Category: Blogs

Caregiver Appreciation Picnic

Posted on by Risa Margulies

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!

Building a Stronger Community: Family & Nursing Care Foundation Awards $60,000 in Annual Grants

Posted on by Risa Margulies

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.

 

Planning Ahead for Care During the Holidays

Posted on by Risa Margulies

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.

 

World Mental Health Day: Enhancing Support for Our Aging Population

Posted on by Risa Margulies

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.

 

 

What Older Adults Can Expect from Home Care Services

Posted on by dcadmin

With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 each day in the U.S. and approximately 62 million people total over 65 – or 18% of the population – the need for extra support among older adults has never been greater. At the same time, close to 80% of adults prefer to age in place. Enter home care.

The Benefits of In-Home Care Services

Home care is personalized, daily living support that helps older adults maintain their independence at home. Home care services may include assistance like bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, errands, meal prep, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship, disease-specific support, and more. While the appeal of extra help around the home is undeniable, home care services provide many practical benefits as well, including:

  • Comfort: Clients can receive personalized care and attention in familiar surroundings, which can improve both their physical and emotional well-being as well as improve recovery.
  • Independence: Home care can help older adults improve their function and live with greater independence without having to relocate from their homes.
  • Quality of Life: Home care can help people experience an increased quality of life, including faster recovery from illness or injury, better symptom management, and improved functioning. Research shows that when people are able to 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 seniors to get the rest and recovery they need.
  • Safety and Peace of Mind: Home care can help keep people safe at home and facilitate compliance with medical recommendations. At the same time, home care can give your family peace of mind. The average family caregiver spends more than 20 hours per week caring for their loved one at home, oftentimes on top of their other responsibilities associated with raising children and working a full-time job, which research shows can have an adverse impact on family’s emotional, physical and financial well-being. In-home care services are an ideal solution for older adults who may want help with daily living activities at home, but don’t want to rely on family members to maintain their independence.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Long-term care is an incremental cost that can catch many elderly adults and their families off-guard as they age, and while home care services are paid for privately by seniors, either out of pocket or from a long-term care insurance policy, home care can actually be more affordable than older adults assume. For example, the annual cost of a private room at a nursing home – a cost Medicare won’t cover – in the U.S. is more than $108,000. In contrast, home care services are often billed at an hourly rate, with most seniors only needing a few hours of extra support at a time.

A Leading Home Care Resource

As one of the oldest and most well-respected home care resources in the Mid-Atlantic region, Family & Nursing Care’s mission is to help older adults maintain their quality of life as they age. For more than 55 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 services, 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.

Whether it’s arranging home care services when a sudden need arises or assisting families following a hospital discharge, our team stands ready to help 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s why 98% of clients would recommend Family & Nursing Care to a friend or family.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit the Home Care Services page on our website.

Vote for Family & Nursing Care in the Best of Bethesda Reader’s Poll!

Posted on by Risa Margulies

 

Family & Nursing Care has moved on to the Elimination Round in Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll, and voting is now live! Please vote for us as the best In-Home Health Care Service in the Health & Wellness category by casting your vote at the link below.

We are proud and honored to have been voted as the area’s best in-home care provider nine times. Please help us make it a perfect 10! Voting ends September 30 – so please vote today!

Earning recognition such as this is important in helping spread the word about our services so we can reach even more clients and families in times of need. Thank you in advance for your support!

The Impact of Home Care on Stroke Patients

Posted on by dcadmin

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Tragically, it’s also the fifth-leading cause of death, with about 160,000 people in the U.S. dying from stroke-related issues each year. It’s clear that the effects of a stroke can be devastating for individuals and their families, robbing them of time together and independence.

Specialized Home Care Services to Help Prevent or Manage a Stroke

However, some more encouraging news is that there are ways to either prevent or manage a stroke – and that’s where home care support can play an important role. To help decrease the chances of suffering a stroke, caregivers can provide the following home care services to assist older adults:

  • Manage risk factors, like monitoring high blood pressure or scheduling doctor’s appointments to check cholesterol, in addition to picking up prescriptions and providing transportation.
  • Improve one’s diet by preparing meals in accordance with a plan set by a doctor, home health nurse, or nutritionist, such as low sodium, low cholesterol, low fat, vegetarian, or vegan.
  • Encourage physical activity and healthy habits by promoting regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep.
  • Provide emotional support and help manage stress by asking clients about what kind of aid they need and then providing that support.

At the same time, when an unfortunate event does occur and someone suffers a stroke, a care plan can be developed to help the stroke patient regain the highest possible degree of independence and quality of life at home.

Caregivers can assist stroke patients in many ways, including:

  • Providing practical, emotional and recovery support, such as helping with tasks like shopping, cooking, medication reminders, and personal care.
  • Encouraging stroke patients to work toward recovery, including assistance with at-home exercises.
  • Monitoring the behavior of stroke patients to help ensure safety and prevent falls.
  • Coordinating medical appointments
  • Helping with memory issues and anxiety.

Unsurprisingly, there is a level of uncertainty for how long the effects will last, or whether abilities will improve with time, which makes determining whether a stroke patient remains at home very difficult. Fortunately, caregivers have experience and are familiar with the many situations where a stroke survivor might require support, ultimately providing the stroke patient and their family with some respite and peace of mind.

A Leading Home Care Resource

As one of the oldest and most well-respected home care resources in Maryland and Washington, D.C., Family & Nursing Care’s mission is to help older adults, including stroke patients, maintain their quality of life as they age. For more than 55 years, we have helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to a network of over 1,500 experienced Caregivers who assist with activities of daily living, mobility, errands, meal prep, and companionship, in addition to more specialized support, such as stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hospice and palliative care, pneumonia, heart disease, and depression. With only the top 8% of Caregivers who apply meeting the organization’s rigorous screening process, Family & Nursing Care’s specially trained Caregivers can provide home care support and assistance to stroke patients and their families.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services and support for stroke patients, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit the Home Care and Stroke page on our website.

What is Home Care and Why is it so Important for Older Adults?

Posted on by dcadmin

For many older adults, they often face the difficult decision of where to live and enjoy their golden years to the fullest. Fortunately, several options exist, from moving into nursing homes and senior living communities to downsizing their space, but the most popular choice remains staying right at home. In fact, according to an AARP study, 77% of people over the age of 50 prefer to age in place. While this is a great idea for many people, successfully aging in place requires careful planning, including decisions about additional help in the home with safety, mobility and daily activities at the forefront.

So how do you choose what type of senior care you need to maintain your quality of life at home? The two most common options available are home care and home health care. While one might think this is the same thing, there actually are some key differences and important considerations when deciding how to manage your in-home care needs. Read more below to see these distinctions and help you determine the support that fits you best.

Home Care vs. Home Health Care Services

Home care, also known as private duty home care, provides non-clinical assistance to help older adults maintain their independence at home. This includes personalized, daily living support, including home care services like running errands, transportation to appointments, grocery shopping, meal preparations, grooming and dressing. Home care may also include companion care, mobility assistance and managing chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease.

Home health care, on the other hand, involves medical services being provided to older adults in the comfort of their own home. This type of support is similar to the care received at a hospital or a skilled nursing facility. Home health care services include physical, occupational or speech therapy, post-surgery health monitoring, wound care, catheter care, IV administration, pain management, and nutrition services.

Eligibility

Home care can continue for as long as someone wants based on their budget and individual needs. Home health care, however, may require a doctor’s order and is often recommended for people with chronic conditions, those recovering from surgery, or older adults with serious diseases and conditions.

Providers

Home care services can be performed by people who are not licensed medical professionals, like certified nursing assistants, but home health care services must be performed by licensed healthcare professionals, such as a registered nurse.

Costs

Since home health care is prescribed by a physician, many expenses for these clinical services and medical equipment are Medicare-eligible. However, to qualify for home health care Medicare coverage, older adults must be deemed “home bound” by their doctor. Home health care is also only rendered on a short-term, intermittent basis. Additionally, Medicaid is another federally funded program that can be used to pay for some home care services that Medicare does not cover. Ordinarily, there is a long application and qualification process to begin Medicaid services since it’s based on financial need.

Conversely, private duty home care is paid for privately by older adults and their families, either out of pocket or from a long-term care insurance policy. Because of this, there are no eligibility requirements, and anyone is free to use the service on a short-term or long-term basis. In addition, there is the flexibility to match clients with caregivers based on skills, preferences and overall compatibility.

What Type of At-Home Care is Best for You?

As mentioned above, the type of at-home care needed varies from person to person. While home health care is better suited for older adults who need in-home nursing services for medical assistance, private duty home care is more flexible and can be a great way to support everyday activities on a short or long-term basis. Private duty home care may also be an ideal option for older adults following:

  • Discharge from a hospital or rehabilitation facility
  • Decline in mobility or independence
  • A fall
  • Loss of a companion
  • Relocation of an adult child or family caregiver

A Leading Home Care Resource

As one of the oldest and most well-respected home care resources in Maryland and Washington, D.C., Family & Nursing Care’s mission is to help older adults maintain their quality of life as they age. For more than 55 years, we have helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to a network of over 1,500 experienced Caregivers who assist with activities of daily living, mobility, errands, meal prep, and companionship, in addition to more specialized support, such as diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hospice and palliative care, pneumonia, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services and how it can help older adults age with dignity, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit our website.

The Importance of Home Care for Older Adults Living with Diabetes

Posted on by dcadmin

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 10 people in the United States are living with diabetes. What’s more troubling is the percentage increases as people age, with nearly 30% of those 65 or older having diabetes. This is particularly concerning since older adults are more likely to develop diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease, kidney failure, and hypoglycemia.

Specialized In-Home Care for Diabetes Patients

While there is currently no cure for diabetes, some more positive news is that the disease can be effectively managed with medications and a change in diet and exercise. To help establish a healthy lifestyle and manage blood sugar and insulin levels, home care offers a solution to lessen the impact of diabetes on one’s health and well-being.

Caregivers can provide the following home care services to assist older adults with diabetes:

  • Preparing meals in accordance with a plan set by a doctor, home health nurse, or nutritionist, such as low sodium, low cholesterol, low fat, vegetarian, or vegan.
  • Managing health care, including scheduling doctor’s appointments, picking up prescriptions, and providing transportation. Caregivers can also learn about the diabetes patient’s medications, supplies, and equipment, such as blood sugar monitors and test strips.
  • Monitoring health, including blood sugar levels and checking for signs of problems like wounds that aren’t healing. They can also help with foot care, such as checking toenails for swelling or signs of infection.
  • Promoting healthy habits by encouraging regular physical activity, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep.
  • Providing emotional support by asking the diabetes patient about what kind of aid they need and then providing that support.

Diabetes patients who would benefit from home care the most are those with frequent hospital admissions, diabetic wounds or foot ulcers, multiple new medications, or underlying disease processes that may contribute to poor diabetic control.

A Leading Home Care Resource

As one of the oldest and most well-respected home care resources in Maryland and Washington, D.C., Family & Nursing Care’s mission is to help older adults, including diabetes patients, maintain their quality of life as they age.

For more than 55 years, we have helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to a network of over 1,500 experienced Caregivers who assist with activities of daily living, mobility, errands, meal prep, and companionship, in addition to more specialized support, such as diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hospice and palliative care, pneumonia, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

With only the top 8% of Caregivers who apply meeting the organization’s rigorous screening process, Family & Nursing Care’s specially trained Caregivers can provide home care support, education, and assistance to diabetes patients and their families.

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services and support for diabetes patients, call us at 800-588-0517 or visit the Home Care and Diabetes page on our website.