assisted living Archives - Ella Home Care

July 12, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

5 Traits of an Exceptional Professional Caregiver

At Ella Home Care, we seek and hire only exceptional professional caregivers to join our team. What makes them exceptional? We found there are a few traits that these individual have in common. Keep reading to see if these describe you. If so, you might just have a future career as a professional caregiver!

Commitment

Commitment is important in anything we do, but especially when we are caring for senior adults. These individuals count on consistency and reliability. They need to know you are going to show up for them when they expect you to do so. Additionally, as they build a relationship and friendship with you, it can be difficult when that is taken away suddenly. A committed caregiver gives our clients the peace of mind that they will be cared for properly, and will develop a lifelong friendship they can count on.

Honesty

The next important trait of an exceptional caregiver is honesty. Communication is a critical component of professional caregiving so we need to know you will communicate openly and honestly both with Ella Home Care and the person for which you are caring. If you see a concern, speak up. If you need help, tell someone. You have a critical role of caring for someone else’s life and honesty greatly impacts that quality of life.

Compassion

When caring for our senior population, you will likely be met with situations where you will need to show compassion. We always want our clients to maintain their dignity even as they age, which is why we need compassionate caregivers who will help care for their personal needs when they no longer can. And mostly importantly, an exceptional caregiver shows love and kindness when doing so.

Positivity

You’ll be met with challenges as a caregiver, and it’s important to keep a positive attitude to help you overcome them. Maybe it’s an accident or illness, maybe it’s just been a real tiring day, or maybe there’s a time when you don’t see eye-to-eye with someone. We want caregivers who respond with positivity and who are team players when it comes to problem solving.

Energy

Caregiving is not running a marathon, but some days it can feel like it mentally, emotionally, and physically. An exceptional caregiver doesn’t give up, but rather maintains their energy to keep caring for someone even when you feel tired or depleted. We also want high energy caregivers who are inspired to go above and beyond for someone by seeking new activities or starting new conversations.

If these traits align with your own traits and you have a heart for caring for senior adults, we would love to talk to you. Reach out to Ella Home Care today to explore our career opportunities.

July 7, 2020 by Kirk Brechbiel

4 Myths About In-Home Care – Debunked

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding care for senior adults. Everything from cost and quality of care, to concerns over socialization and much more. Take a look as we dive deeper into four common myths about professional in-home care and the truths you should know.

Myth: Professional in-home care is always more expensive than assisted living communities.

Fact: Sure, there are instances when this may be true, but there are also instances in which it will not. It’s important to not believe the “always” myth about the cost of professional in-home care when compared to assisted living costs. Many factors will play into what your unique situation will cost, including level of care needed, length of care, and if the one being cared for has advanced needs. In many cases, the cost of allowing a loved one to remain in their home with the assistance of a professional caregiver visiting several days a week can be more cost-effective than moving them into an assisted living community permanently. Furthermore, what is the cost of your loved ones happiness and quality of life? If their wish is to remain in their home as long as possible, it’s hard to put a price tag on that.

Myth: I won’t have any oversight over the type of care my loved one is receiving.

Fact: There is a lot of oversight, follow-up and monitoring of in-home professional caregiving. All of our caregivers must pass extensive background searches, clearances, and requirements to be qualified to care for one of our clients. We carefully match our caregivers based upon the type of care required, location, personality, level of experience, and much more. Our caregivers are also supervised by Care Coordinator and other administration staff who monitor the care being given to each client. In addition to the steps we take, when your loved one is being cared for in their home, you can also choose to install cameras for security. This is not commonly allowed of families in assisted living communities.

Myth: My loved one will be lonely or lack socialization.

Fact: An in-home professional caregiver is not only there to care for your loved one’s physical needs, they are every bit there to also care for your loved one’s mental and emotional needs. They are an ear to listen, a smile to brighten the day, and hands to do activities with your loved one. With an in-home caregiver, they are also receiving something not typically found in an assisted living community, and that’s undivided one-on-one attention for the entire time they are there. If your loved one craves extra socialization, we take care to choose the right caregiver whose personality aligns best with that.

Myth: My loved one will be bounced around from caregiver to caregiver.

Fact: At Ella Home Care, we know how important consistency and reliability is especially for aging loved ones. This is why we pride ourselves on hiring caregivers that are committed to being a part of the Ella family for as long as possible. And when a change does have to be made, we quickly find a compatible caregiver and ease them into building a new relationship with your loved one on their terms and comfort level.

Is there another myth you’d like to have us shed some light on? Ask us a question in the comments below and we would be happy to provide you with an answer. Or contact us today to have a discussion about professional in-home care for a loved one.

April 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

April 2, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

How to Resolve Family Conflict Over Caring for an Aging Loved One

When it comes to the care and well-being of a loved one, the decisions that must be made among family members is a naturally very emotionally-charged one. Everyone wants what is in the best interest of that family member, yet may have different opinions as to what this is.

If you or someone you know is struggling with resolving family conflict over caring for an aging loved one, there are advice and resources that can be immensely helpful to reducing this conflict. Here are some great places to start!

Bring Everyone to the Table

One of the first steps to resolving family conflict over your aging loved one’s care is to bring everyone involved “to the table.” What this means is having everyone sit down together, ideally in person, to have a calm and mature conversation regarding all issues that could impact your decision. Pick a neutral setting that feels comfortable and welcoming. To help facilitate conversation, you might even want to put together a basic agenda that will make sure discussion stays on the most important topics.

Have Conversations Early and Often

Another important piece of advice is to have these types of conversations early and often as your loved one approaches the age or need to have someone professionally care for them on a regular basis. Having such conversations in a time of panic or emergency is far less productive and far more stressful than if you have them well in advance so a plan is in place.

Determine Your Decision Maker(s)

Even with frequent and productive discussions surrounding the care of your loved one, it can still be challenging to arrive at a final decision as to next steps unless there is someone who is the agreed upon decision maker. Consider what friend or family members is in the best position to take on this responsibility. Their role is to then facilitate discussion, listen to all opinions, research and present options, then guide everyone involved toward a mutually agreed upon solution. Having this designated “leader” will help resolve conflict and enable important decisions to be made efficiently and confidently.

Seek Mediation

Finally and most importantly, don’t be afraid to seek professional mediation from someone who can step into a tense situation and provide clarity. When a family is at odds over choosing the best method of care for an aging loved one, it can tear relationships apart – temporarily and even permanently. Before it comes to this, it is well worth the effort to seek professional mediation so that relationships are preserved and a sound decision can be reached in a reasonable amount of time.

Are you or someone you know struggling over making decisions for the future of an aging loved one? This can be one of the greatest challenges a family will face. Should you need input and advice, Ella Home Care is happy to explain the benefits of in-home care so you can make an educated decision for your family. Contact us today for a friendly conversation!

September 6, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel

A Healthcare Professional’s View of Home Care

Susan Severino is the owner of Severino Health Advisors, where she is an independent health advocate who works to represent the interests of the patient and their family. Her work as an Independent Health Advocate grew out of a need to help patients get the care they deserve and to also alleviate the stress and anxiety this often places on the family.

In the last 10 years, Susan has dedicated much of her time to caring for her aging parents. During that time, she learned ways to help her parents and others get the care they needed. Her personal experience caring for her parents, combined with more than 30 years in the healthcare industry makes Susan a wealth of knowledge when it comes to navigating the decision to use a home care agency to care for an aging loved one.

Ella Home Care talked with Susan to ask her a few key questions about her experience. What played a role in her decision to hire a professional caregiver to assist her in caring for her mother? What challenges or hesitations has she faced? Read on to learn more!

Ella Home Care: In your opinion, what are the benefits of using outside home care over taking care of your mother yourself?

Susan Severino: For me, one of the largest benefits was the peace of mind hiring a professional caregiver brought to my family. I regained the ability to work and live a normal life, while knowing my mother was in great care. It is also extremely convenient to have someone come to the home. Our caregivers are my eyes and ears to everything going on throughout the day and they can pick up on subtle changes taking place. Most importantly, a caregiver is reliable companionship for my mother.

EHC: How would you compare the benefits of home care over an assisted living community?

SS: My mother spent some time in an assisted living community, but did very poorly. With Dementia, she shuts down and becomes disoriented in an unfamiliar environment. She does best when she is in her home with one-on-one care.

EHC: What are the drawbacks to home care?

SS: The big question you have to answer is can you financially afford it? You are also welcoming someone into your home which can place you or your loved one in a vulnerable position if you don’t fully trust the person. There is less oversight to ensure a caregiver is administering proper care when you’re not there.

EHC: What are the signs that a loved one may need home care?

SS: I most commonly see a family transitioning into hiring a professional caregiver after a parent has experienced a fall or injury that makes it clear they need outside help on a regular basis. If you notice they cannot perform simple household tasks alone, such as cook a meal, clean the house or bathe, then it’s time to consider hiring a professional caregiver.

EHC: From a healthcare perspective, do you find many insurance policies cover home care?

SS: In certain instances, Long Term Care Insurance can pay for home care, but not everyone purchases a LTC policy. Another option could be a Medicaid waiver which provides money for care. However, in many circumstances I see the family pay out of pocket for these expenses. When you know it’s the best option for care for a loved one, you do what you have to do to make it work.

EHC: What are some of the biggest hesitations people have about home care?

SS: People often stress over whether they feel like they can trust an outside person to come into their home and properly care for a loved one. Have they been properly screened? Are they compassionate with their care? What if my parent develops a relationship with them and they take another job? My best advice is to listen to your instincts. Even if your home care company has fully vetted someone, do your job to screen them too! If you have any hesitations, request someone else. It’s important you know and trust the person caring for your loved one.

Are you considering home care for an aging loved one? Share what you have taken into consideration when making this decision.

5 Traits of an Exceptional Professional Caregiver

4 Myths About In-Home Care – Debunked

5 Things Only a Professional Caregiver Would Understand

How to Resolve Family Conflict Over Caring for an Aging Loved One

A Healthcare Professional’s View of Home Care

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