Inside the Circle – September 17, 2024

The EASE program is a free, 4 session program for PSWs who work with persons living with dementia. It is offered over Zoom through the Alzheimer Society.

The program will improve the level of care and support you provide to persons living with dementia by offering real-life insights and practical tools that you can use right away on the job.

Registration is required for each one-hour session. You do not have to attend or complete all sessions, and you can complete them in any order. If you complete all four sessions within a 1 year period (April-March), you are eligible for a certificate acknowledging your participation.

Upcoming sessions:

• Friday September 20
  • Session 3: Tips in Supporting People with Dementia
  • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
• Friday September 27
  • Session 4: Personal Challenges
  • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

A new cycle will begin in November (Thursdays, November 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th).

Circle of Care is excited to offer a pilot program for PSWs to access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through GreenShield (OASSIS).

GreenShield EAP is a confidential service designed to support your overall well-being. It offers a safe space where you can comfortably discuss life challenges – such as work, family, or other areas of life – with someone outside your usual circle who can provide you with guidance and support. Whether you need a listening ear, advice, or guidance, the EAP is here to help.

What does GreenShield EAP provide?

The EAP provides access to a variety of services, including:

• Counseling Services: Speak with a professional, whether individually or as a couple, without long wait times or complicated processes.
• Health & Life Support: Receive assistance from experts on topics like work, health, nutrition, and financial or legal issues.

How can I access GreenShield EAP?

To join the program, email Kai at Ksvirida@circleofcare.com by September 20th.

We only need your first and last name to register you for the program. You do not need to specify which services you are interested in.

We are currently piloting this program for our PSWs from September to December. During the pilot period, registration will be on a first come-first serve basis, capped at 50 employees. If there is enough interest, we hope to expand the program beyond the 50 employee cap.

This service is not anonymous, but it is completely confidential. Using this service will not be held against you and your personal information will always be private. Circle of Care will not know which services you use or what you talk about.

Don’t forget to log your step count for last week!

During the month of September, we will be running a Wellness Challenge focused on the number of steps you take throughout the day. You can track your step count using pedometers and digital activity trackers (most of which are built in to smart phones or smart watches).

The Challenge will run from September 9 – 29. All step counts must be entered by 4:30 pm on October 3rd.  We will send out regular reminders through Inside the Circle to enter your step count and see who the Challenge Leaders are. Challenge winners will be announced in the October newsletter.

Track your steps, compete with your colleagues, and win prizes!

Prizes will be awarded to employees with the top 3 highest step counts:

• 1st place prize: $150 Walmart gift card
• 2nd place prize: $100 Walmart gift card
• 3rd place prize: $50 Walmart gift card
• Participation prize:  Starbucks gift card

All employees who log at least 42,000 steps by the end of the challenge (equivalent to 2000 steps/day) will be entered in a draw to win the participation prize.

Log your steps with our Step Count tracking sheet or email HRDept@circleofcare.com with your step count for each week.

Reporting falls and minimizing fall risks is critical for your client’s safety and wellbeing. As the person working most closely with your client, you may be the first to notice changes in their fall risk. Your report will help the Client Services Supervisors (CSS) to promptly address hazards, review care plans, and prevent future injury.

What should I report?

• The client falls while in your care.
• The client tells you that they have fallen recently.
• Specific changes in the client’s health status or ALC that could increase fall risk such as: unsteady gait, frequent tripping, difficulty rising from a seated position, weakness, dizziness, or medication side effects.
• Hazards in the client’s environment like uneven flooring, poor lighting, or cluttered spaces.
• Behaviors that increase fall risk, such as reluctance to use assistive devices, confusion, disorientation, or cognitive decline.
• Damaged, unsafe, or missing safety equipment, especially in high risk areas such as the bathroom.
• Client is moving more slowly, showing signs of increased difficulty with transferring in/out of shower, or if shower cannot be completed within the allotted time along with other tasks.

What should I do if the client falls?

1. Do not try to lift the client by yourself if they are unable to get up without assistance.
2. Stay calm, check for injuries, and call 911.
3. After calling 911, contact the main office to report the fall and seek additional support.

How can I report a fall or fall risk?

Inform Circle of Care by contacting the Call Centre (416-635-2860) within the same day. Office staff will document your report and escalate to the CSS for follow-up.

Here are some steps PSWs can take to prevent client falls during daily care activities:

Before each visit, review the client’s care plan, focusing on their fall risk factors and any recent changes in their condition.

On arrival, quickly check the environment. Ensure pathways are clear, furniture is stable, and there are no new hazards. Ask the client if there have been any changes in condition since the last visit, such as dizziness, weakness, or confusion.

When providing care,

• Never leave client unattended.
• Accompany the client when they need to move around the house, particularly in areas with uneven surfaces or stairs. Stand slightly behind and to the side of the client, typically on their weaker side, to provide support.
• Offer clear, calm instructions to the client.  Encourage the client to communicate if they feel tired or unsteady and need to pause.
• Use proper body mechanics and assistive devices when helping clients move from bed to chair, chair to toilet, etc.
  • Encourage clients to use grab bars or handrails if available.
  • Ensure the client correctly uses any mobility aids and that these aids are in good condition (e.g., no loose wheels on walkers).

When walking up and down stairs,

• Encourage the client to use the handrail with one hand while you support them on the other side.
• Instruct the client to place their stronger leg on the next step first, and followed by the weaker leg.
• Remind the client to lift their feet fully to avoid tripping on the stairs.
• Encourage the client to move slowly and deliberately, to maintain balance.

If assisting with bathing,

• Never leave client unattended.
• Use non-slip mats in the tub or shower, and ensure the client has something sturdy to hold onto, like a grab bar.
• Immediately dry any wet surfaces after bathing or toileting to prevent slips.
• Assist the client with getting on and off the toilet safely, using a raised toilet seat or grab bars if necessary.
• Make sure the client is sitting or standing securely before assisting with dressing or grooming tasks. Avoid having them stand on one leg or in an unstable position.

Financial wellness means more than just having money!

It’s about using your money well to reach your goals and stick to your values. It’s about handling, saving, investing, and spending your money in ways that make your life better, keep you feeling good, and set you up for a good future. Being financially well can make you less stressed, more confident, and happier. It can also make your health, relationships, and career better, helping you live a more satisfying and meaningful life.

Here are a few steps you can take to improve your financial wellness:

• Assess your current financial situation.
• Set realistic and specific goals.
• Create a budget and a savings plan.
• Pay off debts strategically.
• Invest for the future.
• Seek professional advice when needed.

Try out the tools and resources below to get you on the path to financial wellness!

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) provides tools to enhance your financial literacy and wellness including mortgage calculators, budget planners, and financial goal calculators.

Clever Girl Finance is a personal finance platform designed by Bola Sokunbi. It offers resources, tools, free online courses, and a supportive community to help women improve their money mindset, budget, save, invest, pay off debt, and grow their income.

Have you had your mask fit tested and CPR training? Circle of Care requires all PSWs and Homemakers to be certified with valid and current CPR training and properly fitted for N95 masks.

Book your CPR training and mask fit sessions through First Aid Care today!

You can also book by calling 905-272-9214

Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!

The new High Five program lets you publicly recognize staff members for their outstanding work. High Fives will be posted in your weekly Inside the Circle newsletter.

To give a high five, just click on the button below or use the link in the rotating banner on the Portal home page.

A High Five for Kira Shtilman, CSS

Thank you Kira for your immediate response to the PSW’s problems from the website.
– Liza Aquino, PSW

A High Five for the Admin Team

Thank you so much for the effort to partner with UPS for supplies pick up. You made so much easier for us so that we don’t have to travel all the way to the office to pick up our supplies. I love going to the Warden Lawrence UPS Scarborough location.
– Rochelle Tria, PSW

A big welcome to our newest PSWs & Homemakers:

• Casey Tyrrell
• Varneet Kaur
• Ashma Thapa
• Michelle Maniulit
• Benjamin Taiwo
• Crispiana Toledo
• Jonnalyn Narciso
• Navpreet Kaur

Recently I cannot read messages on my work phone, it shows 404, please fix this issue.

If you are having issues with your phone, you should contact IT. There is a spot in your app where you can request support: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/psw-phone-and-app/psw-cell-phone/#troubleshootingyourphone

If you can’t access the link above, click on the 3 lines on the left side of your screen. A menu will pop out. On that menu, the second option (below Portal) says “Support”. Click on that option.

If you are asked to bring your phone in, please make sure there is at least a 50% charge on your phone.

Hi, what should we do if the client’s home/unit had bed bugs?

Circle of Care works hard to provide our staff with the safest work environment possible. If a client or their family reports bed bug problems to you directly, or if you suspect that a client may have an infestation, report this to the office immediately at 416-635-2860, so we can make a note on the client’s file and notify your supervisor.

If we are notified that a client’s home has a bed bug infestation, we will notify you immediately and advise you on how to protect yourself and your client. We will try our best to schedule these visits at the end of your work day, so that you do not have to travel to another client’s home afterwards.

We have information available on the Portal regarding best practices in situations where there are reported/suspected bed bugs:
https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/your-health-safety/#bedbugs 

Have a question? Submit your questions or feedback anonymously below!

Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers. If your question hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you as soon as we can.