The Spice of Life
Tiger Place
In 1996, faculty from the School sat in a booth at a local restaurant pondering an idea. Could a school of nursing take the lead in nursing home improvements?
Former Dean Toni Sullivan, Marilyn Rantz, professor, and Constance Brooks, assistant professor of clinical nursing, envisioned a facility that allowed seniors to grow old with dignity; without having to move as their care needs increased. A home where residents could bring their pets, a place to maintain their independent lifestyle. This dream is now a reality called TigerPlace.
TigerPlace, named after the Mizzou mascot, is a uniquely designed senior housing project designed by MU nursing faculty working in conjunction with Americare Systems, Inc., of Sikeston, Missouri. Dean Rosemary Porter and Richard Montgomery, Americare’s CEO, struck up a business agreement to create a facility where it was possible for seniors to “age in place.” This model allows seniors to receive health care in their home. As care needs increase, residents contract for more care thus eliminating the need for a move to a more restrictive environment such as a nursing home.
While authors and health-care providers have been talking about the aging-in-place concept for many years, accomplishing it has been challenging due to current federal and state regulations. However, MU nursing faculty rose to the challenge and helped construct legislation that enabled this project to proceed. TigerPlace is now one of the four official aging-in-place sites in Missouri.
However, TigerPlace is the only site to construct a new facility with aging-in-place standards built into the original design. The building has 32 private apartments with fully accessible bathrooms, kitchens and screened-in porches. It also boasts private garages, a large community living room, library, sports bar and beauty shop. The list of amenities surpasses the common list of options. Residents have access to the TigerPlace Pet Initiative Veterinary Clinic, TigerCare Wellness Center and TigerCize Exercise and Spa facility. The foremost goal was to design and implement exciting research, educational and practice opportunities at TigerPlace while integrating its residents into the Mizzou and Columbia community.
Resident care is the principle force of the project: on-going assessment, early illness recognition, health promotion activities and a well-designed housing environment that helps older adults stay healthier and active longer.
On the other hand, TigerPlace is an innovative educational environment for students studying in diverse disciplines across the Mizzou campus. It enhances a student’s educational experience and gives them a leg-up on competition when they leave the academic world for the business world.
Another main focus is interdisciplinary research. Nursing scientists have joined forces with faculty in other MU schools and colleges to focus their expertise on improving seniors’ lives. Currently there are two research projects underway to develop technology to help TigerPlace residents age in place. These scientists are looking at new ways to detect impending functional decline so early intervention can result in better outcomes. Other grant proposals are under development at MU with principal investigators from computer engineering, health management and informative and social work to expand this area of knowledge.
Sinclair Home Care, the home-health agency of the School, provides care to TigerPlace residents. As part of their rent, residents receive comprehensive nursing assessments every six months; access to the TigerCare Wellness Center; four registered nurse visits per year; and exercise classes five days per week. Residents may contract for additional services from Sinclair Home Care to help them remain active and independent on an as-needed basis.