October 2009 - Heritage Ministries has been awarded a $5 million grant as part of the Healthcare Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL NY). “We are pleased the Department of Health has recognized the benefits and appropriateness of the project for which we requested these funds,” states David Smeltzer, Executive Director of Heritage Ministries.  “This grant will greatly benefit our current and future residents and will enable us to continue to fulfill our mission of promoting hope, dignity, and purposeful living.” 

 

 

Small-House Model Homes

This grant will specifically allow Heritage Ministries to construct three, twelve-resident, “small-house” model Adult Care Facilities at it’s Town of Ellicott expansion location. The goal of this initiative is to offer current and future skilled nursing residents a home-like, modern alternative to institutional skilled nursing beds.

 

These small-house model facilities would each house twelve residents in private rooms with a private bath and shower. Each “household” contains it’s own kitchen, dining room, and living room where residents congregate as they would in their own homes. Certified aides provide care as well as cook, clean, and promote activities, including resident involvement in typical household chores.

This philosophy creates a less-institutional, more resident-focused culture. The small-house model facility is an innovative form of long-term care for the elderly.  It has been developed in response to the perception that elders in conventional nursing homes are prone to develop feelings of loneliness, boredom, and helplessness.  These three small-house models will be the first of their kind in Chautauqua County.

 

Research done by the Commonwealth Fund on small-house model facilities currently in operation throughout the country, states that small-house model residents reported significantly higher satisfaction with their facility as a place to live than did residents of traditional nursing homes.  In terms of care and health outcomes, small-house model residents reported significantly higher scores on emotional well-being indicators; small-house model residents also experienced lower rates of depression, bed rest, reduced activity, and decline in functional abilities.


A New Initiative That Results in Cost-Savings

The grant will also allow Heritage Ministries to renovate and remodel Heritage Green Rehab & Skilled Nursing’s vacant rooms to create a designated area for their Connections dementia care program as a result of the bed removal. The goal of this component is to provide a more resident- focused, Alzheimer’s / dementia program at Heritage Green while improving the overall living environment of the facility. 

Connections is a groundbreaking program developed by Heritage Ministries.  It is a multi-faceted, person-centered dementia care program designed to engage skilled nursing residents in purposeful activities.  In addition to Heritage Green Rehab & Skilled Nursing, Connections is also offered at Heritage Park (Jamestown) and Heritage Village (Gerry) Rehab & Skilled Nursing.  Connections includes an in-patient Day Center (or the new “Protective Care Unit” at Heritage Village) and focuses on and validates a residents’ remaining cognitive, emotional, physical, and social abilities, rather than their losses.

"We are very excited to be chosen by New York State to undertake this modern and state-of-the-art alternative to skilled nursing beds," states David Smeltzer.  "In addition to funding a large portion of these new facilities, this project will enable us to begin to market and sell independent living units on this beautiful, 60-acre, wooded property.  We are looking forward to providing the same high-quality facilities and amenities we currently offer at our Heritage Village Retirement Campus in Gerry.”

Mr. Smeltzer adds, “Additionally, the construction of these three, twelve-resident, “small-house” model Adult Care Facilities will allow eligible residents to transfer directly from our skilled nursing facilities to these new units, which will create an immediate savings to the Medicaid program.  We have projected an annual savings to the Medicaid program, and ultimately the taxpayers of New York to be in excess of $750,000 per year.  That means this project will pay for itself through the savings to Medicaid in just over six years.”

Heritage Ministries is a non-profit, human service organization serving the Chautauqua County region with 750 employees.  Independent and assisted living residences for seniors are located at Heritage Village Retirement Campus in Gerry, New York.  Rehabilitation and skilled nursing services are provided at Heritage Village (Gerry, NY), Heritage Park (Jamestown, NY), and Heritage Green (Greenhurst, NY) Rehab & Skilled Nursing.  Heritage Ministries also provides childcare services at Heritage House Childcare & Learning Center (Jamestown, NY). For more information, please call 716.487.6800.