Name Your House!

SeniorCare Homes has decided to give each of our three Alzheimer’s/dementia homes a unique name. We are asking our residents and family members to brainstorm and get their creative juices flowing to help us name their house. Each house has a ‘voting box’ to put ideas in; we’re confident to receive many great ideas! We will post the ‘winning’ names at a later date. Stay tuned!

Dementia Care Certificate at JCCC!

Congratulations to Regina, SeniorCare Homes RN, for completing the 30-hour Dementia Care course offered by Johnson County Community College. SeniorCare offers the finest care for Alzheimer’s and dementia in the city, and continuing education courses such as this certainly keeps our caregivers at the top of their field.

Below is a brief synopsis of the Dementia Care course and contact number (courtesy of JCCC website) if you would like more information.

Caring for persons with dementia is difficult and often overwhelming, yet the need for personal and professional caregivers is growing as the population ages and the incidence of dementia increases.

To help caregivers, Penny Shaffer, RN, program director, Health and Human Services, whose specialty is geriatric care, applied for and received a $25,000 grant to fund an advanced dementia care certificate program. The grant was from the International Longevity Center under the 2008 Community College Caregiver Training Initiative funded by MetLife Foundation.

The result is a new 30-hour dementia care certificate program, developed in collaboration with the Heartland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, that will train family caregivers and in-home care workers to provide long-term home care services to older adults with cognitive deficits due to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or stroke.

Courses are free to family and nonprofessional caregivers. For professionals, the cost is $360. RNs, LPNs, counselors and social workers will earn 30 contact hours. CNAs, home health aides, and personal caregivers will receive a certificate of completion.

“This program will be the first of its kind in Kansas,” Shaffer said. “It is our hope to expand it beyond the metropolitan area in the future.”

Training will emphasize holistic, person-centered care and the importance of the family unit in the patient’s care. This course will cover the most common types of dementia and focus on activities for cognitive and physical stimulation, practical care for assisting in daily-life activities, management of difficult behavioral issues and activities that promote quality of life. Topics include the neurological progression of Alzheimer’s disease and the psycho/social impacts of functional decline, including depression and delirium.

The stress and mental health of the caregiver also will be discussed, including signs and symptoms of depression and stress in the caregiver and the stages of grief and loss. Practical information on how to choose a quality nursing home if homecare is no longer an option will be provided.

“Knowledge is power,” Shaffer said. “This program is designed to equip caregivers with practical information and balance that care with their own needs and health.”

The program has drawn praise. Said a physician who attended an early session, “I just want to say that your course was excellent – as good as any I have ever attended. . . your course was very helpful for me in taking care of my wife.”

For more information, call 913-469-2323.

The Newest Addition to the SeniorCare Family Has Arrived!

SeniorCare Homes welcomes the newest addition to the family – Crosby Morgan Pullins! Crosby was born yesterday at 12:26 PM. He weighs 8 pounds and is 19.5″ long! Both mom and baby are healthy and doing very well! Big brother, Levi, is sure to be a huge help with his new baby brother!

Congratulations Jerry and Jessie!

Prepare, Practice, Prevent the Unthinkable!

SeniorCare Homes recently invited the Overland Park and Leawood Fire Departments into all three homes for in-service training on fire safety. All of our care staff and management found it very interesting and extremely worthwhile! This picture illustrates the correct way to put out a grease fire in the kitchen. Below are 10 tips for fire safety; we can never be reminded enough!

Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors
. Smoke detectors warn you of fire in time to let you escape. Install them on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Follow the manufacturer’s directions, and test once a week. Replace batteries twice a year, or when the detector chirps to signal that the battery is dead. Don’t ever take the battery out for other uses!

Space Heaters Need space
. Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet (1 meter) from paper, curtains, furniture, clothing, bedding, or anything else that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed, and keep children and pets well away from them.

A Match is a Tool for Adults. 
In the hands of a child, matches or lighters are extremely dangerous. Store them up high where kids can’t reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. And teach your children from the start that matches and lighters and lighters are tools for adults, not toys for kids. If children find matches, they should tell an adult immediately.

Cool a Burn
. If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes to ease the pain. Do not use butter on a burn, as this could prolong the heat and further damage the skin. If burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately.

Crawl Low Under Smoke. 
If you encounter smoke using your primary exit, use your alternate route instead. If you must exit through smoke, clean air will be several inches off the floor. Get down on your hands and knees, and crawl to the nearest safe exit.

Plan and Practice Your escape. 
If fire breaks out in your home, you must get out fast. With your family, plan two ways out of every room. Fire escape routes must not include elevators, which might take you right to the fire! Choose a meeting place outside where everyone should gather. Once you are out, stay out! Have the whole family practice the escape plan at least twice a year.

Be Careful Cooking. 
Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles, and don’t leave cooking unattended. Keep your pot’s handles turned inward so children won’t knock or pull them over the edge of the stove. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, then turn off the burner.

Use Electricity Safely
. If an appliance smokes or begins to smell unusual, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Check all your electrical cords, and replace any that are cracked or frayed. If you use extension cords, replace any that are cracked or frayed; and don’t overload them or run them under rugs. Remember that fuses and circuit breakers protect you from fire: don’t tamper with the fuse box or use fuses of an improper size.

STOP, DROP, AND ROLL. 
Everyone should know this rule: if your clothes catch fire, don’t run! Stop where you are, drop to the ground, and roll over and over to smother the flames. Cover your face with your hands to protect your face and lungs.

Practice Candle Safety
. The popularity of candles as home decorations in recent years, has resulted in an increase of candle related fires. Some safe tips include: Never leave a lit candle unattended in any room of the house; Never leave candles burning when you go to bed; and never use candles near combustible materials such as curtains, drapes, bedding and cabinets. Visit our candle safety page for more information.

SeniorCare awarded THREE deficiency free surveys!

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Congratulations to our Administrator, Team Leaders and all of the care staff at the three SeniorCare homes! They have all worked hard to achieve 100% deficiency free surveys from the State of Kansas. This is the first year that all three locations have received perfect surveys with the State of Kansas at the same time! It's this level of expertise and dedication that our staff possesses that makes SeniorCare such a wonderful Alzheimer's and memory care environment. Let's keep up the good work!

1st Tomatoes of the Season!

The Foster House backyard garden is producing its first crop of the summer; thanks to the loving care of one of our residents! Hopefully, these will be the first of many great veggies to come! In August, a tomato recipe feast is scheduled; send us your favorites!

Sagamore Deficiency Free!

Sagamore House is getting off on the right foot; today, we received a 100% deficiency free survey from the State of Kansas!

We are extremely proud of our staff; especially our Administrator and Team Leader who participated in the survey. During a time when many facilities are cutting back on staff and resources, SeniorCare remains committed to providing the most personal memory care in the safest environments found in Kansas City. As SeniorCare grows, this commitment to deliver the finest possible care is only getting stronger, and this survey is a testament to this commitment to excellence!

Thank you to everyone who made this great survey possible!

Grace,
Jerry

Family and Friends Night at Foster!

It was another wonderful family night at Foster! SeniorCare provided Jack Stack brisket and baked beans and the families brought their favorite dish to share. We have some awesome cooks and bakers in our midst!

Alzheimer’s Association Family Series at Church of the Resurrection

Alzheimer’s Association Family Series

This six week class led by experts from the Alzeheimer’s Association will meet on Mondays from July 26 – August 30 at 6:30 pm in Room 2209, Leawood Campus, West Building. The classes are:

July 26 “What Can I Expect” An Overview of Alzehimer’s Disease.
August 2 “I Don’t Need Any Help” A Discussion of Managing Activities of Daily Living.
August 9 “He Just Sits Around All Day” The role of activities and structure for persons with Alzheimer’s.
August 16 “Is She On Too Many Medications?” Concerns and appropriate benefits of commonly prescribed medications.
August 23 “I Can’t Do This Anymore” The dilemma around the placement decision – covers options, resources and the decision making process.
August 30 “I Should, I Ought, I Have To” A discussion of the guilt that typically goes along with the role of a caregiver.

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Key Class/Event Information

Date(s): 07/26/10 – 08/30/10
Start Time: 06:30 PM
Location: Leawood Campus West Bldg Rm 2209
Contact: Karla Woodward
Journey Focus: Knowing + Loving
Program Area: Silver Link
Register:
Volunteer:
Purchase Resources:

Party Time!

The Sagamore ladies enjoy another tea party this week! Homemade scones, chicken salad, a selection of teas and a wonderful assortment of desserts from Dolce completed the scene. Even Jerry, the president/owner of SeniorCare, joined in the fun! We had another special guest; a 435 South photographer who was taking pictures for an upcoming story. Stay posted for the story this fall.