ATRIO HOME CARE

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This Day and Age Podcast

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This Day & Age Podcast

Our new podcast, This Day and Age, has officially launched! Along with our affiliates Holland Home and Faith Hospice, we’re bringing together experts in all things aging to help you and your loved ones better navigate life’s journey.

Latest Episode:

In the latest episode of This Day & Age, Kate Sylvester, Executive Director at Atrio Help at Home, and Casey Lauf, Rehab Services Supervisor of Atrio Home Health-Lakeshore, discuss the “Aging in Place” movement and the role that homecare will continue to play. They lay out important points of discussion to help a loved on age in place, including:

  • The right time to implement care
  • How to coordinate care with current physicians
  • How in-home care is paid for
  • The different types of care available

Listen now by clicking on the button below or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!

LISTEN

Staying Healthy While Aging in Place

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Staying Healthy While Aging in Place

With the new year comes new goals, and many of the people we serve have the goal of aging from the comfort of their homes. One of the most important aspects of maintaining this level of independence is to remain healthy. To learn more about staying healthy while aging in place, we talked to Atrio Home Health Aide and Massage Therapist, Anne Ter Meer. Continue reading to learn more about her role and how home care agencies like Atrio can help you or your loved ones age in place.

Empowering Clients

Seniors are often generally aware, even painfully aware at times, of the things that they can no longer do. One of the essential things we can do for them is to empower them by focusing on who they are, not what they cannot do—they are people, not tasks. The changes that come with getting older are inevitable, but it can be difficult for seniors to ask for help from loved ones as they don’t want to feel like a burden. When Atrio comes in, laundry is done, errands are run, the kitchen is cleaned, beds are made, and assistance is provided for personal hygiene. We provide this help while giving them some semblance of independence they might not have if adult children stepped in. We treat clients as whole people and less as parents, which encourages them to be who they are and continue growing and living a full life.

Recharging the Mind and Body

Bodies are like batteries. We use them to accomplish tasks every day and recharge them at night. But, over time, our body loses its charge faster, and we start having to prioritize. The items that Atrio can help with are things that would quickly use up a client’s energy, leaving them with little to spend later on more important things—enjoying a meal with family, cradling a new grandchild, or attending a family wedding.

Maintaining the Spirit

While the mind and bodies of our clients may be changing, we always remember that their spirit and who they are as children of God remains fully intact. It’s essential to look past the surface to see who they really are. That “seeing” is validating, vital, and comforting. It’s respectful and acknowledges their intrinsic worth.

Finding Meaning

My job is to encourage and empower the client to continue to do what is meaningful to them. During my time with them, whether as a home assistant or massage therapist, I want to learn their priorities, the things that make them happy, and what is stressing them out. What can I take off their plate to make them feel better? And how can I help them bring more meaning into their daily lives? It can be as simple as organizing a drawer, changing a battery, or trying a different way to make the bed so the blankets stay on and they get a good night’s sleep. I focus on the person inside, the heart and soul—not the body or the deficiencies. Focusing on who they are—that’s the best way to help people stay healthy while aging in place.

Preparing for Aging in Place

When it comes to decisions based around aging, people tend to put them off. It’s something that we think can wait, and then one day, we’re faced with reality and are ill-prepared. If you or a loved one are thinking about aging in place, it’s never too early to start preparing. Set a new year’s goal to begin taking steps, whether by having meaningful conversations, having a health check-up, or diving into some research. To get you started, here is a blog post about 6 steps to Take to Prepare for Aging in Place.

6 Steps to Take to Prepare for Aging in Place

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6 Steps to Take to Prepare for Aging in Place

With the Aging in Place movement gaining momentum, seniors around the country are preparing to age in their own homes. If you or a loved one are hoping to join the movement, the best thing you can do is plan ahead. Here are six steps that should be a part of everyone’s plan:

1. Evaluate your health

Your physical, mental, and emotional health should all be considered when you are looking into aging in place. Are you still relatively independent? Are you able to get around on your own? Do you have a support system nearby? The independence and comfort that come with aging in place are very appealing, but you need to ensure that you can do so safely.

2. Contact a home care agency

Staying in your own home doesn’t mean you are completely on your own. Home care agencies can provide help with daily chores, meal prep, personal hygiene, and provide clinical care like physical therapy, nursing, and telehealth monitoring. Atrio Home Care also provides a free home safety evaluation to ensure your home is optimized for aging in place

3. Make a transportation plan

Getting to and from appointments, the grocery store, the shopping mall, the bank—it all requires transportation. As you age, driving yourself may not be an option. Talk with your caregivers, loved ones, and neighbors to see who might be willing and able to help you get around. It’s also a good idea to look into transportation services like the ones Atrio provides for times when your other caregivers are unavailable.

4. Befriend technology

With isolation being one of the biggest reasons for seniors’ decline, technology can keep you connected, informed, and even entertained. And apps for grocery delivery, food delivery, and transportation services make maintaining your independence easier.

Technology can also be implemented around the home to make aging in place safer, especially if you live alone. Atrio can help you with tools such as dark-activated night lights, auto shut-off stoves, raised outlets, fall detectors, and personal emergency response systems. To learn more about our technology offerings and partnerships, watch our webinar here.

5. Look into long-term care insurance

Long-term care insurance helps cover the cost of long-term home care that regular health insurance and Medicare don’t. Your health can change quickly as you age, and it is better to be prepared than not. If you do see a decline in your health, having long-term care insurance will make it much easier to get the extra care you need.

6. Create a contingency plan

Aging in place may not work for everyone. You may try it out for a little while and realize that it isn’t for you, or a decline in health could make it more difficult. Either way, it’s good to be aware of other options, such as moving into a senior living community or with a loved one. The sooner you do the research and have the conversations, the better and the smoother the transition.

When it comes to decisions that revolve around aging, people tend to put them off. It’s something that they think can wait for another day but, before they know it, they are faced with reality and are ill-prepared. The truth is, it is never too early to think about how you want your life to look as you age. Whether you see yourself staying at home, living with loved ones, or moving into a senior living community, each option takes careful planning and research. It can seem overwhelming. Giving yourself plenty of time to take it one step at a time is the best way to take control of how you age.

Atrio Home Care: Home Health vs. Help at Home

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Home Atrio Home Care: Home Health vs. Help at Home

While many people are aware of home care, they might not be aware of the different types and variety of services available. At Atrio Home Care, we have two distinct providers: Atrio Home Health and Atrio Help at Home. Here’s how they differ:

Atrio Home Health

Provides a variety of clinical services including nursing, medical assistance, and therapy care.

Best for:
Those recovering from surgery or dealing with a life-limiting illness.

Services are provided by:
Healthcare professionals: registered nurses, licensed therapists, dieticians, social workers

Are providers screened?
Yes.

Services offered:
Physical Rehab, Stroke Rehab, Nursing Care, Wound Care, Care Coordination, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Health, Nutrition, Telehealth + Home Safety, Medication Management, Speech Therapy

How do you qualify?
Home health care must be prescribed by a doctor.

Covered by insurance?
Yes – when a doctor prescribes home care it is covered by insurance, including Medicare.
 

Atrio Help at Home

In-home help for seniors including personal assistance, household services, and life enrichment.

Best for:
Those who are looking for some assistance to maintain their independence. 

Services are provided by:
Private duty aides, massage therapists, nurses (only in the case of out-of-pocket nursing services)

Are providers screened?
Yes.

Services offered:
Personal Care, Life Enrichment, Assistance Coordination, Technology (Home Safety), Driving Services, Housekeeping, Meals, Respite, Medication Setup & Reminders, Live-in & Travel Aides, Massage Therapy, Private-pay Nursing Care

How do you qualify?
Anyone who is looking for extra assistance around the home, or wants to pay out of pocket for nursing services.

Covered by insurance?
No – Help at Home services are paid out of pocket.

If you’re interested in Atrio Home Health services, call (616) 235-4663.

If you’re interested in learning more about Atrio Help at Home services, call (616) 233-4142.

Click below to view “The Different Types of Home Care” reference chart.

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Home Care Agencies Help An Aging Population

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Home Care Agencies Help An Aging Population

The number of American seniors is set to reach 70 million by 2030. This enormous growth is causing many experts to sound alarms on the ability of our country to care for its aging population and call for new legislation that addresses the lack of long-term care infrastructure. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be great options, but research shows that most aging adults don’t want to move away from home.

The Aging in Place Movement

Compared to many developed countries, Americans tend to be “home happy.” That is to say that when somebody has a stroke or needs to recover from surgery, the first thought is often, “Let’s get them into a nursing home.” In other places, the first thought is, “How are we able to help ill or injured seniors safely and comfortably recover at home?”

Seniors in the States are feeling more empowered than ever to stay at home as long as possible, even as their health changes or starts to decline. For many, it’s more than just about retaining independence, but comfort, familiarity, and the memories that they have made over the years. With the aging in place movement in full swing, home care agencies are stepping up to meet seniors’ needs, whether through light daily assistance or more involved home medical care.

Why Home Care?

Home care agencies like Atrio can provide a tremendous amount of relief to an overwhelmed system and step in to ease the worries of aging adults. The lack of a long-term care plan in this country isn’t just an infrastructure issue; it’s an ethical one. The aging generation has contributed so much to our communities, and we owe it to them to provide the quality care they need. Providing better, safer, and a greater variety of options for them to choose how and where they age is an important part of that.

Technology Helping with Home Safety.

A primary concern for those considering aging at home and their loved ones is safety. What happens if they fall? What if they forget to take their medication? What if their health conditions need to be more closely monitored? When a nurse, therapist, or aide isn’t around, there are a growing number of options that are making aging in place a bigger reality, from telehealth monitoring to medication reminders and personal emergency response systems. Along with assisting with daily activities or medical care at home, Atrio can help evaluate needs and implement safety solutions.

To learn more about telehealth monitoring and home safety technology, watch our webinar here.

Carolyn Flietstra inducted into the (MHHA) Hall of Fame

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CONGRATULATIONS CAROLYN! 
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Our Our Executive Vice President, Carolyn Flietstra, has been inducted into the Michigan HomeCare & Hospice Association (MHHA) Hall of Fame. She is being recognized for her dedication to bringing compassionate care to our community and the impact she has had on homecare and hospice care throughout our state. Carolyn joins a distinguished group of past Hall of Fame recipients, including
Faith Hospice’s Executive Director, Rene Wheaton. Congratulations on this tremendous achievement!

Atrio in Action Webinar Help at Home: Safety in the Home

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Help at Home: Safety in the Home
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For years, we’ve been bringing expert care and resources to the home of aging adults. Now, we’re evolving that mission with our new webinar series, Atrio in Action. We believe keeping older adults and their loved ones informed and educated is one of the keys to happy aging and we’re looking forward to sharing our knowledge with our community in this new venture.

In the first episode, our Help at Home team discusses the importance of living safely while living independently. Along with our expert care, the resources we offer help create an extra layer of safety and security for those we serve.

Atrio Home Health to Administer COVID Monoclonal Antibody Treatments

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Atrio Home Health to Administer COVID Monoclonal Antibody Treatments

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We are one of a few select home health agencies in the state administering monoclonal antibody treatments to our homebound clients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. The monoclonal antibody treatment (Bamlanivimab) is used in those who are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms with the goal of reducing the number of virus-related hospitalizations. Many of those we serve are vulnerable and we feel very fortunate to bring this treatment to our community. 

Bamlanivimab is an investigational medicine designed to specifically treat COVID, given in a single dose intravenously. It was given Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA back in November. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off viruses. 
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