Quality Plus Care, Inc.

Welcome To Quality Plus Care, Inc.

SENIOR WELLNESS PROGRAM

Quality Plus Care, Inc. launched its Senior Wellness Program on March 16, 2012 at the Academy Square Apartment, a senior care building in Chicago, Il. Spearheading the event were Jeff Yerro, Director of Nursing and Melissa Biancalana, administrative officer who introduced the 7-week program to the residents of the said facility. To make it more enjoyable, healthier and educational, the once-a-week program will cover areas such as exercises, health screenings, presentations/lectures, group discussion, music, and social activities. QPC has prepared the following weekly theme --- "Getting in Shape", "Lunch and Learn", "Arts and Crafts", "Home Safety Check", "Just Dance", and "Commit to be Fit".

The Academy Square Apartment is just one of several senior centers in Chicago that QPC has scheduled to promote the Senior Wellness Program and the company intends to bring the project in the neighboring suburbs as well. Administrator Gerardo Madanguit states that "this is part of our initiative for performance improvement program for 2012 while at the same time reaching out to the community to be our partners in health promotion program.

The major focus of our Senior Wellness Program is Home Safety, Fall Prevention and Promotion of Independence. "To achieve this, we need to educate seniors how best to manage their health and well-being through proper regular exercise, healthy diet, home safety maintenance, taking medications as directed by physician, and partaking in social activities. We want to encourage people especially the seniors to regularly exercise at a level they can tolerate to help maintain and improve their mobility, balance, stability, and strength so they can be more independent in their own homes or in a community setting," said Jeff Yerro.

Extending our health into the golden years is a goal we should all strive for. Being passive about fitness and wellness can bring illness such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or stroke that will interfere with our quality of life or can result in frequent hospitalizations or long term care. By optimizing our level of fitness and wellness, we can increase our chance of being independent, and do the things we want to during our retirement years like travel, enjoy time with our grandchildren. Friends and family or even stat a second career or pursue a lifelong dream.

To learn more about our Senior Wellness Program or if you wish to schedule the program to your facility, please call Melissa Biancalana at 847-677-4100.

Intravenous Therapy Program
By: Maria Makowski

Our Healthcare team led by Pamela Salazar, RN, Maelaurece Plaza-Cross, RN and Avelina Diaz-Acevedo, RN took part in a two-day Intravenous Therapy Certification program on March 14 and 15, 2012 held at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Il. The comprehensive seminar was conducted by Infusion Therapy Institute, a leading independent organization who has been providing in-depth knowledge of intravenous therapy education including hands-on training to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, physicians offices and clinics.


Mae Plaza-Cross, RN and Avelina Diaz-Acevedo, RN	Pamela Salazar, RN and Avelina Diaz-Acevedo, RN

Infusion therapy is the administration of medication directly into a vein including antibiotics, fluids, nutrition, chemotherapy, pain medication and supplemental iron. An overview of the course include IV administration methods, state specific regulations and legal considerations, fluid, electrolytes and acid-base balance review, drugs classifications, measures to prevent medication errors, clinicians" responsibilities prior to, during and post IV drug administration, review of circulatory system, selecting peripheral veins appropriate for venipuncture, infection control measures, short term and long term vascular access devices, equipment and supplies selection, IV drip calculation, patient and caregiver education program, IV catheter insertion and troubleshooting technique, routine care and maintenance, central venous access device assessment, nursing measures to prevent and manage potential complications, and documentation guidelines.

Quality Plus Care, Inc. recognizes that continuing education is an important tool and a proven method of enhancing one's skills. We remain focus in our goal to keep our clinicians up-to-date with the ever-changing technology as it applies to their profession, update and upgrade their professional knowledge and skills, broaden their outlook and ultimately ensure that patients benefit.

MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and while colon cancer is not a comfortable topic for many, it is essential to raise awareness as colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. Most types of colorectal cancer begin with polyps (grape-shaped growths on the lining of the colon and rectum). Removing a polyp early may prevent it from becoming cancer. Polyps are very common in people older than 50 years of age and usually are benign (not cancerous), but some polyps can slowly develop over the years into cancer.

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer begins in the digestive system and symptoms may differ depending on where the cancer starts. In its early stages, colorectal cancer often has no symptoms, which is why screening tests are important. People who have symptoms may have a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation or a feeling that the bowel does not empty completely. They also may experience bright red or very dark blood in the stool, stools that are narrower than normal, discomfort in the abdomen including frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps, weight loss with no known reason, constant and extreme tiredness, vomiting and anemia (low iron in the blood).

Some of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions. Talk with your health care provider if you think you are having any of these symptoms.

Who should be concerned about colorectal cancer?

While it does not get the attention of other cancers, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer (excluding skin cancer) in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Risks factors include:

Age: Chances of developing colorectal cancer increase after age 50. More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are older than 50.
Personal history of colorectal cancer: If you have had colorectal cancer, even though it has been completely removed, you are more likely to develop new cancers in the colon and rectum.
A personal history of colorectal polyps: If you have had an adenomatous-type polyp, you are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer, especially if the polyps are large or if there are many of them.
A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): If you have IBD, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease, you should begin having a screening colonoscopy eight to 12 years after being diagnosed.
A family history of colorectal cancer: Some cancers "run in the family" because something in the environment has contributed to the development of cancer and/or because certain family members were born with or inherited an increased susceptibility to cancer.
Unhealthy lifestyle choices: High fat diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking and heavy use of alcohol all play a role in colorectal cancer.

What are treatment options for colorectal cancer?

Treatment for colorectal cancer depends mostly on the size, location and extent of the tumor, as well as a person's overall health. Surgery to remove the tumor is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy also may be used to kill cancer cells. With new surgical techniques, treatment rarely requires a colostomy (an opening into a "bag" for passage of bowel movements).

How can I reduce my risk for colon cancer?

Screening is the most powerful tool in prevention regular screening should begin after 50 years of age.
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods.
Limit the intake of high-fat foods.
Be physically active with at least 30 minutes of exercise on five or more days of the week.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Know your family's cancer history.

More information about colorectal cancer can be obtained by contacting:

National Cancer Institute
800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
www.cancer.gov

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov

Quality Plus Care, Inc. celebrates Christmas with the Elderly

True to its tradition of sharing the spirit of Christmas with the seniors, Quality Plus Care, Inc. hosted its annual Holliday celebration with the residents at two senior centers Homan Community Square and Eden Supportive Living in Chicago, Il. Last December 2011.

The holiday season can sometimes be difficult for seniors who either have no family, with little or no resources or acquaintances, or that they don't get to see their folks all that often," said Jeff Yerro, the Director of Nursing of Quality Plus Care, Inc. This a wonderful opportunity for us to cheer them up and bring to them the spirit of the season".

Dressing up as Santa Claus is Melissa Biancalana, one of QPC's staff who distributed gifts to the seniors. Assisting Melissa are marketing coordinators Tiffany White and Sade Daniels. The highlight of the event is the Bingo which is a favorite game of everyone. They also sang Christmas carols, danced and dined. Overall, it was a very happy occasion and everyone had a wonderful time.

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