Events

Pine Run reports stellar

inspection results



Northampton Herald, August 3, 2012

Pine Run celebrates a third distinctive inspection in 2012 receiving a zero deficiency survey on June 26th in the Pine Run Home Care Agency. Managed by Anita Brooks, a Pine Run Associate for 26 years, the Pine Run Home Care Agency employs 19 companions who provide key support services such as medication reminders, assistance with bathing, and light housekeeping to retirees living at Pine Run.

Licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the agency serves a demand in the community for helpful home services that boost well-being and independence.

Earlier in June, the specialized memory care neighborhood at Pine Run, called The Garden, was awarded a perfect survey inspection by the Department of Public Welfare.

The annual survey included an assessment of patient medicalrecords and a review of staff training and education.

The inspection team observed residents and staff interactions to underscore a new focus on person-centered care in the senior living industry.

Pine Run Health Center, a 74-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, earned a deficiency free survey in February, and also received four out of  five stars – an “above average” overall ranking – from Medicare.

Pine Run has an active quality improvement program in place resulting in patient satisfaction scores higher than 90% and, in the last quarter 96% respondents were willing to recommend Pine Run.

Pine Run is rolling out Visible Progress, a program highlighting milestones in rehabilitative therapy outcomes, in partnership with Aegis Therapies.

Owned by Doylestown Hospital, the Pine Run Retirement Community is a not-for- profit provider of independent living cottages and apartments for seniors 65+. Additional levels of care are available to the local community. Call 1- 800-992- 8992 to schedule a visit or
click here
for more contact information.

Young Citizen Award

Tyler Gallagher was recently presented with the Young Citizen Award by the Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. Tyler is a Teen Volunteer who has contributed 931 hours of service to the hospital in the Snack Bar. No task is too large or too menial for Tyler, who also serves as a trainer and mentor to new Volunteers. Tyler also works at Lakeview Assisted Living. Congratulations, Tyler, for receiving this award and donating your time and talents to Doylestown Hospital!

Doylestown Business &

Community Alliance Breakfast Meeting at Pine Run

Fifty members of the Doylestown Business & Community Alliance gathered at Pine Run for a breakfast meeting on December 11 to celebrate the holiday season and to pay tribute to Rich Slabinski, stalwart board president for the past several years. Cathy Hoot, recent chair of the DCBA Holiday Committee, will take the reigns as president in 2013. The DCBA is a non-profit, member-supported volunteer organization that brings an active business community, local residents and government together through activities that preserve and create the pride and spirit that make Doylestown a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

Pine Run was pleased to partner with DCBA for the magic of SANTA COMING TO TOWN in the Pine Run Trolley on Friday, November 23, a tradition ushering in the shopping season. Welcomed by an entourage of 22 merry children and parents, Santa rode in the Pine Run Trolley around Doylestown ringing the trolley bell broadcasting his arrival to Doylestown Shopping Center.

DBCA festivities also include the annual operation of SANTA’S HOUSE at Hamilton and State Streets in Doylestown. Santa will be greeting kids of all ages until December 24. Cameras are welcome! For more information, call Margie Adamsky at 215-340-9988 or click on
www.doylestownalliance.org
.

Pine Run Retirement Village:

Creating a Memorable

Dining Experience for its

Independent Living Residents

The Dining Services at Pine Run Retirement Village in Doylestown doesn’t just prepare a meal for its independent living residents; it creates an enjoyable dining experience.

“This is a small, intimate community where we know each of our ‘villagers’ very well, so when they come here to eat, our dining room takes on a family atmosphere,” says Sharon Smith, Director of Dining Services. She recently celebrated her 32nd year working in her current position at Pine Run. Sharon, a talented chef, oversees a youthful staff of close to 100 high school and college students who keep the atmosphere happy and intergenerational.

These young people enjoy sharing their lives with senior residents. Many of these high school students will even come in to show residents their prom outfits during prom season.”

Seniors feel protective of the young staff and make sure they get home in time to finish their homework.

“This interaction truly makes our dining room feel like home,” says Sharon. “Our staff really cares; it’s not just a job to them.”

The holiday season offers another opportunity to make the dining experience at Pine Run feel special. Pumpkin dishes, eggnog, tasty ham and roast turkey are just some of the holiday staples that residents look forward to each year. In addition, specialties are planned to surprise and delight attendees at special events, including residents and community groups who hold meetings at Pine Run. During this season more than any other, Sharon elevates food into the “fun zone.”

Sharon’s warm spirit comes alive as she and the dining room chef create a vision for various events by layering flavors, colors and textures to match different themes. The biggest holiday event of the year is the Annual Winter Wonderland Party being held December 20.

“We work hard to create a festive environment by including ice carvings, illuminated Christmas trees and holiday decorations,” says Sharon. A highlight of this event is the candy cottages that Sharon has been creating for the past 20 years. Personnel from different departments at Pine Run volunteered to help decorate these candy cottages.

“These candy cottages resemble the gingerbread cottage from ‘Hansel and Gretel,’” says Sharon. Sleigh bells, snowmen and poinsettias provide the final flourishes to each display. Residents attending the Winter Wonderland Party will enjoy a large array of hors d’oeuvres, a light dinner and a special dessert.

New Year’s Eve will offer another opportunity for residents to come together to celebrate during Pine Run’s candlelit surf and turf dinner. “This evening offers a big party atmosphere with an entire night of entertainment,” says Sharon.

Enlivening events with extra touches, and especially at the holidays when emotional needs are highest, is a part of Pine Run’s service philosophy, “Make Their Day.”

“It feels wonderful to applaud our associates for their creative initiative and to see them taking pride in delivering services that are driven by the desire to make someone’s day brighter and better,” says Cathleen Stewart, Pine Run’s Executive Director.

Pine Run is a non-profit owned and operated by Doylestown Hospital since 1992.  For additional information about its independent living residency, Alzheimer’s care, orthopedic rehabilitation stays or to find out about its monthly tour events, visit www.pinerun.org or call 800-992-8992.

Pine Run quilt auction benefits Alzheimer’s group



Bucks County Herald, November 8, 2012

Written by Barbara Chirieci

Photograph by Michael W. Jones

A special silent auction of 50 colorful quilts, 20 designed by persons coping with Alzheimer’s disease, will be celebrated with a reception open to the public at the Pine Run Health Center 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The quilts, designed as petite wall hangings, are on display for visitors to Pine Run.

Silent bidding will begin at a modest $20 per piece and all proceeds will benefit the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.


Complimentary wine and soft drinks will be available and a free raffle basket will add to the festivities.

Helen Wolf, a quilter since 1980, has been the hands-on visionary for this project. Wolf has produced more than 500 quilts, and local exhibits of her work have been mounted at the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, the Mercer Museum, and the Civil War Museum in Doylestown.

She also has personal experience with Alzheimer’s, having watched her husband progress through the stages of Alzheimer’s at home and now during his residency at The Garden at Pine Run, a secure dementia neighborhood located on the top floor of the Pine Run Health Center. Wolf noticed that some of the gifted artists in residence at The Garden responded well to creative endeavors such as painting and tile making offered by Kristen Moore, coordinator of life enrichment at The Garden. Wolf, inspired by the national Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative started in 2005, engaged Moore as her collaborator to develop a quilt program specifically for memory impaired residents at Pine Run.

“It frees them from any stress or constraints of a typical art assignment, because beautiful quilts can result from a bevy of patterns. Our residents can originate their own sketch designs or select colors and shapes provided in tool kits we developed for the classes,” Moore said. The public is welcome to view and bid on the collection of quilts.

Veteran’s Day Breakfast at Pine Run

Eighty-seven men and women mobilized early on Friday, November 9 to commemorate Veteran’s day at Pine Run. Veterans of all wars were invited to the annual event held in the Auditorium, Pictures of the freedom fighters lined the walls and many of the honorees attended in uniform.

Stories of secret surveillance, supply lines, map reading, and radio operations, as well as non-combat assignments were humbly exchanged and thanks were expressed for the sacrifices of comrades on the front lines and family members left to fend for themselves at home. The day of fellowship and prayer included a hot and hearty mess-hall breakfast of creamed chip beef on toast served by Pine Run Associates. Reverend John Stark opened the event with a meaningful reminder to all about the importance of supporting those who have served, from the latest generation to the greatest generation.

Pictured are heroes of two different eras enjoying a moment of camaraderie to the delight of Ceil Krajewski, Director of Life Enrichment at Pine Run. Villager William Jerrom, Marine Corps Master Tech Sergeant 1942-1946, was an original member of the Air Warning Squadron 2 that participated in the D-Day landing to retake Guam. Ms. Krajewski’s son, Corporal John Coxhead, Marine Corps 2001-2006, saw active service in Iraq, Bahrain, and Cuba. Mr. Coxhead is currently a police officer in Haverford Township.

Doylestown Hospital Wins

Press Ganey Award for

Patient Satisfaction



November 15, 2012

Doylestown Hospital is proud to announce it has been named a 2012 Summit Award
^®
winner by Press Ganey Associates, Inc.

The Summit Award recognizes top-performing facilities that sustain the highest levels of patient satisfaction performance for three consecutive years. The Press Ganey Summit Award is one of the health care industry’s most coveted symbols of achievement. Doylestown Hospital is one of 114 organizations to receive this prestigious honor in 2012, and one of only 13 to receive it for achieving and sustaining excellence in patient satisfaction. Doylestown Hospital’s Emergency Department was recognized for its patient satisfaction performance. Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care facilities, including more than half of all U.S. hospitals, to measure and improve the patient experience.

Doylestown Hospital’s new, 55,756-square foot Emergency Department (ED) opened with 41 beds in April 2010. A collaborative team of physicians, nurses, hospital administrators and patients, aided by experts in emergency department design, designed an ED that focuses on how care should be delivered, not how it is traditionally delivered. Various efficiencies promote faster movement through the system, reducing the time that patients spend in the ED.

In working to improve systems, the main area of focus was the impact of wait time on patient care and satisfaction. Several protocols were initiated to move the Emergency Department visitor out of the “waiting room” as soon as possible and into a treatment room. These included: instituting standing order sets for the treatment of most common ED complaints to expedite the delivery of care, and empowering nursing staff to initiate the order sets within their scope of practice before the patient is seen by a physician.

Finally, all physicians in the ED adopted the same standards for patient communication and visibility. Electronic medical records consolidate and coordinate charting. A “tracker board” is plainly visible to staff to monitor who is next to be seen, the amount of wait time and the acuity of the patient. To improve communication, staff members carry cell phones with speed-dial connectivity.

“Our model of care is completely patient-centered,” said Lawrence Brilliant, MD, Medical Director, Emergency Department. “With support from the staff, physicians and Administration, we have been able to create an environment from the ground up that focuses on patient experience and the way care should be delivered to ensure the best and safest possible experience for each patient.”

“We are proud to partner with Doylestown Hospital,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey. “Achieving this level of excellence in patient satisfaction reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering outstanding service and quality. Doylestown Hospital’s efforts benefit patients in the community and will lead to improved patient experience.”

About Doylestown Hospital


Doylestown Hospital is a comprehensive 238-bed medical center serving families throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties and Western New Jersey. The Medical Staff includes more than 420 physicians in more than 40 specialty areas. Doylestown Hospital is one of the 100 best hospitals in the U.S., according to the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® study released in 2012. The Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital is a regional center of excellence for cardiology and cardiac surgery and was named one of the Top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the nation (Thomson Reuters 2012). Areas of clinical emphasis also include emergency medicine, oncology, maternal-child health, orthopedics, interventional radiology, gastroenterology, urology, general surgery and robotic surgery.

Press Ganey Associates, Inc.


Recognized as a leader in health care performance improvement for more than 25 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 organizations to create and sustain high-performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall patient experience. Harnessing a unique integrated data platform, Press Ganey provides sophisticated analytics to help discover and prioritize key performance improvement efforts and reveal opportunities to enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and control costs. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care, including 50 percent of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit
www.pressganey.com
.

Artist at Home in Bucks County




Guide to Retirement Living, Winter 2012/13






By Mary Clark

Photography courtesy of Mary Clark and Allure West Studios

Enjoy what you do; good advice and lucky people discover it early. Sylvia Roman was always drawn to pottery, the art and craft of working with her hands to create something beautiful and useful. Following this passion led naturally to many other interests. Whether crafting a vase for one of her favorite Ikebana flower arrangements, experimenting with glazes or teaching others how to throw a pot, Sylvia is doing what she loves to do.While teaching pottery in the Pine Run Craft Barn, Sylvia Roman came to know Pine Run and the people who live there. A full service retirement community owned and operated by Doylestown Hospital, Pine Run is popular among active and artistic seniors. Drawing inspiration from a location well known for harboring creative types, Sylvia’s ceramics classes came alive with resident artists, designers and adventurous others taking full advantage of the new instruction and energy.

An accomplished potter, Sylvia is a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Crafts. She has exhibited locally including in Philadelphia and has been featured in shows and galleries throughout Canada and the United States. She became known for her skill in the ancient primitive Japanese process of Raku, where the piece is grabbed from a blistering hot fire and smothered in sawdust and leaves, allowing the smoke to chemically alter the liquid glaze and adding a unique metallic luster.

“My husband Robin assisted me pulling the pieces from the flames and was relieved when I shifted my focus.” explained Sylvia, “He jokes about finally growing his singed eyebrows back.”

The couple met as young University students in Canada, Robin destined for pharmaceutical research and Sylvia for pottery. After living and traveling all over the world, they found Bucks County to be as beautiful as any place they had ever been.

Sylvia credits their happy marriage to having similar tastes but different approaches. “Robin has a Ph.D. and works with his brain; I have to jump in and learn by actually doing it,” she said.

“We went to France last year to attend cooking classes and had such a great experience; we are going to take a class in Italy next. Robin is a wonderful cook,” said Sylvia. “I like it too, and I know how to debone a turkey.”

To support these interests and more, a unique 1,300 square foot cottage with a vaulted ceiling and skylights is taking shape at Pine Run. The new cottage features a gourmet kitchen boasting all the bells and whistles, a media room and a potter’s personal studio. Ebony cabinetry will complement a large Chinese brush painting of bamboo and horses.

“We found the painting in our travels; the design sensibilities are wonderful, and I love horses,” explained Sylvia.

Relocating for a time to Great Britain for Robin’s job meant that Sylvia had to sell her kiln and equipment, trading it all in for jodhpurs and boots. She seized this new opportunity to ride around Surrey’s country estates. Most fun was participating in old-fashioned pub rides full of good fun that held the promise of comfort, camaraderie and a pint at the end of a long ride.

This same adventurous spirit now leads Sylvia to Pine Run Community in Doylestown. “I really love it here,” she said. “I can’t wait to be able to walk right out of my door and over to the Craft Barn.” She says she feels a complete sense of happiness in this creative environment, working in the muddy water of a slip bucket, using her donated potter’s wheel as a teaching tool. As part of this new adventure, Sylvia is excited to see others give rise to a curvy pot or vase to sell at the Fall Festival or to be wrapped and given as a treasured personal gift.

Champagne will flow at Lakeview anniversary picnic

Lakeview Personal Care Community marked its 15th anniversary this year with a French Wine Party for Doylestown business affiliates on Aug. 15 and a will hold a gala picnic for Lakeview residents and families Saturday, Sept. 15.

The 15th anniversary is a testament to the leadership of the Village Improvement Association (VIA) and Doylestown Hospital who envisioned Lakeview as a way to elegantly expand the continuum of care available to seniors in the local area.

Some of the essential services provided by Lakeview, such as 24-hour licensed nursing care and onsite physicians, are unique in a Personal Care Community setting. This high degree of coverage promotes wellness and allows for a quicker response to any change in a resident’s health status.

Conveniently located two blocks from Doylestown Hospital, Lakeview opened in 1997 and was purchased in 1998 from the former operators of Independence Court. It has a history of high occupancy, and in the past year, a reservation list was established to help local families plan ahead. “Our ties to the hospital mean a lot to local families, and to a parent or grandparent living at Lakeview, it means the generations can stay together,” says Kate Gilbert, director of admissions.

Registered Nurse Melody Moore, top administrator at Lakeview, says of the celebration, “We take great pride in the appointments of our building and lovely gardens, and our families remind us that the hospitality, caring and personal attention we provide to their loved ones transcends just brick and mortar.”

The picnic will be catered by Lakeview’s own culinary team lead by Chef Joseph Rhoads. Themed as a wedding, the celebratory menu will herald savory bites along with a multi-tiered dessert cake prepared by Chef Joe.

A champagne fountain and other beverages will be on tap for the milestone occasion, and guests will take home specially created cookies for the event. “We rally together to make every day satisfying to our residents, and very often, the happy hum of activities raises their experience to that of a special occasion,” Maureen Riley, director of life enrichment, adds.

Serving the health and well-being of older adults is an ever-evolving art that is here to stay in Doylestown.

To learn more about residency or volunteer opportunities at Lakeview, telephone 215-489-7117. Barbara Chierici is senior director of marketing at Pine Run and Lakeview communities.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Speaks at Pine Run

Brian Duke, Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging, addressed a meeting of the Bucks County Long Term Care Consortium on July 30 at Pine Run. The Department of Aging serves 900,000 seniors in the Commonwealth with a base of 76 staff in Harrisburg and providers in every county delivering programs such as Meals on Wheels, Ride Programs, and In-Home Care.

Mr. Duke’s message was twofold:

1. The Pennsylvania budget restored some monies while withholding spending. The main focus is on job creation and protecting the Lottery Fund which directly supports the Property Tax Rebate and Rent Rebate Programs, Free Transit and reduced fare Shared Ride Programs, and the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET.

2. To bring the best of Pennsylvania to its citizens, we need to do a better job mining data, measuring services provided to seniors, and replicating the best practices across the Commonwealth. For example, we have two major centers for Alzheimer’s research at University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh from which to gather data and implement findings to promote pro-active planning for aging well and for reducing the need for higher levels of care.

The impact of reimbursement rate cuts is being examined by the Department of Public Welfare (DPW). Mr. Duke encouraged attendees to email their comments to
RA-oltlstreamlining@PA.gov
.

Brian Duke was nominated by Governor Tom Corbett to be the Secretary of Aging on February 3, 2011. Prior to his nomination by Governor Tom Corbett, Duke served as Director of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging. He served as a member and Secretary of the Board of the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging.  Duke participates at the national, state and local level to foster effective strategies to support family caregivers, encourage aging well and build effective community partnerships.

Duke holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Scranton, an MHA (Health Administration) from George Washington University and an MBE (Bioethics) from the University of Pennsylvania. Duke is an Associate Fellow of the Institute on Aging of the University of Pennsylvania.

A draft of the Department of Aging’s 2012-2016 Pennsylvania State Plan on Aging is now available to the public for comment.

Click here to download
.

The Bucks County Long Term Care Consortium is a non-profit organization founded in 1997. Its mission is to promote the betterment of the health and welfare of the residents who are served in the growing health care continuum in Bucks County. Membership includes, but is not limited to, nursing homes, assisted living homes, personal care homes, retirement communities, ambulance and transportation providers, home health agencies, adult day care organizations, and physicians.
Click here for more information
.