Cutting Usage, Despite High Temps

The United Helpers Sustainability Committee has issued a 12-month challenge to facilities to reduce their energy usage, using a three-year look back period to provide incentive for employees to explore ways to conserve electricity. For each month that a United Helpers’ facility goes below their three year average, they are awarded a point. Sites falling below their average by 1-2% receive an additional point and those achieving a rate at 2% below their average receive 2 points or a maximum total of 3 points per month.

Despite high temperatures, many of United Helpers' 26 facilities have still managed to find unique ways to cut their energy consumption and rise to the top of the contest leader board. As of May 31, the United Helpers facilities with most points are: 

Spruce Street IRA - 15 points

Flackville Rd IRA - 14 points

RiverLedge Residence - 13 points

Sparx - 12 points

Riverwood IRA - 12 points

Mosaic Complex - 12 points

With the summer temps well above average, will these leaders be able to hang on after numbers for June and July roll in? Fall may result in cooler temps, but this contest is starting to heat up!  

Jones Honored With Life Improved Award

From left, Mosaic Day Services Coordinator Robin Glass, Lyndsey Jones and Bonnie Hitsman

OGDENSBURG - The bond between staff and residents is difficult to describe in words, but for anyone who has ever witnessed Lyndsey Jones interacting with the people we serve either at Day Hab or the McIntyre IRA, where she also works, words aren't needed as the sights and sounds will surely do the trick.

It was that strong relationship between Ms. Jones and the residents that led fellow M-DSP Bonnie Hitsman to nominate her for one of this summer's Life Improved Awards.

"She treats the residents with respect and enjoys taking them where they would enjoy going," Ms. Hitsman wrote adding, "She is very kind and thoughtful towards all the residents and speaks to them in a way that they will understand what she is saying to them. She has even gone to visit residents when they had to be in the hospital after she was done working."

And according to Ms. Hitsman, Ms. Jones also shares a similar bond with her co-workers, as well as visitors to whichever facility she finds herself working in that day.

"When we have visitors she is very pleasant towards them and offers to help in anyway she can, also including them in what is happening at the work site ," Ms. Hitsman wrote. "The residents all like being around her and and her co-workers do too. She gets along with everyone and she is a positive role mode for residents and her co-workers. You can tell she loves her job here at Day Hab and the McIntyre house."

Job/CNA Class Applications Submitted Monday & Tuesday may be Lost

During the process of updating our employment portal, job applications and CNA Class applications that were submitted on Monday and Tuesday of this week were purged from the system. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but we are asking people who submitted applications earlier this week to please reapply.

Secondly, if you know anyone who may have applied online for a job or the CNA class, please pass this message on to them.

If you have any questions or wish to verify that your application was received, please contact the HR Department at 393-3074, ext. 4270 or 4265.

www.unitedhelpers.org/apply

Employment Portal Unveiled on UH Website

OGDENSBURG – In an effort to streamline both the job application and hiring processes, United Helpers has launched an “Employment Portal” at www.unitedhelpers.org.

“We wanted applicants to be contacted quicker, which in-turn will hopefully reduce the length of time our hiring process takes,” said Human Resources Specialist Michelle R. Matthews.

The launching of the portal comes as the result of a joint effort between the United Helpers Human Resources and IT Departments.

“Our intention is to one day, in the not too distant future, have a completely paperless hiring process,” said IT Systems Administrator Greg Walrath, who added that in addition to benefiting the environment, the new portal is also beneficial to applicants, as well as the Human Resources Department and management-level employees.

“This has really allowed us to improve communication between human resources and managers, who are responsible for the hiring of employees at their respective facilities.” Ms. Matthews said.

Recognizing that not everyone does have access to a computer, Ms. Matthews said that in the near future, there will be a computer available for job applicants to use at the company’s 732 Ford St., Ogdensburg Management Company offices.

“This decision was made after several weeks of discussions and examination of national trends,” she said. “What we’re looking to do is make this process easier for everyone involved.”

Features of the job portal include a comprehensive listing of currently available jobs, as well as tools that allow potential job applicants to create an on-line profile and set alerts to notify them when jobs they may be interested in become available. Managers within the company may also set alerts that notify them when someone submits an application they may be interested in.

The portal will also allow United Helpers to generate reports, which among other things, will identify where those applying for jobs and visiting the website are coming from.

“Those analytics will give us data that will allow us to better focus our recruitment efforts where they’re needed,” Ms. Matthews said.

“Anyone applying for a job or thinking about applying for one with us is encouraged to set up an on-line profile,” Mr. Walrath said.

To view the employment portal visit, www.unitedhelpers.org/employment. To apply for a job with United Helpers visit, www.unitedhelpers.org/apply. 

Welcome New Hires

RiverLedge

Bridgette Simmons - Activity Aide
Miranda Ross - Task Aide
David Ellis - Food Service Attendant
Darrel Perrine - Food Service Attendant

RiverLedge Residence
Courtney Brabant - Personal Care Attendant

Maplewood

Joshua Bassett - Food Service Attendant

United Helpers Management Company

Michelle Cross - Housing Specialist

Basta's Flowers & Gifts
Jacob Hargrave - Delivery Driver

Potsdam Day Hab
Jocelyn Deshane - DSP

Epprecht Honored With Life Improved Award

At United Helpers we are in the business of helping others, but for some employees helping other people is more than just their job.

Program Manager Lauren Peters with
Tucker Epprecht

Tucker Epprecht is one of those employees and it's his dedication to our Life Improved mantra that led to his selection as one of our Life Improved Award winners for the summer of 2016.

Mr. Epprecht was nominated for the honor by Summer Storie, a fellow DSP at the High St. IRA in Morristown.

"Tucker often comes in on his days off to take residents on outings that otherwise would not happen," Ms. Storie said, noting he's been known to assist community members in need while on those outings.

"While out in the community he will stop what he's doing to help someone else in need, even if it's just to assist with the most simplest of things," she said.

Mr. Epprecht also possesses a sense of humor that makes working with him more than just another day at the office, she said. "Tucker makes everyone laugh, and he is always willing to help out a co-worker whether it's swithcing time off or even just working shifts for people."

Perhaps it's that sense of humor that has helped him build a rapport with the families of High Street's residents, many of whom will ask for him by name when calling to check on their loved ones.

"Tucker is always willing to talk with our residents' families, and even has families ask for him personally," Ms. Storie said.

Employee Activity Team Hosting Outdoor Showing of The Goonies

Employees of United Helpers and their families are invited to a special outdoor screening of The Goonies to be held on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Maplewood Pavilion.
Admission to the film, which will be shown on a GIANT 12 FOOT SCREEN is FREE!
Snacks will be provided and several door prizes will also be awarded.
The Goonies is one of the most beloved family films    of all-time. If you have yet to enjoy this movie with your children now is your chance. If they've already seen the film, enjoy it all over again on the silver screen, the way it was meant to be seen.
A Sept. 30 rain date has been set.

Welcome New Hires

RiverLedge

Jeanne Peacock - Physical Therapist
Blake Bartholomew - Task Aide
Katie Ellard - Task Aide
Chantel Reid - Task Aide
Livia Shaver - Food Service Attendant

RiverLedge Residence

Katie Chapin - CNA

Maplewood

Aubrey Czajkowski - PTA
Katie Chapin - CNA
Bailey Coffey - CNA
Brianna Dumas - CNA
Sierra Fowler - CNA
Megan Dent - Task Aide
Sarahanne Jackson - Task Aide
Hope Kingston - Task Aide
Christie Lilley - Task Aide
Porsche Lowell - Task Aide

United Helpers Management Company

Janet Geddes - Office Tech

Riverwood Acres IRA
Beth Lavigne-Bresett - DSP

Bernard Avenue IRA
Laurie Beeson - APM

High St. IRA
Lucinda Dean - DSP

Rensselaer Falls IRA
Paige Clary - DSP
Mytha Smith - DSP

Irish Settlement Road IRA
Zachary Bennett - DSP
Danald Wylie - DSP

Schmidt Receives Life Improved Award

   

From left, Maplewood Administrator Kim McFaddin, Life Improved Award Winner Sherry Schmidt and Director of Nursing Lettie Deloney

CANTON - As someone with nearly 35 years of experience, Sherry Schmidt has dedicated her life and career to helping other people. It wasn't just her years of experience though that led Ms. Schmidt to one of this summer's Life Improved Awards.

Linda Buchanan, a dietitian who works with with Ms. Schmidt, noted that even after 35 years she continues to go above and beyond.

"As the Diet Technician here, Sherry thinks nothing of going above and beyond for the residents at Maplewood including preparing their favorite foods, purchasing special requested items for them, and making sure that their dining experience is the best it can be," Ms. Buchanan wrote. "Sherry always makes a point to touch base with the resident's families every day, and always makes an effort to include them in the meal time experience as much as possible."

In addition to being there for the residents, Ms. Buchanan said it's not unusual for Ms. Schmidt to bring in treats for her fellow co-workers, some time for no reason at all, other than to simply show her appreciation for all that they do.

"She frequently brings in treats for the dietary and nursing staff to let them know how much she appreciates them and if someone is getting married or having a baby, Sherry is usually right there presenting a gift to them," Ms. Buchanan wrote.

Ms. Schmidt's outlook on life is often contagious and Ms. Buchanan said it's unusual to work a shift with her and not smile at least once.

"She makes the residents, their families and staff smile EVERY day," she said. "She loves people and it is contagious!"

Ms. Schmidt was one of six Life Improved Award winners selected from a field of 30 nominees that represented all parts of the company.

Davis Receives Life Improved Award

Life Improved Award Winner Chuck Davis sits
with Bucky, a resident at the Irish Settlement
Road IRA, where he works. In the back, Program
Manager Justin Richards.

HEUVELTON - When a full-time supervisory position opened up at the Irish Settlement Road IRA where he worked, Chuck Davis knew that the time was right to return to school.
"When he came on board with us he didn't have his GED or diploma, but really wanted a 40 hour midnight position," said Program Manager Justin Richards. "Within about a month or two he earned his high school diploma online, which cost him a few hundred dollars that he paid himself."
Diploma in hand, Mr. Davis could now take the medicine certification course needed to become a midnight supervisor.
"We sent him to the first med cert course available and he did great," Mr. Richards said. "We always struggle to cover the midnight shift, but he doesn't delay when offering to pick up extra shifts. I even have many people who offer to pick up midnight shifts when Chuck is working and that is not by accident."
While Mr. Davis is a pleasure to work with, Mr. Richards said that doesn't mean he lets things slide by.
"When Chuck is on you can count on the residents being taken care of correctly and the house to be cleaned above and beyond expectations," he said. "He has the ability to make people around him better and it shows. He is a natural leader and has a record of addressing concerns directly with staff and working them out. He demands excellence when he is working and although he has that reputation, many people still request to work with him. His no-nonsense, but caring personality to both residents and his co-workers is a nice change. When Chuck is working I sleep better at night."
It was also noted, that Mr. Davis often brings in his guitar and will play for residents even when he is not working.
For those reasons and more, Mr. Davis was selected from a field of 30 nominees as one of this summer's Life Improved Award Winners.

Maplewood's Mailu Honored With Life Improved Award

From left, Director of Nursing Lenette M. Deloney, Pam J. Beaudette, RN, Life Improved Award Winner Josephene Mailu, Maplewood Administrator Kimberly A. McFaddin, and United Helpers CEO Stephen E. Knight

 From a field of 30 nominees that represented all parts of the company, Josephene Mailu was selected as the Summer 2016 United Helpers Life Improved Award winner.
Ms. Mailu works as a midnight supervisor at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center at the campus' skilled nursing facility.
"She has been an employee at the Canton Nursing Home, and now Maplewood, since 2009. She began as a CNA and worked her way up to RN, eventually becoming a midnight supervisor," said Maplewood Administrator Kimberly A. McFaddin.
Ms. Mailu was nominated for the honor by Nursing Director Lenette M. Deloney and fellow RN, Pam J. Beaudette.
"Recently, Josephene spent much needed time at the bedside of one of our residents, just being "present.'" Ms. Deloney wrote, explaining the woman had recently fallen breaking both her knee and her hip.
"Josephene reached out to her, holding her hand and speaking to her in her softest voice to comfort her as she cried out in pain. She reassured her she was not alone and the she really did care for her.," Mr. Deloney wrote." The woman's family was so impressed with the care, compassion and support she received they sent a beautiful platter of cookies to show their appreciation to Josephene and all the staff caring for her."
Ms. Beaudette recalled yet another instance of Ms. Mailu going above and beyond, this time with a male patient who felt like he had to tie his leg to bed to hold it in place while he slept.
"She helped him find a solution for the positioning of his foot and she is great with our dementia patients, as well, helping the staff to provide diversional activities."
It was also noted that Ms. Mailu makes it a point to introduce herself to each of the residents on her wing.
"She intentionally waits for them to get up to use the bathroom or watches for their lights, so she can introduce herself to everyone," Ms. Beaudette wrote.