Our thoughts and prayers for a caregiver and her family which tragedy has struck her home. We might not be able to give her the peace necessary or be there for her physically however joined thoughts and prayers are priceless.
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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 Buskirk 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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Make sure to check out our:
page!!!! All you have to do is go to the homepage 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 welcome. You can even send me a personal message. Get involved, have a voice!
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Stop on in and visit the MaxBucks Café!!! We will be happy to serve you. On us!!
We would like to do our best to be supportive of our workforce!!!
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Keep your THOUGHTS POSITIVE because your thoughts become your words
Keep your WORD POSITIVE because your words become your behavior
Keep your BEHAVIOR POSITIVE because your behavior becomes your habits
Keep your HABITS POSITIVE because your habits become your values
Keep your VALUES POSITIVE because your values become your destiny
- Gandhi
“The people who succeed aren’t the ones who avoid failure; they’re the ones who learn how to respond to failure with optimism.” – Darrin Donnelly
Life is filled with having to use the good in bad situations. Do you notice that you tend to magnify the bad while letting the good pass right by? That is because bad situations have more of an impact on our emotions. Bad situations are a part of life that we can use to our benefit though.
Bad situations can throw a wrench in your plans. They cause you to go into a frenzy trying to figure out how to get yourself out. One minute you feel like your world is perfect, the next thing you know you wish you made some different choices.
You can't avoid them. No matter what you do, or how careful you are, your decisions can still lead you into bad situations. The secret isn't how to avoid bad situations; it's how you handle them that will do the trick.
Have you ever heard, “you are your worst enemy?” This is the beginning of the saying. The complete saying is “You are your worst enemy. It is your negative thoughts that hold you back, nothing else.” – Leon Brown
We fail to grow because we are afraid of fail. We start thinking of a great idea and immediately start thinking how it can fail.
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, you fail by default.” By JK Rowling
Example;
I have always wanted to be a writer. I am bilingual and at times is hard to translate my thoughts to either language. I tend to write how I speak, run on sentences, don’t use the right punctuations, etc. I have been told that no one can understand me when I talk therefore how can I be a writer.
I took grammar classes, how to communicate classes, however I did it to better communicate with others. I never thought that I would be a writer. Always said that I needed an editor. I am grateful to say that yes, I have always found the person to edit my work.
Now I could have felt totally defeated and miserable because I didn’t become a great writer like JK Rowling. I instead embraced my path and became successful at it. Became knowledgeable in my field, learned how to write waivers, policies, and so on.
I learned and grew.
Somehow now I am writing in a website weekly. To me, I am now a writer with the opportunity to educate and change lives. To others, I am just doing a job and don’t have the money that JK Rowling has.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS, I am finally a writer!!!!
Control Yourself and Find the Good in Bad Situations
When things become chaotic, we tend to lose sight of the big picture. We often lose control of ourselves: which causes our rational thinking to suffer.
We can't stop bad situations from happening, but we can choose how we react. Good and bad is about perception and how we choose to see things. We shouldn't let bad situations rattle us to the point of giving up. It's a chance to change your perspective and find the good in the situation.
Don't let your emotions rule you. The mind is powerful! Negative thoughts should not be able to rest in the mind. You can find good in bad situations by focusing your mind on only positive thoughts.
Learning from Bad Situations
Growth is what life is about. A bad situation is only as bad as you want it to be. A situation is a situation; whether it be bad or good. If you lose your job, it gives you more free time to spend how you want. The negative is having less money. Every situation comes with good and bad things.
There are two ways to look at a situation. You can look at the fact that nothing seems to be going right. The second approach is to learn as much as you can.
Every failure and setback teach you something. It would be a shame if you did not learn the lesson. Next time something does not go the way you want; write a journal entry on everything you have learned.
Having a Positive Attitude
Get up after you get knocked down. People with positive attitudes get up right away!
You'll be more focused on how to surpass the challenges rather than dwelling on the negative. Anyone can complain or find what's wrong. Few people can focus in on finding a solution though.
Instead of feeling bad about yourself, you seek ways on how to win the situation. Do you know the quote "Grow through what you go through"? It's the perfect little saying for situations of stress.
Let Things Happen - Find the Good in Bad
There are things we can't control. We can control ourselves as much as we want, but we cannot control what happens to our surroundings. External forces are going to happen.
What do you do about things you can't control? Do you cry about them? Do you get angry? No, there is nothing you can do about it. Let it happen. You'll end up stressing about it and overthinking it. In any case, it's not good for you.
Sometimes things aren't as bad as what we make them seem to be. The thing is we are so used to getting what we want. Instead of it adding stress to your life, let things unfold for themselves.
People will fail most of the time because they panic. They think panicking is the way to respond to any bad situation. Going into panic mode rarely makes a difference. It'll only make things worse, so please let it be.
thehabitstacker.com
Overview
Are you a glass half-empty or half-full sort of person? Studies have demonstrated that both can impact your physical and mental health and that being a positive thinker is the better of the two.
A recent study followed 70,000 women from 2004 to 2012 and found that those who were optimistic had a significantly lower risk of dying from several major causes of death, including:
heart disease
stroke
cancer, including breast, ovarian, lung, and colorectal cancers
infection
respiratory diseases
Other proven benefits of thinking positively include:
better quality of life
higher energy levels
better psychological and physical health
faster recovery from injury or illness
fewer colds
lower rates of depression
better stress management and coping skills
longer life span
Focus on the good things
Challenging situations and obstacles are a part of life. When you’re faced with one, focus on the good things no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they seem. If you look for it, you can always find the proverbial silver lining in every cloud — even if it’s not immediately obvious. For example, if someone cancels plans, focus on how it frees up time for you to catch up on a TV show or other activity you enjoy.
Practice gratitude
Practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and foster resilience even in very difficult times. Think of people, moments, or things that bring you some kind of comfort or happiness and try to express your gratitude at least once a day. This can be thanking a co-worker for helping with a project, a loved one for washing the dishes, or your dog for the unconditional love they give you.
Keep a gratitude journal
StudiesTrusted Source have found that writing down the things you’re grateful for can improve your optimism and sense of well-being. You can do this by writing in a gratitude journal every day, or jotting down a list of things you’re grateful for on days you’re having a hard time.
Open yourself up to humor
Studies have found that laughter lowers stress, anxiety, and depression. It also improves coping skills, mood, and self-esteem.
Be open to humor in all situations, especially the difficult ones, and give yourself permission to laugh. It instantly lightens the mood and makes things seem a little less difficult. Even if you’re not feeling it; pretending or forcing yourself to laugh can improve your mood and lower stress.
Spend time with positive people
Negativity and positivity have been shown to be contagious. Consider the people with whom you’re spending time. Have you noticed how someone in a bad mood can bring down almost everyone in a room? A positive person has the opposite effect on others.
Being around positive people has been shown to improve self-esteem and increase your chances of reaching goals. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up and help you see the bright side.
Identify your areas of negativity
Take a good look at the different areas of your life and identify the ones in which you tend to be the most negative. Not sure? Ask a trusted friend or colleague. Chances are, they’ll be able to offer some insight. A co-worker might notice that you tend to be negative at work. Your spouse may notice that you get especially negative while driving. Tackle one area at a time.
Start every day on a positive note
Create a ritual in which you start off each day with something uplifting and positive. Here are a few ideas:
Tell yourself that it’s going to be a great day or any other positive affirmation.
Listen to a happy and positive song or playlist.
Share some positivity by giving a compliment or doing something nice for someone.
How to think positive when everything is going wrong
Trying to be positive when you’re grieving or experiencing other serious distress can seem impossible. During these times, it’s important to take the pressure off of yourself to find the silver lining. Instead, channel that energy into getting support from others.
Positive thinking isn’t about burying every negative thought or emotion you have or avoiding difficult feelings. The lowest points in our lives are often the ones that motivate us to move on and make positive changes.
When going through such a time, try to see yourself as if you were a good friend in need of comfort and sound advice. What would you say to her? You’d likely acknowledge her feelings and remind her she has every right to feel sad or angry in her situation, and then offer support with a gentle reminder that things will get better.
Side effects of negative thinking
Negative thinking and the many feelings that can accompany it, such as pessimism, stress, and anger, can cause a number of physical symptoms and increase your risk of diseases and a shortened lifespan.
Stress and other negative emotions trigger several processes in our bodies, including stress hormone release, metabolism, and immune function. Long periods of stress increase inflammation in your body, which has also been implicated in a number or serious diseases.
Some of the symptoms of stress include:
headache
body aches
nausea
fatigue
difficulty sleeping
Cynicism, stress, anger, and hostility have been linked to a higher risk of:
heart disease
heart attack
stroke
dementia
When to seek medical help
If you’re feeling consumed by negative thoughts and are having trouble controlling your emotions, see a doctor. You may benefit from medical help, such as positive psychology or therapy. Persistent negative thoughts can be caused by an underlying psychiatric condition that requires treatment.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255
Takeaway
You won’t be able to undo years of pessimism and negative thoughts overnight, but with some practice, you can learn how to approach things with a more positive outlook.
Healthline.com
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Announcements to assist our participants and family:
Memory Cafe
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.
If you would like to volunteer feel free to call!
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 Buskirk 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 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. 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.
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Reminder:
At this time due to the use of the EVV system we understand that documentation 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 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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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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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. Remember you are our eyes and ears; with your assistance we can continue to keep everyone safe.
Ongoing Safety Training
There will be monthly training session in each area. For all new Direct Care Workers and any Direct Care Worker that might need extra training.
Schuylkill County 1st Wednesday of each month at a location to be determined.
ABE area 2nd Wednesday of each month at the office
Bucks County 3rd Wednesday of each month at a location to be determined.
If you feel you might need extra training in any area of the job please call the office at 610-264-2353 and talk with Keri or email her at kerireese.maxcare@gmail.com
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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 yenicamaximumcare@gmail.com.
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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 yenicamaximumcare@gmail.com or mailing them to the office.
The following dates are the conference calls:
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.
*****There is a new phone policy under Policies and Procedures. Read, sign, and submit to compliance.
