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Updated and reposted from March 2019.  You’re thinking of opening your own adult care home for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Congratulations! This is an exciting decision. Maybe you’ve worked as a caregiver for several years in an adult care home, assisted living facility, nursing facility, or as an in-home caregiver. Perhaps you've worked as a nurse and would like to take it to the next level and be your own boss. You’ve now decided you’d like to take the next step and become an adult care home provider with your name listed on the license. You most likely feel passionate about caring for seniors and individuals living with disabilities. This is great, though this is not a decision to be made lightly. Owning your own adult care home business and being a caregiver for someone else are two very different experiences with their own unique challenges and benefits. When I started my own business in 2018, I had a vague idea of the level of commitment it would take, but in retrospect, I really had no idea. I consistently work more than I've ever worked before in my life. I haven't taken a true vacation in four years, and I regularly work 12-14 hours per day and work at least six days per week. Like most small business owners, I work a lot, but I also recognize I have the luxury of having some down time because I'm not caring for others. I've heard this same feedback from new providers, as well. They didn't realize how much time owning their own business would take, especially a business where you're providing 24/7 care to other people. Frankly, running a small business is not for everyone. Sometimes the best advice I can give someone is to consider a different path. Often, providers mention they spend a lot of time on business management, rather than solely direct caregiving. If you simply love being a caregiver, you might want to consider remaining a caregiver and working for someone else, but working in a capacity with more responsibility, rather than owning your own business. If you have management and leadership skills, you're highly organized, have strong ethics, and you're business-minded while also passionate about high-quality care, then owing a care home business might be the right move for you. It's an added benefit to have prior experience running a small business. If you're considering this next step in your career path, now is a critical time to reflect on your motivation...while also taking inventory of both your skillset and your understanding of the level of commitment this role entails. If you're considering this next step in your career path, now is a critical time to reflect on your motivation for becoming an adult care home provider, while also taking inventory of both your skillset and your understanding of the level of commitment this role entails. Now is the time for a frank discussion: I’d like to talk about seven reasons to open your own adult care home, and four reasons to not open a care home. Let’s start with four reasons not to open your own adult care home. 1. You're just going to see what happens. Starting any business requires a lot of foundational work. You want to lay a solid foundation on which to build your care home business. Do you have a business plan? Do you have a realistic idea of the money you can make your first year? I've heard a lot of misinformation out there. It's vital to get the correct information and guidance and have a plan before taking the next step. 2. All you see are dollar signs. Sure, you need to make money, as this is a business; however, people who go into this field mainly for the money quickly burn out, or realize the money isn’t worth it. When starting out, you might go months without income while you’re working through the licensing process and finding your first residents. Residents paying privately can pay well, but the Medicaid rate is fairly low with the highest standard Medicaid rate plus room and board at around $3,500/mo. You also have to factor in the cost of your lease or mortgage, insurance, food for a large household, and utilities. You also have the cost to hire and keep good caregivers, as payroll is one of your largest expenses and will run into the thousands of dollars per month. If you've planned well and have made good business decisions along the way, you’ll make a good living, but it's going to be a lot of work. 3. This will be your side business. The State of Oregon and Multnomah County require you, as the licensee, to be involved in the business. Frankly speaking, everything falls on your shoulders. You shouldn’t expect to simply hire a resident manager and take a hands-off approach to your adult foster home business. This work requires direct and ongoing involvement, especially when you're just starting your business. 4. You take issue with government regulation. This adult foster care home industry in Oregon is highly regulated. Let me say that again. This field is highly regulated. Did I mention this is a highly-regulated field? To put this into perspective, not only do you have state or county regulations, but there are both federal and local regulations you must follow as a small business and an adult care home. To top things off, state licensors will show up to your home unannounced, and you might have periodic visits from Adult Protective Services (APS), case managers, and a long-term care ombudsman. If you take issue with government regulation, this might not be the right fit for you. The purpose of mentioning this is not to scare you away from this business, but to make sure you’re going into this business for the right reasons and with a solid plan. I will admit, the reasons not to open a care home are a bit intense, but over the past decade working in adult care homes in several capacities, I’ve seen a lot. The purpose of mentioning this is not to scare you away from this business, but to make sure you’re going into this business for the right reasons and with a solid plan. What are seven reasons you should open your own adult care home? 1. You've done your research and homework. You've gathered the correct information you need to make an informed decision about starting your own care home. You know that you qualify and you know the requirements of the classification for which you'll be applying. You understand the differences between licensing types and State and County requirements. You know the training requirements and have started your training. You know how to market your business and find residents and you have a plan to recruit and train staff. You understand the importance of the home you choose and the role it plays in your business success. You understand the steps in the process and haven't skipped important steps. 2. You have a plan. You're willing to take a risk, but you take calculated risks that are well-planned. You've started a business plan and have a realistic idea of your possible income and have done a cost-benefit analysis of your option(s). You have enough funds saved to weather months where a resident moves out or passes away. You also have a plan, in advance, to find and retain quality care staff. 3. You have a solid idea of the commitment this decision involves. You understand going into this business often requires a complete lifestyle change. You've communicated with other providers to get an idea of their day-to-day experience and understand this is not like a typical job where you can go home and leave work at work. You’re okay with living where you work, and working where you live. Frankly, you’re excited about living in a multi-generational household. You enjoy talking with older individuals and hearing about their amazing life stories. 4. You've taken inventory of your own skills and abilities. You've taken some time to really reflect on your own KSAs (knowledge, skills, and attitude). Are you highly organized? Do you have leadership and management experience? Have you ever recruited or hired staff? Do you have experience supervising staff or have the skills to do so effectively? Have you been responsible for communicating with doctors and overseeing all recordkeeping? Are you a go-getter and a self-starter? Are you good at prioritizing, delegating, and effective time management? Do you have the skills, or willingness to learn, about how to run a small business? 5. You’re an organizational wizard. Following along the lines of number four, the providers who we find are most successful are highly-organized. The Oregon Adult Foster Home Administrative Rules (OARs) and Multnomah County Administrative Rules (MCARs) require you to document practically everything. Are you organized enough to keep resident records, facility records, personnel records, and business/financial records straight, in addition to meeting the care needs of residents? 6. This is your passion and your calling. You know this is what you’re meant to do, whether it's a personal or spiritual calling. Working with older adults and/or individuals living with disabilities brings you immense joy and fulfillment. You feel called to do this work, and you’re committed to helping seniors live in a safe, home-like environment where you help them remain as independent and engaged as possible. You want to provide top-notch care and are willing to go above and beyond to meet the holistic care needs of residents and provide an enriching environment and experience for residents. 7. You’re ready to commit yourself 110% to the business, and everything that entails. You've reflected on, and have completed the previous six steps and are ready to fully commit yourself to the success of your adult care home business. You recognize you don't need to do this alone and can get support along the way. Now is the perfect opportunity to really reflect on your skills, passions, interests, personality, and lifestyle before you make the leap into becoming an adult foster care home owner and licensee. It can be a challenging, yet highly rewarding career, especially if you go into the business for the right reasons and with a solid plan. As the old adage goes, find a job you enjoy doing, and you'll never have to work a day in your life. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." - Steve Jobs
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We recently interviewed Valli Brunken, MBA, BSN, RN with Nightingale Consulting to discuss her background and the benefit of having an RN consultant on your care team.  Please tell us a bit about yourself. I have lived in the Portland metropolitan area my whole life. I know the city and its surrounding areas very well. When I was a child and living with my parents, we lived near a very busy street. There were traffic accidents near our home several times every week. Many drivers and passengers suffered severe injuries. My mom was an RN and she would run with a large first aid travel box to help until an ambulance could arrive. I would often run after her and help her. I saw and helped with things no 6 to 10-year-old should be exposed to, but rather than scare me, it inspired me to help those in extreme need. The question I was left with as I was growing up was, “How shall I do this – in what capacity, what profession?” Why did you decide to become a nurse?I decided to become a nurse after my freshman year in college. I went to the University of Oregon and started in Biology because I knew I wanted to do something in the healthcare field and that is a good starting place. After a year, I knew I had to select a profession and one that would allow me time to be married, have a family, and have some modicum of balance in my life. When I studied what I’d have to do to become a nurse, and thought back on my childhood when I was helping my mom at the scenes of all of these accidents, it seemed like a natural fit. I will say, after 41 years now as a nurse, it is the very best decision I could have ever made. I absolutely love being a nurse and have mentored many young people in the profession as well. Tell us about your background in nursing.When I was attending nursing school full-time at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), I also worked full-time as a nursing student on a surgical ward for adult cancer patients. That is where I learned most of the fundamentals of good nursing. The manager and staff there were excellent and they taught me well. When I graduated, I took my first position as an RN in the ICU at St. Vincent Medical Center where I worked for over eight years. Most of what I did there was care of post-surgical and trauma patients. I later moved to OHSU and managed the Trauma Level 1 ICU and was later given additional responsibility for the open heart ICU for both adults and pediatrics. I was there for nearly nine years. After that, I went to Portland State University to study for my Masters in Business Administration (MBA). I did this to broaden my perspective and create a path for advancement or for starting my own business…whichever suited me. My final MBA capstone project was on starting a consulting firm for nursing consultation for those with serious illnesses or injuries. This project and the feedback I received encouraged me to want to start my own consulting business one day in the future. I continued my career in other areas of hospital care, most recently managing a cardiac cath and electrophysiology lab at Salem Health. ...I felt a well-qualified and well-run adult foster care home was the best option for the elderly who needed a good place to live where they could get the assistance they needed and still enjoy their autonomy. How did you decide to get into the business of adult care home consulting? I have been exposed to all kinds of people in need – from cancer surgery, to critical illnesses, to traumatic injuries, to people in need of an emergent heart catheterization to save their life. In all of these instances, what I really enjoyed was caring for and helping elderly clients. They were always so strong, resilient, kind, grateful, and had so many wonderful stories to tell. They also were always chock full of great advice when asked! I retired from hospital work in the fall of 2019, but I really wanted to stay in nursing. I had a brief opportunity to work for in-home care and discovered community health nursing. I had never been exposed to that world before and it is amazing! Exploring various areas to enter community health nursing led me to care for the elderly, which was a natural fit for me and what I love. After exploration and comparing some of my own personal experiences with elderly family members, I felt a well-qualified and well-run adult foster care home was the best option for the elderly who needed a good place to live where they can get the assistance they need and still enjoy their autonomy. I was able to participate in care in one very well-run home in NE Portland, and I was so impressed that I told my husband, “If I ever become too much to care for – take me to them!” Looking at how I could use my nursing degree and experience, and my business education and desire to start my own business, RN consulting for adult foster care homes seemed like the perfect fit. I started my consulting firm in August 2020 and haven’t looked back. I love community health and I really enjoy working in the adult foster care home industry. A good RN consultant is worth their weight in gold and can be an enormous asset to helping you care for the residents the right way the first time, every time. How can an RN consultant add to the overall success of care homes?In your May 31, 2022 blog you had a provider spotlight article where you interviewed Margaret Gikaru, BSN RN. She really said it best, and so I will echo what she said. Because of my training and experience, I can move into any situation with a resident or an owner/operator to assist them in the care of their residents. There is a misconception that RNs are just to be utilized for delegations. That would be a gross misunderstanding of what a good RN consultant can do for you. For example, some homes have asked me to help them assess hospital patients to determine if they would be an appropriate resident and others have asked me what is the best way to handle a resident who needs wound care. Still others ask for training for themselves or for their staff. In some cases, I notify a resident’s physician that new orders are needed, sometimes owners or managers send me orders and I transcribe the MARs for them and give them education on the medications they are giving, give them a schedule for the medications, and help them understand what can be taken with food, without food, and when is the best time to take the medications. Owners or managers also ask me to come and do assessments on residents in whom they’ve noticed changes, or residents who have fallen to determine the best course of action to ensure the resident’s optimal care and safety. A good RN consultant is worth their weight in gold and can be an enormous asset to helping you care for the residents the right way the first time, every time. I enjoy helping new business owners be successful. I commit myself to being a sort of “business partner” with them – helping to ensure their success by giving them the best advice and service possible." What do you love the most about the work you do?I love helping others. I enjoy helping new business owners be successful. I commit myself to being a sort of “business partner” with them – helping to ensure their success by giving them the best advice and service possible. In exchange, I like to see them providing the residents with the very best care possible, which I believe every resident deserves! Contact Nurse Valli at info@nightingale-consulting.co or visit nightingale-consulting.co.
By guest author Alexis Baker, MT-BC with Bridgetown Music Therapy  “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” You may know music is powerful and beneficial to humans, but maybe you are unsure how to utilize it as a meaningful activity in your care home. If so, I’ve got some ideas for you. Music is a wonderful tool for connection and engagement! It’s kind of like a vitamin—a little bit everyday does wonders to nourish the body, mind and soul. Music can be a daily activity for residents, and I’m going to share 7 ways to engage residents through music. #1: SingEven if you don’t describe yourself as a “singer,” we each have a voice and can use it to sing. Did you know the activity of singing has a ton of benefits? In many ways, singing is similar to exercise. It’s an aerobic activity, so it gets more oxygen into the blood leading to better circulation which can cause improved mood. Singing causes the release of endorphins, which give us that wonderful “lifted” feeling often resulting in stress relief. Also, because singing requires deep breathing, a natural result is often reduced anxiety. It's as simple as turning on a song and singing along. Take advantage of free or low-cost resources like YouTube or Spotify. Create a playlist of you and your residents’ favorite tunes to sing together. Learn the lyrics of a few songs together so you can sing a cappella when you aren’t able to conveniently turn on the music. Another more formal way to regularly sing would be for your residents to receive music therapy services. #2: PlayDo you or your residents own any musical instruments? Pull them out and invite them to play. Tell them not to worry about sounding good or playing correctly. They don’t necessarily need to know how to play. Prompt them to start out by exploring the instrument and see what sounds they can make. Instrument play is fun and can provide opportunities for playfulness and self-expression as well as physical movement. Musical instruments can be played on their own or with accompaniment music. Small percussion instruments like maracas are generally easy to pick up and play without any previous knowledge or experience. Just turn on some music, have fun and jam out with the instruments. Some of our favorite older-adult friendly instruments to use include maracas, tambourines, jingle bells, eggs shakers and paddle drums (check out WestMusic.com for quality instruments at reasonable prices). For a couple of more unique instrument options, check out an Easycussion pentatonic xylophone, Suzuki QChord, or an ocean drum. #3: DanceMusic and dance go hand in hand. Because music is a natural motivator for the physical body, most people can easily pick up the rhythm of a song by tapping their toes or bobbing their head to the beat. Sometimes we do this without even thinking! Movement and dance are the body’s natural response to rhythm. So, turn on some music and get dancing with your residents! Choosing songs that are familiar or well-known to residents can be helpful but don’t shy away from exploring new-to-you and different types of music. You never know what new songs or styles you’ll discover. To help get you thinking here are some genres of music you could dance to: big band, jazz, rock’n’roll, folk, bluegrass, country western, classical, rhythm and blues, gospel, pop, Broadway showtunes, soul, funk, disco… Remind residents that while formal dances like the waltz, tango or cha-cha-cha are wonderful, they are not the only way to move the body to music. Suggest to residents they try making up their own moves, or try something simple like swaying, shuffling, or doing seated movement to music. They can try stretching, exercising, or simply doing rhythmic body percussion like clapping, snapping, patting, stomping, kicking, tapping, marching, shaking, waving, etc. It’s a time to get creative and have fun! #4: Listen and ReminisceListening to music can be an enjoyable activity all on its own. Find a playlist the residents living in your care home enjoy, or create a playlist with their favorite songs. Listening to music is an excellent activity for relaxation or brain stimulation. It can be a passive, receptive experience by simply listening. Or, it can be an active, engaging experience by discussing the lyrics and various elements of the music, such as the sound, feel, different instruments involved, etc. There is no right or wrong way to listen to music. Do what feels best and what your residents enjoy most. Listening to music also function as a great accompaniment to other activities such as meal time, physical movement, or doing an art project. One word of caution: beware of over-stimulation using music in this way. Many activities require a great amount of focus, and some types of music can actually lead to the brain having too much to process at once. Try to match the musical energy to the energy level of the activity. Instrumental (or music without lyrics) can work well for times when your residents will need to talk during the activity. Music can also be an amazing catalyst for reminiscence. To start off, choose songs associated with positive, meaningful memories. Observe your residents as you listen together and consider asking a couple questions about that song afterwards. For more info and practical tools, I recommend the book Music, Memory, and Meaning written by a few of my music therapist colleagues! #5: RelaxMusic can be a wonderful tool for relaxation. We all find different types of music calming for us, and the music we find relaxing can change throughout our lives. It’s important for you to consider and choose music that’s calming for your home environment and residents. I use music as a structured space for deep breathing, gentle stretching, guided relaxation, and meditation. There are different techniques for each of these; however, don’t get bogged down in the how-to. Begin by experimenting to see what it’s like using music to assist in relaxation, and then go from there. If you’re at a loss as to what kind of music to play for times of intentional relaxation, try looking up a playlist of the type of music spas use during treatments such as massage therapy. Nature sounds or ambient music can work beautifully to calm mind and body. #6: RecordThis is a simple activity for you and the residents living in the home. It’s a reminder to capture those moments of music making together! With resident authorization, you could use the voice memo app on your phone, your phone’s camera to video record, or write down a special moment in a notebook. This is a great way to share this experience with residents and they can choose to share this with their family members and friends. They will appreciate it, and you’ll be grateful for capturing those special, memorable moments of resident bonding through music. #7: Connect with ProfessionalsTo help support you in providing beneficial music activities for care home residents, Bridgetown Music Therapy has created an engaging online music program for senior care homes. As a licensed and board-certified music therapist, my focus is on improving older adults’ quality of life through the intentional use of music. Our high-quality videos are designed to promote active and engaging experiences that include singing, movement and relaxation. We provide life enrichment through meaningful music activities that are enjoyable, easy to engage with, and effortlessly accessible. Our mission is to spark JOY with engaging music classes for older adults, and we would love to be a part of serving your residents! If you’d like to give Bridgetown Music Therapy a try, click here to get started with your free trial. New content is released weekly! Sometimes we just need to be given permission to try something new. So, I hereby grant you full permission to make music with residents! A Few Tips - sometimes we just need to be given permission to try something new. So, I hereby grant you full permission to make music with residents! Additionally, here are a few tips that might further help you push through any initial discomfort or unfamiliarity:
The benefits of music are abundant and far-reaching. Music can create connections and spark joy. Music is fun and engaging. It’s a natural motivator for the mind and body. Music really makes a difference! Connect with Bridgetown Music Therapy on Facebook and Instagram. Interested in services? Visit Bridgetown Music Therapy to become a member [affiliate link].
We want to continue to highlight the work of our amazing adult foster care home providers in Oregon. Matt Gannon spent some time talking with Margaret Gikaru, RN-BSN, operator of Troutdale Adult Home Care, which is a classification 3 care home in Multnomah County. Please read below to learn more about Margaret. Tell us a bit about your background and what lead you to work in care and service.  My husband and I arrived together in the United States from Kenya in 1995. We flew into Los Angeles with only $70 between us, and I was 9 months pregnant. We started our lives in the United States in California but moved to Seattle, Washington two years later. Being African immigrants, we are used to taking care of our elderly and I helped to take care of my grandma when I was a little girl. We didn’t have nursing homes in Kenya then. When our parents grew old, we’d take care of them. It was a new experience for us when we came to America and realized we could work in care settings to take care of elders. We decided to move from California to Washington because most of our family was in Seattle. I started working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and started working in a nursing home in 1997. We recognized that it is easy to get a job as a CNA and raise a family. Within a few weeks, you can be working with a certificate from the state. While raising a family, we found this to be easier than having an office job, especially arriving from Kenya. I then began working in in-home care and was also working at an adult family home. I worked as a CNA for a total of six years. My husband was in a different field before we started this business, mostly in computer software engineering and health information management systems focused on global health. Switching his career to be part of this business was a challenge, but he fit in quite fast, and I value his support. At what point did you decide to become a nurse? I was encouraged by my manager at the time who was a registered nurse (RN) and was the owner of the adult family home I was working in. She encouraged me to go to school to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). She saw something in me. In fact, she once told me if she ever got ill or needed care, she would want me to be her nurse. After graduating as an LPN, I worked at a home care agency for six years while pursuing my RN degree. After graduation, I continued working for the home care agency. Soon thereafter, I went back to the same school to get my bachelor's degree in nursing, BSN. Soon after graduation, I started working at Valley Medical Hospital, a University of Washington affiliate. I worked there for six years - three of those years were in the intensive care unit (ICU). I worked there up until January of 2021, which was right before starting our Troutdale Adult Home Care business in Oregon. Why are adult foster care homes so special?  As compared to institutional care, you can care for people in a more person-centered way. For example, regarding a resident's diet, the idea is to create an environment that is as like a family home as possible. Serving only five people we can really tailor the menu to the residents' desires, so this is never a problem. Because it is a home-like setting, we can be more flexible in involving the special and important family and friend connections. We feel it provides better outcomes for the residents in this type of care setting. We have live-in caregivers, and they get to know the residents in a uniquely special way, as compared to many other places where turnover is high and the few caregivers working must care for so many. There is more consistency here, and this is good for everyone. "We feel it provides better outcomes for the residents in this type of care setting." What does nursing add to the overall success of care homes? Because of my experience and training I can move into any high-acuity care situation with a resident and provide the right care to them with confidence, ease, and experience. When giving reports or communicating with the healthcare teams, I understand the language and can interpret important information. This is information such as what to ask and how to use my voice as an advocate, and this can make things so much clearer for everyone. This matters for quality of care. This experience and skill set makes a difference. What do you love most about the work you do? We live where we work. Having the flexibility makes a real difference and I enjoy being my own boss. Countless times in my career my patients or residents have told me they cannot do what I do for people, and they don’t know how I do it. It is in those times I know I am making a difference, and we get to make this difference in our own care home and do this together. "It is in those times I know I am making a difference, and we get to make this difference in our own care home and do this together." Anything else you'd like us to know about you? We have four kids: three boys, and one girl. In this country, there is the old motto from the Army “be all that you can be,” and as immigrants, we feel we are here to achieve our dreams. Now, we are doing just that, and we know we cannot do this where we come from. Also, as immigrants, we are so very grateful to have the opportunities we've had and to create the life for our family that we want. Together, we notice some challenges in this business. Finding caregivers is one of the biggest and we know this is a problem in many different healthcare settings. As a community of care home providers, we do not have a voice yet. We, and some other interested providers, are looking to gather and create a Council of Providers and have a seat at the table at both the state and county level to create necessary changes in the industry. You can reach out to Margaret at troutdalehomes@gmail.com.
By guest author Tory Thompson with Providence ElderPlace.  What is Providence ElderPlace PACE, and what is the PACE program? Providence ElderPlace is part of the national PACE: Program of All-inclusive Care for Elders. PACE is both a health insurance and the health care provider. We serve seniors 55 and over who are Medicaid Long-Term Care services eligible (or who want to pay privately). Services go beyond traditional health insurance. For example, ElderPlace PACE includes specialty care, behavioral health care, dental, vision, hearing, and foot care. All of a person’s medications, medical supplies and medical equipment, labs, physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy are included. PACE insurance has no premium, co-pay or deductible for the senior. How does ElderPlace support residents living in adult care homes? This is done in a variety of ways. First, ElderPlace PACE provides transportation with PACE vans and consistent drivers to all of the resident’s medical appointments. Having a consistent driver allows the driver to learn each resident's preferences and needs. The drivers are considered an important part of the participant's care team. Alternately, virtual visits are available, as well as home visits by a community care licensed nurse. Next, our medical teams specialize in geriatric care, and the residents can also receive palliative care for chronic conditions all the way through the end of their life. In addition, we have master's-level social workers, behavioral health experts and chaplains to support all aspects of a resident's health. It is also important to note: residents on ElderPlace PACE do not have to pay into the state and can keep more personal money each month. What are some of the key ways ElderPlace supports the adult care home providers to help them maintain a better work-life balance?
"ElderPlace helps me manage my residents’ care needs, so I have more time for my family." What are other adult care home providers saying about working with ElderPlace? Providence Elderplace has a long-standing, 30+ year relationship with adult foster care home providers. Some of the feedback we’ve received speaks to how the program can truly be life-changing. Here is some of the feedback we received from providers: “Staff are fast in responding to issues and supplies come on schedule.” “When my residents need more care, ElderPlace works with me to keep them at home and out of the emergency room.” “With ElderPlace I feel like I have a team of professionals backing me up.” “ElderPlace helps me manage my residents’ care needs, so I have more time for my family.” How do care home providers connect with ElderPlace? The Providence ElderPlace PACE service area is Multnomah County, parts of Clackamas county, Washington County, Clatsop and Tillamook counties. To learn about contracting with ElderPlace please call: 503-215-6556. To refer a resident for ElderPlace PACE services call: 503-215-6556. To report a vacancy and get free referrals, send a weekly email to: VacancyForPACE@providence.org
We want to continue to highlight the work of our amazing adult foster care home providers in Oregon. Matt Gannon spent some time talking with Provider Cherie Bray, owner of Country Comfort Adult Foster Home in Lane County. Please read below to learn more about Cherie.  How long have you worked in the adult care home business?  I've worked in the business since July of 2015. I was a career hairstylist and was looking for something new, so I enrolled in Lane Community College's Women in Transitions (LCC WIT) Program. My co-worker from the salon later referred me to a caregiver job at Country Comfort Adult Foster Home in Veneta, Oregon. Country Comfort was established in 1999 and is a class 2 home. I ended up taking the caregiving job and after thirty days I knew this was exactly what I wanted to be doing, so I quit my other career. For the next three years, I was groomed and mentored by the provider of the adult foster home. I then became a co-licensee of Country Comfort in February of 2018. Then, in May of 2018, I took over the business completely when the previous provider retired. For about the first ninety days, I was the only caregiver and worked full-time doing everything to completely wrap my arms around the responsibility I took on, and to get my bearings. Opportunities for staffing support presented itself, and once I had that support and partnership, I was really underway. What do you believe makes adult foster care homes special? The adult foster home model is designed to enable people to live independently in a family home environment, but it is much more than that. Too many people become isolated in later life. The adult foster home gives them more of an opportunity for new connections, sustaining old connections, and supporting traditions and life experiences. We don’t want people to feel isolated at the end of their lives, and so we give them a place to feel like this transition and the experience of us all being together in the home is another positive chapter in their life. My journey from career hairstylist to caregiver opened a path to service for me that is so much more profound... What do you love most about the work you do? This career came to me as my youngest child was going to college, so I was going through the empty nesting stage which is a big change. The adult foster home allows me to continue to care for others. Being the provider of the home has afforded me so much healing in my own life through caring for others, and it distracts me from any of my own issues. This healing began to happen immediately when I took my first job and began serving others in this special way, and it continues to do so. My journey from career hairstylist to caregiver opened a path to service for me that is so much more profound than just helping someone look pretty. There was a woman living in the home early on in my caregiving career, Mrs. H., who was nonverbal and a full assist with ADLs (activities of daily living). We meet people in this stage at times, and you of course never knew them before they required the level of support you must give, even though they’ve lived a very full life up until you become a part of their life. Something special happened. I realized she would respond to my touch, and if I gently put my arms around her, she would then begin to lean into me and want me to hold her. I realized I made a difference to her with this act alone, in this world - in her world, I made a difference through my presence and through my touch. She was also the first resident I cared for who passed away. I realize still to this day, what I do as a provider, I do for her and the gift she gave me. It is successful work when you are being told that your presence and what you do makes a difference in their lives - this is what it is all about for me. What do you believe makes someone’s work successful? Positively impacting the lives of others; providing a safe home for the residents and protecting them in some of the darkest days they've ever had. It is successful work when you are being told that your presence and what you do makes a difference in their lives - this is what it is all about for me. Since taking over as sole provider, I’ve also incorporated hospice care through a community partnership. This partnership has allowed me to also be there for my residents until the very end. It makes me feel triumphant in my work of service knowing I was able to serve them the whole way home. Anything else you’d like us to know about you? I do not do this work alone. My best friend is my live-in substitute caregiver. My daughter and her husband are my backup caregivers. With the pandemic, getting staff has been the greatest challenge I have ever faced in this line of work. My husband does all of our finances and shopping so we don’t have to worry about more exposure issues. Without them, the team, I could never do this at the level I do. The residents' families also become family to us. There are residents who’ve passed away, and their families still remain in touch with us as time goes on because they value the ongoing connection. It helps them feel closer to their loved ones, I believe. Being an adult foster home provider has given me the extended family I’ve always wanted. I make sure everyone hears from me just how important they are to me. This is key. We invest in everyone's self care in different ways because it matters to us that everyone has the balance in life to be happy and not rundown. And, I know you cannot give what you haven't got, so it starts with me. Visit Country Comfort Adult Foster Home on Facebook.
By guest author Julie Ouellette, Owner NW Senior Resources   Julie Ouellette NW Senior Resources has been around since late 2007. It was started by Nancy Raske. I went to work for Nancy about 3 years before she retired and then I purchased the company in late 2015. Kay Loeffl joined me in 2016. It has been our goal to maintain and expand upon the high ethics that Nancy started the business with. I have been in the Senior Housing Industry since 1999. I began my career as a marketing director, I then took a regional marketing position, I helped open a home care agency and I went into regional operations for a mid-sized senior housing company.  Kay Loeffl I believe my years of experience have served me well on the placement side of the industry. Since I was a long-term care community sales and marketing director and a former administrator, I know how important it is to find the appropriate options for clients. We also understand why one care home might work for a specific client and another care home won’t. We believe it is our job to advocate for our clients as well as to advocate for you, the provider. We believe it is our job to advocate for our clients as well as to advocate for you, the provider. Working with a Placement Professional Referral Agencies or Senior Housing Advisors can be helpful in many ways to adult care home providers. Our first step is to pre-qualify the client so we make sure it is an appropriate referral. We do our best to determine which homes can meet specific care needs. Some of our intake questions might include the following:
If someone is an insulin-dependent diabetic, we look for homes that are willing to assist with the insulin shots. We ask the client or family what is important to them in a new home. For example, if someone hopes for a home with children or pets in it, that is what we look for. We also ask about the financial ability of our clients. If they only have a year's worth of private pay funds, we look for locations that are willing to work with those terms. Senior Housing Advisors are a great resource for families to start their search. We have several referral sources that send folks our way. Hospitals, communities, skilled nursing facilities, past clients, and more, regularly send us folks in need of assistance. We help educate families on the many positive aspects of care homes. We help them understand what a safe and positive environment it can be for their loved ones. I often say that care home residents become members of the household's family. Many people don’t understand how care homes operate. We explain this and sometimes have to dispel incorrect notions. We share how we have had our own family members in care homes and we’re always grateful for the tender loving care our family members received. We often point out that care homes have the best staffing ratios in the industry. We share how we have had our own family members in care homes and we’re always grateful for the tender loving care our family members received. Because we all get multiple calls each month from folks seeking help, we are able to bring valuable referrals to you. We know how busy you are so by doing the prequalification work, we only bring tours that should be viable potential residents. We review provider records with DHS. If a provider has a clean record, we will readily refer to them. If there are questions about violations on a record, we may call the provider to see if there is a reasonable explanation for it. We hope you understand when we call about violations, we aren’t pointing fingers, we simply want to hear your perspective on things. We coach our clients on how to interpret violations as well. Posting Your Vacancies We enjoy being a member of the Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association (OSRAA). It has its benefits. OSRAA provides training programs for our members. We receive education on disease processes such as dementia or Parkinson’s. We have had speakers discussing funding programs, ethics, changes in laws or rules and regulations, and more. It is an expectation for OSRAA members to meet certain standards to be a member. We also all work really well together. In fact, When one of our members has a tough client, we might email the whole group asking for suggestions based on a brief description of the individual’s needs. These emails or phone calls between members happen weekly if not daily. This collaboration again allows us to bring these individuals to the homes that are best suited to meet those needs. If you wish to let us know about your openings, please go to OSRAA.com and post your vacancies. This reaches all OSRAA members. We can easily access the information anytime we wish. We also get an automatic email every Tuesday showing any vacancies that have been posted that week. It isn’t necessary to post vacancies more than once per week but you are certainly welcome to. Many of us look at the weekly email when looking for clients. We often call the homes that have reported vacancies first - before calling others. We know you all work incredibly hard to take care of the residents in your homes. We appreciate what you do more than we can say. We enjoy meeting adult care homeowners and staff, and I think we learn from one another every day. We enjoy having good relationships with providers. We know you all work incredibly hard to take care of the residents in your homes. We appreciate what you do more than we can say.
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About Oregon Care Home ConsultingOregon Care Home Consulting & Training is the compass that helps current and future APD adult foster care home licensees successfully navigate the licensing process and have a successful adult foster care home business. ORCHC provides coaching, consultation, training, and ongoing support. This ultimately saves time, reduces stress, and improves compliance, which allows AFH/ACH licensees to focus more time on providing excellent care to seniors and individuals with disabilities.
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Disclaimer: Oregon Care Home Consulting LLC is not affiliated with the State of Oregon or Multnomah County Adult Care Home Program (ACHP). We are not State licensors, therefore we are unable to require compliance or guarantee your adult care home is in full compliance with current state and/or federal requirements. State and/or County licensors make the final determination of compliance. Additionally, we are unable to offer legal or medical advice, and no guidance provided by Oregon Care Home Consulting LLC should be construed as legal or medical advice. Always consult an attorney or doctor, when necessary.
HOME | ABOUT | TRAINING | SERVICES | CONTACT | PRIVACY NOTICE | TERMS
Disclaimer: Oregon Care Home Consulting LLC is not affiliated with the State of Oregon or Multnomah County Adult Care Home Program (ACHP). We are not State licensors, therefore we are unable to require compliance or guarantee your adult care home is in full compliance with current state and/or federal requirements. State and/or County licensors make the final determination of compliance. Additionally, we are unable to offer legal or medical advice, and no guidance provided by Oregon Care Home Consulting LLC should be construed as legal or medical advice. Always consult an attorney or doctor, when necessary.
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