NYSADVS News...
White Plains Hospital's New Caregiver Support Program
Date Posted:
7/1/2011
Nearly 60 million Americans are family caregivers, providing billions of hours of care each year for family members and friends. A caregiver is defined as a family member, partner, friend; essentially anyone who has assumed informal responsibility for helping an individual meet their daily living needs. Over time, caregivers are often stressed and exhausted as they juggle this important role along with other aspects of their lives.
The Caregiver Support Program at White Plains Hospital Center, launched last June, is designed to provide support, services and resources to those caring for loved ones who face the challenges of acute or catastrophic illness. The program, supervised by the departments of Social Services and Volunteer Services, was in the planning stages for nearly a year and was a labor of love for all involved.
During the time a loved one is hospitalized, caregivers can seek assistance from hospital volunteers- Caregiver Partners (CP). CPs have caregiver experience themselves, and therefore the ability to collaborate with caregivers in a compassionate, understanding manner. CPs provide information regarding many available resources (in the Hospital and within the community), emotional support, coping strategies, and coaching techniques to better manage patient's care while in the hospital and after release (whether to home, a rehab facility or nursing home), and more.
The Caregiver Support Center is a brightly decorated, welcoming room where caregivers can take a physical and mental respite, talk to a volunteer, use a computer or access valuable information in our resource library. As noted by one caregiver - "This is such a bright, airy, cheery room; it's wonderful to have a place to go to. You people are great!"
Since its inception, the program has received tremendous positive feedback, in large part, due to our spectacular volunteers. Currently there are 17 CPs, which include retired nurses, social workers, psychologists, and a few retired WPH employees. These volunteers have attended an extensive seven hour training program, developed by myself and Maria Hood, Director of Social Work/Discharge Planning, with input from Westchester County's Department of Senior Programs Caregiver Program. Topics covered include: HIPAA, understanding boundaries, active listening, communication and coaching skills, service recovery, nursing unit protocols, overview of Hospitalist program, discharge planning, and more. (Studies show that improvements in hospital discharge planning can dramatically improve patient outcomes. As many as 40% of patients over 65 had medication errors after leaving the hospital, and 18% of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days. Family Caregiver Alliance/www.caregiver.org).
As caregivers continue to play a vital role in coordinating patient care, the need for hospital based caregiver programs has become an important advancement. As stated by Maria Hood, Director of Discharge Planning, "Our society is fond of quoting 'It takes a village…' yet so often caregivers feel isolated in their efforts to protect and support a loved one's chronic, often complex care needs. As they struggle to manage, they often become a secondary patient, as the stress of caregiving takes a toll on them both physically and emotionally. The hospital treatment team attempts to help but their efforts are focused on the primary patient. Caregivers often respond to our program with great relief: 'There's someone out there for me!' Our services not only directly address the caregiver's need; it enhances the engagement of the caregiver as a valuable member of the treatment team by supporting them through the hospitalization process."
A year later, the program continues to evolve and thrive and is greatly embraced by the community and our clinical staff.
Submitted By Roseanne Braiotta, DVS White Plains Hospital (Normet Chapter)
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12 Minutes
Date Posted:
7/1/2011
I'd bet real money that you've seen the movie "The Wizard of Oz". Its images have infiltrated every aspect of American culture. Remember "We're not in Kansas anymore" and I'll get you my pretty"?
There's also the Wicked Witch of the West. I shivered with fear every time I saw the movie when I was a child. Did you know Margaret Hamilton was on the screen a total of 12 minutes to make this indelible impression?
There's a lesson for us: lasting impressions take only minutes to create. The same thing can happen in our daily work.
Think about all the people who watch us at work. I don't mean in an Orwellian "big brother" kind of way. Our patients watch us. They watch how we treat their loved ones and our co-workers. That's how they decide if we care about them as people. They notice how we handle problems, and if we look like we have a clue. That's the evidence they use to decide whether to trust us.
The upshot is we're always "on" while we are at work. Each one of us becomes a living example. What do we want those who watch us to see? We want them to see us standing tall.
Think about everything we face during a typical shift. We see people at their most vulnerable moments when they may not be at the top of their game. We on the other hand, have to be at our best. It's what standing tall means.
It's impossible to stand tall when we bring along old grudges and preconceived ideas. Nor can we stand tall when we bring our personal stress to patient's bedside.
What do you want those who watch you to see? What lasting impression do you want to leave with every interaction? Stand tall and proudly show your exceptional self.
(Excerpts from Kristine Peterson, "12 Minutes" www.aacnboldvoicesonline.org , April 2011)
Submitted by Kathy Gorski, DVS (Western Chapter)
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The Digital Age of Marketing for Volunteers
Date Posted:
4/19/2011
In today's healthcare industry and large non profit organizations the processing of potential volunteers has expanded to include the internet. Today the use of digital media to market volunteer department both internally and externally have increased tremendously. For those of us who have yet to use this medium, how do we get on board? And should we decide to do so will using digital media be beneficial or more of a time constraint to our Volunteer departments? Additionally, if you are looking to create webinars and online orientations, or even something as simple as acknowledging volunteers online the digital media may offer the assistance you'll need to get things done.
Some of the Greater New York chapter members have had the privilege of listening to Ms. Lauren Proctor, a New York City based marketing innovation strategist and freelance writer speak about social media and capturing the volunteer audience. Lauren passionately expressed the value for social media and its ability to effectively captivate and interact with our volunteer audience. She is totally jazzed about this communication platform and wants to inspire people to interact and identify with a message...she did exactly that during the workshop. She touched on the power of social media and why it's important to be a part of this tech wave. For instance, 80% of all brand/organization publicity is generated by consumers through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. While 20% is generated by the brand/organization themselves.
This is why our institutions need to join the discussion, become active in our communication efforts. Many volunteer applicants want to know, "what is it like the day in the life of a volunteer" well, this can be our path to answer that question. We can use these media outlets as a way to link our volunteer corp. and create a cohesive positive message for recruitment, retention, innovation, and longevity. Regardless of your tech ability everyone will walk away with a new strategy to bring your volunteer department to 2011 and beyond.
Here are some comments about the speaker and the workshop:
"This was an exciting and engaging program which gave me much to think about."
"The best presentation we have had at GNY. Speaker was extremely bright and knowledgeable in her field - intellectually stimulating - keep bringing speakers this smart!"
"very engaging!"
"This program was very informative,timely and relevant to my work!"
"She was fantastic, extremely knowledgeable."
Ms. Proctor will be a speaker at the annual conference in June.
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Three Cheers for Curling
Date Posted:
12/29/2010
Three Cheers for Curling!
The Utica Curling Club is one of the oldest curling clubs in the United States. In addition to men's, women's and mixed leagues, UCC is host to many programs including adaptive curling, juniors, college students and a curling school.
The Utica Curling Club's adaptive curling program coordinates wheelchair curling and curling for individuals with limited vision or who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged.
Club members support events, training and promotion of curling as volunteers. Bob Prenoveau and Tammy Delano spearhead the club's adaptive curling efforts. As the sport grows for people with visual impairments, CABVI is fortunate to be under the guidance of the Utica Curling Club.
In addition to Mr. Prenoveau and Ms. Delano, Carol Jones and Julie Chanatry have given countless hours to teach curling to the CABVI team. Excitement is high! Each Wednesday, Mr. Prenoveau and Martha Jones offer their talents by assisting with CABVI's training. The ultimate goal is to prepare a team of curlers who are blind and visually impaired to compete in international competition by 2015 with the expectation that curling for the people who are visually impaired will be included in the 2018 Paralympics. Lest we forget the Ice Crew spends countless hours grooming the ice. The ice is watered down (pebbled) in preparation for the each curling session.
CABVI thanks the Utica Curling Club and its many volunteers for their generous contribution of time and treasure to make adaptive curling in central New York a reality. Without the Utica Curling Club's cooperation, this inspiring program would not be possible.
Paula Flisnik, DVS
Mid-State Chapter
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