July 2010, July was CPR renewal month at Accredited Health Services.   All Field Nurse Supervisors renewed their CPR Certification in order to remain in compliance with regulations as well as for patient safety.

May 2010, May 6-12, 2010 is National Nurses Week and Accredited Health Services would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to our staff and community nurses who help people be as healthy and independent as possible at home and in the community.  Take pride in who you are and the job you do every day. Know that you matter and that someone's life is better today because you cared.

February 2010, Accredited Health Services is proud to announce the relocation of our East Orange Office to South Orange.  Our new address is 76 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079.  Our phone number will remain the same at 973.674.7700.  Our new fax number is 973.761.1691.

February 2010, A grass roots effort by the management staff of Accredited Health services raised much needed dollars for the people of Haiti. Accredited reached out to all of its employees, both office and field staff, promising to match dollar for dollar of monies contributed to the cause. The response was heartwarming and a generous donation was made to the Red Cross for Haitian relief.

February 2010, is American Heart Month

Prevention:  What Can You Do?

Eat a healthy diet. Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high blood cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet can also lower your blood pressure.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate a number called the body mass index (BMI). Doctors sometimes also use waist and hip measurements to measure a person's excess body fat.

Exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.

Don't smoke. Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. So, if you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.

Limit alcohol use. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which causes high blood pressure.

Learn more from the CDC here.

December 2010, Accredited Health Services would like to wish all of its employees and clients a happy and healthy holiday season.

November 30, 2009, In keeping with Accredited Health Services philosophy of reaching out to the community, the staff organized a clothing drive for children at the Wynona's House Child Advocacy Center in Newark, New Jersey. The staff collected warm coats and clothing for children in abusive situations.

November 12^th, 2009, AHS participated as a home health care sponsor at the 30^th anniversary educational seminar for NEW JERSEY HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE ORGANIZATION in Eatontown, New Jersey. We learned how to educate consumers on coping mechanisms when dealing with a loved one with a terminal illness. AHS takes great pride in assisting all hospice caregivers to allow their loved one's to make decisions about their care.

November 5, 2009, In an effort to recognize the wonderful contributions made by our home health aides, Accredited Health Services participated in the annual Home Health Aide Recognition Day. This is a statewide event honoring home health aides throughout the state. Accredited was pleased to recognize four home health aides with a combined total of sixty years of service. They are Judith Castro 1996, Vania Coe 1996, Emanuela Charles 1998, and Trevolyn Hendricks 1989. It was a wonderful occasion with presentations, food, raffles and gifts. Accredited was very pleased to recognize these wonderful individuals.

October 2009, Accredited Health Services is proud to announce that it has once again been reaccredited by the COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR HOMECARE. The Commission awards this distinction to agencies that consistently meet the highest standards of patient care and are willing to submit to vigorous auditing procedures. Consumers should feel secure that they will receive the quality of service that they deserve at all times.

October 29, 2009, AHS participated at the NATIONAL CAREGIVERS CONFERENCE, held in Woodbridge New Jersey. Speakers, exhibitors and attendees alike had an opportunity to meet, mingle and discuss the latest care giving information.

October 25, 2009, The staff of the Hackensack office participated in the GREATER NEW JERSEY'S ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION MEMORY WALK AT VAN SAUN PARK, PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY. The staff met with patients, families and members of the Association to show support for this terrible disease. Accredited received a regional high stepper appreciation certificate for their assistance in helping to raise funds for care, support and research. Accredited is proud to be part of the Alzheimer's Family.

October 18, 2009, The staff of our South Orange office became involved in their community and worked to help raise awareness for breast cancer by participating in the MAKING STRIDES FOR BREAST CANCER WALK, at Military Park in Newark, New Jersey.

August 2009, "I Strive for 5"

Accredited Health Services is committed to service excellence, and has implemented a customer service program called: "I Strive for 5." Our employees constantly strive to make our clients comfortable, happy and completely satisfied with the services they receive. The special qualities we look for in our employees are: concern for the client's comfort and right to privacy; sensitivity to the client's needs; courtesy and respectfulness to clients and family members; and effective communication; all leading to provision of excellent home care services for our clients. Upon Admission to service our Nursing Supervisor reviews with our client our "I Strive for 5" program, including the names and contact information for all senior executives so that clients may contact us at any time. We also conduct frequent Client Satisfaction Surveys which have consistently demonstrated a high degree of customer satisfaction with our services. Accredited has a comprehensive Corporate Compliance philosophy, plan, and program to promote honesty and integrity throughout the organization. Corporate Compliance training is provided to all staff, and performance improvement activities are continuous. We evaluate each day the services we are providing to our clients and constantly work to ensure that each client is completely happy with the services they are receiving.  We provide the highest level of service to our clients so that they may remain comfortably, safely, and independently in their own homes and receive the best home health care experience. At Accredited, Customer Satisfaction is our foremost goal and prime commitment to you and your family! We would appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate our excellent home care services to you

May2009, Accredited Health Services proudly celebrates 30 years providing Home Healthcare Services to the Residents of New Jersey.

May 1, 2009, Accredited Health Services participated in the 6^th ANNUAL ESSEX COUNTY WALK TO END HUNGER. This event, sponsored by Catholic Charities Food and Nutrition Network; Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity, brought together a coalition of food pantries as well as schools, businesses and organizations, who all walked the streets of Newark to raise awareness and money to feed our neighbors in need. Accredited Health Services' donation will help provide hundreds of meals to hungry children and families during the summer months.