The document discusses plans to create a specialized adult day service program for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) at BHC in Duluth, Minnesota. Key points include: conducting research on best practices by visiting other MS programs; determining there is interest and need in the Duluth community; ensuring it aligns with BHC's mission and would be financially sustainable; and partnering with the MS Society to help launch and promote the new program. The goal is to open the Duluth MS Achievement Center in June 2012, providing services on Saturdays to improve participants' mobility, independence and quality of life.

1. Creating a Specialized Adult Day
Service program

2. 2
Vision for an MS Achievement Center AT BHC
• The National MS Society
identified a goal to expand
MS Adult Day programs
outside the Twin Cities
Metro area by 2011.
• A 15 person task for was
assigned to this project to
gauge program interest.
• Duluth
• St. Cloud
• Mankato

3. 3
What is MS?
• Chronic disabling disease that attacks the central
nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves)
• Symptoms may be mild to severe
• Symptoms vary from one person to another and the
disease is considered unique to the individual
• Thought to be an auto-immune disorder
• Four Stages: Relapsing-remitting; Primary-
Progressive; Secondary-Progressive; and Progressive-
Relapsing

4. ADS and Progressive MS
• ADS programs are particularly suited for MS patients as they
address cognitive concerns, referral to PT, OT, speech, and
assistance with activities of daily living. 1
• The disease will impact the patient’s ability to ambulate,
impact cognitive function over time, and the ability to
function daily.
4

5. Planning for an MS Program at BHC
• Is there a demand for this service?
• Current ADS program serves 45-50 seniors Monday-
Friday. Licensed capacity 25 individuals per day.
• Consider the following:
▪ Staff patterns and cost
▪ Can two programs operate side-by-side
▪ How to market?
▪ Who to partner with in the community?
5

6. Planning for an MS Program at BHC
Attended National MS Day program conference in 2011
in Denver.
▪ Toured Anschutz MS Research and Spinal Cord
Bank at University of Colorado
▪ Attended a lecture at UC by Research Scientist,
Augusto Miravalle at Rocky MT. MS Center
▪ Toured King Adult Day program and learned from
over 40 other program directors during the seminar
on MS Day Service programs
6

7. Planning for an MS Program at BHC
• Met with officials from Upper Midwest MS Society
on multiple occasions and toured the Fairview MS
Achievement Center on multiple occasions observing
and researching best practices.
• Met with CEO/Administrator of BHC and Director of
Finance to run the numbers.
• Announced to leadership team the plan to move
forward with this new program.
7

8. 8
Why Day Programs and MS?
• Research based studies show that individuals
attending MS Achievement Centers showed:3
▪ Improvement in mobility, balance, transfers, and
self-care activities.
▪ Fewer symptoms of MS
▪ Less fatigue
▪ Lower rate of functional physical decline
▪ Greater sense of mastery over their environment

9. 9
Vision for an MS Achievement Center AT BHC
• The Fairview MS
Achievement Center has
been in operation for more
than 20 years and serves
200 persons with MS each
week.4
• Partnering with agencies
within the community that
offer new service lines is a
strategic goal outlined by
the BHS Strategic Plan.

10. 10
Mission Specific
Bringing health, independence
and choice to life
• Aligns with BHS Corporate
Mission of positioning our
effort as the “work of the
Church”
• Commits BHC to serving
people still living in their
own home along the
40/40/20 strategy. 5
• 20% of those we serve will
be living at home by 2015

11. 11
Mission Specific
• MS Day Program meets the goal of expanding
beyond our walls and meeting community need.
• Establishes a niche market for BHC
• Allows the continuum to continue to prosper by
referrals to PT, OT, Speech, and Stay Fit.
• Provide services to a population that does not have
access to Day Services but have better outcomes and
success through a Day Services model

12. 12
Duluth MS Achievement Center
• October interest mailing to
95 individuals in Duluth-
Superior
• 4-6 persons per Saturday to
meet budget
• Saturday, 9:00 AM – 3:00
PM
• Establish Program in the
Community
• Seek Funding Sources

13. 13
Partnership with MS Society
• Focus on a collaboration with a
State and National Chapter of the
MS Society
• Assistance with target marketing
• Advertising in Quarterly
Newsletter
• Assistance with staff training as:
▪ MS Specialists
▪ Ongoing Educational
Offerings
▪ Certification in Cognitive
Fitness training

14. 14
Just the Facts
• Identified strong interest in Duluth Market for an MS
Day Program on two separate polls conducted two
years apart
• Duluth has an Active MS Population that meets with
support groups monthly
• Essentia has a MS Certified program and partnership
with MN Chapter

15. 15
Key Processes
• Investigative Process
▪ Does it meet our
mission/vision?
▪ Community need?
▪ Can we provide this
service?
▪ Is it financially viable?
• Partner with MS Society
▪ Conference
▪ Learning/Touring
• Onboarding of Key
BHC Staff
▪ Administrator
▪ Board

16. Final Phases
• Hiring and training staff
• Promoting and planning
program content
• Seek additional funding
sources
• Community Specialists
• Market, promote, promote
and promote
• Build relationships with key
partners
• Launched program June 2,
2012.
• 11 enrolled members
• Mailing List of 50
16

17. References
1. Northrop, Dorthy, E. and Frankel, Debra: Serving Individuals with MS in Adult Day Programs.
National MS Society. 2010.
2. MRI Image: University Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Online. August 22, 2012.
3. Fairview MS Achievement Center, Marketing Brochure. 2012.
4. Fairview MS Achievement Presentation, National Adult Day Service Conference, Denver, Co. 2010.
5. BHC Leadership Meeting. 40/40/20 Strategic Plan Update. Mark Broman, CEO BHC. August , 2012.
6. Images: Upper Midwest MS Society; Mud Ruckus; Bike MS. Courtesy, MS Society. 2012.
7. Images: Elderly woman and female staffer. Courtesy BHS. 2012.
17