Trusted Experience

Knowledgeable, caring caregivers make an impact

Saint Therese is dedicated to the well-being of each individual. It is that mission that drives us to provide the best care and service to those we serve.

At Home Solutions by Saint Therese is the home health care division of Saint Therese.
At Home Solutions became part of the Saint Therese family in 2012. It is a non-profit, private pay company that serves individuals in the place they call home including residential homes, apartments, town homes, independent living buildings, assisted living and long-term care communities.

It is the individual caregivers who are out in the community with our clients that make
At Home Solutions by Saint Therese the top choice for so many. Our staff are often seen as an extension of the individual’s support system to help them remain in their home and independent as possible.

“We have a top-notch staff that is passionate about caring for our clients,” said Zaneeta Best, At Home Solutions by Saint Therese Program Director. “Over and over we hear from family members how nice it is to be able to rely on our supportive caregivers.”

Our compassionate caregivers are registered nurses (RNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and Home Health Aides (HHA) depending on the type of services an individual receives. At Home Solutions by Saint Therese is one of the few organizations in the Twin Cities that offers health care services in addition to support services up to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Caregivers receive ongoing education on a variety of topics such as preventing falls, understanding dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and the aging process.

We only accept clients when staff is available that can meet a client’s care needs or we refer them to another organizations that may be able to provide services.  Whenever possible, the same staff members care for the client throughout their time with At Home Solutions by Saint Therese. This allows for the building of relationships and helps staff recognize changes in a client’s health and demeanor – preventing issues before they occur.

At Home Solutions by Saint Therese client Catherine O’Rourke receives services twice a day. Her Certified Nursing Assistants assist her with both health care and home making services.

“The women are well-trained in all aspects of health care,” Catherine said. “They have such nice staff who do everything and they know my routine.”

Criminal background checks, driving record checks, social security verification, drug screening and review of personal and professional references are conducted prior to employment. Per class A license regulations, the Minnesota Department of Health provides oversight of At Home Solutions by Saint Therese on an ongoing basis.

Backed by over 45 years of trusted experience in senior care, At Home Solutions by Saint Therese is committed to provide an array of care and services to individuals and families in their home; serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding cities in Minnesota. For more information, please call 952.283.2220 or visit our website, sttheresemn.org.

One pill, two pill, red pill, blue pill

Take one pill every morning with food until gone. Take this medication three times a day with a full glass of milk. On the first day take three pills, on the second day take two and from then on take one a day for the next two weeks. Take two pills every four hours and beware of side effects that may include dizziness, vomiting, headaches, fever, chills, fatigue, sleepiness and abdominal pain.

Wait – what?

Prescriptions for medications can be confusing, especially when two or more prescriptions are required each day. Keeping track of what pills can be taken when, with what food or beverage, or for how long, can be incredibly complex. With prescriptions from cardiologists, allergists, endocrinologists, immunologists, oncologists or pulmonologists, taking medications can be overwhelming.

At Home Solutions by Saint Therese’s medication management service was created to simplify the confusion of prescription medications. The service provides clarity through organization, distribution, monitoring and often times, education of how medications can and should be taken. With the support of a Registered Nurse (RN), the service enables a clear communication channel between the individual and their doctor or pharmacist eliminating possibly dangerous events.

When problems arise
When returning home from a hospitalization individuals may be given 1 to 10 different prescriptions. Confusion arises when the individual needs to incorporate new medications into their daily routine, all while being aware of the dosage amounts, restrictions and side effects.

The medication management service also assists individuals who've had a recent change in their lifestyle. Maybe a family member was organizing the individual’s medication and that family member moved to another city. Or maybe the individual’s own abilities have changed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 100,000 emergency room visits are due to harmful drug events in individuals aged 65 and older.

“Re-hospitalizations due to confusion of medication are completely preventable,” said Zaneeta Best, Program Director for At Home Solutions by Saint Therese. “Our team is trained to be the liaison between each client and their physician or pharmacist to ensure each medication is taken correctly.”

Components of medication management
The first step to medication management is to schedule a visit with an RN. The visit includes learning about the individual and their needs, as well as reviewing their medical history and current medication list. Individuals will be given a head-to-toe evaluation and, if possible, medications will be set-up on the first day.

The first RN visit sets the stage for future visits by the RN or a certified nursing assistant (CNA), depending on the needs of the individual. Each visit includes observations by the visiting team member that may include changes in the individual’s vitals, appetite or general demeanor.

“The staff observations help us to determine small inconsistencies in each client, which may result in simply changing their medication or it may help prevent a future medical emergency,” Best said.

Medication management may include two visits a month to organize medications or two visits a day to distribute the pills. Each client and/or their family creates their own personal medication management service.

For more information about At Home Solutions by Saint Therese and their medication management service call 952.283.2220 or visit www.sttheresemn.org/athomesolutions.

Where to begin when choosing home health care?

First and foremost, have an open conversation with your loved one about their wishes for the future. While some individuals may have specific plans for their care in the future, others may have never considered the opportunities available.

Resources like Senivision provide ideas to have thoughtful dialogue with a loved one about their plans for the future.

Next, take a moment to do the math. Often times, care can be dictated by the financial capabilities of the individual. Here are a few average cost comparisons to consider from LongTermCare.gov:

•          $205 per day or $6,235 per month for a semi-private room in a nursing home
•          $229 per day or $6,965 per month for a private room in a nursing home
•          $3,293 per month for care in an assisted living facility (one-bedroom unit)
•          $21 per hour for a home health aide (40hrs/week - $3,360/month)
•          $19 per hour for homemaker services (40hrs/week - $3,040/month)
•          $67 per day for services in an adult day health care center

Finally, interview at least three home health care organizations before making a decision. Considering the following questions when interviewing an agency:

•           Does the agency provide the specific care or service needed?
•          What continuing education opportunities are provided to staff?
•          What is the payment structure?
•           Does the company have a quality improvement program?

Each organization is going to provide similar services, but one agency will put you at ease knowing it’s the “right” fit for you and your loved one.

Home care allows each individual to age in place, while offering peace of mind to family and friends concerned for the safety of their loved ones.

Contact At Home Solutions by Saint Therese for a free consultation today.

Why choose home health care?

Although assisted living and long-term care communities have a role to play in aging, many older adults simply want to remain in their home as long as possible. Home health care enables the individual to feel safe and independent in their own home while still maintaining their active lifestyle with the local community.

Often times, allowing a home health aide to visit the individual can greatly improve their overall quality of life. The individual regularly receives one-on-one attention, is able to maintain their daily activities with few interruptions and the constant monitoring of health may even prevent an unanticipated hospital stay.

At Home Solutions by
Saint Therese caregivers help individuals age with dignity by providing an individualized care plan which respects the goals and privacy of each family. Learn more about At Home Solutions by Saint Therese.

What is Home Health Care?

First it started with spoiled food in the refrigerator. Then the general cleanliness of the house started to change and odors were prevalent. When her mom started to lose noticeable weight, Diane knew it was time to talk.

Chatting over a cup of coffee, Diane learned that her widowed mother wasn't eating regular meals because she didn't feel like cooking for one and she wasn't cleaning the floors because the vacuum was too heavy. Diane quickly realized her mother needed additional assistance that could no longer be solved with her weekly check-ins.

Diane knew her mother would not willingly move from the home she shared with her husband for the past 50 years; she made those wishes very clear years ago.

“Promise you won’t send me to a nursing home,” she said.

As Diane began to research care options for her mother, a friend encouraged her to look into home care.

Home care is simply any type of care provided in your home. There are two styles of home care available: non-medical and health care.

Non-medical home care encompasses areas of need including medication reminders, respite, companionship, transportation or meal assistance/planning. Home health care includes more involved tasks such as help getting in and out of bed or chairs, medication administration, skilled therapy services or end of life medical care.

Many home care agencies provide a range of services anywhere from two hours, one day a week; up to 24 hours a day every day.  A home health aide could be hired to visit an individual’s home twice a week to clean the kitchen, run errands or do laundry. Some may choose to hire a home care agency to provide 24-hour care, with staff available at all times to help ensure health and safety.

Home care allows individuals and their families to choose the services they need and tailor them to fit their lifestyle.

At Home Solutions by Saint Therese provides an array of compassionate care and services to individuals and families in their home; serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding seven county metro area. Our staff becomes a member of your caregiving team; providing the support you want when you need it. Learn more about At Home Solutions by Saint Therese.

Holiday Gift Giving Ideas

Gift giving can be a challenge, especially when your family member or friend lives in a small apartment or a care center. Room space, physical impairments, cognitive decline and a change in ability can make it an even greater challenge to find the perfect gift. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

> Magazine or newspaper subscription

> A lap desk for use in a chair or bed

> MP3 player pre-loaded with favorite music

> Board games, puzzles, crossword puzzles

> Family portrait

> Books or audio books

> Lap robe or small quilt

> Hanging bag for walker

If your family member lives in a senior community, consider a gift certificate to one of the specialty services available on-site.  Ideas include:  massage therapy, restaurant or cafe, gift shop and salon (hair care, manicure, pedicure).

Home health care companies like At Home Solutions by Saint Therese offer unique gift opportunities such as companion visits and uncluttering/organizational services.

Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas season!