Palliative Care Optimizes Quality of Life

Palliative Care is Community Member and family centered care that optimizes quality of life. This specialized care designed for those with serious illness involves addressing physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs and facilitating autonomy, access to information, and choice. Some nursing homes have employed special staff to provide these services to improve care. Rowntree Gardens has adapted and implemented the Integrated Palliative Care Services Model. They have also employed new staff that is specially trained for this aspect of care, and has established this service within the Independent, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, and Memory Care units.

“In late 2016, we decided we were doing “good” in the area of living our brand and focus,” explained Randy Brown, CEO and Chair of the Board, Rowntree Gardens. “However, that “good” wasn’t good enough if we could do better. From that came a new integrated Palliative Care Program, which was adopted campus-wide. By adopting this program and the philosophy behind Palliative Care, we were able to meet even more of our community members’ needs and advocate for them during their transitions through the different levels of care they experience, and also enhance the assistance provided to them in dealing with the challenges that life brings.”

“Rowntree Gardens is proud to be able to provide Palliative Care to its Community Members and families, continued Brown. “It serves as a complement to its trademark compassionate, devoted daily care services, administered through innovative teamwork, and optimal strengthening in all areas of body, mind, and spirit. This allows us to advocate for our community members on both clinical and relational issues. It is our goal to continue in growth and excellence as we serve the needs of the seniors in our community.”

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

Brown further explained that the purpose of an integrated Palliative Care Program is to promote the highest quality of life for the Community Member and family. Through this team approach, multiple positive goals are achieved. Regular and high quality communication and coordination between team members, Community Members and family is enhanced. Support can be provided for family members’ emotional adjustment to the changes related to their loved one, guiding them with compassion and education. With immediate and long-term planning, and with our onsite health center open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our palliative model also reduces or eliminates emergency visits and unplanned hospital admissions.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

In order to be part of the Palliative Care Program, a referral is made. These referrals come from many sources, such as physicians, nurses, family members, self-referral, social workers, and clergy. A Palliative Care Nurse plays a vital role by providing the Community Member with an introduction/education about Palliative Care Services, and explanations of Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care, as well as providing support to family members. In addition, Rowntree Garden’s Palliative Care identifies cultural needs related to health care experiences and adapts the plans of care accordingly. Plans of care optimize management of symptoms and diseases, utilization of resources, and provision of support for the Community Members’ body, mind, and spirit.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES FOR THOSE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA?

People with Dementia use behavior rather than words as their primary mode of communication as the disease advances. Palliative Care with this population focuses on environmental factors to promote comfort, pain management, medication management, reduction in Dementia-related behaviors (e.g. rejection of care), as well as weight trends and supplement use. In the Palliative Care advocate role, the Nurse and team members implement comfort into the care plans, address any Community Member distress, and actively problem solve while working with families as partners. Consistent assignments, rest/sleep or wake routines, and providing meals in a comfortable dining space are ways Community Members are further supported. Our pain management program utilizes PAINAD (pain assessment tool), non-pharmacological interventions, and pharmacological strategies to best address care needs. Careful consideration to the noise and comfort of the Community Members’ environment, as well as executing flexible and individualized activities are part of the Integrated Palliative Care Services Model. The team works together to anticipate and address Community Members’ needs as they arise.

Rowntree Gardens is a senior living community in the city of Stanton, California. Originally founded in 1965 as a faith based not-for-profit under the name Quaker Gardens, the company re-branded in 2014 brought a name change -- Rowntree Gardens -- and a re-focus on mission and purpose. Supportive staff and community members are guiding the new focus based on compassionate, devoted care that provides a daily blessing to all we encounter. Focusing on these two areas allows Rowntree Gardens to be strong advocates for the seniors living on their campus or those going through rehab in our skilled nursing facility.

“...IT IS OUR GOAL TO CONTINUE IN GROWTH AND EXCELLENCE AS WE SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY.”

RANDY BROWN CEO & Chair of the Board Rowntree Gardens