PARK SPRINGS HEALTH SERVICES
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
A reference guide to programs, levels of care, assessments, and roles across the Park Springs Continuum of Care
PARK SPRINGS HEALTH SERVICES
1. LEVELS OF CARE
Independent Living
Independent Living (IL)
The foundational residential setting at Park Springs, where Members live in their own home, cottage, or villa. IL Members enjoy housekeeping, dining options, and access to all community amenities. On-site medical care is available through the Wellness Clinic. The goal is to support Members in living independently for as long as possible.
Assisted Living (AL) — Cobblestone
Assisted Living (AL)
Residential care one step beyond Independent Living, designed for Members who need support with some Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Located at Cobblestone, AL offers private residences within a warm community environment, 24/7 care staff availability, personalized care plans, and a full calendar of programs. Park Springs operates three distinct AL models within Cobblestone.
Club Level — Assisted Living
For Members requiring assistance with 1–2 ADLs daily, including oversight with medication management. Club Level offers restaurant-style dining at Harvest, a formal dining venue. Care Partners and Homemakers maintain a ratio that exceeds state requirements to ensure quality, continuity of care, and support throughout the day and night. Schedules are flexible to support each Member’s natural rhythms.
Farm Household — Assisted Living
A household-model setting for Members requiring assistance with 3–4 ADLs daily. The Farm Household has its own kitchen and dining room with a dedicated Homemaker on duty 12 hours per day. Care is structured around the natural rhythms of the day, with ongoing engagement provided by Care Partners.
River Household — Assisted Living
A household-model setting, also for Members requiring assistance with 3–4 ADLs daily, operating similarly to Farm Household with its own kitchen, dining room, and full-time Homemaker. River Household is also a mental wellness program for Members living with Mild Cognitive Impairment, with a home-like environment built around art therapy, music therapy, physical exercise, and daily engagement that supports cognitive health.
Memory Care (MC) — Pebblebrook
Memory Care (MC)
Specialized residential care for Members living with dementia, located at Pebblebrook. Memory Care uses the household model with individualized kitchens, dining rooms, and full-time Homemakers in each neighborhood. Care Partners receive advanced, specialized training in dementia care and use a feelings-based approach. Movement within the household is not restricted, but the environment is secure to maximize safety. Three neighborhoods correspond to dementia stage.
Memory Care — Garden Household (Early-Stage Dementia)
For Members with early-stage dementia (MoCA score 0–21, requiring assistance with 0–3 ADLs daily). Appropriate for those at risk of elopement. The environment is high-activity with many opportunities for engagement.
Memory Care — Lake Household (Mid-Stage Dementia)
For Members with mid-stage dementia (MoCA score 0–21, requiring assistance with 3 to 4 ADLs daily). Appropriate for those experiencing repetitive speech or motion who benefit from a quieter, calmer environment. Also appropriate for those at risk of elopement.
Memory Care — Skilled Household (Late-Stage Dementia)
For Members requiring assistance with 5 or more ADLs daily and meeting Long-Term Care (LTC) qualification criteria. Appropriate when a Member has significant mobility limitations, requires wound care, hospice services, or mechanical lift transfers, or has a BIMS score below 10.
Long-Term Care (LTC) & Rehabilitation — Pebblebrook
Long-Term Care (LTC)
Provides the highest level of daily support for Members who can no longer care for themselves independently. Located at Pebblebrook, LTC uses the household model with an emphasis on meaningful engagement and purpose-driven living. Qualifications include requiring assistance with 5 or more ADLs, significant mobility limitations, complex medical needs (wound care, oxygen management, catheter care), hospice enrollment, failure to thrive, or major health events such as stroke or fracture.
Short-Term Rehabilitation (STR)
Inpatient rehabilitation services at Pebblebrook, providing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy alongside Skilled Nursing. STR is designed for Members recovering from acute conditions (surgery, falls, illness) with the goal of returning them to their previous living situation as quickly as possible.
Outpatient Therapy
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy delivered on the Park Springs campus without an overnight stay. Available by physician referral (from the Wellness Clinic or an outside physician) to Members who need therapy while continuing to live at home, including Independent Living Members and Park Springs at Home Members. Once the referral is received and insurance benefits are verified, the rehabilitation team schedules an evaluation, and the therapist establishes a plan of care that sets the frequency and duration of therapy and includes a home exercise program.
2. SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS
Care Philosophy
Storied Living
Park Springs’ person-led, relationship-driven approach to care, developed by Isakson Living over more than two decades. Storied Living rests on the recognition that behind every physical need is a person with a lifetime of experiences and a story still being written, and it replaces medical protocols and rigid schedules with relationships, flexible routines, and settings that feel like home. It is carried out in every Health Services household through the Household Model of Care and Spirit Training, the selection and training program that prepares Care Partners to move beyond task-oriented care and truly be with the Members they serve.
Cognitive Support Programs
Stepping Stones Program
A specialized cognitive enhancement program for Members living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Open to any Member at Park Springs. The program uses evidence-based activities — including art, cognitive and physical exercise, mindfulness, and socialization — shown by scientific research to slow or improve symptoms of cognitive loss. Participation is voluntary.
Daybreak Adult Day Program
A social-model adult day program located at Pebblebrook, designed for individuals with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Daybreak supports caregivers living in IL by providing structured daily engagement for their partner or family member. The program offers a safe and secure environment, meaningful activities (exercise, crafts, art, music), companionship, nutritious meals and snacks, assistance with ADLs, and therapy services as needed. Focus is on promoting independence, reducing social isolation, and fostering a sense of belonging.
Wellness & Monitoring Programs
Milestone Program
Park Springs’ longitudinal wellness monitoring program for Independent Living Members. Beginning with the initial Continuum of Care Level Assessment at move-in, the Milestone Program establishes a health baseline and tracks annual wellness assessments completed during the Vial of Life meeting with the Continuing Care Navigator. These consecutive data points create a consistent record used to identify changes in condition and inform care transition decisions.
Vial of Life
An annual meeting held with the Continuing Care Navigator in which the Member’s Continuum of Care Level Assessment is reviewed and updated. The Vial of Life forms part of the ongoing Milestone Program and ensures that each Member’s health status is formally documented at least once per year.
Therapeutic & Engagement Activities
Art Therapy
A therapeutic activity offered across Assisted Living and Memory Care households that supports creative expression, cognitive engagement, and emotional wellbeing. Used as a non-pharmacological intervention to promote quality of life.
Music Therapy
A structured therapeutic activity using music to support emotional wellbeing, memory engagement, and social connection. Offered across all Health Services households.
Pet Therapy
Organized visits or interactions with animals, available across Health Services households, designed to provide comfort, reduce anxiety, and encourage social engagement among Members.
3. Assessments & Scoring Tools
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
A standardized cognitive screening tool used to assess a Member’s current level of cognitive function. MoCA scores guide placement decisions within the continuum: 25+ indicates no cognitive concerns; 22–24 may indicate Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); 0–21 indicates more significant cognitive impairment and is the threshold for Memory Care eligibility.
Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS)
A cognitive assessment tool used specifically in Long-Term Care settings. A BIMS score below 10 indicates significant cognitive decline and is one of the qualifying criteria for Long-Term Care placement.
Continuum of Care Level Assessment
A comprehensive clinical assessment completed by the Wellness Clinic team (and reassessed by the Continuing Care Navigator when a change in condition is noted). It evaluates both cognitive function (via MoCA) and ADL assistance needs to determine the most appropriate level of care. This assessment is also the basis for the Care Level Transition Plan.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
The fundamental self-care tasks used to measure a Member’s functional independence. ADLs include eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring (moving from bed to chair, etc.). The number of ADLs a Member requires assistance with is the primary metric used to determine the appropriate level of care across the Park Springs continuum.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
A clinical designation for cognitive decline that is noticeable but not severe enough to significantly interfere with daily life. In the Park Springs system, MCI corresponds to a MoCA score of 22–24. Members with MCI in Independent Living may be referred to the Stepping Stones Program or Daybreak. MCI is not, on its own, a qualifier for Memory Care.
Elopement Risk
A safety concern in which a cognitively impaired Member may attempt to leave a care area unsupervised. Members at risk of elopement require a secure residential environment, which is one of the criteria for transition to Memory Care regardless of ADL assistance level.
4. Care Transitions & Processes
Transition of Care
The formal process by which a Park Springs Member moves from one level of care to another (e.g., Independent Living to Assisted Living). Transitions are identified through Navigator assessments, reviewed by the Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT), and communicated to the Member and family through a structured, multi-step conversation process. Members are given 10 calendar days to make a decision following a formal recommendation.
Care Level Transition Plan
A formal written document initiated by the Continuing Care Navigator and completed within 14 calendar days of an IDT recommendation. It identifies the suggested level of care, summarizes supporting clinical evidence (incident reports, assessment data, Navigator notes), and is reviewed bi-monthly by the IDT throughout the transition process. A copy is provided to the Member and/or responsible party.
Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT)
A cross-functional team of Park Springs professionals — including Navigators, clinical staff, physicians, and senior leadership — that meets bi-weekly to review Members with changes in condition and determine appropriate next levels of care. The IDT is the decision-making body for all care transition recommendations.
Transition of Care Meeting
A bi-weekly meeting held by the Inter-Disciplinary Team to review Members flagged for a potential change in care level. The Navigator presents the Continuum of Care Level Assessment findings and supporting documentation. Transition recommendations are made at this meeting.
Health Services Resource Book
A reference guide provided to the Member and family within 24 hours of moving into Assisted Living, Memory Care, or Long-Term Care. The Guide or Director of Nursing reviews the book with the family at move-in, and it serves as an ongoing reference for navigating Health Services at Park Springs.
Non-Pharmacological Interventions
Care approaches that address behavioral or emotional challenges without the use of medication, particularly anti-psychotic drugs. Park Springs requires that non-pharmacological strategies be implemented before any anti-psychotic medication is considered across all Health Services households.
5. Roles & Staff
Member
The term Park Springs uses for every person who lives in the community, at every level of care, from Independent Living through Skilled Nursing. The word is deliberate. Park Springs is a Life Plan Community, and the people who live here are Members of it, not residents of a facility or patients on a unit. Those who join through Park Springs at Home are Members as well. Member is capitalized in all Park Springs communications.
Continuing Care Navigator
A licensed social worker employed by Park Springs whose primary role is to monitor the wellbeing of Independent Living Members, identify changes in condition, and guide Members and families through care transitions. Navigators complete the Continuum of Care Level Assessment, facilitate the Vial of Life meeting, participate in IDT meetings, connect Members to resources (specialists, support groups, outside services), and serve as the central point of contact throughout any transition process.
Care Partner
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) who provides direct, hands-on care to Members across Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Long-Term Care households. Care Partners work consistent schedules to build meaningful, trusting relationships with the Members they serve. Park Springs staffing ratios exceed state requirements to ensure quality, continuity of care, and support throughout the day and night.
Homemaker
A full-time member of the care team within the Assisted Living Farm and River Households and the Memory Care households who functions as both personal chef and engagement partner. The Homemaker oversees meal service for the household (12 hours per day in AL; full-time in MC), honors individual dietary choices and preferences, and provides ongoing engagement and companionship for Members throughout the day.
Guide
A member of the Health Services leadership team who serves as coach and mentor to the Care Partners and Homemakers in a household and as the primary point of contact for each Member’s family. Guides work closely with the household team to maintain a high level of support and make sure daily life runs smoothly. At move-in, the Guide (or the Director of Nursing) reviews the Health Services Resource Book with the Member and family.
Memory Care Guide
The Guide assigned to the Memory Care households at Pebblebrook. In addition to the responsibilities of every Guide, the Memory Care Guide serves as liaison to each Member’s family, maintaining constant communication about any concerns or changes observed in their loved one, and provides direct oversight of the Daybreak Adult Day Program as its Program Manager.
Medical Director
Oversight of the clinical direction of Park Springs Health Services is provided jointly by full-time, board-certified Geriatricians and a Nurse Practitioner. The Nurse Practitioner provides additional coverage and increases the availability of qualified medical professionals for both communities.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Available in all Health Services households to oversee quality assurance of care and medication administration, and to support communication of care needs to families and medical providers.
Registered Dietitian (RD)
A consultant Registered Dietitian oversees diet orders for Members in Health Services, primarily in Skilled Nursing (Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation).
Note: a dedicated nutritionist or dietitian is not currently available for Independent Living Members.
Senior Residency Counselor (SRC)
The sales and residency leadership role responsible for working with Members and families to complete all required documentation for a move to a new level of care. The SRC is included in care transition conversations from the point a level-of-care change is first recommended.
Licensed Assisted Living Administrator
A licensed professional who provides oversight and operational direction for the Assisted Living and Memory Care communities, ensuring regulatory compliance and quality of care.
6. Facilities & Neighborhoods
Cobblestone — Assisted Living Campus
Cobblestone
The Assisted Living neighborhood at Park Springs. Cobblestone houses the Club Level, Farm Household, and River Household, as well as the Harvest dining venue. Residents of Cobblestone are Park Springs Members and may dine in the main campus dining venues (for an additional cost).
Harvest
A formal, restaurant-style dining venue located within Cobblestone, serving Club Level Assisted Living Members. Menus emphasize Mediterranean-inspired choices, offered restaurant-style with flexible breakfast timing.
Pebblebrook — Memory Care, Long-Term Care & Rehabilitation
Pebblebrook
The higher-acuity Health Services building at Park Springs, housing Memory Care (Garden and Lake Households), Long-Term Care, the Short-Term Rehabilitation center, and the Daybreak Adult Day Program.
Wellness Clinic
The on-campus outpatient medical clinic staffed by board-certified Geriatricians, a Nurse Practitioner, nurses, and support staff. Available to all Independent Living Members for acute medical treatment, the initial Continuum of Care Level Assessment at move-in, and ongoing annual health reviews. Open Monday–Friday; the Nurse Practitioner is present 2 days per week.
Note: the Wellness Clinic does not provide 24/7 care — that is a feature of Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Long-Term Care only.