JAN'S GROUP HOME SUPPORT

Reduce Utility Bills just added a new category-Gasoline. The first post to help lower what you will pay at the pump was posted today, Shopping Strategies to Lower Gasoline Expenses! It seems appropriate as we celebrate the America’s freedom on this 4th of July, it would be nice to be free of the high expense of filling up the tank. Not only personally, but also for our group homes. The less money going out to fill up the tank, the more money available for things like:

• Outings
• Groceries
• Vacations
• Household items

The post has some good suggestions for planning shopping. Some clients don’t do well on long shopping trips even if it does save the house some money. Ways to save help group home residents tolerate longer trips:

• Plan something that they enjoy at the end of the trip
• Bring snacks and drinks
• Stop at a park in between stores
• Have extra staff to occupy residents who don’t like to shop while staff and resident who enjoys shopping shop
• Do shopping near where resident is picked up from DTA (day treatment activity) or work program
• If residents don’t tolerate shopping, shop without residents after transport to DTA or work program

Planning trips with residents tolerance levels in mind can reduce the mileage driven by the group home vehicle and it will in turn reduce gas expenses.

Keeping group home residents safe isn’t always easy. In the group home it is easier to manage the risk by keeping the following inaccessible to group home residents:

• Cleaning solutions
• Medications
• Yard maintenance chemicals
• Pool chemicals

During summer time activities, group home support staff will need to be extra watchful. Even though the residents may not be at a functioning level that allows them to keep themselves safe, they are still considered adults. When going to a public or private activity or function, the following can assure that the residents will be safe and fun can be had by all:

• Know the resident you are caring for
• Scan the area upon arrival for possible risks
• Politely ask that things like pool chemicals be removed from the area
• Stay focused on resident
• Have emergency information about the resident close at hand

In the event a group home resident comes in contact with a poisonous substance call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222. If there are any serious adverse reactions or warnings on the label, call 911.

Basic first aide for poisoning:

• Medication ingestion-call 911
• Poison ingestion-call 911
• Inhaled poison-move to fresh air immediately. Call poison control immediately.
• Poison on the skin-remove any clothing that poison is on and rinse skin for 15-20 minutes. Call poison control immediately.
• Poison in the eye-rinse with running water for 15-20 minutes. Call poison control immediately.

More information can be found at American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Don’t be distracted by the new people and environments that you come in contact with during the summer, remember group home residents are dependent on group home support staff to keep them safe during summer time activities.

It’s summer time again and time to review summer safety for our group home residents. Some parts of the country are still enjoying comfortable weather, but here is AZ we have already hit 100+ degrees!

Group home residents are at higher risk of heat related health issues because of the following:

• Medication that increase sun sensitivity.
• Inability to communicate discomfort.
• Developmental delays that interfere with decision making skills
• Physical limitations that make them dependent on others

Medication side effects

• Review the side effects of medications that are administered to the residents.
• Review how to protect residents who have added sun sensitivity due to medication side effects.

Heat related illness can be serious. Residents who are showing signs of serious heat related symptoms should receive medical attention. Know the policy and procedures of the resident provider that you work, for professional medical care for group home residents. If in doubt, call 911. It is better to call unnecessarily than to call after it is too late to help a resident. Heat related illness can escalate quickly.

Signs of heat exhaustion

• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Pale, clammy skin
• Thirst
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness, fainting
• Nausea, vomiting
• Muscle cramps

Signs of heat stroke (very serious-seek medical attention)

• Fever (temperature above 104°F)
• Irrational behavior
• Extreme confusion
• Dry, hot, and red skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Heat related illnesses are very serious. The best thing to do is prevent them from occurring. Group home support staff can prevent heat related illness the following ways:

• Limit group home residents time outdoors in the heat
• Be sure residents are properly hydrated (start the day before when possible)
• Use shade in environment (trees, buildings, etc)
• Create shade with hats, umbrellas, canopies, and tents
• Observe residents and look for sweating, redness on skin, and signs of heat illness (listed above)
• Touch exposed skin and monitor if excessively hot to touch or dry
• Help residents recognize signs they are in the sun too long
• Teach residents appropriate decision making skills regarding time in the heat
• Be alert to shade “moving” and move residents who are not mobile out of the sun when the shade moves

Make the most of summer time activities with group home residents while keeping them safe from heat related illnesses.

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