February 2, 2025
Serving to Arms Warming Hearts is devoted to delivering nutritious meals, offering dwelling well being assist, and providing medical transportation providers.
Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Candice Ray understands the challenges underserved communities face in accessing high quality healthcare. Her journey started at 16 when she landed her first summer time job at a nursing facility. This expertise ignited her ardour for affected person care, healthcare operations, and advocating for the aged. That early publicity set her on a path to bridge the hole between expertise, coverage, and compassionate senior in-home care.
With a Grasp’s diploma in Well being Care Ethics and a Bachelor’s diploma in Well being Care Administration from Saint Joseph’s College, Ray gained beneficial expertise at distinguished well being establishments reminiscent of Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and Temple Well being. Her experience in implementing Epic methods, processing claims, credentialing suppliers, and strategizing affected person motion uniquely positions her to assist seniors.
Recognizing the rising challenges in senior in-home care, Ray took the initiative. In 2019, she based Serving to Arms Warming Hearts LLC (HHWH), a corporation devoted to delivering nutritious meals, offering dwelling well being assist, and providing medical transportation providers.
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Ray concerning the impression of healthcare coverage on senior care, her holistic strategy to wellness, and the personalization required for in-home care.
Affect Of Healthcare Coverage On Diet And Care For Seniors
Current modifications in healthcare coverage, notably the expansions of Medicare and Medicaid, have enhanced entry to dwelling and community-based providers. The Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Providers (CMS) now acknowledge that growing old in place is commonly less expensive and helpful for the psychological and bodily well being of seniors.
“The federal government realizes that maintaining seniors at dwelling with the appropriate care is extra sustainable,” Ray explains. “We’re ready to fulfill this demand with providers that guarantee seniors stay wholesome and impartial.”
Rising meals prices from inflation have made it harder to fund senior meal applications. Ray continues to advocate for ongoing funding in meals applications to make sure that all seniors in want have entry.
A Heat Meal With A Private Contact
One of many company’s standout providers is Inflight Delicacies, a meal supply program that gives seniors nutritionally balanced meals tailor-made to their dietary wants. “We deal with our seniors like household,” Ray says. “We wish to present them with meals that really feel like dwelling—heat, comforting, and nourishing.”
This system begins with an consumption evaluation to doc dietary restrictions. Members then choose from a wide range of menu choices, together with worldwide dishes, to make sure they really feel included and valued. This customized strategy makes Inflight Delicacies a key ingredient of the company’s mission to assist seniors’ well-being.
Empowering Independence With Customized Care
HHWH emphasizes independence by equipping caregivers to foster self-sufficiency whereas delivering important assist. “In-home care is about balancing independence and help,” Ray factors out. “We provide the instruments and assets seniors must really feel empowered, whether or not by means of assistive gadgets, group involvement, or customized care plans.”
By encouraging acquainted routines and every day actions, caregivers help seniors in sustaining their confidence and independence, permitting them to maintain dwelling on their very own phrases.
Holistic Method To Well being and Wellness
HHWH goes past commonplace in-home care by offering well being screenings, transportation providers, private care, and companionship. “Managing healthcare might be overwhelming for seniors and their households,” Ray says. “Our objective is to simplify the method by serving as a one-stop concierge for dwelling and community-based providers.”
With expanded telehealth insurance policies, extra seniors can now entry digital medical consultations, decreasing the necessity for pointless journey. “We’re incorporating telehealth assist into our in-home care mannequin,” Ray shares. “This ensures our shoppers obtain well timed medical consideration with out added dangers.”
As transportation prices improve, it stays a precedence to make sure that seniors can attend medical appointments. The company works with policymakers to advocate for larger funding and assets for senior mobility applications.
Adapting To Evolving Wants
HHWH frequently adapts its providers by means of common well being assessments, caregiver coaching, and open communication with shoppers and households in a fast-changing healthcare panorama. “We construct sturdy relationships with our individuals,” Ray says. “By constant monitoring and schooling, we alter our care to make sure the perfect outcomes.”
Ray additionally retains tempo with business tendencies by incorporating progressive strategies and applied sciences to boost providers. With a federal push for improved in-home healthcare funding and elevated scrutiny on long-term care amenities, she believes that companies like hers are extra essential than ever. “The way forward for senior care is dwelling care,” Ray asserts. “We’re ready to supply high-quality, complete assist that allows seniors to age with dignity.”
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