|
In This Issue:
|
July/August 2006
|
 |
|
|
|
|
•
|
Elder Expression at ElderHealth Northwest
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Dementia Partnership Offers Memory Care and Wellness Services
|
|
|
|
•
|
ElderHealth in Action: Making the Transition
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
ElderFriends Hosts Ice Cream Social
|
|
|
|
•
|
Exercise for a Cause: Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
|
|
|
|
Families caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may now be eligible for a new package of free services as part of a two-and-a-half year demonstration project coordinated by Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services.
Responding to the needs and preferences of individuals with dementia (and their family caregivers) the King County Dementia Partnership provides a new model of integrated services, including:
• Memory care and wellness services
• Education and planning for care
• Family counseling
Memory care and wellness services are specialized day services in a safe, social, and therapeutic environment. Services are tailored to the needs of persons with moderate-to-severe dementia and are available twice a week (or more) at ElderHealth Northwest’s South Seattle adult day health center. "We're working for a win-win situation—providing caregivers with a much needed break while engaging their loved ones in therapeutic and enjoyable activities," says Elisabeth Lindley, the Alzheimer's program coordinator.
An evaluation conducted by Dr. Rebecca Logsdon of the University of Washington's School of Nursing is an important part of this component. The study will investigate the effect of memory care and wellness services on measures of health, mood, and overall quality of life for persons with dementia and their caregivers. It will also examine whether the service helps delay placement in a nursing home.
Education and planning for care is comprised of individualized consultations to strengthen the family’s ability to manage the challenges of caring for a person with dementia. These services are provided by the Alzheimer’s Association and are available in the home (or other preferred location) and may involve sharing information about dementia, teaching caregiving skills and helping in long-term planning.
Kin On Community Health Care is offering these consultations to Chinese-speaking clients under the grant, and a special collaboration between the Alzheimer's Association and Sea Mar Community Health Center—called El Portal—is making the service available to Latino clients.
Family counseling sessions provide emotional support and are offered to individuals and families. The content of each session is determined by the unique requirements of the caregiving situation as assessed by Evergreen Healthcare’s Geriatric Regional Assessment Team.
This project promotes a new level of collaboration among the partner agencies around Alzheimer's and dementia care issues. In addition to the organizations mentioned above, Senior Services and Seattle/King County Aging and Disability Services are also members. Already cross-referrals have increased among the partner agencies, and several joint trainings and workshops are planned.
Caregivers can learn about free enrollment in this project by calling one of the partner agencies:
• Memory care and wellness services: Jennifer Herrmann at ElderHealth Northwest, (206) 528-5315
• Family support consultation: Jane Tornatore at Alzheimer's Association, (206) 363-5500
• Caregiver counseling: call GRAT at (206) 923-6300 and ask for the Intake Office
• Spanish language (all services): Janet Ceballos at Alzheimer's Association, (206) 363-5500 x240
• Chinese language (all services): Jane Wong at Kin On, (206) 652-2330 x15
Caregivers may also learn about other community-based options if they are unable to participate in the project.
|
|
 |
|
|
Sometimes older adults don’t have formal opportunities for artistic expression, but that certainly wasn’t the case at a spring self expression group at ElderHealth Northwest’s South Seattle Adult Day Health Center. The activity group provided a supportive atmosphere for elders and adults with disabilities to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas. The purpose of the group was to connect the mind, body and heart and to provide a forum for participants to share personal goals, successes and frustrations. Often the group started with yoga poses or mindful meditations.
The self expression group members developed their talents and performed for the ElderHealth community at a talent show. One blind participant worked with her adult family home staff to memorize lines for a skit. Several clients with limited verbal skills were able to express themselves through dance. Another client shared his reflections on war through original poetry. Even Buddy, the center’s resident canine, made an appearance. Participants also worked together to plan the talent show and create a colorful sign.
“I’m pleasantly surprised time and time again by the creativity and thoughtfulness of the group members,” said Katy Schwantes, the program facilitator. “Everyone has something unique to share and self expression group helps us tap into that.” After the show Katy handed out pink roses, a symbol of gratitude, sympathy and appreciation, to all of the afternoon’s participants.
The self expression group was a spring offering available to clients at ElderHealth’s South Seattle Adult Day Health Center. A similar expression group this summer focuses on poetry.
The center is open on weekends, offers multilingual support groups, and recently launched Memory Care and Wellness Services, a new collaborative project for persons with moderate-to-severe dementia that can be tailored to the needs of each participant (see article).
If you are interested in referring a client or family member to these or other ElderHealth programs, contact Jennifer Herrmann at (206) 528-5315 or jenniferh@elderhealth.org.
PICTURED: From left: Dorothy and Jackie (Katy in background).
|
|
 |
|
|
[Editor’s Note: This is third in a three-part series]
Deciding on an adult day health center can require a certain level of trust and assistance. During the transition, participants sometimes feel wary of change, insecure about leaving home or uncomfortable with new caregivers. A few also may become confused by the disruption in their daily routines. These feelings are normal and, given a little time, participants and their families stand to reap enormous benefits from their use of an adult day health program.
Such is the case with Doyal, a member of our Heads Up Program, a specialized adult day health program for adults with acquired brain injury.
After being hit by a car in 2003, Doyal suffered traumatic brain injuries. When he first arrived at ElderHealth Northwest in April of 2004, he was using a wheelchair. Doyal began working with occupational therapist Colleen Johns, who helped him accomplish his goal of transitioning from a wheelchair to a walker.
At first he could only walk 25 feet, then 50 and then 75. He didn’t stop there. For the last year, Doyal has been moving independently, and he hasn’t fallen once. One of his nicknames is “Dapper Doyal” for his styling clothes and smooth stride.
“This is an incredible case,” says Colleen Johns, our occupational therapist, “where improved judgment, transitional movement, weight training, balance, strength and coordination have all come to fruition.”
Persons with injuries such as Doyal’s have few ongoing community-based options available. In the Heads Up Program, ElderHealth’s goal is to better serve the particular needs of younger adults with these injuries. We strive to foster independence, responsibility and integration into community life.
Here at ElderHealth, Doyal receives a tremendous amount of positive reinforcement about his progress, a great deal of which was based on his self-determination. As Star of the Month (a special recognition) it’s obvious to Doyal that he’s accomplished a lot. But, never satisfied, he’s actively pursuing his next goal: going back to work. It’s an ambitious goal, but based on his past achievements and the encouragement he receives at ElderHealth, it is certainly within reach.
|
|
 |
|
|
"Inside ElderHealth" is an occasional e-newsletter of ElderHealth Northwest, a non-profit organization providing innovative eldercare options since 1976.
|
|
|
|
|
|
