Caregiver Profile: Bertude!

BertudeDec2015

Caregiver_Profile-1.jpgHello everyone, thank you for stopping by our first ever Caregiver Profile! Once a month, we will be highlighting one of our outstanding employees. You’ll learn a little bit about our caregivers, the in home care services we provide, and what makes Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses so special (spoiler alert: it’s the people!).

Name: Bertudepennsylvania agency of nurses in home care

Bertude is from: Jeremie, Haiti

Recent recognition: October 2015 Employee of the Month

Qualifications: Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Home Health Aides (HHAs) are individuals who work under the supervision of a nurse. They provide compassionate care and play a key role in the lives of the client. CNA’s and HHA’s maintain client safety, and provide comfort, privacy and dignity to clients in the delivery of their care.

What’s the difference between a Home Care Agency & Home Care Registry?

December21

in home care agency versus home care registrySearching for the right organization or person to provide in home care for your loved ones can be a little intimidating if you’ve never done it before. There are a lot of providers available, from nationwide franchises to smaller local businesses and independent contractors…all of which can be found online! With so many options at your fingertips, it can be difficult to know which type of provider will best suit your family’s needs (for an in-depth discussion of the costs of different types of senior care, click here). Let’s take a look at one of the most important differentiators for you to know about: the difference between in home care registries and home care agencies.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

December16

what is multiple sclerosisWhat is multiple sclerosis, and how many people does it affect? What are the symptoms of this disease, and what can be done to assist those suffering from MS? The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation estimates that more than 400,000 people in the United States and about 2.5 million people around the world have MS. While that may not sound like a lot in a world of more than 8 billion people, this disease has serious ramifications for those who have it (and their loved ones). Before we take an in-depth look at the disease, here are some names you may recognize of famous people who have shared their diagnoses:

  • Annette Funicello (actress and Disney Mouseketeer)
  • Richard Pryor (comedian)
  • Montel Williams (host of the Montel Williams Show)
  • Neil Cavuto (Senior VP for Fox Business Network)
  • Clay Walker (country artist)
  • Ann Romney (wife of former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney)

Holiday Happenings for Seniors to Enjoy Around Philadelphia

wanamaker

December is a wonderful month full of cheer, holidays, and celebrations!* We at Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses wanted to share some of the festivities going on that might be enjoyable for seniors, families, and friends alike! Even if a loved one is in senior care, see which of these activities they might be able to enjoy. Let’s take a waltz down Holiday Lane, and see what’s happening this month in Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester Counties!

The Mediterranean Diet: Good for those in Senior Care?

December8

mediterranean diet for seniorsIf you’ve resolved to lose weight and eat a healthier diet this year, you are not alone. But what’s the best way? And when it comes to seniors, especially those receiving occasional, or even regular in home care, how can you be sure that they are getting the right kind of calories, not just the right amount? Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses takes a look at one way to bring more health to the table this coming year.

Much has been published and talked about regarding what’s called “the Mediterranean diet.” Perhaps you’ve wondered how these suggestions for healthy eating can be applied to the seniors in your life, and whether it is something you should prioritize.

Do You Have a Loved One with Dementia? 3 Phrases to Avoid

December3rd

dementia phrases to avoidDid you know that dementia affects more than 47 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization? Dementia is broadly defined as a deterioration in cognitive function, greater than would be expected in normal aging processes. Deteriorating cognitive functions can affect memory, learning capacity, calculation ability, recognition, language, and more. Of the different dementias, Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common – and one of the most serious. Needless to say, when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it will signal major changes for both the patient and his or her family.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

SAD

seasonal affective disorder in senior careAs the fall season slowly turns into winter, seasonal affective disorder (sometimes called SAD) might start afflicting more and more people. It’s estimated that around 5% of the American population is affected by SAD each winter. Let’s take a look at what seasonal affective disorder is, how to recognize it, and why it’s important to be on the lookout – especially for our elderly loved ones.

Senior Care Kitchen: Thanksgiving Edition!

Thanksgiving

senior care thanksgiving foodsThanksgiving is right around the corner, and the traditional meal of turkey, pie, sides, and more can be chock full of nutrition…or not! Getting the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins and more is important for everyone, but especially those who may be receiving senior care. As we age, our nutritional and caloric needs change, but it can be difficult to change well-established eating habits. For instance, that pizza in college where you could eat six slices with no problem might cause you some issues ten, twenty, or even forty years later! It’s also a general trend that adults become less physically active as they get older, and our diets should reflect this reality if it applies. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and find out what’s good for seniors!

Looking for In Home Care? Top 4 Primary Caretaker Qualities

Caregiver_Qualities

qualities to look for in primary caretakers for in home careFinding the right person or agency to provide care for a loved one is a very important process. In a previous blog, we discussed some examples of primary caretakers that weren’t so great, and how to judge whether the caregiver or agency is the right fit for your family. As a follow-up to that post, we asked different adults what qualities they look for when hiring someone to take such an important role in their parent’s or spouse’s life. Here are the four answers that came up most often…

Resources for Caregivers: 10 Tips To Take Care of Yourself, Too!

Resources_For_Caregivers

resources for caregivers providing in home careBecoming a primary caretaker for a loved one is not unlike becoming a parent for the first time. It’s a journey full of compassion, love, stress, anxiety, humbling moments, and incredibly rewarding moments. To care for another human is the greatest act of love, but it also requires a lot of energy, time, and work. In that light, it can be easy to lose track of your own health and wellbeing as a caretaker…which can have negative impacts on yourself as well as your loved one. Let’s take a look at ten different ways caretakers can take care of themselves, too!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will I be committed to a long-term agreement?

No long-term agreement! PAN requests 24 hour notice to cancel services. You may cancel temporarily, make changes to your schedule with notice.

Does PAN provide skilled care?

Yes, PAN provides skilled nurses to meet those Client’s requiring more complex needs.

Does PAN provide services in local hospitals?

Yes, we can provide services in your home, assisted living community, hospitals, wherever you call home.

What is the process of finding a caregiver?

We make the process of finding a caregiver very simple and prompt using our QuickCare Placement program. Give us a call and we’ll conduct a brief phone discussion to understand your needs. We then can meet anyone involved in selecting and paying for care at your home for an in-home needs consultation. Within 24 hours of that visit we are usually able to refer a professional caregiver to your home. Our team continuously screens caregivers beyond current demand to give you quick access to the best caregivers in our community.

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