Home Care InSight - Winter 2017 by SEIU 775 Benefits Group

Home Care InSight The Magazine for Northwest Caregivers

Winter 2017

Home Care Aide Robert Marzullo, from Shoreline, WA., shares how he manages his depression. Page 26

Find Your Joy

FitBit Drawing Page 10

Emotional well-being stories & tips Plus: Holiday self-care & healthy recipe Tai chi & mindfulness exercises Free emotional well-being app

中文指南 한국어 안내 РУКОВОДСТВО НА РУССКОМ ЯЗЫКЕ HAGE AF SOOMAALI AH GUÍA EN ESPAÑOL HƯỚNG DẪN BẰNG TIẾNG VIỆT

Training - Health - Retirement Online at www.homecaremag.org INSIGHT MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017

Home Care InSight Staff EDITOR: Sara McCaslin PHOTOGRAPHERS: Paul Joseph Brown and Sara McCaslin WRITERS: Eva Looper Gantala, Niki Stojnic and Rebecca Monteleone PRODUCTION SUPPORT: Heidi Ob’bayi, Dave Martine, Lydia Samuels, Ben Henry,

Reade Cook and Mayra Rodriguez COPY EDITOR: Richard Seven

David Rolf, Chair President, SEIU 775

Sterling Harders Vice President & Organizing Director, SEIU 775

Seth Hemond Director of Member Programs and Participation, SEIU 775

Adam Glickman Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU 775

Sylvia Liang Home Care Aide, SEIU 775 Executive Board Member

Linda Lee Home Care Aide, SEIU 775 Executive Board Member

Bill Moss Assistant Secretary, Washington State DSHS

Franklin Plaistowe Washington State Office of Financial Management, Labor Relations Division

Kristin Peterson Assistant Secretary, WA State Department of Health Executive Director, WA State Developmental Disabilities Council

Home Care Aide, SEIU 775 Executive Board Member

Diane Lutz Labor Relations, Office of Financial Management

Shaine Truscott Deputy Director, Member Programs & Participation, SEIU 775

Preston Cody Division Director, WA State Health Care Authority

Steven Hill

Sterling Harders, Chair

InSight, the magazine for

caregivers sharing stories of depression and tips for taking care of yourself as you care for others. Caregivers like Robert Marzullo (page 26) share the importance of finding someone to reach out to when depression sets in. “It might be a family member or friend who will not judge,” Robert says. Shannon Andersson takes to her drum kit (page 19) and Ken

Community & Business Leader

Friday turns to mindfulness (page 22) to enable him to

SECURE RETIREMENT TRUST

“look at challenges with more curiosity, versus the urge

Seth Hemond, Chair Director of Member Programs and Participation, SEIU 775

Ann Mitchell, Secretary Sr Labor Negotiator, Office of Financial Management

David Rolf President, SEIU 775 Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU 775

Andrew Beane SEIU 775

HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST

issue of Home Care

This issue features Monique Taylor-Swan

Adam Glickman

Ed Holen

Welcome to the eighth

Northwest caregivers.

Board of Directors TRAINING PARTNERSHIP

Executive Director’s Note

to blame or lash out.” We are excited to announce a new, free emotional well-being app (page 29) and practices like tai chi (page 20) that can equip you with valuable de-stressing tools. We hope you will find this magazine useful and perhaps even inspirational. Please let us know what you think – email your feedback and ideas to insight@myseiubenefits.org.

Tanika Aden

Vice President & Organizing Director, SEIU 775

Home Care Aide, SEIU 775 Executive Board Member

Bill Moss, Vice Chair

Charissa Raynor

Christine Yi

Executive Director

Assistant Secretary, Washington State DSHS

Mark Robinson, Secretary Regional Director NW Region, Addus Healthcare

Collective Bargaining & Employer Relations Manager, SEIU 775

David Rolf

Director, Home & Community Services Division, DSHS

President, SEIU 775

Tracy Guerin

Eric Erickson

Director, WA State Dept. of Retirement Systems

Executive Director, CDM Services

Seth Miller

Seth Hemond Director of Member Programs and Participation, SEIU 775

Adam Glickman

SEIU 775 Benefits Group

Bea-Alise Rector

Assistant Director, WA State Dept. of Retirement Systems

Jim Lord Executive Director, First Choice In-Home Care

Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU 775

COVER PHOTO AND PHOTO OF CHARISSA RAYNOR BY PAUL JOSEPH BROWN.

Home Care InSight Magazine is a publication of SEIU 775 Benefits Group. The existence of advertising in this publication is not an endorsement of the product, service or individual by anyone except the advertiser. Contact Home Care InSight at InSight@myseiubenefits.org for permission to reprint or republish content from Home Care InSight. 215 Columbia St., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104 © Copyright 2017 Home Care InSight Magazine. All rights reserved.

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Like SEIU 775 Benefits Group on Facebook for the latest caregiver stories and news at www.fb.com/seiu775benefitsgroup

Contents The Pulse 4 What’s New? 6 Tips for finding joy in the holidays 7 Healthy recipe: Harvest Pumpkin Soup 8 Caregiver art, tips & tricks 9 Coloring page & journal activity 10 Magazine reader survey & Fitbit drawing 11 Power of You sign up Caregiver Voices 12 Caregivers test classroom laptops 13 Finding stride with holistic weight-loss

14 Q&A: Nancy Cook, grandparent caregiver 16 Instructor spotlight: Christy Narvaez 17 Recipe: Christy’s Cactus Salad Find Your Joy 19 Caregiver self-care tips 20 Relaxing your mind & body with tai chi 22 The mighty art of mindfulness 24 Learning to thrive: Depression & self-care 28 Your emotional well-being resource guide 29 Try a new, free emotional well-being app Your Benefits

30 The Washington Healthplanfinder guide 31 How to keep a clean toothbrush 32 New continuing education courses 34 Your guide to training standards

健康和培训指南

건강 및 교육 안내

ЗДОРОВЬЕ И ОБУЧЕНИЕ

42 HAGAHA TABABARKA IYO CAAFIMAADKA 44 GUÍA DE SALUD Y CAPACITACIÓN 46 HƯỚNG DẪN SỨC KHỎE & ĐÀO TẠO

29 INSIGHT MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017

The Pulse

What’s

New? Faces of Home Care celebrates the caregiver and client relationship Meet Home Care Aide Heather Imus, far left, with her client and mother, Donna Harris, from Snohomish County. In a new portrait series, launching Dec. 1, Faces of Home Care honors caregivers and clients across the state who make up our vibrant and diverse home care community. Follow the series on our Facebook page at www.fb.com/seiu775benefitsgroup.

Photo by Paul Joseph Brown

All new instructor-led and online courses available See pages 32 and 33 for full listings of

Forgot your training account password We forget our passwords all the time too!

Get emotional support anytime,

new online courses such as Environmental

The tech wizards at SEIU 775 Benefits

Sensitivities and instructor-led courses like

Group made it a little bit easier to reset your

Giner.io, a new, free emotional well-being

Working Safely in a Hoarding Environment.

password for your training account.

app for your phone or tablet.

Most recommended new course: Home

Under the login box at

anywhere with exclusive access to

Try it now! First, download Ginger.io from

Care Aide Best Practices Annual Training

www.myseiubenefits.org, click the “Forgot

the Android or Apple App Store. Then, use

In this course, earn two hours of continuing

Password?” button and you will be guided

access code “seiu775bg” when creating

education credit and refresh your skills

through a series of short steps to set a new

your account.

on topics such as minimizing exposure to

password.

blood-borne pathogens and preventing overexertion injuries.

If you have any trouble, call the Member Resource Center at 1-866-371-3200 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday–Friday).

FREE! New emotional well-being app

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Read more about it on page 29.

THE PULSE Retirement Basics

How to become vested SEIU 775 Benefit Group’s Secure Retirement Plan is the first of its kind in the nation for homecare workers. To become vested in the caregiver retirement plan, you must work at least 300 hours per plan year (March to February) for three years with no permanent break in service. Only hours worked on and after March 1, 2016, for employers covered by terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement are included. What does vested mean? Vesting in a retirement plan means you have a nonforfeitable right to amounts in your account. See your full retirement benefit information online at www.myseiubenefits.org/retirement.

Photo by Nottsexminer via Flickr

Peer Mentor program offers customized support for new caregivers Becoming a certified home care aide and starting in the field can be gratifying and overwhelming. The new Peer Mentor call line was created to help set up more caregivers for success. If you are taking Basic Training or are newly certified, one of our certified home care aide mentors can help: • •

Coach or tutor you throughout

Peer mentors like Briajsa Bolden, above,

Basic Training and exam prep.

are available to support caregivers like

Translate skills learned in training to

Theresa Lindberg, Arlington, WA., right, and

your client’s needs. •

Discuss professional growth opportunities.

•

Support you with general caregiver needs

The support from peer mentors has been crucial to caregivers like Norma Bair. As Norma prepared for her certification exam, her client passed away. Norma says, “It wouldn’t make sense to pass all of this and end up going back to something like retail.”

Norma Bair, Olympia, WA., far right. Peer Mentor Briajsa Bolden was able to connect Norma to caregiver referral services such as Carina, www.carinacare. com, to find a new client. For Home Care Aide Theresa Lindberg,

Theresa could practice timed skills tests. “I wouldn’t have passed the test without peer mentor help,” Theresa says. Contact a peer mentor at 855-803-2095 (toll free) between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.,

it was that extra peer mentor support that

Monday–Friday, or send an email to

made the difference in passing her exam.

peer.mentorship@myseiubenefits.org.

Theresa was struggling with a few key

For general training support, contact the

skills like foot care and transferring. Peer

Member Resource Center at 1-866-371-

Mentor Tammy Jenkins created custom

3200 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday–Friday).

study tools and held practice test runs so

INSIGHT MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017

The Pulse

Finding Your

Joy

Holiday

With the holidays under way, it can be easy to lose track of your needs. Here are a few ideas to center your emotional well-being during this busy season: Try handmade gift-making. Rushing to buy gifts can become expensive and create anxiety about buying the right item. Save money and add a personal touch by making handmade gifts or baked goods. Pinterest.com is a great source for finding simple, affordable craft tutorials that you can make in batches and customize for your friends and family. Or try writing a thoughtful letter to share your gratitude. Start a new tradition. If you’re caring for a client with dementia, honoring family traditions can be a great way to connect to the holidays. But it’s OK to scale down or try a new, simple tradition. Attend a free holiday concert. Take a drive to look at neighborhood decorations. Or try making a holiday craft or seasonal food item. Take time for yourself. Don’t feel bad if you need to take a few minutes for yourself during group gatherings. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Learning a few simple mindfulness exercises can help in these moments. (Try a mindfulness exercise on page 22.) Find support if you need it. The holidays can trigger depression, especially if you are coping with the loss of a loved one. You are not alone! Read stories of caregivers managing their depression on page 24 and resources to find help on page 28.

Sources: Kaiser Permanente, “Quick tips: Reducing holiday stress.” Integral Senior Living, “Caregivers: Tips for less stress over the holiday – and more joy!” Photo by Cristiana Bardeanu via Flickr

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THE PULSE

Healthy Holidays

Harvest Pumpkin Soup Diabetes-friendly recipe - Serves 5

Pumpkin is lower in carbohydrates than other starchy vegetables and is high in vitamin A and fiber. Serve with a large salad for a complete meal. Ingredients: 2 teaspoons canola oil 1 onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 32 oz reduced-sodium, fat-free chicken broth 1 (15-oz) can pumpkin puree ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Instructions: Heat the oil in a large soup pot over mediumhigh heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for 5 minutes or until clear. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. After the soup has cooled, transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth. You can also use an immersion blender in the pot and blend until smooth. It’s easy to make it gluten-free. Purchase glutenfree chicken broth and verify all other ingredients are gluten-free. Nutrition Facts: Serving size: about 1 cup. 80 calories. 13g carbohydrates. 4g protein. 2.0g fat. 0.3g saturated fat. 6g sugars. 4g dietary fiber. 0mg cholesterol. 485mg sodium. 460mg potassium. Source: American Diabetes Association

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The Pulse

Caregiver Art This piece was sent to us by Home Care Aide Kimmy C. in Mountlake Terrace. We love how Kimmy took the coloring page from the last InSight magazine and created a paper cut mosaic. Thank you to our other readers who shared their artwork with us. If you’d like to see your artwork in the next issue, email us at insight@myseiubenefits.org or share it on Facebook at www.fb.com/seiu775benefitsgroup. Artwork by Kimmy C.

Caregiver Tips & Tricks My son, Curran, was born with cerebral palsy and has poor oral motor control. We have used bandanas tied around his neck to help him manage his occasional drool and keep his shirts clean. It works great and looks more like a wardrobe accessory when we match the color of the bandanas to his shirts.” Home Care Aide Marian Jones, Sultan, WA.

Bandanas–Stylish drool control

Jeremy has always had sensitive hearing. We recently purchased earphones to help reduce noise levels and increase his comfort. While earphones are not always necessary, he has a choice when sounds seem to bother him. So far, when we go to strange places, or even at home when he appears affected by the surrounding noises, earphones are a beneficial option. He totally enjoys having them. The overall effect is reducing agitation caused by surrounding noises and they help him remain calm. Now, when a friend calls, I can talk on Over-Ear headphones–

Calming sound reduction

the phone and have an uninterrupted and pleasant conversation!” Home Care Aide Sherri Klennert, Gold Bar, WA.

Do you have a caregiver tip or trick? Email us at insight@myseiubenefits.org or share it on Facebook at www.fb.com/seiu775benefitsgroup. We’d love to publish it in the next issue! 8

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What’s your 6-word memoir?

Everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours? Try your hand at this coloring page or share it with your client. If you’re feeling proud, share your art and memoir with us on Facebook: www.fb.com/seiu775benefitsgroup

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WINTER 2017

FITBIT DRAWING!

Magazine Reader Survey How are we doing? We would be honored to get your thoughts about this magazine – what we are doing well and what we can do better. All respondents will be entered into a drawing for one of five FitBit health activity trackers. These powerful bracelets track steps, record workouts and allow you to review your sleep quality and compete in challenges with your friends.

1. What types of stories do you find helpful or interesting? (Check all that apply.) Stories about caregivers and clients’ lives (E.g., Nancy’s story, page 14) Job aides or skill-building guides (E.g., Caregiver Tips & Tricks, page 8) Healthy living and self-care tips for caregivers (E.g., Self-care tips, page 19) Stories on diverse cultures and recipes (E.g., Christy’s story, page 16)

Take the survey online at www.homecaremag.org/survey

4. How much does this magazine help you feel connected to the community? 1

Not at all connected

Very Connected

5. How useful is this magazine to your job? 1

Not useful

Very Useful

6. Comments. Questions? We’d love to hear from you.

Other:

2. How do you read the magazine? I flip through it once and discard it I keep it for a few weeks and read one or more stories I keep it for a month or more and read most stories I keep all issues and read through most or all the stories Other:

We appreciate your feedback as we work to create an exciting and useful magazine.

3. What actions have you taken after reading Home Care InSight magazine? (Check all that apply.) Tried a healthy activity (E.g., quitting smoking or taking walks) Tried cooking a caregiver recipe Tried a mental health activity (E.g., meditation or breathing exercise) Scheduled a doctor visit to talk about my health Used a new skill or tip on the job (E.g., injury prevention tips) Other:

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To be entered into the FitBit drawing, mail your survey by Dec. 31 to the address below. Be sure to include your name and mailing address on the envelope. Mail to: Home Care InSight Magazine 215 Columbia Street, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 Or take the survey and enter the drawing online at www.homecaremag.org/survey Participation is completely voluntary. On Jan. 12, we will randomly draw five recipients from all entries. Winners will be notified within a week of the drawing. Submitting an entry does not guarantee that the participant will receive a FitBit. Individual survey responses will not be shared publicly and survey data will not be attached to any individual’s information. Participants may only submit one entry per person, per household, including print and online survey submissions.

Mary and Rickie Singletary, Seattle, WA. (Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

Calling all caregivers: Shape the future of care Join caregivers in testing exciting new programs,

Exclusive caregiver programs include:

workshops and technology designed to improve your life

•

Mindfulness and meditation workshops (page 22).

and your client’s. Many of these can be done in the comfort

•

Holistic weight-loss (page 13).

of your home and we’re expanding our offerings throughout

•

New apps & technology (page 29).

the state. Sign up today! Mail the form below or sign up online at www.myseiubenefits.org/participate

Email: Phone: City: Type of Caregiver:

Tai chi classes

New products & services

Health & wellness

Sharing my experience

Mail to: Customer Experience

Other: Phone Call

Training & learning

Caregiver safety

Individual Provider Agency Provider Both

Preferred Contact:

Mindfulness classes

SEIU 775 Benefits Group Text

215 Columbia St, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104

Thank you for your interest! Our staff will be in touch with upcoming opportunities.

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WINTER 2017

Worker Voices

Caregivers test laptops in the classroom By Rebecca Monteleone

nstead of paper-based training and testing, caregiver students in SEIU 775

Benefits Group classrooms are now trying Chromebooks (laptops). Using laptops to provide training can be a big change, but the benefits are numerous. Testing is personalized for each student’s knowledge and needs and the training experience itself is more engaging and beneficial. It’s also easier. Home Care Aide Deborah Miles has taken classes by paper, but enjoys taking

Advanced training students take an online learning assessment in an SEIU 775 Benefits Group classroom.

her class with a laptop. “It’s less messy

(Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

for me on my table and easier than trying to read a bunch of paper,” Deborah says. It’s much more legible for teachers on the other end of the test, too.”

the classroom? “It’s a simpler process,”

computer at home now, but used to work in

Shannon says. The training itself is easier

an office environment.

and simpler, and it’s easy to teach people

She was able to help another caregiver

to use it.

who didn’t have as much background with

Deborah says she much

What about people

prefers the computer version, “because there’s so much more you can add to the class – links, videos, articles. You get a more well-rounded experience that engages all of your senses.” In addition to a more engaging learning experience, language accessibility is also easier. Tests are translated into 16 different languages so that

Instructor Shannon Bailey

more learners can take tests in their preferred language. Class instructor Shannon Bailey says, “I really like it because we’re able to offer different languages. Learners can go back and forth between English and their preferred language” and they learn a lot more about different health terms by doing that. “It’s kind of cool to watch.” How else does online learning change 12

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who haven’t used laptops

since most of it is just ‘click here and click

much?

here.’ It’s nice to be able to help someone

“I’ve had at least two

“I’ve had at least two learners say, ‘I thought I’d never touch a computer, and now I’m learning it.’ ”

computers. “It’s pretty easy to show people,

get used to a new thing. Change is

learners say, ‘I thought I’d

sometimes difficult for us, myself included.

never touch a computer,

But the website makes it easy.”

and now I’m learning it.’” Shannon watched one woman teach another how to search on Google. “That was pretty cool.” Shannon also says, “Using the computer gives

people a sense of power and the level of confidence toward the end of the class is much higher. It evolves a lot throughout the 10 days.” That’s another aspect of the new computer-based experience that Shannon enjoys: “It causes people to work together; people that know more about computers are really willing to want to help people that aren’t as fast.” Deborah doesn’t have a

Three Tips for Computer Anxiety 1. Think about the end goal. There are many benefits to using computers, such as being able to connect to friends and family or easily learn about topics on the web. 2. Start slow. Decide on a couple basic things to learn first and move on to more when you’re ready. 3. Ask a friend or family member for help. They’ll enjoy sharing their expertise and helping you gain an important skill.

By SEIU 775 Benefits Group

n the very first trial of Retrofit, a holistic weight-

loss program, 150 caregivers collectively lost more than 1,600 pounds in the last year. Making time for healthy food choices was hard for Home Care Aide Bev Schmer, a Retrofit participant. “We are such busy people. We tend to grab food a lot,” Bev says. “We end up having health issues.” In a recent survey by SEIU 775 Benefits Group, over 40 percent of caregivers reported obese weight levels.

Finding stride with holistic weight-loss routines

Obesity can be a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, depression and anxiety. SEIU 775 Benefits Group set out to find solutions to help caregivers improve their weight and well-being.

Home Care Aide Bev Schmer walks with her client, Wes, in Bothell, WA. (Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

Caregivers testing the Retrofit program were

participated in

provided personal coaching,

the program

a scale and fitness tracker,

to share their

dropped 35 pounds

like my outlook on everything

exercise, nutrition and mindset

feelings and

while on the program,

was much more positive. Even

education and an online

experiences.

reports that the

the stresses in my life. I feel like

community of other caregivers

While not

fitness tracker made

I could deal with it.”

in the program.

everyone lost

Bev lost 18 pounds and

weight on the

reports that she feels like that

program, it

weight is off for good.

has been a

She now always keeps fruit

very positive

and vegetables on hand – even

experience for

in her car. Bev told us that as a

many.

result of being in Retrofit, she

Home Care

own. Sarah, who

“I had so much energy and I felt my outlook on everything was much more positive.” Home Care Aide Sarah Forst about Retrofit

had so much energy and I felt

a big difference in helping her reach exercise goals. (Enter to win one of five Fitbit fitness trackers on page 10.) Sarah also felt that the positive

feels healthier and has much

Aide Sarah Forst joined Retrofit

and encouraging nature of

more energy.

because she wasn’t having

her coach contributed to her

success losing weight on her

success.

We asked all caregivers who

“While I was on Retrofit, I

Sign up today for free, exclusive caregiver wellness programs! Email us at healthy@ myseiubenefits.org or call us at 206-2547141.

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Worker Voices

Nancy Cook and her grandson, Paul, in their home in Blaine, WA. (Photo by Sara McCaslin)

Limitless Love Q&A with grandparent and caregiver Nancy Cook By Home Care Aide Eva Looper Gantala

s a home care aide for her 35-yearold grandson Paul, Nancy Cook has

mastered the art of providing specialized, compassionate care. Thirty years ago, she had just started running her own restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, when she got a frantic call from her daughter, Sandra. She was experiencing severe abuse from her husband and also having problems stemming from her Type 1 Brittle Diabetes. Nancy had to make a quick decision. Nancy left her restaurant and flew to Texas to care for Sandra and Paul. Not long after, Nancy’s daughter passed away. Her grief was so profound, she says that without Paul she might not have survived. Paul’s care needs started immediately when he was born six months early. He was pronounced dead at birth and was

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left in an open incubator for several hours.

day. Paul has had many surgeries in his life

After an orderly saw his chest move, he

and even has to be in the hospital for his

was rushed to the neonatal hospital where

teeth cleanings where they sedate him.

he remained for five months until his weight reached four pounds. Paul was diagnosed with severe

Q: Does Paul have any challenging behaviors? A: Paul is happy and funny, laughing

cerebral palsy, seizure disorder with

most of the time. Even when he’s not

profound muscle disorder and problems

feeling well, he doesn’t complain very

with digestion that required nine hours of

much. He does, at times, get very angry

surgery. He was given a life expectancy of

and has temper tantrums when he is not

six to seven years.

understood. He is extremely strong, so if

Paul will be 36 in January, living almost

I get too close during these episodes, he

30 years longer than doctors expected.

can hurt me. When he calms down he will

Nancy and Paul’s story is one of how love

usually end up sobbing. That is when I can

and thoughtful care can extend a life.

give him a hug and comfort him during

Q: What kind of care do you provide Paul? A: I do everything for Paul. He cannot talk, so I anticipate his needs and keep him

these extremely difficult times. Q: Have you ever gotten hurt taking care of Paul?

on a schedule. He cannot walk or sit up on

A: Paul does not understand his own

his own. His legs do not bend, nor can he

strength and he really does not try to hurt

feed or dress himself.

anyone. Once I was behind him and trying

He has a wheelchair and a hospital bed and has to be transferred several times a

to keep him from jumping out of his chair during a tantrum. His head flew back and

Because of injuries limiting Nancyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifting abilities, she and Paul use a transfer board and a pair of jogging pants to slide him from his chair to bed. (Photo by Sara McCaslin)

life. He hates all of that and does not cooperate, which makes it difficult and very time-consuming to do a good job while not injuring him or myself. The wheelchair is all that some see and assume that Paul understands nothing. Hidden inside this body that does not work like yours or mine is a very alert young man. He loves his life and faces most things with his infectious laugh and personality. So caring for

hit me in the nose, knocking me out and giving me a bloody nose.

Q: What things does Paul love to do? A: He loves to eat! After he

is a greeter at the library a few

him, albeit challenging, is well

times a month.

worth the effort.

Q: What are some of the

Q: What advice do you have

was on a feeding tube many

challenges you face as his

for others who care for someone

one day and eager to have

years ago, I began feeding him

caregiver?

like Paul?

his oatmeal. He grabbed my

oatmeal and

wrist and flung me over his

puddings. We

wheelchair. My shoulder broke

gradually added

when I landed on the other side

other foods until

of him.

one day he had

He was watching me cook

Q: Do those injuries limit your ability to care for Paul? A: Until then I was still able

no problem with digestion and eventually the

to lift him from chair to bed or

feeding tube

floor or the bath. I cannot do

was removed.

that anymore.

His favorite

But you do what you have

foods include

to when caring for a loved

fried oysters and

one and I devised a way of

baked chicken.

transferring using a pair of

He loves

jogging pants. But it only works

getting into the

at his own home.

water, the sound

A: You get

A: You have to take care of

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hidden inside this body that does not look like yours or mine is a very alert young man. He loves his life and faces most things with his infectious laugh and personality.â&#x20AC;?

used to living

yourself first and foremost. I

with next to

like to read and paint, maybe

nothing. There

knit. All of these things clear

are lots of

your mind. I like to build things

challenges

around the house and garden.

facing caregivers

Most of all I love to be around

of a multi-

family with Paul. I have seven

handicapped

grandchildren and now two

person. These

great-grandchildren. Paul loves

include dealing

to spend time with them, too.

with the courts,

I have never regretted this

advocating the

decision to care for Paul full

state for full-time

time. Paul gives back love as

Home Care Aide Nancy Cook

paid hours

much or more than he is given.

about her grandson Paul

and finding

He loves this life that we have

good respite

together. My prayer is that it

of chimes, balloons and his

help. There are the emotional

continues for many more years.

and rely on friends to come

favorite rattles. He holds his

challenges that are too many

How many people wake up

over once in a while to help get

rattles 24/7, night and day.

to list.

I cannot bathe him anymore

him into the tub. Usually we use sponge bathing.

Paul loves his family, having

Haircutting, nail-cutting,

every morning with a greeting of a cheer and a huge smile

visitors and going for rides in

shaving and bowel therapy

from someone who is happy to

his van. He absolutely loves

are just a few of the manual

see you? That is Paul and this

being around little kiddos and

efforts to give Paul a healthy

is my life.

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WINTER 2017 15

Worker Voices client’s home without knowing anything. We only had the willingness to help and that was it,” she says. “Now, we have training, and the skills we need to face the challenges that will come as we work with our clients in the community.” Christy says the most helpful advanced skills she has learned in training was how to assist a person with a disability up and down the stairs and how to manage clients. “You cannot be afraid of invading personal space and also your own personal spaces,” Christy says. “It’s a hands-on job. It’s like you’re protecting your client, but at the same time letting the client do the most that they can for themselves.”

Home Care Instructor Christy Narvaez, from Edmonds, WA., prepares her cactus salad recipe for her daughter Kristel, also a caregiver and biochemistry major at the University of Washington.

Best of all, Christy says she gained new friendships in the classroom. Many of the women from her advanced training program have stayed in

(Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

touch and try to go on monthly outings.

Empathy is Everywhere The secret to Christy’s career by Niki Stojnic

empathy is key to doing her

job well.

ome Care Instructor Christy Narvaez has an

“For without empathy, there is no care.” Christy has been growing her caregiving skills since she

learners and clients alike.

client, Mrs. M., I can tell you

began in 2004.

training graduate, says

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INSIGHT MAGAZINE

Christy says.

Mexico. She loves her everybody. My grandmother

classroom, in the home of my that empathy is everywhere,”

in 2000 from Patzcuaro, hometown. “Everybody knows

infectious enthusiasm felt by Christy, also an advanced

“In my work, in our

Christy moved to Washington

“When I started as a home care aide, we would go to the

knows the grandmother of my friends.” Home for Christy is now Edmonds, Wa., where she lives with her husband and three children. Christy has been caring for

her current client, Mrs. M., for four years. She knew when she met her they would do well together. “She’s so nice. She has this great personality and she’s so funny,” Christy says. “She has a great daughter and we have a good team.” The basic ingredients for cactus salad.

Christy has learned over time when a client will be a good fit. “After years of

(Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

being a caregiver I learned before I take a client, I go to their homes to visit and to see how they live.” Experience has taught her that smoking and hoarding in a household are deal-breakers. Christy has not slowed down after finishing her advanced training. She soon became a home care instructor for SEIU 775 Benefits Group and leads new caregivers through Basic Training. Christy’s goal is to become a licensed practical nurse. There are many skills that make a great caregiver, but for her, empathy and

Christy’s Cactus Salad One of Christy’s favorite recipes is cactus salad. She adds extra veggies and even avocado and bell peppers. Christy says, “You can add more or do less. It depends on the person.” Ingredients: 2 pounds cactus pads

Prepare the remaining ingredients:

the ability to anticipate the client’s needs

(You can buy pre-diced at your grocery store or look

•

Dice the tomatoes.

are key. “Be very proactive. You cannot

for them at a Mexican grocery store in your area.)

•

Dice the onion.

be just like, ‘eh, nobody tells me what to

4 Roma tomatoes

•

Finely chop the cilantro.

do, so I’m not going to do anything.’ No,

1 large white onion

•

Crumble the Ranchero cheese.

no, no, no. What needs to be done?

12 sprigs of cilantro

Assemble the salad by adding all of the

Do it.”

6 oz ranchero cheese

ingredients to a mixing bowl and gently

1/2 tsp. salt, more if needed

turning until well-mixed.

Her client’s quality of life keeps Christy motivated. “The work we do is hard, but oh so rewarding,” she says. “It can feel

Instructions:

isolating, tiring, exhausting, but when I go

Cook the cactus:

to bed and think about what I have done

•

that day, I smile, because I think, ‘I did a good thing today.’ I am helping Mrs. M. to

•

She offers this advice to new

•

caregivers: “Embrace the wealth of love

The Ranchero cheese is salty. You may

Cut the cactus pads into 1/4 inch x

not need to add additional salt. Only add

1/2 inch pieces.

more after you have tasted it to avoid an

Place the cactus in a large pan and

overly-salty salad.

cover with 2 inches of water.

live with dignity.”

Notes:

The salad is best eaten fresh but it will

Turn the heat on high and bring the

keep in the fridge for two days. After that,

water to a boil.

its texture becomes unappealing.

that you offer to those you care for. And

•

Reduce the heat to medium.

celebrate the value you introduce to the

•

Skim the slime during cooking until

salad recipe vegan by omitting the

the cactus no longer releases any.

Ranchero cheese.

lives of their families.”

You can make this vegetarian cactus

(About 10 minutes.) •

Drain the cactus and rinse under

Source: mexicanfoodjournal.com/cactus-salad-recipe

cool running water. INSIGHT MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017 17

Find your

JOY What do you do everyday (big or small) for your joy? In this special feature, caregivers share how they recharge their energy and why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital to their health and work.

Home Care Juana, Wenatchee, WA. (Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

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Advice from caregivers:

How do you practice self-care? “Things I do for self-care: 1. Go to the chiropractor when my body needs adjustments. 2. Go for a massage. 3. Get my nails done at a salon. 4. Meet up with a friend for coffee or lunch and socialize. 5. Go to church and have fellowship. 6. Eat foods that nourish my body. 7. Exercise (although not a real regular occurrence). 8. Send my son to his respite program to allow myself the time for self care.”

“The best way I take care of myself is getting plenty of sleep. My hobbies, like sewing, reading and writing, give me a creative outlet from the pressures of caregiving. I practice yoga, which calms my active mind with the added benefit of improving my strength and flexibility to care for my son, who needs me to lift him for transfers.” Home Care Aide Eva Looper Gantala, cares for her son, Mike, in Monroe, WA.

“How do you unwind and stay mentally healthy when you have an adult child who needs 24-7 care? It’s not easy. To unwind, we watch TV together as a family, especially on weeknights. Sometimes, we play games when I get home from work. I also love going on hikes, riding my bike, going to the movies or working in my garden. ” Home Care Aide Sabrina Horne, cares for her daughter, Brianna,

Home Care Aide Marian Jones,

with her husband, Gary, in Lynnwood, WA.

cares for her son, Curran, in Sultan, WA. Drumming has been a lifelong passion since I was 9 years old. I have drums all over the house from an acoustic drum kit in the garage, an electronic kit in my bedroom and lots of hand drums and other percussion scattered around the house. I love them all!” Home Care Aide Shannon Andersson, cares for her children Aaron and Alyson in Sultan, WA.

“This is what I do to not feel depressed or get too anxious. When I’m having a bad day I pray for my consumer and myself. God shows me how to love one another. I love my job and I meet lots of nice people.” Home Care Aide Norma Martinez, Pasco, WA. Caregiver art (submitted anonymously) on how anxiety & depression feels to them Send us your self-care tips, stories of managing depression and/or artwork about emotional well-being! Email us at InSight@myseiubenefits.org or post on Facebook at www.fb.com/seiu775benefitsgroup. On page 24, caregivers share personal stories of managing their depression and anxiety and how to turn them into opportunities to thrive.

INSIGHT MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017 19

Find Your Joy

Home Care Aide Byron Jennings practicing tai chi at home in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

Relaxing mind & body with

Tai Chi by Niki Stojnic

breathe out and enjoy yourself. Tai chi is all about deeply connecting with who you truly are and less about getting the posture exactly correct.” GiJeuk recommends a couple of exercises to ease into trying out tai chi at home. The first is a simple breathing exercise that has been the most beneficial to her students. “While laying down in bed, tap your chest with your fingertips and focus on your breathing. While inhaling,

yron Jennings first experienced tai

says practicing tai chi can help improve

breathe in through your nose and while

chi as a caregiver for his mother. Her

your life in many ways. Some of those

exhaling, breathe out fully out your mouth.

doctor suggested she try the martial art

improvements include reducing stress,

Keep focusing on your chest as you tap

exercise for her health.

improving sleep, creating better focus and

and continue for about five minutes or until

patience, strengthening the lower body,

you fall asleep.”

So when Byron had the opportunity to take his own classes through SEIU 775

releasing shoulder and neck tension,

Benefits Group, he knew a little bit about

reducing headaches and improving

impressed Byron. “It was so simple, yet

what to expect.

mood — all especially useful benefits for

very effective.”

Tai chi was developed for self-defense, but today it is used for health. Class

getting into the practice of tai chi is to relax,

caregivers. The practice is intended to be relaxing,

That was the exercise that surprised and

GiJeuk says that many of her students have reported feeling the benefits of this

instructor GiJeuk, who teaches tai chi

not precise, says GiJeuk. “My best

exercise. “They were able to fall asleep,

regularly at Body & Brain in Seattle,

recommendation for anyone who is just

stay asleep and have improved sleep even

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Try these simple tai chi exercises at home

Energy Meditation

Chuk-Ki Stance

1. Sit in a comfortable position and place your hands on your knees with your palms facing up and close your eyes.

1. Stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart and parallel. Make sure that your weight is distributed evenly so that you rest firmly over the soles of both feet.

2. Gently tuck in your tail bone. 3. Relaxing your upper body, raise your hands to chest height, and spread them apart about 1 foot.

2. Relax your body, especially your neck and shoulders. Inhale deeply and let go of any tension while exhaling. 4. Imagine that you have a ball of energy between your hands and your chest. 5. Maintain this posture for about five to 10 minutes.

3. Raise your hands slowly to chest level, with palms facing each other but not touching. Focus on any sensation you feel between your palms. You may feel warmth, tingling or even your pulse.

4. Part your hands about 2 to 4 inches and focus on the space between them. 5. Pull your hands apart and push them closer again as you maintain your concentration. Feel the energy flow between your palms. 6. Pull your hands farther part and push them closer together. Feel the sensation expand and become stronger. 7. Breathe in and out, slowly and deeply, three times. 8. Rub your hands together briskly and gently sweep your face, neck and chest.

after just one night.” The other practice she recommends is an energy meditation exercise that allows you to relax your mind and refocus your energy. “Sitting or standing, first close your eyes and rub your hands together for about 30 seconds. Then open your hands apart about two – three inches apart, and in

Caregivers participate in a tai chi workshop at SEIU 775 Leadership Conference. (Photo by Sara McCaslin)

your mind focus on the space between your palms. Slowly move your hands farther apart and then closer together without touching. As you move your hands, keep focusing to the space between your palms. You may feel a warmth, tingling, or pressure sensation between your palms as

The simplicity of these exercises is the point, says GiJeuk. “Many practitioners

toxic it can be to hold onto bad energy, as

have a misunderstanding that tai chi is all

well as the techniques to help expel the

about the form and postures,

hands out and in for about

“Tai chi is all about deeply connecting with who you truly are and less about getting the posture exactly correct.”

five minutes. Lower your

Tai Chi Instructor GiJeuk

if a bright ball of light is actually there between your palms. Keep focusing on the feeling and move your

hands and breathe in and out a few times before finishing. Notice how your mind is more calm and relaxed.”

about being mindful of my body, and how

bad energy.”

while the reality is more about

Byron recommends that everyone try it.

connecting with yourself and

“My best advice would be to give it a

feeling the energy flowing

shot. Don’t worry about looking stupid or

through you.”

messing up, because everyone looks silly

That speaks to Byron, whose biggest takeaways from the class are less about postures and more about mindfulness.

“The things that have stuck with me

and makes mistakes in the class. Take the initiative and sign up. Your body will thank you.” Sign up for future tai chi and wellness programs at www.myseiubenefits.org/participate or mail in the form on page 11.

the most,” says Byron, “are the reminders

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WINTER 2017 21

Find Your Joy

Crystal and Ken Friday with their son, Malik, in Bothell, WA.

THE mighty Art OF

Mindfulness

(Photo by Sara McCaslin)

by Niki Stojnic

or Ken Friday, mindfulness meditation

anywhere. All you’re doing is, you want to

emotion is present, which can make us feel

has become a necessity to his work

take yourself off the default mode and be

more calm and centered.”

life and his family life. The home care aide and his wife, Crystal, have a baby, Malik, in addition to Ken’s live-in client, Gavi. They meditate twice a day. That practice,

Class instructor Eric López-Maya, Ph.D. says, “Mindfulness is all about learning

That is an especially useful practice for caregivers. “It can help them to deal with burnout

to be present with what’s happening

in terms of reducing stress and promoting

he says, has helped him develop better

with an open and curious attitude.” That

self-care. Caregivers, just as any other

understanding and patience — for his

can happen anywhere, during everyday

person, need to practice a lot of self-care,”

relationship, his child and his client with

activities, such as eating, washing dishes or

Eric says. “Carving out some time to do

autism.

showering.

mindfulness can help them be more in

When you hear mindfulness or

“One of the most common

tune with what they need and help them to

meditation, chances are you have some

misunderstandings about mindfulness is

make better decisions both for themselves

ideas of what that means. Ken thought it

that we practice to get rid of thoughts,” Eric

and the people they care for.”

required sitting in a designated quiet spot

says.

each time.

present.”

Instead, mindfulness is about changing

Ken says that the class has helped him realize just how much stress he was under

In 2017, he signed up for a mindfulness

the way we relate to our thoughts — to stop

at home and work, which was making

class offered by SEIU 775 Benefits Group.

reacting automatically — and our emotions

him irritable. He wasn’t taking time out for

“I realized you can be mindful really

— “just being open and accept whatever

himself. He had always been interested in

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meditation and mindfulness so the class was a perfect opportunity to explore them. Since taking the class, Ken has begun a regular mindfulness practice and has noted changes. The biggest? Patience, particularly for caring for his client. “I feel like I understand her better. I feel that I can look at challenges with more curiosity, versus this urge to blame or lash out. It has developed a lot of my patience. I think patience is the number one thing a caregiver needs. You have to be patient and the other stuff will come.”

Crystal and Ken Friday make mindfulness meditation a daily routine. Ken says it helps him practice patience in his marriage and as a caregiver for his client Gavi. (Photo by Sara McCaslin)

Ken was impressed with the diversity of people who attended his class and sought to learn how meditation might help them. “It surprised me how everybody was kind of drawn to it, from all kinds of different cultures and backgrounds. I love that.” Eric says a mindfulness practice should start simply, with everyday tasks. “Whenever you notice that your mind

Ken says. During that time — maybe 20 or 30 minutes, Ken says, “Just check in with yourself, see how you feel, see where you want to go. Not for work, just to see how you are. Touch on that and mindfully go to that place every single day. You will benefit because you’re letting your life slow down for 20 minutes at a time.”

wanders off, you

moment. Whenever

“I can look at challenges with more curiousity, versus this urge to blame or lash out.”

your mind wanders,

Home Care Aide Ken Friday

can gently return to the task at hand.” Similarly, you can become present to your breathing at any

ease and presence.” Ken’s favorite exercise was a walking meditation. But an even bigger lesson learned from the class was the importance of carving out time for yourself regularly, something he thinks anyone, but especially caregivers like himself, need. “Whether you want to meditate or sit quietly or pray, have a certain amount of time you block out forever, and you guard it like Fort Knox,”

timer and a variety of ways you can customize it to what you prefer. “I think you get exactly what you put into it,” says practice. “If you want to

to focusing on your breathing. “You can minutes to experience a greater sense of

meditation app, which has a

Ken of a mindfulness

gently bring it back do this with eyes closed for three or four

Ken and his wife use a

MINDFUL BREATHING Mindful breathing is a powerful practice you can use everyday. Researchers at Duke University found that mindful breathing, compared to other stress-reduction techniques, was more powerful in de-linking negative reactions to thoughts. You can set a timer for a set amount of time or find little moments in your day for this exercise. Instructions: 1. Find a relaxed, comfortable position and take a few long, deep breaths to calm the body. 2. Return to normal breathing and find your breath in your body. Maybe it is in your abdomen, chest or nostrils. 3. Feel the sensations in your body from your breath. Notice one breath at a time. 4. When your mind wanders, that’s OK. You can label it as “thinking” or “wandering” and then gently return your attention back to your breathing.

connect with a higher idea of yourself, you’re welcome to. If you find that it’s not for you, you’ll find that too.” He credits his getting curious about

SEIU 775 Benefits Group staff recommends:

his mental and physical health, which

Stop, Breathe & Think is a

includes cutting out sugar and doing more

friendly app to guide you

stretching exercises, to getting him on a

through mindfulness and

happier track with his family and with work.

compassion meditations.

“We’re incredibly blessed to have what we

It’s free for Android, iPhone

have.”

and on the web at

To participate in online mindfulness programs,

www.stopbreathethink.com.

WINTER 2017 23

Find Your Joy

Learning to thrive

Depression & Self-care by Niki Stojnic

Life as a home care aide can be physically and emotionally stressful. In fact, one in five caregivers has reported moderate-to-severe depression. Depression and stress can be very difficult to talk about. It is critical to know that you are not alone. Talking to someone can help you feel better faster and having the courage to reach out can bring positive 24

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change to your life. Meet Gwen, Alice, Robert and Theresa. These four caregivers share their personal stories of depression and how they learned to thrive. Interested in checking in on your own emotional well-being? Take a quick, free and confidential check up online at myseiu.be/deprisk. Learn about more resources and a free emotional well-being app on page 29.

are so close, boundaries between Gwen’s

help you. As much as it’s not fun to

professional role and her personal life

exercise, things like taking a walk really

became a problem.

do help. If you don’t put yourself first, you

“We were doing too much together; it

can’t take care of your consumer.”

was so easy because we get along. But I didn’t have time for me then.” Gwen noticed that she was starting to

Alice Richmond: Talking about depression “It’s not a shameful thing to be

feel depressed. That, in turn, was making

depressed,” says Alice Richmond. She has

it harder to manage her diabetes. Here are

been a home care aide for 20 years and

some of the signs she noticed in her own

has lived with depression for most of her

words:

life.

“My energy is lower. I don’t want to go

She first got help after the birth of her

for my walk. I tend to want to just grab

son, when her primary care physician

something to eat, rather than make sure

diagnosed her with postpartum depression.

I’m fixing something healthy. I’m not as

“It made me realize that I’d felt that way for

motivated. I don’t have the energy. When

a really long time and didn’t understand

I’m feeling run-down physically, I’m not as

why.”

motivated to do things because I’m tired.”

While the postpartum depression is long

Gwen isn’t alone. Numerous studies show that mental wellness is Home Care Aide Theresa Greenwood Johnson, right, from Leavenworth, WA., with her client. (Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

connected to physical wellness. People with diabetes are at a particularly high risk of having depression. Some of the signs of depression, such as loss of energy

gone, depression still lurks

“Pay attention to yourself...do things that you know help you. If you don’t put yourself first, you can’t take care of your consumer.”

for Alice at times. Because

Home Care Aide Gwen Goodfellow

says. “Sometimes, even

Gwen became her mother’s home care aide to help her cope with fibromyalgia, COPD with pleurisy and depression. That role has been both rewarding and challenging. “It’s my mom and I get to spend time with her,” she says. But because the two

to recognize the feelings. “My depression looks like I don’t want to do anything. I don’t have any interest and things like that,” Alice

sit in my chair and watch

and sleeping patterns, can make it harder

TV all day because I don’t feel like doing

to stay physically healthy.

anything.”

The good news is that Gwen was able to

with self-care

doctor, she now knows how

now, I have days where I just

and changes in eating

Gwen Goodfellow: Preventing depression

she reached out to her

“Depression can kind of sneak up

recognize that things were not going well,

on you. You don’t even realize you’re

get support and make lifestyle changes that

depressed. You just go and go and go and

improved both her physical and emotional

think things will get better and better and

well-being.

better,” Alice says.

Now, Gwen carves time out of her busy

She has a few tools that she uses to

schedule for self-care. For Gwen, it is not

help herself feel better – coloring, arts and

an indulgence; it actually helps her be a

crafts, going outside, playing with her seven

better caregiver for her mother.

dogs and window-shopping.

“Pay attention to yourself. If you catch

If you think meditative coloring could be

yourself struggling, either find things to

a helpful outlet, try your hand at coloring

help you or do the things that you know

on page 9.

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WINTER 2017 25

Find Your Joy Robert Marzullo: Keeping the mind and body busy Before working as a caregiver, Robert Marzullo was a priest and hospital chaplain for 25 years in California, New Mexico and at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. He also has depression. Robert knows when he is starting to feel his depression overwhelm him. “I’m angry more, mostly at myself. Or I might bark sometimes and it shows itself to my wife and family,” he says. That means it is time for Robert to reach out. “It’s time for me to go see my priest. That’s part of

“I’m angry more, mostly at myself. I might bark sometimes and it shows itself to my wife and family.”

my therapy.”

Home Care Aide Robert Marzullo

priest, Robert

Counseling allows him to let go of things and “move on.” In addition to counseling and visits with his takes antidepressants. “It

helps me take care of myself,” he says. Home Care Aide Robert Marzullo, Shoreline, WA. (Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

Staying very busy is another way Robert keeps ahead of his depression. A part-time caregiver, he also works as a food demonstrator at Costco in Seattle, along with keeping up with his four grandchildren. Having been both counselor and the one counseled, Robert stresses that finding

“I like going to thrift shops and just looking.” She also talks with her client, who also gets depressed, and with whom she says she’s lucky to have a lot in common. Making time to be sad is OK, too. “Sometimes I just give myself a day to chill out and do nothing. I try to get myself

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INSIGHT MAGAZINE

involved in a lot of positive things.” That’s Alice’s ultimate self-care advice. “Find something that makes you happy and do it.” Try a mindfulness meditation exercise on page 23.

someone to reach out to — his wife is often that someone — is one of the first steps you should take if you find yourself feeling down and wondering what to do. “It might be a family member or friend who will not judge, just that they could be a listening post.”

Home Care Aide Theresa Greenwood Johnson with her client. (Photo by Paul Joseph Brown)

Theresa Greenwood Johnson:

She connected with a client she adored

Changing her story

and then met and married her husband

For Theresa Greenwood Johnson, change is good. It turned her life around. She experienced depression early in life, after a difficult childhood that included

early in 2016. “I went and got a new life,

to her emancipation at age 16. Life didn’t get easier for Theresa after that. An extreme bout with shingles at age 22 left her with pain that was very

depressed.” She has many outlets for growing and

made it completely different,” Theresa

moving. She paints, writes and sews. She

says.

also enjoys time on the water and her

Theresa applies that idea of change

abuse and stays in foster homes. That eventually led

and moving toward something, I’m not

in smaller ways. If she’s

spiritual practice. For other caregivers thinking about

“If I’m growing and moving towards something, I’m not depressed.”

feeling stuck, it means she

seeking mental health support, Theresa

needs to do something

encourages them to start talking about it.

Home Care Aide Theresa Greenwood Johnson

difficult to manage. She became severely depressed. Health problems, especially those that

different. She’ll turn to her husband, “I say, ‘We’re

able to have somebody listen. They’re not

stuck in a routine. I need

going to have all the answers, which is

to do something different.’

really hard, because you think it’s like going

And he’s like “OK, let’s

to the doctor. You just go and have them

go!’ It is good to have

fix it. Depression doesn’t work that way. It’s

somebody to do that with.” Theresa says change is hardest

cause chronic pain or disability, can cause

when you are feeling down or having a

or increase the risk for depression.

challenging time, but that is also when it

But caregiving, and being good at it, were constant threads through Theresa’s

“Go talk to somebody! You have to be

will help the most.

not something you have to fix, but you have to work on it.” See the next page for resources and services to support your emotional well-being.

“You constantly have growth when

life. When a chance came to start fresh

there’s change and growth doesn’t allow for

with a move to Washington, she grabbed it.

depression,” Theresa says. “If I’m growing

INSIGHT MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017 27

Find Your Joy

Tuning into your Emotional Well-being Depression is very common among caregivers, with one in five

myseiu.be/deprisk

caregivers reporting they have moderate to severe depression. Symptoms look different for everyone, according to Kaiser Permanente. Signs of depression can include: •

Unexplained physical aches and pain.

•

Eating or sleeping less or more than usual.

•

Agitation.

•

Loss of energy.

•

General sadness.

Finding the Right Support for You What do mental health services look like? Mental health care and treatment can look like a number of things: •

Psychotherapy: One-on-one therapy with a trained mental health professional.

• •

Take a quick mental health checkup online at http://myseiu.be/deprisk.

When You’re Ready, Make the Call: FREE MENTAL HEALTH VISITS

There is no copay (cost to you) for in-network mental health visits for Kaiser Permanente and Aetna members.

Kaiser Permantente WA members: Call 1-888-287-2680 or 206-901-6300 for first-time appointments.

Medication: Medication does not cure mental illness,

Kaiser Permanente NW members: Call 855-632-8280 to

but it may help with the symptoms.

schedule therapy and counseling services.

Group Therapy: Support group meetings where

Aetna members: Call 1-800-624-0756 or search for mental

members guide each other toward the shared goal of

health providers at www.aetna.com.

recovery. Often, the first step is talking with your primary care provider. Let them know you would like to access your mental health benefits. With your input and preferences, they can help guide you to the care that is best for you.

Apple Health (Medicaid): You have access to mental health services through your Behavioral Health Organization (BHO). To find services in your area, visit www.dshs.wa.gov/ BHOcontacts or call 1-360-725-3700. Call 911 if you or a friend show any signs of self-harm. You can also call the 24-hour Washington Recovery Help Line at 1-866-789-1511.

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INSIGHT MAGAZINE

FREE! New emotional well-being app Emotional support anytime, anywhere SEIU 775 Benefits Group is excited to provide

Text with your coach as much as you want, whenever you

Home Care Aides* with exclusive access to Ginger.io, a free

want. It’s easy to try. Your response will help determine if

emotional well-being app for your phone or tablet.

we’ll continue offering this exclusive service to you.

Try it now! 1. Download Ginger.io from the Android or Apple App Store. 2. Use access code “seiu775bg” when creating your account.

Around-the-clock coaching Coaches can help you achieve personal goals or just be there when you need someone – day or night. Personalized self-care Coaches will share self-care guides to help you achieve your goals and support you every step of the way. Confidential & secure Any information you share is protected by HIPAA, completely confidential and securely stored.

Have questions? Email wellbeing@myseiubenefits.org *Ginger.io is available to all Home Care Aides whose employers pay into the Health Benefits Trust. Unfortunately, this service is not currently available to Full Life and Sea Mar employees. INSIGHT MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017 29

Your Benefits

Explore your health plan options on the Washington Healthplanfinder The Washington HealthplanfinderTM,

www.wahealthplanfinder.org

a one-stop shop for affordable health coverage plans, is now open for plan enrollment through Jan. 15. There are four categories of plans to choose from: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The health team at SEIU 775 Benefits Group recommends choosing a Silver or Gold plan depending on your personal care needs. You can see the full comparison of plan

Visit www.wahealthplanfinder.org to enroll in a health plan.

coverage at www.wahbexchange.org/newcustomers/coverage-basics. You can also see if you are eligible for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid)

Key Dates for Enrollment: For more information and to find your health plan, visit

coverage. You can apply at any time during the

www.wahealthplanfinder.org.

year if you are eligible.

• Dec. 15: Deadline for January 1 coverage. • Jan. 15: Open enrollment ends. Last chance to enroll in a plan.

Health plan by SEIU 775 Benefits Group customized for caregivers Caregivers who have worked 80 hours per month for at least two consecutive months are eligible for customized health coverage through SEIU 775 Benefits Group. For $25 per month, this health plan provides high-quality coverage for medical, prescription drug, vision, mental health and dental benefits. If you qualify, your benefits will be provided by Kaiser Permanente or Aetna, and dental benefits by Willammete Dental or Delta Dental, depending on your ZIP code. For agency providers, you can apply when you first meet the

Eligible individual providers can apply for health coverage at www.myseiu.be/healthenrollment

eligibility requirements above or during open enrollment in July enrollment application at www.myseiu.be/healthenrollment.

2018.

For individual providers, you can apply at anytime once you

For support, call the Member Resource Center at

meet the eligibility requirements above. Apply by completing the

1-866-371-3200 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday–Friday).

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Tips from Delta Dental:

How to keep a clean toothbrush Keep your brush in its own holder to prevent cross-contamination.

If possible, brush as far away from the

If you brush in the shower, consider

toilet as possible. Bacteria from the

brushing over the sink instead.

toilet can get in your mouth.

Water can spread germs from the shower to your mouth.

A few dental don’ts:

Do not store your brush in a closed cap container.

Never use a microwave to sanitize your

Never share your toothbrush. You can easily

Bacteria thrive in a moist setting.

toothbrush. The heat damages your brush and

transfer germs and illnesses.

doesn’t disinfect it.

Replace your toothbrush:

Find a dentist in your area. Visit the Delta Dental or Willamette Dental websites to find a dentist, schedule an appointment and learn more about your oral health.

Every 3 months.

When bristles start to fray.

Delta Dental

Willamette Dental

www.deltadental.com

www.willamettedental.com

1-800-554-1907

1-855-433-6825

Questions about your dental plan? Call the Member Resource Center at 1-866-371-3200 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday–Friday).

After you’ve been sick. Information sources: Delta Dental of Washington, Center for Disease Control and American Dental Association.

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Your Benefits

Try new courses such as Food Allergies and Sensitivities

All-new continuing education courses now available Topics ranging from nutrition to end-of-life care to self-care are available in your training account. To enroll, log on to your training account at www.myseiubenefits.org. Here are a few highlights of new courses.

Providing Care Using a Person-Centered Approach Identify skills related to a person-

Learn how you handle stress through

Environmental Sensitivities Collaborate with your client to utilize

centered approach, determine what

taking a self-assessment on your self-

environmental control measures, and

is important for a client to inform their

care behaviors. Learn about the types of

reduce exposure to allergies and triggers.

care, identify key information needed to

self-care for all aspects of your life, such

(1 Hr)

create a one-page profile and analyze

as emotional, physical, psychological,

the importance of a one-page profile in

spiritual, relationships and your workplace.

supporting the client. (1 Hr)

(2 Hrs)

Other courses include:

Problem-Solving Using the ADAPT Model

Emergency Care & Disaster Preparedness

Accident Prevention (1 Hr)

(1 Hr)

Ways to prevent three of the most

Utilize the ADAPT model for problem

Learn how to recognize and respond to

common types of home accidents: falls,

solving to increase your ability to apply

medical emergencies and disasters.

burns and poisoning.

constructive problem solving techniques.

End-of-Life Care (2 Hrs)

Food Allergies & Sensitivities (2 Hrs)

Family Boundaries (2 Hrs)

Develop skills necessary to read

Identify and reduce unclear boundaries

Recognize and support the grief process, understand and adapt to the different

food labels, cook food with appropriate

in your family, recognize ways to establish

feelings and attitudes about death, identify

substitutions, avoid cross-contact and

healthy boundaries and identify ways to set

basic guidelines in caring for a dying client

assist their client in managing food allergies

boundary limits.

and recognize how to treat your client and

outside of the home.

Self-Care & Creating a Plan to Handle Stress

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their family with dignity.

HCA Best Practices Annual Training connects caregivers, provides skills practice with instructor-led courses It is now highly recommended that caregivers attend a HCA Best Practices Annual Training at a classroom in your area. In this two-hour, instructor-led course, you’ll learn how to minimize exposure to blood-borne pathogens, report exposures, prevent overexertion injuries and apply state and federal privacy laws. Other instructor-led courses include: Working Safely in a Hoarding Environment Learn to safeguard yourself in a hoarding environment, conduct safety assessments in the home and apply interpersonal skills with your client. (2 Hrs) Positive Behavioral Support in Caring for

Instructor Catherine Booth leads a classroom activity. Instructor-led courses provide opportunities to

People with Autism

ask your questions directly to a subject-matter expert.

Learn about ways to reinforce small

If you usually take your continuing

changes in behavior and facilitate self-

education credits online, consider

Bring a Community Interpreter

management and appropriate techniques

attending an in-person, instructor-led

(friend or relative):

for reducing challenging behavior. (2 Hrs)

course in your area.

To enroll, log on to your training account

•

at www.myseiubenefits.org to see classes available in your area.

Select “Bringing an Interpreter”

Have your questions answered

when enrolling in a course online or

by a subject-matter expert.

call the Member Resource Center at

•

Practice skills.

1-866-371-3200 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,

•

Receive instant feedback.

Monday–Friday).

•

Learn with caregivers in your area.

Boost your pay, grow your skills with a home care certificate

TechTips Install Chrome for your online courses

Individual providers who did not previously take Basic Training now have the option to enroll and receive a raise upon completion. The new benefit was

Google Chrome is the best web browser

created in this year’s new collective

to use when taking your Online CE course.

bargaining agreement with the State of

To download it:

Washington.

Visit www.google.com/chrome from your

You will gain: •

current browser.

Hands-on skills training with

Click “Download for personal computer”

seasoned instructors. • •

and then click “Download” on the next

A $0.25 hourly raise upon

•

70 hours of unpaid training.

certification.

•

Class locations around the state.

A Basic Training Certificate and

To find if you are eligible, call the Member

Home Care Aide Certification. Course information:

Resource Center at 1-866-371-3200

screen. Open the downloaded file on your computer and you will be walked through the setup.

(8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday–Friday).

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Your Benefits

Training Standards

Individual Providers Only

Individual Provider or Agency Provider

Updated as of September 2017

Continuing Education 12 hour annual requirement

Provider Type

Orientation & Safety 5 hours online training

Required Basic Training Within 120 days of starting to provide care

Standard HCA hired on or after 1/7/2012