More People Needing Care Spring 2014 | Page 25

The welcoming center atrium with an aviary and fish pond creates a gathering space for the facility’s 236 long term care residents to enjoy specially designed activities or visit with friends and family. Since 1844, the “Dobie Road” facility, as it is known locally, has cared for the elderly on this suburban campus. An interdisciplinary team of qualified geriatric physicians, a nursing faculty gerontology NP, nursing students, licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, and social workers provide comprehensive and compassionate long term care to residents and work closely with their families. Other services on site include a dementia care unit, rehabilitation program, therapeutic recreation, rehabilitative therapy, and restorative therapy. Dr. Ensberg described how his and Keilman’s roles and their collaborative approach to care improve the residents’ quality of life, family decision making, and education of nursing and medical students: Mark D. Ensberg, MD Adjunct Assistant Professor MSU College of Human Medicine, Department of Family Medicine Sparrow/MSU Geriatric Fellowship Program Assistant Professor, Health Programs “It’s very important that I understand it’s not my job to cure people,” says Linda Keilman of her work as a Gerontological NP. “What I can do is provide hope and help them live every day to the fullest until their last breath.” She also works with families who must make and live with difficult, emotionally laden decisions. For over 20 years as an NP, Keilman has brought a collaborative, holistic, and compassionate approach to age appropria є