TLCHomecare

Becoming a caregiver By: MaryAlice Callahan I became a caregiver because I knew that it was a career that I would be great at.  I worked on Hematology/Oncology for a few years and would see people that needed my help, but because I was a secretary and not a licensed caregiver I was not allowed to help.  It really bothered me because I saw the hurt and pain in their eyes and I would want so badly to be able to fulfill their request, big or small.   After my years at the hospital, I became a Medical assistant for an OB/GYN in South Burlington. I worked alongside with her, and again was in the presence of people who at times needed  tremendous support, and this time I was able to help them.  I also worked as a cosmetic laser tech in her office, and I loved the feeling when they saw their acne scars erased or spider veins that have embarrassed them forever disappear. I felt that there was an intimate exchange of energy between myself and them.  There was the look of Thank you, i

Becoming an LNA By: Angeline J Hemple My story in a nutshell on why I feel I am who I am today. When I was a child, I noticed I always had a sensitive side, mostly with Animals. Where I grew up the kids were not so nice so I stuck to myself a lot. But I wanted to be sweet and cheerful and I felt sad because I couldn't be those things. I was told I had to be tough, Not to show my sensitive side so other kids wouldn't think different of me. I lived basically in a wooded area growing up and it was full of life. A place where I could be me. I pretended to be a doctor and would go in the woods and build a fort from whatever I could find. When I finished my task, I would go find nature animals, knowing how dangerous it could be. But I didn't see it like that. I always knew there is a danger in whatever it is you do. But I was not afraid. And that’s where I found my first patient, a baby bird that fell out his nest by the river. I knew the rules if you touch it, mom would n

Becoming an LNA By: Stacy Poulin For me the choices of becoming an LNA was that the time.... not even being a choice but a decision,  I took on the task of  bringing an uncle to see his sister who was also my grandmother. She had fallen ill and was at Fletcher Allen Medical Center. She had been there for a little over a week and he had no way to go see her because he never acquired his driver's license so he called me to ask: Stacy will you please bring me to see Sid. Of course I said, and then it's when we got there and I evaluated the situation. I then questioned and asked her doctors if she was okay. They politely told me there was nothing more they could do.  It was her COPD.  When I explained this to my uncle he looked heartbroken. I went  to speak to my grandmother alone keeping in mind she had been there for me all my life, whom I had loved and cherished all my life. And she said to me I just want to go home. At that moment you can see the light bulb went off. I

Why I became a caregiver? By: Beverly Hughes Being a caregiver has been my passion in life. I started giving care when I was just 12 years old. That was a good 19 years ago, but it feels like it was just the other day. Back then, I would typically spend nights and weekend at my best friend’s house. Her mom had live-in clients. My thinking then could be explained in two short sentences: Wow, I can't wait for Friday. And then, TGIF, I get to spend the weekends staying up late, watching movies and having limited or no rules. While all this seemed to be the life, it wasn't until one night when I heard a little old lady praying and thanking God just how thankful she was to have a caregiver. Some time went on and I didn't think much of it. Until one day, that same little old lady took my hand and said "dear someday this will be your mom". From that day on, I provided care in any way I could, to anybody in need. Brushing dentures and washing urinated clothes

I became a caregiver out of necessity when my husband died, and I had to sell our business.  I needed to find a job to supplement the social security benefit I was getting as a widow with two young children. I had been driving a bus for the local school as a little side job. A job that was thrust upon me because of the need. It seems good bus drivers are hard to get and hard to keep. Without any formal education and not having the time to go back to school, I took the LNA course offered by the local nursing home. In six weeks, I was trained and hired by the nursing home. The flexible hours allowed me to be home with my kids during the day and still drive the bus. I worked there for six months, but their schedule interfered with my school bus schedule, so I left the nursing home and went private. Being bilingual in French and English gave me an advantage in the Northeast Kingdom where the population largely constitutes French-speakers. After a while, I realized that there was more tha

When did I determine that caring for others in the nursing profession was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life? Between birth and elementary school age, I required several surgeries at two large hospitals. It was here, between the ages of four and nine that I watched the nurses do their everyday work. As a child, I was excited by the human body, and realized that I had a love for the health care profession. I was given the opportunity to do some community service in ninth grade. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a candy striper in a rehabilitation facility. I remember my first day at the center dressed from head to toe in a red and white candy striper uniform. I remember sitting on the edge of Maggie’s bed and despite her glass eye that wandered around, was focused on her detailed stories of her past. I was captivated. She would share with me how happy she was to see me every week and I felt incredibly special. I felt like I was doing something good with my life, and I fe

Caregivers are one of the most important aspects of in-home care as they interact with the clients on a daily basis and ensure that the clients are well taken care of. As important as it is to have qualified, caring and experienced caregivers in Vermont and New Hampshire at TLC Homecare; it is just as important finding the correct caregiver for each home care client. Home healthcare is all about keeping clients in a safe and comfortable environment as they age and the caregivers have everything to do with this. But just because a caregiver has years of experience, it does not mean their personality or skill set will match that of the home care client they are working with. It is my job to play “match-maker” to ensure the client, client’s family and caregiver are all happy with the home health aide. The process of choosing the correct caregiver for a home care client starts the minute that new client comes on board with TLC Homecare. As soon as they choose TLC Homecare as their in-home

By Wendy Bombard BSN RN Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in Vermont and one out of three seniors’ struggles with this disease (Alzheimer’s Association). Families are burdened with caring for their loved ones suffering with memory impairment, and many of these families are also raising young families of their own while also trying to hold down jobs. These circumstances present significant challenges and stress for families, and so it is imperative that they are able to vent these frustrations, express concerns, and ask questions at a venue where others will understand and identify with their plight. As a dementia support group leader of several years, it is sobering to witness participants listening to each other describe their day to day, week to week struggles. However, despite the sadness and grieving that can occur during TLC HomeCare & Nursing’s support group meetings, it offers them freedom to share their struggles without fear or disinterest, and many

By: Mohamed Basha, RN CMC BA AAS AA Care Manger Certified & Aging Life Care Professionals According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 1 in 5 Medicare patients discharged from the hospital are readmitted within 30 days. Most readmission are seniors and they often occur because of medication problems, nutrition mismanagement, falls in the home, and not following up with the doctor. Safety issues, nutrition and hydration challenges, limited support, and overwhelming responsibilities can make returning home from the hospital a difficult transition.  Often these patients do not meet the criteria for Home Health Care such as skilled nursing services or physical therapy.  Hospitals are under increasing pressure to reduce readmission rates under the Affordable Healthcare Act’s Hospital Re-admissions Reduction Program which lays out a plan to cut Medicare payments for under performing hospitals.  Numerous studies have shown the importance of post-discharge care in preventin

By: Mohamed Basha, RN CMC BA AAS AA Care Manger Certified & Aging Life Care Professionals As our population ages, healthcare providers are facing greater challenges in meeting their patient’s needs.  Illness, injury and the natural aging process create a need for specialized services beyond the clinical setting.  Often these patients need help with the tasks of day-to-day living, but do not yet meet the criteria for traditional home health care such as skilled nursing services or physical therapy.  Moving to a nursing home or assisted living community may be an option for some, but most seniors, if given a choice, prefer to remain in the comfort and familiarity of the homes they love.  For most families, quitting work to stay home and care for an aging love one simply is not an option.  There is a local alternative.  TLC HomeCare Services provides home care services, enabling seniors to remain safely in their own homes with as much independence as their condition allows.

By: Mohamed Basha, RN CMC BA AAS AA Care Manger Certified & Aging Life Care Professionals As a fellow nurse, I am always looking for ways to improve my patients’ quality of life, be it in the hospital, nursing homes, or in their own homes.  I also make it a priority to educate myself and my co-workers on services available in the community for my patients and their families.  In a recent meeting with a group of fellow nurses, I was astonished to find out that many did not know or understand the difference between non-medical home care and home health care, nor did they know what services were offered to their patients during their discharge planning.  It is imperative that proper discharge planning incorporates all services that are available to a patient when there are discharged from the hospital.                                     Numerous studies have shown the importance of post-discharge care in preventing readmissions. In particular, using home care with a profess

By: Robert Ellis In 2014, Medicare fined a record 2,610 hospitals (out of 3,353 subject to the Hospital Readmission Program) an estimated $428 million in penalties for having high readmission rates for certain diagnoses (i.e. heart failure, heart attack, pneumonia, knee or hip replacement, and lung ailments). In 2013, nearly 18 percent of Medicare patients who had been hospitalized for one of five conditions studied was readmitted within 30 days of hospital discharge, according to Kaiser Health News. Roughly, 2 million patients return a year, costing Medicare, $26 billion. $17 billion of that expense comes from potentially avoidable readmission. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO DECREASE THAT NUMBER? TLC HomeCare is an Upper Valley, New Hampshire & Vermont, home care organization providing services for patients being discharged from 4 community hospitals, a large VA Medical Center, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (a tertiary care center in the midst of it all). The Upper Val

  By Rosaline Lee, LPN                      Rural isolation and rugged independence can be barriers to serving seniors in Vermont… Guy R. lives alone in his home in Calais, Vermont. As I drive down the road to his home, I notice evidence of washouts caused by recent heavy rains.  There is no cell reception or street lights in this area, as in much of Vermont. Guy’s home is a simple farmhouse that has obviously seen better days.  The paint is peeling, the porch is rotting and the lawn is unkempt. Guy greets me happily and proceeds to tell me the history of how this property is tied to his family. “My grandfather built this place in the 1800’s, just look at the fireplace that he put in, it’s amazing that it’s still standing. I’m still standing too.” His enthusiasm wanes when you see him look around the living room.  He sighs and says, “I know I’m not much of a housekeeper, Betty used to do everything around here. She was a good wife and she put up with me for 56 years.” He moves

As the weather gradually improves since those long winter months, we find ourselves wanting to be more and more active; even if on a subconscious level. We have been cooped up for nearly half of the year and our body and mind are itching to get back out there and play. Since a large percentage of us have not been as active as usual over the past several months, it will be critical to warm up before jumping right into exercising on a regular basis. A great way to warm up and get your body ready for activity is through stretching as it helps get the blood pumping and joints and muscles loose and ready for action. For older-adults, flexibility and stretching are just as important all year long, as aging typically wears on muscles and joints over time. Stretching is critical for the elderly, as it will help offset the effects of normal decline in the flexibility of their joints. This will in turn help them remain active and independent. Muscles tend to become shorter and lose their el

Although it may feel like warmer weather will never come, it is right around the corner. With warmer weather, comes the opportunity to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and get exercise. It is important for both the mind and body to be outside and away from the comforts of your own home, as long winters can make it feel like you have been stuck inside for months on end. According to a study completed in 2010, time spent outdoors make people feel “more alive”. This study illustrated that spending time outdoors can lead to an increased sense of energy; which is vitally important for both the mental and physical health of an elderly individual. According to the study done by Richard Ryan, a psychology professor at the University of Rochester, "Nature is fuel for the soul. Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature." It is evident that spending time outdoors is critical to a full

To stay in line with the last post; as important as it is to eat healthy, it is just as important for elderly adults to stay socially and mentally active! It is almost a cliché to think about an elderly person sitting in their recliner every day watching their “Soaps”, “Murder She Wrote” or their court room shows for hours on end. This is sometimes what people think of when it comes to the daily activities of an elderly person living independently at home. This would obviously not be healthy and by no means does this happen all of the time. However, it would be easy for someone to get into this habit as it almost gives them an escape from reality and allows them to form “bonds” with characters in the shows. It is critical for them to find other activities to stay happy and healthy and there are many other daily activities that they can do alone or with another person to keep their mind sharp and social skills intact. It is important for elderly individuals to keep their brains

March is recognized by many as National Nutrition Month, which gives me the perfect platform to discuss the importance of a healthy diet, especially when it comes to seniors. I went to school for Sport Management and during my studies I took many classes that revolved around nutrition and it taught me how important it is to a healthy and happy life. This got me thinking about the importance of nutrition for the elder population, as it can have a drastic impact on one’s overall health and quality of life. There are numerous benefits of healthy eating for seniors and they include: increased mental acuteness, improved immune system, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems.  Not only does eating healthy have positive physical effects, but it can also be the key to staying emotionally balanced. Good nutrients help keep muscles, bones and organs strong through the end, while vitamin rich food helps boost immunity and fight

There seems to be an obvious disconnect between the older generations and technology, as they were never brought up with it as a part of their everyday life. Technology plays a key role in most aspects of our life and has recently become a critical part of the Home Care world. This new technology can have incredible benefits for aging adults who are trying to live life in their own home. There are several new technological advancements that will ultimately help make elderly people’s lives better and safer and here are just a few that I thought offer the most benefits. 1.        CareInnovations Health Harmony: This technology system platform simplifies patient monitoring by enabling patients, care providers, and family caregivers to collaborate for better care in the home within normal daily routines. It connects patients, care givers and families through an easy-to-use interface where they can share health data, educational information and best practices customized to individual