Springhill Groups Home care for elderly to change

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4409683

                        




THE future of the Home and Community Care Services (HACC) program in Bundaberg is up in the air with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) considering privatising the service.

It could come as soon as March this year, with the final decision resting with the Federal Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA).

WBHHS chief executive officer Adrian Pennington said transferring the delivery of HACC services to another provider was still a proposal but the change could affect about 800 clients in the Bundaberg region and 600 in the Fraser Coast.

Mr Pennington said while clients could expect to receive similar or equal level of care under a new provider there were no guarantees the service would remain free.

"While it would be our preference for our clients' sake to keep the service free, we are unable to speculate what fees, if any, would be applicable in future as this would be determined by the new provider," he said.

"These clients will be notified of changes to the service via a letter this week."

HACC provides many services including meals on wheels, transport and nursing care to support older people to stay at home and be more independent in the community.

When the NewsMail asked how many jobs could be at risk Mr Pennington said: "As the consultation process with staff is ongoing, at this time I consider it premature and inconsiderate to discuss publicly staffing matters relating to HACC services."

He said a meeting had been held with staff last week to provide help including contact details for organisations including the Employee Assistance Scheme.

"We recognise this is a deeply unsettling time for people and I want to offer my assurance that we will support all staff and clients affected," he said.

He said the details of the proposal were still to be finalised.

"We are yet to properly liaise further with the Federal Department of Health and Ageing and the Queensland Department of Community Safety (DCS) as to what a transfer of services would involve, and a suitable alternative provider in the Wide Bay area is yet to be found."

Mr Pennington said on January 14 the WBHHS board supported a decision to stop the delivery of HACC services by the end of March 2013.

"However a transition process will be implemented to guarantee the needs of all clients are appropriately met throughout this time," he said.

Meanwhile a public meeting was to be held in Eidsvold last night to address the ongoing concerns around the future of the local hospital and the inability to attract permanent doctors.

The meeting comes after Premier Campbell Newman last week stepped in to reassure patients and staff that Eidsvold Hospital would not close.

Advantages of Home Care by Springhill Care Group

http://www.kontain.com/garymason/entries/145471/Advantages-of-Home-Care-by-Springhill-Care-Group

Time is very essential to everybody. We will never know when were going to loose it. Today everyone seems to be very busy, everybody has to live and in order to live one must work for them. But we cannot work and take care of our parents or grandparents who’s getting older and requires more care and attention. We became more concern about their safety at home. It’s not an easy task caring for the elderly, especially if you are trying to do it alone. And aside from work, there comes a time when you will need a break, or just some time alone for yourself. With the constant worry that something may go wrong, the respites and personal time become nonexistent.


Sometimes we are left with tough decision, whether or not an elderly family member should move into an assisted living facility is often one of the key questions. Home care for the elderly is an option for caregivers who need extra help while offering the elderly person a good quality of life for the rest of their years.

 To make your decision a lot easier, these advantages of letting elderly live in Home care might help you decide:

 1. Seniors are getting more sensitive than usual. One advantage of leeting them stay in home care can give them the sense of freedom, and freedom for them could mean maintaining dignity, dignity which is something seniors feels like loosing as they age. This freedom would not be possible in an assisted living residence. This freedom could also mean that those who receive homecare can come and go as they please-for whatever reason. They can also choose their own meal times so they can eat whenever they are hungry unlike if meals are served to them, they might feel like prisoners. They are left with the feeling of they can decide for themselves.
2. It is proven that caring for pets can reduce stress levels and was also proven to have health benefits for seniors. Homes allow elderly to keep their pets and even beloved possessions with them for these possessions are tied to invaluable memories.
3. Visiting hours and even the number of visitors are not restricted; friends and families can visit anytime they please. This would create a more fulfilling relationship between them.
4. Living at home if sick one can spread illness like wildfire. This is of course being assisted with proper precautions. Those who are sick can simply be asked not visit until they are full recovered. And living at home should help seniors stay healthier, as they won’t be subjected to the all the germs that inevitably linger at a place where many people live.
5. Moving to a new place with new people and new routine but homecare allows the elderly to avoid this emotional stress from happening Maintaining continuity leads to psychological wellbeing.
6. Home care is a more fiscally responsible choice because there can be many stressors like, assisted living facilities are costly and the location may be inconvenient, making it difficult for family members to visit. Many seniors have already paid off their mortgage, so moving to a retirement home is an added expense.
7. Most especially and more importantly those who live at home are often happier than they would be living at a retirement home. The familiarity and comforts of home are irreplaceable.

 Not to mention the peace of mind that you can get if your elderly is at home care. Home care for the elderly usually includes a trained person in the medical field. Seniors are often cared one-on-one by these professionals. Plus they are very keen about nutrition and exercise, you are certain that your parents or grandparents are well taken care of.

Springhill Care Group | Alzheimer’s as Most Feared Disease by Americans According to Poll

Free Alzheimer’s Training Available in all 50 States to Support Family Caregivers

Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal, progressive and degenerative disease that destroys brain cells. It is the most common form of dementia.  Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.  Symptoms include having difficulty remembering things, making decisions and performing everyday activities.  These changes can affect the way a person feels and acts.  There is currently no way to stop the disease, but research is improving the way provide care and will continue to search for a cure.

                                         

Americans fear developing Alzheimer’s disease more than any other major life-threatening disease, including cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes  according to OMAHA, Neb. – November 13, 2012 – Home Instead Senior Care®, the world’s leading provider of home care services for seniors, announced new survey results.

More than 1,200 Americans was designed to gain perspective on the most pressing concerns associated with Alzheimer’s, including diagnosis and the difficulties of caring for a loved one with the disease, according to the survey of Marist Institute for Public Opinion
.
According to Jeff Huber, president and chief operating officer of Home Instead, Inc. “The survey confirmed what our franchise owners had been hearing from their clients and their families – the majority of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  The need for support and education for these families is critical.”
Additional survey highlights include:

o Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63 percent) have had a personal experience with someone with Alzheimer’s and/or a serious memory loss problem.

o 61 percent of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with the disease.

o If diagnosed with the disease, Americans most fear the inability to care for oneself, and burdening others (68 percent); followed by losing memory of life and loved ones (32 percent).

o A plurality of Americans – 44 percent – cites the illness as their most feared disease compared to 33 percent who cite cancer.

o More than other generations, a majority of Americans over 65 years of age (the silent/greatest generation) – 56 percent – fear an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

o When asked if it would be harder to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or care for someone with the disease, Americans are equally split down the middle, 50/50.