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Nurse Team Updates

Hello and Happy September to everyone! We recently restructured the Nurse Team following Morgan’s departure. As Brian Farestad (VP of Operations) mentioned earlier this summer-

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that Morgan Struck will be stepping down from her role as Associate Director of Nursing, so she can focus on completing her degree. Over the past five years, Morgan has been instrumental in the development of the Nursing team, as well as the overall growth and success of Support, Inc. as a whole. Truly a “People Helping People” person, Morgan always demonstrated a true passion for serving our individuals. Her undeniable knowledge and skill as a nurse, her ability to think strategically and turn vision into reality, her strong work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond, and unique blend of humor, kindness, and ferocity, will be missed.

Morgan’s last full-time day at Support was July 1st. Danyelle Grajeda took over as the manager of the Nurse Team and we are happy to share some additional updates with the organization.

Erin Gordon, a strong addition to the team for the last 11 months, was recently promoted to Lead Nurse Case Manager. We congratulate Erin on her recent promotion and wish her nothing but the best in this new position!

We also have the following members of the team below- we are so grateful to each of them as they continue to support and rally behind the folks we serve with a variety of medial needs.

Lauren Reed – Nurse Case Manager
Moriah Welles – Medical Coordinator
Nicole Jordan – Medical Coordinator

And last but not least, we have a link with more details on the flu. It’s important for everyone to protect themselves as the cold and flu season is upon us, especially if you already have medical needs and concerns. Please click the link below to learn more.

Cold and flu season

Carlos N.

Carlos Takes a Trip to Mexico

Carlos Navarro and his FCG/Sister Norma Navarro recently went on a trip with family to visit their relatives in Mexico. Norma said there are always some worries and grey areas when it come to traveling with Carlos but she is glad they gave it a try and that he managed that well. She mentioned it has been quiet some time since they last saw their family and this trip was long overdue. On this trip Carlos enjoyed mostly all the water activities, hanging out with his family members, and meeting new friends. One of their favorite memories that was shared with us was a video of him baking a cake! They are so happy that this trip was a success for their family and hoping to make another trip possibly next year!

BC

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is breast cancer awareness month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s campaign this year is Helping Women Now focusing on the importance of early detection. This includes doing monthly self-exams, scheduling regular physical exams and mammograms. Women should begin having a mammogram with their primary care physician at age 40.

Facts about Breast Cancer from The National Breast Cancer Foundation and American Cancer Society:

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women worldwide.
  • 1 in 8 women receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
  • 1 in 726 men will receive a breast cancer diagnosis. While breast cancer in men is rare, it carries a higher mortality rate than women.
  • Breast cancer occurrence and death rates generally increase with age.
  • Only 5-10% of people diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer.
  • Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer at any age.
  • When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%

While there are breast cancer risk factors that you can not change such as being born female, getting older and inheriting certain gene changes, etc. there are things you can do to may help lower your risk of breast cancer.

  • Getting to and staying at a healthy weight. Both increased body weight and weight gain as an adult are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer after menopause.
  • Be physically active. Studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast caner risk. American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 – 300 minutes moderate intensity or 75-150 minutes vigorous intensity activity each week.
  • Avoid or limit alcohol. Frequent consumption of alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.
HHP of month image

Host Home Provider of the Month

DM4 would like to announce Provider Elly Daly for Host Home Provider of the Month! Elly Daly is a phenomenal provider for our PRS Selena Silva.

Even though Selena is unable to express what she wants or needs using words, Elly is able to understand her through her emotions and specific cues. Elly is organized and keeps an extensive record of Selena`s care.  Recently there had been a change to the team members and within 24 hours Elly updated her binder of information, so she knows who to contact for Selena`s needs. Elly works great with Selena`s family and Guardian. Guardian says “Elly is an awesome provider. She is very caring and thorough with the care she gives. She keeps me updated on any changes and events”

 

This past summer Elly took Selena on her dream vacation to SeaWorld in San Diego and Selena had a blast! Elly says at first she was worried on how Selena would do on the plane but she loved people watching and being out on their adventure! Thank you, Elly, for all that you do and the positive impact you make in Selena`s life and her loved ones.

QA-Corner

Quality Assurance Webinar

Learn more about our amazing Quality Assurance Department here at Support, Inc.! We discuss why having this department is reassuring for the people we serve, their families and providers. Not all agencies have a QA department and we know that good quality is good care. We strive to work with families within the rules and regulations to provide a person-centered approach to each unique situation we encounter. Today, we discuss the goals of the department and how our employees keep the people we serve safe out in the community.

 

1

BACPAC Camping Trip

Check out pictures from Support Inc. BACPAC camping trip June 25th through June 27th. This was an amazing experience for all involved!

The group spent a day on the water by renting two pontoon boats at Cherry Creek State Park. From fishing to swimming and hanging out together, it was a great day for all involved.

Thanks to the help of Rich and many families, providers and Support, Inc. employees, this event is typically hosted on an annual basis at no cost to the people we serve. Yard games, a scavenger hunt and tie-dying camp t-shirts were just a few of the activities included in this fun-filled, engaging occasion.

We sincerely extend our warmest thanks and gratitude to everyone that helped with this event recently. Access to BACPAC activities is offered to members of the Support, Inc. community currently served on the DD waiver with in home support services. For more details on future BACPAC events, please reach out to Rich at Richard.Shaw@supportinc.com. And for questions regarding the DD waiver, please reach out to Intake at Intake@supportinc.com.

Thanks and be on the lookout for more BACPAC events hosted by Support Inc.!

Our BACPAC program enables the people Support, Inc. serves to share in experiences firsthand by moving beyond day-to-day life and exploring some of the amazing things Colorado has to offer on specially staffed adapted activities throughout the year. BACPAC is the nonprofit sector of Support, Inc.

To learn more about the BACPAC Program, please follow the link to learn more on our website.

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Caregiver Burnout Resources

At Support, Inc., we understand how challenging it can be to find resources when dealing with burnout. We offer a variety of community-based services and care options for families and caregivers who have adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These options are also ideal for children with disabilities who are 18 and have previously been receiving services through the Children’s Extensive Support (CES) waiver. Just as no two people are the same, neither are their specific needs for in home care. Whether that’s as a full time resident in a host home, in a family home, or their own home or apartment, Support, Inc.’s spectrum of options and opportunities is designed to offer stability, progress and, of course, safety. Because each situation is unique, and we approach it in this way. Our staff will adapt their approach to each individual and family’s specific needs as our guide, while building a strong partnership for many years to come.

Taking into careful consideration each person’s individual needs, we work with each family and individual we serve to provide the best residential environment for everyone involved. Our residential services include the following three programs. The adults with disabilities programs we provide remain unmatched in the service industry. Colorado disability services are important to us, and we do everything we can to meet each family’s unique and specialized needs.

Host Home:

Our host home providers are committed to providing a nurturing, supportive and safe home atmosphere that allows for growth and discovery. Residents will have an opportunity to thrive in a secure, caring environment and be more engaged in the world around them.

Providers are pre-screened through background and reference checks, as well as home safety inspections. They also receive extensive, ongoing training in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field and have access to additional support and oversight from a residential program coordinator, nurse, clinician and public benefits specialist.

Reach out to us directly to learn more about caretaker pay.

Family Caregiver Program:

Through the Family Caregiver Act, family caregivers may be eligible for both financial and non-financial support. We are often asked “Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver” and the answer is YES. Colorado Family Caregivers have the option to choose between the employee and independent contractor route. The Support, Inc. team gives families maximum flexibility to create an individualized plan tailored to their needs. Families can:

  • Pay a family caregiver to provide care for a loved one
  • Hire a non-family caregiver to provide care
  • Cover or reimburse costs related to life events and needs outside of traditional staffing

We also provide:

  • Screening for non-family caregivers
  • Residential support and respite care options matched to the family’s level of need
  • Training for family and non-family care givers
  • Competitive pay rate, flexible budgets and access to our employee benefits plan and 24-hour support line
  • Support group for family caregivers

Please reach out to learn more about our care taker pay. We’re also happy to relay caretaker documentation samples.

Independent Apartment Living Program:

We help individuals find apartments that meets their unique needs. We also assist with general care and skills development, such as grocery shopping, medical appointments, transportation and provide a 24-hour support line. The assisted living for disabled young adults is something we pride ourselves on providing- it is truly a pleasure to work with individuals living independently in the community.

For more information on our residential services and the DD waiver in Colorado, please contact Brian Slusarz at info@supportinc.com or click here to complete our contact form. The disability caregiver in Colorado is not a position that we take lightly; great disability service providers in Colorado can be hard to come by. But our disability program for adults is absolutely excellent and we hope to hear from you soon! We’re very familiar with home and community based services. It would be an honor to provide disability services to you and your family.

For Caregiver Resources related to burnout, please follow the links below-

Calmerry

Mayo Clinic

Kaiser Permanente

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BACPAC Trip Next Week!

Don’t forget- we have our Annual BACPAC Camping Trip coming up next week! We have a group site reserved June 25th-27th.

We’re still searching for additional volunteers to help! Even if you can’t attend, donating supplies would be greatly appreciated please. IE veggie trays, fruit trays, desserts, etc. Rich will keep a food list to help prevent duplicate items. Please reach out to Rich at Richard.Shaw@supportinc.com before you purchase anything, so he can chat with you about what’s needed 😊

We have a Campers List below!!

Thanks again to everyone that’s making this trip possible for those we serve. We couldn’t do it without you and looking forward to having so much fun soon!!

Campers List

Recommended: If you don’t have any of the items listed, please let us know 😊 We will have some extra supplies on hand.

Meals, Drinks (water, Gatorade), and Snacks provided

A Day

  1. Mediation (if needed)
  2. Sun Screen
  3. Bug Spray
  4. Light Loose clothing (Hat-if wanted)
  5. Sunglasses
  6. Extra Clothing (sandals) if going swimming: towel
  7. Light Jacket/Hoodie
  8. Individual refillable Water bottle (labeled with name)
  9. Lawn/camp chair
  10. Fishing gear (if needed)
  11. Personal supplies (if needed)

B Overnight: same as above +

  1. Tent
  2. Sleeping bag/Air mattress (if needed)
  3. Extra Blanket
  4. Flashlight/Lantern
  5. Extra clothing
  1. in case we get cooler weather at night
  2. Shoes
  3. Personal supplies (hygiene)

We warmly invite our individuals in services, their caregivers and providers. Please join us if you can!!

Food, drinks and snacks provided!!

The camping area will include

  • Large, covered area with tables and lighting at night
  • Rest room on site
  • Campground has showers available at main office
  • Running water on site
  • Electrical outlets on site

Activities will include:

  • Outdoor yard games
  • Board Games
  • Table games
  • Fishing
  • Music
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Tye Dye your own shirt
  • Camp Fire at night (weather dependent)
  • + much more!!!

Wednesday 26th is the boat day (this will also be the swim day)

  • Two pontoon boats have been reserved for the day
  • Groups will meet on at the marina to go out on the water for an hour ride
4

Open House and BBQ in Sterling

Check out the fun we had hosting the Open House last week! We are so grateful to the Family Resource Center for hosting us downstairs in the courtyard while families and consumers toured the offices upstairs. We also appreciated Leticia Arguello from the ARC joining us for the Resource Fair! Jeff Rice from the Journal Advocate joined us on site to gather more information. We are grateful to him and the paper for reporting and sharing the news of our new location. And last but not least, a big thanks to Jimmy L’s for catering the event and to the Logan County Chamber of Commerce for facilitating the ribbon cutting ceremony out front.

 

Thanks again to everyone that helped make this event a success. We couldn’t do it without you and look forward to this next step of People Helping People on the Eastern Plains and beyond!