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Suicide Resources

By on December 24, 2014 in Health and Medical, Mental Health/Substance Use Concerns, Resources

Here is a list of information and resources that I collected while preparing for the discussion on suicide prevention.

http://www.aoa.gov/AoA_Programs/HPW/Behavioral/docs2/Issue%20Brief%204%20Preventing%20Suicide.pdf

http://www.dbsanca.org/docs/APA_Guidelines_for_Suicidal_Behavior.1783314.pdf

pages 20-22

http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/chronic/Suicide-Older_Adults.pdf

1-800-971-0016 (Friendship Line)

http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA10-4515?WT.ac=EB_20110505_SMA10-4515

http://www.ncoa.org/calendar-of-events/suicide-prevention-and-older.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3107573/

There is a sample safety plan that is attached.

 

 

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Financial Toolkit

By on December 24, 2014 in Educational Workshops, OTHER Educational Workshop Topics

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services came to Royal Oak and did a great presentation on the different types of life insurance and annuities. While they were here, they gave every member a Financial Toolkit. It is available electronically at www.Michigan.gov/difs.

 

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Meet Dorothy Jaroszewski!

By on December 8, 2014 in Company News, SC Interviews

Dorothy Jaroszewski is the Service Coordinator at Flat Rock Towers in Flat Rock, where she has been since June 2014. Flat Rock Towers is pretty small compared to many buildings; there are 94 members, but Dorothy also works with a few community members as well.

Before become a service coordinator Dorothy has done many things. She always wanted to be a social worker, and is finally pursuing that passion. She has been a cosmetologist, a physician’s assistant, a supervisor at an adult day care center, and has worked at a nursing home. Recently Dorothy went back to school for her BSW and, after talking with a fellow WSU classmate, decided “What the heck! We’ve come this far, let’s go get a Masters. So we did.” Dorothy says she has really enjoyed almost every job she’s had.

Dorothy says that her family is her greatest passion. She loves animals and children, and she cannot wait to become a grandmother someday! She loves summer and will go anywhere, as long as there’s a pool or a beach involved. She loves to crochet and is learning to play the piano as well.

One of the biggest inspirations in Dorothy’s life has been her grandfather. She says, “I learned more from my maternal grandfather than anyone else in my life.  From him I saw tolerance and forgiveness.  I saw sacrifice and love.  I saw pride and being the best at whatever it is you do.  Whether digging a ditch or splitting an atom, as long as you did your best…you can hold your head up and be proud.  From him I saw dignity.”

Dorothy’s favorite quote is “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up” (John Holmes). As a social worker and service coordinator, this is something Dorothy tries to practice in her everyday life. Dorothy is excited to be a part of the service coordination team and to continue to learn from and work with the residents of Flat Rock!

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Detroit HUDA Clinic — A Resource for the Underinsured

By on November 25, 2014 in Resources

By Vanessa Rorai

As part of my learning plan for my Field Placement, I interviewed a local agency that works to improve human rights and social and economic justice.

I interviewed the HUDA Clinic, which is a free clinic in Detroit. This clinic, which opened in 2004, provides medical services at no cost to anyone who is uninsured (The HUDA Clinic, n.d.).

Current services offered at the clinic are internal medicine, ophthalmology, dentistry, and mental health, and can refer patients to other specialties not offered at the clinic (The HUDA Clinic, n.d.).

The clinic also has a pharmacy with a pharmacist on staff.

In the interview I inquired about the process patients must go through to obtain medication.

The pharmacy has limited types of medication, which are mostly for hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and does not supply any type of narcotics (HUDA, 2014).

There is absolutely no fee for any prescription medication (HUDA, 2014).

The clinic does not offer any educational programs on taking medication safely, but does offer a diabetic education class on every fourth Saturday of the month.

When asked about the effects of the Affordable Care Act, the clinic stated that there are still many people uninsured.

Most uninsured patients that fall between the cracks of the ACA are ineligible for different reasons, immigrants, cannot afford the co-pays or deductibles, or do not want to sign up (HUDA, 2014).

Although the clinic is still helping many uninsured patients, it will be interesting to observe any changes within the clinic as time continues with the Affordable Care Act in action and the recent changes made by President Obama with immigration laws.

 

References

HUDA. (2014, November 11). Reception Desk. (V. Rorai, Interviewer) Detroit, MI,
United States of America.

The HUDA Clinic. (n.d.). HUDA. Retrieved November 21, 2014, from HUDA:
www.hudaclinic.org

 

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Meet Nicole St. John

By on November 24, 2014 in SC Interviews

Nicole works as the Service Coordinator at the Village of Our Savior’s Manor, a PVM facility located in Westland, Michigan. She began this work in August of 2014. Nicole’s favorite part of Service Coordination is having the opportunity to meet new people. She also loves all of the training she receives!

Nicole is one class away from her bachelor’s degree in Gerontology from Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan. She received her Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Washtenaw Community College. In addition, Nicole is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Previously, Nicole worked in a caregiving role as a Nursing Assistant for 10 years.

Outside of work, Nicole stays busy with her three children, ages 14, 10, and 6. When she gets a spare moment, she enjoys reading.

At the age of 18, Nicole cared for her grandmother with end stage liver failure. This experience gave her a passion for caregiving and older adults—a passion that brought her to her career as a Service Coordinator. As a fairly new Service Coordinator, Nicole has set a professional goal to meet all of her residents within 6 months. She also hopes to ensure that all of her residents have the supports and services that they need. Additionally, Nicole works hard to promote Dementia awareness and education.

 

Blessed in Aging

Blessed are they who understand

My faltering step and shaking hand

Blessed, who know my ears today

Must strain to hear the things they say.

Blessed are those who seem to know

My eyes are dim and my mind is slow

Blessed are those who look away

When I spilled tea that weary day.

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile

Stopped to chat for a little while

Blessed are they who know the way

To bring back memories of yesterday.

Blessed are those who never say

“You’ve told that story twice today”

Blessed are they who make it known

That I am loved, respected and not alone.

And blessed are they who will ease the days

Of my journey home, in loving ways.

~ Esther Mary Walker

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Meet Lisa Harteau

By on November 11, 2014 in SC Interviews

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”  – Ambrose Redmoon

Lisa Harteau works as one of the Service Coordinators at Barton Towers, a CSI Co-Op in Royal Oak, Michigan. She began her work in this position in April of 2014. Her favorite part about service coordination is successfully connecting residents to the supports and services they need.

Social work is not Lisa’s first career, but has been serving others for several years. She was a family caregiver on and off for 20 years, served as a medical proxy for a number of individuals, and spent 15 years as a photographer. While studying in an accelerated nursing program, Lisa decided that she wanted to serve others in a different way, so she decided to pursue her degree in social work at Wayne State University. She went on to receive her MSW from Wayne State in April of 2014. Currently, Lisa is working on completing a Geriatric Certificate.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to Bell Isle, taking her dogs for walks, gardening, reading and being around horses. While it is no longer her primary career, she still loves photography and enjoys the fine arts—especially music.

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Easy Legal interactive Website

By on November 6, 2014 in Free Publications & Materials, Reference Information

Here is a very user friendly free legal resource I tried out today while assisting a member that wants a divorce and has a lot of questions.

http://michiganlegalhelp.org/

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Early Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Recording

By on November 5, 2014 in Resources

For your viewing pleasure 🙂

 

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Meet Rebecca Ogrodowski

By on October 29, 2014 in SC Interviews

Rebecca works as the Service Coordinator at The Village of Sage Grove in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She began this position in October of 2013. Her favorite part of being a Service Coordinator is making sure that the residents get access to the benefits and services they deserve.  This means advocating for and with clients.  Many residents become scared or anxious when dealing with governmental agencies, so they are unsure how to deal with DHS, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.  Helping them to navigate the system successfully ROCKS!

Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in Art and Psychology at Barat College and continued on to pursue her MSW at Grand Valley State University. She enjoys combining her degrees by using art as a form of expression with her clients and residents. She finds that art can be very helpful in dealing with multiple situations that arise in her work. Rebecca’s own life experiences led her to use art as a way to cope with stress. These experiences eventually directed her into the field of Social Work.

Rebecca’s experience is vast. She has worked with populations across the life-span in her years of working in the field. She began working with older adults in a long-term care facility coordinating activities and social services in 2003.

Her personal interests include art, reading, and writing. In addition, Rebecca is an active member of her local LGBT organization and serves as the committee chair for the organization’s World AIDS Day Observance on December 1 every year.  While it was difficult to choose, Rebecca decided that 1984, by George Orwell is her favorite book. Her favorite movie is Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Rebecca encourages everyone to embrace who they are and shared a favorite motto:  “Being weird is wonderful.”

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Conference Call Minutes October 23, 2014

By on October 24, 2014 in Conference call notes, Reference Information

Minutes

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