Establishing and maintaining good communication with families is an essential component of quality nursing care. From the time of admission, when the social worker is on hand to provide orientation and support to the family and throughout the resident’s stay at the Jewish Home, the Social Services Department creates opportunities for families to have ongoing dialogue with staff and administration. Our goal is to find ways to help family members feel part of our Jewish Home community.
Most recently, we established a new program called “Family Council.” The Family Council offers families an opportunity to hear updates on developments and new programs at the Jewish Home, listen to speakers on pertinent topics, and have a dialogue about a variety of ideas that concern the care of their loved ones. This meeting is held quarterly, alternating evenings and afternoons to accommodate people’s various schedules. Our first meeting was held on August 19th and Dr. Sandra Gold, President of the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, was our guest speaker. The next Family Council meeting will be held on December 9th at 2:00 pm in the Large Board Room. Future dates and times for 2010 are:
- March 8, 7:00 pm
- June 7, 2:00 pm
- September 27, 7:00 pm
- December 13, 2:00 pm.
In addition to Family Council, families of newly admitted long-term residents are invited to a Family Forum to meet with Chuck Berkowitz, Executive Vice President, Stephen Epstein, Assistant Administrator, and our Department Heads. These informal meetings allow families to share their experiences during the transition to nursing home placement, ask questions and hear directly from the Department Heads about the range of services available.
Shelley Steiner, Social Worker of the Gallen Adult Day Health Care Center runs a monthly Caregiver Support Group. Educational programs such as the one led by Amy Mathews of the Alzheimer’s Association are held periodically. “A Time for Reflection” is a memorial program led by Rabbi Feld whereby residents, staff and family members of recently deceased residents, come together to reflect and pay respect to those residents who we lost during the previous three months. And of course, there are quarterly interdisciplinary care plan meetings that address the clinical status and treatment plan of the resident.
Regular and clear communication builds trust, avoids pitfalls and whenever necessary, resolves any problems that may arise. We encourage families to participate in life at the Jewish Home. Families, friends and volunteers are partners with our staff, contributing to the well-being and quality of life of our residents.