Dear Lifemaers Client: Inside this issue: LifemaerSTAR Award Pro- gram 2 Lifemaers Mission, Vision & Core Values 2 Care Management Associates 2 Lifemaers Contact Informaon 3 Time Tested Safety Tips 3 5 Reasons to Choose In-Home Senior Care 4 The Lifemaers Difference New York Times List of Re- sources—”Caring for the Elderly 4 4 We are delighted to announce that Lifemaers has been presented, for the second consecuve year, with the Home Care Pulse “2015 Best of Home Care Employer of Choice” Award. Companies that receive this award show that they support and train their caregivers; their caregiver sasfacon scores have earned them recognion as a top employer, and it is reassurance that the award recipient and its caregivers are dedi- cated to providing the best in-home care possible. Volume , Issue Lifematters Update News & Informaon for Lifemaers Clients As we move into 2015, I’d like to share with you some excing happenings at Lifemaers. Full care teams have been put in place for every client. In addion to caregiver(s), all of whom are cerfied, trained, and fully veed (including naonal background and driving checks) and bonded, the client has a dedi- cated team that includes a Client Staffing Coordinator who makes certain that all engagements are fully staffed by the appropriate caregiver(s), a Registered Nurse who performs the inial assessment for the cli- ent and then maintains ongoing supervisory visits, and a Director of Client Services who serves as the Case Manager, overseeing the full team. Of course, behind each team is our corporate senior management, to further ensure that all client needs are met. These care teams are based on the geographic locaon of the client. In addion, we have added a new posion to Life- maers — Director of New Client Services. This role will be focused on ensuring that every new client expe- riences a successful start with Lifemaers. The Director of New Client Services will then transion the client to his or her care team, making certain that the case runs smoothly from the very beginning throughout its en- gagement. We are confident that these enhancements will further ensure the comfort, safety and well-being of our cli- ents. If you have any quesons, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you, and best wishes for a wonderful 2015. Craig Goodman Chief Operang Officer Lifemaers February 2015 Lifemaers Chief Operang Officer Craig Goodman "“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creavity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." Sophia Loren Did you know … Acve older people resemble much younger people physio- logically, according to a new study of the effects of exercise on aging. The common view equang advancing years with physical decline may be off the mark. See more at: hp://www.taosinstute.net/20 14-ovdec#sthash.JWknKJd7.dpuf
Transcript
Dear Lifematters Client:
Inside this issue:
LifematterSTAR Award Pro-gram
2
Lifematters Mission, Vision & Core Values
2
Care Management Associates 2
Lifematters Contact Information
3
Time Tested Safety Tips 3
5 Reasons to Choose In-Home Senior Care
4
The Lifematters Difference New York Times List of Re-sources—”Caring for the Elderly
4 4
We are delighted to announce that
Lifematters has been presented, for
the second consecutive year, with
the Home Care Pulse “2015 Best of
Home Care Employer of Choice”
Award. Companies that receive this
award show that they support and
train their caregivers; their caregiver
satisfaction scores have earned
them recognition as a top employer,
and it is reassurance that the award
recipient and its caregivers are dedi-
cated to providing the best in-home
care possible.
Volume , Issue Lifematters Update
News & Information for
Lifematters Clients
As we move into 2015, I’d like to share with you some exciting happenings at Lifematters. Full care teams have been put in place for every client. In addition to caregiver(s), all of whom are certified, trained, and fully vetted (including national background and driving checks) and bonded, the client has a dedi-cated team that includes a Client Staffing Coordinator who makes certain that all engagements are fully staffed by the appropriate caregiver(s), a Registered Nurse who performs the initial assessment for the cli-ent and then maintains ongoing supervisory visits, and a Director of Client Services who serves as the Case Manager, overseeing the full team. Of course, behind each team is our corporate senior management, to further ensure that all client needs are met. These care teams are based on the geographic location of the client.
In addition, we have added a new position to Life-matters — Director of New Client Services. This role will be focused on ensuring that every new client expe-riences a successful start with Lifematters. The Director of New Client Services will then transition the client to his or her care team, making certain that the case runs smoothly from the very beginning throughout its en-gagement. We are confident that these enhancements will further ensure the comfort, safety and well-being of our cli-ents. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you, and best wishes for a wonderful 2015. Craig Goodman Chief Operating Officer Lifematters February 2015
Lifematters Chief Operating Officer
Craig Goodman
"“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age."
Sophia Loren
Did you know …
Active older people resemble much younger people physio-logically, according to a new study of the effects of exercise on aging. The common view equating advancing years with physical decline may be off the mark.
See more at: http://www.taosinstitute.net/2014-ovdec#sthash.JWknKJd7.dpuf
Our Mission: To dramatically improve the lives of our clients by helping them manage their personal and health care needs in the comfort and privacy of their homes.
Our Vision:
Ambition: To be the #1 Home Health Agency in the world.
People: To inspire our team to be the best they can be by creating an outstanding work environ-ment.
Productivity: To be a highly effective team and fast moving entrepreneur-ial organization.
“Each quarter, a selection
committee will identify
employees for this Award
who have shown
exemplary service.
Positive reports from
clients will be highly
regarded!”
Lifematters Update Page 2
Lifematters associates that are recipients of the award receive recognition in our internal news-letter and on our website. Each receives a certificate, a letter for their employee file, a gold star for their badge, and a financial re-ward.
Please help us identify our next LifematterSTAR!
Email or call Debbie Kaufmann ([email protected]/301.652.7212) and share YOUR highly positive experience with your Lifematters caregiver, nurse or other employee!
Many, many thanks from all of us at Lifematters!
Our Core Values:
Growth & Contribution
Service
Honesty
Innovation
Integrity
People
Excellence
Adaptability
Trust & Respect
Fun
Personal Accountability
Standards: To set the in-dustry standard for world class service by anticipating and exceeding our clients’ desires and needs.
Culture: To create a cul-ture that passionately meets the goals of our clients, community, associ-ates and partners.
Lifematters affiliate, Care Management Associates (CMA), has been coordinating care since 1999.
CMA advocates on behalf of elderly and physically disabled people. When you don’t know where to
turn, CMA can help. Its professional care managers include Senior and Associate Care Managers,
whose credentials range from nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other supportive counselors
and companions, all of whom are dedicated to helping people age successfully.
CMA can refer you to and help you manage doctors, physical therapists, and speech and occupational
therapists. They can assist in organizing and paying bills, and they can collaborate with hospice and
provide referrals to geriatric professionals including physicians, financial planners, attorneys, insur-
ance assistance, and Medicare assistance (no-cost medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital
beds, commodes, etc.). In addition, CMA can:
Assess client’s physical, medical, social, financial, and emotional status;
Review financial, legal or medical issues;
Provide care coordination;
Advocate for the client with doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, etc.;
Assist with long distance care management;
Provide companionship, accompany to appointments and events, spend time in the client’s
home doing activities the client enjoys;
Assist with long distance care management;
Provide clean and de-clutter services;
Refer and oversee Move Managers in setting up a new residence and/or moving a client to a
retirement community, assisted living facility or nursing home, including sale, auction or dona-
tion of clothes, furniture and other items remaining in the original home;
Refer and work with home remodeling/renovation professionals, for safer, easier and more com-
fortable aging-in-place.
For more information, please contact Mary Ann Buckley at 301.320.9617.
LifematterSTAR Awards … calling all clients to share your great caregiver stories with us!
We are always looking for care-givers, RNs, LPNs, and other asso-ciates that go ‘above and be-yond’ in their daily, normal work activities, accomplishing some-thing that drives positive out-comes for Lifematters and its clients that might not have other-wise occurred. Each quarter, a selection committee identifies employees for this Award who have shown exemplary service. Behavior that demonstrates our Core Values will be taken into consideration, and positive re-ports from clients will be highly regarded.
Lifematters has an important Mission, a bold Vision, and Core Values that we expect every employee to live by.
Lifematters
Delivering peace of mind!
Lifematters offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am through 6:00 pm.
Administrative Staff
Maryland & DC—301.652.7212 7768 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814
Craig Goodman, Chief Operations Office Ext 128
Gary Reburn, Chief Financial Officer Ext 113
Karen Stewart, Director of Flex Care Services Ext 110
As we or our loved ones age, it is im-portant to make certain changes to ensure safety, especially if memory loss is involved. Here are a few tips for ensuring we or our loved ones are safe in our homes as we grow older.
Avoiding Falls—Keep your bath-room safe; remove throw rugs, install grab bars, non-skid mats, and purchase a bench to use in the shower. An inexpensive alter-native to a shower bench is a plastic patio chair that is water-proof and easy to clean!
Bedroom Safety—Install a night-light, remove throw rugs, and secure closet doors (so those with memory loss don’t mistake it for the bathroom).
Stair Safety—Make sure the lighting is adequate and keep the lights on at all times; install non-skid strips on stairs; make sure the handrails are sturdy—it helps to have a handrail on both sides of the stairs.
General Home Safety—Install dead bolt locks instead of knob turn locks on all doors leading to the outside; eliminate clutter that can be tripped over or cause increased confusion; get rid of throw rugs; secure upper floor windows.
Medic Alert & Safe Return Pro-gram—all people registered with dementia who are still living at home should consider the Alzhei-mer’s Association Medic Alert & Safe Return Program. Call 1.888.572.8566. Participants are entered into a national database and receive a special ID bracelet and tips to use in the event someone wanders and gets lost.
Adapted from Arden Courts Memory Care’s “Time Tested Caregiving Tips” — for more information please visit www.ardencourts.com
Lifematters Update
DID YOU KNOW….
November 9-15 was
“National Home Care Aide
Week”, a week honoring
home care workers who
make a remarkable differ-
ence in the lives of patients
and the families they serve.
Our phones are answered 24 hours/day, seven days/week, 365 days/year. If you have an emergency, please call at any time; if it is after office hours, your call will be answered and depending on the nature of your need, will be sent to the appropriate Lifematters person, who will be back in touch with you within a short amount of time.
If and when you do need to contact Lifematters, here is the list of numbers and staff members you can speak with.
Lifematters Flex Care
If you or your loved one live (or are thinking about living) at an independent or assisted living facility or nursing home, Life-matters Flex Care on-site services can support your independ-ent lifestyle. Our certified nursing assistants help with shop-ping, transportation, and errands for independent living; meals, hygiene and medication compliance for assisted living; and full geriatric care for nursing home residents. Clients can enjoy the consistency of being with the same caregiver as they move to higher care levels, and we offer services in 30- or 60-minute intervals that can be scheduled daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis.
Lifematters has eight Flex Care locations in select independ-ent- and assisted-living communities. They are:
Falcon’s Landing—703.404.5195
Knollwood—240.507.9151
The Jefferson—571.388.8951
Sunrise at Montgomery Village—240.507.9149
Residences at Thomas Circle—202.626.5780
Ingleside at King’s Farm—301-767-5055
Kensington Park—301.651.8527
The Fairfax—301.356.5381, Extension 212
The following quote from President Barack Obama appeared on the National As-sociation for Home Care & Hospice website. He com-mented about caregivers, say-ing, “I have the highest respect for them, especially for the nurses, aides, and therapists, who devote their lives to car-ing for people with disabili-ties, the infirm, and dying Americans. There are few more noble professions.”
Very few seniors want to live anywhere other than the home they have known for years. In-home senior care is an alternative to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of senior residential housing options. Forcing seniors to leave their home and reside in an unwanted location often causes them to give up on life, both mentally and physically. Safety should always be the primary concern, but given a choice, every senior will choose to stay home. Services that in-home care agencies provide vary from state to state. Some in-home care programs provide medical oversight such as nursing and some of them do not. Medicare and Medicaid usually provide medical services. There are many reasons for choosing in-home care, but consider the top reasons to discover if in-home care is the answer for you and your loved one. Safety: Safety is the number one reason for in-home care. Safety equipment installed in the home makes it safer for seniors to remain there. Grab bars, walkers, wheel chairs, non-slip carpets, and other safety devices help keep your loved one safe. Individuals who assist with housekeeping chores can help keep pathways clear and uncluttered. They can make sure your loved one remains clean and gets the proper nutrition. Quality of life: The ability of a senior to stay in their home increases the likelihood that they will remain more active and independent. In-home care services are provided so your loved one can stay home, getting assistance with everyday needs that help keep them clean and safe. Remaining in their own home can motivate seniors to be as active as possible. Seniors who are able to stay in their own home generally have more family involvement. Prevention of caregiver burnout: A common problem when seniors stay in their own home is the danger of caregiver burnout. If the level of care seniors need to stay in their homes is high, family members providing care 24/7 can become overwhelmed and ex-hausted. In-home care can allow a person to stay with someone while you get out of the house and take a break from the everyday stress, providing you with peace of mind while you are gone. Your loved probably needs a break from you as well. In-home services provided: Services provided are diverse and dependent upon the state, location, and individual needs. In-home care normally does not include nursing or medical services. Medicaid and Medicare can provide medical oversight if your loved one has a need and meets the criteria. Trained personnel can assist with personal care such as bathing and grooming. Employees can assist with housekeeping chores, laundry, and meals. They can run errands and provide transportation. Some employees serve as companions and provide company for isolated seniors. They often do hobbies and other things together. Personalized care: Personalized in-home care assures that your senior will receive only the services they need. The type of care seniors need is varied and diverse. Some may need a few hours of housekeeping a week, and others may need around-the-clock care. Some home care services do not provide medical care but custodial care. Medicare and Medicaid often provide medical services to seniors while in-home care remains intact. The wide variety of services from different programs makes it possible to keep your loved at home for a long time to come. From In-Home Senior Care— SeniorCare.net. For more information and articles, please visit http://www.seniorcare.net/in-home-senior-care/
The Lifematters Difference
We provide consistent, top quali-ty service for both customers and employees through a unique combination of compassionate care, reliability and professional-ism.
Lifematters caregivers are not independent contractors; they are Lifematters employees, they are highly vetted and have insur-ance and workers’ compensation. Our caregivers and our clients are supported by dedicated client services and clinical team mem-bers as well as our corporate office associates. Our caregivers are highly trained, not just in basic home care, but in disease specialties including Alzheimer’s, ALS, Diabetes, MS and more.
And, we provide regular, ongoing assessments as well as unique transition programs to assist discharging clients from hospi-tal/rehab to home. And more!
MD Phone: 301.652.7212 VA Phone: 571.282.2600 Toll-free: 1.800.293.8973
by the Maryland Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene, Office of Health Care
Quality
MD License # R3022 District of Columbia License # NSA-0138
VA License # HCO-12375
Lifematters 7768 Woodmont Ave, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814
Check out our website! www.lifemattersusa.com
Looking for additional resources? The following list, “Caring for the Elderly” by Jane Gross, appeared in the New York Times Health Section and contains a wealth of infor-mation: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/noa_resources.html#LegalandFinancial
