September 21, 2018, Louisville, Ky – Regardless of physical ability or diagnosis, creativity and art empower Signature residents to create and to live with purpose. Whether it be painting, music, dancing, drama, or simple crafts, something beautiful happens when artistic creativity is encouraged, especially in long-term care. This is a story of a Signature HealthCARE of Hart County resident rediscovering joy by through art.

She rolled up to a table in the Quality of Life room and closed her eyes. “What colors do I see?” She said inquisitively. She then opened her eyes and began to paint different colors on a piece of canvas. “Hmmmm, what shall I make next?” She kept asking herself as she added more colors. “I know! I’ll make a shooting star!” She shouted excitedly, so loud that it startled us and the kids a bit. “Now! We all need to add something,” she said as she handed the camp director Christine and I some paintbrushes. We gladly complied and added our favorite colors into her artwork.

After her first piece of artwork was finished, she wanted to immediately create another, and said, “I’m going to do my absolute best this time!” She started the artwork off with what looked like a rainbow. What happened next had Signature HealthCARE of Hart County stakeholders in tears of joy and watching her create art in absolute silence.

She began to sing as she painted. “Somewhere over the rainbow, where it is so beautiful and bright. It’s so pretty up there, over that rainbow. We can all go there.”

Her lyrics may not have been the “correct” words to the famous song from the Wizard of Oz, but that didn’t matter. Her sweet voice warmed all of our hearts. One stakeholder began playing the song in the background as she continued singing and painting. “It doesn’t get much better than this,” she said as she finished her second work of art.

She can’t tell you what day it is, but her smile is absolutely contagious. She is joy to be around. She had participated in an art project recently with our resident artist, Andee, as a part of the “I Won’t Grow Up” project happening in 12 rural Signature HealthCARE nursing homes. She and other elders were asked to create an art piece of how flying made them feel. You could tell she truly enjoyed every second of it, and she wasn’t the only one who opened up and let their creativity shine through.

Before leaving the Quality of Life room, she said, “I am going to get up and walk off into the beautiful nature and think about these colors and come back and meditate on it and find out what I need to do with them. Do you want to come with me?”

Prestonsburg, Ky – September 20, 2018 – Riverview Health Care Center is celebrating a landmark step in the international culture change organization for health care, the Eden Alternative Registry, and it is the first in Kentucky to reach the third milestone. The achievement reflects the center’s commitment to the person-directed care philosophy and empowering both elders and stakeholders.

“With person-directed care and Eden principles, we’re turning health care upside down,” Missy Allen, Administrator at Riverview Health Care Center, said. “One of the biggest accomplishments is that 20 percent of our team are Certified Eden Associates. We live out what will empower and bring joy to our elders and their families.”

The milestone requires the health care center to achieve specific cultural changes. Hallways in the center are neighborhoods with unique names, Willow Creek for example. Mayors of each neighborhood are empowered to transform schedules from rigid, traditional health care concrete schedules to times that are what the elder desires.

“We believe there’s more life to live at a nursing home,” Angie McAllister, Signature’s Director of Cultural Transformation, said. “Living each day with purpose and joy is what we’re all about.”

Families of elders get involved in the Eden process, too. Families are involved in daily decision-making, the community’s daily rhythm, and celebrations. Earlier this year, Signature HealthCARE marked its 50th location named to the Eden Alternative Registry and won the international organization’s Eden Champion Award.

“This milestone is also about living out servant leadership. All leaders are, or in the process of, becoming certified nursing assistants,” Allen said.

The Eden Alternative Registry, an international non-profit, works to transform the well-being and daily life of elders who call nursing homes their home with the person-directed care philosophy. Communities on the Eden Alternative Registry experience less staff turnover, according to data from a survey of 2011-2016 members of the registry.

Louisville, Ky. – September 18, 2018 – As Hurricane Florence gained strength and threatened the Eastern coast, Signature HealthCARE teams and leaders sprang into action preparing to serve our patients throughout the storm. With the selfless and tireless work of many caregivers, our patients remained safe during the storm and have returned home again. The effort to serve our patients surpassed the hurricane’s strength.

“My team left their families to care for their patients during this storm,” Scott Nafzger, CEO at Signature HealthCARE of Norfolk, said. “I know they were exhausted and worried about their own loved ones, and yet they each persisted to serve with joy.”

Signature’s Spirituality pillar also mobilized during the storm and preparation. From bringing along a therapy dog to personally visiting with residents to touring Keeneland, a Bluegrass state staple, with Virginia residents, Signature Chaplains and Regional Spirituality Directors deployed alongside nursing and quality of life staff.

“Some volunteered for the night shift, some brought calm with them, and some did an exceptional job setting up the welcome,” David Baumgartner, Vice President of Spirituality, said. “The chaplain from Rockcastle drove to Lexington with a James 1:27 volunteer to jump in and to serve.”

Stakeholders at Signature HealthCARE of Tanbark in Lexington, Kentucky opened their arms to over 70 evacuated residents from Signature HealthCARE of Norfolk in Virginia. The local community also joined, and Friday night the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group visited with residents.

“It was a herculean effort from every single stakeholder, and we did it,” Nikki Schilling, CEO at Signature HealthCARE at Tanbark, said. “At times like this, caring for our residents is not just a job, it’s a calling to serve others.”

At Signature HealthCARE of Mallard Bay, the team selflessly took in dozens of residents from Signature HealthCARE of Norfolk. State Senator Addie Eckardt and the office of the Secretary of Maryland Department of Health assisted in ensuring Norfolk nursing assistants gained temporary licenses to work in Maryland.

Heather Elzey, Medical Records Director at Signature HealthCARE of Mallard Bay, went above and beyond expectations behind the scenes ensuring additional supplies were on hand.

“Heather and our entire team are heroes for serving without question during Florence,” Phyllis Coleman, CEO at Siganture HealthCARE at Mallard Bay, said. “The team didn’t hesitate for one second to jump into action.”

The commitment of many stakeholders surpassed expectations. The Mallard Bay team moved 200 sheets of hefty plywood to covered storage, a difficult feat as each sheet had to be moved individually.

Louisville, Ky. – September 17, 2018 – Signature HealthCARE’s legislative arm is connecting with local, state and federal elected officials advocating on issues most affecting our seniors. Of Signature’s 17,000 stakeholders, many choose to support the company’s lobbying arm, Protect Seniors Now.

By supporting and holding dialogue with elected officials, Protect Seniors Now strives to elevate the voices of nursing home residents on issues most affecting them. With over 10 million Americans in need of long-term care and assistance with daily activities, the industry accounts for over 13 million jobs nationwide.

“Our residents were once the voice, parent, or caregiver for others, and now it’s our turn to serve them,” Kathy Gallin, Signature HealthCARE’s Director of Legislative Affairs, said. “It’s important that our state and federal lawmakers know the personal stories of the people who depend on our care.”

Because of Signature HealthCARE’s advocacy, state legislatures in both Georgia and Florida have passed increases in the personal needs allowance. Earlier this year, Signature HealthCARE of Tower Road presented state Senator Michael “Doc” Rhett with a plaque of appreciation celebrating the state’s approval increasing the monthly personal needs allowance for Georgia nursing home residents.

Louisville, Ky. – September 12, 2018 –Patients and elders from across Signature HealthCARE’s footprint will participate in Senior Olympics events this month and defy traditional ideas of aging. From a cornhole tournament to a free-throw challenge and halftime challenge, Senior Olympics proves to both patients, volunteers and stakeholders that no matter your age, fun and new memories can happen.

“Some of our elders feel like a kid again at Senior Olympics,” Angie McAllister, Signature’s Director of Cultural Transformation, said. “Life doesn’t stop when you come to a nursing home. We’re all about celebrating what they can do, rather than what they can’t do.”

Instead of looking back at their life, patients and elders at Senior Olympics look to their friendly competition and say, “I’ll get you next year.” The annual competition pushes aside the aging clichés of nostalgia and frailty for fierce competition, perseverance and teamwork.

“It’s important for our patients and elders to continue to have fun and to live an active life, not only because not only does it create a fun life and improve their quality of life, but it also helps with their overall health,” McAllister, said.

In Signature’s Hometown Appalachia region, the event centered around destinations where elders have traveled on vacation and more destinations where they dream of traveling. Spring City Care and Rehabilitation Center took home first place prize within Hometown Appalachia, and Signature HealthCARE of North Hardin took home first place in the Urban North region.

Senior Olympics is one of several one-of-a-kind Quality of Life initiatives at Signature HealthCARE including taking long-term care patients on vacation, infusing art into healthcare and recognizing elders’ accomplishments in the Hall of Fame.

To follow live Senior Olympics updates from the event at Signature’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, follow Signature HealthCARE on Facebook.

Louisville, Ky. – September 10, 2018 – Signature HealthCARE’s Assisted Living division, Signature Lifestyles, is marking National Assisted Living Week by honoring the residents they serve. The week’s theme of “Capture the Moment,” as set by the National Center for Assisted Living, strives to inspire residents and others to seize the day.

“There’s more life to live at an assisted living community. The things that we all enjoy from growing to learning to fulfilling a dream continue blooming at each stage of life, and we want to help make these possibilities realities for our residents,” Peggy King, Signature’s Vice President of Branding & Communications, said.

Signature Lifestyles empowers residents through person-centered care and a commitment to customer service principles distinguishing them from the over 30,000 assisted living communities across the nation. Signature Lifestyles currently operates two locations in Jefferson City and Rogersville, Tennessee.

Living with Purpose in Long-Term Care

Louisville, Ky. – August 15, 2018 – Signature HealthCARE of Trimble County in Kentucky recently celebrated a new achievement in the community’s culture change journey: the second milestone in the Eden Alternative. With the addition of Signature HealthCARE of Trimble County, 18 Signature locations have marked their second Eden Alternative milestone, an impressive feat in the industry.

“We are people deeply committed to caring for others, and our commitment to the Eden principles reflects that,” Chris Cox, Signature HealthCARE’s Chief Operating Officer, said.

The Eden Alternative Registry, a national list of nursing homes and rehabilitation centers take a different approach to healthcare by embracing person-centered care at each level from staff development to clinical care procedures. The person-directed care philosophy says that each individual’s desires and needs are considered in daily health care decisions.

“The second Eden Milestone is not only to embrace culture change and person-centered care, but to live it and exude it,” Angie McAllister, Director of Cultural Transformation at Signature HealthCARE said. Earlier this year, Signature HealthCARE marked its 50^th location named to the Eden Alternative Registry and won the international organization’s Eden Champion Award.

The Eden Alternative Registry, an international non-profit, works to transform the well-being and daily life of elders who call nursing homes their home. Communities on the Eden Alternative Registry experience less staff turnover, according to data from a survey of 2011-2016 members of the registry.

Congratulations to these Signature HealthCARE locations on achieving the second Eden Alternative Milestone in their culture change journey:

Mountain City Care & Rehabilitation Center

Pickett Care and Rehabilitation Center

Westmoreland Care and Rehabilitation Center

Liberty Care and Rehabilitation Center

Washington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Signature HealthCARE at The Courtyard

Riverview Health Care Center

Chautauqua Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Prestonsburg Health Care Center

Signature HealthCARE of North Florida

Signature HealthCARE of Erin

Clinton County Care and Rehabilitation

Signature Healthcare of Putnam County

Spring City Care & Rehabilitation Center

Harriman Care and Rehabilitation

Morgantown Care and Rehabilitation Center

Signature HealthCARE of Trimble County​

Signature Continues innovating in Long-Term Care

Louisville, Ky. – August 24, 2018 – A new model at Signature HealthCARE is innovating how team members collaborate in care coordination. The Care Hub, a product of SHC Medical Partners an affiliate of Signature HealthCARE, unites the care team in the common goal of patient-centered care.

“We are in the midst of a technology explosion—from smart phones to wearable gadgets to remote interventions– we are surrounded by new ideas. Technology is even more powerful when people come together under a common purpose,” Dr. Arif Nazir, Signature HealthCARE’s Chief Medical Officer said. “Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team adding their expertise together to best serve our patients.”

With technology, the Care Hub model enhances collaboration and communication across traditional physical and time boundaries. “Healthcare can be complex, so we need a team of support to come up with interdisciplinary answers,” Dr. Nazir said.

Through the Care Hub model, clinical resources, professional education and processes delivering person-centered care are enhanced with collaboration. The new way of thinking and of doing allows for the entire continuum of care to be patient-centered.

National Eden Alternative Registry Adds Signature HealthCARE of Roanoke Rapids

Roanoke Rapids, NC. – August 20, 2018 – Signature HealthCARE of Roanoke Rapids achieved a milestone this month in the healthcare industry. The rehabilitation and skilled-nursing facility located at was recently named to the prestigious, national Eden Alternative Registry.

The journey to this milestone meant wholly embracing a new philosophy. “I have seen a transformation throughout our home. From our nurses to CNAs to our residents, I see the values of an elder-centered community lived out every day. I am tremendously proud to have been a part of our journey here towards culture change and elder-centered care,” Kim Stallings, CEO at Signature HealthCARE of Roanoke Rapids, said.

The Eden Alternative Registry, a national list of nursing homes and rehabilitation centers take a different approach to healthcare by embracing person-centered care at each level from staff development to clinical care procedures. The person-directed care philosophy says that each individual’s desires and needs are considered in daily health care decisions.

“We strive every day to create an atmosphere of family. The Eden approach means a new mindset for everyone,” Angie McAllister, Director of Cultural Transformation at Signature HealthCARE said. Signature HealthCARE marked its 50^th location named to the Eden Alternative Registry in January.

The Eden Alternative Registry, an international non-profit, works to transform the well-being and daily life of elders who call nursing homes their home. Communities on the Eden Alternative Registry experience less staff turnover, according to data from a survey of 2011-2016 members of the registry.

Working with Purpose in Long-Term Care

Louisville, Ky. – August 16, 2018 – Signature HealthCARE is infusing innovation into restorative nursing, a traditionally concrete program in the skilled-nursing industry. By flipping the perspective and increasing collaboration and teamwork between departments, restorative nursing at Signature is improving care quality and setting a new precedent in the industry.

“Reimagining how restorative nursing works means taking resident-centered care and doubling down on our promises,” Mark Wortley, Signature Rehab CEO, said. “We’re aiming to set a model and to affect what the norm for restorative nursing is in the industry.”

Through the lens of Signature’s innovation pillar, both therapists and nurses began talking about restorative nursing. As one team with one goal of offering quality health care, Signature’s restorative nursing programs are brimming with collaboration.

“We are inspired to create and to innovate new systems, ideas and ways of thinking that benefit our bottom line: our patients,” Wortley said. Restorative nursing is a vital piece in the continuum of care driving patient successes.