PSW E-News from the Oregon Home Care Commission

November 18, 2015 

OIS-G  Openings in December

There are openings for Personal Support Workers who need Oregon Intervention System – General (OIS-G) training in the Portland area December 8 and 9. Contact Joan.E.Medlen@state.or.us for more information or call 503.373.7612

For more information about the OHCC Oregon Intervention System – General program go here: http://go.usa.gov/c2edY

 

Substance Abuse and Awareness Class is Back

The Oregon Home Care Commission has revised and returned the class, Substance Abuse Awareness to the calendar. Personal Support Workers are approved to receive a training stipend for attending this class. Log in to the Registry to register for the class (OR-HCC.org).

Salem: December 14, 2015, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Roseburg: December 15, 2015,   5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 

eXPRS Orientations from ODDS

The Office of Developmental Disability Services is offering eXPRS Orientations for Personal Support Workers in the Salem and Portland - Metro Areas. Dates and locations are available here: http://go.usa.gov/c2eSz  Keep up with what’s happening on eXPRS and for future eXPRS Orientations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EXPRSpaymentsystem/

 

Everyone Communicates @ TASH

Corinne Thomas-Kersting, CCC-SLP, the creator and instructor for Everyone Communicates will be sharing about the lessons learned from the course at the 2015 TASH national conference in Portland December 2-4, 2015 at the Portland Marriott. If you are going to TASH, come say hello!

More information about the conference is available at www.TASH.org.

 

Congratulations to new Enhanced PSWs

Congratulations to the latest class of Enhanced Personal Support Workers! These individuals have completed the 25 hours certification course.

Susan Alley                                      Marnee Mellott

Katherine Holden                            Cynthia Owens

Learn more about the Enhanced Personal Support Worker Certificate and the Exceptional Personal Support Worker Certificate Courses on our website (http://go.usa.gov/c2tTQ). The next course is expected to be offered Spring 2016. Look for the Readiness Assessment in 2016.

 

New! Homecare Choice Program

You are invited to take the online Homecare Choice Program orientation!

The Oregon Home Care Commission is happy to announce the online orientation and readiness assessment for the Homecare Choice Program is now available.  Please go to OHCC-Training.org and create a training account (this is different than your Registry login).  The enrollment key is HCP2015.

In the Homecare Choice Program, you can work for people who use their own funds for services and receive the same wage you get as a personal support worker, have workers’ compensation coverage, and have taxes withheld.  For more information, see November’s training newsletter.

For assistance or questions, please send an email to homecare.choice@state.or.us or call 1-844-494-4227

Jenny Cokeley, Homecare Choice Program Manager Oregon Home Care Commission 503-378-8190

 

 

PSW Tip of the Month

 

Sensory Overload and the “Holiday Season”

We’re heading into the holiday season which offers a wide variety of things to do and experience in the community – for everyone! Your employer may take you to all sorts of new places this time of year. Everything from visits to the mall, The Grotto, concerts, holiday light displays, dances and more are added to peoples’ calendars. Most Personal Support Workers are always on the prowl for new opportunities to experience and work on skills with employers and this season offers many.

This time of year is also filled with moments that are overwhelming to many people who experience sensory processing disorders. Visiting the mall with the sparkling holiday displays might be enticing to the person you support, but the crowds or carolers or any number of other special events may be more than they can handle. Before you know it, an opportunity to get a gift for a friend at the mall turns into a crisis.

I ran across a terrific video that share what sensory overload can look and feel like to the person who experiences it. This video (https://vimeo.com/52193530) illustrates the panic a person might feel and actions they may take in seconds. Though the main character is a young man with autism, it could be anyone at any age. The events that happen in the two minutes of the video, could easily take place in much less than a minute.

What can you do if you know the person you support experiences sensory overload at times? Here are some ideas:

1. Build trust. Your employer needs to know they can count on you when things are going well and when things are not. When a person experiences sensory overload they feel panic and vulnerable. Your response in the situation – following instructions from their individual support plan – is essential.
2. Plan ahead. If you know an activity your employer wants to do is going to be challenging, the best thing you can do is plan ahead. Talk about the event ahead of time. Things to share (verbally and visually) include
   • When it will happen (Day, Date, time).
   • Who is going with them.
   • Who will be there.
   • How you will get there.
   • What will happen when you are there. This can include everything from how you will pay, where you will sit, the type of music, crowds, lights, and more.
   • When the event be done.
   • What to do if the person needs to leave early.
   • How you will get home.

Knowing the plan is very helpful to people who may experience sensory overload doing something new to them. Some people will need it written down. Some will need to be able to see it with pictures or drawings. Some want it spelled out in their phone. Some will want to talk it over many times. However you communicate this information, going over it in advance is key to success. The more chances a person has to take in the information, the more opportunities they have to process it.

3. Recognize the warning signs. A person may show signs of panic, aggression, or simply shut down when they are experiencing sensory overload. Every person has a unique way of communicating when they begin to feel overload. These signals to you are usually not verbal. When you see signs that the person you are supporting is overwhelmed, that’s the time to draw from the list of “what works” to reduce the impact of the situation. Sometimes this is as simple as reminding them to pull the hood of their coat. Sometimes it means finding a calmer place. Some people may have a specific routine they use to calm themselves. Remember, your employer is trusting you to support them by acting on the warning signs.

 

These are very general ideas and may not be appropriate for the person you support. You may want to refer to your employer’s One-Page Profile or “What Works” and “What Does Not Work” for the person you support if it is available to you. If you do not have this information, it might be something to explore together with your employer.

 

Sometimes what you will learn from the person you support is that it’s best not to go to loud, crowded events and no amount of planning will change that. What’s your next strategy? Maybe it’s for the two of you to look for things to do that will not be a sensory challenge.

 

The most important tool you have to use is not taking over. Remember, the person you support is in charge. It’s their role to decide – or choose – what to do. Planning for it together, side-by-side, is the most powerful support tools available.