Sinai Family Home Services hires de Souza to manage care

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2009-03-15T00:00:00

Ines de Souza, RN, BSN, brings 20 years of nursing experience to her new role as home care manager for Sinai Family Home Services.

Formerly a research nurse at Oregon Health and Sciences University, de Souza said her new post allows her to use her education background in patient and caregiver education. She joined the non-profit in-home care agency Jan. 26.

Cedar Sinai Park and Jewish Family and Child Service founded SFHS in 2007 to provide a continuum of care for seniors wherever they choose to live. SFHS provides home care services based on Jewish values. As a home care agency, SFHS provides personal care, medication assistance, transportation, housekeeping, guidance and family support in addition to coordinating other necessary services.

De Souza said her new position offers “huge variety. I’m really enjoying it.”

Originally from Brazil, de Souza moved to Portland from Houston 10 years ago. Her daughter, Natalie Cedillo, 11, attended Portland Jewish Academy from first through fourth grade. De Souza said both she and her daughter still have great friends they met through the school.

Seniors wanting to remain in their own homes or adult children no longer able to provide sole care for parents living with them can call de Souza for a free initial assessment.

“If a caregiver—a son or daughter or daughter-in-law—is having burnout, we are here to help them at their home or in an assisted living setting,” she said. “I go wherever they are living temporarily or long-term. I do a personalized care plan. Whatever help they need, we find the right match.”

De Souza said it is very important to match client’s personality and needs with a caregiver with whom they feel comfortable.

SFHS offers three levels of care. Homemaker care, at $18 per hour, includes light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation to appointments and shopping, companionship and other services that do not require hands-on care. Personal care, which is $21 per hour, includes hands-on care such as assistance bathing and walking. Complex care, $23.50 per hour, includes services such management of medications and checking blood pressure or glucose levels.

Services are available for as little as four hours per shift and up to 24 hours a day. Private pay and long-term care insurance are accepted.

SFHS is located at 7412 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy No.106, Portland. De Souza can be reached at 503-542-0088 or HomeCare@SinaiFamily.org. For more information visit www.SinaiFamily.org.