She was told that they had a “very difficult” client that “no one can satisfy.” If she could make him happy, she would get the VA contract.

Undeterred, Weama and her team showed up on Mr. Tom Cook’s doorstep with an orchid, wanting to make Mr. Cook feel appreciated. He was, after all, their first veteran client, and they wanted to mark the special occasion. 

Mr. Cook recalls that first meeting, saying “his jaw dropped.” 

“They made me feel at home with SYNERGY HomeCare and I really appreciated that,” he said. “Since then, Weama has done everything she can to help me.”

Mr. Cook’s first caregiver was Dennis, who helped Mr. Cook with light housekeeping, food shopping, cooking and other tasks. They were together for six years, until Dennis was promoted.

“I was heartbroken,” said Mr. Cook. “I was happy for him, but sad for me.”

Fortunately, he wasn’t sad for too long. “Weama kept sending me winners, and I was never without a caregiver. My second caregiver was with me for three years. When the VA wanted me to choose another agency, I refused and said if I have to wait for SYNERGY HomeCare, I will.”

Mr. Cook’s current caregiver is Nicole, who provides help around the house as well as some personal care assistance. Mr. Cook is unable to walk anymore due to the effects of Agent Orange exposure during his three-year tour in Vietnam.

A Marine with the SATS Company (Strategic Air Tactical Support), Mr. Cook worked on a land-based carrier deck that could catapult planes into the air.

Being in the military instills a powerful work ethic, which he found strangely lacking in his first caregivers from another agency.

“Apparently wanting someone to show up regularly and on time and perform the duties expected of them labeled me as difficult,” he said. “Fortunately, none of my SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers agreed with that label and in fact go above and beyond for me.”

Mr. Cook recalls that when his transportation to water aerobics fell through, Weama provided him with a second caregiver to drive him to class twice a week. 

“The care I receive is wonderful, and people go out of their way to help. I feel truly blessed to have SYNERGY HomeCare taking care of me,” he said.

Weama and her team feel similarly blessed. They host Mr. Cook for lunch at the office at least once a year.

“We consider it an honor to care for Mr. Cook,” said Weama. “He was there for us and now we are there for him.” 

The post Why Caring for Mr. Cook is Not “Difficult” appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Oklahoma City.

Congratulations to Kate Joyce, who nominated her mother to receive complimentary Mother’s Day flowers from SYNERGY HomeCare.

The Facebook contest asked persons to answer the following question: “I am so glad my mom taught me ————————-“

Joyce answered: “My mother, Ellie MacDonald, shared her “Joie de vivre.” It’s made me grateful, caring, resilient, and joyful. People will tell you I’m never sad – and she is the reason.”

Follow us on Facebook, and you’ll learn all about how great the folks at SYNERGY are in serving their client base – the seniors and elderly in the Oklahoma City area, as well as those veterans and Alzheimer’s/dementia patients.

The post Flowers for a wise mom appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Oklahoma City.

The issue of Sexually Transmitted Disease/Infection (STD/STI) is a sensitive topic that can affect us all, including those who help loved ones in a home care assistance arrangement. STDs are not only very common but many can be affected and not even know that they have or have had an infectious disease. STDs respect no one. All persons of every social class, age, race and ethnicity are candidates. Also, those affected by dementia are not immune.

STDs are transmitted or spread through sexual contact or activity involving sharing “dirty” syringes. According to the CDC (2010), 19 million elderly in home care or in a facility for dementia patients are infected each year in the United States.

Meanwhile, the senior population has increased in contracting STDs due to the non-use of condoms and a weaker immune system. Dementia patients are acutely at risk. Their cognition is progressively decreasing giving rise to a lack of thinking, reasoning, and discernment.

However, this dementia does not mean a lack of sexuality. Dementia patients have a need for expressing intimacy and feelings and desire relationships as well. They may be just as sexually active as prior to their diagnosis. With these mental changes, the patient with dementia may experience a decrease in inhibitions and may show their affections and attentions to their partner or to someone they may not know.

In a facility or nursing-home setting – and even in home care in Oklahoma City — this is a difficult dilemma because dementia patients may wander into several resident rooms eliciting challenging sexual behavior. Note that I said “several” because the patient with dementia may have forgotten that they had just had a sexual encounter and have had a number of partners. Some encounters welcomed and some not welcomed. Staff members of a facility may be on the receiving end of the advancement or they could be the perpetrator of unsolicited sexual advancements. In any case, changes in the mental capacity related to medication treatment for dementia and the progression of the disease must be weighed regarding mutual and informed consent for sexual intimacy by the dementia patient.

STD symptoms may or may not be evident but can include discharge from the genitalia with a strong odor, burning or pain during urination, flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, achy joints fatigue, night sweats, painful ulcers, rash and itchy groin skin. Long-term health issues and consequences such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cancer of the cervix, infertility and death can occur if the STD is not treated.
In a 2011 study, researchers have found that those carrying the herpes virus double their risk of developing Alzheimer’s through the production of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. (Lövheim H, Gilthorpe J, Adolfsson R, Nilsson L-G, Elgh F. Reactivated herpes simplex infection increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 2014.)

There are several types of the infection and, depending on the STD, it can be spread through contracting viruses and bacteria via the sex organs — vaginal, anal, mouth, oral to genital, sexual toys and coming in contact with blood during sexual activity. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus), Genital warts (human papillomavirus virus [HPV]), Hepatitis B, D, A, C, E, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS), Jock itch (Tenia cruris), yeast infections (Candida albicans), pubic lice or crabs and scabies are just a few STDs.

Treatment for STDs varies depending on the cause and includes aggressive oral medications, antibiotics, topical creams, antifungals, injections, immunizations to prevent hepatitis B, cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical excisions.
Prevention is the key.

Abstinence is the best way to prevent an STD. Monogamy and delaying sexual relations for as long as possible will decrease the risk of contracting an STD. Using a condom is only 90 percent effective so getting tested and receiving regular medical checkups is paramount.

Some testing and resources include:
— Crossroads Clinic provides free STD/STI Testing and Treatment. All services are free and confidential. Crossroads Clinic: 3077 E. College Ave.  Guthrie, OK 73044 Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon – Thurs)   Phone: 405.293.8378

There are also convenient home-testing kits that are confidential for a range of infections including STI/STDs with results being available within three to five days.
Or go online and checkout these websites for more information:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/all-access/check#sthash.Y9mOeNse.dpuf
Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm
Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/std/general/hepatitis.htm
Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/default.htm
Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm

(Ramonia’s certifications include RN BSN MS VR RC CCM)

The post Carrying STD Herpes Virus Doubles Risk of Dementia appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Oklahoma City.

Weama Kassem cares about her clients. Whether it’s the time the CEO of SYNERGY HomeCare of Edmond spends with her clients or the food she lovingly prepares them, it’s obvious Kassem has the gift of service.

Learn more about Weama Kassem by Mike Lee posted on Senior News and Living:

Kassem came to a crossroads a few years ago.

“I wanted to change my life,” she said. “When I graduated I felt like there were a lot of things open to me. There were many things I could chose in life but I wanted to do something I really loved. I love to serve people and I have this passion.”

With a degree in chemistry, Kassem was used to figuring out how different things fit together. That’s when she found Synergy.

She admits she couldn’t decide between food and service to others so “You want to do something that you feel you are a part of the community and the people and the familaies,” she said. “I really found out food wasn’t the thing I was looking for. But I had a chance to visit senior homes.

Here it’s really sad to see people by themselves. I tried to find a company that really spoke to my heart.

Kassem’s franchise is the only one in Oklahoma. Her reach is statewide but sees a time in the near future where she will need some help.

“I think in two months we will be very well known,” Kassem said. “(Medical professionals) feel we are bringing something. I want to see SYNERGY in the news that people believe in our philosophy – that we are bringing something new. We want to make people really comfortable in their homes.”

And sometimes that means bringing a tray of lasagna, or spaghetti – or whatever a client’s favorite food might be.
“She’s a great cook. She has even taken food to some of my patients,” says Jan Williams, RN, BSN. For Williams, SYNERGY feels like no other place she has every worked at.

“For our caregivers, we hold a higher standard for who we hire,” Williams said. “We don’t want just anyone. They have to present themselves in a professional manner. They have to talk in a professional manner. We have a higher standard.”

Kassem believes it starts with hiring the right people – like Williams.

“They are amazing. I don’t feel like I’m the owner. I feel like everyone in the office is an owner,” she said.

SYNERGY HomeCare of Edmond provides companionship, help with activities of daily living, and care for people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Arthritis, MS and other conditions. It also proudly serves Veterans in need of non-medical care.

“We recognize the need for high quality companionship and personal care for people of all ages with a variety of needs,” Kassem said.

“From senior care to help for those suffering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, to aiding expectant moms and assistance at home to those recovering from surgery, we are pleased to provide expert care giving solutions to the communities of Arcadia, Bethany, Choctaw, Deer Creek, Del City, Edmond, Forest Park, Harrah, Jones, Luther, Midwest City, Nichols Hills, Nicoma Park, Oklahoma City, Spencer, The Village, Valley Brook, Warr Acres and some other unincorporated municipalities.

According to the “Cost of Care Survey,” an annual report by Genworth, home care costs less than other options like adult day care, assisted living and skilled nursing. In fact, the national average cost of home care per hour ranges between only $10 to $36.

Genworth also reports that the cost of home care services only increased by 1% during the past five years.

By comparison, the average resident at an assisted living community pays $3,450 per month. Nursing homes can cost up to $948 per day.
In the past five years, the costs for assisted living and skilled nursing have risen by 4%.

SYNERGY HomeCare is a national franchise of non-medical home care dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age.

SYNERGY caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries; debilitating illnesses, and those recovering from surgery.

Founded in 2000 in Mesa, Ariz., SYNERGY has become one of the fastest growing franchises in the nation operating 235 units serving 37 states across the U.S.

Meet the SYNERGY HomeCare of Edmond staff from left to right: Je’Char Carey (Front Office Manager), Jan Williams (RN, BSN, Director of Nursing), Weama Kassem (Owner and CEO), Lisa Tippeconnic (Scheduling Director), and Charlotte Carey (Administrator).

The post Meet the Owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Edmond: Weama Kassem appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Oklahoma City.