So Much More Than Just A Nursing Home!

Redstone Highlands, so much more than just a Nursing Home

 

The retirement communities of today are not your grandmother’s nursing home. Redstone offers multiple levels of services including personal care, memory care and independent apartment living, villa home living, and home health care, in addition to skilled nursing.  Redstone is referred to as a Life Plan Community, or Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).  In addition to having different levels of service to address health changes, Redstone offers maintenance free living with a social and recreational focus supporting a healthier living environment and higher quality of life for today’s older adult.

 

The Rehab Center at Redstone (a.k.a. skilled nursing), focuses on supporting healing after an injury or health event. The emphasis is on getting back to one’s baseline through therapies such as physical, speech and occupational therapy, with the goal of returning individuals to their previous living environment as quickly as possible.  In the old model, it was common for people to be in a nursing setting taking up to 90 days or longer to get back on their feet.  Today, the average stay is much shorter often times with individuals discharging within just two weeks.  In many cases home health services are a part of the discharge plan to support continued progress once the person returns home. To ensure each person stays on the path to better health, Redstone’s team stays in contact with each discharged person to ensure they continue to make progress, see if they have any questions, and help with any problems that might arise. This has resulted in more positive outcomes and less return trips to the hospital.

 

Not only has the focus of nursing homes changed, but the setting has changed as well. The old model for nursing homes was more of a convalescent environment where elderly (mostly single and widowed females) who couldn’t live on their own came to live in a communal setting,  often times with shared rooms housing 2 to 6 people in each room located on a ward. In the Rehab Center at Redstone, most suites are private. Semi private suites are large with only two people sharing a suite. Each room has a flat screen tv, private phone and free Wi-Fi.  Patients enjoy using our gym, dining in the bistro, and going to our salon for services.

 

If you hear Retirement Community and envision your great-grandmother’s old school convalescent home, think again because the Rehab Center at Redstone is a high tech hub utilizing technology and proven best practices to get people back to living their lives.

Redstone Presbyterian SeniorCare Announces Negative Legionella Test Results

Over the past 48 hours, local media has published stories about an incident where an individual residing in our Skilled Nursing Facility in Greensburg recently tested positive for Legionella while out at the hospital. We would like to take this opportunity to provide further information so that our residents, patients, employees, families, and the community-at-large will have a fuller understanding of what has happened here at Redstone. Today, we received testing results from the Department of Health approved water testing facility, and we are happy to report that those results were NEGATIVE for Legionella in Redstone’s water supply.

Despite the fact that there was only one positive patient lab test showing Legionella, Redstone followed the most diligent CDC Guidelines to ensure the safety of our community. These steps included immediately notifying the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services of this case and cooperating fully with the local health department, thoroughly testing water systems, providing bottled water for the Redstone Greensburg community, and providing bedside bathing rather than showering for residents in skilled nursing and personal care since Legionella is spread through water droplets.

Redstone’s employee team at all levels supported the extra efforts required to enact this water emergency plan. We are grateful for the commitment to resident safety and care that is exhibited in our communities each and every day, and especially during challenging situations such as this one.
Vicki Loucks, RN/MSN and Redstone’s Chief Operating Officer, states, “As part of Redstone’s water management plan, we routinely test for Legionella. Our last test was negative for any Legionella in December of 2018. We have reviewed all cases of pneumonia in our residents over the past twelve months and we have not identified any other indications of Legionella. Out of abundant caution, we are still going to treat the water in our Skilled Nursing Home, in order to eradicate any potential threat of the bacteria, despite the negative test results. We will continue to provide regular and thorough testing of our water, as we have done in the past.”

John R. Dickson, Redstone’s CEO, noted that “Except for the water safety measures put into place, services at Redstone were uninterrupted during this time. I’m so proud of the way that our employees responded to this incident and grateful for the patience and support we have received from our residents and their families. We are proud of our history and tradition of excellent service, and our ranking as a 4 Star Nursing Home serving the people of this region.”

healthy habits

                                                 FOR A HAPPIER YOU!

Physical Activity and Older Adults

Physical activity is good for us at every age. As we get older, staying active keeps our energy levels higher which means we have the energy to do more of the things we like to do. It improves balance decreasing our risk of falls and injuries that result from falls. Physical activity maintains and improves our strength, improves our mood and can prevent or delay diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.

 

To get the full benefit of physical activity, keep these 4 factors in mind: balance, endurance, flexibility and strength. Almost everyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity.

The best way to stay physically active is to do the things we already like to do. Ride a bike, go for a walk, or dance to our favorite music. If able, take the stairs as opposed to escalators or elevators. For those who need a buddy to keep them going, sign up for a class or join a gym.  Peer pressure can be just the ticket to ensure we don’t skip that next class. It’s easy to add more activity in our daily routines.

 

From slow movement strength and flexibility classes to a robust Zumba class, Redstone Highlands offers a wide variety of free exercise classes for adults age 55 and better at all three locations.  For those who haven’t been active for a long time or are physically limited due to a chronic illness, Redstone Highlands works with you and your doctor to create a personalized wellness plan specifically for you.

 

For those who want to take an active role in ensuring the quality of their life, now is the right time to increase our physical activity.

Healthy Habits April 2016

healthy habits

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving kills hundreds of people on the road each year. We tend to think that teenagers are the biggest offenders, however, according to the Pew Research Center, that isn’t necessarily the case. Our lives are busy and when we get into our cars we have difficulty changing gears (pun intended). 

Here are some tips to help you be more alert when driving:

·         Put your phone away

·         Make adjustments to your radio before you drive and keep the volume down

·         Secure any loose items in your car

·         If you’re using your phone or GPS for directions, enter your destination before starting your trip

·         Don’t eat, drink or smoke while driving

·         Adjust your seat and mirrors prior to starting out

·         Make sure everyone is buckled up

 

Keep yourself and your passengers safe on the road. Seasoned drivers sometimes take for granted the effort needed to stay focused on road conditions and the actions of other drivers. Limiting unnecessary distractions helps you to be better focused when you’re behind the wheel.

Healthy Habits March 2016

Eat Smarter for Better Eye Health

In the last 20 years, eye health research has linked diet and nutrition with a decreased risk of age related macular degeneration and slower cataract formation. There’s no substitute for the quality of life good vision offers.  Adding certain nutrients to your diet every day – either through foods or supplements – can help save your vision.  

Lutein and zeaxanthin are important nutrients found in green leafy vegetables, as well as other foods, such as eggs. Many studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. Foods high in Vitamin C include kiwi, strawberries, guavas, yellow and red bell peppers, kale, broccoli and turnip greens.  Scientific evidence suggests vitamin C lowers the risk of developing cataracts, and when taken in combination with other essential nutrients, can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and visual acuity loss.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant found in nuts, fortified cereals and sweet potatoes. It is thought to protect cells of the eyes from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals which break down healthy tissue.

Fats are a necessary part of the human diet. They maintain the integrity of the nervous system, fuel cells and boost the immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to be important for proper visual development and retinal function and may help reduce dry eye syndrome.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral or ‘helper molecule.’ It plays a vital role in bringing vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes. Zinc is highly concentrated in the eye, mostly in the retina and choroid, the vascular tissue layer lying under the retina.

Protect Your Vision

Eat an eye-healthy diet

Don’t smoke

Wear Hats & Sunglasses

Use Safety Eyewear

Take a Break From the Computer Screen

Regular Visits to Your Eye Doctor

Keep Diabetes Under Control