Wendy Bailey

Wendy Bailey is a very reliable and hard working caregiver. Wendy has been with Ivory House for only 4 months but within these few months her quality of work has been nothing but excellent. Wendy goes out her way to serve as a certified nursing assistant at Ivory House Health Services. Her attitude is impeccable and outstanding. Wendy just recently lost her father to an illness and still is giving excellent care to our clients, with no time requested off. She eagerly fills in and works shifts at the last minute. Wendy Bailey is an awesome worker. She is an one of a kind caregiver.

Melanie Meredith

Melanie is a Certified Care Manager as well as a Master-prepared nurse. Melanie has worked for Ivory House for the past 10 years contributing both to the development of our care model and caring for complex chronically ill clients. She is compassionate, comprehensive in her care, and maintains close relationships with the family and the physician. Melanie is an excellent orator at community events on topics related to seniors. She establishes good relationships with other professionals in the community such as discharge planners, attorneys and physicians. Her sensitive approach to younger persons who have both developmental and psychiatric disabilities is a marvel. Ms. Meredith has kept up on the law, veterans benefits ,medical and Medicaid nuances. She is a glowing star in the Ivory House Health Services Family.

Hiring the wrong type of home care help-by going through a registry or referral service or hiring help on your own-can expose patients to financial, legal, and safety risks, like liability for payroll taxes or on-the-job injuries, property losses, or care that is unreliable, substandard, or even abusive. Only a licensed, bonded, and insured home care agency guarantees your peace of mind-and good patient care.

Home care agencies:

Not all agencies are created alike. When hiring-or referring patients to-a home care agency, it’s important to know the difference between types of agencies. Some are licensed, bonded, and insured; others are simply referral services that try to match independent contractor home care providers with clients. Unknowingly selecting the wrong type of agency can expose you-or your patients-to financial and legal risks.

Key questions about any home care agency:

• Is it licensed, bonded, and insured?
• Are the caregivers employees or independent contractors?
• What type of background check does the agency perform on caregivers?
• Does the agency have someone on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

What a licensed, bonded, and insured home care agency does-in addition to providing excellent private duty care:

• Care is monitored and the agency responds to changing care needs.
• Agency supervision helps create positive working relationships between caregivers, patients, and families.
• As an employer, the full service agency pays payroll taxes for all caregivers. A registry isn’t an employer.
• The agency hires, trains, supervises, and conducts performance evaluations on its employees.
• If an employee is injured while providing care in the home, the agency’s insurance coverage-not the homeowner’s-applies.
• The agency conducts background checks-including reference checks, criminal background, and drug screens-on all employees as a routine part of the pre-employment process.
• If a regularly scheduled caregiver is ill or otherwise unable to come to work, the agency-not the patient-is responsible for finding a replacement.
• Provides peace of mind that the patient will receive the very best home care available.

Points to remember

• Only a licensed, bonded, and insured home care agency provides both high quality care and legal and financial protection for patients and families.
• Knowing what type of agency you’re hiring or recommending is essential for your peace of mind.

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area. For more information about our Care for the Elderly and In Home Care in Maryland you can contact Ivory House Health Services by calling 1-800-704-3536.

Fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations with care management.

Recent research points to the decreased risk of emergency room visits and hospital admissions in 226 frail, high-risk, elderly patients who received geriatric care management services.

The chart on the left above details the decrease in emergency department visits from 1,500 visits to 700 visits over a 24-month period when patients received geriatric care management services.

The chart on the right above shows the decrease in hospitalizations when care management services are used, from 800 admissions to 400 over a 24-month period.

For more information on Ivory House Health Services Geriatric Care Management, Call Us at 800-704-3536.

Joyce Brodie

Joyce represents the IHHS value of compassionate caregiving.  She has assisted two elderly ladies with a difficult transition in levels of care (home to nursing home and hospital to assisted living).  Her patience and attention to quality of life needs of the clients has eased the burden on families, facility staff and the elders.

Pamela Johnson

Pam exemplifies the value of teamwork.  When Joyce lost her husband in a tragic event, Pam stepped in and maintained the routine that had been established.  This action created continuity which maintains the client’s sense of wellbeing.  In other assignments, Pam has added on her special touches to the plan of care, but supports the efforts of her caregivers without undermining their achievements.

We, as professionals in the field of eldercare, are always surprised when we hear of the trials and tribulations that older persons many times face on their own. It doesn’t seem real. It doesn’t feel real. It is very hard to understand how family, extended family, friends, neighbors and obviously strangers can hurt a vulnerable person. It happens quite often.
Describing what elder abuse looks like can help in protecting our senior population. We all have that responsibility to be aware and report the alleged abuse.
Some examples are given below.  You may recognize them in a family member, friend or even a stranger.

1. Unusual bruising especially on hands, arms, and legs.
2. Observable weight loss over a period of time.
3. Broken limbs.  The senior may not be able to clearly explain what has happened.
4. Unexplained falls occurring frequently.
5. Fearfulness expressed in facial expressions.
6. Poor hygiene and tattered clothing.
7. Staying in the home without being seen for a while.  This may indicate no one helping etc.

We all need to be more involved in our neighborhood.  If you note the lights are  never on, the sidewalks are never cleaned of snow, a definite change in lifestyle behaviors, wandering at night, appearing confused, or any other changes call the Police.  They will respond to your concern.  If you know any family member please call them. REMEMBER WE ALL NEED TO KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE.

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area.  For more information about our Care for the Elderly and In Home Care in Maryland you can contact Ivory House Health Services or call 1-800-704-3536.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU INFORMATION ABOUT ONE OF OUR GERIATRIC CARE MANAGERS.  She is Mary Schenning and works part-time for us.  Mary has a quiet calming way about herself. Her understanding of human behavior comes from many years of working with patients both in the hospital setting and outpatient. She is perceptive, quickly analyzing the problem bring all of her expertise to produce solutions both for the client and the family. When we discuss our work I often think that I would like to be nurtured by Mary back to a state of wellness.

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area.  For more information about our Geriatric Care Managers and In Home Care in Maryland you can contact Ivory House Health Services or call 1-800-704-3536.

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY RALLY
June 15, 2010
12 noon — 2 pm
Courthouse Patriot Plaza
400 Washington Avenue, Towson MD
JOIN US!

Baltimore County Restoring Elder Safety Today BC-REST is a coalition working to educate and empower the community to identify, treat and prevent elder Abuse, neglect and exploitation in Baltimore County through the development of strategic alliances, advocacy and resource development.

Ivory House Health Services are Geriatric Care Managers and Certified Nursing Assistants working together to allow seniors to live more safely in the comfort of their own homes. If not possible to remain at home, our staff is knowledgeable about the many options for varied assisted living facilities that are available in the Baltimore area.  For more information call 1-800-704-3536

“Congress needs to fix the unintended consequences of the legislation establishing the Red Flags Rule – and to fix this problem quickly. We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Barney Frank and John Adler for getting a clarifying measure passed in the House, and hope action in the Senate will be swift,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said. “As an agency we’re charged with enforcing the law, and endless extensions delay enforcement.”

The Rule was developed under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, in which Congress directed the FTC and other agencies to develop regulations requiring “creditors” and “financial institutions” to address the risk of identity theft. The resulting Red Flags Rule requires all such entities that have “covered accounts” to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs to help identify, detect, and respond to patterns, practices, or specific activities – known as “red flags” – that could indicate identity theft.

The Rule became effective on January 1, 2008, with full compliance for all covered entities originally required by November 1, 2008. The Commission has issued several Enforcement Policies delaying enforcement of the Rule. Most recently, the Commission announced in October 2009 that at the request of certain Members of Congress, it was delaying enforcement of the Rule until June 1, 2010, to allow Congress time to finalize legislation that would limit the scope of business covered by the Rule. Since then, the Commission has received another request from Members of Congress for another delay in enforcement of the Rule beyond June 1, 2010.

The Commission urges Congress to act quickly to pass legislation that will resolve any questions as to which entities are covered by the Rule and obviate the need for further enforcement delays. If Congress passes legislation limiting the scope of the Red Flags Rule with an effective date earlier than December 31, 2010, the Commission will begin enforcement as of that effective date.
In the interim, FTC staff has continued to provide guidance, both through materials posted on www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule, and in speeches and participation in seminars, conferences and other training events to numerous groups. The FTC also published a compliance guide for business, and created a template that enables low risk entities to create an identity theft program with an easy-to-use online form (www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/redflagsrule/get-started.shtm). The FTC staff also has published numerous general and industry-specific articles, released a video explaining the Rule, and continues to respond to inquiries from the public. To assist further with compliance, FTC staff has worked with a number of trade associations that have chosen to develop model policies or specialized guidance for their members.

As was the case previously, this enforcement delay is limited to the Red Flags Rule and does not extend to the rule regarding address discrepancies applicable to users of consumer reports (16 C.F.R.§641), or to the rule regarding changes of address applicable to card issuers (16 C.F.R.§681.2).

For questions regarding this Enforcement Policy, please contact Naomi Lefkovitz or Pavneet Singh, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2252.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180
(Red Flags May 2010)

Mary St.Pierre
NAHC
228 7th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
202 547-7424

In planning your trip there are numerous things that should be added to your travel list of DO NOT FORGETS.  No one wants to spoil the trip by forgetting an important item.   Your list of DO NOT FORGETS should include the following:

• Make sure you have all your medicines poured and placed in your carry on.  Always be sure to take at least 5 days additional medicine in case your return trip becomes delayed or extended.  You do not want to worry because you didn’t take enough medicine. Do make a list of your prescription information which will allow you to order more medicine if needed.
• Make you sure you include antacids, antibiotic lotions, cortisone lotion, bandaids, sun tan lotion, and any other personal items that you use regularly.
• Make sure that wherever you are going does not require you to have any special vaccinations.  Even modern countries can have outbreaks of disease occasionally.
• Make sure that your jewelry is costume and not heirlooms.  You don’t want to lose anything special which would put a damper on your trip.
• Make sure that you have a copy of the most recent medical record, your advance directives, power of attorney for medical and financial matters. This is important if you become ill while away.
• Make sure that your walking shoes are the most comfortable you can buy. Sore feet are not a good experience on vacation.
• Make sure that you consider your safety when planning side trips.  Take into your consideration your health limitations and be realistic about what you can accomplice. Breaking bones on your trip can be quite detrimental to the continuation of your trip.
• Make sure you have an extra pair of prescription glasses and sunglasses.  Losing eyeglasses or misplacing them while traveling is quite common. Numerous pairs of contact lenses are also necessary
• Make a list of your emergency numbers, your medicines, your hotel etc. and place in your wallet. You may need them.
• Make sure your passport stays in your room or in the hotel safe when touring.
• Make sure your wallet is kept in your front pocket or in an safe place when it can not be taken easily.
• Make sure your clothing is climate appropriate and allows for ease of movement and comfort.
• Make sure you bring a sun hat. If your head is not covered with much hair make sure it is covered with a hat.
• Make sure if you have serious allergies that you carry a card or wear a bracelet. Make sure you carry whatever medicine your doctor orders for an allergic reaction and keep it on you at all times.  Make sure you always inform your waiter of any food allergies and question what is contained in fancy foods.
• Make sure while on vacation you leave your computer at home and your blackberry.  Vacation is not an extension of work.
• Make sure you leave unnecessary credit cards at home.  Make sure you have the numbers of the card companies kept in your room.  If they are stolen or lost you can then report them immediately.

This is your seasoned traveler signing over and out.    Be sure to continue to look for more travel ideas for seniors in the future.