http://www.elderhealth.org Inside ElderHealth
In This Issue: November 2005 
•   Campaign Launched to Save Adult Day Centers
•   United Way Workplace Giving Campaigns in Full Swing
•   Nora's Corner: Scenes from the Middle of the Night at Gaffney House
•   Alternative Gift Fair Helps People in Need
•   Celebrate Thanksgiving with an Isolated Elder
•   Washington Health Legislative Conference Accepting Early Registration
Campaign Launched to Save Adult Day Centers
Adult day centers are closing throughout Washington: eight centers have closed in the past two years. ElderHealth Northwest could be next. Why?

• The Department of Health and Human Services has new regulations for adult day centers which dramatically increase the cost of service delivery.

• DSHS proposed a higher reimbursement rate to cover the cost of these services, but Governor Gregoire declined to include the rate increase in her budget.

• Adult day centers have not had a base rate adjustment in over a decade. Faced with another year at the existing reimbursement rate, ElderHealth is examining whether it can sustain its adult day health centers.

DSHS wants to save money by ensuring community-based services remain solvent. It is seeking the rate adjustment, in part, to avoid "costly higher level residential placements" when frail and disabled adults are unable to access adult day services.

ElderHealth, the Washington Adult Day Services Association, and adult day providers throughout the state are coordinating a call-in campaign in support of the rate adjustment.

It only takes a moment to participate in this campaign. Call Gov. Gregoire's office at (360) 902-4111 and say: "I'm calling to support the proposed rate increase for adult day services." Her receptionist is expecting our calls and is keeping a tally.

If you prefer to write your comments, click on Gov. Gregoire's photo for access to her email form.

Find out more about the Campaign to Save Adult Day Services (PDF File)

http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/govemail.htm
Nora's Corner: Scenes from the Middle of the Night at Gaffney House
By Nora Gibson, Executive Director

I think one of the most palpable fears for family members is what happens in the middle of the night when their loved one is living in another setting.

We’ve all read horror stories. I remember talking with two elderly women who met each other during a nursing home stay for rehab after surgery. They said they felt the most sorry for the people who lived there who “didn’t have their faculties.” One of the women described her roommate turning on the call light in the middle of the night because she had to go to the bathroom. Over an hour passed before a staffer—who was reportedly watching television—came in, shut off the light, and walked out without taking her to the bathroom or even asking her what she needed. They had many such stories and both were grateful to be able to return to their former dwellings.

By a complicated series of staffing challenges forming an almost-perfect storm, I needed to work the night shift at Gaffney House on a recent Sunday night. You reach a certain level in your professional career and think, “I’ll never have to work a night shift again,” but in many ways ElderHealth is still a small not-for-profit organization: I often fill in at the adult day health centers and have worked other shifts at both our supported living homes, Buchanan Place and Gaffney House. I’m one of the emergency back-up people on call for the homes and this time my number came up.

And part of me was really curious, what DOES happen in the middle of the night at Gaffney House? . . .

[Follow Link Below for Continuation of Article]

Read the Conclusion of Nora's Corner (PDF File)

http://www.elderhealth.org/noracorner.html
Celebrate Thanksgiving with an Isolated Elder
This Thanksgiving, ElderFriends volunteers will deliver hot meals and other special goodies to isolated elders living in King County. The deliveries will include full-course turkey dinners from the Yankee Grill and Roaster, juices from Odwalla, pies from Whole Foods, colorful place mats made by children from The Bertschi School, and fresh flowers from the Ballard Blossom.

Volunteers will meet on Thursday, November 24th at 9:30 a.m. at the Yankee Grill in Ballard, where they will be given a brief orientation and meals to deliver.

You can be a part of this event by volunteering or letting us know of someone over age 65 that is living independently and would like to receive a friendly visit and delicious hot meal on Thanksgiving.

Limited spaces are available for Thanksgiving volunteers and meal recipients. Please call (206) 224-3769 or email elderfriends@elderhealth.org.

PICTURED: Sam and Al, ElderFriends since 2000.

Read More about ElderFriends

http://www.elderhealth.org/elderfriends.html
United Way Workplace Giving Campaigns in Full Swing
ElderHealth Northwest is one of numerous health and human service agencies funded by United Way’s Community Safety Fund, designed to identify community issues, invest in solutions and improve people's lives.

On an ongoing basis, ElderHealth serves 830 individuals, the majority of whom are nursing home eligible and might otherwise be living in an institution. As measured by United Way of King County, ElderHealth enrollees enjoyed these outcomes last year:

• 95% were able to maintain their independence,
• 91% were able to maintain their optimum health, and
• 97% were able to maintain the highest quality of life.

You likely have an opportunity to participate in a United Way campaign at your workplace. To find out more about United Way of King County, click the logo. For United Way of Snohomish County, click here: http://www.uwsc.org.

Read a United Way Success Story Featuring an ElderHealth Participant

http://www.uwkc.org
Alternative Gift Fair Helps People in Need
Alternative Gift Fair
Saturday, November 19, 2005, 10:00am – 3:30pm
Northshore United Church of Christ
18900 168th Ave NE, Woodinville
(425) 483-6557

Northshore United Church of Christ is hosting its third annual Alternative Gift Fair, featuring over 20 non-profit organizations. Shoppers may purchase holiday gifts to honor family and friends while supporting local and national non-profit organizations.

For each contribution, the donor will receive a card—including a description of the organization and gift that’s been made—to give on the holiday. For example, a gift may be purchased from ElderHealth that will pay for emergency glucose treatments or nutritious lunches for our participants at our adult day health centers.

Alternative gifts are tax deductible and may be paid in one lump sum by cash, check or credit card.

This free event is open to the public and promises a calmer shopping experience that that found in a busy mall. Shoppers will also find music and yummy treats at the fair.

PICTURED: Nonprofit vendors and shoppers at the 2004 Alternative Gift Fair.

Click Here for Directions to the Alternative Gift Fair

http://fp.premier1.net/nucc/AltGiftMkt.htm
Washington Health Legislative Conference Accepting Early Registration
2005 Washington Health Legislative Conference
“Health or Health Care? Reframing the Discussion”
December 6, 2005
SeaTac Hilton Conference Center

As evidenced in part by her October 25 Health Care Summit, Governor Gregoire has made health care one of her top priorities. What specific issues are on her agenda? How do the Governor's initiatives fit with those of the legislative leadership and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner?

These and other topics central to the health of Washingtonians will be explored at the 20th annual Washington Health Legislative Conference on December 6 at the SeaTac Hilton Conference Center. The morning plenary features Dr. Steven Gilbert, director of the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders; Dr. Gary Marchant, director of the Center for the Study of Law, Science & Technology, Arizona State University; and Dr. Frank Gilliam, 2003's popular keynote speaker and vice provost at UCLA.

A morning interactive session is complemented by afternoon discussions including public health funding, insurance coverage and services for children, state initiatives in occupational health and safety, and financing life sciences research. There will be ample opportunity for the over 500 attendees to rekindle old connections and make new ones.

Register by November 16th and save up to $50 on regular rates.

Read More about the Washington Health Legislative Conference

http://depts.washington.edu/rchpol/

"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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