Resident Choice Program Implemented
HOLLAND—A Resident Choice Program for dining has been introduced at Spring Meadows Senior Community.
The program offers restaurant-style dining options for both Spring Meadows and Astor House residents.
Residents place their orders for meals when they are seated in the dining room. They are offered several choices of entrees for their selections. All meals are tailored to meet dietary restrictions.
“Giving the residents the option to choose their own meals is part of a larger resident choice program that Spring Meadows has in place,” according to Phil Witker, administrator of Spring Meadows. “We encourage residents to make their own choices whenever possible. This dining program fits perfectly into the big picture here at Spring Meadows.”
A new dietary company, Talk of the Town, has been hired to run the dining operation. Chef Bill is head of the Spring Meadows facility. According to Witker, Chef Bill is planning new recipes and having more events at Spring Meadows based with various food options. More food-themed events and outside cookouts are also planned.
Spring Meadows Part of Excellence Initiative
Spring Meadows Senior Community is participating in the “Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Home” initiative.
The mission of the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign is to help nursing homes achieve excellence in the quality of care and quality of life for the more than 1.5 million residents of America’s nursing homes.
“We are learning new techniques and protocols to make life better for our residents,” said Phil Witker, Administrator at Spring Meadows Senior Community. “We are continually striving to improve our services and make sure our residents receive the best care possible.”
The Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign is an initiative of the Advancing Excellence in Long Term Care Collaborative. The Collaborative assists all stakeholders of long term care supports and services to achieve the highest practicable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being for all individuals receiving long term care services.
Goals of the program include: reducing staff turnover; resident/family satisfaction; staff satisfaction; advance care planning; consistent assignment so residents are being regularly cared for by the same caregiver; and goals on restraints, pressure ulcers and pain.
To learn more about the program, visit www.nhqualitycampaign.org.
Spring Meadows Participating In Health Expo
Spring Meadows Senior Community will be participating in the 2012 Spring Health Solution Expo on March 31. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WPOS Radio Station at 7112 Angola Road, Holland.
Spring Meadows will have a booth at the Expo and residents will be attending as well.
Also at the Expo, attendees can receive free health screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol. St. Luke’s Hospital provides the health screenings. At 1 p.m., motivational speaker Ken DeAngelis will speak on natural nutrition. Other highlights of the event include demonstrations by some of the vendors and a performance by the Adventures in Education Glee Club.
Areas of interest that will be highlighted by vendors include: pilates, yoga, Reiki, energy healers; massage therapy; nutrition; audiology; chiropratic; dentistry; and health and wellness.
Winter Time is Fun Time At Spring Meadows
HOLLAND—Residents of Spring Meadows Senior Community have spent this winter season busy with many activities.
With the holidays in December, both Spring Meadows and Astor House were busy with holiday activities and many visitors. The residents enjoyed spending extra time with their families and other holiday traditions. Residents visited Children’s Wonderland and went on outings to view Christmas lights.
Many indoor activities and outings are planned to keep the residents busy during the winter months.
“We do as much as we can in and out of the building,” said Lindsay Schmidutz, Activities Director for Astor House Assisted Living. “Wintertime is fun time. There are always lots of fun things going on in and out of the building. We try to plan outings to hockey games, to lunch and for shopping, if weather permits. Even if we have to bundle up, we enjoy getting out when we can.”
Regular events like bingo, Wii games, coffee socials and baking are enjoyed by the residents. One of the most popular events is when outside groups come in to provide entertainment like music and singing.
Visit the website’s calendar of events or monthly newsletter to learn more.
Nursing Students Studying at Spring Meadows
HOLLAND—Beginning in January, Spring Meadows and Astor House welcomed student nurses from Lourdes University. These nursing students are completing their clinical rotations.
Also in January, Nursing Resources students who are studying to be nursing assistants began their clinicals to complete their certification.
Both of these groups will get to experience first-hand working with the elderly population.
“Spring Meadows Senior Community is excited to be chosen as a training site for both of these organizations,” said Phil Witker, administrator for Spring Meadows Senior Community. “We know our residents enjoy meeting these future healthcare providers and getting to know them, even if they will only be here for a short time.”
Spring Meadows Offers Equine Therapy
HOLLAND – For the first time ever, Spring Meadows Senior Community has offered equine therapy for its patients of occupational, physical and speech therapy.
Two horses were brought to the facility in May to complete therapy with the patients and residents. The program was the brainchild of Tara De Bortoli, Director of Rehabilition.
“I had recently purchased a horse and that has been a topic of discussion in the gym,” De Bortoli said. “Several patients have expressed a lot of interest, wondering how the horse was doing. Many of the patients had horses in the past. For some, it brings back some good memories and for others it’s a dream come true because they have never been around horses.”
Therapy patients, no matter what their capability level, worked through several exercises involving the horses. Patients using canes, walkers and those that were wheelchair bound were all able to participate.
Tasks included brushing out the horses, feeding the horses and tossing carrots into a bucket. The tasks are meant to improve core strength and flexibility, range of motion, upper and lower body strengthening, dexterity and communication skills. The horses were tied to a trailer and a full staff of therapists were on hand to assist with the first-time event. Once the therapy session was complete, residents of Spring Meadows Senior Community were invited to visit with the horses as well.
“We are hoping that this becomes a regular therapy option,” De Bortoli said. “It is something creative and fun for the residents.”
Spring Meadows Senior Community is a family-owned and operated facility, located in Holland since 1975. The facility offers long-term, short-term rehabilition, palliative and hospice care as well as assisted living options.
Free Health Fair at Hope Lutheran Church
Hope Lutheran Church is sponsoring a free health fair on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place at the church at 2201 Secor Road.
Free health screenings for skin cancer, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose as well as diabetic foot exams, and hearing and visual exams will take place.
Demonstrations on acupuncture, gluten free foods, internet safety and allergy and special baking needs will also be taking place during this event. Information will be provided on Celiac disease, senior care, medical supplies, gluten free and allergy/special baking needs, diabetes, foot care, colonoscopies and other GI procedures, mental health, Hospice, home modifications and assistance for grandparents.
Vendors will include Beltone Hearing Clinic, Celiac Gourmet Group, Endoscopy, Hope Healing Ministry, Hospice of NWO, NAMI, Pierce Medical Products, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Podiatrist Dr. Greg Black, CNA Home Modifications, Dr. Pamela Hackl, D.O., Hope Mental Health, Laurels of Toledo, Organic Bliss, Spring Meadows Senior Community, West Park Place, The Ability Center, Kinship and Jeremy Rowe, P.A.
To learn more about screenings, demonstrations and vendors click here.
A Stones Throw
The latest edition of our newsletter is online. Everyone had fun watching the Praise Dancers from the United Church of God. They were so energetic! They even danced with Jean Bookenberger and Jack Schwartz!
Spring Meadows Senior Community