SYNERGY HomeCare Magazine Winter 2019 by SYNERGY HomeCare

SYNERGYHomeCare.com WINTER 2019

Paris D. For me, I would be doing this if I wasn’t even getting paid for it because that’s just something I enjoy doing.

obin “Paris” D., a caregiver with SYNERGY HomeCare of North Atlanta and the SYNERGY HomeCare Caregiver of the Year award recipient, has been caregiving for most of her life. At an early age she, along with her siblings, would accompany her mother to visit people in their community who were sick and shut-in. It was these experiences that shaped Paris’ path to becoming a caregiver. Providing care to members of the community with her mother taught Paris patience, compassion, and to pay attention to the needs of the people she served. Through those visits, Paris discovered the joys of serving others. “She enjoyed that and wanted us to be a part of the community, and she loved taking care of people,” said Paris, “I just did what she did … and learned that taking care of people is kinda cool.” “She has been caring for others, personally and professionally, for most of her life,” said Stacy Fotos, one of the owners of SYNERGY HomeCare

of North Atlanta. Paris consistently demonstrates an ability to connect with clients, even in the most difficult situations. “She’s been with us for eight years and has always provided phenomenal care for every person that she’s ever cared for,” said Stacy. This year Paris stood out among all other caregivers when she became the caregiver for a young woman with multiple debilitating

SUE M., PARIS D., AND STACY F. 2018 SYNERGY HOMECARE AWARDS BANQUET

challenges whose mother passed away unexpectedly. “Caring for another human on a daily basis… is challenging and exhausting work that can easily be taken for granted,” Stacy said. “Paris’ compassion for people is what places her above the rest.”

Regardless of recognition, Paris learned early that caregiving is a benefit in her life. “I realized that it’s a very rewarding type of work. It may not necessarily be always glamorous, but the people you meet … the type of people you’re around are really nice,” she said.

I believe that people come into your life at a time and in a situation where it helps your life to be better, said Paris. She said that

Paris strives to ensure that the people she cares for are treated the way she would want her family and loved ones to be treated. She believes that everyone wants their loved ones to feel better when they’re sick, and to be treated well by whoever is with them. Paris does what is needed to make sure her clients have the best care possible. “At the end of the day, that’s all we would want for anyone that we love,” she said.

people often think of themselves as a “guardian angel” when they help others. But Paris has learned through her experiences that helping others is equally beneficial to those who give help. “You’re not their angel, they’re your angel,” she said.

Paris was surprised to be nominated and selected for the Caregiver of the Year Award because helping people is simply a part of who she is and what she loves. “It was absolutely mind-blowing to win an award for doing something that I love doing,” she said.

Congratulations to Paris for being selected as the SYNERGY HomeCare 2018 Caregiver of the Year! Caregivers are the heart of our company and we’re proud to have so many outstanding caregivers. Paris is a fantastic example of the high-quality characteristics that our caregivers display every day!

WINTER 2019 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

CAREGIVER

Last issue we spotlighted the two runners-up for the Caregiver of th amazing caregivers as part of SYNERGY HomeCare. Many caregivers to highlight some ad

DEANNA O.

LUCY E.

JAYN

“She has been a care team member “Lucy is one of our caregivers, but to “Jayn is loved by since October, 2016, and has been her client she is not just a caregiver, the point where serving the same client since this she is family. Lucy’s customer anyone else. Her time. I knew we needed a caregiver service skills are exemplary. She is about her like, ‘S who was proactive, could make one of the friendliest people I know ‘She has worked suggestions, and get the work done and always arrives with a smile on mom,’ and ‘She i without taking away what the her face and a happy greeting for the best.’ Jayn alwa client enjoyed doing. We recalled client and co-workers.” holiday and birt a comment Deanna made in her her clients. Not b interview ‘I work hard and like to gifts but by actual stay busy. My mother would have event with them. me scrub walls if I said I was bored, that are alone, th so I learned to always stay busy.’ We joy. Jayn knows h knew Deanna would be a perfect fit clients s for this client.”

We’re fortunate to have so many amazing caregivers! We love hearing work our caregivers do. Thank you to each SYNERGY H

SPOTLIGHTS

he Year Award: Gwen and Mayra. We’re fortunate to have so many were nominated for the Caregiver of the Year Award. Here, we’d like dditional nominees:

N D.

y all her clients to they don’t want clients say things She is an angel,’ d magic with our is the best of the ays makes each thday special for by bringing them lly celebrating the . To those clients his brings special how to make her smile!!”

KAREN F.

DANA E.

(from a client) “Karen has become “Dana’s dedication to her clients was a member of our family because shown during a tragic time for the of the love and concern she shows Southeast Texas region in August each and every day to Dad as well of 2017 when Hurricane Harvey as to each of us. I have a pretty struck the area. Dana never left her high standard when it comes to client’s side when her relief was not his care and Karen fits right into able to make it to the client’s home, that standard. Always punctual, Dana stayed with her 24/7 client knowledgeable, concerned about for several days and made sure even the smallest of things. That’s that all of her needs were met and our Karen. I just know you’re proud that she did not go without care. to have her. She’s a great asset to Dana is selfless and gives her all to your company.” SYNERGY HomeCare, her clients, and her husband that relies on her for all of his care needs as well.”

g from their clients who constantly share stories about the incredible HomeCare caregiver for giving the best care to everyone! WINTER 2019 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

aris D., the 2018 SYNERGY HomeCare Caregiver of the year, has been filling the role of caregiver for most of her life, beginning at a young age when she accompanied her mother to visit the sick and shut-in.

After assisting her mother caring for members of the community and local church, Paris eventually had to be a family caregiver for her husband and for her father. Like many professional caregivers, Paris learned valuable lessons while caring for loved ones that have been essential for her strength and service as a SYNERGY HomeCare caregiver.

SHE SHARES HER ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY BECOME CAREGIVERS. Take the job seriously. You don’t force the will of another. You compromise and you find ways to deal with situations and solutions to make it a good thing. You learn to turn any negative into a positive.

Be mindful of your environment and what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Just imagine if that was your family, or your loved one. You would want somebody to do the same for them.

SYNERGY HOMECARE WORDSEARCH Words can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal and also backwards.

DANA COOL PARIS SUPPORT DEANNA FAMILY HOLIDAYS CAREGIVERS

WINTER ELVES TIME JAYN SYNERGY COMPANIONS KAREN LUCY

Hint check out the rest of the magazine for more clues.

ACROSS 03. The Caregiver of the Year winner is from SYNERGY HomeCare of North ______. 05. Older ______ are often alone during the holidays and will benefit from being visited. 08. ______ should be encouraged to visit older adults. 09. The ______ Elves visit older adults during the holidays. 10. ______ HomeCare DOWN 01. Robin ”Paris” D. is the recipient of the Caregiver of the ______ award. 02. Companionship is one of the best ______ an older adult can have! 04. Deanna, Lucy, Jayn, Karen, and Dana are all ______ for the Caregiver of the Year award. 06. Children visiting older adults can benefit by “Understanding the ______ of every life.” 07. The Caregiver of the Year learned to be a caregiver from her ______.

Key is available at https://bit.ly/2AsptLv

The winter holidays are typically considered a time for loved ones to get together, spending time bonding and making memories. During this time, older adults often feel lonely when friends and spouses have passed away and children are unable to visit.

“During the holiday season, it can be challenging for everyone, especially our seniors, and it can be lonely,” said Nia Garcia, owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Long Beach. Nia is one of many owners who participate in the SYNERGY HomeCare Elder Elves program. The program supports older adults by sending caregivers to their homes when they aren’t able to participate in regular holiday activities. Anyone can have a visit from Elder Elves, regardless if they are a client or not. Elder Elves help create holiday magic by providing support where needed. They will decorate, help create holiday treats, help with gift shopping and wrapping, and provide general companionship to older adults who otherwise would spend the holidays alone.

Amy Peck, a manager at SYNERGY HomeCare of Lubbock, was part of a team of Elder Elves who visited a 99-yearold woman this holiday. The team was asked to help because the woman’s family wasn’t able to visit this year, and she isn’t able to get out of the house very often anymore. “It’s not just a business, it’s not just our job. None of us ever feel like it’s a job,” Amy said. “This will be one of the most memorable Christmases to me, ever,” said Amy. Elder Elves and Cold Weather Companions (see next article) visit older adults throughout all the holiday season. If you know of anyone who could use a visit this winter, for anything from celebrations to simple companionship, call us to arrange a visit!

WINTER 2019 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

uring the cold months every year, SYNERGY HomeCare conducts the Cold Weather Companions program. This campaign encourages community members in cold weather places to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly, to make sure they have what they need to get through the lowtemperature months. “SYNERGY HomeCare is recommending that everyone becomes a cold-weather companion, whether it be for a loved one, a neighbor, or just somebody you come

across in the town you live in to try and help them out and keep them safe and healthy during these cold snaps,” said Jay Kiley, owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Fairfield in Connecticut. Community members are a great resource for helping to keep older adults safe because daily routines help them to be aware of changes in common occurrences, such as when an older neighbor doesn’t go on their weekly shopping trip. They may even notice when an older neighbor is out of their home, but clearly unprepared for the cold weather. “If you would see your neighbor walk out and they didn’t even have a hat on or a scarf, or if their coat didn’t look warm enough, it would

Even in situations where all the physical needs are met, having someone visit and show that they care is equally valuable. “It’s really important to do a faceto-face visit,” said Ruth Busalacchi, owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Milwaukee County. be a good thing for you to go out and check on them,” said Jennifer Schimmelpfenning, of SYNERGY HomeCare of Waupauca. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers will also visit older adults to make sure their cold weather needs are met. Caregivers make sure the heat is on in the home, there’s fuel in their vehicle if they plan to drive, and there’s plenty of food in the home. Family, friends, or anyone else who knows of an older adult who is typically alone can help, even if they’re not able to check in person. Anyone can call a local SYNERGY HomeCare office and ask for caregivers to drop in and make sure older adults are being cared for. The most important part of the Cold Weather Companions program is that someone is visiting older adults in person.

Often, older adults are on a fixed income and keep the temperature low in their homes to keep costs down. The National Institute on Aging recommends contacting local Areas on Aging as well as reaching out to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (toll free at: 1-866674-6327) for help covering the costs of keeping in-home temperatures at safe levels. Community members can share these sources of support with older adults who may be at risk during cold months. Another way to help is to make arrangements with seniors to visit, or have them visit, on a regular basis. Not only will this ensure they are safe, but it will also provide companionship, which is one of the best gifts older adults can have!

WINTER 2019 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH SENIORS Human connection is essential for all people. Many older citizens have lost meaningful and quality relationships that helped alleviate feelings of loneliness. In the UK, different care homes conducted a nine-month research trial that concluded that just 10 minutes of one-to-one daily chats improved the well-being of people living with dementia.

In his blog, Mark Merrill, President of the non-profit organization Family First, lists these benefits to older adults when being visited by youth:

(SYNERGY HomeCare Blog, Apr. 17, 2018)

• Understanding the dignity of every life.

YNERGY HomeCare caregivers often provide the simple, yet essential, service of companionship to older adults who don’t have family members available to visit them. Although caregivers are willing and able to visit when needed, there are benefits to visiting older adults for everyone involved.

• Cultivate honor and respect for the elderly.

• Improved mental and physical health for the elderly. • Decreased loneliness. • The gift of purpose and honor. Additionally, he lists these benefits for youth who spend time with older adults:

• Cultivate an attitude of service. • Developing comfort and confidence in young people interacting with adults. • Loving others well and serving them brings great joy.

Sources: http://www.markmerrill.com/8-reasons-your-children-should-spend-time-with-the-elderly/ | https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-12-10-reasons-for-visiting-loved-ones/ | https://www.psych

Encouraging children to spend time with the older adults can lead to enhanced quality of life for the youth and those they engage with. Adults can significantly strengthen the positive impact of senior engagement by accompanying their children and other youth during visits. Adults who set the example to children by spending time with older family members will leave a lasting impression about the importance of personal interaction. A blog article from the website for A Place For Mom states, “It may feel like a given, but sometimes it takes your physical presence to make your loved ones happy. Taking time out to spend with them throughout the year is a valuable reminder that you love them and are thinking of them even when you’re not able to be around.”

and older adults in general, can adjust from one of dependency to one of mutual benefit and learning. An article on psychologytoday.com indicates the value of continuing personal relationships as adults. “They can get to know each other more frankly than they did as care-taker and kid. Adult-to-adult parent-child time together can include mutual helping, learning from each other, and shared fun. These bonds can develop to a depth and breadth that few other relationships can equal.”

Spending time to visit older adults can be a valuable part of developing throughout life. Once adults reach the point of self-sufficiency, the value of relationships with their parents, ologytoday.com/us/blog/resolution-not-conflict/201205/what-do-your-parents-once-youre-grown

WINTER 2019 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

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