Hillside House

TO PROVIDE A HOME THAT SUPPORTS OUR RESIDENTS EFFORTS TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ABILITIES SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

WE HAVE SUSTAINED HILLSIDES CORE MISSION TO PROVIDE A RESIDENTIAL AND THERAPEUTIC LEARNING COMMUNITY FOR 59 PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. OUR RESIDENTS COME TO US WITH A WIDE RANGE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. WE SPECIALIZE IN SERVING THOSE WHO HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE REGULAR NURSING CARE. OUR COMMITMENT IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EACH RESIDENT, OFFERING A BROAD RANGE OF THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THE GREATEST LEVEL OF THEIR ABILITIES. 24 HOUR NURSING CARE IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO SUSTAIN AND ENJOY LIFE.IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES AND FUN AT HILLSIDE IN 2021PROGRAMS:COVID RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON HOW WE PROVIDED PROGRAM SERVICES DURING THE 2021 YEAR. THE RESIDENTS AND STAFF WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TWO COVID VACCINATION CLINICS EARLY IN THE YEAR AND THEN A BOOSTER CLINIC IN NOVEMBER. HAVING MOST RESIDENTS AND STAFF VACCINATED AND BOOSTED HAS ALLOWED HILLSIDE TO RESUME INDOOR VISITS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILIES, REINSTATE COMMUNAL DINING, GROUP CLASSES AND HAVING ENTERTAINMENT COME IN TO THE FACILITY. OPENING UP THESE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES HAS MADE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILYS MENTAL HEALTH. COMMUNITY DAY PROGRAM, WHICH WERE CANCELLED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, HAVE SLOWLY BEGUN TO OPEN; THIS ALLOWS SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS TO ACCESS THE COMMUNITY ON A LIMITED BASIS. OUR STAFF CONTINUE TO OFFER ENGAGING ACTIVITIES FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND DAY PROGRAMS. PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIES AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE RESIDENTS FAVORITES INCLUDE COOKING, ART, SOUND THERAPY CLASSES. RUNNING A FULL TIME DAY PROGRAM AS WELL AS A RESIDENTIAL PROGAM HAS PUT A STRAIN ON OUR STAFFING RESOURCES BUT OUR STAFF CONTINUE TO RALLY.FACILITIES & DIETARYOUR FACILITIES DEPARTMENT HAS CONTINUED TO WORK HARD THIS YEAR TO MAINTAIN THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS, BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS DUE TO LESSENED COVID RESTRICTIONS HAS TAKEN A BIT OF THE STRAIN OFF THE DEPARTMENT. PROCURING THE NEEDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR COVID CONTINUES TO BE CHALLENGING AND EXPENSIVE. HILLSIDE CONTINUES TO WORK WITH THE SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR GUIDANCE REGARDING COVID SUPPLIES. WE HAVE WORKED TO IMPROVE AND BEAUTIFY OUR OUTDOOR SPACE FOR THE RESIDENTS AS THEY CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE TIME AT HOME.OUR DIETARY DEPARTMENT IS THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO REINSTATE COMMUNAL DINING FOR THE RESIDENTS. DELIVERING FOOD TO RESIDENTS ROOMS AND OTHER LOCATIONS WITHIN THE FACILITY WAS TIME CONSUMING AND STRESSFUL. THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON SERVING AN ABUNDANCE OF FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES AND ENCOURAGING THE RESIDENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES.NURSING:OUR NURSING DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE 24 HOUR NURSING CARE TO OUR MEDICALLY FRAGILE RESIDENTS. OUR GOAL CONTINUES TO BE SETTING STATE OF THE ART STANDARDS IN AN EFFICIENT AND PLEASANT WORK ENVIRONMENT. OUR FOCUS CONTINUES TO BE ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF LICENSED NURSES AND CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS AND CREATING A POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE BASED ON IMPROVEMENT AND SUCCESS. COVID TESTING OF RESIDENTS AND STAFF HAVE PUT A STRAIN ON THE DEPARTMENT. NOW THAT DOCTORS OFFICES ARE BEGINNING TO OPEN UP HILLSIDES MEDICAL TEAM IS CONCENTRATING ON CATCHING UP ON MISSED MEDICAL AND DENTAL APPOINTMENTS DUE TO COVID.