Page 31 - BusinessWest July 21, 2021

person. The system of daily phone calls helped address patient concerns and keep them cur- rent on their treatments. In addition, patients received whimsical postcards to lift their spirits and care packages of hygiene products and food staples.
“The pandemic opened our eyes in differ- ent ways,” Lora said. “It made us aware that we needed a system of daily phone calls in both programs, which we will continue even after the pandemic is no longer a concern.”
Growing Need
The lessons home-care agencies learned from the pandemic — some of which, as noted, will lead to changes in how care is provided — come at a time when the need for home-based services is only increasing.
That growing need is due in part to people liv- ing longer, of course. According to government data, once a couple with average health reaches age 65, there is a 50% chance one of them will live to age 93, and a 25% chance one of them will see age 97. With the increased longevity, there
is also a greater chance these seniors will need some type of assistance with daily chores or treating a malady.
Receiving care at home, with an average cost nationally of $3,800 per month, is less expensive than moving into a nursing home (approximately $7,000 per month), and nearly everyone would rather stay in their home. When seniors need assistance, Anstett said, they often rely on family members out of fear of having an outside person come into their home.
Now that concerns about COVID are easing, she reports that people are increasingly more
willing to have someone come in to their home to help, but there are still some who resist. “I wish they could understand we are not there to take away their independence, but to give them more independence.”
Lora said some of her patients were reluctant to allow people to come into their homes until they considered the alternatives.
“The only other option for people receiving medical care would have been checking into a skilled-nursing facility or a nursing home,” she noted. “I knew that was the last place they want- ed to go.”
She added that the extensive news coverage of high rates of COVID in nursing homes and the high case rate locally at the Holyoke Soldiers Home convinced most people that care at home was a wise choice.
Anstett and Lora both pointed out that their companies always make sure anyone providing home care wears appropriate personal protective equipment and follows the latest guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID. Anstett said she encourages her caregivers to get vaccinated, but doesn’t force the issue because she recognizes some people have health issues.
“However,” she added, “I make it clear to the unvaccinated folks that the pool of clients willing to see a caregiver who is not vaccinated is fairly small.”
While the pandemic may have slowed down business in the short term, demographic trends still remain strong for the years ahead. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, about 10,000 people reach age 65 every day. This trend is expected to continue until 2030, when all living Baby Boom- ers will be at least 65 years old.
Looking Ahead
Fifteen months after the chaotic early days of the pandemic and with many people now vacci- nated, Lora said A Better Life is busier today than before the pandemic.
“In the last six months, admissions have increased by around 50%,” she noted. “That’s more than I have seen in the past three years; it’s been insane.”
She added that her company is now short- staffed because of the rapid growth it is seeing and has been offering incentives to try to bring more CNAs and PCAs on board.
Anstett said her client numbers and caregiver numbers are back to where they were before the pandemic and noted that she has not had any problem filling open positions.
“I just cut 80 paychecks, and we are anticipat- ing even more growth,” she said, adding that her secret to hiring is treating caregivers with respect and encouraging them to grow in their careers. “I stay in touch with every one of our caregivers. They’re the reason I’m working, so I treat them with the utmost respect.”
While many professions look to push out older workers, Anstett said she appreciates more seasoned workers and looks forward to hir-
ing them. “Caregiving is an opportunity to keep working for those who want to, and we welcome their experience.”
Pointing out that she hired another case manager last week, Lora added that, while her organization is expanding, it has not forgotten its mission.
“Even with our growth,” she said, “we see our patients as part of a family and a community, not
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