Please Vote for Us!!

We are very pleased to announce that Comfort of Home Healthcare has been nominated for Best In- Home Care of St. Joseph through KQ2 - Stjoechannel.biz!

Please take some time and vote for us!! Thank you so much!

Just click on the Logo below and it will take you directly to the website to vote. 

Our dream and mutual vision to create a in home care company that we would trust to take care of our own families has exceeded our wildest imaginations. With our commitment to this vision, we have grown our company from one client and four employees to over thirty clients and over sixty employees in just over two short years. 

We would to acknowledge that without the grace of God, our families, employees and community none of this would be possible.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You do not know how much you mean to us..

Sincerely,

Tad Ulmer                                        Jason Douglas

Co-Owners/Operators, Comfort of Home Healthcare

Do you need in-home care???

Every day at Comfort of Home Healthcare we see and hear about more and more seniors who need professional help brought into their homes, yet they hesitate in actually making the decision to  go through with hiring an agency to provide any services.

The family needs to start taking an active role in keeping their ageing loved ones safe in their homes. Unfortunately, there isn't a "Home Care for Dummies" book at the office supply store to pick up and tell you what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

So here is some helpful information that we have picked up along the way through being in the home care business AND personally being in your shoes by needing to find a home care agency  (*see the who we are page) to provide services for our own loved ones.

Your family needs to ask this question: “Do we need to bring in a caregiver to help out?"

Here are some questions that can help you make this decision more efficiently.

1.   Does your loved one need help walking?
2.  Has there been a recent emotional or medical crisis with your loved one?
3.  Is your loved one unable to do errands alone?
4.  Have there been recent falls/injuries?
5. Have you noticed any recent memory issues? Early onset of Dementia/Alzheimer’s?
6.  Is your loved one neglecting their hygiene?
7.  Are they wearing the same clothes each day?
8.  Are medications either running out too soon or being left over?
9.  Does your loved one seem depressed?
10.  Is your loved one losing weight or having changes in appetite?
11.   Is your loved one neglecting their home?
12.   Has one loved one become the caregiver for the other?

If you can respond yes to even one of these questions, you really need to start seriously thinking about and considering in-home care for your loved one.

Once you have made the important decision to bring in help for your loved one, now you need to decide on whom. Through our (both owners) experiences before opening Comfort of Home Healthcare, we found that not all agencies are created equal.

You are going to have to interview and do research on who you are going to bring into your loved ones home to help out. We can’t stress enough how important this is. You need to feel comfortable with the agency you choose; and they should also be transparent about how they run their agency.

This is especially true in the private duty (private pay) industry. When there are no regulatory bodies, such as Medicaid or Medicare, etc. there are really no standards imposed on the industry.  You could potentially hire an unprofessional agency and unintentionally expose the home owner to a plethora of liabilities.

Here is a list of questions you’re going to want to know about the agency you hire:

1.        How long has the agency been in business?

a.       Is it privately owned or a franchise?

b.       If it is privately owned, why have they started the company? What’s their story?

c.       If it’s a franchise, who are the owners and who is the Director? 

2.       Are caregivers employees of your company (not 1099 contractors) and protected by workers compensation?

a.       If they are not employees, they are probably not protected by insurance and work comp.

3.       Does your agency carry liability coverage?

a.       If they do not, the home owner is completely liable if there is any accidents, etc. with the caregiver.

4.       Does your agency provide 24/7 telephone service?

a.       People need help other than 8a-5p Monday through Friday.

5.       Are your caregivers bonded and insured for theft/damages?

6.       Do you conduct national and local criminal background checks and driving records of all employees?

7.       Do you drug test employees?

8.       Do you provide backup coverage in the event a caregiver can’t make it to work? How do you do this?

a.       If they do not provide backup coverage, when the caregiver quits or is sick, there will be no one provided to help.

9.       Does your agency require a minimum number of hours per shift? If so what is it?

10.    Can your agency provide 24/7 services?

11.      How much say will the family have in your services?

a.       Do you get a say if you have a complaint?

12.     Do your services include personal care such as bathing, incontinence care, mobility assistance and medication assistance?

13.     Does your agency provide transportation services for clients?

a.       If so how do you bill it?

14.    Does your agency maintain a business office where I can meet you and the office staff?

15.     How does your agency document the caregivers work done in the home?

a.       If there is documentation from caregivers, what does it look like and where is it kept?

16.     Does your agency make supervisory visits to a client’s home?

a.       If so, by whom and when?

17.     Can you provide a list of professional references from families you have served in the past?

18.     Does your agency possess any state/local/federal contracts to provide in home care services?

19.    How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality? How?

20.   How quickly can your agency initiate service?

We hope you find this information helpful, and like always you can always call us with any question you might have. Were here to help!

Job Fair!!

Comfort of Home Healthcare is pleased to announce that we will again be at the St. Joseph Carrier Fair Tuesday April 16th at the Civic Arena.

We have experienced steady growth since we opened our doors and are always on the lookout for great caregivers to join our team.

If you know anyone that would be a good fit for us and that wants a job that truly makes a difference in someones life. Come visit us!!!!!

More information can be found over at the Saint Joseph Metro Chamber of Commerce Web site.

Effective Communication

Effective Communication
with the Elderly or Disabled

When a family member has to become the caregiver for an elderly parent or disabled family member the dynamics of a relationship will undoubtedly change. Effective communication needs to be a priority during this transition. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to best communicate with an elderly parent or disabled family member, because of all the changes that are taking place.

Communication needs to be beneficial for both the caregiver and the ill family member. Effective communication will keep relationships healthy and strong, and will help avoid problems that may come from miscommunication. The article below has some things you can keep in mind when trying to communicate with your family member. 

A communication breakdown during this time can be very harmful to everyone involved. So, this topic cannot be overlooked; it is essential to the caregiving process and to everyone's overall well-being. These simple tips can greatly improve your communication with the elderly or disabled. 

7 Communication Techniques for Talking to Elderly Parents

Caregiving results in major changes in a family: physical, emotional, social and financial issues can arise. It changes the roles, responsibilities and feelings within the family, which can lead to tension and fighting. Caregivers in the AgingCare.com community frequently support each other with "tricks of the trade" when it comes to effective communication with elderly parents.

We would like to share this knowledge, gained from caregiving day-in and day-out, with you. It doesn't always work, and it won't be easy, but we hope it helps you to cope and try to maintain or repair family relationships – and help you keep your sanity during your caregiving journey! 

Don't Give Advice Unless It's Asked For

Parents have advised their children their whole lives, so hearing advice from a child – albeit an adult child - might not go over so well. That parent-child role reversal is hard on the parent. Therefore, giving advice is best avoided unless you are sure it has been asked for. It is generally better to let an outside person be the advisor. You can encourage and provide support, without doling out advise. 

Listen to What Your Elderly Parent is Saying

Really listen. Listen to what the person is saying. Don't interrupt or try to fill in the silence. A period of silence could mean your family member is contemplating a response, thinking through the conversation and how to reply. Listening goes both ways, so try to determine that the person is hearing what you say.

Accept Differences of Opinions

No matter how close a family is, and despite the dynamics involved, everyone is not going to agree all of the time. There is sure to be differences of opinions. Respect the opinions of others; don't disregard them. Listen to all sides, and make a decision together when possible.

Speak Distinctly

Some older adults do not like to admit that they cannot hear or understand the conversation around them.  The higher pitch of women's voices may be a problem for older adults; consciously think to lower the voice pitch. Remain calm and talk in a gentle, matter-of-fact way, keep sentences short and simple, focusing on one idea at a time.

Don't Condescend

Make sure your attempt to "turn up the volume" and slow down your speaking patterns doesn't come across as condescending. Even if your parent suffers from dementia or extreme hearing loss, don't speak to them as you speak to a child. Patronizing is a sure way to start an argument.

Choose the Right Environment

Avoid competing noise or activities such as TV or radio. Face the person as you talk to them. When talking in a group, make sure that the elder is not on the end of the row.  It is better to place the senior in the middle so that the conversation is around them. Or perhaps a quiet walk works best for your elderly parent.

Consider What It Is Like To Be Old

Most seniors experience a series of losses during their later years and are trying desperately to stay in control of themselves and their environment. Letting others help feels to them like giving away control of things.

Pick Your Battles

Most elderly face multiple challenges as a result of growing older. The most common include mobility limitations, decreased stamina, living alone and memory problems. You will need to prioritize the issues you want to address and hope for small victories.

Laugh When you Can

Laughter really is the best medicine. Even in a difficult and stressful caregiving situation, there are some humorous moments. A shared laugh can ease tension while building closeness. However, be sure to laugh with your family, not at their expense.

Warning Signs of Health Problems

Warning Signs of Health Problems
How to Recognize When Your Parents Need Help

Sometimes it is hard to fully comprehend a situation unless you are on the outside looking in. As your parents begin to age it may be difficult for them to see warning signs of their declining health. They need someone who can identity the warning signs more efficiently so that they can get the help they need when they need it. There are some specific things you can be watching for in your parents in regards to their health and well-being. Ultimately you want your parents to be able to keep their independence as long as possible, but there may come a point when it is hard for them to do so. 

Whenever you are around your parents watch for the warning signs that are listed in this article. If you notice that certain aspects of their health are declining then there are ways you can take action and get involved in sustaining your parents health. It is important that you allow your parents to have a voice in any action you want to take, because they need to be informed and active in their healthcare.

There are ways you can approach your parents that will be both encouraging and beneficial for everyone involved. Don't be afraid to ask for help, no one person can take on caregiving alone, and Comfort of Home Healthcare is always available to come alongside you in the caregiving process. 

Read the following article carefully and be prepared to take the steps you need to take. As you care for them, always keep their best interest in mind. 

Aging parents: 7 warning signs of health problems

Concerned about your aging parents' health? Use this guide to gauge how your aging parents are doing — and what to do if they need help.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

As your parents get older, how can you be sure they're successfully taking care of themselves and staying healthy? When you visit your aging parents, ask yourself the following questions. Then, if necessary, take steps to help your aging parents maintain their independence.

1. Are your aging parents taking care of themselves?

Pay attention to your parents' appearance. Are their clothes clean? Do they appear to be taking good care of themselves? Failure to keep up with daily routines — such as bathing, tooth brushing and other basic grooming — could indicate dementia, depression or physical impairments.

Also pay attention to your parents' home. Are the lights working? Is the heat on? Are the bathrooms clean? Is the yard overgrown? Any big changes in the way your parents do things around the house could provide clues to their health. For example, scorched pots could mean your parents are forgetting about food cooking on the stove. Neglected housework could be a sign of depression, dementia or other concerns.

2. Are your aging parents experiencing memory loss?

Everyone forgets things from time to time. Modest memory problems are a fairly common part of aging, and sometimes medication side effects or underlying conditions contribute to memory loss. There's a difference, though, between normal changes in memory and the type of memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Consider your aging parents. Are memory changes limited to misplaced glasses or an occasionally forgotten appointment? Or are memory changes more concerning, such as forgetting common words when speaking, getting lost in familiar neighborhoods or being unable to follow directions? If you're concerned about memory loss for either of your aging parents, schedule an evaluation with the doctor.

3. Are your aging parents safe in their home?

Take a look around your parents' home, keeping an eye out for any red flags. Do your parents have difficulty navigating a narrow stairway? Has either parent fallen recently? Are they able to read directions on medication containers?

4. Are your aging parents safe on the road?

Driving can sometimes be challenging for older adults. If your aging parents become confused while driving or you're concerned about their ability to drive safely, it might be time to stop driving. To help your aging parents maintain their independence, suggest other transportation options — such as taking the bus, using a van service, hiring a driver or taking advantage of other local transportation options.

5. Have your aging parents lost weight?

Losing weight without trying could be a sign that something's wrong. For aging parents, weight loss could be related to many factors, including:

• Difficulty cooking. Your parents could be having difficulty finding the energy to cook, grasping the tools necessary to cook, or reading labels or directions on food products.
• Loss of taste or smell. Your parents might not be interested in eating if food doesn't taste or smell as good as it used to.
• Underlying conditions. Sometimes weight loss indicates a serious underlying condition, such as malnutrition, dementia, depression or cancer.

If you're concerned about unexplained weight loss for either of your aging parents, schedule an evaluation with the doctor.

6. Are your aging parents in good spirits?

Note your parents' moods and ask how they're feeling. A drastically different mood or outlook could be a sign of depression or other health concerns. Also talk to your parents about their activities. Are they connecting with friends? Have they maintained interest in hobbies and other daily activities? Are they involved in organizations or clubs?

If you're concerned about your parents' moods, schedule an evaluation. Depression can be treated at any age.

7. Are your aging parents able to get around?

Pay attention to how your parents are walking. Are they reluctant or unable to walk usual distances? Is knee or hip arthritis making it difficult to get around the house? Would either parent benefit from a cane or walker? Issues such as muscle weakness and joint pain can make it difficult to move around as well. If your parents are unsteady on their feet, they might be at risk of falling — a major cause of disability among older adults.

Taking action

There are many steps you can take to ensure your aging parents' health and well-being, even if you live far away. For example:

• Share your concerns with your parents. Talk to your parents openly and honestly. Knowing that you're concerned about their health might give your parents the motivation they need to see a doctor or make other changes. Consider including other people who care about your parents in the conversation, such as other loved ones, close friends or clergy.
• Encourage regular medical checkups. If you're worried about a parent's weight loss, depressed mood, or other signs and symptoms, encourage your parent to schedule a doctor's visit. You might offer to schedule the visit yourself or to accompany your parent to the doctor — or to find someone else to attend the visit. Ask about follow-up visits as well.
• Address safety issues. Point out any potential safety issues to your parents — then make a plan to address the problems. For example, perhaps your parents could use assistive devices to help them reach items on high shelves or to help them stay steady on their feet. A higher toilet seat or handrails in the bathroom might help prevent falls.
• Consider home care services. If your aging parents are having trouble taking care of themselves, perhaps you could hire someone to clean the house and run errands. A home health care aide could help your parents with daily activities such as bathing and dressing. You might also consider Meals on Wheels or other community services. If remaining at home is too challenging, you might suggest moving to an assisted living facility.
• Contact the doctor for guidance. If your parents dismiss your concerns, consider contacting the doctor directly. Your insights can help the doctor understand what to look for during upcoming visits. Keep in mind that the doctor might need to verify that he or she has permission to speak with you about your parents' care, which might include a signed form or waiver from your parents.
• Seek help from local agencies. Your local agency on aging — which you can find using the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging — can connect you with services in your parents' area. For example, the county in which your parents live might have social workers who can evaluate your parents' needs and put them in touch with pertinent services, such as home care workers and help with meals and transportation.

Sometimes aging parents won't admit they need help around the house, and others don't realize they need help. That's where you come in. Remind your parents that you care about them and that you want to do what's best to promote their health and well-being, both today and in the months and years to come.

Good Nutrition

Good Nutrition for Your Loved One

Proper nutrition is always an important aspect of a persons health, but it is especially crucial as people age and begin having health issues. The elderly need to make good nutrition a priority. Good nutrition will help avoid unnecessary health problems and may prolong the amount of quality life they have.

As their body goes through the aging process many changes will be taking place. Their body needs to be taken care of in every way possible. This will keep them as healthy as possible and will give them more energy. 

Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what changes to make in nutrition and eating habits. It is overwhelming to try and figure out a diet that best suits an individual person. There are people out there who can help during this process. The articles below give some good general rules to follow when encouraging your elderly family members to have good nutrition. 

The effects of good nutrition will always be seen in the long-run and will enhance a persons quality of life. Read the articles below to see how you can implement these nutrition tips into your life or your family members life. 

Encouraging Good Nutrition

  Helping your care-receiver develop and maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet can be a considerable challenge, especially if you’re an adult child taking care of an aging parent.
     As a body ages, the digestive system is more prone to heartburn and constipation. Dental problems may make chewing painful. Some medications suppress a person’s appetite or promote weight gain. Depression can bring on a change in appetite. Dad may simply not care about food. If Mom has memory loss, she may forget to eat or may think she has eaten. Finances may be tight. Some older people, after paying rent and utility bills, have little left over for buying food.
     It can also be difficult to eat properly when you’re alone. It’s so much easier to skip a meal or nibble on less nutritious foods when no one else is there.
     And then, too, we each develop our eating habits over a lifetime. While we may know about the basic food groups or the food guide pyramid, that doesn’t mean we always follow those guidelines. Changing lifelong habits is very difficult.

     As the adult child of an aging parent, you can encourage your mother or father to eat well. This doesn’t mean being pushy or disrespectful. It doesn’t mean ignoring a parent’s wishes. In fact, the more your care-receiver is involved in the process, the more likely it is to succeed.

     ●A first step may be to talk to your loved one’s doctor and ask for the help of a nutritionist who can tell you what he or she specifically needs.     Your care-receiver may have to keep a daily journal of exactly what he or she eats. (The results can be surprising, but we would probably all be surprised if we kept track of what we ate each day.) A nutritionist will recommend an appropriate diet — low salt, low sugar, or low fat; high in fiber or calcium; and so forth. Encourage your loved one to keep this diet. When the family gets together, make sure that foods on the diet are included in the menu. Don’t serve your loved one food he or she isn’t supposed to have. 

     ●Check with the pharmacist to find out if any of your care-receiver’s medications would react negatively to particular foods (like milk, for example).

     ●Be careful with vitamin pills. They aren’t a catchall that makes up for poor eating habits. It’s possible to take too many vitamins. And they’re expensive.

     ●Keep in mind that some older people find it easier to eat six smaller meals throughout the day rather than three regular-size ones.

     ●Make food preparation as easy as possible for your care-receiver. Freeze small portions that can be heated in the microwave. Make sure the food looks appealing.

     ●Check out local community resources to see what kinds of meal delivery programs are available. Maybe your parent would like to go to a “nutrition site” at the local senior center and have a hot meal in the middle of the day. Help arrange transportation if needed.

     ●Remember that no one likes to eat the same foods day after day. Encourage your loved one to eat a variety of foods within the prescribed diet, and make sure your care-receiver gets the items he or she prefers.

     ●When grocery shopping, realize it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying only ice cream or cookies or some other single food because “That’s all she wants” or “That’s all he’ll eat.” Like all of us, your loved one would prefer to live on a single, favorite treat; like all of us, he or she needs nutritious food for the best health possible.

Nutrition Tips for the Elderly

Try these 10 simple tips to improve the overall health and nutrition of the ones you love.

1. Serve several small meals rather than 3 large meals. Many elders have a decreased appetite and can only eat small amounts of food at a time. Serving more frequent meals helps make eating less overwhelming and can help provide the nutrition your loved ones need.

2. Provide water frequently. As we age, we lose our sense of thirst. This makes dehydration a common problem in the elderly. Make sure that water is always available and encourage your loved ones to drink even when they are not thirsty.

3. Make meals colorful and attractive. Use different colors, shapes and textures of foods to encourage elders to eat a variety of foods.

4. Use herbs and spices to add flavor. Because taste diminishes as we age, it’s important to make food taste good. Rather than using salt to add flavor, try dill, parsley, cinnamon, nutmeg, onions, lemon and other herbs and spices to make food taste flavorful. 

5. Encourage eating protein. Many elders do not consume enough protein. This can lead to muscle weakness, edema (fluid build-up), fatigue and a decreased ability to fight infection. Good sources of protein include chicken, fish, meat, eggs and milk.

6. Encourage foods high in omega-3 Fatty acids. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids help decrease the risk of heart disease, decrease inflammation (which can help those suffering from arthritis), and improve mood. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include tuna, salmon, sardines and walnuts.

7. Encourage eating foods high in fiber. Eating a high fiber diet can help prevent constipation, a common complaint in elders. Foods high in fiber include whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables.

8. Encourage eating foods with zinc. In elders, zinc deficiency is common due to an inadequate intake of zinc, decreased absorption of it, increased needs and more interactions with medications. Deficiency can result in decreased appetite and decrease sense of taste already common occurrences in the elderly. Good sources of zinc include fish, poultry, enriched grains and beans.

9. Make mealtimes enjoyable. To encourage eating, make mealtimes enjoyable. Eat with the ones you love, invite guests or simply engage in pleasant conversation.

10. Encourage getting physical activity. Even in the elderly, activity has been shown to be essential for decreasing the risk of chronic disease, maximizing mental capacity and having healthier muscles and bones. It also results in greater flexibility, more lean body mass, a better sense of balance, increased blood flow to the brain, a stronger immune system, less falls (and therefore less broken bones) and better overall health.

Why Choose Home Healthcare?

Why Choose Home Healthcare?

"When the time comes that a loved one needs help at home, the process of convincing him or her to accept help can be difficult. Most of us value our independence, and having someone come into one's home to assist with such intimate activities as bathing and dressing can be a problem.

But, as our population lives longer, and our aging parents have more impairments with aging, the need for workers who can enable elders to stay in their homes increases. Most elders, if asked, would say that they prefer to stay at home, rather than move to a facility as they age. How do we keep them safe at home, when we must rely on others to provide help with activities of daily living?" (agingcare.com)

When considering the next step in the healthcare process for the elderly or disabled, in-home healthcare is an excellent option. Comfort of Home Healthcare is a company that is dedicated to providing peace of mind for all clients and their families. Comfort of Home holds their home care services to the highest standard in all aspects of business and care. Their name stands for quality and integrity that is preserved above all else. If you are considering a home healthcare agency for your loved one, remember Comfort of Home Healthcare!

The article below gives the top 10 reasons for choosing home health care for your loved one, when it is necessary to make that decision.

Top 10 Reasons for Choosing Home Healthcare

• Home care is delivered at home. When we are not feeling well, most of us ask to be at home. We enjoy the sanctity of our residences and the joy of being with our loved ones. When our loved ones are ill we try to get them home and out of the hospital as soon as possible.
• Home care keeps families together. This is particularly important in times of illness. The ties of responsibility and caring can be severed by hospitalization.
• Home care prevents or postpones institutionalization.
• Home care promotes healing. There is scientific evidence that many patients heal faster at home.
• Home care is safe. Many risks, such as infection, are eliminated or minimized when care is given at home.
• Home care allows for the maximum amount of freedom for the individual. Patients at home remain as engaged with their usual daily activities as their health permits.
• Home care promotes continuity. The patient's own physician continues to oversee his or her care.
• Home care is personalized and tailored to the needs of each individual. Patients receive one-on-one care and attention.
• Home care is less expensive than other forms of care, especially lengthy inpatient hospitalization.
• Home care is the form of care preferred by the American public.
• Home care can prevent re-hospitalization and decrease the need for urgent care.