Following a devastating car accident, Earleen
Belfsky was forced to spend weeks recovering at Greenbriar Terrace in
Nashua, NH, and then later, Mont Vernon Inn, an assisted living
facility located in Mont Vernon, NH.
According to Earleen's daughter, Adele, the elderly
woman received top-quality care at both facilities. However, there was
always a strong desire to return home, even though making such a
transition would require an agency to supply 24-hour attention. That's
when Adele began to wonder if there was a general demand for this kind
of care.
“When my mother returned home, I was watching over
her 20 to 25 hours a week,” Adele explained. “I was offering
supplemental type care, assisting her in activities of daily living
(ADLs). We did some research into this area and discovered there was a
real need.”
And that's how Living At Home SeniorCare was born.
Today, the Amherst, NH- based company – which is run by Adele and her
husband, Frank – employs close to 40 staff members (35 of which are
caregivers) and serves nearly 200 clients. Living At Home's aim is to
provide New Hampshire seniors with a cost-effective alternative to
long-term care and assisted living, especially those, like Adele, who
have a strong desire to remain at home.
“I think what makes us unique are the choices we
offer,” Frank said. “We do ADLs, we do companionship – we even do
transportation. And it's all individualized, so the person can receive
as much care and attention as their situation demands. We have
something here we call the “Would I trust this caregiver with my
mother” test, and I like to think all our caregivers do pass that test.”
Cognitive retention therapy
What also makes Living At Home unique are the
programs and products it offers clients. Recently, the company became
involved with cognitive retention therapy (CRT), which is a structured
program of cognitive exercises based on the workings of Dr. Mira Ashby.
CRT is designed for those afflicted with early- to
mid-stages Alzheimer's disease, brain injury caused by trauma or
stroke, and age-related memory challenges.
CRT's goal is simple: to stimulate the recall of
past events and information, and in the process, improve and maintain
cognitive functioning. And it does this through a series of exercises
and activities that incorporate an individual's life story.
The end results can be significant. After working
with a trained CRT therapist, patients have been to able to perform
ADLs more independently, remain connected and engaged for a longer
period of time, and see a marked improvement in personal confidence and
social skills.
“It's program that can really address the needs of
many of the individuals we work with,” Adele said. “It's a fairly new
concept – we're currently the only authorized provider in New Hampshire
– but the improvement shown in individuals can be tremendous and we're
hoping this will cause the program to catch on.”
The MD.2
Living At Home is also the only known New Hampshire
provider for MD.2, which is a state-of-the-art medication dispensing
system.
One of the system's best features is its built-in
monitoring capability. The MD.2 plugs right into a phone line and if
medications aren't dispensed after several reminders, family members
and friends are automatically notified by telephone. Trained staff
members can also be reached 24 hours a day via the phone to answer
questions and set up medication schedules.
For Living At Home's clients, the MD.2 is available to either purchase or rent.
“It's a terrific machine,” Frank said, “and just
another unique service that sets us apart from similar home care
providers.”
Remaining in their own environment
Well-managed home care can be a cost effective
alternative to a long-term care or assisted living facility. And while
the Belfskys are happy to be saving families money, what brings them
greater joy is granting aging seniors the ability to continue living in
their homes.
Seniors can better maintain the connections they
have to family, friends, and their community when they remain in their
own environment.
“The positive feedback we receive from clients is
what makes this company worthwhile,” Frank said. “Knowing we allowed a
person to remain and enjoy the comforts of their home is what keeps us
going.”
For more information on Living At Home, visit www.lahseniorcare.com.
