What is the Service?

Geriatric Healthcare Consultants (G.H.C.) provides Therapeutic Recreation and Activity consultation service to Long Term Care facilities.  This consultation provides instruction and guidance in order to enhance quality of care, as well as resident quality of life through effective and guided Therapeutic Recreation or activity programming.  Further G.H.C. consultation provides instruction and guidance to facilitate program compliance with State and Federal regulations.  The outcome will be a dynamic resident centered recreation / activity program.

How is This Accomplished?

Consistent with “Best Practice” in psycho-social programming, G.H.C. Consultant focus on two primary areas – documentation and programming.

Documentation review and training ensures that all areas of documentation are streamlined and in compliance with all Federal and State requirements.  Consultants provide Assessment, Care Plan, Progress Note and M.D.S. review and training.  This ensures that staff not only possess adequate knowledge and skills in these areas of documentation, but also do so in as streamlined and time efficient a manner as possible.  Attendance records documentation processes are reviewed and streamlined if necessary.  Review and training also ensures staff possess necessary knowledge and skills to utilize the Quality Indicator Profile for both residents and program review, and that facility Q.A. procedures are incorporated into daily routines.

Program review and revision ensures that the scope of Recreation / Activity programs and services effectively meet the physical, cognitive, and psycho-social needs of the varying levels of resident functioning.  Specific program review examines the extent to which physical, cognitive and psycho-social programs are geared towards at least three levels of resident functioning:  independent, those residents who require some to moderate assistance, and dependent or low functioning residents.  In addition, programs are reviewed to ensure that the scope of programs and services facilitates opportunities for autonomy, control and the continuation of life-long roles and routines.  Finally, program review ensures that the scope of programs and services are appropriate for the current resident population, paying particular attention to ethnic and cultural diversity.

What Are the Benefits?

The Therapeutic Recreation Consultant will assess Recreation / Activity programs and services including:

Written policies and operating procedures within the Recreation / Activity department.

Resident assessment and the development of inter-disciplinary goals and approaches.

Resident records cod procedures, including:

Assessment

RAP’s

Inter-disciplinary care planning,

Quarterly / Annual / Change of status progress notes,

Discharge planning.

Streamlined attendance record documentation systems.

Q.A.  / Q.I. procedures.

Utilization of Quality Indicator profile and other C.M.S. data.

Program Planning process, procedures and outcomes as related to:

Programming which is targeted toward distinct levels of resident functioning.

Comprehensive programming for all residents. 

Skilled delivery of Sensory Stimulation, Validation and Reminiscent activities. 

Post Discharge Leisure Education

Creative special events and community activities.

Volunteer program (selection, utilization, training, supervision)

Department operations (staff, budget, time management, etc).

In-service Training.

 Who Are the Consultants?

Therapeutic Recreation professionals certified by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification provide consultation. Each consultant is degreed at the bachelor’s, masters or doctorate (Ph.D.) level, and has extensive experience with diverse populations including geriatrics, rehabilitation and/or psychiatry.  The Consultant are thoroughly familiar with both State and Federal regulations.