The Washtenaw County Elder Justice Coalition is a group of health and social service practitioners and community members working to acknowledge and prevent elder abuse in Washtenaw County through awareness, education, advocacy, and enhanced partnerships. Recently we spoke with Angelique Fluellen of HomeWatch Caregivers. Homewatch Caregivers pride themselves on providing excellent care at a variety of levels ranging from respite care and post-surgery care to Dementia care and 24-hour care.
Ahead of the Curve: If you had to give an “elevator speech” about what your organization does, how would you describe it?
Angelique Fluellen: Hi, my name is Angelique, for more than eleven years, my company has been providing professional caregiver services in the home, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities. I began serving as a caregiver for my own father who had Alzheimer’s for many years, which, coupled with my social services background, helped me consider a career in home care. I believe that home care can provide our clients with comfort and safety while maintaining their independence. Home care caregivers act as an additional advocate for our families while they instill trust in us. We provide not only personal and companion care, but also physical, emotional and spiritual support during some of our families’ most difficult and trying times. We are very proud to be named the Home Care provider of Choice and Employer of Choice in 2019, exceeding our client’s expectations in several areas including caregiver work ethic, compassion, professionalism, compatibility and enhancing our clients’ daily life.
AOTC: Walk me through the step-by-step process. What happens when you get a phone call/referral?
AF: When a prospect calls our office, they are greeted by a highly trained team member that has experienced care themselves or through a family member. They also are excellent listeners that help ensure that the caller is getting the help they need even if that is not home care.
If the solution is home care, we would then explain our services and describe our care team and set up a time to get to know the family and the prospective client a bit better through a face-to-face evaluation. This meeting helps us understand the full scope of care needs including any environmental adjustments that may be necessary.
AOTC: What organizations do you work closely with?
AF: We work with quite a few organizations but have a CARES grant funded to Jewish Family Services and home care provided through us. We also work with the University of Michigan on a few programs focused on older adults.
AOTC: What are some things you wish the public knew about your role?
AF: That it is a unique position that is rare in the personal care services arena.
AOTC: What tips do you have for someone with a loved one that’s going through this issue/needs assistance?
AF: Begin thinking about personal care services or private home care before it is needed and begin asking around to learn the reputations of local home care companies, for example, do they return your phone calls?
Thank you to Angelique for sharing information about this valuable community program!
You can learn more about HomeWatch Caregivers by calling them at (734) 572-5777 or visiting their website. Next week on the blog we’ll be speaking with Breanne Stuart, President and CEO of HomeWatch Caregivers.
Visit the Ahead of the Curve Resource Directory for information about other caregiver resources in the community.
