Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
La Costa Concierge Certified as California DOJ Elder Care Employer
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) provides criminal history information to employers of persons who are non-
“Elder” means any person residing in this state, 65 years of age or older;
“Dependent Adult” means any person residing in this state between the Ages of 18 and 64, who has physical or mental limitations which restrict his or her ability to carry out normal activites or protect his or her own rights.
What does this mean to you?
La Costa Concierge has been authorized by theCalifornia Department of Justice (DOJ) to submit a Live SCAN request for any potential employee. This helps to ensure that anyone taking care of your loved one has been screened by electronic fingerprinting.
What is a LIVE Scan?
Live Scan (Digitally Scanned Fingerprints)
Live Scan digital submissions provide the quickest way to submit and process background checks.
Live Scan technology allows digitally scanned fingerprints and related information to be submitted electronically to the Department of Justice within a matter of minutes and allows criminal background checks to be processed usually within 72 hours.
What does this DOJ service cost?
This service is not free from the DOJ! La Costa Concierge covers the cost of this invaluable screening for each employee to help ensure everyone’s safety.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Care giving for a hostile married couple
There are so many different types of care giving. Personally, I am most challenged when there is hostility between family members. However, your personal abilities to handle your own affairs are not necessarily the best way to deal with family conflict during your care giving shift.
One of my dear friends, Tracy, was taking care of an elderly couple. Over time, some aging couples can hardly stand to be in the same room with each other, much less extend a compassionate hug or smile. As a caregiver, sometimes you are put in the middle of an argument that may have started 40 years ago! If you aren't careful, you can become the victim of a shoe flying across the room or worse, be put in the middle of a raging disagreement about the importance of your work!
Other caregivers were not able to deal with the hostility, and the couple had trouble keeping quality caregivers. Tracy was able to calmly address the hostility each and every time with her tone of voice and clear, short communications. I was fascinated with her finesse between this couple and one day asked her specifics about what she said and exactly how she handled the couple as the flew into negativity.
First of all, Tracy used her humor to address profoundly difficult situations. For example: the husband and wife would get in a heated argument about the wife’s activities outside the home because the husband felt she was not paying enough attention to him. The wife would throw a nasty comment out and then the husband would throw out an even better and more deviant comment! After showing no emotion to this exchange Tracy would calmly wait for the exchange to end. This response was perfect for this couple. Although it’s stressful to be in the middle, Tracy knew there communication style would probably not change at this point in their lives. In addition, it was not Tracy’s role to be a marriage therapist or crisis counselor. Her role was to help the husband with his activities of daily living once the wife was gone.
In an effort to keep things calm, Tracy did not react to the hostility; instead she kept a calm demeanor and waited for the perfect moment to say, “Well Mr. Smith that was a Spicy Meatball. Speaking of meatballs, your dinner last night is still on your clothes, so it’s time to clean up! Do you want to take your shower before or after your breakfast?”
Tracy would brilliantly take a hostile situation and completely turn the tables into a teaching moment. Her calm manner did more than just get her through that situation but added to the credibility of her skills as a caregiver. She showed the couple that even though the hostile debate was interesting, she was there to help them and was not distracted by anything. Over time, the couple learned to trust in Tracy’s level headed abilities and depend on her or strength and maturity.
Tracy explained that the wife felt she trusted her to be calm and gentle with her husband and that she wasn’t worried about him when she was gone. The husband adored Tracy because he felt a profound sense of trust and didn’t mind that his wife couldn’t be there.
One day Tracy was sitting with the wife and she began to cry at the overwhelming feelings she was having about… well everything. Tracy in her calm and loving way was not afraid to listen to her feelings and in true Tracy style, was able to let the wife vent and calm down herself. It was not Tracy’s style to analyze the situation. Tracy just listened and reflected her feelings. Soon the wife was calm and Tracy was able to reassure her that it always feels good to get those feelings out, even if it makes your mascara run terrible! They both laughed.
After the emotions were calm and they were in a quiet moment, Tracy remembered something the wife had said a few days back. The wife complained to Tracy that she was so agitated that her husband’s sock drawer was always unorganized and she needed to find time in her “busy” day to buy new socks, which of course according to the wife he did not deserve!
Tracy told Mrs. Smith that she would love to check out the sock drawer and inventory his socks to see what he needs. The wife loved the idea because it got her off the “hook” with the socks. In Tracy’s mind, she knew opening the sock drawer would open up a wealth of fun and was pretty sure they would get a few belly laughs. As Tracy and the wife sat on the edge of the bed, they indeed started to laugh at all the old and mismatched socks. Each sock had a funny story. Tracy suggested they lay the socks out on the bed and try to find the mates and perhaps they would have such good luck, that Mrs. Smith wouldn’t need to take time from her bridge to go out and buy more.
As they sat and sorted socks, Mrs. Smith laughed and cried... but mostly laughed. Tracy felt that just by sorting socks, it enabled Mrs. Smith to relax, get organized, laugh, have some fun memories and once again helped both the husband and wife feel as though their daily life has been greatly improved by experiencing emotions and activities that were focused on love, warmth, strength and trust.
The day started out with Mr. Smith needing the care, but the day ended with the wife needing the loving hand instead.
Stop by www.LaCosta-Concierge.com to see how our quality caregivers may be able to help you or your family.
Melissa
Friday, November 11, 2011
Veteran's Day - Today and every day
As Veteran's Day comes to a close, I am grateful for all the men and women that served our country. I, for one, was one of them. I am grateful to this country and to all the make it what it is. I am thankful for all the vets that served in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm/Shield and all the other areas around the world that we have served.
Please take time out today, tomorrow or some time in the future to Thank a service member, as many of them have paid their dues a lot more than we can imagine.
Since, La Costa Concierge staff spends a lot of our time with the elderly and people that served, it is great to just sit back and listen to some of the stories of how things unfolded. Not all the stories are wrapped around the actual horror of the war, many of them are about the love and compassion shared by our soldiers. Many have found that being a humanitarian can help push away the dread and sorrow. Their stories are told about helping the locals in the villages, bringing food and comfort to people that have been starving most of their lives. Many stories I've heard are of the smiles that are given both by the soldiers and by the locals as they are liberated and freed from tyranny.
I would encourage you to pull up a chair and listen to what the elderly have to say. They have been on this planet a long time and many of them have wisdom and knowledge that we need in this day and age.
Thank you to all of our Veteran's. Every day we live in this free country should be considered Veteran's Day.
Please take time out today, tomorrow or some time in the future to Thank a service member, as many of them have paid their dues a lot more than we can imagine.
Since, La Costa Concierge staff spends a lot of our time with the elderly and people that served, it is great to just sit back and listen to some of the stories of how things unfolded. Not all the stories are wrapped around the actual horror of the war, many of them are about the love and compassion shared by our soldiers. Many have found that being a humanitarian can help push away the dread and sorrow. Their stories are told about helping the locals in the villages, bringing food and comfort to people that have been starving most of their lives. Many stories I've heard are of the smiles that are given both by the soldiers and by the locals as they are liberated and freed from tyranny.
I would encourage you to pull up a chair and listen to what the elderly have to say. They have been on this planet a long time and many of them have wisdom and knowledge that we need in this day and age.
Thank you to all of our Veteran's. Every day we live in this free country should be considered Veteran's Day.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
National Memory Screening Day - November 15
I have been supporting the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) for almost a decade now because I believe in what they do. As we all know, Alzheimer's is a horrible disease that literally takes away loved ones right before your eyes.
Numerous Senior living communities around the country will be hosting confidential memory screenings on November 15th! National Memory Screening Day takes place during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and is aimed at early detection and intervention of memory problems. Around 2,500 locations countrywide are opening their doors to support the 9th annual NMSD promoted by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).
Locations across the country include senior living facilities, senior centers, pharmacies, libraries, Alzheimer’s agencies, and other community sites. Healthcare professionals such as social workers and nurses administer the screenings. Screenings include a number of tasks and questions, the tests do not result in a diagnosis rather they encourage those with abnormal results to get a full medical exam. Early detection of memory problems may help to slow the progression of symptoms, making a positive impact on an individual’s quality of living. For more information about locations and National Memory Screening Day visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of http://www.nationalmemoryscree
Numerous Senior living communities around the country will be hosting confidential memory screenings on November 15th! National Memory Screening Day takes place during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and is aimed at early detection and intervention of memory problems. Around 2,500 locations countrywide are opening their doors to support the 9th annual NMSD promoted by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).
Locations across the country include senior living facilities, senior centers, pharmacies, libraries, Alzheimer’s agencies, and other community sites. Healthcare professionals such as social workers and nurses administer the screenings. Screenings include a number of tasks and questions, the tests do not result in a diagnosis rather they encourage those with abnormal results to get a full medical exam. Early detection of memory problems may help to slow the progression of symptoms, making a positive impact on an individual’s quality of living. For more information about locations and National Memory Screening Day visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of http://www.nationalmemoryscree
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Welcome to our Blog
Hello and Welcome to the new La Costa Concierge Blog.
This is where we will post new information and updates related to La Costa Concierge.
As time progresses, I'm sure this blog will as well.
Look for us on our Facebook , Twitter, and other pages as they become available or just drop by our website: http://www.LaCosta-Concierge.com to learn more.
Thanks in advance.
Please drop us some comments.
Sincerely,
La Costa Concierge
This is where we will post new information and updates related to La Costa Concierge.
As time progresses, I'm sure this blog will as well.
Look for us on our Facebook , Twitter, and other pages as they become available or just drop by our website: http://www.LaCosta-Concierge.com to learn more.
Thanks in advance.
Please drop us some comments.
Sincerely,
La Costa Concierge
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