Summer 2013 CentraCare Mission Statement

 Summer 2013 CentraCare Mission Statement Contents
Contents
Director'sCorner......1
DirectorsCorner.......1
Deliverexceptional,comprehensivehealthcareforfrail,
olderadults.
ExecutiveDirector'sCorner
We all know that healthcare in the United States is expensive. We also know that paying more for healthcare does not mean we have better health outcomes than other countries. Volunteer............3
Greenthumb..........3
As healthcare costs continue to rise in the Newbaby.............3
United States, providers and payers are trying to determine Grievances&Appeals..4
what changes are needed to better manage the cost of care FlapJack&Jill.........4
Fishingday............5
without compromising health outcomes. One thing is SummerHeatDanger...4
CentraCarestaff......6
certain; there is a direct connection between the high cost of RuthHendrixson.....5
care and the lack of coordination between healthcare Summerheatdanger..7
providers. Programs like CentraCare are supported by Delirium..............6
Jazzitup,Hollis.......8
Medicare and Medicaid because they focus on coordinating Crafts................6
Centeractivities.......9
care for older adults. Simply put, your CentraCare team Bowling..............7
works closely with each of you and your loved ones to MoreCenteractivities10
coordinate all of your healthcare needs. By working closely PAC..................10
with you and all of your providers, we hope to have three New Providers: Additionalproviders..11
things happen. First, we want you to be satisfied with the *Bronson Healthcare care that you are receiving. Next, we want you to have good Newemployees......11
Groups health outcomes. Finally, we want to show that, if we do a *On Healthcare (mobile good job coordinating your care, we can actually save Dental, Podiatry, Medicare and Medicaid money. CentraCare Optometry) 200 W. Michigan Ave. *The Legacy at the Oaks Suite 103 of Northpoint Woods Battle Creek, MI 49017 1 *Heartland Healthcare 269‐441‐9300 GrandOpening........2
Researchopportunity..2
OurGarden..........2
Volunteerprogram...3
If you like to read the newspaper, books or magazines, you will be seeing a lot written about the need for our health system to change, and the need to do a better job coordinating care. CentraCare, along with other P.A.C.E. (Program of All‐Inclusive Care for the Elderly) programs, is leading the way in delivering care a better way. We are a part of the solution to making healthcare better in the United States. For that, we are proud to have the opportunity to serve you. GrandopeningofournewKalamazooCentraCareonMarch21
Ourgardenisback!
Thanks to our "green thumb" volunteers. 2 Our featured volunteer,
Grace
Grace is the daughter of Peter (our Physical Therapist) and Susan VanderWeide. She has three siblings who she says she generally gets along with! She was homeschooled and graduated in 2012. Grace hopes to choose a career in the medical field. Right now, it is a toss‐up between something in radiology or becoming an occupational therapist. Grace enjoys many activities including: soccer, volleyball, kayaking, gardening and crocheting. She loves spending time with her family, friends, and the family dog, Corbin. She also occasionally enjoys experimenting with cooking and baking without the use of a recipe. Grace has a very busy schedule. She has not one, but two part time jobs. She works at Culver's restaurant, where she does many different tasks. Her other job is at Regional Medical Labs. There she has had training to work as a phlebotomist. Grace is also a full time student at KCC. Grace started volunteering at CentraCare in order to meet a requirement for a college class. That class has now ended but she continues to dedicate one day a week from her very busy schedule to come and help in the day room. She loves to socialize with the participants, learn from their experiences, and listen to their stories. Grace is a joy to be around and has been very helpful to both the participants and the staff. We are all grateful to her for all of the wonderful assistance that she provides. A new addition to our CentraCare family...
Jordyn Elizabeth Lueth
Born May 17, 2013
7 lbs., 11 oz.
JordynisthedaughterofAlexandBrianLueth.
AlexisourChiefFinancialOfficer.
3 Flap Jack & Jill
We want to the give a special thanks to the Flap Jack & Jill group for entertaining us! This group is from the Battle Creek Youth Orchestra. They performed for us in March for our birthday party and we liked them so much we asked them back in April. We appreciated that they made the time to spend the afternoon with us during their spring break. The CentraCare participants and staff enjoyed the 1940’s radio show program, which had plenty of fiddle playing, singing and commercials. It brought back many dancing memories as well as creating new ones. THEDANGERSOF
HEAT
Summer is a good time to get out and enjoy the summer weather, but too much sun can be dangerous. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can happen when we do not protect ourselves from the heat. The very young and the elderly are at the greatest risk for problems related from heat. Avoid spending extended periods in the sun. Stay in cool or shaded areas. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Avoid foods with high salt content, caffeinated drinks, and drinks that are high in sugar. Dehydration can cause dry mouth and eyes, constipation, urinary tract infection, headache, confusion, or dark colored urine. You may feel light headed which is caused by your blood pressure dropping when you stand up. This could lead to a fall. Drink plenty of water this summer. 4 Ruth Hendrixson
Ruth Hendrixson, the daughter of Harold Bennett and Ester West, was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan. Ruth graduated from Lakeview High School in 1957. Shortly after high school, Ruth married her first husband and high school sweetheart. They had two wonderful children, Robert and Kim, who both reside here in Battle Creek. Ruth has had many fun jobs in her lifetime. Her very first job was as an usherette in a movie theater Joanne and Ruth
where she patrolled the aisles with a flashlight to make sure all the couples were behaving themselves. Then she was a grill cook in a trolley car stationed across from the Post cereal company. Following that, she worked with all the turkeys at the Turkey Farm. One of her favorite jobs was when she started her own business as a childcare provider. This job experience holds a special place in her heart. She loved working with all of the children and took care of them as if they were her own. However, this was not the only business that Ruth started; she also opened a cleaning service company called "Fresh as a Daisy." She took great pride in her work and made many friends while owning this business. Her love for cleanliness did not stop there as she later took a job cleaning for local hospitals, eventually retiring from Oaklawn Hospital. After 14 years of dating a very romantic gentleman named Vick Hendrixson, they married. Before Vick's passing about 12 years ago, Ruth and Vick were very much in love and they lived a very adventurous life. Ruth and Vick enjoyed vacationing in Traverse City and racing stock cars. They raced in Galesburg and enjoyed tailgating before the races. Ruth, known at the track as "Racing Red," was well known by the other racers for cooking up gizzards before each race. Ruth enjoys spending time with her fluffy, furry dog, Sweetie, and her two beautiful lovebirds, Pretty & Pretty. Ruth says she gets great happiness from coming here to CentraCare where she has made many close and wonderful friends. She loves doing arts and crafts at the center. Ruth thanks the CentraCare staff for all that they have done for her. This includes helping her to reach her goal of not needing her wheel chair for transport. Ruth worked very hard to accomplish this goal. She is very proud of her accomplishment. 5 Ruth and Alfie
Delirium:thesilentcrippler
byDr.GaryWortz
There is a common condition that affects many people in emergency rooms and hospitals. This condition is called delirium. Older adults are particularly at risk. A symptom of delirium is memory changes that seem to come and go. Family members are often the best at noticing this. A person can behave normally one moment, and later seem distracted, confused, agitated, or unresponsive. It is hard to diagnose, and often is misdiagnosed as old age or dementia. If you notice an unusual change in your loved one's behavior, tell the CentraCare staff. There are many causes of delirium, including a problem with blood chemistry. The sodium level in the patient's blood may be too high or too low. Conflicts with medication, such as over‐use, can also cause delirium. Even some over‐the‐counter antihistamines can be a common cause of delirium. People who had any kind of heart procedure or bone surgery are at higher risk. Here are some ways you can help your loved one prevent delirium:  Share the names and dosages of all medications with your health care team. This should include all over‐the‐counter medications.  Check memory and behavior several times a day. Report any changes to your health care team.  Have the patient take part in all available therapy during a hospital stay. Some therapy can be done at home (the best place to heal). Exercise can help improve the mental status and emotional state of most people. Our CentraCare participants love to exercise in our physical therapy room!  Restrictive devices, IVs, catheters, and other invasive measures should be removed as soon as possible. 6 BOWLING PARTY
Helpful staff
Patience
Who says I can't bowl? Not Gordon!
Eva, Gordon & Alice
Good friends, Good food, Good fun! 7 With Doc, Thela and Ruth