Caregivers

Cat has been working for Hired Hands for 8 years.  Being a veteran caregiver, she frequently takes on some of our higher acuity and more challenging clients.  “I love to tell stories to make my clients laugh.  Laughter is such an effective way to redirect a client who is struggling with memory issues.”

“I was a Navy Corpsman where I received fantastic training.  Afterwards I worked for years as an RN in the prison system.  That experience was challenging. I worked under conditions that simply would not occur in a mainstream hospital setting.  I learned so much.”  Cat enjoys the opportunity to work one on one with her clients.  That is the big difference from her nursing days.

Cat is an avid gardener and loves eating the fruits of her labor.

“The best complement I’ve received from Hired Hands was once when I … Read More »

Lacey has been a caregiver for 2½ years.  Prior to working with seniors, she was a Nanny, working with small children.  She earned her CNA and is currently working toward becoming a Registered Nurse. 

 “I became a caregiver because I love to interact with others, especially when they need help.”  As we know mental attitude can be fundamental to a senior’s well being.  You can tell that this is key in Lacey’s mind by the care she gives everyday. “What I like most about being a caregiver is being able to brighten up someone’s day, keeping them positive.”

 “It really makes me feel like I am making a difference when my client says, ‘I appreciate you and everything you do for me!’”

And we appreciate you, Lacey, for making that difference for your clients!  Thank you! ! !

Estefania began working with Hired Hands in April of 2014 after earning her CNA certificate at Santa Rosa Junior Collage.  She has worked with a number of clients ranging in several different levels of care.

“It’s very rewarding, working with seniors. Sometimes a simple gesture is all it takes to make a difference in someone’s day!  Simple things that we take for granted can be really challenging for seniors to do for themselves.  It makes me so happy and grateful for what I can do to help.”

“I had been working with client for about a year when I began to notice a decline in her condition.  Then I began to notice other differences and she was becoming more withdrawn.  I notified the office and they worked with the family to increase her care.  Shortly after, she got pneumonia, we … Read More »

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today is a day of festivity, of celebration, of color and of magic. Hired Hands Homecare is truly honored to work so closely with many, many members of the Latino Community, who make such a critically significant and important impact on the lives of the families we work with. While most of us honor and observe this day as a light and festive holiday, we recognize the immense importance of this day to the nation, history and culture of all Latinos.   We can only hope that those in Washington, and across the country, can possibly re-evaluate the value and importance of our great neighbors to the south.

In the name of familia, of history and of independence, and honor… a happy Cinco de Mayo to all!

Sincerely,
The Hired Hands Homecare Family

Latinos in the Workplace Conference
Date: March 10, 2016
Time: 7:30 am – 11:30 amLocation:
Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa
2777 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA

Join us today as we celebrate Latinos in the Workplace.  We salute this amazing group of people that are such an absolute important part of our Community!

An educational forum that seeks to help all employers provide a safe, productive and enriching work environment for Latino employees and empower Latinos to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Speakers and Topics:

Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane, 3rd District
Opening Remarks

Brett Martinez, President & CEO, Redwood Credit Union
Building Organizational Culture and Leadership from Within

David M. Lanier, Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency

Juliann Sum, Chief of Cal/OSHA Division of Occupational Safety and Health
Providing a Safer Workplace in the 21st Century
Diana Ruiz, President and Founder of the Women’s Global Leadership Initiative
Effective Strategies to Recruit, Retain and Develop Latino Talent

Andre Arbelaez, President of … Read More »

The Holidays can be an especially difficult time for families.  It is also a time that our Team can band together, and do some of our most important work.  Below is a letter we just received, that truly honors the importance of not only What we do, but How we go upon it.

December 7, 2016

 Staff at Hired Hands Homecare
10 Commercial BLVD, Ste 102
Novato, CA  94949 

Dear Friends at Hired Hands, 

Thank you so much for honoring the life of Rody with the planting of a tree in his name.  That is a lovely way to be remembered, and will be appreciated by our family. 

Each day I think of the fine people who were involved in Rody’s care.  I think of the consistent and constant arrivals with a smile and a good morning … Read More »

Sonoma’s September Employee of the Month

Our latest Employee of the Month is Zufan Almedom! Zufan began working for Hired Hands Homecare in December of 2015. Zufan brings to the table years of CNA experience, a positive attitude and a willingness to jump in and help when needed. Thanks Zufan!!

“I called the house to check in and spoke with Katherine. She told me Zufan has been great with her husband and she asked that we send Zufan back to cover nights whenever she can. She’s really proactive!”

 During our conversation, Becky told me that Zufan and the staff have been doing a wonderful job and Becky is glad we have her on their weekly team!

 I called Sharon to check in, introduce myself and see how Zufan had done today. Sharon told me, “Zufan was wonderful! She helped Lee with a bed … Read More »

 …but not of the crimes you think you committed.

You think you’re guilty of not spending enough time with your loved ones. That you’re guilty of failing them because you are considering part-time in-home care or a full-time skilled nursing facility.

No. Here’s what you are probably guilty of instead:

Working too hard
Neglecting your own emotional and physical health
Judging yourself too harshly

Although immensely rewarding, caregiving for a cherished family member is one of the hardest things you will ever do, and the role of caregiver often comes at the busiest stage of one’s life. Caregivers in California often have full-time jobs on top of caregiving, plus children and spouses who need attention, too.

How do I know if I’m working too hard? The first thing you need to do is admit that you’re working too hard. Pull out a sheet of paper and make … Read More »

Here is Linda!

Linda Gasaway has been chosen as the Employee of the month for September.

She has been with Hired Hands Homecare a little over 3 years.  Linda has been a rock star go-to caregiver for those hard to staff 3 hour shifts.

We can always rely on Linda to show up and do an outstanding job. Her clients love her and have only high praise feedback about her job performance.

Most of us are juggling a number of balls at any given time, and for caregivers, it often feels like they’re juggling knives and flaming swords on top of it. It’s common to feel overburdened and guilty when you’re a caregiver for a loved one, whether that person is your spouse or your parent.

Guilt can manifest in many ways. Maybe you feel like you’re spending too little time with your loved one. You may feel guilty about considering an assisted living facility for your loved one. You might feel guilty when your loved one’s dementia-fueled behaviors caused you to snap. Or you could feel guilty about neglecting your own children’s needs in order to care for your senior loved one.

The most important things to remember are: You are doing the best you can, and it’s okay to seek help.

Let’s take … Read More »