Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ’s
Are your caregivers trained appropriately?
- Caregivers are thoroughly trained at our employee orientation program where we train and coach caregivers on all aspects of the job from making the bed to using a hoyer lift and emptying a catheter bag.
- Caregivers who are new to the field are put into our mentorship program where they shadow an experienced home health aide to learn the nuances of the job. Once the mentor approves the caregiver to provide services, our new caregivers are monitored closely to make sure they are able to meet our high standards.
Do you coordinate care with all partners including family, health care providers and my loved one?
- Our care is centered around the client. During our initial assessment, if the client wants Serenity to coordinate care with other partners, we will certainly provide that service!
Do you create a custom care plan for my loved one?
- Yes! From the first appointment to our ongoing care, we are always assessing each situation to make sure that we reach optimal outcomes for you, your loved ones, and their overall well being.
What is the difference between skilled care and personal care?
- Skilled care requires services that come from a physician’s order such as registered nurses, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Personal care assistance involves unskilled services these services help in activities such as, home chores, transportation, bathing, meal preparation. Serenity Home Care and Rehab Services offers both types of care to meet your loved ones needs.
Do you provide caregivers for someone in an assisted living facility?
- Yes! No matter the situation (assisted living or in home) we develop a customized plan that best suits your loved one.
How reliable are your caregivers?
- Our administrative team and Serenity Home Care and Rehab Services works around the clock to ensure that all home care appointments are covered. If a caregiver is unable to make an appointment time, we will notify you and find a replacement.
What are indicators that my loved one may need personal home care assistance?
- Is the house clean and tidy?
- How is their diet? Do they have enough groceries?
- Has your loved one been experiencing weight loss?
- Has your loved ones personal hygiene declined?
- Is your loved one expressing feelings of loneliness or isolation (or do you notice this)?
- Is your loved one experiencing memory lapses?
Glossary of Key Terms
Activity of Daily Living (ADL): Activities of daily living refer to an individual’s daily habits. ADLs are often used to help determine an individual’s ability to function at home or another less-restricted environment of care. Examples of ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, moving around, using the bathroom, and walking.
Ambulation: Ambulation refers to the ability to walk from place to place independently with or without assistive devices.
Caregiver (family): Someone who gives care to another person. Often a caregiver is a family member providing care to a loved one.
Caregiver (professional): Employees who provide care to clients are referred to as caregivers, care professionals, or health care professionals.
Alzheimer’s disease: The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s affects memory, thinking and other mental abilities. Alzheimer’s develops slowly and gradually worsens over time. While there is no cure for the condition, there are treatments to help manage the symptoms.
Area agencies on aging (AAA): local government agencies that provide or contract for services for older persons within their area.
Assisted living care: Long term care option that offers varying degrees of personal and medical care within a home-like setting. Assisted living facilities range from a private room or an apartment to a multiunit facility specializing in Alzheimer’s care. The goal of assisted living care is to maintain maximum independence. Also called “residential care.”
Caregiver stress: Emotional or physical strain caused by the challenges of caregiving. Caregiver stress may cause feelings of anger, anxiety, exhaustion, frustration, illness, or sadness.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA): Trained, licensed nursing professional who assists with personal care needs, such as bathing, dressing or eating.
Companion care: Nonmedical services that are provided in a patient’s home. Examples include, but are not limited to, helping with everyday activities, making meals, grooming, ensuring safety.
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs): Housing communities that provide different levels of care based on resident needs, from independent living apartments to skilled nursing care. Residents move from one setting to another as needed, but continue to remain a part of their CCRC.
Dementia: General term used to describe a set of symptoms that affects intellectual and social abilities such as memory, problem solving and communication.
In-home care: Care that takes place at home. It may be unpaid or paid care provided by loved ones, friends or professional caregivers. In-home care typically includes assistance with day-to-day tasks, such as bathing, walking, or cooking.
Home health aide: A trained and certified health care worker who provides assistance to a patient in the home with personal care and light household duties and who monitors the patient’s condition.
Licensed practical nurse: Certified professional who provides basic bedside care under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or physician.
Long term care: Broad spectrum of medical and support services provided to persons who have lost some or all capacity to function on their own, and who are expected to need such services over a prolonged period of time.
Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists evaluate, treat and consult with individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of everyday living are threatened or impaired by physical illness or injury, psychosocial disability or developmental deficits. Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, long term care facilities, and other health care settings.
Personal care: Assistance with “activities of daily living,” such as getting out of bed, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, walking or eating.
Physical Therapy (PT): Therapy to help those recovering from illness or injury. Physical therapy works to relieve pain, restore maximum function and prevent future injury or disability.
Registered nurse (RN): Nurse who has graduated from a formal nursing education program and passed a state-administered exam. RNs have completed more formal training than licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and have a wide scope of responsibility including all aspects of nursing care.
Respite care: Short term relief program offered in a variety of care facilities. Respite care gives both caregivers and loved ones a break. In respite care, a skilled care professional assumes caregiver responsibilities for a predetermined amount of time.
Skilled Nursing Care: 24/7 comprehensive care provided in a home-like setting. Skilled Nursing Care centers promote autonomy and choice. They offer a variety of services, social activities and recreational opportunities. Also called “nursing homes.
Speech Therapy: Therapy that treats a variety of conditions that affect language, communication, eating, or swallowing. It is often used following an injury, illness, stroke, or accident. Speech therapy helps improve language comprehension, speaking ability, and confidence.
Veterans care: Support and care services for elderly or ill veterans and their caregivers.