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Gaffney House Steps into Spring with Festivities
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Gaffney House Hosts Wine & Cheese Tastings Through Summer
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Seattle Times Columnist Examines ElderHealth Innovations in Two-Part Series
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Wendy Lustbader to Present at Caregiver Conference
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Mobile Clinic Provides Free Dental Services to Seniors
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Save the Date: ElderHealth Fundraising Breakfast
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by Carla Schneider
Gaffney House Activities Coordinator
Twenty-one preschoolers marching up the steps to Gaffney House, each clutching a fresh daffodil – that’s how the first annual Spring Festival and Egg Hunt started. T.T. Minor provided the preschoolers and the “thank you for hosting us” daffodils (and thankfully, many chaperones). Gaffney House provided the elders, the goody-stuffed eggs hidden all around the yard, egg-dyeing supplies, and the best cupcakes ever. Mother Nature provided a gorgeous sunny day, which was nice, because 21 preschoolers possess a lot of energy to contain inside our usually mellow home.
The children raced around the yard, enthusiastically exclaiming over each egg they found, stuffing them into their goody bags and holding them high for everyone to see. “I found all of your eggs!” one little darling yelled up to staff on the veranda.
Back inside, the kids and residents split into three groups, each with its own complete set of eggs and dye. Many of the preschoolers (and some of their chaperones) had never dyed eggs before, so it was an extra-special treat.
The Spring Festival ended with treats of dinosaur-sprinkled cupcakes and juice on the sunny porch, a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” sung to Kathy’s friend over the phone, and 21 hearty cheers of “yahoo!” given in thanks.
A week later, Gaffney House received a package of bright yellow handmade thank you cards and some great photos of the day. Rumor has it that another joint celebration lies ahead, when the preschoolers finish the school year and look ahead to kindergarten. And next year’s preschoolers will be back, too, for the second annual Spring Festival and Egg Hunt at Gaffney House.
PICTURED: T.T. Minor preschoolers show their treasures to Mary.
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By Liz Taylor
Special to The Seattle Times, April 25, 2005
In February, I began an occasional series on innovations in eldercare, describing pioneers who are significantly improving on the "mousetraps" that have been our care choices for the past 40 years.
The first was Elite Care, an Oregon company whose flagship assisted-living facility, Oatfield Estates, is one of the best I've ever seen — for residents who can pay privately.
It's extraordinarily tough to provide excellent care to people poor enough to be on Medicaid (because Medicaid pays so poorly), so few do. Today I'll tell you about an innovative leader that breaks the mold.
ElderHealth Northwest, a nonprofit headquartered in Seattle, has long pushed the envelope. Its roots were planted in the late 1970s when two little-known adult day centers combined. Starting out in church basements, then moving to a hospital and then to its own offices, it is now the largest provider of adult day services in the state, operating six centers.
Nora Gibson, its executive director, says she got "hooked" on day centers when she realized they were the only place she'd worked — including hospitals and nursing homes — where clients love being there. They spend the day, have a meal, talk to people — then go home and sleep in their own beds, she says, which is why they like it so much.
But what happens when their homes no longer work? Are there residential places older people like, and don't dread? . . .
[Follow April 25 link for conclusion of Part 1.]
Part 1: Liz Taylor's April 25 column on ElderHealth:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2002250188_liztaylor25.html
. . . One of the factors that makes ElderHealth stand out in the care business is its philosophy toward its employees: It treats them fairly, intelligently, respectfully. . . .
[Follow May 2 link for conclusion of Part 2.]
Part 2: Liz Taylor's May 2 column on ElderHealth:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2002258621_liztaylor02.html
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This spring, Elderhealth Northwest’s downtown Seattle adult day health center hosted a mobile dental clinic from the University of Washington. The program, initially funded by a grant from the Department of Social and Health Services, provides free dental services for seniors ages 60 and older.
Every Tuesday morning, Dr. Lawrence McCormick, the lead dentist, Dan Vincent, a dental student, and other 4th year dental students set up the clinic to provide oral health care to frail elders. They used portable equipment to perform dental treatments on-site, and they made referrals to specialized oral health care where indicated.
The clinic helped many people who have been living with chronic dental pain or discomfort. Over 150 people benefited from the service including ElderHealth adult day health participants, Jefferson Terrace residents, and other older members of the community.
ElderHealth Northwest staff and participants greatly enjoyed this collaboration and are working with the mobile dental clinic to plan additional sessions for the summer and fall.
PICTURED: Dat prepares for Linda's dental exam.
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Gaffney House
1605 - 17th Avenue (at Madison), Seattle
Parking at Madison Market Garage (enter on Madison)
On April 20, Gaffney House hosted a wine and cheese tasting sponsored by Madison Market. Our residents had a wonderful time: a retired hotel administrator was quite the connoisseur of the gourmet cheeses; another resident found the party a great opportunity for “people watching”!
Several dozen community members also attended the tasting, and many of them toured Gaffney House. The home is designed for people with chronic conditions (including moderate to advanced dementia) who require frequent supervision and significant assistance with activities of daily living. Its small scale allows residents and staff to create a strong sense of community.
Madison Market has generously offered to partner with us through the summer at the following events at Gaffney House:
FREE WINE & CHEESE TASTINGS
Wednesday, May 18, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 15, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 20, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Wednesday, August 17, 5:30 - 7:30pm
If you can't make one of our regularly-scheduled events, just give us a call to set up a tour at your convenience: (206) 838-1930.
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Challenges in Caregiving: Giving Care, Taking Care
Monday, June 6, 2005
Tukwila Community Center
Early Registration Deadline: May 23, 2005
This day-long conference is for in-home caregivers and people who provide personal or health care assistance. Caregivers who will benefit from the conference include:
• family members (spouses, adult children or other relatives)
• home care aides
• chore/COPES/respite workers
• adult family home providers
• adult day care and assisted living staff
Wendy Lustbader, MSW, local author, national speaker and mental health counselor is the keynote speaker. Wendy will use her unique skills of storytelling and humor to show how caregiving can unite families and create opportunities for emotional growth. She will also lead workshops on three compelling topics: dealing with difficult people; reducing stress through humor and perspective; and how to promote cooperation among family members in the caregiving situation.
Other workshop sessions focus on topics such as managing medications, planning healthy meals, and transfer skills.
The conference is sponsored by Aging and Disability Services Administration, ElderHealth Northwest, AARP Washington and numerous community organizations.
The registration fee for individual caregivers (family members, individual COPES or chore providers) is $25. Scholarships are available. The fee for agency-based caregivers is $50. Fees include workshops, lunch and access to resource exhibits. Pre-registration is required by May 23, 2005. To receive a brochure and registration form, call 1-800-422-3263 or follow 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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