Another nice story for the day

[Skyesthelimit1212]

I know, I already put a "story" up about my cousin, LOL  

I thought this might be interesting to some.  My aunt (NOT my cousin's mother) started her own in-home nursing company, she, and the co. she started are featured in a business woman's magazine, Forsyth Woman.  

www.forsythwoman.com/homewatch-caregivers-to-preserve-dignity-protect-independence-provide-peace-of-mind/


Homewatch CareGivers To Preserve Dignity, Protect Independence & Provide Peace of Mind


With what is known as the ‘aging of America,’ most people will become caregivers — or need one — at some point in their lives. In many cases, a family members will step into the role to address the needs and concerns of loved ones, rarely thinking of themselves as ‘caregivers’– they are just doing what comes naturally to them…taking care of someone they love. Should that care be required for months or years, an emotional and physical toll can be experienced by that family member filling the role of caregiver. Marti Dizon, franchise owner of Homewatch Caregivers of the Triad, knew all too well the responsibilities and concerns that came with caring for a loved one when she began her own search for homecare for her mother.



“My mother lived with us for seven years until two years ago when her Alzheimer’s disease progressed to where she needed care in a facility,” said Marti. “Finding expert in-home care for her was part of what inspired me to open Homewatch CareGivers, serving Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph counties. Our caregivers are certified nursing assistants (CNA) which means we give ‘hands-on care,’ rather than just companionship. Along with the state certification that our CNAs have, they also take courses on our accredited, online university for dementia and chronic illnesses that are recognized across the country as continuing education for CNAs. Our clients range in age from infants to 90 plus year olds, and they and their families know that they will get the care, compassion and skill to meet their needs.” For Marti Dizon, her business is more than something she does, it’s what she is at her heart.



Giving Back and Giving Of One’s Self Makes a Difference

For the past 20 years, Marti Dizon has lived in the Triad, moving here as a single mom of four kids. “I always thought growing up I would be a nurse because I had a spirit of wanting to help others and caring for them,” said Marti. “Instead, I worked in staffing and human resources for High Point University and local companies including BB&T. I was looking for a way to help others and give back to my community in a meaningful way at the same time that I needed care for my parents. I worked full-time, was a mom and wife and cared for my parents. I saw there was a real need for in-home care with skilled, professional and caring people, so in 2010, I opened Homewatch CareGivers. With the great staff I have, including our RN, Sandra Howell, we are able to care for clients with ALS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and those who may just need daily assistance or help after coming home from the hospital. Whatever clients’ needs are, we are able to assist them and give their families peace of mind that is priceless.”



Help and Care is Just a Call Away

For some people, caregiving occurs gradually through time. Still, for others, it can happen overnight. Caregivers may be full or part-time, live with their loved one or provide care from a distance. But how do you know if professional care is needed? That’s when you call Marti and Homewatch CareGivers. “When a families call, they have some concerns that their loved ones may need additional care, but many times, they aren’t sure how much care, for how long or the type,” said Marti. “At Homewatch CareGivers, our RNs, Sandra Howell and Tandy Pierre Louis, visit with the client and family to make a home and health assessment, also doing a safety evaluation within the home, taking a look at areas that could be of concern. Sandra and Tandy also take a social history, getting to know the clients’ lives, when they like to do their daily activities, what their hobbies are and basically everything that makes up their lives. Through that time spent with the client and the family, Sandra and Tandy can help in the decision if Homewatch CareGivers would be a good fit with their specific needs. We don’t believe in sending a salesperson into the home to sell our services; Sandra and Tandy are able to see what is needed and make sure that we are able to help. We see ourselves in a home as an extension of the family; we talk to the client as a friend, incorporating what the client likes into conversations. It is all about a personal touch, which involves interacting in care and concern, not just helping someone bathe or get dressed. Our elderly clients are very special to me; my own father is one of our clients. This day in time, the reverence that our older generation once had is no longer a part of our society. Our elders deserve our respect and to have their dignity maintained…they have earned it.” Meeting those needs of their clients includes not only knowing the personal background of the client, but knowing the medical conditions the client is dealing with.



Skilled, Knowledgeable and Trusted Care

Chronic illnesses like ALS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cerebral palsy each have their own issues that clients deal with, so knowing your client also includes knowing the specific needs of his or her illness. “Homewatch CareGivers’ CNAs take courses to help them understand a specific illness which helps them relate to their clients and know what they are going through,” said Marti. “As a franchise owner, I took our ‘Pathways to Memory’ course to understand Alzheimer’s disease, its progression, as well as how to relate to a memory-loss client. This course helped me to understand my own mother better; through her disease, our relationship has changed, the dynamics are completely different. At times, my mother doesn’t recognize me; she is still a nice lady now, but the memories we shared are remembered only by me. The training I took has helped me to relate to my mother and also to deal with the ‘loss’ of her. Classes like the ‘Pathways to Memory’ help our staff better understand the care our clients need. The better you understand what a client is battling, the better the care that can be offered. Beyond the courses offered, we do a triple background check, drug test and DMV check to make sure we hire the best qualified staff. When we are entrusted with the care of our clients to take them to appointments, we can drive them, either in their own vehicles or in our wheelchair accessible van, take them into their appointments and wait on them. We make sure they are safe from the moment they are in our care, which enables our clients to enjoy their independence again. Our van and drivers are available to our community, offering free transportation to those in the counties we serve. We are on call 24/7 and have an answering service, so when you call, you never get a recording.”



Homewatch CareGivers are also available as back-up care for moms. “We have companies who want their employees to be able to come to work without the worry of having a sick child at home,” said Marti. “So, our caregivers can stay with children while the parents are at work. Our services are also covered by long-term insurance, and we are happy to help with the paperwork needed in such a case.”



If you asked most people, they would say that giving back to others, actually touching lives and seeing the results is something they wish they could find the time to do more often. For Marti Dizon, her role in the lives of others is one of giving back daily. “I get so much out of helping not only our clients, but also giving family members peace of mind, knowing that when a Homewatch Caregiver is in the home of their loved ones, they don’t have to worry,” said Marti. “We treat our clients as we would our own family, with love and respect.”