Care Stories | Health People, Inc.

Each of our clients has unique needs … and a unique story. The following care stories convey the breadth and depth of services we offer – and the lengths we’ll go to, to meet each client’s health care needs. To protect our clients’ privacy, these stories do not use actual names.

As you’ll see in these Care Stories, health care needs don’t always occur during regular office hours. That’s why our phone line is staffed 24×7 by our knowledgeable team, not an answering service. If you have an immediate need, please call us at (425) 454-1947 or complete our Request Care form.

A home care agency contacted us when a client with MS required additional care

While in her 40s, Mrs. Holden had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Now in her 50s, a home care agency was looking after her during the day while Mr. Holden was at work. However, the agency was not trained or licensed to transfer Mrs. Holden from bed to wheelchair or support her growing health care needs. When the home care agency recognized that Mrs. Holden’s needs exceeded their abilities or state license mandates, the agency contacted Health People.

We assessed Mrs. Holden’s needs and assigned a certified nursing assistant who could provide her current level of care – as well as the increased health care she might require as her illness progressed.

Because the caregiver would be with Mrs. Holden all day, Monday through Friday, it was important the caregiver and client really “connect.” Through our careful selection process, we found a wonderful registered nursing assistant whose personality perfectly complemented Mrs. Holden’s. Our caregiver was with Mrs. Holden for three years until she passed away.

MS is a progressive disease, and Mrs. Holden did need increased care. Eventually, she was bed bound and required a feeding tube. Because we anticipated her increased needs, we had a care plan in place to meet those needs. The same certified nursing assistant cared for her throughout her illness. When needed, one of our registered nurses assisted. Mrs. Holden was able to remain at home with her family, while receiving the best care possible.

Bath service for Alzheimer’s client required patience and understanding

Mrs. Baker, an 86-year-old woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, needed help. She lived at home with her husband, who was no longer able to help her shower. Mrs. Baker’s daughter came to us requesting twice weekly bath service – with a warning that Mrs. Baker might refuse our care.

We understood. For Alzheimer’s patients, it’s difficult to accept a new face and a change in routine. So we started slowly. We carefully selected a reliable, trained nursing aide experienced with Alzheimer’s clients. Our bath aide visited Mrs. Baker several times, simply to build rapport. Next, she gave Mrs. Baker a sponge bath using disposable wipes warmed in the microwave. In the weeks following these pleasant and reassuring experiences, Mrs. Baker allowed our bath aide to help her in the shower.

And it’s been more than a year now! Our bath aide has become a trusted caregiver and an integral part of Mrs. Baker’s routine. She also does the laundry, ensures Mrs. Baker takes her medication, and happily completes other tasks as needed.

It’s important to understand how Alzheimer’s disease impacts behavior. Small steps and creating a routine are key. The caregiver must be patient, accepting, knowledgeable, and skilled. We ensure the same caregiver visits each week, which fosters trust and a strong emotional bond. With this solid foundation, we can provide an increased level of care as the client’s needs progress.

After hip surgery, Mrs. Taylor needed short-term, 24-hour care

Following hip surgery, Mrs. Taylor, an active, independent woman in her late 60s, required 24-hour care as soon as she left the hospital. She lived alone and needed someone with her for a few weeks until she recovered.

The hospital discharge planner contacted us, explaining that Mrs. Taylor didn’t sleep well and needed live-in caregivers on duty around the clock. We met with Mrs. Taylor while still in the hospital and assessed her needs. We immediately created a care plan and selected three nursing assistants, ensuring our staff would be ready as soon as she arrived home.

The same – not rotating – caregivers assisted Mrs. Taylor for several weeks. They helped her shower, transferred her from bed to chair, and took her to appointments. Plus, they shouldered household tasks such as cooking, shopping, and light housekeeping. One of Mrs. Taylor’s caregivers was a registered nurse who regularly changed her dressings and assessed her surgery site.

As Mrs. Taylor gained strength and mobility, our health care team spent fewer hours with her. We recognize that care plans must be flexible, and we adjusted Mrs. Taylor’s care plan to meet her decreasing needs as she reclaimed her independence.

Resident in assisted living facility needed to hire 24-hour care – or else!

At 73, Mr. Walsh lived in an assisted living community and suffered from Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, he also suffered from dementia, which manifested in aggressive behavior. He was verbally abusive and would often wander off. The assisted living staff simply could not provide the 24-hour, one-on-one care Mr. Walsh required. The facility manager threatened to send him home if his family did not supply this level of care.

The family turned to Health People for help. We quickly assessed the situation and assigned certified nursing assistants on three shifts to provide around-the-clock care for Mr. Walsh. Our caregivers are trained to de-escalate anger and work with challenging behavior. Thanks to our care team, Mr. Walsh was able to remain in the assisted living community.

In the months that followed, our caregivers gained Mr. Walsh’s trust. They were able to ease his anxiety and anger. He became calmer, more affectionate, and more compliant. His wife decided to move him back home, with the condition that Health People continue to care for him. Today, two of our nursing assistants live in the home and take turns providing 24×7 care for Mr. Walsh.

For the past two years, Mr. Walsh has enjoyed living at home and, thanks to our trained caregivers, Mrs. Walsh enjoys his company.

“Lost” in a retirement community, Mrs. Samuels needed a caring companion to re-engage in life

Mrs. Samuels’ daughter contacted us, worried about her mother. Mrs. Samuels, in her 80s, was suffering from severe depression. She was not eating, drinking, or taking her medications. She felt lost and alone in her retirement community, which simply was not equipped to address her depression. Mrs. Samuels needed one-on-one care.

We carefully matched Mrs. Samuels with a caregiver who shared similar interests. Initially, Mrs. Samuels resisted having a stranger in her apartment. Relying on their shared interests, our caregiver coaxed her into a game of Scrabble® – a game that had been her favorite pastime before the depression set in.

They began playing every day, and a deep bond between client and caregiver developed. With an engaging companion in her life, Mrs. Samuels made an amazing comeback.

Today, Mrs. Samuels loves having a companion in her home, making sure she takes her medications, helping to prepare meals in her apartment, or accompanying her to meals in the retirement community’s dining room. Her caregiver also takes her to appointments, and they enjoy shopping together. And of course they continue to play Scrabble!

Our in-depth, initial assessment was critical in helping Mrs. Samuels out of her depression. We took time to learn a great deal about her life, favorite activities, and passions to develop a successful care plan and select the right caregiver. Mrs. Samuels’ caregiver has become a dear companion – a friend who eases her loneliness and encourages her to eat, drink, take her medications, and enjoy life!

Working closely with hospice enabled Mr. Maitlin to come home

Mr. Maitlin was in the final stage of kidney failure and under the care of a Seattle-area hospice agency. His fervent wish was to come home. His family called us, requesting that we work with hospice to provide 24×7 care.

We were able to facilitate Mr. Maitlin’s homecoming by working closely with the hospice company. Hospice provided regular visits by a registered nurse, while we stepped in with a team of nursing assistants who provided 24-hour, end-of-life care. Our nursing aides assisted with medications, personal care, incontinence care, bedsore prevention, and comfort measures to reduce pain. Our caregivers strove to make him as comfortable as possible, which included cooking his favorite meals and playing his favorite music!

Our caregivers’ skills, coupled with those of the compassionate hospice staff, enabled Mr. Maitlin to spend his final weeks at home, surrounded by wonderful memories and his family.

Supporting clients’ diverse needs – with compassion and skillful care