Archive for ‘DCW associations/coalitions’

Pennsylvania Direct Care Workers Association Launches Philly Chapter

Posted by on November 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm | No Comments »

On October 21, the Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Direct Care Worker Association  held its roll-out meeting in Center City Philadelphia. After months of planning and working together, I am so proud of us for making it happen!  We are especially grateful for the support and attendance by Roy Gedat of the Direct Care Alliance, Brenda Nachtway of the PADCWA and the Valentine Foundation – who has made this all possible. And I have to mention the absolutely divine cheese pie that was prepared by Peg Ankney along with other light refreshments.

Philly chapter

Direct care workers gather to launch Philadelphia chapter of PADCWA

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Direct Care Workers, Employers & Allies Caring Across New Mexico

Posted by on November 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 am | No Comments »

It has been another exciting year for the New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition! On November 5, we hosted the second annual statewide summit, Caring Across New Mexico.  We were thrilled to have so many employers and vendors in attendance along with direct care workers – it was an example of how important it is for everyone to work together.  To kick off the morning, DCA’s Leonila Vega delivered a keynote address on national healthcare policy and what is being done to improve working conditions for direct care workers and the quality of care for elders and people living with disabilities. Watch a video of her presentation, below:

Next, we had an amazing panel of service providers discuss the importance of training, respect and recognition, and better working conditions for direct care workers.  These employers demonstrated an extreme commitment to their staffs and the people they serve. Continue reading »

Direct Care Heroes Gather in Iowa: Compassion in Action

Posted by on November 15th, 2010 at 10:53 am | No Comments »

This is a guest post from Pam Biklen, Program Director at the Iowa CareGivers Association.

Nick Uhlenhopp, Iowa State University's football program & Di Findley, Iowa CareGivers Association executive director.

This fall, the Iowa CareGivers Association held their annual educational conference and awards reception for direct care workers – Hometown Heroes: Compassion in Action. There were 318 people in attendance at this conference, 234 of which were direct care workers. The theme, “Hometown SuperHeroes” celebrated the work of all of those direct care workers who provide hands on care in a number of health care settings in Iowa. In our eyes, each and every one of them is a “SuperHero.” Not only do direct care workers provide care and supportive services to those who need it, they do the little things that make a difference in the lives of their clients. They honor the dignity of others as they provide compassion and care. They have qualities of humility and inner strength that provide them with courage to do this rewarding but emotionally and physically challenging work. They provide essential services to our communities. And those are all qualities of a “SuperHero”!

The theme of the day was entertwined with some great educational programs, including topics like hospice, depression, Alzheimer’s, skin care, and many others. There were even some special guest appearances by Wonder Woman, aka Di Findley, Executive Director and SuperMan aka Greg DeMoss, conference committee chair. Continue reading »

Maine PASA Hosts Regional Social on Nov. 13

Posted by on November 1st, 2010 at 1:41 pm | No Comments »

Join us for this brief social where workers can network with each other and get local support for their work. The program starts promptly at 10 am and runs until noon.

Members of Maine PASA’s Leadership Council will be there to update workers on all that is happening with the workforce. The Leadership Council wants to hear from workers about their jobs, what they feel needs improvement and what they want their leaders to work on.

If you’re a direct care worker in the Bangor area, please join us!

For more information and to RSVP, contact me at hhanson@directcarealliance.org.

New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition Hosts 2nd Annual Statewide Summit

Posted by on November 1st, 2010 at 10:29 am | 1 Comment »

Mark Cerna

On November 5, the New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition will host its 2nd Annual Statewide Summit: Caring Across New Mexico.

We’re gearing up for the event, which brings together all stakeholders in the field of direct care, including:  direct care workers; the elderly and individuals living with disabilities that employ caregivers; state agency employees; caregiver agency administration; and family and friends of caregivers.

The Summit is a venue for communication among caregivers on career opportunities, job advancement, job benefits, advocacy and legislation affecting those who provide care. The Summit is an opportunity for family and professional caregivers to come together to share what works in caring for the elderly and individuals living with disabilities.

Read more about the New Mexico Direct Caregivers 2010 Summit and register.

Do Criminals Receive Better Treatment than Elders?

Posted by on November 1st, 2010 at 10:18 am | No Comments »

Judy Clinco

This seems like an outrageous question, doesn’t it?  But consider it as a hypothetical: given the neglect of our long-term care system, the comparison does make a point.  Millions of older Americans rely on long-term care services, but so many more are still in need of assistance.  Access to quality home and community-based services is not widely available and certainly is not an entitlement.  That’s why the short commentary piece – “Let’s put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes” – which has been circulating the Internet for some time, makes me ask the question: do criminals really receive better treatment than those depending on long-term care?  As leaders and advocates for change in direct and long-term care, we can make sure this isn’t the case.  According to the commentary, prisoners receive:

  • Access to showers, hobbies, and walks.
  • Unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs etc.
  • Fresh bedding twice a week, and clean laundry which is ironed and returned to them.
  • Access to a library, weight room, spiritual counseling, pool, and education.
  • Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, P.J.’s and legal aid, free of charge.
  • Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard  — with gardens.

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Iowa State Football Coach Thanks Direct Care Workers

Posted by on October 1st, 2010 at 10:00 am | No Comments »

Iowa State University football coach, Paul Rhoads, pays tribute to direct care workers in a new public service announcement for the Iowa Caregivers Association.

Florida Eldercare Workforce Finds Unified Voice; Helps Lead Call for Change

Posted by on October 1st, 2010 at 9:17 am | No Comments »

This is a guest post from Terry Bucher, Founder & President Emeritus of the Florida Professional Association of Care Givers.

Two weeks ago, I was privileged to be a part of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance Hill Day in Washington, DC. I had the chance to speak out on behalf of eldercare issues, especially as they pertain to the direct care workforce. My participation this year was a direct result of having accepted an invitation from the Direct Care Alliance, one of the 28 national associations that make up the Eldercare Workforce Alliance.

In preparation for the trip, I familiarized myself with EWA & DCA’s current legislative agenda and drafted comments to share in my visits to the legislative offices. EWA arranged appointments with Florida’s congressional agenda in the House and Senate and partnered participants from individual states to meet with our legislators or their assistants. The wisdom of this approach proved very effective and fruitful as all levels of the eldercare workforce teamed together to present a unified front on geriatric health care. Together, we expressed the immediate importance of the needs of the elderly – the fastest growing segment of our population.

Our Florida team included Dr. Hugh Thomas, President of the Florida Medical Directors Association; Patricia Wallace, ARNP, V.P. of the FL Chapter of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurse Association; Dr. Lisa Brown, Associate Professor; Dr. Katheryn Hyer, Director of FL Policy Exchange Center On Aging; and me, founder of the Florida Professional Association of Care Givers (FPACG).

EWA Visit

(L to R): Lisa Brown, Terry Bucher, Charles Cooper, Hugh Thomas, Denise Gammonley, Kathryn Hyer, and Patricia Wallace

We had less than an hour to prepare as a team for our legislative visits, but our presentations to each office reflected the passion and dedication of each team member to their various disciplines pertaining to eldercare. The Senate was in session and the House was not meeting until the following day, thus our appointments were with staff members in each office. Each member of the team volunteered to be the opening lead for a session. I was first-up for our 9am appointment as we visited the offices of Congressman Adam Putnam, my representative in the 12th District of Florida. Continue reading »

Power in Numbers: Direct care workers descend on DC

Posted by on September 27th, 2010 at 11:05 am | No Comments »

Brenda Nachtway

Last week, I joined dozens of direct care workers and others as part of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance‘s trip to Washington, DC, to advocate for initiatives and programs that would improve the direct care workforce.  I called on Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter to continue supporting those of us working with elders, and shared my personal story with members of their staff.

I was nominated to participate in the trip by the Direct Care Alliance, a founding member of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance.  DCA has empowered me to try and make a difference for direct care workers.  This wasn’t my first meeting with legislative representatives, and it won’t be my last.  It made me feel powerful, in the sense that I had a voice. One voice, together with other voices, can really make a change, make a difference.

Read this news report about our efforts and this story about the Maine direct care workers who were part of the EWA visit.

Finding the Power Within Ourselves: From the Pennsylvania Conference

Posted by on September 21st, 2010 at 1:43 pm | 1 Comment »

After the dreaming, scheduling and registering; all the e-mails and phone calls; the finding a place to meet and people to teach and share; the keeping fingers crossed that enough direct care workers could actually take a day off and attend a conference that we all badly need; the baking of cupcakes for the welcoming reception and the braving of the Philadelphia traffic to pick up speakers at the airport…after all this work and more, the Pennsylvania Direct Care Workers Association’s 6th annual conference took place on September 16th at the National Christian Conference Center outside of Valley Forge.

It was worth it.

It was worth it to listen to each other…the CNAs, the home health aides, the hospice workers, the group home and the day program staff…the people supporting people with dementia, developmental disabilities and mental illness. That is who we are. It’s a good group to be a part of.

I was the keynote speaker and read poems about Leo, Lorna and Louise. I’ve been a direct care worker since Jimmy Carter was president and have learned a lot from the people I support.


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