Rankings Released for Best Places to Work: Central Valley

Rankings Released for Best Places to Work: Central Valley

April 20, 2017

April 10, 2017 (Modesto)—Central Valley organizations with a strong workplace environment were recognized on Wednesday, April 19 at Dustbowl Brewery in Turlock. In front of a crowd of elite local businesses, the companies receiving the award for Best Places to Work: Central Valley were named.

The complete list of recipients is as follows:
• Ambeck Mortgage Associates
• Community Hospice
• DeHart Plumbing Heating and Air
• Grimbleby Coleman CPAs
• Huff Construction Company, Inc.
• Opportunity Stanislaus
• PMZ Real Estate
• Prime Shine Car Wash
• Warden’s Office Products

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is in its first year of program participation and expects double digit growth for the 2018 program, which will begin in November. “The organizations selected for this designation are leaders in their field without exception,” said David White, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Stanislaus. “Their cultures and emphasis on employee satisfaction are evident in their employee response and evidence shows prospective employees will look favorably on these rankings as they search for their next position.”

All companies that participated in the 2017 Best Places to Work: Central Valley program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment
programs.

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is brought to you by Opportunity Stanislaus, Prime Shine Car Wash, and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on Best Places to Work: Central Valley visit //bestplacestoworkcentralvalley.com/.

Community Hospice – April Super Star

April 20, 2017

Our Community Hospice Super Star for the month of April is Kristin Gromm! Kristin went above and beyond to support our mission and ensure high quality care for our patients.

LOCAL NONPROFIT RECEIVES A $100,000 GRIEF REACH GRANT FROM THE NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION

April 19, 2017

Contact: Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

PHOTO CAPTION: LOCAL NONPROFIT RECEIVES A $100,000 GRIEF REACH GRANT FROM THE NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION

STOCKTON, CA (April 19, 2017) — Community Hospice Foundation today announced it received a $100,000 Grief Reach grant from the New York Life Foundation, which will enable the organization to expand their school based Grief Relief Program in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The New York Life Foundation created the Grief Reach grant to help providers overcome barriers to bringing grief support services to youth not served by existing bereavement programs.

Pictured l to r: Employees from New York Life’s Stockton General Office including Administrative Manager Nathaniel Moore, Managing Partner Mychael Nguyen and Agent Lars Willerup present a $100,000 Grief Reach grant check to Monica Ojcius, Executive Director of Community Hospice Foundation (third from left) in support of the organization’s Children’s Grief Relief program. Please visit the organization’s website at www.hospiceheart.org for more information.

Preparing Your Home for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide

April 17, 2017

Alzheimer’s disease affects about 5.4 million Americans, about 5.2 million of which are 65 and older. It can be your grandparent, your cousin, your sibling or even your parent who faces the diagnosis. Eventually, those with Alzheimer’s require round-the-clock care, and for many families, that means taking the loved one into their own home.

Alzheimer’s disease has unique symptoms and traits, so it’s likely that your home will need some modifications in order to create the best environment for your loved one. This guide will cover all the adjustments you should consider making room by room, with tips on creating both the safest surroundings and the most secure environment. Many of them are simple enough to complete on your own, but others may require the skills of a trained professional to ensure the safest result. Keep in mind that every home and instance of Alzheimer’s disease is different, and needs will vary from family to family. Always consult your doctor about your loved one’s specific needs and challenges.

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Six Things Seniors Can Do To Improve Memory

April 10, 2017

“What was it I was looking for in the fridge?” “What was it I was supposed to get at the store?” “What’s your name again?” Most of us have had to ask questions like this, and it seems to happen more often as we get older. We can’t turn back our biological clock, but there are things Seniors can do to reduce their amount of forgetting.

I have been studying memory research literature for quite a few years now, and I know some of this research is relevant to everyday memory problems. I have summarized these findings in my book, Thank You Brain for All You Remember, and keep readers up to date with my blog (see thankyoubrain.com).

Here are some things I’ve found to be helpful for us Seniors.

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The Benefits of Cooking with Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide

April 3, 2017

In many advice columns and informational resources for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, you’re likely to find recommendations that suggest unplugging the stove. There’s solid reasoning behind this advice: Some people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease may begin to cook but lose track of what they’re doing partway through the process. When the stove is forgotten, the results can be disastrous.

So while there’s a valid safety reason behind preventing loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease from inadvertently putting themselves in harm’s way by cooking alone, there are an abundance of valid reasons why cooking can be a beneficial activity for people who have Alzheimer’s disease – all the better when it means spending quality time with someone they care about.

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Community Hospice Awarded BETA Healthcare Group Participant of the Year

March 28, 2017

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

Community Hospice Awarded BETA Healthcare Group Participant of the Year

MODESTO, CA (March 28, 2017) – Community Hospice, the community’s oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider serving the Central Valley, was awarded Participant of the Year by BETA Healthcare Group-Worker’s Compensation on February 23, 2017 at the Annual Participants’ Meeting held in Newport Beach, CA. BETA Healthcare Group formerly known as Alpha Fund, is the largest professional liability insurer of hospitals in California. Additionally, BETA provides workers’ compensation coverage for over 40,000 healthcare workers in the state.

Community Hospice takes pride in the Culture of Safety it has developed over the past years. Recognizing that culture isn’t built overnight, Community Hospice acknowledged that lacking this Culture of Safety would negatively impact its ability to deliver on the company mission of providing compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay. “Our staff is our most important asset in delivering our mission,” mentions Community Hospice’s Director of Human Resources, Jennifer Dunn. “If we were unable to provide a safe atmosphere for our staff to work in, we could not provide the education, support, training and patient care to our patients and families.”

With the leadership of President/CEO, C. DeSha McLeod and her team, Community Hospice has put into place measures to ensure employee and patient safety remain at the forefront of employees’ minds. “We take safety very seriously and upon ourselves and hold each other accountable to see safety risks and make corrections on our own to avoid potential problems” explained C. DeSha McLeod. From day one of employment, Community Hospice demonstrates to staff their commitment to this culture through extensive training, education and supportive programs all focused on health and safety. But the message doesn’t stop there; safety is woven into the fabric of their operations. Whether it be a vibrant and effective safety committee with members from every level of the organization, quarterly safety inspections of each facility, monthly safety presentations at all-employee meetings, or putting all employees through an extensive defensive driver training program, Community Hospice continually reminds employees of the importance of safety and how it fits into their daily tasks.

Community Hospice, Inc. serves as an outstanding example of what Commitment, Accountability, Responsibility and Engagement in a Culture of Safety can achieve. BETA Healthcare Group is proud to present this well-deserved award to Community Hospice, Inc.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

About BETA Healthcare Group
BETA Healthcare Group is the largest professional liability insurer of hospitals in California, providing coverage to more than 200 hospitals and healthcare facilities. In addition, BETA provides workers’ compensation coverage for over 40,000 healthcare workers in the state. BETA also has a long-established and growing commitment to physicians with BETA providing medical professional liability coverage to nearly 6,000 physicians and more than 50 medical groups. Beyond primary liability and workers’ compensation coverage, BETA provides an entire suite of alternative risk and insurance services, including excess liability coverage, excess workers’ compensation coverage, third-party claims administration services, risk management consulting services and claims management consulting services. Whether with hospitals, medical groups, clinics or hospices, BETA has earned a reputation for financial strength, rate stability, quality service and breadth of coverage that is unparalleled in the industry. For more information, please visit www.betahg.com.
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Promoting Mental Health at Home: How to Design the Perfect Meditation Room

March 27, 2017

There are all kinds of benefits to meditation, both physical and psychological. From reduced chronic pain to better cognitive function, meditating every day or even a few times a week is a wonderful way to boost your overall well-being and happiness. Creating the ideal space for your quiet reflection isn’t difficult, but there are specific elements you’ll want to include and others you’ll want to avoid. Let this be your guide to designing the perfect meditation room in your own home, and reap the most benefits from your meditation time.

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