SORTING CARE ARRANGEMENTS FOR FESTIVE SEASON

With the festive season once again almost upon us, Miranda Smith Homecare is urging people to get in touch as early as possible to arrange respite care for elderly family members. Christmas and New Year is traditionally a busy time for us and many families find our in home care services a perfect fit for elderly family members who have memory or mobility issues and need care and monitoring. Whether it’s daily visits or short term live-in care, clients appreciate the lack of disruption and ability to stick to daily routines in their own homes while family members are away. Those family members can also rest assured that their loved ones are getting the attention required while enjoying a holiday or break from their own routines.

CLEAN HEALTH TRIAL A SUCCESS IN WELLINGTON

Miranda Smith Homecare has successfully trialled an initiative which aims to eliminate the risk of cold or flu viruses being passed from carers to vulnerable clients. The initiative involves awareness and education around the risks of contracting viruses, with early identification of exposure and symptoms being the key. Carers who may have been in contact with others with colds or flu and experience early symptoms themselves, can feel comfortable about contacting management and pulling out of an appointment, in the knowledge that replacement on-call carers will be immediately on hand to step in until their illness is no longer contagious. The early intervention process has been made easier by the close communication already existing between carers and coordinators. Clients have appreciated the agency’s concern for their wellbeing and the reassurance their continuity of care won’t be affected. The Wellington team has reported that with plenty of forward planning, the initiative has been successful and there have been no reports of clients contracting colds or flu from their carers throughout the winter season. The success of the initiative has been acknowledged by the local district health board.

CHRISTCHURCH KEEN TO HEAR FROM POTENTIAL CARERS

The Miranda Smith Homecare team in Christchurch remains busy and is keen to hear from mature people who have what it takes to operate as contracted carers in Canterbury and the wider South Island region. Clients appreciate continuity of care in their homes, and a familiar face, and many also find the best match is sometimes someone closer to their own age. Miranda Smith Homecare aims to continue ensuring that client’s wishes in that regard can be delivered upon.

NEW SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR IN AUCKLAND

Occupational therapist and mother of four Kiran Peddie has joined Miranda Smith Homecare’s Auckland team as its new services co-ordinator. Kiran previously worked as an occupational therapist mainly in the Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation unit at Middlemore Hospital. She is very excited to be working back in the health industry, but with the different focus of being in private home healthcare.