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State of Wisconsin Grant Funds Awarded to Lutheran Homes and Health Services...

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded Lutheran Homes and Health Services with grant funding from the CMP Program. This grant, combined with commitments from LHHS, will be used to implement a unique and innovative blend of technology activities for residents and their families in the Fond du Lac area.

The intent of this technology program is to improve the quality of life for LHHS residents by enhancing communications with families, friends, and care providers by offering various avenues for them to stay connected.

“Senior culture is changing drastically as the baby boomers enter their senior years.” said LHHS CEO, Mari Beth Borek, “As our seniors change, so must our senior environments. This unique and innovative program will also serve to prepare LHHS to address those changing needs and demands of our growing senior population.”

Implementation of this technology program is expected to be complete by September, 2010 and includes features such as:

· Touch Screen computers with adaptive keyboard, speakers, and mice that allow residents to easily use the internet to interact in a variety of ways, such as email, Face book, games, and music.

· Interactive Software that allows caregivers to personalize therapies using software designed to engage residents in activities that improve hand-eye co-ordination, memory, and cognitive function.

· Web-cam for virtual family visits will help alleviate residents’ feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression.

· In-house resident channel that allows residents to participate in activities and events such as church services, celebrations and performances that they cannot physically attend.

Qualifying for such funding is a great compliment to Lutheran Homes and Health Services, and recognizes their dedication to continuous improvement in the quality of physical and mental care. Long term, LHHS hopes to use this unique and innovative program as a model to encourage and assist other nursing homes to incorporate the use of technology that would better serve the changing needs of our seniors.