Center honored for efforts on behalf of aged residents

Three months ago, 87-year-old Peggy Seminary was admitted to Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland. She was no stranger to the place, however; for quite some time, she had been a frequent visitor to see her husband of 61 years, Leonard, who suffers from dementia.

"Mrs. Seminary's doctor noticed that she was suffering from skin breakdown," explained Colin McCarty, quality improvement specialist at the facility. "She moved in, and we began treatment right away. We are all amazed at how quickly her skin condition has improved."

Mrs. Seminary moved in with her husband. Since she arrived, the staff has noticed that his condition has improved along with hers.

"I usually read to him at least once a day," Mrs. Seminary said. "I am so glad I came here. I can't hardly think of daily life without him."

Treatment

Mrs. Seminary was suffering from skin breakdown that covered much of her body. The skin-care team and unintended weight loss managers have been monitoring her nutrition and treating her with medications to help her heal. 

"Mrs. Seminary is a very good example of how our skin care program works," Mr. McCarty said.

It works so well that the senior care center, operated by St. Peter's Health Care Services, recently received awards for exceptional management:

* It got a "best practice" award honoring its intervention in and prevention of unintended weight loss from the New York State Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) and the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA); and

* It received an award for "excellence in nursing home quality improvement for skin care and pain management." That award came from IPRO (Island Peer Review Organization), a New York State group that monitors a nursing facility's quality improvement and risk management.

Hard at work

"We are very proud of these awards," Mr. McCarty said, citing oversight of weight and nutrition as two indicators of quality care.

Patients at risk include those who are depressed and may not be eating properly, and Alzheimer's patients who may forget to eat.

When the staff notices that a patient has lost an excess of weight in a short time, intervention is begun in the patient's daily nutrition regimen.

"At Our Lady of Mercy Life Center," Mr. McCarty noted, "we specialize in dementia care and short-term rehabilitation. Our customer satisfaction rate is consistently high. That is due in large part to the personalized and very caring nature of our entire staff. This is a well-managed facility."

(6/24/04)