My Care Line Virtual Healthcare at The Village of Harmony Hill

The Village of Harmony Hill is committed to providing compassionate, whole‑person care that supports residents, caregivers, and families across every stage of aging. As part of this commitment, the Village introduced My Care Line, a virtual healthcare service designed to enhance access to timely medical support, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and strengthen continuity of care, especially during evenings, weekends, and overnight hours when traditional clinics may be closed.

My Care Line expands the Village’s clinical capabilities by connecting on‑site caregivers directly with registered nurses and advanced practice providers through Sanford Health. This white paper outlines the purpose, structure, benefits, and long‑term value of My Care Line as a key differentiator in senior living care delivery.

The Challenge: After‑Hours Care Gaps in Senior Living

Senior living communities often face critical care decision‑making during after‑hours periods. When on‑site providers are unavailable, caregivers must determine whether a change in condition requires emergency transport, on‑call provider escalation, or monitoring until morning. These decisions can be stressful for residents, families, and staff, and may lead to avoidable emergency department visits.

Common challenges include:

• Limited access to immediate clinical consultation after hours

• Increased hospital transfers that disrupt residents’ routines

• Stress and uncertainty for caregivers making time‑sensitive decisions

• Fragmented communication between care teams and primary providers

My Care Line was implemented to address these challenges directly.

The Solution: My Care Line Virtual Healthcare

My Care Line is a virtual healthcare service that provides Village caregivers with direct access to clinical expertise when it is needed most. Through a partnership with Sanford Health, caregivers can initiate virtual consultations with registered nurses and advanced practice providers to assess resident needs in real time.

Availability

• Monday–Friday: 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

• Saturday & Sunday: 24 hours a day

This coverage ensures that residents have access to medical expertise 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

How My Care Line Works

When a resident experiences a change in condition, caregivers can initiate a My Care Line consultation through:

• Phone or video visits

• The TytoCare device, which enables enhanced assessments using:

  • Otoscope

  • Digital stethoscope

  • Exam camera

These tools allow providers to perform more comprehensive virtual evaluations and support informed clinical decision‑making.

Concerns commonly addressed through My Care Line include:

• Falls and post‑fall assessments

• Wound checks and skin concerns

• Behavioral or cognitive changes

• Medication questions

• Pain management

• General changes in condition

All encounters are documented in the resident’s medical record and shared with the resident’s primary care provider, ensuring continuity and coordination of care.

Benefits for Residents

My Care Line enhances the resident experience by prioritizing comfort, dignity, and care in place.

Key resident benefits include:

• Reduced need for unnecessary hospital visits

• Faster access to clinical guidance during critical moments

• Care delivered in the familiarity and comfort of home

• Less disruption to routines and emotional well‑being

Research consistently shows that, when appropriate, receiving care in place improves outcomes and reduces stress for older adults.

Benefits for Caregivers and Staff

My Care Line is also designed to support those providing care.

Caregiver benefits include:

• Immediate access to clinical consultation

• Support for confident, informed decision‑making

• Reduced after‑hours stress and uncertainty

• Enhanced collaboration with off‑site clinical partners

As noted by Krista Beauchamp, Administrator and RN at The Village of Harmony Hill:

“Virtual healthcare allows us to provide timely, high‑quality clinical support without residents having to leave their home, while also supporting our staff in delivering efficient care. It strengthens continuity of care, supports early intervention, and ensures convenient, compassionate care right on our campus.”

A Complement to Primary Care

My Care Line is not a replacement for a resident’s primary care provider. Instead, it serves as a critical extension of the care continuum by bridging gaps during after‑hours periods and ensuring residents always have access to medical expertise when needed.

This model supports early intervention, reduces avoidable escalation, and strengthens collaboration between on‑site caregivers, virtual providers, and primary care teams.

A Differentiator in Senior Living

By integrating virtual healthcare into daily operations, The Village of Harmony Hill continues to lead with innovation while remaining grounded in its mission‑driven values. My Care Line reflects the Village’s commitment to:

• Human dignity

• Community

• Intentional excellence

• Compassionate, resident‑centered care

As senior living continues to evolve, My Care Line positions The Village of Harmony Hill at the forefront of modern, responsive, and holistic care delivery.

About The Village of Harmony Hill

Located in Watertown, South Dakota, The Village of Harmony Hill is a mission‑driven senior living community rooted in the legacy of the Sisters of the Mother of God Monastery. The campus includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, and intergenerational programming that fosters connection across all ages. The Village of Harmony Hill is managed by Sanford Health/Good Samaritan Society, reflecting a shared commitment to compassionate, high‑quality care and service.