March Rehab News
What is a Snoezelen Room?
What is a Snoezelen Room?
On any typical day at Nazareth Home Clifton, an elder with dementia might become agitated and confused. When this occurs, our staff can utilize the Snoezelen Room to provide stimulating options to calm the elder.
Snoezelen comes from the Dutch words “snuffelen,” to explore, and “doezelen,” to relax. A Snoezelen Room is a controlled, multisensory, therapeutic environment that soothes, stimulates and helps reduce agitation and anxiety. It can also engage and delight, stimulate reactions and encourage communication.
Snoezelen Rooms were first created in the 1970s for autistic children and later was developed for patients with dementia or for elders suffering from anxiety or confusion. It allows elders to seek out experiences that engage their senses of seeing, hearing, touching and smelling.
The dark space serves as a blank slate on which a variety of visual stimulation can be used, including bubble tubes, black lights with shimmering curtains and a projector that fills the room with images that could jog a memory.There are also textured boards and mats to stimulate touch, relaxing music and aromatherapy oils and lotions.
Research suggests that spending regular time in a Snoezelen Room can have a positive effect on blood pressure and motor skills. It also can reduce the risk of falls because the stimulation helps maintain balance.
A Snoezelen Room is a powerful tool and one more way Nazareth Homes enhances the lives of the elders through innovative compassion and person-centered care.
Stories in Mind Provides Engaging and Interactive Activity for Elders with Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Stories in Mind Provides Engaging and Interactive Activity for Elders with Dementia and Alzheimer’s
“There is no greater power on this earth than story.” – Libba Bray
Stories in Mind, a program facilitated by Tony Dingman, brings the magic of storytelling to life and the power of connection to elders living with dementia and Alzheimer’s at Nazareth Home.
Stories in Mind is a perfect example of our person-centered approach to care. Creative storytelling allows us to connect with each elder and provide an enjoyable and empowering moment. Elders can express themselves without any pressure or expectation. The activity doesn’t require memory; therefore the focus is on them being engaged, active and present.
Connecting with others is at the core of being human, and that doesn’t change when a person has dementia or Alzheimer’s. With Stories in Mind, we connect, instill hope, spark imagination and make the best of each moment.
Feet to the Fire Writers’ Workshop Engages Elders
Feet to the Fire Writers' Workshop Engages Elders
Living an active and engaged life with opportunities to grow and learn is essential at every age. Regularly participating in life enrichment activities promotes brain health and lowers health risks associated with isolation and loneliness.
Nazareth Home offers programs that are designed to nurture the mental, physical, spiritual and social aspects of elders. And creating community partnerships that focus on establishing relationships foster an empowering environment.
One of these partnerships is with Angela Burton, founder of Feet to the Fire Writers’ Workshop. This workshop ignites memories and engages elders through writing and reminiscing. It focuses on creating an experience that provides a sense of community and purpose, fitting perfectly into Nazareth Home’s person-centered approach to care.
“Partnership is a profoundly important concept at Nazareth Home. One of our key values is collaborating with others who have the same type of drive and commitment,” said Nazareth Home Clifton Administrator, Lisa Biddle-Puffer. “Through these partnerships we enhance elder’s spiritual and emotional fulfillment, providing excellence in care.”
At Nazareth Home, it’s important to provide a healing ministry for the mind, body and spirit. Our dedicated team focuses on this mission by building partnerships that contribute to enriched, engaged and purposeful lives. Programs like Feet to the Fire Writers’ Workshop, empowers elders to make the most of life each day.
We Love our Superheroes!
We Love our Superheroes!
It has been said that superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. And at Nazareth Home we know this to be true. We see it every day with our employees and the innovative, compassionate care they provide to the elders.
Our employees get to know the elders, along with their families, by building relationships and wholeheartedly supporting our person-center focus. They make Nazareth Home the special place that it is, and they are the reason we succeed. In fact, the extraordinary compassion and care that our staff provides is mentioned repeatedly in our reviews.
“Part of our mission at Nazareth Home is to embrace our staff, and serve them with the same innovative, compassionate care that we provide the elders,” said Human Resource Director Jennifer Smith. “It’s important that we make it easy for our staff to come to work, and enjoy what they are doing. Happy staff makes a happy workplace.”
We love our superheroes! Thank you to each of you for all your hard work!
Volunteer at Nazareth Home
Volunteer at Nazareth Home
Make a difference in the lives of elders by volunteering at Nazareth Home. Spending time with older adults is a fulfilling experience, just ask our volunteers and staff. For every moment you share with them, you are blessed with a smile, laugh or life lesson.
Nazareth Home volunteers are a vital part of our person-centered care philosophy, offering their time, talent and gifts to love and serve others in every stage of life. And there are many ways you can help, from special events to everyday tasks.
Our volunteers work with our expert staff in all areas, from playing cards, reading to the elders, helping with the grounds, assisting elders to Mass, and so much more. It’s a great way to spend time with others and even make some new friends.
“I love the personal interaction with the residents. Many days I receive more than I give, and I hope I have returned to them the love they have given me,” said Charon Clayton, a 14-year volunteer at Nazareth Home.
If you’re interested in making a difference in the life of an elder, there are numerous volunteer opportunities available at Nazareth Home and Nazareth Home Clifton. To learn more or to fill out our volunteer application, visit nazhome.org/volunteer.
Keep Your Heart Healthy
Keep Your Heart Healthy
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. In Kentucky, 15.5%* of adults age 65+ are affected by heart disease. February is American Heart Month, and Nazareth Home is raising awareness to help prevent heart disease and increase knowledge of its effects.
Making healthy lifestyle choices can help lower your risk of developing heart disease. It is also essential for people currently living with heart disease to control and prevent risk factors. To reduce your risk:
- Exercise and eat healthy
- Watch your weight
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter throughout February for more tips on keeping a healthy heart.
*Reported by americashealthrankings.org
“Chicken Soup for the Soul” Group
“Chicken Soup for the Soul” Group
At Nazareth Home, our person-centered approach is carried over into our activities. We create an environment based on compassionate caring and stimulating activities that enhance elders’ spiritual and emotional needs.
In early January, we launched a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” group that meets bi-weekly to share heartwarming stories. During the group, selections from the book “Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul” are chosen and read aloud, thought-provoking questions are asked and elders share their memories and life stories. This group allows residents to get involved, form relationships with other elders and staff, share their life experiences and most importantly enjoy each others company.
This group is also an essential tool for promoting socialization and intellectual stimulation. Studies have shown that remaining active and social can play a role in aging well. It’s those connections that help elders thrive.
“It’s a joy to see the elders get involved, share their stories, and most importantly enjoy themselves,” said Bridget Bunning, Director of Pastoral Care & Mission at Nazareth Home. “Personal response from the questions have led elders to remember events that have happened in their own lives and share them with the group.”
The “Chicken Soup for the Soul” group meets every other Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in the Spalding Square neighborhood at Nazareth Home. Elders and their family members are invited to attend. For more information, contact Bridget Bunning at 502-479-2533 or bbunning@nazhome.org.
Nazareth Home Receives Multiple Awards for Excellence in Care
Nazareth Home Receives Multiple Awards for Excellence in Care
Nazareth Home has been recognized for their excellence in care by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Nazareth Home and Nazareth Home Clifton were two among the top four skilled-nursing facilities in the Louisville area awarded a Medicare bonus by CMS for reducing hospital readmission rates.
The CMS program, Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP), focuses on better outcomes and the quality of care given to people with Medicare. Organizations are measured on how often patients are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days after being discharged to a skilled nursing facility.
“Our short stay Medicare program has delivered top of the class outcomes for quite a few years now due to the excellent team of medical, nursing and therapy providers,” said Mary Haynes, president and CEO of Nazareth Home. “We are committed to recovering patients and getting them home as soon as possible.”
In addition to the national recognition, both Nazareth Home campuses were recently recognized by the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities (KAHCF) at their Annual Quality Awards Banquet.
For the second year in a row, KAHCF honored Nazareth Home with three awards for their outstanding commitment to quality care and leadership. Nazareth Home and Nazareth Home Clifton were recognized as “Best of Kentucky – Nursing and Rehabilitation,” Jessica Klausing, with Nazareth Home Clifton, was recognized as “Best Nursing Care,” and Dr. Bonnie Lazor, Medical Director at Nazareth Home, was recognized as “Best Health Care Partner.”
“We are honored to receive three Best of Kentucky awards, and are proud of the expertise our care team brings to elders on a daily basis,” said Haynes.
Nazareth Home was also recognized at LeadingAge Kentucky’s annual conference with two awards. Nazareth Home volunteer, Anita Fitzgibbon, received the 2018 Adult Volunteer Award and Nazareth Home Clifton received the 2018 Innovation Award for their Opioid Project.
This program provides non-opioid options and other alternatives for pain relief along with the use of pain medications. A “Comfort Menu” was established that provides alternative options for chronic pain such as lavender essential oil, hand massages or a relaxing sound machine. Since implementing this program, Nazareth Home Clifton has seen a decrease in the percentage of residents with prescriptions for opioid pain medication, a decrease in residents’ indicators of pain and a decrease in incontinence caused by opioid use.
Haynes credits the employees of Nazareth Home and Nazareth Home Clifton with their recent accomplishments, “Our success is due to the research and commitment of our team to bring the absolute best standard of care to the people we serve.”
Caring with Innovative Compassion
Caring with Innovative Compassion
Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer once said, “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” At Nazareth Home campuses, we seek to serve others by focusing on innovative compassion and providing individualized attention to each residents’ needs and desires.
We seek high-tech and low-tech solutions to foster an engaging environment where elders and staff thrive, together. Stroll through our homes, and you will see first-hand the role innovative compassion plays in person-centered care.
Throughout our homes, you will see elders utilizing It’s Never 2 Late technology systems to foster human-connectedness while receiving palliative care. This system empowers residents to connect and engage through technology. By providing tablets, residents can skype with family, explore, recall experiences and continue to write their own life- story.
In our Memory Care neighborhood, Charity Court, you will see those with dementia benefit from our personalized True Doors decals. These decals that are placed over the residents’ door look like a door from their past home or another door from around the world. It creates a warm and familiar environment, bringing residents’ identities to the forefront while creating an atmosphere that feels more like home.
Our Namaste program improves quality of life through meaningful sensory activities that stimulate the senses, promote relaxation and offer comfort and serenity to those living with dementia. This program diminishes feelings of stress and anxiety and promotes feelings of personal meaningfulness.
With our approach in care, the involvement of the elders family is crucial and encouraged. Our Peace of Mind program helps elders and families adjust to the transition of moving to Nazareth Home by developing relationships with them. One designated staff member visits with family and the elder before moving in, along with spending 8-24 hours with the elder for the first few days of their move. Our goal is to build deep relationships with our residents so that we can tailor to their specific needs and desires. After all, this is their home, and we are simply the guest.
When transitioning from the hospital to our rehabilitation program and back to home, our BEST (Building Effective and Safe Transitions) program ensures residents, along with their families, experience a smooth, safe and effective transition. Our nurse practitioners continually track and follow up with residents and families throughout the process.
Our support groups for caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or dealing with grief provide the opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings. Together we discuss coping strategies or firsthand information about innovative treatments or therapies. We strive to be a resource for our residents’ families and the greater community.
In the course of everyday life, our staff forms endearing relationships with elders by honoring and nurturing each of them. By utilizing staffing and financial platforms, we ensure our ability to maintain a consistent staffing model for higher quality care and service. Working in real-time, we can engage employees for higher retention and fill open shifts to ensure proper staffing, allowing for better care. These modern platforms empower the staff and create a culture of excellence.
Innovative compassion is how we serve elders, their families and our staff. It is with this same compassion that we aspire to accomplish person-center care. Care that creates a meaningful, nurturing home that revolves around the elders’ interests and preferences. Nazareth Home campuses are where people come to live, work and play.
