Life at The Hickman is a unique blend of opportunity for continued vitality coupled with services and support. Our program of supportive services is designed to enhance each resident’s independence and well being and is provided in a comfortable, gracious atmosphere.
Our Resident Care staff is able to provide personal care services that include bathing, dressing, grooming, assistance with incontinence care, escorts to meals and activities, and ensure that residents receiving assistance are well-groomed and able to participate in all The Hickman has to offer. While trained in basic first aid, our care givers carry out only very limited nursing activities. These would be collecting vital signs, some oxygen and urinary catheter care, and simple skin care. The staff is also permitted to administer and manage medications following successful completion of the required Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare medication training course.
“Each element of service is carefully planned for each resident, including their full participation. It is a careful step-by-step approach to resident-centered services.” The Registered Nurse at The Hickman does ongoing training including medication training and supervises the care staff. Resident Care staff refers concerns and questions to the RN for consultation and direction. The RN is available to assess a resident who may not be feeling well, but cannot substitute for a physician visit and recommendations. Our RN works with other service providers who come to The Hickman, such as visiting nurses, physical therapists and hospice providers, as examples, to coordinate their care with care our staff may be providing. There is no program of regular nursing visits to residents.
The RN meets with new residents in determining what services may be necessary to meet the resident’s needs. She meets frequently with staff to discuss changes or concerns about residents. When changes in residents needs occur, the nurse will address these concerns with the resident and family and assist with determining next steps in the care continuum. Our nurse does not perform any routine nursing activities on a daily basis with residents. A nurse is available to staff 24/7 via phone if needed by the staff.
Included in our 70 residents are 12 residents who reside in our Jeanes Unit, named after Anna Jeanes, benefactor to the Hickman. The distinction of the Jeanes Unit is that assistance with all the activities of daily living are available through a staff enriched environment designed to provide high quality care with dignity and compassion for our frailest residents.
Although The Hickman does not have a dedicated, secure Alzheimer’s or Memory Care Unit, we are able to provide care to residents with varying degrees of cognitive impairments. In 2009 our Resident Care staff was trained and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association on how to provide dignified care to cognitively impaired residents. We also offer memory, recall and reminiscence activities designed to stimulate, include and engage residents. It is important to note, however, that although The Hickman can provide care to cognitively impaired residents, we are unable to safely care for residents who are at risk of wandering as we do not have a secure, locked unit. Please contact our Admissions Office to discuss how The Hickman may be able to care for your memory impaired loved one.
The Hickman is pleased to offer convenient pharmacy services to all of our residents. Please click here to learn more.