The Home Page {Holiday Edition: December 2017} Highlights of this Issue: pg 2 pg 3 pg 4 pg 5 pg 6 pg 8 On the Front Lines of Service A Staff Feature Holiday Recipes How Our Service Matters Welcome to New Staff Community Service Efforts In-Service Schedule for 2018 Quality skills. True compassion. Open communication. That s how WeCare for our patients Happy Holidays! It is hard to believe that another year has nearly passed! And, as we begin to conclude 2017, I am excited to both reintroduce The Home Page, WeCare Private Duty Services newsletter, and set the tone for what to expect in the new year. Although we hadn t published an edition since 2015, I heard from many of you wanting to see this newsletter return. Contact me and let me know what you think about this issue, as well as, what you would like to see in future ones. We plan to distribute this publication on a quarterly basis. Your opinion is important and I want to be able to best inform you, as you do the hard work of servicing our clients. I would be remiss if I didn t take this opportunity to thank each of you for your enduring contributions. Our caregivers, staff and clients are truly a family the WeCare Private Duty Services family. Whether you are a staff member or a contractor on our registry, the relationships that you have formed with each other and the clients are the foundation of our business success. And, for that, I am grateful. Thank you for every effort, every suggestion, and every kindness you ve offered me or our clients. You ve made all the difference and I wish you a safe, healthy and celebratory holiday season! Geraldine E. Diggs Founder, President and CEO February 7, 1932 November 8, 2017 WeCare Private Duty Services lovingly remembers Leonard C. Greene, long-time companion, partner and love of our Founder, President and CEO, Geraldine E. Diggs. Greenie, as he was known, was an influential presence and an advocate of the WeCare family, of which he was an invaluable member. This inaugural issue of The Home Page is dedicated to Greenie s memory he will be missed. Thank you all for the kind notes,calls and support during this time of bereavement. I really appreciate your kindness and generosity. Sincerely, Geraldine Diggs NEWSLETTER
On the Front Lines of Service Staff Feature on Nancy Marks She is often the first point-ofcontact with WeCare Private Duty Services Nancy Marks, a nearly three-year employee, prides herself on being the WeCare Administrative Assistant and the ambassador that helps clients, potential clients and caregivers navigate to the right people. I represent the company with my voice and set the friendly tone for someone s experience when they call, said Nancy. When I came to work here, I was attracted to the caring factor the employees and the staff that work here are very caring people, she said. Aside from answering phone calls, Nancy helps staff with various administrative duties. This was not the first time her friendly disposition was put to use in the caregiving realm to serve others. For a lot of years until my dad died, I visited nursing homes just to bring cheer, said Nancy. That taught me so much you have to make your own heaven or hell, you have to decide to be happy no matter where you are placed, it was a tremendous lesson. Nancy elaborated. If I am placed in a nursing home or have a caregiver come to my home, I m going to catch up on my sitting down time, because I m always in motion; I m going to read and let myself be cared for it s not a bad thing but people fight it with such venom. They should try looking at the positive opportunities rather than looking at the losses. Nancy is a true ambassador for our agency. Founder, President and CEO Geraldine Diggs Nancy wrapped with a story of a woman whom she met during her days of visiting nursing homes. The woman suffered with rheumatoid arthritis all over, except for her hands. She knitted hats for newborns, that s what she used her hands for, said Nancy. She told me that when her hands stopped working, she would just pray. What a powerful lesson to all of us. She maintained a sense of purpose. We all should maintain purpose in our lives because we are all going to get old one day. Nancy purpose shines through in her everyday work and is one of the reasons she was selected for a feature. I wanted to feature Nancy first because she is a true ambassador for our agency, said Founder, President and CEO Geraldine Diggs. She has a warm and friendly personality and represents WeCare Private Duty Services well on the front lines. She is an exceptional example of who we are and we are lucky to have her on our team. Emergency Supply Kit Checklist The Maryland Department of Heath recommends the following items for a First Aid Kit. Please consider having these products on-hand in case of emergencies and unexpected holiday weather. First aid manual Prescription drugs; a two week supply of every household member s vital medications Nonprescription drugs: pain reliever, laxative, allergy medicine, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, antibiotic ointment, vitamins, eye wash Prescribed medical supplies, such as glucose & blood pressure monitoring equipment Scissors, tweezers, magnifying glass Sterile needle, safety razor blade Thermometer Insect repellent Mirror Sterile adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) in assorted sizes, gauze pads & roller bandages Hypoallergenic adhesive tape Several pairs of disposable gloves Isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide Antiseptic, antiseptic spray Cold packs and heat packs 2 For more information, visit preparedness.health.maryland.gov
Enjoy one of our favorite holiday recipes Peppermint Bark Ingredients 30 crushed peppermint hard candies, divided 1 1 /2 pounds milk chocolate candy, coarsely chopped 1 1 /2 pounds white chocolate, chopped 1 teaspoon oil-based peppermint flavoring, or to taste *Recipe from www.allrecipes.com http://allrecipes.com/recipe/217827/ peppermint-bark Directions 1. Spread 1 /3 of the peppermint candy over a 9x13-inch baking pan lined with wax paper. 2. Melt the milk chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, just until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over peppermint candy in the prepared pan. Sprinkle another 1 /3 of the candy on top of the milk chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. 3. Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Stir in the oil-based peppermint flavoring. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate, then spread the remaining 1 /3 peppermint candy on top. 4. Refrigerate until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Cut or break into pieces to serve. A Sugar-Free, Low-Carb and Nut-Free Option Low Carb Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie (Nut Free) Ingredients 3 /4 butter softened 4 oz cream cheese softened 4 oz sour cream 1 cup Sukrin Gold 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 /2 tsp vanilla liquid stevia 1 /4 cup milk or heavy cream 2 eggs 2 cups sesame flour (216 grams) or if no tree nut allergies use almond flour 1 tsp xanthan gum 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 /2 cup sugar free chocolate chips *Recipe from www.sugarfreemom.com www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/low-carbchocolate-chip-skillet-cookie-nut-free/ Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Add your butter, cream cheese, sour cream to a stand mixer and blend until smooth. 3. Add the sweetener, vanilla extract, stevia and milk to the mixer and blend until combined. Taste and adjust sweetener if needed. 4. Add the remaining ingredients to the mixer, except the chocolate chips. Blend until incorporated then stir in the chocolate chips by hand. 5. Grease a 9 inch cast iron skillet and spread the batter into the skillet. 6. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick in center comes out clean. 7. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes before serving. 3
How Our Service Matters A More Than 20-Year Caregiver and Client Experience Twenty-one years ago, Richard Phelps and Robert Morgan began their relationship as caregiver and care receiver. Somewhere during the course of their two decades together, their bond deepened into what they now describe as close friends. Richard, known as Rich, became a client of WeCare Private Duty Services in 1996. My doctor, Dr. Holloway, referred us to WeCare and that was it. I hit it off with Robert right away because we had a lot of stuff in common. Rich first started exhibiting symptoms of his illness years ago, when he was in the 8th grade, and it would be a while before doctors would properly diagnose him. Eventually, he was told that he had Devic s Disease, an autoimmune disease, that slowly progresses. I was sick between 1983-1984 but I was able to get through high school, said Rich. I didn t stop walking until 1993 and that s when I first needed care and then it gradually got worse. I am now on a ventilator and I m in a nursing home. But life for Rich is full especially thanks to Robert. He s why I am out of the hospital, because I am in such good condition, said Rich. I am a quadriplegic but I have muscle tone and I eat a regular diet they don t see that for people on a ventilator, he said. Robert agreed. I worked in the hospital for 25 years in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit [the unit where patients are temporarily admitted for recovery after any surgical procedure]. He is really in good shape compared to most people in his condition, he said. I was the first person to take him outside; I finally said, Rich, you want to get out of here? That statement started their social life together. Using Rich s van, the duo attends movies and goes to restaurants just some of the events they enjoy. We could probably write a book of all of the experiences, said Rich. Robert is like a brother or a best friend he s family. Richard is my buddy, when I m not working he will call me and ask me what I am doing and we talk about what s going on, the new shows coming on TV, or the game. His family is also good people and I m close with his family too. I really appreciate them, said Robert. When Rich and Robert began their relationship, Rich was not aware until later that he was one of WeCare s first clients some 20 years ago but I m glad they are still around because Robert wouldn t be here, he said. It s amazing how many people are working there now. They re very professional and highly regarded in the Baltimore area. Robert has been with me so long and he can just look at me and know something is wrong if I can t speak, said Rich. If something ever happened to Robert Rich let the word linger, unable to continue. He s filled up, chimed in Robert. I believe there is a tear forming in his eye, Robert teased. The sentiment said it all and spoke volumes about the ease between them and what the two mean to each other, after their years together. 4
Welcome Home This past summer, two Registered Nurses (RNs) joined the WeCare Private Duty Services family in July. Please join us in welcoming them. Susan Keller, RN Valerie (Craft) Dorsey, RN Susan Keller, RN, began working with WeCare Private Duty Services on July 24. She has been an RN for more than 40 years, It was my first and only job, she explained. But it s more than a job, it s a vocation. I love nurturing and caring for people. I love navigating people to where I think they need to be. As an RN at WeCare, Susan is responsible for the intake of new patients and connecting them with scheduling. Susan is also responsible for visiting the client s home and performing an assessment and developing a care plan for the client. WeCare nurses put together medical, bathing, dietary and risk avoidance plans to be followed by caregivers for clients. They also do a 45-day, follow-up assessment that tracks client progress, and provides recommendations and helpful hints to keep them at the optimal state of health. Prior to joining WeCare, Susan s last job was at Stella Maris as an admissions nurse for Sub Acute Care. She was previously a medical surgical nurse, which she credits for her firm foundation, because of the variety of needs. She followed with home care nursing where you really have to become confident in your skills because you are often out there alone. Throughout her career, Susan has enjoyed mentoring new nurses. During her free time, Susan enjoys decorating, cooking and doing yoga in addition to a lot of walking and collaborating with her nursing friends during dinners. Susan is family-oriented and enjoys spending time with her family including her husband, David Keller, and their two grown daughters, Caitlin Smith, who was recently married, and Allison. If I had to do it over again, I would still choose nursing. Valerie (Craft) Dorsey, RN began working for WeCare Private Duty Services on July 10. Prior to becoming an RN, Valerie was a caregiver for three and a half years with WeCare. Before that, she said, I had no medical knowledge because I was an accountant for 10 years. Although becoming a nurse and getting into the medical field has been a childhood dream, Valerie admitted, she may not have pursued it had it not been for a company layoff. I sort of fell into accounting because I had a business degree, said Valerie. My original plan was to learn the business side of nursing and then the clinical because I knew I was passionate about helping people. A friend referred Valerie to Ms. Diggs and the rest is history. It has been a pleasure working with WeCare first as a caregiver and now I am continuing, just on a different level. Everyone is nice, professional, warm and helpful, she said. As a caregiver you get to know a few clients intimately. In my new role, I get to meet all of them. Just being able to help people and give my insight on their activitiess and their overall lifestyle to guide them to be healthier people it s fulfilling. It s always what I wanted to do. Valerie describes the two sides of her work life at WeCare the office work, like assessments and documentation, and the client side, which she calls the people side. We help our clients understand healthier habits and maintain better health. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys relaxing and spending time with her family. Valerie recently married on November 3, in Cancun, Mexico. She has two sons, who are 18, and 26 respectively. I like family time, said Valerie. I am a homebody so I enjoy staying at home and doing things there. I don t like to cook so you can find me at any restaurant. 5
Volunteering in the community not only helps those in need but it also brings us all together as a team! Project Homeless Connect Helping the community is so vital and fun too! Step Out Walk- American Diabetes Association WeCare staff volunteering at My Sister s Place I ll never forget the huge hug I received from a little boy that day. It made every second of our volunteer efforts worth it. 6
WeCare Private Duty Services In the Community 2017 Beyond the regular work of WeCare Private Duty Services, WeCare also makes giving back and volunteerism a company priority. Here are some of the highlights from throughout the year: Basket Bingo American Diabetes Association On August 26, 2017, WeCare held its fifth annual Basket Bingo event to raise money for the America Diabetes Association. WeCare also has a team that participates in The Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes. The Step Out Walk was on Sunday October 1 at the Canton Waterfront Park. The money raised by the Basket Bingo supported the team s efforts to raise money for the walk. At the Basket Bingo, the winners won various themed baskets, like yoga fitness or game night. They also had cash raffles and a 27 Apple imac computer which was won by caregiver, Melissa Johnson. This year the WeCare team raised $20,140.00 Project Homeless Connect WeCare staff volunteered on Thursday, October 12, from 9a-1p at the Baltimore Convention Center to be guides for homeless individuals in need of services. WeCare staff were the first points-of-contact for attendees, helping them to navigate toward the agencies and resources best suited for their needs. The event included services ranging from legal aid, dental, vision to housing and resume assistance. This year WeCare sponsored several Alzheimer s Assocation events: Memory Ball Dancing Stars April 8, 2017 Alzheimer s Association Annual Dementia Conference April 21, 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer s Howard County September 23, 2017 Pythias A. and Virginia I. Jones African American Community Forum on Memory Loss November 4, 2017 7
Save the Dates In-Service Schedule for 2018 WeCare Private Duty Services has scheduled the following service days for the upcoming year. Please take a moment and save them to your calendars. March 2018 Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Theme: An educational program. Location: Charlestown Retirement Community, Gallery Room. June 2018 TBD: Either Saturday, June 9 or Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Theme: An educational program accompanied by an awards and recognition segment in honor of Caregiver Appreciation Month. Location: Charlestown Retirement Community, Erickson Conference Center. September 2018 Thursday, September 20, 7 p.m. 9 p.m. Theme: An evening educational program. Location: Charlestown Retirement Community, Gallery Room. December 2018 Saturday December 8, 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Theme: An educational program infused with inspiration in honor of the holiday season. Location: Charlestown Retirement Community, Erickson Conference Center. Holiday Reminders As we enter the holiday season, per our clients request, please remember to: 1. Ensure your Client Schedule Change Notification Forms are submitted properly and in a timely fashion to the Scheduling Department. 2. Please remember to provide notice to your client and receive their signatures on the Client Schedule Change Notification Form. 3. Please provide one month written notice for all holiday requests. Services Experienced Care with Specific Health Issues Skilled Nursing Care Assistance with Activities of Daily Living 1852 Reisterstown Road Suite 209 Pikesville, MD 21208 Phone: 410-602-3993 Fax: 410-602-6277 wecare@wecarepds.com www.wecarepds.com 8 License Number R921 Licensed as a Residential Service Agency by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Healthcare Quality Independently Owned and Operated