Category: !CAI

Not all heroes wear capes. But many millions of them go to work in scrubs. 

We’re talking about nurses, of course. They’ve been at the forefront of every public health crisis over the past couple centuries, from smallpox outbreaks on the Old West frontier to the present-day battle against COVID-19. Just as importantly, they’re also first on the scene when your daughter goes into labor or your grandson cuts his finger at school. 

What can we do to celebrate nurses’ contributions to our lives? One way is to mark National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6th to May 12th (Florence Nightingale’s birthday) every year. Let’s kick things off by running through some of the more interesting facts about the profession. 

1. Nurses are the most trusted professionals

Every year, Gallup asks Americans to rate the ethics and honesty of various professions, from car salespeople to chiropractors. And nearly every year, nurses top the poll, leaving judges and even grade schoolteachers trailing in their wake. It’s no surprise — anyone who’s ever visited a hospitalized loved one knows how reassuring it is to see nurses at work. 

2. Nursing is a growing profession

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States has just over 3 million registered nurses — roughly equivalent to the population of Puerto Rico. We still need more nurses, however, and the profession is projected to grow 7 percent by 2029. That’s partly because seniors are living longer and more active lives, while at the same time managing chronic health conditions that require skilled nursing care outside of hospitals. 

3. Walt Whitman was a nurse

It’s hard to imagine America’s greatest poet in scrubs. But even though he lacked formal training, Walt Whitman spent three years as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War. He visited with thousands of wounded soldiers, both Union and Confederate, doing his best to offer comfort and hope, as only nurses can. Or, as he puts it in his poem “The Wound-Dresser”: 

Bearing the bandages, water and sponge,

Straight and swift to my wounded I go. 

4. Four in 10 nurses work outside hospitals

While nurses remain the heart and soul of every hospital, an increasing number work in other settings. There are nurses who teach, nurses who support the troops, nurses in industry and nurses who look after passengers on cruise ships. We’re particular proud of the nurses who work for Care Advantage, who share our mission to deliver exceptional care to patients in their residences. 

5. Nursing skills can take you anywhere

Trained nurses can become celebrities such as country music stars (Naomi Judd and Paul Brandt) and award-winning actors (Julie Walters). Core nursing skills like problem solving, adaptability and empathy mean nurses make great entrepreneurs, too. Take Debbie Johnston, RN, who founded Care Advantage in 1988. It was while working as a hospital nurse that Debbie noticed too many patients were being discharged while still in recovery. Thirty years on, Care Advantage has expanded to offer all kinds of services for seniors, but skilled nursing remains one of the things we do best.

April is Stress Awareness Month, and it arrives with impeccable timing. For many, the “year of COVID” has been the most stressful in living memory.

Few have been more affected than professional (and family) caregivers for older adults. Working remotely — a godsend for millions — just isn’t an option if your job involves changing dressings, prepping meals or helping with activities of daily living. 

If you’re the primary caregiver of an aging family member, you’ve probably been feeling added stress during the past year: delayed and rescheduled health care appointments, mandatory quarantine and stay-at-home orders, lack of socialization with other family and friends. Many family caregivers also juggle their 9 to 5 responsibilities and childcare with the added responsibility of caring for their aging parents. 

As the pandemic abates, so should some of the stressors associated with it. But caregiver stress management should remain a top priority for your own well-being. If you’re overtired and overworked, it might be time to look to a third party for trusted, timely help — and that’s where Care Advantage can step in.  

‍What is caregiver stress?
Being physically and emotionally on-call almost all of the time takes a toll. When our children are young, we expect this (and we know that that difficult season will pass!)
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We also experience this kind of caregiving stress when we’re caring for an aging family member. Of course, not all stress is bad. For example, if someone has a medical emergency, that will trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response, giving you an energy and alertness boost when you need it most.

But what if your heart starts to race and your muscles twitch at a time of apparent calm, such as when you’re watching TV or reading? Or, what if you become lethargic and uninterested in your work, and the job that previously brought you joy becomes a grind? These are classic symptoms of caregiver stress, along with headaches, insomnia, irritability, chronic indigestion and many other ailments, both physical and mental. You know your mind and body better than anyone. Listen to them. If they’re telling you something is wrong, it’s time to get help. 

‍Preventing, managing and relieving caregiver stress

‍Following are some general tips for combating caregiver stress, but they won’t work for everyone. Before you make any major lifestyle changes, consult your doctor.

‍Find a stress buddy

‍Caregiver stress is common enough that you probably have a colleague or friend who’s suffering from it. If they’re someone you trust, open up to them about how you’re feeling and ask them to share their own strategies for caregiver stress relief. You can also talk to agencies like Care Advantage for ideas and potential solutions. 

‍Sleep tight

‍Countless chronic conditions, including work stress, are linked to poor or inadequate sleep. Try to eliminate habits that can cause insomnia, such as coffee after lunch and screen time just before bed. Exercise helps promote healthy sleep, but do it in the morning, since an evening jog can leave you more stimulated than tired.
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‍Look after your body

‍We often stress the importance of exercise to our loved ones. But do we practice what we preach? Any kind of exercise that elevates your heart rate will work to reduce your stress levels, even if it’s little more than a brisk walk. As for nutrition, ignore the “miracle diets” and simply focus on eating more unprocessed foods, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and less junk (with the caveat that good mental health goes hand in hand with the occasional donut).

‍Seek more help if you need it
‍Left unchecked, and sometimes despite our best intentions, caregiver stress can lead to serious conditions such as burnout and depression. If you feel like things are spiraling out of control, talk to a doctor or counselor and consider bringing in professional help for caregiving. 

And remember, like COVID, stressful times are here just for the moment and they will pass.

As a Social Engagement Specialist for Capital City Nurses, I am in a unique and privileged position to experience, the deep connection between our dear clients and our incredible caregivers first-hand! While my job has enabled me to provide encouragement, social connection, and joyful moments to our clients over many years, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet, train and work with many of our highly-skilled and devoted, caregivers.  The difficult work they do and outstanding care they provide to individuals living with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease is both admirable and inspiring!

However, in my experience, I’ve found that even the most “seasoned” and professional caregiver can use a “refresher” from time to time on how to best meet the constant challenges of caring for a significantly, cognitively impaired individual. It is my sincere and humble hope that one of the ideas below may help push through a problem you’ve come up against recently. It takes a compassionate and deeply committed team to achieve the superior level of care we at Capital City Nurses and Care Advantage pride ourselves on providing to those in need.  So, go ahead and don’t be shy to share your own experiences and help us all become even better at what we do!

BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR SMILE!
The person with dementia will notice your emotional state, body language, as well as the tone of your voice. No matter what is going on in your own life, take a moment before you even walk through the door to prepare your mindset and remind yourself why you chose to be a caregiver for those in need. Take a deep breath, exhale, and get your SMILE on! Remember, your presence can only truly help someone if you are fully present!

INTRODUCE YOURSELF PROPERLY
Let them know who you are. Always make eye contact and tell them your name, where you are from and that you are there to help. Kindly ask permission to assist with their care. Remember to say, “please & thank you.” Manners still matter!

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY
Speak slowly and reassuringly. Make just one point at a time. Never give more than two choices. Make sure glasses and hearing aides are worn if needed. The person may not understand your words… but they will know and remember how you made them feel!

GET TO KNOW THEM…
Ask questions and listen attentively to their answers. For example, you may ask where they were born and grew up. Inquire about family members, pets, education, life’s work, travel, etc. Most people with dementia still retain long-term memories, so this can be key in better understanding the person whose care you’ve been entrusted with.

ENGAGE WITH AN ACTIVITY
“Read” the newspaper together… maybe discuss a story that interests them. Many seniors enjoy looking at and talking about the weather report. This helps better orient them to what season, month, day it is. Are there any special holidays coming up? If so, ask if they remember any special family traditions associated with that holiday.

KNOW WHEN TO STEP BACK
If the individual becomes aggressive. Try to identify the trigger of the behavior. Do they become agitated during personal care or mealtimes? Might they be in pain and unable to express it? Try redirecting them with light chatter about family and friends or look at family photos together. Give them something to do… perhaps folding laundry or paper napkins. If appropriate, give them a little space while still being able to observe and keep them safe.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
Sensory overload can cause stress and anxiety. Do your best to provide a relaxed environment…try playing soft, classical music. Avoid lots of noise, including loud people and places, and reduce conflicting noises, such as a blaring tv. Turning the tv off will provide the opportunity for you to engage them in positive, meaningful conversation.

GO WITH THE FLOW
…and never argue! Acknowledge and respect what the person is saying and doing, even if it makes no sense to you. Telling them they are wrong will often have a negative effect. For example, don’t correct them if they talk about a deceased relative in the present tense.  Instead of responding “Your Mother passed away many years ago,” you could say, “I know you must really miss your Mother…what about her do you miss most? Was she a good cook, etc.?”

RESPOND TO THE EMOTIONS, NOT THE WORDS
Repetition of words, phrases and questions is a common characteristic of those who suffer from Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. If your client starts to repeat a question over and over again, try to guess what the feelings might be causing the behavior. Confusion about where they are and anxiety about not knowing what to do is often the culprit here. Try getting down on their level. A gentle hand on the shoulder while calmly answering their question… just may reassure and soothe them enough to stop their need to keep asking.

TALK WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS
Facing similar care challenges. Discuss what has happened and possible, alterative solutions. Think about what has worked in the past and what has not. Record what you did to stay positive and solve a problem for future reference. You never know when your own experience may help another person facing the same issue. Remember, what goes around… comes around!

If you’re a senior worried about home safety, or an adult child concerned about a parent, take some advice from Ben Franklin: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The time and effort spent on a home safety plan is minimal compared to the distress and time that may come with recovering from an accident.

And, following senior safety tips isn’t just a way to bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones — it can be deeply satisfying and even fun. Here are some ideas for keeping yourself safe at home.

Ask a senior care expert to consider the full range of risks …

When most people think about home safety for seniors, they think about fall prevention. Replacing old scatter rugs and coating floors with non-slip wax will remove some hazards. Installing motion-sensor lights will also make navigating dark hallways safer. But these actions represent only part of the picture. In-home caregivers or experts on senior safety will also consider factors like the thermostat temperature on your water heater, which appliances might give off carbon monoxide, and whether the print size on your medication labels is legible.

… but don’t feel overwhelmed

Once your senior safety expert has noted all the risks, advice on mitigating them may look like the world’s scariest to-do list.

Don’t panic. One of the most satisfying things about home safety is discovering how many critical hazards are quick-fixes. By the end of day one, you and your helper will have identified appliances with frayed power cords, checked the batteries on your smoke detectors, reviewed your emergency contact information and removed obvious tripping hazards.

Focus on the bathroom

Not only are falls the biggest health and safety threat for seniors, but studies show that around 80% of household falls happen in the bathroom.

The good news? Most of these accidents can be prevented with the help of a senior safety expert and some simple additions such as non-slip floor mats, a raised toilet seat and grab bars.

One challenge is that many older adults are uncomfortable discussing toileting and bathing with their loved ones. This is where an in-home caregiver armed with a comprehensive care plan can be a huge asset. It’s often easier to talk about sensitive issues with a compassionate professional than with someone you’ve known all your life.

Embrace new technology

Home technology is designed to be simple and intuitive, so even if you’re not tech savvy, you can use devices known to help keep seniors safe at home. Many older adults use “virtual assistants” like Google Home and Amazon Alexa, which can do everything from adjusting the thermostat to phoning emergency contacts via simple voice commands.

Stay in control

Placing things you use often within easy reach is a simple safety measure, once you get started. Friends and family will gladly help you reorganize, but not always productively — sometimes, adult children or long-term friends aren’t the ideal home helpers, because they’re not acting in a professional capacity. Our advice is to put one trusted person in charge of the project, whether it’s a well-organized relative or a trained senior safety expert.

You can access all the resources you need through Care Advantage. If you’re an older adult or their loved one, feel free to call us today for a chat about senior safety. We’d love to help you turn your house into the safe haven you deserve.

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I happen to be a high-energy, compassionate, and creative individual, who believes in taking every opportunity I get to help those in need. As a Social Engagement Specialist for Capital City Nurses, I’ve been enabled to do just that for the last 17 years! Through our “Daughter-Down-the-Street” program, I provide cheerful companionship and cognitive activity through customized social visits to seniors living with dementia, and other age-related disease.

My mission is to encourage and help people stay meaningfully connected to family, friends, and communities, and to hopefully, rediscover their personal passions along the way. I begin gaining trust by mindful listening and friendly conversation, then introduce creative activities and offer inspiring outings to achieve my goal.

Throughout the years, it’s been my privilege to help seniors with everything from daily errands and shopping to lunching at a favorite restaurant, taking in a movie, play, or even a concert at the Kennedy Center.  Together, we’ve frequented neighborhood bookstores, coffee shops, as well as small venue, cultural treasures such as the Phillips Collection and Dumbarton Oaks. We’ve toured almost every museum in the Smithsonian…including the National Zoo…where we watched in wonder as pandas played and ate bamboo. We’ve discovered fascinating, facts about our world and beyond at National Geographic Museum, and traveled through presidential history at Mount Vernon, Lincoln’s Cottage, and even The White House.  Exploring formal gardens in and around our city remains a very popular outing.  We’ve been charmed by the fabulous, outdoor “rooms” at Hillwood, soothed by the serenity of Bishops Garden (Washington National Cathedral), and delighted “walking through” butterflies at Brookside Gardens.   In Springtime, we strolled along the Tidal Basin and experienced the enchanting beauty of our Cherry Blossoms trees in full bloom.  Come Summer, we spied hummingbirds in the park, and later, fireflies at dark.  We’ve cruised and paddled the Potomac to view our incredible, national monuments from the rivers’ perspective. I especially enjoyed accompanying seniors to family celebrations and milestone events.  Whether a casual, birthday picnic or formal reception on Embassy Row, it’s always heartwarming to witness the joy of families just being together.

Of course, I’m fondly reminiscing about outings on hold since the Covid-19 virus literally stopped us in our tracks last March. Nonetheless, we in the home healthcare industry are keenly aware of the urgency for seniors to not only maintain their daily activities, but to try new ones as well.   Exercising our brain as well as our body is necessary to retain a positive mental attitude, good health as well as a sense of purpose in life.  So, the question is…how can we continue to help seniors stay connected to the people, places, and passions they love…while navigating the many restrictions a global pandemic has placed on us all? In my experience, to put it simply, “if there’s a will there’s a way!”  Many activities can be modified, yet still yield the positive results that are so important to the health and well-being of our seniors. It just takes a little creativity.  Depending on the individual, try both traditional and more modern “high tech” activities from the suggestions below, until you come up with just the right recipe for healthy and happy engagement!

“Reach out and touch someone ”Not really…not just yet!  Do, however, remind seniors and encourage family members to make more frequent phone calls.  Especially during the dark of winter, a short and sweet call can do wonders to lift the spirits. Or…Facilitate a Facetime call or Zoom meeting, if possible.  Coordinate with family and friends a good date and the best time of day to make a successful connection.

Eat Well  Many seniors are missing going out to restaurants, but with little effort you can create an intimate “café” experience, right at home. Prepare a favorite meal, set a special table, and adjust lighting to achieve just the right “restaurant” ambiance. Or…Introduce and facilitate online delivery services such as Door Dash, Uber eats, etc. for a special meal! Being able to scroll through different menus before making a selection encourages a sense of independence and satisfaction.

Keep Moving Walking is by far the most popular and accessible exercise for seniors who are mobile.  Whether it’s up and down a hallway, around the block, or inside a mall, as the saying goes, “Just do it.” If the individual is unable to stand or walk unassisted, put on some big band music and make up a simple, chair exercise routine to do at a regular time each day! Or… Find an age-appropriate exercise video on You Tube, pump up the volume and go for it!

Take a trip down Memory Lane   With so many seniors separated from loved ones, reminiscing can be an important tool to fight off feelings of isolation. Look through photos albums together and ask the person to name as many people pictured as he/she can. Encourage storytelling of special places and life events depicted in the photos. Or…Enable them to view photos in “real time” via a smartphone or Ipad for an instant lift!

Play Games   Scrabble, word searches, and crossword puzzles are tried and true, cognitive activities that promote a sense of accomplishment, and can be done even while social distancing.  Working on a colorful, jigsaw puzzle together is currently a very popular activity…but details matter here!  Choose a puzzle subject the individual can relate with, as well as the appropriate size and number of pieces. I often find playing soft, classical music for background really enhances the experience. Or…if preferred, introduce an online game such as “Wordscapes” or “Jigsaw” and see how many “levels” can be achieved.

Music is Magic Music has a universal ability to boost mood, reduce agitation, and increase happiness and engagement.  Listen to favorite songs (radio) together, even have an impromptu sing-along or dance!  A recent client had an old-fashioned jukebox in her home, and a favorite activity was to push random selections and then dance to whatever songs came on! Or…Go to You tube, select a music channel of interest, relax and enjoy.

“You’ve got Mail” Communicating by cards and letters is a wonderful and easy way to stay in touch.   Remember, what we now call “snail mail” was their custom and has been long cherished by senior citizens.  Or…Offer to assist with sending emails. I regularly visit a retired businessman who can no longer manage a keyboard, but still loves to “dictate” notes for me to email his family and friends.  Easy to do and provides a sense of connectivity.

‍Encourage Creativity and Culture There’s never been a better time to re-connect with the art of drawing and/or coloring than right now.  Fresh pencils, crayons, or markers and paper are all you need to create.  Or… There is also an incredible array of curated material and artistic activities to choose from online.  Visit the “Google Arts & Culture” website or download the app to “color” a Van Gogh masterpiece or take in an exhibit at the Muse’e d’Orsay in Paris or wherever the heart desires.

Nature Nurtures   Pandemic or not, we all benefit from spending at least a few minutes outside every day.  Breathing in fresh air, watching birds fly or squirrels play is often the only bright spot in an otherwise, gray winter day. If current restrictions prohibit outdoor time, open the shades, and let the sunshine in!  I’ve found seniors who care for even a small plant on a windowsill can experience the feelings of peace and calm inspired by communing with nature. Or…turn on PBS or visit the Nature YouTube channel to learn something new about our natural world.

Armchair Travel   Especially now, many people are fantasizing about finding escape in a distant land.  Ask where they’ve always dreamed of visiting…and then make it happen! Most bookstores and neighborhood libraries are still open for check out service.  In either venue, search for a “coffee table” style or travel book of the desired location and enjoy exploring together. Or…travel anywhere in the world via Google Arts & Culture “Places” site.  Take a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China, see the Northern Lights in Greenland or checkout the Great Pyramids of Egypt…all in the same afternoon.

Remember, it’s the journey, not the actual destination that matters!

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The COVID-19 pandemic has been the worst of times, but one that’s brought out the best in human ingenuity. Isolated due to social distancing rules, seniors have invented or adopted ever more creative ways to bond, interact and share precious experiences with friends and family.

Looking for new things to do during coronavirus? Here are seven ideas for COVID-safe activities.

1. Defend your Monopoly crown

What’s a rainy Sunday afternoon without a board game or a few hands of gin rummy? Thanks to the internet, this is one family activity you can safely continue during COVID. Countless user-friendly apps and websites offer the chance to play everything from Cluedo to Carcassonne in a virtual setting. Added bonus? That sneaky son-in-law who insists “Qa” is a legal Scrabble word will get short shrift from the computer dictionary.

2. Give your grandkids an art challenge

You may not be able to hug your grandchildren, but you can still connect with them in powerful ways. Set the kids a weekly art challenge and ask them to bring you their finished masterpieces, which they can press against your window. A picture is worth a thousand words, but the three that count are, “I love you.”

3. Organize a bake-off

Who says COVID-safe activities have to be healthy? Assuming your diet allows it, bake yourself a treat and dare family and friends to take on the same recipe. Share photos of your triumphs and disasters, and swap tips and techniques with your co-bakers.

4. Set up a singalong

If you like to sing, you’ve probably winced a few times this year during fun-filled but tune-empty renditions of “Happy Birthday” on family Zoom calls. So why not dial it up a notch? Bringing folks together with music can be as simple as setting up a video call with friends and belting out a familiar classic or a rousing hymn. (Tip: you can find the lyrics to any song with a quick Google search.) If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can download a karaoke app for your smartphone or tablet and jam together or take turns sharing center stage.

5. Throw a movie watch party

Online streaming services let us watch what we like, when we like. That’s great, but there’s also something special about watching a movie in a group, knowing that you’re laughing, crying and jumping out of your skin at the same time as everyone else. Providers like Netflix have turned this into a COVID-safe activity, with options to stream movies simultaneously and chat during the screening. Another perk: the popcorn is all yours.

6. Spread out at a picnic

Too much screen time can give you eye strain and headaches, so take any chance you can to meet your family outdoors in a socially distanced setting. You should not only follow CDC guidelines for outdoor activities but local ones too — if the transmission rate is particularly high in your area, don’t hesitate to postpone your plans.

7. Do what’s best for you

Above all, be kind to yourself. Too little interaction can cause loneliness; too much may wear you out. If you’re being bombarded with invites to Zoom this or FaceTime that, feel free to opt out, unplug and curl up with a good book instead.

Without question, the best part of my job as a Home Care Specialist with Care Advantage (other than meeting the people and families we serve) is meeting their pets! I have bonded with animals for as long as I can remember. Having grown up with dogs, cats, ducks, geese, ponies and horses, I not only have great memories and experiences, but also developed a strong compassion for all living things, especially the voiceless.

I specifically remember coming home from school one day and was greeted by a couple of new animals – a three-legged cat, and a VERY short legged dog with a very large head whose name was Jolene. I asked my mom where they came from and I will never forget her reply. “I went to the shelter and asked for the animals no one wanted. Just bring them out, I don’t even want to see them.” It was in that moment that I realized just how cool my parents were. That act of kindness led to a deeper understanding of animals and their eternal gratitude and unconditional love.

Fast forward to 2020 where I have the pleasure of working with seniors in an unconventional year filled with uncertainty, sadness, loneliness, and isolation. Now more than ever, our seniors need companionship, exercise, socialization, and comfort.

There are countless benefits to seniors having pets.  A pet can have a very positive impact on the social, physical and emotional well-being of seniors. Did you know that just petting an animal can result in reduced levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and increased levels of oxytocin, the anti-stress calming hormone? Here are some other health benefits for seniors who have pets:

 *  LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTEROL, HEART RATE, ANDREDUCES THE RISK OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE. Social isolation can lead to loneliness, depression, and poor physical health. It turns out giving and receiving unconditional love is literally good for your heart.

 *  PROVIDES COMFORT AND HEALING POWERS. Many seniors report animal companions help in coping with medical treatments and recovery after illnesses. Dogs, cats, and other animals can be keenly sensitive to their human’s distress and discomfort.

 *  EASES ANXIETY AND PAIN: Anxiety exacerbates pain. By reducing anxiety, pets can help ease pain for seniors who may experience conditions like arthritis, therefore reducing the need for pain meds.

 *  REDUCES DEPRESSION: While you are just one person in a big world, you ARE a pet’s entire world. Making the commitment to care for a pet give seniors daily structure therefore reducing stress and helps give a sense of purpose.

 *  INCREASES MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE: A daily outdoor walk with a pet is a healthy, low stress form of exercise. Also, pets can alert seniors with hearing loss when the doorbell rings or an alarm goes off.

Those suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia can benefit from pet therapy as well. By their very nature, pets do not judge and are not harsh or critical. For someone with dementia these are all good qualities for a good companion. Those of us lucky enough to have pets know that life is SO much better with at least one furry friend. Ask me about my five rescues anytime!

 “Everybody deserves somebody who makes them look forward to tomorrow” – Susan Vogel

About Susan: Susan is one of our Home Care Specialists in the Central Virginia area. She speaks with families and facilities about personal care for your loved ones. Susan is passionate about caring for those who cannot care for themselves and works tirelessly to answer the call of care any time, day or night.

Home Health is very important within our communities.

Skilled care in the home helps to keep our citizens safe and healthy and where they want to be during their “golden years” as opposed to having them admitted into a Nursing or group home. On many occasions, after a patient has had surgery, a doctor will suggest a rehabilitation facility for a patient. But it is not uncommon that the patient doesn’t want to go to a facility, or alternatively their insurance may not cover the cost. It is times like these when home health companies can step in!  

Patients tend to be happier and thrive more when they are in their own home environment and receiving excellent care from a caring group of professionals. Providing in-home care represents about 95 percent of cost savings over a hospital stay and is approximately $200 less expensive per day than a skilled care facility. At Virginia Home Health and Hospice in the western part of Virginia (and our sister company All About Care in Richmond who serve the central part of the state) we have a program called “Bridge to Home” that allows us to further ensure our clients get the needed care they deserve by bridging the gap between hospital and skilled nursing care.  

Being under the Care Advantage, Inc. umbrella and part of this new in-home care family has given Virginia Home Health and Hospice the tools needed to grow our business and our team. Our team is made up of caring professionals who go above and beyond to take care of our community. Our success is due to our close-knit and passionate group of professionals. Our team members see our patients as part of our own family and care for them that way!

Home Healthcare has been my passion for over 20 years, and I have countless stories of kindness to share. But there is one in particular that touched my heart as I am sure it will touch yours.

Sometimes I ride along with my Clinical Manager in the field to see patients. Just a few weeks ago, my colleague Jessica and I went to get to know some of our patients and observe our nurses providing the amazing care that they do. As usual it was a blessing to meet this patient, as she had a lot of stories to tell us!  

As we were talking, I noticed she kept staring at my bracelet. I finally ask her if she would like to see it and when I handed it to her she hugged it to her chest and smiled and said, “I love it”.   This patient had just shared with us that her brother was ill with cancer and she was not able to go see him, and she cries all the time thinking about him being lonely. I asked her, “Would you like to have this bracelet to bring you a little comfort to know that someone is thinking of you and your brother?” She said, “oh yes please” and hugged it against her chest.   The bracelet was very inexpensive and didn’t have any particular meaning to me, but I never knew it could make someone so happy and comforted.

This is not something that we would do all the time, but it meant so much to her to know that we are thinking of her family. I have been told that the patient is telling everyone who will listen that we are there for her family and she wears the bracelet to all her doctor’s appointments.  

A small gesture and a little conversation sure went a long way to show our patient that we cared about her. Just giving her the kindness and patience of our time can make a real difference in her mindset which will, in turn, lead to a better progression of her own rehabilitation journey and reaching her health goals. It makes my heart melt when I can see that a patient’s positive interaction can really set up for a great recovery from a hospital stay and our team of nurses and therapists are part of that patient’s journey.

Written by: Sharon Hendricks

Sharon Hendricks works for our skilled division in the western part of Virginia called Virginia Home Health and Hospice. She has been in healthcare for more than 20 years. She loves spending time with her husband, 3 sons and 4 grandchildren. If you can’t find her shopping at the mall, you might find this cool Nana at the roller-skating rink showing the grandkids how it’s done!

We are all looking forward to some family time this week, whether physically in person or some other creative way.  As we continue to remember best practices for keeping us all safe, here are some thoughts around creative measures to consider this holiday season:

• Go all out for your immediate family and make the most of a small but special day together (make everyone’s favorite dish)
• Find an oldie but goodie movie and circle up the troops for a family movie experience (even on an iPad, family can still watch with you)
• Set up a table in your front yard, dress up in your finest thanksgiving garb and show that Thanksgiving spirit to your neighbors, better yet, invite them to do the     same and you’ll have a neighborhood outdoor celebration with perfect social distancing in place
• For those of you with kids (or just feeling like a kid yourself), draw giant turkeys and Thanksgiving sayings on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk, send some well     wishes to those serving on the front lines
• Decorate a tree in your front yard with pictures or sayings of things you are most thankful for
• Donate to a local food pantry or drive as there are SO many in need this Thanksgiving (make that a family tradition going forward)
• Write thank you notes to those on the front lines and deliver them to a local facility so those working feel the Thanksgiving love
• Create a Thanksgiving Mad Lib and do it over the phone with relatives that you aren’t able to spend the day with and prepare to laugh out loud
• Do a “food exchange” where you make extras of your classic dishes that you usually share together to swap off in a distanced masked quick exchange. Then set up a zoom dinner pajama party!!
• Speaking of Zoom, for Thanksgiving Day, try a Zoom family meeting to check in with each other, Zoom is offering all accounts free unlimited meetings on Thanksgiving Day! You can play games such as Thanksgiving Trivia or Bingo. 

This season is about recognizing and focusing on those things that stand out to us as special and meaningful. Of course this year has forced us all to really re-evaluate what is important in our lives. It’s 2020, and although you still have to wear your masks, social distance and wash your hands, your Thanksgiving day can be as crazy or as simple as you want because you can say “Well it’s 2020, what else did you expect!”

Written by Cathy Dancy, Vice President of Human Resources for Care Advantage, Inc.

Working for Care Advantage has been truly eye opening when it comes to how a company should treat their employees and the amount of investment they have in their staff. I went through a comprehensive training over the past few months since I was new to the health care industry. There is a team environment here where one person’s success is everyone’s success which I love. Also anyone that finds out I am prior military is always appreciative and thanks me for my service. Being a part of this company reminds me of my experience in the United States Air Force the family like environment and us all working together for a common goal, to provide excellent in home care to all of our clients.

My role as the Central Intake Manager entails handling all incoming phone/email/ web traffic of potential clients and assisting inquiring families about Care Advantage can provide exceptional care to them and their family members. To go a little further in depth, my role requires me to develop rapport with the family members by being very empathetic to their unique situation and talking them through how we can help them through these troubling times. 

Previously I was in the staffing industry as a Business Development Manager. This required me to handle inside and outside sales and developing client relationships by providing information on how our process and business model could help their company staff more efficiently and saves money by expediting their process. I was highly motivated to help our small business grow to compete with the larger firms and by the time I decided to leave my previous company to come on board with Care Advantage, I had grown a book of business that was 65% of the companies total business.   

I love when I get to speak to someone that was former military, or their spouse, so I can discuss potential benefits through the VA or Veterans Care Coordination they may be eligible for. The ability to connect with service members and help them as well as the rest of our clients is a major benefit of this role and the fact that I am usually the first point of contact for them makes me try harder to set the tone for their Care Journey. Care Advantage has helped me grow in so many ways professionally and personally and has also helped me gain a new respect and prospective for our caregivers. I practically brag about who we are and the accomplishments we have made in this industry to potential clients and the fact that I am so proud of this company shines through on every call. 

If I could provide one piece of advice to potential clients, caregivers or anyone inquiring about Care Advantage it would be to know that we have your best interest at heart and we will do all that we can to help provide the right level of care for you and your loved ones until you know what the new normal is. The compassion that we all show is genuine and we love it when can help make your situation better and can provide some piece of mind.  As a veteran, I encourage anyone I know to look into Care Advantage because their name says it all; they truly care about everyone connected to them!