News http://www.fphi.org/news/ en-US Copyright 2008 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:31:01 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Three Nursing Homes in Polk Get Top Marks 3 Nursing Homes in Polk Get Top Marks New federal quality-ranking system lauds Lakeland, Bartow, Lake Wales facilities. By Robin Williams Adams The Ledger Published: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. LAKELAND | Three of 23 Polk County nursing homes received the best ranking possible - five stars for "much above average" - in a new quality-ranking system the federal government unveiled recently. They are Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, The Rohr Home in Bartow and Dove Health Care at Lake Wales. Another eight received four stars, meaning they scored above average. Five were ranked average. Four were below average. Three others - Auburndale Oaks Healthcare Center, Bartow Center and The Groves Center - received just one star, the lowest grade. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines that as "much below average." CMS looks at three areas to determine a nursing home's star quality: Its performance on a three-year review of health inspections. Staffing levels. How it did on 10 quality measures each center collects on its residents. The measures include residents' health, mental status, physical functioning and overall wellbeing. A facility's score in each of the three areas, along with the cumulative rating for each nursing home, is on the CMS Web site. Ratings will be updated at least quarterly. "This should help consumers in narrowing their choices, but nothing should substitute for visiting a nursing home," acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said in a media telephone briefing. He said CMS did its best to adjust for variations in the types of health inspections done by different states - the source of the health inspection data - to make the grading comparable from state to state. "We want to make sure we're measuring differences in quality, not difference in measurements," he said. Some nursing home officials in Florida, however, said problems exist in using the star system to measure quality. "If you judge a facility just by that report, it isn't fair," said Ken Perry, who became administrator of the Bartow Center this summer. "Maybe there were some things, but, I can tell you, a lot has changed. Whatever the rating is, it is not where this facility is (now) and where we're headed." Whether a nursing home is ranked high or low, Perry said, people need to visit it before putting someone there. He said he is hearing positive comments from visitors during the past few months. Spokesmen for Auburndale Oaks Healthcare Center and The Groves Center in Lake Wales were unavailable. John Hehn, executive director of Florida Presbyterian, one of the highest-ranked, said it's difficult to convert large amounts of data into a user-friendly ratings system. "There are some questions and concerns … within our industry, but it's a great first effort," he said. Additional factors need to be included in determining the ratings, said Kristen Knapp, communications director for the Florida Health Care Association, which represents providers of long-term care. "It certainly doesn't take residents' satisfaction into consideration at all, which is a quality-of-life issue we feel should be factored in," Knapp said. CMS also doesn't take into account a facility's specialties, such as dementia care or rehabilitation, or financial difficulties such as having a particularly large number of Medicaid patients, Knapp and others said. The federal agency changed its method of grading nursing home staffing after having told health care providers it would be done a different way, Knapp said. And the quality indicators used aren't the same for all Florida nursing homes, she said, because some were in a pilot study of a revised way to measure quality. All nursing homes surveyed are Medicare and Medicaid certified. To look for a nursing home's ranking, go to www.medicare gov and click on New Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating. [ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.theledger.com. ] http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/12/three_nursing_homes_in_polk_get_top_marks.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/12/three_nursing_homes_in_polk_get_top_marks.html FPHI news Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:31:01 +0000 FPH gets 5 Star Rating 200_Ledger_Logo.gif 3 Polk Nursing Homes Get Top Ranking By Robin Williams Adams THE LEDGER Published: Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. LAKELAND | Three of 23 Polk County nursing homes received the best ranking possible — five stars for “much above average” — in a new quality ranking system the federal government announced Thursday morning. They are Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, the Rohr Home in Bartow and Dove Health Care at Lake Wales. Another eight received four stars, meaning they scored above average. Five were ranked average. Four were below average. Three others — Auburndale Oaks Healthcare Center, Bartow Center and The Groves Center — received just one star, the lowest grade. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines that as “much below average.” CMS looks at three areas in determining a nursing home’s rank. Those are performance on a three-year review of health inspections, the center’s staffing levels and how it did on 10 quality measures each center collects on its residents. Those measures include residents’ health, mental status, physical functioning and overall wellbeing. A ranking in each of those areas, along with the cumulative ranking for each, is on the CMS Web site. “This should help consumers in narrowing their choices, but nothing should substitute for visiting a nursing home,” acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said in a telephone briefing for the media. He said CMS did its best to adjust for variations in the types of health inspections done by different states, the source of the health inspection data, to make the grading comparable from state to state. “We want to make sure we’re measuring differences in quality, not difference in measurements,” he said. Rankings will be updated at least quarterly, CMS said. To look for a nursing home’s ranking, go to www.medicare.gov and click on New Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating. Polk nursing homes receiving four stars were Haines City Health Care, Highlands Lake Center, Lakeland Hills Center, Oakbridge Healthcare Center, Palm Garden of Winter Haven, The Crossroads, The Manor at Carpenters and Winter Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center. Those ranked three stars, meaning average, were Brandywyne Health Care Center, Consulate Health Care of Lake Parker, Life Care Center of Winter Haven, Palm Terrace of Lakeland and Valencia Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center. The four given two stars were Consulate Health Care of Lakeland, Consulate Health Care of Winter Haven, Spring Lake Rehabilitation Center and Wedgewood Healthcare Center. [ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.theledger.com. ]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/12/fph_gets_5_star_rating_1.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/12/fph_gets_5_star_rating_1.html Quality Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:20:55 +0000 Our Porter McGrath Health Center Earns Florida’s Gold Seal Award Florida Presbyterian Homes’ Porter-McGrath Health Center has received the coveted state of Florida Gold Seal Award for Nursing Homes for the third time. The award was granted August 1, 2008 by the Gold Seal Panel of Excellence in Long Term Care. Implemented in 2002, the Gold Seal recognizes Florida nursing centers that exhibit excellence in care management and quality of life for their residents, marking nursing homes of the highest caliber. Currently, of the 687 nursing homes in Florida, only 18 have Gold Seal status. Florida Presbyterian Homes’ Porter-McGrath Health Facility is one of only five nursing centers in Florida to receive the Gold Seal award three times. While continually enhancing quality of care, Florida Presbyterian Homes’ (FPHI) has sharpened its focus on improving residents’ quality of life. Last year, FPHI introduced “culture change” to remove the institutional feel of a long-term care center. “It’s about creating a place to live, rather than simply a place to receive physical care,” explained Executive Director John Hehn. Culture change challenges the notion that when you have many people to care for, it can only be done in a regimented manner. Porter McGrath residents choose when to get up and when to go to bed. They decide when to eat and when and how often to bathe and which activities to pursue. Most importantly, they become actively involved in the activities of daily life once again. Steak dinners, dining outside, ordering take-out, indulging in spa baths, and receiving music therapy are among some of the new changes. “Culture change is about continuing the self-determination that comes with being an adult,” Hehn added. “It is about bringing the joy, social interactions, and daily inspirations, into long-term care communities.” ]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/10/our_porter_mcgrath_health_cent_1.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/10/our_porter_mcgrath_health_cent_1.html FPHI news Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:22:50 +0000 FPH Hires Judy Thompson as Manager of Business Development Judy Thompson has joined Florida Presbyterian Homes as Manager of Business Development. Thompson has 25 years experience in Sales, Marketing and Public Relations with 18 years in the health care industry. She will be responsible for community outreach activities, hosting events at Florida Presbyterian Homes, collateral material development, and other responsibilities. Thompson is a life-long resident of Florida and has been a Polk County resident for 34 years. She was formerly Director of Marketing for The Estates at Carpenters. http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/09/fph_hires_judy_thompson_as_manager_of_business_development.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/09/fph_hires_judy_thompson_as_manager_of_business_development.html FPHI news Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:25:19 +0000 Maria Rivera Becomes Administrator for FPH Florida Presbyterian Homes has promoted Maria Rivera to administrator of its 48-bed Porter McGrath Health Center. She brings more than 20 years of nursing and health care administration experience to the position. Promoted numerous times since joining Florida Presbyterian Homes in 1992, Rivera was its director of nursing for 11 years. Since this past August (2007), Rivera served as Porter McGrath’s provisional administrator. “We are extremely proud of Maria,” said John Hehn, executive director of Florida Presbyterian Homes. “We appreciate her 16 years of service and her extraordinary efforts to enhance resident care." http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/04/maria_rivera_becomes_administrator_for_fph.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/04/maria_rivera_becomes_administrator_for_fph.html FPHI news Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:02:29 +0000 FPH Hosts Free Seniors Health Fair Florida Presbyterian Homes will host a free health fair for seniors on its campus, 16 Lake Hunter Drive in Lakeland, on Wed., April 9. Dr. Michael Paul Gimness will start the day with a discussion on shingles at 9 a.m., and the health fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other speakers will discuss community-acquired infections and pharmaceutical issues. The health fair features brain fitness programs, medication evaluations, diabetic education, and massage therapy. Several free screenings for hearing, vision, blood pressure, blood sugar, balance, and memory will be offered. Attendees can try their hands at art and music therapy, and the Lighthouse for the Blind will provide a range of resources and equipment designed to help people with visual impairments to live independently at home. “This is an interactive and broad educational experience related to older adult health,” said Elizabeth Weber, parish nurse for Florida Presbyterian Homes. During the health fair, Lifeline Screening will offer a comprehensive set of screenings for a fee of $129. These are screenings for stroke, osteoporosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, blood pressure, and peripheral artery diseases. Appointments can be made by calling 800-324-1851. For more information on the health fair, contact Elizabeth Weber at 863-577-6011. http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/03/fph_hosts_free_seniors_health.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/03/fph_hosts_free_seniors_health.html Community news Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:19:40 +0000 Patricia Fekete is New CFO For FPH Florida Presbyterian Homes welcomes Patricia M. Fekete, CPA as its new CFO. Fekete has more than 20 years of accounting experience, mainly within the health care industry. Most recently she served as the accounting manager for Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Previously, Fekete worked for St. Joseph’s-Baptist Health Care as a senior accountant and for the BayCare Health System as a reimbursement analyst. She holds a master’s of business administration degree from Florida Southern College in Lakeland and a bachelor’s in accounting from West Liberty State College in West Virginia. She became a certified public accountant in 1996. http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/01/patricia_fekete_is_new_cfo_for_fph.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2008/01/patricia_fekete_is_new_cfo_for_fph.html FPHI news Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:05:50 +0000 Start Planning Today Keeping options open The best way to ensure that you will have all options open to you is to begin planning before you need to. Take a look around while you have the freedom to and you will do yourself a tremendous favor. Another advantage to early planning is that it allows you to pursue your options at a pace you are comfortable with. Furthermore, early planning increases the likelihood that you have more of a say in what type of assistance you may receive. Family and friends can play a key role in planning The best way to begin the aging services planning process is to open up the conversation with your loved ones. This can be a very difficult thing to do and oftentimes, people put off discussing the sensitive topic. Choose a quiet, comfortable place to bring it up. Listen carefully to any reservations that are voiced, and make clear that you hear and understand these concerns. Address them in a positive way. Aging services and long-term care decisions involve more than just you; they affect every one in your life. Giving all involved individuals a chance to voice their preferences and priorities is key (“I want you close by, Mom” or “I want to keep living on my own, but I’d like to be somewhere where meals are provided.”). Feeling out priorities is actually a good way to begin the conversation in a positive way. Ask yourself or your loved one what are the most important elements of your surroundings—the space where you reside, the daily activities you are able to engage in, the people you interact with, the medical assistance you have available. After determining your priorities, your search for the right facility will be easier and more directed.]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/10/start_planning_today.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/10/start_planning_today.html elderly issues Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:29:51 +0000 5 Things to Look for in a Retirement Home Smart Money has a good article on 5 Things to Look for in a Retirement Home written by AnnaMaria Andriotis. We're pleased that our own John Hehn, executive director of Florida Presbyterian Homes, was interviewed by the author and quoted in the article. There's some good advice on what to look for when you are researching a home for the next phase of your life. ]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/09/5_things_to_look_for_in_a_reti.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/09/5_things_to_look_for_in_a_reti.html elderly issues Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:57:00 +0000 Polk County Named an All-American County Polk County was officially named an All-America County by the National Civic League. It's a prestigious award, and we are glad to be part of such a dynamic community. For those of you who don't know the area, Polk County is located in Central Florida between Tampa on the west and Orlando on the east. It spans about 2,000 square miles, larger than the state of Rhode Island! There are more than 500 freshwater lakes and more than 40 golf courses in that space. We've compiled a list of some of the most popular nearby attractions - check them out!]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/07/polk_county_named_an_allameric_1.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/07/polk_county_named_an_allameric_1.html Community news Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:08:43 +0000 Catch up on our news! Click here to get a PDF copy of our newsletter. (You need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view a PDF - to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader, click here.) If you would like to get on our mailing list for upcoming newsletters, simply drop us a note. ]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/05/catch_up_on_our_news_1.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/05/catch_up_on_our_news_1.html newsletters Wed, 02 May 2007 16:14:56 +0000 The Ledger features Florida Presbyterian Homes Lakeland Facility Strives for Highest Ratings - featuring Florida Presbyterian Homes (FPHI) in The Ledger, replete with pictures of and interviews with a few of our residents. The article is part of a larger series the newspaper is doing on nursing home care in the region. Click the link above to read the full article, but here's a brief excerpt:
At 92, Fritz Messinger enjoys an enviable lifestyle that includes maid service, meals and snacks on demand, and a daily 2 p.m. beer chilled to his liking. Messinger keeps trim with daily laps in a private swimming pool. A female caretaker hovers in the shade as the dapper nonagenarian practices his backstroke. The ritual ends with a brief catnap in the sun. "Wake me up a week from Tuesday," he coos, settling into a chaise longue. Club Med for the senior set? Not really. Messinger lives at Florida Presbyterian Homes, a Lakeland nursing home rated one of the best in the state. At just 40 beds, it's also the smallest nursing home in Polk County, and it's one of only six nursing homes in Florida to have been twice awarded the prestigious Gold Seal. Of approximately 700 nursing homes statewide, only 17 have ever received the Gold Seal designation, created in 1999 to signify nursing homes of superior quality. "This is really a nice place to grow old,'' said John Hehn, executive director of Florida Presbyterian Homes, a private, faith-based nonprofit enterprise serving retirees ages 62 and beyond on more than 50 acres just east of Lake Hunter.
]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/01/florida_presbyterian_homes_is.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2007/01/florida_presbyterian_homes_is.html FPHI news Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:24:51 +0000 Florida Presbyterian Homes’ Porter McGrath Health Facility Receives Governor’s Gold Seal Award for Nursing Homes Florida Presbyterian Homes’ Porter McGrath Health Facility has received the coveted state of Florida Gold Seal Award for Nursing Homes. Implemented in 2002, the Gold Seal recognizes Florida nursing homes that exhibit excellence in care management and quality of life for their residents over a sustained period of time. Of the 680 nursing homes in the state, Florida Presbyterian Homes is one of only 19 to achieve Gold Seal status, and one of only 6 to achieve it twice. The Gold Seal is effective for two years, and Florida Presbyterian Homes received its first Gold Seal in 2002. http://www.fphi.org/news/2006/05/florida_presbyterian_homes_por.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2006/05/florida_presbyterian_homes_por.html FPHI news Quality Wed, 17 May 2006 16:44:57 +0000 Florida Presbyterian Homes Receives CARF-CCAC re-accreditation CARF-CCAC is the nation’s only accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities. ]]> http://www.fphi.org/news/2005/03/florida_presbyterian_homes_rec.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2005/03/florida_presbyterian_homes_rec.html FPHI news Quality Tue, 15 Mar 2005 16:57:56 +0000 Dona Heck Joins Florida Presbyterian Homes as Chaplain We are pleased to announce that Rev. Donna Bassett Heck, a Methodist minister, has joined Florida Presbyterian Homes as a chaplain. Most recently, Heck served as chaplain for Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee, Fla. She had previously served for 11 years as Christian Educator and Minister of Programming for a Kissimmee United Methodist Church. Married to a minister for 30 years, Heck volunteered in Christian Education until 1987, when she became a professional Christian Educator. She received her Christian Education Certification in 1991 and was ordained as clergy in the United Methodist Church in 1997. Heck earned a bachelor’s degree in education from North Central College in Naperville, Ill. She conducted post-graduate studies at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary in Elgin, Ill., Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, and United Seminar in Dayton, Ohio. She holds a Foundational Studies and Certification in Christian Education. In addition to church service, Heck has served on Board of Directors, Alumni Association for North Central College. She has also volunteered in hospitals, working with cancer patients, as a counselor for the American Cancer Society and with Give Kids the World. http://www.fphi.org/news/2004/05/dona_heck_joins_florida_presby.html http://www.fphi.org/news/2004/05/dona_heck_joins_florida_presby.html FPHI news Thu, 06 May 2004 16:40:44 +0000