Article by guest author Alexis Baker, MT-BC, CDP, owner of Bridgetown Music Therapy Did you know that music activates every area of the brain? It's true, scientific researchers have observed that listening to music and engagement in music-based activities can involve all areas of the brain. Music activates the “feel-good centers” of the brain, and it can even help create new neural pathways. The benefits of music are abundant and far-reaching! The music therapy process involves assessment, treatment planning, implementation, documentation, and evaluation...based on a therapeutic relationship... What is Music Therapy?As a music therapist, one of the questions I am asked all the time is “What exactly is music therapy?” The formal definition of music therapy as defined by the American Music Therapy Association is: “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” (AMTA, 2019) This definition can be broken into two parts:
To break these parts down further, evidence-based interventions are simply music-oriented experiences or activities such as singing, playing an instrument, moving to music, and songwriting, all of which have been studied and shown to be effective in promoting health and improving quality of life. Next, music therapy is always goal oriented. The focus is using music to achieve specific, measurable goals and objectives. A few examples of general goal areas include improving communication abilities, increasing range of motion, reducing stress/anxiety, and promoting social connection. The music therapy process involves assessment, treatment planning, implementation, documentation, and evaluation. Finally, music therapy is based on a therapeutic relationship which implies there’s an established relational bond involving rapport and consistency. This person is a professional board-certified music therapist. As a side note: According to the Certification Board for Music Therapists, there are currently only 10,000 board-certified music therapists in the U.S. Music therapists go through rigorous training to enter the field as a certified and highly-trained professional. They complete a specialized bachelor’s degree in music therapy which is like a double major. Coursework covers a wide variety of areas including music theory, ear training, music history, psychology and human behavior, human anatomy, and therapeutic applications. Music therapists are required to be competent on four instruments: guitar, piano, voice, and percussion. Training also includes 1,200 clinical training hours. Following completion of all coursework and hours, they must take and pass a national board exam to earn the credentials MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified). Recertification is every five years which requires the completion of 100 CMTE (Continuing Music Therapy Education) credits. Music therapists can work with any age, all the way from babies in the womb or preemies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to older adults and end of life/hospice. Music therapists work in many kinds of settings including adult day programs, childcare programs, long term care, hospitals, schools, rehabilitative facilities, community health centers, hospice care, and private practice. Music therapists serve a wide variety of populations in these settings including but not limited to people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, issues associated with aging, dementia and various other diagnoses, disabilities, or diseases. What Music Therapy Isn’t It’s exciting to hear about what music therapy is, but many people struggle to recognize it as a clearly defined practice. They see anything music-related and want to call it ‘music therapy.’ It’s true, music can function therapeutically in a myriad of ways, but the formal practice of music therapy is specific and limited, so let’s talk about what music therapy is not. To put it simply, music therapy is not music education or music entertainment. It can involve aspects of education and entertainment. It can even sometimes look like education and entertainment, but music therapy is different from these two fields. Music education fosters creativity and cultural understanding by introducing students to a variety of musical genres and traditions from around the world. What is Music Education?Music education is the structured teaching and learning of music theory, practice, and appreciation. It involves more than just learning to play instruments or sing—it encompasses a wide array of skills and knowledge, including reading music, understanding rhythm, harmony, and composition, and exploring music history. Music education fosters creativity and cultural understanding by introducing students to a variety of musical genres and traditions from around the world. At its core, music education helps develop essential cognitive and motor skills. Studies have shown that learning music enhances memory, improves problem-solving abilities, and sharpens attention to detail. It also boosts emotional intelligence by providing an outlet for self-expression and understanding the emotions conveyed through music. For learners of any age, music education often starts with basic concepts like rhythm and melody and gradually progresses to more advanced topics such as composition and performance. In academic settings, it is commonly taught through choir, band, or orchestra programs, allowing students to collaborate and learn teamwork. Beyond the classroom, music education is accessible through private lessons, community programs, and online courses, making it available to people of all ages. Whether someone aspires to become a professional musician or simply wants to enjoy the personal and social benefits of music, education in music nurtures a lifelong appreciation for this art form while enhancing overall personal development. Music education plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals, enriching both their academic and emotional lives. Musicians and performers create experiences through their music that can evoke emotions, tell stories, or simply provide a fun atmosphere. What is Music Entertainment?Music entertainment, on the other hand, is more of a receptive experience. It’s enjoying music for the value of being entertained. Music entertainment is the broad field of performances, events, and productions centered around music as a source of enjoyment for audiences. It encompasses everything from live concerts, festivals, and DJ sets to recorded music, streaming services, and music videos. Whether experienced in person or through media platforms, music entertainment is a universal form of enjoyment that transcends language and cultural barriers. At the heart of music entertainment is the connection between artists and audiences. Musicians and performers create experiences through their music that can evoke emotions, tell stories, or simply provide a fun atmosphere. These performances might be intimate acoustic sets or massive stadium concerts, where production elements such as lighting, sound effects, and visuals further enhance the experience. In today’s digital age, music entertainment has expanded beyond live events to include various digital formats. Streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube allow people to access vast libraries of music from artists worldwide, while social media enables fans to interact with their favorite musicians directly. Music videos, television shows, and films that feature or are centered around music have become key parts of the entertainment industry. Ultimately, music entertainment is about creating memorable, emotional, and engaging experiences. It serves as a means of relaxation, celebration, and connection, providing joy and excitement for individuals and communities alike. From the casual listener to the devoted fan, music entertainment touches lives by bringing people together through the power of sound. Music engagement is participating in music-based activities for the benefit of participating in music-based activities. What is Music Engagement?We are now aware there’s music therapy, music education, and music entertainment. All of these are important, and each serves various purposes. But what if something doesn’t fit the definition of formal music therapy? Or it’s not quite pure music entertainment, or it doesn’t fall under ‘music education’? There is one more term to introduce you to: ‘music engagement’. Engagement is somewhat of a buzzword recently. Music engagement doesn’t have a formal definition, but it does offer a helpful description for things other than pure music therapy, entertainment, and education. Music engagement can incorporate elements of all three of the above. Music engagement is participating in music-based activities for the benefit of participating in music-based activities. As a board-certified music therapist, I’m a huge supporter of music therapy services; however, having been in the field for the past 10+ years, I know that music therapy services can often be expensive and inaccessible. There just aren’t enough music therapists to serve all needs everywhere, especially within senior care. It can also be cost-prohibitive or difficult to access geographically. For example, what about rural areas? This presents several problems for which I wanted to find a solution. I created our virtual music engagement program for many reasons. At the center of it all is my passion and mission in life to use music to make a difference in older adults living with dementia. Second, this program was created in response to Covid. It started out as an alternative when the pandemic was limiting activities. It can still function in this way. Beyond Covid, however:
Finally, I created it as a music engagement program, for individuals and groups to ENGAGE with music for the purpose and benefits of engaging with music! For more information about Bridgetown Music Therapy and our virtual music engagement program for care homes, click here.
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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 Nelson Kabue, LPN, operator of Orchard Adult Care Home in Multnomah County. Please read below to learn more about Nelson. Tell us a bit about your background and what lead you to work in care and service. I relocated from Kenya in October 2012. I initially lived in Seattle, Washington. After a while, I settled down and started hustling for a job to be able to make ends meet, and I did not know much about healthcare. After some advice, I noted how as an immigrant I needed to work extra hard. One of my friends introduced me to CNA classes, but I had to come up with $500, of which I did not have as I had used all of the money processing travel documents. I ended borrowing and enrolled into a CNA class in Federal way, WA. I graduated and got a job in a skilled nursing facility home in Renton and had a second job in Federal Way. One day, my host requested me to visit one of her friend’s homes, and so I agreed and accompanied her. Once there I noticed that this family works from home at their own schedule and I was so amazed, as I was overworking myself with two jobs and no time for myself. It was then in my heart I decided this is my dream, and the idea of owning a care home was born. After a few months, I decided to relocate to Boston, Massachusetts and got a job in a skilled nursing care facility. While in Boston, I was lucky to meet the love of my life, Josephine, and I was able to share my dream with my love. Josephine supported me by encouraging and supporting me to enroll in nursing school, as she was already a nurse herself and graduated in 2017 as an LPN. I worked at a skilled rehab in Massachusetts and acquired skills like tube feeding, catheter care, wound care, diabetic management including insulin, dementia care, stroke care, and more. It was then in my heart I decided this is my dream, and the idea of owning a care home was born. Why did you decide to start your own adult care home? While working as a nurse in long-term care, I discovered that I was not able to give attention to all my patients and advocate for their needs to their doctors. This issue bothered me for a long time, as I could not feel as I was meeting their needs. This was not attaining my goal as a nurse. I felt having a care home with few clients was a noble idea, as I would be able to advocate for patients, tailor client care plans, be able to monitor clients, and communicate with doctors and get feedback in a timely manner and take action without delay. I also loved the idea of working at home and being able to apply my skills at home while still being there for my family. Tell us a bit about what you have learned running your own care home business. Having and running a care home needs a lot of dedication. Its not always easy but I love that it gives me the autonomy to meet each client’s needs immediately. I am able to provide person-centered care as I only can have five clients for whom I am able to dedicate more time to rather than when I was employed in a big facility. I have actually surprised myself in seeing that I have leadership and management skills that I doubt would have been explored had I not opened my own home. Having and running a care home needs a lot of dedication. Its not always easy but I love that it gives me the autonomy to meet each client’s needs immediately. What do you believe makes the adult foster care home model of care unique? The adult foster home model is unique because we are able to provide medical care in a homelike environment, which is quite comforting for residents. This is especially so when time comes that one has to chose a care home, or when families have to send their mom or dad to a care home, they feel comforted because the setup is just like a home. Residents are able to continue with their day-to-day activities in a homelike and safe environment where 24hr care is available. At the same time we are promoting independence safely. Residents are able to continue with their day-to-day activities in a homelike and safe environment where 24hr care is available. What do you love most about the work you do, and is there anything else you would like us to know about you? What I love most is the satisfaction I get when I see a resident move in to our home, settle in, and blend in with other residents and begin to regain some of their strength back. I love the joy and contentment I see in the faces of residents' families when they know their family member is well taken care of. Also, I am a father of two girls, ages 5 and 8 years old, and I love sports - especially soccer and basketball. Orchard Adult Care Home: A Serene Place to Call home Where Seniors and Adults with Disabilities Receive the Care and Respect they Deserve Phone: 503-618-1133 [email protected]
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
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.
Article by Matt Gannon Life is fundamentally about relationships and our connections to others. Humans operate to gain and maintain control (in varying degrees) within relationships: to ourselves, with others, to our environment, spiritually, and to our place in the larger world around us. This is like a balancing act we operate throughout our lives. We ascribe meaning and purpose to the different relationships. Many relationships will shift and change over time, while others remain relatively the same. Within our relationships we have choices and we maintain control of our time, effort, participation level and, the interests being served - all of which shape who we are, our characters, and our identities. The Dementia Experience Dementia is progressive. Over time dementia demands a different type of communication to find and keep positive connections in relationships. Dementia creates a loss. For the people living with dementia, there is a progressive loss in abilities and independence. When we attempt to understand the dementia experience, what can become more understood is how a person living with dementia is losing a sense of control in their lives. One thing I have come to know well in my time of caring for people living with dementia is how life for them tends to become less about content and detail - and more about feelings. I also know people living with dementia do not lose their ability to feel, understand and recognize the emotion they are having when feeling it. They may not be able to understand and express fully why they are feeling what they are, but the feeling itself is familiar. Emotional memories are very deep-rooted memories and are still often more accessible and familiar (especially when utilizing the senses). The emotional experiences of a person living with dementia can be broken down into two categories: positive & negative. They may be feeling one way or another, or a combination of both at times, but how they are feeling and what they are feeling matters when it comes to providing care. Over time dementia demands a different type of communication to find and keep positive connections in relationships. What is Person-Centered Language? When providing person-centered care and communicating with a person living with dementia, it is important to do all we can as providers so the person ultimately feels more of a sense of control - this becomes our goal in each moment. It starts with an acknowledgment and validation to the moment you share, and to what emotion you sense is being felt. This can be done by communicating with feelings, both verbally and non-verbally. What is person-centered language and why is it important when caring for people who are living with dementia? It is about respecting the individual in our care approach at all times. Once we know the person we are caring for, we can plan and deliver care to them based on our knowledge of who they are as a unique person who also happens to be living with dementia. As you read the phrases below, ask yourself how does it feel to switch from one phase to another? I have a dementia resident.......
When we move to using person-centered terms, our approach, attitude, tone, body language, and empathy can change. It will benefit both us and the person living with dementia because what we do and say can have a significant effect on how they are feeling. If we carry the right mindset, the right attitude, and the right outlook then we are ready in our right care approach. Less is often more when choosing the words we say as we communicate to a person living with dementia. Show more, talk less is generally a good formula. We pursue short, brief, and repeated words and sentences as many times as necessary. We strive to create words together that become familiar between us and familiar to whatever activity we may be doing within our routines, we can identify the words and use them repeatedly as they become mutually understood. We can look to use words the person living with dementia tends to use or respond best to, or phrases that mean something to them. It is up to us to learn what those important words and phrases are, and when we do, to share those words with anyone else who provides care to that person. When we move to using person-centered terms, our approach, attitude, tone, body language, and empathy can change. Insert positively-charged words into statements, such as “ah, that’s a good thing, that’s a good one isn’t it, I like that, I love that, that feels good, doesn’t that feel good? that looks good, and thank you”. A positive way of communication can be to offer suggestions over telling or directing what one needs to do. When assisting a person in any way, from pushing their chair in for them to buckling their seat belt, or helping to get a jacket sleeve on, it is important to seek their sense of satisfaction or approval before moving on to the next thing/task. This can be done by simply asking, “Ok then? Are you happy with that? Does that feel good? Is that a good one?” Or even doing the thumbs-up gesture and awaiting their response before moving on, as this communicates respect and how you see them and care enough to ensure they are satisfied with what you’ve done to assist, before another task or agenda takes over. This is person-centered language. Why is this important? How much or how little we know about a person we are caring for makes a big difference. A person living with dementia is still the “person” they have always been and in many ways will continue to be. But they are also changing and different in some ways now. What they need from us the most is to SEE them for who they are and to know what makes them unique. By doing this we are reaching the center of a person and can care for them in a way that charts their personal care course - providing a feeling of control, not taking more away. Person-centered language is part of how we communicate to people living with dementia who depend on us to understand, and to be able to connect in the most respectful ways possible. Respect matters in all of our relationships, but for the person who is living with progressive dementia that is affecting their brain, we must ensure our approach and the language of our care is received in the way our residents living with dementia require - to have the strongest relationships we possibly can. What they need from us the most is to SEE them for who they are and to know what makes them unique. By doing this we are reaching the center of a person...
Article by Matt Gannon In honor of National Caregiver Day on February 19th, we wanted to highlight the work of our amazing adult foster care home providers in Oregon. Matt Gannon spent some time talking with provider Noel Ngure, RN with Living Springs Homes in Portland. Please read below to learn more about Noel. How long have you worked in the adult care home business? I’ve been a licensed care home owner since the Spring of 2020. In 2004, I relocated to this country after having been a a high school teacher for 12 years. I started working humbly as a CNA, went to LVN school in 2007, doubling efforts since I was in my bachelor's class at that time. I graduated in 2008 with bachelor's degree in human services with a major in management. In 2009, I started my master's degree journey and graduating in 2011 with my Masters in Education: Curriculum and Instruction. My passion of offering competent, uncompromised care continued pushing me. In 2014, I started my RN classes, and by grace, we are here today successfully. What do you love most about the work you do? The results. In 2017 I was found with Invasive Ductular Carcinoma. The care I received from my family was amazing. My RN daughter quit work to take care of me. When one day I said I'd never repay her, she replied, "Mum , Pass it on." Those are powerful words do drive us to performance. When I take care of a family member living with dementia and observe her every day, seeing the positive progress, the strength and persistent beauty despite the situation, that encourages me. When I work with a client and see them improve, change and progress with near-normal life, it makes me smile and move forward. I love the difference I am making in the lives of the people I touch in this career. The impact made is immense, and this gives me strength. I love the difference I am making in the lives of the people I touch in this career. The impact made is immense, and this gives me strength. What do you believe makes someone’s work successful? Consistency and continuity of care make someone's work successful. We are consistent in what we do and this allows better communication between our team players. Communication is key, or else we would have a big mess. Caregivers take time to talk to each other, passing over clear and concise communication. This is not about competition, it's about bringing our strength to the table and doing what each of us does best for productive results. This leads to competent care, which is encompassed by integrity. Accountability is key, every one of us has to take responsibility of what we do or what we miss. A positive attitude for both the licensee and the caretakers is very important, and we have to support each other for best results. We licensees need to allow our staff to bring their strengths to table, allow them to positively utilize their skills without focusing on weaknesses. This is not a competitive business, it's about offering competent care. Anything else you’d like us to know about you? We are a Christian home, we practice our Christian values and have a table for prayer every morning for everyone to come to if they choose. I am hopeful in the years to come we will have more homes, caregivers, and more people reached through the care we can give.
By Guest Author Yohannes Zewudie with Yohannes Tax & Accounting The Oregon Department of Human Services identifies adult foster care home licensees as independent business owners. Owners, who are responsible for Adult Foster Home (AFH) businesses are usually expected to wear so many hats to discharge their responsibilities and achieve their company’s vision. Trust and relationships created with owner(s), customers, employees, government (federal & state) agencies and the society determine the success of businesses. Small businesses, including adult foster homes, deserve the opportunity to be successful in their line of business. Regardless of the business size, accounting as a profession plays a significant role in creating a conducive environment for success. It is with this in mind that I argue small businesses should consider having an accountant if not a certified public accountant (CPA) to achieve their ultimate goal. Here are seven ways an accountant will benefit your adult care home business: 1. Effective and Efficient Business Management Businesses need historical, current and projected financial information to make the right decision in their business. Without complete and accurate financial recordkeeping and reporting, a small business owner cannot say for sure the true profitability of his/her business. Small businesses that tend to measure their profitability and success based on available cash flow or bank balance are only looking at one criterion. Business owners who rely on incomplete or wrong information usually make decisions that impact their business negatively. Accounting, as a support function to owners, is tasked with recording business financial data, analyzing them and generating timely and reliable financial reports to show the true picture of business status and profitability. It is for this reason that small businesses need accountant who can assist them in running and evaluating their business. 2. Peace of Mind In the ever increasing federal and state regulatory environment, small businesses are required to comply with various tax laws and regulations. Among other, businesses including AFHs have to report:
Many AFHs are not well-equipped to meet these and other regulatory and compliance requirements. Having an accountant who properly handles these mandatory compliance requirements gives AFH owners peace of mind for them to focus on other important business matters. Having an accountant who properly handles these mandatory compliance requirements gives AFH owners peace of mind for them to focus on other important business matters. 3. Ease of Annual Business and Personal Income Tax Reporting The United State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the State of Oregon expect taxpayers to:
Small businesses and their owners face challenges in compiling the necessary business records during tax season. Without a good recordkeeping and tracking method, it is daunting for small businesses to fully meet the tax reporting requirement. Lack of proper accounting system could result in understated business income and/or deductions that may result in higher taxes, interest and penalties. If the owner or business deliberately attempt to evade taxes or willfully fails to file or pay taxes, they could be subjected to criminal tax fraud cases. AFH owners can ease the stress associated to tax return filing by hiring an accountant who:
4. Utilize Available Business and Financing Opportunities More than large and medium businesses, small businesses tend to miss out on available business and financing opportunities due to lack of information or poor financial recordkeeping. The missed opportunity to utilize the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a very good example. Significant number of small businesses failed to utilize federally available PPP. An accountant comes handy to assist small businesses to have the necessary records and enable them seize these available business and financing opportunities. 5. Quality of Life AFH owners assume so many duties and responsibilities (manager, receptionist, purchaser, accountant, janitor and many others) in a single day to be successful. Since AFH owners are not expected to be knowledgeable or proficient in every task, they might have to work more than 12 hours a day to accomplish all these tasks. These business burdens make the owners unhappy and inefficient. The opportunity cost of spending too much time at work may also negatively impact their health, family dynamics and other social life. An accountant can shoulder one burden and perform the accounting-related duties in the right way. Delegating the accounting tasks to the right professional would result in the following:
6. Financial Consultation Based on available company financial data and their business environment, a certified public accountant can provide knowledge-based financial consultation to AFH businesses. These consultations could have a significant impact on tax savings and business growth. 7. Representation in Federal and State Audits In case of federal or state audits, a CPA can represent an AFH to handle their audit. Unlike an accountant, which is limited to the return prepared by him/her, a CPA can represent any business in federal or state audits. "While all CPAs are accountants, not all accountants are CPAs”. A CPA is an accountant that passed the rigorous testing and strict licensing requirement to practice in the state. CPAs are expected to abide by the code of ethics and must update themselves by taking the required continuing educations every year. A CPA is an accountant that passed the rigorous testing and strict licensing requirement to practice in the state. CPAs are expected to abide by the code of ethics and must update themselves by taking the required continuing educations every year. The benefits listed above are not an exhaustive list as to why adult foster care homes need an accountant, if not a CPA. It is always advisable for small businesses to reach out to professionals and seek advice on how they can achieve their ultimate business goals.
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