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The Nursing Team

Bringing JOY to Home Care™

Aging

The Power of Pet Therapy!

The Nursing Team ·

Admittedly, we are dog lovers at The Nursing Team and highly believe in the power of Pet Therapy. It’s borderline spiritual — the way a calm dog can snuggle up next to you and melt your worries away, make you feel loved and simply be that “best friend” when you need one most.

Pet therapy can be beneficial to people of all ages, but it is especially impactful to seniors who are prone to depression because they are more inclined to be lonely or isolated.

The Nursing Team’s official Therapy Dog, Daisy, is one of the most “chill” dogs you will ever meet. So what is it that she, and other pets, can do for our seniors?

Benefits include:

  • Improve confidence, social skills, cognitive stimulation
  • Reduce blood pressure, depression, anxiety and loneliness
  • Increase exercise and mobility
  • Provide meaning and purpose in daily lives
  • Provide a calming influence for those with dementia

Here are some things to keep in mind when considering pet therapy:

  1. Pet Ownership vs Pet Therapy?
    Both can bring equal rewards, but pet ownership definitely comes with a bit more responsibility. This avenue should only be taken if the owner can take proper care of the animal by feeding, walking, grooming, cost etc. If mobility and memory are limited, a visiting pet therapy animal may be the better avenue.
  2. Puppies and kittens are cute, but not the best option.
    Puppies and kittens tend to be more hyper, need much more care and attention and can get “underfoot” easier, causing falls. Older dogs and cats are much more mellow, larger in size (which means they’re easier to see and not trip over) and can be easier to take care of.
  3. Allergies?
    If you, or your loved one, has never had a pet before, make sure they don’t have any pre-existing allergies you don’t know of.
  4. Compatibility is key.
    Last but certainly not least, compatibility is an important part of the benefits. You certainly don’t want an animal that is going to cause MORE stress or be antagonistic. (Not ALL older animals are calm and well-behaved.)

While many pet therapy services have put visits on hold during the COVID pandemic, this might be a good time for a lonely loved one to get a 4-legged friend (or other pet). It can help battle the isolation that has become part of daily life for self-quarantining seniors.

An added plus? Research has shown that the power of pet therapy has been great for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Interaction reduces anxiety and agitation as well as improves nutrition and appetite.

The Nursing Team owners, Tom and Kathleen Chastain adopted Daisy for Kathleen’s mom, when she was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Daisy was a blessing then and we can’t wait to get her back out there visiting clients, putting smiles on faces and warming hearts.

Consider Post-Surgery Home Care Help

The Nursing Team ·

When most people think of home care, they think of aging seniors needing assistance with daily tasks but they don’t often consider post-surgery home care help. Home care is also essential in supporting ANYONE after an invasive surgery. There are countless post-surgical situations where home care could provide much needed assistance and relief to patients and/or caregiving family members. Here are a few.

Post-natal care

Home care can be of assistance to mothers of newborns. Perhaps she had a c-section and has other children at home to care for, a spouse that works full time and no extended family to help. Perhaps the child was born with special needs and the situation has created added stress to the household. Having a loving caregiver assist with things like meal prep and light housekeeping can provide some much needed relief.

After major surgery

Hip replacements, knee replacements and other major surgeries can limit ones ability to navigate showers, meal preparation, driving to run errands, etc. Some temporary home care assistance through the post-operative recovery can ease the burden. We partner with many home healthcare companies that provide Physical and Occupational Therapy (PT/OT) so during those off days when PT or OT are not planned, we can step in and assist with excerices that follow their orders.

Life changing surgeries

Amputation. Paralysis. Stroke. These are all instances where life is going to be different post-recovery, whether it was from something unexpected like a car accident, or ongoing poor health. Home care can help with daily household tasks as clients adapt to new way of living, as well as provide companionship, medication management and nursing care.

The Nursing Team enjoys helping clients of all ages. We want to spread the awareness that everyone should consider post-surgery home care help when needed. It can make the recovery process less stressful for everyone.

The Nursing Team is a family owned and locally operated home care agency based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and serving the surrounding areas. If you need someone to take over some post-surgery caregiving responsibilities, call us for a free consultation at 816.282.6998. We’d be happy to help.

Top Questions to Ask A Home Care Agency

The Nursing Team ·

Inviting someone into your home to care for yourself or a loved one, whether they are visiting a house or an assisted living center, is a very big decision, so it’s important to ask the right questions when interviewing a home care agency. Use this as a helpful guide in your discussion.

1. How are you different than other home care agencies? They should be able to easily tell you clear, understandable unique points of differentiation that benefit you, the client and family.

Our answer? The Nursing Team has distinct advantages for our clients and their families. Our first and perhaps most important unique feature is that we can provide non-medical services (i.e. companionship, meal preparation and hygiene care) as well as medical care (ie, wound care, catheter insertions, ostomy care, medication administration). This is something you won’t find with most home care agencies. Secondly, we provide a Meaningful Match™ that ensures our client is thoughtfully paired with the best caregiver based on personality and interests. Thirdly, we like to say we are “family owned and lovingly operated” which we believe brings and extra layer of accountability and passion. And lastly, our corporate culture is one of JOY™, with a daily mission of transforming lives for the better.

2. Can you provide both non-medical and medical services? Just in case it doesn’t get covered when asking the first question, be sure to ask this specifically. You will be glad you did, even if your situation right now does not really call for any medical needs.

Our answer? (See answer to question #1.) Additionally, being able to access non-medical as well as medical care from the same agency will provide much needed consistency in caregiving, billing, communication and logistics, along with our focus on continuity of care. This means it will make the client’s caregiving experience (and the family-member’s handling of it) just a little bit less stressful since WE can coordinate the two services working together instead of the client needing to.

3. Caregivers: Tell me about your caregivers. Ask how they are screened, what their qualifications are and how long they have been with the agency. (Note: A short time with an agency isn’t a red flag, but longer tenure speaks volumes about the company itself.) Ask what happens if you (or your loved one) doesn’t get along with the caregiver provided. Ask if you will have the same caregiver every visit. And don’t forget to ask if your caregiver is certified. A certified caregiver can make a difference as your loved one moves from non-medical to medical care.

Our answer? The Nursing Team knows that our caregivers are our front line. We conduct thorough background checks, criminal record checks and medical screening. We truly care about our team members and that attitude works its way into the home of every client. Every decision we make is made in the best interest of the client.

4. How do you communicate with clients and family members? Communication protocols are an important part of the process, especially when one or more family members are involved and/or if the situation involves more high-level services. Be sure to understand how you will get updates and stay abreast of important information.

Our answer? The Nursing Team has a proven process that ensures family members will be made aware of daily activities, pertinent information and notable changes. We also have an efficient online system for communicating with our caregivers and documenting every visit. Our caregivers have access to a nurse 24/7 for any questions or concerns they might have during a visit. Working together is important to us.

5. What is your company culture…why are you in this business? We can’t emphasize this enough. While this is not a “check the box” kind of question, this will give you a good personal feel about the people who will be creating your care plan and overseeing the care for you and your loved one.

Our answer? The Nursing Team tagline “Life Changing Home Care” means that we want to beautifully transform the lives of our clients and their families. Our owners, Tom and Kathleen Chastain, both served as caregivers for their own mothers and value the beautiful gift of that experience. They both have a passion for easing the stress of caregiving for families while bringing JOY™ to the aging process and the caregiving journey for anyone they are privileged to serve.

6. Do you have experience in (insert specific concern here)? This may be a specific condition like Alzheimer’s, a specific physical challenge like wheelchair limitations or a challenging client personality. If it is something that concerns you, be upfront and be sure to ask about it.

Our answer? The Nursing Team is confident and prepared to handle any situation presented. Our caregivers have, literally, decades of experience spanning home care, nursing homes, and healthcare facilities. The caregivers—and owners — have dealt with dementia and conduct ongoing training to stay up-to-date on research and best practice care techniques. With each new client, we use our Meaningful Match™ process to assign a caregiver that will have the most success with the given situation.

7. Ask about cost and billing. How much does it cost? Can I auto pay or do you send a monthly invoice? How are the hours tracked? Is there a required minimum or a contract? Can I increase or decrease hours at any time or do you have a required notification. Be sure you are clear on what you are looking at since most home care situations are private pay and not covered by insurance.

Our answer? This is a huge finanical decision for families. We love to work with families to develop a care plan that makes sense for any sized budget. This can be a very stressful time and we’re here to help ease these concerns and answer all of your questions so the right decision can be made. Every situation is different, but we do not require long-term contracts.

8. Is there anything you DON’T do? Last but certainly not least. Be sure to ask this question as it’s just as important to know what an agency doesn’t do. And sometimes they may not specifically point that out.

Our answer? While The Nursing Team is a very comprehensive home care service, there are a few things we do not do. We do not provide hospice care. Instead, we prefer to work in tandem with hospice services and provide the consistency needed to the client. We consider it an honor to be with our clients until the last breath. We do not provide live-in home care but do provide 24/7 care. This just means that our clients will typically have two caregivers — one during the day and one at night.

In closing, we encourage clients and families to interview multiple home care agencies. This will make you feel more confident in your decision and will give you a good idea of the differences between your various options.

The Nursing Team would love to talk with you about how we can serve you and/or your loved one. Feel free to contact us for a complimentary consultation to review your situation and to answer any other questions you may have.

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10 Holiday Traditions to Start With Grandparents

The Nursing Team ·

When we think of holiday traditions, we typically think of the immediate family….mom, dad and kids, but here are 10 holiday traditions to start with grandparents. Including grandparents in traditions, especially with their grandkids has a two-fold affect. First, it makes the grandparents feel special and valued during the holiday season — a time when many seniors are prone to depression. Secondly, it creates a special bond between generations that brings priceless benefits to both parties.

Here are 10 holiday traditions to start with grandparents. Now, it might take some adaptations depending on the age of the grandchildren and dexterity of the senior, but if you’re open-minded and flexible you can make it happen. Even if you don’t live in the same area, many of these things can be done separately and shared via Facetime or other apps.

Bake and decorate cookies together

It can be the entire baking process from scratch, or you can buy pre-made cookies from a bakery and just have fun decorating. Added bonus? Take pics and post them to family members to vote on the best decorated cookie. Have prizes for prettiest, ugliest and most creative! (COVID Modification: Do this via a Zoom or Google Meet connection or depending on where you live, you might be able to socially distance outside.)

Make your own wrapping paper together

Get a large roll of either white or kraft paper, some markers and make an afternoon of doodling, coloring and decorating as much as you want of the roll! Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Toddler scribbles next to Grandma’s beautiful handwritten Christmas messages creates a fun holiday memory — especially when you see it covering the boxes under the tree. (COVID Modification: Do this via a Zoom or Google Meet connection or depending on where you live, you might be able to socially distance outside.)

Drive and see lights together.

This is an easy one. And to make it more fun, take turns deciding what music to play in the car. (COVID Modification: Go for the drive, show any homebound elders the lights via Facetime or similar apps while having conversation and voting on your favorites.)

Surprise for Mom and Dad

How fun would it be to have an annual tradition between grandkids and grandparents to come up with some kind of gift or fun surprise for mom and dad. While mom and dad are working feverishly behind the scenes grandparents and grandkids could be bonding over plans to do something special. This teaches the children to NOT forget about mom and dad and helps the grandparents do something special for both their children AND grandchildren. Let your imagination fly! (COVID Modification: This could be done over the phone and would spark great conversation between the generations.)

Make a commemorative ornament

Again, this will be interesting when the kids are really little, but what great momentos to look back on years later. Get creative every year. Maybe take turns on who comes up with the idea each year. (I secretly wish I’d done this one.) (COVID Modification: Do this via a Zoom or Google Meet connection or depending on where you live, you might be able to socially distance outside.)

Take an annual photo

Of course, this one really does require being in the same area — and the same room, but it would be fun to have a photo of every Christmas with just grandparents and grandkids. An easy tradition that most people probably do already. Maybe you put a creative spin to it. Like doing some silly pose every year, or in different iconic locations. Or crazy outfits. (COVID Modification: Still take the photo, but put Grandma and Grandpa’s faces on tablets or computers in the photo. It’s certainly one way to remember this holiday season.)

Be philanthropic together.

This is a great way for the older generation to teach the younger generation about giving. Do something (age appropriate) every year, like find a local non-profit and you each donate money. Or go to lunch together and secretly pay for another table. Have fun choosing which table to pay for. “Adopt a family” at your local church and shop, wrap and deliver the gifts together. (COVID Modification: Similar to buying gifts for mom and dad, a simple phone call discussion various organizations or charities could suffice. Again… creates great conversation between the generations.)

Game night with grandparents!

This would be a fun tradition. Brew up some hot cocoa, make a buffet of holiday snacks and just have a fun night of Candyland with the young ones, a heated game of RISK with the teens or a die-hard battle of scrabble with the adult grandchildren. (COVID Modification: Take it online at Chess.com or online scrabble.)

Decorate grandparent’s home for the holidays

This one may be difficult with the younger ones, but if Grandma and Grandpa are still able to do most of the work, younger ones could still be included and gain more responsibility as they get older. What a beautiful transition this could be also for older grandchildren to help less-abled grandparents make their homes feel special for the season. The time spent together will be cherished by both parties over the years.

Record a holiday video message together

What an amazing keepsake this will be later in life. Imagine every year, grandparents sit with their grandkids and record what they’re grateful for, or have a conversation about the holiday season and what it means to each of them. (COVID Modification: Simply use the record mode on Zoom or other similar services and you have your keepsake!)

Hopefully these 10 holiday traditions to start with grandparents have sparked your creativity. We encourage you to keep your older family members involved this holiday season — as best as you can given the current COVID-19 situation.

The Nursing Team is a family owned and locally operated home care agency based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and serving the surrounding areas. If you need someone to take over some caregiving responsibilities during the holidays, so you can focus on the planning and inclusion of loved ones in activities, call us for a free consultation at 816.282.6998. We’d be happy to help you make their holiday memorable.

What does grandpa want for Christmas?

The Nursing Team ·

Yea, that sounds strange doesn’t it? Nobody ever asks “What does Grandpa (or grandma) want for Christmas?” The holidays have evolved into a magical season focused mainly on gift giving, party throwing and decorating — oh….and the occasional reminder to keep Christ in Christmas. As we all crowd shopping centers and surf Amazon, checking the boxes of our own holiday “to-do” lists, we invite you to take a step back and think about the seniors in your life. What do THEY want?

They want to feel included.

When you’re a child, the holiday season is the best time of year, of course. When you become the parent, the thrill of planning, hosting and presenting the holidays becomes your “thing”….inspired by HGTV, Pinterest and the plethora of enviable Facebook posts. However, when your children are grown, with children of their own, you suddenly have to hand over the reins. That can be hard for many people. Taking a back seat when you were once in the driver’s seat can make you feel like you’re no longer needed. One of the best gifts you can give a senior is to include them in the planning process.

They want to go shopping.

Many seniors can’t drive anymore or find navigating a shopping center overwhelming. Our ability to just hop in the car and run down to the mall is a gift in itself. The older we get, the more joy we get from giving and our seniors want to give, but oftentimes find it difficult to even know what gift to give. Help them by taking them shopping… or, during this time, even sitting with them and helping them order gifts online would mean so much.

They want to “feel the magic” of the holidays.

You know, see the lights, hear the music. Think of ways you can bring the holidays to them. Help them put up some decorations at home. Take them on a drive to see Christmas lights. Go listen to a seasonal concert. Start a holiday tradition with grandkids. (Maybe we’ll make that another post!) Bake and decorate holiday cookies together.

They want to reminisce.

The holidays are often a time for reflection. “What does Grandpa want for Christmas?” maybe it is simply to recall old times. Older family members will talk about “the way things used to be.” It’s a good time to look at old family photo albums or have them tell stories about how Christmas was for them as a child. This makes them feel valued and can create beautiful connections between generations.

They want to be loved.

So when asking yourself, “What does Grandpa want for Christmas?” just remember that most of all, seniors just want to feel genuinely loved. Spending time with them and letting them know now much you love them is one of the best gifts you can give. So everyone at The Nursing Team encourages you this holiday season, despite the limitations of COVID-19 and social distancing, to think of ways you can reach out to older family members, neighbors and friends.

The Nursing Team is a family owned and locally operated home care agency based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and serving the surrounding areas. If you need someone to take over some caregiving responsibilities during the holidays, so you can focus on the planning and inclusion of loved ones in activities, call us for a free consultation at 816.282.6998. We’d be happy to help you make their holiday memorable.

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