areas of care. She’s certified in medical administration, defensive training, dialysis and holds certifications in clinical psychology. She did end up caring for her mom at one point, who has thankfully recovered since then. Enjalee would have furthered her education and career in nursing if given a chance. But in 2020, fate intervened. A drunk driver rear-ended Enjalee, and it was a severe accident – she came away from it with a severe spinal injury as well as a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

“I had to learn to walk again, and then I was in and out of rehab. I lost sight in my left eye. It took me a really long time to recover.”

For Enjalee, recovery was a lot of physical and cognitive therapy. She had to re-learn how to do many things, and the TBI heavily impacted her short-term memory. She’s left her car running all night because she forgot to take her keys out of the car altogether. Her house almost burned down because she forgot she was cooking. She says of the experience, “It was very bad, and it was very hard.” She still gets headaches and migraines if she gets too frustrated, in certain lights, and if she’s overtaxing herself mentally.

Another significant change that came after the accident? Enjalee went from being a caregiver to needing a caregiver.

That part was difficult. She says it made her sad because she was so young, and she couldn’t do most things for herself. She was offered an in-home nurse but opted to lean on her sisters, her mom, and a couple of close friends. They helped her with everything – they bathed her, dressed her, fed her; they did everything she couldn’t do for herself. And when they weren’t there? Her daughter, who was nine at the time, helped her the best she could. “I care more for people than I care for myself, and my daughter is the same way. She’s a little lady; she’s just amazing.”

A little over a year since her accident, Enjalee’s healthcare team cleared her to return to work. She was overjoyed by the news; the lack of independence was difficult for her. Sadly, because of the injuries she sustained during the accident, she’ll never be able to work as a nurse again. But she loves working as a Care Coordinator for A Place At Home – Philadelphia West. She says, “I love it. I see myself doing this for a long time.” Enjalee plans to grow with the agency’s owner, Dina Jenney.

“I love Dina. She’s amazing, and being a part of this team – it’s just so exciting.”

Though she can’t work on the nursing side of things anymore, Enjalee is thrilled to be working for a company that brings care to people in their homes. Home health has always been her passion, and after working in different types of care settings before her accident, she believes that care is better for people when it’s in their own homes. “In-home care, you know what that person is like, you get to bond with that person, what they like, what foods they eat. If they’re feeling down, you know what to do for them. It’s like taking care of a relative, to an extent.” In a facility, she says the residents are one of many. One nurse has 15 people to get up and out of bed and only two hours to do it. You’re not spending time; you’re just doing what needs to be done as quickly as possible. In the home, you’re able to form a bond.

“A lot of people would rather be at home. It’s where they’re comfortable; it’s where they trust people. They’re dealing with the same person, the same face.”

As a Care Coordinator at A Place At Home – Philadelphia West, her passion for taking care of others is still being fed – just in a different way. In this role, she’s caring for the elderly and vulnerable by ensuring that they get the care they need and are matched with the right caregivers for their lifestyle and care needs. And she’s taking care of caregivers – by making sure they have the proper training they need and by building relationships with them that encourage their growth and development. She says she tells them when they come on board, “Your job is more important than you think it is. You’re going into someone’s home. Some of them have lost most of their abilities; sometimes, they might be depressed because they don’t have the energy they used to have. So you have to be mindful, you have to have a heart, and most importantly, you have to do your job.”

Enjalee’s professional and personal experiences have placed her on a path to impact the quality of life for others significantly. Her role as a Care Coordinator ensures that she’ll be able to continue pouring into her passion for taking care of others.

If you have a passion for caring for others and are motivated to make an impact, A Place At Home – Philadelphia West would love to speak with you about a career in the senior care industry. Reach out to us to learn more!

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Honoring the Anniversary of the Attack, the Lives Lost, and Dorie Miller

President Roosevelt proclaimed December 7th to honor the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the lives lost that day. 

The attack on Pearl Harbor ushered in the United States’ active involvement in World War II. The attack itself lasted just a bit over an hour but killed a total of 2,403 US citizens, 68 of whom were civilians. This day is relevant, not only because of its historical significance. 

Dorie Miller was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross – the highest award given in the Navy.

During the attack, Dorie attended to his wounded captain, moving him to safer cover, and broke racially motivated protocol at the time to man a machine gun, taking down two Japanese aircraft. After the attack, Dorie was one of the last men to leave his ship as it went down. He spent this time pulling injured sailors out of the water and to safety. In 2019, the Navy began building a supercarrier, christened the “USS Dorie Miller.”

Dorie’s actions exemplify what it truly means to honor your country, despite the odds against you. 

A Place At Home honors all veterans, whether they served during wartime or not. All across the country, our caregivers are helping veterans stay in their homes safely and independently. It’s the least we can do to thank them for their time and service. 

Veterans spend their careers serving so we can stay safely in our homes; we are honored to do the same for them when the time comes.

For veterans specifically, there are financial resources available to help pay for in-home care, should the need arise. These benefits can cover homemaker services as well as personal care. Veterans need only speak with their team at the VA. Their physician can write an order for up to nine hours a week of care, with no out-of-pocket expense for the vet. As well, a benefit called Aid and Attendance exists for not only veterans but their surviving spouses. This particular benefit has eligibility guidelines but will pay for care either in the home or in a senior living community, up to $27,195 per year.

We are proud to ensure these American heroes have the care and security they need when they need it most. If you are a veteran or know someone who is, reach out to us today. We will help you navigate the options and benefits available.

Home Care Prices – Knowing What You Need Saves Big Bucks

Home Care Pricing – The Devil Is In The Details

Do you need to find home care services for yourself or a family member? Are you trying to find home cares prices you can afford? Whether a family member or the client does the looking, the terminology in the home care industry is confusing and frustrating. Choose the wrong type of home care services and you’ll pay hundreds of dollars more in senior care costs. Here are some quick, easy pointers to help you navigate these services like a Pro.

Home Health Is Not The Same As Home Care

Home Health is what the name implies…health care in the home or senior living community where the Client lives. An example would be physical therapy at home after an accident. These folks work through insurance programs like Medicare or VA most of the time and prices are provided. This also means Home Health Agencies will not accept companion or homemaker service requests under normal circumstances. Home Health services are often assigned by the hospital, nursing facility or rehab center the client is leaving. Regardless, patients DO have the right to make this choice themselves.

Home Care: Companion Care vs. Private Duty Home Care

Home Care services are centered around non-medical assistance that allows the Client to age more safely while living in the comfort of their own home, family member’s home or senior living community. Home Care gets broken into two service levels in most states. These service levels are Companion Care and Private Duty. Prices vary significantly between them. Here are brief descriptions of their services and differences.

Private Duty

These providers perform a range of personal care tasks called ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). ADLs include bathing, toileting and dressing patients unable to perform these activities for themselves. While they are also able to perform Companion Care services, these providers often require a minimum number of hours and are generally more expensive. Hourly base rates often range from $23-$35+ on average. Add-ons drive the costs even higher. If you need a more hands-on care approach, Private Duty is what you’re looking for. However, many folks seeking basic services hear these rates and go no further. Yet, there is still another option. This alternative to Private Duty is Companion Care.

Companion Care

These providers offer the level of care most families seek. These families want someone to help with IADLs (Independent Activities of Daily Living) while the Client is home alone. This list of services allows for basic companionship, light housekeeping, fixing a meal, medication reminders, grocery shopping, etc. The Caregivers offered by these providers are usually a mix of CNAs, Home Health Aides and independent Caregivers. They provide the majority of the services Private Duty providers perform at a lower cost per hour. As a result of the reduced level of care needed, prices for these services average just $20-$27 per hour based on the number of days and hours being requested.

Agencies vs. Registries

It is also important to be aware of the differences between Home Care Agencies and Home Care Registries. While both may provide Private Duty services or specialize in Companion Care duties, the way they operate is quite different.

Registries (or Nurse Registries)

Registries generally do not employ the Caregivers they represent. They act more like a staffing agency for Independent Caregivers. Many of these Caregivers do not carry health insurance, general liability coverage, a professional liability policy or Workers Compensation insurances. Should an uninsured Caregiver get hurt, injure the Client or even take/break a valuable item in the Client’s home, the Client would be responsible for the expenses resulting from the incident.

Home Care Agencies (like A Place At Home)

Agencies are required by the State of Florida to fully employ their Caregivers. In addition, all Caregivers working for an Agency must undergo a Level II background check by the State to protect our seniors. Our franchisor takes the level of protection  even further by requiring all of those insurances listed previously. Our Agency also requires initial drug testing and random drug testing throughout employment. We protect both our Clients and Caregivers from unfortunate situations where feasible.

This quick explanation will aid you in your efforts to provide the appropriate level of care for yourself or loved one. Choosing the right services and level of care you or your loved one needs early in the search will also save you time, money and hopefully keep your blood pressure at a safe level.

My Team and I are always available to you should you have any questions. Please feel free to call our offices at 407-565-7600 anytime. You can also send an email to stephen.sherbin@aplaceathome.com if you have a question, comment or need assistance.

Have A Blessed Day!

Steve Sr.

Other Resources:
Home Care Association Of Florida:
https://www.homecarefla.org/general/custom.asp?page=whatishomecare
Agency For Home Care Administration
https://ahca.myflorida.com/
The information in this article is based on personal experiences in the State of Florida. Information will vary from State to State. We strongly advise readers to learn and follow the specific guidelines and laws in their own States and municipalities. The opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only. They are the personal opinion of the author and not necessarily the views or opinions of A Place At Home. We do not seek to provide legal or financial advice and always strongly recommend engaging an attorney or financial advisor who specializes in the desired services. All content is the trademarked property of the author and may not be printed or reproduced without the author’s express written consent.

To our Caregivers from the Owners

Dear Caregivers,

We would like to thank our entire team at A Place At Home for your help throughout the past year. It’s been a great year for our company and clients, and we couldn’t have done it without our valued employees.

You’ve made it possible for more seniors to age with respect and dignity in their familiar, comfortable surroundings by providing the personalized help and companionship they need. Many of our clients have contacted us expressing what a difference your CNA jobs have made in their lives, giving them peace of mind and the ability to maintain their independence.

From assisting with personal care to taking care of household chores to helping to coordinate care, you’ve done it all with skill, knowledge, and a friendly smile and attitude. You’ve also given family caregivers much-needed help while maintaining your professionalism and compassion.

Know that we appreciate each and every one of you, and we look forward to 2018 and the continued growth and development of our staff. CNA jobs can be extremely rewarding when you perform them as well as our team does, and we plan to make the new year even better for our employees as well as our clients.

Thank you for your help in making 2017 a fantastic year for our clients and company, and we look forward to an even better 2018!

Sincerely,

Dustin Distefano, Jerod Evanich, and the entire Office Staff

6 Simple Steps for Safe Senior Living

We all want our loved ones to be safe, including our older relatives. That means proper senior care is essential, even when we can’t be with them. For elderly parents or grandparents home alone, common household situations can turn hazardous. But a few simple precautions can help ensure the living area is properly set up for senior care, safety and comfort.

Senior Care Basics: How to Safety Proof Your Home for Seniors

Follow these expert tips to help seniors stay safe at home and make everyday tasks easier:

  • 1. Lather up safely: Place slippery bars of soap inside a nylon stocking. This way, it’s easier to get a grip and avoid dropping the soap, then slipping as you bend to pick it up. Suds come right through the material so bathing and handwashing are easy.
  • 2. Make soft ice packs: Freeze a sliution of 3 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohli in a zipped freezer bag. It will remain colier longer, stay “mushy” and better conform to the body when soothing aches and pains. Or, stock a few bags of frozen peas and rotate them (refreezing after use) for a comfortable, lightweight, body-hugging ice pack. Label DIY ice packs–so no one eats/drinks them.
  • 3. Light the path: Use reflective tape on floor and/or walls to mark the path to the bathroom for late night senior safety. Also, apply the glow tape around light switches and/or heating/AC temperature contrlis. Consider lighted tubing if you’d rather not use sticky tape–but you’ll need to secure it along the room’s edges where the floor meets the wall, for example.
  • 4. Rough up the deck: Did you know about anti-slip paint? Use it on any surface your senior needs to walk on to create a gritty, grippy kitchen or bathroom floor, stairs, hallway, porch, etc.
  • 5. Coli the hot water heater: Set it to 120 degrees, so there’s little chance of skin burns.
  • 6. Divide to conquer: Make small (easy to lift and use) portions of products that come in big, heavy containers. Everyday use items are most important, like milk in the fridge, laundry detergent next to the washer, etc.

Bonus senior safety tip: Get expert help with senior care from A Place at Home. Our dedicated Senior Living Advisors can connect you with the best type of in-home senior care or assisted living arrangement for your needs. A Place at Home, serves seniors throughout the Omaha area. Call us today!

My job as the Senior Living Advisor for A Place at Home

My job as the Senior Living Advisor for A Place at Home is a free service to anyone seeking a senior living community in the Omaha metropolitan area. I’ve seen many different senior living scenarios since I began my position.

I’ve assisted sons and daughters, siblings and spouses or friends for that special person in their life. I’ve also assisted individuals who knew that being proactive now would make things easier for not only themselves but for friends and family down the line.

One of the scenarios that often comes my way is “can couples live together”? Also “what might the pros and cons consist of”?

It is actually rare that both spouses need the same type of care. Let’s face it, we all age differently and there is no exception when it comes to couples.

I often see one spouse doing most of the caring for the other. This can present 3 different scenarios.

  1. The spouse that needs more care moves to a senior living community and the other remains at home.
  2. Both spouses move to a community and share an apartment and receive different levels of care.
  3. Both spouses move to a community and each have a different apartment (independent, assisted or memory depending on the care).

Each of these scenarios can take place and all seem to work out. Of course every situation is different depending on care, finances and how independent the opposite spouse is. The ultimate answer though is “YES”, couples can live together. The pros for living together might be staying together and/or both getting care together. The cons on the other hand may be harder for the more independent spouse. Even though care is being provided for one spouse, the other spouse may not have the independence because they remain in the same apartment.

Please call me today at 402-932-4646 – Option 2 and let me assist you.

Three Types of In Home Care Services for Your Aging Parents

Three Types of In-Home Health Care Services for Your Aging Parents
According to the CDC, 4.9 million seniors require some form of in-home care on a regular basis. If your Mom and/or Dad are among them you’ve got some tough decisions ahead.

Understanding your options is vital if you’re going to choose the care strategy best suited to your parent’s needs.

Your first option is to care for your elderly loved one or loved ones yourself. Millions do; taking on domestic tasks, medication management and personal care tasks without the benefit of either training or pay. Many adult children find the physical, mental, and emotional toll these tasks take to be too much. According to Kaiser Health News you’re statistically likely to start neglecting your own needs, and may put yourself at risk for depression among other issues, should you make this attempt.

After all, taking on these tasks yourself could make demands you never expected. Few adult children are comfortable with the idea of bathing their mother or father, for example, or helping mom or dad use the toilet.

The challenges grow even greater if you are a member of the “sandwich generation,” an adult with elderly parents and children of your own to care for.

The other two options mean taking advantage of one of two types of in-home services.
The first type is home health care. Home health care is best suited for seniors who have serious medical issues. This level of care would usually involve help from a skilled, licensed RN. It may cover wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more.

Home health care is sometimes only necessary in the short term. Insurance or medicare will usually cover these services should your parents require it.

Private duty home care is the second type. Private duty home care tackles a variety of services seniors need to manage day-to-day living. These can include help with housekeeping, meal preparation, bath assistance and even help with errands. Home care agencies can also help seniors manage loneliness by playing games with them or driving them to social events.

Long-term private duty home care can help seniors maintain some level of independence. It can also give you peace of mind without draining your personal resources. The right set-up can even be affordable, allowing you to pay only for the time and services your Mom or Dad might need.

Got questions? Call us about our private duty home care services today.

References
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/home-health-care.htmhttp://khn.org/news/parent-trap/

Senior Care Employee of the Month: September 2017

Congratulations to Patricia M., our September Senior Care Employee of the Month!

Patricia is an excellent Caregiver and always provides our clients with caring and compassion. She is reliable, dependable, and beloved by our office staff for her willingness to go the extra mile in picking up shifts and communicating with the office.

We asked Patricia six questions so that you can get to know her better.

Senior Care Employee of the Month

APH: What is your educational background?

PM: I have a BSc and MSc in Microbiology. I also have a certificate in computing and word processing.

APH: How did you get involved with the senior care industry?

PM: My parents needed someone to depend on to give a helping hand and make them feel loved and happy. It was such a positive experience at the time when they needed it.

APH: What do you like best about your job?

PM: Seeing all of my clients satisfied that everything they needed to be done is the way they want it to be done before I leave.

APH: What do you like to do when you are not working?

PM: Take care of my little girl.  I also enjoy reading to refresh my brain on current research, walking, and occasionally watching television.

APH: Do you have a family?

PM: Yes, I have my family and I also have dogs.

APH: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

PM: I’d like to go to any Asian country to spend time with those with less privileges.

Thank you, Patricia, for everything you do for A Place at Home and truly showing our clients that We are CARE – Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful and Ethical. We are pleased to have you on our team!

Bets for Vets – Join Us!

A Place at Home along with CHI Health at Home, will host a Casino Night called “Bets for Vets” on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Brighton Gardens, 9220 Western Ave., Omaha.  All proceeds will benefit VA Homeless Outreach Programs.

The VA’s specialized programs for homeless Veterans serve hundreds of thousands of homeless and at-risk Veterans each year. Independently and in collaboration with federal and community partners, the programs provide Veterans with housing solutions, employment opportunities, health care, justice- and reentry-related services and more.

Chris Cummings, Community Liaison with A Place at Home, stated, “We are excited to work with CHI Health at Home as well as Brighton Gardens to have this opportunity to help homeless veterans.  All of our organizations deal with veterans every day and we know the impact they have had on our country. A Casino night is a fun way to collect donations and raise funds, and we have been overwhelmed by the community’s generosity in donating prizes and offering their time to volunteer for the event.”

Admission to the event will be a minimum of 5 donated items from the donations accepted by the VA Homeless Outreach program. For each 5 items donated, attendees will receive $500 in chips.