Services
Serving Family & Home
Aging in Place
Our residents live comfortably, knowing they will likely never have to face the physical and emotional trauma of moving as their condition changes. Even the best-intentioned move can create trauma and undue stress for people with Alzheimer's. Staying in one place avoids such stress and strengthens relationships with caregivers. Aging in place eliminates the need to adapt when the capability to do so has diminished.
Dementia Specific Training
Harbor House caregivers receive training that addresses the needs of residents
with memory loss. We know how to handle challenging behaviors such as wandering
and combativeness - typical symptoms of Alzheimer's. Caregivers understand
reasons for these behaviors and treat residents with respect and dignity.
Small Resident Groups
Residents live in groups of 8-12 people and maintain a daily routine. Experience indicates that our size is just right. Larger living groups contribute to confusion and anxiety while smaller ones can lead to isolation, withdrawal and depression.
Communication
People with Alzheimer's experience changes in the way they express themselves and understand others. Our caregivers are educated in communication methods - verbal and nonverbal - and take the time to understand and to be understood.
Family Gatherings
We organize several festive family events throughout the year at Harbor House. This helps build fun for families and a sharing network among all families. Harbor House also hosts support groups to help families deal with challenges they face.
Safety
Security systems protect our residents at all times. Doors are alarmed but not locked. Each Harbor House is equipped with fire alarms and sprinkler systems. Our restraint-free philosophy helps provide the least restrictive living situation for residents while addressing their special needs. Unexpected emergencies do happen, and we are ready for them.
Therapeutic by Design
Harbor House seems like an elegant family home. Yet it has been modified to meet special needs. The living room invites natural light and has a cozy fireplace. A circular corridor enables wandering and contained outdoor areas are accessible. Residents are encouraged to furnish private bedrooms with their own furniture which promotes feelings of familiarity and security.
Serving Body & Mind
Activities and Programs
We are proud to offer 7-9 daily activities. Some may be in a group setting and other events are tailored to a resident's interests or hobbies. We use a lot of one-on-one attention. Our activities are failure free and geared to the frail elderly and those with memory loss. This special structure helps us deal with challenging behaviors, confusion and anxiety and reduces the need for chemical or physical restraints.
Diabetes Management
Living well with diabetes requires knowledge and motivation to effectively manage the disease. This is where it gets tricky for older adults, and particularly for those in assisted living or memory care homes, to manage their Type 2, elderly-onset diabetes.
With this as background, our nursing team has developed a comprehensive diabetes care program. Our diabetes program includes:
- Exercise 5-7 times per week.
- Dietary guidelines that include a decrease in fats and an increase in fruits, vegetables and fiber.
- Regular lab work and monitoring.
- Eye and foot care.
In establishing the program, we created a file for each resident who has diabetes, containing lab test results, appointment reminders and various updates for the resident's personal physician. Our program is in support of the resident's physician and we work closely with them in effective collaboration and management of diabetes.
Life Enrichment an Everyday Reality
Our resident-centered care programs create satisfying days and meaningful lives
for every resident. At Harbor House, we learn about your loved one's accomplishments,
occupations and hobbies. If Mom loved cooking, we'll remember that and make sure
she's involved in helping in the kitchen. If Dad loved tinkering with old cars, we
will talk about vehicles as a group, reminiscing about favorite cars of our past
or invite a speaker about collectible vehicles.
LifeStory books are an important part of our life enrichment program. These books contain 25-30 photos and mementos covering important events in his/her life. Each day we take time to enjoy our LifeStory books. One day we may talk about weddings, another time birthday parties and yet on another day the topic could be favorite holidays. Residents benefit from rekindling their own memories through their own photos, and by hearing from other people about their experiences. This program has been studied and proven to reduce anxiety and related behaviors. The LifeStory books are also great ways for families to reminisce during visits.
Nursing and Medical Care
Nurses oversee the clinical aspects of our residents' care. These professionals work in concert with the resident's personal physician to ensure the best care plan possible. We are familiar in helping residents with multiple diagnoses such as those with a cardiovascular condition, the need for supplemental nutrition or dialysis, support from BiPAP or CPAP machines or the need for colostomies or catheters.
We also work with home health agencies and other resources such as physical and occupational therapists, hospice, and health shops for durable medical equipment.
Nutrition
Fine dining is enjoyed daily at Harbor House. We monitor the nutritional intake of residents and take pride in catering to their preferences. Experienced dietitians create our menus and meals are prepared fresh every day.
Creative nutrition is also part of the meal plan, and this affects everything from how food is prepared and offered, to what caregivers and residents are wearing. For example, if the resident requires protection for her clothing, we help them into a large barbeque-type apron instead of a small, childlike bib. Our caregivers will often wear such an apron to further rapport. We also create finger foods for residents who have difficulty managing fork and spoon. For instance, if someone enjoys mashed potatoes, we may put it in a sandwich and it becomes finger food. Such finger foods hold great value for residents because they can eat on their own, thus retaining their dignity and independence.
Out and About
Harbor residents and team members enjoy getting out in the community. Regular
trips to favorite spots in town - restaurants, parks, social centers, museums,
perhaps a local orchard - help our residents remain a part of the community and
doing the things they enjoy.
Safe Harbor Memory Care
For residents facing the challenges of memory loss, the Safe Harbor Memory Care Program gives them a less frustrating, more enjoyable world. Our caregivers receive special training through the Alzheimer's Association. Then, we train them the Harbor way in using gentle redirection, coaching, cueing and task breakdown. This special approach helps residents through days of love and positive reinforcement.
Spiritual Support
It is not unusual for older adults in assisted living to question the purpose, direction and future of their lives. Spiritual support helps residents renew their hope and dignity. In fact, good spiritual care increases a resident's sense of self worth and makes it easier for them to adapt to their home.
We begin the process of supporting the mind, body and spirit right away through a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of a resident's life. Such an assessment provides clues to lives of meaning and accomplishment: where they went to school, who they married, children and grandchildren, and where they worked.
At Harbor House, spiritual support comes in many forms. If it is religious-based, support can take the place of non-denominational or denominational services. However, spiritual support can also be non-religious such as the reading of poetry that inspires and lifts the spirit.
Staff Ratios that Matter
Personal care is the standard upon which our programs of care have been built. Harbor House residents receive lots of individual attention and our team members keep the family updated about their loved one. Our staff-to-resident ratio becomes even higher when you add in our house director, nurses, support team and volunteers. An average nursing home care ratio is often 14 to 1. On average, we staff one caregiver for every 4-5 residents.