Tax deadlines extended
The IRS and the State of Kansas have both announced that the tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. Read more from KSN News.
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Use the new associate screening tool
As announced in last week's E-Connection, KDHE has updated the rules for travel-related quarantine. Unvaccinated individuals who travel to New York or New Jersey on or after March 12 now need to quarantine.
CHCS has updated its Associate COVID-19 Daily Symptom Log and Screening Tool for COVID-19. Be sure your department is using the most current version! The updated document is available in PowerDMS.
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Fighting brain fog
Have you heard friends or family complain about "brain fog" related to pandemic fatigue? Or have you felt it yourself? It's a common experience that can leave you feeling forgetful, unfocused, or unable to get a good night's sleep. (Note: This 'brain fog' is not referring to the symptom that has been observed in some who have suffered from COVID-19, but rather effects on the brains of everyone living through the pandemic.)
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Teenagers face many challenges, and all too often, those challenges cause mental health problems. Parents frequently don’t recognize the warning signs or know how to intervene. A presentation from Children’s Mercy can prepare parents to help teens address problems.
CHCS is joining with Children’s Mercy Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Shayla Sullivant to bring “Prepped and Ready: Parenting into the Teen Years” to communities around northeast Kansas. The presentation will be offered simultaneously at nine locations on Wednesday, April 21 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
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Three generations of caring at St. Marys Manor |
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Shannon Heim joined CHCS as St. Marys Manor administrator on March 8.
Shannon recently took time to answer questions and explain her special connection to the Manor. Read on to get to know Shannon!
Shannon Heim grew up in Maple Hill and attended St. Marys High School. She holds a bachelor's degree in health science administration and is a Certified Dementia Care Specialist. Shannon is also certified by the American Physical Therapy Association for Advanced Physical Therapy in Geriatrics. She became a Licensed Administrator in 2018 and was previously employed as administrator at Tanglewood Health and Rehab in Topeka.
Shannon has a special connection to St. Marys Manor: Both her grandmother, Donna Tarbutton, and her mother, Kim Wild, have worked there. Her grandmother began working for the Manor in 1966 as a charge nurse, then became Director of Nursing and served as co-administrator. She retired in 1989 but stayed on to do MDS and medical records until 2004. Shannon's mother started working at the Manor as a CNA when she was in high school in 1975. Kim went on to become an LPN and worked as a charge nurse in the evenings. Kim is married to Randy Wild, and they have two other children, Becky Sandstrom, who is married to Barry, and Randy Wild II, who is married to Beth. Kim has five grandchildren. She was a stay-at-home mom from 1980-1991 before returning to work at St. Marys Manor. She developed the restorative nursing program at St. Marys Manor in 1991 and has served as the restorative nurse as well as infection control and treatment nurse. Before her official retirement, Donna trained Kim to do medical records in 2004. Kim is planning to retire next month.
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Above: Shannon's grandmother, Donna Tarbutton in her uniform (top) and working at St. Marys Manor. |
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Above: Shannon's mother, Kim Wild, early in her career (top) and in a more recent photo. |
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Shannon said her family not only provided but also experienced loving care at St. Marys Manor. "My grandma ended up spending her last days being cared for by my mom and other incredible staff at SMM after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. My mom and grandma are the reasons I am so passionate about long-term care and our elders, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to continue the legacy of Tarbutton women caring for residents at SMM," Shannon said.
"Because of who my grandmother and mother are, I have always felt 100% at home in a nursing home environment. I absolutely love hearing stories from the residents, and it's an honor to be an advocate for them and ensure they are receiving the highest quality of care," she said.
Shannon is proud of her family's legacy. "My grandmother was a pioneer for quality care in the geriatric population and ahead of her time with how she cared for the elderly," she said.
Shannon is married to her high school sweetheart, Wade Heim. Wade is a civil engineer and a proud Kansas State University graduate. Wade works for Alfred Benesch & Co. Shannon and Wade have 3 children: Parker James, age 12, who loves sports and can recite statistics from games that happened before he was even born; Brigham Michael, age 7 and lover of the outdoors, hunting, and fishing; and Hallie Mae, age 3 ("going on 16!"), who loves to dance and play with dolls and makeup. "She is the boss of our household," Shannon said.
Welcome, Shannon!
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Greater Giving: Why 'I'm in' |
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Shelli Wimberly, Director of Nursing at Eastridge, recently took time to tell us about herself and share why she contributes to the Greater Giving program.
"I live in the country north of Vermillion with my husband, Brett, and two sons, Miles and Gage. We keep busy chasing them as they play football, basketball, track, and baseball.
I think people would be surprised to learn that I can impersonate Edith Bunker singing pretty well. It always gets a good laugh from my staff and residents.
I decided to join the Greater Giving organization because I just love the opportunity to provide someone with something they need, or a department with needed equipment to improve our service to our patients and residents. I also like to contribute to the scholarship fund.
I would definitely encourage others to participate, because there is no better feeling than helping someone in need!"
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Thank you for giving, Shelli, and for taking time to share your thoughts! |
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Join Walk Kansas with CHCS! |
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The Livewell Committee is working with Walk Kansas to offer CHCS associates an opportunity to join this year's program at NO COST.
Here's how to join
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Find some co-workers who want to form a team. Teams consist of 4 to 6 people.
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Designate a captain who can handle team registration.
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Choose your challenge from 3 options based on the goals your team wants to set: “8 Wonders Walk” = 2 ½ hrs/wk; “Cross Country” = 4 hrs/wk; “Little Balkans to Nicodemus” – 6 hr/wk
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Captains: Review the Captain's Guide and sign up your team. Team members will receive email invites to set up their own accounts to log their progress.
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All Team Members: Take a look at the Walk Kansas Activity Guide to learn more about what "counts" for activity and how to get ready to meet your fitness goals. Get set up with your online account and be ready to start logging on March 28!
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National Nutrition Month: Meal-making skills |
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March is National Nutrition Month. Each week in March, we've shared tips, reminders, and resources to help all of us make good choices as we nourish our bodies.
This week's tips will help you build skills to create tasty meals. Aim to:
- Keep healthful ingredients on hand.
- Practice proper home food safety.
- Share meals together as a family when possible.
- Reduce food waste.
- Try new flavors and foods.
Personalize Your Plate
View and download handouts with meal plans to help you eat healthy! Explore the different menu options to integrate delicious foods from other cultures.
Be sure to complete our nutrition quiz by March 29 for a chance to win a prize! Prize winners will be announced in April.
--Holly Schmitz, registered dietitian and
Nutrition Services manager
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Angie Sauvage, Onaga Hospital Licensed Social Worker, send the following note in appreciation of the work of Community HomeHealth nurses.
"Just wanted to share a positive patient story from two of our home health nurses. We had a home health patient about 30 miles away from Onaga who was discharged from a Manhattan hospital and not doing well. The wife was unable to transfer him or maintain him at home. Community HomeHealth got the referral, admitted him to services, got social work involved, and immediately started making plans for him to go to skilled care in Manhattan. Other home health agencies may have not even picked the patient up for services, stating that he was not safe to be at home.
When placement was found, the patient was so weak that the wife was unable to transfer him. Two of our home health nurses, Alexis Whorton and Whitnea Evans, drove to the patient’s home after their normal work day was complete to transfer the patient into the car so the wife could take him to be admitted to skilled care. The wife was beyond grateful for this. This happened on a Wednesday, and Community HomeHealth had just admitted the patient to services on Monday.
Our home health nurses go above and beyond daily for their patients. I feel blessed to work somewhere where we truly enrich the health and the lives of the people we serve – we do what is best for our patients and our communities, even if it’s not always the popular choice."
Thank you to Alexis and Whitnea for delivering the WOW experience to patients, and thanks to Angie for taking time to share.
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CHCS marketing survey
CHCS is inviting area consumers to share their preferences and opinions related to healthcare by completing a brief, confidential survey. The survey is available at http://bit.ly/2021-CHCS-Survey
We have shared the survey on social media, on our website homepage, and with area Chamber of Commerce colleagues. Associates can help spread the word! Invite communities to complete the survey by sharing it on social media or by directing individuals to our website. Associates are also welcome to respond to the questions.
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PLAY BALL!
The CHCS Spirit Squad has some special plans for this year's Opening Day on April 1.
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Snacks! Look for surprise baseball-related treats at all locations
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Trivia! Get ready to play a baseball trivia game (see the April 1 E-Connection for details)
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Rep your team! Wear your favorite team shirt or jersey and jeans on Opening Day.
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Baseball memories! Share baseball memories as a player or spectator at any level. Write your memory in a paragraph or two and send it to info@chcsks.org. Not comfortable writing? Call Sarah Hancock at extension 5133 to tell your tale, or record a voice memo and email it to the address above. Please send memories by 8:00 a.m. March 31!
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Help wanted!
Redbud and St. Marys Manor are both in need of a hairdresser for one day each week to do men's and women's haircuts as well as roller sets and perms.
If you know someone who is interested, please have the candidate contact Michelle Lippert (ext. 4478) for Redbud or Annette Engell (ext. 4175) for St. Marys Manor.
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Important reminders
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The CHCS apparel ordering deadline is extended to Friday, March 26 at 5:00 p.m. Visit the online store at http://bit.ly/CHCS-shirts.
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Central Supply and the Pharmacy Department will be closed on March 31 for annual inventory. Orders received after 12 p.m. on March 30 will not be filled until April 1. Please look ahead at your inventory and plan accordingly. If you are a department that has to complete a medication or supply inventory, you will receive direct communication from Central Supply or the Pharmacy Department in the next few days. Emergency orders: Call Pharmacy at ext. 4411 (other voicemails will not be checked until the next business day). Call Central Supply at ext. 5003.
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Associates are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays through March. Enjoy!
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Employee Assistance Program: All CHCS associates are eligible for three confidential counseling sessions per fiscal year (April 1-March 31). To schedule, contact Regina Gronewoller, LSCSW, at reginagronewoller@chcsks.org (preferred) or call 785-437-3734. Download and share a flyer.
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Fun and games at Redbud
Redbud residents enjoyed a vigorous round of balloon batting and some cards recently. We aren't sure who won the games, but everyone was having fun!
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Coffee Shop special
March 29-April 2
Cocodoodle latte
- Brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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Gift Shop goodies
- The Gift Shop now carries several items formerly located in the Community Home Care Equipment store!
- Biofreeze and Sombra gels and rubs for relief of joint and muscle pain
- Compression socks in a variety of styles
- Badge reels
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CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
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Did you miss your Connection?
Important information is relayed every week in the E-Connection. If you miss it in your email, an archive is available on our website. Visit the For Associates page, then click E-Connection Archive.
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Send items for the E-Connection or for sharing with our broader social media audience to sarahhancock@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!
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