April 2015 • Issue 559
5 - STAR RATING: TOOL OR NIGHTMARE — Rod Mason, President/CEO Some years back the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) established a rating system of Nursing Facilities across the nation via their Nursing Home Compare websites. The intent was to give the average potential consumer an easy-to-
Pictured is Jim Yoder paying Sawyer Shane for a snack in the Café Suisse.
use tool for shopping for a high-quality facility in which to place a family member or loved one. While the jury is out just yet as to how widely this “5-Star Rating System” is used by the consumer, many providers and provider advocacy groups (Leading Age, American Health Care Association, to name a couple) have cried “foul” as they/we claim that the system is flawed and does not establish proper criterion nor scaling to determine equitable
rating within the structure of the system. However, those providers that have achieved the ultimate rating of 5 Stars in the overall rating and also in any or all of the other rating categories have guarded that rating carefully and have tried in all their power to retain that precious rating. Swiss Village had enjoyed that revered rating of 5Stars across the board for several years until two years of less-thandesired results in our annual licensure Cont. on page 2
SWISS VILLAGE EXECUTIVE TEAM AND BOARD MEMBERS Executive Team: Rod Mason President/CEO Alma Ahmetovic Director of Healthcare Services Derick Bailey Vice President of Operations
Board of Directors: Kent Liechty, Chair Tom Muselman, Vice-Chair Linda Eicher, Secretary Greg Meyer, Treasurer
Joe Burkhead Vice President of Information Services
Paul Zuercher, Immediate Past Chair
Margie Dougherty V. P. of Human Resource Management
Mark Settlemyre
Michelle McIntosh Vice President of Marketing and P. R.
Sharon Sprunger Wulliman Nancy Subler
Roger Young Vice President of Finance
Mary Fox Scott Bixler
Inside this issue: Community Good Friday 3 Service Book Fair
3
Wellness Pavilion
4
Residential & Healthcare 5 Activities South Campus Wellness
6
Kinder Haus
6
Staff News
7
Swiss Village Mission Statement: Swiss Village Retirement Community is a not-for-profit corporation, committed to providing quality and affordable retirement living facilities and services in a Christian environment that enhances life with dignity, meaning and appropriate care for the senior adults from the surrounding community without regard to race, religion, sex, or handicaps that can be accommodated within our delivery system.
5 - STAR RATING:…
(Cont. from page 1)
survey dropped our overall rating from 5- to 4-stars just this past year. Remember, CMS uses these ratings as a comparative across the country of all providers, comparing results of all providers’ performance on the State/Federal annual licensure surveys as the base rating of quality – fair or not. It’s all numbers. For the last two years we have had surveys that land us “in the middle of the pack”, or average as compared to everyone else. 3-stars on the survey. Then the other measures can either add or detract stars to the facility’s overall rating depending upon how they fall in the rating scales for RN Staffing, Overall Staffing and Quality Measures (QM). Beginning this year CMS has tightened down on the valuation measures and also narrowed the indexing scale or range that is used to assign the grading, thereby making it even more difficult for facilities to achieve a higher score. As the Quality Measures system was re-based, CMS also added two additional measures for AntiPsychotic drug use in Long Term Stay admissions and in Short Term Stay admissions. Interestingly, our use falls well below the national average in both of those categories, but because of the narrowing of the grading scales for all of the QMs we, like many other providers, lost one of our stars in that measurement – now rated at 3-stars for QM! Foul??? Well, we aren’t alone. According to Leading Age Indiana, nationally 30.6% of all nursing homes experienced a decline of one or more of the overall 5-star rating (Swiss Village was not one of them), and 60.5% of all nursing homes joined Swiss Village in losing one or more stars related to one of the other measures. In Indiana specific, 32% lost one star overall and 61% lost one or more of the other ratings. The 5-Star Rating system is certainly a tool for the consumer, but should never be the only tool to use to assess quality. Just as you would never buy a new vehicle without having first given it a go, you should never “buy” the use of a nursing facility bed without first stepping into the building. Go, observe, listen, watch, and talk with the staff and other residents and family members… then, and only then, “buy”. There are many fine facilities with excellent staff achieving super-high quality service – yet not rated at 5 – Stars… nor maybe even 3. “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover”?
IN MEMORY
THANK YOU FOR THE PLASTIC CAPS
Swiss Village experienced the loss of a resident who called Swiss Village home. Condolences go out to the family and friends of Thelma Milligan who passed away February 28 at the age of 82. Thelma came to Swiss Village in February 2015.
Thank you for all who have been saving caps for our picnic tables. We have reached our goal and will no longer be collecting caps. The solid waste department asked that people rinse out their caps and leave them on the bottles and send them to recycling. This has been a wonderful project and we appreciate all who saved caps for us!
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April 2015
CONTRIBUTIONS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RESIDENTS
Miriam Sprunger, Howard Flueckiger, Donavon & LaDonna Gerig, Stuart Lehman, Heidi Lehman. Thaddeus DeWolf Memorial: Thomas & Loni Stewart. Matilda Neuenschwander Memorials: Betty Lehman, Terry & Margie Dougherty, Donald & Anita Dyck. Daniel May Memorials: Gloria Sprunger, John & Theresa Amstutz, Dan & Ronetta Amstutz, Bud & Esther Bush, Jim & Louise Neuenschwander. Delmar Neuenschwander Memorial: Ked & Margo Graber. **All memorials and/or gifts given in honor of an individual(s) will go towards the Samaritan’s Endowment Fund unless otherwise designated.
COMMUNITY GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES Swiss Village will host the Community Good Friday Service at 1:30 p.m., Friday, April 3 in the Auditorium. The community service is sponsored by the South Adams Ministerial Association and the public is invited to attend. Paul Zurcher of Monroe will be providing the sermon titled The Miracle of Obedience focusing on scripture from Mathew 26: 36-46. The service will also be broadcast live on WZBD 92.7 FM. For more information contact Swiss Village Chaplain Mike Wertenberger at 260.589.3173.
SPRING BOOK FAIR —
Michelle McIntosh
Books Are Fun will be holding a book fair at Swiss Village Retirement Community on Tuesday, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Books Are Fun’s product selection includes children’s storybooks, classics, educational books, Mother’s Day & Father’s Day gifts, graduation gifts, New York Times Bestsellers, stationary & gift items; and general interest books such as cooking, sports, gardening, reference, and multicultural titles. Books Are Fun partners with more than 400 leading publishers and vendors to bring you the newest, most relevant product assortments available in the industry. Purchases made at the Fair will allow Books Are Fun to donate books to the Kinder Haus Day Care Library. For more information contact Michelle McIntosh at 260.589.3173 or visit www.swissvillage.org.
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APRIL
3 3 4 5 5 7 8 10 11 13 13 13 15 16 19 19 19 20 20 20 21 23 25 25 26 28 29 29
Devona Amstutz Edna Gillespie Millard Schwartz Anna Haecker Eva Pannabecker Douglas Collier Georgia Amstutz Ethel Hewitt Esther Laux Helen Augsburger Helen Buckingham Catherine Mounsey Keith Class Betta Murdick Loretta Brooks Deloris Caffee Alice Ehrman Laverne Gilliom John Kirchhofer Howard Luginbill Jaculin Torkelson Phyllis Everett Gerald Gerig Omar Reusser Jerry Flueckiger Edith Augsburger Kedwin Graber Alice Steiner
Every Joy we feel is a celebration of life.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES APRIL 8
Roger & Nancy Roth (20 Years)
12 George & Rose Buhler (68 Years) 22 Clifton & Betty Habegger (70 Years)
April 2015
Saturday Night at The Village Swiss Village presents Saturday Night at the Village. Fun free entertainment is provided the second Saturday of every month from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. April 11, 2015 residents and guests will enjoy entertainment by Scherry Ramsey. Vocalist Scherry Ramsey is from Ridgeville,
Indiana. Ramsey provides her audience with a variety of music styles and genres. Be prepared to hear some of your favorites. Guests may even have the opportunity to request a cherished song or two. Saturday Night at the Village is open to the public and everyone is invited to
attend. For more information about Saturday Night at the Village contact Michelle McIntosh, Marketing Director at 260.589.3173 or visit www.swissvillage.org. See you at Saturday Night at the Village, April 11 in Swiss Village’s Auditorium.
SWISS VILLAGE 5K RUN/WALK & SENIOR 1 MILE Are you looking to participate in a 5K Run/Walk? Or maybe you are thinking of running your first 5k race, or love to walk for health. Are you a seasoned runner looking for a local 5K, or are you looking for an event the whole family can participate in? Join Swiss Village for their 3rd annual 5K Run/Walk and Senior 1 Mile Walk on Saturday, April 11 at 9 a.m. This is the first race of the Adams County 5k Run/Walk Challenge. The event will take place at Arthur & Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion located on Swiss Village’s north campus. Visit Swiss Village’s website at www.swissvillage.org for more details, registration materials, and course map, or visit the Wellness Pavilion or Swiss Village front desk. Unique awards will be available for the top three finishers per age group, gender, and overall female and male winners. Make this a family event, youth group event, or join up with fellow co-workers and complete the 5K Lauf/Spaziergang. Feel free to walk in honor or in memory of a loved one. All proceeds from the event will go toward Swiss Village’s Endowment Fund. We give a special thank you to our race sponsors, Smith Brothers of Berne, Annie’s, and EP Graphics for their support. For more information please contact Michelle McIntosh at 260.589.3173.
ART & GLORIA MUSELMAN WELLNESS PAVILION —
Andrea Miller
The Arthur & Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion will be hosting a make it and take it scrapbook card craft for any senior 55+ on Friday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wellness Pavilion. The craft will be taught by Annie’s Crafts of Berne. Please sign up by April 13 at the Wellness Pavilion Front Desk. All participants will be able to make and take cards. Hurry and sign up as the class is limited to the first 20 people. Members and Non-Members are welcome to attend this free event. For more information contact Michelle McIntosh at 260.589.3173 or visit www.swissvillage.org.
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April 2015
BLUMENGARTEN ACTIVITIES —
Cole Rupp
The snow has been beautiful but we are so thankful to watch it melt! Spring is in the air! We were able to sit outside today and just listen to the birds was encouraging! We are breaking out of our Cabin Fever! We have made a few green snacks for St. Patrick's Day and that has been fun. Please come visit our area as we are preparing for Easter with many colorful craft and baking activities. We have so much to be thankful for including the celebration of Easter - the Resurrection of Jesus! Enjoy this Easter Season!
HEALTHCARE HAPPENINGS — Karen Rowell Spring h a s ar r iv ed! Oh joy! We are relishing e v e r y sunny day and searching for traces of greenness outside our windows. And, speaking of green, this month we had a great time celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Irish blessings and limericks and green refreshments. Of course, March Madness was also underway, and our men enjoyed an afternoon of “guy time” watching basketball games and talking sports trivia together while munching on snacks. Greg transformed the Lavendel Activity Room into a “Man Cave” for the afternoon – an interesting new concept for most of our guys. Paul White brought us an afternoon of love songs and springtime music. Our residents always so much enjoy hearing Paul.
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RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITIES —
Jamie Kittle
Thank goodness that no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow! We are certainly ready for it, and enjoyed some nice days to be out and about whether it was enjoying lunch at Becky's restaurant in Willshire, or even just a routine shopping trip to Walmart! Spring also sparks new life, and we are thankful for some signs of "new life" in the activity department as well! Be sure to stop by the crafts room to see the new quilt that the ladies are working on. Another new group formed during March called the Swiss Village Singers, led by Don Gerig and Mary Amstutz. The group met in the Social Corner at 1:00 on Tuesdays to sing Easter hymns, which they sang during the Chapel service on Friday, March 27. March also brought about March Madness as well as a little friendly competition among residents and staff to see who might come out on top as the winner of Swiss Village's own March Madness tournament. Stay tuned for the winner's which will be announced next month!
ALPENROSE —
Donna Stout
We have MOVED IN. The dining room and activity area are done. There are blinds coming for the windows and decorating to do, but we can use the rooms. What a difference taking a wall out can make. Some of our activities this month: Morning Bible devotions, singing hymns, Bible Stories with Mike, What's cookin', Morning warm ups, St. Patrick's Day party, arts and crafts, music with Paul White, Wheel of Fortune and Music with Chester, just to name a few. We are waiting patiently for the weather to get nice so we can start thinking about going on bus rides again. It looks like spring, but still feels a little like winter at times too. It will be here soon enough. All in God's time.
April 2015
SOUTH CAMPUS WELLNESS — This year, our Winter Wellness Journey is titled, A Walk Through The Decades. We have been exercising and writing in our journals weekly. We recently hit our half-way point of our 8 week journey. We celebrated with a 50s style “soda shop” themed party complete with Ice Cream Sundaes, Costumes, and a round table discussion, sharing many memories from the past. We
KINDER HAUS —
began our journey in the 1920s and will end week 8 with the 2000s and a trip to Cammack Station where we are sure to take a walk down Memory Lane. An Earth Day Education Session on recycling updates will be offered on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 11:30 and 12:30 in the auditorium. All residents and employees are invited to come.
Marilyn Spurgeon, Bauman and Evelyn having fun at the 1950's halfway party for the Wellness Journey.
Myrna Beitler themed Winter
Heidi Schoeneman
All the children at Kinder Haus are excited for the warmer weather. It has been so nice to get out and play on the playgrounds and explore the signs of spring while riding in the bye bye buggies. The children have been greatly enjoying the new IPads that were purchased with the NAP credits. We greatly appreciate all those who graciously gave so the IPAds could be purchased. The children are learning new songs, practicing tracing their ABC’s and concentrating on memory games while using the IPADS. What a wonderful learning tool they will be for all the children.
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Emily Arnold & Rachel Rosswurm
We can take these and do activities with the residents as well. It is amazing how even the toddlers know how to “swipe” their finger to turn on the IPADS. The 4 & 5 year olds have greatly enjoyed Mariam Sprunger reading them the book called “Amazing Giant Wild Animals.” Each week they learned interesting facts about different wild animals such as the blue whale will eat about 40 million Krill a day, the polar bear’s coat tends to turn yellow with age, a panda bear has an extra thumb and an elephant will eat 300 pounds of plants and grass a day! Wow what amazing facts they learned.
They have also been enjoying a music class taught by Mary Amstutz. She is coming each week to teach the kids about rhythm, beat, and of course some fun songs like Pony Boy and Yellow Ball Bounce into Spring! We are so thankful and blessed to have such wonderful volunteers living right here at Swiss Village.
April 2015
FROM THE DESK OF MARGIE —
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAFF
Margie Dougherty
Each year we recognize those employees who are celebrating a significant anniversary in the current calendar year. We have dedicated employees who have been with Swiss Village for many years. It is a pleasure to recognize the following individuals who have celebrated, or will be celebrating, important anniversaries in 2015: 30th Anniversary: Gwen Mitchel – June 17 Dale Sprunger – July 16 Carol Tonak – August 26
10th Anniversary: Jessica Grandlinrad – June 14 Becky Moore – June 14 Erin Zimmerman – June 14 Rachel Rosswurm – August 12 25th Anniversary: Nancy Garlinger – August 22 Becky Krueckeberg – September 13 Laura Bryan – September 7 Terrie Sovine – September 17 Courtney Haines – September 7 Kinzie Beitler – September 28 20th Anniversary: Brittany Studebaker – September 28 Bruce Meyer – January 9 Carla Clary – September 29 Christine Bailey – February 8 Steve Stout – September 29 Wanda Ross – March 6 SaDonna Sturwold – September 29 Brenda Nichols – July 6 Sheila Coon – November 8 Rita Hedrick – August 25 Derick Bailey – December 12 15th Anniversary: Krista Mere – April 18 Mary Nass – June 12 Ruth Green – October 4 Roger Young – October 9
5th Anniversary: Tyler Hunley – January 19 Sydney Zent – February 15 Kara Haines – March 25 Derek Schwartz – March 25 Dave Bauman – April 29 Isaac Akins – May 5 Jeni Hirschy – May 11 Kara Rupp – May 17 Breanna Emberlin – June 1 Amanda Eicher – July 8 Caleb Weaver – July 19 Amanda Brodbeck – July 20 Bev Liechty – September 16 Theresa Inman – September 27 Deb Martens – October 27 Our thanks to each of these individuals who have made a commitment to the work of Swiss Village.
APRIL
2 Franklin Scot Shaffer 3 Karen S. Capper 4 Annie M. Tankersley 4 Kaitlyn R Brokaw 7 Alicia M Degler 8 Erin E. Zimmerman 11 Tanner C. Engle 15 Michelle L. McIntosh 15 Susan A. Rogers 16 Kayla E. Cline 17 Pamela L. Molthan 17 Michael D Wertenberger 18 Kirstyn R Burniston-Rogers 19 Heidi J. Geisel 19 Tiffany Y. Moser 19 Tyson M Bahrke 19 Paul J. Abnet 22 Ellen N. Stauffer 27 Lynsey A. Schwartz 27 Martha RB Hilty 27 Marcia K. Bauman 28 Aaron J. Lehman 28 Kate S. Lairson 28 Jessica M. Fox 28 Geraldine M. Morrical 30 Patricia A Pruitt
May your special day be filled with sunshine and smiles, laughter and love. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays.
Village News compiled by: Tammy Seffernick
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April 2015
Swiss Village, Inc.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Berne, IN 46711 Permit No 71
1350 W. Main St. Berne, IN 46711
Visit www.swissvillage.org and click on the Facebook Like button on our website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CHARITABLE GIVING NEWS — Jennifer Lehman
In February we got to celebrate a very important group of people at Apr. Event Swiss Village, our volunteers! In Community Good Friday 2014 we had 137 volunteers who 3 Service 1:30 pm put in over 2,600 hours of time and service at Swiss Village. 11 Swiss Village 5k 9:00 am Using the Independent Sector’s Saturday Night at the Value of a Volunteer this would 11 Village-Scherry Ramsey 7 pm translate into $56,702.80 of time that they donated! Thank you to 14 Book Fair 9 am - 4 pm all of our volunteers for your 17 Make it & Take it Card 2 pm dedication to helping our residents, children, and community members. Call 589-4424 after 9 am for All of our volunteers put in Independent Liv., Residential, & Assit. Residential announcements and numerous hours giving of their time, talents, and hearts. Because Café menu specials. of these amazing individuals we are able to offer services above Be sure to check the Swiss Village and beyond what our staff Website at www.swissvillage.org members are able to. Our for the complete listing of this volunteers allow us to continue months Residential and Healthcare offering a high level of care and Activities. services. We are grateful for their dedication.
National Volunteer Week is held April 12-18 this year. We want to take time to honor and say a special thank you to each of our volunteers for all that they do! We have many individuals and organizations that have given of their time to make the lives better for those we serve. Each of our volunteers is truly a blessing and they are doing extraordinary things through service to others. We hope that this month you will help us in saying thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers!