Generations

By now you know that Home Care Extraordinaire is a family owned home care agency that was founded because of our own experience with sick parents and grand-parents.  Alzheimer’s  Disease has profoundly effected our family and we are dedicated to keeping seniors in the comfortable surroundings of their own homes for as long as possible.  As you can imagine, we have many current and former patients with Dementia and Alzheimer’s issues so the Alzheimer’s Association is close to our hearts.  From time to time I like to help them publicize their events.  Since we faithfully serve Long Beach, the South Bay, and Orange County, here is a list of upcoming Alzheimer’s Association Walks:

Anaheim  -  10/29/2011

Buena Park- 11/12/2011

DanaPoint- 10/15/2011

Huntington Beach- 11/5/2011

Long Beach –  10/16/2011

Los Angeles- 10/9/2011

Tustin- 4/21/2012

We urge you to take part and help the association raise the money they need to fight this terrible disease – visit alz.org for more information.

Home Care Extraordinaire - 949-500-2379 Orange County  or 310-995-5332 Long Beach/South Bay

I love my patients – I love the caregivers that work for me – and I love the fact that I’m able to help people through difficult times.  It is a rewarding profession and it gives me more than I’m able to give back.  At this point, fair readers, you’re probably saying – Yes, but what about … wait for it … the MONEY.  Ok, you got me, I’ll admit it – I make a living at it too.  My family doesn’t go hungry but let me assure you – no one is getting rich here.  Why am I telling you this?  Well because our fine legislators in Sacramento (at the behest of the largest labor unions) want to change the care giving business forever.  They call the proposed laws sweet things like The Home Care Services Act and The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights but what they are called and what they will do are two vastly different things.  Believe me when I tell you – unless your name is Gates, Getty, or Walton – passage of these laws, as written, will force many grandmothers out of their homes and into a nursing home.  A prospect that makes me sad.  Passage of these laws, as written, will be bad for caregivers (especially live-in). A prospect that makes me mad. I wrote a letter to my assembly-person yesterday, and I’m attaching it below, if you read it and feel motivated to act, please let me know.  A letter, or call in support would go a long way.  If you want more info check out the debate from yesterday’s AirTalk radio program – Click Here

Dear Assemblymember ___________-

I’m a small business owner from your district and I strongly oppose both AB889 and SB411.  Both are an ill advised attempt to regulate the home care business.  While I agree that there is room for improvement in our industry these bills will drive even more of the in-home care business “underground” and away from legitimate employee based in-home care agencies like mine. I pride myself on running a business that not only provides the kind of quality care I would give my own mother or grandmother but one that provides a living wage to our employee caregivers.

From a budgetary standpoint – If AB889 and SB411 become law the cost of private in-home care for our venerable seniors will skyrocket, basically removing the option of private in-home care for all but the most affluent.  Without a private sector option more and more seniors will rely on state administered programs – an expense that the state can ill afford.   In addition, not only will the State incur huge costs in administering the law, it will lose payroll tax revenue as more families choose care from illegitimate “underground” sources. 

I urge you to oppose these two bills and welcome any questions you might have.

We are a family owned company that was founded because of personal experience with aging parents and grandparents.  We want to continue helping others and doing our business in the best way we know how – these two bills make that nearly impossible.

Thank you for your time.

Home Care Extraordinaire – 949-500-2379 Orange County  or 310-995-5332 Long Beach/South Bay

We have spent the better part of the last three days interviewing prospective caregivers.  It’s one of our most important jobs and the one if done correctly can pay huge dividends for our patients.  The whole process got me to thinking – What are the most important traits to look for in a caregiver.  Here is our consensus shortlist:

1. Compassion – Caregiving can be an emotional calling

2. Patience – We’ve had difficult dementia and Alzheimer’s cases – the best caregiver has the ability to stay calm under the most difficult of situations

3. Understanding – Being able to put yourself in the shoes of the patient and that patients family is a crucial element of an effective care giver

4. Knowledge – having the confidence to know what to do in any situation comes from training and hours of helping others

We’ve met so many wonderful caregivers over the years – I think I’ll share some stories of going above and beyond the calling in my next post …

If you need some one-on-one advice about a loved one who is – recovering, a disabled adult, retired senior, elderly, handicapped or developmentally challenged please get in touch – Home Care Extraordinaire.  

Faithfully serving Orange County and Los Angeles County.

949-500-2379 in Orange County

310-995-5332 in Long Beach/South Bay