Cornerstone at Hampton receives Purple Flag, health centers share grant: Seacoast health news

Portsmouth Herald
·5 min read

Cornerstone at Hampton becomes first in NH to receive Purple Flag for Dementia Care Accreditation

From left to right: Tadd Clelland, President & CEO of Senior Living Residences; Joe Ruscitto, SLR’s Director of Revenue and Budgets; Patricia Corso, Director of Compass Memory Support Programming at Cornerstone at Hampton; New Hampshire State Representative Chris Muns; Katrina June, Executive Director at Cornerstone at Hampton; New Hampshire State Representative Candice O’Neil; Town Selectman Rusty Bridle; John Nyhan, Hampton Chamber President; and Chris Carter, President of Purple Flag for Dementia Care.

HAMPTON – Cornerstone at Hampton, an assisted living and memory support community, held a flag-raising ceremony today to celebrate receiving the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ accreditation. Cornerstone at Hampton is the first community in the state of New Hampshire to become Purple Flag accredited.

Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ is a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE) and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA) but has since expanded outside of CT. The program’s standards evaluate an organization's capacity to provide collaborative care in a safe, functional and respectful environment, ensuring high quality care and overall quality of life for residents. As part of the evaluation process, Cornerstone at Hampton had to demonstrate adherence to 60 best practice standards and training outlined by Purple Flag for services provided to individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The flag-raising event provided an opportunity for the community’s associates, residents, family members and local eldercare professionals to celebrate the milestone achievement. Notable guests included State Representatives Chris Muns and Candice O’Neil, Hampton Selectman Rusty Bridle, Tracey Hamlin-Landry from the Department of Health and Human Services and Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce President John Nyhan.

“We found a like-minded organization in Purple Flag, which has recognized the importance of a person-centered approach and built an entire framework around it to hold communities and organizations like ours to a higher standard for dementia care,” said Katrina June, Executive Director of Cornerstone at Hampton. “I want to commend Chris Carter and Purple Flag for creating this new standard and for giving us this opportunity to be trendsetters in the state of New Hampshire, raising the bar for our state’s assisted living industry.”

Portsmouth Regional Hospital achieves new designation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth Regional Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery Program has been recognized as a Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

The hospital was previously a MBSAQIP Comprehensive Center, and after a thorough review and resubmission to become a Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications, the hospital received a designation conversion from the MBSAQIP.

“We are proud to have received our new Obesity Medicine designation,” said Bernard Benedetto, MD, bariatric surgeon and program medical director at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.  “There is no one-size-fits-all solution for weight management, and here at Portsmouth Regional Hospital we are dedicated to finding the solution - medical or surgical - that is best for each patient.”

To learn more about the Portsmouth Regional Hospital bariatric surgery program, call 603-433-4984 or visit portsmouthhospital.com/specialties/bariatric-surgery.

Local community health centers share in $500K Delta Dental grant

PORTSMOUTH/SOMERSWORTH – As of May of this year, New Hampshire’s largest community health centers faced critical financial shortfalls totaling $3.5 million. The shortfall was the result of years of a public health pandemic, Medicaid reimbursement below market rates, and an eroding 340B pharmaceutical savings program that helps vulnerable or underserved patients purchase drugs at lower costs.

To continue services that provide essential primary health care, behavioral health therapy, substance use disorder services, and vital community connections, Northeast Delta Dental responded to the call for emergency stabilization funding with a $500,000 gift.

In the Seacoast region, Greater Seacoast Community Health, which operates Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth and Families First Health Center in Portsmouth, received a portion of the grant. Jim Avrett, CEO of Greater Seacoast, noted that the broad range of services offered at community health centers impact the social determinants of health. “Determinants like substance misuse, untreated mental illness, and housing and food insecurity all challenge New Hampshire’s ability to attract businesses, educate our young people, and maintain a productive workforce,” he said. “By helping sustain our capacity to address these issues with our patients, the funding from Northeast Delta Dental ultimately improves the well-being of all of us in the state.”

Northeast Delta Dental President & CEO Tom Raffio said that when the call came in to boost up the safety net of community health across the state, Delta Dental had to respond. “We recognize that partnerships are vital to the success of community health and well-being. Addressing holistic health care (physical, mental, and oral) and strengthening community partnerships are essential to continue improving patient care across the state.”

David Krempels Brain Injury Center receives $20,000 grant from the Foundation for Seacoast Health

PORTSMOUTH — The David Krempels Brain Injury Center announced the receipt of a $20,000 grant from the Foundation for Seacoast Health. This grant will play a pivotal role in expanding and enhancing our critical programs that directly address the unique challenges faced by seniors living with brain injuries.

Our grant proposal, titled "Empowering Seniors: Addressing Impact of Poverty, Social Isolation, and Ongoing Recovery Needs After Traumatic Brain Injury or Stroke," was successful in securing funding to further support and extend crucial services for seniors, especially those aged 65 and older grappling with the chronic effects of brain injury.

The awarded grant will significantly contribute to three core areas:

Mitigating Social Isolation: KBIC is committed to providing a vibrant and supportive community for seniors through community-based settings, recreational and therapeutic activities, and ongoing support groups. This grant will allow us to continue reducing loneliness and improving overall quality of life among our senior members.

Poverty Alleviation: KBIC's income-based scholarship program will be strengthened with this grant, ensuring that financially disadvantaged seniors have access to essential services at little to no cost. This initiative aims to improve financial stability and independence, ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life.

Ongoing Recovery Support: With the support of this grant, KBIC will offer continuous support post-inpatient rehabilitation, complimentary services for those in outpatient treatment, and ongoing assistance after rehabilitation concludes. This includes evidence-based programming tailored to the unique needs of acquired brain injury survivors.

For more information about the David Krempels Brain Injury Center please visit our website at www.kbicenter.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Purple Flag for Dementia, health centers share grant: Seacoast health news