Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 203
In May the Refundable Life Use Fee payment plan for residential admissions w
no longer offered, and residents entering now pay a monthly charge.
Two long time and dedicated employees retired in 1995. Following 34 years of
employment in Nursing, Rita West retired in October, and in February, Betty
Lynch retired from Housekeeping after 29 years of service to the Home. We
thank God for these women who have given so much of themselves to care for our
Home family. Please pray that God would continue to provide for our human
resource needs in all departments, for it is through our employees that care is
rendered and the good reputation of the Home is established. As part of her
preparation for licensure, Margie Hemphill has recently taken on responsibilities as
Assistant Administrator.
At the conclusion of 1995, the Board of Directors adopted some significant
amendments to the link between the wage scale and the employee performance
appraisal system which we trust will improve the function of the performance
appraisal system.
The Home provides an Employee Assistance Program through professional staff
conneaed to St. Margaret's Memorial Hospital. Employees may seek anonymous
personal counseling through these channels.
In November the Home adopted an Affirmative Action Policy which serves as a
public statement and measure of the Home's desire to provide employment and
service to people from all walks of life. Copies of this policy are posted onall
bulletin boards around the Home.
The Financial Accounting Standards Bureau initiated some new reporting steps
which we are now following.
One event contributing to this financialyear was the one-time opportunity in
January, 1995 to buy back the smaller of our two construction loans at a 17%
discount! This reduced our interest expense for 1995 and years to come.
Our audited Financial Statements show sufficient total income to meet expenses,
although we continue to depend upon the non-operating gains to erase our loss
from operations. This year our loss from operations was $272,000.
The Home continues to be certified under both the Medicare and Medicaid
programs. Beginning in January, 1996, the Department of Public Welfare has
instituted a much debated reimbursement program for those in nursing homes. It
is called the Case-Mix reimbursement system, and nursing homes are now paid
according to an average sickness level with rehabilitation potential for its residents
living in the facility. We continue to monitor as closely as possible the future
availability of government health care dollars.
The Woman's Association recently received a gift of the small point of property
at Federal Street/Perrysville Avenue.
One major projea completed this year was the refurbishing of the 1957
northwest stairwell. Plans are underway to redo the 4th floordeck. We continue
to keep up a schedule of refinishing and repainting rooms and hallways.