Presby is different from many other senior service providers in that our main focus is not raising profits, but providing the best possible care and services to residents.
 
To help senior service providers like Presby maintain standards of excellence and to provide a framework for them to sustain public trust and confidence, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) developed Quality First.

Quality First represents a renewal of our commitment to help older adults and their loved ones live their lives to the fullest potential by providing the best possible care and services. Quality First involves all stakeholders in senior services, including residents, their families, boards of directors, staff, volunteers and the community at large.

ELEMENTS OF QUALITY FIRST IN PRACTICE AT PRESBY
Below are the elements of Quality First and what Presby is doing ministry-wide to practice each one so that we maintain our commitment to quality.

Commitment – We have signed the Quality First Covenant witnessed by the affirmation of our mission, vision and strategic plan to provide healthy, affordable and ethical services for seniors.

Governance and Accountability – We provide services to seniors  of all economic levels and religious affiliations. Our strategic plan includes a focus on resident-centered services and expansion of needs to the community at-large.  

Leading-Edge Care and Services – Presby continuously conducts audits of our services in order to identify strengths and to correct weaknesses, and looks to AAHSA and PANPHA as resources for self-improvement.

Community Involvement – Presby becomes involved in the community by collaborating with local business, churches, civic and community organizations.

Continuous Quality Improvement – We continuously seek to improve the quality of our services through monthly Quality Assurance meetings and resident and employee satisfaction surveys.

Human Resources Development – Presby provides team members with opportunities for advancement and career development through internal job postings and tuition assistance for continuing education.

Consumer-Friendly Information - We share survey results with residents and communicate action steps for improvement. And, updates to the organization’s website and printed materials are ongoing.

Consumer Participation – At Presby, residents are encouraged to make suggestions and voice recommendations and concerns so that we can improve our care and services according to their specific needs.

Research Findings and Education – Presby team members regularly attend conferences and seminars and are continuously looking for new ways to educate fellow team members and to transform research into practice.

Public Trust and Consumer Confidence – Team members strive to “tell our story” to their contacts. Presby also makes sure the organization’s literature is as up-to-date as possible and provides a consistent message to the media and the public at-large.