JKV Health Center unveils Premier Resident Centered Care

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Christopher Miller, Public Relations Manager
John Knox Village
Phone: (954) 784-4726
Email: cmiller@jkvfl.com

JKV Health Center unveils Premier Resident Centered Care
POMPANO BEACH – 8/9/11 – In 1990, Eric Haider, President/Founder of Person Centered Care, Inc., recognized the need for a change in how long-term care is administered. The model he created provides more personal attention to the people who live in a long-term care environment, as well as empowers staff to be more of a resident advocate.

“People who live in long-term care communities are not second class citizens,” Haider said. “We believe in honoring each person’s dignity, rights, self-respect, and independence by giving them choices.” The initiative keeps the residents involved in the decision making process, allowing them to maintain control of their lives while they remain highly active.

Since the concept was developed, Eric has assisted a large number of organizations throughout the United States incorporate their own Person Centered Care, including now John Knox Village.

On July 21, a large number of John Knox Village residents, employees and others gathered in the Health Center to celebrate the kick-off of our version of the program - Premier Resident Centered Care.

According to Mark Rayner, Director of Health Facilities, he and Christina Desposito, Director of Nursing, first met Mr. Haider while he was introducing the concept at a community in Tallahassee.

“Our residents are very familiar with the philosophy,” Mark said. “They expressed a desire for our Health Center to embrace Premier Resident Centered Care.” Soon after the introduction, Eric agreed to visit JKV and provide training to the entire Health Center staff, as well as other departments who are directly involved with the initiative, such as dining, housekeeping, etc. The training lasted approximately two months.

The overall goals are to: improve the quality of life and care for John Knox Village’s residents; offer the freedom of choice; fulfill the mission to have thriving residents; and provide a more enjoyable and rewarding environment for the employees.

“(Premier Resident Centered Care) is based on customer service, meeting the preferences, wishes, desires, etc. of our residents and the reinforcement of teamwork among the employees,” Mark said.

Each Health Center resident, both current and future, is asked to complete a form that recognizes the individual’s personal preferences, especially for dining, sleeping, bathing and other daily activities.  “Whether a resident prefers to eat breakfast at 6 a.m. or sleep in late, they are able to make their own choices,” Mark said.

One of our JKV residents impressed by Premier Resident Centered Care is John Kelso. John first moved to The Village in July of 2010. In late May this year, he took advantage of the care at our Health Center. Recently, Mr. Kelso wished to watch one of his favorite movies, the 1951 version of “The Day the Earth Stood Still.”

“The staff brought in a television and the video for me to watch. It was a private viewing with no commercials,” he said. “I thought it was such a generous gesture. The quality of care (at our Health Center) is head and shoulders above other places.”

To better meet the residents’ needs and create a more positive atmosphere, the Health Center has separated the different areas into three themes with six unique neighborhood names. They are: Tropics (west wing) with Key West Drive and South Beach Lane; Gardens (second floor) as Marigold Lane and Sunflower Avenue; and  Village Glen (memory care) is now Lakeside Avenue and Village Place.

“We encourage residents to personalize their rooms and to bring items that will make them feel like they are more at home,” Christinia Desposito said.
Each section has a Neighborhood Manager, who is the lead nurse overseeing each of the three areas. In addition, the Health Center’s certified nurse assistants have a new title, Neighborhood Leader.

"Our Premier Resident Centered Care aims to make residents happy, well cared for and truly loved,” Christina said. “Our team is excited and proud to increase our connection with the individuals that we care for while striving to reach new levels of professional achievement.”

John Knox Village’s Health Center is a full licensed, Medicare/Medicaid Certified, 177-bed skilled nursing facility including a physical, speech, occupational and balance therapy center. Our Health Center recently was awarded with a 5-Star Rating by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Whether for rehabilitation after a hospital stay, or short, long-term or memory disorder care, the Health Center remains committed to making your experience as pleasant as possible by providing comforting nurturing support. For more information about JKV’s Health Center, please call (954) 783-4001.

John Knox Village is a not-for-profit continuing care community that provides a full range of life-care services for those aged 62 and greater. The Village is located at 651 S.W. Sixth Street in Pompano Beach, just east of I-95 and south of Atlantic Boulevard.