Dennis Fancy has met families at every stage of the aging journey since founding TheKey Winnipeg in 2017. He’s built a team that matches caregivers with clients thoughtfully, and then customizes care plans to individual needs.
That’s increasingly important in Manitoba. Here, population trends through 2036 predict a larger, older population than ever before. As it stands, nearly 20 percent of folks from Brandon to Winnipeg and everywhere in between are over the age of 65. That includes nearly 30,000 citizens aged 85 and older. At TheKey, Fancy’s caregivers focus on meeting the needs of this evolving demographic group. Drawing on that experience, he suggests families ask three key questions when exploring in-home care options for seniors:
1. How do you match the right caregiver with the right client?
Caregiver fit is absolutely essential to a successful caregiving relationship. Many families overlook this dynamic when talking about caregiving options—but that’s a mistake. Fancy says: “We do a lot of digging to understand a client before we match them with a caregiver. Thriving in a home care relationship requires a real connection between the senior and the caregiver. We get to know clients and their families, and ask questions that extend beyond medical needs to understand what a senior likes or dislikes, as well as their personality, interests and abilities. This helps us find someone who can really support their physical and mental wellbeing overall.”
2. What do your caregiving plans cover?
There’s a big difference between delivering medication and engaging a senior in meaningful ways. At TheKey Winnipeg, Fancy’s team customizes plans to individual needs and personalities. For instance, a caregiver might spend time in a senior’s back garden, talking about the flowers that have always meant so much to them. In another case, they might come prepared with games to help someone with dementia feel stimulated and connected. He says these seemingly small things are all part and parcel of TheKey’s Balanced Care MethodTM . It’s a holistic approach that considers seniors’ physical and mental wellbeing.
3. Are different levels of care available?
Knowing what a senior needs today is one thing. It’s also important to understand how their needs might change over time, and be prepared. Fancy suggests families get a very clear understanding of how broad a given provider’s in-home care offerings extend. “When seniors and caregivers build relationships and become companions, it has a really positive impact on quality of life. You want to ensure that the care provider you choose can move through the aging process alongside the senior, and that you won’t have to change things up if medical or other needs should change quickly.”