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In This Issue:
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September 2006
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ElderHealth at Home Fosters Independence
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ElderHealth Hosts Fall Prevention Activities
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Setting Sail with ElderHealth
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Back by Popular Demand: Wine Tastings at Gaffney House
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Ain't Misbehavin': Sexuality & Dementia Workshop
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Alzheimer's is Focus of African American Caregiver Forum
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When Lila returned home from the hospital last year, she was glad to reconnect with the nurses and staff at ElderHealth Northwest’s downtown Seattle adult day health program. But Lila quickly realized that something had changed: she had difficulty accomplishing many tasks she had previously done without assistance. Thanks to ElderHealth at Home, Lila was able to have an ElderHealth caregiver come to her home to help out.
“Without my caregivers Michael (pictured with Lila) and Dansa, I don’t know what I’d do,” Lila says. “They come over three or four times a week—when I’m not at the adult day health center—to help me get to the store, to fix meals for me, and to help keep my apartment clean.”
Sean Walsh, program manager for ElderHealth at Home, says home care is an ideal complement to the agency’s other programs. “Home care fits perfectly with ElderHealth’s mission of enhancing the independence and quality of life of older and disabled adults. Many of the folks we serve require some help at home, above and beyond what we’re able to provide at an adult day health center. The combination of these two services allows us to serve their full range of needs.”
ElderHealth at Home is also able to provide services for folks who don’t attend adult day health. “Our goal is to extend the quality of care ElderHealth provides at our adult day health centers, even for those who aren’t enrolled at one of the sites,” Sean says. “And all of this begins with the caregivers. The strength of our program lies in our home care assistants. We have an exceptional staff of experienced, caring and responsible providers.”
ElderHealth at Home is able to provide home care services for both privately paying and state-enrolled participants. If you’re interested in learning more about ElderHealth at Home, please contact Sean at (206) 224-3752. For employment opportunities, see below.
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This summer, two ElderHealth Northwest groups enjoyed sailing on Lake Washington, courtesy of the Sailing Heritage Society.
One group was comprised of 20 ElderHealth volunteers. These caring individuals carry out a variety of volunteer duties such as shuttling meals to DayBreak Respite Program sites in Snohomish County, performing weekly piano concerts, leading spirituality groups, caring for our aquariums, assisting with paperwork, and interacting with our clients in the adult day programs.
ElderHealth Northwest depends on volunteers to enhance the value of our client services and to optimize staff time. We are fortunate to work with many wonderful volunteers who give generously of their time and talents. Each year over 200 individuals contribute about 9,000 hours of service at our adult day health centers and supported living homes.
Another group of sailors was comprised of developmentally-disabled adults from the Get Active Program at ElderHealth’s Renton adult day health site. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” commented one participant.
We are grateful to the Sailing Heritage Society for the work they do and for providing these opportunities.
To find out more about volunteering at ElderHealth Northwest, contact Ginger Seybold at (206) 224-3790 or gingers@elderhealth.org.
PICTURED: ElderHealth volunteers watch the drawbridge. (Click picture for more information about Sailing Heritage Society.)
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Workshop: Sexuality and Dementia
Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 1:00 – 4:00pm
SAFECO Jackson Street Center
306 23rd Avenue S., Seattle, WA 98144
Pre-registration required
George is getting in trouble, pinching and making passes at staff. And what's happened to the previously demure Rosa, who now unabashedly disrobes when a man enters the room? This interactive workshop will help you understand how sexuality may change with dementia. You’ll learn practical strategies for dealing with puzzling behaviors and ideas for supporting healthy, socially-appropriate expressions of affection.
This workshop is presented by two ElderHealth Northwest staffers: Steve Emmer and Lisa Bergstrom. Steve is an ElderHealth Northwest social worker who has worked in care consultation, home care, adult day and residential settings since 1983. Lisa is the site manager at ElderHealth Northwest's adult day health center in downtown Seattle. She has 16 years of experience working with persons with dementia.
This workshop is part of Washington Adult Day Services Association’s training and education curricula. To find out more, call (206) 461-3899 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 © 2006 ElderHealth Northwest
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