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Alabama Nursing Home Best Practices Presenters Announced

Six Facilities Have Developed Innovative Approaches to Resident Care and Quality of Life

Photo Gallery: Alabama Best Practices 2008

MONTGOMERY – Six Alabama nursing homes were honored for developing creative techniques and implementing innovative practices to improve resident care. The facilities presented their initiatives at the 15th annual Alabama Best Practices Program on August 14 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center in Birmingham.

The Alabama nursing homes chosen to present their “Best Practice” are:

“Real Volleyball” – Southland Nursing Home, Marion

• A monthly volleyball game between residents and staff has increased exercise opportunities and socialization for residents

“Art Class” – Sumter Health and Rehabilitation, York

• Weekly art class taught by a local artist allows residents to express their creativity while improving muscle strength and fine motor skills

“Dignity and Sensitivity Fair” – Traylor Retirement Community, Roanoke

• An event where direct care staff became “residents” to gain a better perspective on the lives of the people they care for every day

“Tender Loving Care from Beginning to End” – Coosa Valley Nursing Home, Sylacauga

• A hospitality team welcomes new residents to enhance relationships with others at the facility to make sure each person has a life filled with rewarding activities

“I Want It That Way” – TLC Nursing Center, Oneonta

• The staff developed a program to give residents more say in planned activities which has resulted in greater resident participation and stronger relationships

“Plan, Study, Do, Act (PSDA)” – Hanceville Nursing & Rehab, Hanceville

• This person-centered initiative empowers residents by giving them the opportunity to set their morning routines and plan their own menus

Best Practices was created by the Alabama Nursing Home Association (ANHA) in 1994 with cooperation from the Alabama Department of Public Health. The program recognizes nursing homes for innovative ways of improving residents’ quality of life and/or quality of care. The concepts shared have touched and improved the lives of countless hundreds of Alabama’s nursing home residents.

The Best Practices Program is chaired by Pam Penland, a nursing home owner from Ashville, Alabama. According to Penland, “Many of the programs and ideas discussed during Best Practices have been emulated in nursing homes across Alabama and the nation. New and innovative ideas improve the lives of residents, and that is our ultimate goal.”

Alabama was the third state in the nation to create a Best Practices program, only behind New York and California.

“The Best Practices program fosters the sharing of ideas among facilities from things such as residents’ rights to improving the quality of care to administrative procedures,” ANHA Executive Director Louis Cottrell said. “Alabama nursing homes grow and learn by capitalizing on the successes enjoyed by others.”

Almost 500 people, representing nursing homes from across the state attended the Best Practices Program. The event also honored several Certified Nursing Assistants for their contributions to long-term care.

 

Associate Member Contributions...

By providing the products and services designed to aid Alabama's nursing home residents, the Associate Members of ANHA also play a vital role in achieving the goals and purposes of the Association.

Those eligible for Associate Membership, include: Persons, Firms, Corporations, Organizations, and City, County, State, or Federal Agencies whose interests correlate with the objectives of ANHA. Each applicant must submit THREE (3) letters of recommendation from active ANHA Member Facilities along with an application and payment of Dues. Those ineligible for Associate Membership include: Owners, Administrators, or Employees of nursing homes or assisted living facilities licensed by the State of Alabama who DO NOT maintain active Membership with ANHA. If you are interested in becoming an Associate Member with our Association please contact Daneen Sheffield at(334) 271-6214.