Application Guidelines for LEAP

The LEAP program from Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging and Life Services Network was designed to help organizations train, recruit, and retain qualified health care professionals and direct care workers in long-term care (LTC) settings. Through this program, these professionals become equipped to deliver person-centered care to the older adult.

After eight years of implementing the LEAP program in 38 states, Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging seeks to identify promising practices that organizations have developed and implemented since participating in the LEAP training.

We call the practices associated with the shift from institutional care to individualized care "promising" rather than "best" to highlight the organizations that are moving away from more conventional practices by developing and implementing new and innovative approaches that lead to culture change.

LEAP PROMISING PRACTICES

In this award application, LEAP participants describe their promising practice(s) and the outcomes achieved by implementing them. Examples of practices include:

• Peer mentoring program for direct care staff
• Succession planning
• Consistent assignments
• Leadership training
• Diversity training
• Communications (cross-cultural and intra-group)
• Staff retention
• Person-centered care
• Benefits for direct care staff
• Other types of training and work practices

LEAP OUTCOMES

Award applicants are asked to discuss the evidence-based outcomes of each of their promising practices. Examples include:

1. Improved quality of life for residents
2. Improved quality of care
3. Improved quality of service
4. Improved satisfaction of residents and their families
5. Meaningful new roles for staff
6. Improved work performances among staff
7. Reduced turnover
8. Decreased staff health deficiencies
9. Other

To see the LEAP Promising Practices Application Form, click here.

New application deadline April 30.

Contact

For more information, please contact:

Jayne Schaefer

Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging

1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1800

Evanston, IL 60201

Tel: (847) 492.6774

Fax: (847) 492.6789

jschaefer@matherlifeways.com