Important Questions You Have Asked …answered by our experts. 

 Robyn Arab, Becci Bookner, Lorrie Riley, Evelyn Coffey Methvin

 Each month we will be posting your questions and they will be answered by our experts. To contact our experts personally, email or call or stop in to the offices. Please click on the highlighted link for contact information. We invite you to submit additional comments or request information  that we will be happy to address.

Question: I am sure my father is losing his hearing. How can I help?

Karen McWhorter, Murfreesboro Director

Sometimes communication is made more difficult by the simple fact that one is hard of hearing. When speaking to a “grown older” like your father.  Here are some suggestions:

• Limit the outside distractions like radio or TV
• Make sure your face is always in the light so your lips and facial expressions can be easily seen.
• Face the person and make eye contact.
• Speak slowly, in a normal relaxed tone.
• Use short direct phrases.
• Whenever possible stay engaged in the conversation.
• Be excited even when hearing the same story multiple times.
• Don’t shout or use baby talk which will increase the stress level.

 Inspirational thought:

“Always be a little kinder than necessary”

 

Communication – Getting it right

The right words can make a difference . Almost everybody could use more skills to communicate effectively. We can all learn to “listen effectively” and make a concsious effort to understand the other person.

Question:  What are the most important  questions to ask a representative when considering a personal assistance care company as a provider of services for my family?

 Becci Bookner, President and CEO answers,

 At Family Staffing Solutions, Inc., we recommend that you ask the following specific questions and expect to receive very specific answers.

• How long has your company been in business?
• Is your company licensed by the State of Tennessee?
• Is your company a member of the Chamber of Commerce?
• Is this business locally owned and operated? Are you the owner?
• What specific kinds of employee background screenings do you utilize?
• What are your standards about drug screenings?
• Will my family have to sign a contract?
• Do we pay the caregiver?
• Can you provide references from other families who have used your services?

While these are only suggestions, the answers will help you make a better choice for this important decision. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these questions. Family Staffing Solutions has been built on personal experiences and a philosophy of respect and relationship. Our mission is to be recognized as the industry leader for integrity and excellence in personal care assistance that improves the lives of our clients and employees, that mission will be evaluated by each family and caregiver we meet. We want to be your first choice when you need personal assistance care.

Question:  Why would we choose to use a personal assistance  care company such as Family Staffing Solutions, Inc?

 Evelyn Coffey-Methvin, Director of our Shelbyville office answers,

When you arrange with Family Staffing Solutions, Inc. for in-home personal assistance care, good things happen.  Experts agree that older family members who remain in their own home age more slowly, are happier and enjoy a better quality of life.  They also live longer and have fewer medical expenses.

The demands of careers and other responsibilities often limit the amount of time and energy  you have available for the personal care needs of older relatives.  It is important to recognize that you may not always be there when they need you.  By getting acquainted with Family Staffing Solutions, Inc. you can relax knowing that caring, professional in-home assistance is just a phone call away. You are free to make important decisions without emotional pressure and stress brought on by an emergency.

Family Staffing Solutions, Inc. has served families like yours with quality personal care since 1999. Our management teams operate with the first-hand knowledge of their own family experience with aging parents. This experience gives each of them a special sense of relationship with our clients.  The Family Staffing Solutions’ caregivers  are  bonded and insured.  They are carefully screened and receive on-going “effective caregiver” training. Our goal is to match our best caregiver to the individualized requests of your family.