Heart to Home | Tori's Precious Pets - Traveling Zoo Show!

We had a wonderful visit at Mendakota Manor from Tori's Precious Pets and her Traveling Zoo Show!  We were able to see, touch and learn about hermit crabs, chinchillas, bunny rabbits, guinea pigs, puppy dogs, parrots and hedge hogs...  It was a fun show that all of us enjoyed!  Here are a few photos from the visit this past weekend.

Heart to Home | Wesley Visit & Fall Car Rides

We had a wonderful day today.  We enjoyed a cuddly visit from Wesley a poodle / bichon mixed breed pup.  We also took a few of the residents on a ride through Saint Paul to see the fall leaves.  On our way we stopped at the historical Saint Peter's Church in Mendota, passed over the High Bridge in Saint Paul and stopped for a quick view of Mendakota Country Club (beautiful fall leaves).  Of course our excursion wasn't complete without an ice cream sundae from McDonalds. 

 

Heart to Home | Porch Party!

With the beautiful fall weather upon us we have been spending quality time outdoors at Heart to Home.  In the afternoons we have been enjoying coffee and cookies on the porch, visits from Lily (pet therapy) and walks around the gardens / neighborhood!  One of our most favorite treats at Mendota Manor is walking down to Caribou Coffee at the  Village of Mendota Heights for a pumpkin spiced latte...  Yum!

Heart to Home | Christian Homeschool Kids & Pet Visits!

A fun Tuesday at Heart to Home!  We had a visit from Lily (dog) and our Christian Homeschool Group came over to play a fun game of Halloween themed bingo.  Fun.  Fun.  Fun!

Heart to Home | Beautiful Fall Weather in Minnesota

We had a fun week at Heart to Home...  Enjoyed walks in the neighborhood, art projects, jumbo crossword puzzles, fresh tomatoes from the garden, barbecues, visiting the local ice cream shop, hair/nail beauty day and relaxing in the gardens.  Here is a picture of a beautiful butterfly that a resident and staff saw while out picking flowers at Mendakota Manor (quick snapshot via cellphone) :)  

Heart to Home | Music Therapy

Had a great music therapy session with Beth from Living Spirit Therapy today.  The residents of Mendota and Mendakota Manor love every minute of it!

Heart to Home | Consistent Assigment and Why it Matters...

What is Consistent Assignment?  

According to NHQualityCampaign.org, Consistent Assignment occurs when residents are consistently cared for by the same caregivers, particularly CNAs and nurses. Consistent assignment has been shown to increase caregivers’ familiarity with residents and to strengthen relationships between caregivers and both residents and their family members.

Why is Consistent Assignment so Important in Long Term Care? 

Many residents of long term care facilities are constantly dealing with changes in themselves as well as their surroundings / environment and caregivers.  All of this change often leads to issues and lapses with care and decreased job satisfaction for staff.  Improper care, staff burnout, neglect, poor nourishment, missed medications, and the inability to deliver person-centered care are all issues that occur when there is a revolving door of staff and nurses and when they are not consistently assigned to the same residents. 

At Heart to Home we have worked hard at creating an environment conducive of consistent assignment.  We orientate each staff member to each resident in great detail.  We discuss residents likes / dislikes, preferences and meet regularly with our core group of CNAs and RNs.  In addition our staffing is done in a consistent manner where each resident is paired with the same staff days, evenings and overnights.  This leads to deep meaningful relationships between staff and residents.  The outcome?  Our staff love their jobs (and it shows!), residents experience person-centered care, low staff turnover, changes in residents condition are addressed more rapidly, improved communication (both staff to staff and staff to family)...  and most importantly it creates a family-model of care where staff care for each resident as carefully and lovingly as a family member...