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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates Aurora on France 5-Stars

1/30/2021

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released this week, updated Five-Star quality ratings for care centers. Aurora on France has been rated 5-stars on CMS’s Care Compare – a nursing home five-star quality rating system. Care Compare is a public reporting site – the primary goal of which is to provide residents and their families with an easy way to understand assessment on nursing home quality, making meaningful distinctions between high and low performing nursing homes.

The Overall rating is based on a nursing homes performance on 3 sources – health inspections, staffing, and the quality of resident care measures.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certain survey activity was suspended in March 2020. While CMS continued to publicly post survey findings during this time, they weren’t used to recalculate the nursing home inspection ratings. However, CMS updated the nursing home inspection ratings on January 27, 2021.

Medicare.gov explains, “Star ratings can give you important information and help you compare nursing homes, but aren't a substitute for visiting the nursing home.”

If you need award-winning short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay, or are looking for long term nursing care, Aurora on France invites you to visit our 5-star community to see for yourself! Click here to learn more about our Transitional Care, contact us or call 952-848-8888 to set up a tour.

Use your visit, the star rating, and a few other Medicare.gov resources to help you make your decision.
Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home
Nursing Home Checklist

U.S. News & World Report Names Aurora on France Senior Living and Care a 2020-21 Best Nursing Home

1/28/2021

Aurora on France Senior Living and Care is among the 21% of U.S. skilled nursing facilities that have been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.

The community earned Best Nursing Homes status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for Short-Term Rehabilitation. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those homes that satisfy U.S. News’s assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures.

“This past year has been a challenging one for all, but especially for those caring for older adults,” said Garrett Bothun, Aurora on France’s Campus Administrator. “For our Transitional Care Unit to be named one of the best by U.S. News & World Report during this time just reiterates that our hard work is paying off and we’re making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.”

Now in its 11th year, the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes ratings and profiles offer comprehensive information about care, safety, health inspections, staffing and more for nearly all of the nation’s 15,000-plus nursing homes. The Best Nursing Homes ratings reflect U.S. News’ exclusive analysis of publicly available data using a methodology defined by U.S. News that evaluates factors that it has determined most greatly impact patient and resident care, safety, and outcomes. This year, to accompany the new ratings, nursing home profile pages were updated to include a patient safety summary that reflects COVID-19 data alongside other measurements of safety and related advice on choosing a home or facility amidst the pandemic.

“U.S. News strives to provide access to information that allows consumers to make educated decisions on all types of care,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “Updating the profiles to include a patient safety summary that highlights COVID-19 data paired with other measures of care arms families, caregivers and patients with the information needed to make a decision that keeps safety at the highest priority.”

The Best Nursing Home finder features ratings on both long-term and short-term care. The Long-Term Care Rating aims to provide prospective residents who need help with daily activities, and their families, with analysis and information regarding the quality of care provided by nursing homes. The rating includes data on staffing, success in preventing ER visits and pneumonia vaccination rates, among other metrics. The short-term rating incorporates measures of quality including consistency of registered nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing falls.

For more information behind both U.S. News ratings please refer to the FAQ.

For more information on Aurora on France’s Transitional Care, click here.

Gradual Transition into Senior Living Offers Dignity and Increased Independence

1/15/2021

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At Ebenezer and Aurora on France, we believe the time to start talking about, exploring and even making the move to a senior living community is before you need it. It's true for so many reasons, but one of the most profound is one of Ebenezer's core values: dignity.
All too often, seniors end up making the move after a catastrophic event — a fall at home lands them in the hospital, a health issue suddenly becomes too much to manage, or one of numerous other events that precipitate a move into senior living. Before they know it, they move from home or the hospital right into Assisted Living, Enhanced Care or Skilled Nursing, and it can feel like their lives are turned upside down. That kind of abrupt life change isn't an ideal scenario for seniors or their loved ones. It's difficult to get acclimated to their new community because they may be dealing with health issues and may not be as active as they had been. Also, with that kind of rushed move, without any planning or discussion beforehand, it doesn't feel like their choice. It takes away their dignity.
Another factor that contributes to an abrupt move into a senior living community is fear. Sometimes, older adults stay living in their homes longer than they should because of outmoded assumptions of what senior living is like. They wonder if they'll be alone. Maybe they won't like their new surroundings. Or maybe they're resistant to leaving their home.
But, we find that along with all of the physical benefits of safety and care our residents receive in senior living, life in our communities takes away other stressors as well. Not having to manage their bills, home maintenance, yard work, snow removal and everything else that comes with owning a home is a huge weight off seniors' shoulders. Oftentimes, they don't realize or won't admit that those things have been putting stress on their lives. They don't want to complain or bother people with their troubles. So, they stay at home much longer than they should, experience an inevitable fall or other catastrophic event, and they end up in a senior community.
A much better option is moving to Independent Living while seniors are young and active enough to enjoy all that these communities have to offer. Our independent senior living is designed to create a lifestyle of convenience and support for seniors as well as providing social activities and opportunities for interaction with other residents. Depending on the community, on-site medical staff may be available, as are services such as a beautician/barber and a convenience store or gift shop.
Even if you're not interested in our full calendar of events, reading the daily paper in a fireside lounge community space, saying hi to the staff as they come and go or grabbing some coffee in the lobby is a great way to see a friendly face every day. Seniors living on their own don't get that kind of interaction. Moving into independent living as a younger, more active older adult gives you more of an opportunity to adapt and help you age in place with dignity, keeping you as independent as you are able. Then, when you need care, you're already in the right place. You have 24/7 staff that keep watch of you, notice changes in your condition and give peace of mind to your family. This helps you age in place with grace.
Ebenezer has a wide of living options from active 55+ apartment homes, to patio townhomes, to cooperatives for seniors to age in place. To find out more about our vibrant community at Aurora on France, please contact us.

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Vaccination Administration Has Begun at Ebenezer Communities

1/13/2021

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We are pleased that federal and state officials have prioritized long-term care residents and their caregivers for early COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect those living in and receiving care in our communities. The news of a vaccine gives us hope for the next chapter in our fight against this virus.

Ebenezer communities have been among the first to receive the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine.

In cooperation with the government’s distribution to pharmacies, we have begun administering the very first vaccines to staff and residents in our skilled care communities, and have now started to vaccinate staff and residents within Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. Right now, we are only planning to vaccinate Independent Living residents in our Assisted Living communities. Eventually we will offer the vaccinate to residents in our free-standing rental, cooperative and condominium communities.

How we will administer the vaccine

Our Pharmacy will vaccinate residents – including Independent Living residents who reside in communities that provide Assisted Living services. Our site nurses will vaccinate staff members.

The vaccine will be administered in 2 doses. After receiving the first dose, the recipient must receive a second dose. It is important to get the SAME MANUFACTURED VACCINE as the first dose.

To ensure that we are getting the vaccine to those who need it most, we will not vaccinate staff or residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days. We will vaccinate these individuals at a later date.

We strongly encourage staff and residents to get vaccinated

At this time, we are not requiring that all staff and residents get the vaccine, however, we are strongly encouraging it. Vaccinating a significant majority of staff and residents is the only way we will be able to stop the spread of the virus.

About the vaccine

As part of our continuing effort to provide up-to-date information, we have included the latest information from the CDC along with links to their website.

There are two COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized and recommended for use in the United States, and three other vaccines are currently in large-scale clinical trials. To learn more about the different vaccines for COVID-19 and how vaccines work, click here.
This vaccine is safe and effective (95% effective). Both the PFIZER and MODERNA vaccine are mRNA vaccines. mRNA technology is new in vaccine production but is already being used in cancer treatment. It has been studied for more than ten years.
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a piece of a protein to trigger an immune response and build immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA, and the cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA as soon as it is finished using these instructions. Learn about mRNA vaccines and how they work, by clicking here.
None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the United States uses the live virus that causes COVID-19. You may have symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine. This is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about the facts behind COVID-19 vaccines, by clicking here.

Potential side effects

As with any vaccine, your body may react to the vaccine as those antibodies are being made. Not everyone will experience this reaction. Below are the most common:

You may experience have short-term discomfort: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and pain at injection site after vaccination
These reactions will last for 24-48 hours and are typically more pronounced after the second dose
Side effects mean your body is doing its job and making antibodies (IT IS A GOOD THING)
These are normal, common and expected
If your Doctor has told you it is OK, you can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen prior to receiving the vaccine as well as for the first few days following receiving to minimize such reactions.

When will I be protected? How long will I be immune?

Most of the vaccines are 2 doses
Protection occurs 1-2 weeks after the second dose

We will most likely not know how long the vaccine will be protective once we receive it. We will know more as more time passes in the current research. It is possible we may need to have vaccine shots for COVID-19 on a regular basis (like the flu shot).

How many people need to get a COVID- 19 vaccine for herd immunity?

Herd immunity means that enough people in a community are protected from getting a disease because they’ve already had the disease or they’ve been vaccinated. Herd immunity makes it hard for the disease to spread from person to person, and it even protects those who cannot be vaccinated, like newborns.
While experts don’t yet know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, vaccination is a safer way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. Have a question about COVID-19 vaccines? Click here.

Will we still need to wear face masks?

Similar to other types of vaccines, a large number of people in the community will need to get vaccinated before transmission drops enough to stop the use of masks.

Is the vaccine safe?

Safety is the most important priority in vaccine approval
Everyone receiving the vaccine will be monitored following receiving it
Monitoring for safety will continue as the vaccine is distributed to the public
To assess safety FDA typically advises that a minimum of 3,000 participants are included in the trial. The current COVID-19 vaccine trials include 30,000 to 50,000 participants
The FDA is using the same strict standards that it has for decades
No steps are “skipped”
The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for use

Can Ebenezer residents and staff give consent or decline the vaccine?

Our residents and staff will be asked about their interest in receiving the vaccination and will be asked to sign a consent at some point prior to the vaccination being administered. If they choose to decline, they will be asked to sign a declination. The declination is not binding. Those within our community can receive the vaccine later, if they change their minds.

Questions?

It is important to get information from reliable sources (CDC, AMDA, medical directors, medical providers, etc.). Here are some link to information:

CDC: Vaccines & Immunizations
CDC: About COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC: Provider Resources for COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations with Patients and Answering Patients’ Questions
Leading Age Minnesota

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How to Get Things in Order for the Move

1/12/2021

You have made the decision to move your loved one into a senior living community. We know that was a choice that was not likely easy, especially during this time. We at Aurora on France know your parent is going to get more out of life, get the level of care he or she needs, make new friends, and enjoy the next chapter in their lives.

Now, there are several things to take care of to get things in order BEFORE the move that will make for a smooth transition for your Mom or Dad.

Make an appointment with Mom or Dad's primary doctor
Before moving in, no matter what level of care your parent needs, it's a good idea for them to see their primary physician. Ask the doctor to evaluate your parent's medication list to make sure all prescriptions are current, necessary and don't conflict with each other. Taking the proper doses of the medications they need — and only the medications they need — is vital to their quality of life.

Talk about and sign personal paperwork
Before your loved one moves, it's a good time to sit down and talk about a will, power of attorney, a health care directive, and other important issues that we all tend to put off. Get the paperwork done, signed and filed away now, and you won't have to worry about it when the time eventually comes that you'll need it.

Talk about what to do with the house
If Mom or Dad is currently living in their home, the question becomes what to do with the house when they move to their new community. If their house is paid off, there's no great rush to decide, and the topic can be difficult to broach. But now is the time to float a trial balloon to get their feelings on selling their home or keeping it. The money from the sale will go a long way toward securing their financial future.

Fill out a change of address form
Friends and relatives will want to send cards and letters to Mom or Dad in their new home. They'll want all of their personal mail delivered to them instead of piling up at the house.

Get the dimensions and floorplan of their new unit
With the exact dimensions and floorplan, you can map out which furniture to bring and how it will look in their new home. They'll also need their own linens, cookware, dishes, television and radio, personal items and anything else they'd like to make their new place feel like home.

Consider using a senior moving specialist
Deciding what items from home to bring and what to leave behind can be a difficult choice. Services like Gentle Transitions specialize in moving seniors. At Gentle Transitions, they'll give you a complimentary consultation, work with you to create a move plan based on the floorplan of Mom or Dad's new home, help you strategize what to bring and what to downsize, provide professional packing services, help you choose and supervise professional movers, and will be there to unpack when the move is complete.

Attend some virtual events at the new community
Learn about the virtual events in their new community before they move. Also, ask the team at the new community if your mom or dad can connect virtually or via phone with some current residents to get to know and staff members. That way, they can really get a good feel for the place before they move in.

Here at Aurora on France, we want to help make the transition from home into our senior community as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Get in touch today by calling 952-848-8888 or fill out our Contact Form.

Changes to Watch for in Mom or Dad

1/4/2021

There's an old saying: If your loved one forgets where they put their keys, they're probably just distracted, stressed, overworked or all of the above. In other words, it's likely nothing to worry about. If they forget what their keys are for, however, that may be one of the signs they need a little more help - like what they could receive from our senior living, assisted living or memory care.

While we offer many care options at Aurora on France, the signs your loved one is ready to make the move into one of our communities is rarely as cut and dried as the example of the keys. In reality, the decision to change your loved one's living arrangements is stressful, emotional and even guilt-inducing. It's difficult to know if "now" is the right time. Recognizing the fact that the time has come is vital to your loved one's care, safety and well-being.

Of course, that process is about assessing your loved one's needs, behavioral changes and diminishing abilities. It might surprise you to know it's also about you.

What is your level of caregiver stress? According to AARP, some 16 million Americans are full- or part-time caregivers for loved ones. That role can run the gamut from caring for them in your home 24/7, to being on call to check on Mom and Dad or administer their pills as they continue to live on their own. You may be the one who wrestles those proverbial keys away from them for the last time or having the talk about wills, wishes, finances and final arrangements. None of it is easy. Caregiving can get overwhelming quickly, and your mental and physical health can suffer as a result.

One topic that gets brought up frequently is, "When is the right time to move Mom or Dad?" We advise people who are caregivers to ask themselves several questions that serve to highlight their own state of mind, level of emotional stress and physical health, all of which can be impacted by caregiving.

Is the caregiving process getting increasingly difficult for you?
Are you emotionally drained, exhausted or depressed much of the time?
Are you physically able to get your loved one into the shower or to the bathroom?
Is your own health failing?
Do you feel you have nothing in your life except caregiving?
Have you set many "lines in the sand" in terms of things you just can't deal with on your own, like incontinence, that you deal with anyway?

If any of these feel all too familiar, it may be time to explore the alternatives we offer at Aurora on France.

Changes to watch out for in your loved one:
Another facet of deciding when the time is right to move a loved one is the change in their behavior that you, as their caregiver, notice. Here are some signs we advise people to watch out for. You can also download this handy checklist of "What to check for when checking on loved ones."

Early changes and signs

Are they eating? Yes, you may have them signed up for daily deliveries of Meals on Wheels. Are they eating those meals or are they accumulating in the refrigerator?
Are they getting out to social events with friends, church or family get-togethers? Social isolation is another reason to look into senior living.
Are they taking care of their home? Maintenance-free living is a great advantage of senior living communities.
Have you taken away the car keys because of an incident or simply a lack of confidence in their safety to drive?
Do you trust that they can get to the bathroom on their own at night?
Have they fallen one or more times?
Are they repeating favorite stories over and over, more than usual?
Do they seem increasingly innocent and childlike?
Are they responsible to pay bills and take their meds on their own?
Are they keeping up with doctors' appointments?

More serious changes and signs

Do you believe their health and safety is at risk? Falling, missing medications, not getting to the bathroom in time, having to navigate stairs at home with increasing difficulty, not eating and more all add up. If you feel they're not safe at home, it's time to consider your options seriously.
Have they been "sundowning"? Sundowner syndrome is very common. It means becoming increasingly agitated, upset, confused or angry as the day winds down.
Do they wander? This can be extremely stressful for caregivers. You finally take a moment to go into the bathroom or to start dinner, and they are out the door.

If your loved ones are exhibiting these signs, or if you are feeling overwhelmed by caregiving, it's time to seek help. Our senior care specialists are here to help when you're facing the decision to move your loved one into our community. It gives caregivers peace of mind to know their loved one can recieve the care they need and have help available 24/7.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you and your family with a move to Aurora on France Senior Living.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates Aurora on France 5-Stars

U.S. News & World Report Names Aurora on France Senior Living and Care a 2020-21 Best Nursing Home

Gradual Transition into Senior Living Offers Dignity and Increased Independence

Vaccination Administration Has Begun at Ebenezer Communities

How to Get Things in Order for the Move

Changes to Watch for in Mom or Dad

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