Comfort of Home Healthcare is Pleased to Announce a Second Location!

Comfort of Home Healthcare is pleased to announce that its second location is officially up and running!!!! We have started our office in a great central location north of the river in Briarcliff.  

Comfort of Home Healthcare 

1201 NW Briarcliff Pkwy, Ste 210

Kansas City MO 64116

Enter the doors on the left of BMO bank and we are on the second floor. 

While we have your attention for a moment we would also like to introduce our new website. 

 Head on over and check it out!!

www.comfortofhomehealthcare.com

As always, please don't hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions. We are here to help!!!

Kansas City Location Coming Soon!!

Comfort of Home Healthcare would like to proudly announce that we will soon have a second location in the Kansas City area.

We are looking for office space right now and we will announce the address when we have it locked in. All details will be ironed out in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!!!

As Comfort of Home Healthcare prides itself on providing quality care to seniors and people with disabilities we are searching for some Direct Care Aids to provide services to our clients we already provide services to in the Gladstone area.

This is where we need your help! Please let anyone you know who might be looking for a position in this field and in the Gladstone/NKC area that we are hiring.

If your not sure what a Direct Care Aid is, here is a video that gives you a little insight of what it is like.

Here is a link to our present job posts on Craigslist for the Gladstone/NKC area.

• Looking for Direct Care Aid to work in an ISL setting. Guardian requests that we staff home with male staff.

• We also need evenings and overnights for another client in an ISL. 

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.

Happy New Year!!!

As we wind down the last day of the year, Comfort of Home Healthcare would like to wish you a wonderful 2015!

 “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” 
― Neil Gaiman

Tips for Seniors in the Winter Months

You wouldn't know it being 50 out on December 15th, but winter is going to be here any moment. 

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.

·    

   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!

We are looking for some outstanding caregivers!!!

Comfort of Home Healthcare is looking for some outstanding people to join our family!

If you are the type of person that longs for meaningful work and not just a job? This is the opportunity for you. It's not every job that you can come home at the end of your shift  knowing that you personally helped another person.

John Wooden said, “You can’t live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” Here at Comfort of Home Healthcare, that's exactly what you get to do!

Right now we are looking for people in two locations. 

We are looking for Direct Care Aids for people with disabilities in the North Kansas City/ Gladstone area. 

Kansas City Job Post Can be Found Here.

We are also hiring for all positions in St. Joseph MO (Immediate need for caregivers who want to work with seniors)

St. Joseph Job Post Can be Found Here.

You can apply for a position in a number of ways. 

• HERE is a link to our application.
• Either Email or Fax it to us. 
• info@comfortofhomehealthcare.com
• Fax 816-901-3054

• Call us anytime from 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. 816-671-0298 ask for Melanie.

• If your interested in the St. Joseph area, you can drop by anytime from 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. 2207 South 36th Street, St. Joseph MO.

• Kansas City applicants, please set up a phone interview with Melanie at the number above. 

We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully welcome our newest member of the Comfort of Home Healthcare family!

Direct Care Staff.. What is it?

Comfort of Home Healthcare commonly posts information about seniors and how to be a caregiver for them. This is a growing concern for many of us with ageing parents and grandparents. 

Did you know that Comfort of Home Healthcare also provides support for people with disabilities? 

We recently posted some information trying to recruit employees for  open positions working with people who have disabilities and ran across some videos that accurately depict what these employees can expect on a shift with us. 

We wanted to share this video with all of you. You might have a passion for helping others and have not thought about working with people other than seniors. 

There are very few jobs out there that you can honestly say that you helped another person at the end of your day and feel good about it. 

Well, this is one of those jobs... With Comfort of Home Healthcare you get to have a job your passionate about. Let me tell you that is pretty rare in this day and age. 

 

If you have any questions and/or feel this is a great fit for you, let us know. We are more than happy to talk to you.