Archive for the ‘Resources’ Category

Selecting the “Right” Home Care Provider

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

We all need a little bit of help sometimes, but the challenge can be sorting through & identifying the good guys.  It is my hope that this short article & the attached informational flyer will provide you with the tools to facilitate a successful journey.  

While there are many home care agencies in existence these days that offer similar services, it is the differences from one company to the next that should be considered when navigating through the selection process.  Please invest a little bit of time on the front end of your journey and come away with a genuine sense of confidence in the choices that were made. Meeting expectations is good, but when it comes to caring for those we love, isn’t it important to exceed expectations?

It probably seems obvious, “a no-brainer” of sorts, to look at providers that have been in the home health industry for a number of years, are licensed, bonded & insured as well as have a proven record of quality customer service.  Well, that could not be more critical, especially when it comes to inviting people into your lives and your home.  A proven track record & how a company values their employees can speak volumes in terms of credibility.

How does the agency recruit, screen, hire & train their professional caregivers?  Clearly, there are laws & regulations in place to help direct minimum requirements with regard to this aspect of home care, but what else does the company do?  How do they go above & beyond?  Will they schedule caregiver interviews for new clients?  What happens if the agency’s caregiver were to become injured while on duty in your home?  Does the agency utilize subcontractors versus actual employees? Are the agency’s caregivers covered by worker’s compensation & liability insurance?

Clearly, the economy is a factor in many of our decisions.  The key is to find a realistic balance between quality service, safety & cost.  There are so many incredible resources at your disposal so never hesitate to ask questions & please keep in mind that knowledge is power.  The best defense against potential “bad guys” is a really creative offense.

The following are a list of important questions to ask when selecting a home health care agency provided by Arcadia Home Care & Staffing.

http://www.arcadiahealthcare.com/pdfs-loc/StPetersburg/choosing-a-home-care-agency.pdf

Safe & Accessible Interior Design

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Our Baby Boomer (born between 1947 & 1964) population is aging and are considering their own future, as well as their parent’s future. Some Baby Boomer’s are becoming their parents caretaker and some are just looking ahead to prepare so that they can retire in their homes comfortably and safely. Studies have shown that most seniors and Baby Boomers would prefer to remain in their homes as they age and not have to move out to a retirement facility ever. In addition, this growing population and their parents may not be able to afford to move so the idea of Aging In Place takes the concept of Universal Design and makes it even more personalized, affordable and long lasting to the users of the home.


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Sun Towers Retirement Community

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Joe and Greta McCloud moved from California to Kings Point in Sun City Center in 1993 to care for her parents who were beginning to decline. Once Greta’s parents passed away, she and Joe moved out of state and then decided to return to Kings Point for their own retirement years. “Kings Point offered everything we needed in a retirement community” said Greta. As Greta’s own health began to decline, she found herself hospitalized after a fall which led to a stay in Sun Terrace’s skilled nursing facility.

Greta says: “I was very impressed when I went to Sun Terrace from the hospital after having broken my back. They kindly convinced me that therapy was what I needed to walk again. I was treated with kindness and proficiency. I was out of it at first and slowly my mind came back and then my ability to walk again. I had to wear a back brace every time I got out of bed. The therapist adjusted my brace so I could easily put it on by myself. I would recommend Sun Terrace to anyone needing therapy. I attribute my recovery to Sun Terrace for all the help they gave me. They actually saved my life, as I no longer walk with a walker or use a wheelchair. When I left Sun Terrace, my husband and I moved to Sun Towers. Both places have very kind people who assist us with anything we need. It is wonderful.”

Sun Towers is a retirement community offering Independent, Assisted Living, Memory Care and skilled nursing all under one roof.

For additional information, please call 813-634-3347 and be sure to visit our web site:
www.SunTowersRetirement.com
Sun Towers and Sun Terrace are located at 101 Trinity Lakes Drive, Sun City Center, FL
Assisted Living License #4991

When to Hire a Geriatric Care Manager

Thursday, August 19th, 2010
posted by Genevieve Faulk of Bayshore Geriatric Solutions, Inc.


So often caregivers ask themselves, “What is a Geriatric Care Manager and when would I need to hire one.”  The answer is 2 parts:

PART 1

A geriatric care manager is a trained and knowledgeable expert who leads a team of elder care professionals and can assess the needs of a senior to provide a comprehensive care plan with steps on how to improve the quality of life for the senior.

PART 2

Each situation is different, but here’s a story that can help explain when it is time for you to hire a geriatric care manager. (more…)

Bayview Gardens

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Bayview Gardens

Bayview Gardens has one of the longest histories in Pinellas County as far as a retirement community goes. The ground breaking ceremony for the 36 acre WATERFRONT community took place November 20th 1964 at the cost of 3.8 million dollars. Bayview Gardens was built as a not-for-profit venture jointly sponsored by the Senior Citizen Services and the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ.

In 1985 Morton Plant hospital bought Bayview Gardens and it went through an extensive renovation of its 94 units in Assisted Living and the 229 Garden Villa’s. In 2007 Bayview Gardens was purchased by SantaFe Senior Living, a Gainesville-based firm that wasted little time breathing new life into the community, remodeling once again and introducing new amenities and restructuring pricing to welcome new residents. (more…)