At MorseLife Health System, it is our mission to provide the highest standard of care and uncompromising services suited to the specific needs of seniors. To accomplish that, we rely on our nursing staff, who play a vital role in ensuring our residents continue to enjoy life at the most optimal level of health possible.

In recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, our appreciation goes out to everyone on our extraordinary nursing staff. This annual celebration provides us with an opportunity to bring attention to the dedication and exceptional care that our nursing staff provides to our residents everyday.

Carmen Shell, RN, is the Senior Vice President of Joseph L. Morse Health Center at MorseLife. In her present role, she is responsible for the leadership and vision of the Nursing Department. We spoke to Ms. Shell to gather her insights on providing care to residents.

Q: When did you join MorseLife Health System and what is your role?

A:  I joined MorseLife in 2000. As Senior Vice President of Morse Health Center, I am in charge of the day to day operations and oversee regulatory compliance. I also help develop the overall goals and visions of each department, continuously looking for better ways in which we can serve those who are entrusted to our care. 

Q: How does MorseLife Health System continue to provide the gold standard of care to residents?

A: MorseLife continues to provide quality care to those who are entrusted to us in a multitude of ways. We have a trained and competent staff who is compassionate and caring, as well as a number of full time physicians and nurse practitioners. MorseLife is known for providing outstanding quality of care through a large on-site staff-to-resident ratio.

Q: What other nursing organizations are you involved in?

A: Currently, I am a member of Florida Health Care Association’s Senior Clinicians Council, Health Services Advisory Group through CMS, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. 

Ms. Shell is one of many skilled professionals who brings decades of experience to our community. To learn more about how MorseLife Health System sets the standard for senior care with premier access to health services, please call (561) 220-5117.

As we age, memory problems as well as a modest decline in cognitive abilities may be fairly common. However, it’s important to identify and be aware of normal changes in memory and memory loss associated with dementia versus other memory-related illnesses.

Dementia is a term used to describe several different types of cognitive decline. Health professionals discuss dementia in “stages,” which refers to how far one’s symptoms have progressed.

Defining a specific stage of dementia aids in determining the best treatment approach for each individual. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, the most common model is often referred to as the Global Deterioration Scale. This scale breaks cognitive decline down into the seven stages as follows:

Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline

In this stage, a person functions normally, has no memory loss and is mentally healthy.

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline

This stage is used to describe normal forgetfulness associated with aging, such as names and where familiar objects were left.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline

This stage includes increased forgetfulness, slight difficulty concentrating and decreased work performance. At this stage, a person’s loved ones will begin to notice a cognitive decline.

Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline

A moderate cognitive decline can consist of a person having difficulty concentrating, forgetting recent events or struggling to remember the route to every-day destinations.

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline

A person in this stage has major memory deficiencies and daily activities such as dressing or preparing a meal begin to cause anxiety.

Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline

A person requires extensive assistance to carry out daily activities. He or she will start to forget names of close family members and have little memory of recent events. At this stage, personality begins to shift.

Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline

Psychomotor skills such as walking or talking are strongly affected at this stage, leaving many requiring assistance with most activities.

At the Memory Care Assisted Living Residence at MorseLife, we provide innovative, resident-centered programming focused on life enriching activities. Our unique approach to memory care includes sensory stimulation, elegantly appointed private suites and highly-trained professionals who provide a secure environment ensuring that residents are comfortable, encouraged and engaged.

If you wish to take a tour of the Memory Care Assisted Living Residences at MorseLife, please call (561) 767-8884.