protect – Beatitudes Community

We Will Do All We Can to Protect Our Beatitudes Family

Mon, September 20, 2021 Published by Michelle Just

Beatitudes Campus mission commits all of us to a model of service for our residents – to inspire purpose and vibrancy in all that we do. Our mission compels us to do all we can so that we do no harm to the ones we love and serve. We are so grateful to our Beatitudes Strong staff, particularly in the last 19 months, who have lived out our mission and worked hard to protect our Beatitudes family and ensure the safest environment possible.

Below is a letter I sent to every staff member, informing them of the policy.

I want to thank all of you for your steadfast support and flexibility throughout the past 19 months of this pandemic. I hope that you and your families are doing well despite the many challenges we have collectively faced and continue to experience because of the pandemic.

Over the past month, much has happened both nationally and locally within life plan communities, such as Beatitudes Campus, regarding COVID-19 vaccines and requiring staff to become vaccinated. As we have always said, we will follow the science, and the science overwhelmingly points to the vaccine’s critical role in protecting our residents, our community and each other from this deadly disease.

We carefully deliberated and reviewed recommendations from scientists and the medical community and the requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and we have made the decision to require all Beatitudes staff and contractors to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by no later than November 15, 2021. Concomitant with this decision, on August 18, 2021, the White House announced an initiative to increase vaccination rates in America that included mandatory vaccinations for long-term care workers in nursing homes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) followed quickly with an announcement of forthcoming regulation mandating vaccinations for all staff working in nursing homes. On September 9, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that included the provision that 17 million health care workers at all facilities, hospitals, home health providers, dialysis centers and other health service providers that receive funds from Medicare and Medicaid be fully vaccinated.

This decision was not an easy one to make. We know that this requirement will affect a portion of our staff. But as COVID-19 variants emerge and proliferate, it is critical that we protect everyone who lives and works at Beatitudes Campus. Our campus mission commits us to a model of service for our residents that promotes soundness of mind, spirit and body. We chose to work in the field of aging so that we could serve some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, and we owe it to them to take every measure possible to ensure the safest environment possible. Our residents and staff expect to be safe at Beatitudes Campus and we need to do everything we can to protect our Beatitudes family. We have a unique and special responsibility to keep the campus as safe as possible to protect our residents and staff, especially as the risk environment rises, as it has during this pandemic.

We understand that this may be a heavy and emotional issue for some staff. There will be a very limited allowance for exemptions for our staff from being vaccinated. Those exemptions will be for legitimate, fully documented medical reasons as well as fully documented long-held religious beliefs. We also understand that some Beatitudes staff will choose not to be vaccinated who do not qualify for one of the rare exemptions. We urge those employees to reconsider based on facts and science. We are all in this together. Together we serve our residents and together we have a collective responsibility to keep them as safe as possible. We encourage you to talk to your manager or director, or, alternatively, we will have our spiritual life team of Rev. Peggy Roberts and Rev. Andrew Moore as well as our nurse educator, Karen Mitchell, who can talk with you confidentially.

Beatitudes Campus policy for a vaccine requirement has been distributed, as well as the forms should you seek an exemption.

Please take a moment to reflect on why you chose to work at Beatitudes Campus and with the seniors who live here. The campus would not have a 56-year history of success without the contributions of a dedicated staff. Throughout this pandemic you have demonstrated your dedication and bravery in the face of unprecedented and challenging circumstances. The residents you love to serve, the residents you help to live their best, most successful and engaged life, are enriched by the Beatitudes team. They deserve to live in the safest community possible. We must do everything possible to deliver a safe environment for them.

We are Beatitudes Strong! Thank you.

Sincerely,
Michelle Just, President and CEO

What You Should Know About Grease Fires

Sun, July 14, 2019 Published by Gabi Holberg

More than 50 percent of cooking fires are caused by grease, cooking oils or fats, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). A grease fire happens when your cooking oil becomes too hot. Heating oils first start to boil, then they’ll start smoking, and then they’ll catch on fire.

PUTTING OUT A GREASE FIRE

1) Evaluate the severity of the fire. If the fire is still small and contained to one pot, it is safe to extinguish it by yourself. If it’s beginning to spread to other parts of the kitchen, get everyone assembled outside and dial for emergency services. Do not place yourself in the way of harm.

Call emergency services if you’re too afraid to go near the fire or don’t know what to do. Do not risk life and limb to save a kitchen!

2) Turn off the heat on the stove immediately. This is your first priority, given that a grease fire needs heat to stay alive. Leave the pot where it is, and don’t attempt to move it, as you may accidentally splash oil on yourself or your kitchen.

If you have time, put on an oven mitt first to protect your skin.

3) Cover the flames with a metal lid. Fire needs oxygen to continue, so covering it with a metal lid will essentially smother the flame. Place a metal pan lid or a cookie sheet on top of the fire. Do not use glass lids; they can shatter when exposed to fire.

Also avoid using ceramic lids, bowls and plates for this purpose. These can explode and become dangerous shrapnel.

4) Dump baking soda on small fires. Baking soda will put out small grease fires, but won’t work as effectively on larger ones. It will take a large amount of baking soda to get the job done, so grab the whole box and dump it generously on the flames until they’re extinguished.

Table salt will also work. If you can get your hands on that faster, use salt.

Do not use baking powder, flour or anything other than baking soda or salt for this!

5) Use a chemical fire extinguisher as a last resort. If you have a Class B or K dry chemical fire extinguisher on hand, this can put out a grease fire. Since the chemicals will contaminate your kitchen and be tough to clean up, only do this as a last resort. However, if it’s the last line of defense before the fire gets out of control, don’t hesitate!

AVOIDING BAD PROCEDURES

1) Never throw water on the grease fire. This is the number one mistake many people make with a grease fire. Water and oil don’t mix, and throwing water on a grease fire can even cause the fire to spread.

2) Don’t swat at a fire with a towel, apron, or any other fabric. This will fan the flames and spread the fire. The fabric itself could also catch on fire. Don’t place a wet towel over a grease fire to snuff out the oxygen, either.

3) Do not throw any other baking product on the fire. Flour and baking powder may look similar to baking soda, but they won’t have the same effect. Only baking soda and salt are safe and effective on a grease fire.

4) Do not move the pot or take it outside. This is another common mistake people make and it may seem logical at the time. However, moving a pot of burning oil can cause it to spill, potentially burning you and any other flammable objects it comes into contact with.

PREVENTING GREASE FIRES

1) Never leave the stove unattended when cooking with oil (and in general). Unfortunately, most grease fires happen when someone steps away just for a moment. Grease fires can happen in less than 30 seconds, though. Don’t turn your back on hot grease.

2) Heat oil in a heavy pot with a metal lid. Cooking with a lid both contains the grease and cuts it off from its would-be oxygen supply. A grease fire can still erupt with the lid on the pot if the oil is hot enough, but it’s far less likely to happen.

3) Keep baking soda, salt and cookie sheets nearby. Get into the habit of making sure these items are within easy reach when you’re cooking with grease. If a fire erupts, you’ll have at least three different ways to immediately snuff it out.

4) Clip a thermometer to the side to monitor oil temperature. Find out the smoking point of the particular oil you’re using, then use a clip-on thermometer to monitor temperature as you cook. If it gets too close to the smoking point, turn off the heat.

5) Watch for smoke and be aware of acrid smells. If you see wisps of smoke or smell something acrid while you’re cooking with oil, immediately turn down the heat or remove the pot from the burner. The oil won’t immediately catch fire once it starts smoking, but smoke is a danger sign that it’s getting close to that point.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…

Sun, December 2, 2018 Published by Cheryl Knupp

The end of November and early December tends to be the time of year when we start decorating for the holidays. It is also the time of the year in which we hear more about electrical fires caused by holiday decorations. Below are some tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International to help make sure your home and building is safe for the holidays:

Inspect electrical decorations for damage before use. Cracked or damaged sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or start a fire.

Do not overload electrical outlets. Overloaded electrical outlets and faulty wires are a common cause of holiday fires. Avoid overloading outlets and plug only one high-wattage into each outlet at a time.

Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights. More than three strands may not only blow a fuse, but can also cause a fire.

Keep trees fresh by watering daily. Dry trees are a serious fire hazard.

Use battery-operated candles. Candles start almost half of home decoration fires (NFPA-National Fire Protection Association).

Keep combustibles at least three feet from heat sources. A heat sources that was too close to the decoration was a factor in half of home fires that began with decorations (NFPA).

Protect cords from damage. To avoid shock or fire hazards, cords should never be pinched by furniture, forced into small spaces such as doors and windows, placed under rugs, located near heat sources, or attached by nails or staples.

Check decorations for certification label. Decorations not bearing a label from an independent testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), or Intertek (ETL) have not been tested for safety and could be hazardous.

Stay in the kitchen when something is cooking. Unattended cooking equipment is the leading cause of home cooking fires (NFPA).

Turn off, unplug, and extinguish all decorations when going to sleep or leaving the house. Unattended candles are the cause of one in five home candle fires. Half of home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11PM and 7AM (NFPA).

In addition to the tips from ESFI, please remember to ensure any cords and decorations are not tripping hazards or hazards for pets and children. We want you to enjoy the holidays and it never hurts to have reminders about safety. If you have any concerns about your holiday decorations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Maintenance and place a work request to have them inspected.

Wishing you all safe and happy holidays!*

Independence Day

Thu, July 5, 2018 Published by Cheryl Knupp

An amazing event took place 242 years ago, when thirteen colonies asserted their independence from England which ultimately led the way to the creation of the United States of America. This special day continues to be celebrated every July 4th and is known as Independence Day. Many of us learned about our independence day in history classes, but there are some little known facts you might not have learned previously. Constance Gibbs, wrote the fun article “5 things you didn’t know about the Fourth of July” which ran July 4, 2017 in the New York Daily News to share some of those facts.

“Fun fact: Many Americans don’t know some basic facts about their country. Polls have revealed that only 45% of Americans knew what the initials in GOP stood for, 25% of Americans couldn’t identify the country from which we gained independence from, and a majority of Americans couldn’t name more than one protection guaranteed in the first Amendment of the Constitution.

With the explosive success of the ‘Hamilton’ musical, those who have seen it have internalized info about the American Revolution. But if it’s been a while since AP U.S. History, here are five fun facts about Independence Day worth brushing up on.

INDEPENDENCE DAY IS REALLY LONGER THAN A DAY

July 4 is the day we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but not all 56 eventual signers signed that day. There is actually quite the dispute about who signed the document and when. Some say it was the 4th of July, 1776—when John Hancock affixed his big, loopy signature. This copy was then sent to the printers, where 200 copies were made. A few others signed the original a few days later, perhaps on July 8th, the day it was read aloud in public for the first time. But most members of the Second Continental Congress did not sign until August 2 — so maybe we should just celebrate Independence Month.

A FREAKY COINCIDENCE MARKED THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY

Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, died exactly 50 years after it was signed — on July 4th, 1826. As legend has it, Adams’ last words were, ‘Jefferson still survives.’ But he’d already died five hours earlier.

WHY RED, WHITE AND BLUE?

Most people are aware what the stars and stripes represent on the American flag (the 50 states and original 13 colonies, respectively), but why red, white and blue? The common story is that the colors represent purity and innocence (white), hardiness and valor (red), and vigilance, perseverance and justice (blue). But that was actually the reasoning the creator of the Great Seal of the United States gave for including the flag in the stamp that wasn’t used until 1782. The colors of the flag, however, may simply have been chosen because it was designed after the British Union Jack. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

WHAT DO FIREWORKS HAVE TO DO WITH INDEPENDENCE?

Fireworks on the Fourth of July is a tradition dating back to 1777, the first anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail, that he wanted Independence Day to be ‘celebrated with pomp, parade, shows, and Illuminations’, hence the splashy show we put on. The day in the letter to which Adams is referring, however, was not July 4, but rather July 2 — the day the Declaration was voted upon by delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies.

TWO OTHER COUNTRIES CELEBRATE FREEDOM ON JULY 4

Fireworks have been a tradition in America on July 4th since the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration thanks to former President John Adams.

There are two other countries that celebrate July 4th as a day of independence or freedom. In the Philippines, this day is Republic Day—not the Southeast Asian country’s independence from Spain — but their independence from the U.S.! The Philippines were a U.S. territory until 1946.

And over in Rwanda, July 4 is Liberation Day, when the country ended the awful Rwandan Genocide in 1994 after 100 days of conflict.”

As we celebrate our independence again this year, I will be reflecting on how lucky we are that our forefathers fought for our freedom to make our great nation. Enjoy!*

Look Into an Eye Exam

Fri, December 16, 2016 Published by Cheryl Knupp

When was the last time someone sat you down, looked deep into your eyes and measured your intraocular pressure?

That’s the pressure inside your eye. Measuring it can find early signs of glaucoma, one of several common eye disorders that can appear without much warning.

Like many health conditions, eye diseases often are easiest to treat when found early. It’s one reason why eye experts suggest regular eye examinations—and why it might be time for you to schedule one.

A good look at your eyes

A comprehensive exam at an ophthalmologist’s office can be an eye-opening experience in many ways.

People often aren’t aware that their vision could be better than it is, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). You may be surprised at how much more clearly you could be seeing.

You also might undergo some testing that literally widens your eye—or your pupils, at least. Called a dilated eye exam, it uses drops to enlarge your pupils so the doctor can more easily spot damage or eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. Keep in mind that the test can leave your vision blurry for a few hours.

Other testing you can expect during a complete eye checkup:

A visual field test to measure your peripheral—or side—vision.
A light beam shined into your eyes to check pupil constriction.
A visual acuity test to assess how well you see at different distances.
A test to check for glaucoma by measuring eye pressure.

When to schedule eye checkups

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends vision exams for children:

At birth. All newborns should have a basic exam. Some newborns may need additional exams based on risk factors.
Between 6 months and 1 year of age.
Between 3 and 3 1/2 years of age.
When they start school and any time after that when a problem is suspected.

For adults, the AAO recommends comprehensive exams to screen for eye disorders at the following intervals:

At least one exam between ages 20 and 29.
At least two exams between ages 30 and 39.
A baseline screening for age-related disorders at age 40. (Your eye doctor will tell you how often to come in between ages 40 and 64.)
A complete exam at least every two years after age 65.

The above schedule is in addition to updates for lens prescriptions or treatment for eye injuries or ongoing problems.

Your eye doctor might suggest more frequent checkups if you:

Have a family history of eye problems.
Have high blood pressure or diabetes.
Had a previous eye injury.
Are an African American over age 40, which puts you at higher risk for glaucoma.

Keep your eyes healthy

There are a number of steps you can take between exams to keep your eyes healthy, according to the NEI. These include:

Ban rays. Wear protective sunglasses when outdoors. Look for shades that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.

Go for goggles. Wear the appropriate protective eyewear when working around the house or playing high-impact sports.

Look away. Give your eyes a rest after staring at the computer or focusing on anything for a long period of time. The NEI suggests looking away into the distance for about 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

For more information log on to www.azblue.com.

Getting Personal with Protective Equipment

Fri, November 11, 2016 Published by Cheryl Knupp

Personal protective equipment (PPE) helps prevent injuries and is necessary in many types of jobs. Employers are responsible for eliminating workplace hazards. However, when a hazard can’t be eliminated, appropriate PPE must be provided. It’s your job to not only use PPE, but to maintain and to store it as well.

When selecting a pair of gloves, make sure you’ve got the right type for the job you’re doing. Make sure they fit properly and are in good condition, There’s a glove for every type of job. For example:

General purpose work gloves protect against dirt, scrapes, slivers and low to moderate heat.
Rubber or plastic gloves generally are used for chemical protection.
Antivibration gloves provide hand and wrist support while absorbing shock and vibrations that could lead to injuries.
Disposable gloves made of latex, vinyl, etc. protect against blood and potentially infectious body fluids, chemicals and other hazards.
Metal mesh gloves protect against cuts, rough materials and blows from tools.

Proper fitting shoes are important for comfort and safety. Inspect footwear for cracks, holes or tears, and be sure to replace or repair shoes if necessary. The safety shoe has protective features that are needed to do your job safely:

Ankle guards to prevent sparks from getting into the shoe.
Insulation to protect against heat and cold.
Instep protection made of aluminum, steel, fiber or plastic.
Steel toe or metal toe boxes for impact and compression hazards.
Puncture protection.

Protective helmets can keep you safe from impact, spills, splashes and other hazards. Hard hats have five parts: the shell, the suspension or inner straps, the brim, a liner for cold weather and sometimes a chin strap.

Adjust the fit properly.
Store the helmet away from dirt and chemicals.
Never carry anything inside the helmet’s suspension.
Inspect the helmet often for dents, cracks and signs of wear.

If you work where there is airborne dust or grit, danger of flying particles or splashing chemicals, you need eye protection. Choose the protective eyeware best suited for your job.

Glasses with impact resistant lenses that have side shields provide adequate protection for most types of work.
Flexible fitting or cushion-fitting goggles fit easily over prescription glasses and provide front and side protection.
Special purpose eyeware, such as chemical or chipping goggles, provides maximum protection from fumes and flying debris.
Full face shields may be worn in addition to protective eyeware for maximum facial protection.

Personal protective equipment must be worn, fitted properly and kept in good condition to be effective. Check with you department manager when choosing the appropriate PPE for your job. For more information go to www.copperpoint.com.

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