As the leaves turn color, the air cools, and the nights darken, we have an opportunity for reflection on what can change for the better in our lives – both professionally and personally. Julia Schmutz, Therapy Resource and HeartMath instructor, recently led a group of resources in an “Attitude Breathing Technique.” The technique involves 1.) Recognizing a feeling or attitude that you want to change; 2.) Focusing your attention on your heart and imagining your breath is flowing in and out of your heart or chest area; and 3.) Breathe a new feeling or attitude into your heart. She gave us some cues; for example, if we were feeling anxious, breathe in calm. If we were feeling stressed, breathe in ease. The technique and training was simple, but the results were profound. Therapists reported that a hectic Monday morning suddenly became calm, or a feeling of being overwhelmed was replaced by ease. Click here for a worksheet from HeartMath on the Attitude Breathing Technique.

The techniques taught by our partners at HeartMath are science-based ways to change an attitude in the moment. Imagine how much better we could be for one another if we incorporated this technique daily or multiple times a day! It only takes moments to recognize a negative attitude and shift. Perhaps we can use the Season of Change as an opportunity to practice. We have multiple HeartMath instructors in many markets, so reach out to Mary Spaeder or your local Therapy Resource to learn more. We are happy to bring the training to your team! 

#OneClinical has been a big focus for us here in Keystone this month! We have been piloting and rolling out Ultramist, a wound care treatment tool, in several of our facilities throughout the state and have seen some amazing results. In our efforts to partner with nursing and assist with great outcomes and quality measures through our LTC programming, Ultramist has shown us the way. Our very own Dustin Rex, DPT and CTO at Park Manor Bee Cave, presented on the benefits he and his team in Apex have seen with wound healing and QMs during our company-wide therapy leadership call this month. Read On...

Our leaders Sadaf, ED and Angie, DON, with the support of all the department heads, creatively put together the circus carnival, themed Passion for Learning, as an experience for all our nursing staff to enjoy. No details were forgotten. They had everything from cotton candy machines, candy claw machine, hotdog warmers, lots of balloons, popcorn maker, circus decor, food and games, which were all set up to make the most of the clever and innovative event. Read On...

In Pennant Washington, the team led by Patrick Amar at Mira Vista in Mount Vernon, Washington, was brimming with positivity and excitement about their dementia care programs. On this particular day, the incredible resources from IN2L were demonstrated. It was clear this team, including their activities director, had a plan for integrating these tools into both therapy and activities. How amazing it was to listen as the team strategized on ways to use IN2L and better the lives of their residents. 

At Owyhee Health and Rehab in Homedale, Idaho, our Abilities Care Refresher was an incredible learning experience about how great dementia programs really help the lives of the residents. Residents were asking to show us their life story boards, and we saw functional plans in action as Lexi Haigh, SLP, DOR, and Fresca Stewart, COTA, explained and demonstrated how abilities care is working in their facility.  Read On...

On a more personal note, Soon was born in 1971 in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in Irvine, Orange county and still calls Irvine home. She and her husband Tom, have four children aged 19, 17, 15 and 13. They have grown up coming to the Service Center since early childhood. When they were younger, they loved helping with some of the behind the scenes duties such as the scanning or photocopying.  Read On...

Anita immediately created training forms, provided nursing huddles for educating the staff, provided training to residents and their caregivers during ADL sessions and the change was remarkable.  Residents began commenting that the food tasted better and they were eating and drinking with more enjoyment!  The extra few minutes it took to investigate these complaints paid off many times over. Anita, thank you for all you do!

Victoria Care Center was the first building in NCI to crack into the world of outpatient by building programming at our now Pennant partners at the Lexington Assisted Living facility. The start was not easy despite being partners, but the impact that has been made and the programming that has been established is remarkable. The Lexington went through a rough patch with changes in leadership, but an administrator recently transitioned back into the role, allowing for some positive changes. Prior to this change, residents were unhappy. The facility was going through a change in leadership, and with the changes came many adjustments to the team. Therapy stepped in to make an impact on many aspects of the residents’ quality of life. Here are just a few things that Shannon Murphy, PT; Stephanie Nowlin, COTA; and Maria Lebon, Rehab Aide took on to help the facility stabilize: Read On...

Hurricane Health & Rehab’s therapy department is always looking for great ideas for new group treatments that are both engaging AND relevant to our patients. Thankfully, we have a passionate team member, Shannon O’Connor, who used her resources and asked her friend, Brandon Berrett, who owns The Creative Cure, a ceramic studio in St. George that provides art therapeutic services to the community, if he would be able to help with a ceramics group. Brandon also teaches ceramics at a local high school, so together Shannon, Brandon, and four of his high school students brought ceramic arts to Hurricane Health and Rehab for a massively successful group treatment.  Read On...

Lisa Rivera-Shumway is one of our newest CTOs in the Touchstone market! She has been with our organization for about 14 years, primarily at The Grove Care and Wellness in Riverside, California, and her influence and growth is evident in her building! Her brand of leadership and work ethic embodies our CAPLICO core values and is demonstrated both in the community and the building, where she delivers her culture and energy to their residents and families. Lisa brings a proactive, problem-solving approach to work and adapts it to all of her initiatives and strategies thoroughly. She is well-supported by her team and is influential and passionate about her work with her team and residents as well. Over the years, not only has she progressed with therapy metrics, but Lisa and her team have helped implement and grow the outpatient program while setting new financial records for The Grove. We are excited to see the endless possibilities for the growth and success of your department. Congratulations, Lisa!

Leslie Taruc has been with our organization since 2003, with 17 years at Claremont Care Center in Pomona, California. She diligently promotes the spirit of CAPLICO in her building and firmly believes that a great culture leads to great results. She started at Claremont Care Center with a full-time staff of four. At this time, she is part of a strong, reliable team of 13 full-time staff composed of PTs, OTs, and SLPs. She has successfully passed IRO and MSCA with excellent scores. Leslie has consistently demonstrated and rallied for a positive culture within her department as well as with the IDT and other departments. She has been an active contributor in maintaining the 5-star QM that Claremont proudly has held for the 17 years that she has worked there. She loves educating and communicating, and she makes herself readily available to celebrate success and help tackle challenges. Her rehab team has proudly won their 11th Outstanding Rehab Award. We are fortunate to have leaders like Leslie who were part of the very early days at Claremont Care Center, and are contributing to our success for many years to come. Congratulations, Leslie!

Congratulations Our Newest Emerald CTO

Four members of Bella Vita Health and Rehab’s OTC team (pictured from left to right) — Mike Balderas TPM; Andrea Ramirez; Joann Nybeck; and Abby Walsh — put their heads together to come up with creative ways to encourage residents at Amarsi Assisted Living to keep their OTC appointments and not be tempted to cancel in order to meet their therapy goals. They came up with an idea to have a monthly competition, keeping the scores posted in the therapy gym and holding a monthly award ceremony/ celebration. The first month was a Nu-Step competition, where the residents would all do a warm-up with their “steps” being tracked and posted, much like a video game competition. The game caught on quickly, therapy attendance greatly increased, and the residents shared a common goal and bonded throughout the month-long competition. The award ceremony included a custom nacho bar and drinks provided by Bella Vita, as well as personalized gift baskets with items handpicked by the therapy team for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The team plans to continue the monthly competition and award ceremony, with new goals to keep it challenging and fun for all!

Marci Woehler, Therapy Program Manager at Wayne Countryview Care and Rehabilitation, is working to dignify Post-Acute Care in the eyes of the world, starting with the community of Wayne! News Channel Nebraska Northeast featured Marci and her team on the fifth annual "Commit to be Fit" week of activities that incorporates a walk for their residents to promote fitness and general well-being. Residents, staff and members of the community joined in for a color walk to promote and raise funds for Alzheimer's and dementia awareness. Click here for the full story and interview!

“This experience has shown me everybody is hurting. Just be kind. Even when you feel emotionally and physically damaged, don’t give up! With my faith in God and the knowledge and determination from the staff here, I am able to stand on my own two feet again.” — Mara  

Patty received the NBCOT Impact Award because of her dedication to providing services for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Patty’s colleague Malissa Sanchez, COTA/L, nominated her for the award. Read On...

Oak Harbor is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which is a suburb of Charleston. It's a 132-bed facility and is led by Braden Wiscombe, Administrator, Tara Stribling as the Director of Nursing and Shannon Roberson, Therapy Program Manager. We are so excited to have a facility in this location and can’t wait to see all the great things they do.