The 2017 OPTIMA Award in Memory Care

L to R: Pamela Tabar, Editor-in-chief, I Advance Senior Care; Jenn Daley, RN, Director of Nursing Services, Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation center; Jason Principe, National Account Executive, PointClickCare; Murry Mercier, Senior Living Team Lead, PointClickCare.

Congratulations to Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Issaquah, Washington, winner of the inaugural OPTIMA Award for Excellence in Memory Care! Issaquah’s Director of Nursing Services Jenn Daley, RN, received the award during the Fall Memory Care Forum in San Diego.

Issaquah’s program, chosen as the winning entry by an external independent panel of judges, focuses on the reduction of antipsychotic medications given to those with cognitive decline. By restricting the approval process of such drugs, educating clinical staff in non-pharmacological ways to interrupt negative behaviors and working with hospital emergency department prescribers, Issaquah was able to reduce its use of antipsychotics by more than 30 percent in just two years.

Award presenters included Pamela Tabar, Editor-in-Chief of I Advance Senior Care magazine and Jason Principe, National Account Executive for PointClickCare, which sponsored the award. Adding an award cartegory for memory care best practices is reflective of the urgent industry need for better ways to deliver quality care for a surging population with cognitive decline, Principe said. "We hope that this year's award will inspire others to reach higher, try harder and look for new ideas in delivering the best care we can for seniors with dementia."

The memory care award is part of the I Advance Senior Care OPTIMA Award program, now in its 21st year, which lauds innovative best practices and resident-centered programs that enhance quality of life. Be sure to read the in-depth story on Issaquah’s antipsychotics reduction program in our Fall 2017 print edition in November.

I Advance Senior Care

I Advance Senior Care is the industry-leading source for practical, in-depth, business-building, and resident care information for owners, executives, administrators, and directors of nursing at assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, post-acute facilities, and continuing care retirement communities. The I Advance Senior Care editorial team and industry experts provide market analysis, strategic direction, policy commentary, clinical best-practices, business management, and technology breakthroughs.

I Advance Senior Care is part of the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care and published by Plain-English Health Care.