Q What is the role of nurses and nurses' aides at Morris Hall?
Ms. Gonzales: Our licensed nurses and certified nurses' aides are key members of the treatment team and help make Morris Hall one of the finest nursing homes in the state. Our goal is to enhance residents' quality of life, promote good health, and support independence and continued development. Morris Hall receives consistently high ratings in the state health department's annual survey of quality care, and our ratio of nursing staff to residents is higher than those required by the state or federal government.

We take care of our residents like we would our own family. Every resident is immediately assigned a "primary care" nurse and nursing assistant, who follows his or her care daily to provide the continuity of care that families are looking for.

Q What is the team approach to long-term care?
Ms. Gonzales: The team approach is key to effective delivery of care. Our interdisciplinary team includes nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, social workers, dietitians, therapists, rehab specialists, and an admission director, housekeeping manager, and nurse manager. The team does everything possible to make a resident's stay one that is truly characterized by quality of care.

Q How do you involve family members?
Ms. Gonzales: Our nurses and nursing assistants have a very good rapport with family members, starting before admission. We need to gain their trust and help ease any guilt they may have about placing their loved ones in a nursing home. We are very sensitive to the family and involve them in care planning meetings and decisions.

Juvy Gonzalez has been involved in long-term nursing for 17 years. She received the state's 2004 Governor's Nursing Merit Award in long-term care.