Thank you again to all for your continued support on keeping everyone safe and doing your part not to spread the virus!!!
Be a part of the Maximum Care website!!
Contact Yenica if you have anything you would like to see in the website. Topics, suggestions, comments, all open, as long as is within our policies, procedures and to enhance education.
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Participant thought that maybe we should start our week with a joke! Take a min to enjoy the joke and if just for 30 sec laugh and forget about the stress of the day.
JOKE!!!!
What did the hat say to the scarf?
You hang around while I go ahead!!!
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Travel Recommendations:
The Pa Dept of Health has recommended that if anyone travels to certain states that they quarantine for 14 days. 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 it in the website Maximumcare.online. It is your responsibility to make staffing aware if there is any client’s that will need to be covered while you are out either in quarantine or vacation.
Follow the following steps to request anytime 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. Destination of where you will be traveling to 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.
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Summer Is Here!!!
With it, the potential for health problems related to heat exposure. Nearly 12,000 Americans die annually from heat-related causes. More than 80% of victims are older than 60.
Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. Its one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat ramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.
Heat strokes are the most severe heat-related illness, according to CDC. They’re a medical emergency requiring fast treatment. Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer manage the temperature. It’s defined as a temperature of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit with neurological signs such as confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
Heat exhaustion typically occurs after excessive sweating. It’s the body’s response to an extreme loss of salt and water. Your body’s heat combined with environmental heat results in what’s called your core temperature – your body’s internal temperature. Your body needs to regulate the heat gain from the environment to maintain a core temperature that’s normal, approximately 98.6.
Possible signs and symptoms include but not limited to:
Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when is the heat
Heavy sweating
Faintness
Dizziness
Fatigue
Weak, rapid pulse
Low blood pressure upon standing
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Headache
If you think you’re experiencing heat exhaustion:
Stop all activity and rest
Move to cooler place
Drink cool water or sports drinks
Prevention: You can take a number of precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses, such as:
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
Protect against sunburn
Drink plenty of fluids
Take extra precaution with certain medications
Get acclimated
Why is Heat an issue with Senior?
The poor circulation makes many seniors feel too cold in a air-conditioned space, they are more physically comfortable when the room temperature is actually much warmer than is safe. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can be the results.
DCW must not only be alert to the danger signs of heat exposure but also know how to minimize the risk. After several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate intake of fluids, seniors are at risk of heat exhaustion, and heavy sweating, fatigue, weakness and dizziness are the signs. The skin may feel cool and moist, the pulse rate is fast but weak, and breathing if fast and shallow. Victims of the most serious heat-related illness, heat stroke, have a body temperature above 103. Instead of sweating their skin is hot, but dry. A strong, rapid pulse is accompanied by a throbbing headache, dizziness and nausea.
Tips for DCW to Help Seniors Cope with the Heat!!
Provide cool (not cold) beverages to the participant throughout the day. Explain the importance of drinking lots of liquids.
Make sure the participant is dressed in light-weight clothing.
Have them sit near a fan.
Close curtains or blinds as needed to block the sun.
Keep electric lighting as low as possible.
Serve frozen treats or watermelon.
Place cool moist towels on the back of the neck or wrist.
Should you detect signs of heat exposure or stroke call 911. In the meantime, that help arrives:
Use whatever methods you can to cool the participant rapidly, example, sponge them with cool water
If the space is air-conditioned, lower the temperature.
Monitor the body temperature and continue to cooling efforts until help arrives
Preventing heat-related incidences inherently becomes part of each DCW’s care plan as summer is here. Get prepared, be alert to warning signs, and convey your care, concerns, and prevention plan to your participant in advance.
Any concerns regarding participant health and safety, call the office immediately.
Resources:
Mayoclinic.org
Agingcare.com
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We have applied for the Hazard Pay!
Now the trick is Maximum Care getting approved.
We understand the hard work that everyone has done in hard times. We do not take for granted anything each and every one of you have done for our clients. We also understand that everyone deserves more for the sacrifice.
However, the information provided to everyone is not 100% all the details. The grant requires that all companies apply for the Hazard Pay. The agencies applying are not only home care but every business in Pennsylvania. There is 50 million dollars being distributed among 41,000 (+) workers throughout Pennsylvania. The requirements to receive the grant is extensive. Some agencies might get it and some may not. We have applied and waiting for either approval or non-approval.
The criteria are also very detailed on the workers that can receive the Hazard Pay. The broad description for the workers that can receive it are, for example, workers that will be working with Covid 19 clients as well as, higher risk community activities.
I hope that this can clarify a few of the questions out there! We will continue to keep you informed and make you aware of any status change regarding Hazard Pay. Like every business, we must be thankful that we are able to continue to provide jobs and service our community. Many businesses are sadly going out of business thought the country and locally.
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Announcements to assist our participants and family:
Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter
Virtual Support Groups- Aug
As we take precautions to keep all staff, volunteers and constituents safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter continues to offer Virtual Support Groups for dementia caregivers throughout July & August.
Attendees can participate via computer or phone.
Register for a virtual support group today by calling 800-272-3900. Specialized groups are indicated. Space is limited.
Memory Café:
Is just that!!!!
Café where the participants can sit with friends, by themselves and share some memories and anything current on their mind.
You can Google Memory Café and you will get a good idea. This is a free community service that the organization Morningstar Memory Café by Senior Solutions are providing and not meant to be sales pitch.
Diagnosis is left at the door – a time for fun, a time to laugh – even if it means laughing at yourself. Mild to Moderate Dementia and their care partner.
They will have up to 25 persons – all COVID precautions taken; masks, one couple at a table, 6 ft from next table, hand sanitizers etc.
If you would like to volunteer feel free to call!
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Recipes
If you have any recipe that you would like to share do not hesitate to call or email Yenica/Communications. Contact information is 610-264-2353 or yenica@lvvn.com.
The following Recipe was given by a participant. Participant and DCW is working on his cookbook. Thank you to the DCW and participant for the participation in the newsletter.
Strawberry Banana Oat Bars
For Strawberry Chia Jam
2 c Frozen Strawberries’
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
2 Tbsp chia seeds
For Banana Oat Bars
1 c quick oats
¾ c Flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 mid bananas (mashed)
1 tsp vanilla
3 tsp maple syrup
Add Strawberries and maple syrup in a saucepan over medium. heat. Heat about 10 min. Bring to a gentle boil and stir occasionally. Boil for about 10 min until thickens. Turn down to med. heat and stir in chia seeds. Cook another 5 min and then remove from heat.
Preheat oven to 375
Prepare an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper. Combine oats, flour, baking powder and salt. Add bananas, maple syrup, and vanilla, mix well. Spread evenly on baking sheet, spoon in jam and swirl around.
Bake 30-35 minutes.
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.
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 yenica@lvvn.com
3. The office staff will vote
4. Winner will receive a gift card
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Keystone supplying Covid-19 Care Kit!
Participants must be Keystone members. If they have either tested (+) for Covid-19, suspicion of Covid-19, or systematic but self-quarantine, participant or DCW can call Maximum Care.
The Covid-19 Care Kit will have the following:
Oral digital thermometer
Finger oximeter
Four 3/ply face mask
Hand sanitizer
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STAFFING REMINDER:
Open Work: If you go under more on the home page then click on open work tab, it will keep you posted on hours that are available at this time and the areas. Call Staffing to enquire about the open work available.
Refer a caregiver to Maximum Care Inc.:
You will receive $50 after 100 hrs worked. (At least within 2 months).
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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 we it is your responsibility to call it in. This way we can fix any discrepancy to your schedule.
If you are having any problems with the system call and report it to Yenica “Jen” Muniz.
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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, all car information, CNA license, annual TB, annual physical. If any concerns or questions re: your file please contact Yenica “Jen” at 610-264-2353 or yenica@lvvn.com.
The Monitoring form must be done every shift.
If any questions please call Yenica “Jen” Muniz at 610-264-2353. The monitoring form is under the more tab and then the Covid-19 prevention & infectious control tab.
You can submit it to the office by either emailing yenica@lvvn.com or mailing them to the office.
The following dates are the conference calls:
8/12 @ 2pm A thru L, 8/13/2020 @ 2pm M thru Z Note: This week it will be Wed and Thur due to Compliance officer being out on vacation.
9/16 @ 2pm A thru L, 9/18/2020 @ 2pm M thru Z
10/14 @ 2pm A thru L, 10/16/2020 @ 2pm M thru Z
11/11 @ 2pm A thru L, 11/13/2020 @ 2pm M thru Z
The phone number for the monthly teleconferences is 701-802-5077 with the access code of 6456087#. It will be considered long distance, please keep in mind when using landlines.