We are pleased to announce that we have received our five-year re-accreditation from the CARF-CCAF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities - Continuing Care Accreditation Commission). We are the only accredited continuing care retirement community in Polk County.

The accreditation process encompasses an in-depth review of services, including rigorous peer review and an in-depth site visit to ensure that the organization’s programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable and accountable. One of the on-site investigators was Maria Giovinco, administrator of Fort Washington Estates in Ft. Washington, Pa.

“I was most impressed by the sense of family that permeates this community,” said Giovinco. “Everyone is a part of the nurturing environment, no matter what level of care the person is receiving. Once you are a member of this community's ‘family,’ you always have a place. This is very special.”

It was the second site visit for Inspector Brent B. Edgerton, associate executive director of Kendal at Hanover in Hanover, NH who echoed Giovinco’s thoughts on the community’s family atmosphere. “Your most valuable assets aren’t even reflected in your audited financials,” Edgerton added. “Clearly, the employees and residents are the keys to the success of Florida Presbyterian Homes.”

An independent, not-for-profit organization, CARF-CCAC is the nation’s only accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities.

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.

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.

Our Philosophy of Family Centered Care
It’s About You
We know that moving into the Porter McGrath Health Center is a big move and want you to know that you are still very much in control of your life.
You… can decorate your room any way you like with your own furniture, pictures and books.
You… can eat what you want, when you want it.
You…can do as much – or as little – as you feel like on any given day.
Your life can be as full and individualized as you are.
Unique Neighborhoods
Each neighborhood is unique. We establish a sense of belonging by cultivating resident-to-resident and staff-to-resident relationships.
Leisure Programs of Choice
Each day residents choose what to do – whether individual or group: scheduled or spontaneous; educational or recreational.
Dining Venues
Residents choose what they eat. They have a variety of food choices each meal, and may choose to eat with the neighborhood, the community or order take-out for home delivery or garden dining.
Personal Preferences
Our Life Coach meets with each resident and their family to understand their preferences and routines. We strive to maintain residents’ lifestyle choices.
Personal Accommodations
Residents are encouraged to make their living space their own. They bring furniture, paintings, pictures and other items that make them feel at home.
Personal Growth
Residents help others learn skills from a variety of programs. Community Friends Unlimited (CFU) offers opportunities to volunteer and build relationships within our community.
Do What You Like To Do
There is a lot going on at Florida Presbyterian Homes – from concerts and swimming to knitting and quilting to day trips and visits from church groups. You can continue your education by attending lectures or using the library. Keep up with your grandchildren by playing virtual golf, tennis or other games. Or, you may just want to relax in the garden and read a good book. Our Life Coach wants to learn about you and what you would like to do. If you have always wanted to paint, here’s your chance. We want to get a feel for your lifestyle, habits, and interests and talk about the choices you have. And we’ll help you get involved.