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Nurse Care of North Carolina To Provide Care Management Alongside Home Care

10/3/2019

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August 7, 2019
Nurse Care of North Carolina, an Arosa+LivHOME company, announced the acquisition of Senior Care Management Associates, a care management company based in Durham, NC. The company will provide care management services alongside Nurse Care of North Carolina’s existing home care services in the Durham – Chapel Hill area.
“We are thrilled to offer an additional layer of support that care managers provide,” says Barbara Patterson, General Manager at Nurse Care of North Carolina. “They empower clients and families to make informed decisions regarding health and long-term plans, and in the long run, make their daily life easier.”
​With the acquisition of Senior Care Management Associates, it marks Nurse Care of North Carolina’s first foray into professional care management services, also known as Aging Life Care.™
​
Aging Life Care Professionals are skilled in conducting comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments that identify not only an individual’s physical and functional needs, but also their preferences, priorities, risks, and even emotional and social challenges.
“Access to Care Management can make a huge difference in the overall quality of life for clients as well as caregivers,” says Caryn Utberg, SCMA Owner and Professional Care Manager. “We pride ourselves with understanding the physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and lifestyle concerns of our clients and their care partners,”
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Care Management + Home Care
LivHOME was founded in 1999 on the premise that care management plus home care, under the same umbrella, would be a revolutionary concept. The combination of care management plus home care services continues to be core to its growth, as it provides families with additional guidance, resources, and support when caring for a loved one.

The company today, Arosa+LivHOME, remains the leader in integrating care management and home care services. It currently employs the most Aging Life Care Professionals™ (ALCPs) in the country, many of whom have extensive experience and certifications in gerontology, social work, nursing, and public health.

“We are proud to be the largest employer of Aging Life Care Professionals,” says Steven Barlam, LCSW, MSW, CMC, Chief Professional Officer of Arosa+LivHOME. “We’ve become the go-to resource for families across the country who are in need of stability, clarity, and peace of mind.”

Expansion to Crystal Coast
In addition to the purchase of Senior Care Management Associates, Arosa+LivHOME acquired Companion & Home Care, a home care company based in Emerald Isle, NC. The acquisition brings Nurse Care of North Carolina to the eastern coast and becomes its fifth office in North Carolina.

“In an industry with over 50,000 providers, our success is dependent on the quality and compassion of our care professionals, and our ability to meet the multitude of needs of our clients and their families,” says Cyril Vergis, COO of Arosa+LivHOME. “Ensuring a combined offering of care management and home care services in all of our current and future markets will drive our organic and acquisition growth strategy.”

The company now operates eighteen offices across four states: California, Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas. It continues to expand its efforts to be a national provider of home care and care management services.
​
For more information, contact Nurse Care of North Carolina: 3200 Croasdale Drive, Suite 701,
Durham, NC 27705 - (919) 309-4333, or visit www.NurseCareNC.com.
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SCMA's Caryn Utberg Featured in WRAL Spotlight

2/22/2019

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"Plan Early for Life After Retirement, Not Just Retirement"

​Retirement is commonly referred to as the “golden years” due to the freedom afforded to seniors after decades of working.

Transitioning to this stage of life may also include relocating from a family home, and there are many options available. Choosing a new living situation requires taking stock of current physical and mental capabilities, and planning for the stresses and changes of continued aging.

It’s important to have the discussion surrounding geriatric, or elder, care as early as possible. Planning makes things go smoother than the burden of crisis-driven decision making. So, what are the signs that it is the right time to start thinking about these decisions seriously?

Caryn Utberg, a professional care manager and owner of Senior Care Management Associates, noted changes in a person’s physical function or mental status may indicate it is time to consider new living situations.

“Poor hygiene, neglecting household responsibilities,” she pointed out. “One thing we see a lot is, if we see a person who’s been on medication and they forget to take it, or they have trouble remembering the names of medications and why they are taking them.”

[MORE]
CLICK HERE to read the entire article on WRAL.com
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"How Nursing Homes Can Destroy Families"

5/7/2018

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This new article from Forbes.com has a frightening headline, but actually provides some meaningful advice:
​

"... document EVERYTHING. Do your best to keep important conversations restricted to email but, if you do have an in-person discussion, you can always follow-up with that person and recap everything that was said. Again, this provides you with a paper trail."

​CLICK HERE to read the full article.
​Here's another headline to consider:

"Senior Care Management Associates
​Can Save Families Facing Caregiving Issues"

Our professional care mangers are experienced and certified to help you with all of the types of issues that Forbes outlines - whether your loved one is in a nursing home, assisted living, or getting care at home.
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Choosing the Right Assisted Living Community

5/4/2018

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Consumer Reports​​ recently published "5 Steps for Choosing the Right Assisted Living Community", featuring the important role of Life Care Professionals like those employed by SCMA:

#5: Will Your Family Member Have an Advocate?
"​If you or your family are not able to visit regularly, consider hiring an aging-life-care expert or asking a friend living nearby to check in on your family member. Spotting issues early may help prevent more costly problems later. And if the assisted living management knows you’re keeping a close eye on your loved one, that can help ensure the quality of care."

Senior Care Management Associates is your family's advocate!  Our professional care management services can help you with all 5-steps:
  • Initial assessment - What kind of help do you need?
  • Independent, personalized facility recommendations - What is the quality of care?
  • Financial counseling & budgeting - What are the real costs of care?
  • Developing your plan of care - Can your loved one age in place?
  • Ongoing advocacy - Will your family member have an advocate?
Read the article from Consumer Reports by CLICKING HERE.

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SCMA Adds a Second Aging Life Care Professional

4/3/2018

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Senior Care Management Associates is pleased to announce that our Care Manager, Deanna Ayers is a new Professional member of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA).

​Deanna now carries the title of an 
Aging Life Care Professional™.

"I am so proud of Deanna's hard work and unfailing professionalism that has earned her membership in the ALCA.  Now with TWO ALCA members, SCMA's already deep expertise in professional care management for our clients in the North Carolina Triangle is even stronger."
- Caryn Utberg, SCMA Owner
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Deanna Ayers
CLICK HERE to read more about the ALCA and Deanna's expertise.

ABOUT the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA)
ALCA (formerly known as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers) was formed in 1985 to advance dignified care for older adults and their families in the United States. Aging Life Care Professionals™ have extensive training and experience working with older adults, people with disabilities, and families who need assistance with caregiving issues. They assist families in the search for a suitable nursing home placement or extended care if the need occurs. The practice of Aging Life Care™ and the role of care providers have captured a national spotlight, as generations of Baby Boomers age in the United States and abroad. For more information or to access a nationwide directory of Aging Life Care Professionals, please visit aginglifecare.org.
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7 Steps to Advocate for a Loved One in Long-Term Care

1/23/2018

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CLICK HERE to read a great article on things you can do to advocate for a loved one living in a care community/facility or even getting care at home.

​#2 addresses exactly what SCMA does for our clients and their families!
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2. You don’t live nearby and can’t visit your loved one as often as you wish. How do you advocate from afar?

“Eldercare managers, geriatric case workers, nurses and social workers are all good possibilities for providing such service. Do your homework to make sure you are selecting someone you can really trust."

Here is the complete link to the article:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-advocate-loved-one-long-term-care-7-smart-steps-patrick-skinner/?utm_content=buffer06c1e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

Contact us for more information!
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It takes a "village" to care for seniors

1/16/2018

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"Aging in place" is an oft-quoted ideal for seniors of all ages and stages.  But it takes a lot of personal, professional, and community resources to do so.  The Villages movement seeks to expand the idea by helping people "age in community".

NPR looked at the "village" movement for seniors last month in a four part series.  Villages are groups of seniors living in the community who come together to offer support and companionship to each other as they "age in place".

For an annual fee, Villages provide volunteers and vetted professional services like handymen, as well as sponsoring events, arranging assistance for members, and other services suited to each unique "village". 

CLICK HERE to read - or listen to the stories on NPR!
​
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SCMA Care Manager Mandy Summerson is the national president of the Village to Village Network!

​https://www.npr.org/2017/12/15/569529110/sometimes-it-takes-a-village-to-help-seniors-stay-in-their-homes
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SCMA Care Manager Joins Aging Life Care Association

12/28/2017

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Senior Care Management Associates is pleased to announce that Care Manager, Mandy Summerson is a new Professional member of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA).

​Mandy now carries the title of an 
Aging Life Care Professional™.

SCMA owner, Caryn Utberg says, "Mandy's membership in ALCA enhances SCMA's already deep expertise in professional care management for our clients in the North Carolina Triangle."
“ALCA is the gold standard of Aging Life Care™. I am proud to be part of an association that defines excellence in my profession and is dedicated to education, professional development, and the highest ethical standards."
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Mandy Summerson

CLICK HERE to read more about the ALCA and Mandy's expertise.
​
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ABOUT the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA)
ALCA (formerly known as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers) was formed in 1985 to advance dignified care for older adults and their families in the United States. Aging Life Care Professionals™ have extensive training and experience working with older adults, people with disabilities, and families who need assistance with caregiving issues. They assist families in the search for a suitable nursing home placement or extended care if the need occurs. The practice of Aging Life Care™ and the role of care providers have captured a national spotlight, as generations of Baby Boomers age in the United States and abroad. For more information or to access a nationwide directory of Aging Life Care Professionals, please visit aginglifecare.org.
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Uncovering Joy in a Nursing Home

8/11/2017

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​Post by Bill Comfort, SCMA Insurance Consultant
"I know people who refuse to visit a family member in the nursing home. They say it’s too difficult to see Grandpa that way. They’d prefer to remember him the way he was, not the way he is now. They mention the sights and smells and it disturbs them. I understand those sentiments. But I believe it’s a mistake not to go." -Greg Lhamon
Here is a beautiful, personal essay on living with and loving someone with dementia.

The "new thinking" on caring for people with dementia is a shift from exclusively a "tragedy" narrative to one that honors, respects, and continues to celebrate the life that the person is still living. Life's different with dementia, but it's still a life and it can still be a good life.


This essay not only illustrates that this is possible, but it also shows us with personal examples how to do it.

Greg Lhamon is a friend and a client and one of the best radio and media executives I know ... He's also a wonderful writer and a die-hard Cardinals baseball fan.

CLICK HERE or on the link or photo below to read Greg's story...
http://greglhamon.com/uncovering-joy-in-a-nursing-home/
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Slow Down the Hospital Discharge Rush

1/4/2017

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All of sudden, the hospital says,
"Mom has to leave..."
What can you do if you need
​more time to plan?

Kaiser Health News recently published an excellent article on understanding the right to a Medicare "fast appeal", especially when faced with a discharge that seems too soon, sudden, or requires additional time to plan for the next move.
​
"Every older adult admitted to a hospital as an inpatient has the right to challenge a discharge if he or she feels unprepared to leave. But few people understand the process that’s involved.
​

"Frequently, seniors and their families are caught by surprise when a transfer from the hospital is at hand."  - KHN

​Senior Care Management Associates can help too.  Our experienced care managers, social workers, and nurses understand how to help our clients navigate the often confusing and overwhelming Medicare system - especially when your faced with a significant medical event or care transition.

CONTACT US if you need help now, or need to make plans for the future.


CLICK HERE to read the full article:
​http://khn.org/news/slowing-down-hospital-discharge-requires-fast-action/
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Serving Orange, Durham, Chatham, Alamance, and Wake Counties in North Carolina.
Through Nurse Care of North Carolina, an Arosa+LivHOME company,
our clients and families now have access to expanded
professional care management services throughout the greater NC Triangle
and across the country as part of the largest employer of Aging Life Care Professionals.
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