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.

Chasing the Blues Away

What better way to chase away the cold January blues than some Stardust, Frank Sinatra style? That’s exactly what entertainer Benny Myer and residents at Juniper Village in Meadville did on a cold Saturday in north western Pennsylvania. Music is always a huge hit but it’s even a little more appreciated during the cold winter months. Benny Myers is especially loved not only for his amazing Frank Sinatra tribute that he performs but even more so because he enjoys hanging around the piano singing with the residents after the show and listening to stories they have to share. What a great finale to our music themed month. 

February 2017 Events in Meadville, PA: Awaken Your Passion

This month, our focus on creative expression continues with a focus on art. Art, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is understandable that some have great artistic ability and others do not. But, at Juniper we know that everyone has a passion for creative expression, regardless of ability or age. Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” He is speaking about becoming inhibited as adults. With our various art programs we encourage uninhibited creativity as a form of therapy. Creating art affords the opportunity of self-exploration and self-expression leading to both physical and mental benefits. Creating art in any of its various forms, is also about sharing a bit of ourselves with each other. Art is one way to express ourselves, and the creations are honest and true representations of our experiences. In sharing our stories through art with others we invite communication and create lasting bonds.

Art typically encompasses painting, sculpting, and drawing. But, the act of creating art can be as simple as doodling. Art is simply the creation of something outside one’s self that often mirrors what is going on within their mind, soul, and body. We use creative arts as a way to nurture the spirit of life. Join us throughout February as we focus on great varieties of art such as photography, needlework, handicrafts, painting, sculpture and more. Please join us as we share a bit of ourselves with our weekly craft classes, experience art on an outing to an art museum, and embrace our celebratory spirit with Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parties. We look forward to helping you Awaken Your Passion this month!

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

§  Alive in All Seasons Friends and Family Dinner for a complimentary dinner along with Dulcimer music by Carol Myers and our traditional Sweetheart King and Queen crowning on February 9^th at 4:30 pm. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by February 3^rd.)

§  Lunch and Learn Baldwin Reynolds Presentation for a complimentary meal and presentation from Crawford County’s Historical Society about the interesting history of Meadville’s Baldwin Reynolds’ House on February 15^th at noon. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by February 9^th.)

§  Paint and Sip with Sarah Miller a talented artist, who will instruct the featured artwork step-by-step while you relax, sip, and paint along on February 23^rd at 6:00 pm. (Please RSVP to 814-333-4400 by February 17^th.)

We look forward to sharing our February 2017 events in Meadville, PA at Juniper Village at Meadville with you as you Awaken Your Passion.

Moonlight Serenade

January is a month for extra special music, and residents at Juniper Village in Meadville are always excited to get a visit from Shades of Time Big Band, a local band of 18 people ranging from in their 20’s to late 70’s that volunteer to entertain for the sheer joy it brings them and their audience.  They play music from the 30’s & 40’s that has residents singing to oldies such as String of Pearls, Take the A Train and an all-time favorite Moonlight Serenade. It’s exhilarating to watch residents not only reminisce about good days gone by but also make wonderful new memories to the swinging sweet sounds.