Greetings,In our last bi-monthly newsletter, I mentioned we had nominated one of our caregivers Jane, as the Caregiver of the Year for Visiting Angels nationwide. We were notified at the end of January, she was selected to move onto Round 2 of nominations! This round, we must submit video testimonials about Jane from the client, family members, office staff, and our owner Karen. By the time you read this, we will have submitted the video testimonials and will hear back by March 21st if Jane is a semi-finalist for this prestigious award. The winner of this years Caregiver of the Year award will be announced at the Visiting Angels 26th Annual Conference being held in June and will receive $5,000. There are many team members deserving of consideration for Caregiver of the Year, yet Janes exceptional qualities really stand out. Id like to share an excerpt from the written nominations highlighting Janes contribution.Jane has worked with our team for almost three years. She is dedicated to her work and committed to her clients. She is always on time and never calls out, no matter the weather conditions. The dignity of those in her care is a top priority for Jane while maintaining a positive attitude. Shes willing to go-with-the-flow in any circumstance. For example, when her client resists wearing oxygen and doesnt remember why they need to wear it, Jane knows how to navigate the situation with grace and patience. On the other hand, she holds her ground with difficult clients, and even though it may be uncomfortable, she handles it with respect and kindness.Nominating a caregiver of the year is not just a process, its an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary dedication and compassion of someone whose role is to serve others. Being a part of this journey of recognition has been rewarding because it highlights the invaluable contributions of caregivers nationwide and the importance of acknowledging their efforts. Its been a reminder of the power of appreciation and the significance of recognizing individuals who demonstrate excellence in their work. Im pleased to be a part of a nationally known and locally owned company, like Visiting Angels, who understands the importance and joy of recognizing others. In the end, nominating a caregiver is about acknowledging the countless acts of kindness and the immeasurable impact caregivers have on the lives of others. Whether or not Jane wins nationwide, she is our Visiting Angels of Medford, MA Caregiver of the Year 2023, and that is something to celebrate! I look forward to giving you another update regarding the award in May. All for now,Abby

I spend a lot of time in the hospital. No, I am not fighting a rare disease or having some work done. In my line of work, it is well known that hospitals are full of people who need help figuring out the next right step. In my role as Advisor, Senior Living and Care with Senior Care Authority, I know a lot about helping people in difficult situations. It was during one of those hospital visits in late 2023 that I met David. I spend a lot of time in the hospital. No, I am not fighting a rare disease or having some work done. In my line of work, it is well known that hospitals are full of people who need help figuring out the next right step. In my role as Advisor, Senior Living and Care with Senior Care Authority, I know a lot about helping people in difficult situations. It was during one of those hospital visits in late 2023 that I met David.I was walking the halls with my social worker colleague when I noticed a man aimlessly wandering the hall behind a group of hospital residents. He was dressed in clothes that screamed, I am not a medical professional! but the group of eager physicians seemed content with their tagalong. I asked Mary about what I was seeing, and she said, Oh, thats just David.She went on to tell me that David was in what they refer to as health care limbo, and that is it more common than many know. A variety of factors can lead to patients being left in a hospital with no discharge options including language barriers, mental illness, or simply being abandoned by family. In Davids case, he had some new medical needs that his caregiver could no longer handle at home and his financial resources were limited for bringing in help. Because a hospital cannot discharge a patient without a safe place to go, David spent more than 9 months occupying a hospital bed long after being medically needed as the team of social workers and discharge planners tried to find a solution.Patients in health care limbo cost hospital systems upwards of $2,600 a day. In Davids case, his 325 day stay came with a nearly $850,000 price tag. Not to mention the toll it took on his well-being, spending his days in a clinical setting reserved for the sickest individuals. Mary and I decided to team up and find David a better alternative.Before anything could be done to assist David with finding a new home, he first needed a legal representative, someone to assist with making health care decisions in his best interest. A guardian is a surrogate decision maker appointed by the court for just these situations. While guardians are largely known for their help with minors, adult guardianship is a growing need, especially in Florida, the state with the second largest number of older adults, expected to grow to almost 33% of its entire population by the year 2030.The process to obtain a guardian for an adult includes a petition being filed by an attorney to deem competency to make a decision, a hearing is held and if deemed necessary, a guardian is appointed. Davids guardian was appointed. But, just because he had a guardian did not mean care could be found. In many cases patients in health care limbo, nursing facilities and assisted living communities are apprehensive about admitting a patient that has been in the hospital for an extended amount of time. These patients can be labeled as difficult or raise red flags, at no fault of their own. Just making phone calls and inquiring about openings was not enough in Davids case. The team needed to build a story of need so an assisted living community would consider taking a second look.  And I found just that community nestled in North Collier County. A new team of Executive Director and Sales Manager were open to meeting David and seeing how they could help. On their first visit, David was in the 4th-floor hospital lobby, watching the news and paging through the newspaper. He could have easily passed as a nervous family member awaiting news of his first grandchild. After spending time with David and learning about his needs, they saw that David needed out of the hospital and into a room of his own with comfy furnishings, home-cooked meals, and daily activities to stimulate his brain and body. They were on board!The thumbs-up from the community was a big hurdle, but not the biggest. We had to figure out how to pay for it. The process of applying for Medicaid is lengthy. If we waited for approval, David could spend another three to six months institutionalized. The team met and the plan was set.we would ask the hospital system to cover the cost of his care until Medicaid services could be approved. Hospital systems have what is known as a benevolent care program, with a purpose of supplementing the expenses of medical care, which could include writing off hospital bills, finding accommodations for a mother who needs a place to stay while her newborn is receiving life-saving care, funeral and burial arrangements, and in our case, paying for the assisted living community until Medicaid could be finalized.The hospital system approved our proposal, so our final stumbling block had been toppled. We planned discharge for the patient who has three full seasons on the intermediate care floor.On the day of discharge, the hospital staff threw David a going away party, with balloons, noise makers and his favorite meal of roast beef and mashed potatoes, made special by the hospital dining services. His doctors, therapists, nurses, discharge planners, custodians, and hospital administrators showed up to see him off. We found a transport company willing to donate their services to the man who had pulled on all our heart strings. His first full day at his new assisted living home was marked with eggs to order, cuddles with baby goats, and happy hour with dueling pianos. What a stark change from the clinical halls of the hospital to the homey living room of the assisted living community.I love what I do, but never more than when I was able to build a team of like-minded professionals with one goal: to find David a place to live that was warm, comfortable, and safe. 

As the weather in the Northeast begins cooling down, many snowbirds start heading south to settle in Florida before the winter weather becomes too harsh. Now is the perfect opportunity for adult children to connect with their aging parents about their care needs and for independent seniors to consider additional support to ensure an enjoyable and worry-free season ahead. Deciding if you or your loved one needs the support of a home care agency may feel like a complex and sometimes emotionally charged decision. But the benefits are so numerous, and the care offered is so customized to cater to your specific needs, that perhaps learning a little more can make that decision feel more like a reward than a daunting task. In fact, with GlenCare Home Care, youll find that the customized in-home care plans include such a wide array of offerings, you may be surprised at the little things that will benefit you most. All without the daunting consideration of a physical move outside of your own home. In this blog, we'll discuss the reasons a home health care agency might be a great consideration for yourself or a loved one, no matter your current level of independence or that of your spouse or loved one. Well also share more about GlenCare Home Care, personalized senior home care, and helpful services that make life easier. The Glenview Brings Award-Winning Home Care to You The Glenview at Pelican Bay, Naples premier senior living community, offers in-home care resources to The Glenview residents and seniors in the surrounding Naples area. GlenCare Home Care Agency is a 2022 and 2023 Best of Florida winner in Guide to Floridas annual readers poll. Our dedicated team of nurses, aides, and personal assistants, all rigorously screened and highly qualified, offers a wide range of in-home offerings. Services encompass comprehensive case management, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, and companionship. We assist with personal care needs, including bathing, dressing, and medication management, while monitoring chronic illnesses. I cannot recommend GlenCare more strongly. My health caregiver is highly professional in every way, said client M.W. She has made my stay so much more comfortable than I ever would have dreamed. Our team can provide specialized care, including catheter care, wound care, and memory support for those with dementia. We also offer nursing assessments, transportation assistance, and end-of-life care. Additionally, we conduct fall risk assessments and home safety evaluations to ensure a secure living environment. Our services even include coordinating in-home concierge care from medical professionals, such as doctors, dentists, podiatrists, and therapists. Whether any of these types of care are needed now, or you simply want to have a plan in place should a need arise, GlenCare can meet your needs wherever you are. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly for seniors and their loved ones looking to gain peace of mind in the Gulf coastal area, becoming a GlenCare member means youll have every opportunity to join residents of The Glenview at Pelican Bay during inclement weather as needed. Joining GlenCare will allow you to be confidently prepared for almost any situation. First-Class Hospitality and Skilled Nursing Care at Premier Place If you decide you need more full-time care in a state-of-the-art skilled nursing center, Premier Place health and Rehab Center at The Glenview takes pride in offering a spa-like setting with highly personalized skilled nursing care. Residents enjoy generously appointed and comfortable private rooms, chef-prepared fine dining is available around the clock, and we welcome friends and family to visit anytime. Our expert team provides physical, occupational, and speech therapies tailored to your needs. We specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation, particularly for joint replacement patients, and also offer neurological, cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Additionally, our specialized therapy treatments ensure you receive the highest quality care and support for your recovery. I know when I send my patients to Premier Place, they will receive exceptional care. Their therapists work closely with me and my team to ensure it, said Dr. Solnes Tobal. Premier Place offers around-the-clock care with licensed nurses to ensure your loved ones receive outstanding patient-centered support. Our center boasts engaging activity programs, and beauty and barber services and even provides pre-registration options for planned surgeries. We prioritize your well-being as a certified Blue Zones community and fully Medicare-certified center. Additionally, we accept various insurance plans, including Florida Blue, to make accessing our exceptional care and services more convenient.Premier Place exceeded my expectations. The care, setting, private suite, and food were outstanding. I felt welcome and comfortable from the moment I arrived, said guest John Taylor. If youre ready to talk more about what a customized care plan could look like for you or your loved one, contact us to learn more about Premier Place and GlenCare Home Care.