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Ermo Conversion for Medically Frail Consumers |
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This project proposal seeks to maximize the utilization of Ermo’s physical plant to include current residents and future applicants and to develop a home with the necessary medical/nursing supports that will allow them to reside in a community-based residence versus a more restrictive alternative nursing home setting.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
REHAB Programs Inc., initially opened the Ermo Community Residence in 1982 for 14 individuals with developmental disabilities. The residence is a one-story ranch home with approximately 5,000 square feet. It is handicap accessible with wide corridors and has been certified to meet the impractical parameters of Chapter 21 of the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 1985 Edition. In 1998 the residence was converted to an Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA).
Since the initial opening of the Ermo Residence admissions have included more individuals with either a health or physical impairment or mobility need that the physical plant of the home could accommodate. This project proposal seeks to maximize the utilization of Ermo’s physical plant to include current residents and future applicants and to develop a home with the necessary medical/nursing supports that will allow them to reside in a community-based residence versus a more restrictive alternative nursing home setting. Future applicants include one individual who was a former resident of the Ermo Residence and others who are currently residing in local or out-of-state nursing facilities. Additionally the proposal seeks to explore an opportunity of utilizing the space within the Ermo Residence to provide day habilitation services to those in need.
A preliminary review of this plan was presented to all current residents of the Ermo Residence on 5/5/04. Included with the review of this proposal was the concept to develop two smaller IRAs. This would allow present residents with a diagnosis of diabetes and for those presently residing at Ermo who would not require an extensive level of care to live in a smaller residence if they would prefer. Initially the project proposal was seeking to develop a small 4-6 bed IRA for individuals with developmental disabilities who also have a diagnosis of diabetes. One resident voiced her opinion that she would also like to live in a smaller residence, but she requires more intensive nursing supports as she is diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia. As a direct result of her expressed desires we modified this proposal to develop a mirror residential program of the Ermo Residence while still accommodating the desire for some individuals to live in a smaller setting. A follow-up meeting with the same residents occurred on 5/20/04 with their MSC Coordinators present. Attached to this proposal are written letters of support from consumers and in some cases from the consumer’s family member(s) as appropriate.
This project proposal would allow REHAB Programs Inc., to further develop a continuum of care for residential services and an opportunity to blend day services at the Ermo Residence. It is anticipated that administrative and consultative support will be necessary during the initial phases of development.
As stated in the OPTS proposal application, a Pilot Project Evaluation Committee would be established to monitor this project. This will include the evaluation that will utilize a descriptive analysis of process and outcome data on individuals/family, staff, and organization. |
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