Recognizing The Signs: When To Make A Caregiving Plan

Recognizing The Signs: When To Make A Caregiving Plan

Caring for aging loved ones is a responsibility that many of us will face at some point in our lives. As our parents, grandparents, or other family members grow older, it becomes crucial to assess their needs and consider creating a caregiving plan. In this blog, we’ll explore the signs that indicate when it’s time to initiate a caregiving plan for the person in need, ensuring their well-being and providing the support they need.

  1. Changes in Physical Health: One of the first indicators that it may be time to create a caregiving plan is noticeable changes in the person’s physical health. Keep an eye out for signs such as difficulty with mobility, unexplained weight loss, chronic pain, or the development of new health conditions. Regular medical check-ups can help identify and address these issues early on.
  2. Cognitive Deadline: Memory loss and cognitive decline are common concerns as individuals age. If you notice significant changes in your loved one’s ability to remember, make decisions, or perform daily tasks, it may be time to consider a caregiving plan. Early detection of conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s allows for better management and planning for the future.
  3. Increased Dependence: Pay attention to any signs of increased dependence on others for daily activities. This could include difficulty with personal care, challenges in managing medications, or struggles with household chores. When a person begins to rely more heavily on assistance, it’s an indication that a caregiving plan may be necessary to ensure their safety and well-being.
  4. Social Isolation: Isolation and loneliness can have significant negative impacts on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. If your loved one is becoming increasingly isolated, either by choice or due to physical limitations, it’s time to consider how a caregiving plan can incorporate social activities, companionship, and community engagement.
  5. Safety Concerns: Assess the living environment for safety concerns. Falls, accidents, or difficulties in navigating the home are red flags that should prompt the creation of a caregiving plan. Implementing safety measures and making necessary modifications to the living space can help prevent accidents and injuries.
  6. Communication Challenges: Pay attention to communication patterns. If your loved one is having difficulty expressing themselves, experiencing challenges in understanding others, or displaying signs of frustration with communication, it may be indicative of underlying health issues. A caregiving plan can include strategies to address these challenges and ensure effective communication.
  7. Family Caregiver Burnout: If you or other family members involved in caregiving are experiencing burnout or finding it increasingly challenging to meet the needs of the person in need, it’s a clear sign that a caregiving plan should be developed. Seeking support, whether through professional caregivers, community resources, or respite care, can alleviate the strain on family caregivers.
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Alexandria, LA

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Alicia D. Reed

Field Supervisor

Alicia has been with Amian Care Services LLC since November 2023; originally hired as a Direct Service Worker then promoted to Field Supervisor in February 2024.

Alicia has over 18 years’ experience as a Direct Service Caregiver and has worked for several Home Health Care agencies.  She is caring and professional…a proven asset to our agency and clients. 

Alicia is CNA and Phlebotomy qualified.

Carol Green

Field Supervisor

Carol has been Field Supervisor at Amian Care Services, branch in Alexandria, LA sínce October 2023. Carol has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northwestern StateUniversity, Natchitoches, LA December 2O14.

Carol is knowledgeable in Support Coordinator agencies, Social Security Administration, Medicaid, and Medicare Programs.

Carol has over two (2) years of experience in Care planning, transitioning residents from Nursing homes into the Community and budgeting.

Carol has over fifteen (L5) years of experience in Accounts payables and accounts receivables, Finance Director, managed funds for 28 Group Homes (284 residents) monthly. Reconciled bank accounts for 284 residents monthly, Medicaid billing for 28 Group Homes (284 residents), Administrative assistance, tax preparation, and writing of insurance policies.

Shoniqua S. Dixon

Field Supervisor

Ms. Dixon is currently a Field Supervisor at the Alexandria, La Amian Care Services LLC office. She was originally hired as DSW in June 2022 and promoted to Field Supervisor in May 2023. Ms. Dixon supervises 70 DSWs; 35 directly, over 45 clients; 22 directly, she also assists with timesheets, prepares schedules, conducts home inspections, meets with clients, completes monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Ms. Dixon has over 12 years of experience as a direct service worker as well as experience at Pinecrest Support Services. Ms. Dixon took care of 10 individuals on a home and assisted with their daily living and made sure their needs were met.

Ms. Dixon is a proven asset to our office staff, home care workers and clients.

Alicia O'Neal

Billing Manager

Alicia works with Amian Care Services in the Alexandria office. She has been employed with Amian Care Services since September, 2023. Alicia processes direct service workers’ timesheets and works with the Accounting Manager in the Lafayette office to get the timesheets corrected and processed each week. She fìles corrected timesheets in clients’ files every week.

Alicia has worked in clinics in Opelousas, Alexandria, Jena, and for a mobile radiology company. Alicia also has lab assistant, receptionist, book keeping, and retail experience. She worked at J. Levy Dabadie Correctional Center in Pineville as a Re-Entry/Transitional Specialist before the center was shut down July 2012. Alicia graduated from LSUE in 2010 with an Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology. She has been ARRT certified since May 2010. Alicia is a member of the Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Julie A. Thrasher

Administrator

Julie is the Amian Care Services Agency Administrator in Alexandria and directly responsible for a staff of over 70 Direct Service Workers, an office staff of 6 Field Supervisors, all providing in-home care services to over 50+ clients throughout several parishes in Central Louisiana. 

Julie was a Licensed Administrator of large nursing homes in New Orleans, LA for over 20 years; worked for Medical Resources as a Guidance Support Coordinator, a CSP Medicaid Eligibility Coordinator, a Legal Secretary for LA State Police Headquarters, a Substitute Teacher at Pinecrest State School.

Julie graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Social Communications and an Associate of Science degree from Louisiana State University at Alexandria in Science and Sociology.

Sophia Meche

Field Supervisor

Sophia is a kind, hardworking, compassionate Field
Supervisor/Caregiver with 18 years of experience working In Home/ Assisted living facilities. 

“I’m very passionate about elder care, skilled at managing schedules and keeping client’s as active as possible.”

Sophia has been working at Amian Care Services since June 2022 as a Direct Support Worker (DSW) and  was promoted to the position as Field Supervisor.

Shane Erwin

CEO/Owner

Shane has been in the medical field for over 25+ years working in Emergency Medical Services, the hospital Emergency Room, RN Director for Home Health/Hospice and a RN for patient’s workman compensation claims. This wide raging, diverse experience in healthcare and management brings extensive medical knowledge to the company.

 

J. Michael Jones

Administrator Assistant/HR Manager

Michael is the Amian Care Services, Human Resource Manager and the Direct Assistant to the Agency Administrator located in Alexandria, La.

Michael is a retired United States Air Force veteran with 25 years of service with a background in Personnel Management, Financial Management, Information Technology Management, with training in Operations, Resource Management, Financial Auditing, Security, Readiness, Deployments, Combat Tactics, Self-Defense, and War-Fare, Combat Survival.

Michael has a Community College of the United States Air Force Associate Degree (CCAF) in Human Resources Management and various military and civilian advanced certifications. 

Deborah Malone

Registered Nurse

Debbie graduated from LSUA in 1984 with an Associate Degree in Nursing and is currently the RN for both the Alexandria and the Lafayette locations and assigned regions. She has been an RN since 1985 and worked for Rapides Regional Medical Center for 35 years in the Emergency Department as Staff RN, Coordinator and Education Instructor; in Home Health as Staff RN; a Staff RN at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Surgery Department, a Charge Nurse in the Rapides Surgery Department, and finally in the hospital’s Endoscopy Department.

Her primary duties at Amian Care Services include supervising and monitoring health care for our clients which include the clients initial Nursing Assessments, the yearly health Re-Assessments and monitoring medications when admitted to our care and when any medication changes are made by their physicians. Debbie provides educational instruction to our workers upon hiring, provides consultation on health/medical related matters coordinates and compiles the company’s on-going QA/QI program.

Jennifer Collins

Accounting Manager – Board of Directors

Jennifer has been the Accounting Manager with Amian Care Services since July 2014 and has played an instrumental role in the company’s billing and accounting department. Jennifer was brought on as a Medical Billing & Coding Specialist and in January 2019 was promoted to Accounting Manager. As Accounting Manager, she oversees all areas of finance and administration including billing, collections, payroll, and accounts payable & accounts receivable. She is a member of the Amian Care Services, Board of Directors.

Jennifer has over 18 years of experience as a Certified Medical Billing & Coding Specialist and has prior experience working in hospitals, home health care, private practice medical offices & medical law offices.

Shemeka Ned

Administrator

Shameka Ned is currently the Agency Administrator of Amian Care Services in the Lafayette location. Shameka has been with Amian for over 20 years and counting. She started with the company in 2002 as a Direct Service Worker (DSW) and was promoted to home manager of a 24-hour residence. In 2008, she became a Field Supervisor overseeing and managing clients as well as direct care workers. In January 2017, she became the client service manager where she assisted the office administrator, human resources and billing department. Shameka was promoted to an Agency Administrator and has restructured the office to focus on quality assurance and improved client care.

Shameka is a licensed CNA, with extensive experience in case management, billing, employee payroll, and human resources.

Vickie Hart

Agency Compliance Officer

Vickie is the Amian Care Services Compliance Officer for both the Alexandria and Lafayette office locations, specializing in working with the agencies Supervised Independent Living Clients and Veterans Administration.

Vickie brings over 20+ years of personnel management and healthcare services experience. Ms. Hart was an Assistant Principal and teacher in Elementary and Secondary Education for the Rapides Parish School Systems and active in the Rapides Parish Chamber of Commerce, President of Rapides Parish Republican Women’s Club. 

Vickie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Louisiana State University and a Master Degree in Management from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Michael A. Kramarz

Chief Financial Officer – Board of Directors

Michael has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Amian Care Services for the past 10 years.

Michael was employed as Accounting Manager for Assurant Group, a 6 billion dollar insurance company and was responsible for the accounting, budgeting and payroll functions and responsible for quarterly consolidations to assist with its SEC and company tax filings, a staff accountant at VandenToorn & Associates CPA firm where he was responsible for compilations and reviews of financial statements, as well as all corporate tax return preparation and the CEO of Oncologix Tech, Inc, a publically traded medical devide and healthcare company..

Michael holds a Certified Management Accountant Designation (CMA) and a Certified Public Accountant Designation (CPA), and a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration in Accounting from Aquinas College and a Masters in the Science of Taxation from Grand Valley State University.