News About Kindred People and Places
Here are some current happenings at Kindred facilities across the country.
Kindred Hospital Indianapolis RRT to Present Abstract at National Conference
By Lydia Goar
Director of Respiratory Therapy
Indianapolis, IN --- The staff at Kindred Hospital Indianapolis is very
proud of Sasha Cooper, BS, Registered Respiratory Therapist Class of 2003
from Indiana University. She will be presenting the abstract "Evaluation
of the Prevalence and Cost Effectiveness for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
at a Large Teaching Hospital" at this year's American Association
of Respiratory Care Congress in Las Vegas, December 11, 2003.
Sasha began working at Kindred on June 17, 2002, as a respiratory student
and upon graduation in the spring of 2003 accepted a fulltime position.
She has proven to be a fast learner and a great asset to the facility.
Sasha has brought a fresh new outlook to her department along with knowledge
and she is very caring not only with the patients but with all of the
Kindred team. "We are very proud to have Sasha as part of our staff,"
said Pat Adair, RN. "She is very bright and a fun person to work
with."
" Sasha is a very hardworking and caring individual who has studied
hard to be the best therapist she can be," said Don Nester, Certified
Respiratory Therapist.
Please join us as we congratulate Sasha on such a great accomplishment.
Staff at Brigham Grants Resident's Birthday Wish
By Jane Merrow RN, DNS
Newburyport, MA --- Some residents have the opportunity to leave their
healthcare center homes more often than others. One resident at Brigham
Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center hadn't had the opportunity in
over a year and a half.
Celebrating her birthday was cause for her to take a trip outside the
center. Her family wanted to have a birthday party for her and shared
the information with the charge nurse on the floor, Mary Lou Sayers, LPN.
Mary Lou with the help of two nursing assistants were able to grant a
birthday wish for the resident and her family.
CNAs Kelly Gonthier and Jill Adams came in on their Sunday off to bathe
and dress the resident in party attire and get her up into her electric
wheelchair. Mary Lou and her husband had a friend who had access to a
wheelchair van. They borrowed the van and drove it to pick up the resident
at the facility and deliver her to the birthday party. Four hours later,
they picked her up after the party and returned her to the nursing facility.
It took the efforts of all three of these employees to complete this gift.
They are truly a reflection of the entire caring and giving staff and
the family-like environment experienced at Brigham Manor.
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Andrew House Joins in Statewide Effort for Falls Prevention
By Bruce Wassung, BS, LPTA
Rehab Coordinator
New Britain, CT --- Andrew House Healthcare, a 90-bed skilled nursing
facility, recently became a member of the Connecticut Collaboration for
Falls Prevention. This community-based project was initiated by Mary Tinetti,
author of the Tinetti Balance and Mobility Assessment, at Yale University
in New Haven, CT.
The goal of the collaboration is to reduce the number of falls in our
community-dwelling elders and prevent those extensive hospital and SNF
stays for fractured hips.
The therapy department at Andrew House offers educational materials and
presentations for our community elders and physicians about signs and
symptoms of fall risks, preventative measures and the role of physicians
and therapists in the program.
They conduct one to two presentations monthly with 20 to 50 participants.
This approach in conjunction with the outpatient-based assessment and
treatment programs has received great reviews from the community and has
been fun for the therapists as well. .
New Unit Opens at Kindred Hospital New Orleans
By Jamie Richard
New Orleans, LA --- Depression and other mental health problems touch
older adults more often than many realize. Though issues such as grief
and loss, which older adults often experience, may precipitate emotional
problems, poor mental health is definitely not part of the natural aging
process. Often, older adults can get better with proper treatment.
To help these older adults, Kindred Hospital New Orleans has opened the Senior
Behavioral Health Program. This 12-bed inpatient unit takes a multidisciplinary
approach to treating depression, severe anxiety, manic states, schizophrenia,
substance abuse and chronic mental illness that keeps older adults from optimally
functioning. Those patients with co-existing mental and medical illness are
accepted for treatment as long as the mental disorder is the primary factor
for admission.
Depression is a serious illness affecting approximately 15 out of every 100
adults over age 65 in the United States. This disorder affects a much higher
percentage of people in hospitals and nursing homes. Depression can be treated
successfully through many methods. Medications, psychotherapy or a combination
of the two can help lessen the feelings of hopelessness and improve mood, sleep,
appetite and concentration.
The Senior Behavioral Health Program offers group, individual and family treatment
seven days a week. These include psychiatric/physician services, social services,
nursing care, occupational therapy, expressive therapy and pastoral counseling
available upon request.
New Mail Delivery System Ensures Letters for All
Swansea, MA --- "You've got mail" used to be a phrase only
AOL users heard when they logged on the internet; now it's a common phrase
on the special care unit at Country Gardens Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center. The Activities Department developed a program based on that concept.
Once a month, each resident on the unit receives mail delivered by the facility's
own personal mailman. The staff helps to make the program a success by writing
cards to the residents. Fernando Espinola the son of a Country Gardens' resident,
is a mailman. He personally delivers mail to the residents on his day off.
Many of the residents receive mail on a regular basis. However, some never
receive any mail. It is a special event for them. The staff helps to open cards
and read the messages to the residents who need assistance. The response from
the residents is wonderful and heartwarming. From smiles to a simple "thank
you," the residents respond well to this activity. On delivery day, the
residents cheerfully show everyone the mail they received.
The activity has been a success to now and the residents continue to wait for
more "special deliveries."
COTA's Energy Is Contagious
By Jack Boggess
Chief Operating Officer
Westminster, CA --- For Travis Ross’ patients at Kindred Hospital
Westminster, laughter is the best medicine. This Certified Occupational
Therapy Assistant (COTA) makes a difference by bringing fun, music and
play into his treatment sessions.
Travis consistently goes above and beyond with the patients at Kindred
Hospital Westminster and it really makes a difference. "He brings
laughter and fun into every treatment," Rehab Director Marty Ardron
said.
" He always gets the patients to participate and have a good time,"
said Respiratory Supervisor Vicky Silva.
" Travis knows what will inspire the patients and integrates that
into the treatment. They seem to forget therapy and just have a good time,"
said Pam Riegel, Occupational Therapist.
" I look forward to seeing Travis. He makes my day," said one
of his patients. "There’s never a dull moment with that guy,"
commented another.
Travis’ spirit transcends to all hospital staff. He involves nursing
and respiratory staffs with the patients and their families. His "team
spirit" is so contagious that he has even been invited to staff baby
showers and an RN bachelorette party! And yes, he attended them.
Travis is consistently mentioned in the customer satisfaction survey with
patient and family comments about how much they appreciate the special
attention they received. "Thank you Travis, you made my stay and
workout fun," said one former resident. "Thank you for helping
me return home. I MADE IT!"
When he found out that a particular patient liked classic rock-and-roll
music, Travis brought 15 CDs from his own collection for the patient to
enjoy while he was here. The music was blaring and the patient was moving.
Travis helped a long-term patient create a collage with the pictures of
staff members whom she had befriended during her hospital stay as a reminder
of the special people who cared for her during her time at Kindred.
He often makes a point to visit patients who are no longer on his rehab
work list and makes it a point to wish all the patients a good farewell
as they are being discharged. These instances are not isolated but examples
of activities he involves patients with on a daily basis.
Cook Remains Dedicated Employee After 31 Years of Service
By Kim Benicki
Staff Development Coordinator
Orange, CA --- LaVeta Healthcare Center is proud to have an employee
like Wilma Cooley. Wilma has been a dedicated employee at LaVeta for
the past 31 years. She is a head cook and during her tenure at the facility
has prepared 16,120 meals for our residents. Whatever the weather, Wilma’s
husband Spade drives her to work and, now that he is retired, he waits
to take her home at night.
Wilma considers all the residents part of her second family, and hearing them
say "Good morning, Wilma. What’s for lunch today?" or "Thank
you Wilma, I enjoyed my special omelet" is what has kept her at LaVeta.
She loves sharing love, losses and good times with her second family that has
brought her so much joy and laughter over the years.
Wilma says that she will do whatever she can to make the residents feel happy
and special because she feels that she makes a difference.
Wilma has two children, six stepchildren, six grandchildren, 16 step grandchildren
and 13 step great grandchildren, and she remembers all their names.
The dedication of Wilma and all the employees at LaVeta Healthcare is what
sets it apart from other facilities in the area.
Kindred Hospital Greensboro Volunteer Brings New Meaning to the Job
By Justina Reid
Administrative Assistant
Greensboro, NC --- There are certain people who can be recognized as
special from the moment you see them. That is how it is for many people
when they see Eula Whitley.
Eula is a volunteer at Kindred Hospital Greensboro, and she has taken
volunteerism to a whole new level. She has been coming to the hospital
for well over 10 years and leads all of the volunteer efforts, including
special birthday celebrations for patients, reading to residents in our
skilled unit, and as-needed assistance to family members. At the age of
75, Eula arrives faithfully every Monday morning (usually wearing one
of her zany hats and some of the costume jewelry that she collects) and
volunteers for four hours. The patients really look forward to her coming.
She has spent her lifetime helping others. Eula averages 20 volunteer
hours a month on various projects. One major contribution is in her role
as a cook for the Potters House, a homeless shelter. Every Thursday from
8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for over 10 years, she has been helping to prepare meals
for over 250 people.
A resident of Greensboro, NC, she has received many honors from various
civic and community organizations. Some of her accolades include the Humanitarian
Award from the Dudley High School Alumni Association, the Senior Citizen
of the Year from the City of Greensboro Parks & Recreation, Woman
of the Year from the Greensboro Branch of the NAACP, and the Citation
of Service Award from the Hayes Taylor YMCA.
To have Eula at Kindred Hospital Greensboro is a good thing for the staff
as well as for the patients and their families.
