Beverly Maynard

Beverly Maynard takes care of herself through exercise and healthy eating habits that help her bring positive energy and enthusiasm to her clients.  Beverly’s special nurturing qualities help the clients be as self sufficient and independent as possible.  Beverly believes that the most important thing she can do for the client is help them feel good about themselves, and look forward to feeling better.

Beverly has been a family caregiver for many relatives through the years including her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s Disease, an ill mother and relatives who were diagnosed with cancer.  Not only does she take great care of SelectCare clients, but she is the mother of two young men, Khary, 15 and Nathan 13.  On Saturdays, you will find Beverly attending classes for her LPN license through the NYC Board of Education.

Beverly and her client, Mr. Toren, are on the front page of our website and their photo was part of a show produced by Simon Biswas, son of our RN Field Nurse Supervisor, Joan Biswas.

Now that the weather is finally warming up let’s review some quick safety tips.

When going out:

Canes and Walkers: Check the bottom of canes for worn tips. Easy Fix: Local pharmacies sell rubber tips for canes and walkers that can easily replace worn, split or broken tips.

Safe Footwear: Check the bottom of shoes and boots for traction. Easy Fix: Wear rubber soled shoes to prevent slipping on wet, uneven sidewalks or residual ice. Make sure your shoes fit comfortably and your foot does not slip inside the shoe.

Use Small Pocketbooks: Carrying heavy or large pocketbooks may cause balance problems. Smaller pocket books that can be slung around the body leave hands free and creates better balance.

Wheelchairs: Check the wheels for wear and tear and make sure the brakes are in good working order. All rented wheel chairs have the name and phone number of the supply company. Supply companies will arrange to repair or replace the wheelchairs if needed.

In Your Home:

Replace batteries in all smoke and CO2 alarms.  Batteries should be replaced every 6 months. An easy way to remember to check the batteries is to perform this check on Daylight Savings Days in the Spring and Fall.  Prevent falls or accidents by asking building maintenance personnel to change the batteries using a safe ladder or step stool.  Check batteries in flashlights, and the expiration date on the batteries.

Check the expiration dates of canned foods in your cupboards that have been put aside for emergency provisions.

Keep pathways clutter-free to prevent trips, slips and falls:

• Make sure newspapers, magazines papers are off the floor
• Area rugs are taped or tacked down
• Electrical cords are not in areas where an elder can trip

SelectCare takes client and caregiver safety very seriously. Part of the RN Field Nurse Supervisor’s monthly visit is dedicated to evaluate the above safety issues and assist in resolving any safety issues that are identified. We encourage our clients and families to call us with any concerns regarding safety.

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

Galzie Cardoza

Galzie Cardoza has been caring for SelectCare clients since she emigrated from Jamaica, May, 1990. Galzie learned about home care while volunteering with elders in Jamaica and continued her career in New York. Galzie said that she learned about caring for Alzheimer’s clients through on the job training and continuing inservices. Galzie has enjoyed working with our most challenging clients and treats them all with care, respect and gentle humor. Galzie is very proud of her 7 children, 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and is very excited that her “babies” will see Grandma’s picture on the internet!!!

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.