Cypress Cove Home Health Program having a successful year
The Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) at Cypress Cove next to HealthPark has reported a highly successful private in-house Home Health Agency program.
Cypress Cove’s CCRC is the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida.
Prompted by a national trend where more and more retirees are living “in place” longer, the resident demand for Cypress Cove’s program has quickly grown. Six months ago, requests for program participation by Cypress Cove’s independent living residents was half of what it is now. Today, an average of 50 residents monthly utilizes care and/or services from this in-house program.
“I am very proud of our effort,” said Director of Health Services David Gray. “Our goal is to keep our residents as safe and comfortable as possible. Quite honestly, the program responds to those residents who love to live in their home and don’t want to leave.”
Its support ensures that residents can maintain their quality of life at home. The program is a very sound stop-gap for those seeking assistance in everyday tasks from basic health support to shopping.
Cypress Cove’s Home Health Agency holds CHAP accreditation (Community Health Accreditation Program), an accreditation that according to Gray, is essential and defines the level competence and expertise provided through the in-house agency.
Staffing for the program is supported through two certified groups of caregivers: Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs). CNA staff support is drawn from Cypress Cove’s assisted living (The Inn) and skilled nursing (The Lodge) neighborhoods. Those individuals who otherwise would have limited work hours (at either The Inn or The Lodge) are offered additional hours of work by Home Health.
“It’s a win-win for both employees and the Home Health Agency,” said Health Services Associate Joe Yoon. “We get qualified workers who are familiar with Cypress Cove and these CHHAs and CNAs get work hours added to their otherwise part-time schedule.”
All staff (currently 20 certified full and part-time aides) are highly qualified, said Jackson. Cypress Cove’s CHAP accreditation requires CHHAs to complete 75 hours of practical training (35 hours more than State of Florida requirements) and then maintain their qualifications with a minimum of one hour of classroom training each month.
CNAs are not required to complete 75 hours of training as long as they pass a state-issued competency test by a specific standard. These requirements, said Yoon, ensure that residents of Cypress Cove are supported by highly trained personnel.
The process for independent-living residents to utilize the program is very simple, requiring only a call to the agency office. A meeting is held in the home of the resident where a full assessment is conducted — including a home safety check. The assessment, said Jackson, includes a review of housekeeping practices, shopping, doctor appointments, medicines taken, nutritional food intake, and more.
“When completed, this full assessment will help determine the needs and assistance that must be provided,” said Jackson. “Support could be as simple as providing periodic housekeeping or as complex as supporting the resident through numerous tasks.”
For Cypress Cove residents, the Home Health Agency program answers growing concerns for those residents seeking to maintain their quality of life at home. And as a community of nearly 550 residents, the program adds another quality option available through the Cypress Cove continuum of care.