2019 Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference Coming to Tacoma: "Food for Thought"
September 28th, Saturday
Bellarmine Prep, 9a-1p
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Many of you like to attend this conference every year. AHC will be there with our table and we hope to see some of our caregivers there again this year! *
This conference counts towards your education points at your annual evaluation.
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While we don't have a traditional
September in-service
for you this month (it didn't apply to home care), we do have a lot of educational opportunities that you can take advantage of in September and October.
Alzheimer's Conference, Diabetes class and the End of Life team meeting - all details included in this newsletter.
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Save the Date: End of Life Care Team Meeting
Wednesday, October 24, 2019
5:30pm-7pm
This is when our next
"End of Life Care"
team meeting and support group will be in the Lakewood office in the ProCare classroom. Led by our own Judy, RN, anyone is welcome to attend! This meeting is especially important for those who work with hospice patients, have a desire to learn more about end of life care, or who have lost clients.
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Meet Our New Admin Staff:
Nicole and Wadella
We are so happy to welcome these 2 new administrative staff members to our AHC family. We think you will really love them both. Please welcome them to the team the next time you see or speak to them. In the mean time, here's a little bit of info so that you can get to know them better!
Nicole Carrell
- Nicole is our new administrative assistant, handling all of the front desk/reception duties for both AHC and Procare in our Olympia office. Nicole says:
"I j
ust recently moved from Wenatchee, WA. I came from American Behavioral Health Systems (Parkside), where I worked as a Behavioral Health Technician. I currently live in Lacey and I’m loving this area! I have 2 fur babies that I love dearly; Cajun, my cat, and Bindi, my dog, are the best companions a girl could ask for.
I love being outdoors, walking my dog, swimming in a lake or just watching the sunset. My hobbies include anything involving horses and I like to draw and paint in my pastime.
I’m looking forward to starting a long term career with AHC. Everyone is so wonderful here and I absolutely love what we do – helping others is something very important to me. My grandmother would have loved our services since keeping her independence and staying in her home was so important to her. I also look forward to purchasing some property in the next couple years (I have plans to add horses to my family)."
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Wadella Richards, RN, BSN
Wadella joins us as a nursing supervisor. Wadella says, "I am a military spouse and we recently moved here from GA. I have 3 children (2 boys and a girl).
When I am not working, I enjoy painting various arts, crafting with clay, and experimenting with recipes. I truly enjoy beaches, but I am growing to love the trails here in WA.
My most recent background was as a Clinical Nurse Manager at a wound care clinic in GA. I was with the company for 6 years. Prior to that, I worked in a variety of settings to include LTC, rehab, clinics, oncology, med.surgery and local jails." Wadella is also currently working on finishing her Master's Degree and will graduate in November 2019. "Since being employed here, I really appreciate the warmth from the employees. AHC has great communication with staff and clients. I look forward to continuing that with the company."
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ClearCare
Tip of the Month:
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As we approach another month of using Clear Care, we hope that you’re getting more familiarized with using the app - especially with clocking in and out. Here are a few helpful reminders:
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When clocking out of your shift, make sure to go all the way to the end and click the
orange “CONFIRM”
button to finalize your clock out. If you don’t go through that last step, your clock out won't be complete.
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If you arrive late or leave early from your shift, please make sure you still clock in and out (even if you’ve called the office). We will make a note about your specific instance, but you are still required to clock in/out with the exact time of your shift.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions about the app. We’d be happy to assist you.
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2019 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S:
CHOOSE YOUR CITY and JOIN OUR TEAM
Sunday, September 15th - Tacoma
Sunday, Septmber 22nd - Olympia
Tacoma: University of Puget Sound Campus, Todd Field, at 12pm
Olympia: Heritage Park, 5th Ave, downtown Olympia at 10am
Put on your walking shoes and
JOIN US as both offices of Advanced Health Care "walk to end Alzheimer's!" Teams are now forming. We need you, your families, your friends, and even pets can join us to walk. Our goal is to support and raise awareness to show we care about the people affected by this disease. Please let
Lynessa know if you can walk with either team that day.
It's only about 90 minutes of your time so come out and join us!
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Caregiver Profile:
April S. and April B. both celebrate 10 years with AHC!
April S.
What do you love about being a caregiver?
It will be 18 years this month that I have been a caregiver. I just enjoy taking care of people and making them laugh. It's a really enjoyably job if you love it.
Any advice you would give to a newer caregiver? Just go in with confidence if you are nervous. Most clients are good about helping you, and if it's over your head, give the nurse a call.
Why have you stayed with Advanced Health Care for 10 years
?
I enjoy that you guys care about us as caregivers and I love that I have a nurse for a supervisor that I can talk to.
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April B.
What do you love about being a caregiver?
I did private caregiving before this job, so I've been caregiving for about 12 years now. I love helping people; putting a smile on their face. When I’m able to help them, that’s what makes me happy.
Any advice you would give to a newer caregiver? Listen to clients and you can learn a lot about them. Interact with them to get to know them so that you learn their likes and dislikes. Most clients like to talk and tell stories. You can find out a lot about them that way.
Why have you stayed with Advanced Health Care for 10 years
?
I like being here because the scheduling is flexible, I like the people I work with, the company, and most of all, I like the clients I have.
Thank you for your 10 years
April and April!
We appreciate you.
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Congratulations to caregiver,
Jeannie H.
She has gone from an NAR to a licensed
CNA!
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We are proud of your accomplishment! Enjoy your pay increase and new title!
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WELCOME to our NEW EMPLOYEES hired in August
We want to welcome the new team members who joined AHC last month:
Victoria D.
Tammy M.
Liberty C.
Jennie H.
Grace M.
Alexa B.
KaSandra C.
We are so happy you have chosen to be a part of our caring team!
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Flu Shots
It's that time of year again. Kids are heading back to school, the weather is cooling, and soon the flu virus will be soon spreading! Get vaccinated now to prevent illness later. Contact JoAnne in HR for information on how to have us pay for your vaccine. We pay for flu shots for employees when you visit Kaiser or Concentra.
jmartinez@advanced-healthcare.com
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September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month
Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Fall death rates are also on the rise - over 30% from year 2007-2016. Here are a few practical tips to help keep your clients safe!
~Keep things a client uses often on lower shelves (about waist high).
~Remove rugs or use doubled sided tape so that rugs don't slip or come up at the edges.
~Place a lamp or flashlight near the bed, where it's easy to reach.
~Keep clutter picked up off of floors, especially in high traffic areas of a client's home.
~Encourage clients to have regular eye exams and foot care appointments. Healthy eyes and feet are a key to staying independent!
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Do you know a great
CNA or
nurse who can help us grow and serve more clients? Tell them about our jobs here at Advanced Health Care and if they are hired* you earn a $200 bonus!
Contact JoAnne in HR for details*
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Many of you have not yet joined our closed
Facebook group that we created for Advanced Health Care employees. We want to encourage you to please join the conversation!
While it might seem intrusive,
we assure you that we can't see anything personal on your page unless you have your settings set to "public". We simply use this platform as a way to build community among our caregivers and our office staff.
This is group designed for
you to share caregiving tips, encourage each other, and receive up to date communication from the office in short posts when it's convenient for you!
What are we posting? Interesting articles you might like, new baby photos, photos from AHC events, opportunities for education, open shifts and incentives, newsletter links, in-services, changes in administration, weather updates, traffic issues, phone problems, etc
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Join this private group today by clicking this link!
Catch up on what you've been missing.
All employees who join the group by September 15th, will have their names entered into a drawing to win a $25 Target Card!
We will announce who won on Monday, September 16th.
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September Anniversaries to Celebrate:
Penny A. 19 years
Louise A. 2 years
April B. 10 years
Gail C. 5 years
Maria D. 2 years
Kateri D. 2 years
Theresa E. 9 years
Jeannine F. 7 years
April S. 10 years
Deanna S. 2 years
Rachel W. 4 years
Taylor K. 1 year
Lots of great employees to
celebrate this September! Thank you for your dedication to Advanced Health Care and to the clients you faithfully serve!
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What Clients Are Saying about YOU
We've heard from several families this past month about how much they appreciate their caregivers. There were several of you that had positive mentions in the Home Care Pulse surveys and by your clients/client family members:
WooJong S., Connie R., Marissa D., Renda W., Adriana C., Loridel V., Claudia S., Louise A.
We are so proud of all of the work that you do with our clients. You make a BIG difference is so many small ways every day you go to work. A few of these clients' quotes have been put on our website. Click to
see what your clients may be saying here!
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