todaytodayA publication of the Illinois Health Care Association

Fall/Winter 2014

Longevity in Long Term Care

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NEARLY 30% OF ALL ILLINOIS SKILLED NURSING HOME PROVIDERS have achieved accreditation or are actively pursuing accreditation as a business strategy for maintaining long term longevity in the communities they serve. There are THREE PRIMARY ACCREDITATION DRIVERS in Illinois that are prompting such large numbers of Illinois Providers to seek accreditation.

THE FIRST PRIMARY ACCREDITATION DRIVER is the recent Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO decision to require accreditation for the providers in the Collar Counties as a requirement to remain in the PPO plan. This landmark decision has forever changed the accreditation landscape in Illinois and has been quickly followed by industry expert predictions that other major third party payers are sure to follow suit.

THE SECOND PRIMARY ACCREDITATION DRIVER is hospital leadership and post-acute network expectations. Hospitals and post-acute networks want to shrink their list of skilled nursing business partners. They want to partner with a smaller number of high quality skilled nursing providers to streamline communications and to avoid hospital re-admissions. More and more hospitals and postacute networks across the state are openly stating that one of their criteria to remain a premiere skilled nursing business partner is to validate your organization’s quality and safety through accreditation. Illinois Hospitals are familiar first-hand with the Joint Commission Accreditation survey process and equally familiar with the rigorous requirements of the standards. For this reason, expectations are that premiere skilled nursing business partners will be accredited or are in the process of obtaining accreditation. This strength of this driver is being observed across the entire state not just in the Chicagoland market.

THE THIRD PRIMARY ACCREDITATION DRIVER is heavy skilled nursing provider geographic zone competition for census. As the number of accredited Illinois Skilled Nursing Providers moves closer to 30% and beyond, geographic zone competitive scenarios are strongly motivating Illinois Skilled Nursing Providers to seek accreditation quickly. As an example, does your organization really want to be the one provider of six providers in your geographic competitive zone that is not accredited? The ability to be recognized as an industry expert through Post Acute Certification in addition to your Joint Commission Accreditation has certainly been a major contributing factor for Illinois providers continuing to seek accreditation in large numbers.

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Fall/Winter 2014 5

8

1618

contents LTC Today • Fall/Winter 2014

in this issue

FrOM tHe aSSOCiatiOn 7

lOnGeVitY in lOnG terM Care 8

Read about five Illinois Health Care Association member facilities

that have celebrated special milestones this year.

SeCretS tO SUCCeSS anD lOnGeVitY in lOnG terM Care 13

Professional Medical has been a dedicated supplier to the long

term care profession. They have shared a number of tips and

strategies that can be used in long term care centers in two key

areas: organization and product efficiency.

iHCa CeleBrateS anOtHer SUCCeSSFUl COnVentiOn & traDe SHOW 16

‘On traCK tO GOOD HealtH’ 18

AJ’s Fitness Centers offer seniors an opportunity to work on their

fitness goals using state-of-the-art equipment that goes far beyond

what is generally found in an ordinary therapy room.

BY aSHleY CalDWell

in MeMOrY 22

Former IHCA President John Snyder.

inDeX OF aDVertiSerS/aDVertiSer.COM 22

Read LTC Today online at www.naylornetwork.com/ihc-nxt

6 LTCtODaY

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Staying PowerAnother year will soon come to a close – and what a year it has been! Together with our members we have made great strides these past months, reinvigorating our association and starting down a new path for the future. We have seen much change and growth in 2014, and we hope to continue this trend in the year to come. That’s not to say we should overlook the years of hard work already behind us. With more than 64 years under its belt, IHCA has certainly proven its staying power as an association.

As long term care professionals, we all know that endurance and longevity are not always easy to come by. Staff members come and go, or change positions within the facility or company; rules and regulations change and evolve; facilities are bought or sold; and the needs of residents are constantly becoming more complicated and diverse. Taking all of this into consideration makes it that much more impressive when a staff member remains in one place for decades, or a facility operates in one location for years and years. Turn to page 8 to read about some of the major milestones that have been celebrated by IHCA members this year. To learn about how some organizations have seen lasting success in long term care – and to get some tips on how you can do the same – turn to page 13 to read an article provided by IHCA associate member Professional Medical, Inc.

In this issue you’ll also find a feature article (page 18) about AJ’s Fitness Center – a great addition to the campuses of the Liberty Village Continuing Care Retirement Communities here in Illinois. These state-of-the-art fitness centers offer residents an opportunity to reach and maintain their fitness goals. And, don’t miss the highlights from the 64th Annual IHCA Convention and Trade Show in Peoria, IL on page 16. It was another fabulous event, chock full of excellent education sessions, the latest and greatest products and services and fun networking opportunities. Next year’s event is already in the works; we hope to see you there!

We hope you will enjoy this issue of LTC Today. As always, if you have any questions or a topic you would like to see covered in a future issue, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Illinois Health Care Association 1029 South Fourth Street Springfield, IL 62703 Phone: 217.528.6455 Fax: 217.528.0452 Website: www.ihca.com

Board of Directors

President John Vrba

First Vice President Robert Hedges

Secretary Rhonda Luther

Treasurer Sam Thompson

Immediate Past President Holgeir Oksnevad

Nursing Facility Independent Owner Vice President Tom Annarella

Nursing Facility Multi-Facility Vice President Greg Wilson

Nursing Facility Non-Proprietary Vice President James Thomason

ID/DD First Vice President Michael Bibo

ID/DD Representative Martha Warford

Assisted Living First Vice President Jeffrey Amann

Associate/Individual First Vice President Scott Wilson

LTCNA Representative Patricia Hubbard

Executive Director David Voepel

Editor, LTC Today Ashley Caldwell

Published by

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Editor Leslee Masters

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©2014 Naylor all rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher.

Published OctOber 2014 • ihc-b0214 • 4170

From the association

John F. Vrba IHCA President

David A. Voepel IHCA Executive Director

Fall/Winter 2014 7

8 LTCtODaY

Longevity in Long Term Care

Long term care is not for the faint of heart. It is a profession that is constantly in a state of f lux. Medical practices and technologies continuously evolve; resident care needs become increasingly more complex; rules and regulations change; and holding onto staff in the long

term often proves difficult. In light of all of this, it is important to recognize instances of longevity in long term care and to celebrate when your staff, facility or company reaches a major milestone – 20, 30, 40 years and more! The stories that follow are just a small sample of the special milestones Illinois Health Care Association (IHCA) members have celebrated this year.

Imboden Creek Staff Members Celebrate 20 Years on the Job

This year marks the 20th anniversary of not one, but two of the dedicated employees responsible for leading the Imboden Creek campus in Decatur, IL – Molly Carpenter, administrator, Imboden Creek Living Center, and Rhonda Luther, COO, Imboden Creek Health Services.

Early in 1994 Rhonda Luther was preparing to take the next step in her career. Having recently earned her master’s in Gerontology and completed the licensure exam for nursing home administrators, she was working as a hospital discharge planner and looking for a new opportunity. She found it when she answered an ad placed by Imboden Creek owner John Brinkoetter, who hired her as the facility administrator. Later that year, another ad caught Molly Carpenter’s eye and had her dropping by the facility… and the rest, as they say, is history.

Much has changed in the 20 years since Luther and Carpenter both joined the Imboden Creek family. Long term care has evolved; the Imboden Creek campus has grown; both Carpenter and Luther have continued to move forward in their careers, and together have developed a true partnership that they will

Imboden Creek’s dynamic duo – Rhonda Luther, COO, Imboden Creek Health Services, and Molly Carpenter, administrator, Imboden Creek Living Center both celebrated their 20th anniversary with the company this year.

Celebrating Important Milestones

Fall/Winter 2014 9

happily tell you, “just works.” One thing, however, has remained the same: the vision that John and Martha Brinkoetter have for their company and the moral standards by which it is run. This vision and the principles that are such an intrinsic part of Imboden Creek Health Services are part of what keeps Carpenter and Luther coming back for more every day.

“I think that we both have a passion for what we do, but I think we more so have a passion for this campus and its culture and what it stands for,” said Carpenter.

“We know that we’re doing a good thing every day,” stated Luther. “No matter the bureaucracy or the headaches that you have to deal with some days, I still know that this campus – these 22 acres – is providing a safe, positive environment for our 170 staff and 140 residents.”

Theresa Poole Celebrates 25 Years with Rosewood Care Centers

Theresa Poole, RN, LNHA, stumbled into the long term care profession more than three decades ago. After graduating from high school, Poole was taking business classes at a local junior college and looking for a part time

job. She took a position at a nearby nursing home and in no time at all she was hooked. “I fell in love with the residents,” said Poole. “I loved the idea that I could make a difference in their lives just by taking care of them and giving them a little special attention.”

Since taking that first position as an aide, Poole has continuously worked to further both her education and her career. She believes that to truly be successful in the long term care profession you have to be willing to move forward and to embrace change. Twenty-five years ago she was introduced to Rosewood Care Centers when her husband took an administrator’s position with the company. His enthusiasm prompted Poole to apply for the director of nursing position at the same facility – and she has never looked back. She has held several positions within the company, from director of nursing to regional nurse to her current position as corporate director of nursing services, which she has held for the past 15 years.

“The best part of the job is being able to work for a great company with so many amazing people who are passionate about providing the best possible care for our residents. And there is always a new challenge,” said Poole. “It’s really remarkable how this job never becomes stagnant, never becomes boring,” she added. “I can’t imagine my life without Rosewood. It’s a company you can be very proud to say you are affiliated with. It has been a really rewarding 25 years.”

Heartland Health Care Center-Normal Celebrates 50 Years of Membership with IHCA

Heartland Health Care Center-Normal is a 116-bed skilled nursing facility in the heart of Normal, IL, offering a full complement of patient care services. The facility’s primary focus is short-term, post-acute

rehabilitation, enabling more than 85 percent of their patients to return home. “Our goal is to make sure that they have a stay that helps them meet their specific needs and return home as quickly as possible,” explained Douglas Rutter, administrator.

Originally opened as Americana Nursing Center of Normal in the early ‘60s, the facility was later purchased by the HCR ManorCare organization. Their company-wide philosophy of keeping resident care as the top priority while also ensuring that employees know that their work is valued is a way of life at the facility – one that has endured regardless of the changes in long term care, the company and the facility itself. Rutter believes that the facility’s low staff turnover rate and the longevity of its employees, especially in key leadership roles, is truly a testament to the success of this culture.

Heartland Health Care Center-Normal joined IHCA in 1964. This year they celebrate their 50th year of membership with the association – a feat that has only been reached by a handful of other facilities – and both organizations are thrilled to be celebrating the success of their lengthy partnership.

As a member, Rutter recognizes the benefits of being associated with IHCA. “One is just having that constant awareness of the changes happening in the profession and having a partner who knows what the trends are and can forecast how you need to be adjusting your business,” he explained. He also praised the peer-to-peer networking opportunities at events hosted by the association. “Being an administrator, because of the nature of our work, we can be very isolated, so it is a valuable and cherished opportunity when we get to rub shoulders with people who sit in the same chair that you do and handle the same issues you do and face the same pressures. That is a rare opportunity in this role.”

Theresa Poole, RN, has been working in long term care form more than three decades.

10 LTCtODaY

Petersen Health Care Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Petersen Health Care was founded in 1974, the brain child of two brothers, both physical therapists who believed in providing quality care that focuses on the resident and creating strong ties to local communities. What started off as a small venture – just two flagship homes in small towns in Illinois – has since grown to be a major force in long term care, with more than 80 facilities and nearly 6,000 employees.

Mark Petersen, the company’s owner/operator, grew up around the original Petersen facility in Kewanee, IL, and held several positions there himself before taking on a larger role in the company. Following in his father’s footsteps, he officially joined Petersen Health Care after graduating from college, and in 2002 he took over the company, continuing the mission

evolution; not only in the care that is offered and how it is provided, but in the facility itself as well.

Today, this 120-bed facility offers services that cover all the bases, from short-term rehabilitation to long term skilled nursing care. The facility boasts nearly 150 specially trained employees, including an onsite nurse practitioner who works directly with residents and their primary care physicians. Additionally, Evergreen has the support of its management company, HI Care Management in Springfield, IL, whose dedicated staff offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in the long term care profession. Together, they work hard to ensure that residents receive the best possible care.

In May, the facility hosted a 40th anniversary celebration to honor their years of serving the Effingham community. Residents, family members, staff and guests were treated to an evening of good food and good fun at the facility. Members of

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“I think that Mark’s personal mission was to make sure that rural communities had access to local, good quality care,” stated Julie Hearst, corporate director of census development for Petersen Health Care. As the company has grown and evolved, offering successful, viable care options to small communities around the state, their care philosophy and business model have remained the same: They are dedicated to providing the best possible quality of life for their residents and creating great partnerships within the community. “Their tagline is ‘Caring with a Hometown Touch,’ and they really do take that personally,” added Hearst. “It’s one of the reasons I joined the company.”

Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Celebrates 40 Years of Serving Their Local Community

Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (formerly Mark’s Manor Shelter Care Home) opened its doors in the spring of 1974 in Effingham, IL. Over the years the facility has gone through an

Fall/Winter 2014 11

the original owner’s family and several local community leaders were in attendance for the celebration, as well as members of the IHCA staff.

“Evergreen has changed over the years, not only with regard to meeting regulatory mandates, but also working with community and state officials to ensure that regulations are addressing our seniors’ best interests,” stated facility administrator, Lola White. “We at Evergreen have worked diligently to change the perception of what a long term care facility is about. Our staff members put their hearts and souls into caring for our most vulnerable citizens, and it shows in the satisfaction that families and residents report to us. We couldn’t be prouder of our team here.” ■

Bill Weeaks, HI Care Management; Lola White, administrator, Evergreen; Josh Mathis, Evergreen; and Derek Hedges, HI Care Management, celebrated the facility’s 40th anniversary in May.

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Secrets to Success and Longevity in Long Term Care

Remaining competitive in today’s long term care environment is a constant challenge. Government regulations

are continually changing and evolving. It’s tough to find and keep great staff. Facilities are under pressure to care for residents with increasingly complex needs. And, of course, all of these changes need to be addressed while maintaining a healthy bottom line.

Some facilities meet these challenges, while others are not able to adapt and either sell to more profitable organizations or close their doors. What are the successful facilities doing differently?

Professional Medical has been a dedicated supplier to the long term care profession since 1968. Our personalized service goes far beyond products and allows us to become trusted advisors to our customers. Over the years, we have helped customers achieve their financial, clinical and supply chain goals. In return, they have shared with us their secrets and strategies for remaining profitable and successful even as challenges mount. These strategies are easily adaptable for use by all facilities and can be categorized into two main areas: organization and product efficiency.

Organizational StrategiesRevenue enhancement

With the continuous turbulence in health care overall, and especially in long term care, one of the most effective methods that successful organizations employ is maximizing

their revenue. Obviously, the number one technique is to keep buildings full. By maintaining an excellent reputation for resident care, upgrading facilities and expanding their areas of expertise, the best organizations are able to market their abilities effectively to both the community and the referral sources that recommend their services. A second technique that successful organizations use is evaluating various available revenue sources and building their capabilities accordingly. Examples of this technique include expanding rehabilitation capabilities to attract hospital discharges in need of aggressive short-term therapies and creating care specialties such as memory care, assisted living communities, wound care, dialysis and bariatric specialties. Other organizations expand vertically, adding independent living and home care into their business models.

Staffing solutionsStaffing shortages have made

finding and retaining quality staff more important than ever. To ensure that your facility is attractive to candidates,

compare your culture, compensation and benefits to other organizations in your area. Next, take a look at the training and education you provide. Do you offer CEU programs, certification programs or other in-house training? Are there opportunities for growth that your best employees will find attractive? Do you help your employees take advantage of programs to prepare for future growth within your organization? Is your culture clearly identified and is it effectively communicated to your staff? These enhancements can help give you a competitive edge in attracting and keeping the best staff. Last, but not least, examine the benefits you offer. Is it possible to add perks such as a 401(k) program, tuition reimbursement, day care or attendance bonuses?

Survey preparationLong term care has seen an

increase in the number of J- and K-level citations being handed out during surveys. These can lead to increased fines, administrative documentation and supply costs. Being proactive, not reactive, toward

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survey preparedness can help protect both your business and your bottom line. Our customers have found it helpful to start by talking to industry partners, including consultants, GPO partners and vendors about any available resources they offer to help them prepare for both the QIS and traditional survey. They also recommend developing and training a survey team, meeting monthly to discuss any possible issues, using available resources to educate and train staff, running mock surveys and formulating improvement strategies.

Budget concernsOur customers who achieve

longevity in the profession maintain a vigilant watch over their budgets. They strategize with their financial and operational cost drivers, including banks, other sources of capital, GPOs and pharmacies to capture cost savings whenever possible. They’ve also taken steps to cut costs by eliminating expensive temporary and agency labor and streamlining inefficient processes. They’ve even added to their suites of services, including dementia, assisted living, therapy and rehab. At some point, however, even these aggressive approaches see diminishing returns. At that point, additional savings can be captured by examining product expenditures.

Product Savings OpportunitiesMedicare Part B

Because of the various product categories covered, utilizing your Med B program effectively is an easy way to reduce your overall supply costs. As a review, Medicare Part B covers enteral feedings, urologicals, ostomy products, some tracheostomy products and specific wound care therapies for qualified residents in an LTC facility. Effectively identifying the residents in your building who qualify for this program is the first step to easily reducing your supply costs. Additional critical steps include finding a great Med B supplier partner and carefully reviewing the results monthly to ensure success.

Incontinence management productsFor many organizations,

incontinence management products represent their largest medical supply spend, ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 per month. Based on our experience, the key to significantly reducing this spend is to reduce the number of changes per day without sacrificing quality of care. Many of our customers have found that the best way to reduce the number of changes per day is to implement the following five-step system:1. Understand your current

expenditures2. Identify the correct product and

size for each resident3. Establish a system to ensure the

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4. In-service staff5. Continuously evaluate your results

Diabetic careOn average, 10 percent or more of

a facility’s product spend goes toward diabetic care products. We have seen that this figure tends to creep up when the ratio of used test strips to lancets strays from the average of 1.1 to 1. This issue can frequently be corrected through training and tracking and ensuring the products you are using are not failing. If you are purchasing a less-expensive product that is failing frequently, it is not truly cost effective. Oftentimes, a higher-quality product is more cost effective in the end.

GlovesThe key to reducing glove spend is

understanding how the failure rates of different glove formulations affect the gloves’ true cost in use. Standard vinyl gloves fail 41 percent of the time, stretch vinyl gloves fail 20 percent of the time, latex gloves fail 10 percent of the time and nitrile gloves fail 2 percent of the time. Now, to determine true cost of use, let’s say that a case of standard vinyl gloves costs $29 and the gloves are failing 41 percent of the time. That would equal $11.89 in failure costs, for a true cost of $40.89 per case of gloves. If your facility’s failure rates are close to the national averages, it might make sense to

upgrade to a higher-quality glove that ultimately saves money and allows the staff to be more efficient.

Rental itemsAt what point does the money you

are spending for the convenience of rental items become large enough to cause you to consider purchasing the items instead? To determine whether you’re better off renting or buying, divide the total cost of purchasing the items outright by the total amount you pay to rent the items for one month. The result is the number of months it would take you to break even. Compare this break-even point against how many months you think you would need to rent the equipment. If the length of use exceeds the break-even point, purchasing the equipment is the correct financial strategy. Savings will begin after the break-even point and continue to build for every month that you would have kept the piece of rental equipment in your facility.

Wound careWhen it comes to wound care

products, the number one goal is to deliver the best possible care to residents while managing supply costs. Based on feedback from our customers, we have found that developing an effective wound care program can both rein in costs and help your staff provide optimal care. Our customers who have had success in this area tell us that the five steps to creating an effective wound care program are:1. Assembling a team from your

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IHCA Celebrates Another SuccessfulConvention & Trade ShowThe 64th Annual IHCA Convention and Trade Show was held

September 8-11, 2014 in Peoria, IL, and proved to be another outstanding effort by the association. With attendance

numbers that outdistanced the past several conventions, this year’s event saw more than 1,800 long term care professionals descending on the Peoria Civic Center – including individual members; associate members and exhibitors; and representatives from more than 130 long term care centers from around the state. Throughout the four day event, IHCA offered attendees more than 100 educational sessions where they could learn about hot topics in long term care while also earning continuing education credits; a large and varied trade show featuring nearly 200 booths exhibiting the latest and greatest in products and services for the profession; and a number of opportunities to kick back, relax and rub shoulders with their peers. The theme for this year’s event was Experiencing New Destinations, a travel oriented theme meant to inspire attendees to capture the sense of wonder and excitement that comes with seeing new places and trying new things, and to let it motivate them in their daily routines.

past, the day started off with the Opening General Session and Awards Ceremony in the Ballroom of the Peoria Civic Center. IHCA President John Vrba and Executive Director David Voepel acted as hosts for the two-and-a-half-hour session, including the presentation of the Annual Staff and Volunteer Awards (previously presented at the Tribute Awards Banquet), which they handled with equal doses of sincerity and humor. All nominees were recognized and winners were announced in 14 different categories, ranging from Housekeeping Professional of the Year to Photograph of the Year and the always special Volunteer of the Year.

The session ended with an inspirational keynote address given by speaker Mark Scharenbroich. He explained his ‘Nice Bike’ philosophy and encouraged attendees to embrace its three key components – acknowledge, honor and connect. This powerful principle can be utilized in any long term care center to ensure that staff members know they are valued and to improve team performance. With his encouraging words and approachable sense of humor, Scharenbroich set the tone for a positive and entertaining convention. “To be present in the lives of others,” he stated, “is the greatest gift you can give.” – a sentiment that truly resonates with long term care professionals each and every day.

A perennial favorite, the Hospitality Hop, also went through a transformation this year. The ‘hop’ aspect of the event was eliminated, bringing all of the fun to one location (the Ballroom of the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette) for the new Convention Kickoff Party. Party-goers packed the room, mingling with sponsors and their fellow attendees and enjoying some

More than 90 golfers showed up for the annual golf outing and enjoyed gorgeous weather on the rolling hills of the WeaverRidge course.

The festivities began Monday morning with the 2nd Annual Holgeir Oksnevad 5k Run/Walk at WeaverRidge Golf Club. Participation in this event nearly doubled since the inaugural race last year and IHCA hopes it will continue to grow moving forward. This year, IHCA brought in ShaZam Racing to time the race, and awards were given out for overall winner, top male and top female. Past President Holgeir Oksnevad, for whom the 5k was named, was able to take part this year and came in third overall! Following the race, more than 90 golfers loaded into their carts and took to the links for a gorgeous day of golf.

The main event began Tuesday morning – with a few changes in store for attendees. Rather than beginning with a round of educational sessions as in years

Fall/Winter 2014 17

IHCA PAC Chairman Jeffrey Amann, HCR ManorCare, helped to honor Reps. Lou Lang, Patricia Bellock and Michael Unes at the IHCA PAC/The Center PAC Reception.

Nearly 40 runners/walker assembled at WeaverRidge Golf Club for the 2nd Annual Holgeir Oksnevad 5K.

Assurance Agency’s Dean Barsness accepted the Associate member of the Year Award on behalf of his company during the Annual IHCA Staff and Volunteer Awards.

Attendees enjoyed an evening of food, fun, prizes and networking thanks to the generous sponsors of the Convention Kickoff Party.

President John Vrba and Executive Director David Voepel steppedeasily into the role of hosts at the Opening General Session and Awards Ceremony.

were in attendance, including Reps. Lou Lang, Patricia Bellock and Michael Unes, who were honored for their dedication to the long term care profession during the 2014 legislative session.

IHCA would like to offer their gratitude to everyone who helped make the 64th Annual Convention and Trade Show a success. Thank you to the IHCA Board of Directors, the IHCA Education, Convention and Trade Show Committee, the IHCA staff, all of the 2014 session speakers, trade show exhibitors, sponsors and attendees! Additionally, thank you to the staff at the Peoria Civic Center, the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the local hotels for their assistance with the event. ■

tasty cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres. Prizes were awarded throughout the evening, leading up to the grand prize giveaway, which took place at the end of the party. After the official business was out of the way, attendees were invited to stick around and enjoy the DJ provided by UVANTA Pharmacies of Illinois.

Wednesday morning started off with Ovations: A Celebration of Long Term Care Nurses, which included an empowering keynote presentation from Carey Lohrenz – the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy – and the annual IHCA/LTCNA Nursing Awards. Later that evening, attendees were invited to attend the first annual IHCA PAC/The Center PAC Reception at Convention. Several Illinois legislators

Hitting the gym to pump some iron isn’t exactly what you would expect of most senior citizens, especially those residing in a retirement community. However, if you drop by one of the AJ’s Fitness Centers available at many of the Liberty Village campuses in Illinois that is just what you might see. These state-of-the-art fitness centers go above and beyond a typical therapy room in a long term care facility, offering a variety of easy-to-use strength training and endurance building equipment that is safe and comfortable for seniors to use in order to reach and maintain their optimal fitness level.

The AJ’s Fitness Center: On Track to Good Health program was developed more than 10 years ago as a way to meet the ongoing fitness needs of facility residents, and it has been expanding quite a bit in the past few years. Based on the recommendations made by the American Heart Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine for people over the age of 65 or for individuals 55 and older who have multiple comorbidities, the program is completely customizable, allowing each resident to get the proper amount of aerobic exercise and strength training in a way that works for him or her. “I think that some of our older adults are just so intimidated by the thought of exercising that we need to give them the ability to control it and advance

‘On Track to Good Health’BY aSHleY CalDWell, Ma

AJ’s Fitness Center offers seniors an opportunity to work on their fitness goals.

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Liberty Village of Pittsfield resident Evelyn Ward uses AJ’s Fitness Center to stay fit.

Fall/Winter 2014 19

fairly typical recumbent steppers and bicycles, AJ’s Fitness Centers also feature HUR air compressed strength training equipment. These specialty machines were specifically designed for individuals 55 years and older to allow for safe access and plenty of support, and many of them have dual functions (e.g., the knee extension machine can also be used to strengthen the hamstrings with a simple adjustment to the machine). Small group exercise classes are also offered at some locations for those who do not want to use the fitness machines.

In order to make sure that residents or patients are set up with a program that is safe and effective for their health and fitness needs, each is evaluated prior to beginning

704533_FIRM.indd 1 8/23/14 8:30 AM

Liberty Village resident Delores Nellis works out at AJ’s Fitness Center.

it,” stated Marilyn Holt, PT, MHS, GCS, Director of Clinical Rehab Services, LTC Support Services, who is responsible for planning and running the program.

AJ’s Fitness Centers cater to seniors at a variety of levels of fitness. Many of the campuses where they are located are comprised of multiple facilities, including independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Residents of all of these buildings are encouraged to use the fitness centers. The program focuses on four areas: aerobic endurance, strength, flexibility and balance. Exercise equipment and activities are chosen specifically to help residents improve in those areas while feeling safe and secure. Along with the

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his or her individual regimen. Some of these individuals come straight out of the Bounce Back: Rehab, Recover, Return Home program where they worked with therapy staff to complete their necessary rehabilitation and are striving to maintain their level of functioning; others are residents in one of the campus facilities looking to reach their optimum level of fitness.

The HUR machines are unique for several reasons. First, all of the resistance comes from compressed air rather than actual weights, making them much safer for elderly individuals. In addition, each machine is programmed via the use of a Smart Card. Once a fitness program has been developed that fits in with the individual’s plan of care, the information is loaded onto a card, which is used to operate the machines. When the user inserts the card into the machine, it sets it up for that individual, loading the appropriate weight and number of repetitions for each exercise. The machines can also give users visual cues as they move through the workout and track their movements

on the card. After their workout, they can take their card to a computer kiosk in the fitness center to download the information and record it so that their progress can be tracked over time. The smart cards also allow users to quickly shut down the machine if an exercise proves too difficult. “When you pull the card out the resistance immediately goes away,” explained Holt.

When the AJ’s Fitness Centers began opening more than a decade ago, many residents were reluctant to get involved with the program. Many of them had never been to a gym before and they were apprehensive about working out. In order to counteract these fears, facility staff are educated about the benefits of exercise and fitness and trained to identify frailty in residents so that they can, in turn, educate the residents and their families about the program. Eventually, as more and more residents discovered what the program entailed, it really started to catch on and has been growing ever since.

Several of the fitness centers have expanded or have additions in the works. Liberty Village of Pittsfield just completed an addition to their existing gym that houses AJ’s Fitness and the Bounce Back therapy program, and the staff and residents couldn’t be happier. “It was a tremendous improvement in our therapy room and has allowed us to add out-patient therapy for our community,” said Administrator Rubi Hoots.

The HUR exercise equipment allows users to program their machines with individual smart cards.

The program focuses on four

areas: aerobic endurance, strength,

flexibility and balance. Exercise

equipment and activities are chosen

specifically to help residents improve in

those areas while feeling safe

and secure.

Fall/Winter 2014 21

Residents who are using the equipment are amazed and are really enjoying themselves while working on their health and fitness. And, the HUR equipment offered in the centers not only keeps the residents on track as they use the machines, it holds them accountable. “It won’t let you cheat,” Hoots explained. “If you’re doing the reps and you don’t go all the way up or all the way down, it won’t count your rep.”

Next up for the Bounce Back and AJ’s Fitness Center programs is Holt’s latest technology find – the HUR iBalance system – which is just getting started at Seminary Manor in Galesburg, IL. This system is used to test an individual’s balance and stability and to assess risk for falls. As users stand on the iBalance platform they follow the program on the screen in front of them (which administrator Tracy Owens compared to a video game) and essentially use their body movements to try to beat the program. “The iBalance system is very interactive,” said Owens. “I’m very excited about it.”

Moving forward, this program will continue to evolve to offer seniors the best possible options to improve and maintain their physical health. As with any aspect of long term care, therapy services and fitness products are always changing and progressing, and Marilyn Holt works hard to stay at the forefront of this technology. She is

Seminary Manor residents can now use the HUR iBalance system to evaluate and improve their balance and stability.

always searching for the latest advances in therapy and fitness to help improve the Bounce Back and AJ’s Fitness Center programs. “Our facilities are on the cutting edge of therapy,” stated Holt. “We are committed to evidence based care, expert staff and innovative state-of-the-art equipment in all of our facilities.” ■

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In Memory of John Snyder

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On Sunday, June 15, 2014 IHCA lost one of its own. Longtime member and former president of the association, John R. Snyder, passed away at the age of 72 in Rushville, IL. Born in 1942, he married his wife, Dianne, in 1967. The couple had two sons, Aaron and Gregg.

In 1973, after a varied career that included serving in the U.S. Army where he earned his pilot’s license, air traffic controller certification and was a member of the elite Golden Knight’s parachute team, as well as working in insurance sales and management, Snyder was recruited to run the family business, Snyder’s Vaughn-Haven nursing home in Rushville, IL. He took over

as owner and administrator that year and continued running the facility until his recent passing. In taking over the facility, Snyder also continued its involvement with IHCA – of which Snyder’s Vaughn-Haven had been a member for many years. He was active in association activities, was a member of the IHCA Board of Directors and served as president of the board from 1983 to 1984. He also served on the Board of Directors of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and helped found the Illinois Nursing Home Administrators Association (INHAA).

Rest in Peace John Snyder, colleague and friend. ■

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