About Calm Harbor Placements
Nancy’s Background
Nancy Haberman has been an RN in Geriatric Care for over 30 years, working exclusively in long term care settings in the greater King County area. She has devoted herself to the care of the aging population and knew back in her teen years that she wanted to work with this population.
Nancy’s nursing education started while working for Nordstrom in the women’s shoe department. With utmost customer service, her clientele grew and she specialized in those very hard to fit feet and mostly elderly folks. On occasions she would take shoes to clients’ homes so they could try the shoes on in their own quiet space. Going to nursing school was a natural fit and with the support of her husband, she dove in. She continued to work for Nordstrom throughout nursing school.
Nancy's extensive experience spans diverse healthcare environments, including postoperative care, staff development, and training of nursing assistants and staff. She held management positions at two continuing care retirement communities in Seattle, and was also the infection control RN for nursing facilities. Additionally, she has worked as a consultant in assisted living communities, offering guidance on regulations and ensuring compliance.
Embracing opportunities in Geriatric Care Management, Nancy provided personalized care, accompanying elders to medical appointments, organizing in-home care, and prioritizing their medical needs. Her client relationships, built on trust, spanned many years, with her longest-lived client under her care for 15 years.
Calm Harbor Placements History
In the course of her extensive career in Geriatric Nursing, Nancy encountered numerous instances where families sought guidance in choosing the right care setting for their loved ones. These times can be stormy and tumultuous for families, like being lost in a rough sea. Leveraging her broad knowledge of various long-term care options, Nancy has been a steady guide, helping families understand the pros and cons of each choice.
In 1994, she discovered adult family homes, finding them more appealing than skilled nursing facilities. Nancy began teaching caregiver classes and offering "Nurse Delegation" for adult family homes, a requirement for RNs to routinely provide delegation and revisit homes every 60 to 90 days. As her expertise grew, individuals sought her assistance in finding the optimal place for their seniors to thrive, laying the foundation for her vision of Calm Harbor Placements.
Why ‘Calm Harbor Placements?’
This business is all about finding housing placements for seniors, so that’s fundamental to the name. The word ‘calm’ connotes peace and tranquility - the opposite of chaos. This transition in the life of an elderly person can feel very chaotic. Nancy’s goal is to be a calming presence in the placement process. A harbor is a place to find shelter, especially during rough or turbulent times. She desires to provide that type of experience for families seeking the right housing fit for their ailing senior.
“Adult family homes are my first choice for those folks who need 24-hour supervision and care. Calm Harbor Placements was created to calm those rough seas and ease the challenges of finding quality care for loved ones. ”
— Nancy
Nancy and Adult Family Homes
Unlike most placement agents, Nancy actually works IN the adult family homes with staff, providing nurse delegation in East King County. This unique perspective allows her to intimately know both caregivers and owners, along with understanding the dynamics among clients in the home. Nancy assesses staff turnover, stability, and the cognitive levels of clients, informing decisions for placements of alert individuals and those in deep dementia.
Recognizing the importance of working within budgets, Nancy is highly sensitive to financial constraints. She goes beyond, considering details such as the presence of pets in homes, evaluating if clients desire a pet-friendly environment. Lifestyle preferences are also a key factor, whether clients prefer a neat and tidy setting or enjoy the presence of small children. Each of these considerations plays a crucial role in Nancy's placement recommendations.
Attentive and Concierge-Style Care
Nancy approaches each placement with the utmost care and attention, offering highly tailored recommendations based on each client’s specific needs. In order to do so, she limits the number of clientele she can serve at any given time, thus ensuring a high level of customer service and support.
Work Experience Summary
Post operative floor nurse, caring for up to 25 patients at a time and managing nursing assistants
Wound care and Infection Control RN for skilled nursing facilities
Instructor at Nursing Assistant Training Institute for caregivers and Adult Family Home Providers
Consultant for Assisted Living Communities in effort to remain in compliance with state regulations
Assistant Director of Nursing at two Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Geriatric Care Manager for several clients who stayed with Nancy up to 15 years until passing
Self employed Nurse Delegator and Assessor for Adult Family Homes in East King Co starting January 2011
Elder care placement advisor, finding ideal care settings throughout all of the years she has been an RN