CareOne is delighted to announce the launch of its philanthropic initiative, Summer of Sharing, for the second year in a row!

Summer of Sharing is CareOne’s company-wide charitable giving program aimed at supporting numerous social causes benefiting the communities that CareOne serves. Each of CareOne’s 60+ buildings in the northeast have selected a local charity for which they will raise funds throughout the summer. Among the organizations CareOne will support this year include:

Steps Together

PALS- Parsippany Police Athletic League

American Legion Post 21 Cresskill

Daisy Rec Camp

Imagine A Center for Coping with Loss

Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Camden County Animal Welfare Association

Parsippanypal.org

Pawsitively 4 Pink

Middletown Helps its Own

Mobile Meals of Hamilton Township

Women In Transition

The Frances Foundation

Heading Home Inc.

Paramus Board of Education

Team Noah Foundation

Wilmington Food Pantry

Criolas Contra Cancer

Fulfill Food Bank Monmouth County

Springfield Carnival Association (Caribbean American African Athletic Social Club)

Weymouth Food Pantry

Massachusetts Alzheimer's Association

American Diabetes Association

Southbury Needy Fund

MA Brain Injury Association

Top Dog Therapy

Randall's Rescue

Meals on Wheels North Jersey

American Legion post

Gilda's Club Grand Rapids

From We Can't to We Can

Friendship Circle

At the core of CareOne’s values, Summer of Sharing reinforces the integrated health network’s commitment to compassionate care and community. CareOne’s involvement in its local communities, coupled with its personal affiliations with the causes it cherishes, has helped drive meaningful impact. Beyond this, the Summer of Sharing initiative has fostered a culture of giving, inspiring others to help those in need.

“A cornerstone of CareOne’s success lies in our teammates who provide exceptional care, both inside and outside of our facilities,” said CareOne CEO Daniel Straus. “The $60,000 raised last summer was invested directly back into the communities we are proud to call home. This year’s goal of $75,000 is aimed at extending that impact to create lasting and positive change.”

The program will run from June 1 to August 31. CareOne will document fundraising progress and share ways for communities, employees, patients and family members to lend support throughout the summer!

Follow us along our journey:

Twitter: @CareOneCares
Facebook: @care1cares
LinkedIn: @CareOne
Instagram: @CareOneCares

The post CareOne Announces Second Annual Summer of Sharing Charitable Giving Program appeared first on CareOne.

At CareOne, we believe that providing care to our residents is more than a job – it’s our north star. Our culture of compassion, respect and dignity improves the lives of our patients, residents and employees alike. We are dedicated to setting a standard of care that inspires employee motivation and excellence.  

Because of this staunch commitment, CareOne has earned its reputation as an award-winning health system for residents and a great place to work for our employees. Our people join us as employees and they stay with us as long-lasting partners. We nurture and cultivate top talent within our workforce, inspiring long-lasting professional and personal development. 

To learn more about how you can join our team, visit CareOne’s Careers Page. 

The post The CareOne Difference: How Company Culture Shapes Employee Motivation appeared first on CareOne.

At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to compassion, community and caring. In addition to caring for your loved ones each and every day, we have always believed in making a positive impact in our communities. We know that by working together, our efforts can create ripples of change.

That is why we are elated to announce the official kickoff of CareOne’s Summer of Sharing. Each of our 57 buildings has selected a local charity or cause they feel passionate about and will spend the entire summer collecting donations to support it.

Our Summer of Sharing initiative enables us to give back to the communities we serve and affect change on a local level. Organizations selected by CareOne facilities include food pantries, animal shelters, mental health foundations, children’s hospitals, Veteran’s Affairs and many more.

While all funds raised will make an impact, this program is about much more than raising money. Our goal is to foster a culture of sharing and community involvement while inspiring others to give back to those in need.

“At CareOne, we truly believe that success lies not only in providing exceptional care to those in need, but also in uplifting those around us,” said CareOne CEO Daniel Straus. “Summer of Sharing is a reflection of our core values. Our responsibility as a healthcare organization extends beyond our facilities’ walls, and this initiative allows us to create lasting, positive change.”

When supporting those in need, everyone’s a winner. But that doesn’t mean we can’t also have a little competitive fun! In the spirit of competition, we’ll keep you posted throughout the summer to see how our fundraising efforts are going and which facilities are most on the move. After Labor Day Weekend, we’ll let you know just how big of an impact we’ve made.

If you’d like to contribute to one of our local causes, you can reach out via live chat on the website for more information.

Follow us along our journey:

Twitter: @CareOneCares
Facebook: @care1cares
LinkedIn: @CareOne
Instagram: @CareOneCares

Charities We’re Supporting:

Adopt A Senior
American Lung Association
Anchor House Inc.
Atmiya Care Charities
Boston Children’s Hospital
Camp Sunshine
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
Daisy Recreation Charity
Edison Animal Shelter
Englewood Food Pantry
Families for Families, Wycoff NJ
Father Bills & MainSpring
Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue
Friendly Food Pantry
Golf Western Mass
Hanover Township Families Back to School Drive
Haven from Hunger
Healing Abuse Working for Change
Huntington’s Disease Society of America
Interfaith Neighbors
Interfaith Food Bank
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern NJ
Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Majoda Stables
Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts
Middletown Helps its Own
Millbury Lions Club
Millbury Senior Center
Mission 22: United in the War Against Veteran Suicide
New Milford Human Service
Newton Food Pantry
Nothing is Impossible
Oradell Senior Center
Paramus VFW Post 6699
Shriner’s Hospital for Children
Smith Vocational High School
Southbury Needy Fund
South Jersey Coping Clinic
Steps Together
Table of Hope: Morristown, NJ
The Alzheimer’s Association
The Association for the Relief of Aged Women
The Cherry Hill Police Department
The Mental Health Foundation
Vested Interest in K9s
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Wayne VA American Legion
Williamstown Community Chest

The post CareOne Announces Company-Wide Charitable Giving Program, Summer of Sharing appeared first on CareOne.

We are sharing a heartfelt letter penned by Lisa Rhoads, our VP of Operations here at CareOne. Through her words, we gain insight into the essence of her WHY – her innate desire to care for others and how that translated into creating a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents.

Inspired by Lisa’s unwavering commitment, CareOne is embarking on a campaign that aims to showcase members of our team’s passion and WHY they do what they do, every day, in caring for our residents and their families.

Join us as we share stories, reflections, and personal journeys, exploring the WHY behind the team at CareOne and our commitment to giving our residents the best quality of care, for the best quality of life.

A Letter from our VP of Operations, Lisa Rhoads:

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. Today, I wanted to take a moment to share with you MY WHY.

The desire to take care of others has always been an innate part of who I am. In fact, when I was in preschool, my teacher, sister Muriel, once called my mom to express that I consistently showed a concern for the well-being of my classmates. I believe that the best path to happiness is doing something for those that cannot repay you. Over the past 25 years, half my life, I have had the honor of being a part of CareOne’s exceptional service in providing joy, engagement, and holistic health to our residents. Working with seniors was not something I had initially considered for my career. However, as a psychology student, I took a job as a recreation assistant at an assisted living facility in Vermont, and little did I know that this decision would shape my career path in the most profound way. This experience led me to CareOne at the Cupola.

From day one, I realized that the rewards of helping others were immeasurable. I am a people person, wholeheartedly embracing the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of older adults under my care. Dedicating myself to the well-being of others brings meaning to my life and immense daily satisfaction.

I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by a team that is as enthusiastic as I am about caring for others. CareOne’s commitment to recruiting the absolute best talent in this field has been evident throughout my career. I am so thankful to work side by side with all of you. Together, we have created an environment of compassion, excellence, and dedication that truly sets CareOne apart. Thank you for being on this journey with me.

With gratitude and respect,

Lisa

The post Embracing Our WHY: Unveiling the Heart and Purpose of CareOne appeared first on CareOne.

“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love.” – Giada De Laurentii

Don’t underestimate the power of a good meal. From the enjoyment that comes from eating with others to food as medicine, what’s for dinner—and lunch, breakfast and snack time—matters more than you might think. As people age, they lose their taste buds and their appetites often decrease. Yet proper nutrition for older people keeps their energy levels up and helps their bodies protect against and recover from all different types of illness. As you explore senior care options, the quality of the skilled nursing or assisted living food menu should be a key decision criterion.

This is why, at CareOne, we view creating delicious and nutritious meals as part and parcel of our commitment to high-quality care. Through our Signature Dining Program, our chefs give residents a taste of home or their favorite restaurant while catering to their specific dietary requirements. Each skilled nursing and assisted living food menu is designed to satisfy residents’ cravings and provides strong attention to detail with food presentation and fresh ingredients.

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Here’s how we make mealtime special and enjoyable for all residents:

Personalizing Meals to Meet Residents’ Needs

Our culinary team works with CareOne dietitians to create menus that support residents’ nutritional goals and leans into their preferences. They collaborate with our activity directors on the meals they’re planning for events, holidays and other special occasions. Examples of holiday staples include delicious whole grain stuffing with pecans and currants at Thanksgiving. For the holidays, our chefs will bake jam dot holiday cookies, or crispy matzah for Passover.

What’s even more unique is that CareOne recreates meals that residents would eat at home, whether they are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher and/or they have specific cultural customs. CareOne at Teaneck is a perfect example. The center is Glatt Kosher, Cholov Yisroel and Pas Yisroel under the kosher supervision of Star-K. Other options can range from specially prepared plant-based meat entrees to vegan potato-leek soup to twice-baked stuffed sweet potatoes. CareOne keeps residents’ favorite dishes in mind year-round and especially on birthdays.

For those with seafood aversions, we focus on preparing other sources of animal and plant-based proteins. We offer “meatless Mondays” but also offer vegetarian and vegan dishes all week long such as gnocchi with spring vegetables and avocado toast with chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. We’ve got our carnivores covered, too. CareOne prepares high-protein meals featuring prime rib and other USDA-certified meat options. We also cook fresh soups and sauces from scratch.

At CareOne, meals are individualized to each facility’s needs. However, there is cohesiveness across buildings so that if residents transfer to another building, they will experience and have access to similar foods that include the same standard of presentation.

Our skilled nursing and assisted living food menu is also dynamic and continuously changing to provide variety and as many nutrients as possible while introducing new dishes that residents will enjoy.

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 Ensuring Patient Safety While Eating

CareOne ensures residents can finish their food in a comfortable and safe manner. Our culinary team works with our speech therapists—who help manage swallowing difficulties—to create meals residents can safely eat. The CareOne Perfectly Pureed Program is an accommodating program where pureed foods are prepared to look like traditional solid foods. A pureed diet uses the same meals on the CareOne menu but blends them until smooth so residents (such as those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing) can enjoy their food while getting the nutrition they need. Meals such as lasagna and pork chops are pureed to meet residents’ nutritional goals and are also appealing to taste buds.

 Combining Ingredients to Reach Nutrition Goals

At CareOne, the culinary team uses fresh ingredients to create meals from scratch. A fresh meal generally contains more nutrients, hydration, healthy fats and enzymes in comparison to a frozen meal. Through our partnership with Jersey Fresh, all New Jersey CareOne facilities receive fresh produce. This includes locally grown, organic and seasonal fruits and vegetables to incorporate into meals. When not seasonally available, our team integrates nutritious fruits and vegetables from other sources.

At every facility, infused water is housed in the lobby. The water contains fruits and herbs to keep staff, visitors and residents well-hydrated.

 Making Mealtime Memorable

Good food brings people together and evokes fond memories. Through our signature dining program, residents experience mealtimes in a cozy, restaurant-like atmosphere. Staff encourage residents to eat their meals in a shared space, so they can break bread, exchange stories and enjoy laughter with others.

Our restaurant-style dining supports our mealtime philosophy to nourish residents physically, mentally, and emotionally.

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Getting the Community Involved

Research shows that communal eating plays a critical role in facilitating social connection. The culinary team enhances this feeling of togetherness outside of traditional mealtimes by involving residents in the menu development process. We ask residents for input on upcoming menus. Additionally, they have opportunities to watch cooking competitions and live demonstrations, which many enjoy.

The culinary team also supports the surrounding community through meal donations to local organizations such as nearby colleges, senior centers, food pantries, firehouses and police stations.

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In a Nutshell

When it comes to senior care, good nutrition that tastes great is non-negotiable. CareOne is committed to delivering excellence at every meal, through wholesome ingredients, impeccable presentation and rich flavor.

The post Bon Appetit: What’s On the Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living Food Menu appeared first on CareOne.

After spending days or weeks in a hospital bed, most people just want to go home. So when you or your loved one gets discharged to a skilled nursing facility instead, it can be a little scary. There’s also a lot of confusing information – and in some cases, outright misinformation – surrounding skilled nursing facilities.

To bring some clarity and comfort, let’s break down some of the most common myths about skilled nursing facilities.

Myth #1: Skilled nursing facility is just a fancy term for “nursing home.”

A nursing home and a skilled nursing facility differ in terms of their purpose, duration of stay and type of care provided. A nursing home is a long-term residential facility that provides care for seniors and people with disabling physical conditions, offering long-term custodial care and limited medical care. In contrast, a skilled nursing facility focuses on short- to medium-term treatment (typically 30-90 days) for people recently discharged from the hospital. Skilled nursing facilities specifically provide rehabilitation and treatment services.

Another significant difference between the two types of facilities is the care providers. In nursing homes, non-medical workers typically provide custodial care. Skilled nursing facilities, on the other hand, employ registered nurses, speech pathologists, vocational nurses, and other medical professionals to provide care. Skilled nursing facilities require the involvement of skilled nursing and/or rehabilitative staff daily.

Myth #2: Patients will pick up another disease or injury.

While the risk of infection exists in any healthcare setting, skilled nursing facilities are dedicated to providing a safe and clean environment for their residents. They follow strict safety protocols and cleanliness standards to minimize the risk of infection. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention closely monitors skilled nursing facilities to ensure the safety of their residents. The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals requires these facilities to have measures in place to prevent specific clinical harms, such as falls, pressure ulcers and healthcare-associated infections. Medication reconciliation is also required to mitigate the risk of adverse drug effects.

Myth #3: If you have family or friends who can provide care at home, you don’t need to go to a skilled nursing facility.

While it’s true that some individuals can receive appropriate care at home, there are many cases where a skilled nursing facility may be necessary.

For instance, skilled nursing facilities provide round-the-clock care from medical professionals. These professionals can assist in ways family members and friends can’t. They are trained to manage complex medical conditions including chronic illness, injuries and post-surgery care as well as provide rehabilitative services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Skilled nursing facilities also have specialized equipment and resources that may not be available at home.

Myth #4: Residents have limited rights.

At any qualified facility, preservation of patient autonomy is foundational to how they operate. Residents have the right to make their own decisions regarding their care. They have the right to participate in their own assessment, care-planning, treatment and discharge. They also have the right to review their medical records and get informed of any changes to their care. Residents have the freedom to refuse medication and treatment, as well as chemical and physical restraints.

Residents choose their meals and activities they participate in and dictate who visits them and who can’t. Their communications are also private and unrestricted. This autonomy is crucial for maintaining residents’ dignity and quality of life.

Myth #5: The food is no better than hospital food.

Over the last decade, skilled nursing facilities have significantly enhanced their food options. Many have adopted a resident-centered approach to nutrition — providing a nourishing and well-balanced diet that meets the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident while taking their dietary preferences into consideration. While certain medical conditions may warrant dietary interventions, many facilities focus on allowing ample flexibility in food choices. Registered dieticians work hand in hand with executive chefs to create nutritious and delicious menus.

In addition, many facilities focus on elevating the cuisine experience. This includes offering restaurant-style dining options with menus for residents to “order” from as well as buffet-style service. Higher quality food and dining experiences not only promotes resident satisfaction, but also support residents' overall well-being and recovery process.

The next steps in your recovery journey

Skilled nursing facilities play a crucial role in the recovery process. The key is to do your research on which facility makes the most sense for you or your loved one. With the guidance of your care team and hospital social worker, the transition from hospital to skilled nursing facility to home will go smoothly.

Have more questions? Read our guide on post-acute care to learn more.

The post 5 Myths About Skilled Nursing Facilities appeared first on CareOne.

Over the course of the last year, CareOne’s New Jersey facilities have significantly reduced the use of agency nurses and nursing assistants. As of May 2023, CareOne is 95% out of agency across the state, providing care through our own talented team of healthcare professionals. This incredible achievement is unparalleled in the industry and showcases CareOne’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, rewarding, and investing in our staff.

Achieving this significant reduction is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing staffing challenges faced by the industry amid a talent shortage. According to a study released by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, nearly 100,000 registered nurses left the workforce in the wake of the pandemic. Many skilled nursing and assisted living facilities have been forced to rely on temporary staff from nursing agencies as a result. Because we believe strong resident-staff relationships are a critical component of quality care, CareOne made a commitment to reducing our reliance on temporary staff.

he journey towards this milestone started with a comprehensive review of CareOne’s recruitment and hiring processes. By focusing on attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry, the organization was able to significantly reduce its reliance on agency staffing. Our proactive approach to talent management has enabled CareOne to foster a supportive and collaborative work environment that values employees.

CareOne’s investment in its staff goes beyond competitive salaries and benefits packages. The organization has implemented ongoing training and development programs, equipping nursing staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional care to patients and residents. This focus on employee growth and satisfaction has contributed significantly to the organization’s ability to reduce its reliance on agency nurses and nursing assistants.

CareOne’s commitment to its staff has also had a positive impact on the quality of care provided to patients and residents. By investing in its workforce, CareOne has been able to maintain a consistent team of nursing professionals, leading to improved continuity of care and better patient outcomes.

“Staffing our facilities with our own dedicated nursing staff is a top priority,” said Daniel Straus, CEO and Chairman at CareOne. “We believe the strong bonds that form between our employees and residents are fundamental to the CareOne experience, where we strive to treat your family like our own. This milestone is indicative of our commitment to our staff and to our residents.”

CareOne stands as a paradigm for other healthcare organizations seeking to achieve similar results.

The post CareOne in New Jersey Celebrates Reduction in Agency Nursing Hours appeared first on CareOne.

At CareOne, we pride ourselves in delivering the most exceptional standard of care to our patients and residents and fostering a work environment that’s positive and nurturing. And at the heart of that care is our employees. “Our staff work tirelessly to treat your family like their own and provide the highest level of support possible,” said Emily Vasquez, VP of Special Operations. “They are core to the work we do, and we are proud to offer them a second home where they can build their careers.”

We recently sat down with four incredible employees from our Cresskill location. Each of these women has reached a milestone of working 35 (or more!) years at CareOne. We are so grateful to them for their service, and wanted to share their journey with you as we celebrate and thank them for all that they do.

Ilyse, our RN/unit manager, will celebrate 35 years with us this July. Marcia has been a laundry aide with CareOne for 38 years. Barbara, a CNA, will celebrate 40 years with us this September, and Margery, another CNA, will celebrate 51 years with us this August!

Q: Tell us about your career journey at CareOne. How did you hear about us?

ILYSE – I live about 10 minutes away from Cresskill, so I was aware of the facility and the community. I had left Columbia Presbyterian about a year before joining CareOne and was looking for more of a community job at the time. I went in for an interview with CareOne and never left! I started as a staff nurse on night shifts and eventually became a night shift supervisor. After 17 years on night shift, I switched to days, and within a week, became the unit manager!

MARCIA – I started as a laundry aide in March of 1985. I saw an ad in the paper and a friend of mine was a supervisor at CareOne at the time. She was the one who recommended me and I’ve been here ever since! I love working with the company. I have great coworkers and management has always been beautiful to me. I love my job.

BARBARA – I am originally from Jamaica and came to this country in 1981. I was working somewhere else at the time, but a friend of my mother was working here and referred me to CareOne. They gave me the job as a CNA, and I’ve been here ever since September 1983! My journey has been wonderful because I love my job, and I really enjoy taking care of people.

MARGERY – I came to the US from Jamaica, initially to go to school in Chicago, but at that time, I didn’t have enough money. I was visiting a friend in Englewood, NJ, and drove by the Dunroven Health Care Center, which later became CareOne at Cresskill. I walked right in and asked if I could have a job. The administrator gave me an application and I called them the next day. I started working in 1972, and once CareOne took over, I never left!

Q: What do you love about CareOne?

ILYSE – I love the staff! And patient care – it has changed a lot over the years, becoming more sub-acute, meaning working with more complicated medical conditions, which is an exciting challenge to me.

MARCIA – Everything! No complaints at all, none whatsoever.

BARBARA – CareOne is like a family, and there’s great teamwork. We’re not strangers or coworkers; it’s a family setting and I like that. They are always so great; I could never go somewhere else.

MARGERY – I’ve always said that if you don’t like what you’re doing, you shouldn’t work there. I love my job; I enjoy every minute of it. I have a lot of fun! Even when I reach 100, if I am healthy, I’ll still be working. I enjoy helping people who can’t do it themselves. I feel like if I can help you, trust me, I will. Even if they’re not my patient, I will go out of my way to help.

Q: Tell me about the people you work with.

ILYSE – I love the staff I work with, I always have. There have been many people that have come and gone, but there are always great people to work with.

MARCIA – They are very nice, polite people. We are team players, and we have to work together!

BARBARA – It’s all about teamwork. We make it a team effort and work together. Chatting and laughing together makes for a great time.

MARGERY – The people I work with are very, very good people. We get along well; I try to get along with everyone and help everyone. We go to Broadway shows and dinners, we have wonderful times. We need one another to work together. I still even talk to people who I used to work with that moved away.

Q: Why have you stayed with CareOne for so long?

ILYSE – I love working with people and the challenges of the nursing profession, as well as the learning and education involved.

MARCIA – I just love everybody! It’s just a love fest! When I have a few minutes, I’ll sit and have conversations with the residents. I treat them like they’re my parents or grandparents – with respect. When I get older, I might be in the same boat and will need people to take care of me. You have to give them respect and dignity.

BARBARA – I really like the work. It makes me feel really independent. It makes me feel good to take care of someone and help them feel better to go home. I know I’ll have to retire at some point but I’m going to miss it, too.

MARGERY – I enjoy working, especially with older people. I treat everyone in that building as if they’re my parents or grandparents (or my brother and sister). I give them whatever they want and never say no. The residents will even ask, “Is Margery here today?” It feels good to be needed and good to be appreciated. It keeps me going.

Q: What does your day-to-day job look like?

ILYSE – Right now, my title is unit manager, but it touches the entire building. I am responsible for the clinical conditions of all the patients, interacting with all the staff, and approaching everything as a team.

MARCIA – I am here from 6:00 a.m. to about 2:00 p.m. As soon as I punch in, I get started with the linens; separating linens, going upstairs to bring clothes down, folding up the linen carts, and I just keep going! I take a break at 9:00 a.m., have lunch at noon, and at 2:00 p.m., I clock out to go home.

BARBARA – When I start in the morning, I feed the patients, bathe them and make them comfortable. I get them ready for therapy or dialysis and ensure they are comfortable and happy as best as I can. For those who are terminal, we take care of them for as long as we can and be there for them.

MARGERY – I have a certain number of patients I take care of – sometimes 8, sometimes 10. I take care of them and get them whatever they need. When I put them to bed, I walk down the hall every five minutes to make sure no one gets out of bed and falls. I make sure no one falls on my watch!

Q: Is there a specific patient or relationship you’ve had that stuck with you and meant a lot to you that you can share?

BARBARA – Years ago, we had this patient, Agnes, who was such a nice lady. She didn’t like to go to bed early so we kept her in the day room with us and she would help us fold towels. She loved to dance so we would dance and exercise all together. We gave her what we could to make her feel at home. At one point, she was supposed to go but she didn’t want to go. I will always remember her.

ILYSE – There are many. Right now, we’ve been taking care of patients with a LVAD (Left Ventricular Assistive Device), which is a very specialized form of care for complex or end-stage cardiac patients. I have a long-term LVAD patient here and taking care of them has been very meaningful.

MARGERY – It’s hard to say specifically because I love to help them all. Some take my number when they leave to call me. Once, I had a patient who never wanted to get out of bed. I told him, “You need to get out of bed and let the blood flow through your body so you get well and go home!” He called me his sergeant. On the day he left, he told the front desk that he needed to say goodbye to his sergeant. I met his wife and she told me that every morning, he would sit up in bed and say, “I wonder when my sergeant will come in today” and thanked me for encouraging him to get up, get well and go home. I told him I would miss him.

MARCIA – That’s hard to say, I have had great relationships across the board with residents and colleagues!

Q: Are you proud of what you do?

ILYSE – Absolutely! I feel that it makes a big difference.

MARCIA – Yes, I am!

BARBARA – I am. I like that when I leave here each day, I feel that I did a good job. I’m not perfect, but I do my best. CareOne first sent me to get my CNA license, and when I passed the test and got my certificate, I was very, very happy.

MARGERY – Oh yes, I am proud of what I do! I love what I do, it’s mine. I enjoy every moment of it. Sometimes it’s hard, but I take a deep breath and do what I have to do to get it done. Always be kind and say, “Can I help you?”

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment from your time at CareOne?

ILYSE – I’m proud of how we came out the other side from the challenges of COVID. Having stuck with it during the worst of times, it is satisfying that things are finally getting better.

MARCIA – When they surprised me with “employee of the month” about 15-20 years ago. I wasn’t expecting that, and they surprised me in the dining room. When they called my name out, I started crying! They had a plaque for me. About 3-4 years ago, I got another recognition for being in service for so many years.

BARBARA – I’ve learnt so much about aging working at CareOne. It gave me strength when my parents passed away. I am more able to accept it and was very proud of myself for that. CareOne helped me grow and become an independent person by meeting different people of different cultures. Between patients and coworkers, there are many! Through my work, I was able to buy a house and I feel really good about myself. I love it here, I really do.

MARGERY – I bought my home from it! You see this job? Everything I own comes from it.

Thank you, Ilyse, Marcia, Barbara, and Margery, for your service and your commitment to our patients and residents. We appreciate all that you do!

The post CareOne’s Positive Work Environment Fuels Long Tenure appeared first on CareOne.

There’s one word that best describes CareOne’s approach to memory care: groundbreaking.

For more than 45 years, CareOne has developed a reputation for offering patient-centered care in gracious, professionally managed centers and communities. And now, the family-owned healthcare organization is quickly becoming known as a leader in memory care.

When it comes to caring for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, CareOne’s assisted living centers are ahead of the curve, providing hands-on training by seasoned dementia specialists to all employees; promoting a positive approach to care designed to enhance a resident’s quality of life; and engaging residents in activities that focus on what they can do, rather than what they can’t.

“We don’t see a resident’s disability as their identity,” says Joan DiPaola, a senior dementia specialist who leads CareOne’s memory care training program. “At CareOne, it is our job to ensure that patients who have dementia, at any stage, find beauty in every day.”

Top-Down Training

DiPaola works with a team of highly-seasoned dementia specialists (all with decades of experience) to provide regular training to all CareOne employees—from the assisted living caregivers to the hospitality staff—to ensure that all memory care residents receive consistent, patient-centered care.

One key piece of the training: “Employees are taught to look at each resident as a person, rather than a diagnosis,” DiPaola says. Families are a key part of the puzzle, helping by creating a “life story” book featuring their loved one, so that CareOne staffers can get to know each resident personally from the moment they enter their new home.

Additionally, a team of dementia specialists conduct monthly training sessions with residents’ families to offer education and support. “We partner with families in order to fulfill our commitment to give their loved ones living with dementia a meaningful, purposeful life,” says MaryBeth Rose, a Dementia Specialist at CareOne at Parsippany and CareOne at Livingston who served as a registered nurse in acute care hospitals for nearly 40 years before joining CareOne.

Positive Approach to Care

Much of CareOne’s training focuses on the “positive approach to care” philosophy, a series of techniques which focus on what people who have dementia can do, rather than what they can’t. The approach includes responding to a person’s change in cognition and abilities in a way that is not hurtful or offensive and recognizing that a person with dementia is doing the best they can.

CareOne strives to ensure each resident who has dementia spends time engaging in activities with peers who have similar cognitive skills, whether they’re living in a dedicated memory care unit of a CareOne assisted living community or in one of Care One’s all-memory care Harmony Village communities— which are organized in distinct “neighborhoods” for residents based on their varying stages of memory impairment.

“We find more success meeting people at the level they’re at, rather than over- or under-challenging them,” DiPaola says.“When some people think of dementia, they think of decline,” adds John Albanese, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CareOne. “Instead of focusing on loss, we concentrate on the positive. That’s what really sets us apart.”

The post The CareOne Difference: Compassionate, Cutting-Edge Memory Care appeared first on CareOne.

When the coronavirus struck the St. Joseph’s Senior Nursing Home, it spread like wildfire.

In six short days, one infection turned into 94 presumed positives at the New Jersey facility.

Then staff started falling ill, and soon there were just three nuns left to care for the victims — until Terri Rufo volunteered to help.

“We didn’t know what situation the residents were in, it seems like the natural thing to go and help if someone asked you to help,” said Rufo, 45, a registered nurse and nursing home administrator for the CareOne at Holmdel nursing home who was sent to St. Joe’s to help.

When the New Jersey Department of Health realized how dire the situation was at St. Joseph’s, they made a desperate call to CareOne, which runs 32 nursing homes in the state, and asked if they could send anyone to help.

It was a Sunday, Rufo’s day off, but she was only 30 minutes away so she agreed to go, not having any idea at all of what she was getting herself into.

That was back on March 22, during the coronavirus’ opening act in the tristate area, and Rufo had yet to care for any COVID-19 patients.

When she arrived at St. Joseph’s, she didn’t know who was positive and who wasn’t as her team grappled with the home’s paper records and lack of a digital system.

While she admits she was “initially” concerned, she knew “they needed help.”

“It just seemed like the right thing to do,” Rufo said.

Within three days, the state shut down the nursing home and distributed its residents to various CareOne facilities including Holmdel where Rufo has been working ever since to help acclimate them to the new home.

The job has been emotionally and physically draining as the elderly residents grapple with isolation-related depression, loneliness and the inevitable deaths the virus brings — at least five so far at Rufo’s facility.

But to her, they’re “family,” and she does everything she can to “love them” and “take care of them,” Rufo said.

“We have many people working in our facilities, house keepers, office managers, food service, the nurses and the aides, who have all committed to helping people to get better or sharing last moments with their family via Facetime or window visits or keeping in touch as much as we can,” Rufo said.

“It’s been a really difficult time for us as we fight off this disease, many of us… have not seen our children, I haven’t seen my kids in a month except for Facetime because we’ve just dedicated our time now to taking care of these residents.”

Rufo made the decision to have her kids stay with her ex-husband during the crisis once she realized she’d be exposed to the virus at work and broke down into tears as she described the tough choice.

Still, she knows she’s needed more than ever and the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter each day.

“We’ll all come out of this stronger,” she said.
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