Keeping seniors comfortable in their homes

By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com

By 2011 the oldest baby boomer will have reached the age of 65. Once that milestone is reached, 10,000 boomers will turn 65 every single day. As people come to the age of retirement, their housing and lifestyle needs change.

Allison and Lisa Hubers, a mother and daughter team of in-home care providers from Pipestone, provide a service to help keep retired people in their homes.

“People want to stay in their homes,” said Allison Hubers. “The biggest tragedy is when someone has to go into a nursing home before their time. We help them remain independent and safe in their home.”

Hubers graduated from Augustana College last May with a degree in Business Administration and Gerontology, which is the study of the elderly.

While in high school and in the summer months, she worked at the Pipestone Nursing Home and in college, she worked with Comfort Keepers, an organization dedicated to in-home care which uses technology solutions, such as a personal emergency response system with GPS technology to help keep seniors safe at home.

Lisa Hubers, Allison’s mother, received her RN degree from SDSU in 1988. She has worked in the health care industry ever since.

The Hubers opened their own Comfort Keepers franchise on Nov. 2, 2009 and now serve 40 clients within their southwestern Minnesota territory, which runs from the Iowa and South Dakota borders as far north as Morris and east to Windom, with a population base of 175,000 persons.

“We make a good team and we share a passion to serve the elderly,” said Allison Hubers. “We are closing the gaps where in-home medical care commitments end and companionship and other needs continue, such as taking a person grocery shopping, sitting with them in church or taking them to get their hair done, things that help a person’s well-being.”

Comfort Keepers has 560 franchises world wide including Singapore and New Zealand. The mission of Comfort Keepers is to provide clients with the highest level of quality of life that is achievable.
The goal is to keep individuals engaged in life mentally, emotionally, physically and socially and to treat each client with the respect and dignity they deserve, as though caring for a family member.

Some of the services performed by Comfort Keepers are conversation and companionship, personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, incidental transportation, light housekeeping and laundry services in addition to many other forms of help that people need to remain independent.

“Older people are constantly losing something,” said Hubers. “Their hearing, their home, their spouse or ability to drive. Their family may not even know they need groceries at times and that’s where we step in and help out.”

The Hubers meet with their clients one-on-one to determine the type and amount of individual care they need. It is cost effective, as someone may only need a couple hours of care a week.

This relieves a lot of stress for families that are caring for an elderly parent and also for their own kids. The situation is even more stressful when they live in different towns.

“We provide interactive care given in a more calming environment,“ said Hubers. “We involve the client in decisions and ask questions, taking care not to take away their independence.”

Comfort Keepers wear many different hats and basically provide two main types of care, personal care and homemaker companionship. Hubers uses the first visit to assess the situation and match traits in a companion.

“Some people prefer a helper or companion who is a little more quiet, less talkative,” said Hubers. “Others want to chat.”

After the initial assessment, match to a caregiver and beginning of service, each client is reassessed after 14 days and every 60 days after that, unless there is a change in condition.

“We do a criminal background check on all of our employees and provide them with an orientation and our expectations,” said Hubers “We also follow up on two or three reference checks and really get a good feel for each employee.”

Employees receive further training via on-line modules assigned by the Hubers. Employees can learn in the comfort of their own homes when it is convenient for them.

Jody Nomeland worked with Allison Hubers in the Alzheimer Unit at Good Samaritan in Pipestone and now covers the Lake Benton area for Comfort Keepers.

“It is very rewarding,” said Nomeland. “You develop relationships. It is like going to visit a friend to help out, listen to their stories and spend a little time with them.”

Sometimes it’s hard for people to admit they need help, but in time they can relax and enjoy their freedom with a little extra help.

The Hubers have a Class A licensure with the state of Minnesota and though they are qualified to provide medical assistance, it is not in their franchise agreement.

“We provide a non-medical service that picks up where medical providers leave off,” said Hubers. “We impact lives through that interaction which helps overall well-being. It’s kind of a new concept, but it has been around for awhile and seems to be gaining in popularity.”

There is a two hour minimum for services, though services will be provided for less time at a higher rate. Some insurance types cover the costs, which are nominal for the benefits received. Other organizations, such as Multiple Sclerosis, provide funding as well.

Comfort Keepers also provides service for people in nursing homes as well as in their own homes. “We’ll pick someone up and bring them to church, sit with them and help them find the hymns, as a companion,” said Hubers. “Our caregivers are our greatest assets. We treat them with respect, listen to them and offer flexibility in hours available or weekends off, to maintain a work-home life balance.”

The Hubers’ now employ 14 caregivers and just hired a new staff person to help with management. As business continues to grow, they will add more local caregivers.

“We truly care about our clients as family members,” said Hubers. “Some franchises pick the bigger cities, but small towns need this type of service.”

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