Posted by Brian Barrick on March 1, 2012
It is important for all Adult Care Facility owners to maintain their property year round to reduce the risk of a fire or other costly property claims. In the next 4 issues, we hope to provide tips and pointers on how to keep your property safe for residents and visitors. The following are only suggestions but can pay off in peace of mind, cost of utilities, and the long-term durability of your facility.
The Top 5 Winter safety Tips:
Remove screens from windows and install storm windows- this will help keep your residents warm PLUS reduce the cost of heat
- Clean out gutters- When gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, ice is more likely to build up and freeze the downspout. One way to prevent this from happening is to install gutter screens during the winter
- Make sure electrical Holiday decorations are safe- make sure to replace any lights that have bare wires showing. To help decrease the chance of decorations overheating make sure to unplug them when not in use or purchase a timer that turns them off automatically at a preset time
- Replace batteries on or purchase carbon monoxide detectors- these detectors should be in the laundry room and kitchen. They let you know if your air is being polluted by either the dryer or stove and can save your facility from a fire
- 5. Have plenty of salt on hand- having salt on hand will help keep your sidewalks safe when the weather brings us snow and sleet
Posted in Handy Tips | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Claims, Documentation, Incident Reporting, Insurance, Risk Management, safety | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 28, 2012
There are so many different types of exercises being created because people are getting bored with the regular work out on the treadmill or lifting equipment. Of many of these exercises yoga is included. Yoga is a great source of exercise for most senior citizens because it allows you to stretch your muscles and meditate. There are many different types of yoga depending on your level; for starters there is hatha, iyengar, viniyoga, or chair yoga.
The hatha practice is for beginners that are not very limber and it helps promote longevity. The iyengar practice is very beneficial to senior citizens and it includes the use of props while practicing yoga. Viniyoga is also a great option because it is fit to each person along with chair yoga. All of these types of yoga can be taught by a certified yoga instructor or you may be able to find some on DVD and in books.
When offering Yoga in your assisted living facility, make sure your residents are physically fit and able. It is also vital to get their doctors permission before allowing them to participate in strenuous activities.
Posted in Resident Activities | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, brian barrick, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes, Resident Activities, residents | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 22, 2012
Adult Care Homes and Facilities are required to provide security for the confidential, financial and other information of their clients and customers, it is helpful to know and understand what steps to take to keep your institution from being threatened.
Employee Management and Training
- Regularly remind all employees of your company’s policy and legal requirement to keep customer information confidential and secure.
- Limit access to customer information to employees who have business reason to see it.
- Do background checks and check references before hiring employees who will work with confidential information.
- Ask every new employee to sign an agreement to follow your company’s confidential and security standards for handing customer information.
- Manage access to sensitive information by incorporating “strong” passwords that are changed frequently.
- Create policies for appropriate use and protection of laptops, PDA’s, cell phones, or other mobile devices.
- Train employees to take steps to maintain the security, confidentiality, and integrity of customers.
- Develop policies for employees who telecommute.
- Prevent terminated employees from accessing customer information.
Information Systems
- Know where sensitive customer information is stored and store securely.
- Take steps to insure the secure broadcast of customer information.
- Get rid of customer information in a secure way and with the FTC’s Disposal Rule www.ftc.gov/os/2004/11/041118disposalfrn.pdf
Detecting and Managing System Failures
- Monitor the websites of your software vendors and reading applicable industry publications for news about emerging threats and available defenses.
- Maintain current and appropriate programs and controls to avoid unauthorized access to customer information.
- Use the correct oversight or audit procedures to detect the inappropriate disclosure or theft of customer information.
- Take steps to defend the security, confidentiality, and integrity of customer information in the event of a breach.
- Consider informing customers, law enforcement, and businesses in the event of a security breach.
Posted in Handy Tips, Insurance Topics | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Claims, client confidentiality, confidential information, Cyber Insurance, Documentation, employee, employee contracts, HIPAA, Incident Reporting, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes, residents, Risk Management | 1 Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 21, 2012
Sometimes residents feel like they do not belong in your facility and they just feel lonely, and no one enjoys feeling that way so why not find something where your residents can relate to one thing and discuss it, how about a discussion group? This would be a great way for your residents to meet each other and find out their interests and may even make some friends. After all, if your residents don’t have any visitors, they may feel like they have no one, so a friend would be very beneficial to them.
First you will need to have a sign up paper where your residents can write what discussion group they would like to have and have other residents makes a mark next to it if they would like this as well. This will let you know which ideas are more popular than others which can then lead you to making a time for the discussion groups and posting it for your residents. During the discussion group it would be beneficial for one of the staff members to research the topic so they can help start the discussion, and then the rest is sitting back and enjoying the discussion.
Posted in Resident Activities | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, brian barrick, Personal Care Homes, Resident Activities, residents | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 14, 2012
One hobby that almost all senior citizens seem to enjoy is reading the paper. They like to be kept up on what is happening in their community, events, and the cartoons and crossword puzzles. You can incorporate the newspaper into your facility by creating a monthly, weekly, or even daily newsletter that your residents would truly enjoy.
First you will need to make a layout of what will be covered in your newsletter, will it be strictly for your facility or will it include information about your whole community. Next you will need to get staff members to write blogs about the topics you pick. For the fun and games section you can find a bunch of cartoons on the internet, or your can create your own. You can also find crossword puzzle makers online and Sudoku. All that’s left is handing out your papers, and seeing your residents enjoy them.
For an easy to use template, visit www.pcalic.com and send an e-mail request.
Posted in Resident Activities | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, brian barrick, Documentation, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes, Resident Activities, residents | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 14, 2012
There is not a specific formula for dealing with risks because the management is based on preparing for uncertain circumstances. Luckily, three strategies have been developed to help keep us on our feet when we are tripping over the idea of how to manage certain risks. The first is to create goals for risk management, so there is a target to aim form. (Ask “why” and “what”?) The second is to develop a committee (“who”?) involving people from all levels of the organization with diverse perspectives. Finally, a risk management plan with goals and objectives should be made.
Posted in Insurance Topics, Uncategorized | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, brian barrick, Claims, Incident Reporting, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes, Risk Management | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 6, 2012
Who doesn’t love having their birthday celebrated? It’s the one day out of the year that is all about you, so why wouldn’t you celebrate that. A great activity for your residents in your assisted living home would be a monthly birthday party where you celebrate every resident’s birthday in that specific month.
All of the residents would be invited to share in the birthday festivities this is a fun and fairly inexpensive activity that will bring great joy to your residents. You could have balloons tied to each resident’s chair that had a birthday, set up a banner with all of their names on it (you can buy reusable banners at local party supply stores), have pizza (If their diets allow that), bake a cake, and play games. It is a great way for a resident to bring out the child within. So, get out your party hats and get ready for your monthly birthday bash!
Posted in Resident Activities | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, brian barrick, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes, Resident Activities, residents | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 2, 2012
Wheelchairs may seem pretty easy to maneuver, but there are many precautions you can take to avoid injury. To transfer a weak resident from a bed to a wheelchair follow these safety tips:
- Evaluate the resident overall strength and check for cognitive impairments
- Inform the resident of the procedure
- Place the wheelchair next to the bed, make sure that when you are as close as possible to the bed that the breaks are locked on the wheelchair
- Adjust the height of the bed so the bed is as equal to the wheelchair as possible and remember to lock the beds breaks when it is in position
- Lower the side rails of the bed and if possible, raise the head of the bed to a point that is comfortable for the resident
- Place one arm under the shoulder of the resident and the other arm supporting the residents’ thigh on the opposite side. Count to three and then carefully swing the legs of the resident over the side of the bed and assist him in lifting his trunk and shoulders until he is in sitting position. If resident is strong enough to do some movements, allow the resident to participate on the maneuver.
- Position your arms around the torso of the resident for support. Put one arm of the resident over your shoulder; while his other arm is extended on the bed, to help maintain the position. Instruct the resident to scoot over the edge of the bed until feet is flat on the floor.
- Position your right foot alongside the residents’ left foot and place your leg on the level on his knee
- Slightly bend your knees and tilt your body. Then instruct the resident to get ready for a push from one arm that’s extended on the bed, as you lift him up to standing position.
- Elevate resident to standing position and keep your back straight as you do this maneuver. Adjust the resident so that his back is positioned in front of the wheelchair; instruct him to grasp on the armrest for additional support, and then slowly support the patient as he lowers himself on the seat of the chair.
- Help the resident in positioning himself appropriately when seated. Make sure that his buttocks are entirely rested on the seat and his back firmly resting on the back support. Place his arms on the armrests and his feet on the footrests.
When the resident is on the wheelchair, make sure they are aware of the center of gravity. Proper positioning is very important for your safety. When leaning, reaching, bending sideways or forward, it is essential to use the casters as a tool to maintaining stability and balance.
Posted in Insurance Topics | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Claims, Documentation, Incident Reporting, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes, Risk Management, safety, wheelchair safety | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on February 2, 2012
The goal to a successful assisted living facility is building a team that will work towards the ALF’s goal and mission (to provide a quality of life for your residents)and help the company grow. The first step to creating a dream team is to find candidates that will work well with your company. The internet is a good tool to advertise job opportunities, and also acts as a tool to get to know your prospective employee’s previous work history. The second step is to make sure you clearly define what you want from the employee. A few strategies that will help you filter the good candidates from the bad include: providing a description of the job, use applications for all positions, identify whether or not physical requirements must be met, and take advantage of the references provided are good first steps to creating a dream team at your assisted living facility.
Posted in Handy Tips | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, brian barrick, Documentation, employee, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes, Risk Management | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Brian Barrick on January 31, 2012
The weather outside may be frightful, so it’s time to turn on your furnace and get nice and toasty, but what if there’s a problem with your adult care home’s furnace? Warming up may not be your only problem, this could result in a case of furnace puff back. Furnace puff back is caused by a malfunction in the heating system that results in incomplete combustion in the unit. This can cause a mess in your home because the incompletely-burnt material passes through the duct system into the living areas of the home.
If the fuel and oxygen levels are balanced in the furnace, your furnace should have no problems with combustion, but if the rate of combustion slows and the fuel injection continues at the same rate, a sudden combustion can occur. Puff back is not resistant to puff back either, although it is a bit different then forced air systems.
Puff back is often a sticky, oily film that has a petroleum base and it usually has a strong smell. If puff back occurs it can be found in every nook and cranny, furniture, behind closed doors, inside cabinet drawers, and closets. You will need to get in touch with a professional restoration business that will inspect the premises and test various cleaning methods to get rid of the residue, as well as a trained HVAC technician to service your heating system. The goal of the professional restoration business is to return the home to its pre-puff back condition rapidly.
Posted in Insurance Topics | Tagged: Adult Care Facilities, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, brian barrick, Claims, Documentation, furnace, Insurance, PCALIC, Personal Care Homes | Leave a Comment »
