Resident Centered Departments
Wellness
Role of the Nurse
Our Wellness Director, Elizabeth McCarthy, R.N., is on call 24/7 and is a resource for families and residents.
All of our Wellness nurses are available to assist and support the independent management of our residents’ health and well being. They consult with residents and families to determine what, if any, assistance is needed with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and medication management. They are also available to advise residents and families regarding changes in individual care plans; or, if services are required which may not be available at Youville Place, advise on home health services, hospice care, or transfer to another level of care, including a nursing home. The Wellness nurse also coordinates health education programs and health screenings.
Service Plan Support
Upon move in, an initial individual service plan is designed to provide the services needed to support independence. After 30 days of residency, a follow-up assessment is performed to determine whether there have been any changes. Subsequently, the original assessment is reviewed, updated, and signed every six months — or more frequently if there is a change in condition. If needs do change, the Wellness nurse will work with residents to revise the service plan so that all support necessary to stay safe and well is in place. Residents, their families, and the staff of Youville Place work together to develop a service plan that best meets each individual’s needs.
Hospice
It is the hope of many of our residents to remain in their home at Youville Place. Whenever possible, hospice is an option many families choose. Youville Place staff will work closely with families and hospice providers to ensure a supportive, home-like experience.
Recognizing that planning for hospice support can be an overwhelming task for many families, Youville Place has developed relationships with several hospice services and private home care agencies to help simplify the process of accessing hospice services. Residents live in their own apartments at Youville Place, and the hospice agency manages the care and comfort of the Resident. Youville Place provides assistance with personal care, nutrition, housekeeping, linen services, and has Certified Nursing Assistants on site 24-7.
“Thank you for being such an incredible resource for our family. At Youville Place, my mother was happier than we have seen her in many years. While we are saddened by her death, my sisters and I cherished these last weeks we shared with her, supporting her until the end. We will miss her, and we will miss being part of the community of Youville Place.”
Son of Youville Place resident
Dining Services
Three meals are offered daily in the dining room and are included in the monthly fee.
Special dietary needs will be discussed with you by the Wellness nurse prior to move-in. A dietitian is available to you during your stay should you wish to discuss your dietary needs.
For residents who prefer a continental breakfast, we have a “Country Kitchen” where snacks such as home-made muffins, cereal, or fresh fruit and juices are available throughout the day.
Youville Place’s dining service offers a wide array of nutritious, flavorful, home-style meals. Our menu offers residents homemade soups, fresh salads and a choice of entrees at each meal, as well as standard alternatives such as sandwiches and cold plates. The menus are changed regularly to provide variety. Each menu includes “healthy choice” notations.
Our professional Chefs select menus that offer variety and appeal and make holiday meals and special events something worth experiencing. We encourage families to spend meal times with loved ones at Youville Place. Guests are always welcome.
Nutritional Support
Many of our residents have dietary concerns or have been advised by their physician to include dietary supplements. We provide dietary supplements, and will work with residents and families to provide options to support each resident’s individual needs.
Environmental Services
Youville Place was recently recognized with two awards for becoming “greener” in our approach to our building and its impact on the environment. The first award is the “2009 Partner Recognition Award” by Practice Greenhealth. This award recognizes organizations for taking important first steps to improve their environmental performance.
The Partner for Change, with Distinction Award is our newest Award and recognizes health care facilities that have achieved improvements in their mercury elimination, waste reduction, and pollution prevention programs (beyond the Partner for Change basic criteria.) This includes at least 15% recycling, a more extensive sustainability program, and a show of leadership in the local community and/or in the health care sector.
These awards are a wonderful way for Youville Place to demonstrate a forward thinking approach to the environment, our residents, staff and community. We continue to work toward integrating greener technologies and practices into everything we do.
Community Life
When a new resident has made the decision to move to Youville Place, we support their transition in a number of ways. Our Resident Handbook provides resource information to assist families with the many details involved in the move — from finding a reliable mover, to daily delivery of the newspaper. We work with each family to ensure a smooth move-in, and then stay close to our new resident to ensure they feel comfortable getting to know their new home and meeting their neighbors. Residents are oriented to available resources as well as our calendar of programs and events.
Programs
Volunteers
We are fortunate to have many volunteers, both from our own Youville Place community and from the local community, who are available to share their time and talents at Youville Place. If you are interested in sharing your own time or talent please let us know!
Monthly Newsletter/Calendar 
Every month, our Programs Department publishes a calendar of the wonderful, varied programs, activities, and events available to Youville Place residents. These may include outings and adventures, performances, hands-on activities, discussions, book-related events, and much much more! Each month we schedule an eclectic line up of programs sure to interest those with natural curiosity, love of the arts, or a penchant for learning.
Resident Celebrations
We always look for ways to keep our residents young at heart. Our regular hosted parties, barbeques, and family celebrations are a great way to get Youville Place residents out of their chairs and up on the dance floor! We know that many of our residents can still “shake a leg” with the best of them!
Marketing
Older people living by themselves can easily become isolated and lonely. Research points to a clear connection between the lack of social and mental stimulation and cognitive decline in seniors. Family and friends are greatly relieved knowing their loved one is part of a community that engages them, as well as provides important services.
We invite you to visit us and see what makes us so special. Our commitment to our mission of care, and our efforts to address the needs of each person as an individual, truly come across when you visit.
Contact Dinahto find out more about Youvile Place or to schedule a visit. (Link to info@youvillehouse.org)
Support through the process
We know that deciding to move to an assisted living residence and the process of selecting an appropriate residence can be stressful. We do our best to provide the information you require, and offer the support your family needs in order to make the right choice.
“Thank you for taking so much time with our family. Even though my father needs memory support, and Youville Place isn’t the appropriate resource for us right now, I never felt you were trying to hurry us away. I am so grateful for the resources you provided, and the compassionate way you talked us through the necessary steps.”
Mary S., Swampscott
Additional resources for residents
Adult Day Program
Youville Place residents have access to a Cooperative Elder Services Adult Day Program on campus. This program is designed for older adults who require a structured day. While Youville Place does not offer advanced dementia care at this time, the adult day program is often a good fit for residents with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, who would benefit from a program that offers the consistent structure and support of a focused program during the day.
Health Care Resources
Many Youville Place residents take advantage of having their primary care physician come to them. Residents who need to shift previous primary care affiliation to a more local resource, may choose the Internal and Geriatric Medicine Group at Mt. Auburn Hospital, including doctors who make house calls to Youville Place.
Podiatry Services
Podiatry services are available to our residents in the privacy of their own apartments. Appointments are scheduled through our reception desk. Fees are paid directly to the podiatrist by each resident.
