703-672-1116

meeting schedule

Check back for future meetings - see summaries of past meetings below:
Reston for a Lifetime Meeting Summary: 
Dec. 10, 2014 2PM @ HW RCC

Special thanks to Tammi Petrine of Reston Citizens Associationfor taking notes!!

The presenter and host for this meeting was Sharon Canner, a Reston volunteer. 

Attending were over 30 community members. The subject matters: Village to Village & information and Snow Removal

Village to Village

Sharon, a Reston resident, attended the recent Village to Village Gathering Conference in DC from Sept. 29 - Oct 1, courtesy of RA who paid her tuition.

* 120 villages are in this network in US, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.

* 280 members attended the conference, a record # including members of WAVE

* WAVE stands for Washington Area Village Exchange and includes 17 villages in the DC area; 10 more are in Fairfax Co.

* Included in the conference was an important "Intro to Capitol Hill" were village reps attempted to educate legislators re: the advantages of senior funding and the village concept.

1. Older Americans Act expired in 2011.

2. Aging in place reduces costs to families and taxpayers.

3. It also reduces Medicare costs.

4. Berkley research shows that after joining village support orgs, seniors feel 

Other points on V 2 V info:

* Fairfax County has initiated the 50+ plan with many features including Smart 911

* Smart 911 allows emergency personnel access to allergy, medical info so when on call, they know what they are encountering. (I do not understand how this is allowed with all the HIPA laws... Please check if I have this right.)

* "Connect" is a FFX Co. website being created by Volunteer Fairfax to serve as an info clearing house for seniors.

* Other web resources: VA Navigator and Senior Navigator 

Features of a Village:

* Vet repair firms

* Technical services

* Conduct daily contact calls

* Provide hotline

* Foster social connections

* Provide or arrange for transportation

* Most charge a membership fee

Example of a local village: Mt. Vernon at Home

* $700 individual/$950/couple annual fee

happier and healthier.

* Staffed by exec director and office assistant

* Light handyman tasks

* Referrals for other providers who are vetted

* Reliable transportation (vetted or provided)

Member discussion followed including:

* Other efforts to provide reference info to seniors by RCC, RA and other agencies of FFX Co. gov't.

* Karen, senior coordinator for RCC spoke on her efforts to provide Reston seniors with appropriate resources, classes and activities. 

1. GMU has been contacted numerous times with no response so far; thought 

2. Also mentioned efforts to engage HS and Girl/Boy Scouts with senior classes/

3. Classes for which RCC pays an instructor have a fee; those taught by 

Going forward in 2015: What do RFAL members envision as needed issues:

* Create neighbor to neighbor contact

* Establish info desk/hotline somewhere

* Develop consolidated website

How to accomplish some of these things and random info:

* Use cluster newsletters or email lists to inform seniors of resources/events

* Metro access: must be handicapped; $3/taxi ride

* Dial-a-Ride: seniors can purchase $30 taxi voucher for $10.

* Re: Mt Vernon @ Home program: it is currently housed in Alex. Sherwood Library on 2nd jeopardy. Pat Rohrer of FFX Co. senior services is aware and said officials are aware and working for a solution. Further disc. on problems with county trying to cut library services to bone. Martin of Cathy Hudgin's staff urged library supporter to come to Feb budget hearing at Frying Pan Park to lobby for our concerns.

Reston Plans for Snow Removal:

(Lead by RA communications and maintenance staff)

* Snow buddy program idea: Volunteers team up with seniors in advance to shovel when snow exceeds 2"; location of needed areas shoveled is established. 

Problem: how to make initial contact? Fabulous idea as pairings could continue after snow season.

* Previously at Southgate, shovels were provided free to youngsters who wished to make some $ shoveling. Unknown if program is on-going and how contact is made between shovelers and folks who need it.was that grad students could assist with some of ideas and programs for grad credit: win/win.activities. HS students teach tech courses like "How to program and use a cell phone"volunteers are free.

* VDOT has enormous job just plowing streets and has no way of shoveling VDOT sidewalks. Therefore lapses in shoveled network exist; Question is how to get continuous coverage from other sources.

* VDOT plows on streets sometime re-cover previously shoveled sidewalks which is super frustrating.

* RA's yellow plows have an amazing record of clearing RA's 55 miles of pathways, often in the dark of night. All schools are connected throughout Reston by pathways but parents are reluctant to have kids walk on off-the-beaten-pathway system. 

* RA's plows have 6' plow blades but public sidewalks are only 4' in width. RA also has no legal authority to clear VDOT property. They are applying for a waiver but still the 6'/4' plow width is a problem. 

* RA also hand shovels some areas but only in daylight and after snow stops falling.
 Picture
Notes from the Greenhouse Meeting March 12, 2014

Steve Gurney, RFAL monitor, introduced subject with comments re: Cameron Glen moving out of Reston to Sterling in immediate future and the resulting lack of a nursing home with skilled nursing care in Reston. Together with Bonnie Whyte, he arranged for The Green House ® Project (www.thegreenhouseproject.org) to make presentation to RFAL.

Attendance was unusually high; all seats taken and new ones added. 40+ folks including governmental and quasi-governmental reps.

Panel:

  • Rachel Scher McLean, marketing specialist of The Green House Project, headquartered in Arlington, VA, a 10 yr old model for long term care in a home setting vs. institutional / medical setting. Contact info:rmclean@capitalimpact.org.   Phone: 703.647.2345 (while on maternity leave, contact: Maura Porcellimporcelli@capitalimpact.org, 703.647.2311)
  • Melissa Fortner, VMRC (Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community) of Harrisonburg, VA.
  • Ted Gross, GEDCO (Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation) (Wikipedia: a Baltimore-based nonprofit social service provider and a developer of subsidized housing . The corporation primarily serves low-income seniors and previously homeless men and women through affordable housing and support programs.)a consortium of social work religious orgs. of N. Baltimore, MD
Rachel:

"What is a meaningful life?"   "What are needs for same in long-term care setting?"

  • Facility that respects individuality, meaningful interactions and is NOT institutional
  • Promotes being needed
  • Promotes dignity
  • Promotes meaningful existence in community by continuing to live a full life
  • Provides continuing cultural activities through which one can continue to learn and grow
  • Is affordable
The Green House model was created by a gerontologist from upstate New York, Dr. Bill Thomas, author of "What Are Old People For?" a little over 10 years ago. A radical transformation from traditional models, it was originally conceived for skilled nursing care but now also incorporates assisted living and "aging in place.". It is especially successful for people living with memory loss .

The Green House Project believes that "words matter." "Elderhood" is a new term for a final stage of life in the continuum: Infancy, Childhood, Teenage Years, Adulthood, Elderhood.

The Green House model Characteristics:

  1. Promotes meaningful life at all times; supports a life worth living.
  2. Places decisions with elder or as close as possible.
  3. Promotes 'deep knowing' & reciprocity between elders and caregivers.
  4. Establishes a 'real home'
Hi Tech/ Hi touch
  • Warm, smart and green
  • Access to natural growth
  • Similar to surrounding community
  • 10 - 12 private rooms with private attached bathrooms (usually each room has a shower)
  • Residential finishes
  • Intentional community (residents AND care givers) that becomes familial (to provide sense of community.)
Empowers staff

  • The elder is placed at heart of organizational chart
  • Clinical support team supports primary care giver(s) (AKA shahbaz; shahbazim = plural - a term that comes from a Persian legand of a royal falcon that protects, sustains and nurtures)
  • Care follows a coaching/partnering approach/relationship between elder / shahbaz.
The Green House model Differentiation: What we offer:

Brand

  • Reputation
  • Research
  • Consumer demand
Education and Training

  • Tools
  • Resources
Project Management & Consultation

  • Regulatory requirements
  • Architecture and Design
  • Leadership
Melissa Fortner, VMRC:

VMRC is first Green House project in Virginia and is just celebrating its 1st birthday; they opened 3 cottage complex in 2013. 30 patients were removed from 120 bed traditional nursing home nearby and resettled in cottages.

First Steps to founding a Green House project:

  • The Green House National Initiative offers workshops to help with organizational process.
  • Best practices were learned from 153 open Green House homes open in 25 states with many more in development
  • Radical shift of entire process of eldercare from medical model to social model.
Challenges:

  • Certificate of Need (VA state requirement meant to protect consumers from over-supply and subpar care) is needed ONLY for new beds. Green House professionals guide org. through process of satisfying this requirement.
  • Safety Code approval is also guided by GH staff.
  • Home vs. Institutional equipment is possible to maintain "home" atmosphere.
How to bring Green House Project to Reston?

  • PIP (Project Implementation Plan) is all outlined for community.
  • GH partners with local org and architects to advise with building process.
  • GH assists/advises with finance planning.
  • GH assists with staffing training/evaluation.
Tom Gross, GEDCO (developer of affordable housing; Holistic Consortium):

Stadium Place is a 30 acre site on plat of former Memorial Stadium in Baltimore which became available for development when Camden Yard was built. The site contains a YMCA as well as affordable senior housing as well as other market rate housing units.

  • GEDCO was given nursing home beds by Johns Hopkins who was closing down its Bayview facility.
  • Stadium Place GH model has 4 stacked residences on a small footprint vs. 4 separate but adjoining cottages.
  • At least 2 cottages are necessary for economy of scale for support staff expense.
  • Funding was difficult due to depressed Baltimore area; GEDCO got a pre-development grant.
  • One floor of 4 is a Medicare short-term rehab care facility which helps support other 3 long-term floors/houses.
  • Stadium Place has porches at either end of the building - east and west ends.
  • Building is fully integrated into the surrounding community which is built around an active rec facility on the actual former stadium playing field, now artificially turfed for year round activity.
  • Stadium Place GH opened in 2012 so is celebrating its 2nd year.
Challenges:

  • Start-up cash; partnered with Catholic Charities who supports low cost housing. In addition, state of MD stood behind GH project so they had help with elected officials, zoning, inspectors, etc.
  • Community does NOT know about this model, Education and Community Outreach is key.
  • Staffing: finding culinary staff was hard because young people don't know how to cook from scratch. Food cooking all day with aromas permeating home is important to ambiance of home setting. All elders gather for meals around a big table with their Shahbazim for a meaningful mealtime experience. .
Research Results:

  • GH is a 10 year old model.
  • Does it work? Surveys confirm that it works wonderfully!!!
  • Payer mix (private pay/medicare/Medicaid) ranges depending on organization, mission, location etc-Green House is reimbursable by all traditional payer sources.
  • Low staff/elder ratio.
  • Home layout
  • Small size
  • Advanced staff training
  • Real home feel; Safe and cozy.
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has done 4 studies on GH model.
  • Stress level for both staff and elder is much less at GH homes.
  • 4 X more meaningful time is spent with elders.
  • Consistent staffing was CRITICAL in catching small changes.
  • GH model provides for increased levels of care with no more cost.
  • 153 project exist in 35 states.
Discussion; Q & A:

  • April 4th = DC Green House presentation with 3 "TED" talks; beginning "swing" of 25 city tour by GH staff/founders.
  • GH model was originally conceived for skilled nursing but now has found success assisted living and other 'aging in place' elder clients-as long as their state enables the ALF to create a home for life (regardless of acuity level or ability to pay).
  • GH model is GREAT for memory loss affected elders; safe and predictable, family atmosphere with trained attentive staff for intensive care too onerous for family on 24/7/365 basis.
  • What is entry criteria for patients? Age? Is it a retirement community; depends on specific community market.
  • Pay for Staff? Traditionally GH has better pay and less staff turnover-each organization decides what works for them.
  • Staff: Shahbaz protects, sustains and nurtures elder. Versatile workers serve as managers of the home and partner with clinical support team to create a care team of excellence. Report to a guide/administrator and are empowered work in a self managed work team.
  • Majority of GH homes are self-contained but share admin fees; 4 to 6 homes in proximity on same grounds help defray overhead.  
  • Gardens and outdoor space are critical.
  • Fellowship Square officials were invited to attend but had conflicting meetings.
  • Martin Taylor of C. Hudgin's office attended: commented that INOVA has no plans to sell its TCN land for 2 years