Thank you again to all for your continued support in keeping everyone safe and doing your part not to spread the virus!!!
Maximum Care is here for all workers and clients. If there is any need for PPE (supplies such as gloves, mask, hand sanitizers, thermometers, and more) do not hesitate to call into the office. Our goal is to keep everyone as safe as possible.
To show our appreciation we will be doing a monthly raffle for all the DCW. Under announcements, you can get more information on how to become a part of the raffle.
JOIN US IN OUR JOURNEY TO SUCCESS!
Maximum Care Inc. culture, a place where….
Even the smallest of ideas are encouraged to be born, shared, and shaped into achievement.
We foster an environment of listening to and learning from each other and discover something new each day, whether it be industry buzz, a new system, a new skill, a new function, a new perspective.
We respect one’s downtime, lunch, flex time, or even vacation. Know that everyone needs and deserves a break. But when we work, we work.
We can brainstorm and implement ways to become a proactive company rather than just a reactive one.
Unfortunately, criticism and negativity inevitably hail from the outside but should never strike from within.
We strive to be our best self, the best company we can be, and better than our competition instead of competing to be better than one another internally.
Devoid of unwarranted fault-finding and finger-pointing. Mistakes will happen. We will own them when they do, discuss them for solutions, work swiftly to resolve them and then move on.
We need not feel afraid to identify weaknesses or ask for help because we are made to feel secure in knowing we can depend on each other’s strengths to deepen our own.
We recognize failure to know what needs to improve, but we take time to announce success, congratulate each other, and celebrate achievements.
Smile and laugh. Smile AT each other. Laugh WITH one another. Dance, move, shake it off, breathe, stretch. Let’s keep toxicity out of the office and help one another keep it out of our bodies and minds.
We remain POLITE, PROFESSIONAL, PASSIONATE, POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE & POWERFUL.
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“When the ability to listen grows stronger than the need to be right, things begin to evolve and transform. Fluidly. Openly. Naturally.”
– Victoria Erickson
Working with the Elderly
Working with seniors can be very challenging and requires a lot of patience. Working with seniors is quite rewarding as they can often be misunderstood and treated as a burden to society. These tips apply to any context and are not just for those caring or exercising with seniors.
1) Don’t treat them like they’re babies!
Most of the seniors you will work with are relatively independent, and they hate being treated like babies. It is well known that seniors are at a higher risk for falls and injury. It would be best if you were close enough to them to prevent injury or falling while also not appearing to be too overbearing. If you see them struggling, you should help.
2) Share your knowledge
Sharing knowledge is a great way to build rapport with seniors. If they see that you have experience and know what you are talking about, they are more likely to trust you. They like to learn new things and are happy to have you share your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, or whatever else you know. Remembering it will be in the form of conversation, a two-way sharing of knowledge.
3) Be yourself
Don’t be afraid to be yourself around seniors. Being genuine is another excellent way to build trust, and they do appreciate authentic conversations. Try your best to create a connection with every one of your clients, and it can be the key to promoting health and wellness. You can build rapport with your clients by showing that you genuinely care about improving their strength, wellness, or functional ability. If they see that you care about their well-being, they are more likely to take their exercise/care seriously.
4) Realize that you are there to do more than just your job
Humans thrive on social interaction. Many seniors, especially those who are quite old, do not have many friends who are still living, and some have family members that cannot visit very often. You may not realize it, but you are providing the necessary social interaction that many seniors lack. Simply having someone to talk to can brighten their day. Many of your clients will often be very excited to see you and enjoy telling you what they have been up to during the week. Similarly, they also like to hear about what is going on in your life too. There is a balance we also need to keep in mind. It should consist of sharing positive moments, not weigh them down with your problems.
5) Let them tell you stories
Seniors love to share stories about their past. Ensure you are actively listening and paying attention to details. You will find that simply being able to repeat details about their stories or ask them questions brings smiles to their faces. Sometimes they will tell you the same stories more than once, but overall, it is better to respond as if it’s the first time you’re hearing it. This avoids unnecessary embarrassment and prevents awkward interactions between you and your clients.
Active Listening: Involves listening with all senses. As well as giving full attention to the speaker,
It is crucial that the “active listener” is also “seen” to be listening – otherwise, the speaker may conclude that what they are talking about is uninteresting to the listener.
6) Be empathetic
Always try to put yourself into their shoes and understand what they are thinking or feeling. The number one factor that prevents seniors from exercising is the fear of falling. Try to understand what barriers they are experiencing in their lives. You need to adapt and provide alternate solutions/methods of doing things if they are not comfortable with something.
If they are sad, angry, irritable, unpleasant, moody, understand why don’t take it personally. Have your excellent personality shine! Your attitude will be the difference between changing their attitude to a positive, pleasant one or joining the negativity. Be the difference, not part of the problem.
7) Be prepared for seniors with dementia
Many seniors are affected by dementia, which profoundly impacts their memory, communication skills, ability to focus, attention, reasoning and judgment, and visual perception. Emotions and behavior are commonly affected in those with dementia, which can cause stress to the patient and their caregivers. Someone with dementia could be happy and suddenly become quite irritable and yell at you. It is essential to understand that it is nothing personal, and dementia severely affects the individual’s judgment. It is beneficial to give the person time to calm down, and you should avoid bringing attention to the situation unless they are aggressive. If a client does become aggressive, you need to remain calm, but call the caregiver or the agency.
8) Be patient
As obvious as this may seem, it cannot be stressed enough. Often, seniors are hard of hearing, and it may take them a little longer to process information. Take your time explaining things, break them up into smaller parts, and talk loudly and clearly. Lastly, please explain what you are doing and why you are doing it.
9) Be punctual and respect their time
As I mentioned earlier, you may be the only social interaction that they receive in the day. They are waiting for you to arrive, and most people, including seniors, do not appreciate those who are unreliable. Seniors, like others, may interpret you being late as a lack of care and respect. It may appear to them as if you don’t take pride in your work. Alternatively, punctuality demonstrates professionalism and helps build mutual respect.
If you do your best to follow these tips, I think you will succeed in working with seniors. I believe you will have no issues. However, these tips are not going to work with every single client; therefore, you need to be adaptable and understand the contexts in which you can apply them.
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New things will be posted and a New Journey will begin at Maximum Care. Stay Tune!!!!
Where will this new journey take you!
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We have implemented new steps!
When the app fails to work correctly, the new EVV Policy and Procedure will guide you step by step on what steps to take. We have sent the new EVV Policy and Procedure Revised and a Self-Monitoring Acknowledgement form policy via DocuSign. It will be your responsibility to read, sign and adhere to the new policy as it may affect/delay your payment. If you are having any problems understanding the current policy, call Yenica “Jen” to review.
We have also emailed a copy to everyone separate from the DocuSign.
Make sure that you are putting the duties being done at the end of every shift. Including when calling from the client’s home. If you need instructions on how and a duties list, please contact the agency. It can be mailed, emailed, or text to you.
If you fail to put in the duties performed, it can affect your payments.
If you are having any problems with the system, call the agency for assistance.
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Make sure to check out our:
page!!!! All you have to do is go to the homepage at maximumcare.online and click on our f (Facebook)!! you are welcome to like our page. You can also let me know if you like the Information I am putting out through the website. Feedback is always welcomed. You can even send me a personal message.
Get involved, have a voice!
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Incentives
Activities:
Help us come up with creative things to do with our elderly! What do you do for your clients?
We would like the caregivers to take 20 min of their shift if possible, to do creative things with their clients. We are the first and maybe the last person our clients see in the day or even week. Loneliness is a big part of their lives. Let’s take some time to show them that we are not just personal care or home care but show them that they are not alone and we really do care.
Creative Based Incentive Contest:
1. Come up with a creative and fun activity to do with your client
2. Call, text or email Yenica with the activity (610-264-2353, 484-781-4603, or yenicamaximumcare@gmail.com)
3. The office staff will vote
4. Winner will receive a gift card
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Travel Recommendations:
The Pa Dept of Health has recommended that if anyone travels you should quarantine. Due to the daily changes from CDC and Pa Dept. Of Health, call into Maximum Care for instructions in regards to your travel plans and the impact that it may have.
Maximum Care Inc is following the recommendations at this time. If any changes come up, we will be posting our training/communications on the website Maximumcare.online. It is your responsibility to make staffing aware if there is any clients that will need to be covered while you are out either in quarantine or vacation.
Follow the following steps to request any time of:
Give us as much notice as possible.
Either request “The time off request form” or your letter for time off should include the following: Name of Cl, day of service, and time. State where you will be going and for how long.
Email or mail the requested time off. Take note that we must put everything in the new system, even if time passes, we need everything in writing.
If it is due to quarantine call the office immediately and informs the office of why you will be in quarantine and how long will you be in quarantine.
Reminder:
At this time due to the use of the EVV system we understand that documenting is difficult. Call the agency with any concerns you may have that you would like it to be documented. Especially if a client is refusing personal care or assistance of any kind. Call the agency if you need guidance with a client or have any question on the care that you are providing or feel that needs to be provided.
Maximum Care has also developed a form that is recommended to DCW to fill out when taking any kind of payment for items from clients. Call and request the form to be mailed to you or come into the office to get the form.
GPS
Maximum Care Inc is under state regulations to follow strict guidelines to pay DCW and to bill for all visits.
Maximum Care’s Inc responsibilities are to make sure that everyone is using EVV properly, pay all DCW properly, and to bill for the proper authorized hours allotted to the participant.
We also supervise all clock in & clock out within the range and schedule time.
The system alerts Maximum Care if you clock in or out when you are not within GPS range. Example: you cannot clock in from the LV Mall when you are supposed to be in the client’s home. It will alert us and show us an address and map of your location when you clock in or out. If you are out of range this may cause delay of payment. If for any reason you need to clock in or out of range due to participant, you must call the agency and make us aware. For example: If participants have therapy, Dr appointments, dropping them of or picking up from a program, etc. Call Maximum Care for special instructions to ensure contractual permission.
It is your responsibility to inform the office, it is not Maximum Care Inc responsibility to call and confirm the “Why’s”. Maximum Care can reject the visit until further investigation is done which will delay your payment.
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STAFFING REMINDER:
Make sure you communicate with the Staffing Department of any changes that need to be made to your schedule, availability, address, email, phone number, etc. It is important to keep all parties informed and the lines of communication remain open.
PAYROLL REMINDER:
EVV system must be used to make sure that there is no interruptions, delays, or problem with direct deposit. In the future your pay will not be able to be processed if you are not using the system.
If your schedule changes for any reason it is your responsibility to call it in. This way we can fix any discrepancy to your schedule without any delays to your pay.
SAFETY TRAINING
Read the Fire Safety Training Monthly Newsletter to develop safety at the forefront of client/employee daily activities.
Keep an eye open for the Direct Care Worker (DCW) Safety Implementation Form. The form is mailed out to the DCW to give us an honest assessment of the clients they service. Remember you are our eyes and ears; with your assistance we can continue to keep everyone safe.
COMPLIANCE REMINDER:
Make sure that your employment file is within compliance to continue employment with Maximum Care.
Compliance is no longer waived with all the contracts. Example of things that must be up to date are: all car information, CNA license, annual TB, annual physical. If any concerns or questions re: your file please contact Yenica “Jen” Buskirk at 610-264-2353 or yenicamaximumcare@gmail.com.
Maximum Care Inc has written a self-monitoring acknowledgment form that all Direct Care Worker is expected to read and sign off on it. The form must be returned to Yenica “Jen”.
All direct care worker is mandated to wear mask and shields while servicing clients.
If you need PPE please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Reminder to:
Continue to use social distance (6ft), from clients when possible, public.
Increase sanitation methods.
Monitor yourself and client. Keep an eye on family members that come in contact with the client and yourself. It does affect the client, as it can affect you.
Clients must wear masks. If they are in need of a mask call the office and we will send it to them or you may pick up a mask for clients.
thank you for the perfect info.