LEADER 2016 Spring Newsletter  
Message from the President
I am incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve as President of LEADER in 2016.  I received my license as a Nursing Facility Administrator when the first group of Administrators were licensed in Louisiana.  My experience in health care expands over forty-eight years as a nursing home, retirement, assisted living facility administrator, social worker, and owner of Cornerstone Village South, Inc.  I have seen dramatic changes in the way we view care of the residents and the physical environment that is their home.  We have moved from four bed units to semi-private rooms with many facilities transitioning to private rooms and household models.  Culture change is not just about renovations, new furniture, or new buildings. The goal is to transform communities and enrich the lives of the residents with person- centered care.
 
I would like to acknowledge the leadership of the Past Presidents of LEADER, KaraLe Causey, Barbara Anthony, and Dr. Jolie Harris. They and the LEADER board members have worked to promote, educate, and train staff of facilities and consumers about person-centered care. The Louisiana Enhancing Aging with Dignity through Empowerment and Respect (LEADER) was founded in 2004 to encourage nursing homes to create a care center that honors the dignity and value of each individual.  Our mission is to champion person-centered communities in all types of settings where aging adults are valued, respected, and honored. 
 
Dr. Jolie Harris has done an "awesome" job with providing leadership to LEADER with the dramatic changes occurring in the evolving health care industry and delivery system.  We appreciate her initiatives and efforts to expand person-centered care participation to all health care facilities and provide technology for an updated and a "friendly user" web site.  She will continue to serve on the Executive Leader board and be a valued asset to the organization.  She is on the program for the LEADER Summit (March 16, 17) and will present "How Culture Change and Survey Deficiencies Relate."
 
Please save the date and register for the 7th Annual LEADER Summit.  The dates are March 16-17, 2016 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA.  Jerri Shread, Education Chairperson, and the Education Committee have worked to offer excellent opportunities for educational experiences and knowledge with person-centered care topics.
 
Barbara Anthony will provide a brief update on the Dementia Partnership Coalition. In a panel format, success stories will be presented by nursing home representatives who have used non-pharmacological interventions to reduce antipsychotic use.  Barbara Anthony, Dr. Wanda Spurlock, Margie Huguet, and William Day have served as educators and representatives of initiatives and interventions to reduce the percentage of use of antipsychotics. We have several nationally recognized speakers which include Dr. Brian Steeves, Bruce Wilkinson, and Dr. Susan Nelson.  The sessions will offer educational, practical, and realistic programs to implement in facilities.  Jerri has a detailed article regarding Summit in the newsletter.
As we begin the new LEADER year, we are seeking involvement of members with one of the LEADER committees.  Opportunities to serve are Outreach, Education, and Communications. Please let us know your interest to help create change as we deliver care to aging persons in Louisiana.
 
The Pioneer Network has selected KaraLe Causey as its new President effective January 1, 2016.  Congratulations are extended to her from LEADER.  KaraLe served as the founder and first President of LEADER and continues to be an inspiration to others with her continuous work with Culture Change.  The Pioneer Network is the national organization for Culture Change.  The Pioneer Network Conference will be July 31-August 3, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans.   Please save this date!  This will be an opportunity to receive education from national speakers in our state which makes it easily accessible to all.  We will need volunteers to assist as greeters, monitors, and work in registration.  We also have the opportunity for residents to make the luncheon centerpieces for the conference.  Please let us know if you can volunteer or have residents assist with the centerpieces.
 
The LEADER board and I would like to express our sincere thanks to outgoing board member Michele Veillon.  She has served on the board as Communication Chairperson and on the Executive Board as Vice-President.  We appreciate her efforts with our our web site, newsletter, and Summit.
 
The 2016 LEADER Board is as follows:

President - Lance Linscombe
Past-President - Jolie Harris
Vice President - Wanda Spurlock
Treasurer - William Day
Board Member - Lisa Deaton
Board Member - Ed Smith
Board Member - Randall Meyers
Board Member - Andrew Muhl
Board Member - Fayron Epps
Board Member - Dr. Elizabeth Curtis, M.D. 
Board Member - Kim Buyers
Board Member - Luke Langlinais
Board Member - Joan Vogel-Tapp
Board Member - Vanessa Houck
Board Member - Rosie Kiper
Board Member - Jamie Shelton 
Board Member - Charles Campbell 
Advisory Board Member - Julie Kueker
Advisory Board Member - Karen Price
Advisory Board Member - Catherine Williams  
 
We look forward to seeing you at the LEADER Summit and serving you in 2016.

Sincerely, 
 
Lance Linscombe
LEADER President


LEADER 7th ANNUAL SUMMIT
MARCH 16-17, 2016   
PARAGON RESORT   
MARKSVILLE, LA
BUILDING  a BETTER TOMORROW  WITH PERSON CENTERED CARE


 
Our 2016 Summit is designed to give you the tools to start Building a Better Tomorrow today for our seniors. Like a jigsaw puzzle, beginning the journey of culture change and person-centered care can be overwhelming.  We are often perplexed by the enormity of the task when starting a puzzle.  In the beginning the pieces are an incoherent jumbled mess which may require some strategy and team work.  The same can be said when we decide to enhance our communities in areas such as dementia care, communication, dining and activities.
 
This year's theme, "Building a Better Tomorrow with Person-Centered Care", recognizes the challenges of any journey.  Our Plenary speakers and topics will give you the key to solving the puzzle by sharing their knowledge on Building a Better Tomorrow.
 
The Pre-Summit intensives are not to be missed! What better way to understand culture change than to see firsthand the difference between traditional and neighborhood models, strategies for culture change and how they impact life by touring either Riviere de Soleil Nursing Home or Oak Haven Nursing Home. We are also offering a session to help attendees learn ways to improve the quality of sleep and wake for residents in the long-term care setting.
 
The 12 concurrent sessions will cover topics such as "A Positive Approach to Dementia", "Supporting Residents' Need for Intimacy", "The Indisputable Connection Between Thinking, Feeling, and Physical Health", "How Culture Change and Survey Deficiencies Relate" and "Transitioning - Person-Centered Dining." Of course, there are lots of other topics we know will help keep you informed of changes and trends in the healthcare industry.  Our poster session, which is new this year, will showcase projects or programs relating to culture change and person-centered care that have fostered success or enriched a community.  
 
The Exhibitors Gallery is a very important piece to any puzzle.  It's a great way to learn of new products or trends that would benefit your services. It's also a fun and an easy way to network! Speaking of fun, join us at our reception on Wednesday evening for light Hors d'oeuvres and Karaoke.  We are excited to have "It's Never Too Late" once again sponsoring our Karaoke. Start practicing now. Who knows you may be the winner of a $500 prize!
 
I hope you do not miss this unique opportunity to learn more about Culture Change and Person-Centered Care.  You can register today online at LEADER's website: www.LaLEADER.org .  Remember members of LEADER receive a discounted registration fee for the Summit.   Also, a block of rooms have been reserved at the Paragon Casino Resort at a discounted rate.  Please see specific information on how to receive the discounted rate in our registration packet online.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing all of you on March 16-17th for our 7th Annual Summit at the Paragon Casino Resort Hotel in Marksville, Louisiana.
 
Jeri Shread
2016 Summit Planning Chair; Secretary, LEADER Board of Directors

 
LEADER Consumer Workshops Schedule
 
March 21, 2016        6:30 - 8:30 PM
Naomi Heights Nursing and Rehab Center  
2421 E. Texas Avenue   Alexandria, LA
 
March 22, 2016        6:30 - 8:30 PM
Willis Knighton Eye Institute Auditorium   
2600 Greenwood Road  Shreveport, LA
 
March 23, 2016        6:30 - 8:30 PM
West Ouachita Senior Center 
1800 N. Seventh St. West Monroe, LA
 
March 31, 2016        6:30 - 8:30 PM
East Baton Rouge Library  
9200 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA
 
April 14, 2016           6:30 - 8:30 PM
SMH Medical Building
1150 Robert Blvd  Slidell, LA
 
April 28, 2016           6:30 - 8:30 PM
Jefferson Parish Library 
4747 West Napoleon Ave  Metairie, LA       
 
May 18, 2016            6:30 - 8:30 PM
South Regional Library   
6101 Johnston St. Lafayette, LA

Family Involvement: Friend or Foe?
 
Nursing homes want families involved in their loved ones' care, right? Or is there an assumption that the family would be less of a partner but more of a hindrance to good care planning? To get to the bottom of this we need to peel back the layers of myth to get to the facts. The real truth is that the family can be a great tool and resource as care is developed - they are invaluable as you dig deeper into who your resident is, and what their preferences are. This is necessary information for development of person centered care designed specifically for each resident.
 
The next trick is how to get families involved. This strategy needs to be effective right out of the gate.  Families need to feel equal in care planning as it is developed. Some nursing homes fear that once they involve the families, things will disintegrate into a gripe session. But if the correct strategy is used - one that keeps things positive - families and residents can be important members to developing ideas and problem solving as care is developed.
 
Learning circles could be the strategy that you need to engage the family and allow culture change to grow. Learning circles are a powerful tool that brings staff, families and residents together in one meeting to format solutions or develop ideas. Learning circles are meant to bring about action and change - change that allows for buy-in, as those most affected are the ones developing the solutions through mutual respect and understanding. The circles should include anyone with a willingness to enrich the lives of the home.
 
Learning Circles provide structure that ensures everyone is part of the sharing.  In a learning circle, everyone has the opportunity to speak once before anyone speaks again. In the first round of speaking, people share their own experiences and perspectives rather than commenting on what they've heard from others. After everyone has had an opportunity to speak once and have their own ideas heard, then everyone in the group is free to explore and discuss what they have heard from each other.
 
Steps for learning circle success:
  1. Sit in a circle without obstructions or barriers.
     
  2. Choose a facilitator who captures everyone's ideas, perhaps using an easel or chalkboard.
     
  3. Have each person keep his or her initial comments to approximately two minutes.
     
  4. Invite anyone who feels so moved to be the one to start the conversation by sharing their own experience or ideas of a solution.
     
  5. Have the person to the right or left take their turn next, sharing their own experiences in approximately two minutes. There is NO cross talk.
     
  6. Follow around the circle with each person speaking in turn, about his or her own experience, for about two minutes. 
     
  7. If anyone wants to pass, they can.
     
  8. After the group has gone full circle, the facilitator goes back to anyone who passed and ask if they would like to speak.
     
  9. Then open the conversation up for anyone to add to what they have said, ask each other questions, comment on what they have heard, and generally engage in discussion.
 
Try this technique at your next Resident Council. Through use of a learning circle, the group gets the benefit of everyone's experience and perspective. Engagement of families and your staff can really enrich everyone's lives, and spur person-directed care to a new level. For more information on Learning Circles, resources will be coming soon to www.qualityinsights-qin.org. Quality Insights would be delighted to assist you and to answer your questions.
 
Thank you to our 7th Annual Summit Sponsors & Exhibitors 

Diamond Level 

Platinum Level


Gold Level 










 
Silver Level
The Oaks of Louisiana
The Glen Retirement System
 
Bronze Level
Lancaster Pollard
eQHealth Solutions

Exhibitor
Allergin Pharmaceuticals
Avanir Pharmaceuticals 
Compass Healthcare - PACES
Doerle Food Service
iN2L
Medline Healthcare
PharMerica
Premier Rehab
Reliant Rehabilitation
Therapy Center


LEADER | (225) 767-7640 | info@laleader.org | www.laleader.org