SPECIALIZED HEALTHCARE TRAINING FUND ESTABLISHED
A new fund at Ingleside at King Farm (IKF) will help healthcare employees receive education on person-centered care initiatives that focus on residents’ holistic needs and care preferences, consistent with their lifestyles. The emphasis is on relationships rather than task-centered approaches. Helen Smits and Roger LeCompte helped establish the Healthcare Center Employee Development Fund through IRA legacy gifts.
Smits, 87, is a doctor and was the first female chief resident at University of Pennsylvania Hospital and the first woman to chair the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. She and her husband lived in Africa for three years after retirement, working with the Clinton Foundation to help provide AIDS treatment. She said she’s hopeful that the new fund will help both future residents and employees.
HOW DID THE IDEA OF CREATING THE HEALTHCARE CENTER EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT FUND COME TO YOU?
I’ve been here for eight years, including before and throughout COVID, and I’ve seen the opportunity for changes in the focus of care that will help both residents and employees. It would be great to help the employees receive education in person-centered care and work with the residents to find the best balance for everyone on timing and manner of treatment.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO THE IKF COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEES TO FOCUS ON PERSON-CENTERED CARE AND CULTURE CHANGE INITIATIVES?
Person-centered care really changes how you think about care and helps with the decision-making process over timing on things like meals and medication. It also will help the nursing assistants and employees as they would be better empowered to know what works best for everyone.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER POTENTIAL DONORS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING A GIFT?
It will change the lives of people who are there now and it may change your life if you need the extra support of assisted living.