Turnover among direct-care workers, especially those who are new on the job, is an ongoing issue for long-term care employers. Many factors contribute to the problem, but one workers themselves often cite, is inadequate preparation for the job.
Recognizing that traditional training programs are often not effective, PHI, over the last two decades, has developed a different approach to preparing workers. Drawing on the principles of adult learning, PHI trainings engage learners more actively through small group work, role plays, and other interactive techniques.
These learner-centered trainings are more successful than traditional approaches in developing workers communication, problem solving and work readiness skills, giving workers the tools they need to develop positive caregiving relationships.
Click here to read full article and download the training guide.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging
Many members of the Lehigh Valley Direct Care Workers Association may wonder about the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA) and how they fit into the association.
Here is a brief overview.
The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) created the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA/the Alliance) in May 2001. LVAA’s vision is the Lehigh Valley will be a community where older adults can remain in their homes and continue to live full lives with as much choice as possible. The mission is to advance strategies ensuring longterm care and supportive service systems meet the existing and emerging needs of all older adults. The Alliance is a community building partnership of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
Governance of the Alliance rests in a 22-person steering committee staffed by the United Way, which also acts as fiduciary agent. The LVAA maintains a current membership of more than 140, with an outstanding attendance and participation rate of 87% on all planning levels. Beyond the steering committee, remaining Alliance members participate on one or more of the five priority focus committees: Communications, Housing Options, Workforce Development, Mobility Options, and Intergenerational Opportunity. Consumers are equally represented on all planning
levels.
The Workforce Development committee of United Way created the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Direct Care Workers Association to help with the retention and recruitment of Direct Care Workers in the Lehigh Valley. The Alliance staff work together to implement strategies developed by the members of the Association.
Besides Cori, the manager that works most closely with the Association, there are two other staff members: Arlene and Sue:
Here is a brief overview.
The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) created the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA/the Alliance) in May 2001. LVAA’s vision is the Lehigh Valley will be a community where older adults can remain in their homes and continue to live full lives with as much choice as possible. The mission is to advance strategies ensuring longterm care and supportive service systems meet the existing and emerging needs of all older adults. The Alliance is a community building partnership of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
Governance of the Alliance rests in a 22-person steering committee staffed by the United Way, which also acts as fiduciary agent. The LVAA maintains a current membership of more than 140, with an outstanding attendance and participation rate of 87% on all planning levels. Beyond the steering committee, remaining Alliance members participate on one or more of the five priority focus committees: Communications, Housing Options, Workforce Development, Mobility Options, and Intergenerational Opportunity. Consumers are equally represented on all planning
levels.
The Workforce Development committee of United Way created the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Direct Care Workers Association to help with the retention and recruitment of Direct Care Workers in the Lehigh Valley. The Alliance staff work together to implement strategies developed by the members of the Association.
Besides Cori, the manager that works most closely with the Association, there are two other staff members: Arlene and Sue:
Friday, November 21, 2008
PHI Launches the 9 Essential Elements of Quality Care
PHI recently announced the nine essential elements of quality care:
Individualized
1. Directed by informed choices made by the consumer (or, where appropriate, by family members or other designated representatives);
2. Offered at the time and place most preferable to the consumer, in a manner that is safe and unhurried; and
3. Provided in a way that honors the consumer’s individuality and preferences.
Respectful
4. Acknowledging the consumer’s right to dignity and privacy, both physical and emotional;
5. Supporting all those involved in the caregiving relationship—the consumer, family members, and the direct-care worker—to relate as individuals in an environment of trust and mutual respect, and
6. Sustaining the consumer’s full range of relationships with friends and family members, and promoting opportunities for broader community engage
Professional
7. Holistic—supporting well-being, health, independence, and quality of life;
8. For consumers with medical needs, consistent with progressive standards of clinical practice—those that are individualized, respectful and coordinated across settings; and
9. Provided by direct-care workers who have quality jobs that allow them to provide the highest-quality services and support.
Click here to view the full story
Individualized
1. Directed by informed choices made by the consumer (or, where appropriate, by family members or other designated representatives);
2. Offered at the time and place most preferable to the consumer, in a manner that is safe and unhurried; and
3. Provided in a way that honors the consumer’s individuality and preferences.
Respectful
4. Acknowledging the consumer’s right to dignity and privacy, both physical and emotional;
5. Supporting all those involved in the caregiving relationship—the consumer, family members, and the direct-care worker—to relate as individuals in an environment of trust and mutual respect, and
6. Sustaining the consumer’s full range of relationships with friends and family members, and promoting opportunities for broader community engage
Professional
7. Holistic—supporting well-being, health, independence, and quality of life;
8. For consumers with medical needs, consistent with progressive standards of clinical practice—those that are individualized, respectful and coordinated across settings; and
9. Provided by direct-care workers who have quality jobs that allow them to provide the highest-quality services and support.
Click here to view the full story
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Live United!
David Seng, Director of Marketing at Human Touch Home Health Care in Allentown, is "living united". He gives back to the community by being involved in the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Direct Care Workers Association!
Many thanks to David for attending our monthly meetings and offering great ideas on ways to recruit more members!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Westminster Village to Hold Lights of Love Tribute
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness month
Join Westminster Village in their annual celebration service for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Lights of Love Tribute!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
at 2 PM in
the Commons Dining Room
Reverend Allen Hermansader, Senior pastor for PHI will officiate.
Join Westminster Village in their annual celebration service for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Lights of Love Tribute!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
at 2 PM in
the Commons Dining Room
Reverend Allen Hermansader, Senior pastor for PHI will officiate.
Pa State Representative Douglas Ruchley, legislative district and member of the Alzheimer’s Appropriation Committee will present a proclamation, as well as recognize the advocacy and professional contributions of Dr. Donna Miller., D.O. to the residents, families and colleagues living in the greater Lehigh Valley. Dr. Miller’s dedication to the field of geriatric medicine to assist people, her striving efforts for better benefits & faced with aging issues, her actions for legislative changes.
RSVP to crepsher@phi-preshomes.org
or call 610-782-8301
Friday, November 7, 2008
Westminster Village Dementia Leadership Initiative
FREE EDUCATION SERIES!!!
Supported in part by the Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation
Topic: Your Brain Health Lifestyle: Preserving Your Life Story
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Time: 12:30 pm - Dessert buffet and networking
1:00 - 3:00 pm - Public Lecture
Location: Sacred Heart Hospital, Second Floor Auditorium, 421 Chew Street, Allentown, PA
Free Parking: Sacred Heart Hospital Chew Street deck or 5th Street Parking deck
RSVP by calling 610-782-8460 or email crepsher@phi.prehomes.org
Supported in part by the Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation
Topic: Your Brain Health Lifestyle: Preserving Your Life Story
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Time: 12:30 pm - Dessert buffet and networking
1:00 - 3:00 pm - Public Lecture
Location: Sacred Heart Hospital, Second Floor Auditorium, 421 Chew Street, Allentown, PA
Free Parking: Sacred Heart Hospital Chew Street deck or 5th Street Parking deck
RSVP by calling 610-782-8460 or email crepsher@phi.prehomes.org
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Tools for Quality Workforce Released by PHI
As reported on the PHI blog, several findings and tools from the Better Jobs Better Care demonstration project have been released.
Many of you will remember that the Lehigh Valley Direct Care Workers Association was created as part of that project.
Most notably, are these reports:
Solutions You Can Use: Transforming the Long-Term Care Workforce takes the major findings and examines how aging-services providers can use them to build a quality workforce. The booklet is organized by WHAT WE LEARNED and WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU.
The findings are organized around four themes:
A Crisis With A Solution: Tools and Resources for Transforming the Long-Term Care Workforce is a compilation of the tools and resources used and developed by BJBC and the grantees.
An accompanying 9-minute video features several BJBC providers sharing their journey from a workplace in crisis to one that empowers direct-care workers and is transforming the way they do business. Narrated by Robyn Stone, BJBC national program director and IFAS executive director, it shares the overall lessons learned during the four-year project.
Many of you will remember that the Lehigh Valley Direct Care Workers Association was created as part of that project.
Most notably, are these reports:
Solutions You Can Use: Transforming the Long-Term Care Workforce takes the major findings and examines how aging-services providers can use them to build a quality workforce. The booklet is organized by WHAT WE LEARNED and WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU.
The findings are organized around four themes:
- Where to find new pools of workers
- What interventions improve retention
- The training direct-care workers and nurse supervisors want and need
- How to develop cultural competence
A Crisis With A Solution: Tools and Resources for Transforming the Long-Term Care Workforce is a compilation of the tools and resources used and developed by BJBC and the grantees.
An accompanying 9-minute video features several BJBC providers sharing their journey from a workplace in crisis to one that empowers direct-care workers and is transforming the way they do business. Narrated by Robyn Stone, BJBC national program director and IFAS executive director, it shares the overall lessons learned during the four-year project.
Monday, November 3, 2008
PA Direct Care Worker Association Organizes a Day for YOU to Speak to Your Legislators!
The Pennsylvania Direct Care Worker Association is organizing a day at the state capitol for our membership to speak to legislators concerning the daily problems facing direct care workers.
On Oct. 9th, Brenda Nachtway attended a meeting with Rep. Mundy’s staff and was assured that our legislators need and want to hear directly from direct care workers in their districts. They want to discuss how we can all work together to resolve problems like staff shortages, lack of respect given to DCW’s, lack of adequate and affordable healthcare, and better wages.
If you have a passion for the work we all do then PLEASE contact Brenda:
Brenda Nachtway
Email: icare@jlink.net
Phone: 547-412-1446
If you would like to attend, they need to hear from you by Nov. 10 with your phone#, e-mail address, area you live in and your local representatives’ names. The meetings will be scheduled in December.
On Oct. 9th, Brenda Nachtway attended a meeting with Rep. Mundy’s staff and was assured that our legislators need and want to hear directly from direct care workers in their districts. They want to discuss how we can all work together to resolve problems like staff shortages, lack of respect given to DCW’s, lack of adequate and affordable healthcare, and better wages.
If you have a passion for the work we all do then PLEASE contact Brenda:
Brenda Nachtway
Email: icare@jlink.net
Phone: 547-412-1446
If you would like to attend, they need to hear from you by Nov. 10 with your phone#, e-mail address, area you live in and your local representatives’ names. The meetings will be scheduled in December.
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