Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

“ HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 “

President's Corner - (For Caregivers) By Christine L. Browning R.N.

I want to formally thank all of you on the caregiving team for your hard work and dedication. Home Helpers of Barrington and Palatine is a lifelong dream of mine and you are the day to day face of that dream coming true. Our mission is;

“ To improve the quality of life for clients of all ages and their families through comprehensive, quality, compassionate care.” YOU! Are the face of our organization and I thank you for showing up on time every time, looking nice and with a smile on your face even though we all have those days where we don’t feel like smiling. I know we also have some clients that don’t make us feel like smiling either. The good news is that I have found that when you really put yourself in the client’s shoes it is so much easier to care for them. Many of them are in constant pain. They are frustrated remembering the days when they could do things for themselves. Our job is to make sure they can still do many if not all of those things with just a bit of help from us. We keep them in their home rather than in a home. We keep them safe and put their minds and the minds of their families at ease. All of this is possible because of you! So again, I thank you for making us the best homecare agency in the Northern Chicagoland suburbs!

"Caregiver of the Quarter"

Nicholas, the word “Blessing” is what best describes

him. He manages to do so much with the highest level

of Quality, Compassion and Professionalism. Though

Nick has only been with us for nearly 6 months, you

would think that he has been a caregiver for decades.

Nicholas has also been nominated this year for the

National “Exceptional Caregiver of The Year Award.”

One of the things that sticks out most was the night

we received the call that he was going to be late to

the client’s house as his car had broken down and he

was on his way walking as he had no other means.

Keep in mind the client lived 10 miles away. Most

people would call in sick, but not Nick! Of Course, we

were able to get him a ride and on time! He never

turns down a shift and always turns in his charting on

time and complete. Nicholas, we are blessed to have

an employee like you.

“Client Testimonial”

★★★★★ Dad enjoys Nana the Live-in

caregiver so well. We see the connection they

have and it makes us comfortable knowing that

dad is safe and sound in his home. Your office

staff is always available to help answer any

questions that I may have. You have truly been

a blessing to our family. You have delivered

what you have promised. Dad even talks about

the Cubs Game that your Agency had taken him

to.

Peggie- Ashland, IL

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

“ Weathering the Winter ”

During the winter months, ice, snow and cold temperatures can make life challenging for everyone. Slippery sidewalks and cold weather can cause a wide range of injuries and illnesses -- especially for seniors.

Here is some helpful advice for preventing common winter dangers that the elderly population faces.

1. Avoid Slipping on Ice Icy, snowy roads and sidewalks make it easy to slip and fall. "Unfortunately, falls are a common occurrence for senior citizens, especially during the winter months," says Dr. Stanley Wang, a physician at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. Often these falls cause major injuries such as hip and wrist fractures, head trauma and major lacerations.

While younger people often recover relatively quickly from such injuries, older adults face complications, which Dr. Wang says are a leading cause of death from injury in men and women over the age of 65.

Make sure to wear shoes with good traction and non-skid soles, and stay inside until the roads are clear. Replace a worn cane tip to making walking easier. Take off shoes as soon as you return indoors because often snow and ice attach to the soles and, once melted, can lead to slippery conditions inside.

2. Dress for Warmth Cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and hypothermia -- a condition where the body temperature dips too low. According to the CDC, more than half of hypothermia-related deaths were of people over the age of 65.

So, don't let indoor temperatures go too low and

“Caregiver Testimonial”

https://youtu.be/dRu2qFcMs7M

“Caregiver Photo of the Quarter” This was taken by our own “Steven” near his home in Williams Bay, WI. Early December am Winter Sunrise.

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

dress in layers. Going outside? Wear warm socks, a heavy coat, a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. In very cold temperatures, cover all exposed skin. Use a scarf to cover your mouth and protect your lungs.

Your body temperature should never dip below 95 degrees -- if it does get medical assistance immediately.

3. Fight Wintertime Depression Because it can be difficult and dangerous to get around, many seniors have less contact with others during cold months. This can breed feelings of loneliness and isolation.

To help avoid these issues, family members can check in on seniors as often as possible; even a short, daily phone call can make a big difference. Seniors can also arrange a check-in system with neighbors and friends, where each person looks in on one or two others daily. We also offer this for clients and have many families who utilize this service year round.

4. Check the Car Driving during the winter can be hazardous for anyone. But it is especially dangerous for older people, who may not drive as often anymore or whose reflexes may not be as quick as they once were. Get your car serviced before wintertime hits -- or ask a family member to bring it to a garage for you. Checking things like the oil, tires, battery and wipers can make a big difference on winter roads. Also, make sure your AAA membership is up-to-date in case of emergencies.

5. Prepare for Power Outages Winter storms can lead to power outages. Make sure you have easy access to flashlights and a

"Caregiver Tip of the Quarter”

5 Simple Promises For

a Healthier New Year Resolutions for the Caregiver

It doesn’t matter if your payment comes in a check

or an occasional appreciative smile. As a caregiver,

you likely don’t do what you should to maintain your

own health.

As a new year approaches, consider resolving to

take a step toward caring for yourself.

Here are 5 simple suggestions:

1. Get a checkup

You wouldn’t dream of skipping your mother’s

cardiologist appointment or your dad’s semi-annual

visit to the oncologist. So why has it been three

years since your last physical?

Pick up the phone today and make appointments

with your primary care doctor, eye doctor and

dentist.

If you need someone to take over caregiving while

you see the doctor, make those arrangements

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

battery-powered radio in case the power goes out. Stockpile warm blankets. Longer power outages can spoil the food in your refrigerator and freezer so keep a supply of non-perishable foods that can be eaten cold on hand. If the power goes out, wear several layers of clothing, including a hat. Move around a lot to raise your body temperature. Check out this winter weather checklist from the CDC to make sure you have everything you may need.

6. Eat a Varied Diet Because people spend more time indoors and may eat a smaller variety of foods, nutritional deficits -- especially Vitamin D deficiency -- can be a problem. Nicole Morrissey, a registered dietician in southwest Michigan, recommends consuming foods that are fortified with Vitamin D, such as milk, grains and seafood options like tuna and salmon.

7. Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Using a fireplace, gas heater or lanterns can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure your safety by checking the batteries on your carbon monoxide detector and buying an updated one if you need to.

The most important tip to keep in mind during the colder months is to ask for help. If you need to clear your property of snow and ice, don't hesitate to ask a family member or neighbor, or hire a professional. Arrange rides to the grocery store and doctor's appointments. Many communities have shuttle services specifically for seniors. Don't be afraid to reach out for help.

Wintertime certainly poses challenges for seniors, but with a bit of planning and awareness, you will stay healthy and experience the joys of springtime soon enough.

If you have any helpful hints or comments, please feel free to post to our Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/HomeHelpersAtBarringtonIl/

today, too. Ask a relative, family friend or your

church for help. If those don’t work, you can always

call on Home Helpers to step in and care for your

loved one while you’re taking care of yourself.

2. Put the Brakes on the Drive-Thru

Resolve to make that burger and fries a treat rather

than a dietary staple.

The job of caregiving can leave little time or energy

for preparing a proper meal, but settling for fast food

means you are also settling for fat, sodium, carbs

and preservatives.

3. Take 10 and Give Me 20

Experts suggest we get 30 minutes of exercise each

day, but those 30 minutes don’t have to come all at

once.

Instead of stressing over when to work in that half-

hour workout, carve out 10 minutes three times a

day.

While your mom is sleeping, spend 10 minutes

walking up and down the stairs.

While Dad is reading the paper, drop and give

yourself 10 minutes worth of pushups, sit-ups and

and jumping jacks.

Keep a pair of hand weights handy and pump some

iron while your client takes in their must-see

television show.

4. Take That Helping Hand

Next time someone asks what they can do to help,

take the offer seriously.

Most people genuinely want to pitch in where they

can, and anyone who has been a caregiver knows

how valuable a little respite can be.

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

"Article of Interest”

What do I need to know about

potential home care agencies?

These are some of the frequently asked

questions we often receive from our

clients.

1. HOW SOON CAN HOME HELPERS PLACE A

CAREGIVER?

As soon as you need one. We will assess your

personal situation and have a caregiver in place on

day one for you. We have a Rapid Care Response

system that offers quick service when an unexpected

situation presents itself

2. ARE YOUR CAREGIVERS INSURED?

Not only are Home Helpers caregiver employees

When your neighbor asks if she can pick anything

up at the store, give her your list.

If your sister offers to take Mom to church on

Sunday, take some time to yourself rather than join

them.

When the church youth group offers to spend

Saturday afternoon cleaning up your yard, show

them where you keep the rakes.

5. Share the Load

Everyone needs a break sometimes. And if you

don’t need a break from your loved one, perhaps

they need one from you!

Home Helpers’ trained caregivers can step in to

provide you time for an afternoon at the movies, a

weekend away with friends or just a quick trip to the

grocery store. Just give us a call. We’ll make life a

little easier and 2017 a little healthier.

Birthdays for the Quarter

Clients

Jeanne

Myra

Val

Roger

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

insured, they are also required to complete a thorough

background check. We make certain all caregivers are

insured and properly screened in order for your loved

one to be fully protected.

3. DOES YOUR HOME HEALTH CARE AGENCY CONDUCT

BACKGROUND CHECKS ON YOUR CAREGIVER

EMPLOYEES?

All Home Helpers caregivers are required to complete

a thorough background check. We make certain all

caregivers are insured and properly screened in order

for your loved one to be fully protected.

4. ARE YOUR CAREGIVERS TRAINED TO HANDLE

TOUGH CLIENTS? WHAT KIND OF TRAINING AND

CONTINUING EDUCATION DOES THIS HOME CARE

AGENCY PROVIDE TO YOUR CAREGIVERS?

As a premier home health care agency, we make

certain that our caregivers are prepared to handle

anything. We adhere to a detailed training curriculum

with both mandatory and elective courses. Home

Helpers also offers online courses, webinars, and

continued training to all of our caregivers. HH

University is a program exclusive to Home Helpers

which offers caregivers a supplemental structured

training program where our caregiver can earn

certifications of Specialist, Expert and Master: a title

that truly differentiates the skill set of the Home

Helpers caregiver.

5. IF THE CAREGIVER DOES NOT WORK OUT, WHAT DO

YOU DO TO FIND A REPLACEMENT?

From the beginning, we ensure that we provide the

Caregivers

Simone

Dinah

Leslie

Patricia

Marilyn

Christine

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

best and most compatible caregiver match for you or

your loved one. If, for any reason, the caregiver

placed is not working out, we will work as quickly as

possible to place a new one in the position. This is

one of the great benefits of using a home care agency.

6. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT

MY CAREGIVER?

You can call your local Home Helpers office and

speak with the Office Manager or Supervisor. Rest

assured that we will look into your questions or

comments immediately.

7. DO I PAY THE CAREGIVER DIRECTLY, OR DO I TIP

THE CAREGIVER?

You do not pay the caregiver directly and our

caregivers cannot accept tips. You pay your local

office directly. Home Helpers accepts most methods

of payment. The hourly rate for a caregiver differs by

location. As each office is independently owned and

operated, hourly rates and methods of payment differ

by location. Simply contact us to discuss how we can

suit your needs!

8. WHAT IF MY CAREGIVER DOES NOT SHOW UP FOR A

SCHEDULED SHIFT?

This is a very rare event. But if it does occur, Home

Helpers offers a system that enables the caregiver to

“clock in” and “clock out” by calling an automated

toll-free number. If a scheduled shift has not been

called in, the system alerts the office staff

immediately and we send a secondary caregiver. With

Caregiver Poem of the Quarter”

I am a Caregiver I am a caregiver it’s what I do. 24/7, I’m here for you.

And most of the time

we do just fine But once in a while, I need my own time. And when I take that necessary break

I’ve got to remember it’s for both our sake. I can’t take care of you unless I take care of me. So I work very hard

at being guilt-free. I’ll always be here for you, so don’t you fret.

Together we’re making memories of us I’ll never forget.

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

our telephony system, there are no time sheets or

missed shifts.

9. WHO WILL I MEET AT THE INITIAL IN-HOME

CONSULTATION?

This varies by location, but in most cases, the owner

and/ or a registered nurse or client care manager will

visit you in your home to learn more about you.

10. HOW DO YOU FIND AND RECRUIT QUALITY

CAREGIVERS?

We have several reputable methods of recruitment for

finding and hiring caregivers that include specific

websites, target groups, job fairs and focused

advertising. Once we recruit potential employees, we

will assess their merits through interviews conducted

via telephone, in person and sometimes in groups.

11. CAN I TALK TO ANY OF YOUR CURRENT CLIENTS?

Many offices are able to put you in contact with

current clients. This is a great way to know that

you’ve made a good choice in trusting a home care

agency with your loved one.

12. HOW OFTEN IS CARE AVAILABLE?

At Home Helpers, we will structure a care plan that

meets your needs. Whether you need help for just a

few hours a week or 24/7, we’re here to make life

easier for you and your family. To schedule an in

home care assessment, contact our office at 847-268-

8676.

WE HIRE ONLY THE BEST CAREGIVERS

https://youtu.be/3IFsP5BbEO8

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

13. WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

Different home care agencies provide different

services. Please contact our office to learn more about

what we offer that the other agencies don’t.

14. DO YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT MY FAMILY AND ME?

This might not be a question you ask out loud, but it’s

a question most people will have in mind when

choosing a home health care agency. At Home

Helpers, we pride ourselves on our compassionate

care philosophy, and we have over 17 years of

experience in proving that, yes, we do care about

helping you and your family.

For more helpful information, visit our website,

HOME HELPERS – Making Life Easier® Home Helpers offers a complete continuum of home healthcare services, similar

to the care and support often provided by family members. Services include non-medical care, companionship, personal

care* and medical services*. Our flexible care plans are tailored to fit our clients’ specific needs and budgets. To learn

more about Home Helpers, call (847) 268-8676, or visit us online at www.HomeHelpersHomecare.com/barrington

Compassionate Care is a newsletter produced by Home Helpers. We hope you found this edition to be informative and

helpful.

Please Follow Us At

www.facebook.com/HomeHelpersAtBarringtonIl

www.HomeHelpershomecare.com/barrington

Home Helpers of Barrington • 330 E Main St. Barrington, Il 60010

847-268-8676

Copyright © 2014 H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Products & services may vary at each individual office location. Check with your local office for available products & services. HOME HELPERS does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion,

race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or sexual preference in connection with employment or acceptance, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities.

Compassionate Care Newsletter

We understand that choosing a Caregiver Agency to assist your family is a big step. It’s one that requires Trust. That’s why we choose to have our Caregivers carefully screened, background checked, and drug tested so that they can fully care for you. Life certainly does not always go the way we want it. There are certainly many detours and distractions along the way. We hope you too find Peace, Rest, and Help in God’s Love.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You!!! John & Christine Browning R.N., and the Caregiving Team at Home Helpers.