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In This Issue:
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March 2005
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Developmentally Disabled Participants Get Active
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Shop for a Cause: ElderFriends
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Adult Day Health Center Moves to Ravenna
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Naoko and Gladys: A Profile of ElderFriends
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Diabetics Receive Customized Shoes at ElderHealth
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Alzheimer’s Education Conference Highlights Person-Centered Care
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ElderHealth Northwest recently launched a specialized adult day health program for our participants with developmental disabilities.
“Get Active Program” (GAP) is offered Monday through Friday, 3:30 – 7:30pm at ElderHealth’s Renton Adult Day Health Center (aka “Connection,” located on the Valley Medical Center campus).
Participants enjoy many group activities, nursing and rehabilitation therapies. Site Manager Patti Dahlman says, “In addition to physical rehab, we work on activities of daily living, building psychosocial skills, and other activities like woodworking, reading, beadwork and nail care. We have 35 participants in the program so far — it’s a very exuberant group!”
Musician Charlie Spring performed at the program’s founding event in January, and several field trips are in the works, including ones to a nearby bowling alley and grocery store, where participants will shop for ingredients needed for meal preparation.
GAP is now accepting new participants; contact jenniferh@elderhealth.org. Volunteers are also needed to help with with exercise, activities, and meals. Shifts are one to three hours long between 3:30 and 6:30pm. For more information, contact gingers@elderhealth.org.
PICTURED: Gloria (left), Keith and Rashida enjoy a dance party outdoors.
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In early March 2005, ElderHealth Northwest is moving its North Seattle adult day health center to the Ravenna neighborhood, just north of the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center. Its new address is 6555 Ravenna Avenue NE (entrance on NE 68th Street).
ElderHealth Northwest is a non-profit provider of innovative health and social services for frail elders and people with disabilities. Its adult day programs help participants maintain their health, avoid isolation, and remain in a stable living situation. The day programs provide respite for caregivers while fostering the well-being and independence of its participants, helping prevent premature or unnecessary placement in a nursing home.
At its adult day health centers throughout King and Snohomish Counties, ElderHealth offers on-site nursing, rehabilitative therapies, nutritious meals and social activities. About 50% of ElderHealth’s participants have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of cognitive loss; special programs are tailored to their needs.
The North Seattle adult day health center was located on the Northgate campus of Group Health Cooperative, which expanded its operations in January into space previously leased to ElderHealth. The day health center moved into temporary space at Sand Point Magnuson Park during renovation of its new Ravenna location.
Joanne McMahon, Site Manager for the North Seattle location, says, “All of us—staff and participants in the day program—are excited to move into Ravenna. We’ll strive to be a real asset to the community.”
To find out about enrolling at ElderHealth Northwest, call (206) 528-5315, or follow the link below.
PICTURED: North Seattle participant Valorie and staff person Matt.
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Of the 800 clients that ElderHealth serves each year in its adult day health centers, 25% have diabetes. These participants benefit from diabetic monitoring, insulin injections, medication management and foot care.
In February and March, Nancie Hines, a registered/certified orthotic fitter, is visiting ElderHealth’s five adult day health centers. She’s meeting with diabetics who may be eligible for new shoes under the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill.
Nancie says, “Many older people haven’t had their feet measured in over 10 years. Their feet have grown and they’re no longer wearing properly-fitted shoes, putting them at risk for hospital visits and amputations.”
Nancie measures a client's feet, creates custom imprints, and helps select a shoe style. After obtaining doctor approval, the client receives shoes with a round, deep toe box and custom fit insoles. The process takes about a month, and the client incurs no out-of-pocket expense.
“It’s so wonderful to get them into supportive, proper-fitting shoes that protect their feet and help keep them mobile,” Nancie says.
To find out about other services available at ElderHealth Northwest's adult day health centers, follow the link below.
PICTURED: Nancie helps Robert choose a new shoe style.
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The 20th Annual Washington State Alzheimer’s Education Conference will be held Friday, April 29, 2005 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Seattle’s waterfront.
The theme for this year’s conference is “The Nature of Person-Centered Care,” and there will also be multiple workshops designed for direct care staff, dementia care leaders and advanced practitioners.
Nationally-known speaker Wendy Lustbader, MSW, will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include occupational therapist Teepa Snow, from the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and Dr. James Leverenz of the Puget Sound VA.
ElderHealth Northwest Executive Director Nora Gibson, MSW, will also be presenting at the conference. Her workshop is titled, "What is Long Term Care? It's NOT a Building."
The annual conference brings together hundreds of healthcare and eldercare professionals and direct care staff. For more information, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association - Western and Central Washington Chapter at (800) 848-7097 or click on the link below.
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"Inside ElderHealth" is an occasional e-newsletter of ElderHealth Northwest, a non-profit organization providing innovative eldercare options since 1976.
Adult Day Health Centers * Supported Living Homes * Geriatric Care Management
In-Home Services * ElderFriends Volunteers
Copyright © 2005 ElderHealth Northwest
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