Bringing Quality Health Care Home

rnIf you’re considering home health care for a loved one, chances are, your top concern is quality. Caring Solutions would like to help. Sandra Sergeant, R.N., president of this Connecticut provider, offers a helping hand with her reach-forthe-stars vision: making a difference in the lives of her clients and their families, her employees and the entire industry. The center of Sergeant’s vision is people. “Human beings need the most care when they are most vulnerable, because of age, or illness or disability,” says Sergeant. “We can take advantage of this vulnerability for our own financial gain, or we can use our position as providers to protect and care for them. At Caring Solutions, our mission is to make a difference in the lives of all those we encounter by treating them with compassion and doing whatever it takes to assist them.” How does she do this? “Simply put, we execute quality,” says Sergeant. “Each client is unique and deserves an individualized care plan. We do an on-site assessment prior to providing care, and update the care plan as the client’s situation changes. Family members are always involved in determining care options.” Quality Care From Quality Caregivers Caring Solutions’ secret for maintaining this standard of care lies in its caregivers. From companions to home health aides to registered nurses, all employees are chosen not just for their skills, but for their passion for caring for others. “I ask myself, would I trust this employee to take care of my mother?” says Sergeant. “If the answer is yes, then I know I can send them into any of my clients’ homes.” Caring Solutions scrupulously screens all caregivers and carefully monitors certification and licensure requirements. All employees are given one full day of orientation and take part in frequent ongoing education. Caregivers also enjoy some of the highest wages in the state. Sergeant says, “Our goal is to treat our employees well so they will treat our clients well.” These policies have created a win-win situation for both Caring Solutions and its employees, resulting in an extremely low employee turnover rate. Sergeant’s most far-reaching goal is to share her vision with the home health care industry. She already conducts a training institute for home health care workers not employed by Caring Solutions. She just created a consulting group through which she mentors start-up home health care company executives. But her tour de force is a New England-wide conference for home health care providers, slated for spring 2013. In these ways, Sergeant makes a difference not just for Caring Solution’s clientele, but for people all across New England. Sandra Sergeant, R.N., President