|
|
Abbotsford Chamber Voice
March 2008
Help may be just Next Door
by Tricia Leslie
Business offers a range of at-home health care services
It’s never easy acknowledging the advancement of age, whether it’s yourself or a family member.
Some people may start needing help around their home as they get on in years, and sometimes, a stroke or disease or other disability may hamper someone’s ability to live independently.
That’s where Nurse Next Door comes in.
The home health care service has been successfully running since 2001 and is a growing cross-Canada network.
Occupational therapist Drew Ratcliffe is attempting to raise the business’s profile in Abbotsford and the valley, where his franchise operates.
“You hear stories about how things are with the health-care system,” Ratcliffe said.
“Most of us at Nurse Next Door have some kind of personal experience with the system, and that makes us want to improve the service out there, especially where home care is concerned.”
Racliffe’s own mother was severely brain-injured four years ago, so he knows firsthand how much work home care can be.
That’s why he wants to let people know about Nurse Next Door.
“There are a lot of people out there who need help, and only a finite number of resources,” Ratcliffe said.
“We’re not there to treat a condition, we’re helping the individual. We want to preserve somebody’s dignity and independence as long as we can.”
While Nurse Next Door’s staff features RNs, LPNs, residential care aides and home support workers, Ratcliffe said the business looks for caring, compassionate workers to suit its clients’ needs.
In fact, in January, the business rolled out its own companionship certification program.
“We look for [workers’] ability to treat [clients] as an extension of family, for the ones who really care,” he said.
Clients don’t have to wait until a family member is disabled by an attack or disease, he added.
“Someone might say, ‘Gee it’s getting harder to push this vacuum around,’ or ‘It’s harder to get my dietary needs met,’” Ratcliffe said.
“We can start with simple companionship or meal preparation and housecleaning help.”
All cases are overseen by an RN case manager, Ratcliffe added, and the client is always consulted in an assessment to see what best suits their needs.
Ratcliffe, who drives a bright pink car to help raise awareness about his business, said Nurse Next Door also works with Fraser Health, WorkSafe BC, ICBC and the Department of Veteran Affairs, which will, in turn, refer clients to his business.
“We’re all trying to do the right thing and keep people out of the system if they don’t need to be there,” Ratcliffe said.
“Most of them would rather be at home, if they’re able. [Clients] can start at as little as $50 a week for elder care to five days a week to live-in, 24-hour caregiving.”
Nurse Next Door caregivers are also trained to recognize such things as early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s, Ratcliffe added.
“It’s peace of mind for the family, especially if most of the family isn’t here. They could be in Vancouver or Alberta,” he said.
“Most people are blown away by the service. A lot of them say they had no idea we even existed.”
As well as the in-home service, Ratcliffe said, there is a 24-hour care centre people can call and someone – not a machine – will answer the phone.
“Things happen at odd times of the day or night. We’re there if someone needs to call,” Ratcliffe said.
“We’re a personalized service beyond health care.”
Call Nurse Next Door at 604-613-7679 or visit www.nursenextdoor.com for more information.
