SPECIAL ISSUE
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION TO AVOID
CAREGIVING CONFLICT
OUR CORE VALUES
NINE TENETS TO EXCELLENCE
PREVENTING
HOSPITAL READMISSION 75% ARE PREVENTABLE
the many faces of
home care
Published by SYNERGY HomeCare four times annually, serving the home care community. For questions, call 877.432.2692 or visit synergyhomecare.com. Thanks to National 2 Alliance on Caregiving, Center for Health Care Strategies, Forbes.com and Pew Research Center for statistical references on caregiving.
A message from our Founder and CEO It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been 20 years since I launched the first SYNERGY HomeCare office. As the founder and CEO of SYNERGY HomeCare, it has been a fulfilling journey to evolve and grow with the home care industry. Fast forward to today, SYNERGY HomeCare has 334 units serving precious clients while employing the most committed caregivers from coast to coast. I was fortunate to identify a niche in home care that provides affordable professional care services to individuals and families alike. Twenty years later, SYNERGY HomeCare offices across the country have provided more than 55 million hours of non-medical home care services to clients and families of all ages, backgrounds and needs. Today, SYNERGY HomeCare is growing exponentially. As a company, we have grown our national franchise system to continue to provide best in class support for each of our franchise partners. As mission-driven professionals committed to making a positive difference in the communities they serve, our franchise partners continually improve operational excellence, so they can devote more time to their passion, helping others. I’m proud of the 17,000 current dedicated caregivers who selflessly care for our SYNERGY HomeCare clients, allowing them to maintain independence and dignity in the homes they love. The compassion that flows from our caregivers helps our clients achieve healthier and safer lives while their family and friends have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are getting the best home care available. With all our growth and continued passion, I am thrilled about this issue of our magazine, as it reinforces our Care for Everyone philosophy. In this issue, you will meet a diverse group of our clients, both young and old, as they share their personal stories. We are privileged to care for and make all our clients’ days better. Thank you for welcoming SYNERGY HomeCare into your home; we are honored to serve you and your family. Warm regards,
Peter Tourian Peter Tourian Founder & CEO of SYNERGY HomeCare
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SYNERGY HomeCare
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The many faces of home care Scattered throughout the country, millions of people rely on home care assistance
10 08 06
16
Veteran MICHAEL, IL
New parents LYNDSI AND MASON, CO
Improving communication to avoid caregiving conflict
12 14
24 hour care VICTORIA, TX
The sandwich generation 4
Respite care MAURO, MT
22 18
Chronic injury ANNA, AZ
Nine tenets to excellence
24
28
Home care BETTY, OH
26 20
Employer benefits
Elder care JOE, VA
31
Disability SAM, MD
21
Preventing hospital readmission 5
Chronic illness EVADNEY, IL
30
Our 5-star reputation SYNERGY HomeCare
Improving communication to avoid caregiving conflict Often, adult children and other family members fail to consider how caring for an aging parent or loved one can impact the dynamics of their family relationships until they are face to face with the situation. Siblings and close family members can live next door to one another, in the same city or across the country, but the challenge of providing care and what it will mean to them as family caregivers can be stressful. Even the strongest of relationships can become strained when roles change and people become more than sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters and take on the role of caregiver. When adult siblings and other close family members gather to discuss and plan their loved one’s care, conflict can take them by surprise. Patience can run thin or disappear completely, sibling rivalries can surface, even the competition to be mom and dad’s favorite might be exacerbated. While this is a time when a family needs to join together to support their loved one, it’s not always an easy task. It is estimated that 40 percent of family caregivers have family clashes, and 65 percent think that care for their parents is not equitable among siblings. Disagreements can arise when one sibling perceives another is not adequately contributing to the caregiving of aging parents, possibly reviving earlier issues they had previously thought were resolved. It’s easy to understand how tempers can flare, as being a family caregiver on top of managing a job, a family and a household can be extremely stressful.
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Your aging loved one’s journey Aging parents and other family members may begin their care journey with in-home caregivers to help with day-to-day tasks, such as laundry, light housekeeping, and meal preparation. They can begin with a few hours per week and, as needs change, adjust the number of hours or type of care services as needed. There are potential situations to consider, such as hospital stays, surgery or even a broken bone where the loved one may need additional care. The journey of aging is the reverse of youth, eventually progressing to a state of health that may require around-the-clock care. These are the considerations that must be discussed with all family members involved.
How to negate family conflict How can baby boomers and their families circumvent the potential stress of providing care for parents or other family members? Family dynamics are almost always complex, but communication and planning as a team are two key strategies for providing compassionate care in any situation. Major changes in one’s life, such as moving, having a baby or buying a home, all require significant planning and communication with all involved in the process to manage expectations for best results. It’s no different when considering care for an aging parent or other family member. It’s inevitable that your aging loved one will need some aspect of care, and the most efficient way to address their needs is to have a meeting with the person in need of care, adult children and close family members to discuss the loved one’s wishes as to how they’d like to receive care. When the aging family member makes his or her wishes known, all parties have a clear understanding of what is expected. This type of meeting can diffuse future emotional stress when the loved one actually enters into care.
While every family is different and has its own unique dynamics, like any change we face, communication and planning are at the forefront of managing new challenges.
This is also a time to assess adult children and other family members’ ability to contribute to caring for the parents. This assessment could be moot by the time care is needed, as situations change, but the key is that there had been previous positive communication and all involved have a sense of the process and what it takes to work together as a team.
40%
of family, caregivers have family clashes
65
%
think that care for their parents is not equitable among siblings
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SYNERGY HomeCare
LYNDSI AND MASON’S STORY
Parents of three have more time two sick kids.” Lyndsi really likes the idea that care is centered around their family’s wishes and rules and the caregivers come to their home.
Imagine this: After a long day at work and running errands, you arrive home to a clean house and happy and healthy children who have completed their homework. Dinner is already cooking on the stovetop.
As you might imagine, a mom of three kids under five years old is busy. When the McClintocks reached out to the Boggs to be featured in this issue of the magazine, the couple was excited. But time is tight for the Boggs and to respect their time, the McClintocks made it easy on Lyndsi and had her answer these three questions:
All of this is possible with SYNERGY HomeCare. SYNERGY HomeCare is flexible. It’s the in-home support that families need when they need it. Hiring SYNERGY HomeCare offers parents much more flexibility than daycare or a babysitter can offer. It allows them to create their caregiver’s schedule based around their needs and on relatively short notice. SYNERGY HomeCare’s care team ensures the health and safety of loved ones while also reducing the family’s household burden. With child care services, SYNERGY HomeCare offers what we like to call “Mommy and Daddy Relief Services.” This includes help with transportation (to and from school, sports and activities), meal preparation, help with homework, organizing play dates or outings, and help with childrelated household needs such as laundry, dishes and toy clean up.
1) How have SYNERGY HomeCare’s services positively impacted you and your family? Hiring SYNERGY HomeCare has enabled my husband and I to create more time and flexibility for each other. And without the guilt of asking parents or friends to help us with the two boys and our newborn on a regular basis, or on short notice. 2) What type of tasks does SYNERGY HomeCare help out with? Our three children have received top-notch care from the caregivers at SYNERGY HomeCare. We regularly return home to find very happy children, and even light housework completed. What a blessing!
Take the Boggs family, for example. Lyndsi Boggs and her husband Mason have their hands full with Skylar, their six-month-old daughter, Clayton, their two-yearold son, and Logan, their five-year-old son. Lyndsi contacted SYNERGY HomeCare of Colorado Springs to see if they might be the right fit to care for her children while she ran a few errands each week. Trusting someone with the health and safety of her three young children was not something that Lyndsi took lightly. SYNERGY worked with Lyndsi and Mason to address all of their questions and concerns through several phone conversations and an in-home consultation before starting care services.
3) Why did you choose SYNERGY HomeCare over other child care options? Finding a babysitter can be a difficult task sometimes. Using SYNERGY has given us a new pool of providers to choose from, all who have been thoroughly vetted, trained and have the heart to serve others. We can leave our home knowing our kids, pets and home are in great, capable hands. As parents themselves, it gives the McClintocks great pleasure knowing that Lyndsi and Mason can get away for several hours a week with peace of mind that their children are well taken care of.
When Lyndsi first met SYNERGY HomeCare of Colorado Springs owners Brooke and Ian McClintock, she told them, “I looked into drop-in child care but decided against it when I saw another mother drop off her SYNERGY HomeCare of Colorado Springs Owners: Brooke and Ian McClintock
Lyndsi, Mason, Skylar, Logan and Clayton Boggs 8
“We can leave our home knowing our kids, pets and home are in great, capable hands.”
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SYNERGY HomeCare
“When Michael decided to retire his driver’s license six years ago, it was the pivotal decision that led him to SYNERGY HomeCare for help.”
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MICHAEL’S STORY
Veteran going strong at 95 He continued working in the property tax business until his early 80s. As one can imagine, living to 95 and beyond is expensive, no matter how well your retirement years are financially planned. As a WWII veteran, Michael recently qualified for an Aid and Attendance pension from the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs to help with home care costs.
When Michael decided to retire his driver’s license six years ago, it was the pivotal decision that led him to SYNERGY HomeCare of Glen Ellyn, IL, for help around the house. Today, Michael’s caregivers visit for three hours each morning to make breakfast and help him get dressed as well as three hours at night to help him with dinner, winding down and getting ready for bed. His caregivers also provide Michael with an exercise program, which includes walking his condo building hallways every day.
Mark has a special place in his heart for Michael and checks in on him occasionally, as a friend. Mark will sometimes cover a shift with Michael, loving the opportunity to visit, catch up and spend time together. Mark never forgets Michael’s birthday or his favorite food, a sandwich from Portillo’s. This year, Mark brought the Portillo’s to Michael’s house, as excursions outside of the house are becoming more difficult.
Michael enjoys the companionship his caregivers provide, and his caregivers adore him. Mark Gould, SYNERGY HomeCare owner of Glen Ellyn says, “Michael is the nicest person you’ll ever meet.” Having such a good disposition has afforded Michael a lot of love and friendship. He has three children who live within a short driving distance and visit often. One daughter who lives 45 minutes away visits three times a week, grocery shops and prepares meals for him. His other daughter drives two and a half hours every other Sunday to visit, and his son is always available to take him to doctor’s appointments and make repairs around the house. Michael is fortunate to have so many people involved in his life. Even his neighbor, Olga, checks on him a few times a day.
Michael has a unique sense of humor; his signature “goodbye” proves it! Even Mark gets a kick out of Michael when he says goodbye. Michael always says to him, “Go home straight,” every time. Everyone involved in Michael’s life—his children, friends, caregivers, Mark—agrees that having Michael in their lives continues to be a special gift from the nicest guy they know. His caregivers look forward to seeing him every day. Maybe being the nicest guy in town, coupled with loving caregivers, is the secret recipe for longevity!
Michael’s life has been rich with a successful career, a loving family and friends, volunteering and many other activities. After serving in the Army and returning home from Europe at the end of WWII, Michael worked as a railroad tax agent for 35 years. He then became a member and later chairman of the DuPage County Board of Property Tax Review, after which he became a county assessment official and the Supervisor of Assessments.
19M
53%
percentage of veteran population 65 or older
(19 million) U.S. veterans population in 2019
SYNERGY HomeCare of Glen Ellyn, IL Owner: Mark Gould 11
SYNERGY HomeCare
VICTORIA’S STORY
Victoria’s victory As SYNERGY HomeCare of Beaumont’s owner, Stephanie Allen, says, “We’re a part of Victoria’s journey. Early on, we realized she needed caregivers who could roll with her temperance as she adjusted to her new life. After all, Victoria is a 35-year-old woman in the prime of her life, and being confined to a wheelchair can be frustrating and depressing. Our mission is for her to feel the joy of what she can do and expose her to new ideas and activities.”
Remember when you were entering your 20s? You were unstoppable, defining your world and looking forward to a bright future filled with good health and the rewards of an unbridled thirst for a successful career, right? Those were Victoria’s dreams, too. Career minded and engaged to be married, Victoria’s dreams were shattered within seconds when a car smashed into hers at a high rate of speed. She spent the next year in the hospital fighting for her life.
Over the years, Victoria’s caregivers and Stephanie have developed a close bond of friendship. Stephanie shared, “Sometimes we’ll get all dressed up and go to the mall and punctuate our day with lunch or dinner at her favorite restaurant, Pappadeaux—she absolutely loves the crab!”
Victoria’s stepbrothers and father visited her in the hospital as she lay lifeless in a coma with a maze of tubes, pumps and wires keeping her alive. With no end in sight, the only thing they could do for her was pray for a miracle.
Victoria finds great joy in an adorable little dog, Pookie, who loves to jump onto her lap. Pookie is her shadow wherever she goes. Her caregivers take care of Pookie for her so all she has to do is love her.
Doctors couldn’t determine if or when Victoria might open her eyes again or breathe on her own, but eventually, she did. Her father and stepbrothers were elated at her progress.
Victoria loves her caregivers. Together they play games, watch their favorite TV shows and talk for hours. Sometimes Victoria will call her caregiver who is on the way to her house and ask her to bring her a hamburger. Victoria never hesitates to call Stephanie or Stephanie’s mom just to chat. Stephanie’s mom visits her and they color together and have good conversations.
After an arduous year for Victoria and her family, she finally returned home, this time in a wheelchair. Everyone was excited to have Victoria back home where she belonged. Her stepbrothers built a wheelchair ramp for her to get to her front door. Victoria was adapting to her new life, but with the loss of use of one arm and forever mobile by wheelchair, this was an extremely difficult adjustment for this lively young woman. She remembered her life before the accident—she could drive, walk, run, go shopping. Victoria knew she had to create a new life for herself to find happiness again.
Behind Victoria’s house is a large pond. When Stephanie comes over, the two go out on the pier and watch the pond, dreaming of fishing there one day. When Stephanie asked Victoria if she’d like to go fishing, she replied, “How in the heck am I going to do that?” Stephanie was delighted to tell Victoria that she found a special rod for people who only had use of one arm. Additionally, she surprised Victoria by telling her that she asked her stepbrothers if it was all right to build a ramp and a railing to the pier that would allow her motorized wheelchair to drive onto the pier. The brothers were agreeable, and Stephanie’s friends will be building the ramp in the spring. They are excited to spend time fishing together on the pier this summer.
Victoria moved into a small house behind her dad’s home. She knew she would need around-the-clock care by professional caregivers in order to remain as independent as possible. Being under the care of SYNERGY HomeCare of Beaumont, TX, has been the constant in her days that has improved her quality of life.
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At times, Victoria still struggles with her confinement, but because she has had the same caregivers for years, they understand Victoria’s need to express her feelings and can help her get through the rough times. With Victoria’s help, SYNERGY HomeCare has learned that it is not a “cookie-cutter” agency. “One size fits all” does not define what SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers do; rather they adapt their caregiving to respect the wishes and needs of each client. SYNERGY HomeCare is delighted and proud to be an extension to Victoria’s “family” and to make a positive impact in her life. This is why Victoria’s caregivers are in the compassionate business of home care, as they remain committed to her, her needs and her happiness.
SYNERGY HomeCare of Beaumont, TX
Owner: Stephanie Allen 13
SYNERGY HomeCare
The sandwich generation LIFE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN IN THE SANDWICH GENERATION? YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
The sandwich generation is traditionally defined as adults who are caring for both an aging parent and their own children. Sandwich generation caregivers are “sandwiched� between multiple, demanding responsibilities, often working full time while providing care and financial and emotional support for multiple generations of family members. Are you feeling sandwiched? If so, you are not alone.
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FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Know the factsn
49%
19%
GEN XERS
BORN 1965 - 1980 AGE 39 - 54
WHO MAKES UP THE SANDWICH GENERATION?
BABY BOOMERS
BORN 1946 - 1964 AGE 55 - 73
31%
40%
MILLENNIALS
BORN 1981 - 1996 AGE 23 - 38
EMOTIONAL STRESS
CAREGIVING BY FAMILY (AVERAGE HOURS PER WEEK)
47
WHAT STRESS DO THEY FEEL?
36
HOURS CARING FOR A SPOUSE
1
HOURS CARING FOR A PARENT
4
SANDWICH GENERATION GEN XERS TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM WORK TO PROVIDE CARE FOR AN AGING OR ILL PARENT
15
23% FINANCIAL STRAIN
18% PHYSICAL STRESS
SYNERGY HomeCare
53
%
of family caregivers are caring for a parent or parent-in-law
Mauro Boschetto and Shanna Tourtlotte, owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Billings, MT
“The best thing is their compassion, and they treat me like an adult and not a child.� 16
MAURO’S STORY
I can travel now As told by Mauro Boschetto If I didn’t have SYNERGY HomeCare, I don’t know what I would do. I am the full-time caregiver of my father, Mario, who has dementia. At one point, my father was recovering from a severe dehydration episode, and this is when I learned of SYNERGY HomeCare.
I stopped by the office, and when I learned what they could do for my dad, I was blown away. I realized that their services could be a solution to help me fulfill my desire to travel. From this first meeting, I made a connection and built a level of trust with SYNERGY HomeCare, and I knew my father would be in good hands while I was traveling. I have taken several long trips and have hired SYNERGY HomeCare to provide respite care for my dad when I am away. Being a caregiver is taxing, and SYNERGY HomeCare does it all so well. The office and the caregivers are amazing. My father enjoys the caregivers at SYNERGY HomeCare, and he said, “The best thing is their compassion, and they treat me like an adult and not a child.” From short visits to an extended stay, we ‘re here to help As told by SYNERGY HomeCare Mauro loves traveling, and he has partnered with SYNERGY HomeCare of Billings, MT, to allow him to get the respite relief he needs to avoid caregiver burnout—the top reason people struggle to care for their loved ones—and so he can enjoy quality time fulfilling his passion to travel. Most recently, Mauro took a 17-day trip overseas during which he relied on SYNERGY HomeCare to provide 24/7 care to his father. He was able to enjoy his trip and had peace of mind that his father was in caring hands. Mauro’s next trip will be this spring when he will leave for a monthlong overseas trip. SYNERGY HomeCare is by this father and son duo’s side every step of the way, from planning prior to the trip, to the care and communication while Mauro is away, to follow up and coordination when he returns. Providing for a loved one while the family caregiver is away is a rewarding job. “Spending days and nights with a client allows you to get to know the client better, and a level of trust is built. You really get an opportunity to understand a client’s needs and wants,” says SYNERGY HomeCare’s Director of Client Care, Nikki Pinkerton. At, SYNERGY HomeCare, we pride ourselves on providing a solution for any family. Whether it is a short visit or an extended stay visit, we are there to help. 17
SYNERGY HomeCare
OUR CORE VALUES
Nine tenets to excellence We know what it means to have current and past clients who are happy with our services. We also know that our reputation and future depend upon continuing our stellar reputation. To achieve this, we live by our nine tenets to excellence as the means to continue our goal of excellence to operate SYNERGY HomeCare:
Ensure quality care. We offer compassionate and committed home care, meeting or exceeding client expectations.
Foster a positive work culture. We hire highly qualified and talented employees, provide ongoing education, treat people well and provide a positive work culture.
Focus on our clients. We are strongly committed to clients and their families, their care and satisfaction.
Provide reliable care. We provide consistent, reliable care that our clients and their families can count on.
Practice mission-driven management. Our mission-driven professionals ensure a positive culture for their employees and clients.
Lead by example. We are the face of home of care in the communities we serve.
Engage with local communities. Every SYNERGY HomeCare franchise is locally owned and operated by compassionate people.
Make social responsibility a priority. Our care teams continuously give back to the communities they serve.
Practice ethical behavior. We behave ethically, are admirable and trustworthy.
We’ll always use our nine tenets to excellence as our benchmark for continued success. Nothing means more to us than having your trust.
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“ Nothing means more to us than having your trust.”
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SYNERGY HomeCare
INCREASINGLY SUPPORTING THE WORKING CAREGIVER
Employer Benefits Caring for a loved one is hard work, and it’s even harder for those attempting to balance caregiver responsibilities with a full or part-time job. According to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, more than 1 in 6 Americans assist with the care of a family member or friend. In addition, caregivers working at least 15 hours per week indicated that this assistance significantly affected their work life. Fortunately, employers are increasingly becoming aware of the emotional and financial strains placed on their employees with caregiving responsibilities. Forwardthinking employers like Starbucks, Home Depot and hundreds of others consider caregiving issues when designing their employee benefits. As more employers recognize that caregiving responsibilities can have a direct impact on employee engagement, productivity and even absence rates, they are providing a number of benefits to assist with these challenges. All too often though, caregiver benefits are not well promoted, and as a result, remain unknown to employees.
Work/Life Services Employer-sponsored benefit that offers free information, resource and referral services for child care, elder care, pet care, convenience, legal and/or financial services related to employees’ every day practical needs. Employee Discount Portal Online platform that provides employees with access to a variety of products and services from national and local companies at a discounted rate (for example, movie tickets and home care). Be sure to check with your employer to better understand what benefits may be available to assist you with your caregiver needs. If you are an older adult interested in receiving home care services, you may want to check whether your children’s employers provide any of these benefits.
It may be of benefit to ask your human resources or benefits manager whether your employer offers any assistance for working caregivers. A few examples of helpful resources include the following: Back-up Care Programs Employer-subsidized vetted alternative child and/or adult care in response to an emergency, unexpected event or disruption in regular care. This benefit will typically reimburse for a certain number of hours of care per year. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) Employer-sponsored benefit that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling and resources to employees. This includes referrals and recommendations for Work/Life issues such as child and adult care assistance. This benefit can be of great use to not only locate resources for home care for a child or adult, but it can also provide counseling resources for the stress one may be feeling as a family caregiver. Often employees’ household members and eligible dependents can receive EAP benefits as well. 20
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Preventing hospital readmissions After returning home from a hospital stay, some people may find it difficult to remember when to take medications, how the medications should be administered and what the proper dosages are, or to get prescriptions refilled. In-home care provides medication reminders so medications are taken responsibly and on-time; caregivers can also monitor any side effects that may occur so that a doctor can be notified.
After a lengthy stay in the hospital due to an accident, surgery or illness, the thought of taking care of yourself can be scary and overwhelming—especially if your body is still recovering and you don’t feel up to everyday living tasks like bathing, cooking, cleaning or driving. After hospitalization, many people are afraid of not having adequate care—and for good reason. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported in September 2019 that nearly 20 percent of people experience adverse events within three weeks of being discharged from the hospital, three-quarters of which were preventable.
Continuous care and monitoring by experienced inhome caregivers help identify potential problems faster. Caregivers can alert those who are recovering and their medical professionals of concerns that could cause readmission if not addressed early enough during the recovery process.
Many adverse events following hospital discharge are associated with the transition from hospital care to home. Assessing an individual’s ability to care for themselves and having adequate support and care after discharge can be difficult. As a result, people are often left without proper post-hospitalization care. Even those who have help from friends and family can face readmission after a hospital stay. This is often due to confusion and miscommunication during the discharge process from the hospital, or inadequate ability to provide care upon returning home.
Along with the safety value that in-home care provides, home care also allows individuals to recover in their own comfortable environment. Comfort alone can help people relax and recover a little faster, and these are just some of the many benefits that home care provides to those recovering after a hospital stay.
Post-hospitalization home care can reduce the risk of readmission and help ensure a speedy recovery.
20
%
Professional in-home care Many of the risks that arise during post-hospital recovery can be reduced or eliminated by hiring a professional inhome aide who is trained and experienced in providing post-hospital care to people who need support.
of patients experience adverse events within 3 weeks of discharge (75% were preventable)
In-home caregivers can help with daily living tasks that could cause further injury. Feeding pets, preparing a meal, buying groceries—all of these simple activities can potentially cause an injury and require readmission. With the help of in-home caregivers, these activities can be safely taken care of.
$17B
($17 billion) annual costs of hospital readmissions
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SYNERGY HomeCare
“Most people don’t realize the day-to-day struggles people with traumatic brain injury experience just to manage their day.”
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ANNA’S STORY
Living with a traumatic brain injury As told by Anna’s parents Anna is a young adult woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury at six weeks of age from a motor vehicle accident. She suffers from executive function issues due to trauma to the brain’s frontal lobe. This affects her mood, her ability to plan and her socialization skills. Anna is very sensitive to noise, large groups of people and people who are too energetic. She is most successful in an environment that is calm, has fewer people and is structured. Most people don’t realize the day to day struggles people with traumatic brain injury experience just to manage their day. The challenge with obtaining care in the home has always been matching the right caregiver with Anna and having them understand her needs and behaviors as a brain injured adult. When our family moved to Prescott, AZ, it was important to find a care agency with an understanding of brain injury and caregivers with the ability to engage with Anna in a positive way. I was reluctant to turn over care to an in-home care agency after many failed respite interactions. I was introduced to SYNERGY HomeCare of Prescott Valley and had initial contact with Alan Wikman, the owner. Alan was very compassionate and understanding of my current needs and concerns. Having had years of experience with various respite providers, I was able to determine very quickly that SYNERGY HomeCare was different and did spend more time screening and training their caregivers. Anna’s needs require consistent and reliable caregivers who can meet her daily needs in a predictable and structured environment. The caregivers from SYNERGY HomeCare are friendly, understanding and reliable. The caregivers allow Anna to do as much as she can and coach her when things are more challenging. They provide the security and positive environment Anna needs to be successful in our home. Even when Anna’s days are more challenging, they provide patience, empathy and safety to bring about a positive change for Anna.
SYNERGY HomeCare of Prescott Valley, AZ Owner: Alan Wikman 23
SYNERGY HomeCare
BETTY’S STORY
Now it’s my turn For ten years, Betty provided loving care for Bob in their home until he passed away. She then found herself alone and struggling to take care of the large home they once shared. After a short time of asking her children for help, she realized that she needed to downsize. Betty sold the home and moved into an independent living facility. She adjusted to life in her new apartment, and after several years she decided to seek some help for herself as her back had grown tired from caring for Bob for so many years. She contacted SYNERGY HomeCare to come in and provide services for her.
When you work hard your whole life and look forward to a playful retirement where the road to travel and adventure is infinite, tragedy is the last thing on your mind. Betty Leach has a heart wrenching story that is all too familiar. Betty and her husband, Bob, lived a happy life together and were very successful. Unfortunately, shortly after retirement, Betty’s husband experienced a life-altering stroke that left him paralyzed and incapable of moving and speaking and unable to care for himself.
SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers help Betty keep her apartment tidy, do her laundry and run her weekly errands. Betty is proud that she can still get around and do some things for herself, but she is grateful for the help that she receives. SYNERGY HomeCare has been providing services to Betty since 2013, and she is still just as pleased with the care she receives as she was in the beginning. A good part of Betty’s life was spent caring for others. SYNERGY HomeCare is honored to provide some care and relief to her, as she has definitely earned it.
Betty had to change her way of life and begin caring for her husband. Bob was in the hospital for an extended period of time and his doctors felt that it would be best for him to be admitted into a nursing home. Betty’s love and loyalty for her husband was unwavering, and she refused the doctors’ recommendations and insisted that Bob go home with her instead. It took Betty some time to learn how to provide the care that Bob needed, but once she developed a plan, he was released to go back home with her. Betty cared for her husband to a great extent, including changing and cleaning his tracheostomy tube, bathing him, moving him and giving him his medications.
“Betty is proud that she can still get around and do some things for herself, but she is grateful for the help that she receives .” SYNERGY HomeCare of Centerville, OH 24
Owner: Tim Homer
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SYNERGY HomeCare
SAM’S STORY
Life beyond spina bifida In 2016, SYNERGY HomeCare of Rockville, MD, received a call from the Veterans Affairs office regarding a young man in Montgomery County who had spina bifida. The young man fit all the criteria to benefit from the Agent Orange Act—a law that established a benefits package for the children of veterans who were born with spina bifida as a result of exposure during wartime service in either Korea or Vietnam. The Agent Orange Benefits Act provides lifetime health care services for those born with spina bifida and other disabilities associated with this condition. Not well versed about spina bifida, the Rockville staff educated itself about the condition and how to best care for someone who has it. What the staff did not yet know was how one young man with this condition would change their lives.
As told by Sam It was time. My dad and mom began to realize they needed some help caring for me. We were concerned about letting strangers into our home and uncertain about how it would all work out.
This young man is Sam Hardwick. He is sensitive, warmhearted and witty, and he is the youngest of nine children in a close-knit and loving family. Sam gets joy from his friendships with SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers. Obviously, the caregivers are there to help Sam with his activities of daily living, but the relationship between Sam and his caregivers has become so much more. He has a strong emotional connection with his caregivers, which is important to Sam and his family.
I truly feel privileged to work with really great people at SYNERGY HomeCare.
We need not have worried. Under the expert supervision of Ross at SYNERGY HomeCare, we were introduced to some of the most talented and caring people that anyone could have hoped for. I ended up with not only the best caregivers, Sam, Yenzi and Darrell, but some of the best friends I have known. They treat me like family, and that’s how I feel about them as well.
So, thanks guys, and keep up the great work! But this doesn’t mean I’m going to let you win at Yahtzee. We know who is the King of Yahtzee! Sam Hardwick with the SYNERGY HomeCare team in Rockville, MD Owner: Ross Fierman
Over the years, Sam and Ross Fierman, the owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Rockville, have become close friends. The two have lunch together once a month and enjoy animated discussions about their favorite sports teams and catching up on their day-to-day activities. “If you would have told me 20 years ago that my life will be changed for the better because of spina bifida, my eye rolls would have been very obvious. How absurd, right? But today, when I think of Sam and the joy he has brought into my life, it’s so very true,” Ross said. “The essential nature of being alive and being human is to experience life in its purest form—the wins and losses, celebrations and challenges, and the good with the bad.” In addition to being close friends, Sam and Ross are now colleagues! Sam has been hired as a SYNERGY HomeCare staff assistant, and everyone is thrilled to have him there. 26
38%
of family caregivers spend over 30 hrs/wk on caregiving
85
%
of family caregivers do not receive any respite care
“What the staff did not yet know was how one young man with this disease would change their lives.�
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SYNERGY HomeCare
JOE’S STORY
“Lucky” Lucchi thriving at 105 Joe “Lucky” Lucchi was born in Brooklyn, NY, in November 1914. The son of poor Italian immigrants, his father washed dishes at the Waldorf Astoria while his mother taught him that hard work in school was important for the future. Today, Joe believes taking these lessons to heart has contributed to his success and longevity.
centenarians. Because SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers take the burden out of life’s everyday tasks, Joe and his wife of 50 years can still focus on enjoying all of life’s events. They don’t have to worry about laundry, cooking, or running errands because their SYNERGY HomeCare caregiver is at their service. Joe smiles as he says to SYNERGY HomeCare of Arlington, VA’s owner, Mitch Opalski, “The SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers help me progress. Sometimes people in the community tell me to slow down because I am walking too fast! During the course of the day, no matter what I ask of my caregivers, especially Rose, she does it well and she does it willingly! She’s good. She always has a smile! Rose is available to help with any chore; she keeps me healthy.”
A prime example of the American Dream, Joe beams with pride when reminiscing about outings where he had been honored as a special guest. He proudly displays a photo of himself shaking hands with former New York governor, Mario Cuomo, during a black-tie ceremony celebrating Joe’s “outstanding service to the legal profession and the public.” Coincidentally, this event was held at the same Waldorf Astoria hotel where his father once washed the dishes. At 105 years old, Joe is in better health today than a year ago, largely due to the excellent care he receives seven days a week from SYNERGY HomeCare. His primary caregiver, Rose, laughs and flexes her muscles because she is so proud of how she has helped Joe regain his strength and vitality. While the average 105-year-old man might be slowing down, “Lucky” Lucchi is vibrant and thriving. Joe continues to receive recognition and invitations to special events for his many life accomplishments. He was recently a guest speaker at an event to honor and learn from
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“SYNERGY HomeCare is a big help, the caregivers know my routine, I don’t have to tell them, they know what I like and need. They help me with everything. My caregivers are prompt and reliable. We have made numerous new friends since starting care with SYNERGY HomeCare; all of this has made a positive impact in my life.” Joe Lucchi, his wife, and SYNERGY HomeCare caregiver from Arlington, VA Owner: Mitch Opalski
“ While the average 105 year old man might be slowing down, ‘Lucky’ Lucchi is vibrant and thriving. “
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SYNERGY HomeCare
WHY REPUTATION MATTERS
Our 5-star reputation Research indicates that 40 percent of consumers form an opinion about a business after reading just one to three reviews—and 86 percent hesitate to purchase from a business that has negative reviews. At SYNERGY HomeCare, we take our reviews and reputation seriously, striving to provide our clients best-in-class care. Trust is what our 5-star reviews are all about. Our 5-star reputation is important to you because it can prevent you from choosing a home care agency that may lack the reliability and quality that SYNERGY HomeCare continually builds upon to exceed our clients’ expectations. Our reputation not only garners trust and loyalty from our clients, but it also assists us to attract the best of the best caregivers and maintain high caregiver retention. Having continuity of care with the same caregiver a client has bonded with over time means everything for the client and their family.
“Our experience with Synergy Homecare was wonderful! What a caring organization!” Jodi, MN
“I can wholeheartedly recommend Synergy Home Care for you or your loved ones. The owner and staff are knowledgeable, caring professionals, dedicated to providing the best care for your needs.” Mary Jane, AR
“My experience with Synergy Homecare has been 100% positive. Our care provider from Synergy HomeCare has been proactive in keeping my loved one clean, fed, physically and mentally stimulated. That is no small task where dementia is concerned, but she makes it seem easy. I have had a 5-star experience.” Barbara, CA
of services.”
“The caregivers are great at what they do. The care and love they put towards their patients it’s outstanding.”
Shannon, OH
Carmen, IL
“Wonderful staff and very responsive! I would recommend to anyone in need
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EVADNEY’S STORY
Muscular dystrophy can’t stop me Because she cannot move freely, Evadney needs the muscle stimulation that comes from a combination bed, bath and massage each day. She also appreciates small touches, like making her favorite tea and breakfast meal just the way she likes it. Her relationship with SYNERGY HomeCare illustrates how clients can receive help with challenging activities of daily living, allowing them to explore their passions.
She’s a mother, grandmother and lay pastor who retired from a 39-year career in technology, and she is unstoppable. Meet Evadney. As told by SYNERGY HomeCare of Chicago owner, Julie Naggs Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of five, Evadney also lives with spinal muscular atrophy, scoliosis and a knee injury. Despite her health challenges, she is super active, counsels those in need, crochets hats and blankets, and loves to get out in her neighborhood, calling it “her playground.”
As told by Evadney Due to my health conditions, I require careful and trained people to help me move, get dressed, and get into and out of my motorized chair. SYNERGY HomeCare always makes sure my well-being is first, and owner Julie will roll up her sleeves and help when needed. At present, I’ve been blessed with two awesome caregivers who are great listeners, and are super caring and respectful. SYNERGY HomeCare has made it possible for me to continue to live independently in my home.
Evadney is originally from Guyana, has a beautiful spirit and contagious smile, recently completed her studies and became a Presbyterian lay pastor, and lives with great purpose and passion. She has two sons and three granddaughters.
As told by Evadney’s caregiver, Jazmin What inspires me about Evadney is that although people didn’t believe she would live as long as she has due to her disease, she worked very hard to have a professional career and defy the odds. One day I hope to be as strong, independent, beautiful and giving as she is.
Evadney uses a sliding board to transfer from her bed to a motorized chair and back, and she has the technique down to a science. She talks through strategies for painfree movement with her caregivers, Jazmin and Hajar. Evadney with one of her SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers
“SYNERGY HomeCare has made it possible for me to continue to live independently in my home.” SYNERGY HomeCare of Chicago, IL Owners: Frank Shannon and Julie Naggs 31
SYNERGY HomeCare
CARE FOR EVERYONE At SYNERGY HomeCare, our caregivers are incredible individuals with an unmatched ability to care for everyone. Call or visit our website to find out more.
877.432.2692 | SYNERGYHOMECARE.COM 32
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