Riverside Post Acute Partners with Haven Hospice for Well-Attended Dementia Training in Jacksonville, Fla.

A well-attended dementia experience training at Riverside Post Acute – hosted in partnership with Haven Hospice – drew professionals, community partners and caregivers for an immersive experience. Attendees included staff of the Jacksonville skilled nursing center, members of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center team, community partners and others.

Simulations of simple daily tasks – and the obstacles those with dementia often face trying to complete them – were among the key parts of the training at Riverside. “The dementia simulation provides an opportunity for a person with a healthy brain to walk in the shoes of a person living with dementia,” noted Kyla Hartman, dementia program coordinator at Haven Hospice, which has earned the American Hospital Association’s Circle of Life Award for excellence and innovation.

Riverside Post Acute and Haven Hospice also offer an ongoing dementia support group led by Hartman. Open to the public, the group meets at Riverside on the second Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. Located at 1750 Stockton Street, Riverside recently opened its Journeys Memory Care neighborhood, a person-centered, comprehensive memory care model.

“Riverside is focused on meeting area healthcare needs and providing transformative care and services; its new Journeys program, which has already been highly sought after and successful, is an example of that commitment,” said Pam Montemurno, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Riverside. “Advanced dementia training is a foundation of the Journeys care model. Riverside is pleased to partner with Haven Hospice in this recent training effort and welcome the Alzheimer’s research team from the prestigious Mayo Clinic.”

Journeys Memory Care at Riverside Post Acute

Designed by memory care experts, and under the leadership of Riverside Medical Director Ravish Narvel, MD, FACP, CMD, Journeys Memory Care features a unified approach to care delivery, practice and management. Modern and bright, the memory care neighborhood boasts a comfortable, home-like feel with dementia-friendly décor. The secure environment features separate living, dining and recreation space.

Memory care residents at Riverside benefit from psychology and psychiatry services, family support services, and rehabilitation and cognitive therapies. The robust life enrichment offering – featuring a range of therapeutic activities such as art, music, sensory activities, reminiscence therapy and intergenerational programming in indoor and outdoor settings – operates seven days per week.

“Under Dr. Narvel’s leadership, Riverside’s Journeys program supports residents’ physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs, enabling them to maintain the highest possible level of function and independence in a safe and secure environment,” Montemurno said. “A dedicated team is trained and educated to communicate through validation, showing understanding, compassion and support as they join residents through the journey of each day.”

More information on Riverside Post Acute can be found at riversiderehabhc.com.

Marquis Health Consulting Services provides administrative consulting services to skilled nursing facilities and senior living communities along the Eastern Seaboard. The company’s “Care, Anew” philosophy supports its mission to help clients transform industry processes, mindsets and outcomes. Marquis-serviced skilled nursing centers have access to an evolving suite of clinician-led specialty care models, signature services and comfort features – enabling innovation, compassion and purpose in every aspect of care.