COHH is Pleased to Announce ~ Shared Life, Live-in Companion

Comfort of Home Healthcare is happy to announce that it’s looking for some caring individuals to make a huge difference in the life of another person. We normally provide more “traditional” in-home care services to seniors and people with disabilities.

Comfort of Home Healthcare was founded from a passion and drive to make a difference in people’s life’s, fueled by our own personal experiences.  Providing the best care possible to people who need help to remain independent is our sole goal and focus each and every day. With this commitment in mind, we cannot be more excited to begin a new journey in providing a non-traditional model of care for people with developmental disabilities in shared life, or live in companion.

The live in companion model, utilizes a shared home/ shared life approach to provide supports to people with developmental disabilities. This means that a person with a disability lives with and shares a home with a paid caregiver.

Shared Living is based on the importance of enduring and permanent relationships as the foundation for learning life skills, developing self-esteem and learning to exist in interdependence with others. 

The essential future of the Shared Living experience provides an opportunity for each individual with a developmental disability to grow and develop to his or her greatest potential and to participate in everyday community life. 

Shared living also provides individualized attention based on the needs of the individual with developmental disabilities. Shared living gives individuals opportunities to be completely immersed in their community and take an active role in their life.

Some of the many reasons Comfort of Home Healthcare is excited to be starting this type of service because the Shared Living model are: (taken from Division of Developmental Disabilities)

·        Inclusion in the community has been and continues to be a major focus of supports for people with disabilities. The Shared Living model has proven to be as good means for providing true inclusion in a person’s community, if the individual is matched and well supported by the Shared Living Provider.

·        Shared Living can provide both a stable support system and a higher quality of life for the person receiving services. The issue of staff people “revolving” in and out of the person’s life is minimized.

·        Shared Living can also provide a stable, flexible, higher quality of life for the individual.

·        This model provides the training and services quality review needed to assure the person served and the system of the highest possible quality and cost-effectiveness of the services.

Companions (paid caregiver) typically work Monday-Friday and begin each day when the consumer awakes. They assist the consumer with their morning routines, daily care, medications, meal preparation, etc.

Most consumers attend a day program, have a job or attend school and the companion is off work during these times. If the consumer is not gone during the day, then the companion is with the individual to assist them throughout the day. The companion also assists the consumer in the afternoon and evening time with their evening/night routines and then typically goes to bed after consumer has done so

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Companions are salaried positions and are tied to weekdays. Companions are live in, this means that their rent and utilities are paid for, in addition to their salary.  

Each companion has the option of taking weekends off. During this time Comfort of Home Healthcare provides relief staff. ____________________________________________________________

Comfort of Home Healthcare, right now is actively seeking Companions and Relief staff for a woman with a developmental disability. As far as we know, we will be the first one in our area under this model, it will be exiting to start with us and be the first. 

Please help us spread the word to someone who you think this would be perfect for. It is absolutely paramount that we find the right person for this model and will keep interviewing until we find it.

If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact us. 816-671-0298, Ask for Jason. 

CAUTION: Preventing Falls in the Elderly

CAUTION

Preventing Falls in the Elderly

Statistics show that falls among the elderly are the most common fatal injury in the home. It is crucial that necessary steps be taken to prevent these falls from happening. Comfort of Home Healthcare makes the safety of their clients a priority, and they need families to come alongside them in these efforts. There are specific preventative measures that can be taken in order to avoid falls among the elderly as much as possible. If the injuries from a fall are not fatal, they still cause more challenges for the elderly person as they now have to deal with the effects of the injury and the recovery process. Here are some practical steps that can be taken to help insure the safety of your home for your loved one:

1. Stairways should have handles on both sides.
2. Attach safety treads to steps.
3. Remove all tripping hazards such as throw rugs, furniture, and any clutter from walkways. 
4. Use self-adhesive non-skid mats or safety treads in bathtubs, showers, bathroom floors, and pools. Any slippery surface is a potential hazard for slips and falls. 
5. Use non-skid rugs on bathroom floors.
6. Use non-skid pads under rugs on bare floors.
7. Install grab bars on both sides of toilets and bathtubs, especially those used by seniors.
8. Consider having them use a walking aid, which will help with stability in and out of the home.  
9. Talk to their doctor about other ways to reduce the risk of falls. This may include changing medication, exercising to improve strength/balance, etc. 

According to statistics in 2008, 19,700 elderly adults died from injuries they sustained during a fall. This number can be decreased if we are more aware of the risks and take the necessary steps toward preventing these falls. Our families and our loved ones will benefit as a result. 

Here are some resources that will give you more information about how to assess the risk of your loved one for falls, and how to be as preventative as possible:

The Prevention of Trips, Slips, and Falls in the Elderly

Falls Among Older Adults: An Overview

Preventing Slips and Falls Among Older Adults

Tips for Seniors Though the Winter Months

Well, winter is here. Monday morning I had to wake up 20 minutes earlier than normal to start my car before work. And since entrance of the digital age, I no longer even have a CD case to scrape off my windshield! Rough times, this winter.

It was not that long ago when I had more to worry about than where the ice scraper was. My wife and I had moved her elderly mother into our home. Every winter now it reminds me of all our loved ones who have mobility issues and how difficult winter can be.

If you yourself need a little extra help now and then, if you are caring for a loved one, or even if you’re loved one just recently needs a little bit of extra help. Here are some tips that you’re going to need to keep yourself or your loved ones safe for the next couple of months.

·       If you are not able to do everything for your own. Ask for help silly!!!

The most important tip to keep in mind is to ask for help. If you need help to clear the drive, sidewalks, etc. don’t hesitate to ask a family member, neighbor, social service agency or hire a professional. Really, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

·       If you’re worried about your loved one.

o   Check in on them regularly, if you live out of town, arrange for neighbors/family to check in.

o   Arrange for someone to keep sidewalks shoveled and de-iced.

o   Make sure your loved one has emergency supplies.

o   Arrange transportation if need be, have groceries delivered, etc.

o   Hire a professional in home care agency such as Comfort of Home Healthcare to come in and help take good care of your loved one during these months.

·       Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!!! There are a handful of likely scenarios that are going to happen during the winter season, prepare for them.

o   Power Outages - At some point, a winter storm is going to lead to a power outage. Make sure there is easy access to flashlights and a battery powered radio. Stockpile warm blankets. Keep some non perishable food and water stored away. Here is a winter weather checklist you might find useful.

§  Oxygen – if you or your loved one is on oxygen you/they most likely have a generator supplying it. If your power goes out you will need backup tanks. Have a supply of both large tanks and smaller portable tanks readily available.

o   Home Heating Safety

§  Service the furnace every fall to make sure it’s in working order.

§  Have all chimneys and flues inspected yearly and cleaned as needed.

§  Install and upkeep on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

·       Using a fireplace, gas heater or lanterns can lead to carbon monoxide poising. Be SURE to pay special attention to the carbon monoxide detectors and get an updated one if needed.

§  Keep a fire extinguisher handy, replace as needed and know how to use it.

§  Place space heaters at least three feet from any curtains, betting, etc.

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   Stay Inside – This is an easy one. If you don’t have to get out, don’t. Seniors are more susceptible to hypothermia. Conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, severe arthritis and even some medications can limit the body’s response to cold.

o   IF you have to go out – Dress appropriate, even for a “walk out to the mailbox”. One slip and a fall could mean that your outside for longer than you anticipated.

·       Fight Wintertime Depression – Not being with others and spending more time indoors can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

o   Call family members and check in daily. Get as much contact with others as possible.

o   If you are the family member, call your loved one as often as possible. Even a short daily phone call can make a big difference. If you can visit, even better!

These are just some simple tips and are not intended to be all encompassing. Be sure to get with your family and create a plan as everyone is different and will have different needs.

We hope you find this helpful and hope that you and your loved ones stay safe this winter season. Like always; Comfort of Home Healthcare is here to help, call us if you need anything!