Connect4Life Leads to Better Outcomes for Residents

Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets the Triple Aim from Cindy Longfellow

Data shows Connect4Life’s high-tech/high-touch integrated services lead to higher quality care and better outcomes for residents

Executive Summary: Integrated Care in Seniors Housing that Meets
the Triple Aim

By Anne Tumlinson, MMHS and Lynne Katzmann, PhD

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, more than 190 million Americans, or about 59 percent of the population, are affected by one or more chronic illnesses. Over the next 15 years (between 2016 and 2030,) 80 percent of the United States population will experience one or more chronic conditions, costing more than $42 trillion in medical care spending and losses in employment productivity.

To address these challenges and enhance the resident experience, Juniper Communities, a Bloomfield, NJ-based national owner-operator of seniors housing, developed the Connect4Life model, which provides on-site comprehensive therapy, primary care, pharmacy and lab services, integrated with other services using a “high-tech/high-touch” communications protocol that transfers information through an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and coordinates care through a human navigator.

Juniper Communities retained Anne Tumlinson Innovations (ATI) to compare Connect4Life outcomes and utilization data with data on the broader Medicare population from the 2012 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The findings suggest that the Connect4Life model contributes to lower hospital readmissions and the utilization of inpatient services among a high-need resident population. The results affirm the potential of integrating select clinical care and services in a seniors housing environment that provides supportive services to those who have chronic conditions, functional limitations, and complex social needs.

The results suggest an integrated program of services in seniors housing—like Juniper’s Connect4Life —can contribute to reducing the cost of care and services to Medicare beneficiaries residing in seniors housing. More importantly, the data points to the value of the Connect4Life model for managing population health because of its ability to efficiently target integrated care interventions in the high cost, high-need Medicare population.

Juniper Communities has been a thought leader in senior living care, developing nearly a dozen innovative service and delivery programs to enhance aging, lifestyle and resident health. Recognizing opportunities in to meet the triple aim of recent health policy changes in the United States – improved customer satisfaction, evidence-base quality and lower healthcare utilization, Juniper is pioneering Connect 4 Life – one of senior living’s first truly integrated care models of assisted living care and service.

Read more in the FREE White Paper!

March 2017 Events in Cape Coral, FL: Your Treasure is Within

Theatrical readings, colorful costumed dancers and spectacular vocal performances bring to a close our creative expression quarterly theme with a focus on performance and honoring our inner treasure – our self-worth. With so many demands on our time these days, it’s easy to always put others first and forget to care of ourselves. Also as we get older, retire from work and in some cases caretaking, we may forget our sense of value – our self-worth. A large part of nurturing the spirit of life is providing opportunities for purpose.

This month we will put an even greater focus on identifying our continued purpose and self-worth by performing purposeful activities, reminiscing and creating opportunities to treasure ourselves. Motivational speaker Anne Naylor offers these tips to help you treasure yourself: Treasure your thoughts with kindness – nurture your thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. Treasure your feelings and emotions – observe and use them as your guide. Treasure your body – treat it well with exercise, nourishment, rest, joy and laughter. Treasure your spirit – breathe, meditate and enjoy the goodness in your life. We hope you all enjoy the treasure of your wonderful self.

Please join us as we dramatically embrace performance throughout March with our weekly drama club, outings to live theatrical performances and our Oscar-themed party. Celebrate the Irish culture in grand style with our Saint Patrick’s Day event filled with food, fun and, of course, dancing! Honor yourself and recognize Your Treasure is Within this month at Juniper Village!

Our fabulous March 2017 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral include our:

§  Lake Kennedy Performer in recognition of this month’s theme “Performance”, we invite everyone to join us as the performers from the Lake Kennedy Entertainers Group grace us with their annual spectacular show, and light refreshments will be served on March 16^th from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by March 15^th to 239-542-3131.)

§  Genesis How to Perform Under Stress for an educational talk on how to prevent stress because in today’s world no matter how young or old, we all have stress and unfortunately this effects our daily performance, so we encourage everyone to come learn a trick or two in how to cope and manage as light refreshments will be served on March 30^th from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by March 29^th to 239-542-3121.)

We look forward to sharing our March 2017 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral with you as Your Treasure is Within.

February 2017 Events in Cape Coral, FL: Awaken Your Passion

This month, our focus on creative expression continues with a focus on art. Art, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is understandable that some have great artistic ability and others do not. But, at Juniper we know that everyone has a passion for creative expression, regardless of ability or age. Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” He is speaking about becoming inhibited as adults. With our various art programs we encourage uninhibited creativity as a form of therapy. Creating art affords the opportunity of self-exploration and self-expression leading to both physical and mental benefits. Creating art in any of its various forms, is also about sharing a bit of ourselves with each other. Art is one way to express ourselves, and the creations are honest and true representations of our experiences. In sharing our stories through art with others we invite communication and create lasting bonds.

Art typically encompasses painting, sculpting, and drawing. But, the act of creating art can be as simple as doodling. Art is simply the creation of something outside one’s self that often mirrors what is going on within their mind, soul, and body. We use creative arts as a way to nurture the spirit of life. Join us throughout February as we focus on great varieties of art such as photography, needlework, handicrafts, painting, sculpture and more. Please join us as we share a bit of ourselves with our weekly craft classes, experience art on an outing to an art museum, and embrace our celebratory spirit with Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parties. We look forward to helping you Awaken Your Passion this month!

Our fabulous February 2017 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral include our:

§  Turner Talents Awakens Our Passion as Turner Talents once more shares the “Art” of performance with us at Juniper Village, and we invite all friends, families and colleagues to enjoy this spectacular tropical island themed performance, then stay and meet our entertainers after the performance on February 10^th from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. (Reservations not required.)

§  A Walk Down Music & Memory Lane for our one-year anniversary as we share the tremendous impact our Music & Memory program has had on our community with amazing videos that will send chills down your spine and put tears of joy in your eyes as you see the effect music has on our special senior population on February 22^nd from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (RSVP by February 21^st 239-542-3121.)

We look forward to sharing our February 2017 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral with you as you Awaken Your Passion.

January 2017 Events in Cape Coral, FL: Welcome New Beginnings

Welcome to 2017! What a wonderful time for us to reflect on the past year and forge ahead with new beginnings. January is a time to begin again; a time when we make (and sometimes break) our New Year’s resolutions and focus on how we want to improve in the coming year.

January is also the month that Juniper Village begins our Winter Alive In All Seasons theme of Creative Expressions: “Explore Your Creativity” where in January we will focus on music! Do you know that research shows that music can help us physically by easing pain, helping us sleep better, eat less and enhance our blood vessel function? It is also suggested that music can help us mentally by reducing stress, relieving symptoms of depression, elevating mood, decreasing anxiety and improving cognitive performance. Because of this, Juniper Communities has adopted the Music & Memory program.

Through the use of MP3 players and headphones our teams download personalized music for each resident. These musical favorites tap deep memories and can bring participants back to life, enabling them to feel like themselves again, to converse, socialize and stay present. Learn more about our Music & Memory program by talking with our Connections Director and consider making a donation to this worthwhile program. We accept donations of new or used iPods, new over the ear headphones and iTunes gift cards.

Join us this month as we explore our creativity through music with outings to local musical performances, Elvis’ birthday celebrations and concerts by our Joyful Noise Choirs. We invite you to Welcome New Beginnings at Juniper Village and make a resolution to join us for activities and events throughout the year!

Our fabulous January 2017 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral include our:

§  The Magic of Stuart as our favorite magician is back by popular demand and will be delighting us with his comedic style of magic, and for those who have not yet experienced this special event, as we invite everyone to take a break from your day and enjoy an hour of fun on us, and light refreshments will be served January 13^th from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. (RSVP by January 12^th to 239-542-3121.)

§  8th Annual “All Shook Up” Happy Hour as we invite our friends and families to join us as we host our 8th annual fun-filled tribute to the ‘King of Rock n’ Roll’ with our newest entertainer, KJ Mike, who will be singing his renditions of our favorite Elvis hits, so come sing along to your favorite tune as we stroll down memory lane remembering the legend of Elvis on January 27^th from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm. (RSVP by January 26^th to 239-542-3121.)

We look forward to sharing our January 2017 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral with you as you Welcome New Beginnings.

The Holiday Spirit Is Alive At Juniper Village Of Cape Coral

Getting into the “Spirit of the Holiday Season” wasn’t difficult with the help of Cape Coral Elementary Choir. Our residents were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our performers. Lorena, a retired school teacher that taught at Cape Elementary, was thrilled to hear they were performing at Juniper Village. She was given a front row seat as the honorable guest. Perhaps the fact that Lorena is the amazing age of 107 ½ might have contributed to the special guest treatment as well. Everyone was hypnotized with the beautiful voices singing gracefully throughout the room. Proud parents stood in the background as they watched this outstanding performance. We were asked to join along in singing some of the holiday songs. So we did proudly, but, sounded a little less harmonious with our unrehearsed voices. As the program came to a close, we graciously thanked the Choir Director, Rob Koch, and all of the families for allowing our residents to be recipients of such an amazing afternoon. We look forward to many more visits in the future.

December 2016 Events in Cape Coral, FL: Celebrate Little Things

Juniper Village nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit. This month this custom is more evident than ever as we share our celebratory spirit - mind, body and soul. December is a month filled with holidays and celebrations, but at Juniper we like to kick it up a notch! All around the community all of your senses will be stimulated as you see traditional holiday décor, hear joyous laughter and singing, smell heavenly treats baking and taste them as well. We will celebrate all the joyous little things that make this time of year so special. Traditions both old and new will be honored. And through sharing our numerous cultures and traditions with each other we will learn more about each other, opening the door to deeper understanding.

This month take a moment to reflect on the little things that bring joy to your life. Reminisce about the traditions from your past and the new traditions you have started with your family. Celebrate the holiday season with us as we share a bit of ourselves with our annual cookie exchange and ethnic holiday celebrations. December is always an eventful month and we look forward to sharing it with you.

Our fabulous December 2016 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral include our:

§  Holiday Tribute with Turner Talent as families and friends join us for what has become a holiday tradition at Juniper Village, as the fabulous Turner Talent Dancers once again entertain us with their many Christmas themed tributes that will be sure to have us longing for Christmases past, so come early, stay late and be sure to meet the entertainers following the show on December 9^th from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. (RSVP by December 7^th to 239-542-3121.)

§  Annual Christmas in the Courtyard because it’s remembering the little things that count, and in keeping with Juniper tradition, there is no better way to reflect on the past year than with friends and colleagues such as you, so please join us for a networking event and an opportunity to wish our community Partners in Caring a Merry Christmas, and remember to bring your business cards on December 13^th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our December 2016 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral with you as you Celebrate Little Things.

November 2016 Events in Cape Coral, FL: Cherish the Journey

Each November we turn our attention to Family with our Alive In All Seasons Theme: Cherish the Journey. We have always enjoyed helping our residents chronical their individual life journeys through journaling. In addition to keeping track of the daily happenings in our lives, journaling has surprising health benefits as well. University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. He also believes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of stress on your health. Other research indicates that journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientific evidence also shows that writing your thoughts down can help clarify your thoughts and feelings, help you to know yourself better, reduce stress, and problem solve more effectively. An additional benefit of journaling is that you are leaving a legacy for future generations. Review your journal together! Reminiscing about the events in one’s life is a way to affirm who they are, what they’ve accomplished in life and relive happy times. So, pick up a pen and Cherish the Journey, the benefits are endless!

Join our journey through November as we honor and celebrate family and the journey of life with our autobiographical journaling. Help us support our greater community with our annual Food Drive and our on-site support groups. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Our fabulous November 2016 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral include our:

§  Food Drive as we will be collecting non-perishable food items the entire month of November in support of the Harry Chapin Food Bank; donations can be dropped off in our front lobby, so join us throughout the month.

§  Virtual Dementia Tour as friends, families and professionals are invited join us for an open house event to help build a greater understanding of dementia by experiencing for yourself the physical and mental challenges those with dementia face and use the experience to provide better person-centered care, as in keeping with this month’s theme of families and cherishing the journey, we feel this is an ideal time to learn more about the physical and emotional effects Alzheimer’s and dementia take on our loved ones; this is sure to be an educating event for all, so join us on November 15^th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. (RSVP by November 14^th to 239-542-3121.)

§  “Cherish the Journey” Dessert Bar as families and friends remember those cookies and candies that bring back cherished memories, such as Grandma’s chocolate chip cookies or Uncle Roy’s Buckeyes when you join as we reminisce and satisfy your sweet tooth at our delectable dessert bar on November 22^nd from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (RSVPs appreciated but not necessary.)

We look forward to sharing our November 2016 events in Cape Coral, FL at Juniper Village at Cape Coral with you as you Cherish the Journey.