Venture House Info Soft

Archive for the ‘Home Care Agencies’ Category

No matter what the state of the economy is in, health care professionals will always be in great demand. Jobs in the health care industry are broad and diverse. If you are interested in a rewarding career in the health profession, there is most likely an area for you.

Below is a list of some of the best and most popular health care jobs:

Physicians: They maintain or restore health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injury. Entry-level medical education programs are undertaken at a medical school that is part of a university. Physicians hold a medical degree that is specific to the university from which they graduated. This degree qualifies the medical practitioner to become licensed or registered

Nurses: Nurses work in most areas of the health care profession. They are on the front lines of the health care field. You can find nurses working in hospitals, medical clinics, administration, nursing homes, and in specialized areas of medicine such as surgery, critical care, and emergency rooms, There are many types of nurses that can include Registered Nurses (RN,) Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Community Nurse and so much more., They work as part of a health care team and are usually the people patients and their families rely on for information as well as daily care. A career in nursing is a rewarding and exciting career. :

Physician Assistants: They supply diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services as authorized by a Physician. Education programs generally are about two years and are full-time. Once they complete one of these programs, physician assistants will need to take a national exam to obtain a license.

Rehabilitation Jobs: The rehabilitation profession consists of a number of specialized fields that can include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and much more. Employment settings can include private practices, general hospitals, medical centers, rehabilitation hospitals, acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, long term care facilities, home health care agencies, as well as public and private schools. They provide hands on rehabilitation work for patients suffering from a debilitating condition or disease. Education requirements vary for each profession.

Clinical Laboratory Technicians: Their duties include performing tests that result in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. They examine the results and relay them to physicians. Educational requirements normally include an entry-level position in a bachelor’s degree in medical technology.

Medical Scientists: They study diseases to provide the information necessary to develop solutions to human health problems. They can also perform clinical investigations, technical writing, drug application reviews, and patent examinations. A doctorate in a biological science is the minimum education required for most medical scientists. Pharmacists: They deliver medication prescribed by health practitioners, educate patients about medications, and counsel health practitioners on the selection, dosages, and interactions and side effects of medications. Pharmacists require a degree from an accredited college of pharmacy and successful completion of the state-required licensing exam.

Mental Health Counselors: They work with individuals, families, and groups to treat mental and emotional disorders using a number of therapeutic practices. They usually require a master’s degree to be licensed as a counselor.

Radiology Jobs: These jobs are wide-ranging and diverse. Various jobs can include Medical Imaging/Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Computed Tomography Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging/MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, and much more. Each field has their own set standards for educational requirements.

These are just a few of the most popular health care professions. Whatever your individual interests, there is sure to be a health care profession for you.

The funds do not come only from government agencies. On the contrary, the most significant amounts come from private foundations and other non-profit institutions that want to contribute to fighting breast cancer.

Eligibility for either government grants or private funding differs from grant to grant but almost any health care agency that is performing tasks related to breast cancer screening, diagnosing or treating will find a source of funds in the form of a grant if needed.

The Purpose Of These Grants

Why do private institutions and the federal government provide funding for these projects? Simple: The idea is to assign the money needed to research on this topic and support different developments that concentrate on breast cancer. The projects can focus on treatments or education or any other area provided that it is breast cancer related.

The mission is to offer to women who are medically undeserved all that is needed in terms of information to avoid breast cancer whenever possible and to treat it or eliminate it if feasible. This includes education, screening, detection, treatment, medicines, hiring staff, etc. There are many costs that are related to the subject that need to be covered and these grants are meant for that.

The Amounts at Stake

All these costs are quite high and therefore much money is needed to cover for them. But contrary to common belief, these grants provide increasingly higher funds that are already significant. For instance, the higher grant amount provided by a private institution not so long ago reached almost the figure of 5,000,000 dollars and was awarded to a single institution fighting breast cancer.

What Have The Funds Been Awarded For

So far breast cancer grants from private institutions have been awarded for educational programs to reach the community and let the same community refer other community members so the information can be spread as thoroughly as possible. They have also been awarded for providing support to cancer patients, not only physically but also psychologically.

When it comes to financial assistance, these grants have been awarded not only to provide medical assistance but also for counseling, child care for those mothers that cannot take care of their children due to the illness, transportation to and from the clinic where all the procedures are performed and many other types of financial assistance that a victim of breast cancer may need.

Also, many grants where awarded not only by private institutions but also by the government for seminars on breast cancer, research and many other scientific topics that also need to be funded in order to develop new ways to address this problem that affects hundreds of thousands women across the country and world.

Let’s call it like it is- most people don’t like to move and most older individuals certainly do not want to leave the family home and move into an assisted living environment. There are of course many reasons that make a move so difficult, not least of which, is the overwhelming thought of emptying cupboards, basements and bedrooms. When the ‘home’ is no longer safe- is usually the determining factor of when a move should be made. But sometimes it is hard to determine when a move to a higher level of care is appropriate. For older couples it is sometimes advisable to plan a move while the couple is still well enough to adjust to a new setting. However many will only consider a move after a spouse dies.

Once it has been decided that a move is necessary, there are several options to consider. Most seniors strongly resist moving into an “old folk’s home” for fear of the negative images they hold. There are several options available in today’s marketplace including: condominiums, life lease apartments, senior’s apartment buildings, supportive housing, retirement residences, and long term care facilities. An open discussion about what the senior would like and their current and future care needs is a great place to start.

When making a decision about a move, it is important to remember that each living arrangement has benefits and drawbacks. A condominium might be a good fit for someone who is finding the outside maintenance of their home to be a challenge and who wants to maintain complete independence- as no services are typically offered. Many have a doorman or concierge who can provide some level of security and assistance. These buildings also can allow the senior to stay in a community of people of varying ages. Seniors living in condominiums still need to prepare their own meals and take care of their own household chores. Perhaps the largest drawback to this type of move is that it is likely that the senior will have to move again as their care needs increase, unless there is space and interest in hiring private home support assistance and/or a live in caregiver.

A senior’s apartment building is a rental option for seniors who, much like those who purchase condominiums, find outside maintenance of their homes to be difficult to manage but in every other way would like to maintain complete independence. These apartment buildings have an age requirement and do not allow children or younger families to rent. Seniors who chose a facility like this to call home may find that they meet more people who share similar interests and activities. Like the condominium, however, the largest drawback to this type of facility is the need to move again to higher levels of care when health begins to decline and the need for assistance with tasks of daily living increase unless there is space and interest in hiring private home support assistance and/or a live in caregiver.

Supportive housing provides affordable housing designed to help seniors re-establish connections to the community. The housing is linked to voluntary and flexible support services designed to meet the seniors’ needs and preferences. It is designed for people who only need minimal to moderate care, such as homemaking or personal care and support, to live independently. The level of support may vary, and some support services are provided by on-site staff, while in other instances may be delivered on an outreach basis. This may include adult day programs or medical/physiotherapy clinics coming into the apartment building. Staff working in these facilities try to help seniors in their building get linked into other services offered out in their community, such as senior’s centres. These staff, however are not medically trained, some are Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) while others have certifications in recreation planning. In many facilities, no one is on staff during the night in case of emergency. Supportive housing buildings are owned and operated by municipal governments or non-profit groups including faith groups, seniors’ organizations, service clubs, and cultural groups. Accommodations, on-site services, costs, and the availability of government subsidies vary with each building.

Accommodation costs are based on market rent for similar apartments. Seniors wishing to live in this environment need not have a certain income level however subsidies are available for seniors with limited financial means. If eligible, the government may subsidize the rent so that the senior only pays up to 30% of their household’s monthly income. To be eligible for a rent subsidy, the senior must be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or refugee claimant. If they own their home they are obliged to sell it within six months of moving into supportive housing. Local governments may set additional eligibility requirements for rent subsidies. There is usually a waiting list for subsidized units. Seniors may have to pay an additional fee for optional services such as transportation, recreational outings or hairdressing.

To find out what the further eligibility requirements for subsidy are for your province, and to find out where there is a supportive housing unit in your area, contact your local CCAC or Community Care Association who have application information as well as a listing of all supportive housing locations in the area.

A retirement residence is another option. Many are geared to modestly well and independent seniors. These rental facilities, can range in price and service delivery. Many offer dining room settings, pools, exercise rooms, supervised outings and bus services. Units can include a bachelor, one or two bedrooms and some have kitchenettes that allow residents to opt in or out of some of the meals. These retirement residences have the benefit of having staff (typically Personal Support Workers) available to residents as well as nursing and recreation planning staff. This provides the senior and their family a feeling of security in knowing that there is always someone close by in case of emergency. These facilities often become a community unto themselves, with meals offered and activities and events pre-organized by the staff. Many even have visiting physicians and other health practitioners and can arrange for medications to be delivered right to the resident’s door.

Within many retirement communities varying levels of assistance for personal care are available (assisted living) and can be purchased as needed for an additional fee. These programs are offered as a means to help seniors ‘age in place’ so another move will not be necessary. Additional levels of care may be referred to as ‘assisted living’ which includes some hands on assistance from a Personal Support Worker for bathing and/or dressing and may include medication monitoring. If the individual requires more assistance during the day and evening, or are dealing with significant cognitive issues that result in the need for full time supervision or a secured floor, while some facilities may be able to accommodate others would deem them ready to move to long term care or to require extra help from private service providers.

A life lease apartment is much like a condo – but includes access to all the services of the retirement home. These facilities may be within a retirement residence or a separate facility. The benefit to these types of apartments is that the resident maintains a bit of equity -they own their apartment and when they pass away, the money from the sale of the apartment will act as an inheritance or be available to pay off any remaining debt. If a retirement residence has life lease suites along with apartments, assisted living programs and long term care, the senior could move once and not need to move to another facility. Rather, they would move within the facility as the need arose for higher care levels.

One of the major drawbacks to moving to a retirement setting is the need to adjust to a communal setting. In these facilities there is a set menu, a set meal time and bus trips and outings are set according to a pre planned schedule. It can also be a shock for a senior first moving into one of these facilities to see “all the old people”. Discussing what to expect and getting tours of possible residences will help make the decision as to whether the facility will be a right fit. Some locations will offer trial stays so that seniors can see what daily life will be like, get to taste the food and meet other people who live there. Respite and convalescent care is also offered in many retirement residences and may be another good way to introduce an alternate setting.

A long term care facility is available for those who require more assistance than what is offered by the retirement residence. These facilities are funded by the government so that no person who requires this level of care will be turned away for lack of funds.

These facilities have 24 hour nursing care and residents receive help with all activities of daily living- eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, as well as having provision for laundry and housekeeping.

In the Province of Ontario, long term care facility admission is accessed through the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). The CCAC will send a case manager to your home to help you to select 3 facilities that you would be willing to move to, in order of preference. Much like Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Prince Edward Island have agencies (Home and Community Care Services, Community Care Access Capital Health, “Centres locaux de services communautaires”(CLSC) (Local Community Services Centre in English) and Home Care Office respectively) through whom residents of the Province access admission to long term care. These government agencies assess applicants for eligibility, assist with completing applications, monitor the waiting lists, and advise residents of their admittance to a particular home. Initial contact with any of these agencies can be completed by either the senior themselves or a family member. To ensure that you make an informed choice, it is always good to book a tour of each facility, enjoy a lunch and speak with other residents and family members prior to making any decisions on your application.

If you are still unsure of what setting would be right for your parent, a Geriatric Care Manager can help assess your parent’s care needs and can assist with outlining the various local options available. They can help the senior to make a decision that will optimize their health and lifestyle for the immediate and long term.

Most people are astonished to hear that many homecare workers do not have any formal education in caring for an elderly adult. Certified nurse aids and nurses must hold a license or a certification in all 50 states. Homemakers, sitters and companions, on the other hand, do not have to be certified or licensed.

A recent study by The Caregiving Project For Older Adults identified a common misconception that is likely to result in serious outcomes for families needing experienced caregivers. Although 78% of the people surveyed believed that all home care workers have received a recognized level of education, in fact, there is no such thing.

A licensed or certified aide (where you live determines what these caregivers are called) has completed mandatory training and has passed a standardized certification or licensing exam. If a home caregiver has a valid “certificate” or “license,” this confirms that the aide successfully completed this education and has participated in any mandated regular continuing education.

An “aide,” “companion,” or “sitter,” on the other hand, may have received no formal training at all. If a professional agency employs this home care worker, he or she might have had some rudimentary training by the agency. Not all agencies attempt to provide this kind of training, and there is no standardized curriculum if they do.

A caregiver who you have hired privately may or may not have had some previous experience, or “training,” by learning on the job while working for someone else previously.

How important is the lack of formal caregiver training? The elderly who are becoming more frail or confused will have steadily increasing needs. The skills that a good caregiver needs will change accordingly. A care worker who manages in the beginning with a little common sense and physical strength may find herself in water completely over her head as her client’s needs increase.

Does this mean you shouldn’t ever hire an uncertified or unlicensed aid or companion? Not at all. There are thousands of perfectly competent, experienced employees who have never been certified or licensed because they never worked in a medical homecare agency or care facility that required it.

What it does mean is you should never take it for granted that anyone who calls him or herself an “aid” or “experienced caregiver” has had formal training unless he or she is working as a licensed or certified aid or nurse. You have to ask. If your elder has an illness or behavior that calls for a caregiver with particular experience or training, ask for evidence before you hire. You are always within your rights to ask to see the prospective employee’s current certificate or license.

If you are planning to hire a caregiver through an elder care agency, be sure to ask about licensure or certification when you discuss the training their employees have had. Many agencies will have employees both with and without certification. You may have to pay a little more for a trained and certified caregiver, but it is usually well worth the additional expense if the caregiver is not fresh out of school.

Do you enjoy helping people and are looking for some great home health franchise opportunities? Home health care is a growing industry as many people cannot afford extended hospital stays and the costs of medical care is rising. This is a great industry to be involved with and offers some fantastic opportunities for you. Here are 5 of the best home health franchise opportunities to choose from.

Senior Helpers

If you enjoy helping people then Senior Helpers wants to talk to you. The number of seniors needing home health care is growing every day and as medical costs continues to rise; your services will be in higher demand. Senior Helpers has a great marketing program that helps you to take advantage of referrals from social workers and state agencies. They definitely need your help. Check out this very rewarding opportunity.

Always Best Care Senior Services

Projections are that demand for senior home health care is going to rise dramatically as more baby-boomers begin to retire. Always Best Care has dedicated itself to making sure seniors get the very best care possible. If you have a heart for helping seniors, then this is the business for you. You will receive intensive training and support, not only on home health care but also on running an efficient and productive business. Give them a call, you will be glad you did!

Home Health Mates

Here is your chance to be a part of an industry that is exploding and desperately needs your help. Home health franchise opportunities are growing faster every day and Home Health Mates is one of the best opportunities around. With franchises available throughout the United States, they can help you get involved in this very rewarding business and give you everything you need to operate and insure your success.

Interim Healthcare

Interim Healthcare gives you the opportunity to be involved in home health on one of three different levels. If you would like to be involved on a non-medical level, then check out the program for their personal care franchises. For a more involved program, they offer franchises in programs for licensed or Medicare certified agencies as well as physical therapists and nurses. You are sure to find the opportunity you are looking for here.

Right at Home Health Care

At Right at Home Health Care, you don’t need to have health care experience, but you do need a caring and compassionate heart. They can teach you what you need to know to run a business. If you truly have the desire to succeed at the same time you have the willingness and concern to care for those who can’t care for themselves, then Right at Home would like to talk to you.

To market their services and create brand awareness, home care agencies deliver numerous giveaways to referral sources. Giveaways create awareness of the home care agency, and especially when giveaways offer health information of use to referral sources and their patients, help to brand that agency as a health care community resource and viable partner in the care of the patient.

Home care agencies have a tremendous array of products at their fingertips from which to choose. Giveaways may range from disease-specific brochures, care plan oversight literature, and posters to health logs, tablet mousepads, and newsletters. However, one of the most popular giveaways for agencies is the calendar.

There are forces at play that make calendars the most timeless and functional giveaway: a holiday to celebrate, an observance to remember, an appointment to schedule…in essence, a life to move forward.

When calendars contain useful information for the referral source, they become an even hotter marketing commodity. Calendars may be personalized with the agency’s logo and contact information to encourage positive awareness of the agency. Its yearlong use within the office adds to the calendar’s reputation as a low-cost giveaway with a high return on investment. What other giveaway commands center stage of a referral source’s attention all year long, branding the home care agency as a health care partner with every flip of the page.

“We are always looking for new and innovative ways to stay ahead of our competition and market to our existing and prospective referral sources, says Judy Bishop, chairman of Guardian Home Care Holdings, Inc., which oversees nearly 70 home health, private duty and hospice offices throughout Texas, Tennessee and Georgia. “As far as return on investment, the calendar has been the best promotional giveaway we’ve done yet.”

Calendars allow for flexibility as they come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit each agency’s budget and tastes. One agency may want to deliver wall calendars with themed imagery and customization on every page; another may opt for a monthly planner or a notebook- or pocket-sized planner. Another bonus to the calendar giveaway is the ease in putting it all together. Agencies have at their disposal marketing companies that do the work for them. In essence, the agency chooses a theme from an array of themes provided (e.g., flowers, national monuments, exotic destinations, butterflies, nostalgia, etc.), sends in their logo and contact information, and voila! Ready-made calendars are ready to go to the referral source.