When you need a service performed in your life, you have one of two choices. You can choose the mass route, where one service is perfected and performed over and over again. Or you can choose the customized approach, where the service is entirely constructed around what you need most.
We’re seeing the mass route pop up in all kinds of industries. Maybe you’ve noticed it in services like dentistry, or massage therapy. You can choose to go to a chain massage therapy center, for example, where employees are hired and taught to provide a certain quality of service. There is no deviation from what they do from client to client; they perform the same task over and over again.
Or you can choose the customized approach, where a massage therapist learns all about your needs, and customizes an approach to provide you with the best service possible. Their approach changes from client to client, depending on the approach best suited for the individual.
This same approach is also popping up in the in-home caregiving industry as well. As the population ages at an incredible pace, the need for caregiving services is increasingly right along with it. And in some cases, the tasks performed may become repetitive, giving the mass caregiving route an advantage. That is why assisted living facilities continue to open on a regular basis. In some cases a person can remain independent with simple, structured tasks. A quality meal three times per day may be a big bonus to a family worried about their loved one eating.
But what if your loved one is a picky eater and decides not to eat the meals cooked at the mass-caregiving facility (ie an assisted living facility)?
Assisted living is expensive. And the more care you need, the more the fees will grow. What many people don’t realize until they’ve entered a facility is that mass-caregiving provides one service over and over again. If you deviate from that service, you’ll pay the price. And while that may be a right choice for some, it’s important to weigh your options and consider a customized approach as well.
Customized caregiving is not one-size-fits-all, and instead takes the approach of providing the service a client needs the most. Instead of moving your loved one to an expensive facility, they remain in the comfort of their own home. From there, all services are customized depending on what’s best for you and for your loved one’s needs.
It starts with a customized meeting. We provide an in-home visit with an account manager to learn all about your needs, meet the family members, and discover areas where your needs are greatest. This is a gathering meeting, where we find out how we can best serve you, not just a “tour” where you find out what we provide.
Then we create a customized plan where we provide you with the proper services your loved one needs. Some of our clients are under 24 hour care. Some of our clients need a few hours of support every week. It’s entirely up to you, depending on your needs and desires.
We know it’s the caregiver that makes the difference. That’s why we keep an extended database of caregivers at our disposal, and work hard to match caregiver skills to the needs of your loved one. Because there is a one to one relationship, we do all we can to make sure the match is a good one.
We also ensure consistent supervision to make sure all needs are being met. We know the most important thing to you is peace of mind; making sure your loved one is receiving the best care possible. We also know that the best caregivers are one’s that are happy with their employment. We have many ways to keep this relationship intact day in and day out. We’re there for you, and are happy to make changes as the priorities change.
If you are weighing your options with your loved one’s needs, maybe it’s time to think about the customized caregiving approach. We would be happy to talk with you, just give us a call.
Jonnelle, thank you again for talking with me at JFC tonight. I am very interested in finding some in home respite care for my dad. Like I mentioned, he is in mid stage alzheimers. We had tried a couple of years ago taking him to a day program as well as a couple of times bringing in someone. He was not happy with feeling like he was being ‘babysat’, Hopefully he will be more receptive now. .Let me know what the process is to begin finding a possible relief person for a few hours a week.
Thank you,
Cindy