Civil Money Penalty Fund

• View the Fulton County Medical Center – Resident Engagement and Connectivity Program Final Report

Resident Engagement and Connectivity Program’s purpose is to enhance the quality of life of the residents in the nursing facility by utilizing assistive technology to expand the residents’ activity involvement and connectivity with family. The program centers around technology assisted resident engagement and connectivity tools. The tools consist of both mobile and wall mounted devices that can be utilized in one-on-one settings or in a group session. The desired outcome includes a decreased use of psychotropic medication and decrease in the instance of depression among the resident population.  The devices offer a range of content that promote wellness and engagement by using videos, games, puzzles, travel experiences, and other activities. 

• View the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Comprehensive Respiratory Program for PA Skilled Nursing Facilities Final Report

The projects described will directly benefit large numbers of nursing home residents and their family members across the Commonwealth of PA by enhancing comprehensive respiratory protection and infection prevention education and process improvements for SNF healthcare providers across the Commonwealth. Section one of the Respiratory Protection Program will equip healthcare personnel in PA's SNFs with evidenced-based infection prevention and control practices regarding transmission-based precautions, specific to airborne and droplet precautions and general hygiene etiquette and aid them in establishing their own facility-based program based on best practice recommendations. Section 2 (The Advanced Infection Prevention and Control Training and Sustainability Program)-will directly benefit PA state SNF residents by improving their quality of care and quality of life through protection from harm relating to potentially avoidable infections. The Advanced Infection Prevention and Control Training and Sustainability Program -will assist staff in learning basic and more advanced infection prevention and control strategies to protect the residents from communicable diseases, including COVID-19, multi drug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and other emerging viral and bacterial infections. Training of multiple staff from a single facility will create staffing redundancy and ensure the residents can be kept safe when primary staff members are on leave or suddenly depart, or when a large outbreak occurs requiring the assistance from multiple staff members

• View the Assurant Learing & Performance Solutions Final Report

The project aims to expand behavioral healthcare capacity for PA nursing home staff and provide actionable tools to support PA nursing homes in implementing behavioral healthcare. The applicant will offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, created, and administered by the National Council on Behavioral Health (NCBH) to staff from 180 nursing homes. Six sessions of the training (one in each distric

• View the Rolling Meadows – Bridging the Gap Final Report

The project seeks to enhance existing palliative care efforts. Grant funds would be used to underwrite the cost of education and training for staff, as well as education for residents and their families, in palliative care initiatives, disease-state management protocols, and techniques which would improve the quality of life for the residents. The goal is to become a Center of Excellence in Palliative Care and have residents' function at a higher level of independence and improve their quality of life during their stay. The project was able to get more staff educated in September 2021 (three staff) and in October 2021 (four staff) through the STAR Program. We have put a hold on additional STAR classes in early 2022 as we work through staffing issues. Currently, we have an anticipated start time of March 1, 2022.

• View the Baptist Home Society Final Report

The applicant aims to implement the individualized music program, Music and Memory to improve nursing home residents' quality of life through "five action steps": (1) organizing a motivated team of staff and families; (2) prepare by setting; (3) begin pilot by conducting assessments to identify music preferences, creating play lists, reviewing progress; (4) launch the program throughout the organization; and (5) support the team, work with volunteers, fundraise, build up community connections, and learn and enhance the program. Ongoing education will be provided to staff throughout the life of the project. This project has experienced delays created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• View the Londonderry Village Final Report

The applicant aims to create a "Ride & Glide for Wellness" program that will combine piloted trishaw bike rides and wheelchair accessible swings to incentivize their residents, especially those living with dementia, to enjoy outdoor activities. The applicant expects these new activities to help decrease feelings of isolation and boredom among their residents. This project has been put on hold due to COVID-19 pandemic.

• View Rolling Meadows Health Care Center Final Report

The project will utilize the "It's Never 2 Late" (iN2L) engagement system to improve the quality of life of residents, including those living with dementia/memory loss, through experiencing and learning new life skills. This person-centered technology allows residents, families, and caregivers to become more engaged in areas related to therapy, activities, cognitive fitness, socialization, and spiritual life. Enhanced, dignified mind-stimulating activities, improving hand-eye coordination, exploring the internet, and connecting with family via Skype are some examples of the way the system is used.