One of Family & Nursing Care’s guiding values is to respect and recognize Caregivers. The cornerstone of our Caregiver appreciation and engagement program is our annual Caregiver Appreciation Picnic.

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, close to 500 participants, including Caregivers and some of their young children, and Family & Nursing Care staff, gathered at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg, MD, for the annual Caregiver Appreciation Picnic. Between the amazing BBQ food, traditional West African dishes, and ice cream served, the music, video booth, face painting, games, caregiver gifts, cash raffles, and more, a great time was had by all!

The sunny weather made it a beautiful day to gather outside and show our appreciation for Caregivers for all that they do each and every day!

At Family & Nursing Care, our mission is to help older adults age with dignity and comfort. This commitment extends to every aspect of our work, especially through the Family & Nursing Care Foundation. Since 2008, the Foundation has been a beacon of hope for lower-income adults, providing essential funding to organizations that offer home care services, while also investing in the future of caregiving by supporting aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

This year, thanks to the unwavering support of our donors and community, the Family & Nursing Care Foundation, which operates as a fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, is thrilled to announce it will be awarding $60,000 in grants to local organizations dedicated to making home care accessible to those in need. The recipients of the 2024 grant cycle include:

• $20,000 to Home Care Partners
• $20,000 to Community Reach of Montgomery County
• $20,000 to the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA)

These grants will provide over 7,000 hours of comprehensive home care services, ensuring that more low-income seniors can safely remain in their homes with the care they need.

In addition to these grants, the Family & Nursing Care Foundation is proud to continue its commitment to nurturing the next generation of caregivers through our scholarship fund. Established in partnership with Montgomery College, this $50,000 fund supports students pursuing their CNA license. Each year, $10,000 is awarded to deserving candidates who require financial assistance, helping them achieve their dreams and contribute to the future of home care.

“With the aging population growing rapidly, the need for quality home care and skilled caregivers has never been more critical,” says Sandy Kursban, Founder of Family & Nursing Care and Chair of the Family & Nursing Care Foundation. “The Family & Nursing Care Foundation is committed to helping solve this challenge by empowering low-income seniors to access the care they need and by supporting the education of future CNAs who will play a crucial role in our community. We are incredibly proud to continue this vital work for our 16th year and look forward to seeing the positive impact of these grants for many years to come.”

To learn more about the stories of those who have benefited from the Family & Nursing Care Foundation’s work or to make a donation to support next year’s grant cycle, please visit the Family & Nursing Care Foundation webpage.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to start planning for your care needs. Whether you are hosting family at home or joining the millions of people traveling, managing a care plan for yourself or a loved one shouldn’t add to your holiday stress. Family & Nursing Care is here to help ensure the smooth planning and execution of your care plan during this festive time of year.

Planning Ahead for the Holidays

Finding caregivers during the busy holiday season can be challenging. “With the holiday season right around the corner, families often face the dual challenges of managing travel plans and ensuring the safety and well-being of older loved ones. The higher demand for caregivers during this time, coupled with unpredictable winter weather which can make traveling more difficult in addition to increasing the risk of fall-related injuries for older adults, can create additional stress for families,” explains Kelly Ann Sharp, Director of Client Services at Family & Nursing Care. “Our priority is to provide seamless support so that families can focus on enjoying the holidays, knowing their loved ones are in good hands.”

Family & Nursing Care, with its 24/7/365 days-a-year support, is always ready to assist, regardless of the time of year. However, it’s never too early to begin evaluating and planning for holiday care needs. To ensure the best possible support, Sharp and fellow Director of Client Services, Natalie Blickman, recommend reaching out to your Client Services Manager as soon as your holiday plans are set.

Tailoring Care to Your Needs

Home care is never one-size-fits-all. During the intake process, Client Services Managers work closely with clients and their families to determine the best level of care and services for the holiday season.

Some clients may prefer to continue their regular services on specified holidays, while others may need extra support during this busy time. Examples of holiday-specific care include:

• Overnight support while a primary caregiver is out of town
• Mobility or companionship assistance during family gatherings
• Transportation to and from holiday events
• Assistance with packing for travel
• Support with seasonal traditions, such as mailing holiday cards or preparing special recipes
• Companionship to ensure your loved one isn’t alone

“The holiday season should be a time of joy, not stress, but balancing travel plans and caregiving can sometimes feel overwhelming,” says Sharp “Our goal is to take the stress out of it, so families can not only have the peace of mind that comes with having the support of a Caregiver who feels like family, but so they can enjoy these special moments to the fullest.”

Getting Started

To arrange home care services during the holidays, current clients should contact their Client Services Manager, who will review unique care requests and answer any questions before scheduling care.

The holidays are also a time when many older adults consider starting home care services for the first time. As Blickman notes, “Holiday gatherings often highlight the ways in which an older family member could benefit from additional support. Whether it’s daily living assistance or companionship, our team is here to help.”

New clients can get started by calling Family & Nursing Care at 800-588-0517 to connect with a Client Services Manager. The intake process includes a series of questions to help match clients with the best Caregiver for their needs.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s holiday services and 24/7/365 support, visit the Home Care Services or Contact Us webpages.

As we observe World Mental Health Day on October 10, it is crucial to highlight the increasing need for mental health awareness and support among older adults. With the global population aging rapidly, an estimated 1.4 billion people – or one in six – will be 60 years old or older by 2030. This demographic shift brings both opportunities and challenges, especially as it relates to mental health.

Many older adults remain in good health, but as they age, they face heightened risks for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. These issues are often compounded by physical health challenges, including reduced mobility, chronic pain, frailty, and dementia. Addressing these mental health issues is critically important when it comes to helping seniors lead fulfilling and dignified lives.

World Mental Health Day serves as a vital opportunity to raise awareness about these issues and promote actions that can improve the mental well-being of older adults. Just as June’s Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month emphasized the need for greater understanding and resources for cognitive diseases, October’s focus on mental health highlights the broader spectrum of emotional support required for our aging population.

“On World Mental Health Day, it’s crucial to recognize that mental well-being is as essential as physical health for older adults, though often overlooked,” says Kelly Salb, Vice President of Client Services for Family & Nursing Care. “At Family & Nursing Care, we are committed to providing older adults and their families access to high-quality care, companionship, and daily living assistance, ensuring that seniors not only have their physical needs met but also their emotional and psychological needs.”

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

Family & Nursing Care is a longtime leader in providing access to best-in-class care for older adults. We understand the unique mental health challenges of seniors and offer specialized home care services to address them as best as possible. Our network of professionally certified Caregivers has extensive experience supporting clients’ overall well-being, including:

• Companionship Services: Social isolation and loneliness can significantly affect mental health. Companionship services – which range from assistance with normal routines and taking a walk to providing company at mealtime and accompanying on appointments – provide meaningful interaction and emotional support, helping seniors stay engaged and connected. By fostering relationships and offering regular social contact, professional caregivers can help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve mental well-being.
• Mobility Assistance: Physical limitations can exacerbate mental health issues. Mobility assistance services – including help getting up, walking, transferring into or out of bed, and range of motion exercises – help seniors maintain their independence and participate in activities that enhance their quality of life. This support not only aids in physical mobility but also contributes to mental health by encouraging a more active and connected lifestyle.

World Mental Health Day is an important occasion to reflect on the mental health needs of older adults and consider how we can make a difference. Whether through home care services or by offering support to loved ones, every effort contributes to a more supportive environment for seniors. To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services, visit our Mobility Assistance and Companionship webpages.

Lauren Whaley joined the Family & Nursing Care team in October 2020 as a Client Services Manager Associate before quickly being promoted the next year to Client Services Manager. In addition to her other responsibilities, Lauren supports the clients and families at Riderwood Senior Living in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she enjoys making home visits and getting to know each client on a personal level to better understand their needs.

Prior to joining Family & Nursing Care, Lauren worked at Make-A-Wish Foundation and Easterseals where she helped assist families in need. This experience combined with her diverse skill set and passion to enhance the lives of others has helped her excel as a Client Services Manager.

Known for providing a high level of customer service through empathy, guidance, and compassion, the clients and families Lauren supports often sing her praises. Her attention to detail, dependability, organization, and calm demeanor allows her to effectively communicate and connect with clients and co-workers alike.

A graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Family Science, Lauren enjoys spending her free time with family and friends and being outdoors as much as possible.

At Family & Nursing Care, our team of highly trained Client Service Managers serve as liaisons, educators, listeners, and problem solvers to help meet clients’ caregiving 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.

While summertime brings sunny skies and the chance to spend more time outdoors – especially as families look to reconnect – extreme heat can also disproportionately impact certain populations. Recognizing that older adults are more prone to heat-related health problems, like muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, or even heatstroke, it’s important to prevent or respond to any warm weather issues as they arise.

That’s where Family & Nursing Care’s network of highly trained Caregivers can play a critical role in helping clients avoid any warm-weather health issues. Here are some of the ways they can assist to ensure family’s loved ones are safe during the heat of summer:

• Hydration: Hydration is key in the summer, especially for older adults. Caregivers can make it easier for clients to drink plenty of fluids during hot summer days by making sure there is plenty of cool water to drink both in the home and when they are outside and by reminding them to drink frequently.

• Proper attire: The best clothing for summer is light weight and made of natural materials like cotton or linen. These materials tend to be more comfortable and help our bodies stay cool. Before outings, Caregivers can help ensure their clients are wearing weather-appropriate clothes and have sunglasses and a hat with them to protect from sunburns, irritated eyes, glaucoma-related sensitivities, skin cancers, and more.

• Heatstroke: Older adults have a harder time regulating their body temperature, making them more prone to heatstroke, which can be quite dangerous. In extreme heat, Caregivers can help their clients avoid serious issues by watching for changes in their condition which can be precursors to heatstroke. Common signs of heat stroke include a body temperature over 104 degrees, headaches, nausea, not sweating despite the heat, dry or flushed skin, and fainting. Older adults with these symptoms should be taken to a cooler indoor space, where they can lie down and have ice packs put on their body. A Caregiver can also call 911.

• Mobility Issues: Even normal day-to-day activities require more energy in the summer heat, making it easier to get tired quickly. For older adults who have mobility issues, this problem is exacerbated. Caregivers can provide mobility support to your loved ones, ensuring they enjoy outdoor weather and don’t get too tired while out and about.

“While it’s important for everyone to stay active regardless of the time of year, it’s vital when being outdoors during the summer to take the proper precautions and ensure you are prepared for the warmer weather,” says Rachel Sanford, a Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing for Family & Nursing Care Select. “Older adults are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, which is why it’s very helpful for someone else, like a Caregiver, to be on hand, to assist with the right tools and guidance to help prevent and/or respond quickly to any warm-weather related issues.”

For more information about the services available at Family & Nursing Care, visit the Home Care Services webpage. For more information about the impact of heat on older adults, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.