ayshomecare

Lucy Andrews is New Chair of the CAHSAH Policy, Advocacy and Public Affairs (PAPA) Committee

2009-02-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

Lucy Andrews, CEO of At Your Service Home Care, has been selected as the new chair of CAHSAH’s Policy, Advocacy and Public Affairs (PAPA) Committee. She has been an active member of the PAPA committee, and last year was awarded CAHSAH’s (California Association for Home Services at Home) Individual Grassroots Award for her outstanding federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the non-medical home care industry.

The committee achieved many milestones. Among the most significant accomplishments were:

•Aggressively advocated for increased Medi-Cal rates for home health providers in the Legislature and was victoriously awarded a court injunction reversing the July 2008 10% Medi-Cal provider reimbursement cuts.
•Passed AB993 (Aghazarian-2007) into law with virtually unanimous support in both houses of the legislature. The bill holds the State Department of Public Health accountable for controlling licensure fees, established accountabilities and timelines for accomplishing surveys and reduced the training requirements for home health aides.

“It is an honor to assume the chair position,” beamed Andrews. ”I look forward to a year of advocacy and ‘home care friendly’ policies at both the federal and state levels.”

Elder Abuse: Here, There and Everywhere

2008-12-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

Elder Abuse: Here, There and Everywhere

By Lucy Andrews RN MS CEO
At Your Service Home Care
Santa Rosa CA. 95405

If you don’t think it can happen to your family, think again. A national elder abuse panel states “According to the best available estimates, between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection.¹
This is a staggering statistic and a subject that may some day touch many of us, if it hasn’t already. An even bigger problem is estimates showing for every one case of abuse reported five cases go unreported.^2>

This means all around us there is potential harm to one of our most valuable resources, our elders. All types of elder abuse, physical, emotional or financial are on the rise. Just last month in Sonoma County CA. alone, there were two cases of financial abuse prosecuted. That does not measure how many actually happened and were not reported. Local agencies are straining to meet current demand for investigation. Many state agencies are worried, knowing, as the financial climate declines, elder abuse, especially financial, goes up. Knowing the number of elders needing care increases as the general population ages, abuse becomes a looming issue for all members of the community. So how can we help to protect our elders, family members and ourselves?

The following signs from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) are clues that may indicate a problem exists, and that a report needs to be made to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services (APS).

Physical Signs
Injury that has not been cared for properly
Injury that is inconsistent with explanation for its cause
Pain from touching
Cuts, puncture wounds, burns, bruises, welts
Inappropriate administration of medication
Soiled clothing or bed
Lack of necessities such as food, water, or utilities
Lack of personal effects, pleasant living environment, personal items
Forced isolation

Behavioral Signs
Fear
Anxiety, agitation
Anger
Isolation, withdrawal
Depression
Non-responsiveness, resignation, ambivalence
Contradictory statements, implausible stories
Hesitation to talk openly
Confusion or disorientation

Signs by Caregiver
Prevents elder from speaking to or seeing visitors
Anger, indifference, aggressive behavior toward elder
History of substance abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior, or family violence
Lack of affection toward elder
Flirtation or coyness as possible indicator of inappropriate sexual relationships
Conflicting accounts of incidents
Withholds affection

Signs of Financial Abuse
Frequent expensive gifts from elder to caregiver
Elder’s personal belongings, papers, credit cards missing
Numerous unpaid bills
A recent will when elder seems incapable of writing will
Caregiver’s name added to bank account
Elder unaware of monthly income
Elder signs on loan
Frequent checks made out to “cash”
Unusual activity in bank account
Irregularities on tax return
Elder unaware of reason for appointment with banker or attorney
Caregiver’s refusal to spend money on elder
Signatures on checks or legal documents that do not resemble elder’s signature.

Everyone needs to be aware of changes in their loved one’s behavior or that of their caregiver. One critical factor in prevention of elder abuse is regular observation and oversight of the elder and caregiver.
Routine assessment of a client’s physical well being and behavior and that of their caregiver provides needed insight to the overall health and wellness of the elder.

Look for clues identified above when visiting elders to evaluate signs of potential abuse. Remember if you think something is “funny” it probably is. Trust your instincts.

The best protection is knowledge, attention and oversight. We encourage families to follow in the steps of agencies such as Adult Protective Services and hire caregivers though a full service home care agency rather than hire caregivers privately.

Client and caregiver oversight allow a full service agency (employer of caregivers) to directly observe the caregiver client relationship and oversee care being provided. Full service agencies that employ caregivers directly, pay state and federal taxes, bond and insure their employees are a safer bet for elder care. Families have better control with on going communication from the agency and can feel at ease that oversight is being provided.

Hiring an agency instead of a private caregiver cannot absolutely ensure safety but you can be assured of immediate response to issues and recourse if needed.
At Your Service Home Care is your resource for information on elder abuse and other eldercare issues. Please contact us if you have questions, no matter how small, we are here to help.

These resources in the community can help you with information and guidance:
At Your Service Home Care
911
Adult Protective Services (APS)
AARP local chapter
Community senior centers
Known medical personnel, family health provider or any health care professional

¹Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation in an Aging America. 2003. Washington, DC: National Research Council Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect

²National Elder Abuse Incidence Study.1998. Washington, DC: National Center on Elder Abuse at American Public Human Services Association.

@ 12/08 AYS Publishing
Reprint and Copy with author’s permission only

Creative Solutions Home Care Consulting

2008-12-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

If you may have an existing private duty home care business or want to start one, to make it work in this economic climate, you must understand the fundamentals of private duty home care, Lucy Andrews RN consultants who has years of actual experience starting, growing, operating a private duty home care business, which she successfully runs today along with her consulting business.

If you need assistance with:

* Starting a private duty business, and what your immediate, short and long term needs are
* Creating your specific niche to set your business apart from the competition
* Create a strategic plan for success
* Creating an agency with high standards for excellence and service
* Working smart to growing your business and do more with less
see rest of article here

About Azheimer's Disease

2008-11-20T13:21:00.000-08:00

Alzheimer's Disease - Why so much emphasis?

Our population is aging. Just look at the baby boomers, ranging from their 40's to their 50's, the largest demographic in their age category. It is expected that Alzheimer's Disease patients will greatly increase. Researchers around the world are working feverishly to find a treatment that will control, cure or prevent Alzheimer's Disease.

Statistics show that:

4 million people over age 65 are afflicted with this disease.
By 2050 that number may climb to 14 million
One in 10 persons over age 65 have the disease
Nearly half are over age 85
A small percentage of younger people in their 30's and 40's get the disease
Recent research has shown links between some genes and AD, but in about 90% of cases, there is no clear genetic link
Deaths Annually: 49,558 (2000 census)
- Age-Adjusted Death Rate: 18.0 deaths per 100,000 population (2000)
- Cause of Death Rank Among Americans: 8th (2000)
  Source: National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 50, No. 15
The U.S. spends over 100 billion dollars on the disease. Medicare and private insurance do not cover the long term care needs of Alzheimer's Disease.

( article originally published by Tennessee Commission on aging ).

For Further information on how you can help your elderly parent and other important home care information please visit At Your Service Home Care Serving Sonoma County in Santa Rosa California.

ays homecare featured in NorthBay Biz

2008-11-14T13:54:00.000-08:00

Author: Julie Fadda
June, 2008 Issue

As the need for nonmedical home care grows, a new wave of companies is forming to fill this all-important role.

I was lucky, in a sense. When my family learned my father had lung cancer and would need round-the-clock care once he was discharged from the hospital, I was able to take the reins.
I took care of him at home and, along with several medical providers who visited regularly, helped him through the last part of his life. The time was short, heartbreaking and probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever been through. But, in the end, I was grateful to have done it. Not everyone is so lucky. And if it had happened today, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I would have needed help.

When it comes time to think about caring for an aging parent, the choices can be absolutely overwhelming. And the right one—whether it’s moving into an assisted living facility, nursing home, residential care center, or staying at home—depends entirely on the individual circumstances. But if it were you who needed help, wouldn’t you rather stay at home? Or if you had a parent who needed care, wouldn’t enabling him or her to remain home be your first choice—even if you couldn’t be there all the time?

Read the full article in the North Bay Biz

At Your Service Home Care

2008-11-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

Business Line: ANNOUNCING THE WEB SITE: www.AYSHOMECARE.NET
excerpted from home page -
a full service, non-medical home care agency. We are dedicated to the highest ethical and professional standards in client care including the personalized matching of clients and companions, and the on-going development for all caregivers.
in the future look for tips meant to advance the health of eldercare, hospice care, caregivers and the following:

Our Service Options Include:

Respite, Hospice, and Alzheimer's care
Medication Reminders
Rise and Shine Service
Tuck and Fluff Service
Meal Preparation
Companions
Errands
Personal Care and Bathing
Light Housekeeping
and much, much more!

Our Specialized Programs Include:

Post Op Recovery:
- Tailored to post surgical needs
Case Management Services
- Care oversight and advocacy
Community Living Assistance Programs