Month: February 2020

Workplace illness prevention and reduction – infectious disease

In an effort to prevent infectious disease spread in our workplace, we have taken the following precautions:

  • Air handling filters rated to remove viruses and bacteria are being installed in our heating/cooling system, which will be changed at their recommended frequency.
  • We are disinfecting all door handles, every weekday.
  • We are sourcing medical intake masks (the type you are asked to wear when you are sick and enter a medical office) – these are in short supply internationally, and may take additional time to receive.
  • We are ensuring ample stock of disinfecting wipes and aerosol spray/disposable rags & anti-viral tissues.

There are actions we ask that each of us participate in daily to help prevent the spread of infection and reduce the risk that you’ll bring anything unwanted home with you:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water, especially after using the restroom.
  • When soap and water are unavailable, use liquid hand sanitizer. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and ears as much as is possible.
  • Cough/sneeze into a disposable tissue and dispose of them, then wash/sanitize your hands.

Alternatively, if you are caught off-guard by a sneeze, do it into your shoulder, not into your hands, and always facing away from others.

  • Avoid shaking hands/fist-bumping.  Elbow-to-elbow taps seem to be the flu-season greeting of choice, or just say “Hi” instead of making contact.
  • If you use a dish/bowl/glass/silverware, make sure you put it in the dishwasher when you’re done with it so that others won’t need to handle it.
  • Be mindful of personal space – and workspaces.  When possible, ‘keep your hands to yourself’ – avoid leaning on others’ desk surfaces or standing inside their workspaces.  Talk from a friendly distance.

If you use a phone/computer/other office item that is shared by others, make sure to sanitize it before leaving it.  This is particularly important in our dispatch center, where all devices are shared by at least 6 different people every day.   

AT EACH SHIFT CHANGE, AND BEFORE EACH BREAK PERIOD:

  • Use sanitizing wipes to clean the phone buttons, handset and phone cradle, headset, mouse, keyboard, and other touch-surfaces such as wrist-rests and chair arms, let them sit for 30 – 60 seconds then follow with a dry paper towel to remove excess liquid residue. Being mindful of over-saturating electronic equipment, use disinfecting spray sparingly on those types of items.

If you’re sick, or suspect that you may be getting sick:

  • If you have a fever, please, STAY HOME.
  • If you are coughing or sneezing uncontrollably, please, STAY HOME.
  • We recommend that you practice what we’ve asked above at home too, to better protect yourself and those you live with.
  • Use your best judgement and seek medical care whenever appropriate.
  • Do your best to get ample rest – ensuring adequate sleep is an excellent measure toward maintaining your health.

Three Ways to Boost ‘Well-Being’ for Seniors

As caretakers, it’s easy for us to become focused only on the physical well-being of our loved ones. Of course, making sure our loved ones are comfortable, well taken care of, and all their needs are met is our primary responsibility. But it’s important not to lose sight of other parts of “well-being.”

 

Mental stimulation, social interaction, and feelings of self-reliance and a sense of purpose are all parts of well-being that go beyond physical well-being.

 

With that in mind, here are three areas of well-being that we, as caregivers, should focus on.

 

Spirituality

Whether it’s attending a beloved church or simply enjoying nature, certain activities will fill our hearts with and souls with joy. Be sure you include activities like this in your caregiving plan.

 

A Sense of Purpose

As our loved ones age, we tend to take on more and more responsibility on their behalf. However, a major part of feeling good about oneself is having a sense of purpose, and knowing that we’re helping others.

 

Look for ways to involve your loved ones in activities they can manage but can also be considered “chipping in.” From folding laundry at home to volunteering a few hours reading to children, there are many ways for seniors to contribute to their families and communities.

 

Social Interaction

Far too many seniors live their final years in isolation. That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of activities and programs that help seniors connect with others. Your local senior center, library, and community centers are full of ways to help your elderly loved ones engage with their communities.

 

Don’t forget to take care of your own needs, too, as a caregiver. It can be easy to overlook our own spiritual and social needs when we’re committed to the well-being of another. As always, EasyCall is here to support you in your role as a caregiver with 24/7 help at the push of a button.

All the best,

By | February 27th, 2020 | Categorie: Easy Call

What to Do After a False Alarm

To Call or Not to Call?

You should always call the central station when your alarm system is activated and you’re unable to enter your user code within 30 seconds. Alarm panels have a false alarm reduction feature that delays alarm signal transmission by 30 seconds to allow them time to disarm with a valid keypad code before we’re alerted in our monitoring center.

 

A note about how your alarm system sends signals to our central station: many alarm systems use the same phone line to send in the alarm signal that you would use to call our central monitoring station. If that’s the case, you’ll want to dial from your smartphone or wait until the alarm clears to call the central station. Alarms will typically clear in five minutes, although some are programmed to sound the siren for longer.

 

Stay Put

You should not leave the alarm site until you have spoken with our monitoring station and assured them there is no emergency.

 

Be Prepared

When you make contact with the monitoring station, you will need to verify that you are an authorized user. All alarm users should know how to identify themselves, which includes having your password or account number (called a Central Station Identification Number or CSID).

 

Investigate

You should follow-up after each alarm to determine what caused it. Was it a simple user error, or is it a problem with the system that might cause another false alarm? On older systems, motion detectors that have reached the end of their life are common sources of false alarms. Also, don’t set the alarm system after a false alarm until the fault has been identified and rectified.

 

With these steps, you’ll be prepared the next time your alarm is accidentally set off. To learn more about using your alarm system and preventing false alarms, visit the False Alarm Reduction Association.

Happy National Caregivers Day!

This Friday, Feb. 21, marks National Caregivers Day. Here at EasyCall, we’re big supporters of all the caregivers across the country who are helping their family members live better lives.

Did you know there are more than 66 million family caregivers in the United States? Every year, these dedicated individuals selflessly contribute over $375 billion worth of care to their loved ones.

It’s a challenge to provide high-quality care to others while also caring for oneself, raising a family, working full-time, and more. To help, we’ve rounded up online resources that can help you as a caregiver and hopefully help you find a little rest and relaxation in your day.

National Family Caregiver Support Program
https://www.acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) provides grants to States and Territories to fund a range of supports that assist family and informal caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible.

Eldercare Locator
www.eldercare.acl.gov
The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community. Visit the organization’s website for an instant connection to resources that enable older persons to live independently in their communities. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.

Family Caregiver Alliance
http://caregiver.org/
The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) strives to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. For over 40 years, FCA has provided services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and other types of dementia. The alliance’s services include assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers.

Caregiver Action Network
http://www.caregiveraction.org/
Caregiver Action Network is a leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with special needs to the families and friends of wounded soldiers, from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of M.S. to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.

Thanks again for all you do and Happy National Caregivers day!

Seniors, Stay Engaged with Lifelong Learning 🎓

Being an engaged and active learner is something we should all strive for. 

One of the great opportunities seniors enjoy is having the time to learn about subjects that were always interesting but too time-consuming to explore. Educators call this “lifelong learning,” and our golden years are the perfect time to explore fascinating topics.

Universities and colleges offer special low-cost or even free courses in topics ranging from art history to painting, geography, and more. Here’s a quick list of some great lifelong learning resources, perfect for the senior in your life:

Take a College Course

In Northern California, Humboldt State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers more than 40 classes every year for seniors over the age of 50.

Go Online for Lifelong Learning

The internet offers endless variety and opportunities for lifelong learning.

You can learn a foreign language with the BBC or enroll in more than 40,000 courses from Udemy.com. 

The online video service Youtube is filled with lectures and talks taken straight from university lecture halls and beyond.

For even more ideas, check out the Easy Living blog and their great list of resources for free and low-cost lifelong learning opportunities for seniors.

Our senior years offer an opportunity to engage with our communities in new ways. Starting a new course, developing a new hobby, or even earning a new degree are just a few ways to make these years rewarding.