HITZ NEWS

INNOVATIONS IN LONG-TERM CARE QUALITY GRANT UPDATE

January 2010: Currently, work on the project is in its initial phases. Michael Sapp, the architect for the two year remodeling project, has finished the plans and is in the process of sending them to the Illinois Department of Public Health for approval. Once we obtain approval, work on the project will begin. Hitz Home has also put together a committee of staff and residents who will oversee the project. In addition to the $200,000 grand from IDPH, the Deaconess Foundation has awarded Hitz Home a $5,000 grant and the Hitz Home Auxiliary has awarded Hitz Home a $1,000 gift. Both the money from Deaconess and the Auxiliary will go to benefit the project.

HITZ HOME AWARDED $200,000 INNOVATIONS IN LONG-TERM CARE QUALITY GRANT FROM IDPH

November 2009: Hitz Home has officially been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health to help develop skilled nursing home apartments.

We are very excited to announce this award to the public after having received confirmation from the State last month. Hitz Home is one of 22 nursing homes statewide selected to receive funding, and one of only 2 homes to receive the $200,000 grant. The grant will be funded over a 2 year time period. This is a tremendous opportunity that moves us closer toward changing the culture of Long-Term Care, and we are thankful to IDPH for seeing that Hitz Home’s grant vision was innovative.

The Illinois Department of Public Health awards grants to facilities “that show innovations and measurable improvement in resident care, quality of life, use of technology, or customer satisfaction in a long term care setting.”

The money will be used to convert 11 of the 25 current assisted living apartments to skilled nursing home studio apartments providing normalcy to the life of a resident and his or her family. This remodeling effort will provide more space for the resident along with a sense of ownership in an apartment the resident can call “home.” Medicare and Medicaid certification will be sought for the remodeled apartment area. Michael Sapp, AIA of Environ Architects out of Maryville, IL, will be the architect for the two year remodeling project.

Hitz Home is an active participant in the Culture Change movement and a member of the Southwestern Illinois Pioneer Coalition and the Illinois Pioneer Coalition. The goal of the Culture Change movement is that residents are heard and staff support residents’ wishes and needs in a manner that is directed by the residents no matter how frail or confused they may be in a new home environment.

For further information please contact Hitz Home at (618) 488-2355. Hitz Home is willing to share, train, and present innovations we have achieved in an effort to duplicate Culture Change practices in nursing homes in our area. Some day Culture Change practices will be the norm in all nursing homes as the consumer will demand it.

HITZ HOME FEATURED IN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

HITZ HOME SUBJECT OF WSIU INFOCUS REPORT

In 2006, Hitz Memorial Home was featured in a two part report of WSIU Public Television's magazine-style series, InFocus. The episodes focused on Pioneering Culture Change and the implementation of the Pioneering concept here at Hitz. We often refer back to these videos for staff training purposes, as well as to remind us just how far we've moved forward in such a short period of time.

WSIU InFocus Episode #239 Culture Change Part 1 WATCH NOW

WSIU InFocus Episode #240 Culture Change Part 2 WATCH NOW