Juniper Village at Brookline of State College recently announced that it has achieved the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s “Excellence in Care” distinction, having met AFA’s rigorous national standards for dementia care settings.
These standards include safety and security features, staff training, activities, interpersonal communication, and meeting clients’ physiological, functional and social needs. Juniper Village at Brookline is the fifth Juniper community to receive the designation. At present, there are only 48 Excellence in Care facilities nationwide.
“Juniper Village at Brookline truly exemplifies the intent of our Excellence in Care program, to elevate the quality of care for people with dementia,” said Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “AFA is proud to recognize this organization for providing its clients with optimal care and nurturing their spirits.”
To earn the status of “Excellence in Care, Dementia Care Program of Distinction,” Juniper Village underwent a comprehensive on-site evaluation and consultation by an AFA Excellence specialist to ensure compliance with AFA’s national standards on care quality and ability to sustain performance. This status is considered the highest hallmark of recognition by AFA for long-term care communities offering services for the memory impaired. The review period covers the years going forward of 2015-2017.
Juniper Village at Brookline was acquired by Juniper Communities in July 2014. Upon the acquisition, Juniper’s signature programming was implemented, including its award-winning dementia care program known as Wellspring Memory Care, a comprehensive electronic health records system and an integrated connections and activities program referred to as Alive in All Seasons.
Currently being rolled out is the Music & Memory program, a phenomenal breakthrough in reaching those suffering from dementia through the use of music. Juniper is setting up personalized music playlists of residents’ favorites. This music taps deep memories and can enable residents to feel like themselves again and to converse, socialize and stay in the present. All are designed to foster the Juniper mission of nurturing the spirit of life in each individual served.
“The Excellence in Care Award is an honor and an affirmation of our staff’s dedication and person-centered programming,” said Liz Plozner-Chalfa, executive director of Juniper Village Wellspring Memory Care. “We are excited and proud of our affiliation with the American Foundation for Alzheimer’s.”
Currently, as many as 5.1 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and the incidence is projected to triple by mid-century.
