Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Funds

Announcements

In February of 2022, CMS approved additional funding to support improved air quality in nursing homes. Previously facilities were authorized to request up to $3,000 for in-person visitation aids (e.g., tents or other shelter for outdoor visitation and/or clear dividers) including installation, installation materials, and shipping costs for in-person visitation aids.  Facilities may now request up to an additional $3,000 for in-person visitation aids (e.g., indoor portable fans, indoor portable air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA, H-13 or -14) filters to increase or improve air quality) and shipping costs for the in-person visitation aids (If they have not previously received funding for this).  Please carefully review the revised application and updated FAQs prior to submitting the application.  The completed application should be sent via email to cmpapplications@dshs.wa.gov along with any questions. 

As of August 2023, funding has been approved to support improved air quality in over 150 nursing homes totaling over $435,000.  Applications are still being accepted from nursing homes that have not already received this funding. 

Funding for Communicative Technology for Nursing Homes

Funding for communicative technology has been approved for more than 150 nursing homes in the State of Washington, totaling over $400,000.  Recognizing that visitor restrictions may be difficult for residents and families during COVID-19, CMS developed a special application template for requests to use CMP reinvestment funds to provide nursing home residents with adaptive communicative technologies. The funds can be used to purchase devices such as iPads and tablets as well as accessories like protective covers, headphones, and device cleaning and disinfectant products.

Applications are still being accepted from nursing homes that have not already received this funding. 

Communicative Technology Application /FAQs

In-Person Visitation Aids

Funding for in-person visitation aids such as tents and clear dividers have been approved for over 75 nursing homes, totaling over nearly $200,000.  Items such as tents and other outdoor structures as well as clear dividers have made visitation safer.  If you are a nursing home that has not yet applied for this funding and is interested in doing so, please complete the application and submit it as soon as possible.  Applications are being accepted from nursing homes that have not already received this funding.

In-Person Visitation Application/FAQs

 

Nursing Home Grant Program

Washington state participates in the Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Fund Grant Program.  Civil money penalties (CMPs) are fines imposed on nursing facilities that do not meet federal health and safety standards.  Washington state receives a portion of the funds collected to be reinvested in support of projects that improve the overall quality of life and/or care of nursing facility residents. 

CMP

Nursing facility providers, stakeholders and other organizations are encouraged to submit CMP fund grant applications for the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives that directly or indirectly benefit nursing facility residents.  Learn more

States must obtain approval from CMS before using federally imposed CMP funds to pay for projects. The Department will evaluate applications using criteria developed by CMS and published in CMS QSO -19-19-NH, CMS S&C 12-13-NH, and CMS QSO-23-23-NHs.

Currently, the State of Washington accepts applications for CMP funding on a on a continuous, year-round basis.  Applications are first reviewed by the CMPRP Committee at the state and if approved at the state level, then the application is sent to the CMPRP Review Team at CMS for their review and consideration.  The state committee meets every other month and is comprised of the Director of Residential Care Services (RCS), the Nursing Home Policy Program Manager, senior RCS field management staff, and the CMP Grant Specialist.

Please ensure that your application includes a detailed budget, evidence of support from the proposed nursing home participants, and any other supporting information that the committee may find helpful in their review.

Questions should be addressed to cmpapplications@dshs.wa.gov

Application & Resources

Approved Projects

 

Grantee and Dates of Project                                                         

Project Summary

Amount Awarded

Status

Eldergrow LLC

Start Date: 3/1/24
End Date: 9/30/24

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project implemented the GARDEN program in three LeadingAge Washington member nursing homes from 8/1/21 – 12/31/23.  Eldergrow is extending the project in these three nursing homes for an additional seven months.  The program brings nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and gives residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose.  Eldergrow educators will facilitate therapeutic horticulture sessions with residents.  Residents in these communities need meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during and following the global health pandemic.

$  14,997.00 Active

Eldergrow LLC

Start Date: 3/1/24
End Date: 10/31/24

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project implemented the GARDEN program in four (Providence) LeadingAge Washington member nursing homes from 10/1/21 – 1/31/24.  Eldergrow is extending the project in these four nursing homes for an additional eight months.  The program brings nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and gives residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose.  Eldergrow educators will facilitate therapeutic horticulture sessions with residents.  Residents in these communities need meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during and following the global health pandemic.

$  19,996.00 Active

Briarwood at Timber Ridge
Start Date: 4/1/23
End Date:  3/31/26

SNF Clinic

This project aims to address the issues of high staff turnover and the need for a centralized system for training, staff management, and resident care resources.  The funding for this project will provide a centralized computer-based system for, among other things, training new hires and ensuring that staff has access to quality in-service and nursing training, as well as care plans, assessments, policies and procedures and other tools.  The use of SNF Clinic will benefit nursing home residents by helping to increase staff training and providing services that will increase its overall quality of care.   

$36,200

Active

Seniors Creating Art
Start Date: 3/1/23
End Date:  2/28/26

Access to Arts

This project was implemented in 11 nursing homes over a one-year period (3/1/23 – 2/29/24 in the amount of $89,802.61) and was approved by CMS to continue for an additional two years 3/1/24 – 2/28/26 in the amount of $108,153.10.  Seniors Creating Art will provide in-person art workshops three times per month to residents with the purpose of improving physical and mental health.  The goal of the project is to increase access to arts programming for seniors residing in skilled nursing communities so that those participating may experience better overall health and well-being.  Seniors Creating Art will provide the in-person art programs and provide all art supplies needed for use during the art programs

$197,955.71

Active

 

Josephine Caring Community
Start Date: 12/1/22
End Date:  11/30/24

“Born to be Wild” Easy Rider Grant Cycling Project

This grant will provide trishaws and the equipment and training necessary to implement the cycling project with residents at Josephine Caring Community.  Residents will be given the opportunity to experience the outdoors, socialize with others, and engage in the familiar and beloved activity of biking, even with limited mobility.  The project is intended to improve overall resident well-being, and this will be measured before and after each ride through a variety of tools. 

$  36,678.20

Active

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 11/1/22
End Date:  10/31/25

SAIDO Learning

This project will be implemented in eight LeadingAge Washington member nursing homes.  SAIDO Learning was developed by the Kumon Learning Therapy Center, part of the Kumon Institute of Education in Japan, as a program designed for individuals with memory impairment. Those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias meet with trained staff for structured sessions of mental exercises focusing on simple arithmetic, writing, and reading aloud to increase engagement of residents. The process fosters confidence and often results in improved abilities and quality of life.   

$367,381.74

Active

Edmonds Center for the Arts

Start Date: 9/1/22
End Date:  8/31/24

Window to the Arts

This project will be implemented in six nursing homes with the goal of improving nursing home residents’ quality of life and to combat isolation through live performance and customized, responsive arts experiences.  A creative therapist will be incorporated into each event, who will provide interactive arts workshops following the performances.  Creative therapy interactions will aim to provide the nursing home residents with meaningful experiences that provide sensory stimulation, engagement on a personal level, validation, and comfort.  The program will promote self-expression through singing, music-making, improvisation, and/or songwriting.

$ 77,779.50 Active

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 8/1/22
End Date:  7/31/25

Eversound Resident Engagement and Interaction Project 

This project will provide the Eversound equipment to 12 nursing homes in the State of Washington. Hearing loss and impaired sensory processing are challenges faced by nursing home residents and these are linked to psychosocial distress, decreased well-being, and quality of life.  Training will be provided so staff can use it with residents to enable them to fully engage regardless of their level of hearing loss.  Eversound is referred to as an “engagement amplifier” and is designed to help deliver sounds directly and without distraction into the ears of those with hearing deficiencies or who lack focus due to dementia.   

$257,187.72

Active

Pennant Healthcare, Inc.

Start Date: 7/1/22
End Date:  6/30/25

Moments of Truth to Engage, Nurture, Stimulate, Inspire, Grow and Network (ENSIGN) with It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L)

This extension project will provide the iN2L engagement technology to four additional Pennant Healthcare, Inc. member nursing homes in Washington.  The iN2L is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to engaging residents in life-enriching activities and rehabilitation interventions.  The iN2L offers thousands of computer-based experiences through technology with continuous training and support of staff to ensure program consistency and sustainability.  The goals are to reduce opioids and antipsychotic medications and reduce falls through the use of the technology.  

$304,665.57 Active

Washington Health Care Association   

Start Date: 7/1/22
End Date: 6/30/25

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project, in partnership with Eldergrow, will implement the GARDEN program in 18 nursing homes.  This program brings nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and gives the residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose. Eldergrow educators will facilitate therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month. Residents in these communities need meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially since the onset of the COVID-19 the global health pandemic.

$781,833.67 Active

NewGen Healthcare

Start Date: 5/1/22
End Date: 4/30/25

Increasing Resident Engagement and Interaction with It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L)

This project will provide the iN2L engagement technology to seven nursing homes in the State of Washington.  iN2L is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to engaging residents in life-enriching activities and rehabilitation interventions.  The iN2L offers thousands of computer based experiences through technology with continuous training and support of staff to ensure program consistency and sustainability.  This project seeks to reduce social isolation and increase activity engagement, subsequently improving the quality of life for residents. 

$387,766.16

Active

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 3/1/22
End Date: 2/28/25

SilverKite MOREArts ArtKits  

This project, in partnership with SilverKite Community Arts, will be implemented in 11 LeadingAge Washington member nursing homes.  This program will provide the nursing home staff with the tools, skills, and experience to create and facilitate high quality, fun, engaging, and inspiring arts engagement programming for residents.  Each quarter, SilverKite will design and create classroom sized ArtKits filled with carefully curated arts supplies and arts activity instruction cards for staff members to use in group settings.  Each ArtKit will follow a seasonal theme and include supplies for activities in a range of art forms such as dance, writing, visual arts, and reminiscence.  The communities will be able to tailor the ARtKits to their residents’ needs by selecting from a menu of activity options each quarter.  SilverKite will also provide an online training session for staff members from the participating communities.

$306,168.97 Active

Pennant Healthcare, Inc.   

Start Date: 1/1/22
End Date: 12/31/24

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This extension project, in partnership with Eldergrow, will implement the GARDEN program in four additional nursing homes.  This program brings nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and give the residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose. Eldergrow educators will facilitate therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month. Residents in these communities are in need of meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during the global health pandemic.

$198,895.06 Active

Cornerstone Healthcare Services, LLC

Start Date: 1/1/22
End Date: 6/30/2024

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This extension project, in partnership with Eldergrow, will implement the GARDEN program in five additional nursing homes.  This program brings nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and give the residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose. Eldergrow educators will facilitate therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month. Residents in these communities are in need of meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during the global health pandemic.

$266,685.79 Active

Pennant Healthcare, Inc.

Start Date: 10/1/21
End Date: 9/30/24

Eversound Resident Engagement and Interaction

The purpose of this project is to implement the Eversound Resident Engagement and Interaction project in 13 nursing homes in Washington State.  This project will equip the 13 nursing homes with the Eversound equipment and will provide the necessary training for staff.  Nursing home staff will use Eversound with residents to enable them to fully engage regardless of their level of hearing loss.  Eversound is referred to as an “engagement amplifier” and is designed to deliver sounds directly and without distraction into the ears of those with hearing deficiencies or who lack focus due to dementia.

$318,821.03 Active

NewGen Healthcare

Start Date: 4/1/21
End Date: 3/31/24

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN) 

This project, in partnership with Eldergrow, will implement the GARDEN program in seven skilled nursing homes.  The program brings nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and give the residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose.  Eldergrow educators will facilitate therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month.  Residents in these communities are in need of meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during the global health pandemic.   

$359,620.92 Active

University of Washington
Translational Practice and Training Center, Goldsen Institute, School of Social Work

Start Date: 2/1/21
End Date: 5/31/24

Safe Home: Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ and Racial and Ethnic Vulnerable Populations in Washington State Long-Term Care Communities  

The Safe Home training program will address the unique barriers vulnerable older adults face in accessing the care they need in up to 36 nursing homes in WA state.  This program is the first evidence-based training program to address the distinct and intersecting needs of LGBTQ and racial and ethnic minorities in long-term care communities in the State of Washington.  These will be skill-based trainings with a focus on ensuring that direct care staff develop specific and transferable skills resulting in more inclusive care for health disparate, underserved populations.

$580,421.00 Active

Cornerstone Healthcare Services, LLC
Start Date:  1/1/21
End Date:  6/30/24

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project, in partnership with Eldergrow, will implement the GARDEN program in five Cornerstone Healthcare Services nursing homes. The program brings nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and give the residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose. Eldergrow educators will facilitate therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month. Residents in these communities are in need of meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

$245,068.64 Active

Completed Projects

Grantee and Dates of Project                                                          Project Summary Amount Awarded Status

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 10/1/21
End Date: 1/31/24

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project, in partnership with Eldergrow, implemented the GARDEN program in four additional (Providence) LeadingAge Washington member nursing homes. The program brought nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and gave residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose. Eldergrow educators facilitated therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month. Residents in these communities needed  meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during and following the global health pandemic.

$157,403.24 Completed

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 8/1/21
End Date: 12/31/23

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis & Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project, in partnership with Eldergrow, implemented the GARDEN program in three additional LeadingAge Washington member nursing homes. The program brought nature indoors with mobile sensory gardens and gave the residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose. Eldergrow educators facilitated therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month. Residents in these communities needed meaningful activities to support their psychosocial and physical wellbeing especially during and following the global health pandemic.

$142,382.57 Completed
NewGen Healthcare
Start Date:  1/1/21
End Date:  12/31/23

Increasing Resident Engagement and Interaction with Eversound – COVID & Beyond

This project, in partnership with Eversound, was implemented in seven skilled nursing communities in the State of Washington. Hearing loss and impaired sensory processing are challenges faced by nursing home residents and these are linked to psychosocial distress, decreased wellbeing and quality of life. This project equipped the nursing homes with the Eversound technology and provided the training necessary for staff to use it with residents to enabled them to fully engage regardless of their level of hearing loss. Eversound is referred to as an “engagement amplifier” and is designed to help deliver sounds directly and without distraction into the ears of those with hearing deficiencies or who lack focus due to dementia.

$231,242.91 Completed
The Eden Alternative, LLC
Start Date:  1/1/21
End Date:  12/31/23

Creating a Culture of Person-Directed Dementia Care

This project provided training for nursing home staff in person-directed dementia care to combat loneliness, helplessness, and boredom for nursing home residents. This project supported the participating nursing homes and combined in-depth training with personalized coaching and consulting.  Residents in these nursing homes benefited from this project through person-directed care strategies that improved quality of life as well as helped to reduce the use of antipsychotics for nursing home residents.

$521,606.89 Completed
Sunshine Health & Rehab
Start Date: 12/1/20
End Date: 11/30/23

Use of Virtual Reality Technology for Improved Social and Behavioral Support

This project will provide the funding to implement a Virtual Reality (VR) technology project.  The project will utilize VR technology to improve the quality of life and care for residents that are experiencing increased depression, anxiety, failure to thrive, and loneliness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is anticipated that residents will experience an improved quality of life when the VR technology stimulates cognition, reduces anxiety and depression, and boosts morale to reverse some of the emotional and physical impacts cause by the social isolation residents have experienced during the public health emergency. 

$ 63,687.53 Completed
Franklin Hills Health - Spokane
Start Date: 9/1/20
End Date: 8/31/23
Enriching Our Seniors Lives with It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L)  This project provided the iN2L engagement technology to the Franklin Hills skilled nursing community in Spokane.   iN2L is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to engaging residents in life-enriching activities and rehabilitation interventions. The iN2L offers thousands of computer-based experiences through technology with continuous training and support of staff to ensure program consistency and sustainability. The project improved resident quality of life by addressing resident life enrichment and the individual interests of residents. $ 25,712.14 Completed

Pennant Healthcare, Inc.

Start Date: 8/1/20
End Date: 7/31/23

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis and Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project, in partnership with Eldergrow, implemented the GARDEN program in nine Pennant Healthcare Washington nursing communities.  The program brought nature indoors with mobile gardens and gave residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose.  Eldergrow educators facilitated therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month.  This project exceeded its goals and residents benefited from increased socialization, cognitive stimulation, sensory stimulation, spatial awareness, motor skills and creative expression, resulting in improved quality of care and life. 

$419,450.00 Completed

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 8/1/20
End Date:  7/31/23

iNSPIRE (Integrate Fun, Sustainable, Programming that is Innovative and Enriches) Extension

This grant brought the It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L) engagement technology to four additional LAW member nursing homes. With the implementation of the iN2L Program, these facilities were able to provide personalized life-enriching, re-engaging, and redirecting activities to residents resulting in increased quality of life for all participants.

$307,524.29 Completed

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date:  7/15/20
End Date:  7/14/23

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis and Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This extension project, in partnership with Eldergrow, implemented the GARDEN program in six additional LeadingAge WA facilities.  The program brought nature indoors with mobile gardens and gives residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose.  Eldergrow educators facilitated therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month.

$206,781.67

Completed

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 8/1/21
End Date: 7/31/23

PARO Robotic Therapy Seal Initiative

PARO the Robotic Therapy Seal project provided nursing home staff with the tools to provide more person-centered care.  Resident interaction with PARO potentially satisfies five needs important in person-centered care: comfort, identity, attachment, occupation and inclusion. This project provided 25 LAW skilled nursing facilities with PARO and this contributed to improved resident quality of life.  Resident interaction with PARO addressed isolation, depression, socialization, pacing behavior, anxiety, and may have helped to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications.

$344,520.48 Completed
Pennant Healthcare, Inc.
Start Date:  7/1/20
End Date:  6/30/23

Moments of Truth to Engage, Nurture, Stimulate, Inspire, Grow and Network (ENSIGN) with It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L)

This project provided the iN2L engagement technology to nine Pennant Healthcare, Inc. facilities in Washington.  The iN2L is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to engaging residents in life-enriching activities and rehabilitation interventions.  The iN2L offers thousands of computer-based experiences through technology with continuous training and support of staff to ensure program consistency and sustainability.  The goals of the project were to reduce opioids and antipsychotic medications and reduce falls through the use of the technology. 

$638,065.91 Completed

 

 

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 6/1/21
End Date: 5/31/23

 

PARO Robotic Therapy Seal Initiative

PARO the Robotic Therapy Seal project provided nursing home staff with tools to be able to provide more person-centered care for residents.  Interaction with PARO helps to satisfy five needs important in person-centered care:  comfort, identity, attachment, occupation and inclusion.  This project provided three nursing homes with a PARO Robotic Seal and staff reported that residents experienced a significant contribution to their quality of life.  PARO helps nursing home residents by addressing isolation, depression, socialization, pacing behavior, anxiety, and may also potentially reduce the use of antipsychotic medications.       

$ 44,668.02 Completed

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 10/1/21
End Date: 3/31/23

Cycling Without Age – “Let’s Go For a Ride” 

This project was implemented in eight LeadingAge Washington member nursing homes.  The project directly benefited nursing home residents by providing the trishaws and/or trikes and provided them with the opportunity to experience the outdoors.  Residents were able to socialize with others and engage in the familiar and beloved activity of biking despite limited mobility.  Residents enjoyed experiencing “the wind in their hair” and were able to enjoy a ride around the surrounding area to get fresh air, a change of scenery, and gain a sense of freedom.  For many residents who have experienced a decrease in function as they have aged, a “bike ride” allowed for reminiscing, sensory stimulation and enjoyment, all of which will contributed to feelings of well-being and an improved quality of life. 

$397,011.19 Completed

Washington Health Care Association

Start Date: 4/1/22
End Date: 3/31/23

SPARKing Conversation, Connection, and Fun! During COVID-19 and Beyond

This extension project, in partnership with Silver Kite Community Arts, provided individual arts engagement toolkits and online art programming to residents in 17 additional Washington Health Care Association member skilled nursing facilities.  The goals were that the art activities would reduce resident stress, strengthen communication skills and boost self-esteem, resulting in a direct improvement to the residents’ quality of life.  SPARK Boxes contained high quality arts supplies, instructions, and ideas to SPARK conversation, connection, and fun!

  $57,504.07 Completed

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 9/1/19
End Date: 12/31/22

Garden Access Responds to Diagnosis and Environmental Needs (GARDEN)

This project, in partnership with Eldergrow, implemented the GARDEN program in 30 LeadingAge facilities.  The program brought nature indoors with mobile gardens and gave residents the opportunity to nurture life and feel a sense of purpose.  Eldergrow educators facilitated therapeutic horticulture classes twice each month.

$871,850.78 Completed

Tobin & Associates, Inc.

Start Date: 12/1/21
End Date: 11/30/22

LifeBridge© Behavioral Program

This project implemented the LifeBridge© Behavioral Program in 12 nursing homes in Washington State.  This program delivered interdisciplinary program concepts of person-centered care based on individualized care.  LifeBridge© provided virtual specialized full facility training to develop an understanding of the basis and origins of behaviors and the paths of effective interventions for prevention and management.  The program provided a structured day for residents through meaningful interactions which utilize a non-pharmacological strategy by using their mental and physical energies to decrease agitation, isolation and outbursts. 

132,000.00 Completed

LeadingAge Washington

Start Date: 12/1/19
End Date: 11/30/22

It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L)

The iN2L engagement technology project provided a comprehensive approach to engaging life enrichment activities, redirection and rehab interventions for residents in three nursing homes.  The project integrated engagement technology, which offered thousands of computer-based experiences; continuous training and support for staff to ensure project sustainability; and data collection and assessment to demonstrate quantitative and qualitative outcomes.  LeadingAge Washington has implemented several iN2L project since 2018.    

108,463.00 Completed

 

New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing

Start Date: 1/1/20
End Date: 11/5/22

 

 

Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE)

NICHE is a geriatric care model that positions RNs, LPNs/LVNs and CNAs as leaders on their units to improve the quality and safety of care delivered to older adults. The NICHE program is linked to reductions in falls, inappropriate medications, UTIs, pressure injuries and improved function, and optimized care for people living with dementia.  Participating nursing homes assessed current practices, developed a change project to improve performance on at least one nurse-sensitive quality indicator, and provided staff with continuing professional education and development to effectively manage the geriatric syndromes.  Implementing NICHE began with the Leadership Training Program (LTP), a 12-week, executive-format course for teams of four people responsible for leading advancements in evidence-based practice in their nursing homes.   Unfortunately, due to ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a lack of nursing home participation, this project concluded earlier than originally planned.       

$644,233.00 Completed
Christian Health Care Center (CHCC)
Start Date: 9/1/20
End Date: 8/31/22

Cycling Without Age During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

This project provided the funding for two trishaws and other equipment to allow residents to experience “the wind in their hair” and enjoy a ride around the surrounding area to get fresh air, a change of scenery, and gain a sense of freedom and bring them joy.  The goals of the project were to increase resident well-being at CHCC during the challenging times brought on by the pandemic and for participating residents to experience a decrease in their PHQ9 Depression Scale scores. 

$23,633.21 Completed
Alzheimer’s Association
Start Date:  7/1/20
End Date:  7/31/22

Dementia Care Practice Recommendations:  Organization-Wide Coaching and Implementation

This project, Dementia Care Practice Recommendations:  Organization-Wide Coaching and Implementation in Washington, provided coaching to 25+ nursing homes in Washington State.  The project promoted person-centered care practices based on the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations (DCPR).  Residents in the participating facilities benefitted from increased quality of care.    

$370,240.00 Completed

Alzheimer’s Association

Start Date: 8/1/21
End Date: 7/31/22

Person-Centered Dementia Care: A Multi-Component Approach for Systems Change 

This project provided training and support and implemented an on-line Person-Centered Dementia Care Program in four nursing communities in the State of Washington over a 12-month project period. The training program was offered in conjunction with the essentiALZ® exam which demonstrates knowledge of quality care dementia practices and empowers staff to handle the complex challenges dementia can bring.  In addition, Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), an evidence-based distance-learning model, brought together members of the long-term care communities and multidisciplinary experts for a six-session collaborative learning series. Education programs were also available for communities to share with their families to extend this learning community-wide. Though this project was approved in four nursing homes, the Alzheimer’s Association was able to reach and serve staff at 10 nursing homes during the project. 

$  63,556.09 Completed

LifeBio

Start Date: 7/1/21
End Date: 6/30/22

Improving Person-Centered Care Through Engagement, Reminiscence Therapy, and Life Stories

This project recorded individual biographies for residents and delivered a bound LifeBio “Storybook” to ensure staff, family and communities are familiar with each resident’s life history.  The goal was to help “elders” (residents) be known as individuals in order to bring increased meaning to their lives.  The project was implemented in 12 nursing homes over the one-year project period.  The project created 125 stories total, and since being founded in 2000, LifeBio has created more than 14,000 unique and powerful life stories.         

$134,111.63 Completed

Friend to Friend America

Start Date: 5/1/21
End Date: 4/30/22

Friend to Friend Virtual Connection Program

This project created a safe, efficient, and effective virtual connections environment and provided residents in three nursing homes in the State of Washington the opportunity to participate in video calls with their loved ones.  The goal was to reduce feelings of isolation, depression, and loneliness amongst the residents.  The project’s Virtual Connection’s Manager worked with the nursing home staff to identifying residents, schedule calls with family members and facilitated video calls between residents and their loved ones.     

$113,863.60 Completed

Washington Health Care Association

Start Date: 4/1/21
End Date:  3/31/22

SPARKing Conversation, Connection, and Fun! During COVID-19 and Beyond

This project, in partnership with Silver Kite Community Arts, provided individual arts engagement toolkits and online art programming to residents in 70 nursing facilities.  The goal was met in that the art activities reduced resident stress, strengthened communication skills and boosted self-esteem, resulting in a direct improvement to the residents’ quality of life.  SPARK Boxes contained high quality arts supplies, instructions, and ideas to SPARK conversation, connection, and fun!

$161,434.33 Completed
Western WA University Palliative Care Institute
Start Date:   8/31/18
End Date:   8/31/21
Touch of Grace
This project is a video-based training program on palliative and end-of-life care for nursing home staff, including all non-licenses support staff.  Funding will support the implementation of a pilot project in a local skilled nursing facility with a staff of over 200.  Training is intended to increase the understanding of palliative care in both professional and non-profession staff and shift staff attitudes and behaviors toward a culture where palliative approach is welcome and supported. 
 
$      58,345 Completed
LeadingAge Washington
Start Date: 8/1/20
End Date:  1/31/21

SPARKing Conversation, Connection, and Fun! During COVID-19 This project, in partnership with Silver Kite Community Arts, will provide individual art kits and online art programming to residents in 44 nursing facilities.  The goal is that the art activities will reduce resident stress and increase engagement, resulting in a direct improvement to the residents’ quality of life.  will be able to provide personalized life-enriching, re-engaging, and redirecting activities to residents resulting in increased quality of life for all participants.

$133,550.11 Completed
LeadingAge Washington
Start Date:   12/1/18
End Date:    12/1/20
 
It's Never 2 Late (iN2L)       
The iN2L engagement technology is a comprehensive approach to engaging life enrichment activities, redirection and rehab interventions for senior living residents. The project integrated engagement technology, which offered thousands of computer-based experiences; continuous training and support for staff to ensure project sustainability; and data collection and assessment to demonstrate quantitative and qualitative outcomes. The funds provided through this grant enhanced the quality of care and life for residents in 21 facilities.
         

$817,561.00

Completed
Woodard Creek Healthcare, Inc. for Olympia Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Canter
Start Date:   5/31/19
End Date:    12/31/19
Music & Memory 
This project will bring the Music and Memory program to the facility.  The funds will be used for training, equipment and the purchase of the Music and Memory certification.  Outcomes for nursing home residents should include decreased behavioral symptoms with increased mood, engagement and interaction with others, and improved cognition/memory.
$ 15,493.00 Completed
LeadingAge Washington
Start Date: 9/15/17
End Date:  5/1/19
Music & Memory
This project provided funds to 42 facilities in Washington State for the implementation of the Music and Memory program.  The funds were used for training, equipment, and the purchase of the Music and Memory certification.  Outcomes included decreased behavioral symptoms with increased mood, engagement and interaction with others, and improved cognition/memory. 
 
$124,486.50 Completed
Pennant Healthcare, Inc.
Start Date:  10/1/19
End Date:  12/31/19
Wound Care Education Course This project funded 18 members of nursing staff (two from each of the nine Pennant Healthcare, Inc. nursing facilities in Washington) to attend the University of Washington’s Fundamentals of Wound Care Education course.  The course included both online and in person hands on sessions.  Health professionals practicing in the long-term care setting should be well versed in pressure ulcer management, risk factors, prevention and the management of pressure ulcers. $ 12,510.00 Completed

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