What To Expect
The Margaret E. Moul Home is licensed as a skilled nursing facility; however, there are many factors that make the Margaret E. Moul Home and our residents very unique.
- One of three facilities in the state of Pennsylvania that specializes in serving adults with neuromuscular impairments
- An individualized approach to care for each resident that includes not only nursing but also therapy, therapeutic recreation, dietary management, and social and spiritual wellness
- The average age of a resident at the Home is 46 years old
- The Home faces complex regulatory systems and is inspected annually by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to ensure state and federal regulations are being followed
Resident Guides
Policies, procedures and regulatory requirements for residents, families and staff as they relate to day to day living. The purpose of the Resident Guides is to ensure that residents’ rights are upheld to the fullest extent possible while promoting communication and understanding.
Individualized Approach to Care
Doctors Visits
Doctor's Visits
In Home: Residents have a choice between allowing their primary care physician to continue to treat them upon admission to the Margaret E. Moul Home or allowing Dr. Snehal B. Patel, the Home’s Medical Director, to become their primary care physician. There is also a variety of contracted services provided to residents in-house such as:
- Podiatry
- Optometry
- Mobile imaging
- Lab Services
- Pharmacy Services
Outpatient Visits: For issues that require outpatient services, such as specialties including but not limited to orthopedic, neurologist, dermatologist, urology, dental, psychiatry, imaging, behavioral health, etc., the Home will provide transportation if the appointment is within a reasonable distance.
Care Plan Meetings
Care Plan Meetings
An interdisciplinary team consisting of representatives from the following areas: Nursing Department, Therapeutic Recreation Department, Dietary, Occupational and Speech Therapy, and Social Services meet quarterly with a resident and his/her family,friend,POA,guardian, etc. Residents’ loved ones may call into the meeting if they are unable to attend in person.
The purpose of the meeting is to review the plan of care for residents’ treatment, address any questions, concerns or suggestions from the resident or loved ones, provide input on the progress of residents’ goals and address overall wellness. Care Plan Meetings are a way to encourage residents and their support system outside of the Home to be active, vocal participants in decisions related to all aspects of care.
Psychosocial Needs
Psychosocial Needs
The Social Services team aims to encourage resident growth by overseeing medical, social, spiritual, behavioral and emotional needs.
Collaboration between other areas is crucial in helping residents to adjust to long-term care, conquer challenges, and ultimately reach an optimal quality of life.
Staff Approach Plans, which provide staff with consistent ways to interact with residents to promote positive relationships, and Behavior Management Plans, which is a goal-driven method to motivate positive behavioral patterns, are both used on a daily basis across the entire Margaret E. Moul Home team.
Personal Care & Grooming
Personal Care & Grooming
Done by the in-house beautician and Certified Nursing Assistants, residents direct their personal care and grooming. If a resident has a goal related to personal care and grooming, for example shaving, therapy staff will work with a resident to achieve the goal if possible.
The Home has two private resident bathing areas with shower chairs, trolleys and whirlpool tubs. Specific staff complete resident showers and tubs, which is a unique and individualized approach focused on resident dignity.
Leisure Pursuits
Leisure Pursuits
One-on-one assessments are completed by a certified recreational therapist to identify any potential needs in assisting residents with actively pursuing and participating in his/her leisure pursuits such as reading and writing, music, computer technology, art, socialization and communication skills, money management, and friendship building.
Therapeutic interventions occur when a need arises and is identified, for example if a resident could benefit from assistance with adjusting to long term care, exhibiting signs and symptoms of depression or behavioral issues, or expressing a desire to learn a new leisure skill.
Spiritual Needs
Spiritual Needs
Chaplain Mike Miller provides weekly spiritual studies and services, conducts memorial services, coordinate religious studies with community churches, celebrates various religious holidays and educates residents.
Transportation
The normal hours of operation for medical appointment transports are 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. In order to avoid incurring additional costs, such as overtime, only the transporters or the Unit Manager will schedule appointments. View Policy
Social Wellness
Community outings, Dream Trips, Diversional Activities, Adventure Programming, Spirit Meetings, and Special Events are opportunities that enhance social wellness for each resident at the Margaret E. Moul Home.
Multi-Sensory Environment
The Home has two multi-sensory studios utilized in one-on-one and small group settings to increase sensory stimulation, decrease anxiety and behavioral issues, and alleviate pain. The studios consist of a variety of visual elements, music and sensory furniture to provide sensory stimulation and relaxation.
Visitation
Visiting Hours are open and left up to the discretion of the resident and visitor. All visitors are requested to sign in and out at the receptionist area.
The Adaptive Music Program
The Adaptive Music Program provides residents with a sense of pride and accomplishment in creating something of their own and expressing themselves in a unique way. The Adaptive Music Program challenges the Therapeutic Recreation staff to find the best possible solution and adaptation so that each and every resident can create music. It gives residents the control to truly compose a piece of personalized music. Through programs like Ableton Live, Grand VJ and others, the Therapeutic Recreation staff combines music theory with computer programming to serve the residents involved in the Adaptive Music Program. Not only do residents compose music, they can also create and control visuals that correspond to the piece. Technology is changing every day, and it’s giving residents the chance to do things they never thought possible.
Residential Living Quarters
A Home Away From Home
The Home has private and semi-private rooms. Residents are encouraged to personalize their rooms to reflect individuality within the policy of the Resident Guides.
Shared living rooms, dining area, and outdoor courtyards as well as a chapel, therapy spaces, and personal care room are welcomed and encouraged to be used by all residents.
Maintenance & Housekeeping
The Maintenance Department assists residents with furniture moving/placement, hanging approved items, etc. Wheelchairs (including joysticks, wheels, motors, and batteries) are cleaned a minimum of two times a week. The Maintenance Department ensures the safety and functionality of beds (motors, controls) and call lights, and does maintenance and repairs as needed throughout the Home. The Housekeeping team cleans residents’ rooms daily (floors, linens, dusting), organizes clothing, switches seasonal wardrobes, assists with holiday decorations, and washes curtains twice a year.
Room Decoration
TV’s, Radios, Computers
Outdoor SpacesSpecial Needs & Equipment
Wheelchairs: Fitting & Maintenance
The Occupational Therapy (OT) department encourages residents to meet their highest functional level, which includes mobility. Positional needs and for posture and contracture management are managed by OT. In-house personalized modifications as well as pressure mapping and ultrasound are done in-house and are individualized to each resident.
Communication Devices
The Speech Language Pathologist provides augmentative and alternative communication systems for residents with severe expressive/language comprehension issues. Augmentative communication devices (ACDs or talkers) allow residents who cannot verbally communicate to express his/her needs and wants. Each device is uniquely designed based on a resident’s physical ability.
Adaptive Equipment
Assessments are done to determine if a resident could benefit from certain adaptive equipment. This could include adjustments to the toilet, adding a tray or certain joystick to a wheelchair, selecting an appropriate call light, or programming phones or other technology to make communication easier.