LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #10

MORE SUMMER! MORE LIVEWELL!!

We hope that you're enjoying the longer days and better weather. They bring welcome changes and good news, like our announcement that ODHS has approved two more years of funding for the LiveWell team. This support builds on three successful pilot projects starting in 2015 and provides funding for significant expansion:

  • Continued virtual learning collaboratives starting in the fall

  • New leadership training module for administrators and non-formal leaders

  • Online/on-demand training modules

  • Accreditation system to show progress toward building a culture of improvement

  • Ecosystem Hub at Portland State University to identify broader policies and trends affecting the quality of care

  • Innovation Hub to explore new ways to foster quality improvement in the sector

  • Targeted marketing and social media to build support for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement

In Her Own Words

Meet Lashawn Chaney, Medtech at Emerson House Memory Care. Under Lashawn’s leadership, NOC shift staff tracked – and reduced -- shower refusals, medication errors and staff absences. Plus her team implemented one of the hardest but most essential tools in LiveWell, the Huddle. Congratulations Lashawn!


LEARNING COLLABORATIVES

Over time, we have shown that LiveWell significantly improves staff morale and staff retention while reducing falls, medication errors, and other areas. Improving quality also reduces costs. Interested in learning how? Apply now for the next LiveWell Virtual Learning Collaborative.


FAREWELL + WELCOME

Finally, it is with sadness that we bid farewell to Lisa McKerlick and Cindy Heilman. Lisa helped to pioneer LiveWell and will be greatly missed. Cindy will be focusing her considerable efforts on her business, Kind Dining. Thank you both for your commitment and your energy.

We also welcome Jenny Sasser, professor of gerontology at Portland Community College, and Jennifer Connor-Smith, professor of psychology. You will hear more from them in the near future.


Meet Ups = Community + Content

The LiveWell team is committed to building community among staff working in long-term care communities. One way we do this is by holding 30-minute Meet Ups on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 10 am-10:30 am. They are open to anyone. They offer a forum for staff to talk about current topics such as COVID, staff retention, end of life planning, diabetes management, and dementia care. Check upcoming Meet Ups on our website's calendar.


Wishing You and Your Communities a Glorious Summer,
— Barbara, Jennifer, Ann, Jenny, Steve, Marcus, Paula, Serena, and Judy