Winter 2009 Newsletter
Transcription
Winter 2009 Newsletter
Acceptance Leads to Understanding A volunteer’s experience Tanya Lewis, a friend of is easy for me as a volunteer because on what was characteristic of them Abe’s Garden, volunteers with I didn’t know them as they were in the past. Coming to terms with Alzhheimer’s and other dementia before. Since I have no experience this isn’t easy. It requires grieving, patients in Sedona, AZ. She’s a with them in their prior state, I have no which can run the gamut from denial freelance writer and editor, and a expectations about how to sadness to regular contributor to the print and they “should” behave, frustration and online editions of PRWeek and think, or communicate. anger. But Medical Marketing and Media. It’s not easy to set on the other As an activities volunteer at an aside expecta-tions side of grief is assisted living center, my goal is to when you have a lifetime acceptance. engage Alzheimer’s and dementia worth of experiences and And in finding patients. It’s a fluid experience that memories of a person prior acceptance, requires a lot of flexibility. Every to the disease. Most family you can release interaction is a process of discovery members I’ve seen really want to expectations and open doors to very – of the patients and of myself. I’ve connect with their loved ones, but their meaningful, rewarding and enjoyable learned that my ability to accept expectations can act as a barrier and experiences with Alzheimer’s and the patients as they are is one frustrate both parties. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. of the biggest keys to allowing a dementia patients aren’t the same as – Tanya Lewis meaningful and enjoyable interaction they were previously, and most often to occur. Accepting them as they are they cannot match expectations based Abe’s Garden seeks to establish a national model of residential and day-care programs for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of this facility and program is to transform the full continuum of care for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases throughout the United States, by providing an unprecedented level of care and comprehensive array of services for individuals currently suffering from these diseases in Middle Tennessee. Equally important, it will be a site of research and teaching, setting a new standard for other programs and facilities devoted to caring for our nation’s rapidly expanding senior population. 618 Church Street · Suite 220 Nashville, Tennessee 37219 PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #391 NASHVILLE TN Abe’s Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, currently accepting contributions online. “As a physician, I have seen many patients descend into Alzheimer’s disease and witnessed the effect it has on their families,” said Abe’s Garden volunteer Jim Daniell. “My aunt, uncle and mother-in-law all died from complications of the Making progress at Park Manor disease, so it is a subject close to my heart. When my wife, Sandra, and I heard The small--but growing--and very about Abe’s Garden, we wanted to do something to help. So, we reached out dedicated group of volunteers that to some of our friends and together we started Abe’s Gardeners, a group of make up Abe’s Gardeners have put in volunteers doing work around Park Manor as it develops into Abe’s Garden.” many hours beautifying the entrance “Am I a veteran gardener? No. I’m an 80% retired physician who lives part of the year in New to Park Manor. Old, unmanageable Zealand. I really just work part-time to keep my mind active and to stay out of Sandra’s way. She said she plantings were removed, reusable ones saved, the site cleaned, and New Wellness Center Opens at Park Manor Residents of screenings; and monthly wellness seminars. Other Park Manor now possible activities include dance and stretching have a new, fully classes. The convenient location of the wellness outfitted fitness center will encourage use by residents, which center for exercise will ultimately allow them to prevent injuries and and recreation. illness, and maintain their independent lifestyles. Initial activities will In anticipation of obtaining NIH funding, Dr. John include sessions Schnelle will utilize the wellness center to collect with a personal trainer; physical, occupational and preliminary data for a study similar to the one speech therapy; blood sugar, cholesterol and weight featured in the following article. Park Manor Residents Participate in Vanderbilt Study Research to aid in wellness for seniors Volunteer Snapshot: Jim Daniell Abe’s Gardeners Covering a Lot of Ground WINTER 2009 Abe’s Gardeners Emily Daniel, Kim Phillips, Briggs Evans, and Buzz Evans take a quick break. married me for better or worse, but not for lunch every day!” Jim continues, “But there’s plenty to do in developing and maintaining the grounds at Park Manor, and there will be more as it becomes Abe’s Garden. Anyone who new bushes and flowers added. As are lots of ways to get involved. If a fan of both Abe’s Garden and Abe’s likes to garden, or wants to volunteer in other ways, should join Abe’s Gardeners. We have a lot of fun.” Abe’s Garden facilities are developed, you’d like to be an Abe’s Gardener, Gardeners on Facebook. You’ll find Jim goes on to say, “I see Abe’s Garden becoming the leading American center in Alzheimer’s care and there will be a need for more contact Beth Zeitlin at 345-9575 or news, useful information and more. contributing to research into the causes of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It will be a leader in what is gardeners. In the meantime, there [email protected]. Also, be Dig in! becoming a major medical problem, and I’m just glad we can help in some way. Researchers at the Vanderbilt Center for Quality subject’s movement. Aging, in conjuction with the National Institutes According to Dr. John Schnelle, director of the of Health, are engaging residents of Park Manor Center for Quality Aging, “This kind of research can independent living facility in a give us very useful insights which volunteer study that measures will help in designing appropriate how much energy is expended programs for nutrition, exercise, by seniors during various daily sleep and recreational activities for activities. Activities included in the seniors. This is especially important measurement are routine tasks for people with Alzheimer’s and such as doing laundry, sweeping, other dementias, who may not be bending, sitting and standing, and able to communicate their needs walking. In a highly-controlled very well. Ultimately, we want to environment, researchers are able use the best research we can to improve the quality of life for seniors at to measure the amount of oxygen used and energy spent by the participant, without the need for Park Manor, Abe’s Garden and everywhere.” masks or monitors which might, in themselves, limit the WINTER 2009 Adult Day Care Introduced in Phase I Construction Capital Campaign to Raise Needed Funds Phase I of Abe’s Garden includes lifestyle A training center (16) where instruction will enhancements for independent living residents be offered for healthcare workers seeking to as well as entirely new spaces for people with improve the care they are providing individuals with Alzheimer’s and those caring for them. Construc- Alzheimer’s disease Abe’s Garden and Park Manor First Floor Plan Business Neighborhood ABE’S GARDEN tion and renovation for Phase I will begin once the capital is raised. The new and renovated facilities Upon receipt of the requisite health facility will feature: Certificate of Need, the second floor of Park Manor The Club at Abe’s Garden Club Garden Abe’s Garden Marketplace will be converted to an assisted living center for A 13,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed addition 16 residents, while the remaining five floors will and renovation of Park Manor for living, dining, continue to offer 86 independent living apartments. Park Manor Entry Library Neighborhood Abe’s Garden is being designed by Manuel Zeitlin to build The Club at Abe’s Garden. A hair salon, Architects in collaboration with Hawkins Partners, grocery and coffee shop will also be located in Inc. Landscape Architects and Interior Design this area. Associates Inc. Upon completion of the entire Living Area Family Dining Abe’s Garden Courtyard Crafts Center Library Business Center project, the campus will also include residential and A new building entrance will be constructed respite care for 42 Alzheimer’s patients and a new to serve Park Manor residents, providing privacy 60 unit senior independent living apartment building and separate entrances for independent living with a health spa, indoor pool, covered parking, and residents and individuals visiting or utilizing Abe’s fine dining facilities (3-13). Garden’s memory care services. Respite Care | Acute Nursing Abe’s Clinic Administrative Office Suite Abe’s Garden Entry Music Neighborhood The Club at Abe’s Garden (1) will be a best- Conference Abe’s Insititute | Training Center PARK MANOR Park Manor Marketplace practices adult day care program serving 24 Park Manor Dining | Living | Commons participants with Alzheimer’s disease, while lso providing respite for family and other home-centered caregivers. Kitchen Dining and social areas (17, 18). The relocation of these amenities will provide optimally located space Music | Movement | Commons MANUEL ZEITLIN ARCHITECTS | BARGE CAUTHEN & ASSOCIATES | HAWKINS PARTNERS, INC. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
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