OBJECTIVE
To create a seamless, comprehensive model of care for individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) who reside in an assisted living facility.
BACKGROUND
When planning a move, Parkinson's Disease (PD) clients and their family members often seek facilities that have a good understanding of Parkinson's Disease. Our experience has been that some Health Care providers in assisted living facilities are often times unfamiliar with PD's unique symptoms or challenges.
The Struthers Parkinson's Center, a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence, completed a one year pilot program offering education and support to assisted living facilities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul regional area.
Parkinson's Specialty Care (PSC) Assisted Living Facilities, recognized an unfilled market niche for specialized PD residential services, therefore purchased several h0mes in residential neighborhoods in Edina, Golden Valley and West Bloomington. Together, we have created a collaborative model of care between these organizations. We will be opening a facility in St. Paul scheduled to open early 2007.
Method I: Initial Planning Involving Both Organizations (Prior to opening ECR, GVR & WBR)
1. Development of staff orientation programs
2. Environmental modifications at all facilities
3. Create resident assestment tools
4. Design a medication distribution system
5. Complete eight hours of PD-specific staff training with an emphasis on timely
medications, understanding on/off fluctuations, coping with freezing speech,
cognitive changes and maximized quality of life.
Method II: Ongoing Collaboration Between Struthers Parkinson's Center (SPC) and PSC
1. SPC Staff provides medical care, rehabilitation therapies and social services to all
PSC residents.
2. SPC continues to provide eight hours of PD specific training to all new PSC staff
3. SPC provides regular PSC staff in-services for continued learning
4. PSC residents attend SPC's therapeutic day program to participate in specialized
activity programs.
5. Monthly care planning rounds are held with PSC and SPC staff
6. Joint family care conferences for PSC residents enhance communication and
involvement in our client's personal care.
RESULTS
At the opening of ECR, only 50% of the 8 bed facility housed residents with Parkinson's Disease. Within 18 months of opening, ECR achieved its goal of becoming a 100% PD facility.
Three years after opening, ECR purchased additional living space and doubled its occupancy; currently serving 15 long-term and short-term respite stay clients with Parkinson's Disease. Residents and families report a high satisfaction rate and enjoy the seamless continum of care between medical, residential and support services.
IN CONCLUSION
It is possible to create a successful model of assisted living focused on the specialized needs of people with Parkinson's Disease. Collaborative services between medical, residential and support programs provide opportunities for improving staff education, patient care, and ongoing communication.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on the services we offer
We Welcome You to Contact Our Admissions Office at: (763) 550-1774
Or Contact Us via Email at: info@warmhands.org
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