JCH&L Gardenside Earns 5 Star Rating Again

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FAIRBURY – Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside has once again received a 5 Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Gardenside has been a 5-star facility since the program began.

Nursing Home Compare and the star rating system allow consumers to compare information about nursing homes. It contains quality of care and staffing information for all 15,000 plus Medicare- and Medicaid-participating nursing homes. Facilities are assigned star ratings from a high of 5 stars to a low of 1 star based on health inspection surveys, staffing information and quality of care measures. The ratings are publicly available on the agency’s Nursing Home Compare website at

www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare. In May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the new data.

“We are pleased to remain a 5-Star facility, even though we know it has become more difficult to receive the top rating,” said Deb Sutton RN, administrator of JCH&L Gardenside. “All of our staff members work very hard to provide the best quality of care for our residents. We are pleased to know that our care for our residents is reflected in our ratings through Nursing Home Compare.”

For this reporting period, JCH&L Gardenside is 5 Star five strong, Sutton said, meaning ratings in all four areas measured were five stars, in addition to the overall rating being five start.

 

JCH&L Gardenside has been providing long-term care to area residents since 1963. Currently, Gardenside is licensed for 40 beds, and has one Hospice room available. Gardenside has a resident dog, Tia; an aviary; and a variety of activities in which residents can participate including organized activities in the evenings and on weekends.

Gardenside prides itself on having a homelike environment, and being a small, family-oriented care facility. Three enclosed courtyards provide outdoor space for residents and their families to enjoy. Family members are invited to take part in activities, and special celebrations are planned periodically which include family members.

“What really sets us apart and makes our facility special is our wonderful staff,” Sutton said. “Their hard work, dedication and care for our residents truly makes us a five-star facility.”

The Nursing Home Compare statistics can be accessed by going to www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare and selecting Gardenside LTC-JCHC.

JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center Offers Summer Pool Opportunities

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With the Fairbury Municipal Swimming Pool closed for the summer to make way for a new pool in the future, JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is offering water opportunities to area residents.

Lifeguarded open swims will be held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. beginning June 12. The summer open swims will be available to those of all ages who can stand in the pool. It is free for Burkley Fitness Center members. The cost is $3 for non-members. Please note, the entire pool is 4’3” deep. There is no shallow end or wading pool. A card with 11 punches can be purchased for $30.

The BFC is also hosting the Fairbury Swim Team practices from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday through July 5. (No practice on July 4.)

Swimming lessons will also be expanded for the summer at the BFC, with several instructors available. Private swimming lessons are $12 per lesson or $90 for an 8-lesson session. Group lessons are $50 per 8-lesson session. Non-members who take swimming lessons are not required to purchase a guest pass in addition to class fee, however, the use of the BFC is restricted to the pool during class time only. Any additional use of the pool or other equipment requires purchase of a guest pass. For more information on swimming lessons, please call the BFC at (402) 729-6139.

Water aerobics classes continue at the BFC on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m.

The pool will be closed to members and guests during swim team and water aerobics classes. It will remain open to members and guests during private or group swimming lessons.

“We apologize for any inconvenience, but feel it is a responsibility to offer additional water opportunities to our community this summer, since the Fairbury city pool is not available, “ said Craig Bontrager, BFC director.  “Anyone with questions or concerns should contact me.”

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet June 11

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, June 11, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health Center’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a webinar on Dealing with Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease, by Jennifer G. Goldman, M.D., M.S., Associate Professor Section of Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurological Sciences, PDF Research Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCHC Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Parkinson’s Support Group generally meets on the second Monday of each month.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cost for participants.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health Center at (402)-729-3351.

May Health Today Features Memory

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The May Health Today Program will feature the presentation “If I Could Only Remember Better” by Amy Nash, M.S., CCC-SLP. The session will be held at 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, in the Conference Rooms at Jefferson Community Health & Life.
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month. Speech Therapist Amy Nash, M.S., CCC-SLP, provides speech therapy services at Jefferson Community Health & Life Sports Medicine and Rehab Services. Speech-language pathologists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Amy’s program will feature something we are all interested in – and may benefit from: cognitive-communication disorders. These disorders can include problems with planning, problem solving and remembering. Problems may happen as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury or dementia, but may also be congenital. Techniques used by speech language pathologists may help all of us as we work on our memory skills.
Health Today is a free monthly health education session offered by Jefferson Community Health & Life in a lunch-time session. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch, or are welcome to purchase lunch in the JCH&L cafeteria, which is located near the Conference Rooms.

JCH&L works with a wide variety of professionals who bring educational programs on health-related topics each month.

Reservations are not required. The program is FREE. The only cost for participants would be lunch, if they choose to purchase it. Participants are also welcome to carry in their lunch. Anyone who would like to be on a mailing list to directly receive notices about the monthly sessions or anyone with questions about the program should contact Likens at (402) 729-6855.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group to Meet May 21

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The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will meet on Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a video on Teepa’s GEMS, a different way to look at the stages of Alzheimer’s and how our loved ones remain precious.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life. It is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no cost, and no pre-registration.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855.

JCH&L Named to Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the Nation

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Jefferson Community Health & Life has been named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for overall performance in the nation.

The Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals scored best among critical access hospitals as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA.) An awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, Mo.

 The Top 20 Critical Access Hospital “winners” are those hospitals who have achieved success in the overall performance based on a composite rating from eight indices of strength: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspectives, cost, charge and financial stability. This group was selected from The Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2018 Top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this year. This year’s Top 20 includes 4 Nebraska hospitals.

“Jefferson Community Health & Life is proud of the efforts of its physicians and staff who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” said Chad Jurgens, JCH&L CEO.  “Our results as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future.”

TOP 20 CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS:

Androscoggin Valley Hospital Berlin, N.H. ; Aspirus Ironwood Hospital & Clinics, Inc. Ironwood, Mich.; Aspirus Langlade Hospital Antigo, Wis.; Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital Miller, S.D.; Avera Holy Family Hospital Estherville, Iowa; Barrett Memorial Hospital Dillon, Mont.; Bear Lake Memorial Hospital Montpelier, Idaho; Box Butte General Hospital Alliance, Neb.; Central Montana Medical Center Lewistown, Mont.; CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington Carrington, N.D.; Community Hospital McCook, Neb.; Community Medical Center Falls City, Neb.; Floyd Valley Healthcare Le Mars, Iowa ; Grande Ronde Hospital La Grande, Ore.; Jefferson Community Health & Life Fairbury, Neb. ; Livingston Healthcare Livingston, Mont.; Riverwood Healthcare Center Aitkin, Minn.; Transylvania Regional Hospital Brevard, N.C. Wallowa Memorial Hospital Enterprise, Ore.; and  West River Regional Medical Center Hettinger, N.D.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits June 4

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FAIRBURY – Giving blood is giving a gift of life. Nebraska Community Bloodbank is Jefferson Community Health & Life’s bloodbank, and the two organizations partner for blood drives in Fairbury to save lives.

The next blood drive will be held on Monday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nebraska Community Bloodbank bloodmobile in the JCH&L parking lot (on the H street side of the building.) All types are needed.

During this drive, all presenting donors will have a chance to win Kansas City Royals tickets.

To make an appointment, call Jean Smith at JCH&L at 402-729-6851, the Nebraska Community Bloodbank at 1-877-486-9414 or visit NCBB.org and use sponsor code JCHC.

Senior Health & Fitness Day Set for May 30

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FAIRBURY – Jefferson Community Health & Life Sterling Connection will offer those who are 50 and older a chance to learn about health and fitness at National Senior Health & Fitness Day at JCH&L on Wednesday, May 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The program will be held in the Large Conference Room at JCH&L. The day will include presentations by:

  •  Tyler Maguire, PA-C — Healthy Aging. Learn some of the best ways to keep yourself healthy and fit as you age. Tyler is a  physician assistant who joined JCH&L Fairbury Clinic in February.
  •  Charlie Partin—Tai Chi & Yoga. Charlie will talk about what Tai Chi and Yoga are, how they are different, and how they might benefit you. In addition, he will give you a chance to try these exercises! Charlie is a new instructor at JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center.
    Wear comfortable clothing!
  • Craig Bontrager—Body and Mind: How Healthy
    Active Lifestyles Benefit Both! —Craig is the director of JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center.
  • Plus healthy snacks and door prizes!

Those interested in participating are asked to pre-register by calling Lana Likens at (402) 729-6855.

Sterling Connection, JCH&L’s membership group for those age 50 and older, is also having a membership contest which ends May 30. Those who join JCH&L Sterling Connection through May 30 will be eligible for prizes. One new member will win a free trip with JCH&L Sterling Connection/Travels with Doris. Current members are also encouraged to refer a new member (by marking REFERRED BY their name on a membership form). One member who makes a referral will also win a free trip.

Joining Sterling Connection is free, and Members receive a free quarterly newsletter, free educational opportunities and free social gatherings. They also receive specially-priced travel
opportunities and special membership rate at the Burkley Fitness Center (ages 50-59). social gatherings. When hospitalized at JCH&L they receive JCH&L Cafeteria discount cards and complimentary Meals on Wheels or Senior Diner’s meals after returning home.

For more information on Sterling Connection or the membership contest, please contact Lana or Pauline at (402) 729-3351.

Salad Festival Set for May 17

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Annual Fund-raiser for JCH&L Auxiliary

FAIRBURY — The Spring Salad Festival of the Jefferson Community Health & Life Auxiliary will be held on Thursday, May 17, at the Fairbury Elks Club. The Salad Festival is a fund-raiser for the JCH&L Auxiliary which has been a community event since 1965.

“The Salad Festival has a long history in our community, and has been a wonderful fund-raiser for the JCH&L Auxiliary,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations at Jefferson Community Health & Life. “It is also something that has provided wonderful food and fellowship, and our community has enjoyed.”

The salad festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets will be $6 in advance, and $6.50 at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Fairbury Chamber, Jefferson County Extension, First National Bank, American National Bank, Union Bank and Jefferson Community Health & Life.

The Spring Salad Festival is the main fund-raising event of the auxiliary. The auxiliary provides scholarships to students entering medical fields, provides Christmas gifts for residents of the Gardenside long-term care at Jefferson Community Health & Life, and provides volunteer help at JCH&L in a variety of projects.

Anyone interested in more information about the auxiliary or the salad festival should contact Lana Likens at (402) 729-6855.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group to Meet April 23

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The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will meet on Monday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a video on Making Visits Valuable by Teepa Snow.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life. It is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no cost, and no pre-registration.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855.

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE