By Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator

In November 2012, I visited Life Care Center of Waynesville (LCCW), which is a 120-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home.  In addition to Medicare/Medicaid certification, they have additionally obtained Joint Commission accreditation.   LCCW is operated by Life Care Centers of America, which manages more than 220 skilled nursing homes, sub-acute, and Alzheimer’s Centers in 28 states.  LCCW has been recognized by Life Care Centers of America as “Facility of the Year” for the Central Division, which includes 35 homes in four states.  They were also included in the US News and World Report’s 2012 Best Nursing Home List.  Admission/Marketing Director Dawn Payne showed me around and introduced me to residents and staff.  To read more and view photos, please click here:  Life Care Center of Waynesville

By Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator

In August 2012, I visited Madison Medical Center in Fredericktown.  Madison is a hospital based, not-for profit, county owned, Medicare/Medicaid certified intermediate care and skilled nursing home.  They participate with the Southeast MC5 (Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change) regional group and their Culture Change Committee is leading many quality of life improvements.  They are licensed for 119 residents, but only have 70 because part of the building shut down for renovation.  They currently have eight private rooms but are planning to convert to private rooms with private baths.  Director of Nursing Kristen Starkey showed me around and told me about all of the changes they are making.  To read more and view photos, please click here:  Madison Medical Center

By Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator

In June 2012, I visited the Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center in Sedalia.  Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center is a 120-resident Medicaid Certified Skilled Nursing Home.  They are on the culture change journey and participate with the West Central MC5 (Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change) regional group.

They have been remodeling and have refurbished all but one neighborhood.  They don’t have traditional institutional nursing stations.  Wallpaper has been replaced with faux painting and carpeting has been installed throughout.  The walls are decorated with photos from the surrounding area.  There are living rooms and residential style laundries available for residents and their families.  To read more and view photos, please click here:  Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center

By Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator

The Living Center in Marshall is just across the road from the Saline County Fairgrounds.  It is also just a short drive from Sedalia, where the Missouri State Fair is held.  Participating in fairs is an important facet of the residents’ lives.  Since some residents are no longer able to travel to the fair, the fair comes to them.  Fair week included four days of activities, such as a petting zoo, talent show, pie eating contest, and more…To read more and view photos, please click here:  The Living Center 2012

By Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator

In May 2012, I visited Parc Provence in Creve Coeur.  Parc Provence is a 130-resident, state-licensed-only, skilled nursing home that specializes in dementia care.  Director of Resident Well-Being and Social Services Angela Keeven showed me around.  Angela is also the West Regional Representative for MC5 (Missouri’s Culture Change Coalition).  Parc Provence uses the “Forget-Me-Not” questionnaire to document individual preferences and to guide the care and services they provide.  Residents are very active and engaged, with the assistance of a large staff of caregivers, including a dentist, a massage therapist, music therapists, art therapists, and over 30 activity specialists.  They also have many interns and volunteers…  to read more and view photos please click here:  Parc Provence

In May 2012, I visited Barathaven Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Dardenne Prairie.  Barathaven is a 66-resident, state-licensed-only, Assisted Living home.  It is a new home that has just been open for two years.  They have provided person-centered care from the beginning and haven’t really had to change their culture.  However, they understand that culture change is a journey not a destination.  They recognize the need for ongoing improvement and participate with MC5, Missouri’s Culture Change Coalition.  To read more and view photos, click here:  Barathaven

by Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator

In January 2012, I visited Gibbs Care Center.  Gibbs is a 72-resident, not-for-profit, community owned, Medicare/Medicaid certified, skilled nursing home located in Steelville.  The home originally opened in 1977, but has been renovated and expanded over the years, including the addition of a 26-resident residential care home, Gibbs Manor.  To read more and view photos, click here:  Gibbs Care Center.

In December 2011, I visited the Mary Culver Home, which is a 28-resident, state-licensed-only, intermediate care home, located in Kirkwood.  The Mary Culver Home is a not-for-profit home operated by a private operating foundation, which serves women who are blind, low vision, or legally blind…to read more and view photos, click here:  Mary Culver Home

In June 2011, I visited Jackson Manor.  Jackson Manor is Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home located in Jackson, which is in Cape Girardeau County in southeastern Missouri.  They are licensed for 90 residents; however, they have converted 18 semi-private rooms to private rooms, so their current capacity is 72 residents.

Jackson Manor has been on the culture change journey for a while.  Administrator Andrea Bloyd has only been there for a short while; however, Former Administrator Dave Walker is one of Missouri’s culture change leaders.  He has been involved with MC5 (Missouri’s Culture Change Coalition) for a number of years.  He has served as the MC5 Southeast Regional Coordinator and on the Board of Directors…to read more and view photos, click here:  Jackson Manor

West Vue  In January 2012, I visited West Vue Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Plains.  West Vue is a 120-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home operated by the Howell County Baptist Association.  Click on link to read more and view photos.

Warrensburg-Manor-Care-Center  In November 2011, I visited Warrensburg Manor Care Center.  Warrensburg Manor is on the culture change journey.  They participate with Missouri’s culture change coalition, MC5.  They have made many person-centered care changes and have many more planned for the future.  One of the major focuses of change is meal service.  They have cook-to-order breakfasts with a large variety of options available.  They provide continental breakfast for anyone who chooses to sleep in and snacks are available at all times at no extra cost.  Click on link above to read more and view photos.

Lincoln Community Care Center  In June 2011, I visited Lincoln Community Care Center (LCCC), which is a community owned 66-resident skilled nursing home with a 14-resident assisted living home attached (Lakeside Suites).  LCCC is located in the small central Missouri town of Lincoln.  Administrator Donna Bowers showed me around.  Click on link above to read more and view photos.

Gasconade Manor  In July 2011, I visited Gasconade Manor to attend the central region MC5 meeting.  After the meeting, Administrator Crystal Ray and Resident Care Coordinator Patty King gave tours.  Gasconade Manor is a 79-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified, community owned, skilled nursing home located in Owensville.  They also have an adjoining 18-resident assisted living apartments (Gasconade Terrace Retirement Center).  Click on link above to read more and view photos.

Beth-Haven-Hannibal In December 2011, I visited Beth-Haven Nursing Home.  Beth-Haven is a 105-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home located in Hannibal and operated by the Mennonite Home Association.  Administrator Dawn Davis recently began serving as co-leader of the MC5’s (Missouri’s culture change coalition) Northeast regional group.  Click on link above to read more and view photos.

NHC-Healthcare-Desloge  In November 2011, I visited NHC Healthcare, Desloge.  NHC Desloge is a 120-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home located in Southeast Missouri.  Administrator Jacki Meyer told me about NHC’s 20 promises to residents, known as “The Better Way.”  All staff members are required to know and live by the promises.  Click on link to read more and view photos!

Bent-Wood Nursing Center In November 2011, I visited Bent-Wood Nursing Center. Bent-Wood is a 76-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home located in Florissant. They are on the culture change journey and they actively participate with Missouri’s culture change coalition, MC5. Click on the above link to read more.

Twin Oaks at Heritage Pointe In October 2011, CEO Tim Blattel took me on a tour of Twin Oaks at Heritage Pointe. Twin Oaks is a 50-resident Assisted Living home located in Wentzville, with an attached 60-resident Independent Living home. Click on the above link to read more.

The Living Center In August 2011, I visited The Living Center. The Living Center is a 99-resident Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home located in Marshall. Administrator Jack Baker took me on a tour. Click on the above link to read more.

The Groves In July 2011, I visited Rosewood Health and Rehab Center and White Oak Living Center, which are both part of a senior living complex in Independence, known as The Groves. The Groves also includes 74 independent living apartments and a Medicare certified hospice. Rosewood Health ad Rehab Center is a 300 resident Medicare/Medicaid skilled nursing home. White Oak Living Center is an attached 78-resident residential care home. Click on the above link to read more.

RiverMist  In June 2011, I attended the Southeast MC5 regional meeting, which was held at RiverMist Assisted Living located in Poplar Bluff. While I was there, Administrator Kimberly Scott-Wilson showed me around. RiverMist is licensed for 42 residents but have converted all but three rooms to private rooms, so they typically stay fully occupied with approximately 24 residents. Click on the above link to read more.

Harvester Residential Care In June 2011, I visited Harvester Residential Care in St. Charles. Harvester is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. It blends so well into the community that I drove past it at first, thinking that it was just another one of the neighborhoods residential homes. They are dually licensed with the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Mental Health. Click on the above link to read more.

La Verna Village In May 2011, I attended the MC5 Northwest regional meeting, which was hosted by La Verna Village. After the meeting, Administrator Denise Curran took me on a tour. La Verna Village is a 120-resident, Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing home located in Savannah. Click on the above link to read more.

Skilled Healthcare I recently toured seven homes located in western Missouri that are operated by Skilled Healthcare. All of the homes are Medicare/Medicaid certified skilled nursing homes. Their sizes range from 90 residents at Holmesdale Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center to 194 at The Rehabilitation Center of Independence. There are long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and memory/Alzheimer’s units. There are also residential care units and independent living apartments. Click on the above link to read more.