Did you know that Emergency Medical System (EMS) in Oregon is working hard to help Oregonians understand how to best utilize their help?
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #20
This month, four new teams joined our group of LiveWell practitioners. Despite the challenges posed by persistent COVID-19 impact and staffing shortages, these four communities have committed themselves to implementing a proven quality improvement program that is easy to understand and improves staff satisfaction and retention, person-centered care, and teamwork.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #19
The field of caregiving is often dismissed as a field where there is “low-skilled” labor. This stereotype can perpetuate low wages and poor working conditions. When combined with the fact that the majority of staff are women, many of whom are women of color, we as a society have an issue that needs to be addressed.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #18
This month we honor Black leaders whose contributions to health and science have inspired us and made the field of long term care better for everyone.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #17
Check out LiveWell’S Flourishing Partnerships
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #16
2021 marked the end of a two-year journey for the LiveWell team. We grew from a traditional in-person training and coaching model to a networked, peer-to-peer-based virtual learning one. In doing so, we laid the groundwork for LiveWell’s exciting -- and expansive -- future.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #15
SPOTLIGHT ON DINING
Our Meet Up last month focused on the dignity of the dining experience. Because residents spend up to 60% of their day focusing on mealtimes, it is an integral moment for building community, empathy, dignity and boosting morale for residents and staff alike. Cindy Heilman of Kind Dining spoke about creating opportunities for residents to thrive by fostering a sense of familiarity in the dining environment.
"Research shows that the more residents like to eat in your community, the more they like to live there!" -Cindy Heilman
Dining can easily be the resident experience that sets your community apart from the others. LiveWell has now been implemented on dining work teams! They were able to improve teamwork as well as set and achieve tangible goals for their team. Teams that work well together improve person-centered care; they are able to better ensure safety as well as put more focus on joy and interpersonal connection. Programs like LiveWell and Kind Dining are being implemented across the country to transform residents' experience in AL/RCFs. As the large baby boomer generation begins to retire and move into our communities, we have an obligation to them to ensure that they are being supported with dignity and grace. This is a turning point in our communities and we're here to support you through it!
Did you visit our booth at the OHCA Convention?
We loved seeing old friends and new ones! Welcome to all who have joined our mailing list, we hope you find our newsletters informative and that you join us at our Meet Ups and Virtual Learning Collaboratives if you haven't already.
The keynote speaker, Christopher Ridenhour was a fabulous way to kick off the convention. He spoke on the exhaustion that has become all too well known in our communities while we pivot during these unprecedented times.
"The weight of crisis management has left our providers and team members exhausted and easily triggered. They are starving for greater connection, elevated compassion, and confident optimism in addition to our guidance. Unleashing hope and higher performance from others, however, fails without our courage to self-assess and course correct." -Christopher Ridenhour
LiveWell can help you do that! We have the tools and support you need to engage your community and your team to show up for work prepared and inspired.
JOIN OUR NEXT LIVEWELL TRAINING COHORT TO IMPROVE QUALITY WHILE YOU BOOST STAFF SATISFACTION AND RETENTION!
GET REFRESHED, INFORMED, AND ENCOURAGED AT OUR MONTHLY MEET-UPS
Please join us for the next Virtual LiveWell Meet Up, Tuesday, November 23rd, 10:00am-10:30am.
We were inspired by the keynote at the OHCA Convention. How we relate to our colleagues affects the work we do. Empowering your team to take action is an important and impactful part of The LiveWell Method. We will be joined by Cecelia Owsley of Guardian Angel homes, who used our program and saw improvement in their staff turnover!
At next week's Meet Up we ask: What keeps our staff morale high and our turnover low?
We’d love to see your faces and hear your voices at our bi-monthly LiveWell Meet-Ups! We’re building community by creating a forum for staff working in LTCFs to get to know peers, give and get advice, and build camaraderie by sharing challenges and successes.
HAVE YOU TAKEN OUR NEW SURVEY YET?!
It only takes about 10 minutes, or less. If you complete the survey, you will help us make LiveWell even more effective at improving dignity and the quality of life for residents and staff.
Our best wishes for a bountiful cornucopia this holiday season!
— Barbara, Ann, Steve, Trisha, Andy, and Bowen
LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #14
LIVEWELL IMPROVES STAFF RETENTION IN RESIDENTIAL CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES
A great way to reduce staff turnover is to build good teams and improve job satisfaction. As LiveWell has demonstrated, being part of a community dedicated to providing quality care is crucial to achieving these goals. That’s why we’re working hard to expand LiveWell in Oregon and beyond because we know it works.
Evidence from a study by The Institute on Aging at Portland State University indicates that LiveWell learning collaboratives and coaching reduce costs while increasing job satisfaction, employee retention, and improving person-centered care. As this report excerpt also demonstrates, LiveWell helps staff improve resident care and quality of life through a bottom-up and top-enabled approach.
JOIN OUR NEXT LIVEWELL TRAINING COHORT TO IMPROVE QUALITY WHILE YOU BOOST STAFF SATISFACTION AND RETENTION!
HAVE YOU TAKEN OUR NEW SURVEY YET?!
It only takes about 10 minutes, or less. If you complete the survey, you will help us make LiveWell even more effective at improving dignity and the quality of life for residents and staff.
GET REFRESHED, INFORMED, AND ENCOURAGED AT OUR MONTHLY MEET-UPS
On October 26th, Cindy Heilman from Kind Dining will discuss dining in senior living communities. We'll talk about the dignity of eating and specific challenges that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even better, we'll explore ideas you can use now to help ensure nutritional success for all residents. Come share tips and tricks with others in AL/RCFs and LiveWell communities.
We’d love to see your faces and hear your voices at our bi-monthly Virtual LiveWell MeetUps! We’re building the community for our future, current, and past, LiveWell cohorts. Give and get advice from your peers, get to know others in your community, build comradery with folks going through your same challenges and successes.
May Your Communities Enjoy the onset of Fall! Yea for pumpkins 🎃
— Barbara, Ann, Steve, Trisha, Andy, Bowen, and Judy
LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #13
Dr. Paula Carder, Director of Portland State University’s Institute on Aging shared PSU's annual survey on community-based care for Oregon’s Department of Human Services. This year’s survey focused on the impact of COVID-19.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #12
Results show that the LiveWell program contributes to widespread improvement in staff morale and quality of care for residents.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #11
We Can Help You Do the Right Thing When You Feel Like You Don't Have Time to Do Anything.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #10
SUMMER'S HERE, AND SO IS MORE LIVEWELL!
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #9
This month seven communities will complete the LiveWell virtual learning collaborative and found a way to make significant progress, build their teams, and boost morale.
Read moreLIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #8
Guardian Angel Homes in Hermiston, Oregon, our first LiveWell Leader. In just five months, they have reduced falls by more than 100% and staff turnover by 450%!
Read moreSUPPORT FOR OUR ASIAN, ASIAN-AMERICAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER FRIENDS
Our country has seen an increase in discrimination and violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders during the past year. Last week, the horrific murders in Atlanta, Georgia, claimed six women of Asian descent among the victims. A recent mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado, added more to the misery of unacceptable violence in our society.
The LiveWell community recognizes that the challenges that confront Asian-identified community members have deep roots in our nation’s history. We empathize with our community members who continue to experience the hurt, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear from these abhorrent acts.
LiveWell stands firmly against all forms of discrimination, racism, and hate. As we intensify our work to achieve equity, diversity, and inclusion, we find ourselves deeply indebted to those who have devoted their lives to justice. Their inspiration will continue to guide and support our work in the years ahead.
LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #7
Your voice counts! Tell Us What You Think.
We started this newsletter six months ago at the start of our COVID-pivot We wanted to share how communities using the LiveWell Method™ for quality assurance and performance improvement were boosting staff and resident morale, attracting and retaining staff, and making life safer and easier for residents. We also wanted our friends in the long-term care sector to know about the opportunity to participate in a Virtual LiveWell Learning Collaborative.
This month, we would like to hear from you. We would like to know how this newsletter could be more useful to you:
Staff Satisfaction
Resident Safety: Reducing falls, infection control, medication errors, etc.
Resident Satisfaction
What other communities are doing
Something else
Please take a moment to fill out this short survey.
Learn how LiveWell helped the Health Plan for San Mateo
LiveWell Is Thriving in California!
The LiveWell team worked with a group of ten+ skilled nursing facilities that are part of the Health Plan of San Mateo’s network. Stephanie Mahler shares with Barbara Kohnen Adriance and Lisa McKerlick what that experience was like in the video above.
Welcome to Our New Virtual Learning Collaborative
We welcome six new assisted living/residential care communities and one new skilled nursing facility to the LiveWell practice. They are: Maryville Memory Care, Mirabella South, Rose Linn Vintage Place, Emerson House, Pacifica McMinnville, Rock of Ages Mennonite Home, and Nehalem Valley Care Center. We look forward to a new learning journey together!
Wishing You and Your Communities a Healthy and Safe Spring 2021,
— Barbara, Lisa, Ann, Cindy, Steve, Marcus, Paula, Serena, and Judy
LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #6
Join the First LiveWell Virtual Learning Collaborative of 2021!
New Virtual Learning Collaborative Launches March 3
The LiveWell Method is a proven, comprehensive, and easy way to improve the quality of life for people living and working in long term care facilities. With COVID, it is crucial to have strong operational and management systems in place. We invite any assisted living or residential care facility in Oregon to apply for the next LiveWell Virtual Learning Collaborative. The training, coaching, and peer networking program will help your teams work better together to assure the safety and quality of life for residents.
Check Out These "Cohort Shorts"
Last month, several communities graduated from the LiveWell Virtual Learning Collaborative. Hear how leaders from Guardian Angel Homes in Hermiston, Alpine House in Joseph, Flagstone Memory Care in The Dalles, and Ivy Court Senior Living in Milwaukie describe their experiences during their final presentations.
One administrator recently said: “You are doing excellent at adapting your training to Zoom. It’s every bit as good as a classroom location seminar. I know my staff are enjoying, and enthusiastically trying to implement the principles because they see value in the concepts.” You too can share this administrator's experience!
LiveWell communities are using huddles, community quality boards, resident status-at-a-glance tools, and safety calendars to:
Track time and location of falls, medication errors, skin issues, call-offs, lunch breaks
Communicate about key issues and events taking place daily, including info on the vaccine rollout, COVID testing, visitation, and activities.
LiveWell Leader Program
Is your community interested in using the LiveWell Method to do a deeper dive into measuring and tracking falls, staff turnover, administration of antipsychotic medications, and other issues? We are starting a new program called the LiveWell Leader, open to any community that would like to quantify how LiveWell improves the quality of care and decreases costs over time. Guardian Angel Homes based in Hermiston, OR is our first LiveWell Leader. Email Barbara if you would like more information.
Wishing You a Safe and Hope-filled Season from Your LiveWell Team,
— Barbara, Lisa, Ann, Cindy, Steve, Marcus, Paula, Serena, and Judy
LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #5
Greetings & Welcome to 2021!
We’ve had a lot of challenges this past year. Despite them, we’ve been able to connect, learn, and grow in new ways. 2020 was an important reminder of how connected we are in so many ways, and it’s powerful to see how you have stepped up to help one another.
Thank you for all you have done to advance the dignity of everyone living and working in long term care communities. From all of the LiveWell team, pictured below. we wish you health and happiness, and we look forward to working with you in 2021!
Now's Your First Chance in 2021 to Join a LiveWell Virtual Learning Collaborative!
New Virtual Learning Collaborative Launches March 3
Apply now to join your colleagues in the last virtual learning collaborative supported by DHS. Spots are limited, so apply early to secure yours. After March, we are moving to a commercial model in order to scale up.
One administrator recently said: “You are doing excellent at adapting your training to Zoom. It’s every bit as good as a classroom location seminar. I know my staff are enjoying, and enthusiastically trying to implement the principles because they see value in the concepts.” You too can share this administrator's experience! Apply on our website.
LiveWell communities are using huddles, community quality boards, resident status-at-a-glance tools, and safety calendars to:
Track time and location of falls, medication errors, skin issues, call-offs, lunch breaks
Communicate about key issues and events taking place daily, including info on the vaccine rollout, COVID testing, visitation, and activities.
At the end of this month, five communities will graduate from our current collaborative: Alpine House, Flagstone Memory Care, Flagstone Assisted Living, Guardian Angel Homes, and Ivy Court. All but one is located in Eastern Oregon. This group has been *fantastic*. We wish them well as they launch, and we will be here for them in the future.
Here’s what staff from these communities are saying now:
LiveWell has brought us all more together, particularly the team members
LiveWell is a positive program, and we are looking for the plusses more now.
The specific weekly tasks work well and I like the competition from the other team in my building.
LiveWell is so easy to implement with the administrator's help.
Improving Quality Is Good for The Bottom Line
LiveWell is an approach that enhances the dignity, safety, and empowerment of every person in a long-term care community. Have you ever considered that these are also good for the bottom line? Many owners, management companies, and administrators don’t realize how much money they can save by using the LiveWell Method to reduce falls, medication errors, staff turnover, and other measures while creating a happier and safer work environment. Check out our new White Paper.
Farewell to Laurie
We wish Laurie Lockert, founding LiveWell coach, a fond farewell as she gets back to her plan to retire for real. Laurie brought a keen focus on trauma-informed approaches to our team and we all fell in love with her reassuring and hopeful presence. We hope to persuade her to join us in Meet Ups from time to time. Thank you, Laurie, for everything!
Don’t forget our Meet-Ups! They’re open to everyone. Sign up on the LiveWell website. These 30-minute events provide an opportunity for staff from different communities to meet one another, share tips, and support one another. If you are new to LiveWell, this is a great opportunity to meet the LiveWell coaches and learn from your peers.
Wishing You a Safe and Healthy Winter Season from Your LiveWell Team,
— Barbara, Lisa, Ann, Cindy, Steve, Marcus, Paula, Serena, and Judy
LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #4
Happy Holidays!
What a year, right? We, like you, are eager to put the year behind us. We are also extremely grateful for the connections that we have made with many of you, and for the continued engagement from so many communities throughout Oregon and beyond. We look forward to working with you in 2021!
Community Quotes and Tips
“LiveWell is giving us tools and resources to get projects done that we always wanted to do.”
“LiveWell lit a fire under our butts!”
We are getting great feedback and ideas from communities past and present about how they’re using the LiveWell tools to create a safe environment that enhances the dignity of everyone. Have you tried these?
Track the time and location of falls, lunch breaks, medication errors, call-offs, skin issues
Us the daily huddles to communicate key issues and events
Appreciate employees through compliment cards, food, and gifts. LiveWell communities recommend:
Schedule UberEats or DoorDash to deliver coffee, food, and snacks, especially for the night shift
Create a pop-up Italian soda bar at shift change
Bring delicious energy drinks or coffee to staff
Create a spirit week with prizes like the lunch of your choice. Residents love seeing staff get silly.
Use dot voting or the Who Am I tool to find out what gifts staff want
Know your Risk. Take a moment to do this easy online quiz called CV19 CheckUp. It’s short and confidential. You and your friends or families can take it as many times as you like to assess your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 and what you can do about it. Many organizations are using CV19 CheckUp to keep their employees focused on personal safety, including LeadingAge, Meals on Wheels, Catholic Charities USA, Caregiver Action Network, and National Alliance for Hispanic Health. Remember to use a mask, physically distance, and stick with your pod.
State Guidance. DHS has developed excellent safety flyers in English and Spanish to print and place in your communities, as well as social media posts that staff can share. A good place to subscribe to the latest information on vaccines, visitation, and county by county safety guidance is DHS’s provider alerts webpage.
Pandemic Fatigue. Pandemic fatigue is real and for some of us, isolation is taking its toll. You Are Not Alone is a campaign to help people of all ages know that people care. Take a look at the links for mental health, domestic violence, and abuse, and post the flyers you find there on social media.
One more chance in 2020 to join a LiveWell Virtual Learning Collaborative!
Our next round starts on March 1. One administrator recently said: “You are doing excellent at adapting your training to Zoom. It’s every bit as good as a classroom location seminar. I know my staff are enjoying, and enthusiastically trying to implement the principles because they see value in the concepts.” Apply on our website.
LW MeetUps + Learning Collaboratives
Our twice-monthly MeetUps are now open to everyone, no matter where you live or work, even if you have not done LiveWell. Sign up on the LiveWell website. These 30-minute events provide an opportunity for staff from different communities to meet one another, share their tips, and support one another. If you are new to LiveWell, this is a great opportunity to meet the LiveWell coaches and learn from your peers.
Viral Snowflakes! How Appropriate :-)
And finally, some fun. Are you crafty? Turns out that viruses and snowflakes have a lot in common. They are both assembled from a small number of components in a repeating pattern. Thanks to Science News, we can share with you detailed plans for Virus Snowflakes Cutouts. These are varsity level, so if you do one, take a picture and share it with your LIveWell Team.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season from Your LiveWell Team,
— Barbara, Lisa, Ann, Cindy, Laurie, Steve, Marcus, Paula, Serena, and Judy
LIVEWELL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #3
Livewell is thankful for all of our awesome care workers! This edition features encouragement for workers during the holidays, a brand new Quality Board template, and updates about a new Community of Practice launch & our next Learning Cohort!
Read more