2. Organizational Structure
Sierra View Homes is a not-for-profit community
founded by the First Mennonite Church in Reedley,
CA designed for senior living
There are three different levels of care on the same
campus
Independent Apartment Living
Assisted Living Facility/Residential Care
Skilled Nursing Facility
3. Levels of Care
• Residents must be at least 62 years of age
• Residents must be reasonably healthy, ambulatory, and
able to take care of themselves
Independent
Living
• Offers different levels of assistance to a senior who may
need extra help or a more controlled living environment
• CNAs and other caregivers work to ensure the residents
are as healthy and happy as possible.
Residential
Care
• Offers short and long term rehabilitation and restorative
nursing care
• 24-hour care is provided for the resident
Skilled
Nursing
5. Community Context
SVH is located in
Reedley, CA
Reedley is a small town
of 4.5 square miles and
25,000 residents located
right on the edge of
Fresno County
The surrounding
community is known for
its agriculture
6. Community Context
The members of the
Sierra View community
are all retired seniors
There are more females
than males in each facility
Most of the residents are
English-speaking,
Caucasian, and Christian
Other ethnic
backgrounds are also
present (Asian, Hispanic,
African American) but
they are a small minority
The demographics of the
community reflect the
larger demographic of
Reedley, with the
exception of age
7. Population-at-Risk
Broadly speaking, this agency serves the elderly
population. More specifically, they serve the seniors
that reside on their campus in one of the three
environments.
.The elderly population is often abused
and oppressed. Because they often have
to rely on others for so many tasks in
daily living, there are many
opportunities for people to take
advantage of them. SVH exists to
provide quality care and Christian love
to its residents.
Source: http://www.ruralhealth.utas.edu.au/padv-
package/module2-5.html
8. Population-at-Risk
About two-thirds of the residents in either
assisted living or skilled nursing are on a
psychotropic drug regimen
Most of these prescriptions are antidepressants
Some of the life situations that could compromise
their quality of life and happiness include:
Loss of independence
Suffering from memory loss or other diseases
and chronic illnesses
Grieving for loved ones who have passed away
Inability to do many of the activities they used
to enjoy
Loneliness
Another factor that makes this elderly
population an at-risk group is their increased rate
of depression and suicide.
9. Agency Missions
and Aims
“Our mission is to maximize
the quality and enjoyment of
the lives we serve through the
Christian ministry of healing,
hospitality, and community
created and maintained
within the tradition of the
First Mennonite Church of
Reedley.”
Lifestyle options for seniors at
Sierra View Homes make it
possible to have valued
independence without the
worry or fear of being alone
Sierra View’s Activities and
Social Service staff work hard
to provide several different
activities for residents of
every level of functioning.
These activities engage the
residents physically, socially,
mentally, and spiritually
10. Agency Practices
Because SVH has three
individual services
available on one campus,
the practices of the
facility are varied.
Common to all levels of
care is a commitment to
safety and quality of life
Each level offers the
highest degree of
independence and self-
determination that it
can, without causing
harm to the resident
Source: http://wisdom.unu.edu/en/active-aging/
11. Agency Practices
Apartment Living offers the most freedom and
independence while allowing residents to remain free
of many of the responsibilities of home ownership
There are several different sizes and floor plan options
for the apartments . The variety makes this lifestyle a
viable option for seniors who are looking for affordable
housing, and also for those who want a more spacious,
modern living space.
12. Agency Practices
Residents have access to the facility’s Wellness Center. The Wellness
Center has exercise machines and a heated pool and spa. They offer
water aerobics classes and the help of a trained instructor.
Meal plans are also available for the residents. They are free to make
their own meals if they live in the apartments, or they can sign up to
come into the dining room and eat their meals there.
Residents in Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing are all on a meal
plan
13. Agency Practices
Another great service that Sierra View provides
is a program specifically for seniors with
memory impairment.
The Special Needs Program is for residents
with late stage Alzheimer’s or other kind of
dementia. People with Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) have different needs than other seniors
because they are usually easily confused and
prone to wandering
The Special Needs Program is a specific room
in the Skilled Nursing facility where the
memory impaired residents spend their days.
People with AD benefit from a consistent daily
routine and surroundings with limited
distractions
14. Agency Practices
SVH has an activities staff
that takes a personal
interest in the residents’
psychosocial well-being.
Activities made available to
the residents on a regular
basis are movies and
popcorn, reminiscing,
Bible studies, church
services, music programs,
tabletop cooking, arts and
crafts, Bingo, puzzles, and
other games
Residents are encouraged,
but not obligated, to come
out of their rooms and
participate
15. Significance
Sierra View Homes offers services and opportunities for
a vulnerable population of seniors. Residents of Sierra
View are treated with dignity and worth, without
regard to their age or level of functioning.
Residents are made aware of their rights to privacy and
self-determination when they are admitted. We strive
to create an environment in which the residents can
live in an active and joyful community with a staff that
is conscientious of their age appropriate needs and
concerns.
16. Significance
Source:http://quangkhoi.net/learningcenter/2009/
05/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs/
•According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs, people have certain needs that
they need to have met before they can
feel secure and develop self-
actualization
•Sierra View Homes strives to meet all of
these needs. We acknowledge that our
residents need to have their
physiological needs met before they can
feel safe and secure.
•Understanding this hierarchy is important because if we strive to help our
residents function at their highest level of functioning and quality of life, then we
need to know that there are underlying conditions that must be met before we
can see their self-esteem improve.
17. Significance
Sierra View Homes
understands and practices
the social work value of the
importance of human
relationships
This facility is run in a way
that feels more like family
than business
The staff is encouraged to
take the time to get to
know each resident and
not simply rush through
the day
The residents in assisted
living and skilled nursing
are cared for by the same
nurses and staff every
week. This consistency
shows the commitment to
building relationships
