What sets Inspīr Carnegie Hill apart from other senior living options is our focus on integrative wellness—we combine luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, integrative health and wellness programs, and world-class care all under one roof. For the first time, residents will have all of the elements that make a city lifestyle attractive to them—arts, culture, fine dining—as well as access to top-notch care from some of the most renowned institutions and doctors in NYC and beyond. Featuring state-of-the-art spaces, exceptional care, intelligent technology, and immersive experiences, Inspīr has curated an environment and lifestyle that supports a philosophy of vibrant, intentional living and meaningful connection. Partnerships with well-known arts/culture, religion, education, fitness, and healthcare allow us to offer leading-edge, research-based programming both within and outside the residence.
Our unique Integrated Care Model (ICM) is the power behind each of our three care programs, Sol, Terra, and Oceana. This is a team-based, interdisciplinary approach to whole-person health and wellness.
At the core of our Integrated Care Model is the Interdisciplinary Care Team. This team is comprised of members of our staff (nurses, care partners, social workers, dementia specialists, nutritionists, and lifestyle coaches) as well as hand-selected, highly vetted outside provider partners (physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, therapists, wellness experts, and aging life care professionals), all closely collaborating to achieve optimal health and wellness outcomes for each resident.
Our in-house geriatrician, Dr. Claire Davenport, explained in an earlier blog post the importance of healthcare seamlessly arriving at what matters to the individual. By making the individual the center of care, our Integrated Care Team will focus on the specific healthcare goals of each resident. Integrated health is about treating the whole person and all the different aspects that contribute to their health and well-being. It is not just about their physical health but also their mental and emotional health. It takes into consideration the social and community aspects of their life, and where and if spirituality fits in. If they have a dementia-related illness, Parkinson’s disease, or other debilitating health issues—How can our team improve their quality of life? By looking at the whole person, integrated health enhances the ability of a person to get well and stay well.
The newest addition to our outside provider partner team is Mount Sinai Dermatology (The Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology) who will work with our team to perform annual skin checks, on-site visits, and expedited appointments, along with the sharing of information. Emma Guttman-Yassky, M.D., PhD., Director, Center for Excellence in Eczema, and Director, Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Mount Sinai, commented, “We are excited to partner on the Integrated Care Model that is offered at Inspīr and aims to assure individualized treatment including for dermatological skin diseases and skin cancers. This assures residents individualized treatment that caters to their needs.”
Senior Director of Integrated Care at Inspīr, Marijo Smith, sat down with us to talk about her role and what led her to be here today.
I began my career as an HHA leading to obtaining my LPN over 30 years ago. I worked in all aspects of healthcare as an LPN, from hospitals, emergency rooms, and nursing homes to private practices and group homes. When my children headed to college, I went back to college, and 10 years ago, I graduated as an RN with an Associate’s degree and then went on to complete my BSN and MSN.
I’ve held several positions over the past five years, including Clinical Manager and Director of Patient Services for home care, population health, and business development. While I enjoyed my prior roles, I truly missed being a nurse and having interactions with patients, and enjoy making a difference in their lives.
This position would encompass all the skills I gained from prior positions, but it has also challenged me to implement all those skills into a new sector. Working with older adults is my passion. I grew up spending so much time with my grandparents, aunts, and uncles and learned so much about life from all of them.
Walk us through the process of evaluating each resident and how you will help provide exceptional care?
Our Interdisciplinary Care Team will have weekly meetings with all the disciplines involved in the resident’s care, including all third-party providers, to maintain consistency and communication. We will formulate a truly individualized care plan, unique to each resident and encompassing all of their needs and desires. Our care manager will ensure coordinated care between all providers and communication with the resident and their families/caregivers.
Another integral part of our team, Associate Director of Resident Care, Francis Gonzales-Gottlieb, also spoke to us about his role at Inspīr and his dedication to working with older adults.
Tell us about your dedication to seniors and what it means to you to care for them as they age?
My dedication to seniors began through my role as a clinical nurse educator throughout New York City’s five boroughs. I had the amazing opportunity to witness senior care in all aspects and taught aspiring nurses about how special it is to be given the chance to be responsible for quality care among an aging population. This drive led me to my current role at Inspīr where I continue to teach, learn, and build a robust space for comprehensive care for seniors as they age. I’m excited to bring my knowledge about Adult-Gerontology to Inspīr, where our residents will be cared for in an atmosphere that will meet and exceed everything they’ve envisioned for their later years.
Why did you decide to specialize in Adult-Gerontology for your master’s degree? And how will that assist you in your role at Inspīr?
First and foremost, I see so much potential in the field of Adult-Gerontology. This population is very special to me and it’s exciting to visualize the different paths that you can take within such a discipline. These interests propelled my studies at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing and later, my clinical internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in their Supportive and Palliative Care services.
What are you most excited about that Inspīr offers seniors?
Having been at Inspīr for some time now, I’m constantly impressed by our amazing staff. The Inspīr team is armed with a cornucopia of ideas, quality nursing care, and a wonderful culinary experience. They are full of enthusiasm, positivity, and dedication and are true advocates for our residents. It is such a joy and honor to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are very committed to creating a new standard of health and wellness in senior living.
Our hope for every resident is to live the best life they can. By taking a close look at every aspect of their life, discussing their goals and expectations, and weaving that into their care plan, we expect to see them have a vibrant and intentional life filled with meaningful connections.
