10th Annual Homewatch CareGivers Conference: Preparing for Change
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., May 13, 2013 — Homewatch CareGivers held its 10th Annual Franchise Conference in Denver in spring 2013. With the conference theme “Foundations for Growth,” the Homewatch CareGivers conference sessions focused on capitalizing on opportunities offered by health care reform and playing a significant role in successful care transitions.
This strategic outlook included the participation and involvement of leadership from Gentiva Home Health & Hospice, including a keynote address by Gentiva Vice President Dean Johnson. Homewatch CareGivers and Gentiva work together to help individuals avoid gaps in care by sending in caregivers to provide continuous care that complements Gentiva’s skilled, intermittent care. Gentiva leadership also played a large role in a one-day workshop preceding the conference.
In addition, Elizabeth Zink-Pearson, an industry expert, talked about widespread possibilities stemming from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA); Health and labor law attorney John Gilliland also discussed the impact of the companionship exemption and new health care exchanges; and Homewatch CareGivers’ Executive Director of Quality & Outcomes, Jette R Hogenmiller, PHD, MN, APRN, offered insight on the necessity of private duty agencies delivering on health care outcomes.
Branching out from the main focus on health care reform, Franchisees also benefited from a keynote address and one-on-one guidance from Mel Kleiman, an internationally recognized authority on how to recruit and hire top-level employees, and Chanda Crutcher, a geriatric care manager with 20 years of experience, who focused on the unique services elder care managers deliver to their clients.
Franchisees also had the opportunity to talk face-to-face with several business partners during a vendor expo, including:
Employee supplemental insurance options
Back-up care
Employee background checks
Professional designation in education specific to seniors
Business insurance
Home health and hospice
Quality management programs
Nonprofit national representation for private duty home care
The 10th Annual Conference was a landmark step forward in strategic outlook for the entire Homewatch CareGivers network. Excitement is already building for the 2014 conference.
