Connect4Life Leads to Better Outcomes for Residents

Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets the Triple Aim from Cindy Longfellow

Data shows Connect4Life’s high-tech/high-touch integrated services lead to higher quality care and better outcomes for residents

Executive Summary: Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets
the Triple Aim

By Anne Tumlinson, MMHS and Lynne Katzmann, PhD

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, more than 190 million Americans, or about 59 percent of the population, are affected by one or more chronic illnesses. Over the next 15 years (between 2016 and 2030,) 80 percent of the United States population will experience one or more chronic conditions, costing more than $42 trillion in medical care spending and losses in employment productivity.

To address these challenges and enhance the resident experience, Juniper Communities, a Bloomfield, NJ-based national owner-operator of seniors housing, developed the Connect4Life model, which provides on-site comprehensive therapy, primary care, pharmacy and lab services, integrated with other services using a “high-tech/high-touch” communications protocol that transfers information through an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and coordinates care through a human navigator.

Juniper Communities retained Anne Tumlinson Innovations (ATI) to compare Connect4Life outcomes and utilization data with data on the broader Medicare population from the 2012 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The findings suggest that the Connect4Life model contributes to lower hospital readmissions and the utilization of inpatient services among a high-need resident population. The results affirm the potential of integrating select clinical care and services in a seniors housing environment that provides supportive services to those who have chronic conditions, functional limitations, and complex social needs.

The results suggest an integrated program of services in seniors housing—like Juniper’s Connect4Life —can contribute to reducing the cost of care and services to Medicare beneficiaries residing in seniors housing. More importantly, the data points to the value of the Connect4Life model for managing population health because of its ability to efficiently target integrated care interventions in the high cost, high-need Medicare population.

Juniper Communities has been a thought leader in senior living care, developing nearly a dozen innovative service and delivery programs to enhance aging, lifestyle and resident health. Recognizing opportunities in to meet the triple aim of recent health policy changes in the United States – improved customer satisfaction, evidence-base quality and lower healthcare utilization, Juniper is pioneering Connect 4 Life – one of senior living’s first truly integrated care models of assisted living care and service.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

The Alabaster Box

Residents and community members were mesmerized by interpretive dancer, Marcie Williams at Juniper Village in Meadville. Marcie has been doing interpretive dance for over 15 years and adds her own personal touch of sign language to go with her dance. Although the song refers to a “box” it is believed that it was actually a vase, which Marcie included in her dance. It was a captivating performance.

Many Hats of a Man

The men at Juniper Village in Meadville had some good laughs during a hat reminisce at their men’s program this month. It brought up some good memories and conversation about former occupations and some of the many hats they wore during their lifetime. A couple of the gentlemen came to find out they worked in the same industry and one man recognized a very old hat from a local, long ago pickle factory. They also just enjoyed some plain good old fun trying on hats they wouldn’t consider going out in public wearing, like our 102 year old Paul Reese sporting the big feather hat. All in a day’s fun at Juniper Village.

March 2017 Events in Meadville, PA: Your Treasure is Within

Theatrical readings, colorful costumed dancers and spectacular vocal performances bring to a close our creative expression quarterly theme with a focus on performance and honoring our inner treasure – our self-worth. With so many demands on our time these days, it’s easy to always put others first and forget to care of ourselves. Also as we get older, retire from work and in some cases caretaking, we may forget our sense of value – our self-worth. A large part of nurturing the spirit of life is providing opportunities for purpose.

This month we will put an even greater focus on identifying our continued purpose and self-worth by performing purposeful activities, reminiscing and creating opportunities to treasure ourselves. Motivational speaker Anne Naylor offers these tips to help you treasure yourself: Treasure your thoughts with kindness – nurture your thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. Treasure your feelings and emotions – observe and use them as your guide. Treasure your body – treat it well with exercise, nourishment, rest, joy and laughter. Treasure your spirit – breathe, meditate and enjoy the goodness in your life. We hope you all enjoy the treasure of your wonderful self.

Please join us as we dramatically embrace performance throughout March with our weekly drama club, outings to live theatrical performances and our Oscar-themed party. Celebrate the Irish culture in grand style with our Saint Patrick’s Day event filled with food, fun and, of course, dancing! Honor yourself and recognize Your Treasure is Within this month at Juniper Village!

Our fabulous March 2017 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville include our:

§  Alive in All Season Dinner and Blarney Blast with Kirk Hamza for a Traditional Irish Musical Event as Kirk will be in full bloom with his accordion and dinner will be an Irish Pub Salad with Tarragon Dressing, Irish Stew, Soda Bread and Chocolate Guinness Stout Cake on March 9^th at 4:40 pm. (RSVP by March 5^th at 814-333-4400.)

§  Lunch and Learn The Art of Performance with Marcie Williamson who will perform an interpretive dance session as we celebrate performance month and your Treasure Within on March 15^th at noon.

§  Ask Our Panel of Assembled Experts for the opportunity to discuss the following areas of expertise related to aging and senior care: Jill Curtis, Alzheimer’s Association; Joel Waldman, Certified in Long Term Care; Tony Viglione, Senior Helpers/Home Care Specialist; Tye Cressman, Certified Elder law Attorney; Dr. Ronald M. Unice, Family Practice/Certified in Geriatrics/Medical Director at Crawford County Care Center with Registration and Refreshments at 5:30 pm with Panel Discussion starting at 6:00 pm on March 23^rd. (RSVP by March 22^nd at 814-333-4400.)

We look forward to sharing our March 2017 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as Your Treasure is Within.