Build your home care partnerships this January

It’s time to make an effort to recognize an important health care partner that might not be getting much love: your local pharmacists. Jan. 12 is National Pharmacist Day. These important professionals not only serve as an additional safeguard to keep seniors safe from potentially dangerous drug interactions, but can be a wonderful source of referrals.

• Take time to drop in on your local pharmacists with a gesture of appreciation for the work they do. This can be a simple and memorable personalized card.

• While calling on your local pharmacists, be sure they know the benefits home care can have for their customers, particularly medication adherence, fall prevention, companionship and increased patient safety. Be sure to leave behind brochures that outline your general services.

• Partner with a local pharmacist and staff a table together at a local health fair. Work together to answer health and medication-related questions from attendees. Be sure to take her to lunch afterward.

• Place an item on your local government’s regular meeting agenda seeking to officially recognize Jan. 12 as National Pharmacist Day in your community. Be sure to attend the meeting and sign up to speak either as the item is read into the record and voted on or during the meeting’s public comment period. Spread the word to the pharmacists in your community and encourage them to attend to receive their well-deserved recognition in person.

• Update your agency website with a badge and short recognition of pharmacists. Take photos of a few community pharmacists and include them in the post to help your clients take notice of these often unsung professionals.

• Utilize your social media streams to show your support of pharmacists and the work they do.

Plan for December: Get ready for the New Year and start 2014 with a focus on wellness

We all know that maintaining a healthy weight is about more than just looking good – it’s about feeling good and leading a healthy life. Healthy Weight Week is Jan. 19-25, and it’s an ideal time to remind seniors that a eating well and maintaining a healthy weight can help them avoid or lessen complications from many illnesses and live a more active life. Focus on education as you kick off the year, and show the community your passion for health.

• Participate in community health fairs this month and distribute disease information brochures about diabetes and rack cards about weight loss. Don’t forget to have plenty of agency marketing brochures on hand, too. Find them at www.tagwebstore.com/disease-information-brochures.php and www.tagwebstore.com/rack-cards.php and www.tagwebstore.com/faq-brochures.php.
• Host a community education class about diet and nutrition at an area senior center or senior-focused church group. Find a done-for-you class at www.tagwebstore.com/healthmatters-education-series.php.
• Replacing sugary drinks with cool, healthy water is a great way to improve hydration and facilitate weight loss. Distribute water bottles personalized to your agency to your new clients to help them achieve their goals. Find them at www.tagwebstore.com/water-bottles.php.

Some of our strongest partners in providing comprehensive health care to seniors are pharmacists. National Pharmacist Day is Jan. 12. Take the time to educate pharmacists on ways your agency can help customers who might need help adhering to their medication regimen or who may be at risk of harmful complications. Be sure to recognize them for all the work they do.

• Call on your local pharmacists and give them a playful card that thanks them for their hard work. Include a small treat with the card. Find them at www.tagwebstore.com/giveaway.php.
• Be sure the pharmacists in your area receive a copy of your agency’s home care calendar. Encourage them to display it in an area where they and their customers will see it often. Find it at www.tagwebstore.com/homecare-calendars.php.
• Leave stacks of your agency’s rack cards about issues common among seniors at your local pharmacy counter. Find them at www.tagwebstore.com/rack-cards.php.

New Year’s Day is only days away. It’s time to plan your marketing for the year and make sure you’re increasing your presence in your community. Effective marketing strategies are the key to keeping your agency’s name top of mind and ensuring you’re the agency of choice when it’s time to make a referral.

• Contact local senior centers, assisted living facilities, church groups, retirement groups and other local groups with a large senior attendance. Work out a schedule for your agency that will allow you to regularly reach out to these groups by hosting a series of community education classes. Find done-for-you classes that don’t require participation by a clinician, complete with handout and promotional materials at www.tagwebstore.com/healthmatters-education-series.php.
• As you craft your marketing plan for the year, use the power of variable data campaigns to get a specific message to a specific audience. Reach seniors, referral sources or potential employees – all by name – with a personal message that is relevant to each. Learn more at http://itargetcampaigns.com/.