IT’S ALL RELATIVE A NEWSLETTER FOR THE FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS AT LEWIS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY
A Message From Our Administrator
Submitted by Joseph Todora On November 6th, the New York State Department of Health performed their annual certification survey of our nursing home. In addition to the seven surveyors from the New York State Department of Health Syracuse office, we were also visited by the two Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) surveyors representing the federal survey process. Although this survey team was new to our home and under the scrutiny of the CMS surveyors, I am pleased to report that the surveyors reported finding only two minor deficiencies in the resident care areas and three minor deficiencies in the building maintenance areas. My team has already corrected the deficiencies as we await the official copy of the statement of deficiencies. As of this writing, we have not received the official statement of deficiencies from the Department of Health. But, as is always the case, a copy of the statement of deficiencies and our plan of correction will be available for your review in the family room next to the Rainbow Community.
Winter 2013
The staff is working hard to prepare for another eventful holiday season for the residents. Please feel free to join us at any of the many upcoming events. A detailed activity calendar is available in each resident’s room, in the Family Room or online at our website at www.lcgh.net. Finally, on behalf of the staff, residents, and administration I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of our nursing home and wish you a happy and safe holiday season. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page 2
Message from Our Administrator
Page 3
Sign-out Book | Appreciation | Guest and Holiday Trays
Page 4
Baby Photo Contest | Activities
Page 5
Holiday Decorations | FLU Season
Page 6
Protect Yourself/Resident From FLU | Fried Eggs Will Travel
Page 7
In Memory of | Urinary Incontinence Rehab Program | Cable TV Updates
Page 8
Anniversary Dinners | New Smoking Ban
Page 9
Speech Language Pathologist Joins Therapy Staff | Ombudsman program
Page 10 Important Contact Information Page 11 Frontier Lifeline Discount Program | New Orthopedic Surgeon at LCGH/RHCF Page 12 Personal Fund Availability | Friendly Reminders Page 13 Health insurance Info Sessions Page 14 Dementia and the Holidays
Holiday Celebrations
Soon you may begin to make plans for the upcoming holidays and we invite you to share the holidays with your loved one at the nursing home. Many families have enjoyed arranging dinners or parties within the building so that it is easier for their family member to spend these special days with their family.
The Annual Christmas Angel Wall Is Up!
Perhaps you would like to consider planning a brunch, dinner, snacks or an evening of desserts here with your loved one. Meals can be purchased in the cafeteria or you may choose to provide your own food. Additional tables and chairs will be provided for you if you plan to use the Family Room for your celebration.
Each year we decorate a wall outside of the Family Room with paper angels. Each angel represents one of our residents and the purpose of the wall is to provide each of our residents with a Christmas gift. Staff, family members and visitors are invited to select an angel and purchase a gift for that resident. Each angel will be identified by a number and gender, and there will be a few gift suggestions written on each angel.
The Family Room and the dining rooms are available to be reserved by calling the activities department at 376-5452. Please consider that the dining rooms will continue to be used during regular meal times by the residents. Therefore, the dining rooms would be available for your use mid-morning, during the afternoon and in the evening.
It is requested that each gift be wrapped with the angel taped to the package and then activities department staff will remove the angel and attach a gift tag with the name of the resident on the gift. Please deliver the angel gift to the activities department, which is located across from Family Room on the 1st floor, by December 13, 2013. The angel wall gifts will be distributed to the residents at their Christmas party.
You are encouraged to make your reservations early as the areas are available on a “first come first serve” basis. 2
Guest Trays and Holiday Meals
Sign Out Book
We encourage family members to take residents to the Family Room, cafeteria, lobby, and in nice weather, outside during their visits.
The dietary department plans special meals for our residents for all major holidays. The holiday meals are similar to what we would have in our own homes and include all the trimmings. Upon request we will provide guest trays for family members or friends. We would appreciate two hours notice for all guest trays (if there will be five or more people in your group we would appreciate 24 hours notice). Special holiday guest trays are available for $5.00 and regular guest trays are available any other day for $3.00.
It is very important that the staff always be able to account for each resident's location in case there is an emergency, their physician is there to examine them or they are scheduled for a test. A sign out book with a page for each resident is located at each nurse’s station. You will be requested to provide the time you are taking the resident off the floor, your name and where the resident will be taken. When you return to the floor provide the time that the resident returned.
Guest trays will be sent to the floors with the resident’s meal so they can eat together. The guest tray will include the main entree for that meal. Guest trays are to be paid for using the envelope that will be sent on the tray. Please put the money in the envelope and you may leave it on your tray or give it to a nurse or the dietary worker who is serving that day.
Please remember to stop at the nurse's station whenever you take your loved one off the floor and provide the requested information.
Appreciation
The activities department and residents are always appreciative of the donations that we receive from individuals and organizations. Lewis County General Hospital Auxiliary will be sponsoring the February and September birthday parties in the upcoming year.
To order a guest tray you may come to the cafeteria or go to the nurse’s station on your floor and have the nurse call the dietary department at 376-5850. 3
Upcoming Activity Events
Cafeteria Welcomes Residents and Family Members!
The activities department is planning many fun events for our residents for the upcoming holiday season.
Residents and family are welcome to come to the cafeteria to eat during normal hours of operation. The resident will not be charged to eat in the cafeteria and there are even more choices available in the caféteria.
On December 22nd residents will be visiting the Lewis County Historical Society for their holiday gala. There will be many holiday parties including one with Father Christmas on December 18th. The local ARC singing group will provide caroling music and on December 10th the Lowville Community Choir will entertain the residents with holiday music.
Please feel free to contact Deb Longway, Dietary Manager at 376-5850 with any dietary questions.
Monthly activity calendars for each floor are available in the Family Room and online at www.lcgh.net.
Baby Photo Contest
We invite families to attend activity programs with the residents. The schedule for December 18th Christmas party is as follows:
The residents who attend monthly Resident Council meetings decided to have a baby photo fund-raising contest and it was held October 7th – November 7th. There were four categories of entry including ages 6-12 months, 12-24 months, 24-36 months and 6-36 months best costume.
10:00am - 1st floor 11:00am - 3rd floor 2:45pm - 2nd floor 3:30pm - 4th floor We are always looking for volunteers. If you or anyone that you know would like more information about becoming a volunteer, OR if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the Activities Department at 376-5452.
Votes were cast by purchasing tickets and the winners of each category received a $25.00 Wal-Mart gift card. The Resident Council raised $265.00 with this fund-raiser. 4
Holiday Decorations
FLU SEASON
The flu season is approaching and residents and staff have been offered flu vaccinations. We have certain protocols to follow in the event that a certain number of residents on a floor have a positive flu test or have symptoms of upper respiratory illness.
Many residents and family members enjoy decorating resident's rooms during the holiday or all year long. We do have a few requirements to ensure that a safe environment is maintained.
The floor with illness will be closed to visitors and signs will be posted by the elevators to notify visitors that the unit has been closed. At that time, sick residents and those with similar symptoms will remain in their rooms for meals and activities in order to help minimize the spread of illness. Group activities and church services may be moved to a floor that does not have illness. Visitors and families who are not feeling well are discouraged from visiting residents, even if that floor is not closed. If a floor should be closed, you will receive a telephone call to inform you of the floor closing. The primary contact for each resident is the only person who will be contacted and we encourage you to notify your other family members and friends who may be planning to visit. You will receive a second call once the floor has been reopened.
No decorations are to be used that are made of crepe paper due to fire potential. No live wreaths, such as pine or holly, are permitted. The doors may not be covered in paper. All decorations must be noncombustible or flame-retardant. Only artificial trees may be used. Holiday lights are permitted in the rooms, however only miniature lights can be used and there must be an intact UL tag. Any decorations that require electricity, including lights, must be inspected by the maintenance department staff before they are used.
We understand that you are concerned about your resident especially when you know that others are ill.
Decorations must not be placed within 18 inches of a sprinkler head.
Continued on page 6... 5
Flu Season
Continued from page 5... Therefore, you are encouraged to contact the nurse's station of your loved one at any time to speak with a nurse and to check on the health of your family member.
PROTECT YOURSELVES AND OUR RESIDENTS
FRIED EGGS WILL TRAVEL
We have listed a few suggestions that will protect yourselves and the residents from illness during flu season. People may be contagious with influenza during the 48-79 hours prior to having flu symptoms.
In October 2008, Joe Todora and I decided to put on our chef hats and prepare monthly breakfast for our residents. Every Thursday, Joe and I go to one of the floors to cook breakfast in front of the residents. We change up the menu monthly as well and try to include recommendations from our residents.
Submitted by Deb Longway Dietary Manager
We purchase a special pasteurized egg that allows us to serve eggs with runny yolks safely and without risk of salmonella. Other favorites include blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes and toast prepared right there so it is hot and fresh.
Visitors and staff are asked to cover their mouths with their arm or use a tissue when they cough. Hands should be washed frequently. Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed near the elevators and outside of the resident's rooms for use by the staff and visitors.
The residents love the eggs and it never fails that we have one or two residents who have three or four eggs for breakfast. Joe & I look forward to Thursdays mornings because we see how much the residents enjoy the breakfast prepared for them.
It is also recommended that visitors receive flu vaccinations during flu season. Vaccinations are available from your family physician or at Public Health Clinics.
6
Urge incontinence - sudden urge to urinate, having to rush to the toilet to prevent accidents
In Memory of…
Fecal incontinence bowel leakage or having to rush to toilet to prevent accidents
Donations have been made to the first floor Rainbow Community in memory of Rosalba Combs and Lois Adner.
Over active bladder needing to urinate frequently, disrupting your life and/or quality of sleep
The activities department has received donations in memory of Stanley Evans and James Bates.
Our specially trained physical therapist Lynne Pominville, offers hands-on treatment, often using biofeedback to strengthen, train or relax the muscle as needed for you to regain control, along with customized home exercise program. Research shows that pelvic floor therapy helps to decrease urine leakage in women and men with stress and urge urinary incontinence and with overactive bladder symptoms of urinary urgency and frequency.
Urinary Incontinence Rehabilitation Program Lewis County General Hospital and Residential Health Care Facility (LCGH/RHCF) now offers a pelvic floor physical therapy program that can address problems Lynne Pominville, PT of the pelvic floor that are caused by muscle weakness or dysfunction or soft tissue dysfunction such as scars.
A prescription from your physician is required. For more information call 315-376-5225.
Cable TV System Updates
Some of the resident's have notice “snowy” reception on certain channels. Time Warner was contacted and they have assessed the situation. A technician will be returning to replace outdated splitters and wiring to remedy the snowy channels on our cable television system.
The LCGH/RHCF Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Program offers therapeutic treatment options for men and women and can address: Stress incontinence urinary leakage with coughing, sneezing, laughing, running 7
New Smoking Ban In Effect
ANNIVERSARY DINNERS The Dietary Department at LCGH/RHCF provides Anniversary Dinners for our residents and their spouses. We try to make this a special meal by serving their lunch in the family room at noon so they are able to celebrate in private, as they would at home. If assistance is required by the resident , the dinner may be set up in the dining room to ensure the resident’s safety. The spouse is sent an invitation to lunch with menu choices on it. They may make their selections and return the invitation to let us know what day they would like to have their dinner.
A new state law effective October 29th prohibits smoking on and near the grounds of hospitals and nursing homes. This law, Chapter 179 of 2013, was passed by the State Legislature during the 2013 legislative session and signed by the Governor. The new smoking ban prohibits smoking within 15 feet of a Hospital/Nursing Home building entrance or exit; and within 15 feet of the entrance to or exit from the grounds of a hospital or nursing home.
Once the date and time are set all that is left to do is celebrate. If requested, we will take a photo of the happy couple at their celebration and they will receive a 4 x 6 framed picture to keep as a gift from us. We try to make this a memorable occasion for each of our residents and their spouse.
The penalties for violating the smoking ban will result in a civil penalty of no more than $2,000 for each violation, with an increased penalty for repeat violations within a twelve month period. While the Department of Health (DOH) has overall responsibility for enforcement, the local/county boards of health are part of the enforcement process. We expect more detail on the enforcement process in the coming months and will keep you informed of any updates.
With advanced notice a limited number of guests may attend at a charge of $7.50 each. Dinners are offered Monday - Friday only. Questions may be addressed to the dietary department at 376-5850.
Residents are now receiving the “It’s All Relative” newsletter (now in larger print) so they receive the same information as their families! 8
individual is unable to communicate, there is a decrease in the quality of life for that particular individual. The speech-language pathologist is trained to appreciate the impact of communication disorders and to assist residents in overcoming and/ or minimizing barriers in their lives as a result of these disorders.
Speech Language Pathologist Joins Therapy Department Staff at RHCF We are happy to welcome a new speechlanguage pathologist, Sarah Mendez, to our team. Sarah began here at the Residential Health Care Facility (RHCF) in July and is committed solely to the nursing home residents.
If you feel that your family member is demonstrating difficulties swallowing or communicating, please feel free to speak with the nurse manager who can refer the resident to the Speech Language Pathologist, if appropriate.
Sarah graduated from West Texas A&M University with a Masters in Communication Disorders, and is from Wappinger Falls, New York. Sarah enjoys working in the medical setting and working with residents who have difficulty swallowing or dysphagia. Sarah will evaluate a resident’s communication, thinking processes, and swallowing abilities. Therapy is individualized to meet each resident’s needs and provide skills to improve their attention, memory, reasoning, and understanding of language and speaking, as well as help them to eat and swallow safely.
Ombudsman Program Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility has been informed by the Lewis County Office for Aging that they will no longer be the local ombudsman program contact for Lewis County. Catholic Charities has assumed the responsibility for the Ombudsman Program in Lewis County. The current ombudsman coordinator is Winny Sachno and can be reached at 315-393-2255.
The ability to communicate with others is essential. When an 9
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION Please retain for your records. Updated November 29, 2013. If you have any compliments, questions and/or recommendations, please notify one of the following: Nursing Home Administrator
Joseph Todora
376-5482
Director of Nursing
Lisa Bain
376-5205
Assistant Director of Nursing
Carla Sawyer
376-5461
Evening RHCF Supervisor
Jackie Cooper Nikki Danforth
376-5818 376-5818
Melinda Hubal Vickie Rounds Eileen Carroll Karen King
376-5346 376-5162 376-5211 376-5841
Director of Social Work Social Workers
Margaret Grant Kathy Birchenough Sheila Costa Megan Hall
376-5496 376-5616 376-5851 376-5672
Activities Director
JoAnn Reed
376-5452
Environmental Services
David Dibble
376-5240
Dietary Manager
Deborah Longway
376-5850
Dietician
Pam Truax
376-5081
Rehab Director
Jennifer Vogt
376-5225
Business Office
Connie Lewis
376-5790
Patient Accounts Supervisor
Sandy Sullivan
376-5826
Beauty Shop
Karen and Nadina
376-5772
Nurse Managers 1st Floor 2nd Floor 3rd Floor 4th Floor
10
LCGH/RHCF Welcomes Orthopedic Surgeon
Frontier Lifeline Discount Program
LCGH/RHCF is pleased to welcome Orthopedic Surgeon Jeffrey C. Gundel, MD to the Medical Staff.
Frontier Communications offers a discount program for residents who have a telephone in their room and receive Medicaid. An application needs to be completed and proof of Medicaid assistance is required. Please contact your resident's social worker if your resident already has a telephone, receives Medicaid assistance and hasn't been enrolled in the discount program, or, if your resident has been approved for Medicaid and would like a telephone.
Dr. Gundel received his undergraduate education from the State University of New York at Binghamton and his Medical degree from the State University of New York Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn College of Medicine. He completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Albany Medical Center and his fellowship in Sports Medicine/Arthroscopy at the Hospital for Joint Diseases – NYU Medical Center.
The Lifeline Discount program does require that each year an individual recertify that they are eligible for Lifeline. A new Lifeline application will be sent with the bill when it is time to recertify. You can expect to receive this on the anniversary of when their discount application was initially approved. The discount program will be terminated if the recertification has not been submitted within 30 days. Last year was the first year that residents were required to recertify for the program and several did lose their discount until a new application was submitted. Please contact your social worker with any questions or assistance with this program.
Dr. Gundel treats a full range of general orthopedic problems from joint replacement and arthritis to the care of fractures and the treatment of sports-related injuries. He also specializes in the treatment of a variety of orthopedic conditions and performs several orthopedic procedures including: Total Joint, Shoulder, Elbow, Hip and Knee Replacement, Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, and Hip Arthroscopy. Dr. Gundel is now accepting new patients in his practice, Lewis County Orthopedics, located in Suite 120, 1st floor of the Medical Arts Building. Call 376-4505 for more information. 11
with the resident's name or arrange to have the electronic item inspected prior to it's use.
Personal Fund Availability Funds from Personal Incidental Accounts are now available 24/7. Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM, the funds may be obtained thru the business office located on the basement floor. After 4:00PM and on the weekend we will have limited resources available to the residents at the Switchboard in the lobby.
Please request to speak with the charge nurse as soon as possible if you notice that your loved one is missing laundry items. You are welcome to bring in store bought or home made food items for your loved one. Any items that require refrigeration should be labeled with the name of the resident and the date.
Friendly Reminders
Sometimes families bring in food items that they would like to share with other residents. Due to infection control issues it has been requested that only food items that have been purchased at a store or the cafeteria be shared with other residents. A resident may not be able to eat an item due to allergy, diet or food consistency needs. Therefore, it is recommended that family and friends contact the nurse’s station to check on your loved one’s dietary changes. This also ensures residents don’t receive food items that they are no longer able to eat such as nuts and firm fruit.
All pets that are brought into the building for visits must be up-to-date on their shots. Your veterinarian is able to provide this documentation and it must be submitted to the activities department office on the first floor prior to bringing in the pet for its first visit. Please contact the department at 376-5452 with any questions. Visitors are welcome 24 hours a day. If you will be visiting between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM you will need to enter through the Emergency Department (ED). Please park in Parking Lot 6, which is north of the ED lot.
As we approach the holidays some families ask if they are able to give staff gifts. Residents and families are not to give employees gifts. However, small acts of kindness such as cookies, cakes, or candy are permitted for a department or nursing unit.
Please stop at the nurse's station whenever you bring in personal items such as clothing, jewelry or electronics for your loved one so that the staff can label the items
Continued on page 13...
12
Friendly Reminders
public about NY State of Health coverage options, how to choose a plan, and how to estimate costs. The information sessions are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Continued from page 12…
Please be sure to request a copy of your loved one's Non-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form, if they have one, whenever you take the resident out of the building. All residents who have a Do Not Resuscitate order in effect will also have a Non-Hospital DNR form for use when they leave the building. You may contact your resident's social worker if you have any questions regarding Do Not Resuscitate or Non-Hospital DNR forms.
DATE: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 TWO LOCATIONS
John C. Herrman MD Conference Room
1st Floor Medical Arts Building 7785 North State St., Lowville TIME: 11:00AM and 2:00PM
We encourage families to take their loved ones seasonal clothing and items home with them for storage so that residents have more space in their rooms.
Lowville VFW
7752 West State St., Lowville TIME: 6:00PM Most citizens will be required to have health insurance coverage in 2014. While open enrollment for NY State of Health runs through March 31, 2014, you must be enrolled by December 23rd if you wish for coverage to take effect on January 1st.
Lewis County General Hospital and Fidelis Care To Host Three Information Sessions About Changes In Health Care If you or your loved ones do not have health insurance, you have new options available through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace. Created as part of the federal Affordable Care Act, the goal of the State’s Marketplace is to make sure all New Yorkers have health insurance.
Follow Us On On--line! The monthly activity calendars and the Family Newsletter may be viewed at www.lcgh.net. Please share this information with your family members so they can also stay informed.
Fidelis Care and Lewis County General Hospital are hosting information sessions to educate the 13
can be very overwhelming to someone with dementia. You may want to limit these the best you can. Keep it simple. Think about the size of the meal. A large plate with a lot of food can be daunting for someone who has difficulty eating.
Dementia and the Holidays Tips for Success
Change in routine can be unsettling. People with dementia have trouble with changes in their routine or environment. Even though your loved one may be returning to the place they once called home or a family member's home, it is most likely now unrecognizable and unfamiliar to them. Being away from the surroundings and routine that they now have can lead to increased confusion and sometimes agitation. Be patient. Prepare for this to happen and how you will react.
Submitted by Megan Hall
The holidays are a time when family and friends come together to celebrate. But for families living with Alzheimers and other dementias, the holidays can be challenging. With a little planning and adjusted expectations, your celebrations can still be happy, memorable occasions. Prepare your family and friends for noticeable changes. You should consider letting people know that they may notice some changes in your loved ones' behavior and personality. Perhaps they repeat themselves often, or have forgotten people's names. You should encourage everyone to be patient with your loved one and not correct them if they say things that are not quite right.
Start a new tradition. Consider visiting your loved one at the nursing home on or around the holidays instead of taking them out. This may be more comforting for them and in the end less stressful for you.
Realize that things have changed and will never be the same. Traditions will need to be adjusted. Your loved one can't be expected to resume the role they once played in the family.
It is not an easy thing to accept the changes that have been forced upon you and your loved one by this disease. Change is difficult. However, by making some adjustments in your family traditions and doing some preparation ahead of time, the holidays can still be enjoyable for everyone.
Minimize distractions. A lot of noise and small children/animals 14
