NEWS FROM PHOEBE MINISTRIES Volume 95, Issue 3 The NET Program: An Innovative Approach to Therapy IN THIS ISSUE: A New Spirit of Service The Phoebe Institute on Aging Engineering Students Design Devices for Phoebe Residents with Dementia The EDUCATION Issue Welcome | FALL 2014 Mission Statement: A Message from the President A community of faith, called by God, to serve the needs and to enhance the lives of our Dear friends of Phoebe, elders, their families and the The Mission of Phoebe Ministries is broader community. “A community of faith, called by God, to serve the needs and to enhance the lives of our elders, their Scott R. Stevenson, families and the broader community.” In meeting President & CEO our mission, our hope is that we will honor God Rev. Daniel T. Moser II in all we do. In this issue of The Messenger, we Chair, Phoebe Ministries highlight one component of our commitment Governing Board to serving each of these constituencies through Kimberly Metz, Editor-in-Chief a multitude of diverse educational programs. We are thankful for both the ability to provide Contributors to this issue: Brynn Buskirk, Molly Kranzley these programs and for the great benefits that our Driscoll, Charles Fehr, Ava Haekler, residents, employees and families derive from participating in them. Trina Johnson-Brady, Emilie Joly, I would especially like to highlight the Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA). For more Adam Marles, Kimberly Metz, than a decade, the PIA and its Advisory Board have provided educational forums to Scott R. Stevenson, Maureen the community on aging issues, as well as serving as a regional think tank for “what’s Suppan, Adrienne Wright next” in the industry. Everyone at Phoebe and the older adult community at large Special Contributors: benefits from these significant contributions. Other stories in this issue include: Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D., ✜ Partnerships with local schools and universities Allison Goodin Phoebe-Devitt Homes is the ✜ Educational opportunities for residents official name of the 501(c)(3) ✜ Innovative new programs developed by our staff that are changing not-for-profit corporation doing healthcare delivery business as Phoebe Ministries. Founded in 1903 and incorporated ✜ A new documentary on the history of Phoebe Berks as such in 1984, Phoebe-Devitt ✜ The most successful Upper Bucks Forum on Aging to date Homes is responsible for the supervision of facilities, long- “A community of faith, called by God, range planning, development and fundraising for 14 locations. to serve the needs and to enhance the Together, these affiliates provide long term care, housing and lives of our elders, their families and various support services to thousands of individuals annually. the broader community.” Phoebe Ministries is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and is a member of LeadingAge, We have a number of free educational opportunities for residents and the LeadingAge PA, and the Council community throughout the year. The next is the Fall Phoebe Institute on Aging for Health and Human Services Conference, entitled “Building Friendly Communities: Addressing Alzheimer’s and Ministries of the United Church Related Disorders,” on October 16 at DeSales University. I hope to see you there. of Christ. God bless, The official registration and financial information of Phoebe-Devitt Homes may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania at 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Scott R. Stevenson President & CEO 2 WWW.PHOEBE.ORG | Fall 2014 Phoebe launched Spirit of Service this past summer. All Phoebe staff members were trained with the expectation that all customers— residents, families, fellow staff members, and vendors—should be treated with excellent care, compassion and consideration. Phoebe Launches their families, the community and Spirit of Service. Training involved each other. communication tips; phone, email, and elevator etiquette; and even role playing Customer Service The Leadership Development class through different situations employees was charged with developing and may encounter with one another, recommending a customer service Philosophy: residents, and families. program, as well as determining standards and expectations, roles Scott Stevenson, President & CEO, says, Spirit of Service and responsibilities, and lastly, an “I firmly believe everyone at Phoebe is implementation plan along with accountable for making Spirit of Service success metrics. a success. We must always remember This past summer, Phoebe Ministries that our workplace at Phoebe is a home launched a new endeavor focused “It was an exciting project,” says Karen for the people we serve.“ on Phoebe’s ongoing effort to set the Carrano-Miller, class member and bar high: Spirit of Service, Phoebe’s Assistant Controller at Phoebe. “We Customer Service Philosophy. spent a year developing the program How are we doing? and a second year developing the Let us know! Developed by one of Phoebe’s training. We want everyone at Phoebe— Leadership Development classes, Visit phoebe.org/ residents, employees, family members, Spirit of Service stems from Phoebe’s spiritofservice or fill out vendors—to feel welcome here.” foundational Faith in Action values a comment card in any and is dedicated to creating a positive Over the last three months, all Phoebe experience for our residents and clients, staff members have been trained in of our facilities! Phoebe’s Spirit of Service is our customer service philosophy, which stems from our foundational Faith in Action values and is dedicated to creating a positive experience for our residents and clients, their families, the community and each other. 3 Happenings | NEWS Bridgeways Residents Create Cards for Those Needing a Lift The Bridgeways Neighborhood at Phoebe Allentown recently initiated a unique creative program that helps the residents make greeting cards and write letters to people in the local community. Bridgeways residents have written to children at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Meals on Wheels recipients, a visiting church group, Phoebe staff members, and veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. Creative writing is one way that Phoebe incorporates Montessori programming for Memory Support and Dementia Care patients. Writing can help an individual with memory care issues to enhance their memory, reinforce motor skills, and feel a Guests enjoyed food and drink at the patio dedication on September 3. sense of accomplishment. Terrace Residents Celebrate New Patio Phoebe recognizes the donors who made it possible. Residents at the Terrace at Phoebe One of the major donors to the Allentown have a new outdoor oasis project was the Phoebe Home to call their own. Auxiliary in Allentown. Auxiliary President Barbara Ann Moyer A new program on the Allentown Campus Phoebe completed construction of a says the group was inspired by the has Bridgeways residents giving back to the new 925-square-foot patio alongside community by crafting greeting cards with idea of leaving a legacy for future the Terrace this August, giving personal messages for people served by local generations of Terrace residents. nonprofit organizations. residents plenty of time to enjoy the “This is something residents will summer and fall months from their enjoy for years to come,” Moyer Pam Kleckner, Memory Support backyard. Residents celebrated their adds. “The Auxiliary knew this Community Life Manager at Phoebe new space—and the donors who was an important project, and we Allentown, says that when the residents made it possible—at a ceremony on wanted to get involved.” are making the cards, they have a great September 3. time and are aware that they are giving The patio area includes a built-in back to others. “Our residents have teared “Our residents needed a dedicated grill, comfortable seating, up when we made cards for the children space to enjoy the outdoors, and and veterans,” Kleckner says, “because it lighting for evening events, our donors stepped up to make it meant so much to them.” elegant stonework, a handicapped- happen,” says President and CEO accessible ramp, ample shade cover, Scott R. Stevenson. and lush greenery. 4 WWW.PHOEBE.ORG | Fall 2014 Phoebe Berks Gets Residents were eager to be the first to ride the new bus (left), which can seat six a New Set of Wheels residents in wheelchairs at one time. A dedication ceremony took place on Wheelchair-accessible bus provides residents with independence August 5 (above). Residents of Phoebe Berks Village and “What we’re celebrating today is not just of Berks County, reminding them of their Phoebe Berks Health Care Center have a bus, not just a mode of transportation, youth when rides through the country were a new way to get around town. but an opportunity,” Phoebe Berks a regular Sunday afternoon activity. Executive Director Mary Kay After a fundraising campaign The new bus can accommodate six McMahon said in her remarks. “You’ve raised more than $75,000, Phoebe ambulatory passengers and eight given our residents in wheelchairs Berks acquired an ADA-compliant, passengers in wheelchairs. Nancy Dettra, the opportunity to explore the world wheelchair-accessible bus to allow who contributed to the project, said she beyond our campus, the opportunity to residents with restricted mobility a new wanted to enrich the lives of her fellow retain their independence.” way to travel from the Berks campus. residents. “This opens up new vistas for Residents celebrated the new bus with a Residents have already taken the bus on individuals in wheelchairs,” Dettra said. “It donor recognition event and dedication a number of trips to nearby destinations gives their lives deeper meaning.” ceremony on August 5. and on drives through the rolling hills Highest Attendance Ever at and Phoebe Richland staff. Roman joined the event committee when she transitioned Upper Bucks Forum on Aging from Phoebe Allentown to Phoebe Richland two years ago. “It is hard to believe that so The 9th Annual Upper Bucks Forum ✜ Fall prevention and treatment related many forums have passed already,” she says. “It is an honor to be able to work with my on Aging, held on Wednesday, May to hip fractures team to provide the community informative, 7 at Benner Hall in Phoebe Richland, ✜ Dementia prevention tips from Kelly free education and access to resources. I look attracted the highest attendance to date O’Shea Carney, Ph.D., CMC, Director forward to continuing into the future and I with more than 170 attendees. of Phoebe’s Center for Excellence in am very excited to be coming up on the 10th The Forum on Aging is a free educational Dementia Care anniversary of this event!” program of the Phoebe Institute on ✜ Medicaid planning information Keep an eye out for future Upper Bucks Aging, and the event is held in honor of Older Americans Month. The purpose The forum is organized by Tracy Roman, Forum on Aging events, as the program of the forum is to seek public input and Executive Director of Phoebe Richland, is expected to grow and expand its encourage local citizens age 55 years or along with senior community members services and education to seniors. older to learn about aging services and resources in their community. Highlights from this year’s forum included: ✜ An Area Agency on Aging update ✜ A personal safety presentation by a State Trooper from the Dublin Barracks The 9th Annual Upper Bucks Forum on Aging was attended by 170 citizens from the Richlandtown area. 5 Happenings | NEWS “After I moved to Phoebe Berks three years ago I had the pleasure of sitting next to Bill Fisher at the Cottage picnic and he told me about the connection his family had to the land,” says Maggie Rice, Phoebe Berks Cottage resident (left). “I thought that someone should preserve what he knows and when I mentioned it to my son, Andy, he told me he would like to make the film for Phoebe because I am so happy here.” for the two of us, something that is so meaningful to me, and with us living in Hawaii, doesn’t happen that often. We had time to create some lasting memories, and those will live on in this film,” says Andy. Phoebe Berks Captures Past and Present on Film Andrew Rice of Kenai Productions and son of Phoebe Berks resident, Maggie Rice. The Phoebe Berks Campus had a farm complex on the land, vividly As the interviews continued through touch of stardust in May when a remembers the stories his father told the week, a theme began to emerge, documentary film crew interviewed of his birthplace. It was these stories greater than the original history- residents, staff and board members in which inspired independent living focused subject matter of the film. addition to filming daily activities in all resident Maggie Rice to encourage “A common theme of friendliness levels of care. Mary Kay McMahon, Executive and true compassion was evident in The documentary-style film will feature Director of Phoebe Berks, to consider everyone we spoke to,” Andy says. documenting the living history still the rich history of the land on which As with feature films, much work present on the Berks Campus. It just Phoebe Berks is built, and those who remains to be done on documentary so happened that her son, Andy, have ties to the farmhouse that stood films after the director yells, “Cut!” is a professional filmmaker who on the grounds until the end of the last The finished film is expected to volunteered his time to the project. century. premiere at Phoebe Berks this winter. Andy flew from Hawaii and stayed Bill Fisher, a cottage resident whose If you are interested in with his mother in her cottage during front door faces the ruins of the old attending a viewing, please the filming. “Working on the project buildings that were once part of the email [email protected]. with her offered some precious time 6 WWW.PHOEBE.ORG | Fall 2014 Improvements to Phoebe’s Housing Communities Improvements were recently made Robesonia (right) now feature updated Residents have been very enthusiastic to Phoebe’s affordable housing color schemes, new carpet, furniture and about the recent updates and are communities in Berks County. artwork in all of the communal spaces. enjoying the vibrant new communal John F. Lutz even has a hand-painted living spaces for social interactions John F. Lutz Apartments in St. Lawrence mural of a Parisian street scene in the and events. (left) and Furnace Creek Manor in community’s dining and activity area. Allen Square Gets a Brand New Look The Allen Square Neighborhood of Phoebe Allentown has a newly Hallway Before Hallway After renovated environment that is warmer, friendlier, and less clinical than before. Updates to the entrance from the Trexler Building, the hallways, and the resident rooms include new furniture and flooring that add color and style to the space. Additionally, photographs of local historical buildings and sites are hung throughout the neighborhood to brighten the walls. Resident Room Before Resident Room After Entrance Before Entrance After 7 Happenings | NEWS Michelle Posch, RN, Information Clinical Specialist at the Phoebe Services Pharmacy, trains facility nurses on how to use Phoebe’s electronic medical records system or eMAR. Phoebe’s system, unlike others, requires pharmacists to input an order. This allows nurses to spend more time with residents and decreases the number of errors. eliminate the extra work that would normally be anticipated from nurse order entry. The pharmacist order entry method is what truly places Phoebe’s electronic medical record system ahead of the competition. By having the pharmacists drive order entry, there is immediate identification of the medication brand availability, since many pharmaceuticals are from different companies. Missed doses due to a delay in access to Phoebe Services medication are also avoided. In addition to staff and clinical Pharmacy Utilizes pharmacists, Phoebe employs clinical nurses who implement roll-outs with Pharmacist-Driven Order expertise in software management and Entry to Benefit Seniors the practical knowledge of the day-to- day duties of nurses caring for residents. New technology always involves Long term care nursing facilities and pressure on nursing to do more with a learning curve, and by utilizing will soon be required to transition less, an eMAR can often pull nurses away pharmacy nurses to train facility nurses, to electronic health records, and from patient care duties rather than the experience gained in the four years government agencies are only help to streamline the administration of that Phoebe Services Pharmacy has had just beginning to regulate and medications. a working interface is put to good use. require standardization of these Phoebe Services Pharmacy, a The teams at Phoebe have been very digital documents. comprehensive pharmacy service transparent in fielding questions about One area of concern is the electronic provider for long term care facilities in their model from organizations at a medication administration record, or six counties, recognized the potential national level. Campus leadership at “eMAR” piece of the electronic health problems involved with this model Phoebe communities has documented record. Typically, eMARs are part of early on due to the staff’s experience remarkable positive changes as a a software package implemented by with senior service providers. When an result of the electronic bridge between pharmacy service providers. There is electronic health record interface was Pharmacy and Nursing. As a provider great competition among these eMAR developed for the organization’s own of senior care, Phoebe ensures the providers, but most require that nurses use, it was decided that all medication best possible pharmaceutical delivery electronically input medication orders at orders would be entered by registered method because of the years of facilities. With facility budgets shrinking pharmacists to maximize efficiency and experience in the field. 8 WWW.PHOEBE.ORG | Fall 2014 The Greatest Generation | AT PHOEBE Furnace Creek Manor Resident Shares Navy Experience at WWII Weekend Roy Reifsnyder credits God for being alive today. The number of close calls he experienced while serving in the Navy in World War II, including having his helmet knocked off by the wing tip of a Kamikaze plane, was just too many for him to doubt that a greater power kept him alive. A resident at Furnace Creek Manor, Phoebe’s affordable housing community in Robesonia, Berks County, for almost four years, Reifsnyder didn’t talk about his experiences until his move to Furnace Creek. As president of the resident council, he planned entertainment in the evening. When one of the musicians had an unexpected scheduling conflict, Reifsnyder filled the time by telling the story of his experiences in World War II. This chance Roy Reifsnyder, resident of Furnace Creek Manor Apartments, appeared as a special occurrence led to him educating school guest and spoke about his military experiences on the main stage at Berks County’s famous World War II Weekend in June. Phoebe Berks veterans, Rev. Kenneth Dearstyne students, the men’s group at his church, and Dr. Carl Constein, were also guests at the event. and residents of Phoebe Berks. He was even asked to appear as a special guest at of the highest point on the island. That still the famous World War II Weekend held at gives me chills to think of it.” the Reading Airport in June. Only a few days after his ship participated As a special guest, Reifsnyder was in the battle at Okinawa, Japanese scheduled on the main stage to recount Kamikaze planes began to attack the his time serving at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Colhoun when it went to assist the Bush, two of the most famous battles in the another vessel that suffered under the Pacific Theater. He also had a chance to enemy’s air offensive. The Colhoun had talk to attendees at his booth and sign to be sunk after irreparable damage was autographs. “I enjoy doing it now,” he says. done by the Kamikaze planes punching “People are asking the right questions and holes into the ship’s hull, deck and keel. But they are truly interested,” he says. throughout the onslaught, the gun crews of Reifsnyder’s military journey started in which Reifsnyder was a part continued to 1943 at the age of 18, only a few days after fire and take down planes. Military photograph of Reifsnyder. high school graduation. “I graduated on Tokyo Rose, a Japanese radio announcer a Friday night, and by Monday morning who purposefully gave inaccurate His appearance at the World War II I was in the Navy,” he remembers. He information, broadcasted that the Colhoun weekend meant a lot to him, knowing served on the USS Colhoun D.D. 801 was sunk and that all the men went with the respect that so many people have for as a Gunners Mate 2nd class and a Gun it. When Reifsnyder and the rest of the members of the Greatest Generation, of Captain on a 5th gun mount, and was a crew arrived in California 18 days after whom so much was asked at such a young witness to the historic flag raising on Iwo the sinking, he was finally able to call his age. “I am honored to have served my Jima, after so many American servicemen family, who thought he had been dead for country and thankful to be a survivor,” were lost. “All of the ships were blowing more than two weeks. Reifsnyder says. their horns. We had finally taken control 9 Education | OUR FEATURE Neurocognitive Engagement Therapy “Nets” Positive Results for Phoebe According to data from the Center independently executing therapy The NET model is unique because for Medicare and Medicaid services, tasks and exercises. As a result, they it integrates best practice dementia approximately 60% of all residents in may be deemed inappropriate to care strategies into the rehabilitation skilled nursing care are experiencing receive therapy services or be process. The model was developed by cognitive impairment. Despite discharged prematurely. an interdisciplinary team including such prevalence, individuals with occupational, physical, and speech Recognizing that there are few Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and therapists and a psychologist. This approaches designed to meet the other cognitive impairments have team created a conceptual framework rehabilitation needs of this population, historically been underserved by for providing care that incorporates Phoebe’s Therapy Department, along physical therapy, occupational knowledge, strategies and insights with the Center for Excellence in therapy and speech therapy. from a range of disciplines, e.g. Dementia Care, sought to develop a mental health, social services, In addition to their treatment for conceptual model to better serve this activity professionals, nursing and changes in their mental status, group of seniors. They developed an therapy. When implemented in the individuals with cognitive impairment innovative rehabilitation model that rehabilitation setting, the goal of often need therapy services to address is now known as Neurocognitive this approach is to fully engage all underlying physical impairments Engagement Therapy (NET). Jennifer members of the interdisciplinary care resulting from illness, deconditioning Howanitz, Director of Physical Therapy team to provide the best possible or inactivity. But because of their at Phoebe Allentown, describes it as therapy experience in a way that cognitive deficits, these individuals “an innovative approach to effectively is customized to suit each patient’s often have difficulty engaging in provide therapy services to individuals particular needs. therapy, following directions, or with cognitive loss or dementia.” 10 WWW.PHOEBE.ORG | Fall 2014