February 14, 2025 • 16 mins
Personal care services provide vital support for families facing the challenges of aging. We explore the offerings of Circle of Life Personal Care and the emotional and practical benefits of hiring help, emphasizing that everyone deserves quality care.
• Importance of personal care services in aging
• Circle of Life's background and service offerings
• Differences between personal care and hospice care
• Screening and hiring practices for caregivers
• Payment options for personal care services
• Recognizing signs for needing personal care
• Emotional benefits of investing in caregiving support
• Circle of Life's nonprofit model and community reach
• Call for listeners to explore personal care options
Information to help you answer all of your questions about aging.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Answers on Aging, the podcast dedicated to
helping you navigate thecomplexities of growing older.
Your host is Todd Whatley, acertified elder law attorney
with a passion for empoweringthe aging community and their
families, From finances andlegal matters to health,
long-term care and beyond.
We've got you covered, Becauseevery question you have we aim
(00:24):
to answer.
Dive into today's episode andlet's uncover the truth about
aging together.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
That's right.
This is the Generations LegalGrid podcast and my name is Todd
Whatley and, as always, I amvery appreciative of everyone
who downloads and listens, andtoday I have a very special
guest.
My guest today is Teresa Millsand she is with Circle of Life
Personal Care, which issomething that's kind of new,
(00:52):
and so that's why we have her onand we're going to talk about
that.
So, teresa, thanks for beingwith me today, thanks for having
me.
So tell me just I thinkeverybody knows what Circle of
Life is, but tell me basicallywhat Circle of Life is, and then
we'll get into this specificbranch.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Circle of Life was started about 30 years ago a
little over 30 years ago as ahospice, and we're very well
known, very well established inthe area.
We have since added on.
We have care, navigation aswell the DME side for our
hospice patients.
We just kind of have our handson a lot of things.
(01:34):
Circle of Life Personal Carewas started a little over a year
ago at the suggestion of someof our donors and our clients
who were on hospice, and it is awe're filling a need in the
community for personal care andthat encompasses bathing,
dressing, personal grooming,toileting, mobility and
transfers errands, meal prep.
(01:55):
I mean just a host of thingsthat we can do.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
So I think my question when we were talking
before the show was is this partof Circle of Life Hospice?
Do you have to have a hospicediagnosis to do this?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
No, absolutely not.
We do have a lot of clients whoare on hospice, and that's kind
of how this was an outgrowth ofthat.
But we have clients who are noton hospice.
We have clients who may havehad a heart bypass and need us
to.
They can't drive, so they needus to take them places where
they may have had a hipreplacement or a knee
replacement, or it could besomeone with Alzheimer's or
(02:33):
dementia and the family can'tleave them alone safely.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Okay, interesting, and so let's go through real
quick.
What are some of the services?
The typical services, and thenmaybe some of the unique things
y'all can do.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Most generally, when someone needs personal care, it
seems that they're having somemobility challenges.
They need someone to help themtransfer and that can be using a
gait belt.
It can be kind of standby asthey're using their walker.
They're trying to get stronger,or sometimes it's with the
Hoyer lift.
They cannot get out of bed.
(03:11):
So we utilize our caregivers,and we have caregivers that are
very experienced.
We utilize CNAs and we alsoutilize PCAs.
We don't hire just anyone, wehire the best of the best.
So it gives families that peaceof mind that there's someone
who knows what they're doingthat can help them with their
(03:31):
loved one.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
And I'm sure there are background checks and things
like that.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Absolutely.
We do background checks, we dodrug screens, we check
references.
We're pretty thorough on that.
Circle's been around a longtime and it's important to us to
maintain that standard thatthey've set.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, Circle of Life is very dear to me.
My mother volunteered there andthen she passed away there, and
so it is.
You know, it is very special,and so I think one thing that
I'm not sure that all careagencies do is you said that you
can drive people differentplaces we can.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Yeah, we do.
Part of our background check isa driving and criminal offense
check, right?
So we check to make sure weclear it with our interviewees
when we're talking to them Areyou okay driving a client around
either in your personal car orin their car?
So as part of that we have tohave a copy of their insurance
(04:30):
at all times.
If it expires I'm on them.
Hey, I need a new copy of this,right?
I'm sure it's annoying, butit's part of it.
But we can drive and it happensa lot.
People don't want to pay themileage for the personal car, so
we'll use the client's car andthey're absolutely fine with
that.
We can take them to doctor'sappointments, we can take them
shopping, grocery shopping, allkinds of errands, whatever works
(04:53):
for them.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Okay.
Do they need a physician'sreferral for this?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
They do not, okay, no this is just simply.
Hey, we need a little extrahelp.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Okay, so let's talk about payment.
I'm sure everybody's concernedabout payment, so I know hospice
is paid for by Medicare, butthis is not under the hospice
diagnosis.
This is not part of hospice.
This is private pay.
What else pays for it?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Long-term care insurance will pay for it.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
And if the client is eligible for the Veterans Aid
and Attendance, that willreimburse them for it as well.
Okay, private pay.
Yes, we are not the cheapest inthe area, but we again hire the
best of the best and we providethe kind of service that you
expect from Circle.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Okay, do you want to talk about price?
Speaker 3 (05:47):
It ranges.
We also don't have any minimumnumber of hours.
We can go out for as little asone hour or as long as 24 hours,
and we literally have clientsthat run the gamut.
We do have some that want onehour.
That's more expensive, it's alittle more challenging
sometimes.
So typically our typical ratesrange anywhere from 30 to 42 or
(06:09):
36 to 42.
Pardon me, okay, if it'sshorter than four hours, you're
looking at more like 45 to 50.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Okay, got it.
So I know we've talked aboutsome people with diagnosis, but
what would you tell ourlisteners out there?
What are some signs or thingsthat they need to be looking for
, or signs that they're seeingthat you need to get someone in
to help?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, there are so many, as you well know.
My mind automatically goes tomemory, to cognitive challenges,
because that is so common asyou age and it can be
Alzheimer's dementia.
It can just be age-relatedcognitive decline, because that
is so common as you age and itcan be Alzheimer's dementia.
It can just be age-relatedcognitive decline, right?
So forgetfulness, falls, falls,is huge.
If your loved one is falling alot, you probably need a gait
(07:02):
belt, you need a walker, you mayneed a wheelchair.
There's a lot, but you needhelp Because, as you know as
well, falling leads to more ERvisits, which leads to more
decline.
It's just this cycle, so youdon't want to leave them alone.
So, when you need to gosomewhere, when you want to be
the child, when you want to bethe spouse, the niece, the
(07:22):
nephew, whatever your role is,you want to be the family member
and not the caregiver.
When you have to be thecaregiver in addition to being
the family member and not thecaregiver, when you have to be
the caregiver in addition tobeing the family member, it
changes your relationship andyou don't get to enjoy that
loving relationship becauseyou're always on pins and
needles, thinking, OK, what do Ineed to do to keep them safe.
That's where we come in.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, that's true, and so one of my favorite
stories.
I had a client come in one timeand she said she said, todd, I
just want to take a bath.
I just I want to go take a bathwithout him knocking on the
door coming in bugging me.
She said I just want to take abath and she said I've hired
(08:03):
home care people to come in andspend time with.
She said I don't go anywhere,they just entertain him and keep
him off the bathroom door.
So I can go take a bath Verycommon.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
It's that.
It's you know.
We've had spouses say I want togo to my Bible study, I need to
go grocery shopping, I can'tleave for more than 15 minutes.
15 minutes isn't a break.
It's not even a smoke break ifyou smoke right.
So yeah, taking a bath, seeingyour friends, going to lunch,
doing anything, just you needyou time to be able to love your
(08:41):
loved one the way that you wantto.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yeah, yeah, I like what you said and I'm not sure
if you heard that from me, but Ihad a client one time who said
you know, getting the care thatI needed for my husband, let me
be the wife again.
Absolutely, and it brings tearsto my eyes every time I think
of that, you know.
She said I was anything but hiswife and now, with someone else
doing all the stuff that needsto be done, I can go sit, hold
(09:07):
his hand, kiss him on the cheek.
I'm not mad at him, I'm notexhausted, I'm not frustrated.
She said I just get to sitthere and be his wife and I was
like man, that's important.
I mean, that's worth 36 to 40bucks an hour.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
It's huge, it is absolutely huge.
It also is huge because of thephysical toll that it takes,
right Absolutely.
And so children are watchingtheir mom or their dad take care
of their other parent andthey're watching that parent
that's doing the caretakingdecline and the thing that they
absolutely don't want to happenis to lose them both in a short
(09:44):
span of time, and that's whathappens pretty commonly.
Span of time and that's whathappens pretty commonly and it's
really very common for the like, if there's, if the spouse has
dementia, for the non diagnosedspouse to pass before the one
because they're expending somuch physical energy.
So, it's huge.
I have that conversation allthe time with the children and
(10:06):
with the spouse to encouragethem to get the care and not
feel guilty about it.
It's okay to need help andthat's a big issue as well.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Yeah, you're not admitting defeat.
You're actually getting thecare that you need and people
you know.
No one likes the nursing homeand sometimes by hiring a home
care agency can put off nursinghome admission by a year or two.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Absolutely, especially when the children or
the spouse.
You know I've promised them notto put them in the nursing home
.
It's an irrational promise, butI understand it.
Yeah, but we, you know honestly, we are there and most of the
time our patients do not go to anursing home because they've
(10:52):
been able to hire us, because,again, we're in that continuum
with Circle right, if you're noton hospice to start, we're
right there with you, and whenyou're hospice ready, it's not
the same staff, but it's thatcontinuum so they're able to
have that comfort.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
The staff you had can talk to the staff that you get.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Absolutely.
It's that continuum.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
So they're able to have that comfort.
The staff you had can talk tothe staff that you get.
Absolutely, it's very simple.
Wow, I hadn't thought aboutthat, but that's great.
So y'all started a year ago.
Correct.
Things are going well.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Things are going really well.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
I bet I mean Circle of Life just has a really good
name in the community and theydo a lot of good work.
So what area do you cover?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Pretty much anywhere Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
I mean.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Madison County, washington County.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Benton.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
County?
Yes, absolutely, we are allover the area.
We we can even go to CarrollCounty.
It's just a matter of finding acaregiver, either there or one
of our caregivers that will gothere.
Like I, have clients in MadisonCounty right now, which is a
growing area.
People are trying to move outfurther, right?
Yeah, that's true.
So a lot of clients in theCenterton, bella Vista, rogers
(12:02):
area, so a lot up here, and then, you know, obviously in
Fayetteville, greenland, westFork, all over.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Okay, do, and you know obviously in Fayetteville,
greenland West, fork all overOkay.
Do you go into Missouri andOklahoma?
Not yet, okay, you just can'tor you just don't.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
No, we haven't explored that just yet.
We're still getting our feetunder ourselves for this, but it
is going really well.
It ebbs and flows somewhat, butI'm never bored.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I can imagine.
I can imagine with staffing andpeople, and so that's another
thing real quick, that I tellpeople they're like man, that's
a lot of money and you knowthat's expensive and I'll just
hire some girl from the churchor whatever.
The problem is, when you haveone person that you're relying
on, they don't show up and youwere planning on going somewhere
(12:52):
.
You don't get to go somewhere.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Happens a lot.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Yeah, where with y'all?
If someone doesn't show up,you're like well, okay, you're
one or two phone calls away fromsomeone else who can show up.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
You have people on standby ready to go, so that
somebody's going to be there.
Yes, you have people on standbyready to go, so that somebody's
going to be there.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
Yes, and the other nice thing about us is that my
team lead and I split on call.
So there's one of us on call24-7.
Okay, Something happens at 8o'clock.
They're supposed to be there at10 o'clock.
We're on the phone, scrambling,trying to find someone and I
would say 99% of the time wefind someone.
(13:30):
Our caregivers are really good.
They care.
That's why they do what they doand that's part of what we
screen for.
One of the questions we askthem is what brought you to
caregiving?
And almost all of them have apersonal story.
You know my grandpa.
I took care of my grandpa, myaunt, my mom, whoever it is.
But they see the value in itand they also know how hard it
(13:51):
is to take care of your lovedone yourself.
So they're wanting to help.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Wow, okay, interesting.
All right, how can people getin touch with you?
Speaker 3 (14:01):
Well, our Circle of Life website.
We do have a page on there, soyou can always find us there,
but you can reach us directly bycalling or texting 479-334-3319
.
Okay, or you can call479-872-3394.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Okay, and those numbers will be in the show
notes so you can check out theshow notes when you get this
podcast and it'll be there.
Is there anything else that wedidn't cover that you want to
talk about?
Speaker 3 (14:34):
No, it went so easy.
I was like it just flowed.
It's just a conversation.
Yeah, it was great.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
Well, I am so glad because I love circle of life.
I think y'all y'all do a greatjob.
I've been on your board beforeand I just think in your
nonprofit right.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Yes, the personal, care is still it's still a
nonprofit and I have to tell you, include this or not being a
nonprofit makes a difference,sure, and it doesn't always, but
in this case, in my experience,circle is a unicorn.
We do things differently, butwe this case, in my experience,
circle is a unicorn Okay, we dothings differently, but we do
(15:13):
things for the right reasons.
Okay, and that means something.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
It does, it does, absolutely so, okay, well, I
would encourage all, if you'restruggling a little bit and need
some help, y'all do free phonecalls.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
Absolutely.
We do an assessment on everyoneand have that conversation and
we follow up, whether theychoose us or not.
A lot of times we just want tomake sure that they've gotten
the help they need.
Good.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
So, even if you're not sure, particularly if you're
not sure call, and it may notbe the right time right now, but
they can have you on their listand you've got Circle of Life
on your list as being OK.
Now I need somebody, and it'sjust a very, very good process.
So I encourage you all to call479-334-3319 or 479-872-3394.
(16:03):
Ok, well, teresa, thank youvery much for being here and
hopefully we'll have you back ina year or two and you can.
You can have some cool storiesand tell us how good it's going.
Okay, sounds great.
So thank y'all for listening.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
I appreciate it and we will see you next time and
that's a wrap for today'sepisode of answers on aging.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey of discovery and
understanding.
For more resources, detailedshow notes and expert advice on
the many facets of aging, don'tforget to visit our website at
wwwanswersonagingpodcastcom.
(16:38):
Remember, growing older mightbe inevitable, but doing it with
grace, knowledge andempowerment is a choice.
Until next time, stay informedand keep those questions coming.
Welcome to Answers on Aging, the podcast dedicated to
helping you navigate thecomplexities of growing older.
Your host is Todd Whatley, acertified elder law attorney
with a passion for empoweringthe aging community and their
families, From finances andlegal matters to health,
long-term care and beyond.
We've got you covered, Becauseevery question you have we aim
(00:24):
to answer.
Dive into today's episode andlet's uncover the truth about
aging together.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
That's right.
This is the Generations LegalGrid podcast and my name is Todd
Whatley and, as always, I amvery appreciative of everyone
who downloads and listens, andtoday I have a very special
guest.
My guest today is Teresa Millsand she is with Circle of Life
Personal Care, which issomething that's kind of new,
(00:52):
and so that's why we have her onand we're going to talk about
that.
So, teresa, thanks for beingwith me today, thanks for having
me.
So tell me just I thinkeverybody knows what Circle of
Life is, but tell me basicallywhat Circle of Life is, and then
we'll get into this specificbranch.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Circle of Life was started about 30 years ago a
little over 30 years ago as ahospice, and we're very well
known, very well established inthe area.
We have since added on.
We have care, navigation aswell the DME side for our
hospice patients.
We just kind of have our handson a lot of things.
(01:34):
Circle of Life Personal Carewas started a little over a year
ago at the suggestion of someof our donors and our clients
who were on hospice, and it is awe're filling a need in the
community for personal care andthat encompasses bathing,
dressing, personal grooming,toileting, mobility and
transfers errands, meal prep.
(01:55):
I mean just a host of thingsthat we can do.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
So I think my question when we were talking
before the show was is this partof Circle of Life Hospice?
Do you have to have a hospicediagnosis to do this?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
No, absolutely not.
We do have a lot of clients whoare on hospice, and that's kind
of how this was an outgrowth ofthat.
But we have clients who are noton hospice.
We have clients who may havehad a heart bypass and need us
to.
They can't drive, so they needus to take them places where
they may have had a hipreplacement or a knee
replacement, or it could besomeone with Alzheimer's or
(02:33):
dementia and the family can'tleave them alone safely.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Okay, interesting, and so let's go through real
quick.
What are some of the services?
The typical services, and thenmaybe some of the unique things
y'all can do.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Most generally, when someone needs personal care, it
seems that they're having somemobility challenges.
They need someone to help themtransfer and that can be using a
gait belt.
It can be kind of standby asthey're using their walker.
They're trying to get stronger,or sometimes it's with the
Hoyer lift.
They cannot get out of bed.
(03:11):
So we utilize our caregivers,and we have caregivers that are
very experienced.
We utilize CNAs and we alsoutilize PCAs.
We don't hire just anyone, wehire the best of the best.
So it gives families that peaceof mind that there's someone
who knows what they're doingthat can help them with their
(03:31):
loved one.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
And I'm sure there are background checks and things
like that.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Absolutely.
We do background checks, we dodrug screens, we check
references.
We're pretty thorough on that.
Circle's been around a longtime and it's important to us to
maintain that standard thatthey've set.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, Circle of Life is very dear to me.
My mother volunteered there andthen she passed away there, and
so it is.
You know, it is very special,and so I think one thing that
I'm not sure that all careagencies do is you said that you
can drive people differentplaces we can.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Yeah, we do.
Part of our background check isa driving and criminal offense
check, right?
So we check to make sure weclear it with our interviewees
when we're talking to them Areyou okay driving a client around
either in your personal car orin their car?
So as part of that we have tohave a copy of their insurance
(04:30):
at all times.
If it expires I'm on them.
Hey, I need a new copy of this,right?
I'm sure it's annoying, butit's part of it.
But we can drive and it happensa lot.
People don't want to pay themileage for the personal car, so
we'll use the client's car andthey're absolutely fine with
that.
We can take them to doctor'sappointments, we can take them
shopping, grocery shopping, allkinds of errands, whatever works
(04:53):
for them.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Okay.
Do they need a physician'sreferral for this?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
They do not, okay, no this is just simply.
Hey, we need a little extrahelp.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Okay, so let's talk about payment.
I'm sure everybody's concernedabout payment, so I know hospice
is paid for by Medicare, butthis is not under the hospice
diagnosis.
This is not part of hospice.
This is private pay.
What else pays for it?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Long-term care insurance will pay for it.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
And if the client is eligible for the Veterans Aid
and Attendance, that willreimburse them for it as well.
Okay, private pay.
Yes, we are not the cheapest inthe area, but we again hire the
best of the best and we providethe kind of service that you
expect from Circle.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Okay, do you want to talk about price?
Speaker 3 (05:47):
It ranges.
We also don't have any minimumnumber of hours.
We can go out for as little asone hour or as long as 24 hours,
and we literally have clientsthat run the gamut.
We do have some that want onehour.
That's more expensive, it's alittle more challenging
sometimes.
So typically our typical ratesrange anywhere from 30 to 42 or
(06:09):
36 to 42.
Pardon me, okay, if it'sshorter than four hours, you're
looking at more like 45 to 50.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Okay, got it.
So I know we've talked aboutsome people with diagnosis, but
what would you tell ourlisteners out there?
What are some signs or thingsthat they need to be looking for
, or signs that they're seeingthat you need to get someone in
to help?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, there are so many, as you well know.
My mind automatically goes tomemory, to cognitive challenges,
because that is so common asyou age and it can be
Alzheimer's dementia.
It can just be age-relatedcognitive decline, because that
is so common as you age and itcan be Alzheimer's dementia.
It can just be age-relatedcognitive decline, right?
So forgetfulness, falls, falls,is huge.
If your loved one is falling alot, you probably need a gait
(07:02):
belt, you need a walker, you mayneed a wheelchair.
There's a lot, but you needhelp Because, as you know as
well, falling leads to more ERvisits, which leads to more
decline.
It's just this cycle, so youdon't want to leave them alone.
So, when you need to gosomewhere, when you want to be
the child, when you want to bethe spouse, the niece, the
(07:22):
nephew, whatever your role is,you want to be the family member
and not the caregiver.
When you have to be thecaregiver in addition to being
the family member and not thecaregiver, when you have to be
the caregiver in addition tobeing the family member, it
changes your relationship andyou don't get to enjoy that
loving relationship becauseyou're always on pins and
needles, thinking, OK, what do Ineed to do to keep them safe.
That's where we come in.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, that's true, and so one of my favorite
stories.
I had a client come in one timeand she said she said, todd, I
just want to take a bath.
I just I want to go take a bathwithout him knocking on the
door coming in bugging me.
She said I just want to take abath and she said I've hired
(08:03):
home care people to come in andspend time with.
She said I don't go anywhere,they just entertain him and keep
him off the bathroom door.
So I can go take a bath Verycommon.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
It's that.
It's you know.
We've had spouses say I want togo to my Bible study, I need to
go grocery shopping, I can'tleave for more than 15 minutes.
15 minutes isn't a break.
It's not even a smoke break ifyou smoke right.
So yeah, taking a bath, seeingyour friends, going to lunch,
doing anything, just you needyou time to be able to love your
(08:41):
loved one the way that you wantto.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yeah, yeah, I like what you said and I'm not sure
if you heard that from me, but Ihad a client one time who said
you know, getting the care thatI needed for my husband, let me
be the wife again.
Absolutely, and it brings tearsto my eyes every time I think
of that, you know.
She said I was anything but hiswife and now, with someone else
doing all the stuff that needsto be done, I can go sit, hold
(09:07):
his hand, kiss him on the cheek.
I'm not mad at him, I'm notexhausted, I'm not frustrated.
She said I just get to sitthere and be his wife and I was
like man, that's important.
I mean, that's worth 36 to 40bucks an hour.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
It's huge, it is absolutely huge.
It also is huge because of thephysical toll that it takes,
right Absolutely.
And so children are watchingtheir mom or their dad take care
of their other parent andthey're watching that parent
that's doing the caretakingdecline and the thing that they
absolutely don't want to happenis to lose them both in a short
(09:44):
span of time, and that's whathappens pretty commonly.
Span of time and that's whathappens pretty commonly and it's
really very common for the like, if there's, if the spouse has
dementia, for the non diagnosedspouse to pass before the one
because they're expending somuch physical energy.
So, it's huge.
I have that conversation allthe time with the children and
(10:06):
with the spouse to encouragethem to get the care and not
feel guilty about it.
It's okay to need help andthat's a big issue as well.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Yeah, you're not admitting defeat.
You're actually getting thecare that you need and people
you know.
No one likes the nursing homeand sometimes by hiring a home
care agency can put off nursinghome admission by a year or two.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Absolutely, especially when the children or
the spouse.
You know I've promised them notto put them in the nursing home
.
It's an irrational promise, butI understand it.
Yeah, but we, you know honestly, we are there and most of the
time our patients do not go to anursing home because they've
(10:52):
been able to hire us, because,again, we're in that continuum
with Circle right, if you're noton hospice to start, we're
right there with you, and whenyou're hospice ready, it's not
the same staff, but it's thatcontinuum so they're able to
have that comfort.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
The staff you had can talk to the staff that you get.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Absolutely.
It's that continuum.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
So they're able to have that comfort.
The staff you had can talk tothe staff that you get.
Absolutely, it's very simple.
Wow, I hadn't thought aboutthat, but that's great.
So y'all started a year ago.
Correct.
Things are going well.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Things are going really well.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
I bet I mean Circle of Life just has a really good
name in the community and theydo a lot of good work.
So what area do you cover?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Pretty much anywhere Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
I mean.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Madison County, washington County.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Benton.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
County?
Yes, absolutely, we are allover the area.
We we can even go to CarrollCounty.
It's just a matter of finding acaregiver, either there or one
of our caregivers that will gothere.
Like I, have clients in MadisonCounty right now, which is a
growing area.
People are trying to move outfurther, right?
Yeah, that's true.
So a lot of clients in theCenterton, bella Vista, rogers
(12:02):
area, so a lot up here, and then, you know, obviously in
Fayetteville, greenland, westFork, all over.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Okay, do, and you know obviously in Fayetteville,
greenland West, fork all overOkay.
Do you go into Missouri andOklahoma?
Not yet, okay, you just can'tor you just don't.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
No, we haven't explored that just yet.
We're still getting our feetunder ourselves for this, but it
is going really well.
It ebbs and flows somewhat, butI'm never bored.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I can imagine.
I can imagine with staffing andpeople, and so that's another
thing real quick, that I tellpeople they're like man, that's
a lot of money and you knowthat's expensive and I'll just
hire some girl from the churchor whatever.
The problem is, when you haveone person that you're relying
on, they don't show up and youwere planning on going somewhere
(12:52):
.
You don't get to go somewhere.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Happens a lot.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Yeah, where with y'all?
If someone doesn't show up,you're like well, okay, you're
one or two phone calls away fromsomeone else who can show up.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
You have people on standby ready to go, so that
somebody's going to be there.
Yes, you have people on standbyready to go, so that somebody's
going to be there.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
Yes, and the other nice thing about us is that my
team lead and I split on call.
So there's one of us on call24-7.
Okay, Something happens at 8o'clock.
They're supposed to be there at10 o'clock.
We're on the phone, scrambling,trying to find someone and I
would say 99% of the time wefind someone.
(13:30):
Our caregivers are really good.
They care.
That's why they do what they doand that's part of what we
screen for.
One of the questions we askthem is what brought you to
caregiving?
And almost all of them have apersonal story.
You know my grandpa.
I took care of my grandpa, myaunt, my mom, whoever it is.
But they see the value in itand they also know how hard it
(13:51):
is to take care of your lovedone yourself.
So they're wanting to help.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Wow, okay, interesting.
All right, how can people getin touch with you?
Speaker 3 (14:01):
Well, our Circle of Life website.
We do have a page on there, soyou can always find us there,
but you can reach us directly bycalling or texting 479-334-3319
.
Okay, or you can call479-872-3394.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Okay, and those numbers will be in the show
notes so you can check out theshow notes when you get this
podcast and it'll be there.
Is there anything else that wedidn't cover that you want to
talk about?
Speaker 3 (14:34):
No, it went so easy.
I was like it just flowed.
It's just a conversation.
Yeah, it was great.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
Well, I am so glad because I love circle of life.
I think y'all y'all do a greatjob.
I've been on your board beforeand I just think in your
nonprofit right.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Yes, the personal, care is still it's still a
nonprofit and I have to tell you, include this or not being a
nonprofit makes a difference,sure, and it doesn't always, but
in this case, in my experience,circle is a unicorn.
We do things differently, butwe this case, in my experience,
circle is a unicorn Okay, we dothings differently, but we do
(15:13):
things for the right reasons.
Okay, and that means something.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
It does, it does, absolutely so, okay, well, I
would encourage all, if you'restruggling a little bit and need
some help, y'all do free phonecalls.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
Absolutely.
We do an assessment on everyoneand have that conversation and
we follow up, whether theychoose us or not.
A lot of times we just want tomake sure that they've gotten
the help they need.
Good.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
So, even if you're not sure, particularly if you're
not sure call, and it may notbe the right time right now, but
they can have you on their listand you've got Circle of Life
on your list as being OK.
Now I need somebody, and it'sjust a very, very good process.
So I encourage you all to call479-334-3319 or 479-872-3394.
(16:03):
Ok, well, teresa, thank youvery much for being here and
hopefully we'll have you back ina year or two and you can.
You can have some cool storiesand tell us how good it's going.
Okay, sounds great.
So thank y'all for listening.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
I appreciate it and we will see you next time and
that's a wrap for today'sepisode of answers on aging.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey of discovery and
understanding.
For more resources, detailedshow notes and expert advice on
the many facets of aging, don'tforget to visit our website at
wwwanswersonagingpodcastcom.
(16:38):
Remember, growing older mightbe inevitable, but doing it with
grace, knowledge andempowerment is a choice.
Until next time, stay informedand keep those questions coming.
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