Archive for category: Healthcare

COVID-19 Update

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We are open and we are here to help during these very challenging times.

The highly skilled and experienced team at GenCare Solutions and GenCare Resources are trained and ready to assist our patients and community as we work to stop this ever-evolving COVID-19 virus. Our office workforce is available to support you in every way and provide the most up-to-date information that affects your health. Additionally, our medical team is equipped with the required medical protective equipment to ensure the safe health of our patients and themselves.

We take the well-being of our colleagues, communities, and the responsibility of supporting the healthcare environment very seriously. We are working to protect and keep you safe during this unprecedented global pandemic. To talk to one of our team members, call us or email us.

Please use the following links for relevant information on SARS COVID-19, and tips for your safety at this time:

Gain Energy After 50

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Gain Energy Even After 50?

Where you are is a good starting point.
Even if you are now just getting into the mindset of taking steps to increase energy and feel better, it’s still a perfect place to start. Do you have friends who are heavily active already? Don’t compare yourself to them, but instead, ask for their guidance to help give you a jump start. And DON’T do too much too soon, or you’ll be taking steps backward instead of forward. Remember, it’s not a competition and starting initially with just one or two simple changes, you’ll feel the increase in energy. It will then be up to you (and your doctor) how far you want to go.

One change at a time.
Are you a late-night eater? Start with that as a focus where you don’t eat anything after 8 pm. And, reduce your portion size. Your body will get used to it and you’ll feel better. By taking small actions, one at a time, it won’t be such a drastic change and you’ll work your way up to other changes to improve your physical and mental health.

These shoes are made for walking.
Getting hungry or simply bored? Try taking a five-minute walk. Stretch your legs, enjoy the weather and take in the sights of your neighborhood by walking around the block. Or, invite some friends to meet you at the park and turn it into a group routine. If it’s hot outside, meet at the mall, walk around the common areas, and you’ll see a bunch of other friendly faces doing the same thing. You’ll share stories about what’s going on in your lives, while getting the movement your body needs. It’s amazing how a short walk can boost your spirits and reduce the sound of that grumbling tummy.

Water is the miracle drink.
It’s amazing how many people still do not drink enough water. It’s especially important as we age, that we drink enough of this healthy pick-me-up. When we’re not fully hydrated, our metabolism slows down which has many other effects on your body. Make sure you bring a large bottle of water when you exercise as it’s the most efficient nutrient to help keep your muscles moving. Lacking energy during the day? Grab a glass of water to replenish those reserves.

Strength training keeps you strong.
Exercise is one of the best ways to boost energy levels, especially if you’re over the age of 50. Lifting weights or some sort of resistance exercise is one of the best ways to strengthen your body, and mind. Additionally, when we take these steps now to being stronger, it affects our daily lives with even the simplest of tasks, like getting up out of a chair or playing with our grandkids.

Are you or a loved one ready to take some of the above steps but need guidance? Our nurses at GenCare Resources can help with that. It may be as simple as having a companion to walk with to make sure you’re safe while having someone to talk to, or overseeing that group walk at your favorite mall. 

Is It Time to Partner with a Healthcare Staffing Agency

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Is It Time to Partner With a Healthcare Staffing Agency?

Do you feel that the methods you use to staff your medical facility are up to par? We’ve identified some of the signs that show your facility is understaffed. This could also mean that there are many things that have fallen between the cracks and that you do not realize there is even a problem. This can be dangerous considering we’re dealing with patient care. Here are some subtle signs that it might be time to team up with a medical staffing agency.

Your Staff is Showing Signs of Being Burnt Out
When a healthcare facility is understaffed, it doesn’t mean you can simply put off some of the work until your back to full capacity. Depending on the type of facility, your workload could change daily based on the need, which most times is completely out of your control. In fact, ignoring these signs could not only lead to lost productivity, but even more serious, devastating accidents. If your team members are working non-stop without the proper amount of downtime, you need to do something about it now. A staffing agency is the perfect solution for meeting short-term needs as their nurses are accustomed to working flexible schedules, or joining you full-time if that’s what you need. You are able to choose the type of help that best fits your ever-changing needs:

  • Temporary
  • Part-time
  • Permanent Hires

Overtime is Out of Control
Pay attention to payroll and time clocks. This is one of the ways you can catch this challenge early, BEFORE your team gets burnt out. Staffing shortages happen but if you catch it early, you have a great chance of retaining your team, while augmenting with part-time help while you stabilize so that you can think clearly. Your long-term employees will be up to the challenge for a short time, but don’t take advantage as good medical team members are tough to find.

Scheduling Has Become a Full Time Job
You have a number of tasks on your plate and scheduling shouldn’t be the one that’s filling it up. It’s a significant responsibility, but if it’s turning into a full-time role, there’s something wrong. Do you find that you’re juggling time-off requests, last-minute call-ins, or constantly approving overtime? If so, this is a clear indication that your staffing needs are critical.

When you work closely with a good staffing firm, your time will be freed up to focus, which will make you a more productive and effective leader.

Resolutions for the New Year

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Are you having a difficult time coming up with ideas to make your life better, healthier, and more profitable?

To follow are some suggestions to make it happen!

Accountability

Many times we fail at our resolutions because day-to-day life simply gets in the way. Be realistic and set goals that aren’t so far out of reach that it will never happen. Write down your goals, and how you intend to get there, so that you see them every day. This exercise will make it easier for you to actually get there. Start small and then continue to build.

Make a promise to yourself that you’ll work towards taking the next step in your career

You may love your job, but… if you want to move up, sometimes your current situation does not have any opportunity in sight. However, if you have future options in your current company, take the time to learn about what it will take to get that promotion. Do you need additional skills? If so, lay out a plan to learn and start working on them when you can. Of course, don’t let it interfere with your current job as you want to continue to shine. Start working on those. Sometimes it’s as easy as talking to your boss to allow him/her to guide you.

Reduce stress

Stress is one of the top reasons people get sick. And, it can reduce your overall happiness. Find an outlet to take your mind off things that cause stress. Is there a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try? Find outlets that will make you feel more calm and centered and incorporate into your daily routine.

Establish and build upon your network

A professional network is one of the biggest assets for your career. Use them as a sounding board, or to open a door for new opportunities. Even though social media may seem like an easy introduction to a vast amount of people, it is also less personal and may not reap you the rewards you’re seeking when it comes to your career.

Set a goal to increase your network and reach out to friends, and friends of friends, to get the ball rolling. Joining professional organizations will also help bridge the gap to meeting new people.

Take risks

Be open to new opportunities. It may be an extra project within your company that puts you on unfamiliar territory, but, you could learn something new while increasing your skillset.

It’s a new year which means a new you. You don’t have to tackle every one of our suggestions, but as long as you’re willing to try new things and remain focused, you will have a full year of success, and most importantly, health and happiness.

Seeking a new job opportunity?

Seeking some adventure but cannot afford to travel to new places? Consider becoming a travel nurse to explore new places, while receiving competitive pay, reimbursement of travel expenses and the flexibility you may be craving.

Learn more about opportunities that may help jumpstart your goals

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Communicaring: When Siblings Need to Talk About an Aging Parent

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When Siblings Need to Talk About an Aging Parent

Taking care of elderly parents can create a unique dynamic among siblings. The people who spent two decades of their own lives making your needs central to their lives, are now themselves in great need. That fact alone can be a hard reality to embrace. Different siblings may have different emotional reactions to this new phase of life. As well, there are going to be many practical issues that siblings need to discuss concerning their parents so that the best decisions are made for everyone involved. But you can’t overlook the reality that all of these decisions are being made in the context of strong emotions and past family norms.

Depending upon how well the family gets along, caregiving for aging parents may be very easy or very difficult. Family members will have to work cooperatively to decide who will be the primary caregiver for mom or dad. The sibling living closest may not be the one best suited financially or emotionally for the job. For instance, your sister who lives in town may have recently divorced and is now a single mother with 3 kids and a full-time job. Or it may be that the brother who lives around the corner from mom and dad is also the brother who is most overwhelmed by the day-to-day responsibilities of visiting your parents, managing medications, going to doctor appointments or getting phone calls from a frightened parent in the middle of the night.

As a result, you and your siblings might find that the lines of responsibility are not so simple to define. Responsibilities might be divided up in creative ways. For instance, the brother who is now the primary caregiver may not be the one to handle the finances. One of your sisters may be the information gatherer while your sister with the medical background may be the one who keeps in touch with your parents’ physicians.

One of the best ways to deal with the issues of caring for your elderly parents is to call a family meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to decide what needs to be done to help your parents. It is best done in person but can also take place via a conference call if siblings are scattered around the country.

A family meeting should take these four things into consideration:

  • Write it down! A written agenda will be helpful. It should include all the things everyone is doing now and list what else needs to be done. Written records will also be helpful going forward.
  • Honesty is the best policy. Each sibling should be specific about what they can do and can’t do, as well as about how they’re emotionally coping with this new phase.
  • Be prepared to divide and conquer. You’ll each need to take on tasks but don’t expect perfect equality. Depending a number of factors, one of you might have more responsibilities than another.
  • Develop a plan for ongoing communication. It will be important to continue to all stay on the same page as things change.

Regular family meetings won’t resolve all tensions but they’ll go a long way toward maintaining healthy family relationships during a time that is difficult, complex and emotional. At every step in the process, it will be important to understand your own emotions at this challenging time and to try to have sympathy for your siblings’ feelings as well, even if you disagree. When your parents’ journey ends, your family relationships will continue. It’s vital to maintain those bonds during this challenging time.

Details, Details, Details…

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Details, Details, Details…

“So, where do I begin?” When you suddenly find yourself in the position of caring for or making decisions for an elderly person this is a natural first question. The issues surrounding elder care are complex. It’s hard to know what is expected of you in this new role. The lingo and the medical terminology can be daunting. A whole new realm of information needs to be tracked and organized. The sheer volume of it can be overwhelming.

The best way to begin is to collect and organize the elderly person’s essential information:

  • Vital Information – including name, birthday, and important identification like a social security number and birth certificate
  • Financial Documentation – including bills, bank accounts, insurance papers, finance papers, and any debt that is owed
  • Medical Records – including a medical history, doctors, a living will or POA, recent hospitalizations, and current medications

Gathering this information will help you interact with professionals like attorneys, financial advisors, insurance consultants, or medical providers. It will be impossible for you to make future decisions if you don’t have a current picture of your loved one’s situation. And, remember to write everything down! There will be too much information for you to attempt to keep track of it by memory. The AARP offers this helpful checklist for helping to organize all of your caregiving details.

Caring for someone else at home will also require you to be organized in your personal life!  Often, caring for a senior adds to an already busy schedule. The more organized you are, the better. If you are new to the task, getting organized up front will help you manage the increased work load and reduce stress. One major way to prepare to care for an elderly person at home is to get yourself a good calendar and task management system. Some people like to organize things on paper-based calendars – but there are great tools online as well. Most apps and online calendar tools allow you to set up email and/or text alerts so that you are given automatic reminders for recurring appointments, tasks, or prescription refills as well as one-time events. You can also set up alerts and reminders for other family members.

Be proactive to set a time each week to review your week ahead and check for conflicts. Consider how you will manage your growing to-do list. If you look ahead and find that it’s just too much to juggle in a given week, enlist the help of others. Organize other family members or take advantage of eldercare services in your hometown. Homemaker services and companion services might be essential to the success of staying organized without losing your mind! But, you can’t access those needs if you’re unorganized or putting things off until the last minute. Staying organized will be a vital component to successfully managing your loved one’s care.

Sandwiched: Combatting Loneliness in Your New Role

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Sandwiched: Combating Loneliness in Your New Role

We live in an amazing time. Modern healthcare advances have increased the average life expectancy in the United States from 47 years in 1900 to the mid-seventies today. According to the Census Bureau projections, there will be approximately 70 million Americans age 65 and older by the year 2030. Nine million of those will be from our fastest growing population segment – 85 years and older.

That’s amazing news! It means that the people we love get to stay with us a little longer. It means that young children might actually know their grandparents and even great-grandparents. It means another year with the patriarch of the family at Thanksgiving or one more sweet conversation with your Grammy on her birthday.

But those extra memories come with some cost. As our parents and grandparents live longer, the chance of chronic health problems increases and the weight of long-term care becomes a reality for the culture at large. Most specifically, since most older Americans have their care needs met by a family member, the realities of caregiving often fall to children who are in their forties and early fifties.

This new generation of caregivers has been dubbed the “sandwich generation.” Why? Because they are often caught between the responsibilities of caring for both older and younger generations. Many of them are in the prime of their careers and have the responsibilities of raising children in their own homes at the same time. Meanwhile, they also find their schedules squeezed as they spend many hours each week tending to the needs of frail, aging relatives.

Because of this tension, the sandwich generation often finds themselves overextended, stressed-out, emotionally weary, financially squeezed, and even guilt-plagued. These feelings can be very difficult to sort through. They can be exacerbated by the fact that caregivers often feel alone in their endeavor. While resources abound for parenting and raising a young family, not as many people are writing or talking about caring for their own parents. Yet, the “it takes a village” mentality applies to more situations than just raising young children!

To that end, we’re passing on a few suggestions from the Aging Care website to help those of you who are caregivers find the support and encouragement you need:

  • Your state government’s website should have a version of the National Family Caregiver Support Program, where you can contact people who have been in your shoes. Go to its website, type “aging” in the search box, and you should find some state resources.
  • Talk with other caregivers through support groups, whether online or in-person. Online sites are especially helpful because most caregivers are pressed for time and often have difficulty attending an in-person group meeting.
  • Check with the Alzheimer’s Association. They offer a broad range of support and can answer many of your questions.
  • Local hospitals, religious organizations and even nursing homes will likely have lists of in-person support groups you can attend.

The bottom line: If you are a caregiver, you need to seek support from other caregivers. It’s important that you talk to people who have been in the trenches. Ask them what they did that worked, what they would do differently, and what they advise. With the help of a support community, the caregiver is better resourced and equipped for the road ahead.

Staffing, Consulting, Workforce Solutions

If you are ready to take your staff and the structure of your business to the next level, we can help. Contact us to schedule a complimentary initial consultation today!

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