Newsletter for December 2006 Volume 3 - Issue 12 - Page 1

General Operations
Ladeska (Decky) Makings, Chief Operations Officer
We set out to make our fortieth anniversary year the best ever here at Sunflower and were successful in so many ways. Facility and organizational improvements, the development of several successful fundraisers that will become annual events, the addition of a cub scout pack for children with disabilities to compliment our adult scouting program and Kiwanis Aktion club, increased involvement in community events and service projects, and so many personal successes for the people we serve. We said goodbye to some longtime employees but have several great new staff that are a welcome addition to our team. Below are some statistics from year’s end you may find of interest.

In 2006:
* Sunflower served 143 people in Day, Residential, Supportive
   Home Care, Community Employment, Case Management
* 34 people worked in the community through CE and CS
   employment programs
* Our General Public Transportation van traveled 326,511
   miles to provide 51,005 rides
* Completed 205 contracts for 31 contract customers in our
   manufacturing operation
* Client payroll was $189,184.00
* Processed 2,775,000 pounds of material in our recycling
   operation
* Provided pick-up service to 187 area businesses
* Provided 110,504 hours of support to 66 people in our
   residential/SHC programs at 45 locations
* Facilitated 977 medical appointments
* Facilitated 118,020 medication administrations

Our fortieth year may have set the new standard but we will continue to look forward to each New Year as an opportunity for continual improvement in our mission to assist the people we serve in reaching their highest potential as responsible, productive adults. Our supporters help make it possible - thanks to each and everyone.

Hope to see you at the exciting events we have planned for the coming year. As always, if you have a specific question, would like to have more general information, or if you or a group would like to tour our facilities, please give me a call at 792-1321.

           The greatest mistake you can make in life is to
                     continually fear you will make one.


Medical Services
Sharon Henderson, RN
Medical Services promotes wellness of body, mind and spirit with education and positive supports. Medical Services staff includes: Sharon Henderson, RN; Candra Deschner, Support Staff; and Diane Ramos, Restorative Aide.

I just had my 10th anniversary on December 2. Many changes have taken place in ten years but the caring and support of the people I work with still continues.
 
When I first became the nurse at Sunflower Diversified, I had very little experience in how to get medical equipment paid for and wheelchair care.  Of course, there were many other things I had to learn also. In the past few years I have learned more about equipment for our people and the Medicare guidelines have also become more lenient.  I can remember when it took an act of Congress to get a hospital bed for someone unless you could prove extreme respiratory distress.  Now we are able to get lifts, wheelchairs, hospital beds and some other equipment. It still requires an order from the primary physician and a real need to have the equipment but we usually can get it if needed as long as the person has Medicare.  It still remains very difficult if the person only has Medicaid and not Medicare.
 
Another area that is difficult for our people is dental care if they need to be sedated for the procedure. In fact, dental care for all of them is difficult.  We have started using We Care Dental and are hoping that will help some.
 
The Medicare Drug program has overall worked for our people, mostly because during the gap period from $2250 to $3600 is taken care of by Medicaid.  There is a small co-pay for some drugs. Usually $2 to $3 dollars, but overall it has not been a negative experience.
 
I have enjoyed my ten years as your nurse and have learned so many things and continue to keep learning.