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!

Saint Therese Celebrates 45 Years of Taking Care of Seniors
Saint Therese is celebrating its 45th anniversary in January. We are proud of our history of compassionate care for individuals, innovative growth and continued strength in pastoral care.

In 1964, Father Gordon Mycue and Jerry Choromanski created the vision for St. Therese Home, Inc., now known as Saint Therese. After Jerry’s experience with his own aging parents, he saw there was a need for Catholic senior care in the Twin Cities.

Soon a corporation and board of directors was established and Saint Therese received permission from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to establish a free-standing, non-profit nursing home. The founders wanted to create a different type of nursing home, less institutional than those with 8 – 16 bed wards often found in the 1960s. Double rooms, common spaces and pastoral care helped Saint Therese feel more like home  and helped residents maintain a sense of dignity.

Mary Zepp, first resident.

The name Saint Therese came from St. Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite Nun who believed in doing small things with great love. She was the patron saint of the Choromanski family and the board agreed that it was a fit for the new organization.

On January 9, 1968, Saint Therese welcomed its first resident, Mary Zepp. Mary walked through the front doors of Saint Therese carrying her two suitcases, calling Saint Therese home for the next five years until her death.

Saint Therese began as a 200-bed skilled nursing facility in New Hope. Residents were cared for by Benedictine Sisters from the St. Paul Priory, who maintained residence on-site. It was the beginning of blessed journey in senior care.

Over the years, Saint Therese has grown as an organization. The New Hope community added more beds to the care center and then 220 senior apartments. Innovative thinking brought changes such as assisted living services, a memory care unit and palliative care.

Saint Therese now operates three separate communities, a home health care company offering care to individuals in their homes, as well as a rehab and therapy division that focuses on keeping seniors active and fit. Saint Therese continues to redefine what senior living is today.

“Beyond the building and landscape changes, Saint Therese has maintained its responsive spirit by exceeding the needs and expectations of the individuals and families we serve,” said Barb Rode, Saint Therese President & CEO. “Grounded in our Benedictine values, we have remained steadfast and resolute in our mission to serve and honor the older adults in our community through innovative programming and inspirational services.”