Caregiver Consulting

 

Gold Standard Caregiving Consulting

Caring for an aging parent, spouse or older loved one, is challenging.  There are frustrations, worries, guilt, stress, anger and love, always love.  Stumbling through the different stages of caregiving, without knowing the length of its journey, falling out of your community and foregoing self-care, can leave you vulnerable, exhausted and lonely.  Recognizing what is not working and stepping forward to get the support and guidance you need, is vital.

 

Private Mentoring & Support 

Caring for an aging loved one can be both physically and emotionally challenging.  The difficulty level can vary depending on factors such as your loved one’s health condition, the level of care required, available support systems and your personal circumstances.

As a Caregiver Consultant, I provide information, tools, and emotional support for Family Caregivers, Solo Agers and Retirees to navigate the challenges of caregiving effectively. We can help you make informed decisions, reduce stress, and improve the quality of care provided to your loved ones and yourself.

While our services are based on your specific needs, here are some common services and benefits that we offer:

  • Assessment and Care Planning: Conduct an assessment for the caregiver’s and your loved ones needs, preferences, and goals.  Develop a personalized care plan to address those needs, including a schedule and strategies for care.
  • Upcoming Education and Training:
  • ADLs/IADLs
  • Fall Risk Prevention
  • Communicating with Dementia
  • Home from the Hospital Care
  • Support Mapping for Self-Care for Caregivers
  • Life After Caregiving Ends
  • Effective Communication with your aging loved ones.
  • Long Distant Caregiving
  • Proper Body Mechanics for Caregivers
  • Comfort Care at the End of Life
  •  Resource Navigation: Assist caregivers in finding and accessing relevant local resources, such as support groups, respite care services, move management services, etc.
  • Legal and Financial Guidance: Provide information about legal documents, such as power of attorney and living wills.
  • Communication and Advocacy: Offer guidance on effective communication with healthcare professionals and care team members.
  • Family Conflict Resolution: Facilitate family discussions and decisions related to caregiving responsibilities.
  • Long-Distance Caregiving: Provide strategies and resources for family caregivers who are geographically separated from their loved ones.
  • Senior Home Relocation: Deciding when and where they want to downsize to.  Assist in choosing the most suitable care facility if your loved one can no longer live at home.
  • Accompany to Medical Appointments: Encourage them to communicate openly with healthcare providers, ask questions, and ensure their voices are heard.
  • Home from the Hospital:  By providing comprehensive support and coordination, we can help ensure a smooth and successful transition from the hospital to home for your loved one.  We ensure that they understand and follow post-hospitalization instructions, including dietary restrictions, exercise recommendations, wound care, and rehabilitation plans. 
  • Research & Referrals: Research resources available in your local community. This can include local support groups, senior centers, community centers, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit organizations that offer services and support for seniors and caregivers. We can provide educational programs, workshops, and referrals to local resources.

  • Concierge Companion at Home and in Assisted Livings, CCRC’s & Nursing Homes                                                                   Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections that can come with growing older, hearing, vision, and memory loss, disability, trouble getting around, and/or the loss of family and friends.   We can help by matching the right companion to your loved one so that our Concierge Companionship will renew their quality of life by bringing back their joy in feeling more connected and happier in their place of residents. 

Key Benefits

  • Expertise and Guidance: CMK provides tailored guidance and support for Family Caregivers and their aging loved one to help make informed decisions about care options for their unique needs, challenges, and goals and other important matters.
  • Stress Reduction: Caregiving can be emotionally and physically demanding. CMK helps caregivers manage stress and reduce caregiver burnout by offering coping strategies and emotional support.
  • Improved Care Quality: CMK educates caregivers on best practices and helps them develop essential caregiving skills, which ultimately lead to better care for their loved one.
  • Access to Resources: CMK can connect caregivers with local and national resources, support groups, and services that they may not be aware of, helping them navigate the complex healthcare and social services systems.
  • Confidence Building: CMK empowers caregivers by boosting their confidence in their caregiving abilities, decision-making, and advocacy on behalf of their loved ones.
  • Better Communication: CMK offers guidance on effective communication with healthcare professionals and care team members, ensuring that caregivers can effectively advocate for their loved ones’ needs.
  • Long-Distance Caregiving Support: For family members who are geographically separated from their loved ones, CMK can provide guidance on how to coordinate and manage caregiving from a distance.
  • Family Harmony: CMK can help mediate and resolve conflicts among family members involved in caregiving, fostering better cooperation and decision-making within the family.
  • Access to Resources: We have extensive networks and knowledge of available resources, services, and support systems in the community. We can connect elders to appropriate services, such as home care, medical specialists, legal advisors, and more.
  • Enhanced Quality of Life: CMK focuses on improving the elderly’s overall quality of life. We recommend engaging activities, social opportunities, and strategies to promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
  • Peace of Mind for Families: Families often worry about the well-being of their aging loved ones. Hiring CMK provides families with reassurance that their elders are receiving expert care and support, even when they can’t be physically present.
  • Objective Decision-Making: Carmel offers an objective perspective and can provide guidance on tough decisions, such as when to transition to a higher level of care or how to manage end-of-life planning.
  • Aging in Place Support: If the elder wishes to age in place, we can help make that a reality by coordinating home care services, home modifications, and other resources to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment.
  • Other Concierge Services as Required by Family 

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Respite Support takes a holistic approach to Family Caregiving.  If you need support through your caregiving journey, caring from afar or need to take some time off, this is when CMK’s Mentoring/Care Management Program is there to support you, relieve your worries and reclaim your quality of life.

 Fact: When you take care for yourself, everyone benefits!  

 

Carmel Murphy-Kotyan has worked in the Aging Industry with Retirees, Solo Agers and Family Caregivers for over twenty-five years.  She is a Certified Caregiver Consultant and Educator, Facilitator for a Grief Support Group, Owner/Director of CMK Home Care. As a Certified Caregiver Consultant, we are committed to…

  1. Believing that you know the answer, but will help provide the process that leads to the right choice.

  2. Sharing resources, ideas, suggestions and possibilities with the understanding that you may use them in the way that best works for them.

  3. Meeting you where you are, with an open heart and curious mind.

  4. Listening to and Validating your emotional tremors.

  5. Empowering thought-provoking questions to help you make the best decision and courage to take the step forward.

  6. Minimizing your regrets and recognizing your successes.

  7. Encouraging Self Care, both emotionally and physically.

  8. Helping with maintaining a personal life and planning for a future life when caregiving ends.

  9. Helping you transition successfully into a life after caregiving.

  10. Understanding that my work with you lasts as long as the work is needed, and your goals are achieved.