TO DO

DONE

GENERAL/VISION

Start with yourself- Reflame your dream for home care, remember why you first entered home care. Keep your spirit alive.

Don’t let the negative ones pull us down. Let positive ideas flourish.

Begin your meetings with a reflection that fits your vision and inspires others.

Set up a reflection room or corner of a room where staff can go to recharge.

Provide the “must’s” (proper staffing, accessible management, education on changes, etc.)  so that you can work on the “extra’s” (many of the ideas below fall into this category)

Decrease barriers to success; for example, copiers that don’t work.

RECOGNITION

Share kudos and successes at all meetings.

Write personal notes of appreciation. Copy them for their personnel files. Post them on “warm and fuzzy” bulletin board.

Set up president’s/director’s luncheons with new employees or as a reward for current employees

Offer movie passes, book or car wash coupons as rewards.

Form a Recognition Committee in a specific department; e.g. CNAs’,  to spear head  activities for their peers.

Provide each manager with a discretionary budget for recognition her staff.

Instill ownership of positive recognition, so that all are recognizing each other.

Have top management cook and serve a breakfast for the staff. Call it an  APPRIECIATION DAY,  give out certificates, company T shirts or mugs.

WELLNESS

Allow for a Wellness Committee and for individual efforts that promote an  atmosphere of health in the company by arranging one event per month and by sharing one success per month.

Give staff ideas for self care- put bath beads or tea bags in the mail box.

Write and distribute the top ten survival tips for the Holidays or for Home Care.

Provide “de icers” (carton of kitty litter to keep in car to use for icy situations)

ATMOSPHERE

Send a box of chocolates to the family of new employees, inviting them to meet coworkers at the office

Be creative about social events that fit into the busy schedule of the field staff; e.g. bring food to meetings, provide a drop in food table for a day.

Role model an atmosphere of FUN in the office, in spite of  the stress. LAUGH. Walk the Talk in trusting others.

Build a mentor program into orientation so that new staff bonds and learns effectively.  Honor those who mentor.

Promote a corporate culture of concern and caring from the top down by advertising fund raisers and other activities to reach out to the community.

Surprise caregivers with “good news” (recognition) alpha pages, voice mails, signs on drop boxes; e.g. “You are appreciated !!”

Be the first to say “hello” to some one each morning.

Have managers work to provide free car wash for field staff each spring

Have casual days in the office; e.g. every Friday staff can wear jeans.

COMMUNICATION

Use focus groups- bring together staff to provide their in put.; e.g. ask staff what needs to improve in orientation, use their idea of individualizing orientation. Caution: Don’t do this unless you are prepared to use their ideas.

Set up a question and suggestion line which is answered quickly. Distribute answers within set time frame.

Provide Caregiver Bulletins- through voice mail or newsletter- informing staff of current changes in home care and progress of company with changes; e.g. updates on OASIS.

Publish fun information- kudos, jokes, humorous stories

Tell your stories of exceptional care to each other. Make your successes come to life; e.g. patient calls nurse an “angel of God” when she brings him food from the donated food pantry. Collect and use these stories in talking about your agency to others.