February 24, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Bill Ritter today announced grants for projects aimed at improving nursing home residents’ quality of care and quality of life. HB 09-1196 provides $200,000 toward measures that will improve the quality of life for residents in Colorado nursing facilities.
“These grants will allow progressive steps to be made to usher in a higher quality of life for nursing home residents, including those who work there and provide the daily support and care,” said Gov. Ritter. “Simple steps and small measures often can make significant changes in those who depend upon others for daily care. I am happy to see that we will be able to help our most vulnerable of citizens live better lives.”
The Colorado Nursing Facility Culture Change Accountability Board is now accepting applications for grant funding for projects that can be replicated in other facilities. Projects must have a continuing and long-term beneficial effect on the quality of life of residents in nursing facilities even when additional grant funds are not available.
“When we commit money to the health and well-being of our seniors, we ensure that the quality of living in Colorado remains high,” said Sen. Betty Boyd, sponsor of HB 09-1196. “ I know how hard it can be to stretch a dollar in assisted living settings. This will give that little boost needed to make the quality of living near the end of life that much better.”
“These grants are consistent with a long-term care ‘culture change’ movement that is sweeping the nation,” said Maxine Roby, Chair Person for the Culture Change Accountability Board. “We’re excited because this work, when done well, returns dignity to the residents of these facilities by making their care and housing more individualized and personal.”
The Colorado Legislature has charged the Board with making available a total of $200,000 for these culture change proposals. Funding for these grants comes from fines levied against nursing homes when these facilities fail to meet state inspection standards.
Proposals can focus on building consumer awareness of resident-centered care, training and the hiring of culture change consultants and implementing resident centered care initiatives. Proposals must be received by the Culture Change Accountability Board by March 30, 2010.
For more information on the grant program contact Sheri Clark at sclark (at) coculturechange (dot) org or 303.868.4311. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. March 30, 2010
CONTACTS:
Sheri Clark, 303-868-4311, sclark (at) coculturechange (dot) org
Megan Castle, 303-319-8513, megan.castle (at) state.co (dot) us
