What is the Best In-Home Care? An Interview with Qiu “Cho” Quanhong

Today, SevenPonds speaks with Qui “Cho” Quanhong, the Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care (CCC). Since opening its doors in 2001, CCC has been serving San Francisco and the Bay Area with top-notch in-home care services. “There’s a kind of privacy, dignity and independence you want with [your] personal care and assistance,” explains CCC on their company philosophy. Whether you’re nearing end of life or living with a chronic condition, their team will be there to listen and empower.

Qui “Cho” Quanhong.
(Credit: CCC)

MaryFrances: What is Compassionate Community Care (CCC)?

Cho: CCC is an award-winning home care agency in Northern California. We provide the best compassionate home care for all in need. We empower people to be independent and happy while living in their own homes in their own way.

MaryFrances: What is your role at CCC? What attracted you to the company?

Cho: My role is the Executive Director at CCC. I see myself as the leader, the coach and supporter for our employees and clients. We have no bureaucracy – [we’re just] a wonderful and caring team [with] great support from our corporate officers. I have a fair amount of freedom to do what’s the best for the company, our employees, clients and the community.

MaryFrances: Your website mentions that you work “collaboratively with a network of community resources” to help your clients. Can you expand on that? Do you work with other hospitals?

Cho: Yes, there are many resources in the community that are able to provide services to our clients – but, unfortunately, people aren’t aware of them. We work closely with various community-based organizations to provide free service referrals that benefit our clients.

“I realized the importance of quality of life as opposed to the quantity of life.”

–Qui “Cho” Quanhong

MaryFrances: Do you provide meals and activities for your clients?

Cho: Yes, our caregivers prepare nutritious, delicious meals that our clients enjoy. We also engage them in different activities that they really enjoy and benefit from.

MaryFrances: I’m curious — do you provide funding through Medi-Cal?

Cho: We do not provide funding through Medi-Cal, however we can provide services to clients who are enrolled in the Medi-Cal programs that we have a contract with.

The team at CCC.
(Credit: CCC)

MaryFrances: What do you think sets CCC apart from other in-home care companies?

Cho: “Compassion” is the bottom line of CCC. We live up to our name. We believe in the highest quality of service and go the extra mile to provide what’s best. We focus on preventative care, which helps to improve our clients’ quality of life, as well as holistic care; we care for our client’s body, mind and spirit — not just physical needs. Our cultural competency is very special as well. We have multilingual and multicultural staff, and we provide training on cultural competency. Our clients have the option to choose the caregivers whom they feel comfortable with to address their specific needs.

Cho’s Three Tips Regarding In-Home Care:

1) Make it clear to the home care agency regarding your expectations and wishes
2) Find a good home care agency that can provide all of the necessary services and support that you require
3) Try to start in-home care earlier, if possible, not until the last minute

MaryFrances: The word “independence” comes up a lot on your site, which is inspiring when you consider the CCC’s purpose is to provide help to others. How do you cultivate independence in the life of someone who needs constant assistance, or is nearing end of life?

Cho: We empower our clients to be independent by providing any and all assistance they need, and encouraging them to do as much they can do.

Credit: CCC

MaryFrances: Can you recall a specific moment from your work with CCC that influenced the way you think about death and dying?

Cho: When I witnessed the suffering, anxiety and fear from a dying client, I realized the importance of quality of life as opposed to the quantity of life.

Death and dying is part of our life and is inevitable. I felt compelled to do something to help people improve their well being in their body and mind. It’s helpful to prepare for a peaceful and fearless death and dying experience.

MaryFrances: Thanks, Cho.

Cho: Thank you.

More SevenPonds interviews:

• What is Reiki? An Interview with Michelle Wallace
• Learning to Enhance Life, by Embracing Death. An Interview With Lily Myers Kaplan.
• What is a green funeral? An Interview with Esmerelda Kent