Kathie Gately, Arkansas’ State Ombudsman, delivered inspirational remarks using the story of the starfish, followed by returning special guest speaker: Ms. Carol Compas, Nursing Home Quality Initiative Project Manager for Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care. Ms. Compas works regularly with CNAs as she trains them to deal with the problems addressed by the Nursing Home Quality Initiative – the initiative dedicated to improving the nursing home experience for both the resident and the employee. She referred to the "skin police" and "freedom fighters" as she mentioned previous programs to reduce pressure sores and the use of restraints.

Ms. Compas said that Culture Change, which is Person Directed Care, requires team building. She suggested that with the CNA working with a resident in consistent assignments, the CNA and the resident become a family. In this way the resident can express likes and dislikes which the CNA can share with others and work out solutions to simple problems before they escalate to major problems. She asked the CNAs what they personally enjoy each day and then asked them to imagine life without being able to do that thing. She pointed out to the CNAs that that is exactly what happens when one becomes a resident in a nursing home. You suddenly are on someone else’s schedule, you no longer direct your own daily activities. You share a room with a stranger and you bathe with the help of strangers at a time that is decided for you. No more sleeping in each morning because you like to watch the late news. No having "brunch" or late night snacks. With each CNA working to become part of a resident’s family, adjustments in schedules can be made. The interesting thing is that caregivers have more time because they are not dealing with hostile non-cooperative residents. CNAs attending the luncheon agreed that they like having consistent assignments and being a friend to their residents.

An interesting fact is that with happy working conditions there is a lower rate of employee turnover. One fact given indicated that in twenty-two homes with 109% employee turnover in one year, the cost to the industry was $4 million dollars. Let’s see more Person Directed Care in Nursing Homes, and make work "play with a purpose" .

Ms Compas completed her presentation with an interactive project to ferret out the "best listener" present. The "winner," CNA Sherri Hutchins, Woodland Hills Health & Rehab, Jacksonville, received a fifty-dollar cash award from Ms Compas. Not to be outdone, Kathie Gately returned to the podium at the end of the luncheon to draw the name of the CNA winner of the beautiful gift basket that Kathie provided as an extra treat for one lucky CNA. Jocelyn Laxamana, from Rich Mountain Nursing & Rehab, Mena, was the lucky recipient of this extra gift.

AANHR greatly appreciates these two special ladies, Kathie & Carol, and all they do to promote good care in nursing homes. Special thanks are also in order for their substantial roles in making the 2008 luncheon the great success that it truly was.