After a year-long training and accreditation process, Schowalter Villa of Bluestem Communities is now accredited by Comfort Matters®. Comfort Matters® is a philosophy, care practice and an evidence-based program that improves the quality of care and quality of life for persons with dementia. The practice was developed at Beatitudes Campus in Phoenix through more than a decade of research around person-directed health care practices and the latest science on supporting people who live with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
“It is vital that Schowalter Villa integrate best practices in caring for persons diagnosed with dementia,” said Treva Greaser, Executive Director of Schowalter Villa. “Being certified as a Comfort Matters® accredited provider demonstrates our commitment to embed care practices into our organization that provide the best quality of care and quality of life for persons with dementia.”
The accreditation process took 14 months and included an intense review of Schowalter Villa’s practices, pertinent medical records, verification of staff competencies and adoption of Comfort Matters® policies and procedures as it pertains to the care given to residents in North Meadows, the dementia care neighborhood.
After an initial five-day on-site educational program for all departments of Schowalter Villa’s team, Comfort Matters® educators and consultants met with the team for weekly coaching calls and quarterly onsite visits. The calls and visits provided guidance with care practices resulting in meeting benchmarks. Two of the benchmarks which have been met include a significant reduction in antipsychotic medication use, and reduction in evidence of discomfort in residents with dementia.
“A year and a half ago 20 percent of residents living with dementia at Schowalter Villa were using antipsychotic medication. After Comfort Matters® training and implementation, just 6 percent use antipsychotic medication,” said Greaser.
Schowalter Villa has met the milestones and now is part of an elite group of long-term care providers known for excellence in dementia care.
“Schowalter Villa is one of the most forward-thinking organizations serving people living with dementia,” says Tena Alonzo, director of Comfort Matters®. “As an accredited Comfort Matters® organization, they have demonstrated the highest standard in providing a holistic and person-centered approach to serving people with dementia diagnoses.”
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Front Row: Amber Schroeder, Darlene Taylor, Nathan Stewart, Marissa Galyon, Melissa Gonzalez
Back Row: Treva Greaser, Kent Roth, Marcella Zook, Jennifer Collins, Christi McClelland
