4 Questions and Answers about H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Viruses

by Christian Schreiber, staff blogger

With the onset of autumn comes an understandable concern about flu, particularly because of heightened media attention to this year's H1N1 viruses. Providence Life Services recently issued the following Q and As to reassure staff, residents, and families at all our communities that we are taking measures to protect people from the flu:

1. What's so significant about the H1N1 flu virus?

Both seasonal flu and H1N1 flue are contagious viruses that can cause mild to severe illness. Unlike seasonal flu, which is usually active in the fall and winter, H1N1 has continued to circulate throughout the summer and early fall. Most people who are in generally good health will recover without any extra measures. Providence Life Services is being particularly alert though because many of the clients we serve have compromised health to begin with. Plus, the interactivity of living in a community setting can allow the virus to spread faster.

2. What measures is Providence taking to protect people from the flu?

Our Health Services team has been meeting since early June to formulate plans for immunization against seasonal flu and to prepare for an H1N1 flu outbreak if it occurs. Isolation supplies have been ordered, including:

• R-95 masks
• Protective eyewear for staff
• Extra gloves and gowns
• Extra supplies of soap and alcohol hand gels

In addition, Administrators and Managers at all Providence Life Services communities check the websites of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the World Health Organization (WHO) daily for updates and changes. These websites are far more accurate than traditional media outlets.

3. What can I do to protect myself against the flu?

The single best way to protect against seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, starting in October when yearly flu vaccinations usually become available. Vaccinations greatly reduce someone's chances of getting the flu.

In addition to seasonal flu vaccines, this year an H1N1 flu vaccine is expected to start shipping in October. At first, supplies of the H1N1 vaccine will be limited to certain priority groups, including:

• Pregnant women
• Children 6 months through 4 years old
• Children 5 through 18 years old who have chronic medical conditions
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months
• Healthcare and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact

Once the need among these prioritized groups has been met, vaccinations should be available for everyone from 25 through 64 years of age, and then for those 65 and older. (Current studies indicate the risk for H1N1 infection among people over 65 is less than the risk for younger age groups.)

The second best way to protect yourself is simply to practice good hygiene. Remember the 3 Cs:

• Clean — Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
• Cover — Use a tissue or sleeve to cover your cough and sneeze; don't use your hand.
• Contain — Contain your germs; stay home if you are sick!

4. Where can I get more information?

For the most up-to-date information about the flu, go to www.ready.illinois.gov or www.flu.gov.

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Diving right in to retirement

by Melanie Jongsma, Director of Communications

When Margaret Carter retired, she wanted to try something new. So when a newspaper ad for scuba diving caught her eye, she signed up for lessons.

She was the only woman in a class of men, the only retiree in a class of young adventure-seekers. Her classmates had doubts about whether she would be up to the challenge.

"'She'll never make it. She's a woman, and she's too old.' That's what they thought about me," says Margaret. But she proved them wrong. She completed the lessons, earned her certification, and began exploring the underwater world she had discovered.

When Margaret learned that Chicago's John G. Shedd Aquarium uses volunteer divers for their Coral Reef program, she submitted an application. She knew she had met the minimum scuba requirements (30 hours of open-water diving) and the age requirements (she was at least 60 years older than the minimum age!), but because of the program's popularity, there was a long waiting list of volunteer divers. She completed the four-page application form, offered three references, and rehearsed for the scripted presentation audition that would be part of the application process.

Finally the day came when she was accepted into the program, and before long she got her opportunity to serve!

Margaret and her diving partner plunged into the Coral Reef (now known as the Caribbean Reef), the giant tank in the center of the Shedd Aquarium. They hand-fed the fish, surrounded by sharks, barracudas, and stingrays. "It was one of the great adventures of my life," says Margaret, awed by the experience. And she had the additional satisfaction of seeing some of her scuba diving classmates around the perimeter of the tank, watching her. "They didn't think I could finish the class, but I lived to see them watch me feed the sharks!"

Margaret has visited every aquarium in the United States and has discovered that all aquariums rely heavily on volunteers. "I've always believed in volunteerism," she says. "It gives you many opportunities you wouldn't have otherwise." She has given scuba diving lectures at Northwestern University and at nursing homes throughout the Chicago area, sharing with others her love of the water.

She moved to Holland Home, our retirement community in South Holland, Illinois, in 2003. She doesn't do much diving anymore, but she still looks for opportunities to share her underwater experiences with anyone interested in learning. In fact, in the back of her mind, she hopes to organize a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, so her Holland Home friends can experience the aquatic beauty she discovered after she was "too old" to learn diving!

What about you? Do you have a dream that you're putting off until retirement? Sometimes putting it in writing can transform it from "dream" to "goal." Why not take that step today, and publicly share your dream by posting a comment below?

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Enhancing Seniors' Safety with Technology

by Christian Schreiber, staff blogger

You may have noticed in our newsletter articles and previous blogs that Providence Life Services appreciates technology. We are not a technology company, but we understand that technology is a powerful tool. We get especially excited when we find ways to use technology for enhancing relationships.

So when a company called Status Solutions developed a Situational Awareness and Response Assistant — SARA — Providence saw the benefits. So far, we've installed SARA in three of our communities: Palos Heights’ Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center and Zeeland’s Royal Park Place retirement community and Royal Atrium Inn Assisted Living community. SARA allows residents of these communities to alert caregivers whenever they need help — in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

As a result, seniors are safer and their families worry less — and that kind of peace of mind helps make relationships less strained.

Providence of Palos Heights is one of our skilled nursing/rehab communities, and Royal Atrium Inn is our Assisted Living community in Zeeland. "Wander detection" is important in these communities because people with memory issues tend to want to roam. At Providence, we want to provide as much independence as possible, without opening up anyone to danger. SARA has an egress monitoring system that frees us to keep doors unlocked, because it sounds an alert when the doors are opened or left ajar, it triggers magnetic locks on the exit doors, and it sends calls and emails to staff. The SARA system gives us a beautiful balance of freedom and safety.

Royal Park Place is our retirement community in Zeeland. Their needs are different from the needs of a skilled nursing or Assisted Living setting, but SARA has capabilities that benefit them as well. SARA’s wireless emergency call capabilities will enhance not only safety but also efficiency. We set it up to send voice and text alerts to people's pagers, email, telephones, cell phones, radios, and CCTV, and — so both staff and residents can be notified of important events at any time, wherever they are located. A wireless pendant (pictured above) will be available soon as well. Having all these communication options available means staff members will be able to address safety concerns or environmental problems before they turn into emergencies.

And SARA is easy to maintain and support. Our in-house technology experts, ProviNET Solutions, are the first line of support for any technical issues that may come up. In fact, with remote access, ProviNET staff can log into Royal Park Place’s SARA server, diagnose, and resolve a problem without ever leaving their office.

Technology is exciting, and it's fun to have the latest gadgets and gizmos. But the real excitement comes when that technology makes life better for everyone.

Do you agree? Or do you think that most seniors find technology to be a hindrance rather than a help? Post a comment to let me know what you think — and share examples from your own experience to illustrate your point!