SCDCWA April 2008 Newsletter

The Schuylkill County
Direct Care Workers Association, Inc.
It is with great pleasure that I announce the incorporation of the Schuylkill County Direct Care Workers Association! We are now officially a not for profit corporation. Momentum is building for a very successful year of education, recognition and advocacy on behalf of direct care workers and the consumers they serve. Anyone interested in helping the Association with any or all of these issues please contact me. Lori Michael RN c/o Lori’s Angels, 223 Route 61 South, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. 1-877-264-3505 or 385-8450 or email: jlskm@verizon.net

Free Publicity For Your Organization’s
Community Education Programs
The SC-DCWA is looking to advertise free training and education programs as well as support groups that would be of interest to direct care workers. Any agency or facility that offers free educational programs is asked to contact Lori at jlskm@verizon.net to be included in the next quarterly edition of this newsletter! Networking to provide continuing education opportunities at convenient times for direct care workers is a step toward achieving a better qualified and professional workforce. Thank you

On the Lighter Side: LOST IN THE DARNDEST PLACES
An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car has been broken into. She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher: "They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried. The dispatcher said, "Stay calm. An officer is on the way." A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard." He says. "She got in the back-seat by mistake."

Reverse Home Mortgages: Is it the answer?
One of the paradoxes of our current long-term care system is that impaired, older Americans are struggling to live at home at a time when they own $2 trillion in untapped housing wealth. The majority of older Americans are homeowners. Many have accumulated substantial amounts of home equity, including families whose other retirement resources may be very modest.
More and more seniors are desperately trying to stay in their home as long as they are financially able to do so. Yet few are aware that they can use the equity in their home to pay for the services and care necessary for them to live independently.
Reverse mortgages may provide them with a solution. According to a report by the National Council On Aging, “With an estimated amount of over $72,000 available on average to older households from these loans, reverse mortgages can help impaired elders pay for several years of daily home care visits, over a decade of out-of-pocket expenses and respite for family caregivers, or substantial home modifications.”
Qualifying is easy. The amount a person qualifies for is based on the value of the home, the age of the youngest homeowner and the current interest rate. Income and credit history are not considered, so almost any senior can qualify.
There are no payments to make as long as the last surviving owner occupies the home as their primary residence. The bank is repaid later, once the home is sold or the estate is settled.
They can sell the home at any time because there is no change in the name on the deed. Reverse mortgages hold considerable promise to help impaired, older homeowners pay for the services they need to continue to live at home.
Care workers are in an ideal position to help identify needy seniors obtain more information about reverse mortgages. If you or one of your clients would like more information about reverse mortgages, please feel free to contact me either through your branch M&T Bank or directly by calling me at 1-610-921-4817

Making Healthy Food Choices
Knowing what to eat can be confusing. Everywhere you turn, there is news about what is or isn't good for you. Some basic principles have weathered the fad diets, and have stood the test of time. Here are a few tips on making healthful food choices for you and your entire family.
Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Try picking from the rainbow of colors available to maximize variety. Eat non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, carrots, broccoli or green beans with meals.
Choose whole grain foods over processed grain products. Try brown rice with your stir fry or whole wheat spaghetti with your favorite pasta sauce.
Include dried beans (like kidney or pinto beans) & lentils into your meals.
Include fish in your meals 2-3 times a week.
Choose lean meats like cuts of beef and pork that end in "loin" such as pork loin & sirloin. Remove the skin from chicken & turkey.
Choose non-fat dairy such as skim milk, non-fat yogurt & non-fat cheese.
Choose water and calorie-free "diet" drinks instead of regular soda, fruit punch, sweet tea & other sugar-sweetened drinks.
Choose liquid oils for cooking instead of solid fats that can be high in saturated & trans fats. Remember that fats are high in calories. If you're trying to lose weight, watch your portion sizes of added fats.
Cut back on high calorie snack foods and desserts like chips, cookies, cakes & full-fat ice cream.
Eating too much of even healthful foods can lead to weight gain. Watch your portion sizes.
Advocacy Corner
This past quarter, several home care agency representatives within our county met with legislators regarding issues affecting home care, there direct care employees. At the top of the list was a request for our elected officials to release the $76 million dollars allocated for PDA waiver but not used. One of the greatest problems with retention of direct care staff working for home care agencies is the instability in work hours. Freeing up funding already allocated for this purpose would go a long way in keeping our direct care staff employed with the number of hours they need. Representatives Argall and Seip both pledged to work on our behalf in Harrisburg to get the funding released so that services can be provided to consumers who have already been deemed eligible but remain on a waiting list for services. Within 5 days of our meeting with Rep. Seip, a copy of the letter he penned to Sec. of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower was received by us advocating our request!
Meetings were held by the Governor’s newly established Office of Long Term Living to discuss possible changes in the way Pennsylvania manages it’s numerous Medicaid Waiver programs. The January 28th meeting in Harrisburg was attended by Michael Brown RN, Addus Healthcare, Mary Turick, Compass Rose Care, LLC, and Lori Michael RN, Lori’s Angels. Michael Brown spoke on behalf of home care agencies.
If anyone has any advocacy issues they would like to submit for our next publication, please contact jlskm@verizon.net. Thank you


Get $2,000 Match with Family Savings Account
The Family Savings Account (FSA) is a matched savings program for moderate to low-income Pennsylvanians to promote self-sufficiency through savings, financial management education and asset accumulation. Could the FSA program be right for you or someone you know?
How: FSA Participants must save at least $10 per week for 1 to 3 years. Savings must be for home purchase or repair, financing a small business, or higher education for the participant or child. Savings are matched dollar for dollar up to $2,000. Participants may save on an individual basis or collectively through savings groups.
Key to Success: Experience has shown that low-income individuals achieve their savings goals by developing new spending priorities and/or finding temporary part-time work to bolster their monthly income. To help ensure success, FSA participants receive required courses on personal financial strategies including budgeting, credit, banking products and options, access to loans, education, homeownership, business, investment options, retirement planning and taxes.
Eligibility: Applicants must be residents of PA with a household income less than 200% of the poverty level ($19,140 for one plus $6250 for each additional family member), and with a household net worth less than $10,000 (excluding primary residence and one car).
To learn more: PA Dept. Community and Economic Development at (717) 720-7331

Attention Direct Care Workers
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all direct care workers—especially those in home care, for going to work! With the price of gas up 75 cents in just one year to an all time average high of $3.25 per gallon and rising, something needs to be done to support better wages and benefits for direct care workers. Consumers depend on the services you provide on a daily basis. The work you do is so valuable in keeping long term healthcare costs down by allowing consumers to age in the least restrictive environment that they chose. Without your skill and dedication, this would not be possible. Hang in there! We need to start a letter writing campaign to our elected officials to address the long term needs of direct care workers so that we can continue to provide the care consumers need, where they need it while earning a living wage and with affordable healthcare benefits. With out government support in the form of funding, long term care is in jeopardy of surviving. Anyone interested in joining our advocacy group should contact Lori at 1-877-264-3505 or jlskm@verizon.net

"I CAN HEAR JUST FINE!" Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine March day. One remarked to the other, "Windy, isn't it?". "No," the second man replied, "it's Thursday." And the third man chimed in, "So am I. Let's have a beer."

Sundowner’s Syndrome
Sundowning or “sundowner’s syndrome” is a commonly used term among professionals working with patients who have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. This term describes a pattern of increased behavior problems in the late afternoon and early evening. Persons may exhibit increased confusion, agitation, wandering, hallucinations and general disorientation.
While the cause is not definitive, there are likely several factors. Primarily, the person may be tired after daily activities and caregivers may suffer similar weariness which shows through to the care recipient. The change from light to dark and the “internal clock” may also play a role during this time which has traditionally been transitional (i.e. returning from work, or family time in evenings).
Here are some practical tips, compiled from our experience and advice from the Alzheimer’s Association website:
Anticipate this problem and schedule accordingly. Try to reduce activities and outings at this time. Plan some quiet, alone time in late afternoons.
Keep a routine (always important for a person with dementia). Naps or quiet activities may be helpful during this time (and you may want to avoid naps earlier that might interfere with later sleep).
Reassure the person and redirect them when agitated or restless. Do not attempt to argue with them or use “reality therapy”.
Examine causes of agitation. Noise or stimulation may increase these behaviors.
Identify causes of physical discomfort. If you notice a major change in behavior, a person may be feeling pain or have an underlying infection. Many times, our care managers will note a significant change and when a culture is done, the client has a UTI (urinary tract infection).
As a caregiver, get plenty of rest and recognize your need for a break. Your irritation or exhaustion may further exacerbate your care recipient’s behaviors.

The Workinetics Department at Schuylkill Rehabilitation Center
Can Help YOU Get Back to Work Safely
By: Lauren Shandor, OTR/L
The Workinetics Department at Schuylkill Rehabilitation Center offers several services including work simulation and conditioning, functional capacity evaluations, ergonomic and body mechanics evaluations, and job site evaluations. The goals of the Workinetics program are to transition the person back to work safely, develop safe job performance to prevent re-injury, and to reinforce appropriate work behaviors. Another goal of treatment is to determine if any modifications are recommended for the person to return to gainful employment.
Functional capacity evaluations assess a person’s functional capabilities with lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, and other job specific tasks. SRC uses the Joule system by Valpar to complete all FCE testing protocols and a comprehensive report is sent to the referring physician with comments and recommendations made for the individual.
Ergonomic and body mechanics evaluations help to educate the person on the correct way to use the body with work activities and daily tasks. The therapist instructs the patient on use of proper body mechanics techniques with lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying and other job specific tasks.
Job site evaluations are another service that SRC offers. Licensed occupational therapists assess the tasks of a patient’s specific job at the workplace. Interviewing, pictures, or video may be taken to analyze the job and any risks there may be for the patient with return to work. A report is sent to the referring physician, employer, and patient with recommendations for any modifications that may be needed to provide a safe and ergonomically correct work environment.
If you would like more information on these services for your employees, patients, or yourself, please join us for a free seminar on Tuesday April 8, 2008 @ 6:00 p.m. Call us at (570) 621-9500 or visit our website at www.schuylkillrehab.com.

Support Groups at Schuylkill Rehabilitation Center
300 Schuylkill Medical Plaza, Pottsville, PA 17901

Stroke Support Group: first Wednesday of each month at noon
Fibromyalgia Support Group: first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group: first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

Chronic Pain Support Group: first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group: second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of these support groups is to provide ongoing education and support to those persons suffering from a stroke, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, or a traumatic brain injury and their significant others/support system. The meetings provide an opportunity to talk freely about problems, concerns, and frustrations, to share information and encouragement, provide education, helpful hints, and support. Through your participation in this group, you gain m ore knowledge and get ideas about what can be done to ease its effects on your life.

WHAT HAPPENS AT MEETINGS
Meetings are open to the public and may include lectures with question and answer sessions, given by various medical experts, review of current literature/ research, and general discussions among members. Educational sessions may include films, handouts, or seminars. The meetings generally last about 1 to 2 hours and are free of charge. Everyone is encouraged to participate at their own comfort level.

BENEFITS OF SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups offer great benefits to individuals who attend them. Studies have shown that individuals who attend support groups in addition to their medical treatments, report less anxiety and depression, along with actually living longer than those who do not attend. Studies show that having social support from others in the group actually serves to boost the immune system by reducing the persons’ overall anxiety and psychological stress. Other benefits of support groups include:
Promoting mutual understanding and encouragement within the group
Providing valuable information on the latest treatments and techniques
Sharing mutual concerns
Teaching and learning coping skills
Providing emotional support
Providing affirmation and advocacy
For more information, please call us at 570-621-9500 or visit our website at www.schuylkillrehab.com


Help Wanted with the SCDCWA Fundraiser!
Our Joe Corbi Pizza and Cookie fundraiser will run from March 7th to April 16th, 2008. All orders are to be turned in to Lori Michael at Lori’s Angels before April 18th, 2008. Please collect payment at the time of sale, make checks payable to the Schuylkill County Direct Care Workers Association, Inc.
We would appreciate it greatly if each organization would to try to sell at least 110 items to help us meet our fundraising needs. The more you sell the better! (10 people selling 11 items each)
Everyone selling at least 11 items will receive a FREE BUCKET OF CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIE DOUGH! Just by filling out the ticket in the center of the catalog
Please call Lori at Lori’s Angels 1-877-264-3505 with any questions or if you need catalogs! Orders with payments can be mailed to: Lori’s Angels, 223 Route 61 South, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
Thank you for helping us reach our fundraising goals so that we can provide a quality educational opportunity for our direct care staff on May 1st as well as to host a recruitment event in the fall. To join the email list: jlskm@verizon.net

May 1st Direct Care Conference “Defining Excellence”
The Direct Care Worker Conference is intended for Direct Care Workers, those interested in a career in direct care, providers and consumers who are interested in promoting direct care as a valuable, worthwhile profession. We respectfully request that providers who plan to attend all or part of the conference please include at least one individual from your direct care staff as well. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.