May 23, 2011
CareLink, Inc. Awarded Accreditation From the Joint Commission
By demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s national standards for health care quality and safety, CareLink, Inc. has maintained the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval.

“We have sought and maintained accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to client safety and quality care,” says Cathy Meckes, president. “We view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence.”

The Joint Commission accreditation process includes evaluation against a set of national standards by a Joint Commission surveyor experienced in the delivery of home care services. Accredited organizations are required to demonstrate continuous compliance with standards through an annual self-evaluation and an unannounced site visit every three years. CareLink, which holds both Home Nursing and Home Services licenses from the state of Illinois, is accredited for both its nursing and is supportive services.

CareLink provides skilled nursing, supportive services and care coordination to help elderly individuals, people with chronic illness, and disabled individuals live safely and as healthy as possible in their own homes or apartments. CareLink serves central Illinois and eastern Missouri from offices located in Quincy and Springfield, IL.

May 17, 2011
Patient Advocacy Is Topic of Workshop
Cindy Paul RN and Carlene Blickhan RN of CareLink, Inc. recently attended a workshop sponsored by the Professional Patient Advocate Institute, an organization that offers training and support to individuals engaged in patient advocacy. Patient advocacy includes individuals from various disciplines who work with health care consumers and their families to assist them in addressing their health care needs in the increasingly complex health care system.

The workshop covered assessing and analyzing needs; identify issues and barriers; developing options and plans; and providing patient support. The patient advocacy movement recognizes that the healthcare system can be difficult to navigate. People with catastrophic injuries, chronic illness, complex medical conditions and age-related needs can benefit from having a professional assist them in achieving the best possible outcomes.

CareLink provides skilled nursing, supportive services and care coordination to help elderly individuals, people with chronic illness, and disabled individuals live safely and as healthy as possible in their own homes or apartments. CareLink serves central Illinois and eastern Missouri from offices located in Quincy and Springfield, IL.

May 10, 2011
CareLink Staff Attends National Conference
Cathy and Steve Meckes of CareLink, Inc. recently attended the annual leadership conference of the National Private Duty Association (NPDA). The conference brings together leaders in the home care industry to share ideas and expertise in all aspects of privately paid (non-Medicare) in-home care.

Topics included customer service; hiring, training and retaining excellent employees; legal updates; and trends in in-home care practices. NPDA represents organizations which provide services to elderly and disabled individuals in their own homes, promoting quality and accountability in the provision of services that enable individuals to live safely and comfortably in their own homes.

CareLink provides skilled nursing, supportive services and care coordination to help elderly and disabled individuals live safely and as healthy as possible in their own homes or apartments. CareLink serves central Illinois and eastern Missouri from offices located in Quincy and Springfield, IL.