Senior News February, 2004 Vol. 25. No. 2

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Easter Seals addresses needs of people with early dementia

How the new Medicare changes affect you - Part II

Senior News readers return surveys

Great news for Fortuna seniors

Review: You're not sick, you're thirsty, by F. Batmanghelidj, MD

You and your medications

Pick up a copy today! Better yet, subscribe and never miss an issue!

Brought to you by

Alice Wells, 82 years old, used to spend the day napping and sitting in front of her daughter's TV set. Today she talks and jokes with her family and looks forward to visiting with her new-found friends at Easter Seals Adult Day Services (ADS).

John Rasmussen worried that his wife, Barbara, age 76, was becoming isolated because of her macular degeneration. Despite her loss of sight, she looks forward to going to what she calls the "fun club," and he gets a break from his caregiver duties. A former sports enthusiast, she especially enjoys shuffleboard and ring tossing.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant and suffering from heart disease, Jerry Hamilton, 76, moved in with his brother and sister-in-law after a long absence. After a medical setback, he is back in the swing of things, regaining his health and rewarding others with his winning smile.

These are just three of the regular participants in the three-day-a-week program on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Easter Seals' 6,000-square-foot facility on Edgewood Drive. Unlike other adult day health programs in the community, Easter Seals' focus is on helping seniors with symptoms of dementia in its earliest stages.

Begun in March 2003 with the help of a Union Labor Health Foundation grant and assistance from The Brookdale Foundation, the Easter Seals program follows a social model that does not include medical services. This model takes advantage of Easter Seals' home-like environment, including a sitting area, arts and crafts room, computer lab and exercise area in addition to a large yard and indoor warm water pool.

To Kay Lorraine, the program coordinator who has overseen the growth of the program to 15 participants within nine months, the experience has been especially satisfying. "My whole career has been aimed at helping people become independent," noted Kay, who brought more than 20 years in counseling and social work to the position. "It is always exciting to see people connect to one another and blossom."

Bekki Sotto brings her experience as a local artist and art instructor to oversee the arts and crafts. Bill Damron, with his previous Easter Seals work with disabled adults and children, creates stimulating activities such as discussion groups and cooking classes.

Additional activities include music, adaptive gardening, light exercises and educational games to stimulate memory. Weather permitting, participants take walks with staff around the neighborhood and go on outings to the library and boardwalk in Old Town Eureka. Community guests who entertain participants include a clown doing face painting, a display of exotic birds and preschool Christmas carolers.

The program is also supported through fees and scholarships provided by the McLean Foundation as well as private donations.

"This program came about because of the support of the community as a whole," said Dennis Hunter, vice chair of the Easter Seals board and vice president of marketing for Coast Central Savings. "We believe we are making an important difference in the lives of residents with early stage dementia and their families."

Jackie Reinhardt is president and CEO of Easter Seals.