Creating a Specialized Adult Day Service program

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Vision for an MS Achievement Center AT BHC

• The National MS Society identified a goal to expand MS Adult Day programs outside the Twin Cities Metro area by 2011.

• A 15 person task for was assigned to this project to gauge program interest.

• Duluth

• St. Cloud

• Mankato

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What is MS?

• Chronic disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves)

• Symptoms may be mild to severe• Symptoms vary from one person to another and the

disease is considered unique to the individual• Thought to be an auto-immune disorder• Four Stages: Relapsing-remitting; Primary-

Progressive; Secondary-Progressive; and Progressive-Relapsing

ADS and Progressive MS

• ADS programs are particularly suited for MS patients as they address cognitive concerns, referral to PT, OT, speech, and assistance with activities of daily living. 1

• The disease will impact the patient’s ability to ambulate, impact cognitive function over time, and the ability to function daily.

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Planning for an MS Program at BHC

• Is there a demand for this service? • Current ADS program serves 45-50 seniors Monday-

Friday. Licensed capacity 25 individuals per day.• Consider the following:

▪ Staff patterns and cost

▪ Can two programs operate side-by-side

▪ How to market?

▪ Who to partner with in the community?

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Planning for an MS Program at BHC

Attended National MS Day program conference in 2011 in Denver.

▪ Toured Anschutz MS Research and Spinal Cord Bank at University of Colorado

▪ Attended a lecture at UC by Research Scientist, Augusto Miravalle at Rocky MT. MS Center

▪ Toured King Adult Day program and learned from over 40 other program directors during the seminar on MS Day Service programs

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Planning for an MS Program at BHC

• Met with officials from Upper Midwest MS Society on multiple occasions and toured the Fairview MS Achievement Center on multiple occasions observing and researching best practices.

• Met with CEO/Administrator of BHC and Director of Finance to run the numbers.

• Announced to leadership team the plan to move forward with this new program.

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Why Day Programs and MS?

• Research based studies show that individuals attending MS Achievement Centers showed:3

▪ Improvement in mobility, balance, transfers, and self-care activities.

▪ Fewer symptoms of MS

▪ Less fatigue

▪ Lower rate of functional physical decline

▪ Greater sense of mastery over their environment

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Vision for an MS Achievement Center AT BHC

• The Fairview MS Achievement Center has been in operation for more than 20 years and serves 200 persons with MS each week.4

• Partnering with agencies within the community that offer new service lines is a strategic goal outlined by the BHS Strategic Plan.

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Mission Specific

Bringing health, independence and choice to life

• Aligns with BHS Corporate Mission of positioning our effort as the “work of the Church”

• Commits BHC to serving people still living in their own home along the 40/40/20 strategy. 5

• 20% of those we serve will be living at home by 2015

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Mission Specific

• MS Day Program meets the goal of expanding beyond our walls and meeting community need.

• Establishes a niche market for BHC• Allows the continuum to continue to prosper by

referrals to PT, OT, Speech, and Stay Fit.• Provide services to a population that does not have

access to Day Services but have better outcomes and success through a Day Services model

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Duluth MS Achievement Center

• October interest mailing to 95 individuals in Duluth-Superior

• 4-6 persons per Saturday to meet budget

• Saturday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Establish Program in the Community

• Seek Funding Sources

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Partnership with MS Society

• Focus on a collaboration with a State and National Chapter of the MS Society

• Assistance with target marketing

• Advertising in Quarterly Newsletter

• Assistance with staff training as:

▪ MS Specialists

▪ Ongoing Educational Offerings

▪ Certification in Cognitive Fitness training

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Just the Facts

• Identified strong interest in Duluth Market for an MS Day Program on two separate polls conducted two years apart

• Duluth has an Active MS Population that meets with support groups monthly

• Essentia has a MS Certified program and partnership with MN Chapter

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Key Processes

• Investigative Process

▪ Does it meet our mission/vision?

▪ Community need?

▪ Can we provide this service?

▪ Is it financially viable?

• Partner with MS Society

▪ Conference

▪ Learning/Touring

• Onboarding of Key BHC Staff

▪ Administrator

▪ Board

Final Phases

• Hiring and training staff

• Promoting and planning program content

• Seek additional funding sources

• Community Specialists

• Market, promote, promote and promote

• Build relationships with key partners

• Launched program June 2, 2012.

• 11 enrolled members

• Mailing List of 50

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References1. Northrop, Dorthy, E. and Frankel, Debra: Serving Individuals with MS in Adult Day Programs.

National MS Society. 2010.

2. MRI Image: University Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Online. August 22, 2012.

3. Fairview MS Achievement Center, Marketing Brochure. 2012.

4. Fairview MS Achievement Presentation, National Adult Day Service Conference, Denver, Co. 2010.

5. BHC Leadership Meeting. 40/40/20 Strategic Plan Update. Mark Broman, CEO BHC. August , 2012.

6. Images: Upper Midwest MS Society; Mud Ruckus; Bike MS. Courtesy, MS Society. 2012.

7. Images: Elderly woman and female staffer. Courtesy BHS. 2012.

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