Connect4Life Leads to Better Outcomes for Residents

Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets the Triple Aim from Cindy Longfellow

Data shows Connect4Life’s high-tech/high-touch integrated services lead to higher quality care and better outcomes for residents

Executive Summary: Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets
the Triple Aim

By Anne Tumlinson, MMHS and Lynne Katzmann, PhD

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, more than 190 million Americans, or about 59 percent of the population, are affected by one or more chronic illnesses. Over the next 15 years (between 2016 and 2030,) 80 percent of the United States population will experience one or more chronic conditions, costing more than $42 trillion in medical care spending and losses in employment productivity.

To address these challenges and enhance the resident experience, Juniper Communities, a Bloomfield, NJ-based national owner-operator of seniors housing, developed the Connect4Life model, which provides on-site comprehensive therapy, primary care, pharmacy and lab services, integrated with other services using a “high-tech/high-touch” communications protocol that transfers information through an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and coordinates care through a human navigator.

Juniper Communities retained Anne Tumlinson Innovations (ATI) to compare Connect4Life outcomes and utilization data with data on the broader Medicare population from the 2012 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The findings suggest that the Connect4Life model contributes to lower hospital readmissions and the utilization of inpatient services among a high-need resident population. The results affirm the potential of integrating select clinical care and services in a seniors housing environment that provides supportive services to those who have chronic conditions, functional limitations, and complex social needs.

The results suggest an integrated program of services in seniors housing—like Juniper’s Connect4Life —can contribute to reducing the cost of care and services to Medicare beneficiaries residing in seniors housing. More importantly, the data points to the value of the Connect4Life model for managing population health because of its ability to efficiently target integrated care interventions in the high cost, high-need Medicare population.

Juniper Communities has been a thought leader in senior living care, developing nearly a dozen innovative service and delivery programs to enhance aging, lifestyle and resident health. Recognizing opportunities in to meet the triple aim of recent health policy changes in the United States – improved customer satisfaction, evidence-base quality and lower healthcare utilization, Juniper is pioneering Connect 4 Life – one of senior living’s first truly integrated care models of assisted living care and service.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

St. Patrick's Day is a day to wear green, eat traditional foods, and celebrate the Irish culture. Juniper Village expanded this holiday over a two-day affair, to provide a vast array of opportunities for staff and residents to enjoy the festivities.

On the eve of St. Patrick's Day, Juniper Village Senior Living hosted a quartet from the Penn State Rince na Leon Irish dance club. This group of young ladies demonstrated several traditional Irish dances while dressed in custom made Irish dance skirts in true Penn State blue & white colors. Attendees enjoyed a delicious Reuben dip, chocolate chip mint cookies, and a green cocktail coined the 'Lucky Leprechaun.' The following day the halls were filled with green as staff and residents alike wore green and gold necklaces, shamrock headbands, and green clothes from head to toe. The community came together in the afternoon for a cupcake treat as well as mint milkshakes. These gatherings were perfect opportunities for 'Best Friends' to come together for a fun Connections offering. The Best Friends program is an opportunity for a single staff member to be connected to a new resident at the time of her/his move-in and grow and foster that relationship indefinitely. The Best Friends program is one way in which Juniper Communities builds relationships between residents and staff beyond the traditional resident/staff interactions.  Whether it is through structured programs or casual interactions throughout the campus, residents and staff share laughter, love, and luck with each other each and every day!

A Mardi Gras Celebration

Mardi-Gras, which dates to the 1600's, is a day of celebration traditionally recognized as a celebration prior to the ritual of fasting for the Lenten season. In more recent history, Mardi-Gras has become a day to wear colorful beads and masks while enjoying delectable delights.

It was in this spirit that Juniper Village at Brookline created our own festive event to celebrate this age-old holiday. Guests were provided with beads and masks for the event as well as photo opportunities with our campus mascot Miles the Giraffe. Staff and residents alike were treated to celebration themed food demonstrations provided by our very own culinary team.  Some of the sumptuous features included traditional New Orleans consisting of shrimp and grits, bananas foster crepes, and Jambalaya.

Kris, Dining Director from Senior Living, cooked shrimp to order, while Serena from Rehabilitation and Skilled Care served fresh crepes straight from the skillet. Not to be outdone, Penney from the Wellspring community, made cocktail gummies for guests to enjoy. Beyond these tasty treats, guests were served the traditional King Cake along with a New Orleans themed cocktail creatively and affectionately referred to as "Hurricanes" which were served in festive glassware. As a culmination of this wonderfully themed event, guests enjoyed live entertainment of both guitar and piano tunes, which provided the perfect ambiance for several attendees to begin dancing the night away.
               
An evening of fellowship, laughs, and love, is yet another example of how Juniper Village at Brookline nurtures the spirit of life for our residents, staff, and guests.

March 2017 Events in State College, PA: Your Treasure is Within

Theatrical readings, colorful costumed dancers and spectacular vocal performances bring to a close our creative expression quarterly theme with a focus on performance and honoring our inner treasure – our self-worth. With so many demands on our time these days, it’s easy to always put others first and forget to care of ourselves. Also as we get older, retire from work and in some cases caretaking, we may forget our sense of value – our self-worth. A large part of nurturing the spirit of life is providing opportunities for purpose.

This month we will put an even greater focus on identifying our continued purpose and self-worth by performing purposeful activities, reminiscing and creating opportunities to treasure ourselves. Motivational speaker Anne Naylor offers these tips to help you treasure yourself: Treasure your thoughts with kindness – nurture your thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. Treasure your feelings and emotions – observe and use them as your guide. Treasure your body – treat it well with exercise, nourishment, rest, joy and laughter. Treasure your spirit – breathe, meditate and enjoy the goodness in your life. We hope you all enjoy the treasure of your wonderful self.

Please join us as we dramatically embrace performance throughout March with our weekly drama club, outings to live theatrical performances and our Oscar-themed party. Celebrate the Irish culture in grand style with our Saint Patrick’s Day event filled with food, fun and, of course, dancing! Honor yourself and recognize Your Treasure is Within this month at Juniper Village!

Our fabulous March 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living include our:

§  Irish Dance Showcase to dress in green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish extravaganza as we feature the PSU Rince na Leon Dancers, a group that is sure to get your hands clapping and toes tapping, and we will have Irish-themed snacks, including Guinness beer bread, Reuben dip, and traditional Irish-themed beverages will be served on March 16^th at 6:00 pm. (No reservations required.)

§  Dinner and Discussion “From Script to Stage Bringing Musical Theater to Life” as we join Richard Biever, founder and artistic director of the award-winning FUSE Productions, as he shares what it takes to bring a theatrical production to life; from auditions, to the creative process, to opening night, Richard will take you behind the curtain for the upcoming production of Camelot on March 22^nd at 5:30 pm. (Reservations required for this special program and delicious dinner at 814-235-2041.)

§  Nittany Valley Symphony “Golden Jubilee” Reception as for 50 years, the Nittany Valley Symphony has been inspiring and delighting Centre County residents with the joy of classical music, so join us for a very special reception following their Golden Jubilee Anniversary Concert on March 26^th at 6:15 pm. (Reception reservations required at 814-235-2041. For concert details visit www.nvs.org.)

We look forward to sharing our March 2017 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living with you as Your Treasure is Within.

Who's Who at Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living: Staff Spotlight: Concierge

Justine McLarren joined the Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living team just this month as the Concierge. Justine, originally from Philipsburg, moved to North Carolina as a young teen and feels as if she has "returned home." While in North Carolina, Justine received multiple degrees from Eastern Carolina University, all in the study of English. Justine continues this area of interest by teaching a Writing & Composition course through the on-line campus of Bryant & Stratton College. As if that were not enough, Justine is also furthering her education by pursuing a degree in teaching. When not busy with school or work, Justine enjoys a new passion, karaoke. Having spent twelve years singing opera, she enjoys the free-spirited singing environment where she can fulfill her love of song without the burden of large crowds.  Justine was encouraged to join us here at Juniper Village at Brookline from one of our other employees here at Juniper, who felt Justine would "love it" as much as the rest of us.

The Concierge role at Juniper Village is part of the First Impressions Signature Program. First Impressions highlights the importance of providing a life-affirming environment for all customers.  Justine's role as concierge, with her infectious bright smile and warm demeanor, will allow her to serve as the first smiling face that most will see as they enter The Inn. During your next visit, please take a moment to welcome Justine to Juniper Village.

Mackenzie Rearick Honored with Spirit Award

One of our favorite things we get to do at Juniper Village at Brookline is celebrate outstanding staff. Recently, a special ceremony was held to honor Mackenzie Rearick, Resident Assistant at Juniper Village at Brookline’s Wellspring Memory Care building, with the Juniper Spirit Award.  This bi-annual honor is awarded to associates who consistently go above and beyond in their work duties and facilitate positive team work, exemplifying the true spirit of the Juniper mission. Nominations for this award are taken from Juniper associates and family members of residents, and the recipient is chosen by the leadership team.

Mackenzie has been a member of the Juniper Village at Brookline team for just over a year. In that short time frame, she has demonstrated herself to be someone her team and our residents can count on to go the extra mile. Her colleagues described her as having special relationships with our residents. They said, “Makenzie will go above and beyond to help her team and nurture our residents… She is always willing to lend an extra hand!”

Congratulations, Mackenzie, and thank you for all you do to support Juniper’s mission of “nurturing the spirit of life” for our residents!

The Purr-fect Pair

Sigmund Freud once said, "Time spent with cats is never wasted." Jean, a resident of Juniper Village at Brookline Senior Living, agrees whole-heartedly with this statement. Jean is a cat-lover. When given the choice of theme, Jean chooses cats, every time. From clothes, to wall art, to pets. Her most recent companion, Daffodil, aka "Daffy," fits the bill for what makes a perfect partnership. Daffy the rescue cat, moved in with Jean less than a year ago and is "very well trained" according to Jean. Daffy "yearns for adventure" but settles for gazing out of the window while sitting on her very own window ledge bed. On occasion, Daffy has ventured outside of Jean's suite, into the common area but excursions are often short lived as "others are there to catch her" before she ventures too far.

Daffy is just one of several feline family members that residents at Juniper Village at Brookline have welcomed into their homes. Being able to have a furry friend is beneficial to not only the resident owner, but also the staff and community as a whole. Jill McKenrick, Director of Connections at Juniper Village at Brookline shares that, "Pets can serve as a great companions to our residents. They not only lift their spirits but provide comfort and reduce stress and depression." While not all of us may be as lucky as Daffy, basking his days away in his window-side bed, we certainly can come close, due in no small part to our faithful, furry friends.