Archive for July 11, 2012

The Details that Make a LTC Facility a Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Moving to a long-term care (LTC) facility is a big change for a senior, says Jane Ganz, ASID Founder & President, Directions in Design, Inc. A facility that looks like a resort yet feels like a home is likely to stand the test of time, however, there are many architectural and design details that make a real difference to a senior’s life and should not be disregarded, she adds.

From an award winning interior design company attending the upcoming marcus evans Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012, in Weston, Florida, July 16-17, Ganz talks about strategies to improve architectural and design details that LTC facilities are lacking in today.

What is missing from LTC facilities today?

One of the biggest things that is missing from facilities today is good lighting. This is such a critical element, as good lighting helps create a friendly and safe environment. Dim lighting is a safety hazard and depressing, especially for seniors with failing eyesight, while bright lighting is unpleasant and too hospital like.

Color is also critical, as it affects the seniors’ wellbeing. Some facilities are so greyed, dull and depressing that they look more like an office building. This is a different environment. Vibrant colors can help keep the seniors’ eyes and emotions more inspired.

We also focus on easy flow and accessibility to meet the needs of the residents, as many of them have mobility issues. It is also important to make it easy for the staff to service the residents.

What design solutions stand the test of time?

A facility that looks like a resort yet feels like a home is likely to stand the test of time. Sometimes seniors want the resort look, but it should still feel like a home they might have moved out of or a home that they would have liked to have lived in. It is important to enhance the facility with architectural details in order to create the type of environment that the residents feel comfortable with, without being too trendy or technologically sophisticated.

How does this help LTC organizations maximize the reimbursement for their services?

Reimbursement is increased by the type of clientele that they are able to attract to their facility. A well designed facility will also attract better staff and create programs that can be offered to provide more variety and interest for the residents.

Staff will feel motivated when they see that the owners care enough about their residents to create a beautiful and warm environment. The entire community responds more positively to a well designed environment, which ultimately impacts the bottom line of the facility.

Any final thoughts?

I have met facility owners who are extremely friendly and caring with residents. They know their names, and ask about their grandchildren or pets. This makes a huge difference in this industry, and should be extended beyond key staff. This is unrelated to the design of the facility, but from my experience, I feel it is missing from many LTC facilities today.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Weston, Florida, July 16-17, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the Health Care Reform, innovative quality improvement, and staff recruitment and retention strategies.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – healthcare sector portal 

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Directions in Design, Inc.

Directions In Design, Inc. founded in 1975, is a comprehensive interior design firm working nationally and internationally with specialization in Senior Living and Healthcare facilities. The WBE and DWBE Certified firm’s project base is built on extensive repeat business and a strong client referral network. DID, Inc. consistently earns awards for excellence, including recognition by Forbes Magazine as Missouri’s Leading Design Firm.

www.didstl.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Turning the Rehab Department into a Profit Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Many rehabilitation departments in long-term care facilities today do not have the resources to properly comply to regulations, but the financial consequences of not doing so are greater than they have ever been, says Mike Capstick, Executive Vice President, Select Rehabilitation. “Although the rehab department is small in many facilities, it should be a large profit center,” he adds.

From a solution provider company at the upcoming marcus evans Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012, in Weston, Florida, July 16-17, Capstick highlights the benefits of outsourcing the entire therapy department, including the staff recruitment, training and day to day operational management.

What do facility directors overlook in the rehab department?

They tend to overlook the amount of time and resources it takes to actively run a rehab department in a facility. The level of talent that is required has increased dramatically over the last year, but staff training has not been consistent. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has also not been very clear with its regulations.

Many long-term care facilities do not have the resources, time or staff, to properly obtain, track and monitor new regulations. Yet the financial impact of not being current can be devastating. 

How can they maximize the reimbursement for their services?

This is about forming the right partnerships, with a vendor or consultant, who will make sure that your staff has the training and resources needed to stay current in the business. Although the rehab department is small in many facilities, it should be a large profit center. Some facilities may be so focused on cost control, that they miss out on the revenue generating opportunities.

Why can’t the recruitment and training of rehab staff be done in-house?

There is a significant shortage of therapists in general. In addition, finding therapists who are competent in all of the latest regulatory and reimbursement issues within the long-term care industry is a tremendous challenge.

With all the changes that are taking place, many therapists do not want to manage programs. Without a strong, competent manager, it is difficult to achieve a profitable rehab department.

Having all the different kinds of therapists in-house all day is also a cash drain, even for a large facility, so the best solution is to have partners moving the programs forward, training staff and following up on every patient to ensure clinical needs are being met, while also keeping abreast of all of the regulatory issues coming up.

Finding therapy staff requires much more than an advertisement in the paper or the services of a professional recruiter, who would just be providing a short-term fix to a long-term problem. It requires constant training and oversight to ensure compliance once they are hired. 

Any final comments?

Focus on the future, two to four years down the road, where I believe that managed Medicare will be the path we end up taking.

Those who plan, educate and invest from today will be better positioned financially and educationally to meet their community’s needs and to prosper in the future.
 

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Weston, Florida, July 16-17, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the Health Care Reform, innovative quality improvement, and staff recruitment and retention strategies.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – healthcare sector portal 

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Select Rehabilitation

Select Rehabilitation provides comprehensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to patients in a variety of settings including skilled nursing facilities, continuing care retirement centers, acute care hospitals, and outpatient clinics.  Emphasis is placed on patient focused, outcome driven services that allow patients to achieve their greatest recovery potential and maintain quality of life.

www.selectrehab.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Adding Value to Long-Term Care Facilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Many long-term care (LTC) facilities today are outdated and do not serve the needs of their residents and caregivers, according to Lisa M. Cini, President, Mosaic Design Studio. However, not many of those designing or renovating such facilities have the background in healthcare that is required to arrive at the ideal design solution, Cini adds.

From a solution provider company at the marcus evans Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012, in Weston, Florida, July 16-17, Cini talks about maximizing reimbursement and how to improve a LTC facility’s bottom line.

Maximizing reimbursement is a major priority in this industry. How can LTC facilities improve their bottom line?

We understand that reimbursement is a critical factor in this industry. We have previously been in-house and know that projects have to finish on time as every day that a room cannot be rented is a day without any income. We also know what it means to live with the repercussions of a designer choosing a low-quality material or coming up with a layout that does not work nor flow and creates extra work for the organization.

Many LTC facilities today are outdated. With paperless charting, they may be able to gain more resident rooms or convert some space into a short-term rehab, outpatient rehab or hospice. All of this translates into more revenue and gravitating into areas that are getting reimbursed the highest rates. Design should be more about adding value than just re-decorating. We have grown up in a community where it is all about the lowest bid with clients suffering the results of bad decisions and we have created a better solution to deliver the best results economically.

What are the Baby Boomers looking for?

The Baby Boomers are looking for a country club feel. Instead of the old school assisted or senior living facility where everyone dined together at a certain time, they now want multiple dining and activity options like a country club. It is quite similar to a cruise ship, but instead we have treated it like an institution. Cruise ships understand the thinking behind having multiple venues for entertainment and dining. The more they leverage the space they have and create engagement opportunities, the more bookings they get. The facility obviously needs to have great caregivers, but this physical part makes a big difference to the Baby Boom generation. They want to live life to the fullest.

Where do you see the future of this industry?

I think we have just touched the surface of what home health care can do for LTC, and how to properly leverage that. Most seniors today are engaged in their health care. They are doing their research, monitoring or tracking their cholesterol or sugar levels, and getting second opinions. Unless we further engage this generation, there is going to be a disconnect soon.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Long-Term Care CXO Summit Spring 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Weston, Florida, July 16-17, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the Health Care Reform, innovative quality improvement, and staff recruitment and retention strategies.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – healthcare sector portal 

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Mosaic Design Studio

Mosaic’s mission is to improve quality of life through design! Award winning and nationally recognized, Mosaic Design Studio specializes in Senior Living environments: Independent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled and Short-term Rehab in the USA and Canada. Mosaic provides turnkey design, procurement and interior renovation solutions. Mosaic’s design and implementation approach helps to foster innovative and cost/time sensitive approaches to design and product solutions.

www.mosaicdesignstudio.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com