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CareAll Transcends Cultural Barriers
Front row L to R: Stephanie Mintoni CNA CareAll, Mona Pound, Rita Ray CNA Statewide Waiver Program, Back row L to R. Beverly Henderson, LMSW CareAll, Dawn Lawson, RN CareAll.
In March 2008 the CareAll Woodbury office received a new patient named Mona Pound living at Holiday House in Woodbury. We were told that she was not our “usual patient”. What made this woman any different from any other patient we had seen in the past? Mona was born in humble beginnings in Cairo, Egypt. At an early age she suffered polio and remains impaired on her left side from the disease. Despite the impairment, Mona educated herself and became a school teacher in Cairo. In 1996 Mona came to the United States to live.
We were all curious to meet this “unusual patient”. Upon arrival at Mona’s apartment, we found a very apprehensive, somewhat skeptical, fifty-three year old woman. She explained that she did not practice “conventional “ medicine, however; she relied on herbs and remedies for most of her cures but was not totally closed-minded to conventional medicine and she was a vegan. Thus our journey began.
One could not help but like this “coffee with a little cream” skinned Egyptian lady. We soon learned she was indeed “unusual” in the nicest way. Mona has this beautiful infectious smile that permeates and engulfs your soul. As we talked we learned Mona had been diagnosed with cancer of the breast, right lung, liver, and bones. What an undertaking for such a gentle yet strong spirit so far away from family and homeland.
As time passed our love and respect for this “unusual” lady increased. As we ministered to her needs she ministered to our souls. Dawn Lawson, RN, Stephanie Minton, CNA, Rita Ray,CNA with the Statewide Waiver Program and Beverly Henderson, LMSW were on a mission to make Mona’s life as pleasant as possible. Mona was having difficulty preparing meals and cleaning her apartment. The Statewide Waiver Program was utilized to assist her (5) days a week with meal preparation and cleaning. A motorized wheel chair was secured through Dan Gotten at The Scooter Store. Collectively we decorated her apartment, acquired needed equipment to make her ADL easier for her and most importantly became “her family”.
We have laughed together and cried together. Mona has introduced us to fava beans, Egyptian bread, and numerous home remedies that work, much to our surprise. She has taught us so much about the Lord and what true faith through adversity means. It was our total pleasure to help her celebrate her birthday in November by giving her a surprise birthday party, despite, a minor set-back with her illness. In December we shared our Christmas traditions with her, as she shared Arabic Christmas customs with us. Mona continues to fight a valiant battle with her cancer while wearing that infectious smile all the while.
CareAll’s motto ”For all your home care needs” is clearly defined through Mona. She has told us so many times,”your love has kept me alive”. “Total patient care” means providing the medical, physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the patient, whatever it takes to make the patient more comfortable in their own home, even if home is many miles from where they were born.
Submitted by Beverly Henderson, LMSW
1. 89% Would Rather Live at Home Than Anywhere Else
Senior citizens fear moving into a nursing home and losing their independence more than they fear death, according to a study reported in The Wall Street Journal. When asked what they fear most, seniors rated loss of independence (26%) and moving out of home into a nursing home (13%) as their greatest fears. Death was cited as the greatest fear for just 3% of seniors.
2. Staying at Home is The Most Comfortable To Be.
Nothing beats the comfort of staying at home. This is true not only in comparison to an institution, but even compared to moving in with a family member. Any move is stressful. Combine moving with the recent loss of a spouse, the onset of dementia or a growing disability-and even the simplest transition can feel traumatic.
3. CareAll Home Care Prolongs Independence and Prevents Institutionalization.
It doesn’t take much in the form of a mobility limitation or mental decline to render people unable to care for themselves. Simple tasks like bathing, using the toilet, cooking-let alone driving to the store or to appointments-become difficult ordeals. Yet the inability to accomplish these basic tasks shouldn’t condemn a person to institutionalized care.
4. CareAll Home Care is Safer.
Institutionalized residents are at high risk for developing acute illnesses such as pneumonia, dehydration, gastroenteritis and even antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus infections. With a single caregiver attending to many people, it’s harder to control cross contamination from one infected resident to another. The one-on-one personal attention by a CareAll in-home caregiver greatly lowers the risk of such illnesses. Plus, home caregivers can devote 100% of their attention to preventing falls, wandering, bed sores, and kitchen injuries, and will even call 911 within seconds of an emergency.
5. CareAll Home Care Reduces Stress and Depression for The Whole Family.
A conservative estimate reports that 20% of family caregivers suffer from depression, twice the rate of the general population. The “role reversal” of family caregiving is equally stressful on the relative giving care and the one receiving care. Elders especially remain keenly aware of the increasing physical and mental losses they are suffering. Plus they may feel embarrassed to require a family member (especially their child) help them with certain issues, such as toilet care. Transitioning to an institution can be even more stressful.
6. Home Care Improves The Quality of Life.
By remaining in their home, with proper care, seniors are able to maintain the lifestyle and luxuries they are accustomed to enjoying. Keeping all their possessions, and familiar surroundings, CareAll clients are able to visit the same stores, restaurants, neighbors and parks they already know
7. Agency-Based Home Care is More Dependable
Turning to CareAll to provide your home care is much more reliable and safe compared to hiring an independent caregiver. If your caregiver runs late or becomes ill or is unable to keep the scheduled visit, an agency will be on your side, working to find a qualified substitute caregiver as soon as possible. With an independent caregiver, you’re on your own. Agency caregivers are also more thoroughly screened than independents. Good agency caregivers are also bonded and insured and are verified to be legal for employment. Agencies also take care of the responsibilities of taxes, benefits and workers compensation. Those differences can more than make up for the cost savings of hiring an independent caregiver
