East Region

July 12, 2013:  Is our Iceberg Melting Too?  An Expedition Toward Consistent Assignment

Location: Brentwood Community Center, Room 104, 2505 South Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood.  RSVP to Ruthie at rrrochman@alz.org or (314) 801-0446.  There is no charge to attend but registration in advance is appreciated.  Based on expected attendance, special seating arrangements may be necessary.

Southwest Region

July 16, 2013:  Food and Dining – Dining with Friends

Location:  Council of Churches, 627 North Glenstone, Springfield.  RSVP to cindybutler@mchsi.com.

Route 71 Region

July 19, 2013:  Interact III

Location:  Community Center, 200 North Ash, Nevada.  RSVP to sghouser@medicalodges.com. 

Please visit the Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change (MC5) website for more information.

Pioneer Network’s 13th Annual Conference

August 11 – 15, 2013:  Hear the Voice, Honor the Choice

The Nation’s Largest Conference Focused Solely on Culture Change and Person-Centered Living

Please visit http://pioneernetwork.net/Events/2013Conference/.

Artifacts of Culture Change Tool

There is a tool available to help you assess your home’s progress on the culture change journey.  With the assistance of providers, researchers, and contractor Carmen Bowman of Edu-Catering, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the Artifacts of Culture Change assessment tool.  Through funding from the Commonwealth Fund, the Pioneer Network developed an interactive web-based version of the Artifacts of Culture Change for providers to input and score their data online.  Use of the tool is FREE.  All identifying characteristics of your home are coded and only you can monitor your home’s progress.  However, you can check out the trends in homes across the country.  Look at homes like yours: Under 50 residents, 50 to 100 residents, more than 100 residents, in big cities, small towns, urban or rural, profit, not-for-profit, or government ownership, Medicare-Medicaid certified and a combination of characteristics of homes just like yours.  For more information please visit http://www.artifactsofculturechange.org/ACCTool/

Artifacts of Culture Change

In April 2013, I visited The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield.  The Manor is a 100-resident Medicare/Medicaid-certified skilled nursing home owned by Vetter Health Services.  Administrator Matthew Gould showed me around and told me how they strive to provide person-centered care in accordance with Vetter Health Services’ mission, vision, and values…to read more and view photos, click here: The Manor at Elfindale

In January 2013, I visited the Silver Spur in St. Louis.  The Silver Spur building was originally a hospital.  Then from the 1940s to the 1970s it served as a rooming house, until it was purchased by the current operators, Arena Manor, Inc.  Silver Spur is a 34-resident assisted living home that serves individuals with mental illness.  Since the home is so small, staff members and residents know each other well… to read more and view photos, please click here: Silver Spur Assisted Living

In November 2012, I visited Life Care Center of Waynesville (LCCW), which is a 120-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home.  In addition to Medicare/Medicaid certification, they have additionally obtained Joint Commission accreditation.   LCCW is operated by Life Care Centers of America, which manages more than 220 skilled nursing homes, sub-acute, and Alzheimer’s Centers in 28 states.  LCCW has been recognized by Life Care Centers of America as “Facility of the Year” for the Central Division, which includes 35 homes in four states.  They were also included in the US News and World Report’s 2012 Best Nursing Home List.  Admission/Marketing Director Dawn Payne showed me around and introduced me to residents and staff.  To read more and view photos, please click here:  Life Care Center of Waynesville

In August 2012, I visited Madison Medical Center in Fredericktown.  Madison is a hospital based, not-for profit, county owned, Medicare/Medicaid certified intermediate care and skilled nursing home.  They participate with the Southeast MC5 (Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change) regional group and their Culture Change Committee is leading many quality of life improvements.  They are licensed for 119 residents, but only have 70 because part of the building shut down for renovation.  They currently have eight private rooms but are planning to convert to private rooms with private baths.  Director of Nursing Kristen Starkey showed me around and told me about all of the changes they are making.  To read more and view photos, please click here:  Madison Medical Center

The Living Center in Marshall is just across the road from the Saline County Fairgrounds.  It is also just a short drive from Sedalia, where the Missouri State Fair is held.  Participating in fairs is an important facet of the residents’ lives.  Since some residents are no longer able to travel to the fair, the fair comes to them.  Fair week included four days of activities, such as a petting zoo, talent show, pie eating contest, and more…To read more and view photos, please click here:  The Living Center 2012

In May 2012, I visited Parc Provence in Creve Coeur.  Parc Provence is a 130-resident, state-licensed-only, skilled nursing home that specializes in dementia care.  Director of Resident Well-Being and Social Services Angela Keeven showed me around.  Angela is also the West Regional Representative for MC5 (Missouri’s Culture Change Coalition).  Parc Provence uses the “Forget-Me-Not” questionnaire to document individual preferences and to guide the care and services they provide.  Residents are very active and engaged, with the assistance of a large staff of caregivers, including a dentist, a massage therapist, music therapists, art therapists, and over 30 activity specialists.  They also have many interns and volunteers…  to read more and view photos please click here:  Parc Provence