2007 Annual Report to the Community

54028_REPORT 1/16/08 6:11 AM Page 1 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 2007 “There is onlyone success—to be able to spend your life in your own way.” —Christopher Morley, American Author 54028_REPORT 1/16/08 6:11 AM Page 2 Mission Statement: To be the premier provider of care and services for seniors in the St. Louis region, while maintaining financial strength and providing fulfilling career opportunities. REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 2007 Contents Letter from the President 3 Raising the Bar 4 Home and Community- Based Services 6 Independent Living 10 Skilled Nursing 14 Community Citizenship and Services 16 Bethesda Employees 18 Bethesda Foundation 19 Our Donors 21 Bethesda Health Group is a not-for-profit, St. Louis- based senior care organization that provides financial Financial Report 32 assistance to those residents whose daily living Management Team and expenses exceed their resources. Board of Directors 34 Cover photo: Jean Cobain, Bethesda Dilworth resident. 2 54028_REPORT 1/16/08 6:11 AM Page 3 For example, we joined with We now offer post-hospitalization St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors to Rehabilitation Care (also known as form what will be one of the region’s Transitional Care, which is usually largest home health agencies. Soon, covered by Medicare A) at each of our we will be helping hundreds of four skilled nursing communities and individuals each week through are actively pursuing options that will our collaborative efforts. allow us to care for even more seniors Letter from Our expertise in caring for who are still healing after treatment. individuals at the end of life has In total, 2007 was an exceptional the President evolved into a community-based year for our residents, our employees Hospice service that now brings our and our organization. In this report, “How may we help you?” experienced team into private homes you will note the many accomplish- This simple question reflects as well as skilled nursing communities ments recognized in the past several the Bethesda Health Group of throughout the St. Louis region. We months. I personally am most today. We are an organization with have invested in new offices and are grateful for the continued loyalty an intense focus on the needs of expanding our team of Hospice care- and innovation shown by our 1,200 St. Louis seniors and an equally givers to meet the growing demand employees who engage every day in strong commitment to offering for this highly valued senior service. improving the lives of St. Louis services that improve the quality Rehabilitation services play a area seniors. of life, wherever and however crucial role in maintaining quality of they are needed. life for seniors. After a fall, a broken In good health, As a nonprofit organization, we hip or other major medical challenge, have the distinct advantage to offer patients need the dedicated attention services that are right for seniors. of a rehabilitation specialist to resume In 2007, that mission is reflected in their independence. Bethesda has our reinforced strategic direction to redoubled its commitment to this John W. Rowe offer individual-focused care for specialty area by exploring the most President and Chief Executive Officer our residents while extending our effective approaches for necessary expertise into the community. in- and out-patient rehabilitation. 3 54028_REPORT 1/16/08 6:11 AM Page 4 Kelli Harris, CNA Mentor, and Gillia (Doris) Hunt set up a puzzle in the newly renovated quiet room at Bethesda Meadow. in the care and quality of life for those we serve. Data-Driven The systematic collection and analysis of key performance data rests at the heart of Quality First. Accordingly, in 2007, Bethesda Raising the Bar employed My InnerView, one of the nation’s leading providers of quality- Bethesda Health Group’s level of the organization, reporting management surveys for long-term priorities are clear—we place the care directly to the president. In addition, care facilities. While Bethesda has of St. Louis seniors ahead of profits. to ensure adherence to evolving used internal surveys to gauge While our person-centered focus is Medicare and Medicaid regulations, performance and quality standards straightforward, the process to ensure Bethesda’s compliance team guides for a number of years, this was the continuous quality improvement each residence in the never-ending first time Bethesda used an external requires a persistent, multifaceted quest to enhance efficiency and organization to solicit greater feed- effort. quality standards. back and comparison measures with For the St. Louis seniors For external oversight, senior care organizations across the entrusted to our care, Bethesda works Bethesda follows the principles of country. tirelessly to emphasize quality in all the American The results were positive. we do, focusing on improvements Association of Specifically, the survey respondents, both large and small. Homes and including employees, residents and Services for the their families, noted the staff ’s care Regulatory Excellence Aging’s Quality and concern as Bethesda’s hallmark. To meet and exceed regulatory First initiative. In signing its requirements, Bethesda employs a covenant, Bethesda adheres to the Seal of Approval professional compliance staff led by Quality First plan for achieving excel- Bethesda’s efforts are not a full-time compliance officer who lence in aging services and its public only recognized by our employees, serves at the highest executive promise to make meaningful advances residents and their families but also 4 54028_REPORT 1/16/08 6:11 AM Page 5 Bethesda Barclay House residents Elsbeth Crawford and Jean Goebel share a toast at the Pasta Night dinner. tion, known as the Gold Seal of Approval, represents one of the highest honors Did You Know? awarded in our industry. In 2007, Bethesda Health Group It certifies that our skilled nursing commissioned a study by Kuhlmann communities Design Group to evaluate Bethesda’s provide our emergency power needs. Bethesda’s residents with superior skilled Board of Directors then adopted a nursing care $1.5-million plan to upgrade and meet the dedicated Bethesda’s residences to sustain performance criteria in Linda Degenhardt, Bethesda Southgate areas including resident power in outages. Updates will Activities Assistant Supervisor, leads a rights, resident treatment, resident include the upgrade and/or installa- safety and infection control. To “Salsa Moves” exercise class with (l-r) tion of emergency generators to Roger Musgrove, Genevieve Hill, and earn and maintain its accreditation, Charles Schulze. Bethesda’s skilled nursing communi- maintain comfortable common areas ties must undergo an on-site survey and support food service capabilities by organizations such as the Better by the Joint Commission team at and an increase in the residences’ Business Bureau, which counts least every three years. Bethesda as one of a select few While we at Bethesda are proud battery-operated emergency lighting senior care providers in the nation of our efforts and accomplishments, to supply extended capabilities. that meet its Wise Giving we will never rest on our laurels. Our Alliance standards. commitment to the residents and our Possibly the most significant calling to be the premier provider of validation of Bethesda Health care and services for aging adults Group’s excellence in senior care has prompt us to continue raising the come from the Joint Commission. bar of excellence in senior care. The Commission’s national accredita- 5 54028_REPORT 1/16/08 6:11 AM Page 6 Heather Hawkins, LPTA, Program Director of The Charless Home therapy department, shows resident Stella Seeger a range of motion exercise during the recent open house. The addition of Home Health brings the total number of Bethesda’s Home and Community-Based Services to five. We are proud to set the standard for choice and quality when it comes to all aspects of senior life, and look forward to the opportu- nity to increase the comfort and care Home and Community-Based Services of our residents in the coming year. Now more than ever, seniors have Acting as a resource to both a choice in how and where they live. residents who have progressed Aging-in-place is a concept borne of through Transitional Care and the desire to remain independent and seniors living at home, St. Andrews & live wherever one chooses. This mon- Bethesda Home Health will offer a umental trend has spurred Bethesda full range of services, including skilled Health Group on the path of innova- nursing, physical therapy, occupational tion and customer service—to deliver therapy, home health aid and nutri- needed care and services wherever a tional support. senior chooses to call home. This program, officially beginning in early 2008, is indicative Home Health of Bethesda’s commitment to offering In 2007, Bethesda announced a full range of care. Best of all, many a significant partnership with services are covered under Medicare, St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors, and the collaboration with which will add another dimension St. Andrew’s will allow patients Kathy Stewart, Bethesda Dilworth Volunteer to the continuum of care Bethesda to maximize their benefits while Coordinator, shares a laugh with resident offers. Certified Home Health Care enjoying the highest quality home and former volunteer Elsie Berberich. services will now be available to all health care. in the community. 6 54028_REPORT 1/16/08 6:11 AM Page 7 Transitional Care Falls, accidents and major illnesses become more common as people age—also common is the desire to get well and return home, especially for seniors challenged by recovery after a hospitalization. Transitional Care is a crucial step in ensuring a safe and healthy return home. Rest and rehabilitation are essential steps in the process and are made possible through Bethesda’s Transitional Care service, now available at each skilled nursing community.

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