Archive for the ‘Inservice Training’ Category

Spouses, children, siblings, neighbors and friends are considered strong support systems for home bound clients, but what supports are in place for the caregivers?

More than just a shoulder to cry on, Caregiver Support Groups offer education, information, guidance and encouragement to people who are facing the challenges of care giving. Participants find inspiration from others and insight to their daily struggles of caring for a loved one.

Many disease specific organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Multiple Sclerosis, American Cancer Association, and American Parkinson’s Associations organize local support groups for people with these diseases as well as care givers.

An excellent example of a Manhattan based caregiver support group is led by Christopher Chin, program coordinator of Project STAR at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. In the support groups that Christopher offers, the caregivers are able to share the challenges they face in caring for a loved one in a safe and supportive environment.

The discussion can vary each week and topics range from trying to get other family members more involved and finding adequate home care coverage to expressing the sadness of seeing their loved one decline and worrying about who will be around to care for the caregiver when they become frail themselves.

The caregivers in the group are also able to relay their successes and wisdom they have gained from their experience and allowing them to even laugh at times about their situation. Most of all, the group emphasizes the need for self-care and helps caregivers to feel less isolated knowing that there are others who are in a similar situation who can relate to the struggles they are facing.

In addition to caregiver support groups, Project STAR also offers individual counseling, information and referral and workshops for family caregivers.

For more information on Project STAR or other services and programs sponsored by Lenox Hill Neighborhood House please call Chris Chin at 212-744-5022 or visit their website: www.LenoxHill.org

Inservice Training at SelectCare

Led by Director of Nursing, Janet Stofkoper, all Home Health Aides are required to attend 12 hours of continuing education per year.  During the First Quarter, Janet reviews Infection Control, Safety in the Home and Emergency and Disaster Planning.  Continuous training and practice ensures that our staff is well prepared for any contingency!

For more information on how you can prepare for emergencies, log onto www.nyc.gov/oem.

Meet SelectCare staff members who participated in our recent Inservice Meetings:

Bora Julian, Ferlencie Hood, Melsada Jackson & Abi Suma

Monica Scantlebury, Elizabeth Webster and Lawrencia Coram

Joan Biswas and Marva Gayle

RN Field Nurse Supervisor, Joan Biswas and AcceessNY representative, Marva Gayle discuss the free online service that helps all New Yorkers learn about benefits and programs that they may be eligible to receive. Marva taught our service staff how to access and use the website to identify benefits for our clients and our home care staff.

Some of the benefits are: Food Stamps, Housing, Medical Insurance, Child Care, Elder Care, Summer Camp programs, HEAP (Heat Assistance) Rent Assistance

Please visit www.nyc.gov/accessnyc and use the website to see if you or someone you know may be eligible to receive assistance.