LV Chapter of the DCWA Blog

Future of LVDCWA

2010-06-29T13:39:00.001-04:00

This may be the last post on this blog.

As you may know, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging has decided to discontinue leadership of the Lehigh Valley Direct Care Workers initiative, including maintenance of this blog.

This is a decision based on practicality and focus rather than budget. United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and I still believe in the value of supporting the retention and recruitment of Direct Care Workers. In fact, the recently developed United Way strategic plan framework reaffirms the need for supportive services to help older adults remain in their homes, but seeks to increase actual services in other strategies.

As you may know, United Way stepped in to financially support LVDCWA after the Better Jobs Better Care demonstration grant ended, nearly two years ago, at a cost of nearly $40,000 each year for the past two years. We tried a number of strategies to make the project successful, including one-on-one discussions with local managers, this blog, conferences and speakers at the monthly meetings.

Despite our efforts, we were unable to secure large numbers of members and attendees, making the project costs per person very expensive (over $1,000 per person) and our return on investment very low.

We are currently in the process of informing current members about the decision. Some members have expressed a desire to maintain the association on their own. At the current time, Terry Rives is collecting a list of interested parties. If you are interested in participating in the Lehigh Valley Direct Care Workers Association moving forward, please contact Terry at terryrives@gmail.com.

Poem By A Direct Care Worker

2010-02-08T10:42:00.000-05:00

The Direct Care News featured this poem by a Direct Care Worker:

In Social Awareness Sophie's asked,

If you could change any part of yourself

what would it be? and she thinks very carefully...

(Click here to read full poem)

Two Studies Released

2010-01-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

MetLife Mature Market Institute released its 2009 "Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services and Home Care Costs" and its “Long-Term Care IQ: Removing Myths, Reinforcing Realities” report. According to the press release, the survey indicates the public is not knowledgeable about long term care and many misconceptions endure.
This survey of nursing homes, conducted in conjunction with LifePlans, Inc., contains daily private-pay rates for private and semi-private rooms in licensed nursing homes, monthly base rates for assisted living communities, hourly rates for home health aides from licensed agencies and agency-provided homemaker companion services, and daily rates for adult day services across the United States.

HeartWork!

2010-01-15T09:53:00.002-05:00

Physical Therapist Wanted!!!

2009-11-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

Local home health care agency is seeking a physical therapist for the office. Position would require travel to clients' homes for therapy. Pay would be negotiated upon interview. Currently the position would only be part time with the potential to increase to full time with the increase in client base. This would be a contracted position.

Please call or email Rhonda Young for more information at:

RYoung@humantouchhealth.com
(484)664-2940

Accepting Nominations for Direct Care Worker of the Year

2009-11-18T14:30:00.000-05:00

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is currently accepting nominations for the Direct Care Worker of the Year Award. We thank you for participating in this award which will recognize the outstanding work of home care aides throughout the Commonwealth. Please contact Rocco Claroni at 717-772-2932 or rclaroni@state.pa.us if you have any questions.

Please email Sue at suen@unitedwayglv.org to get more information on nominating one of your workers!

Voice Institute Class Sums Up Experience in One Word

2009-10-29T16:58:00.001-04:00

The Voices Institute NLP Class of 2009 summed up their Voices Institute experiences in one word. Read the links below to see how each of the members answered:

BELIEF

Connie Kreider's word was BELIEF. Click here to read why and comment.

TEAMWORK

D. Alex Chuang's word was TEAMWORK. Click here to read why and comment.

ENLIGHTENING

Pat Downing's word was ENLIGHTENING. Click here to read why and comment.

INCREDIBLE

Tracy Dudzinski's word was INCREDIBLE. Click here to read why and comment.

AWESOME

Brenda Nachtway's word was AWESOME. Click here to read why and comment.

Report on Status of PA Direct Care Workers

2009-10-26T16:22:00.003-04:00

Click here to view the report.

PA Nurse Aide Becomes King

2009-10-20T12:14:00.002-04:00

KASESE, Uganda – For years, Charles Wesley Mumbere worked as a nurse's aide in Maryland and Pennsylvania, caring for the elderly and sick. No one there suspected that he had inherited a royal title in his African homeland when he was just 13.

On Monday, after years of political upheaval and financial struggle, Mumbere, 56, was finally crowned king of his people to the sound of drumbeats and thousands of cheering supporters wearing cloth printed with his portraits.

At a public rally later in the day, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni officially recognized the 300,000-strong Rwenzururu Kingdom. Museveni restored the traditional kingdoms his predecessor banned in 1967, but has been adamant that kings restrict themselves to cultural duties and keep out of politics.

"It is a great moment to know that finally the central government has understood the demands of the Bakonzo people who have been seeking very hard for recognition of their identity," Mumbere told The Associated Press in the whitewashed single-story building that serves as a palace.

Click here for the full story.

Study Finds Home Health Aides Particularly Vulnerable to Labor Law Violations

2009-10-06T15:07:00.001-04:00

Most low-wage workers put in some unpaid overtime, but home health aides are particularly likely not to be paid, according to a new study. “Home health care workers are especially vulnerable to violations, both because of the nature of the job and because they’re not fully covered by the protections that most of us take for granted,” said Annette Bernhardt, the policy co-director of the National Employment Law Project and one of the co-authors of Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers: Violations of Employment and Labor Laws in America’s Cities.

The report is based on a survey of 4,387 workers in low-wage industries in the three largest U.S. cities—Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. It found that employment and labor laws are “regularly and systematically violated” in home health care and other low-wage work settings.

Click here to view the full story.

Overview of Alzheimer's Disease

2009-10-01T15:42:00.001-04:00

This free educational program is designed to help caregivers and family members of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementia cope with the care needs of their impaired loved one. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter at 800-272-3900 or 215-561-2919., or visit our web site at www.alz.org/desjsepa

Location:

Sharing the Caring
41 N. Third Street
Easton, PA 18042

Topics:
Overview of Alzheimer’s Diease

Date:

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009,

Time:

5pm-6pm

Speaker : Mrs. Kerry brown

Please call 800-272-3900 or 610-258-6271 to RSVP before October 20th as seating is limited.

Senate Healthcare Bill

2009-09-22T15:53:00.000-04:00

PHI says, "Senate Finance Committee's Healthcare Bill Will Better Prepare Direct-Care Workers to Serve Older and Disabled Americans"

In the Chairman's Mark released September 16, Senator Max Baucus has addressed the health care needs of America's elders and people with disabilities by including provisions aimed at improving training and compensation for direct-care workers -- the nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal assistants who provide millions of Americans with daily hands-on assistance. The Chairman's Mark includes a total of $425 million in funding over five years for two groundbreaking, competitive demonstration grant programs designed to help sustain the health professions workforce."

We applaud Senator Baucus for his commitment to better prepare and support direct care workers," said Steven Dawson, president of PHI, a nonprofit working to strengthen eldercare and disability services in the United States. " With Congressional support, direct-care workers can better provide the quality of care that America's rapidly growing population of elders and people with disabilities desperately needs and deserves."

Read the full PHI Press Release

SarahCare is Hiring!

2009-09-21T15:14:00.001-04:00

SarahCare Adult Day service is seeking In Home Professional part -time employees for in home care & Adult Day care at our center

CNA, Home Health Assistants, minimum one year experience

Car and current license/insurance needed

Call 610-391-1576 ask for Deb or Marlene

Keep Walking the Walk!

2009-09-18T13:09:00.001-04:00

Are you or your clients looking for a way to exercise and stay fit???

The new Aging in Action newsletter has a great story about a U.K. published study outlining the factors that lead to successfully sustaining a physical activity program.

Click here to check it out!

Happy National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week!

2009-09-17T13:44:00.002-04:00

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously to set aside September 14-19, 2009 as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, a week to recognize, in the words of Ancor, “the invaluable supports Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide and the difference this workforce makes in the lives of Americans with disabilities.”

The resolution (pdf) creating the recognition week states that, among other things, the Senate “recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct support professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities of all ages” and “appreciates the contribution of direct support professionals in supporting the needs that reach beyond the capacities of millions of families in the United States.”

Click here to read PHI's full story.

Changing our Mission Statement!

2009-08-24T14:28:00.002-04:00

We recently changed our mission statement to better describe what we do! Here is our new statement:

A professional network providing education and support for individuals working in Long Term Care to promote the retention of direct care workers; facilitate culture change within organizations to person centered care models; and increase access to the latest high-quality, relevant and cost-effective training.

Feel free to leave any suggestions or comments!

TRIAD Breakfast!!!!

2009-08-18T08:54:00.002-04:00

The public is invited to the 7th annual TRIAD breakfast! You do not need to be a member of TRIAD to attend!

Please come out to show your support for our seniors. Dr. Francis Salerno-The Associate Chief of Geriatrics at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Co-Author of the book, “Basic Prevention: A Guide to Healthy Aging” (and the speaker for LVDCWA's last conference!) will be our key note speaker. Learn about Project Lifesaver!

Please RSVP by September 1st. If you would like to be a sponsor, please send your information and payment in by August 31st. Checks should be made out to TRIAD. Payment and give-aways may be mailed or dropped off at:

Arden Courts
Attention: Karen Francis
5151 Hamilton Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18106
***********************************************************************

Lehigh County TRIAD
invites you to attend our
7th Anniversary Breakfast
to be held on
SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
7:30 a.m.- Registration & Buffet Breakfast

Keynote Speaker:
Francis Salerno M.D.
Associate Chief of Geriatrics-Lehigh Valley Hospital
Co-author of the book, “Basic Prevention: A Guide to Healthy Aging”

Program begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. at:
Traditions of Hanover
5300 Northgate Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Seniors $15.00 All Others $20.00
Please R. S.V.P. by September 1, 2009

Name: _______________________________________________

Organization: __________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________

Number attending: __________ Amount Enclosed:______________

I am unable to attend, but would like to contribute _______________

Make checks payable to: TRIAD
Please send to : Karen Francis
Arden Courts
5151 Hamilton Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18106

Message from Brenda!

2009-08-11T09:23:00.001-04:00

Check out this video from Brenda Nachtway, the rep for PA Direct Care Workers Association:

Conference is Full!

2009-07-21T08:53:00.002-04:00

Our July 30th, 2009 conference on Issues on Aging is full to capacity!

But, don't worry -- you can still stop in and experience our mini-trainings on the third Tuesday of every month from 2:00 - 3:30 at the United Way Building on 2200 Avenue A, Third Floor, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Please call Cori Rolón at 610-807-5742 for more information!

Sandwich Generation

2009-07-16T15:05:00.000-04:00

July is Sandwich Generation Month!

Did you know?

* According to the Pew Research Center just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 are both raising a child and caring for a parent.

* In addition, between 7 to 10 million adults are caring for their aging parents from a long distance.

* U.S. Census Bureau statistics indicate that the number of older Americans aged 65 or older will double by the year 2030, to over 70 million.

Lehigh Valley area babyboomers (ages 45-65) who are part of the ever growing sandwich generation are invited to attend this celebration and information event. Learn more about services available to you. This event commemorates your dedication, patience and caring for your children and your aging parents. Get resources and information at:

Devon House Assisted Living Facility
1930 Bevin Dr.
Allentown, PA 18103
Friday July 17th

1:00p.m.-2:00p.m.
FREE ICECREAM SANDWICHES

Learn more and celebrate!

Contact Terry L. Weber at
610-821-0821 or gsclehi@ptd.net for event details.

Sponsored by GRISWOLD SPECIAL CARE
Over 100 Offices nationwide
including Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Northeast

Alzheimer's Association Holds Memory Walk Committee Meeting

2009-07-02T12:26:00.002-04:00

The Alzheimer's Association will hold a Memory Walk Commmittee Meeting on Monday, July 13th 3:30 PM at Lehigh Commons!

Where: 1680 Spring Creek RdMacungie, PA 18062-974, (610) 530-8089

Special Guest: Adam Recke and his family! Adam's dad, Sean will talk to our Committee about the Walk and what this local family is facing! We have asked the family to have Adam as our "Honored Guest" at this Year's Memory Walk..... and they have agreed! Adam Recke is a 4th grade student at Farmersville Elementary School in Bethlehem Township. He was diagnosed with Type C Niemann-Pick Disease (Childhood Alzheimer’s)...Adam's nowhere near 65, the age at which the risk of dementia starts to zoom.

Some of you may have never heard of Niemann-Pick Type C, or NPC .....

Did you know that kids with NPC lose their ability to walk, talk or even to remember the name of a favorite stuffed animal??

This incurable disease, which afflicts about 500 children in the USA, has been called the pediatric version of Alzheimer's, a disease that afflicts 4.5 million people — most of them seniors — in the nation today.

Alzheimer's is thought to be caused by abnormal brain deposits, almost identical to the deposits seen in children with NPC, says NPC researcher Steven Walkley of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. Children who live long enough with NPC also can develop dementia, he says.

"A lot of us think that if we could really understand NPC, maybe it would help us understand Alzheimer's," he says. Consider coming out to find what this family is facing and how the Alzheimer's Association plans to work with them!

If you would like to attend the meeting, please contact Sara Drey 484-951-2330 or sadcelt@aol.com

Local Direct Care Worker Selling Walker Bags

2009-06-30T15:01:00.003-04:00

Carol Hofacker, local direct care worker and attendee at our June conference on empowerment and self-esteem, has a personal business!

She makes personalized denim walker bags with four pockets.

This is a great gift idea!

contact tamar77@ptd.net for pics and prices!

PHI Launches PolicyWorks

2009-06-29T10:39:00.001-04:00

PHI Launches PolicyWorks: A National Strategy Center for the Direct-Care Workforce

PHI announces the launch of PolicyWorks, an online strategy center promoting national and state policy solutions to strengthen the direct-care workforce. PolicyWorks features:

Strategic Areas - Frameworks for understanding the leading policy issues affecting the direct-care workforce
Workforce Facts - An introduction to the demographics, size, and economic impact of the direct-care workforce
Policy Recommendations - Strategic recommendations on the critical issues affecting direct-care workers
Chart Gallery - High quality graphics highlighting key data on the direct-care workforce
Guide to Accessing Federal Recovery Act Funds - Help for those interested in taking advantage of the unprecedented level of public resources now available
Health Reform Resource Center - Resources to help ensure that national health reform works for the direct-care workforce

PolicyWorks is staffed by PHI's national and state policy experts and led by PHI National Policy Director Steve Edelstein.

Direct Support Professional Takes Top Job at Voices Institute

2009-06-18T11:19:00.002-04:00

If you want something done, they say, give it to someone who’s already busy. And if you want someone to run a leadership program for direct care workers, who better than a busy direct care worker?

The Direct Care Alliance recently named Bridget Siljander to the newly created position of Coordinator of the Voices Institute.

A graduate of the Voices Institute National Leadership Program’s first class, Bridget has provided care and supports to elders and people with disabilities for the past 12 years. She has worked in hospitals, group homes, and nursing homes, but most of her work has been in home care. For the past nine years, she was the primary aide for one home care client.

Click on the video to hear Bridget's story

or click here to read the full story on the Direct Care Alliance blog.

Satisfaction Levels IMPROVE in Nursing Homes!

2009-06-13T11:40:00.001-04:00

According to a new report, satisfaction among nursing home consumers and staff has reached a record high.

The 2008 National Survey of Consumer and Workforce Satisfaction in Nursing Homes (pdf), released on May 27, draws on the responses of 223,449 employees; 54,711 residents; and 146,949 family members in 5,075 nursing facilities across the United States.

It shows that 85 percent of consumers and 66 percent of employees give “good” or “excellent” ratings to their nursing homes, with consumers rating their overall satisfaction and employees stating whether they would recommend their facility as a place to work.

Click here to read the full story on PHI's blog