CMS Headquarters has been an active part of the culture change movement right from the start. The CMS national culture change lead, Karen Schoeneman, will describe what CMS thinks of culture change, what CMS has been doing about culture change, and some exciting culture change projects in the planning stages.

Come hear what CMS has been telling the surveyors and QIOs about culture change and compliance with the regulations. Karen serves as co-lead of the nursing home survey process and lead for the quality of life regulations. She has trained over 5,000 surveyors as part of their BASIC training, has produced several CMS broadcasts, and has made numerous conference presentations on issues of compliance and culture change. She is not only a federal regulator but also worked as a social worker in long term care for 17 years. She is a founding member of the Pioneer Network and an Eden Associate.

Following the summit last October bringing together providers and regulators, this program was designed to introduce consumers and policy makers to the culture change movement underway in care centers across the country. The full-day program was provided at no charge thanks to volunteer resources and time from Coalition partners and Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) funds.

"The common ground we create as consumers, family members, ombudsman, researchers, caregivers and other representatives from the provider community is key to advancing change", said Adam Suomala, MHHA manger of member relations addressing the crowd. "By working together here today and in communities across the state tomorrow, culture change is possible everywhere."

Participants in the full-day program were led by facilitators Cathie Brady and Barbara Frank of B&F Consulting, Inc. The day included a video filmed by Twin Cities Public Television at Lyngblomsten Care Center in St. Paul that was funding by AARP Minnesota. Through interviews of residents, staff and others it shared the message of how nursing homes are making the journey from institutional care to "home." Framed with the history of care centers, the day drew out the positive examples, challenges, questions and dialogue around change.

In addition to presentations, activities, games and group conversations were orchestrated by the facilitators. Participants discussed a variety of perspectives including the concepts key to creating "home," individualizing care plans, developing consistent assignments and supportive relationships and the roles each of us play in change. Information and resources were also provided.

"I want to thank everyone who put so much time and energy into making this such a terrific day for consumers who care about long-term care. I know the AARP volunteers who attended enjoyed it very much and thought it was a wonderful experience. I think this only shows how powerful collaboration can be... and this is only the beginning!"

- Michele Kimball, State Director, AARP Minnesota

"I think the 23rd demonstrates how a shared vision can make success happen one step at a time. Imagine the possibilities for the coalition and residents receiving care in nursing homes. We're making history and I am glad to be a part of it with everyone"

- Mark Wandersee, Director of Council Services, ElderCare Rights Alliance

As I'm describing my new book to folks, I always say something like "It tells the story of a movement of people trying to transform nursing homes from the old institutional model to places that really look and feel like home." If I have time, I go on to say that the movement is really taking on the culture of aging, with nursing homes being the most egregious example of how we marginalize elders (or something like that). Anyway, I keep getting asked what the movement is called. For those who have never heard of this, I'm finding that "culture change" is too jargony and vague and could be used to refer to all sorts of enterprises, not just long-term care. And the "Pioneer Network" doesn't really capture the essence of what this movement is. One friend who is a long-time public relations sort, suggested it be called "the elder home movement" meaning, everywhere elders live should be "home." I wondered if others had wrestled with this.

On investigative visits to nursing homes across the nation, Beth Baker has witnessed profound changes. Culture change leaders are tearing up everything -- the floor plans, the flow charts, the schedules, the lousy menus, the attitudes, the rules -- and starting from scratch. They are creating extraordinary places where people live in dignity and greet the day with contentment, assisted by employees who feel valued and appreciated. Perhaps most surprising, these homes prove that a high quality of life does not have to cost more. Some of the best homes in the nation serve primarily low-income people who are on Medicaid.

In this new book, Baker tell the story of a better way to live in old age. Although each home is different, they share common values: respecting individual choices; empowering staff; fostering a strong community of elders, staff, family members, and volunteers; redesigning buildings from a hospital model to a home (where pets and children are part of everyday life); and honoring people when they die. Her visits to more than two dozen facilities include those associatd with the Eden Alternative, Green House, Kendal, and the Pioneer Network. Whether these transformational homes become the norm or the domain of a lucky few is the question that faces the next generation of elders, the baby boomers.