ResCare HomeCare news — 05/03/2008

Fort Worth Branch Reaches Out to Texas Communities

As we age, we are all at increased risk of experiencing a variety of life-changing events or conditions. Among these we might include strokes, debilitating falls, dementia, and heart disease. But West Nile virus? It certainly wasn't high on the list of one Fort Worth woman's concerns, but the 70 year old contracted West Nile anyway, and recovering has been no picnic.

"She almost didn't live," said Ann Hill, a court-appointed guardian for the woman. Hill's client (call her Mary) came down with West Nile in August of '07 and spent months in the hospital and rehab before returning to her home in January. "Somehow she survived, but with a lot of disability from the high fever, which left her unable to do her housework or her cooking," Hill said.

It was clear that Mary would need help if she wanted to continue to live at home. But Hill didn't think the independent woman would welcome a caregiver. Still, the two agreed that Mary should give home care a try. That's when Hill called ResCare HomeCare.

The agency sent a case manager out to meet Mary and then selected a caregiver based on the case manager's assessment. Mary and her caregiver quickly bonded. Now, in addition to lending a hand with essential homemaking tasks and helping Mary do her strength exercises, the caregiver has also become a trusted companion - taking Mary out to lunch, going shopping with her, and accompanying her on a variety of other outings. In short, Mary now has all the help she needs and more: a friend. With the help of her caregiver, Mary's recovery has progressed beyond anyone's expectations.

"She hated the hospital and the nursing home. She was not going to recover a whole lot in that atmosphere. But in her own bed with her own home and her own things, she really bloomed," Hill said. "There's no reason why she won't come all the way back now. She's getting stronger and stronger, but I have a feeling she will have her caregiver permanently because they get on together so well," she said.

Hill is convinced that finding the perfect caregiver for her client was no accident. "I've been in the business for 20 years and I've used different agencies, and the thing I really love about ResCare is the work of the case manager who comes out and meets the client and selects a really appropriate aide," Hill said.

The ResCare case manager introduces the aide to the client, gets the aide off on the right foot, and checks in with both the caregiver and the client on a regular basis. "That works out much more smoothly than when an agency just sends out an aide with a written care plan. That approach doesn't make the client feel comfortable, and when it doesn't work out, the agency doesn't know the client well enough to know who to choose," Hill said. "It's potluck who you get next. ResCare's way of doing things is so much more professional," she said.

Founded in September of 2003 as Paragon Senior Care and acquired by ResCare in December of 2005, the Fort Worth branch of ResCare HomeCare includes a staff of approximately 120 caregivers who serve clients throughout Texas's Hood, Parker, Johnson, and Tarrant counties. The majority of ResCare HomeCare's clients are seniors who need non-medical help at home with daily activities, but the agency also provides companionship as well as personal care and support to clients who are in the hospital or in assisted living facilities.

Some of the agency's clients are bedridden individuals who live at home with family or even in their own homes. Some have been diagnosed with dementia. Caregivers are trained in everything from how to comfort a distressed dementia client to how to operate a Hoyer mechanical lift.

Many in the community rely on ResCare HomeCare to provide transportation or accompaniment to medical exams or other appointments. The service is popular with seniors as well as with busy families whose loved ones are affected by dementia. "Without a caregiver to accompany them to appointments, clients with dementia might not recall what they're there for," said Marilyn Simington, ResCare HomeCare's branch manager.

The agency offers a range of visit options. Short, one-hour visits may be scheduled to help clients bathe and dress. Other options range from four-hour visits to full 24-hour care. "It depends on what we need to do for the client," Simington said. "We do quite a bit of in-home, around the clock service for people whose families are not in the area," she added. ResCare's services are available every day, including holidays, and a staff person answers the phone line after hours to provide clients and caregivers with support when they need it.

Martha Granger started using ResCare HomeCare when she moved into an independent living facility about four years ago. Her son Hank lives in North Carolina. "I talked to Paragon [now ResCare HomeCare] and told them what we needed," Hank said. "Sarita Pettit is the caregiver they chose and it's been a blessing. We think the world of Sarita and my mother loves her."

Martha has since moved to an assisted living facility within the same complex. Sarita arrives at 9, helps Martha dress, takes her to breakfast, and provides Martha with the opportunity to get out of the residence on a regular basis. She may drive Martha to appointments, help her run errands, or take her to the park. When her shift is over, another caregiver arrives and stays with Martha until bedtime. "Mother turned 89 on May 2nd, and I think her home care services are extending the time she'll be able to stay in assisted living," Hank said.

Although ResCare HomeCare's Fort Worth staff provides only non-medical assistance, the agency is happy to serve as a resource for families who need additional services. "What sets us apart from most of the home care companies in the area is the outlook that we're here for the community," Simington said. The agency's ability to serve as a resource can be particularly helpful in situations where client needs change as their health or cognitive abilities deteriorate. "If it gets to the point where a client's needs go beyond our scope of services, we are connected with a community network that can assist us with the care of that client. If the client needs home health services, for example, we can refer the client to a capable provider," she said.

ResCare HomeCare organizes monthly meetings to facilitate networking among the community's senior care providers. These luncheons are attended by upwards of 70 senior health companies who together offer a full spectrum of care, and typically feature guest speakers such as physicians or elder law professionals. "Each month there is a new topic for people to learn about," Simington said. The network's members include skilled nursing professionals, representatives of assisted living and independent living facilities, and providers of durable medical equipment (DME).

The network's $5 per person luncheon fee is donated to a community service organization. The group has twice donated to a local company serving battered women and children, and ResCare HomeCare marketing professional Arlene Hunsworth-Fox was recently recognized by the organization for the network's fundraising efforts.

The fruits of ResCare's networking efforts also include a new magazine. Edited by Hunsworth-Fox, Senior Circuit is intended to serve as a resource for the general public. The magazine features information on local resources, such as Alzheimer's support group meetings.

If you are interested in receiving Senior Circuit, scheduling a free home care consultation, or discussing job opportunities with ResCare HomeCare, please contact Marilyn Simington at 817.263.8840, or call the agency toll free at 888.276.8840. ResCare HomeCare is happy to discuss any questions you may have about senior home or health care.