Complex disease management programs aims to help residents map out their best lives

Complex disease management programs aims to help residents map out their best lives

Source: McKnights Senior Living
By Kimberly Bonvissuto

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Nazareth Home residents with extreme complex medical conditions that require attention from multiple medical experts will have access to a new program that creates a personalized treatment plan for them without their leaving home.

The Helping Embrace Life Decisions, or HELD, program brings together experts in the fields of geriatrics and complex disease management to develop plans that focus on the distinct healthcare needs of individual residents of the Louisville, KY-based senior living provider.

The program, launched in collaboration with Pallitus Health Partners, emphasizes closer monitoring of residents and engaging earlier in symptom control. HELD enables residents to discuss their goals and options and identify a plan to improve their quality of life.

Nazareth Home Medical Director Bonnie Lazor, M.D., told McKnight’s Senior Living that residents can choose to participate in the HELD program at any point. For residents of the community’s personal care program, she said, the hope is that they can age in place longer with the additional clinical oversight provided. Memory care resident families, she added, receive additional clinical support and involvement in their loved ones’ care.

“That is critically important when someone with dementia isn’t able to make their own decisions,” Lazor said. “Engaging in HELD provides both support and education for the elders and their families to know what choices can be made in medically complex situations.”

Being able to use the combined team of experts can help residents avoid hospitalization and additional treatments, she added.

“This is really the next generation of care, to empower the elder with complex disease to have more control over their goals, their care options and, ultimately, the plan on how they want to live out their best life,” Nazareth Home President and CEO Mary Haynes said in a statement.

Pallitus Health Partners Chief Medical Officer Bethany Snider, M.D., called the partnership a first-of-its-kind in the area and an “innovative, person-centered approach to caring for those with serious illness.” The organization, she said, provides an “extra layer of support” that improves quality of life for those with complex or advanced health conditions.

The program includes a team of providers and staff members from Nazareth Home and Pallitus Health Partners, along with Tyler McQueen, M.D., a Pallitus Health geriatric medicine specialist who meets with residents weekly about quality-of-life decisions.

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Nazareth Home seeks uplifting notes and cards for its frontline workers

Nazareth Home seeks uplifting notes and cards for its frontline workers

Source: The Record
By Marnie McAllister

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Kristina Ushyarova, a food services supervisor at Nazareth Home, held a tray for delivery to a resident’s room Jan. 24. She has worked for the facility for 19 years and sees her role as a care provider. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)

Nazareth Home, which has campuses in the Highlands and Clifton, is asking the public to lift the spirits of its workers with handwritten notes and cards as they cope with another surge in COVID-19.

“It is such a challenging time right now for people who are persevering and dedicated to caring and to the mission of Nazareth Home,” said Melissa Bailey, director of communications. “We have some real troopers who have been on this front line and they haven’t left us.

“We can’t have as many volunteers come in, but there are things we can do. Can we get some notes sent in for our workers to show them some love?”

Bailey said the cards will be given to those who provide healthcare, such as nurses, as well as those who are sometimes overlooked, but who also provide frontline care, including food services and environmental services staff.

“They all provide care,” she said.

Kristina Ushyarova has worked for Nazareth Home for more than half of her life. She started when she was 18 and now, 19 years into her career in food services she is a supervisor in the department. She stays, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, because “I love the residents,” she said.

“I like to be around the residents every day,” Ushyarova said. “There have been challenges, but we have overcome them.”

She noted that there are fewer opportunities to have one-on-one time with residents “like there used to be” because of the pandemic, but “I offer all of myself to this place.”

“Everyone is taking care of each other and the residents. I try to bring my 100 here every day,” she added.

Tracey Arcelli, the food services director, said Ushyarova reflects the kitchen staff’s loyalty and sense of purpose.

“This is our part in helping them (the residents) get healthy, stay healthy,” she said.

Cards of encouragement can be sent in now through Feb. 14. Individuals, as well as school and church groups, are encouraged to participate. Address them to Nazareth Home, Attn: Communications Director, 2000 Newburg Road, Louisville, Ky. 40205.

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Nazareth Home, Pallitus Health Partners announce new program for complex disease management

Nazareth Home, Pallitus Health Partners announce new program for complex disease management

Collaborative program adds an extra layer of individualized care for long-term care residents facing complex medical issues

Nazareth Home, in collaboration with Pallitus Health Partners, a part of Hosparus Health, has announced the implementation of a new complex disease management program known as HELD — Helping Embrace Life Decisions.

The HELD program supports Nazareth Home residents who have extreme or complex medical situations that require the attention and expertise of multiple health care providers. HELD brings together experts in the fields of geriatrics and complex disease management to develop an individualized plan that focuses on the unique healthcare needs of the Nazareth Home resident. It emphasizes closer monitoring of patients and engaging earlier in symptom control so individuals can discuss their goals and options, as well as identify a meaningful healthcare plan that can improve their quality of life for a longer period of time.

“The HELD program aligns with Nazareth’s Home commitment to be forward-thinking in how we deliver compassionate care, especially to those who are facing more complex situations with their health,” said Mary Haynes, president/CEO of Nazareth Home. “This is really the next generation of care to empower the elder with complex diseases to have more control over their goals, their care options, and ultimately the plan on how they want to live out their best life.”

The program includes a team of consistent providers, including staff members from both organizations, along with Dr. Tyler McQueen, a geriatric medicine specialist with Pallitus Health Partners. McQueen meets with Nazareth Home residents on a weekly basis concerning quality of life decisions during their critical time of need.

McQueen is part of Hosparus Health and the Central Louisville clinical team. He earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina. He then completed fellowships in geriatric medicine and hospice and palliative medicine at Wake Forest. He is board-certified in internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and hospice and palliative medicine, and is a member of the American College of Physicians.

“This partnership, one of the first of its kind in our area, is an innovative, person-centered approach to caring for those with serious illness. As a provider of palliative care, we offer an extra layer of support that is consistently shown to improve quality of life for those with the most complex or advanced health conditions. We remain committed to meeting patients where they are and finding new ways to help them make the most of each day. Our collaboration with Nazareth Home is a natural extension of our mission,” said Bethany Snider, chief medical officer of Pallitus Health Partners.

Pallitus Health Partners offers comprehensive palliative care for serious illness in Kentucky and Indiana. Specialized services include chronic symptom and medication management, disease education and care coordination.

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A Profile on Longevity: Louis Moseson

A Profile on Longevity: Louis Moseson

 

In early November, residents at our campus in the Highlands enjoyed a beautiful concert in the chapel performed by the Kling Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra was no stranger to Nazareth Home, having played several concerts over the years for the elders. Less than a month later, 97-year-old Louis Moseson of Louisville, who founded the Kling Chamber Orchestra in 1978, would come into our care at the Nazareth Home facility in Clifton.

“It’s a privilege for our team to get to know and provide care to Mr. Moseson. His efforts in founding and conducting the Kling Chamber Orchestra have brought so much joy to Nazareth Home time and time again,” said Dr. Bonnie Lazor, medical director at Nazareth Home. “We have enjoyed hearing about all he has accomplished through his passionate pursuit of learning and giving back to others for so many years.”

Mr. Moseson’s daughter, Carol Savkovich, spent time telling us about all the many activities her father enjoyed in life and how much he adored his family. He and his wife Margaret, who were married for 63 years, had four children. Carol recalls that they spent time outdoors a lot as a family and loved hiking and canoeing, which Mr. Moseson did well into his 80s.

“My dad was a very vibrant and incredibly active man,” said Savkovich.

She credits his mental toughness to time spent overseas in WWII as an infantryman in the Army. He contracted malaria upon landing in Africa and went on to fight in Italy and France. He came home with two Purple Hearts and a hand wound that prevented him from completing his major in piano performance at Indiana University, but he didn’t let that get him down. Once is hand healed, he picked up playing again and even learned the cello with his 13-year-old son years later. When his son’s middle school orchestra teacher suggested that Mr. Moseson try composing music, he did just that and completed over 30 works for string ensembles.

Perhaps Mr. Moseson was best known for joining his father’s Louisville clothing store for men, Moseson & King, in 1946 and operating it until it sold in 1976. He enjoyed sales so much that he wrote a book about it called “Unique and Successful Selling Techniques” that was published in 1979.

“I always thought of him as a renaissance man because he had so many talents and interests and did them all well. He was a real family man that provided for and loved his family,” said Savkovich.

His achievements and honors in the community, including the WLKY Bell Award and Red Cross Volunteer of the Year, are too numerous to name here. Likewise, Mr. Moseson had a long list of hobbies throughout his life that included photography, painting, playing music, and woodcarving, among others.

While at Nazareth Home, he enjoyed frequent visits from his daughter, Carol, and loved watching the classical music channel in his room. Mr. Moseson passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022.

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Finding Balance as a Caregiver

Finding Balance as a Caregiver

When caring for an elderly loved one, navigating feelings of stress, guilt and exhaustion can be common. Judy Thomas of Louisville helps care for two loved ones who are residents at Nazareth Home, including her husband’s aunt and the mother of a friend who lives out-of-state.

We caught up with Judy to inquire about some of the challenges she experiences, the ways she tries to overcome them, and how Nazareth Home has helped in her role as a caregiver.

How do you go about dealing with the burnout, stress and exhaustion that may come with caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia?

Judy Thomas: For years, I have started each day by going on a long morning walk with the dogs. Sometimes, the walks are simply quiet times to relax and enjoy being outside. Other times, they provide me with the opportunity to problem solve.

I am a lover of the outdoors. Whether it’s working in the yard or hiking at Bernheim Forest, nothing does more to soothe my soul.

Close friends — who have themselves been caregivers — offer me a lot of support. With them, I feel safe expressing that sense of being overwhelmed. Often, they offer me helpful suggestions for dealing with issues. Sharing meals and a glass of wine with them makes everything seem more manageable!

Having time to do the things I want to do for and with my immediate family and friends is often challenging. I have found that I must, at times, give myself permission to allocate that time. I am usually a better caregiver having done so.

I read a quote once that said, “Good humor makes all things tolerable.” So true! It’s okay to share a laugh about something your loved one has said or done or, for that matter, something I have said or done in my exhaustion!

Do you ever deal with feelings of guilt when it comes to caring for your loved ones?

Judy Thomas: Increased guilt is very much a part of my life. At Nazareth Home, I know they are receiving the best care possible. Their physical and many social-emotional needs are being met. But my involvement has changed over the years. Initially, it meant weekly visits, trips to the doctor, an occasional outing. My husband’s aunt is fully involved in all activities at Charity Court (Nazareth Home’s Memory Care neighborhood, located at the Highlands Campus). She would be just fine with phone calls, weekly visits and an occasional outing. There have been times when she told me she didn’t have time to visit because she was too involved in an activity. I loved that!

I feel more pressure now to provide emotional support for my friend’s mother. Her quality of life has greatly diminished in the last year. She is no longer able to express herself. With her, I feel as though I should be spending increased periods of time. As I spend more time with her, I experience feelings of guilt over not spending enough time with my family and friends. It is difficult to strike a balance.

How have your priorities shifted since becoming a caregiver?

Judy Thomas: My own parents and older relatives have been gone for a number of years. When I retired, I thought I would have time to do all the things I never had time to do when I worked. Responsibilities as a caregiver have changed those plans. There have been occasions when I have been resentful, but I love these women and that has helped. My priorities have shifted and, most days, that’s okay.

There is definite uncertainty in knowing what each day will bring. For fear of missing a call from Nazareth Home, the cell phone is always on and with me. If someone is not doing well, I hesitate to go on even short day trips out of town. I hesitate to commit to vacations with friends and, when I do go, I limit the number of days gone.

How do you receive the support you need?

Judy Thomas: I have a few close friends who understand the responsibilities and concerns I am experiencing. They are individuals who have also been caregivers. With them, I can share my feelings. Other friends don’t understand why I am sometimes just too tired to meet them for lunch or go away for a few days, and that can add to the stress I am already experiencing.

What helpful suggestions do you have for others who are supporting loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementia?

Judy Thomas: Try to make the time you spend with your loved one enjoyable for both of you. Nazareth Home is taking care of their physical and many social-emotional needs. When I go, I hope to be the “bright spot” in their day. I want the visit to feel like any other visit with a good friend. I want them to know I look forward to seeing them and enjoy spending time there. I know them well enough to know what they enjoy and, when I am there, I try to share in those activities. Looking through old picture albums is always a favorite. With the iPad, we can now enjoy videos as well. We love courtyard visits. We laugh a lot. Both of “my girls” love dogs. Having that furry friend there provides nothing but love and acceptance without saying a word.

It’s okay to take time for yourself. You will find yourself a better caregiver because of it. When feeling overwhelmed, allow yourself to ask for help. Women, especially, are prone to thinking we are the only ones who can. Even if there is no one else who can help you manage the responsibilities you face with a loved one, there may be other ways they can lighten your load.

Finally, having both of my ladies at Nazareth Home has lightened my load immensely, and I will be forever grateful.

To learn more about the care provided at Nazareth Home, visit nazhome.org.

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Kentucky nursing homes face staffing shortage, some concerned about facility’s future

Kentucky nursing homes face staffing shortage, some concerned about facility’s future

Source: Spectrum News 1
By Eileen Street
December 31, 2021

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Kentucky nursing homes are facing a staffing shortage that’s leaving some concerned about the future of their facilities. A survey last month by the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities (KAHCF) and Kentucky Center for Assisted Living (KCAL) showed 57% of respondents are concerned they may have to close if workforce challenges continue.

In 1989, Kim Hobson started her career at Nazareth Home Highlands, a senior-living facility in Louisville.

“I think of it that I am walking into 62 people’s front doors each day so it’s a great opportunity for me,” Hobson told Spectrum News 1.

Hobson started out as a certified medication technician. Then, she said she graduated from licensed practical nurse or LPN school and sought out other opportunities.

“I really enjoyed working with Ursuline sisters, ended up working, going back to school at Spalding [University], and when I graduated, I had my bachelor’s degree in nursing and came back here in 2002,” Hobson explained.

After several other roles, Hobson added director of nursing to her resume in 2009.

Currently, she manages over 150 staff, from certified medical technicians to RNs. All roles ensure someone’s loved one in the facility is cared for.

The pandemic took a toll on nursing home residents, but it also hit staff hard, too.

“We had some really tough days over these past 24 months, and greater many nights I would be here till midnight, but it wasn’t just me. I’d be here with my administrator. I have an amazing assistant director of nursing, you know, it took a village … we all came together,” Hobson said.

Kentucky was already steadily losing skilled nursing facility staff prior to the pandemic. However, the pandemic exacerbated that decline, for the Commonwealth and across the United States.

Since Feb. 2020, health care is down by 450,000 jobs, with nursing and residential care facilities accounting for nearly all of the loss, according to the latest data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Hobson said more than half of her staff pre-pandemic is still working. However, Nazareth Home Highlands lost many great employees due to circumstances caused by the pandemic, such as child care centers closing and virtual learning for students.

President of Nazareth Home Mary Haynes also said a contributing factor to the skilled nursing shortage is red tape that escalated as COVID-19 hit nursing homes hard.

“If you hadn’t already been here awhile, and then had some perspective and some understanding about all of the federal rules that we have to fulfill daily, then you are like, ‘You know, this is kind of hard,’ “ Haynes said.

Two Kentucky associations that advocate for the Commonwealth’s health care and assisted living facilities, Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities (KAHCF) and Kentucky Center for Assisted Living (KCAL), surveyed its members last month. Feedback shows employees have left long-term care due to a number of factors, such as a lack of competitive wages.

Other reasons employees have left long-term care include staffing agencies, who offer more flexibility and higher wages, recruiting career employees away for short-term contracts, the possible COVID-19 vaccination mandate, and staff burnout and stress.

“What we have started seeing is nursing facilities no longer accepting applications or closing down wings because of staffing shortages,” said KAHCF/KCAL President Betsy Johnson.

To address staffing shortages, Kentucky nursing facilities need to get creative since Johnson and Haynes told Spectrum News 1 that simply boosting salaries to be competitive isn’t an option, since nursing homes are government funded by Medicaid and Medicare.

For example, Nazareth Home Highlands is flexible with employees schedules and focused on creating an environment where employees enjoy working. The organization is also focused on building an employees salary over the long-term by offering career advancement, such as an in-house certified nursing assistant program.

“That opened the door for people who really wanted to be here but couldn’t afford to go to school or they couldn’t go Monday through Friday,” Hobson said. “They were able to come, and they also could work and kind of learn as they go, and that’s been a huge success for us.”

While Haynes with Nazareth Home said its facilities are managing well with its current roster, there are still a number of positions to fill. When hiring for Nazareth Home Highlands, Hobson said she is more focused on quality not quantity.

“If I could just wave a magic wand,” Hobson said, “It would be to just have people who are just committed.”

Hobson further explained that if Nazareth Home Highlands, hypothetically, could get 20 new hires tomorrow, it wouldn’t matter if they don’t have the passion inside for this career.

“If I could have a magic wand, it would be for people to know the value of being a part of the long-term care industry and how rewarding it is.”

Team members, Hobson said, who would see this career as a vocation, and not just a job.

“I have a particular CNA, she came to me, and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to work second shift for you guys for a little while because we are going to get through this,’ “ Hobson said. “That’s the kind of people I want.”

There are about 3,000 open positions in Kentucky’s long-term care facilities, according to the survey from KAHCF/KCAL.

If you are interested in resources to learn about a career in the long-term care filled nursing or you are looking for a job in the field click here.

In addition, you can browse Nazareth Home current career opportunities. 

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Blanket Louisville delivers 1,100 blankets to Catholic Charities

Blanket Louisville delivers 1,100 blankets to Catholic Charities

Source: The Record

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A volunteer brought bags of donated blankets to the back of a loaded box truck to Alan Thompson, the truck owner. Thompson shuttled the blankets into Catholic Charities’ St. Anthony campus to await distribution. (Record Photo by Kayla Boyd)

Blanket Louisville, a nonprofit that collects new and gently used blankets, delivered more than 1,100 blankets to Catholic Charities Dec. 15 for refugees and others in need. The organization is run by Kathy Fehder, principal of Corpus Christi Classical Academy, and her husband Steve Fehder.

What started as a way to teach their children the importance of giving to the community and helping those in need has turned into a grassroots charity that has given more than 135,000 blankets to Louisville’s homeless population in the past 19 years.

A volunteer offered to help unload the truck and take donated blankets inside the Catholic Charities St. Anthony campus. (Record Photo by Kayla Boyd)

Donations come from local schools, corporations, churches and organizations, among others. Over the past week, Fehder has collected large donations from St. Aloysius School and Nazareth Home.

“This went from our little family volunteering project to a community effort,” Fehder said. “We are so grateful to our collection partners.”

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Caring for Your Elderly Loved One During the Holidays

Caring for Your Elderly Loved One During the Holidays

The holidays are associated with giving, family traditions, and good cheer. But they also can be stressful and overwhelming for those who are caring for an elderly family member. 

According to research from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, approximately 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months. In addition, about 15 million adult family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. 

Below are a few things to consider in order to enjoy the holidays while providing compassionate care to a loved one:

    • Traditions are not as important as connections. Holiday traditions can bring the family together and bring back special memories, but sometimes they can be difficult for an elderly loved one. You may find that traditions such as holiday shopping, gift wrapping, and baking have become more exhausting for your loved one as each holiday season approaches. Instead of forcing your loved one to participate in an activity they no longer enjoy for the sake of tradition, consider new ways to value each other’s time during the holidays. 
    • Get everybody on the same page. When you begin to develop your holiday plans, make sure family members and friends in your planned gathering are in agreement about the preferred time and place of the gathering well in advance. This way, you can express the plans in detail to your elderly loved one to minimize stress. Consistent reminders of the plan in the weeks leading up to the gathering also can be helpful. When planning the gathering with family members, it is also important to communicate any dietary restrictions or pertinent information about your loved one’s health. 
    • Utilize storytelling and reminiscing. The holidays can be difficult for those who have lost a family member. To help your elderly loved one avoid succumbing to these feelings of grief, encouraging positive storytelling and reminiscing about good holiday memories can be helpful. When it comes to caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, storytelling may get repetitive for caregivers but not to the loved one. Though you may have heard the same holiday story dozens of times, it’s important to remember that your family member likely finds great joy in reminiscing. 
    • Prioritize self-care. The holidays can be hard for those caring for an elderly loved one. Feelings of grief, guilt, and stress are normal reactions. To address these feelings, it can be helpful to interact with other caregivers who are in similar positions. In addition, it’s important not to take your elderly loved one’s mood personally during the holidays. Maintaining a healthy sense of humor and taking some time to do things you enjoy can also help with stress management.  

You may also find it more difficult to buy holiday gifts for your elderly loved one than it used to be. Below are a few gift ideas for older adults:

    • Cozy bathrobes and slippers. Because seniors can get cold in the winter, a warm bathrobe and a matching pair of slippers will be appreciated. For safety, look for non-skid soles on the slippers. 
    • Food gifts. No matter how old you get, you always appreciate your favorite food. Making a personalized gift basket filled with your loved one’s favorite cookies, candies, jams, crackers, cheeses, meats, or other snacks makes for a thoughtful and delicious gift. 
    • Fitness tools. Light weights, stretch bands, and similar items can help your elderly loved one stay healthy. The Arthritis Foundation has a list of exercise, hobby and home items for seniors with arthritis or limited joint mobility. 
    • Wireless headphones. Headphones or earbuds with bluetooth accessibility make a great gift to enhance music listening, television viewing, or audiobook listening. 
    • Personalized calendars. Utilizing a photo website, gifting an elderly loved one with a customized calendar featuring photos of family members, pets, and favorite vacation spots makes for a great gift. 

Nazareth Home wishes you a wonderful holiday season, and for more caregiving tips, please contact us. We are here to provide help and to support you and your family.

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