Assisted

74 South Broad Street

Living

Services, Inc.

Meriden CT 06450
www.assistedlivingct.com

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014

203-634-8668
Quarterly Newsletter

IMPORTANT NEWS ON

A NEW REGULATION IMPACTING

HOMECARE WORKERS

Assisted Living Technologies, Inc.

is pleased to announce Julianne
Abernathy as the newest member to
our team of Assistive Technologies
Specialists. Julianne has extensive
experience
working
with
communication programs that assisted
students with severe developmental
disabilities.
She has the ability to customize and
modify
various
communication
devices and other assistive technology
devices an area that Assisted Living
Technologies, Inc. would like to begin
to explore. Some of the programs she
has mastered include DynaVox,
GoTalkNow,
Proloque
and
ProxTalker.
Julianne is very
competent in the use of computers and
software and enjoys opportunities to
teach and train others.
Julianne
attended Manchester Community
College where she has taken
coursework in pursuit of her A.S. as a
Disability Specialist.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
AWARD
July - August - September
Sarah Obeng PCA

A new regulation is being implemented in 2015 that will change

the way some homecare workers get paid. The rule that is being
changed has been in place since 1974 and is called the
Companionship Exemption for minimum wage and overtime.
It has long been a method that allowed the cost of in-home care
for seniors to be affordable. This rule change will now require
that homecare agencies pay workers at least minimum wage and
overtime for hours worked. Of course at Assisted Living
Services, Inc. we always pay workers above minimum wage and
PCAs well above minimum wage and overtime (and more than
most of our competitors!) However, the big change in this
regulation will be how Live-in Companions get paid. We are
actively working on how this rule change will impact Live-ins
but generally it will mean that they will get an increase in pay.
Our hope is to have more information on this soon and will be
visiting each Live-in to explain how this will impact them.
Unfortunately, any way you look at this the cost of home care will
have to go upand that is not a good thing. For staff that work
hourly, please try to understand that by reducing overtime (hours
worked over 40 per week) helps to keep our clients rates
affordable and helps to increase new jobs for others.

During this Holiday Season, the owners and management of

Assisted Living Services, Inc. and Assisted Living
Technologies, Inc. would like to take this opportunity to thank
all our caregivers for their wonderful dedication and care of our
clients. We would also like to thank our families for entrusting
us with the care of their loved ones.

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful season

A clients family member wanted the

office to know how appreciative she
is of the caregiver caring for her
Mom. Below are excerpts from the
letter.
I have been

meaning to write to
you for awhile. Charlotte is a gem.
She takes care of Ma in a very
special way. She is so on top of
everything she amazes me.
...With Charlotte it is not like she
is doing a job. There is genuine
care and compassion for Ma. She
was even sewing some of Mas
dresses. She is so helpful to me,
making different suggestions that I
would think why didnt I think of
that.
...In the past when I had concern I
contacted you. It is only fair to also
contact you where someone is doing
an outstanding job.
- Susan S. for Frances H.

Library for the Blind and

Physically Handicapped

Many of our clients have a

problem with their vision
which makes it difficult or
impossible for them to read.
If they have an interest in
reading
and
staying
connected you can contact
or have their family contact
the State number listed at
the end of this article.
A network library of the
Library
of
Congress

Last month was Fire Safety Month

and the office staff attended fire
extinguisher training. We reviewed
that to operate a fire
extinguisher remember
the password PASS.
Call 911 first and then
standing 6-8 feet from
flame:

P ull the pin

A im the nozzle at the base of the fire
S queeze the extinguisher handle
S weep nozzle side to side at base
of the fire
When we visit you in homes, we look
around for any safety problems or
issues. If you are concerned with
anything or have a question contact
the office and ask for your manager.

In State: 1-800-842-4516
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
www.ct.gov

2nd quarter 2014 - Survey Comments

Tracy N. and Charlotte W. were
excellent caregivers. Tracy is a
very special young woman.
- Laura L. for Alice L.
Linda M. is very competent and
caring. - Marjory L.

Fire Safety

National Library Service for

the Blind and Physically
Handicapped lends books and
magazines
in
recorded
formats along with the
necessary
playback
equipment, and materials in
Braillefor FREEto any
Connecticut adult or child
who is unable to read regular
print due to a visual or
physical disability.

The best. Anyone else who

has this Homemaker has a
gem. - Norma M.
Carol and Nancy have been
reliable and punctual.
- Mary S.

(Grace R.) goes over and above to

make my mother comfortable.
- Pam M for Palma M.

This is a very nice comment written about Assisted Living

Technologies. The client has a new system that helps her
video visit with her special needs sister. We are grateful for
the opportunity to help others with our Technologies!
Dear Mario,
A million thanks to you and Julie Ann for all of your work
today!
My sister and I video talked at least 10 times tonight!! It
was wonderful!!!
Thank you so much for everything. What you do is life
changing for the clients and familys that you help. I hope so
much that you know this!
Sending so many thanks your way.
Kindest regards, L. E.