Blog

Independence Day is Something We Try To Celebrate Every Day

June 6, 2016
slideshowImage5 Today I want to paint a picture of what we do and how we enrich the lives of our customers. These are things you should all expect and demand from your local home care provider. If you’re not getting these from your provider then please give me call. Recipients of home care are most often looking for help with activities of daily living, often referred to as ADLs. One way to think about ADLs is to think about those activities that one generally needs to do when they get out of bed in the morning including transferring and ambulating, toileting oneself, bathing or showering, taking care of personal hygiene such as oral care and shaving, dressing and feeding oneself. These daily tasks are critical to our quality of life and well-being. Our care is largely based around allowing our clients to conduct these ADLs safely and as independently as possible. The more our clients can do for themselves, even with close supervision, the better their quality of life and outlook tends to be. However, when a client does need close supervision or hands-on care with these activities, then a reputable home care agency should have a well-qualified, experienced, highly-trained care-giver there to help. This care-giver will assist with transfers, ensure safe ambulation, help with bathing and toileting and personal hygiene, assist the client with getting dressed appropriately for the season, make a meal and provide assistance eating if that’s required, remind the client of medications that are due, and clean up all areas once these activities are completed. All of these should be conducted in a safe, co-operative, respectful and professional manner. Our clients should have a sense of compassion and caring, coming from the care-giver and they should enjoy having the help. Additional services for our clients include a host of other activities, such as doing the laundry and linens, light housekeeping, errands and transportation and socializing. Each of these should contribute to a higher quality of life for our clients, and peace of mind for their loved ones. Lastly, Brightstar Care also provides skilled nursing for our clients. As a licensed home help agency, we can assist our clients by administering medications, checking vital signs, doing wound care and providing other skilled care that requires a nurse, rather than a home care aid. Be sure that any of these skilled care needs are being conducted by a licensed nurse that works for a company that has the right credentials. Each state’s requirements are slightly different but the vast majority of states require a nurse to give medications, change bandages, manage diabetic care, check vital signs or conduct other skilled care. We are always honored and humbled at Brightstar to be entrusted with the lives and well-being of our clients. We value each of them like our own family members and your local home care agency should show that same passion and commitment to providing the highest level of care and quality of life for your loved ones. Thanks again for spending some time here today and, as always, I hope you are happy and healthy.