We solve one of the most difficult challenges facing families today...caring for loved ones requiring in-home companion care and personal assistance.


Measuring Client and Employee Satisfaction

Visiting Angels of Pikesville is committed to providing excellent care for our clients and we are dedicated to providing a great work environment and solid training to our employees. For the past 6 years, we have contracted with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from our clients and caregivers via brief phone interviews each month. Clients and caregivers may remain anonymous, ensuring Home Care Pulse is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback. The feedback they gather helps guide our improvements. Visiting Angels of Pikesville strives to receive the highest satisfaction scores in areas such as professionalism, compassion of caregivers, training, and client/caregiver compatibility. Home Care Pulse complies with all state and federal confidentiality laws and never asks for any personal, financial or health information.
 
For the past five consecutive years, Visiting Angels of Pikesville has won the prestigious Best of Home Care Award presented by Home Care Pulse. We are proud to consistently be ranked among a small handful of home care providers across the country that have proven their ability to provide an exceptional working experience to employees and the highest quality care to clients and we anticipate receiving this prestigious honor again this year.
 
Here is a brief overview of the services we provide:
  • We provide non-medical care including companion care and personal care.
  • We are licensed by the State of Maryland with a RSA (Residential Service Agency) license that is renewed annually.
  • The Pikesville office has been operating since March 2005 and primarily serves Pikesville, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Glyndon, Finksburg, Mt. Washington and Baltimore City.
  • Our office has consistently earned the 'Best of Home Care' award presented by Home Care Pulse, a third party who surveys both our clients and staff to determine our level of quality service and job satisfaction. We have consistently scored in the top 4% of all private duty home care companies nationally.
  • The process to coordinate care is to first meet with each family to create a customized care plan followed by an introduction visit with the referred caregiver prior to care beginning. Within the first few days of care a RN visits the home to complete an extensive evaluation. The RN follows up with each care recipient at least every 90 days as required by our license.
  • The schedule is based on the individual needs of each care recipient.
  • All cases are supervised by a RN.
  • All caregivers have at least one year of experience in the field.
  • Our caregivers are CNAs or GNAs.
  • All caregivers are employees of our company not independent contractors.
  • All caregivers have a complete background check, including a national criminal background check and a motor vehicle check.
 Should you have any questions or want to learn more about our services please give us a call at 410.218.9506.
 
Independent Living Doesn't Have To Be Risky
 
With statistics saying that more than 35% of fall-related hip fractures are fatal for seniors, individuals and their families should do all they can to minimize the risk of falling.

Here are tips a few to minimize falls:
*remove scatter rugs
*install motion-sensor lighting near stairs and in bathrooms
*place railings on both sides of stairs with anti-skid tape on any painted stairs
*place grab bars and a bathtub seat in the bathroom and tub
*use raised toilet seats or safety frames to make using the toilet easier
*use "reachers" (rather than stepping stools or ladders) to get items off high shelves
*purchase "night light" emergency lighting that kicks on during power outages
*minimize clutter (including stray shoes scattered around the home or near doors)
*avoid walking in stockings or socks on non-carpeted floors.

For those who travel or visit family, consider grab bars with huge suction cups that can be taken to friends' homes or on vacations to prevent falls when traveling, too.  
 
If mobility is an issue, a transfer bench can be used to help someone move easily from a wheelchair to the tub.
 
For individuals recovering from a surgery or orthopedic issue, regardless of age, consider using a walker with a "tote bag" that allows hands to be securely placed on the walker instead of struggling to carry items.
 
Another safety suggestion includes communicating with a friend or loved one at a set time each day to confirm all is well.   And, consider an emergency alert bracelet or necklace so your loved can immediately call for help if a fall does occur.
 
Finally, include regular exercise that will help with balance, strength, and flexibility. It is proven that weight-bearing exercise can increase muscles in people well into their 80s (and minimize bone loss related to osteoporosis). 


This article is courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Medical Supply & Equipment (410-363-2279) which has been making independent living easier since 1997. They have a new showroom at 718 Main Street in Reisterstown or online shopping here
Optimal Operating Conditions - Live your Healthiest Life

What are your optimal operating conditions? How often do you change the oil in your car? How warm/cool do you keep your home? How often do you change your furnace filter? When do you change your car's tires?
I find we tend to be more aware of these guidelines for our cars and homes than we do for our bodies. Perhaps it is more clearly communicated how to care for your car or your home.
Most people find a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit to be comfortable. Your car's tires were designed to perform best when driving at the speed limit. You car's oil is designed to lubricate the moving parts of your engine for 3500 miles (up to 7-10,000 if synthetic).
Our bodies have been designed to operate BEST within certain parameters.

Do you know the numbers that will help keep you most healthy? Here are a few. 


What is special about Visiting Angels of Pikesville? Click here to find out!
 
From all of us at Visiting Angels of Pikesville, we wish you a very Happy Passover and a Happy Easter! May your holiday be filled with joy, peace and love.  
 

Let is help you through the steps of hiring home care for your loved one! Please call us at 410.218.9506 with any questions about the home care services we provide or to begin care for your loved one.