November is a time to honor those who facilitate a lifestyle that offers giving support and as much independence as possible to older adults.

Family Caregivers

President Barack Obama declared November as National Family Caregivers Month stating, “Across our country, millions of family members, neighbors, and friends provide care and support for their loved ones during times of need. With profound compassion and selflessness, these caregivers sustain American men, women and children at their most vulnerable moments, and through their devoted acts, they exemplify the best of the American spirit.”

Statistics from the Administration On Aging show that the population 65-years-old and older is expected to grow from its current 13% to 19% of the total population by 2030. With the older population increasing, the need for elder care giving will continue to increase.

Career Caregivers

Outside of family caregivers, we need to salute geriatric caregivers who perform a wide variety of roles that tend to the needs of seniors who live at home and in facilities.  Depending on the clients’ level of independence, job responsibilities of caregivers range from light housework, shopping, cooking, scheduling and driving clients to appointments, stores and social engagements, to reminding clients to take their medicine and assist them with bathing, dressing, grooming and using the toilet.

Certified Care More Important Than Certificates of Education

Although no specific educational degrees are required to become a geriatric caregiver, reputable care giving agencies require their job applicants to pass psychological and other tests, including background checks. Certified agencies, like Elder Connections, must meet strict federal requirements for patient care and management.

Providing Quality of Life Is Demanding

The physical demands of care taking can be rigorous. Duties may include light nursing, changing surgical dressings, giving medications, or changing bedpans. The emotional demands can also be rigorous. Patients may be difficult, depressed or violent and in as much need of emotional attention as they are of physical attention. But good caregivers derive great satisfaction from knowing they are helping their clients enjoy a better quality of life.

Celebrate Those Who Celebrate Others’ Well-Being

Our caregivers help the elderly live more comfortably at home or in a senior care facility. We ask you to please acknowledge them with a note, a gift of thanks or even an offering of your time to give them a needed break. Please let the people who graciously accept their duties to our beloved seniors that their service is recognized and appreciated.

Lois Young-Tulin

Lois Young-Tulin, PhD, is an Assistant Geriatric Care Manager at Elder Connections

Home Care Coordinator Goes the Extra Mile for Better Senior Care

When prospective clients contact Elder Connections for the first time, Joanne Collier and Shareese Robinson are the first people prospective clients connect to on the other end of the phone line.  These women also staff our home care cases and field concerns when families feel that the caregiver provided is not a match.

Recently, Shareese spoke to one senior, she felt her dismay.  She understood that a change in care was needed and our blind client was fearful about keeping her current caregiver and equally fearful about an unknown individual.  She also knew that a phone call was not sufficient to address her concerns.

Home Care Coordinator Takes Action

Shareese knew what to do.  She identified the perfect caregiver for this special needs client.  She even arranged to transport the caregiver candidate to visit with our senior client – twenty miles away. 

Shareese sat with this woman, holding her hand and allowing her to know all about the new replacement of care — all on her own terms.  She assured the family that they could count on her to make things right. 

Home Care Coordinator Champion for Elder Care

Days later, Shareese Robinson – home care coordinator was moved to tears when a beautiful flower arrangement arrived at the office.  The flowers were sent by our senior client and her daughter.  Attached with a note — they thanked Shareese for her caring concern and that they valued how much meeting her meant to them.  Shareese will leave no stone unturned in her efforts to provide better senior care and they knew it!

Isn’t time you receive better senior care for you aging parent?  Elder Connections is ready to assist — call today!

BY  Beverly Bernstein Joie,  MS, CMC
President Elder Connections

Providing Solutions for Better Senior Care
in the Philadelphia Region

In tribute to the memory of Goldie Goldberg Fastman, the Caregiver’s Lifeline has contributed her artwork to Elder Connections’ client Jean Vasaturo.

Hearts of Giving

As I reflect on my goal to keep my mother’s memory alive, I know how the gift of giving to others is the key to her legacy.  The circle of life continues through the heart of giving.

Our first mission is to use the objects that lived with my mom to help to create a new home for Jean and to forward better senior care through these gifts. 

Senior Redefines Her Home

Our home is our anchor and Jean has been living without one.

Jean Vasaturo is a resident at an assisted care community in the Philadelphia area.  Jean has had a difficult adjustment to her community and has been yearning to return to her home since we placed her in assisted care.  Unfortunately, her health issues preclude her from returning to her former single  family home.

Jean has resisted moving her belongings to her new residence.  Her apartament is void of warmth and the walls are bare.  Jean was honored when I shared with her my goal of giving her my mom’s wall decorations.

Better Senior Care is in the Art

Jean expressed enthusiasm about receiving this “borrowed” artwork.  Although, she was not willing to obtain new things or take those from her home, this was a gift that she could embrace.  Jean understands the gift of giving and better senior care will no doubt be the result.

What You Can Do

Share art from your heart to your aging parent.   This simple gift is full of riches and may be part of your plan for better senior care for your loved one.