FHCA members earn Gold Seal status

Five Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) member nursing homes have been awarded the Governor’s Gold Seal Award, which recognizes nursing homes that demonstrate the highest standards of quality of life and care for their residents. The five new recipients are: Bridgeview Center, Ormond Beach; The Chateau at Moorings Park, Naples; Coquina Center, Ormond Beach; Highlands Lake Center, Lakeland; and The Manor at Carpenters, Lakeland.

Governor Rick Scott said, “I would like to congratulate the five nursing homes that are receiving the Gold Seal Award. These nursing homes set the example of quality care for Florida’s elders, and are paving the way to providing all Florida families with the assurance that their loved ones are getting the care they deserve. This is why the Florida Families First budget invests in critical programs and priorities important for the safety and well-being of Florida seniors.”

“FHCA's members are committed to delivering high quality care to our state's frail elders, and FHCA is pleased the Governor has recognized that by bestowing this achievement to these deserving facilities,” said J. Emmett Reed, FHCA Executive Director.

Nursing homes that wish to be considered for the Gold Seal Award must submit an application with supporting documentation to the Agency, which is reviewed by the Governor’s Panel on Excellence in Long Term Care. The Panel considers the criteria below and makes recommendations to the Governor. Gold Seal recipients must be in operation a minimum of 30 months prior to the date of application and the facility must:

• Meet a quality of care scoring and ranking that places them in the top 10 percent in their region or top 15 percent in the state and be a 5-star facility in the Nursing Home Guide

• Have no Class I or II deficiencies within 30 months preceding application

• Provide evidence of financial soundness and stability

• Participate in a consumer satisfaction process involving residents, family members and guardians

• Involve families and members of the community in the facility on a regular basis

• Have a stable workforce

• Have an outstanding record with the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Council within the 30 months preceding application

• Provide targeted in-service training to meet training needs identified.

The Gold Seal Award program was developed and implemented by the Governor's Panel on Excellence in Long Term Care, which is composed of persons appointed by the Governor’s Office, Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Health, Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Association of Homes for the Aging (now LeadingAge Florida), Florida Health Care Association, Florida Life Care Residents Association and the State Long Term Care Ombudsman.

Of the 681 licensed nursing homes in Florida, 24 nursing homes currently hold the Gold Seal Award. The Gold Seal Award program was established in 2002 and recognizes Florida nursing homes that have exceptionally high standards and display excellence in the quality of care delivered to their residents.

For a complete listing of Gold Seal facilities, visit FloridaHealthFinder.gov then click on Find a Facility or Provider. From here choose Search by Facility Type/Location and use the Advanced Search option when searching for Nursing Homes to find the list of Gold Seal facilities.