Schnurmacher Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing: Welcome to the Neighborhood

Schnurmacher Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing

(Members of the Sleepy Hollow Chorus at practice with their Neighborhood Director, Francisco Zuniga.)

Since March 2003, when the facility began its journey toward person-centered care, exciting changes at Schnurmacher Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing have enhanced the lives of its residents.

The process began with each of Schnurmacher's five resident care units redefining itself as a distinct "neighborhood." A "neighborhood" is a resident-centered care concept dedicated to incorporating the values of integration, creativity, compassion and caring. The development of neighborhoods was a turning point for the residents and staff.

Each neighborhood has a director whose role is to create and foster a warm, supportive and comforting home for those entrusted to their care. Residents and staff selected a name for their "neighborhood," resulting in nomenclature reflecting the connection of the facility to the rest of Westchester County: Blue Mountain, Sunnyside Manor, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow and Tibbits Brook.

Staff in each neighborhood encouraged residents to make choices, identify goals and prioritize issues. Nursing, Social Work, Housekeeping, Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Recreation are all intimately involved with the residents. These team members are key participants in the care planning process. For example, housekeeping workers contribute valuable insights about the residents as the team works to develop a comprehensive, individualized plan of care.

In the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood, residents created their own "Welcome to our Neighborhood" buddy system. Two well-established residents adopt a newcomer to help ease the moving-in process, offering support and encouragement. They introduce newcomers to other neighborhood residents and become their link to residential living. They offer practical advice: "Don't stay in your room too much. It's your worst enemy"; "Go to all activities"; and "Take advantage of every opportunity to meet new people." Sleepy Hollow formed its own choral group; their theme song is "Side by Side." On the occasion of a resident's death, residents and staff hold a memorial service for the departed and send a condolence card, signed by all, to the family of the deceased.

From aspects of clinical care to decorating and recreational activities, neighborhoods make their own decisions. Residents determine their own needs, and staff do everything they can to accommodate them while maintaining regulatory compliance. Residents become more self-directed and motivated, because they are not instructed in what to do, but invited to participate in daily decision-making.