Author: Risa Margulies

Decade of Distinction: Family & Nursing Care Earns 10th Consecutive NBRI Circle of Excellence Award

Posted on by Risa Margulies

NBRI Circle of Excellence Recipient AwardFamily & Nursing Care is honored to receive the National Business Research Institute’s (NBRI) Circle of Excellence Award for the 10th consecutive year. This prestigious recognition highlights organizations that demonstrate exceptional client, staff, and caregiver satisfaction, as measured by data collected throughout 2024. The award is especially meaningful because it reflects the feedback of our own community.

“Receiving this award for the 10th consecutive year is a testament to our enduring commitment to providing access to compassionate and reliable home care services,” said Jeff Zukerman, President of Family & Nursing Care. “The trust and satisfaction of clients, caregivers, and staff drive us to continually improve, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Family & Nursing Care remains dedicated to enhancing the experiences of clients, caregivers, and staff, and will use insights from the NBRI survey to better understand their needs. The survey results reaffirm our commitment to excellence, and we are proud to share some key insights from last year’s feedback:

  • Caregivers rated 90% of the survey topics as strengths, with Job Satisfaction and Culture ranking at the top for Family & Nursing Care Select Caregivers. Caregivers did not classify any topics as weaknesses or threats. The highest scoring item, exceeding the best-in-class level of 90% satisfaction, was “I am proud to tell people I work with/for Family & Nursing Care.”
  • Our office staff survey assesses 14 different areas, all of which were identified as strengths. Several topics exceeded a satisfaction level of 90%, including office culture, fair treatment of staff by the company, and the feeling that their work is impactful.
  • New clients reported 90% satisfaction with the office staff at Family & Nursing Care. Nearly 90% felt their concerns were addressed during the initial intake process and they are satisfied with their Client Service Managers. Among all clients, 100% said they would recommend Family & Nursing Care to a friend or family member.

For over 56 years, Family & Nursing Care has been a trusted and leading home care resource in the Mid-Atlantic region. By consistently assessing and acting on the feedback of everyone in our community, we can ensure that the services offered continue to meet the highest standards today and in the future.

To learn more about our award-winning culture, visit the Family & Nursing Care Why Us webpage.

The Impact of Caregiving on Family Caregivers

Posted on by Risa Margulies

With an estimated 48 million people in the U.S. taking care of adult relatives or friends and 61% working fulltime while caregiving, it comes as no surprise that these people are having trouble balancing their competing responsibilities. What’s more, the sandwich generation – adults who care for their parents while still raising their own children – is growing faster than ever, putting increased pressure on individuals caring for family members of all ages, whether it’s assisting with daily activities, medical care, finances, and emotional support.

Combatting the Strain on Family Caregivers

Fortunately, there is greater recognition of the strain that caregiving can have on families, and industries are beginning to come up with new ways to help ease the burden. For example, some employers are starting to expand their benefits to help with elder care. According to a recent Mercer survey of companies with 500 or more employees, 34% currently offer or plan to offer within the next year elder care referrals or consultations; 20% offer access to back up elder care services; 17% offer concierge caregiver support; 16% offer care coordination navigation services; and 14% offer elder care leave. Not only will these benefits help keep workers in their jobs longer, but it acknowledges the important role of caregiving.

At the same time, there also are tried-and-true methods to help family caregivers, like home care. Not only can home care make a big difference by providing older adults with personalized, daily living support to help them maintain their independence at home, but it can offer respite to family members that their loved ones are being taken care of when they are not there.

The Impact of Home Care on Family Caregivers

Home care provides many practical benefits for family members who may not have the extra time to care for their aging parents on top of their other responsibilities like raising children and working a full-time job, including:

  • Keeping loved ones out of the hospital. Research shows that when people can recover at home after a hospitalization, they recover faster. For this reason, home care can be especially helpful for older adults transitioning home after a hospital stay, as caregivers can help with daily activities like picking up prescriptions and preparing meals that allow them to get the rest and recovery they need.
  • Providing peace of mind. The average family caregiver spends more than 20 hours per week caring for their loved one at home. Home care is an ideal solution for the sandwich generation and older adults who need help with daily living activities but can’t always rely on family members to maintain their independence. Caregivers can help with medical appointments, mobility around the home, medication reminders, and more.
  • Improving mental health. A strong social life has been linked to many benefits for older adults, including a longer life expectancy, fewer health conditions, and improved well-being. Later in life, it can become harder to maintain the same levels of social connectedness that was once had. That’s where caregivers can play an important role by offering companionship, friendship, and warm conversation.
  • Giving people more time to do what they love. As we age, it’s normal for activities to take a bit longer than they used to, and home care can help ensure the tasks of daily living don’t keep older adults from enjoying the activities that matter most. Whether it’s putting away groceries or hanging clothes in the closet, caregivers can help older adults complete tasks around the house safely and more efficiently, so they can spend more time focusing on their favorite pastimes.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

Family & Nursing Care stands ready to support families and reduce their physical and mental load. As one of the most well-respected home care resources in the Mid-Atlantic region, we’ve made it our mission to help older adults live their fullest independent lives in the comfort of their own homes. For more than 56 years, we have helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to a network of over 1,500 experienced caregivers who can assist with a range of home care tasks, including:

  • Activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, feeding, and toileting.
  • Mobility assistance, including helping someone get up, walking, transferring into or out of bed or a chair, turning and positioning in bed, range of motion exercises, and more.
  • Companionship, which includes taking walks, providing company at mealtime, social activities, family events and other functions, errands, accompanying on appointments, and transportation.
  • Support services, such as doing laundry, washing dishes, taking out the trash, and light housekeeping.
  • Nutrition and paying close attention to dietary needs, preferences, and restrictions by preparing meals and snacks, assisting with feeding, and encouraging fluids.
  • Disease specific care, which can include specialized support for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hospice and palliative care, pneumonia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services, visit the Home Care Services page on our website.

 

 

 

What Observation Status Means for Patients and How Family & Nursing Care Can Help

Posted on by Risa Margulies

Imagine a family member goes to the hospital for a routine outpatient procedure. During the visit, your loved one encounters some unexpected complications, like their blood pressure rising or the doctor discovers something else during the procedure, and the hospital decides to keep your family member overnight for additional testing and monitoring. While many might think this person has been admitted as an inpatient, this person may actually be put on “observation status.”

Why Does Observation Status Matter?

The distinction between inpatient versus observation status can have a significant impact. Financially, for patients on Medicare, they are considered outpatients when on observation status, meaning there may be greater copays and other uncovered out of pocket expenses. Further, since outpatient status is not considered a hospital admission, this means patients won’t qualify to go to a rehab facility following their hospital stay. Only those formally admitted for three overnights are covered by Medicare for follow up care in a skilled nursing facility. Yet, these patients who were put on observation status may still require support at home, especially since the first 48 hours after discharge from a hospital are critical to their safety and health. That’s where home care can make all the difference.

Enter Family & Nursing Care

Regardless of status, Family & Nursing Care helps patients receive the crucial care they need as they transition home from the hospital. During the first 48 hours post discharge, when there is the most confusion and misunderstanding of needs and instructions and there are often delays in the start of Medicare or Medicaid services, there is a dramatic difference in successful transitioning between patients who utilize home care services and those who do not.

As a regional leader in providing access to compassionate and reliable home care services since 1968, Family & Nursing Care’s Hospital to Home program helps ease the transition for patients after a hospital stay in the following ways:

  • Easy and quick access to experienced and compassionate caregivers can provide clients a safe and comfortable environment for recovery at home.
  • Family & Nursing Care liaisons are available to visit with patients and their families while the patient is still in the hospital to help them understand their options for coverage and care at home.
  • Support can be obtained on a short-term basis to help with the transition home or on a longer-term basis as needed.
  • No up-front deposits or long-term commitments are required.

Family & Nursing Care is always willing and ready to help people even at a moment’s notice when they leave the hospital. With responsive and supportive staff and access to compassionate and reliable caregivers, Family & Nursing Care can truly make a positive difference in older adults’ lives while offering their families peace of mind.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

With 75% of Family & Nursing Care clients needing in-home care within 48 hours, we pride ourselves on being nimble enough to get a caregiver in the door within that immediate timeframe. These caregivers can help in many ways, including:

  • Managing tasks of daily living, such as errands, medication pick-up, groceries, meal preparation, bathing, dressing and support for those who may be at risk for a fall, as well as helping clients digest all the information thrown at them upon discharge from the hospital.
  • Assisting with specific client needs by ensuring they adhere to a special diet, practicing breathing techniques and required exercises, reminding them to take medications on time, and more.
  • Using their knowledge and to recognize “red flag” symptoms, such as edema, shortness of breath, and fever.

The bottom line is regardless of whether a patient is on observation status or considered inpatient, when they are discharged from the hospital, Family & Nursing Care stands ready to provide the resources needed to help them recover in the comfort of their own home because when hospital readmission statistics are lowered, everyone benefits.

To learn more about how Family & Nursing Care can help clients with their transition home from the hospital, visit the Home Care Services page on our website.

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect 10: Family & Nursing Care Remains the Best of Bethesda

Posted on by Risa Margulies

After a joyous holiday season, Family & Nursing Care is excited to continue the celebrations into the new year by announcing a significant milestone: for the 10th time, our company has earned the distinction of “Best In-Home Care Service” in Bethesda Magazine’s annual Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll! For us, this award is especially meaningful because it was voted on by people in our community.

“At Family & Nursing Care, nothing is more important to us than the positive experiences of our clients, and this award reflects our enduring commitment to enhancing the quality of life of older adults,” said Jeff Zukerman, President of Family & Nursing Care. “We’re proud to offer access to compassionate and reliable home care services year after year, and our gratitude goes out to the families who continue to place their trust in our team to take care of them and their loved ones.”

From things to do and places to eat to service providers and more, each year local feature and lifestyle publication Bethesda Magazine encourages readers to identify the best of all that Bethesda and its surrounding areas have to offer. The Best of Bethesda awards allow locals to highlight companies within the community that are benefiting the local economy, offering quality customer experiences to neighbors, and continuing to make Montgomery County a beautiful, quality place to call home.

For more than 56 years, Family & Nursing Care has helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to caregivers who assist older adults with their needs – whether it’s daily living support, companionship, mobility assistance, disease-specific care, and more. Clients like Phyllis Ross know firsthand the difference this care makes. “My caregiver knows when I need an arm around my shoulder or when I need to be alone listening to music or reading a book – she truly has wonderful instincts and feels like a member of my family,” said Phyllis.

As we celebrate this incredible achievement, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to clients, caregivers, and professional partners for allowing our team to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve each year!

Home Care Tips from a Seasoned Client

Posted on by Risa Margulies

Donald Berlin’s wife, Norma, has been a client of Family & Nursing Care for more than five years. Throughout her home care journey, they both have learned a lot about the benefits of home care for older adults. From finding the right caregiver match to honing in on the appropriate services for Norma’s unique needs, Donald has seen the positive difference home care can make firsthand. Today, he would like to share more about their experience and the value of home care.

Donald and Norma Berlin’s Home Care Journey

Nearly six years ago, like many of her older adult peers, Norma Berlin was diagnosed with neurocognitive impairment. Facing this new reality and the changes that were about to take place, their family physician recommended that they consult with a care manager for extra support. Sensing the burden of care that would fall on Donald to care for Norma, the care manager suggested having a caregiver in the home to have an extra set of hands to help manage care tasks.

At first, the Berlins brought on a caregiver for just a few hours a week, but that person wasn’t a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), which is something they wanted. Eventually they turned to Family & Nursing Care Select for caregiver assistance. Over time, the number of hours of caregiver support increased to meet the family’s needs. At first from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week, then later adding weekend help. Eventually, they arrived at their current schedule, which is 10 hours per day, seven days a week, involving the help of three different caregivers working separate shifts.

While Donald explained that it took some time for both him and Norma to feel comfortable with the idea of having caregiver support, he now says it’s been a wonderful journey, and he would highly recommend home care support to others. For those who are considering it, he offered some advice and tips to keep top of mind.

Home Care Tips

  1. Don’t feel guilty about bringing on a caregiver. Donald described how he felt a lot of anxiety over this important decision to get caregiver support. Often times, people will question whether they need a caregiver and think they can manage the support for their loved one themselves. That, combined with not knowing what to expect or look for, can result in a lot of guilt about doing something different. But he says people shouldn’t feel ashamed for needing additional help. They should embrace the opportunity for an extra set of hands, which is not only helpful to the person who needs assistance but to their spouse and entire family.
  2. Having caregiver support can be as much for you as it is for your loved one who needs the help. When discussing their home care journey, one story Donald brought up was how he and Norma used to eat in the dining room of their senior living community every night to help with socialization after her diagnosis. While this was beneficial for the first few years, eventually eating in the dining room caused extra stress for Norma, so they decided she would eat dinner in their apartment with a caregiver, which made her feel more comfortable. Donald felt it was important for his own mental health to continue to go out and do things like eating in the dining room. Even though it was a little awkward at first going there without Norma, he got used to it and this change turned out to be helpful for both of them. He says that having the extra support from a caregiver has been a gift to him. Not only does he have the peace of mind that Norma is in good hands, but he can continue to focus on taking care of himself, including going to the gym, eating healthfully, and getting adequate sleep. In fact, he said maintaining good health is equally important for the family care giver as it is the person who needs the care, so family can be there for their loved one as their health declines and not feel overwhelmed and burned out.
  3. Caregivers are professionals. More than an aide or caregiver, Donald remarked how he likes to use the term Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) when describing the people who support Norma. He said that referencing the professional license the caregiver holds signifies that they have the proper training, were approved by a responsible body, and they can help you. Above all, it provides a sense of comfort for you and your loved ones. Whether it’s an extra set of hands around the house or companionship, caregivers can help out in many ways, making them invaluable.
  4. Finding the right caregiver match is critical but it takes time. While Donald said the three caregivers who support Norma now all do a terrific job, it took time to build chemistry, and it’s important to be patient. He said matching the temperament and personality of a caregiver with Norma was more than a skill, and it won’t always be the right fit at first. He explained that over time, caregivers can develop an intimate relationship with the person they are caring for and, often times, they may know how to care for that person better than family members, which should be seen as a significant benefit. In fact, Donald said how he has seen many caregivers develop such close bonds with their clients that they become like family members. At the same time, he also shared how the relationship is a two-way street between the person responsible for arranging the care for their loved one and the caregiver. In this regard, Donald mentioned how when he gives instructions to his wife’s caregivers, they of course will listen to him but, on many occasions, he would ask them if there was a better way to do something. He explained how this kind of feedback not only was beneficial to him and Norma but also the caregiver who would feel validated that their skills and input are valued.
  5. Home care provides enormous value. Upon reflecting on his and Norma’s experience, Donald emphasized how beneficial having caregiver support has been for them. One example he provided was how they moved into a senior living community just prior to when the COVID-19 pandemic began, which was a scary and challenging time, but he came to realize how well trained their caregivers were. Not only were the caregivers able to support Norma during this time, but they were all equipped with the appropriate personal protective equipment, which was provided to them by Family & Nursing Care Select, and they were always up to date on the latest guidelines and recommendations as the pandemic evolved, which helped put him at ease. Further, Donald explained how he didn’t realize the richness and breadth of the services provided by Family & Nursing Care – when you work with us, you’re getting more than just a caregiver, you’re getting an entire organization with many people working behind the scenes to ensure seamless support.

The final insight Donald shared was that the sooner he was able to accept that there was nothing he could do to improve Norma’s health the better it was for him emotionally. It took him some time to arrive at this conclusion, but he said once he did – combined with having the extra help of a caregiver – it was a tremendous weight off him.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

Family & Nursing Care is one of the oldest and most well-respected home care resources in the Mid-Atlantic region. Since 1968, we’ve helped tens of thousands of older adults and their families by providing access to a network of more than 1,500 caregivers who can assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, errands, meal prep, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship, and more. To learn more about how home care can help you live your fullest, independent life at home, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit the Contact page on our website.

 

The Rise in the Sandwich Generation and What it Means for the Home Care Industry

Posted on by Risa Margulies

With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 each day according to the Census Bureau, the sandwich generation – adults who care for their aging parents while still raising their own children – has grown to nearly 80 million people in the United States. And with nearly 90% of adults over the age of 65 preferring to age in place, this has meant that caring for older adults has fallen on the shoulders of the sandwich generation more than ever before.

The Sandwich Generation Evolution

The term sandwich generation was first coined in the 1980s to describe women in their 30s and 40s who were sandwiched between aging parents and young children. Over time, it has evolved to describe anyone who is responsible for caring for two generations at the same time, regardless of gender or age. Today, this group is shifting from Generation X to Millennials, and the COVID-19 pandemic has led to more men taking an active role in caregiving duties. Other factors that have impacted sandwich generations include more two-income households, higher divorce rates, and economic fluctuations.

The sandwich generation often provides assistance in many ways, including daily activities, medical care, finances, and emotional support for both their parents and children. This can create financial and emotional stress, which is why it’s important to prioritize self-care. Thankfully, there are options like home care that can help ease the burden of caring for aging parents.

“While the concept of the sandwich generation is not new, the pressure has never been greater on individuals who need to care for family members of all ages,” says Mitch Markowitz, Vice President of Business Development at Family & Nursing Care. “That’s where home care can make a big difference by providing older adults with personalized, daily living support to help them maintain their independence at home, while offering respite and peace of mind to their children that they are being taken care of when they are not there.”

The Impact of Home Care

For adult children who may not have the extra time to care for their aging parents on top of their other responsibilities like raising children and working a full-time job, home care provides many practical benefits, including:

  • Keeping loved ones out of the hospital. Research shows that when people can recover at home after a hospitalization, they recover faster. For this reason, home care services can be especially helpful for older adults transitioning home after a hospital stay, as caregivers can help with daily activities like picking up prescriptions and preparing meals that allow them to get the rest and recovery they need.
  • Providing peace of mind. The average family caregiver spends more than 20 hours per week caring for their loved one at home. Home care services are an ideal solution for the sandwich generation and older adults who need help with daily living activities but can’t always rely on family members to maintain their independence. Caregivers can help with transportation to medical appointments, mobility around the home, medication reminders, and more.
  • Improving mental health. A strong social life has been linked to many benefits for older adults, including a longer life expectancy, fewer health conditions and improved well-being. As we age, it can become harder to maintain the same levels of social connectedness. That’s where caregivers can play an important role by offering companionship, friendship, and warm conversation.
  • Giving people more time to do what they love. As we age, it’s normal for activities to take a bit longer than they used to, and home care services can help ensure the tasks of daily living don’t keep older adults from enjoying the activities that matter most. Whether it’s putting away groceries, hanging clothes in the closet, or staying up to date on the latest technology, caregivers can help older adults complete tasks around the house safely and more efficiently, so they can spend more time focusing on their favorite pastimes.

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

With the sandwich generation continuing to grow and more being put on their plates, Family & Nursing Care stands ready to support families and reduce their physical and mental load. As one of the oldest home care resources in the Mid-Atlantic region, we’ve made it our mission to help older adults live their fullest independent lives in the comfort of their own homes. Here’s some of what sets us apart:

  • For 55 years and counting, we’ve assisted tens of thousands of families by providing access to caregivers who help with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, errands, meal prep, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship, and more.
  • Our longstanding relationships with hospitals, senior living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care insurance companies allow us to liaise in the coordination of what can often be an overwhelming process for clients and families. Whether it’s coordinating home care when a sudden need arises or supporting families following a hospital discharge, our team stands ready to support them 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • Only the top 8% of Caregivers who apply meet our unwavering standards of excellence, ensuring every Caregiver we work with is the best-of-the-best.
  • Given Family & Nursing Care’s record as an A+ rated company by the Better Business Bureau and a Circle of Excellence recipient by the National Business Research Institute, it’s no wonder why more than 25% of Family & Nursing Care employees have been with the company for over 10 years.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services, visit the Why Us? page on our website.

 

Client Services Manager Spotlight – Savannah Staubs

Posted on by Risa Margulies

Savannah Staubs joined the Family & Nursing Care team in January 2022 as a Client Services Manager Associate before being promoted to Client Services Manager this past summer. She has also been an integral part of Family & Nursing Care’s Nights & Weekends team for the past two years. In addition to her other responsibilities, Savannah supports the clients and families at the following Maryland-based Senior Living Communities: Brooke Grove Retirement Village in Olney, Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, and Wilshire Estates Gracious Retirement Living in Silver Spring.

With a background in case management for youth involved in the foster care system, as well as teaching and mentorship, Savannah has brought this experience to her current role where she strives to make an impact on clients and help guide them through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Known by clients for being conscientious, a great listener, and detail oriented, Savannah is committed to an elevated level of customer service through empathy, guidance, and compassion tailored to each person.

A graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Sociology, Savannah enjoys spending her free time making pottery, drawing, and going to concerts.

 

At Family & Nursing Care, our team of highly trained Client Service Managers serve as liaisons, educators, listeners, and problem solvers to help meet clients’ needs every step of the way. They are responsible for communicating with clients, families, and healthcare professionals, while working in tandem with Care Coordinating Managers to match the right Caregiver to each client. To learn more about how our team can help, visit our Client Services Managers webpage.