The descriptions of the following Bills are provided for informational purposes only. United Way, LVAA, and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the DCWA do not directly endorse any particular piece of legislation.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) recently introduced S. 2708, the Caring for an Aging America Act. The bill is intended to address the gap between the growing number of older adults and the serious lack of Direct Care Workers.
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), ranking minority member of the Finance Committee and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), chair of the Aging committee, recently introduced S.2641, the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act. This piece of legislation is intended to strengthen accountability requirements for long-term care facilities and increase enforcement of current consumer protections for residents of long-term care facilities.
To read the bills in full, click on the bill numbers above.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Have You Heard of Patti Green?
No? Well, she is an interesting person and you might want to learn a little about her.
Patti Green has become an expert on the state of direct-care work in America by running what amount to online break rooms for direct-care workers. Nursing Assistant Resources on the Web, the blog she started 10 years ago and now runs with the help of two other direct-care workers, is a trove of free articles, thoughtful blog posts, FAQs, and useful links. And at NursingAssistant@yahoogroups.com, the online community Green launched around the same time and still moderates, 750-plus members engage in a lively exchange of ideas, asking questions, venting frustrations, and offering each other affirmation and support.
Patti Green has become an expert on the state of direct-care work in America by running what amount to online break rooms for direct-care workers. Nursing Assistant Resources on the Web, the blog she started 10 years ago and now runs with the help of two other direct-care workers, is a trove of free articles, thoughtful blog posts, FAQs, and useful links. And at NursingAssistant@yahoogroups.com, the online community Green launched around the same time and still moderates, 750-plus members engage in a lively exchange of ideas, asking questions, venting frustrations, and offering each other affirmation and support.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Drawing Winner!
If you will remember, the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the DCWA has been collecting the names of all the direct care workers and managers that submitted an article for inclusion on this blog for a drawing!
During the last meeting, we put all the names in a bowl and selected one. The winner was Danielle Frank from Home Instead.
Congratulations, Danielle! She will receive her gas card this week through the mail.
We are holding another drawing for the spring/early summer season:
LVAA is holding a special drawing to encourage people to contribute articles for the blog. Any Direct Care Worker or manager who contributes a personal post (aka, not a job posting) by July 1st, will be entered in a drawing for a $50 Wawa gift certificate.
Here are the rules:
1. Write a short article, more than 50 words, less than 500, that deals with Direct Care Work.
2. Email it to corir@unitedwayglv.org
3. Include in the email if you would like your post to be anonymous or if we can mention you by name.
4. Provide contact information in case you win! Best of luck
During the last meeting, we put all the names in a bowl and selected one. The winner was Danielle Frank from Home Instead.
Congratulations, Danielle! She will receive her gas card this week through the mail.
We are holding another drawing for the spring/early summer season:
LVAA is holding a special drawing to encourage people to contribute articles for the blog. Any Direct Care Worker or manager who contributes a personal post (aka, not a job posting) by July 1st, will be entered in a drawing for a $50 Wawa gift certificate.
Here are the rules:
1. Write a short article, more than 50 words, less than 500, that deals with Direct Care Work.
2. Email it to corir@unitedwayglv.org
3. Include in the email if you would like your post to be anonymous or if we can mention you by name.
4. Provide contact information in case you win! Best of luck
Monday, April 21, 2008
A Poem From A Dying Woman
This email was forwarded to me by an owner of one of the Long Term Care Facilities. I think it speaks to the many women in the DCW profession:
This poem was written by Erma Bombeck and found after she lost her fight with cancer.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you 's'; more 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
This poem was written by Erma Bombeck and found after she lost her fight with cancer.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you 's'; more 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Crabby Old Man
One of the Direct Care Workers shared this poem with the group at the last meeting:
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Tampa, FL it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses?... What do you see?
What are you thinking... when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, ... not very wise,
Uncertain of habit... with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food... and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice... "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice... the things that you do.
And forever is losing... a sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not... lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding... the long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?... Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse... you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am... As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, ... as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten... with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters... who love one another
A young boy of sixteen... with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now... a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon a twenty... my heart gives a leap.
Remembering the vows... I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now... I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide... and a secure happy home.
A man of thirty... my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other... with ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons... have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me... to see I don't mourn.
At fifty, once more, ... babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children... my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me... my wife is now dead.
I look at the future... I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing... young of their own.
And I think of the years... And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man... and nature is cruel.
'Tis jest to make old age... look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles... grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a ston... where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass... a young guy still dwells,
And now and again... my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys... I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living... life over again.
I think of the years... all too few... gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact... that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people... open and see
Not a crabby old man. Look closer... see ... ME!!
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Tampa, FL it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses?... What do you see?
What are you thinking... when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, ... not very wise,
Uncertain of habit... with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food... and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice... "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice... the things that you do.
And forever is losing... a sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not... lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding... the long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?... Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse... you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am... As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, ... as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten... with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters... who love one another
A young boy of sixteen... with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now... a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon a twenty... my heart gives a leap.
Remembering the vows... I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now... I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide... and a secure happy home.
A man of thirty... my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other... with ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons... have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me... to see I don't mourn.
At fifty, once more, ... babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children... my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me... my wife is now dead.
I look at the future... I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing... young of their own.
And I think of the years... And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man... and nature is cruel.
'Tis jest to make old age... look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles... grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a ston... where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass... a young guy still dwells,
And now and again... my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys... I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living... life over again.
I think of the years... all too few... gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact... that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people... open and see
Not a crabby old man. Look closer... see ... ME!!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Review of Yesterday's Meeting
The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Direct Care Workers Association held our monthly meeting yesterday. The group discussed:
1. The State Direct Care Workers Association
2. This Blog
3. The conferences on May 16th and July 25th
4. The future direction of the LV Chapter of DCWA.
We were very excited to have two managers from different facilities attend for the first time!
1. The State Direct Care Workers Association
2. This Blog
3. The conferences on May 16th and July 25th
4. The future direction of the LV Chapter of DCWA.
We were very excited to have two managers from different facilities attend for the first time!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Meeting Today!
Today, Tuesday, April 15th from 2:30 - 3:30 will be the Lehigh Valley Chapter Meeting for the PA Direct Care Workers Association. There is no fee to join and you do not need to be a member to attend. So, please feel free to stop in and join us!
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
2200 Avenue A, Third Floor
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Conference Room
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
2200 Avenue A, Third Floor
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Conference Room
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Seniors Rock!
Lynn Marie Houghton, RN BSN of Seniors Helping Seniors sent me this wonderful video this morning with the following words, "Seniors Rock!"
Yes, they do!
Yes, they do!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Pennsylvania Holds Hearing on the Direct-Care Workforce
"I care for the seniors, but I care just as much for my co-workers and those who are looking to come into this profession. We need your help to invest in the direct-care workforce," hospice nurse aide Brenda Nachtway told the Pennyslvania House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee on April 2. Nachtway, who is co-chair of the Pennsylvania Direct Care Workers Association, was one of several direct-care workers, employers, and other stakeholders to testify at a public hearing on the direct-care workforce.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
18% of All Boomers Expected to Develop Alzheimer's
According to an article in March 18th's USA Today, "about 14 million, or roughly 18% of the USA's 79 million baby boomers can expect to develop Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia in their lifetime." This is an increase over what had previously been expected. As the article goes on to explain, "Americans are developing Alzheimer's at an accelerating rate."
This, of course, means more Direct Care Workers will be needed to fill future vacancies.
Yet, there are already massive Direct Care Worker shortages across the country. The 2004 Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Workforce Surveys report, a report to the PennsylvaniaIntra-Governmental Council on Long-Term care, found that the average vacancy rate among all providers was 9.2 percent... in 2004!
As the number of baby boomers continue to age and the rate of dementia increase, the need to focus on strategies to increase recruitment and retention of the Direct Care Workforce will become increasingly imperative.
This, of course, means more Direct Care Workers will be needed to fill future vacancies.
Yet, there are already massive Direct Care Worker shortages across the country. The 2004 Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Workforce Surveys report, a report to the PennsylvaniaIntra-Governmental Council on Long-Term care, found that the average vacancy rate among all providers was 9.2 percent... in 2004!
As the number of baby boomers continue to age and the rate of dementia increase, the need to focus on strategies to increase recruitment and retention of the Direct Care Workforce will become increasingly imperative.
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