A brief overview of what is new with Medicare for 2013 from the NCOA.
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Hannan Center for Senior Learning Course Catalog
Happy New Year All,
Here is the Hannan Center for Senior Learning (HCSL) winter semester course catalog. Please share it with members at your co-ops (distance dependent!) or gain ideas to share with your education chairs. Andrea Clark (cc’d) did a beautiful job pulling together the brochure. Because it is on legal size paper, we may need to reproduce it here at Hannan. Hence, please contact Andrea directly with the number you would like and your address. Andrea’s extension is 14 if you want to talk with her directly. Please note that there is a finite registration period for classes.
Being Sick
Question:
What is flu and cold protocol?
Answer:
My advice is that if you have the flu, stay home and get better. Because older adults have weaker immune systems and flu shots lose efficacy with age, the best antidote for the flu is to limit exposure. Please use your PTO for this. Call, text, and/or email me when you know you need to take a PTO day. Also communicate work changes to the front office, your liaison and Shiela.
If you need the hours and are feeling a bit better, you can talk with me about doing some work from home (not with client files though). If you have a cold and wish to go to work, try to limit exposure to senior members. Keep your office door closed and post a note indicating that you are working, but feeling under the weather. You can suggest members contact you via phone if they want to meet that day.
I’m open to other good suggestions from SCs. The team has been doing an excellent job of communicating schedule changes to me in a timely matter and I have noticed and really appreciate it!
SC 2013 Goals
SC Conference Call Notes, 12/13/12
Attendees:
Brenda, Rachel, Camille, Chrystal, Harold, John, Maureen, Patti, Michelle, Trudy, Adrienne, Andrea, Alexa, Diane, Victoria, Jane, Harriet, Kari, Karen, Laura, Lindsay, Maryanette, Matt, Renee
2013 Goals!
This is a compilation of individual SC goals from the full SC Team. It is a distillation of the most frequently cited goals. The Conference Call was spent discussing activities SCs can do to achieve the goals.
Goals Related to Professional Development
• Increase knowledge of major entitlement programs
o Become MMAP certified
o Learn about MMAP certification and being a MMAP counselor from Adrienne (John, Patti, and Jane are also MMAP certified)
o Donna would like to get on call in January/February regarding MMAP certification (RJ will follow up with Donna)
o Karen is looking for outline/book on what eligibility requirements are
Trudy has “cheat sheet” that was distributed during SC training. Trudy can send cheat sheet out again. Trudy – can this be posted to Scoop?
MMAP program provides this information
John recommends call Elder Law / MiCAFE regarding this
o Michelle attended MiBridges training
o Frustration with level of availability of programs in Macomb County
• Build leadership skills
o Proactive in creating collaborations with other organizations (ACCESS, DHS, REMA)
o Reaching out with other regional SCs (monthly group in Kalamazoo; regional meetings in Metro – ie “Oakland County” or “Down River”)
o Join task force in area of interest (find big categories of interest and divide up energies between areas).
SCAN Meetings – Oakland and Macomb, http://www.scannetworks.org/
o Geographical area senior communities (ie City-based)
o Diane is looking into leadership development classes
• Improve computer skills necessary for job
o Renee, Matt, and Alexa leading tutorial on Scoop in January
o Refresher on AASC Online training
o Npserv individual assistance on site
o npserv webinar on remote connection
o Excel training
o Powerpoint training
o Microsoft tutorials (on line) for self directed study
Goals Related to Building Administration
• Improve relationship between SC and building management to increase resident satisfaction
o Go into front office to say hi to Administrator and assistant
Especially important for PT SCs to understand what happened in absence
Saying good-bye when leaving for day or when leaving for errand and when will arrive back (show’s respect)
o Like-minded in goal of resident quality of life and ability to age in community
o Use dry erase board on door to indicate schedule updates
o Monthly/bimonthly meetings with residents to inform them of who SC is and what their role is (likewise Administrator, Liaison, maintenance staff, leadership)
o See below for educating
• Educate Administrators/Liaisons on role of SC
o Questions and issues of what SC role, Liaison, President roles are and how they interact
o Educational presentation on who’s job is what
o Continuous/repeated restating of roles because it is so new
o Brief summary of kinds of activities we do with clients during the week (akin to monthly SC report) – are monthly reports getting from CSI to Liaisons?
o Dropping new resources by front office
o People with good relations could submit what is working
o Team building with Liaisons and SCs on quarterly basis to build relationships slowly and get to know each other outside of individual building setting
o One-page document of what SC can do with members/residents for incoming members/residents (to inform new liaison and leasing agent)
o SC Brochure
o Ask questions on specific policies
• Learn what the budget is for SC’s
o Learn more how to properly utilize funds set aside for co-ops
o Not all budgets have been shared by administrators. May need to request.
o How budgets are developed for SC as a whole
o Expense reports vs Check requests
o What is turn around time for checks? Checks are cut on a two-week schedule at the same time as payroll. Check Rachel’s Zimbra calendar for when check requests are due (every other Thursday). Checks typically take less than week to be cut, signed, and mailed after the date they are due (they are co-signed by Tim and Trustee).
Goals Related to Community Resources
• Increase identification of local community and business resources
o Oakland County SW Intern is fleshing out AASC Online Community Resource Directory and will share with others
o Network with regional SCs to share resources (look up SCs who are registered with AASC)
o Cruise websites for resources
o New ALF at Rivertown
• Develop working relationship with DHS office and employees and learn to navigate DHS system better
o DH working with Inkster District on being “go to” person – person is a supervisor (Ms Kensley) willing to be contacted by SCs (Andrea is point person to create systemization of this so as not to overburden her – send ideas to Andrea or have coffee and talk). Potential for in-person meeting. Matt and Jane joining crew.
o SW Interns at DHS. Work with University and DHS to get assistance with solving navigation problems.
o Setting up appointment with DHS/APS to explain services through presentation and learn re their system.
o Learn email addresses. Much better and quicker correspondence.
o Talk with statewide DHS re SC Program. Build relationship with full system
o MiCAFE is good resource because they have established relationship with most DHS district office managers
o File for hearing within prescribed time frame
Goals Related to Resident Education
• Increase attendance at education programs
o Leave ½ page message on everyone’s door clips 2 days prior to presentations (or even same morning)
o Ask office to announce event over intercom
o Create monthly calendar of events and distribute to appts
o No events on Mondays because people forget
o Keep presentations at regular times/days because people respond to consistency
o Bimonthly “teas”
o Plan events at the top of the month to make sure they get into the calendar
o Alternate event locations to add interest and intimacy
o Create nicer flyers (goal to use clip art and spruce up flyers)
• Identify local resources that offer educational programs
o Use contacts from other SCs so that the speaker is known, trustworthy, and has received good evaluations
o Contact agencies that residents already work with (as clients)
Goals Related to Case Management
• Improve or develop monitoring techniques
o Take Wendy’s logic model guide a step further to assist with monthly SC reports and LLMSW supervision reports
o Is it possible to export from AASC Online to an Excel spreadsheet? Try copying and pasting. Talk with Mike C. at Pangea for tips.
o Use AASC Online report on frail and at risk. Print new one each month. Use monthly and works well. Report is in Personal Space under ADL summaries (can select report by month).
o Top drawer divided into months. Rotate the files from December to January (for example) after monitoring them.
• Client-driven Service Plans
o Looking at ISP and Updated Service Plans and how to involve residents in the process of developing the plans and achieving goals
o Ask member to tell her at least 2 goals (leave it less open ended)
• Increase consistency of entering information on AASC online
o Print out lists from either birthday or telephone directory option in AASC Online. Pencil in dates seen.
o Excel spreadsheet
o Stop by to look at another SC’s excel sheet better visualize how tracking mechanism works
Additional Goals
o Increase time efficiency
Schedule more time than necessary for appt (ie extra 10 minutes for paperwork)
Occasionally block out time in morning for monitoring phone calls (hang “in conference’ sign on door)
Use task sheet on Zimbra calendar on daily basis. Number by priority. Can add as much information as needed.
How are we going to attain these goals?
– We’ll do a mid-year check-in.
– More individual training.
– Meet with PVM/CSI re education regarding role of SC
UM SI Communications Study – Diana Bachman
See attached ppt presentation.
Holiday Preparation:
o Clearly post schedule and back up phone numbers in advance. Please let members know that they can reach out to other Service Coordinators or Rachel and Brenda. See attached call list.
o Share schedule with liaison, Sharon, and front office
o Discuss at monthly meeting
o Check in with frail, at risk or isolated members in advance of PTO. Assess need for any proactive referrals. Give a copy of the back-up SC team contacts.
o Check back in with frail, at risk and isolated members upon return.
o Research and post information about support groups and crisis lines in advance of holidays. AA, Grief, illness-specific, depression/anxiety, other? Take time to check in with support group facilitators in order to make a knowledgeable referral. = be sure to post information regarding suicide lines as well
o Self care.
Happy Holidays All!
How to Connect with Individuals Experiencing Psychosis
I recently attended a training at the University of Michigan School of Social Work on “How to Connect with Individuals Experiencing Psychosis.” The seminar was led by Rebecca Hatton, PsyD.
The presentation was excellent, and Dr. Hatton introduced new ways of thinking about and working with someone who is experiencing psychosis. She urged participants to step away from “pathologizing” and consider the possibility that for some individuals psychosis may be a healing process in response to a traumatic experience. The speaker also provided evidence to support that recovery from psychosis can occur without medical intervention. She also provided ideas about how to interact with someone who is experiencing voices.
Please feel free to review the handouts and my notes from the seminar in the attachment below, or contact me with any questions.
Wayne State University: Interprofessional Team Home Visit Program Fostering a Collaborative Approach to Patient Care
We have over 300 health professional teams that need to conduct these visits.
Thanks for considering this request.
jenny
Jennifer Mendez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Director, Co-Curricular Programs
Wayne State University
School of Medicine
320 East Canfield #203 Mazurek Education Commons
Detroit, MI 48201
313-577-1457 FAX
This program introduces Wayne State University’s medical, pharmacy, nursing, occupational therapy and social work students to team care for older adults. Students assess an older adult’s health and social needs.
Faculty from the School of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy Program, School of Social Work and College of Nursing are involved in the planning and implementation of this program. Currently teams of three students from two or three different disciplines will do the home visit of an older adult. The students are year two medical students, year 2 and 3 pharmacy students, bachelors and masters in social work students, occupational therapy students and nursing students (approximately 620 students).
During this 60 minute home visit, students ask questions about daily activities, nutrition, medications, family health, and/or social supports. If an older adult has a third year pharmacy student as a member of the team, s/he will also receive a follow-up visit during which a medication calendar and medication recommendations will be discussed. This second visit takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Over 450 older adults have been recruited for this program to help us teach our students. On average, 250 of them are assessed in their homes annually. The older adults appreciate the time they get to teach students, not only about their own aging but what it means to be a health care practitioner who is caring and willing to do home visits for those who may be homebound. Some older adults report they also see a benefit for themselves.
Each year we need to recruit additional older adults for this program. Older adults need to be living independently at home, able to answer survey questions, and willing for students to visit in your home or a location of your choice. If you are interested in becoming a teacher of health care students or need more information about the program, please contact us.
PATH Training at Senior Alliance
An opportunity for AAA1C SCs and Members!
The Senior Alliance is conducting a FREE PATH leader training in 2013. The training is 4 days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 31st, February 1st, February 7th, and February 8th. A complimentary lunch will be served on all 4 days. In addition, the PATH Leader Manual, the CD, Relaxation for Mind and Body, and the book, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions (Fourth Edition) will be provided. All four days must be attended to receive the free workshop materials and become certified.
(Please note the Leader training this month for 12/11, 12/13, 12/18, and 12/20 has been cancelled and rescheduled for the dates above.)
What is PATH?
For those who are not familiar, PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) is the name Michigan has adopted for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by Stanford University. PATH workshops empower participants to take an active role in managing their health. PATH groups meet once a week for six weeks; each session lasts 2.5 hours. During the sessions, participants learn skills needed in the day-to-day management of long-term health conditions (like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, among others) to maintain and/or improve their ability to carry out activities of daily living.
What is PATH Leader Training?
Each PATH workshop is led by two trained leaders, one or both of whom should (ideally) have a chronic or long term illness. Someone who attends a Leader Training can co-facilitate PATH workshops with another trained leader. Leader trainings are 4 days long.
Who can become a PATH Leader?
A PATH Leader should:
- Possess good listening skills
- Is non-judgmental
- A role model for healthy behaviors
- Has some experience with speaking in front of groups
- Is able to follow a scripted manual
- Possesses life experience resulting in empathy to the needs and abilities of older adults
- Is dependable and consistent
- May or may not be a health professional
- If the leader is a health professional, they must be able to facilitate as a peer leader and not as a health professional
A PATH Leader must also meet these requirements:
- Be willing and available to attend a 4 day leader training
- Be willing and available to co-facilitate one workshop within six months of attending training
- Co-facilitate at least one workshop once a year to remain authorized
- Participate in Michigan Partners on the PATH data collection
The Senior Alliance is looking for leaders who are interested in volunteering to co-facilitate workshops throughout Michigan. We also chair the Southeast Michigan Partners on the PATH Regional group. If you, or someone you know is interested, please complete and return the attached application to me.
Sincerely,
Amanda Pier
Program Specialist/PATH Master Trainer
Direct Dial: (734) 727-2060
Fax: (734) 722-2836
AAA1C Chore Workers
Attached is a list of chore providers, the different services that they can provide in AAA1-C, and a range of costs. This list came from from the Senior Alliance.
Thank you,
Matt
Meeting with CSI
Notes from Hannan Meeting with Sharon and Anne, 11/30/12
Service Coordinator/Liaison Team Building
- Save the date! We are tentatively meeting with the Liaisons at New Horizons Co-op in Madison Heights on Wednesday, January 23rd. Time TBD, but likely lunch through afternoon. This is not a regular work day for all of you, but if you are able to adjust your schedules that day, it would be terrific. The reason for selecting that day is that CSI would also like the SCs to have the opportunity to see a functional co-op meeting at New Horizons. New Horizons is a very “co-opie” co-op, with a strong council, FCRC, and volunteer/member involvement in general. Many of you are hosted by co-ops that are in a cycle of minimal member involvement, so this will give you the opportunity to see what the co-ops look like when they are achieving their mission.
- Monthly Meetings. This is your best opportunity for team building. CSI will work on Liaison participation from their end and suggest the liaisons put “action items” on the agenda similar to what we briefly discussed during our conference call: “propose regularizing agenda into categories/themes discussed each month
- Calendar – meetings, workshops, PTO for SC, liaison and front office volunteers, important Co-op or CSI events
- Education – needs, plans, who takes responsibility for what
- Resources – share
- Policies/procedures – opportunity for clarification
- General updates
- Other”
Infrastructure Issues
- Pete picked up a new phone for Renee that has the ability to regulate the answering machine. I let Sharon know that Harriet, Kari, and Alexa need similar phones. Is this correct? Pete will pick up phones for everyone still in need (ie you don’t have the ability to turn off the answering machine sound when members are in your office).
- Sheila will purchase a white noise machine and trial it at Washington Square Co-op. Karen, you may suggest your office since you’ll be around more. CSI does not want to place the machines in the hallway, which is common practice to create the greatest “white noise” affect without bothering the member and SC who are meeting, because of the capacity for the machine to be clipped and stolen. Hence, Sheila is going to try placing the machine just inside the office door in the entryway/kitchen. This may work for large SC offices.
- Computer help. CSI’s computer support person, Gary, is overwhelmed with work right now. Hannan is paying for npserv to provide phone support for SCs. Hence, if you have any issues that have to do with your email (Zimbra), remote connection (where you access Hannan’s shared files and save all your sensitive documents), AND any general computer questions, please call npserv first. Only call Gary if you know that it is an actual hardware/software problem (ie you can’t turn on your computer) or npserv tells you that the problem is in the domain of CSI and they can no longer assist you. Remember that anything related to AASC Online should be a phone call to Jenell. I know you have been making good use of that! Finally, if anyone is in need or interested in computer classes to increase their work capacity, please let me know. We can link you up with a computer class or specially design a workshop for you if we know your needs. This is part of professional development and I highly encourage it.
- Meetings with CSI. Sharon is very happy to meet with us quarterly. Because face to face conversations are best when trying to collaborate, I’m going to work with Ann and Brenda to schedule Sharon’s meetings with us to coincide with some of our educational workshops when we are already gathered together at Hannan House.
Member challenges understanding the role of the SC, Liaison, and their own Leadership
- It is the Liaison’s role to provide member education. Hence, please continue to refer members to the Liaison if they have concerns regarding the co-op or CSI.
- Continue to bring any concerns that have been raised by members to monthly meetings so that the President, Committee Chairs, and Liaison are present to help clarify who’s role(s) the concerns are related to.
- CSI will ask Liaisons to take notes at monthly meetings so that if member issues are brought up, they are also alerted at the management level.
- Liaisons have concerns regarding SC attendance at general, council and floor meetings. It was decided at our meeting that SCs should attend a floor meeting only once (by council permission), because the floor meetings are “sacred” space. They are like the members’ living rooms. No CSI staff has ever attended. Please do not attend even if asked by the floor rep. It has not yet been decided whether SCs should continue to attend the general and council meetings. Please continue not to attend until you hear otherwise. However, I have advocated for your ability to attend as a general audience member. CSI and I will let you know when we have resolution on this.
- CSI has just last week started continuing education classes for council members. They have been wildly popular and successful! Hopefully this will help with some confusion.
- We discussed the need for more and continued member education (at all levels, especially amongst leadership) regarding the role of the service coordinator. It makes perfect sense that members continue to come to you for CSI-related issues, simply because you are readily available, have an open door policy, and have become trusted. One of the items we will discuss at our SC/Liaison team building meeting in January is the creation of a member education program about service coordination. What will likely happen is that we will create a SC/Liaison team of 2-4 people who will create a workshop that can be held at the co-ops and for the leadership volunteers.
FCRC
- Please continue to only accept written referrals on the proper FCRC form from the president (you cannot accept verbal referrals nor written referrals from anyone else).
- If the president has challenges understanding the FCRC process, please continue to bring it up as topic at your monthly meetings (not targeted the president, but reviewing the process).
- If you are making progress with a member you have received a referral for from the president, you do not need to make a written report back.
- If your president or liaison feels there is a member not making enough progress while working with the SC on a lease-related issue, they can continue with their own process of closed council meetings and/or eviction. SCs/SWs may have a different concept of progress than co-op management has. This is the nature of the two different roles and is OK.
- Sharon will work with the FCRC to create an additional feedback loop within the FCRC chart that would enable the president to refer a member back to the FCRC after they’ve worked with the SC. The most likely scenario for this is if the SC feels it would be helpful to involve the family, but the member doesn’t give the SC permission to call the family, the SC can write on their report back to the president that they recommend the FCRC calls the family (which co-op policy allows).
Alzheimer’s call-in support
Senior Helpers and Botsford Commons are proud to invite you to the Dial In Support Group helping you with questions dealing with Alzheimer’s and any questions or concerns you may have. The event takes place on December 4th and every first Tuesday of the month at 12 noon. For more information and to sign up, please contact Senior Helpers at 248-865-1000 or email us at alzdialin@seniorhelpers.com. Space is limited.
