JACKSON - Tennessee Health Management (THM) that operates 29 skilled nursing communities, announced an expansion of an interactive program for patients and residents that combines online activities with restorative therapies to improve their quality of life. With the addition of nine facilities in the Jackson region, approximately 1,646 skilled nursing patients in 19 THM facilities throughout West and Northwest Tennessee can now participate in the Activities, Restorative and Therapy in Sync (ARTS) program.
The ARTS program was funded by the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Services Region IV with $964,766.16 from the Civil Monetary Penalty funds. The grant supports the use of the It's Never 2 Late (iN2L) computer-based system to engage residents in fun and meaningful activities. The iN2L touch-based technologies encourage users, even those unfamiliar with computers, to "touch their way" through programs to connect with loved ones via Skype, create "My Story" digital biographies, do simulated physical activities, and play brain games.
Activities therapy, restorative care and rehabilitative therapies have historically been separate departments in a residential nursing facility.
As a requirement of the grant program, the team will measure and report on the program's results over the next 36 months.
So far, THM therapists are enthusiastic about the results they are seeing. At Applingwood Healthcare Center in Cordova, Tenn., the staff has incorporated the program into most patients' therapy sessions and reports that patients are enjoying the new online activities. At Covington Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Covington, Tenn., the therapists have found that patients who use the system are more active and tolerate longer treatment times prior to rest.
The 19 THM skilled nursing facilities that have implemented the ARTS program include: Applingwood Healthcare Center of Cordova; Bright Glade Health and Rehabilitation Center and Harbor View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Memphis; Covington Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Crestview Health Care and Rehabilitation Center of Brownsville; Decatur County Health Care and Rehabilitation of Parsons; Dyersburg Nursing and Rehabilitation; Forest Cove Nursing and Rehab Center of Jackson; Humboldt Healthcare and Rehab Center; Lewis County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Hohenwald; Lexington Health Care and Rehabilitation; McKenzie Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center; McNairy County Health Care Center; Northbrooke Healthcare and Rehab Center of Jackson; Paris Health Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Savannah Health Care and Rehabilitation Center; Union City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; VanAyer Healthcare and Rehab Center located in Martin; and Westwood Health and Rehabilitation Center of Decaturville, Tenn.
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