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CARING IN DuPage
OCT 2018
630.260.5300 www.brightstarcare.com/wheaton
Bridging the Gap in Home Health Care
HOW BR IGHTSTAR CAN SERVE YOU
W hen you work in the health care field, you come across a lot of people who have the heart to help others, but one of the significant challenges we encounter is that there is often no avenue to act on this desire to serve. Perhaps it’s a patient who doesn't have insurance or a diagnosis that hinders the ability to treat the patient immediately —both instances are frequent occurrences. But the cause doesn’t always have to be substantial to invoke limitations. Many times, it’s just a lack of information that inhibits proper service. At BrightStar, this common problemhinders us from accurately helping people with their issues. We field a lot of questions from individuals in need, but they often have a misunderstanding of the services we provide. That’s why we want to take a moment to highlight the options available to those in need of in-home assistance and bring to light howwe can help people live their best lives. Home Health andMedicare Medicare plays a considerable role in our industry and in the services that most patients receive. Home Health is generally characterized as short-term in-home assistance fromnurse networks (approved by Medicare insurance) toward continued patient health goals. This includes post-operative care, administration of medication and treatments, wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, some infusions, and self-care health education. Medicare covers a portion of treatments and works with in-network therapists, nurses, and aides to provide
care. However, their reach and types of care coverage are limited, and that leaves the needs of many patients unmet.
Private Duty Home Care When a patient needs a supplement to Medicare or prefers to privately pay for their services, that’s where we enter the equation. We provide certified caregivers, Certified Nursing Assistants, and Nurses (LPN, RN) who are licensed through both the IDPH and the State of Illinois. These wonderful people go through background checks, fingerprinting, and continuing education so they can effectively assist with the client needs in the home. While the services are paid out of pocket up front, we work with long-term care insurance providers tomake sure that the help we provide isn’t a financial burden on the people we care for. We also develop plans with the client family and friends to create a support network centered around their available skill sets, schedule, and resources. I used to work as a Medicare director, and what brought me to BrightStar was seeing the abundant need for assistance beyond what Medicare provides. It’s easy for loved ones to believe that Medicare covers enough services for their mom, dad, sibling, or grandparent to live a happy and fulfilled life. But it doesn’t. Sometimes Medicare only pays for helping the patient shower and getting dressed a couple of times a week so personal care options are limited the other five days of the week. There’s no bed changing, meal preparation, laundry, nursing assistance, or care during off days. There are a lot of benefits to using private pay services like the ones we provide, but the biggest by far is helping patients develop peace of mind with a companion who cares about them and understands the health conditions which inhibit their lifestyle. Our nurses and caregivers are truly the best around, and we aim to help them stay that way. We provide support to all our nurses and constantly invest in their abilities to ensure our level of service is unmatched. BrightStar ensures our team is more than just qualified by the state's requirements; we continuously pursue avenues that help us serve a segment of the population that is often forgotten. It’s why I love what I do, and why I look forward to work every morning. I make a difference in the lives of those who have made a difference for so many others. Because I manage our staff with training and recertification, I can tell you that every person who puts on a pair of BrightStar scrubs shares the same sentiment. —Diane Thorson
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COUNTY MEATH, I RELAND, WHERE HALLOWEEN BEGAN THE REAL HALLOWEEN TOWN
Fans of Halloween don’t need to look far to find somewhere to celebrate their favorite holiday. There are festive parties all over the world, from New Orleans to London, but if you really want to embrace the spirit of Halloween, there’s no better destination than the birthplace of the holiday: County Meath, Ireland. Every year in Boyne Valley, the residents of County Meath throw a month-long Halloween celebration. The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival attracts thousands of guests from all over the world, and while this festival has only been celebrated since 2009, many of the traditions observed here date back to ancient times.
The ancient Irish weren’t trick-or-treating or visiting haunted houses on Oct. 31, but they were celebrating the pagan holiday Samhain. Over 3,000 years ago, this Celtic festival was born in Meath and marked the end of the harvest. Samhain was celebrated with bonfires, offerings to fairies, and other rituals meant to keep evil spirits away. Many of these customs carried through the centuries and inspired Halloween traditions that are still practiced today.
Today, Meath celebrates Oct. 31 with a blend of spooky thrills and
Success Story
Have You Heard the Good News?
of being direct without being commanding. She's also supportive and kind without being cloying. I've thought this for several weeks now, so today I asked what agency she is from. I wasn't surprised to learn she's with BrightStar Care. I always want to acknowledge a job well done and share that she's the best at dementia care that I've seen! I don't know how you are able to find wonderful caregivers for such hard work, but I'm sure grateful we have BrightStar Care to refer residents and their families to. —Bunny Mirrilees Community Liaison at local retirement and care center
Yamina [BrightStar Caregiver] has been taking care of one particular resident for about 15 months now, and I wanted to share what an amazing job she's done! I've watched as the 75-year-old male resident has rapidly progressed in his dementia condition. I'm in the Fairfax memory unit about twice per week performing SAIDO sessions with other residents, so I've had a ringside seat when he came and went and then moved to the full-time memory care unit. I know from my own interactions and observations that he's a handful. I've seen other caregivers come and go while trying their best to contend with his emotional outbursts and difficult behaviors.
1 Peter 2:16— Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Galatians 5:13-14— For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 4:18-19— The Spirit of the Lord is onme because he has anointedme to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
But Yamina is nothing short of amazing. She has the patience of a saint and a great way
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THE SAME QUALITY CARE, GIVE US A CALL AT 630-260-5300 AND SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONALS.
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630.260.5300
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Don’t Fret Over Finances OPTIONS TO HELP YOU PAY FOR LONG-TERM CARE
traditional Samhain practices. The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival starts with the lighting of the first torch fire of Samhain in Athboy, which kicks off a month of fun activities. If you like your Halloween extra spooky, the scream park, Farmaphobia, is waiting for you. And if you’re not a fan of screaming your head off, you can check out the Halloween- themed Spookling Afternoon Tea for fresh- baked treats and spirited conversation. The motto of this all-ages festival is “Fun by Day; Frights by Night,” meaning all the really scary ghosts wait until after sunset to come out.
During the month of October, fear plays an interesting role in people’s lives. Whether you are trying to find the scariest Halloween costume or watching a gory slasher film, frightful feelings are often at the forefront of your mind. Here at BrightStar Care, our care teams have reported that the fears plaguing their patients’ family members the most are related to financial concerns. The cost of long-term health care among facility-based providers has steadily increased over the last decade. Surveys reveal that across the U.S., Americans paid approximately $14,633 more per year in 2016 for a nursing home than they had to pay in 2011. Because your primary concern when researching home health care should be to find a company that values trustworthy care, our team at BrightStar Care wants to provide with you some options available to help you afford home health care outside of insurance or private pay. 1. Community Care Program If your elderly family member lives on a limited income with few assets, they may be able to qualify for home care assistance through the Community Care Program offered through the Illinois Department on Aging. To qualify for this program, they must be 60 years or older, have nonexempt assets of $17,500 or less, and have an assessed need for long-term care. 2. Reverse Homeowner Mortgage This option allows homeowners ages 62 or older to access the equity they have in their home. The lender makes payments to the homeowner to help pay for home care or home improvements such as safety and accessibility modifications. 3. Veterans Affairs Aid U.S. military veterans and their surviving spouses who are 65 years and older may be entitled to a tax-free benefit called the Aid and Attendance Pension. 4. Life Insurance Conversions If your loved one has a life insurance policy that is no longer needed to provide for others, instead of lapsing or surrendering the policy, you may be able to convert it into a living benefit. This conversion insurance helps with the monthly expenses of home care, home modifications, and assisted living.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween, from carving jack-o’-lanterns and eating chocolate to
running for your life through a haunted corn maze. And in County Meath, you can celebrate Halloween in every possible way. For more info, visit Discoverboynevalley.ie/whats- on/spirits-meath-halloween- festival-2018 .
SPICED PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH
Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine
INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds 1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Nonstick vegetable oil spray
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1 large egg white 1 teaspoon light agave syrup 1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
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INSTRUCTIONS
If you have questions pertaining to any of these options, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for answers at 630.260.5300.
1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
416 EAST ROOSEVELT ROAD, SUITE 105 ● WHEATON, IL 60187 630.260.5300 WWW.BRIGHTSTARCARE.COM/WHEATON
CARING IN DUPAGE SUBSCRIPTION
INSIDE
How BrightStar Aims to Serve You 1
The Birthplace of Halloween Hear What People Are Saying About Us! 2 Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch Options to Help You Pay for Long-Term Care 3
Turn Back Time With Social Media 4
Get the latest in home-care e-learning: Contact monica.labrot@CaringinDuPage.com.
HOW TO REWIND LIFE’S CLOCK USING SOCIAL MEDIA
There’s an App for That?
One of the hardest challenges of aging isn’t coping with the physical changes or new limitations associated with getting older; it’s finding new groups of people with similar interests, especially for empty nesters. Many adults build their peer networks around their children, making them the focal point of conversations with other parents in similar situations. But as children grow older and eventually leave home, parents are forced to adjust to their dwindling social lives. While some adults thrive in meeting new people, many struggle to find ways to connect with their peers. Fortunately, there are apps for that. Easy Facebook for Seniors The mother ship of social media can sometimes be more of a maze than a way to connect with others. Facebook took notice of this and created a simplified version of the app specifically designed for those who want to avoid all the
distractions. Ease of use makes the opportunity to connect with others who have similar interests simpler than ever.
OurTime Dating in your 50s can be tricky, especially when many singles are looking for specific requirements in a partner. Some are seeking casual relationships, while others are looking for someone to grow old with. OurTime is a dating app that allows seniors to find partners with similar values, priorities, and passions. It’s a great way to find new people to share the golden years with. Skype You don’t have to wait for the holidays for your next group gathering; Skype allows you the opportunity to have video chats with anyone who has a smartphone. Maybe your conversation about the football game got cut short at church, or maybe you never finished your discussion at book club. Whatever the occasion, Skype gives you the option to connect with the people around you, even when you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your house.
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