Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Three Nursing Homes Receive Governor's Award For Quality Care
Selections announced today at the Governor’s Conference on Aging
(DES MOINES, IA) – Today, Governor Chet Culver announced that three Iowa nursing homes have been selected to receive a 2007 Governor’s Award for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities. “These facilities represent three of the finest nursing homes in our state,” the Governor said. “Each facility is to be congratulated for its selection as one of the best long-term care providers in Iowa.”
Selected to receive a 2007 Governor’s Award are Cedar Manor in Tipton, Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, and Westview Care Center in Britt. The Quality Care Award was established to recognize those long-term care providers that demonstrate the provision of the highest quality of care to their residents. Since the first awards were presented in 2001, a total of 31 facilities have received a Governor’s Award. Two of this year’s award-winning facilities were nominated by members of their respective resident advocate committees while the final nursing facility was nominated by a former resident, the Governor said. This year’s winners also include two facilities that previously received a Governor’s Award for Quality Care: Cedar Manor in 2001 and Westview Care Center in 2003.
Cedar Manor in Tipton is a 60-bed free standing nursing facility, which was nominated for the award by the chairman of the resident advocate committee. “Cedar Manor is a community owned facility and great asset to the community,” the nomination read. “Staff’s goal is to go beyond the state requirements by developing a trusting, safe, spiritual, compassionate friendship with the 60 residents at Cedar Manor.” Listed among the facility’s accomplishments is its Alternative Therapy Program, an innovative idea developed by staff to handle behaviors and minimize medication use for behavior problems. “The value of the Alternative Therapy Room is that the quality of life of those being served has increased tremendously,” the nominator stated. “Because of the proactive intervention, residents don’t get agitated, depression is combated with one-on-one ‘tender loving care,’ and the resident’s day is calmer and happier.”
Valley Vue Care Center of Armstrong was cited by its nominator for the facility’s lengthy record of deficiency-free surveys. Additionally, the 50-bed nursing facility has developed a highly effective volunteer support network to envelop the varied needs of its residents. A variety of enthusiastic activities are provided for the residents, whether their interest is in fishing, shopping, or participating in the city’s senior citizen programs and events. Nominated by a member of the facility’s resident advocate committee, Valley Vue’s open dining concept was touted as a system that encourages more independent living for its residents. While help is available for those residents who need assistance, the open dining encourages many of the residents to “come and go” as desired, thus reducing the structured feeling of the facility. Valley Vue also makes family needs a priority in all of its activities, the nominator stated, whether it is setting up a private dinning area for a resident and his or her family, or providing privacy for the family of a dying resident.
The final facility to receive a 2007 Governor’s Award is the Westview Care Center in Britt. Nominated by a former resident, the facility was cited for its kind, loving, and caring environment. “My wife and I lived here back in November 2004,” the nominator wrote. “We received great care and loving care from all the staff; always there for you when [you] need support.” The nomination also highlighted the facility’s person centered care environment. “They respect our requests and preferences for when and how we needed care – any food requests [were] honored.” Community involvement and outreach programs are wonderful, the nominator wrote, adding that all departments and department heads were supportive.
This year’s Governor’s Award recipients were selected from a field of 14 nominated facilities. Each nominated facility was evaluated by an advisory committee and scored according to predetermined criteria, including the uniqueness of programs and services, replicability of programs and services, resources required to provide quality care or services, the resident’s quality of life, and the facility’s history of compliance. Staff from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals’ (DIA) Health Facilities Division conducted onsite visits to verify each of the finalist’s eligibility for the Governor’s Award.
“Thousands of Iowans receive compassionate care in our state’s long-term care facilities. Too often, however, these facilities, their staff, and the quality service they provide go unnoticed by the general public,” Governor Culver explained. “One of the best ways to promote quality care is to recognize and encourage it. This year’s honorees all provide a level of care and service to their residents worthy of this recognition.”
In addition to an onsite award presentation, each winning facility was recognized today during the awards luncheon at this year’s Governor’s Conference on Aging. The Conference, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, was held at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel.