Trinitas Regional Medical Center Receives Grant as Johnson & Johnson/Rosalynn Carter Institute Caregivers Program Winner
Trinitas Regional Medical Center was recognized for its commitment to intergenerational caregiving at the third annual Johnson & Johnson/Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) Caregivers Program. Trinitas Regional Medical Center was awarded a Johnson & Johnson/RCI Caregivers Crystal Award and a two-year $50,000 grant from Johnson & Johnson, as well as technical assistance and evaluation services provided by the Rosalynn Carter Institute.

The Johnson & Johnson/RCI Caregivers Program annually recognizes sites that serve as national models for quality caregiving services. Trinitas Regional Medical Center was selected as one of five winners by a panel of national experts in various caregiving disciplines, including gerontology, children, cancer, nursing, hospice, mental health and disabilities.

"Trinitas Regional Medical Center exemplifies the qualities that the Johnson & Johnson/RCI Caregivers Program wishes to promote in all caregiving programs," said Laura J. Bauer, project director, Rosalynn Carter Institute. "With the evolution of the family unit into something quite different from what it was in past generations, new ways to provide care across the lifespan and between all generations must be explored. Organizations like Trinitas Regional Medical Center create projects that help to further that cause."

The innovative project initiated by Trinitas partners seniors in the hospital's Brother Bonaventure Extended Care & Rehab Center with children in the hospital's therapeutic nursery program. These children, who suffer from reactive attachment disorder , have had difficulty forming bonds with others. The planned social interactions will help the children begin to form stable and consistent relationships and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation for both involved groups.

According to Brian Hemmert, Program Director, Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs, "We were honored to meet Former First Lady Carter to personally thank her for recognizing our hard work and dedication to the population we serve. In addition, we were able to meet the other award recipients and share feedback and ideas on how to make our programs better."

Of the program at Trinitas, Brian explained, "Using art as the modality to gap these generations is a wonderful non-threatening way for young and old to interact. The bonds they have formed over this past year has greatly impacted the functioning of both generations. The children and the residents truly look forward to the group."

Many individuals were involved in the success of the program, according to Brian. These include: Cathy Murray, who runs the group, Lisa Aragon, who wrote the grant, Therapeutic Nursery staff members: Margot Burke PhD; Adriana Gonzalez RN; Liz Kania Clinician; Danielle Mercuri, Family Specialist; Diana Chavez, Clinician; and the support of the Brother Bonaventure Staff.

The Johnson & Johnson/RCI Caregivers Program's principal mission is to support caregivers for disabled, chronically ill, or elderly family members and friends.

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving was formed in 1987 in honor of First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who serves as president of the Institute's Board of Directors. Through research, education and training, RCI promotes the mental health and well-being of individuals, families and professional caregivers; delineates effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities.

Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products serving the consumer, pharmaceutical and professional markets. The Company has its worldwide headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J., where the business was founded over a century ago.


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