Viviana DeCohan gave an inspiring address at the quarterly meeting of Osborn Home Care’s Peer Advisory Committee today. Thirty home health aides, including a balance of veterans and new hires, were invited to a luncheon with senior management from The Osborn and Osborn Home Care.
Mrs. DeCohan is part of the Visiting Development Care Group, LLC, an organization that provides services to people with Alzheimer’s and other serious illnesses. She is also the Assistant Pastor at Mt. Vernon Heights Congregational Church and a popular motivational speaker.
Mrs. DeCohan commended those who choose the home care profession and spoke about the exceptional position that home health aides occupy in the lives of those they care for – as well as their families. “Getting to know the patient, observing them and reporting changes to the family and nurse -- your role is so important.”
She declared that people who work in the field have a rare “calling” and that they “Care…not just ‘for’ their clients but ‘about’ them!” She added, “You are adding life to these people.”
Using colorful anecdotes from her own experience caring for a relative with Dementia, she cautioned the group about the risks of caregiver stress. “You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.”
In her speech, Mrs. DeCohan regularly used the Greek word, Koinonia that refers to the commitment members in a community or partnership make to care for each other. In her experience, she believes that when an aide forms a deep relationship with a patient, both become better for it.
Mrs. DeCohan has worked with The Osborn over many years, referring patients and getting to know the staff. “You are the leaders in the field, always willing to give exceptional service.”
Those inspirational words launched the afternoon activity in which small groups of aides brainstormed with managers about ways to improve the level of service for clients -- even more.
(l to r): Eileen Killeen, VP Osborn Home Care; Michele Thomas, EVP Osborn Home Care; Viviana DeCohan; Matt Anderson, CEO of The Osborn and Osborn Home Care