We Can't Relax Yet

Staying safe during Covid 19 will take everyone’s continued diligence and attention to detail. We were reminded that we are still in the midst of a pandemic this week, when two of our people were contacted as part of contact tracing and encouraged to be tested for coronavirus. While neither person has any symptoms, we invoked our exposure protocol and asked both to quarantine for 72 hours until the results are returned. We thank all of you for your commitment to taking the Covid 19 questions seriously and answering them honestly every day before you start work. Our joint effort will keep us all safe.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health has asked that all home care agencies remind their staff that you must wear a face covering while working.

Please remember that face coverings/masks and the clothes worn while providing supports should be changed or washed after each use, especially after providing supports to individuals with COVID-19. You can read the whole letter here.

Stay Safe at the Beach

Staying six feet apart, wearing a mask, and washing your hands are just a few ways you can help slow the spread of COVID-19. This video includes these and more tips for how to stay safe at the pool and beach this Labor Day weekend. 

Congratulations!

We are so excited to share that we have a 98% compliance result of our employees passing the Infection Prevention and Control course. This course provides critical information on preventing the spread of infections and helps both the employee and senior. If you haven’t printed your certificate yet, you can go into the course record in Paycor at any time and print it. Be proud! You are part of an amazing team doing their part to Stop the Spread.

Wondering about something?

During our first all employee Zoom meeting last week, we shared some exciting news about new opportunities for all of our employees. First, we introduced our new TEAM pay program. Starting August 2, 2020, we are offering an additional $2.00 per hour worked, when you work 20 hours during the week.

The world is in turmoil and our community is in need. Our agency is receiving a record number of requests for assistance. Families want their parents at home and our waiting list has turned into a No List. There is nothing harder than turning away families. Additionally, we truly believe our caregivers are the best in the state and we hate the idea of them having to rely on less quality care. For those of you on the fence about working more hours, we hope this will be the incentive you need to commit to helping more families.

Additionally, Nora and I announced that we were going to again offer the Premium Pay that we provided during the 2nd Quarter retroactive to July 1. Our Premium Pay is a combination of additional reimbursement from the government for some accounts and our agency’s desire to acknowledge the extra commitment you are showing to take hours during the pandemic. At this time, we anticipate paying the additional Premium Pay thru Sept 30.

And if that wasn’t enough good news, in addition to your retroactive Premium Pay, you’ll notice in your paychecks this week that you were also paid for completing the Infection Prevention course. Everyone that passed the course was paid for the 1/2 hour that the course took to complete.

I know this is a lot to put out at one time. If you have any questions, you know Nora and I are always available. You can reach us at the office number, 616-234-0190. We sincerely appreciate all that you do for us and your seniors.