Shelby grew up on a farm in southern WA where she found her passion for nature, animals and plants. She lives in Tumwater with her husband, 8 month old daughter, and three cats. She enjoys hiking, doing art, and playing video games. On the weekend, you may find her out in her backyard gardening or with her daughter doing artwork.

We have received a supply of KN95 masks, courtesy of CHOICE Regional Health Network to distribute to our caregivers. These are some of the best face masks available and are worn by medical professionals in many health care settings. The KN95 mask is designed to provide effective respiratory protection against all sorts of particles, including bacteria and viruses. The KN95 masks are also supposed to provide 95% protection against particles that are greater than 0.3 µm in diameter. This means that the mask should protect you from bacteria, viruses, pollution particles, fine particles, dust, smog, pollen, and reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infections.  

·      Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer before putting the mask.

The Advanced Health Care offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26th for Thanksgiving. We will reopen on Friday at 8am, November 27th for regular business hours. May you all enjoy your friends, family, and feasts this Thanksgiving. If you are working to take care of a client this Thanksgiving, thank you!

Please call or email Mychael to update him on any changes before there is a delay in getting this important document out to you. W2s are typically mailed out by January 31st. Thank you!

PARs - What You Need to Know

Our schedulers are working hard to process PARs requesting time off that have been submitted recently. To expedite this process, please remember the following:

·       Please submit requests for time off at least two weeks prior to the requested date.

·       Requests for time off on a holiday, or a holiday week, must be submitted 30 days prior to the requested date. It is not helpful to submit holiday PARs more than two months early. Holiday PARs are processed 30 days prior to the holiday.

·       You may include consecutive dates on the same PAR, but if you are requesting separate dates, or more than one sequence, please use separate forms. For example, if you want to be off 12/3 and 12/15 and 12/16, please use one PAR for 12/3 and another PAR for 12/15 and 12/16. Multiple requests on the same form will be returned for correction.

·       We try hard to be fair. If more than one caregiver requests time off for the same client, we consider seniority, history of time off requests, and when the request was submitted.

·       Be open to accepting an additional shift, or trading with another employee, to accommodate your request for time off.

·       We cannot grant every request for time off. Many clients need help every day and we must be sure we have enough staff working to cover our shifts. If your request is denied you may request an alternate day.

·       Remember, your time off request is not approved until you receive the signed PAR back from the scheduler. If you do not hear from the scheduler within a few days of submission, please call to check status.

Our scheduler, Hillary, and her husband welcomed their 2nd son into the world earlier this week on November 3, 2020. Baby Elijah weighed in at 6 lbs, 13 oz. Both mom and baby are at home and doing well. We will all miss her in the office for the next couple months, but she is enjoying some much deserved time off with her new little one. Congratulations, Hillary!

Topic: Tube Feeding and Oral Care.

Reminder: The RN Supervisors are always available to set up in person, 1-on-1 training sessions at your convenience. If you want more training in certain areas or to practice things like hoyer lift transfers, end of life care, etc., they are here to help you succeed!

 Darlene P. 22 years - WOW!

Lori W. 12 years

Erl P. 10 years

Larisa J. 8 years

Yolanda S. 6 years

Katiely C. 1 year

        * Dental        *  Vision        *  Life

If you are currently enrolled and/or if you meet eligibility requirements, you will be contacted directly by JoAnne in HR to discuss any changes and options. Eligible employees must work an average of 30 hours per week for two consecutive months.

In addition, if you are considering purchasing medical insurance from the exchange, www.wahealthplanfinder.org, pen enrollment is November 1 through December 15, 2020 for health coverage to start January 1,2020. Our insurance broker, GHB Insurance, is happy to assist you with this process if needed. Contact Tamie Maxim, email: tamie@ghbinsurance.com or call (800)789-5011.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, followed by more holidays, celebrations and traditions, people are starting to make plans for the 2020 holiday season that will be like none we have ever seen.

As we all struggle with the challenges of the pandemic, questions are arising such as "Should my kids go

trick or treating, and if so how?" "Will the family gather for Thanksgiving?" "What will other holidays be like?"

and "Can we travel to see the family?" These questions and many more are likely at the top of our minds,

or will be soon.

Each individual and family will have their own beliefs about what activities they will feel comfortable doing, and with whom. Your First Choice Health EAP clinical account executives are sharing the following list of helpful local and national resources as we begin to navigate this tricky season. We hope you will find

these useful and as always, please reach out to your EAP if you have any questions or need advice this holiday season. We're here 24/7 to support you and your covered family members at 1-800-777-4114 or www.firstchoiceEAP.com.

www.coronavirus.wa.gov/information-for/you-and-your-family/safer-gatherings

This Month's Caregiver Heroes

We've had the opportunity this month to both witness and hear about how you, our home care heroes, are helping our clients and making a difference in their lives. We want to highlight some of their quotes here:

Doris T.  "Doris knows what to do. She is so efficient and busy the whole time she is there. My mother enjoys her company and would love to have her more often".

Uli, daughter of a client

Amanda S. "Amanda just seemed to fit right in. I had a lot of laundry that needed folding and she jumped right in and started helping, without even being asked. My husband seemed to take to her right away and didn't complain once. Not even after she left! Thank you for finding such a perfect fit for us".

Ann, wife of client

Awa N. and Michael C. "I work with a lot of agencies, and AHC is by far the best and has the best caregivers! Awa and Michael contributed so much to the last days of Mr. S.'s life and made such a difference in how he lived. They were compassionate and advocated for him, and June (client's spouse) consistently. These are two of the best caregivers I've ever worked with."

Jovie, Providence hospice RN for the clients

Ana M. "The caregiver stays on top of everything he needs, so I don't have to worry about it. She makes sure he is shaved every day. She prepares him food and treats him like family. She really cares about him. He likes her. He does not speak, so she has figured out ways to communicate with him."

Dana, wife of client

Brenda C. "I think my caregiver is very good. I appreciate that she helps me take a bath and that she will wash my hair for me. I like that she will change my bed. She is pleasant to be around."

Dorothy, client

Zandra T.

Alexys F

Annamaria H.

Hope J.

Nelson M.

Naomi N.

As temperatures start to drop and the sun is setting sooner, we want to remind you of a few important things to put on your "caregiver checklist" as you prep for winter months.