But what if you were a senior with no dental insurance and with no financial means to afford a dental visit?

For neighborhood residents in North Carolina, that is not a problem. Thanks to North Carolina Baptist Men, low-income seniors 65+ without dental insurance can receive free dental services and a better quality of life through the Project Senior Smiles program. Fueled by donations and volunteers, the free dental service runs on wheels, taking place in a truck equipped with the necessary instruments to perform cleanings, fillings, and extractions.

As a home care agency, you can find and recommend low-to-no cost dental-services like these to your clients. But as a home care agency that goes above and beyond when providing care, you can do so much more than that.

What can you do?

Dental health can be maintained and improved by taking preventative measures. Just as you exercise to prevent heart disease, you brush and floss to prevent tooth decay. Helping your clients understand and take on these preventative measures will promote their overall dental health and ensure that you are providing the best possible care to your clients.

What is the best way to do this?

As technology has developed to improve dental practices, so will it be useful in helping you promote dental health for your clients. This is where a home care system or home care software solution can come in handy.

A comprehensive home care system or home care software solution allows you to communicate with your caregivers in ways that can improve the quality of care provided for your seniors. For example, you can remind a caregiver every night to assist the client with oral care by assigning them a task in which they must update before the end of their shift. The task can be “assist with tooth brushing”, “provide mouth wash,” or even “remove and clean dentures before bed.” Simple reminders like these are checked-off as complete by caregivers via the home care system and can be the difference between tooth decay and tooth renewal.

Not only that, but a good quality home care system or home care software allows caregivers to provide status updates and comments about a client’s condition during a shift. These comments are accessible immediately through the home care software interface where changes in a client’s dental condition can be flagged for precaution. For example, if a caregiver reports that a client is experiencing a tooth ache, this would be a signal to make sure the client is closely monitored in case further dental attention is required.

You don’t need to be the North Carolina Baptist Men organization to help seniors in your area with dental care. Nor will you need to purchase a dental office on wheels! Having a reliable home care software or home care system can be a great start in promoting preventative dental care and escalating dental emergencies before they worsen. Besides, wouldn’t you want to help your seniors smile healthy smiles?

In addition to the growing number of caregivers, the number of seniors requiring home care will be increasing as well.  Within 30 years, the number of California seniors over the age of 85 – the age group most likely to use a home health aide – will more than triple to almost two million, growing eight times faster than the state’s population as a whole.  How will your agency meet this challenge?  What plans do you have in place to expand your business and thrive among the competition?  Let’s take a look at three ways ClearCare’s homecare system and homecare software can help you manage your time and resources as you expand.

1.       Offering innovative technology helps you satisfy more clients.  According to a study conducted by the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST), Baby Boomers are willing to spend up to $100 each month on technology to ensure healthier living and independence as they age.  In a series of focus groups, CAST reported most participants would be willing to pay at least $50 each month for electronic monitoring technologies to enable their aging parents or themselves to live independently.  Such insight should serve as a wake-up call for home care agencies who are not yet offering these types of services.  ClearCare’s homecare system and homecare software is not only intuitive and easy to use, it is affordable as well.

2.       Stay more organized with paperless records.  ClearCare’s homecare system helps administrators keep better records with flawless web-based homecare software.  Information gathered from a client assessment can be entered into ClearCare’s homecare system using an iPad or Galaxy tablet, right at the client’s home.  Important client and caregiver records can be stored electronically, available in the office or on the go.

3.       Manage your time more effectively.  Using a homecare system like ClearCare helps streamline all your business functions.  All the information you need for seamless scheduling, messaging, and accounting is right at your fingertips.  Included with ClearCare’s homecare software is a “live-view” interface that lets administrators identify the location of every caregiver, saving you valuable time when issues arise.  Troubleshooting problems – and preventing future ones – is a breeze with the tools ClearCare provides.

Now is the time for your agency to make the decisions that will propel it to the next level.  Give us a call today to find out how ClearCare’s homecare software can help you every step of the way.

For seniors who live at home with the help of an in-home caregiver, reminders can be set in ClearCare’s home care system and home care software that will help seniors adopt appropriate sleep habits and routines.

1.       Avoid alcohol.  Although a nightcap might make it easier for seniors to fall asleep, it won’t help them stay asleep.  Alcohol, especially more than a single glass of wine, can disrupt sleep cycles and make seniors wake up feeling drugged and drowsy.

2.       Sit in the morning sunshine.  Early morning sun exposure helps reset our body’s internal clock so we fall asleep more easily at night.  Caregivers using ClearCare’s innovative home care system and home care software can set alerts for important reminders, such as keeping seniors hydrated and properly covered with sunscreen.

3.       Monitor medications.  Certain prescriptions may interfere with sleep.  Seniors should check with their doctors to see if alternatives are available that may be less disruptive.  By the same token, sleeping pills could be prescribed for persistent insomnia.  ClearCare’s home care software includes a sophisticated medication management system that helps administrators, caregivers, and physicians monitor each patient’s prescriptions.  Caregivers can easily communicate health concerns with other members of the care team using ClearCare’s home care system.

4.       Adopt a better bedtime routine.  Just because you may have always watched television before bed and turned out the lights at 10:00 p.m., this does not mean the same habits will continue to work in your favor.  Bedtime routines – as well as bed times – may need to be adjusted as we age.  Many seniors find soothing music or relaxing with a good book a better way to unwind than watching TV.  Reminders can be set in ClearCare’s home care system so caregivers know when to prompt the senior to turn in for the night.

5.       Nix the naps.  Naps that last too long, or that are too late in the day, can make it almost impossible to fall asleep at night.  Try taking shorter naps, or rest earlier in the day.  Rely on your caregiver’s home care software to help you get into the right naptime routine.

Experts recommend experimenting with different bedtime rituals and wake times.  It may a week or two to see results, so be patient.  Caregivers can monitor their client’s progress using ClearCare’s home care system and home care software.

What sleeping tips and tricks have proved beneficial for you?  Drop us a line and join in the discussion!

However, even if seniors themselves aren’t interested in using a tablet, mobile devices like an iPad or smartphone can still help play a vital role in the wellbeing of seniors living independently.

Homecare Software Offers Technology for Caregiver Use
If their own tablet isn’t the right fit for your senior loved one, a tablet equipped with a homecare software or homecare system, such as ClearCare, may be a better option. With the help of an in-home caregiver, seniors can receive assistance with everyday tasks from meal preparation to hygiene and transportation. However, even caregivers sometimes need a reminder of what their clients need.

The use of a homecare software or homecare system with cloud or telephony-based accessibility gives private duty agencies the ability communicate with caregivers in the field with ease. For example, say a client needs a new medication reminder. With ClearCare’s homecare software, administrators in the office can add the task to the homecare system, and when the caregiver calls to clock in they will hear the new task.

Additionally, if the caregiver is equipped with a tablet such as an iPad or Samsung Galaxy or any smartphone with a WiFi or data connection, they can log directly into the homecare system via a secure caregiver portal to view new tasks and clock in or out of their shifts. Access to a homecare software or homecare system like ClearCare via tablet or smartphone also allows caregivers to update tasks on-the-go, which administrators and family members can then view in real time via their own log-in portals to the homecare software.

Beyond tablets being a great way to keep caregivers connected when using ClearCare’s homecare software, devices set up with brain games and music can also provide a new, technologically engaging form of activity for clients who can become familiar with technology alongside their caregiver.

Whether Grandma wants her own gadget, or a tablet is a tool used in her care, there’s no doubt that technology is playing an increasing role in helping to take better care of our seniors!

1.       Access client’s schedules from any mobile device.  ClearCare’s home care system and home care software have been designed to support all the aspects of your business, even while you are away from the office.  ClearCare’s sophisticated scheduling system is accessible via any mobile device, so you can confirm or change your caregivers’ shifts from your iPad or Smartphone.

2.       Communicate with caregivers anywhere, anytime.  Improve patient outcomes by communicating more effectively with your caregivers.  Mass message your caregivers to find out who is available for a particular shift, or send an individual message to learn the whereabouts of a caregiver who has not yet clocked into her shift.  ClearCare’s home care software also allows you to communicate important daily tasks to your caregivers so there is no ambiguity surrounding patient care.  All messages sent and received through ClearCare’s home care system are kept as a record for future reference.

 3.       Troubleshoot problems even when you’re away.  ClearCare understands that home care agency administrators run into problems whether they are at their desk or on the road.  Our web-based home care software gives busy administrators the opportunity to problem-solve no matter where they are.  ClearCare’s home care system includes a “live view” interface which gives administrators a real-time, global look at their agency and all working caregivers.  Alerts sent out when caregivers are late clocking in our out, and administrators can also listen to “general comments” regarding patient care concerns.  ClearCare’s home care software helps administrators troubleshoot potential problems and issues before they have the chance to escalate.

ClearCare’s user-friendly home care system and home care software helps administrators manage the day-to-day operations of their business in the office or on the go.  With new features and functions being added on a regular basis, ClearCare will continue to meet the needs of home care busy administrators so they can offer the best services possible to their valued clients.

Breakdown of Nursing Home Care Costs

“We’re not getting rich, we’re covering our bills,” says Dave Brennan, an administrator at Benedictine, a Minneapolis nursing home.  “It does, on the face of it, seem very expensive,” adds Todd Bergstrom, a research director at Care Providers of Minnesota.  According to Bergstrom, the average nursing home cost is about $170 a day – or $62,000 a year – but many residents pay much more.  Joyce Jackson, who recovered from a coma at Benedictine, incurred charges of $300 a day, or $109,000 a year.

What doesn’t go to staffing costs is used for medical care, utilities, rent, insurance, taxes, and other administrative charges.  Although Brennan insists that the costs are less than what one would pay in a hospital, they are still considerably higher than in-home care.  And unlike nursing homes, in-home care can offer clear supervision with quality homecare systems and homecare software- such as ClearCare.

Advantages of Homecare Systems

Reliable homecare systems and homecare software, like ClearCare, have been developed to improve patient care, provide real-time point-of-care visibility for family members, and help keep more seniors living at home.

Working with a home care agency that offers ClearCare’s homecare software allows seniors with disabilities or illnesses to “age in place” in the comfort of their own home, negating the need for packing up and moving into an expensive nursing home.  Home care costs less, and provides higher levels of supervision and personal attention.  Agencies that use innovative homecare systems and homecare software can easily communicate with family members, physicians, and caregivers – keeping everyone on the same page.

While nursing home care costs continue to increase, homecare systems like ClearCare have remained consistently affordable.  Every day, more home care agencies are coming to understand the value of ClearCare’s web-based homecare software and offer it to their clients – satisfying more families and their elderly loved ones.

One of his first customers, 75-year old Marilyn Pechter, first hired Steiner to help her set up an email account. However, in the time since he has also help get her set up with WiFi, organize her online passwords and is always available to help troubleshoot issues in-home or remotely through screen share programs. Since first working with Pechter, SeniorLink has grown a client list of about 80 customers, many who are repeat users of the service which charges $35-$40/ hour.

The model works, says Steiner and his advocates, since seniors are excited to give work to high school students while also connecting to their family, friends and endless information via the internet. In fact, the idea for the business started after a loved one was in a rehabilitation facility and he noticed many residents without visitors – then offered his expertise to help get folks connected.

Connection to Family Imperative for Seniors
Staying connected to family members at a distance can be especially important for seniors, and while internet connectivity allows seniors to get socially connected, many families also wonder if technology can help them manage elder care – and the answer is yes!

One form of elder care technology is a home care software or home care system, such as ClearCare, which can be utilized by agencies providing in-home care for seniors, allows for information to be securely exchanged between care providers and family caregivers via secure home care software portals.

Additionally, with a home care software or home care system in place, family caregivers at a distance can rest assured that agency administrators are monitoring care. Real time care alerts from ClearCare home care software let managers know if caregivers are late to a shift, so the coverage a senior needs is always guaranteed. Or, if a care task is left overlooked, a home care system like ClearCare provides agency managers with easy tools to figure out why – and ensure that seniors get the care they need.

Technology is a major part of today’s world, and as seniors and their loved ones become more aware of the benefits of technology in elder care, a home care software or home care system like ClearCare can become an invaluable partner in caring for a loved one.

With ClearCare’s innovative home care software, users receive the benefits of being able to manage their business operations such as scheduling, billing, payroll and client/caregiver management in one spot, as well as tools to help them impress prospects and retain current clients for the long haul.

1. Prospect Management:
With ClearCare Online home care software, you’ll be given tools within your home care software to help manage new client prospects from the initial call to the close of the sale. With tracking capabilities for each stage of prospect engagement to easy reporting on prospects that need attention, your home care system can help you efficiently and effectively manage your contacts with prospective new clients – ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.

2. Feature Demonstrations:
ClearCare home care software gives you the ability to take its features on the road. As a cloud-based software, you can take your home care system with you on any web-enabled device from a laptop to a tablet. Then, static demonstration pages of family room log-ins and other features your agency uses can help prospects feel at ease with the management of your agency – and their ability to keep up on the care of their loved ones when your caregivers are in the home.

3. Marketing Support:
Does your home care system help with marketing? Being a ClearCare home care software user means you have access to training tips on how to effectively market your business with ClearCare, as well as ongoing webinars to offer innovative industry tips & tricks.

Choosing the home care software or home care system that you’ll use to manage your business is  a major decision – and ClearCare sets the industry standard in innovation with features to help agencies of 5 or 500 clients consistently win new clients.

For thousands of caregivers across the country, Susan’s scenario is all too familiar. However, some employers are taking pre-emptive action to help family caregivers cope with the stresses of balancing career and caregiving.

PNC Financial Services is one company making major strides to provide their employees with solutions for elder and child care emergencies. A recent article on The Washington Post website highlighted the company’s offer of back up elder and child care for employees when their standard routine falls through. Employees can take advantage of care providers contracted with PNC Financial Services and drop their loved one off at a care center or have a care provider come to the home.

Solutions For Caregivers Provide Stress Relief

An employer providing assistance for employees acting as caregivers is a concept that provides caregivers with the ability to better balance work and caregiving – and reduces missed work days due to a lack of ability to fill a gap in care.

With employee-focused programs, quality care providers and technology like home care software and home care systems, family caregivers will hopefully continue to find flexibility in managing their various life responsibilities.

With a network of support, family caregivers can also find peace of mind. For example, if a care provider that uses a home care software or home care system, such as ClearCare, is used to provide care in a family caregiver’s absence, the caregiver can still keep in close connection to their loved one’s care.

Robust features within a home care software and home care system, like real-time updates available via secure log-ins to the home care system give family caregivers constant access to updates on the wellbeing of their senior care recipient. For instance, if the senior was hesitant to eat lunch that day, the hired caregiver can leave a general message in ClearCare home care software, which family members can review in their private home care system portal.

Additionally, with integrated scheduling in a home care software or home care system, like ClearCare, family members can review their loved one’s future scheduled care visits and be sure that care coverage is in place when it’s needed most.

Being a working family caregiver is no easy task, but with the support of a forward-thinking employer, and ClearCare’s powerful home care system at the disposal of your home care agency, the task can get little bit more manageable.

However Louisiana State University – Alexandria seems to be strides ahead. Recently, the University has conditionally approved a new bachelor’s degree that will help students prepare for a career in elder care management.

The approved elder care administration degree takes on an interdisciplinary approach to their program, integrating elements of business and sociology into their curriculum. The implementation of the new undergraduate program makes you realize that as our aging population increases, so will a new era and generation of home care managers.

Who are these new home care managers?

This new era of home care managers will comprise of those adults who grew up during the technological boom. They’re not Generation X or Y, but rather Generation T (T for Technology). And with this new generation of home care managers entering the work force, you can bet that many of them will turn to technology to help them perform their jobs.

What kind of technology will these Generation T managers be looking for?

Generation T managers will be looking for specific technology that matches the way they currently interact with information. For example, the technology:

1. Must be mobile: Gen T is synonymous with the Smart Phone/Tablet generation, meaning mobility is a necessity to access everything, anywhere, and at any time.
2. Must get live updates: Gen T home care managers will want something similar to what Facebook provides: a live-feed with status updates for their clients.
3. Must be able to mass message: Like a Twitter account, Gen T will want to be able to send messages to their large audience, such as caregivers or other staff members.

Luckily, we don’t have to wait for Gen T to enter the workforce to access the type of technology that they are looking for, because the technology is already available in current home care software and home care system solutions.

Generation T’s best friend: home care software

Today’s home care software and systems capture all of the features that Generation T managers are using and will be looking for as they fill in care manager and other positions in the home care industry. For example, home care software and home care system solutions today:

1. Are web-based, giving users online access to information from any mobile device.
2. Can provide live, real-time status updates on client conditions.
3. Have the ability to mass message employees and post important announcements to staff.

So today’s home care software/home care system is made for the “tech savvy?”

Not at all. The most up-to-date home care system solutions keep up with technological trends without sacrificing ease of use. Take ClearCare as an example. The innovative care management solution strikes a telling balance between technology and usability, neatly integrating features and technological advances in their product while preserving its user-friendly interface.

For the Louisiana Elder Care Administration graduates of 2017, satisfaction will be felt when they find that a modern home care system utilizes the same tools that they already use on a daily basis. For the rest of us: the technology is already there. So why not think ahead like Louisiana State University, prepare for the rising demand of home care, and explore existing home care software that can help with your business operations?