According to a recent Georgetown University business school survey, 91 percent of baby boomers want to remain in their own homes as they age. That demographic makes up more than one quarter of the population in Thurston County.
Filling the Need
Home Instead Senior Care, with its quality CAREGivers ® , responsive administrative staff and senior home care services expertly fills the need for families in our communities who desire the best in-home care for parents or other loved ones as they age.
“Everyone is in some way touched by this and knows someone who struggles with a change in their level of independence,” notes Kelly Cavenah, administrator for the locally-owned business. “Whether they are 70, 80, or 90-years-old, the lens through which they view independence changes. We are helping to meet the need for families who want the very best care.”
It is Personal
“As CAREGivers we help maintain a client’s independence,” explains Kelly who is passionate about their mission. “We are not babysitters, nurses or medical staff, who show up in scrubs. We are compassionate individuals with a dedication to serve our clients and treat them with the highest respect with in-home care and companionship.”
The CAREGivers and office staff employees find it a rewarding place to work.
“I couldn’t work with a greater group of people. With Home Instead Senior Care, the communication is superior to anything I experience,” says Heather who had been a home caregiver for five years, and now is the receptionist and the first point of contact in the West Olympia office. “There was never a time when I was not fully equipped with the back story about a client’s likes and dislikes and provided the tools to really help them.”
Home Instead Senior Care prides itself in the skill and screening of its CAREGivers ®—all credentialed, certified, trained, bonded, insured and drug-tested. “It’s important for our employees to build relationships and share their hearts with those in our care.” says Kelly. “And, they must have a high-level skill set to provide this remarkable care for each individual.”
“If we do that,” Kelly continues, “then the tasks we help them with —the bathing, grooming, running errands or incontinence care if they need it—they are easy.”
The quality care of CAREGivers® is evident in just a few of the comments from a grateful family member whose father has dementia.
“Through the 6 months our CAREGiver has been with us, she has established a rapport with my dad based on her respect for him and complete understanding of what triggers him to be cooperative instead of combative…”
“…I cannot tell you how comfortable I am, knowing that my dad is with a person who is treating him as if he was a member of her own family…
“Each day I see her, and at the end of her update about my dad’s morning, I tell her ‘thank you for everything.’ I hope she knows that these words are heart-felt and filled with so much more gratitude than our family could ever convey to her.”
Unmatched Alzheimer’s Care
Home Instead Senior Care has a nationally recognized training program for Alzheimer’s and other dementias known as CARE: Changing Aging through Research and Education SM.
“One of the benefits of being a Home Instead Senior Care agency and franchise is that we are part of an internationally-recognized provider that has top quality Alzheimer training,” notes Kelly who says the expert-endorsed program is a major priority for her and her staff. “We are, as far as I know, the only private duty home care agency that has the Alzheimer’s Association® stamp of approval for Alzheimer care services.”
Bringing laser focus to the issue at the national level, Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with actor Seth Rogen, founding member of Hilarity for Charity to provide grants for home care through its Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Relief Grant Program. Watch a video about Rogen’s purpose behind the charity here.
Responsive, Proactive Communication
“We have a very proactive process and get out in front of issues,” Kelly explains.
Home Instead’s administrative staff in Olympia has a deep commitment to communication with clients and families, taking care of concerns immediately.
“Many home care agencies have one or two office staff,” Kelly notes. “We have six— that’s a lot of people. And they are wonderful. We want to make sure we are providing the necessary support 24 hours a day.”
Locally-owned
Home Instead Senior Care in Olympia is a profile of a small business with an enthusiastic entrepreneurial spirit.
“We talked about what we could do to start up our own business and serve the community and help and assist others in a multitude of ways,” says Kelly who started Home Instead with her mother Bertha, both of whom have been involved in the community service and giving for years.
“Our fingers are on the pulse of the community,” says Kelly. “Our focus is to make sure that we can keep our Thurston County residents independent and safe and in their own homes for as long as possible in whatever way that looks like for them.”
A Joyful Mission
“I can’t describe to you how amazing this is,” say Kelly who is living her mission. “If I could get paid in hugs and good feelings I would be the wealthiest person alive. Look at all the great ways we are able to really help a family at such a critical time.”
“It is my CAREGivers® and my staff and the amazing work they do. That’s God’s work.”
Learn more at Home Instead Senior Care, including information about becoming a CAREGiver®.
