It Takes a Village: Partnerships Improve Quality
Improving the quality of care – and quality of life – in long-term care facilities is an all-hands-on-deck endeavor.
It takes everyone in the community – residents and staff, families, vendors, and nearby organizations to make today a better day for everyone. That might mean a provider focuses on safety by hosting an info session on emergency preparedness with the local fire department, enhances resident satisfaction by voting on dining choices, or invests in staff by providing on-the-job training. Quality improvement is not separate from the day-to-day work of a long-term care community, and it’s not an add-on. It’s the central work of any community, and it’s the work that really matters.
The key to effective quality improvement is partnership. And that was the central focus at this month’s annual conference of LeadingAge, a national association representing mission-driven provider organizations. Providers are partnering with private companies that are testing software and robotic technology. And they’re partnering with a host of community and healthcare organizations. Check out LeadingAge CEO Katie Sloan Smith’s address to conference attendees. We also had the opportunity to go to Denver to present the story of LiveWell!
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Creating Partnerships Centered on Residents
“LiveWell recognizes that leadership starts from the foundation of staff, those who are delivering the care, and it empowers their voice.”
One of our key partnerships at the state level is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s (LTCO) office. Led by Fred Steele, Oregon’s LTCO program seeks to protect residents, enhance their quality of life, improve care, and promote dignity for residents. We know that this work doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Creating excellent person-centered care requires a culture of dignity where staff, residents, and all who walk through the doors know that they matter and that the facility can deliver excellent care. The LTCO helps residents feel safe and supported. LiveWell creates the culture. That’s why we are building a partnership.
YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN OUR LIVEWELL PRACTITIONERS NETWORK
We're launching our LiveWell Practitioners Network to build community within the long-term care sector.
Our LiveWell Practitioners Network is here! Join us on Slack to build community, receive and share helpful tips, and stay updated on industry research. All current and previous participants of the LiveWell Method are welcome to join our Network Slack channel.
If you would like to join the network, please send an email to barbarak@livewellnational.org to receive the link!
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Wishing you and your team a wonderful fall season,
— Barbara, Steve, Andy, Marcus, Cecilia, Valerie, and Judy