Policies

ADMISSION & DISCHARGE POLICY

Admission

The following are criteria for admission to Gianna Homes:

  • The candidate must have a diagnosis of some type of Dementia.
  • The candidate will be assessed by the RN in their current living environment.
  • It will be at the discretion of the Administrator, RN, Director of Resident Services and the Staff to admit any candidate.
  • If the candidate has significant medical problems, we will assess them ourselves to determine if we can adequately meet the candidate’s needs and/or if our license permits us to do the required care.
  • We will inform a candidate’s family or guardian of our daily rates and trust that they will determine if they can afford our care. We will not examine a candidate’s finances as a part of consideration for admission.
  • We will not discriminate based on race, religion, color or creed.
  • Gianna Homes is not equipped to take candidates with severe behaviors (such as excessive combativeness, hollering, wandering or erotic behaviors.)
  • Our philosophy is that if we can in any way make a difference in someone’s life, we are determined and committed to helping them and their families in any way that we can.

Discharge

The following are criteria for discharge from Gianna Homes:

  • Death.
  • A medical condition that we could not adequately handle and/or our license does not permit.
  • Behavioral issues such as, but not limited to, excessive hollering, combativeness, wandering and/or erotic behavior. Or any other behavior determined by the home to not be acceptable and/or disruptive to others.
  • If the resident is at risk to him or herself and/or other residents and/or staff.
  • If the resident is no longer able to pay for services or is delinquent with payments.
  • No resident will be discharged for behavior reasons until we have exhausted all possible treatments such as but not limited to: redirection, medication therapy, placement in a behavioral unit, and/or any other methods deemed appropriate by Gianna Homes, the family and the resident’s doctors.
  • In the event that we would have to discharge a resident, Gianna Homes will help in any way possible to find appropriate placement.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR SPECIAL CARE UNITS

Philosophy of Care

Research has proven that a loving, structured and intimate home environment successfully fulfills the needs of both the individual affected by Alzheimer’s and their family members.

Our walkout rambler, situated on one-and-one-half acres of wooded land, is a secure environment that offers the intimacy of a home setting.

We provide patient, personal care. Our high staff-to-resident ratio enables us to cater to our residents’ needs without imposing a strict program or schedule. We firmly believe individualized care is a must for a disease that is associated with such varying feelings and emotions as insecurity, fear, anger and depression.

We believe that no matter how long the stay, when we can positively make a difference in someone’s life and adequately meet the person’s medical needs, we will not turn anyone away.

Healthcare is a ‘ministry’ of caring and love. It is our distinct honor and privilege to care for those suffering with dementia. Caring for the whole person best provides dementia care; care for physical needs must be accompanied by spiritual and emotional care.

We do not believe in using medications to ‘control’ behaviors but only to enhance an individual’s quality of life. We use redirection, activities, spirituality and unconditional love to work with difficult behaviors. And we have had very impressive results.

Our work revolves around uplifting the spirit and giving selfless, compassionate care.

Statement on the Care Provided

We take all case-mix levels and will provide hospice care when needed.

We take only residents who have some form of dementia.

Our RN and Director of Resident Services (DRS) do the initial assessment of the prospective client in his or her current living environment. We try to choose the time of day that is his or her worst so that we can determine if we can effectively meet the individual’s needs.

We prepare a care and service plan with the family when the individual moves into our home. This plan will include level of care, special needs, routines and family requests. This plan is reviewed and updated with the family and the RN as needed.

The RN and our staffing team monitor all conditions and changes. The RN notifies families of any care needs and/or changes.

We do not believe in using restraints at Gianna Homes. We will consider bed rails if it will enhance the resident’s safety, and if the family and doctor have agreed to this.

The RN  monitors medications on a regular basis, and all staff must pass extensive training in Medication Administration Procedures. We provide three (3) meals per day plus snacks throughout the day, and encourage the drinking of fluids by offering them frequently throughout the day.

We provide as much care as the resident needs, based upon his or her level of independence. We encourage as much independence as possible. We do this by allowing the individual time to respond to requests and instructions; we can also do this by cuing the resident to what he or she needs to do. As a resident progresses through the disease, we offer the level of care that he or she needs up to the point where the resident would be dependent upon us for his or her total care.

Statement of Services

  • High staff-to-resident ratio. Staff comprised of RN, LPN, CNA & HHA
  • Medication passing and/or reminders
  • Laundry and housekeeping services
  • Nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks
  • Professionally decorated suite
  • Personal care and hygiene
  • Socialization and sensory stimulation
  • Continual, 24-hour security for resident safety and protection
  • All toiletries
  • All incontinence products
  • Massage therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Supervised activities and outings
  • Manicures and pedicures by staff
  • Haircuts and styles
  • Individualized care plans

Activities

We believe activities that revolve around the daily jobs and duties that one would do at home can enrich a resident’s quality of life.

We strive to encourage residents to participate in their own personal care, as well as share in some of the cooking, cleaning, laundry and other daily activities of our household.

Our staff also provide recreational activities throughout the day which vary from exercises, walks, barbecues on the patio, picking flowers in the garden, outings, reading, mind joggers and more.

A music therapist visits our home as often as three times each week to interact with our residents.

We do not attempt to provide structured activity throughout the entire day. Gianna Homes is not a nursing home. We are a home and we have set up our environment here to reflect just that.

We promote the Eden Alternative in our home, and have a bird and a cat in residence.

We frequently provide inter-generational activities and encourage families to spend time with their loved one. If a resident has a high activity level, we encourage the families to hire a companion and will help them in locating someone to do this and will train and orientate them to the resident. We have volunteer pastors and priests from the community come in regularly for communion/spiritual services.

We use the Full Circle Therapy program on a weekly and/or daily basis.

Statement on Our Staff

Our staff receives very thorough training. They must test out on the HHA training manual and pass with an outstanding grade. All staff receive specialized training in Infection Control, Alzheimer’s/Dementia care, Hospitality, Customer Service, Emergency Procedure and Safety Training, Medication Passing Procedure, Housekeeping/Laundry Care, Orientation to Home care bill of rights and all other requirements of our Assisted Living License and Housing with Services license.

After their training, which is done by our staff RN and LPN, new staff members are required to orientate with a senior staff member for all different shifts until we feel they can appropriately meet our standards and the needs of the residents.

All staff members receive continuing professional development and skill training throughout the year.

We have two (2) nursing aides on duty every day from 7:00AM to 9:00PM, and one aide on duty every night from 9:00PM to 7:00AM. In addition, our RN and LPN also provide direct patient care throughout the day.

We have an extensive lending library of books and videos that our staff uses to increase their knowledge and expertise. We have an incentive program in place that awards them generously for any additional education, or exceptional performance or initiatives that they demonstrate.

Statement on Our Environment

Gianna Homes – Sursum Corda is a large walkout rambler style home located on a one-and-one-half acre wooded lot in a quiet residential neighborhood of Minnetonka. All six (6) of our resident rooms are on the main level where we also have three (3) bathrooms (one being very large with a full handicap shower), a kitchen, a dining room, a four-season porch with views of the woods, a parlor, a living room with fireplace, and an elevator that takes residents to the lower level.

The lower level features a large family room (where we hold activities), a chapel, a spa/laundry room, a two-stall garage (for covered access to vehicles), our office and an additional bathroom. The lower level opens out to a beautiful, secure patio and garden area with walkways, a fountain and abundant wildlife.

There is an extensive security system installed throughout the home. We are also monitored for fire and 911 services.

The home has been remodeled for total handicap accessibility. There is ample room for residents to wander or find a comfortable spot for privacy, activities, or family get-togethers. The home is modestly but tastefully decorated to promote independence and comfort.

There is a generous amount of natural light, as well as artificial lighting to maintain the safety of our residents as they age, and sight and gait diminish. There are handrails throughout the home.

Statement on the Role of the Family

We believe that we are an extension of the family, and that we can in no way replace the knowledge, expertise and love that only the family can give.

We support the family members of our residents on an ongoing basis, and address their questions and concerns as they arise. We encourage families to join an Alzheimer’s Association support group. We communicate with families regularly through formal and informal meetings to keep them apprised of their loved one’s well-being. At a minimum, we have a Care Conference every 6 months, more frequently for families who request them.

We host family events throughout the year so all the different families can get to know each other. We have a lending library with books and videos for the families and staff to use as they please.

Our care is built on relationships with our families. We work on these continuously as we travel together on this difficult journey of Alzheimer’s/Dementia care.

Disclosure for SPECIALIZED ALZHEIMER’S TRAINING

Amends Minnesota Statutes 2002, sections 144A.45 and 245A.04. Effective August 1, 2003.

Description of training program. Four areas covered:

  1. An explanation of Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders.
  2. Assistance with activities of daily living
  3. Problem-solving with challenging behaviors.
  4. Communication skills

These training programs are taught to all new staff, and in ongoing education and coaching opportunities for current staff.

The RN and LP teach all Alzheimer’s/Dementia Training for new hires through book, video and hands-on coaching and problem solving. Staff must be able to exhibit proficiency in handling many varied approaches to behaviors and cares. After six (6) months of training and mentoring, staff are expected to have acquired and be able to exhibit these new skills.

Gianna Homes-Susrum Corda hosts an Annual Nursing Assistant Conference that specifically addresses Dementia Care. It is open to caregivers from across the metro area. At the conference, professionals present on various subjects that enhance our staff’s expertise and knowledge.

Gianna Homes-Sursum Corda offers an extensive educational library to our staff. We encourage staff through our Employee Incentive Program to further their education in Dementia and other related health care issues. Staff must test out and show a new level of skills before incentive is awarded.

All new hires are instructed in the skills required of a Nursing Assistant, which includes but is not limited to ADLs. Staff again must test out on this with a minimum score of 90%.

Employees who receive training: all direct-care staff which includes but is not limited to RN, LPN, NAR, HHA, Volunteers, and Support Staff.

Frequency of Training:

All direct-care staff are required to participate in specific dementia training at the time they are hired. Each year thereafter we provide at least 8 hours of continuous education on dementia-specific topics, which is mandatory for all staff.

Because of the nature of this disease, all staff participates in ongoing discussion and problem solving regarding individual residents as part of our care planning process.

Basic Training Topics covered:

  1. Dementia- the disease
  2. Behaviors
  3. Caregiver self care
  4. New drugs and therapies
  5. Activities – our Life Care Program
  6. Redirection Therapy
  7. Validation Therapy
  8. Understanding medications and their side effects
  9. Understanding the person behind the disease
  10. What you are saying when you are saying nothing at all: Touch, voice, tone, body language
  11. Etiquette towards the dementia patient and their families
  12. How to communicate with someone with a dementing illness
  13. Communicating the positive side of dementia care