CareForce - Innovation in Seattle Home Care

Creating a caregiver contingency plan; It's good for the heart!

February is declared as "American Heart Month".  It's been an industry experience that folks come into receiving care giving  services very late.  Often, it's after a discharge planner tells the family; "I don't know where your Mom is going, but she can't go home".  This experience is a catalyst for what happens next, which is often a "shore it up and get it done" process of resourcing.  In February last year, Gallup(R) Wellbeing released the following report;

In U.S., Caregivers Suffer From Poorer Physical Health

An excerpt from the report; Adult caregivers younger than 30, for example, are 63% more likely than non-caregivers to have high blood pressure and are 61% more likely to have recurring neck or back pain. Even seniors feel negative effects of caregiving, with caregivers aged 65 and older being 26% more likely than non-caregivers to report daily physical pain.

 It's been our experience that when folks have planned ahead for their caregiving needs the catalyst of a crisis is unnecessary and the process is seamless.  I'm quoting here statements made by new client family members about their experience with bring care into the home; "Mom's caregiver is wonderful, she is so patient" "Mom's Care Manager was very good, very thorough in her information" "I think mom thinks that her caregiver is only for her" "the staffers are very patient and flexible, as mom's needs are changing, they have been very helpful"

"This is working so much better than I ever imagined" "your caregiver has a way of relating with my mother, she suggests things for her to do, that my mother would never do for me" "your nurse was so impressive with my first phone call to you, I felt immediately comfortable." "your social worker focused on my mother in a way that was perfect. I think my mother really feels like she has some control in this, it is perfect"

* Consider developing a caregiver contingency plan and share it with those you love

 

In-Home Technology; What's the objection? an in-home care perspective

Yesterday, CareForce hosted an in-home technology open house at our Lynnwood office.  We sent out invitations to our clients and their family members and a few of our community partners.  We sent out surveys to our clients and their family members trying to gather information about what their questions about the products might be.  We didn't get any RSVPs or attendence from our clients and their families and we did get one survey back.  The results of the survey indicated that the the family of the client was interested in generating data about change in activity in the home and bio-metrics and they would be willing to spend about $250-$350 a month for the service. 

Dan Stone and Dave Hunt, partners at Assured Independence were generous with their time and walked some key staff members and (one auspicious guest) through the products, physically giving us a walk through how they work.  The system they use includes the Sonomba Wellbeing Monitor(R).  Sonomba(R), won a Popular Science, Product of the Future award in 2011.  The monitor runs through pictures when it is not in use and doesn't look clinical, which is important.  Dan and Dave sat with our staff and fielded questions about use and scope.  We talked for over an hour and what I think we discovered in our discussion was that the objection is not about price, of course it never is.  Overcoming fears about privacy is one objection.  Fears about, will the client use the product to it's potential and be truly useful came up as well.  Do families really want to be notified of changes in condition instantly?  So truly very valuable discussion and we are thankful to Dan and Dave to being open to it.  We are looking for reports, metrics and other collateral that will be useful in our attempts to aid in partnering technology with care giving in a meaningful way.

Creation of the new workforce; A robust community conversation

At CareForce we acheive our Mission by recruiting, training, placing and supporting exceptional caregivers and related health care staff. We select professional caregivers with experience and qualifications that exceed licensing requirements and  industry standards. We treat our caregivers with fairness and respect, provide them with industry leading pay and benefits, offer them continuous training, and support them with a team of Home Care Specialists and Registered Nurse supervisors 24 hours every day.

Embracing our mission, CareForce actively engages in our community conversation with educators and community leaders.  This week Katheryn Howell; CareForce Executive Director was invited to participate in a panel discussion at Edmond's Community College.  Edmond's Community College houses the new CATCH program.  The intent of the discussion this week was to create a space for educators to ask employers; "What are your employment needs"  and "What are industry trends that are affecting your recruitment".  CATCH stands for Creating Access to Careers in Healthcare. The CATCH program combines online learning with intensive hands on skills labs and clinical work experience at partner health care facilities to allow low-income students to get the training they need to move into better paying jobs on a flexible schedule, while they continue to work and support their families.

CATCH stands for Creating Access to Careers in Healthcare. CATCH works closely with faculty, community partners, and employers to create accessible work-ready health care certificate programs that:

• Minimize costs. CATCH covers an array of direct college costs totaling more than $7,000 per student.
• Save time. CATCH compresses existing, well-tested certificate programs so students get the skills they need to be job-ready in less time.
• Make learning flexible and in-home.Seeking to reduce commutes, childcare, parking and the array of barriers associated with getting from point A to point B, a significant percentage of CATCH content is taught using current technology and online learning know-how.
• Address individual needs. CATCH provides an array of intensive social and academic supports for students with little college experience to ensure academic and career success.
• Lead to career success.CATCH's focus is on gaining the array of technical and workplace skills needed not only for immediate success on the job but for a life-long enriching career.

Through CATCH, students can count on gaining in-demand health care skills along with computer and information literacy, study skills, critical thinking, problem solving, financial literacy, and communications skills.

CATCH is a multi-year, multi-million dollar federally funded initiative that began in 2010. It's managed by Edmonds Community College and boasts a rich local partnership including Business Access, a company that specializes in building in-home learning communities, Edmonds and Everett community colleges, regional health care employers, Snohomish County, and Washington State.

Apply Now for CATCH: Applications Are Accepted on a Rolling Basis Next Start Date is July 23 at Everett Community College

Giving From the Heart; Mercer Island is a wonderful community for all!

-Giving From The Heart Breakfast to benefit the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation-

What a wonderful community resource that is embedded in the Mercer Island community.  Today was MIYFS's annual fundraising breakfast.  From their website; "Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) is an organization that provides affordable, high quality human services to support the health and wellness of our community. Funding is provided through a unique public/private partnership with the City of Mercer Island and the non-profit MIYFS Foundation".

I sat at the table with the MIYFS employed geriatric specialist who does home visits on the island for those in need of outreach.  When I discovered that she did over 300 home visits with new clients this year, I think my jaw hit the floor.  She is such a resource for all those who live on the island and is a geriatric specialist.  From their website; "MIYFS' geriatric specialist assists Island seniors 55 years and older through in-home assessments, counseling, advocacy and information referrals. Consultation services to caretakers and family members are available to help them develop plans of care. For information call 206 275-7752."  She has relationships with the municipal entities on the island and really works as that catchment for those in need in getting them to the right community resource."   

CareForce is so lucky to be a part of this truly unique model of community based human services.  We are fortunate to be a part of the service delivery for clients on the island.  I was happy to see some of our other community partners there as well.  As you can see from the picture it was filled to the rafters with support from the community from attorneys to pastors.  It was amazing to hear that 70% of the funding of MIYFS Foundation comes from proceeds from the island Thrift Store, talk about sustainability!  For more on MIYFS visit the linked website. 

CareForce collaborates with the community in our commitment to healthy living

CareForce is in our third year of sponsorship of King County's Lifelong Recreation's; Sound Steps program.  The big kickoff celebrations started last weekend down South and yesterday at the Greenwood Senior Center.  Such energy and sense of commitment this year from the group.  The kick off started with introductions at individual tables (there were over 60 attendees).  I coincidentally sat with members of my neighborhood in Southwest Seattle.  We shared why we participate in the program and what keeps us motivated to stay active.  One member stated that since her heart attack her doctor told her the best thing she could do was walk and she's been walking ever since.  She is a distance walker and walks at times from Fremont to Capitol Hill and back.  She says that walking to different places keeps it interesting for her.  Another table member states that she enjoys walking with the Woodland Park Zoo walkers that meet every Tues and Thursday and walks inside the zoo.  She loves visiting the animals as a part of her bi-weekly routine.

Part of the program yesterday included a talk from a featured walker.  The speaker talked about her own journey and commitment.  She states that as a working nurse she smoked and didn't have the endurance to walk a simple trail at a city park.  After quitting smoking and increasing her activity, walking has become a routine for her.  She states that she stays motivated by "thinking like a four year old".  She likes to wear nice workout outfits and wears crazy, fun shoelaces.  She on occasion will write worries on the bottoms of her shoes and "will pound them out on the pavement".  

Sound Steps is supported by a number of community members.  Along with CareForce, Team Survivor Northwest is a sponsor.  Team Survivor Northwest affiliates provide group exercise and support programs for women with a present or past diagnosis of cancer.  Monica from the program spoke at the kick off about considerations for the group as venture on towards their personal goals of the program.  She reminded the group of the hazards of sitting and that the Surgeon Generals recommendation is that people take 10,000 steps a day.  Monica made some recommendations for pre-walking meals and suggested that cutting apple juice with water might be a better alternative to sports drinks.  Her reminder to be aware of your gait is a good one to help prevent injury while walking.

Consider joining us this year in our community effort towards increasing our activity through walking.  There are several walks throughout the city listed in the hyperlink above and here again; Sound Steps