Mission Healthcare Facilities and Culture Change

Over the last decade, a grassroots movement in long-term care known as “Culture Change” has spread throughout the country. The Culture Change philosophy focuses on making residents feel part of their home, rather than part of a facility. It means moving away from traditional institutional care and giving residents, their family members, and “frontline” workers – those who handle the day-to-day care of residents – a stronger voice in residents’ care.

At Mission Healthcare, our communities are implementing Culture Change so that we can enhance our residents’ quality of life, support their families, and provide fulfilling jobs for our associates. One way we do this is by providing residents more choices in their communities from the type of foods they eat to the clothes they wear to their daily schedules. For example, our Bethel Care Center offers a wide range of ethnic foods that meet the needs of our diverse residents and associates.

We also strive to create smaller “neighborhoods” within our communities. Our associates are assigned to a team that cares for a specific group of residents, rather than being designated to a single department, such as nursing, housekeeping, or food service. Associates’ jobs duties are blended so that they can help residents with their personal care, lead activities, cook, and do light housekeeping when needed. This allows our residents to become more familiar with their caregivers and form stronger connections to their communities.

Mission Healthcare is excited about this resident-centered approach, and we continue to enhance our quality of care. Culture Change is recognized by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.