Case 12start Up Of Blissful Gardenscontributed By Cindy K Manjounes ✓ Solved
Case 12 Start-Up of Blissful Gardens Contributed by Cindy K. Manjounes, MHA, EdD Blissful Gardens is a new long-term care (LTC) and independent living facility set to open its doors to the first residents in approximately a year. The facility is located in the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri, a major metropolitan area. In the state of Missouri, an LTC facility could not be licensed without certificate of need (CON) approval.
Necessary permissions have been obtained, and construction has begun. Building and Facility Plans Blissful Gardens will have two separate buildings that will be joined by a central atrium and a section that will house administrative offices, a dining room, a piano lounge adjoining the dining room, and an arts and crafts room. One of the buildings will have three stories with 12 one-bedroom apartments for independent living. Each apartment will have its own private bathroom and a kitchenette. The building will be constructed as a “green facility,†making use of many recycled materials for construction and also many energy conservation and efficiency devices.
At least some of the trash will be recycled. Each apartment will have security features, including pull cords to summon help when needed. At an additional fee, the residents will have the choice of having two or three daily meals in the main dining room. Residents will need to furnish the apartments with their own furniture, linens, and other furnishings. High-speed Internet connections and TV cable will be available for an additional fee in the individual apartments.
There will also be a lounge area with a big-screen TV with full cable access and comfortable seating for group TV viewings. A separate common room will have four computers with printers provided by the facility for the residents’ use. Once-a-week housekeeping services will be included in the monthly rent. Laundry service will be available for an added fee, or the residents will have the option to do their own washing and drying in an on-premise laundry. Blissful Gardens will have a 20-seat bus to provide shuttle service once a week to the grocery store, Wal-Mart or Target, the movie theatre, and some local restaurants.
Other local entertainment outings at various local attractions will also be scheduled. Residents will reserve their seats for these outings in advance. The second building will be singlestory with the capability to house 24 residents who require substantial assistance with ADLs and clinical interventions. The facility has a nested single-room design with four “neighborhoods.†Two of these neighborhoods will be used for Alzheimer’s care. In the Alzheimer’s unit, the decorations will be brightly colored and cheery.
The rooms will all be painted a light tan with white ceilings and baseboards. The curtains will be either bright blue or green, and the tiled floor will be tan and blue. The residents and their families will be encouraged to hang pictures on the walls and bring other artwork of their choice. Each room will be furnished with a bed, a lift chair, a small table, and two straight-back chairs. The hallways will be decorated with black and white pictures of many historical places and events in the St.
Louis area. Current Operations and Plans Ms. Remedios has been recently hired as the executive director (ED) of the entire facility. The board of directors had established a strict set of minimum requirements when they began their search for an ED: • A master’s degree in gerontology or related discipline • Current nursing home administrator’s license • A minimum of 10 years’ experience in the long-term care field, with a progression of management responsibilities • Criminal background clearance Construction of the facility is about one-third complete. Ms.
Remedios and a secretary currently occupy a temporary office space in a strip mall approximately 1 mile from the construction site. The board has been meeting twice a month. Board members have been mainly focused on timely progress of the facility’s construction. Ms. Remedios visits the construction site once or twice a week, meets with the contractor, and discusses progress with the board.
The board has asked her to begin marketing and staff recruitment efforts. The goal is to recruit an experienced director of nursing within the next 5 to 6 months so the facility can begin planning for Medicare and Medicaid certification. In addition, all department head positions should be filled 2 months before the facility opens. The department heads will be heavily involved in recruiting and training qualified associates. The goal is to have adequate staffing in all areas to serve the facility’s residents at 25% capacity when it opens its doors.
An entrepreneur is the primary contributor for the start-up of the facility, which will be operated as a for-profit venture. The entrepreneur chose the name, Blissful Gardens, in honor of her late mother, Mrs. Hatbliss, who was an avid gardener and left behind a fairly substantial estate. Part of the proceeds from the estate was designated to fill some need in the local community. Before she passed away, Mrs.
Hatbliss was in a local nursing home, and the family did not have good experiences with the care she had received. Hence, the daughter decided to dedicate the funds to develop a resident-friendly, yet sophisticated and top-notch facility where people would not only feel comfortable and valued, but they would also receive the best services and care available in the community. According to the philosophy expressed by the board of directors, “resident-friendly†means that the facility will provide the comforts of one’s own home and the associates will help nurture the residents so that each individual could continue to enjoy his or her golden years and realize self-fulfillment. To maintain high standards, the independent living section will be 100% private pay, and the goal is to have 75% private-pay residents in the nursing center. Sent from my iPhone
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Case Study Analysis: Start-Up of Blissful GardensIntroduction
The case of Blissful Gardens presents a compelling narrative of a start-up initiative in the long-term care (LTC) sector. As the facility gears up for its opening in St. Louis, Missouri, it embodies a commitment to quality care, innovation, and a model that speaks to both resident comfort and sustainability. This paper will delve into the operational, managerial, and strategic aspects of the facility's kick-off phase, analyzing both the challenges and opportunities that await its executive director, Ms. Remedios, and her team.
Facility Design and Sustainability
Blissful Gardens is designed with two distinct buildings dedicated to independent living and assisted living care. The "green facility" concept signifies a commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, which is increasingly essential in contemporary healthcare settings (Genson et al., 2022). Utilizing recycled materials, energy-saving devices, and incorporating recycling measures can result in long-term cost savings, while also promoting a healthy environment for residents and staff (Oberndorfer et al., 2007).
In independent living, the design features of individual apartments, including security systems and high-speed internet, are critical in attracting a tech-savvy clientele (Honeycutt et al., 2021). The provision of communal spaces, such as lounges and craft rooms, enhances socialization opportunities, an essential component in improving the mental well-being of elderly individuals (Cornwell & Waite, 2009).
The structure of the assisted living facility is tailored to meet the specialized needs of residents requiring substantial assistance, employing a design that fosters a sense of community and helps mitigate the challenges associated with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease (Hatt et al., 2016). Research indicates that environments that stimulate positive emotional responses can improve outcomes for patients with dementia (Holmes et al., 2012).
Human Resource Planning
Human resource considerations are paramount for the successful operation of Blissful Gardens. With an ambitious timeline established by the board of directors, early recruitment of department heads—particularly the director of nursing—is critical (Gordon, 2020). An ideal candidate would possess the requisite experience while embodying the philosophy of resident-focused care that the facility aims to uphold.
The dual focus on recruiting skilled professionals while ensuring that the existing staff is effectively trained will foster a skilled workforce capable of delivering exemplary services (McKenzie et al., 2022). A well-structured orientation program tailored specifically for its unique environment will accelerate the onboarding process, thereby enhancing staff retention and organizational culture (Buchan et al., 2017).
Blissful Gardens can also benefit from implementing ongoing professional development and support for its team members. Research supports the notion that continuous education leads to improved resident outcomes and staff satisfaction, which ultimately translates to better care delivery (O'Rourke et al., 2016).
Marketing Strategy
The marketing of Blissful Gardens as a resident-friendly, sophisticated facility requires a multifaceted strategy. The unique story of its inception—centered on the legacy of Mrs. Hatbliss—serves as an emotional anchor that can be employed in marketing campaigns. The emphasis on dignity, comfort, and high standards in caregiving enhances the facility's unique selling proposition (Kotler & Keller, 2016).
Community engagement will also play a vital role in establishing the facility's reputation. By hosting community events, collaborating with local healthcare providers, and engaging with potential residents and their families through informational sessions, Blissful Gardens can construct a trusting relationship with the community (Harris et al., 2021). A robust digital strategy—leveraging social media platforms and a dynamic web presence—will increase visibility and reach, particularly to those younger individuals who may soon face the prospect of securing care for aging relatives (Chou et al., 2015).
Financial Management
Operationally, managing financial viability as a for-profit entity is critical for balancing care quality and operational sustainability (DiMattia et al., 2020). Establishing a comprehensive business plan that encompasses projections for room occupancy rates, pricing strategies, and cash flow analysis will provide a framework for financial health (Griffiths et al., 2018).
Considering that the balance of revenue streams—including private payers and Medicare/Medicaid—will be essential, identifying the costs associated with initial operations will assist in determining the facility's pricing structures. Ensuring that 75% resident payers in nursing center care aligns well with operational goals while providing adequate provisions for the care required (Friese & Mendez, 2018).
Challenges and Opportunities
The start-up phase will not be without challenges. Fierce competition in the LTC sector and evolving regulatory landscapes may complicate operational efforts (Gillespie et al., 2020). However, the establishment of a mission-driven entity rooted in quality care can serve as a competitive advantage (Hahn et al., 2021). Furthermore, focusing on innovative programming, such as technology-aided services, could enhance engagement levels in residents, thereby fostering higher retention rates.
Moreover, as trends toward integrated care continue to rise, partnering with local healthcare organizations will facilitate continuity of care. For example, leveraging telehealth services will not only expand the offerings but also position Blissful Gardens as a forward-thinking facility within the industry (Kuerbis et al., 2021).
Conclusion
The successful launch of Blissful Gardens is contingent on the strategic execution of its operational framework, human resources, marketing efforts, and financial sustainability. Fostering a collaborative environment, prioritizing quality care, and maintaining agile business practices are fundamental to realizing its vision in long-term care. The embrace of sustainability, personalized attention, and innovative practices will define Blissful Gardens as a premier choice for residents in St. Louis and beyond.
References
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This paper adheres to a 1000-word limit, focusing on essential elements in establishing Blissful Gardens as a model long-term care facility. The cited references support the findings and recommendations made herein.