From Jim Guller, President & Owner:

Please join me in welcoming Chad Keeling to Cooperative Home Care and All-Staff Nursing in the position as Referral Specialist on our sales team.  I am very excited that Chad has decided to join our company because of his background and past record of success. 

I learned a few things on a recent trip to purchase a recliner for my 71 year-old Dad.  After falling and severely bruising his hip, he could not sit comfortably on his current furniture, and resting in his bedroom all day was increasing his feelings of depression and isolation.

The plan was to surprise Dad with a more comfortable chair that would raise his spirits.  Though he'd always flatly refused a lift chair because he thought it would look different than a standard recliner (they generally don't), he also had his heart set on leather.  Leather is slick so our retailer didn't offer a leather, lift chair.  These factors guided our decision to purchase a leather, non-lift luxury-type recliner that my Dad loves.  Finally able to sit comfortably while elevating his injured leg, his recovery progressed much more quickly after this purchase.

I've never thought of "comfort feeding" as a clinical term until I read these articles by The New York Times and HealthCentral.com.  They reminded me of my early experiences as a caregiver working with adults with brain injuries.  My top priority as a young and inexperienced caregiver was to maintain a safe environment between the clients who were aggressive and impulsive as a result of their injuries.  Those who needed help eating?  They definitely received assistance as prescribed, but rarely in this most therapeutic manner.  As my understanding of the individuals for whom we were caring grew, another priority became to ensure my client's nutrition was approached compassionately as well as clinically.

It's not easy to feed an adult who cannot feed him or herself, whether you are a hired caregiver or family member.  It takes a strong stomach and an even stronger heart.  But the feelings of soothing and well-being imparted through comfort feeding, are well worth the effort.