In July, the Logan County Healthcare Foundation, Logan County Community Foundation, and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation came together to support the remodeling of a spa room at Logan County Senior Living.    The foundations were able to offer grant funds supplemented Logan County Senior Living’s commitment to update their second bathing suite.  The remodel included replacing the whirlpool tub, enhancing the shower area, painting, adding storage cabinets, and even installing a towel warmer.  
Shyanne Holzmeister, Administrator at LCSL, said, “We are so excited that the bathing suite project has been completed!  We have a new whirlpool tub that all elders are now able to enjoy.  Everything in the room got refreshed and it looks great! We are so grateful to the foundations for their support of our project and the home in general.  The updated 2nd spa room will make a huge impact on the lives of the elders, as well as the staff providing care.  LCSL is always looking for ways to improve care, comfort, and culture.  Without the support from the foundations, we simply would not be able to make these improvements.”

​Logan County Senior Living is now providing skilled services covered by Medicare! 
 
Logan County Senior Living recently received approval to provide Medicare Part A services to seniors and the opportunity to receive therapy services under what is called Medicare Part B program without leaving the facility. In the past, LCSL provided quality long-term care but was not able to provide the additional skilled services that Medicare would pay for.  With this new certification, qualifying seniors will have access to therapies and skilled nursing services with Medicare covering the cost. 
 
Shyanne Griggs, Administrator, shared that it will be a great benefit for seniors who have had a recent hospital stay and meet the other qualifications outlined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  She stated, “Often after a hospitalization, seniors need therapy or additional services to regain their strength or improve skills to perform daily tasks once again.  Now, seniors can come to Logan County Senior Living to receive those services without additional out of pocket expenses.”  If qualifications are met for Medicare Part A services, room and board plus therapy expenses are covered which is very beneficial for those that have limited funds.
 
With this certification, seniors living at Logan County Senior Living will also have opportunity to receive therapy services under what is called Medicare Part B program.  These additional services will be helpful to improve strength and skills when there has been a health decline but not a qualifying hospital stay (or other qualifications not met for various reasons.)
 
“We are very excited to be able to offer these enhanced services to the seniors we serve,” Griggs continued.

The long-term-care residence in Oakley has a new name and new local board of directors that will collaborate with staff and management to provide care to seniors.

Logan County Senior Living, formerly Logan County Manor, 615 Price, continues to employ local professionals; Topeka-based GraceTeam manages the residence.  Members of the local board are Chairman Carl Ulrich, Rodney Bates, Melanie Sporer, Melany Maurath and Dianne Schertz. The board will oversee the newly established non-profit entity, Logan County Senior Living Inc.

This group voted for the name change and will meet regularly to ensure the residence continues to offer high-quality care to seniors, said Shyanne Griggs, RN, director of nursing.  “I appreciate these new board members who are all from Oakley and surrounding communities,” Griggs commented. “They have served on various civic committees and have the foresight to look for ways to improve services for elders.
“The board members are very knowledgeable and I believe they will do what is right for Logan County Senior Living. I envision a bright future for our elders and their families.”

Griggs also noted that GraceTeam is a valued partner that took on management duties Jan. 1.
“We are so pleased that GraceTeam has assumed the many management responsibilities here,” Griggs said. “Everyone involved is transparent in everything they do. They communicate with us openly on all details, which is quite comforting. In addition, our staff members have received extensive training by GraceTeam’s clinical nurse.” 

Griggs emphasized “we are especially grateful for the partnership with Logan County Hospital and its continued support during this transition.” Griggs has worked at the residence since 2011, serving as a dietary aide, certified nurse’s aide, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, MDS coordinator and assistant director of nursing. She was named director of nursing in December 2019.

Dana Rice, GraceTeam regional operations consultant, said Griggs and her colleagues were the main reason for the interest in Logan County.  “Staff members here have a passion for caring for seniors and are great to work with,” Rice said. “GraceTeam is committed to working with rural Kansas communities as we help them sustain and improve senior services. We want to be part of this focus in Logan County.

“The future is bright here because of the leadership of the local board, support of Logan County Commissioners, the staff’s passion for providing outstanding care and the GraceTeam partnership,” Rice added. “Initially, we are evaluating and improving processes to ensure financial stability, while maintaining high-quality care for our seniors.”
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In the future, the board will evaluate the physical environment of the residence and discuss options for new models of care.

The Logan County Health Services and Logan County Commissioners are pleased to announce that the nursing facility licensure and management will be placed under a newly created nonprofit organization based in Oakley. The new nonprofit will receive financial support from the existing health care mill levy that had been used by the hospital in years past. This health care mill levy will provide for the nursing home's long term operations.

The newly created nonprofit will have 5-7 local members who will be responsible for the oversight of the nursing facility. Planning for the future of either remodeling the existing facility or for a new replacement facility will begin immediately. GraceTeam, a rural nursing home management company will report to the nonprofit and have been hired to assist in the oversight of the operations.

"We are in full support of this step forward as we believe this move strengthens the future of the hospital and at the same time improves upon our quality program of care for our elderly" states Mel Snow, President of Logan County Health Services.

"As our county commission looked at the challenges facing our nursing facility and a growing elderly population, we are pleased with this path forward to continue to have a viable and bright nursing facility program for the long term" comments David Hubert County Commissioner.

GraceTeam will begin working with the new board immediately and assume full management of the nursing facility on January 1, 2020. "Our plan is to keep what is working well, improve upon what needs improvements and assist the board in the planning for the long term future," states Dana Rice, Regional Operations Consultant for GraceTeam.