caregiver chronicle

CAREGIVER CHRONICLE
April 2016
SHHHHH! IT’S A SECRET!!
Would you like to win a family pass for the Detroit Zoo?
The family pass is good for admission for one year for two named
adults and up to six named children 18 and under living at the
same address.
All you have to do to be entered into the drawing for the family zoo
pass is find the hidden word in this newsletter (hint: it has something to do with the zoo and it is on more than one page) and email
the word to events@expertcare.com by April 22, 2016.
Ready, set, go!
MARCH CONTEST WINNERS
Shresse Mallett
Julie Simmons
James Daniels III
Emagine Theatre Offers Autism
Friendly & Sensory Friendly Films
Autism friendly films provide a comfortable environment for children and adults with autism or
other specials needs. Special needs individuals
can enjoy the films without loud noises. The theatre lights remain on. Children are welcome to
leave their seats to move or dance if they want to.
Autism friendly movies or sensory friendly film
screenings allow for individuals to bring their own
snacks. This is perfect for special diets and food
allergies!
Autism friendly films at Emagine Theatre started
as a pilot program for their Novi location and is
quickly gaining interest in expanding to other Metro Detroit locations.
Emagine Theatres has expanded their autism
friendly / sensory friendly movies to include more
Metro Detroit MI Emagine Theatre locations.
Emagine Theatre Rochester Hills and Emagine
Theatre Woodhaven have joined Emagine Theatre Novi in providing autism friendly / sensory
friendly movies for Metro Detroiters on a monthly
basis.
Emagine Theatres is having a free toy giveaway
with each kids autism friendly movie showing.
April 2 – Batman v Superman
April 16 – Jungle Book
May 7 – Captain America – Civil War
May 21 – Angry Birds
Locations:
Novi – 44425 West Twelve Mile Road, Novi, MI 48377
Rochester Hills – 200 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Woodhaven – 21720 Allen Road, Woodhaven, MI 48183
Penguin
April 22-24, 2016
Friday 4-8pm, Saturday 10-8pm
and Sunday 10-4pm
The MI Earth Day Fest is one of the planet's largest and
liveliest Earth Day celebrations. This high-profile community event highlights the efforts of area businesses
and community organizations to Make Earth Day Matter. The festival offers a wide variety of exhibits, attractions and activities.
Admission and programs are free, thanks to our generous sponsors:
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
ExpertCare has been working to improve our communication. We are
updating our Facebook page frequently with event information and
much more! Penguin Check it out!!
Programs and websites mentioned within this newsletter are for the sole purpose
of providing information of interest. ExpertCare Management Services does not
endorse these websites, the content, and/or programs mentioned. ExpertCare
takes no responsibility for loss or damage suffered as a result of using the information contained in these websites or participation in the aforementioned programs and events.
FSPA Faculty Concert Series:
Soprano Pia Broden Williams
Presented by Flint Institute of Music at
Flint Institute of Music
Friday Apr 22, 2016: 7 pm - 8 pm
Enjoy a relaxing evening of beautiful music and world class
talent with the Flint School of Performing Arts Faculty Concert Series. All concerts are free and open to the public and
are held on Friday evenings at 7pm at the Flint Institute of
Music’s MacArthur Recital Hall. Doors open at 6:30; seating is limited to 271 and is available on a first come, first
served basis. Receptions, generously provided by Allegro,
follow each concert.
Flint Institute of Music
1025 E. Kearsley St.
Flint, MI 48503
Admission: FREE
Phone: 810-238-1350, ext 3
Accessibility Information:
GENESEE HEALTH SYSTEMS
FLINT, MI
GETTING TO KNOW THE EXPERTCARE
OFFICE STAFF
National Volunteer Week
April 10-16, 2016
We thought it would be nice to introduce ourselves and tell you
a little bit about each of our office staff. Each month we will feature a new interview with someone from our office.
MEET NICOLE DISMUKE
National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and
encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage
in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation
that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our
challenges and accomplish our goals.
ECare: Tell our Caregivers a little bit about you.
Nicole: I am a proud mother of two, my son is 12 and my daughter is 8.
Their father and I are getting married in June this year after a very long
engagement. I love to spend time with my family and friends, I love
music, chocolate and shopping.
ECare: What is on your bucket list?
Nicole: I would really like to travel, my kids want to go to Disney so I
hope to be able to make that dream reality in the near future.
ECare: What is your position at ExpertCare?
Nicole: Administrative Lead
ECare: What are your job responsibilities?
Nicole: I provide support and supervision for our administrative team,
oversee audits, assist with creating administrative processes, update
and report weekly metrics, fraud investigating and I am also a member
of the Caregiver Chronicle committee.
ECare: How long have you been working at ExpertCare?
Nicole: About 7 1/2 years
ECare: Why do you like working for ExpertCare?
Nicole: I get to work with a great group of people, I am not just talking
about our office staff either, all though they are all amazing! I don’t
have a lot of daily interactions with all of you but any time I talk to any
Caregiver I realize how great all of you are also! Getting to hear your
stories and the stories of the Consumers that our touched and helped
by the services that all of you provide is a reminder of why we are here
doing what we do each day!
ECare: What is the most challenging part of your position?
Nicole: Honestly, fraud investigation, for so many reasons. I understand
that sometimes people fall on hard times but knowing that someone
has intentionally submitted hours they didn’t work is hard to swallow.
Each Consumer that has been approved for these services truly needs
the hours that they have been authorized, so to see someone take advantage of vulnerable individuals situation for personal gain makes me
sad. Luckily because we do have such a great group of Caregivers this
is only a small part of my job.
ECare: What’s a good piece of advice for Caregivers?
Nicole: All of you have a difficult job, if there is anything ExpertCare can
do to help please be sure to call and talk to us. We are always willing to
work to find tools that can assist you with whatever you might be struggling with. We are here to support you!
Penguin
LOOK WHO’S TALKING
MARCH CAREGIVER OF THE MONTH
AMANDA WETTER
ECare: Tell us something about yourself.
Amanda: I'm a mom of two young children and my son has special needs and I'm
a caregiver for ExpertCare! People say/ask "How do you do it?", " You have such a
big heart!", "You’re a blessing to your son and to the people you help!"
ECare: Three words to best describe you?
Amanda: Kind, understanding, and accepting.
ECare: What is on your bucket list?
Amanda: DISNEYLAND ... I want to see the most exciting and memorable expressions of my children when they see the magic!
ECare: You’re most excited when?
Amanda: When my children, my husband or my Client hit a goal they have
worked so hard at!!!
ECare: If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
Amanda: I would want to be a bird! Just to be free and fly around without a
care!
ECare: What’s the one thing, you can’t live without?
Amanda: CHOCOLATE!
ECare: What made you decide to become a Caregiver?
Amanda: I have always had a passion to help others! In high-school I worked in a
co-op group and we helped in a 2/3grade split for special needs children and
from there I knew I could help and make a difference. I worked as an aide in hospice and for Alzheimer's and dementia but it wasn't where I wanted to be!
ECare: What is your best piece of advice for other Caregivers?
Amanda: PATIENCE! You have to put yourself in their shoes, what seems simple
or petty to you could be huge deal to them. Take your time and listen to their
needs. Its not their fault. Always remember YOU chose to be there for them!
ECare: What is your proudest moment as a Caregiver?
Amanda: When my current Client accepted my help and walked for a good distance! I was so ecstatic I couldn't stop smiling and screaming congratulations and
jumping up and down for her!
Amanda is a truly phenomenal
Caregiver. She is always going
above and beyond. She encourages her Consumer constantly to
be as independent as possible
and to reach for new goals. She
consistently ensures her Consumer knows how important she is by
bragging about the Consumer’s
accomplishments (no matter how
big or small) to those important in
the Consumer’s life. She is reliable and dependable. The Consumer’s guardian has stated that
Amanda is a God send. Amanda
has a great sense of humor and is
able to keep the Consumer engaged. She demonstrates patience and encouragement and is
always looking to make a positive
impact.
Thank you for demonstrating
ExpertCare’s core values of:
Helping People Succeed
Passion for Success
Can Do Attitude
Congratulations and thank you for
all your hard work and dedication!