Senior Helpers - Cary, NC

What aging with dignity means to us...

Aging with dignity means above all that the person is respected. Our goal is to discover what is important to the senior as they continue to age and find creative ways to support that goal. Dignity means that the senior is always treated as person regardless of cognitive ability or physical ailments: they are listened to when they are speaking, they are not made to feel embarrassed, and they are not treated as 'less than' or as a 'problem to be dealt with'

Our caregivers are...

Our caregivers are well-trained and great individuals. Every applicant is interviewed personally by the owners, Hannah or Ryan. We hire less than 3% of applicants. Caregivers undergo extensive hands on training in our Center of Excellence, a training space designed as a realistic simulation of a client’s home. Training occurring here helps caregivers identify hazardous items, learn more about the safety of a client’s home, and demonstrate the proper use of durable medical equipment (DME). Our caregivers also go through our Senior Gems® Alzheimer's and Dementia training program, designed by dementia expert Teepa Snow, OTR/L, of Positive Approach, LLC and our Parkinson’s Care Training, provided by our membership in the Parkinson’s Foundation Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care. This means that when a caregiver first steps foot in your home, they are completely equipped to assist in all manners of care.

The care we offer is unique because...

First, our LIFE Profile tool gives us objective data to reduce the risk of hospitalization and add care during the highest risk activities to get the most 'bang for your buck'. It also allows us to identify outside resources to further support independence in the home. Second, our caregivers go through hands-on training in our Center of Excellence, a training space designed as a realistic simulation of a client’s home. Training occurring here helps caregivers identify hazardous items, learn more about the safety of a client’s home, and demonstrate the proper use of durable medical equipment (DME). Third, our caregivers also go through our Senior Gems® Alzheimer's and Dementia training program, designed by dementia expert Teepa Snow, OTR/L, of Positive Approach, LLC and our Parkinson’s Care Training, provided by our membership in the Parkinson’s Foundation Community Partners in Parkinson’s Care.

Important to remember when caring for someone...

Be patient and respectful. It is always important to allow the senior to maximize their independence and allow them to do tasks on their own that they are able to do. It is important to remember that even though you are there to do a job, you are a guest in their home and need to act accordingly.

What person-centered care means to us...

This means supporting and respecting the wishes of the senior. Research shows that over 90% of seniors wish to age in place and our LIFE Profile tool provides us with the objective data to support this goal. We begin by examining how the client is managing their medical condition(s) as this is one of the most likely causes of hospitalization among those 65 and over. Next, we’ll evaluate the 13 key areas that a senior must have their needs met in order to successfully age in place. After that, we look at 144 potential safety risks in the home, before evaluating the current caregiver support in place. Our goal is to work within the client’s existing support structures and financial resources to reduce the risk of hospitalization, improve quality of life, and support successful aging in place.

What would you want to know for family member care ...

Our philosophy of care stems from our own personal experience in needing additional support for our own family members. One of our owners, Ryan Murray was living in out of state at the time that his grandfather was diagnosed with dementia. The level of assistance he required gradually increased until he was confined to a hospital bed hastily setup in the dining room. While his family's decision to keep his grandfather at home on hospice - with a patchwork system of family caregivers, neighbors, and hired help - was not easy, everyone who cared for him during his final months has a story to tell of a meaningful moment or a deep connection that enriched their life as much as his. We treat all of our clients with the care and dignity they deserve regardless of physical condition.