31864 NL Summer.indd

Well•Spring Services
Summer 2015
Serving an Inclusive Population of Older Adults
ACE Participants Are Sew Special
The Adult Center for Enrichment is stitching up some activity! Recently
we pulled out our sewing machines, knitting needles, and crochet hooks
and started to see what we could create. Soon it was apparent that we
have some natural designers in textiles!
We have made lightweight quilts with a variety of fabrics and pieced
them together in unique patterns and color combinations. Many of
these are proudly displayed on beds at home. The positive responses
received from peers quickly grew interest among other participants, and
they decided that they wanted to give the sewing machine a try. Once
the realization was made as to how quickly we could whip up a quilted
masterpiece, we decided to try our creative talents on pillows. We have sewn many different sizes and designs,
using them for decoration or rest. Some chose to sew long pillows for a family member’s hospital bed and others
have given their projects away as gifts. The sky is the limit when putting together fabrics and trims for our projects.
Participants have learned how to hem pants, repair tears, and
even take in a waistline! We have one participant working on a
dress that she has pinned and cut from a pattern. Participants are
realizing that being able to sew is empowering.
Since the sewing projects have proven to be a continuous
avenue for socialization, creativity and self esteem; we decided
to see what we could do with yarn. We have tried our hands at
loom weaving and while one participant created beautiful hats,
another participant has started crocheting. Recently we picked up
some knitting needles and although this activity has challenged
us, we are confident that we will soon have long beautiful scarves
to match the hats.
At its most basic, sewing requires us to focus both physically and mentally on a
task. It’s hard to sew if you are not paying attention, and if you are concentrating
on your sewing you can’t be worrying about problems or any other stressors. The
hand-eye coordination is good for our brains and for keeping our fingers nimble.
Having agile minds and bodies tend to make us feel more sharp and alert. A recent
article published in the United Kingdom discussed how researchers found quilting
benefitted people in ways that physical or outdoor pursuits didn’t, including
improving cognitive, emotional and social well being. Another study suggests
that knitting has a neurochemical effect on the brain. Sewing also brings positive
benefits for older people, including those with dementia, as it is a familiar activity
Continued on page 5
Inside This Issue
President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . 2
PACE, Oral Health. . . . . . . . . . . 3
Resident Volunteers. . . . . . . . . . 4
The Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ACE, continued. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Caregiver Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Should I Stay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
A Note from Steve Fleming, President/CEO
One of the pleasures of serving as CEO is having the opportunity to preview
the articles of our Executive Directors and the wonderful work they and their
organizations do to exceed the needs of an evolving population of older adults.
Whether in the area of recreational therapy, oral health or volunteerism, our
providers are at the forefront of aging services. It is in this spirit of collaborative
leadership that I am pleased to announce the establishment of a Collaborative
Affiliation between Well•Spring Services, Inc. and The Village at Brookwood, a
continuing care retirement community located in Burlington, North Carolina and
an affiliate of Alamance Regional Medical Center, a member of Cone Health, based
in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Affiliation is designed to enhance operational
outcomes, improve visibility in broader markets, establish mutual strategic interests and position the Village
at Brookwood and Well•Spring for the future impacts of health care reform and the changing consumer. It is
not, however, designed to be a merger; nor is there a change in governance structures. Our organizations will
collaborate in the broad area of strategic planning and the operational areas of dining and marketing. Dan
Cuthriell, Executive Director, and the Board of The Village at Brookwood have established a continuing care
retirement community exemplified by personal attention to needs in an ideal location in the heart of Burlington.
It will be a pleasure to meet the challenges that lie ahead with such a respected organization.
The two communities share many traits, the most common being that The Village at Brookwood and Well•Spring
are the only two CCRCs in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region to offer a full Lifecare contract that insures
against the future, catastrophic cost of long term care. Another commonality is our relationship with Greensborobased Cone Health. The Village maintains a formal governance relationship with Cone, whereas Well•Spring’s
is informal, with several current and past Board members in common. Well•Spring is also a partner with Cone
Health, along with Advanced Home Care and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, in the successful
PACE of the Triad program which is referenced in this edition of our newsletter.
I am extremely excited about this formal, but non-binding Affiliation as it will strengthen our organizations
through collective efforts, while broadening the reach of our continuum of services. Each day I learn of new
and inventive ways of delivering services to older adults, while also realizing
Well•Spring Services, Inc.
that the traditional reimbursement mechanisms are evolving before our very
Board of Directors
eyes. These times demand collaborative efforts. Well•Spring is honored to be
Chair
forging this new era with The Village at Brookwood and we look forward to
David R. Howard
working with Executive Director Dan Cuthriell , the Board and their Staff.
Board Members
Kenneth K. Boggs
Carole W. Bruce
Timothy J. Clontz
Sally B. Cone
Virginia Freyaldenhoven
Paul H. Livingston, Jr.
Susan L. McDonald
MacArthur Sims
Rick Williams
Thomas E. Wright
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Until next time.
Steve Fleming
Well•Spring Services, Inc.
President and CEO
PACE of the Triad Makes the Oral Health
and Physical Health Connection
This year, PACE of the Triad celebrates four years of caring for older adults who are
“aging in place.” Each anniversary presents the opportunity to reflect on our impact to the
community. One aspect in particular is the very positive impact on the oral health of our
166 participants receiving dental care through our collaboration with Access Dental Care.
Access Dental Care is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide on-site, quality
comprehensive dental services for individuals with special needs. Recently, the North
Carolina PACE Association (NC-PACE) featured an article on the partnership written by
Ellen Smith, PACE of the Triad’s Center Manager and Dr. Bill Milner, DDS, President of
Access Dental Care. A link to the full article can be found at www.pacetriad.org, our website.
Good oral health is important for everyone. It is especially
critical as we age. According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), older Americans with the poorest oral
health are those who are economically disadvantaged, lack
insurance, and are members of racial and ethnic minorities.
Being disabled, homebound, or institutionalized also increases
the risk of poor oral health.
We have helped many PACE participants make the oral health
and physical health connection through our partnership with
Access Dental Care which brings dental services to the PACE
Center. Participants enjoy the convenience of receiving dental
services while at the PACE Center and then are transported home following the appointment.
Listed below are a few additional oral health facts from the CDC website (www.cdc.gov):
• A small percentage of individuals 65 and older have their natural teeth. Missing teeth can affect nutrition
because people without teeth or those who wear dentures will more often select soft foods over fresh fruits
and vegetables.
• The seriousness of gum disease increases with age and people at the lowest socioeconomic level have the
most severe gum disease.
• Per the CDC, oral and pharyngeal cancers, which are diagnosed in 31,000 Americans each year; result in
about 7,400 deaths each year. These cancers are primarily diagnosed in the elderly and the prognosis is often
poor. The survival rate for African American patients is only 34%.
• Medications can cause dry mouth which causes individuals to be at greater risk for gum disease.
• Painful conditions that affect the facial nerves are more common among the elderly and can be severely
debilitating which can affect mood, sleep, and oral-motor functions such as chewing and swallowing.
• Finally, neurological diseases associated with age, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease,
Huntington’s disease, and stroke also affect oral sensory and motor functions, in addition to limiting the
ability to care for one self.
Ursula Robinson, MSW, MHA
PACE of the Triad
Executive Director
Resident Volunteer Program at
Well•Spring Retirement Community
April 12 – 18th was National Volunteer Appreciation Week and we felt it fitting to share
with you how the Recreation and Well-Being Department has concentrated its recent efforts
on expanding the Health Care Resident Volunteer Program. It is important for individuals
to have opportunities to be helpful and to give to others. Residents love our socials,
entertainment, art classes and more, but to truly live to one’s fullest, you need to give and
not just receive.
Resident volunteers are doing multiple jobs
such as feeding the birds in the bird aviary;
arranging the bingo chips and boards; delivering magazines to
Rehab and other common areas; visiting Residents who need
cheering up; handing out weekend brain fitness puzzles; reading
to Residents with vision deficits; filling bird feeders outdoors;
coordinating Bridge Club and Bridge Refresher Classes; writing
letters and sending cards to brighten people’s day; providing a
green thumb and helping to bring house plants “back to life” and
Pru Collier feeding the birds in the Aviary in
taking photos of Resident events and programs for the Digital
Assisted Living
signs for all to enjoy in Health Care.
Residents in Willow Way with cognitive issues enjoy doing helpful activities such as serving refreshments,
watering plants, cleaning vases, arranging flowers, wiping tables, washing dishes and sweeping the floor. Residents
enjoy volunteering and even the smallest of jobs gives them purpose and reminds them that they are needed by
others. Some complete the jobs independently, others need reminders and many need an employee or community
volunteer to go with them and help them complete their tasks. Jennifer Cunningham, Director of Recreation &
Well-Being shares, “The time and effort that it takes is truly worthwhile because we see the benefits first hand
through the smiles on their faces, the pep in their step, the charge that they receive from seeing how they still
can make an impact even though it may be just doing a little
something.” Dr. Charlie Phillips volunteers by Coordinating
our Bridge Club in Health Care and giving residents Bridge
Refresher Classes. When asked why he volunteers, he replied, “I
enjoy playing bridge and I like to see other people have the same
joy I do. The more people we have to play bridge, the more bridge
I get to play!” Volunteering increases socialization, decreases
anxiety, improves self-esteem and much more.
Dr. Charlie Phillips assists with a bridge hand.
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K. Alan Tutterow
Well•Spring Retirement Community
Executive Director
The Difference
What difference do we make? How do we know we are successful? These are important
questions we ask ourselves each and every day. They are important because the answers have
a real impact on the lives of the family caregivers and older adults we serve who are frail
and/or impaired. The Home & Community Based Services division of Well•Spring Services
has developed self-report surveys out of a belief that each person we serve has the right to
determine what he/she perceives their status to be. We ask the clients directly because no
one else can truly tell another what defines quality for that person. The various offerings
within Well•Spring Home & Community Based Services each have unique outcomes and
indicators that help us determine if we are indeed making a difference and being successful.
Caregiver Education is an excellent example. Between March and June of 2015 we convened 10 caregiver
education events. These events covered topics such as Family Caregiver Communication: Holding a Family
Meeting, Normal Aging vs. Dementia, and Navigating the Maze of Senior Care Options. The feedback we received
from the caregivers that participated was overwhelmingly positive: 100% reported increasing their knowledge
about the topic covered and 100% reported a strengthened ability to handle the stress of caregiving.
The Adult Day Center, Group Respite sites, and Home Care program also produced some remarkable outcomes.
For example, 92% of the caregivers utilizing the adult day center and group respite sites told us their loved one
maintained or improved their medical condition since utilizing the services. This is remarkable because all of the
participants receiving these services have a chronic illness from which they will not recover. A wonderful example
from Home Care is 98% of our clients feel their needs are met and in a significant number of cases their needs are
exceeded through our services.
Not only do we strive to be the best, but to be better than our best every day.
Chip Cromartie
Well•Spring Services, Inc.
Vice President of Home & Community Based Services
ACE, continued
that older adults often remember how to do,
even if other activities have become more
daunting.
Besides the therapeutic effects of sewing and
knitting, it is fun! We love it when we get our
hands on new fabric and decide what we will
create. We enjoy the process of seeing an idea
become a finished project; but most importantly
there is no greater satisfaction than to see a
participant, as one did recently, sit down at a
sewing machine and hear her exclaim, “Hotdog,
I’m sewing!”
Leslie Martin
Adult Center for Enrichment
Activities Coordinator
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Caregiver Education
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a sixweek educational series designed to provide
family caregivers with practical tools to care for
themselves.
This program helps participants
reduce stress, improve self-confidence, change
negative
self-talk,
communicate
feelings,
balance their lives, increase ability to make tough
decisions and locate community resources. ACE
offers this series in the fall and spring each year.
At the end of the series, participants agree that the
class content and connection with others are very
beneficial. One caregiver shared that the program was
a life changing experience: “I discovered the power of speaking positively to and about myself. I learned
that I am not the last person that deserves my best care. I learned how by making time to refuel and
recharge myself, I am better equipped to be present and caring for my family.”
On June 10th, ACE held its first “Powerful Tools for Caregivers Reunion.” The event was designed as
a self-care refresher and opportunity for classmates to come together again. Caregivers greatly enjoyed
catching up and a delicious dessert bar from Born and Bread Greensboro. One caregiver said that it was
“An excellent sanity check.” Another shared that she “LOVED seeing everyone and being reminded of all
the ways I learned to practice self-care.”
The 2015 fall series begins Thursday, September 24th and ends October 29th. Please go to the ACE
website at www.ACEcare.org for more information and to register (advance registration is required to
attend).
Monthly Caregiver
Support Groups
Second Tuesday of each month
12:30 pm-2:00 pm
First Baptist Church
Room 112
1000 W. Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27401
First Wednesday of each month
1:00 pm-2:30 pm
109 Penny Road
High Point, NC 27265
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Please join us if you would benefit from this
series. You will receive “The Caregiver Helpbook”
specifically developed for the class, and the
discussions/ brainstorming in each class will help you
take the tools learned and implement them in your daily
life.
Jodi Kolada
Adult Center for Enrichment
Director of Caregiver Education
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Well•Spring Services, the University of North Carolina and Serve, Inc. are offering Should I Stay or Should I
Go? This program is designed for citizens in the Triad region who want information on the best housing options
to meet their health and lifestyle needs…now and in the future. This eight session program will also include
information on financial planning and social engagement.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? will be offered on consecutive Thursdays beginning September 17 through
November 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The sessions will be held at Beth David Synagogue, 804 Winview Drive,
Greensboro, NC 27410. The cost is $35 per person.
September 17 - Aging in Place, Home Care and Adult Day Services
September 24 - Aging in Place, Home Modification
October 1 - Tour of the Adult Center for Enrichment
October 8 - Financial Preparedness, Estate Planning, Trust Funds, Asset Preservation, Long Term Care Insurance
October 15 - Overview of Continuing Care
October 22 - Tour of Well•Spring Retirement Community
October 29 - Remaining Active and Social
November 5 - Panel Discussion
For complete details and to register on-line, please visit www.servecenter.org/products/should-i-stay-orshould-i-go. Please contact Pat Levitin with UNCG at [email protected] with any questions you may have.
Volunteer Opportunities
Bingo caller, pianist, performer, arts & crafts...
There are various volunteer opportunities available
with Well•Spring Services and your time and efforts
can make a huge difference in the lives of the
individuals we serve.
Adult Center for Enrichment - contact Taylor
Randall at [email protected] or (336) 2824284 or Latoya McNair at [email protected]
or (336) 545-5390.
PACE of the Triad - contact Lucillia Davis at [email protected] or (336)550-4040.
Well•Spring Retirement Community - visit our
website at www.well-spring.org.
HOME
CARE
www.well-springhomecare.org
A member of
Well•Spring Services, Inc.
Well•Spring Home Care.
The choice for Personal Assistance.
Well•Spring Home Care is designed to provide older
adults with the extra assistance that will help them
maintain their independence and lifestyle in their
private home. Our caregivers can provide a range of
services from companionship to assistance with daily
living tasks. Well•Spring Home Care’s Medication
Management provides a comprehensive assessment
and interventions to assist older adults in safe
management of their medications. Contact us today
for more information.
4100 Well Spring Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 • (336) 545-5446
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Well•Spring Services
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
Greensboro, NC
Permit No. 308
4100 Well•Spring Drive
Greensboro, NC 27410
Services, Inc.
Retirement Community
www.well-spring.org
Phone: 336.545.5400
Fax: 336.545.5411
www.ACEcare.org
Phone: 336.274.3559
Fax: 336.282.3020
United Way
Community Partner
1471 E. Cone Boulevard
Greensboro, NC 27405
www.pacetriad.org
Phone: 336.550.4040
Fax: 336.540.4044
Home Care
www.well-spring.org
Phone: 336.545.5446
Fax: 336.282.3020
Well•Spring Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that serves an inclusive population of older adults.
4100 Well Spring Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410
Phone: 336.545.5400 Fax: 336.282.3020
www.well-spring.org