synergyhomecare-eastvalley

The Health Care Bill and the Long Term Care Industry

Many folks have asked over the last week what the impact of the health care bill is going to have on the long term care industry.  Well, frankly speaking, I am not qualified to answer all of the specifics, however, there are few things that must be shared since they are know.  I am awaiting on a more detailed analysis in the coming days from groups that help regulate the industry.  Here are the few that we do know. 

First, in the health care bill, CLASS ACT was included.  CLASS ACT is another benefit that works very similar to Medicare in that we pay for it through payroll deductions.  But the end benefit can be used on long term care options like home care!  This is great news because it does indeed highlight the need for folks to consider long term care options as part of their financial planning.  More details about CLASS ACT will be provided as they unfold. 

The second thing that the health care bill is Community First Choice.  This program is designed increase the level of federal money provided to the states that care at home to disabled individuals that would normally need institutional levels of care. 

These two programs create an exciting time for the industry and for SYNERGY HomeCare of the East Valley since we are a leading provider of home care to seniors and developmentally disabled children and adults in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek Arizona. 

Respite Care Part III

This is my third and final post in my first Respite Care Series.  If you are needing a break and considering respite care, do not feel ashamed.  You are a daughter, son, nephew or niece.  Caregiving is a tough job both physically and emotionally.  As home care professionals we see the hard work it takes caring for an elderly loved one.  As a result, we have built in plans to allow for needed breaks and changes.  As a family member you must realize that the work you do is inspiring and also hard.  A break should be looked at just like a well deserved vacation from you job.  Do not feel ashamed, it's normal and it's very needed. 

Respite Care Series Part II

In my last post I spoke about how many times we hear how family caregivers took most of the caregiving responsibilities of a loved one while allowing for their own physical or mental status to slip.  At the end of that post I spoke about the amount of break time that is often required for the family unit to resume family unit responsibilities.  I want to talk in more detail about that in this post. 

Many times people often go from performing all of the caregiving responsibilities to almost performing none.  If that is what you want you are not alone.  You can then focus back on your job or career and leaving the caring of your loved one to professionals.  However, it is most often experienced when the family caregiver doesn't want to be removed from the care totally, just in portions.  Say, the personal care portions since those often occur around getting other family members ready for work or school.  Or some family caregivers like to hand off to professionals meal times since that also occurs around busy times and schedules with school pick ups and drop offs at soccer practice or other activities.  Respite care also be provided for an entire day so the family caregiver can chaperon, spend time with their spouse or simply enjoy a day at the spa on a little well deserved R & R. 

Respite care is your care, a little time for you.  So, just as every client has different needs in care plan details and schedules so do you.  As a result, a home care professional can assist at any day or time for any of those daily living needs. 

A Series on Respite Care Part I

Many folks are caring for loved ones, we know the numbers.  It's a very noble undertaking and the cost is enormous.  I'm not simply speaking about the financial costs, although those numbers can get large quickly too.  I'm talking about the cost on the caregiver.  The cost is a job that is scaled back or even resigned, family functions that are not attended to, or personal health considerations that are not addressed.  We, at SYNERGY HomeCare, see this all the time.  Many times we see this it's very late in the process and many more feelings have set in. 

We have to first start by helping the caregiver, who at times is now in equally poor health or mental state of mind.  We need to ensure that the family caregiver is now capable of stepping away and letting someone else help.  Once we know that they are OK receiving help then the care for their loved one starts usually without incident.  I say usually without incident because the sick family member realizes the altered state of the caregiver AND wants the caregiver to also get help and heal.  Once the professional caregiver and client seem to be progressing and getting things accomplished, the family member feels better since their worry is removed, then they begin to heal.  What occurs next is a truly miraculous blessing.  We often see the family caregiver becoming a family member again, a son, daughter, grandchild or niece/nephew. 

Simply by stepping away for a little bit of time, the family functionality resumes with everyone still getting all the help they need.  Sure there are a lot of emotions, but once those subside the emotions turn to elation and rejoicing comes. 

It's OK to take a break.  In fact the break doesn't need to be any more than one or two days a week or only for 2 weeks.  Whatever is needed, SYNERGY HomeCare is here to help with the most professional caregivers and staff.