August 31, 2012

Believe in Yourself: How to Develop Your Confidence


Confidence doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Even the most successful people have struggled with it in their careers. The good news is that you develop it, just like any muscle or character trait, if you’re willing to work at it. The better news: These tips can help you strengthen your confidence. Here’s what to try:
• Don’t compare yourself against others. Focus on your own achievements and ambitions, not anyone else’s. Other people will always be more successful than you at different stages of your life and career, and obsessing about them will only send your confidence plunging. Concentrate on identifying and improving your own unique strengths and skills.
• Track your success. Keep a log of your accomplishments, large and small. Recording victories on a daily basis will make you feel more successful, and looking over your progress will boost your self-esteem. In addition, reviewing your achievements should give you some good ideas for what to work on next.
Read more at the NPTA blog. . . Click Here

August 28, 2012

All About Resident Councils in Nursing Homes Part 2

The following is an excerpt from We Care Online's  Social Service Designee course.*

Do residents have a right to meet as a council?

Yes.

Federal and state laws give residents the right to meet as a council. At the time of admission, nursing homes are required to inform new residents of their right to establish a council if one does not exist or to participate in the activities of a council which is already operating.

Councils have the right to meet privately or to invite members of the nursing home's staff, relatives, friends, or members of community organizations to participate in the meetings. The residents of a home may invite a staff person to serve as liaison to the Council, to attend council meetings if requested and to provide needed support services and assistance such as typing minutes and correspondence.

How are Resident Councils organized?

The structure of a Resident Council can be the key to its success. The size of the home and the abilities and needs of the residents are important factors to consider in selecting a structure.

In small homes, Resident Councils are frequently operated as open meetings for all interested residents. There may be a steering committee to help plan meeting agendas and to follow up on decisions made by the Council. Larger homes often have Councils made up of representatives either elected or recruited from different sections of the facility. Council representatives are responsible for seeking the concerns and suggestions of residents in their area and for bringing this information to the meetings.

According to OBRA, every long-term care facility is required to have a Resident Council. Regular monthly meetings are scheduled. Additional meetings can be scheduled per special request or need. All residents are encouraged and invited to come to the meetings. Attendance records and minutes are written. Two resident rights are reviewed and discussed each month in the meeting.

Resident council members review the activity program and give input to programs, special events, and requests at each meeting. The original minutes are keep on file and a copy is given to the administrator. All issues discussed by the council should have a plan of action written, signed, and dated by the responsible discipline. Past month's issues will be reviewed.

The agenda for each meeting should include the following:


  • Welcome
  • Attendance
  • Review of past month's minutes
  • Review of past month's resolutions to issues
  • Review of specific departments such as nursing, dietary, social services, activities, maintenance, therapy, and administration
  • New business and issues
  • Request for visitors for the next month's meeting

The following is an example of meeting minutes
Resident Council Minutes

10/30/09

The following resident attended the resident council: Mary Jo Smith, Calvin Poge, Elizabeth Curry, John Peterson, Robert Bell, and Susan Wayne. The following staff were invited as guest. Jamie Tiller, SSD, and Holly Gorton, AD.

The past month’s minutes were read and approved by the resident council.

The council review John Peterson concern about broken curtains and he shared that maintenance had fixed the curtain right after the last resident council.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the nursing department. Robert Shared that the staff could smile more and say good morning.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the dietary department. All residents shared that the food was wonderful and they especially enjoyed the fried chicken last Monday.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the social services department. The residents did not share any concerns.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the activities department. The residents shared that they would like to add penny cards and go on an outing to the next circus coming to town.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the maintenance department. The residents did not have any concerns at this time.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the therapy department. The residents did not have any concerns at this time.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the administration department. The residents shared they would like the administration to have breakfast with them in the month of December.

New business and Issues were the residents’ choice menu for the month. The residents voted on fried chicken, peas, cinnamon bread, and ice cream with cherry pie. No other new business was discussed at this time.

The residents requested the Director of Nursing to give a report on new staff at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be November 30, 2009.


___________________________________________
Signature of Resident Council President or Vice President

Family Council

Family Councils are also important to have in the facility as well. The family councils are able to help advocate for their loved ones and support one another in care for family member. Family councils are run by the residents’ families. The Long Term Care Ombudsman in your area can help your facility set up a family council.

Link: Family Council

*Note: The Social Service Designee course is available in a limited amount of states.  Click here to find out if the course is available in your state.

August 23, 2012

All About Resident Councils in Nursing Homes Part 1


The following is an excerpt from We Care Online's  Social Service Designee course.*

What is a nursing home Resident Council? 

Link: Care Watchers

A Resident Council is an independent, organized group of people living in a nursing home that meets on a regular basis to discuss concerns, develop suggestions on improving services and plan social activities.

The sizes and structure of Councils varies widely. Some Resident Councils function well with up to 30 residents at meetings. Others are effective with only a few active members. Leadership styles vary as does the amount of resident participation.

Why have a Resident Council? 

The lives of nursing home residents are heavily controlled by laws, rules and policies set by the government and the nursing home. Compromises in life styles become necessary due to health problems and the close quarters in which residents live. These compromises and controls can make nursing home residents feel like their opinions and preferences do not matter.

Many nursing home residents are not content to give up control over their lives. They want an active role in life and the chance to influence decisions which affect them. A Resident Council gives them that chance.

Effective Resident Councils 

Improve communication within their homes. They are known as places to get the facts and help dispel rumors.

Help identify problems early when it is easier to correct them. They are an important part of the grievance process and help avoid the necessity of discussing problems with outside sources.

Serve as a sounding board for new ideas.

Help individuals speak out about concerns and help overcome fear of retaliation. When people are dependent on others for their needs, there is fear that they may make others so angry that care will be withheld. Resident Councils lessen the fear because speaking as a group protects each individual.

Improve the atmosphere of the nursing home. The staff appreciates residents’ input in some of the responsibilities of planning activities and events.

Promote friendship. By working in small groups that meet regularly, residents have a chance to get to know each other well.


Be sure and read Part 2 of All About Resident Councils in Nursing Homes!

*Note: The Social Service Designee course is available in a limited amount of states.  Click here to find out if the course is available in your state.


August 21, 2012

Top 10 Tips: Dealing With Difficult Co-Workers


Dealing with unprofessional colleagues is frustrating and might even affect your work performance. Learn  how to cope with problematic behavior and, most importantly, remain calm. By taking action immediately, you might be able to avoid a conflict before it ever becomes a situation!

Difficult people exist at work as in all facets of life, and they come in every variety. Dealing with these types is easier when the person is just generally obnoxious or when their behavior affects more than one person. But it is much tougher when they personally attack you or undermine your professional standing. While you probably can’t change such a person, the good news is that by following these 10 tips for dealing with problem people in the workplace, you can avoid being their victim:

Identify problem people. Learn to recognize when a co-worker is “toxic.” Difficult people come in all shapes and sizes: Some talk constantly and never listen. Others must always have the last word. Some co-workers fail to keep commitments. Others criticize anything that they did not create themselves. A toxic co-worker can take the form of a cut-you-downer, a two faced backstabber, a gossip, a meddler, an instigator or a nasty competitor.


Read the rest of this article in this handy pdf printout - click here to download


August 16, 2012

Top 10 Tips: How To Be A Good Nursing Assistant

Taking care of 8 - 10 residents in a long term care facility is no joke. That is why a person who takes care of residents needs to be certified by your State. If you passed the training or course, able to passed the mandatory tests (hand washing transferring and blood pressure taking), written tests and Random skills test, then you are fit for the job. Given that you are work as a CNA, how will you handle multiple residents where each individual has unique personality and disability. Here are few tips on how to handle them based on my experience.


Instructions 


  1. Orientation. Before you start taking care of the residents, who will undergo some orientations by the managers in different areas and experienced CNAs assigned to work with you and inform you as to how to handle and take care of the residents. You should take down notes if necessary and be familiar with the care plan, family preferences and much more.


Read the other nine tips here: How to be a good Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5327482_good-_certified-nursing-assistant-_cna_.html#ixzz23Yotg2FG

Sign up for We Care Online's Nursing Assistant course!  Click here to see if it's available in your state!

August 14, 2012

Introducing: We Care Online Staff - Lori Wagoner

We thought it about time that you get to know us a little better. So we've decided to highlight one of our staff members every month.


This month you get to meet Lori Wagoner.  Lori has always had a passion for healthcare.  She began working in the healthcare field as part of the housekeeping staff at a local Long Term Care facility.  Lori enjoyed the atmosphere of the nursing home, and after her daughters became nurses, Lori decided to pursue her CNA and CMA licenses. She has been a part of the LTC facility for a little over 5 years now. Lori enthusiastically states that she started off in LTC and “loved it”!

On a personal note, Lori has been married to her husband for 35 years, and lives on the farm where her husband grew up.  Lori and her husband have 2 grown daughters who are married and 4 wonderful granddaughters. Lori enjoys being able to help her husband around the farm and work at home at the same time.

In Lori’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters and spoiling her grandchildren! She also enjoys helping her husband around the farm, gardening, baking, and taking walks with her dog, Charlie.

Everyone at We Care Online plays an important role in helping students have the best online learning experience possible.  Lori currently assists the instructor for the Activity Director, Social Service Designee, RestorativeAide, and all the open enrollment courses. At the end of courses, she sends all students their course completion certificates.  Lori receives and processes student enrollments for these classes. When it's time for a class to begin, Lori helps the instructor get everyone enrolled and started in their courses. 

Since We Care Online is an online company, Lori knows that people don’t get to see her face to face or to see her work space.  Lori adorns her workspace walls with several colorful pictures that her granddaughters have colored.  Lori also has 2 goldfish that keep her company throughout her day!