Category: News

We hope you enjoy these photos from our Annual Golf Tournament at Roanoke Country Club! Thank you to all of the players and our sponsors!

 

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Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Administrator, Ben Higgins, LNHA, has been selected to participate in the 13^th Annual Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America program hosted by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL).

Participants for this prestigious program “have demonstrated leadership potential and an interest in representing the interests of LTC (long term care) providers at the state and national levels,” according to the AHCA/NCAL website.

After a competitive review process, Higgins was chosen, among 37 other long-term care professionals across the nation. Higgins is the only representative from the state of Virginia. The Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America program spans 12 months and will begin with a three-day training session with other healthcare leaders across the nation in September.

“To be selected is an honor, but more so, I am excited to learn from other successful leaders in the long term care industry and bring that knowledge back to the Roanoke community,” states Higgins. By honing their knowledge and leadership skills, Higgins, and other selected future leaders, will help advance quality and promote the profession’s mission of providing the highest quality, resident-centered care for frail, elderly and disabled Americans.

The results are in and Brandon Oaks has been voted the Best Retirement Community and Best Nursing Home by the readers of The Roanoker magazine — for the third year in a row! The Roanoker reported a record number of voters, over 86,000, for this year’s Best of Roanoke campaign. We are honored and humbled to have received this recognition from the community. To see the winners in the other categories, please click here.

Brandon Oaks recently announced it was adopting the new designation of “Life Plan Community,” in support of a national movement of similar communities to change from being known as a “Continuing Care Retirement Community,” or “CCRC.”

“This is exciting, not just for Brandon oaks, but for all communities like us,” said Brandon Oaks’ Executive Director, Joe Hoff. “For years, the name ‘Continuing Care Retirement Community’ has given people in our market—and markets everywhere—a misleading impression of what communities like Brandon Oaks are. They have looked at CCRCs and thought they were all about ‘care,’ whereas the people that actually move to communities like us know we’re all about getting the most out of life.”

The term Continuing Care Retirement Community was coined nearly 35 years ago to describe the growing number of communities that provide a continuum of living and care options for older adults, starting with apartments and homes in which residents could live independently, then providing assisted living and skilled nursing residences that residents could move into if and when their health needs ever changed.

“Today’s Life Plan Communities are nothing like those CCRCs of thirty or more years ago,” said Mr. Hoff. “While, as a not-for-profit, LifeCare community, we certainly are proud of our healthcare services, we offer so much more. We have large residential homes with full-size appliances and all the amenities found in new homes today. More importantly, we offer fitness and wellness programs, fine dining, creative enrichment programs, socializing opportunities, and much, much more. And of course, we still take care of all the home maintenance, housekeeping, yard work and snow shoveling!”

The new name, “Life Plan Community,” is the result of a multi-year effort coordinated by LeadingAge, a national association of not-for-profit aging services organizations, and Mather LifeWays, a not-for-profit organization that owns and operates two CCRCs. The new name was reached after extensive nationwide research was conducted, including feedback from more than 4,100 survey respondents and 250 focus group participants.

“I’m really excited about the new name,” said Mr. Hoff. “It really draws attention to our community being about life, not just care. And people that move to communities like ours tend to be planners, people who like to know they’ve made the decisions they need to make to ensure they have a solid plan in place for their future.”

“The most common thing we hear from new residents,” continued Mr. Hoff, “is that they say they should have moved in two years earlier. I think this new name will help more people understand just how beneficial moving to a community like Brandon Oaks is, and help them decide to move earlier, so that they can take maximum advantage of all we have to offer.”

For more information on the evolution of the name Life Plan Community, please visit LifePlanCommunity.org.

Construction of Pine Ridge, a new 12-unit cottage-apartment hybrid on the campus of Brandon Oaks LifeCare Community, was officially commemorated with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 10:00AM.

Pine Ridge will be an addition to the existing Pines neighborhood, built in 2010. Similarly, Pine Ridge will feature improved insulation, water-saving plumbing and energy efficient HVAC, lighting and appliances. The twelve luxury apartment homes will range in size from 1,500 to 1,700 square feet. Other features include underground parking, three-season porches and patios, a community room and gym. All of these features are in addition to the inclusive amenities and award-winning healthcare available to all Brandon Oaks residents. This project has a positive impact on the local economy due to Brandon Oaks’ commitment to utilizing local architects, construction companies and purchasing materials from other local businesses. Roanoke-based architecture firm, SFCS and Lionberger Construction Company were selected to spearhead the project.

Marketing for Pine Ridge began earlier this year to gauge interest for the potential new building. Within the first few meetings, multiple people placed deposits on what will become Pine Ridge. Currently, 8 of the 12 available units are reserved. “The Pine Ridge expansion has had such excitement surrounding it since we first announced the plans to build, and we are simply thrilled for those who have already reserved their new residences. Some of the key deciding factors for these future residents included the personalization of their new home prior to construction, the beautiful and peaceful setting of Pine Ridge, as well as the security and peace of mind that the Brandon Oaks lifestyle offers,” stated Mary Whelchel, Director of Sales and Marketing for Brandon Oaks.

Brandon Oaks has seen tremendous growth in the past five years: the construction of Pine Crest in 2010, the opening of the state-of-the-art rehabilitation expansion – the John P. Fishwick Center – in 2014 and the groundbreaking of Pine Ridge this year. In 2016, Brandon Oaks will expand its service offerings to include home healthcare and home care to the greater Roanoke community. Brandon Oaks Executive Director, Joe Hoff commented, “As a well respected provider of senior living and healthcare, it is our duty to provide the best quality living accommodations for our current and future residents”. Hoff added, “Our growth over the past 5 years is proof of our commitment to constant improvement and innovative approaches to senior living”.

 

 

 

From left to right: Charles Downs, Jr. of Virginia Lutheran Homes’ Board of Trustees; Sam Lionberger, III of Lionberger Construction; Heather Neff, President and CEO of Virginia Lutheran Homes; Chris Morrill, City Manager of Roanoke; Joe Hoff, Executive Director of Brandon Oaks; Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce; Senator John Edwards; Pastor Dave Skole of Virginia Lutheran Homes’ Board of Trustees

Brandon Oaks LifeCare Community, an affiliate of Virginia Lutheran Homes, announced that Mary Whelchel has been named the new Director of Sales and Marketing.

Whelchel most recently served as The Roanoke Times’ Director of Retail Advertising since 2006. Prior to that, she was a National Account Executive with The Roanoke Times. Her pattern of success and growth in her previous positions is a testament to her future success at Brandon Oaks.

Whelchel is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications. She also attended the Batten Leadership Institute at Hollins University. Whelchel brings with her years of experience in sales and an understanding of the sales and marketing process.

Brandon LifeCare Community is an award-winning community, both regionally and nationally. “Mary is a great addition to our team at Brandon Oaks,” states Joe Hoff, Executive Director. He continues, “Her past experience with The Roanoke Times, along with her depth of knowledge in sales, marketing and coaching will help us bring more seniors into Brandon Oaks to take advantage of the outstanding care we offer”.

Brandon Oaks LifeCare Community’s Assisted Living division has been selected as a 2015 recipient of the Silver Achievement in Quality Award for its outstanding performance in the healthcare field. The award is one of three distinct awards possible through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). The competitive award program highlights select centers across the nation that serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality long term and post-acute care.

Brandon Oaks is one of only six facilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive the Silver level award, and the only Assisted Living facility. Brandon Oaks Executive Director, Joe Hoff, states, “We are proud of our staff and leadership at Brandon Oaks Assisted Living for constantly delivering superior resident centered care with an attention to detail”. Hoff also notes, “This achievement mirrors our values across all service lines at Brandon Oaks”.

As a recipient of the Silver Achievement in Quality Award, Brandon Oaks Assisted Living has demonstrated systematic advancements in quality, plans for continual improvement, and sustainable organizational goals. “Brandon Oaks is honored to have received the Bronze, and now the Silver Award from AHCA/NCAL,” states Susan O’Malley, RN, Administrator of Brandon Oaks Assisted Living. O’Malley adds, “There is a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment in continuous improvement and progress that is sustained”. Now that Brandon Oaks Assisted Living has received both the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award and Silver Achievement in Quality Awards from AHCA/NCAL, they may move forward in developing approaches and achieve performance levels that meet the criteria for the Gold Excellence in Quality Award, the highest award available.

“By successfully applying the rigorous standards of this program, Brandon Oaks Assisted Living has achieved a significant milestone on its quality journey,” said Christine Boldt, Chair of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers.

All levels of the National Quality Awards will be presented during the AHCA/NCAL 66^th Annual Convention and Exposition, October 4-7, 2015, in San Antonio, Texas.

Brandon Oaks LifeCare Community, an affiliate of Virginia Lutheran Homes, has announced that Ben Higgins, LNHA, has been named the new administrator of Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Higgins is a graduate of James Madison University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration. Higgins brings with him years of experience in long-term care administration on a local and regional level, having previously acted as regional vice president of operations at American HealthCare, LLC. Most recently, Higgins served as administrator of Liberty Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lynchburg.

Along with his professional achievements, Higgins also is involved with many industry specific leadership organizations, including the Virginia Health Care Association and the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards.

Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation is a 5-star rated facility by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and holds a Best Nursing Home ranking from U.S. News and World Report.

“We were seeking a candidate who could help us maintain our high standards of patient care and continue our tradition of excellence in healthcare,” said Joe Hoff, executive director of Brandon Oaks. “We were happy to find those qualities in Ben and are excited for him to join the Brandon Oaks team.”