Fall 2011—Volume 2

Improving your quality of life and healthy standard of living

Peaceful Care LLCs Principles of Practice

Our home health care organization opened for business in July of 2010 along with a well planned out visionto be implemented in phases. Its conception was based on two primary principals; (1) personal experience of caring for loved ones at home who had high medical needs like hospice and who had and have prolonged degenerative medical conditions; and (2) economic service to humanity based on a Twin Cities charter school component where high school students went through a certified home health nursing assistance program but yet, once they successfully graduated, several home health care agencies did not hire them. With the increased needs and demands for youth between the ages of 17-22 into health careers and the graduation rate of over 20 students in a class of 30 completing health careers programs at the Twin Cities charter school, it was our goal to open Peaceful Care’s doors to employ Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs), Trained Medical Assistants(TMAs), and Personal Care Assistants and Home Health Aides (HHAs/PCAs). Our objective is to ensure the employment of under-served mature adults, encouraged and self-sufficient, while facilitating transitions into health care careersand for our under-served clients in home care assistance with nurturing care.

The female owner of Peaceful Care, LLC, who is of African-American decent and her business partner who worked close and personal with some of these disadvantaged youth in south and north Minneapolis, were heart-felt to meet the demand of trained CNAs, TMAs and HHA/PCAs in providing a nurturing service to humanity and to bring forth a service of home care assistance to under served patients or clients and their families of a fast evolving home care service industry. Their backgrounds are in psychology, family vocational studies, consulting, government, international business, human resources,economic development, and business administration to name a few.

Our vital staff consists our chief financial officer-co manager who has a strong background in financial compliance, political science, overall operations and handles a combination of business situations with loving kindness and with uniqueness; our vice president of client relations and coordinator has a strong background in business administration and handles an array of duties from scheduling, retaining clients, overall operations—to resolve any conflicts through independent investigation for truths to be revealed; our case managers/RNs who have strong backgrounds in public health and skilled nursing whose goals of desire is in the best medical and social interest of our clients in writing client/patient care plans within 14-days of a Service Agreement, coordination of medical and social needs of clients, direct 45-60 days

supervision of our caregivers in clients’ homes, and they are exceptional;our administrative associate who has a strong background and years of experience working with corporate, government, small businesses and nonprofits, composes complex documents, overall

administrative operations, and evolves our office systems; and,to our mostdedicated caregivers who have shown their loyalty and honor to their clients and to our Peaceful Care organization; and, they too, are exceptional! Our organization is not built on a hierarchy system where employees are left feeling like they report from the top down. Yet, Peaceful Care, LLC promotes a system of progressive employment from the bottom up to create an employment environment based on consultation to aservice to humanity. It’s this type of humility in which we treat our clients and their families with loving kindness and with dignity too.

Our staff advocates for the best interests of our clients for example,with warmth of reception from the initial call requesting home care services; home health care transfers from one agency to our organization; and, guidance through the assessment and reassessment processes whereby inspirationof service is the key motivating factor that leads by an empathic example which creates positive life changes for crystallizing opportunities for clients’unique medical and social needsand for their families;where they can remain self-sufficient in their homes, and be of diverse contributors to their communities.

It’s our firm belief by which our clients and their families are treated with an all-embracing treatment of love, the quality of the attention shown them, the spirit of life behavior toward them—these are among the most vital aspects of essential distinctiveness of Peaceful Care, LLC. Though most of our clients have complex medical afflictions and some have faced or face homelessness, we take into careful consideration basic human rights, equality to access services, resources, innate dignity and self-worth of each and every individual client’s medical and social uniqueness at heart.

What is more, using our home health care organization is a wise investment, to guarantee expendable future medical costs that would be incurred if these medical and social needs where left ignored. Thereby, Peaceful Care, LLC further provides hands-on assistance to our clients, builds partnerships and sponsorships, advocates when it is most necessary; thus helping our clients communicate their medical and social needs across cultural, medical, social and bureaucratic barriers to enhance their quality of life and to meet a higher standard of living. We have staffed quality caregivers and have an availability of workers to meet your unique home health care needs. We at Peaceful Care see no color for we are scientifically of the entirehuman race. Our beliefs are based solely based on the character of our caregivers.

Statistics

From 2002-2012, ten of the twenty fastest growing occupations are concentrated in health care services. These positions include medical assistants (59% growth), physician assistants (49% growth), home health care assistants (48% growth), and medical records and health information technicians (47% growth). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) From 2006-2016 there will be a 46% increase in the number of jobs for home health care assistants in Minnesota. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The Problem

  • 1 in 3 people in the United States is a person of Minority status. (U.S. Department of Health).
  • In addition, most racial and ethnic minorities are under-represented within the health care professions.
  • Just 10 percent of physicians are minorities.
  • Just 8 percent of dentists are minorities.
  • Just 13 percent of registered nurses are minorities of color.
  • In contrast, the U.S. population is roughly 29 percent minority and expected to grow to 41 percent by 2030.
  • Nationally USA Jobs stated in August 2008, that the best positions for single parents are those that offer flexibility and high potential for incomes. On the top three lists, number one was pharmaceutical sales, number two was a teacher, and number three was a registered nurse. Similar studies but Forbes, CNN, and even the Parents Magazine suggested similar results.

What does this mean for Minnesota?

What this means for Minnesota similar to the rest of the nation is that very few people of color and the disadvantagedincludingyouth will have the opportunity in on-the-job training in health careers and early enough for employment into the healthcare industry.Thus, the two reoccurring problems for the economic development of these groups and the community they serve are the same solutions to assist in the increase of the disadvantaged to be invested in health careers. Therefore, Peaceful Care, LLC has been meeting the needs to our clients, for potential clients and the under-served client populace based on equal medical access for home care services.

Clients’ Corner

Testimonial, Current Client, Valerie…

“I like Peaceful Care because they are consistent in caring. They’ve made me feel safe. They make sure my needs are met. Lots of companies don’t because they are into the money. When I called for services, they took the time to get to know me. They look out for me. They are professional and it means a lot to me.”

Clients’ Corner

Case Study Story and Testimonial, Current Client, Roger R…

“I’ve been working with PCA agencies since 1993 after surviving a roll-over accident that left me in a comma for 3-months and paralyzed me from the chest down. It wasn’t my fault because I wasn’t driving the vehicle. PCA companies need to check on their PCAs—to see how they are working out. Sometimes, they can become too friendly. What is meant here, sometimes some want to be friends, and just want to be paid. I want my PCAs to check in when they are on the clock to make sure things are done right. So, as long as you are on the clock—you got to keep working—you got to keep checking in with me.

When you are off the clock, you can talk to me about whatever is concerning you—that’s the difference with me. Don’t listen—you don’t fix the problem—then we all have a problem. To improve when problems comes up, have a face-to-face discussion with the client, PCA, a representative or supervisor of the company. ”

Roger is an Ordained Minister and within a twinkling of an eye, loss the use of his limbs and members from the chest down. He was raised in the rural south to a 2-parent family who had 13-children living on a farm. He and his siblings were raised to work their best and their belief in working is to build character. Roger is a quiet spoken articulate man with a wealth of wisdom, compassionate, honest, truthful, and respectful with an unrelenting kindness despite his losses.

“I live in a building where the management staff has its inspections every month. Though my body isn’t like it used to be, it is up to my PCAs in doing my housekeeping, letting me know when they have a problem and need time off, assist me with my physical therapy exercises each shift, and fully assist me as much as they can to keep me out of the hospital. Because I can’t drive anymore like it used to be, sometimes my PCAs are asked to pick up my medications, run errands, or to meet me with their car at the grocery store that is 3 blocks away from my home so I can get my food. I don’t ask much from them but to work on the clock. They don’t cook for me, I cook for myself.”

When Roger unfolded his personal experiences in a heart-telling way with absolutely no other motive, it was reassuring to me what is expected by all of our staff especially our caregivers. In essence, Roger was conveying that it’s best to detach from self to be of true service, and whatever we fail to do has its consequences. What Roger says next is to think about being in the occupation of a caregiver.

“Put the person you work for first, and this goes a long way. In my many jobs, I do my best and bring something. I’ve worked in a nursing home and cared for people. I know what is expected. When my brother told me about Peaceful Care, I had to give it a try. It was Renisha who was my PCA for a long time, she worked hard while she was on the clock, and was in school. Some days she would leave and come back just to talk. We’d talk for hours about different things. Right now, I have good PCAs who are dedicated and when they are asked to do something for me, they do it.”

Health and Fitness Corner

Menu Meal Planning: East healthier and spend less

  • Write down some of your or your family’s favorite meals.
  • Consider what is on sale at your local grocery store. Check the weekly food ads in newspaper for sales and cut out the coupons.
  • Think seasonable—what fresh produce is available.
  • Mix things up. Keep it interesting by planning some meatless meals and substitute breakfast for dinner. (Alternate new and old recipe favorites).
  • Keep in mind that fruits and vegetables should cover half of the dinner plate and lean protein and whole grains should each take a quarter of the plate.

What is a Healthy Diet?

A healthy diet is a way of eating that reduces the risks of developing heart disease strokes and other health problems. It includes fresh vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, poultry and fish. There is no one perfect food so the key would include a variety of different foods and watching portion sizes to a healthy diet. Also, make sure your choices from each food group provide the highest quality nutrients you can find. In other words, pick foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber over those that are processed.

Healthy Recipe (Source brought to you by the staff of Mayo Clinic)

Rice & Beans Salad (serves 10-main dish servings)

1-1/2 cups uncooked brown rice

3-cup water

1/2-cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2-cup chopped shallots or green onions (approximately 2 shallots) or 4-green onions

15-ounce can unsalted garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

15-ounce can unsalted dark kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/4-cup olive oil

1/3 to 1/2-cup rice vinegar, according to taste

Place brown rice and water in a stock pan. Cover and cook over medium heat until rice is tender; about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Chill 2-hours or longer. (Serves 10-main dish servings)

Employees Corner and Announcing Aflac Insurance Protection

  • Aflac is different from health insurance; it's insurance for daily living.
  • Aflac is an extra measure of financial protection.
  • Aflac pays you cash benefits to use as you see fit.
  • Aflac benefits help with unexpected expenses.
  • Aflac belongs to you—it’s your company.
  • Aflac is affordable.
  • Aflac processes claims quickly-usually within four days.
  • Aflac claims are easy to file.
  • Aflac pays you benefits even when you're healthy.

Any new employee who may be interested in Aflac will become eligible after being employed with Peaceful Care, LLC for 90-days. For all others, open enrollment and changes for deductions is September first (1st). For additional information regards to Aflac insurance, please contact Amanda Tallen, Agent at cell number: (651) 442-8447, leaving a detailed message giving your name, phone number to be reached and Peaceful Care, LLC as your employer, or you can contact Amanda at her e-mail address listed below:

Employee Corner Continued—DHS Wants…

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) statute (law) requires all PCAs to take and pass a certification test. There are (20) online questions and you can take the test as often as needed. However, you must pass the test. We are highly suggesting that you take the opportunity to register for the online test before it becomes mandatory.

If you have a computer type in your browser:

and follow all the instructions. Fill out the asterisk * fields of your personal information. You must enter and confirm a valid email address to be delivered a confirmation number and to receive your certificate. For those employees who do not have access to a computer, and being considerate, you can schedule an appointment with Renisha. Sincerely thank all caregivers in being of service to the betterment of humanity and for your loyalty and honor are most appreciated.

Client Concerns to CNAs, TNAs, and HHC/PCAs

For quality assurance practices and especially for the best interest of all our clients and their families, whenever there is a hospitalization, change of physical, emotional, mental condition, or a housing concern of your assigned client/s, and in practice with all Care Plans, we are reminding you that it is imperative to communicate verbally to our Care Managers/RNsof any changes immediately. Remember all caregivers report directly to our Care Managers/RNs and cooperation is a virtue and it goes a long way. Thank you.

We like to announce Lois Glasgow who recently accepted a position as a Care Manager and Registered Nurse. Lois has over 17-years as a home care RN and had a home care agency. Please make her welcome. Becky Lieber will also be conducing care plans and supervisory visits along with Lois. Please be helpful in making their transition a rewarding experience.

Calling for short story writers, essays, poems, situational stories, or storytellersto all clients and employees

If you have a desire to be expressive we would like to hear for you. In using discernment, any writings or poetry will be edited. It’s important in keeping any defensive language out. If you have latent talents or would like to express yourselves appropriately, please email us at

Our newsletter is by seasons: Fall, winter, spring and summer which gives us all time to submit. We encourage you to express yourselves in submitting short stories, essays, situational short stories, fictional short stories, or poems tobring forth your creativity. It is your first and fourteen Amendment Rights…freedom of speech of the U.S. Constitution. Your entries will be featured under our “clients’ corner”if you are a client,andif you are an employee, under the “employees corner.” Again, our thanks for the love, balm of comfort and peace you bring to the service of the world of humanity.

Editor, Debbie

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Peaceful Care Fall Newsletter Vol. 2[101911]