Washington Care Center

Mission

Washington Care Center is a multicultural community committed to enhancing the lives of our residents needing long-term care or short-term rehabilitation by consistently demonstrating high standards of practice in a therapeutic homelike environment. We aim to serve as a community resource and asset by providing jobs, training, student-mentoring and exceptional services.

Vision

To be a premier provider of both short-term rehabilitative services and long-term care in the Pacific Northwest and a center of excellence among all skilled nursing facilities.

To maintain an exceptional community reputation through a highly skilled and professional staff offering total comprehensive care.

To cost effectively return each individual to the most productive and independent life possible.

To partner with all other appropriate community resources which enhance our ability to achieve our mission.

Our Core Values

We are guided by the principles and values that embrace continual performance improvement. Care that is compassionate and professional, respectful of individuals and their rights is delivered by our health care professionals who creatively offer full support and teamwork at each level of our organization.

Respect: We affirm the dignity and autonomy and worth of the whole person.

Compassion: We create a caring environment that supports fulfillment, companionship and empathy, recognizing that human suffering is relieved when issues of hopelessness, loneliness and boredom are addressed.

Cooperation: We are aware that working together with a common purpose results in mutual benefits for our employees and positive outcomes for those we serve.

Wisdom: We are guided by the knowledge and ethical foundation of our professions, utilizing good judgment, sound action, creativity and experience to guide our caring practices.

History

Washington Care Center first opened in 1959 and from the very beginning through today has been a locally owned nursing home. Throughout our history, services have reflected the needs of our community. The first of our family owners was Don Watkins who sold the operations to Carolyn and Leo Pavlov. The Pavlov’s sold their company to Dan and Dee Humphrey in 1986.

In 2000, SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) started working with the Humphreys to put together a plan that would ensure that Washington Care Center would remain a strong employer and community asset. SEED is a community-based not-for-profit development corporation that invests in the future of Southeast Seattle. SEED formed two additional not-for-profit corporations. The first, Southeast Care Center Facilities (SCCF) purchased the building and equipment in 2005 and immediately added a 49-bed sub-acute unit and remodeled the existing nursing home. The second, Washington Care Services (WCS), purchased the operations in 2006.

Short Term Rehab

Homeward Bound

Our Homeward Bound Program is designed to rehabilitate and return residents to home or community settings, or assist them in adjusting to long-term care at Washington Center. The goals are to discharge residents to a lower level of care and achieve greater independence. Our staff tailors each resident’s care plan to his/her discharge needs. Consideration is always given to the “home environment,” prior to discharge from therapies, in order to maximize success in the next setting.

The program is housed in Washington Care Center’s David A. Best West Wing, which accommodates 49 residents. This floor, added to the facility during a recent multi-million dollar remodel, is utilized primarily for transitional residents, including those with short-term rehabilitation needs and hospice care.

There are several components of Homeward Bound. Therapists might conduct home visits to determine recommendations such as adaptive equipment or other safety measure needs. Our social workers will coordinate necessary community services prior to discharge. We also educate families to ensure they understand that discharge too soon might compromise the resident’s safe transition. Some residents require further medical stabilization prior to admission into an intensive rehab program.

Prior to admission to our facility, residents are assessed to determine what their pharmacy, therapy and nursing needs are. Within 72 hours, we meet with the resident and family to develop a care plan. During this meeting, expectations, goals and a future living arrangement are discussed.

With the Homeward Bound Program, an increased number of residents are returned to a lesser level of care, and more Medicare residents are served, allowing appropriate resources to provide higher quality services. The program creates positive energy and a dynamic environment, where all those involved can be gratified by successfully sending people home.

Nursing Care

Whether the need is for short term skilled nursing or long term care, our team of experts will design a plan just for you. Each community is led by a Resident Care Manager who is responsible for the overall management of the community 24/7. Washington Care Center uses consistent staffing to allow the Primary Licensed Nurse and the Certified Nursing Assistants in each community to become familiar with the individual and unique needs and choices of their residents. On-going staff education includes not only reviewing the basics of a high standard of care, but the latest developments in the standards of practice for nursing. Education is conducted by outside experts as well as our own skilled and competent administrative team. Due to the teaching emphasis of our facility, experienced staff in all disciplines serve as mentors.

Our services include but are not limited to:

• 24 hour Licensed Nursing Care
• Post Surgical Nursing Care
• Ostomy/Wound Care by Certified Wound Care Specialists
• I.V. Therapy
• Pain Management
• Restorative/Rehab Nursing Services
• Memory Care
• Palliative/Hospice Care
• Respite Care
• Infectious Disease Services

Long Term Care

For those unable to live independently at home we offer medically supervised long term care. In these circumstances we honor the opportunity to help residents and families create a home and community here at Washington Care Center. Our Restorative team works closely with the rehabilitation department to design individual programs for walking, strengthening, range of motion, pain management, and group exercises. We encourage family to become involved with us in creating a living space that has familiar items from home, designing activities of special interest to ensure that “home is where the heart is” for every resident.

Specialty Services

Washington Care Center offers programs for those needing special services and support.

Wound Care

Wound healing can be complex because of the internal and external factors that affect the healing process. Led by our nurse wound specialist with oversight by our physician consultant, wound care at Washington Care Center is designed to provide a comprehensive approach including medical treatment, appropriate equipment and products, proper positioning, exercise, nutrition and therapy.

Respite Care

More than one million people in Washington State serve as unpaid caregivers. We offer respite services for those who need assistance while their primary care giver gets much needed rest, takes time off or may be unable for a short period of time to provide care at home. Respite guests receive the same nursing care, supervision and activities offered to Washington Care Center’s full-time residents.

Hospice Care

We understand there are times when a patient can no longer benefit from curative treatment. We work closely with community hospice specialists to provide compassionate care so a patient can live as fully and comfortably as possible at end of life. Washington Care Center has contractual agreements with several community hospice organizations and our care providers have been educated in palliative and hospice care delivery.

Massage Therapy

Therapeutic massage has a very important role in a holistic wellness program. Massage as a stand alone therapy has a multitude of benefits. Massage can enhance body awareness, sensation and circulation, decrease muscular stiffness, strengthen the immune system, enhance post-operative rehabilitation, and increase joint flexibility. Massage can also promote relaxation, lower blood pressure, encourage sound sleep, support the management of pain associated with chronic conditions and arthritis pain, decrease contractures, and activate the body’s natural healing process. However, when massage is coupled with other rehabilitation procedures and utilized as a frequent therapy, therapeutic benefits increase exponentially.