Diamond Personnel Nannies & Caregivers

Thank you and congratulations to our Overseas candidate, Cathy, for your amazing testimonial! We are so proud to have introduced you to an amazing family that is already so excited to have you join them in Canada. We know you have worked incredibly hard for your bright future — we cannot wait to see what sorts of great things you’ll accomplish.

Diamond was introduced to me by a long time friend, not interested until I saw their advertisement in Filipino Newspaper recently. I decided to attend orientation,   had an assessment on the spot and submit all my required documents the next day.

 

I am overwhelmed hearing Mary congratulating me a day after my first interview. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciations to ALL STAFF (Shauna and Mary) for your great assistance.

I will never find the right words to express my deepest and sincere gratitude to Diamond Personnel Agency for all the things they have done and still doing.

 

Looking forward to see you guys and the family I am going to join soon.

— Cathy

With the summer crawling closer and closer, parents and caregivers everywhere are scrambling to find productive, fun, and (hopefully) educational ways to keep the youngsters occupied. Of course, almost ever child dreams of spending the day chasing around the park, watching TV and eating ice cream all day.

Unfortunately, it’s up to the adults to establish fun, interactive and athletic activities. Scheduling play dates, pool dates, trips to the library, museum and science centers are all great ideas, “down time” is required. We found a great article that lists new and fun cartoons that defy gender stereotypes.

If you are going to indulge the kids with some TV time, you might as well pick fun, exciting and progressive programs to watch!

Click here for the link to the original article.

My personal favourite? The Legend of Korra, but I am a big fan of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender series.

Happy Monday, Diamond Community! It is a searing hot and beautiful day here in Toronto, which means everyone should be slathering on some sunblock before they step outside. For anyone unfamiliar with sunblock protection and what it means, here is our personal guideline on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from from sun damage.

• Even one serious sunburn — serious meaning a sunburn that resulted in peeling or blistering — before the age of 18 can double a person’s chances of skin cancer?
• Always put on sunblock when going outside, even during the winter. Make sure to apply 30 minutes before heading out, and always reapply after a swim or excessive sweating.
• Keep hydrated! Keep yourself and your loved ones hydrated, and always keep some water handy.
• We know with the sweltering humidity and rising temperatures that the temptation to wear less is even more enticing  but keeping yourself covered with light layers is actually the better choice. Always don a hat outside, and linen attire is a light and refreshing option, while still keeping the body covered.
• When purchasing sunblock, looks for one with an SPF ofat least 15.Also look for sunscreens with “broad spectrum” labelled on it — that means it will protect from UVA and UVB rays. 
• Don’t forget to apply on the back of your neck, ears, nose and even lips!
• Stay in the shade when the sun is at its height: at 11 am to 4 pm. 

For more comprehensive information, click here. You can also speak with a doctor.

In North America, severe allergic reactions to tree nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts, etc), medication, bug bites and more is increasingly common. The reaction can be fatal, so individuals afflicted with the allergy carry an emergency tool called an EpiPen. An EpiPen can be used for ANY severe allergy, such as medication, insect bites and stings, and more.

For many of our overseas candidates, using an EpiPen is a whole new experience, and Diamond Personnel is here to walk you through it!

First and foremost: what is an EpiPen? An EpiPen is a long, cylindrical syringe filled with epinephrine and should only be used for emergency purposes.

What are EpiPens used for? An EpiPen is used an emergency tool used primarily for allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). EpiPens are prescribed by a doctor, and cannot be purchased anywhere. They are typically self-administered, but as a a caregiver for a child, the child may not be capable or strong enough to administer it themselves — that is where you come in.

What are a few examples of an allergic reaction?

• Hives — They are a red, angry looking rash that spreads over the body. The bumps are slightly raised and puffy.

• Itchiness
• Runny nose
• Rashes
• Difficulty breathing (severe)
• Stomach pain with vomiting (severe)
• Swelling of lips, mouth, tongue and throat (severe)

When do you use an EpiPen? When a child has a life-threatening emergency reaction, such as difficulty breathing, is when an EpiPen should be utilized.

For more information about when to use an EpiPen, click here.

How do you use an EpiPen? 

1. Remove the EpiPen Auto-Injector from its carrier tube
2. Hold it firmly, with the orange tip pointing downwards
3. Remove the blue safety release
4. Bring arm upwards, with the orange tip and push the orange tip firmly into mid-outer thigh until you hear an audible “click”
5. Hold EpiPen to thigh for several seconds

As aggressive as it may seem, an EpiPen must be stabbed into the outer thigh to be used properly. Do not inject the EpiPen into the child’s buttocks, because that does not ensure that the medication is injected properly.

When removing the EpiPen, an orange needle cover will automatically slide out and cover the injection needle. The needle will never be exposed.

For a clear, step-to-step guide, click here.

How do you store an EpiPen? Knowing how to properly store an EpiPen is crucial — improperly stored EpiPens can inhibit how well it can work.

• Always store EpiPen in the carrier tube with the safety release on until you need to use it.
• Keep EpiPen^®at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.The EpiPencan be exposed to temperatures between 15°C to 30°C.
• Do not keep EpiPen in a vehicle during extremely hot or cold weather.
• Protect the EpiPen from light.

Does an EpiPen expire? Yes it does! Make sure that the EpiPen is replaced before its expiration, so make sure you know the expiration date of the child’s EpiPen.

For more information about EpiPens and allergies, please speak with a doctor or you can visit www.epipen.ca . A consultation with a doctor would be best, but for an overview, visiting the site is an excellent way to learn.

If you are a Diamond Overseas Candidate and this is your first time working for a family that needs an EpiPen, don’t be nervous! Discuss the techniques and information with the parents, and if necessary, you can practice emergency scenarios until you are confident.

Good luck!

No matter how experienced or skilled a parent or caregiver is, there is always some trepidation and nervousness when it comes to the care of any child.

We’ve found an amazing piece on Parenting.com with an excellent breakdown of how best to cope with First Aid emergencies like bug bites, allergies and more!

Take a look at this helpful guide — you’ll be astounded by how much you learn! Also be sure to discuss appropriate steps, measures and medications to use on the children WITH the parents before making any decisions. In case of an emergency, memorize a list of any existing allergies and of any medications the child may be using. Come up with a game plan before hand with the parents about what steps you need to take in case of a health emergency.

You can access Parenting.com’s guide here.