A P R I L

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S P E C T R U M H E A L T H
C O M P A N I E S

Proudly serving the communities of Aurora, Babbitt, Brainerd, Burnsville, Cook, Duluth, Ely, Eveleth,
Grand Rapids, Metro/Faribault, Orr, Rochester, St. Cloud, Silver Bay and Willmar

Submitted by Jeanne Innis, Ely CFL Assistant Executive Director

Amy Consoer, CFL-Elys Activity Director moved to Ely from

the cities in April of 2011 and has been with Carefree since
May of 2011. Many wonderful things have happened since
then. Amy brings cheer with a positive encouraging attitude wherever she goes.
She has started many new things here as well as continuing the old, such as bowling, frequent live music, brain games, trivia, and of course the all time favorite
Bingo. One of the new things is exploring your senses. Amy uses essential oils, as
well as other fragrant substances to have the residents smell and identify. Coming
soon will be exploring hearing, touch, and taste. These things are so much fun as
staff we want to join in too!
The different holidays and seasons bring special activities, such as hot chocolate socials on those bitter cold winter days, to Easter egg dying this spring.
And it doesnt end here! She has now taken her talents to Lakeside where she has started Amys
Corner. A favorite activity there is short stories. Amy reads a short story from the 20s through the
40s and clients share their memories from that time. Her next plan is to make fresh brown molasses
bread from scratch with the residents at Lakeside. I can smell it now.
Amy frequently expresses her thankfulness to have the privilege of working for Carefree, and as her
coworkers we believe it is a privilege to work with her.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Amy!

Every needlestick and sharps injury carries a risk of infection from bloodborne
pathogens. Yet, these exposures often
have been considered part of the job.
Health care workers primarily are exposed to these pathogens via contaminated needlestick and sharps injuries. It
is important that we fully understand
these risks.
We can reduce preventable exposures by
identifying, as a starting point, the highest-risk procedures and devices and implementing the most effective control
measures.
This list demonstrates how to apply the
hierarchy of controls to bloodborne pathogen hazards.

Elimination of Hazard: Substitute injections by administering medications

through another route, such as a tablet,
inhaler or transdermal patches. Remove
sharps and needles and eliminate all unnecessary injections. Other examples include the elimination of unnecessary
sharps like towel clips and using needleless intravenous (IV) systems.
Engineering Controls: Use needles that
retract, sheathe or blunt immediately
after use.
Administrative Controls: Adopt policies
aimed to limit exposure to the hazard.
Examples include allocation of resources
demonstrating a commitment to health
care worker safety, a needlestick prevention committee, an exposure control plan,
removing all unsafe devices and consistent training on the use of safe devices.

Work Practice Controls: Examples

include no recapping, placing sharps
containers at eye-level and at arms
reach (remembering that most nurses
are women, and some of the placement practices of disposal containers
have not taken that into consideration), emptying sharps containers before theyre full and establishing the
means for safe handling and disposing
of sharps devices before beginning a
procedure.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Barriers and filters between the worker and the hazard.
Examples include
eye goggles, face
shields, gloves,
masks and gowns.
Sharps Safety, Unitedheartland.com

H o r i z o n s P a g e

MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER / CEO

Over the years, Spectrum has been committed to providing benefits
that meet our current and future workforce needs. I am pleased to
announce as of April 1, 2015 we will reinstate a
401k company match. For those who contribute
2% or more, Spectrum will contribute 1%.
For those not currently participating in the 401k,
the following are excerpts from an article on 401k
plans:
When people talk about 401(k) plans, you often
hear about advantages like:
Merle Sampson
* Free money from your employer
* Lower taxable income
* The opportunity to retire and not have to worry about money anymore
Does this sound too good to be true? It isn't. It's what you can gain
from investing in your company's 401(k) plan.
If retirement planning is the farthest thing from your mind, think about
how much of a difference 10 years can make in the investing world. If
your employer offers a 401(k) plan, it makes a lot of sense to participate
in it as soon as possible. If you start early, maybe when you're 25 or so,
you can very likely have a million or two (or more) in your account by
the time you retire (depending on risk level). Heres an example of a
possible contribution: an employee earns $500 every two weeks. That
employee participates in the 401K and has 2% of his or her salary taken out every two weeks (pretax). That amounts to $10. The company
will then match that 2% with a 1% contribution of $5. This $15 then
goes into the employees individual account tax free.
Free money? Let's talk about that free money from your employer.
Although they aren't required to, many employers match a percentage
of what their employees contribute to their 401(k) accounts. If you
aren't participating in the program, you're basically leaving money lying
around for someone else to pick up. It's like finding a $20 bill at the
amusement park and leaving it lying on the ground.
Borrowing From Your Account - Hardship You may be thinking
that you really can't afford to put 5 percent (or whatever amount) of
your salary into an account you won't be able to touch until you retire.
But in some 401(k) plans, you can borrow from your account in the
event of an emergency. You'll pay interest, but you are paying it to
yourself. (See plan documents for further details.)
Changing jobs What if you change jobs? Does that mean you have to
pay the tax and penalty in order to keep your money? No. You can
either:

* Keep your money in your former employer's plan

* Roll the money over into a new 401(k) plan or IRA. You do have the
option of cashing out, but unless you are 59.5 you will have to pay the
tax and the 10-percent penalty to the IRS.
For those who currently participate in the 401k, the 1% match will be
applied automatically to those currently contributing 2%. If you are
not currently participating or wish to enroll, please see administrative
personnel for details. If you have investment questions, Spectrum also
offers free advisory services: Scott Lichter, Christensen Group Insurance 952-653-1077 or slichter@christensengroup.com.
If all goes well, it is my goal to continue increasing this match. Thank
you for all you do!

Merle

PreferredOne Members:
Your employee assistance program (EAP) provides you and your
family members with tools for confronting and overcoming lifes
challenges. Its a professional support service that offers free,
confidential assistance.. They can help you by providing insights
and solutions to help you:

Resolve marital and relationship troubles

Relieve depression, stress, and anxiety

Solve parenting and child concerns

Recover from drug and alcohol abuse

Cope with anger, grief, and loss

Overcome legal and financial problems

Eliminate employee conflicts

Your EAP is included in your Preferred
One health coverage, so there is no
cost to you to use these services.
They are available 24/7. Call

H o r i z o n s P a g e

On March 13, 2015 Carefree Living Silver Bay welcomed Dr. Jennifer Brenner and her staff from Patient Centered Eye Care for a community eye care clinic. Dr. Brenner is a Licensed, Board-Certified and Residency Trained
Geriatric Optometrist. She and her staff conducted on-site
eye care for 16 of our residents which included comprehensive exams and visual acuity and refraction evaluations
with her state-of-the-art mobile equipment. They also had
eyeglasses available for residents to choose from. Mobile
eye care services provided by Patient Centered Eye Care
cost no more than traditional eye care appointments. This
was a tremendous convenience for many of our residents
who are less mobile or those with family out of town. All
comprehensive exam results were mailed back to us to
share with our residents and their families. Dr. Brenner
will be making another visit in approximately six months to
continue care of our residents. We are hoping she will be
able to visit other Carefree Living sites as we feel this is a
wonderful benefit to our residents!
Submitted by Sue Spies, Silver Bay CFL Executive Director

Aurora CFL
Becky Maki
Kalee Hawkings
Ashley Erickson
Breanna Dahl
Babbitt CFL
April Laulunen
Burnsville CFL
Inez Howard
Ivory King
Barnabas
Getanda
Cheryl Strand
Charlotte Daniels
Robyn Martinez
Peter Nyachwaya

Brainerd CFL
Mercedes Doyle
Becky Laflex
Marcie Knotz
Orr CFL
Ericka Cote
St. Cloud CFL
Sarah Chavers
Nancy Schneider
Natasha Karbedeh
Breanna Leary
Nancy Sadlowsky
Kristin Marek
Rochester CFL
Sean Jackson

Ely CFL
Nadine Owens
Emma Thompson
Michael Sanchez
Jessica Pikala

Silver Bay CFL

Trisha Harrison
Sylvia Dubbin
Kala Maleski

Corporate
Ashley Laurila
Kayla Peterson

CFL Cook
Jeanine Rutchasky
Kimberly Marwick
Ivette Reing

Eveleth HC
Barbara Saliski

On Thursday,
February
19th,
Parkinsons disease is a chronic and progressive
movement
disorCarefree
Auroder, meaning that symptoms continue andthe
worsen
overLiving
time.inNearhad their
Grand
ly one million people in the US are living ra,
withMN
Parkinsons
disease.
Opening!
Over 150
The cause is unknown, and although there
is presently
no visitors
cure,
there are treatment options such as medication
and surgery
to
came to check
out the new
manage its symptoms.
facility!
The specific group of symptoms that an individual experiences varies from person to person. Primary motor signs of Parkinsons disease include the following:

tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face

bradykinesia or slowness of movement

rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk

postural instability or impaired balance and coordination

You can help raise awareness for Parkinsons by joining PDF Champions, a group of inspiring individuals dedicated to the Parkinson's
cause, educating yourself and others about the disease, donating to
Parkinsons research, and many other ways.
www.parkinsons.org

In late 1999, Michael J. Fox made the startling announcement that he had been battling Parkinson's
disease since 1991. In May 2000, he launched the
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, a
nonprofit organization "dedicated to finding a cure
for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively
funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with
Parkinson's today." Today, the foundation is credited as the world's largest nonprofit funder of drug
development for Parkinson's disease.
MOVING DAY is the National Parkinsons
Foundation Minnesotas annual fundraising
event that unites families, friends and communities in the fight against Parkinsons Disease.
Event Information:
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Hilde Center & Park Plymouth, MN
Registration at 9:00 am
For more details, log on to www.parkinsons.org

Would you like to receive our newsletter via email? Sign up by emailing: humanresources@spectrumchealth.com

H o r i z o n s P a g e

The (S)Miles Recognition Programs purpose is designed to allow all employees (or clients) to express appreciation to any Spectrum employee who
exhibits performance that goes above and beyond normal expectations.
Period Ending March 31st, 2015

Lost Time Accidents. 0

Injury-Related Days Lost this Month..... 0
Injury-Related Days Lost 2015.......... 0
Minor injuries Reported 2015...1
Please work safely!
Lost-time injuries drive up our cost of providing quality care.

Each valid Spectrum (S)Mile is accompanied by ten Spectrum points. Employees

can use their accumulated points to purchase Spectrum branded merchandise
thru Spectrums Recognition Catalog. Please see your supervisor or administrative staff for more information on how to give or receive Spectrum
S(Miles).

This months Spectrum (S)Miles were awarded to:

Lois Archibald, Sheila Bergman, Breanna Bristol, Yvonne Broten, Monika
Brown, Nancy Carter, Shelby Claude, Ericka Cote, Brook Cote, Jan Dickson, Christina Dirks, Debra Fremling, Kathleen Gabrielson, Danee Haenke, Melanie Hangartner, and Connie Harju, Julie Hogan, Kathy Jarve,
Cindy Johnson, Chelsie Kennedy, Emily Koch, Michelle Kosnitch, Kaylee Lakoskey, Debbie Lenzen, Pam Leppanen, Jan
Mahoney, Debbie Maki, Heather Manninen, Diane Moots,
Jan Neuman, Bobbi OBrien, Kris Ott, Nadine Owens, Ashley Penoncello, Tim Rowell, Kristy Rutchasky, Brittany
Schwarz, Mary Scofield, Nicole Shusta, Harley Tuomala,
Leah Undeland, Karena Weber, Carol Wenstad, Jacki Wilsey, and Debbie Zillmer.
Thousands of (S) Miles have been given to deserving Spectrum employees since
the program began in 2010.

By Linda C., St. Cloud CFL

Do you have any old wood furniture that could use a polish?
Give this a try!
3/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup vinegar
Mix well and apply with soft cloth - may need
more than one application.
Linda says that this mixture is
amazing! The difference on their 30
year old furniture is startling!

1 can (20 oz.) unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained

1 lb. fresh strawberries, quartered
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 cups fresh raspberries
2 medium navel oranges, peeled and sectioned
2 medium kiwis, peeled , halved, and sliced
Dressing:
2 to 4Tbsp. Honey
1/2 tsp. grated lime peel
2 Tbsp. lime juice
2 tsp. poppy seeds (optional)

Orr Carefree Living hosted an open house

Our newest safety program has been a lot of fun!
Our March winners are: GiGi Littler (CFL - Silver Bay), Shelly
Gustafson (CFL - Burnsville), Nancy Carter (Spectrum Community Health, Inc. - Eveleth), and Emily Koch (CFL - Orr)!
Each winner receives $50.00 next payroll as part of our
quarterly drawing. Congratulations winners!

March 17th. An accordion player provided entertainment and music for dancing. Visitors from
neighboring Cook Carefree Living, also joined in!
Catching up amongst the residents and fun was
had by all!

Remember:
-All employees receive one new BINGO card at
the beginning of each month. Print your name
on your card when you receive it.
-If a lost-time injury occurs, no
numbers are posted for five days.
-In order to participate, you must be
actively working. You may not mark any numbers during absences greater than 5 days,
regardless of reason.

Good Luck!

Orr also recently held a BINGO luncheon on March 25th

which was open to the community. Due to the positive
response, they will be having another on April 23rd!