Today's NY Times Features an Article About Caregivers!

The lead article in today's New York Times calls on the federal government to improve wages and labor protections for home care workers. Click here to read the full article.

Pilot Health Plan for Iowa Direct-Care Workers Moving Forward

According to the Health Care for Health Care Workers blog, a report (pdf) by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Insurance outlines a demonstration project that would provide health insurance for up to 250 direct care workers through a voluntary employer-sponsored plan. The report was a directive of HF 2539, a health insurance reform bill passed during the 2008 legislative session.

Click here to read the full story.

Medicare Launches New Website to Assist Caregivers and Others

Ask Medicare provides information on a wide range of issues and help navigating social services network around the country. Caregivers and others can click on www.medicare.gov/caregivers and browse such topics as: Medicare basics; planning for a healthy future; help with hospitalization; home health care and community services; nursing homes and housing options, and many others.

In summary, Ask Medicare is a one-stop shop with online tools to compare health plan choices across the country, find a prescription drug plan or find a doctor. It can point searchers to helpful telephone numbers, links to partner Web sites, and help them connect with financial assistance.

DCA Blog Talks About Women Coming Together

The following is an excerpt from the Direct Care Alliance Blog:


"After being so fortunate to attend a first-rate conference on women and work at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and writing a blog about it last month, I have heard from a number of conference attendees who read it. I truly appreciated hearing from you- thanks! Your positive feedback made me feel ..."

Click here to visit the Direct Care Alliance's blog and read Bridget Siljander's full story!

Baby, It IS Cold Outside!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Jan. 14, 2009 Department of Health
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

CONTACT: Stacy Kriedeman
(717) 787-1783


DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH URGES PENNSYLVANIANS TO PREPARE FOR DANGEROUSLY COLD WEATHER

HARRISBURG – A surge of arctic air forecast to arrive in Pennsylvania on Thursday will bring hazardous wind chills that could lead to serious health problems, the Health Department warned today.

Temperatures across Pennsylvania are expected to range from the single digits to minus 10 tomorrow, with wind chills forecasted to drop to 5 to 30 below zero.

“Taking preventive action can help you reduce the risk of hypothermia, which is a very real threat in extreme cold-weather conditions,” said acting Secretary of Health Everette James. “When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy and result in hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Hypothermia is particularly dangerous because it slows the functions of many vital organs, including the brain, and you may not realize it is happening.”

Stay alert for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, warm the victim up immediately and get medical help as soon as possible.

During periods of extreme cold, the Department of Health recommends that you:
· Make outdoor trips as brief as possible.
· Dress warmly in several layers of loose fitting clothing.
· Cover your mouth and face with a scarf or knit mask to protect your lungs from extremely cold air.
· Keep dry and change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat.
· Avoid exertion as cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart.
· Remain in your vehicle if you become stranded. Keep warm by wrapping your entire body in extra clothing, blankets or newspapers. Move your arms and legs while sitting to improve circulation and stay warmer.
· Watch for signs of frostbite. These consist of loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

While hypothermia is generally associated with being outdoors, it can occur indoors if your thermostat is set too low, or there is a power outage or heating system failure. Follow these recommendations:
· Conserve heat by avoiding unnecessary opening of doors or windows. Close off unused rooms, stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors and close draperies or cover windows with blankets at night.
· Monitor body temperature of infants less than one year old. Infants should never sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat more easily than adults and can’t make enough body heat by shivering.
· Check the temperature in your home often if you are over 65 years of age. Older adults often make less body heat because of slower metabolism and less physical activity.
· Check on elderly friends and neighbors frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated.
· Eating a well-balanced meal will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages as they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly.

To learn more about the Department of Health and its services, visit http://www.health.state.pa.us/ or call 1-877-PA HEALTH.

PHI & Partners in Care

PHI is a provider of training and organizational development services to Partners In Care. In the clip below, Flannery talks about how PHI’s coaching supervision method is helping to transform the workplace culture for her home health aides.







Click here to view the full posting on PHI's blog.

The Digital TV Transition

Many direct care workers, home health aides in particular, can help their clients through the confusing Digital TV transition that is rapidly approaching. As of midnight, February 17th, clients that use an antenna will not receive TV service unless they receive and install a converter box.

The FCC says at least 10 percent of those that need the converter box are still unaware of the transition. Often TV provides a vital link to the outside world for homebound older adults. Please make sure that your clients are prepared for the transition.

Here is a short guide you can use to inform yourself so you can inform your clients:

Have you heard about the National Direct Care Partnership???

The National Direct Care Partnership is a coalition of organizations and individuals who recognize the urgent need to improve long-term care by improving direct-care jobs. They advocate for state and federal laws and regulations that support direct-care workers and the people who rely on their services. They are sponsored by the Direct Care Alliance (the national direct care worker association), and their members include direct-care worker associations, long-term care consumers, employers, and advocates across the nation.

Their members take a multi-stakeholder approach to advocacy, bringing together stakeholders from all parts of the long-term care world to amplify their voices on behalf of direct care workers and consumers. They welcome all individuals and groups who care about this issue, including elders and people with disabilities and their advocates and allies, worker associations, nursing home and home care providers, residential group homes, consumer-directed programs, and organized labor.

For more information, call DCA National Advocacy Director Roy Gedat at (207) 739-9179
or Executive Director Leonila Vega at (212) 730-0741

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DCA_Partners/

Pioneer Network Launches New Website

According to PHI, Pioneer Network, an organization formed in 1997 to advocate for culture change in eldercare, is celebrating a decade of success with the launch of a new website.

The new site will host Webinars and forums and serve as a repository for research and tools to support the goals of the culture change movement.

Pioneer Network was formed in 1997 by a small group of prominent professionals in long-term care to advocate for person-directed care.

Click here to read the full story.