What to Know About Short-Term Rehabilitation

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Life is unpredictable. One minute you’re fine and the next, an accident or illness changes everything. After a visit to the hospital, the doctor may recommend a short-term rehab stay before you return home. While it may seem daunting, communities like Advena Living exist to help you get stronger and back home quicker. So what can you expect?

 

What is Rehabilitation Therapy?

Short-term rehab services or post-acute care is for individuals who are working hard to recover and return home after surgery, illness or injury.

Advena Living and other rehabilitation communities offer safe and supportive environments along with intensive therapies to help accomplish each person’s specific health goals.

 

Types of Therapies

Physical therapy focuses on improvement of coordinator, balance, strength and endurance.

Occupational therapy uses goal-directed activities to help restore, maintain and improve daily living skills.

Speech and language pathology looks at how to improve swallowing, hearing, speech and language. Speech therapists assess and provide treatment to help individuals recover lost skills or develop new ones.

 

Length of Visit

The typical length of stay is about 20 days, according to various sources, although it could be shorter or longer depending on your progress.

Medicare covers inpatient rehab in a skilled nursing community for up to 100 days, after a qualifying hospital stay meets the 3-rule. That means you must be admitted to the hospital as an inpatient for at least 3 days. The AARP Medicare Plans website provides more detailed information on Medicare Coverage.

 

Packing for a Short-Term Stay

If you do have to complete a post-hospital rehabilitation stay, you will need to bring comfortable loose clothing for therapy, as well as other personal items.

Here are a few suggestions of necessary items for your stay:

  • Shoes with non-skid soles
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Underwear, socks
  • Pajamas, robe, slippers with tread
  • Toiletries: shampoo, soap, cosmetics, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc.
  • Other personal hygiene products
  • Dentures, glasses, hearing aids, cane, walker
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Entertainment: laptop or tablet, books, magazines, crossword puzzles, cards, knitting

It is not recommended that you bring valuable items, jewelry or cash.

It is also not a requirement to bring bedding, but if you have a warm blanket or pillow that will make you more comfortable, bring those items.

 

Learn More about Short-Term Rehab

To learn more about short-term rehabilitation stays at Advena Living, call our Marketing and Admissions Director at (785) 789-4750.

 

About Advena Living

If your goal is to get well, strengthen and return to your home in the greater community, the team at Advena Living will make that our goal as well. We provide in-house physical, occupational and speech therapy services seven days a week, and we specialize in return-to-home plans and services. We can help you restore mobility, independence and autonomy as we work together on a plan to accomplish your goals to the best of our ability.

While the intention is to go home, that doesn’t always happen. For different reasons, an individual may not meet their goals and may require long-term care. Advena Living specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehab and assisted living services throughout Kansas. Our name “Advena” means newcomer, which is what we do—welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life, and where their personal choices are respected and upheld.

Join us for Southeast Kansas’ Business Expo: June 11th

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We look forward to seeing you Saturday, June 11th at Southeast Kansas’ inaugural business expo.

Advena Living of Cherryvale is proud to be a gold sponsor of SEK Biz Con and to have a booth. We will have information on our community as well as information on how to join our team!

This event is brought to you by our community partners, Independence Community College and the publishers of Independence Daily Reporter, Coffeyville Journal and Good News.

Highlighting Local Businesses

SEK Biz Con will showcase all the amazing local businesses our region has to offer. There will be a variety of product and services, as well as giveaways, swag and door prizes.

This is a free, kid-friendly event and there will be bounce houses, face painting and more!

Come hungry! There will be food trucks from around the area to fill your tummies.

Event Location

This event will be held on Saturday, June 10th from 8 AM to 4 PM.

It will be at the Independence Community College West campus at 2615 West Main Street, Independence, KS and there will be plenty of parking.

We hope to see you there!

The Speed of Aging: How the Rate Determines Health Issues

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Have you ever looked at someone the same age as you and thought that person looked much older or younger than you? Perhaps it’s because you are actually aging at different speeds.

A 2015 study looked at the pace of aging by studying biomarkers such as blood pressure, gum health, cholesterol, lung and kidney function, among others. The participants were all 38 years. Shockingly, after studying those biomarkers, the biological age of individuals actually varied between 28 years old to 61 years old. Those who were aging more quickly appeared older and reported more health issues.

This year, research supported by the National Institute on Aging took that data one step further to see if studying these biomarkers and the rate of aging could serve as early indicators for chronic conditions.

Aging Rate Predicts Health Problems

Researchers looked at the same participants, now seven years later at the age of 45 in hopes of coming up with a “Pace of Aging” score which would determine if someone was aging one year each calendar year, or if they were aging faster or slower than that.

The test found mid-life and older adults who scored higher were at increased risk for chronic disease, disability and mortality. The study also found young adults with childhood adversity indicated faster aging.

“Together, these measurements can help us understand the factors that drive accelerated aging in at-risk populations and identify interventions that can slow aging to build aging health equity,”

said Daniel Belsky, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University and the first author on both the 2015 and 2022 studies.

To learn more about this research, click here.

 

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we know that age is just a number and it’s more about how you feel. That’s why we strive to be more than a traditional, institutional nursing home to give people a better quality of life. We want community members to able to continue to enjoy the simple daily pleasures, rituals and activities that make them who they are.

We know that moving to a long-term care or assisted living community can be a challenge. That’s why our team works to ensure that new residents do not feel alone and are comfortable in their new environment. We strive to make the concept of “home” a real thing for everyone who lives at our communities, no matter how they define it.

Advena Living is a family-owned company that specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehab and assisted living services throughout Kansas. Our name “Advena” means newcomer, which is what we do—welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life, and where their personal choices are respected and upheld.

Fun Facts about Nurses for National Nurses Week

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Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. They are responsible for so many things to ensure people are happy, healthy and on the way to healing. For National Nurses Week, we want to thank all of our wonderful nurses at Advena Living for their commitment and dedication.

Did you know that National Nurses Week starts on May 6th and ends on May 12th, which is Florence Nightingale’s birthday? That is one of the many interesting and fun facts about nursing.

Here are 5 other tidbits we learned this week:

The Lady with the Lamp

Florence Nightingale was best known as the founder of modern nursing, according to History.com. But getting there wasn’t without challenges. As part of an affluent family during the Victorian Era, Nightingale was forbidden by her parents from pursing nursing because it was considered low-class at the time. Despite their objections, she continued to follow her calling.

She earned the nickname “Lady with the Lamp” during the Crimean War, when she would check on patients at night carrying her lamp.

The Symbolic Nursing Cap

Nursing apparel certainly has changes from the days of a crisp white dress and the symbolic white nurse’s cap. The cap is thought to have evolved from a nun’s habit as a head covering, and later became a “hallmark of the profession,” according to researchers from americannursinghistory.org.

Eventually, nursing caps became obsolete because they were uncomfortable, hard to keep clean, and because of gender biases.


Nurses, the TV Show

Nurses was the first primetime medical drama to feature nurses. The series ran from 1962 to 1965 and was a spinoff of the show Empty Nest, which was a spinoff of Golden Girls. Since then, there have been many dramas set in the hospital that blur the lines between reality and fiction.


These Shoes Were Made for Walking

If you’re a nurse, you better get out your pedometer. This study found nurses walk a whopping 4-5 miles during an average 12-hour shift. For comparison, most Americans walk about half that in 18 hours.

Rise to the Top

When it comes to professions, nursing continues to be at the top of US News & World Report’s 100 Best Jobs for paying well, opportunities for professional advancement and satisfying work/life balance.


About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we support our team members in developing professionally and we strive to be a company where people choose to work. We take pride in shaping our organizational culture to support and appreciate all employees. At our core, we believe every person who works and lives in our communities has value.

We are always looking for dedicated people to join and grow with our team. Those individuals should be passionate and committed to providing quality care and enriching the lives of all community members.

Advena Living offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation and assisted living services at multiple locations in Kansas.

To apply, click here.

The Power of Plants: How They Relieve Stress and Offer Other Benefits

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There’s a simple way to reduce stress, be more productive at work and help improve your overall wellbeing. All you have to do is buy a plant.

Reducing Stress

Researchers from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology wanted to see if there was any correlation between interacting with plants and stress levels.

This relatively simple study involved two tasks: repotting a plant and doing a computer activity. After each task, researchers measured blood pressure and heart rate.

They found the interaction with plants resulted in a lower stress response and participants reported feeling more relaxed, as compared to the computer task.

Other Benefits

Other studies found having a house plant can help sharpen your attention and boost your productivity. And in some cases, it may improve your outlook on your job, in general.

To learn more about science-backed benefits of indoor plants, click here.

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we believe that plants should always be part of the indoor décor. While we love our beautiful hanging baskets and flower gardens outside our communities, we know there are benefits to having indoor plants as well.

Science tells us that plants can lower stress, improve quality of air, and even recover from an illness faster. Those are some great benefits. We also look at it a different way, as a way to feel more at home.

Advena Living communities strive to make the concept of “home” a real thing for everyone who lives in our communities. Our goal is to ensure each community member gets to live how they want to, on their own schedule, and can maintain those special daily pleasures that are a part of who they are.

For some people, that may be growing violets by their windowsill, something they’ve always done. For others it may be about working with their hands out in the garden and giving them a purpose. Or it could simply be that a plant reminds them of their previous home and provides a sense of comfort.

Advena Living is a family-owned company that specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehab and assisted living services throughout Kansas. Our name “Advena” means newcomer, which is what we do—welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life, and where their personal choices are respected and upheld.

 

5 Ways to Get Excited about your Job

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Sometimes there are days where it feels like we’re going through the motions. Wake up, go to work, come home, make dinner, maybe watch TV, go to bed and do it all over again. A change of mindset may be all it takes to get excited about your work day. Here are five easy ways to overcome the monotony.

Start Your Day with Gratitude

Practicing gratitude can have a positive effect on our mental health and overall wellbeing. First thing in the morning after you wake up, think of three things you are thankful for. Experts who start each day with a grateful mindset believe recalling people, happy experiences or positive events allow you to also feel the good emotions that come along with those things.

Remember Your Passion

It’s worth reflecting on what drew you to this line of work in the first place. Maybe it was because you wanted to help people and change lives. If you’ve been in the same job field for many years, it’s easy to lose sight of this. Remembering why you chose this career can help get you excited about your job and give you a new sense of purpose.

Add Value

Think about the value you add to your company. What are you really good at? What is it that you do that no one else does? Consider all the ways that you contribute to your organization and take pride in that. While we all have parts of our jobs that aren’t our favorite, instead, focus on what you do great and the parts that you enjoy.

Share those skills. Teaching or mentoring coworkers can give you a confidence boost in your abilities and the potential to support others.

Try Something New

Consider taking on a new project or learning a new skill at work. It will not only help build your resume and make you more invaluable in your job, but it can also combat any feelings of boredom you may be experiencing at work.

Have Something to Look Forward To

For some people, the excitement of an upcoming vacation or fun activity is almost as fun as the actual event itself. Chase that feeling every day on a smaller scale. The anticipation of something to look forward to, like lunch with a coworker, may be all it takes to motivate you to get through the day.

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we strive to be a company where people choose to work. We take pride in shaping our organizational culture to support and appreciate all employees. At our core, we believe every person who works and lives in our communities has value.

We are always looking for dedicated people to join and grow with our team. Those individuals should be passionate and committed to providing quality care and enriching the lives of all community members.

Advena Living offers long-term care, skilled nursing and assisted living services at multiple locations in Kansas.

See the Light: Treating SAD with Light Therapy

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This time of year, you may be a little moodier, have a lack of energy, or feel disconnected from others. You’re not alone. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a common type of depression that happens around the winter months. According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms can include irritability, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, sleeping too much and feeling hopeless. While there isn’t a specific way to prevent SAD, an easy and inexpensive way to manage symptoms is with light therapy.


Using Light Therapy to Treat SAD

Phototherapy or light therapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder.

Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist, says light therapy affects brain chemicals that are linked to mood and sleep by giving off a light that is similar to natural outdoor light. He recommends using a 10,000-lux light box or lamp for 20 minutes within an hour of waking up.

“You don’t have to stare directly at the light, but you want to keep your eyes open,” suggests Dr. Sawchuk. He recommends people eat breakfast or read the paper near the light.

 

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Talk to your doctor if you are feeling the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and want to consider phototherapy. In most cases, SAD symptoms often fade around spring or summer.

At Advena Living, we know how difficult these cold winter months can be. We encourage our community members to get involved with social activities and get some vitamin D when the weather permits.

 

About Advena Living

Advena Living communities offer long-term care, skilled nursing and assisted living services at multiple locations in Kansas. We are dedicated to the vision that each person has value, and we should honor their individual choices. Even in a heavily regulated environment, Advena Living understands the importance of making home a real thing. We do this through the pursuit of person-centered care, the preservation of autonomy, and participative decision-making throughout the organization.

When a person moves into one of our Advena Living communities, our goal is to welcome them and their family as new members of our extended family. We work hard to accommodate what they want their schedule to be and what choice they want to make.

New Year, New Job: Advena Living is Hosting a Job Fair

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Ready to kick off 2022 with a new job?  Advena Living is hiring, and we are looking for motivated candidates like you!

Advena Living strives to be a place where people chose to live and work by supporting our employees and staying true to our values. We believe in providing high quality care to people of all walks of life. And we are interested in bringing on team members who are equally as excited to make a different and provide the best care possible.

Job Fair Information

We’re holding a job fair to hire for direct care positions including RN, LPN, CNA and CMA at our three Wichita area locations:

Stop by and visit us at our job fair on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at the Holiday Inn Express on 1236 S. Dugan Rd in Wichita by the airport. We’ll be there all day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you can’t attend the job fair in person, join us virtually:
Meeting ID: 833 9955 4331
Passcode: NewJob!

Full-time employees receive health insurance and a 401(k), as well as PTO, paid holidays, and insurance options for life, dental and vision. Generous sign-on bonuses are being offered for all positions.

If this sounds like the new job you’ve been waiting for, stop by our job fair. For more information on the positions or the event, contact Jamie at Advena Living (785) 789-4750.

About Advena Living

Advena Living offers skilled nursing, long-term care and rehab at all of our seven communities. Some communities also provide independent and assisted living. Our name, Advena, means “newcomer” in Latin. We welcome all newcomers to our communities— whether a new community member needs extra care and a comfortable environment, or an employee wants to find fulfillment in their careers.

Advena logo - Kansas Healthcare Agency Staffing + Living Communities (nursing homes/LTC, skilled nursing, assisted living & more)

Join Us in Celebrating Our New Brand

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Cornerstone Healthcare Solutions is proud to announce and celebrate our transition to a new corporate name and brand identity as Advena Living, representing a system of six beautiful continuing-care and community living facilities located across Kansas.

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Advena logo - Kansas Healthcare Agency Staffing + Living Communities (nursing homes/LTC, skilled nursing, assisted living & more)

Join us in celebrating our new brand: Advena Living

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Cornerstone Healthcare Solutions is proud to announce and celebrate our transition to a new corporate name and brand identity as Advena Living, representing our system of continuing-care and community living facilities in Kansas, and Cornerstone Employment Solutions, our nurse staffing agency providing staff to senior communities across Kansas.

We chose the name Advena, which is Latin for newcomer, because we have built our reputation on welcoming newcomers to our communities and creating a culture that uniquely means “home.” As Advena Living, all our living communities will be recognized for their commitment to the concept of home.

In the coming months as we unify under the Advena brand, you will notice key changes taking place at the local level as each living community adopts and transitions applicable materials and signage to the new brand identity. What has not changed is our focus on compassionate care for our community members and respect for personal choices, in a comforting, safe environment that feels like home.

I encourage you to follow our progress and learn more about living the Advena adventure by watching our brand anthem video. We look forward to celebrating this transition with everyone in the Advena family. Welcome home!

Sincerely,

Willie Novotny, CEO                                        

Michelle Novotny, EVP/CNO

Advena logo (Kansas healthcare agency staffing and living communities - nursing homes/LTC, skilled nursing, assisted living)
© Advena
Advena logo (Kansas healthcare agency staffing and living communities - nursing homes/LTC, skilled nursing, assisted living)
© Advena