Private duty help at home: 3 things to consider

by Christian Schreiber, staff blogger

When you begin to feel you need a little extra help at home — with getting out of bed, or remembering to take your meds, or light housekeeping — you might decide to hire a private duty caregiver. "Private duty" caregivers can provide non-medical help with a variety of daily activities.

There are two basic options when it comes to private duty care: "independent" or "agency." An independent private duty caregiver is an individual you pay directly for your caregiving needs, as opposed to paying an agency to send one of their caregiving employees. Paying an independent caregiver is usually less expensive, but the risks can be higher. Consider the following:

1. Taxes

Agency: When you work through an agency, the agency assures that the legal requirements for taxes are properly addressed.

Independent: If you hire an independent caregiver, IRS regulations classify you as that person’s employer, and you become liable for:

• Social Security Taxes

• Unemployment compensation

• Payroll taxes

• Interest on any payments owed

• Possible civil fines of up to $100,000

• Possible criminal penalties

2. Workers compensation, and general and professional liability

Agency: When you work through an agency, the agency is responsible for workers compensation, and they carry insurance to cover general and professional liability.

Independent: If you hire an independent, private duty caregiver, you could be responsible to pay all of the caregiver’s medical expenses and disability coverage if he or she is injured while working for you. If your private caregiver doesn’t have insurance, you will be liable if the caregiver is injured on your property. You could also be considered liable if the caregiver fails to perform his or her duties or causes injury to you, a loved one, or a third party.

3. Peace of mind

Agency: When deciding which agency to hire, choose one that is licensed by state regulators, assuring quality oversight. Licensing gives you the assurance that the caregivers are bonded, which protects you from theft or damage to property. Agencies that are licensed also do background checks, drug screenings, TB tests, and competency evaluations on all their caregivers, to assure that you receive the best care, under the direction of a health care professional, with a care plan that is being properly followed.

Independent: If you hire an independent caregiver, it is up to you to screen this person and make sure he or she can be trusted in your home, with your personal well-being.

In Illinois, Providence At Home is state-licensed to offer a variety of services, both medical and non-medical. In fact, our caregivers are people who see their work as a ministry. You'll sense the difference as soon as they walk in the door. When you're ready to start exploring the at-home care options available, contact the Providence At Home office nearest you to ask for an info pack:

• South Holland, Illinois - 708-331-2005
• Homer Glen, Illinois - 708-301-3229
• St. John, Indiana - 219-365-3229

Or use our convenient online form to request the information you need.

We understand the risks of hiring at-home help. Providence At Home is here to give you the services you need and the peace of mind you deserve!

3 Benefits of Choosing a Not-for-Profit Retirement Community

by Christian Schreiber, staff blogger

1. A culture of caring
"Not-for-profit organizations manage their financial resources in accordance with their missions," says the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) in their booklet The Not-for-Profit Difference. In other words, the very reason a not-for-profit organization comes into existence is to meet a need, right a wrong, make a difference — something more than simply making money. And the staff who join the organization are often drawn to the mission more than the paycheck. As a result, the caregivers, receptionists, janitors, and administrators at a not-for-profit retirement community are usually there because they want to be. That sense of caring shines through in the way they do their jobs and the way they interact with residents. "I love my job," says Diane, of Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Palos Heights, Illinois. "I just love being here. It's the best job in the world." And Jeff, at Royal Park Place in Zeeland, Michigan, gets his whole family involved — this August they'll present a slide show of their vacation photos, and once a month they play Wheel of Fortune with the residents. Money can't buy that kind of caring.

2. Measurable quality

Jim Collins, best known for his book Good to Great, also wrote a companion piece called Good to Great and the Social Sectors: Why Business Thinking is Not the Answer. In it he says, "For a business, financial returns are a perfectly legitimate measure of performance. For a social sector organization, however, performance must be assessed relative to mission, not financial returns." When staff love coming to work every day, when they go "above and beyond" without even having to think about it, high-quality service is almost automatic. AAHSA cites numerous sources that put numbers to this quality, such as:

• Residents at not-for-profit nursing homes receive 37.2% more hours per day of registered nurse care.
• Residents at not-for-profit nursing homes receive 22% more hours per day of care from other licensed staff.
• Not-for-profit nursing homes have .74 serious deficiencies cited, compared to 1.25 cited at for-profit nursing homes.

In addition, a 2006 survey by Consumer Reports found, "Not-for-profit homes are more likely than for-profit ones to provide good care." As AAHSA's booklet explains, "Quality, not earnings, is the barometer of a not-for-profit organization's efforts. All proceeds in a not-for-profit are reinvested in improving the physical environment, serving more people, offering more and better accommodations and services, and, ultimately, fulfilling the organization's mission."

3. Stability

If the retirement community near you is a not-for-profit organization, chances are it has existed in the same community for generations. That kind of stability can inspire confidence, trust, and peace of mind in an era when aging services providers are popping up like dandelions to meet the anticipated needs of the Boomer market. Deana, of Holland Home in South Holland, Illinois, noticed the difference right away. She had previously worked for new organization with new facilities she was trying to fill before the paint was even dry. "But Holland Home has been here in South Holland for 35 years," she says. "There is so much history here, so much tradition — it really gives you a feeling of solidity."

Providence Life Services opened its first skilled nursing community in 1960, out of a sense of calling to provide Christ-like care to aging church members. Today we offer a full spectrum of life-enhancing services in multiple locations, always drawing on our decades of experience to fulfill today's needs and expectations.

If you have questions about how a not-for-profit Providence community can help you get the most out of your retirement, contact us!

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Fighting Alzheimer's with brain exercise

by Christian Schreiber, staff blogger

“We’re trying to keep people as independent as possible for as long as possible,” says Jeff Zylstra, Community Manager at Royal Park Place, our retirement community in Zeeland, Michigan. Jeff knows that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness in maintaining independence. So as a counterpart to the SeniorFITness exercise program, Royal Park Place also offers BrainFitness, a new program of “brain games” for seniors. The games make learning fun, so participants look forward to their workouts.

The brain games are available through Dakim, a company founded by Dan Michel, who watched his father struggle with Alzheimer's. Dan designed a variety of games and devices to keep his father's mind occupied. The early games were physical constructions, but in 2002 Dan found a partner to help produce the same stimulating effects using computers. In 2006, Dakim's BrainFitness system was first introduced to a senior living community. Two years later, the Dakim BrainFitness System became the leading brand of brain fitness products for American seniors.

Knowing the history, and seeing the benefits, Jeff Zylstra was eager to bring BrainFitness technology to Royal Park Place. Early in 2009 Royal Park Place was able to purchase a system and secure licensing for 20 residents. Because there is a waiting list of interested residents, Jeff requires the 20 chosen to commit to at least three workouts each week.

The BrainFitness computer is set up in the Royal Park Place lobby, and it is common to see participants logged on to work out. More than 125 different brain games are currently available. To experience an online sampling, visit Dakim.

Royal Park Place is the first Providence community to offer BrainFitness technology to residents. Providence would love to help more seniors fight Alzheimer's, but the technology is expensive. If you are interested in partnering with us to fight Alzheimer's at all our campuses, visit our secure, convenient, on-line giving page, and select "Fighting Alzheimer's" in the Gift Information box.