Ella Home Care

Call Now: 717-963-7280

by Leave a Comment

A Perfect Match: How Ella Home Care Finds the Best Caregiver for You

At Ella Home Care, we go much deeper than simply matching an available caregiver with a new client. We have a careful process for how we assess the needs of a client, as well as their personality, interests and hobbies so that we can provide them with a caregiver who is as close to a “perfect match” as possible. Are you curious to know more about our process? Read on to learn the steps we take to find the best caregiver for every situation.

We take time to really get to know you.

First, a member of our team comes out to the home for an assessment. The assessment is like a meet-and-great where we get to know each other and determine what services will be needed to keep that person living independently in his or her place of residence. We also ask the person what kind of personality and traits he or she would like in a caregiver. For some, a strong and outgoing personality is a good fit, while others may be better suited for a quiet personality.

We consider the areas of expertise needed.

Next we take inventory of what is expected of a caregiver. If a lot of hands-on tasks are involved, like bathing and transfers, we look to our experienced staff who are accustom to providing those services like our CNA’s on staff or other skilled caregivers. We also make sure our caregivers of physically capable of providing such care and can do so safely.

We take into account pets, interests, and hobbies.

If the person has any pets, we make sure our caregiver is not allergic to or has issues working around animals. We also try to match someone with a pet with a caregivers who also loves pets. This commonality can help to create a bond right from the beginning. We also try to identify interests and hobbies and when possible match a caregiver who has a shared interest or hobby. Many times, a client will request someone who is a good cook, someone who likes the outdoors, or someone who likes conversation and we do our best to accommodate this.

We make sure everyone feels comfortable and prepared.

Once we have obtained all the necessary information to make an informed decision, we carefully review our roster of available caregivers to see who may be the best fit. If the client wishes to meet their caregiver in advance of their first day, we are happy to arrange this. In fact, we recommend that the client and caregiver meet prior to the start of their working relationship to ease into the transition and to make things more comfortable. This also allows the caregiver to see the home in which they will be working, allowing them to prepare anything they may wish to bring with them to help them in caring for the client.

Could you or someone you know benefit from the care and assistance of an in-home caregiver? Contact Ella Home Care today so we can help you find the right option to meet your needs!

by Leave a Comment

How an In-Home Caregiver Can Help Even When You’re Not at Home

Just as the title would imply, an in-home professional caregiver most commonly provides care for aging loved ones who wish to stay in their home as long as possible. However, there may be situations that arise that call for this person to receive care outside their home for a period of time. For example, an injury or procedure could require a short hospital stay or a few days or weeks in a rehabilitation facility.

During this time, a professional caregiver serves just as important of a role as ever by continuing to care for this person in their new location. The doctors and nurses on-site will care for their major medical needs, while the professional caregiver is there to assist with their daily hygiene, dressing, and eating. And they are there to provide a lot more than that! Here are four benefits of having an in-home caregiver care for a loved one even when they’re not in their home.

A Familiar Face

When your loved one is in the hospital or in short-term care at a rehabilitation facility, their caregiver will provide them with something familiar. When you’re out of your home environment, it can be lonely, unsettling and even scary, especially for older adults. With a professional caregiver, that person has something that feels safe, familiar and normal.

Continuity of Care

A very important role a professional caregiver plays is providing continuity of care. When someone is in any type of short-term care, they will likely be working with many different nurses and doctors in a short period of time. This can make it challenging to be sure your loved one is receiving consistent care tailored to their needs and expectations. With a professional caregiver, you know you will have one thing that remain constant throughout it all.

Personalized Attention

More than just the physical care of your loved one, you want to be sure they are being cared for emotionally and mentally. A professional caregiver is available to listen, talk, and simply spend time with a person. This personalized attention can greatly enhance the healing and recovery process.

Your Eyes and Ears

Most importantly, when you cannot be with your loved one, you will have the professional caregiver there to help be your eyes and ears for all that is going on. As doctors or nurses stop by ask questions and do their assessments, the caregiver can provide you with updates. They can also alert you of any concerns or requests they have. This gives you both the peace of mind and certainty that your loved one is receiving the top quality care.

Could you or someone you know benefit from having a professional caregiver? Contact Ella Home Care today so we can tell you more about our process and determine if this is the right fit you!

by Leave a Comment

5 Signs You or a Loved One May Benefit From In-Home Care

Professional in-home caregiving is a very unique industry in that it allows families to care for one another, even as generations age, while still maintaining the balance of children being children, rather than fulltime caregivers.

If you have an aging loved one, possibly a parent, aunt, uncle, or grandparents who desire to continue living in their home as long as possible, but who need some additional assistance in order to do so, then this article is for you. Consider the following reasons why you might benefit from hiring a professional in-home caregiver to provide this extra assistance, while alleviating any added stress to the family.

  1. You don’t want full responsibility to fall on family members.

In many instances, family members are happy to step forward to offer some additional assistance to aging family members as they require it. This could be stopping by the house several times a week, driving them to doctors’ appointments, providing some meals, or running errands. These tasks are all manageable in moderation, but can quickly overwhelm any one person who feels responsible for it all, often while still needing to work and take care of their own family. A professional caregiver can assume a little or a lot of this responsibility to make caring for a loved one less stressful. Whether you need help just a few days a week, or require 24/7 care.

  1. You want to ensure safety and the highest level of care.

Professional in-home caregivers are specially trained in the industry’s best practices to ensure safety and the highest level of care. They also have the unique desire to care for another person and are passionate about forming a relationship that meets both mental and emotional needs. Not every family has someone like this who can step forward to care for an aging loved one. In our field of work, we often see how the right caregiver can greatly enhance the quality of life for an individual.

  1. You need more care than what any one person can provide.

Should your loved one require around the clock care, or even long day shifts, this is often more than what any one person can handle. We all need a break, and this is exactly what an in-home caregiver, or team of caregivers can provide. At Ella Home Care, we can cycle several caregivers in different shifts throughout the week to provide as much as 24/7 care. Additionally, this gives the person being cared for some variety in their week, which is something to look forward to.

  1. You or your loved one wants to stay in their home as long as possible.

One of the biggest benefits of having the help of an in-home caregiver is that it makes it possible for an aging adult to continue living in their home much longer than they could solely on their own. In many cases, without a caregiver, the alternative is moving into a retirement community or nursing home. Should your loved one strongly desire to stay in their home, the offer of hiring an in-home caregiver can provide a desirable middle ground for additional care without needing to move.

  1. You need reliability and consistency.

Finally, a professional caregiver provides reliability and consistency for your loved one. When the responsibility falls on family members who have other obligations like work or caring for their own family, there can be times when they can’t spend the time with the loved one that they had planned to. With a professional caregiver, this is their career and their calling. Even if an illness or unforeseen circumstance should arise with your caregiver, the agency they work for, like Ella Home Care, ensures an alternate caregiver will still cover the shift and be there to provide care as scheduled.

Are you or a loved one considering adding the help of a professional in-home caregiver to improve your quality of life?

Let us help answer your questions! Contact Ella Home Care today.

by Leave a Comment

Show Appreciation for CNAs on National Career Nurse Assistants’ Day

Thursday, June 13 is observed as National Career Nurse Assistants’ Day. Though it goes without saying that our CNA’s deserve our appreciation each and every day of the year, this day serves as a reminder to make time to go out of our way for a little extra act of thanks.

How can you show your appreciation for a CNA on Thursday, June 13? Here are just a few ideas to help spark your inspiration.

Put it into words.

The most thoughtful gifts don’t have to cost anything. As you know, “It’s the thought that counts.” So how can you let a CNA know that you are thinking about them? Put it into words! Write a letter, give them a card or put it in a poem. Don’t worry about being creative, simply speak from the heart. If you can, share a story of a time when you really appreciated their help. This will show that you’re grateful for them well beyond this day.

Do something that makes their job a little easier.

Think of a way to make their day-to-day tasks just a bit more enjoyable. Is there a tool or technology you might buy for them that can make their tasks more efficient? Is there something broken or outdated in your home, or wherever your CNA works, for example a clock or cooking appliance, that you could replace? Or maybe you purchase something that offers entertainment, like music or a book, to brighten up their day.

Honor your relationship with them.

A CNA does much more than care for another person, they form deep relationships which can be as close as family. Honor them by giving them a token of appreciation that reminds them of this relationship. For example, you can get a photo of your CNA with the person for whom they care and create a keepsake by framing it or incorporating the photo into another craft. Every time they see this photo that will be reminded that their job is so important to those they touch.

Give them the gift of rest.

Another thoughtful way to observe National Career Nurse Assistants’ Day is to think of a gift that encourages them to take a break and rest. A new candle, lotion, essential oil or gift card to a local spa are all wonderful ways to say, “I appreciate all the hard work you do for our family and you deserve some time to rest and recharge.”

Take it to social media.

We put most everything on social media, why not post some positivity? Share a story or simply offer some words of kindness for how a CNA has touched your life. Use #CareerNurseAssistantsDay to share on social media so that other CNA’s who might be following along can find your message and benefit from the added appreciation.

This National Career Nurse Assistants’ Day, June 13, be sure to take a moment to thank a CNA for all they do!  To all of our CNA’s at Ella Home Care, and everywhere, thank you for all the love and care you pour into those who need it most. You bring joy and peace of mind to families and help others live the best possible quality of life. Simply put, you make the world a better place. Thank you!

by Leave a Comment

5 Things Only a Professional Caregiver Would Understand

Being a professional caregiver for senior adults can be an extremely rewarding career path. However, it is not without its challenges. Having the pleasure of serving the professional caregiving industry, Ella Home Care has seen the unique benefits professional caregivers can experience when working in this field.

If you or someone you know is a professional caregiver, you should enjoy this list of “5 Things Only a Professional Caregiver Would Understand.” Be sure to let us know if you agree!

  1. Every day presents the opportunity to change a life.

As a professional caregiver, each and every day holds the potential to make someone’s life a little brighter. The same is true for other careers as well, but there’s something so special about being a professional caregiver and helping someone enjoy a greater quality of life, even just one day at a time. The immense gratitude that comes from those we serve is the best reward or accolade you can receive.

  1. Showing love and patience, in all situations, is the most important skill.

Love and patience are skills that are heavily relied upon by professional caregivers. You need to have near endless amounts to pour out into those for whom you care. While that may seem like an overwhelming ask of someone, it’s amazing the newfound depths of your love and patience that you will find as you grow in your role as a professional caregiver. The best part is these skills wash over into other areas of your life, making you a calm and joyful person at home, with friends and with those around you.

  1. You’re the “good kind” of tired at the end of a shift.

Most people leaving their jobs for the day will agree that they are ready for a break. For some it’s being physically tired, for others it’s emotionally tired, and others still it’s mentally tired. For professional caregivers, some days can leave you feeling all three kinds of tired! It’s true. But what’s also true is most caregivers will agree that when you reflect upon it, you realize this is the “good kind” of tired that leaves your heart full and wanting to go back and do it again!

  1. There are few other careers you can imagine of being is closely as rewarding as this one!

In some careers, the rewards and recognition you receive come in the form of status of monetary gifts. As a professional caregiver, what you receive is arguably far greater and far longer lasting – and that’s love, fulfillment and deep relationships that feel as close as family. For those who have yet to experience something like this from a job, it may be hard to understand how these things can be better than a monetary bonus; however, a professional caregiver will assure you it’s among the top reasons they’ve chosen this career.

  1. Even with pros and cons to the job, the upside is far greater!

Every job you will ever encounter will have both pros and cons. It’s impossible not to. What’s important is that the pros outweigh the cons, and for professional caregivers this is exactly the case. That’s not to say there will never be challenging moments, but when you look at the overarching trend, the upside of what you get out of this type of career is far greater than any drawbacks.

Are you a professional caregiver or know someone who is? Would you agree with this list or did we forget something? Join in the conversation by leaving a comment below!

Our Promise To You

  • All calls answered by a live person
  • Engaged & well trained home care professionals
  • 24/7 access to your loved one’s care plan through our online portal
  • We will listen more than we talk
  • We will work one-on-one to develop your care plan

Download Our Brochure

ella_home_care_brochure-thumbnail

Contact Us

Ella Home Care
Address:
839 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043

Phone: (717) 963-7280
Fax: (717) 695-2892

Email: info@ellahc.com