Food Ideas for Halloween

Halloween means the fun ideas just keep coming. The Idaho Potato Commission has an impressive number of recipes to elevate the humble spud.

Halloween mashed potatoes

While browsing options on the commission’s web site recently, I fell in love with this cute idea to turn mashed potatoes into ghosts with olive eyes. Peas, often a less favored vegetable among kids, might go down more easily as another option for the ghosts’ eyes. Assemble a plate filled with mini ghosts, and the evening’s pea consumption total could even hit six to ten.

And don’t stop with ghosts, think of other mashed Halloween characters who could be made even more monstrous with mounds of vegetables.

SOURCE: http://www.nj.com/homegarden

Click here for more info

Best Nursing Homes in California

All of the homes shown received 5 stars, the highest overall rating, from the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A facility’s overall rating is geared to its performance in health inspections, nurse staffing, and medical care. Homes are ranked in tiers according to their star ratings in the three individual areas. Within each tier, the order is alphabetical.

SOURCE:  http://health.usnews.com/senior-housing/nursing-homes

Click here to see the list

September Move in Special – $1000 off the first months rent – Mention Coupon Code: Care9

Ingleside’s boutique approach to assisted living provides you with five-star accommodations and personalized service.

This is the place that you would want to live when you are no longer able to live alone. Assisted living specializing in Alzheimer’s Dementia Care, Hospice, Our private guestrooms and great room allow you to relax in a cozy home-like atmosphere with state-of-the-art safety features and modern amenities.

Our three-acre property and wide shady porch allow you to enjoy refreshing outdoor experiences and tranquil views. Our trained and caring staff ensures that each and every person receives the loving care that they need and deserve.

Enjoy the comfort of one of our 15 private rooms each including private baths and outside patios. Engage in common spaces including our spacious open style living area and a wide shady porch overlooking our beautiful three-acre property.Completed in 2008, our modern facility includes a full commercial kitchen, chef, state-of-the-art safety features, and modern amenities.

• Emergency Pull-Cords in Every Room
• Call-Button-Activated Wrist Bands
• Personal Phone Lines
• High-Speed Internet
• Personal Cable with flat screen TV

Ingleside offers Alzeheimer’s Dementia special care, Hospice Care, and long term care

Please call and schedule your private tour.

(805) 460-6541

http://www.inglesideal.com/aboutus.html

10630 W. Front Road (google map) (yahoo map)

• dogs are OK – wooof
• Location: 10630 W. Front Road Atascadero, CA
• it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

What are the Medication Training Requirements for Assisted Living Staff?
The same medication training requirements apply for “Board and Care” homes also.
It is the responsibility of each licensee to ensure that the training in H&S Code
section 1569.69 is provided to staff as specified.
AB 2609 General Reminders
• The medication training material and exam for all RCFEs must be developed by, or
in consultation with, a licensed nurse, pharmacist or physician.
• The medication training components include the hands-on shadowing training,
training or instruction in the nine topics specified in statute, and passing an
examination that tests the employee’s comprehension of, and competency in, the
subjects specified in H&S Code section 1569.69(a)(4).
• The hands-on shadowing component of the training must be provided at the facility
by a licensed nurse, pharmacist or physician or by a trainer who meets the
education and experience requirements in H&S Code section 1569.69(e) and must
be completed prior to staff assisting residents with the self-administration of
medication.
• The training on the nine topics, including passing an examination on these topics,
must be completed within the first two weeks of employment if the employee’s duties
include assistance with the self-administration of medication.
• If an employee goes to work for another licensee in an RCFE and will be assisting
residents with the self-administration of medication, then the medication training
must be completed again. Certain exceptions may apply.
• Employee medication training requirements must be repeated if an employee of an
RCFE has a break of service of more than 180 consecutive calendar days and then
returns to work for the same licensee and will be assisting residents with the self administration
of medication.
SOURCE: ccld.ca.gov
CLICK HERE TO READ THE PDF

AB 2609 (Evans), CHAPTER 615, STATUTES OF 2006
Affects: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs)
Subject: RCFEs: Medication Training for Direct Care Staff
Summary: This new law, which is effective January 1, 2008, adds Section 1569.69 to
the Health and Safety Code. It requires direct care staff in RCFEs, excluding licensed
medical professionals, to meet specified training requirements, including passing an
examination, in order to be able to assist residents with the self-administration of
medications. It does not authorize unlicensed personnel to directly administer
medications.
This law requires 16 hours of initial training on specified topics relating to medications
(including eight hours of hands-on shadowing and eight hours of other training or
instruction) for staff who assist residents with the self-administration of medications in
facilities licensed with a capacity of 16 or more residents, and six hours (including two
hours of hands-on shadowing and four hours of other training or instruction) for staff in
facilities with a licensed capacity of 15 or fewer residents. The training material and
exam for all RCFEs must be developed by, or in consultation with, a licensed nurse,
pharmacist or physician. Each employee who received the initial training and passed
the required exam, and who continues to assist with the self-administration of
medications, must also complete four hours of in-service training on medication-related
issues in each succeeding 12-month period.
RCFEs licensed to provide care for 16 or more residents must maintain documentation
that demonstrates that a consultant pharmacist or nurse has reviewed the facility’s
medication management program and procedures at least twice a year.
Licensees must encourage pharmacists and licensed medical professionals to use
“plain English” (no abbreviations, symbols, or Latin medical terms in instructions) when
preparing labels on medications supplied to residents.

SOURCE: ccld.ca.gov

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PDF

The bacteria carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, or CRKP has been found in two cases in California medical facilities.

This extremely deadly bacteria produces pneumonia-like symptoms and seems to be more prevalent among the elderly, especially those in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.

Carbapenems, which are powerful antibiotics, are not effective against CRKP due to the bacteria’s production of enzymes that defend against the super-antibiotics. This makes treatment difficult and forces doctors to use a cocktail of several antibiotics in an attempt to cure the patient.

The areas affected include San Bernadino and Los Angeles county. Health officials in these areas have been notified and are keeping an eye out for those who have potentially been infected with CRKP.

SOURCE: www.ecanadanow.com

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE