New Community in Southcenter, Tukwila WA

Holden Southcenter will be the 1^st Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in Tukwila WA, located in the Southcenter neighborhood. The Community is on the Green River Trail with Mt. Rainer views and is conveniently located near 300 shops, restaurants, theaters and medical offices. Holden Southcenter offers Chef prepared meals served in our luxury restaurant, along with a Bistro/bar area as a second option for light dining. We will feature studio, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and Memory Care apartments. Currently pre-leasing for Spring 2021 opening.

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Karen Satterberg
Director of Sales and Marketing
Holden Southcenter
206-420-3967
dsm@holdensouthcenter.com

2020 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s Calendar Updates

CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT

2020 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S

Participants Will Walk as Individuals, Families or Small Teams on Sidewalks, Tracks and Trails across Salem in Wake of COVID-19.

Portland, Ore. – August 2020 – The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^® Salem will take place on October10.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Greater Salem, which will raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease, will look different than anticipated, due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across Salem.

On Walk day, an Opening Ceremony will feature local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, all delivered to participants’ smartphones, tablets and computers.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Oregon alone, there are more than 69,000 people living with the disease and 188,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimers, visit: alz.org/walk.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association^® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk^®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association^®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

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Scott Warden Named Executive Director of The Springs at Missoula

Missoula, MT – September 1, 2020 – Scott Warden has been promoted to executive director of The Springs at Missoula. Warden will oversee all aspects of the senior living community, which provides nearly 100 local jobs and offers seniors a range of services, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

Warden joined The Springs Living in 2IAN017 as the director of community relations at The Springs at Carman Oaks in Lake Oswego, Oregon. In addition to his commitment to this position, Warden has spent the past 16 months completing the company’s Executive Director in Training (EDiT) program, which prepares high-potential employees for the responsibilities of an executive director, including upholding the company’s high standards for serving its residents, exemplifying its value-based culture, and managing its daily operations.

“Having recently completed our comprehensive Executive Director in Training program, Scott is well equipped to lead the already thriving team at our community in Missoula,” said Brenda Connelly, chief operations officer of The Springs Living. “Scott’s commitment to service, pursuit of excellence, and positive attitude make him a perfect fit to lead The Springs at Missoula into its next chapter.”

Prior to joining The Springs Living, Warden worked on the sales team for another local retirement community in Lake Oswego, Oregon. There, he worked in various positions with seniors for 15 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in administrative studies from The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada and a master’s degree in divinity from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Built in 2003, The Springs at Missoula was The Springs Living’s first Montana-based community. The Springs at Missoula sales office, located at 3710 American Way, is offering tours for a variety of homes within the senior living community, which feature on-site amenities such as a fitness center, mercantile, beauty salon and barbershop, and multiple dining venues—indoors and out. The sales center also offers virtual tours, allowing potential residents to visually experience the floor plans to see the colors, architecture, and flow of the community.

Founded in 1996, The Springs Living is a privately owned senior housing company. Focused on offering seniors continued care, living options in most communities include independent living, assisted living, and memory care. For more information about The Springs Living, visit www.TheSpringsLiving.com.

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Media Contact:
Tracy Darchini
(503) 435-2323
tdarchini@thespringsliving.com

2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference

Many health conditions come on with clear symptoms such as pain, weight gain or loss, persistent cough, fever, discomfort, bleeding and the like. With Alzheimer’s, symptoms often come on gradually, almost imperceptibly. Often those symptoms can be hidden.

The annual Alzheimer’s Conference is usually held in-person. But the 2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference will be an online event because of COVID-19. The conference will provide useful information and practical skills for individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The conference will offer one-hour sessions at 1:00 p.m. on the four Thursdays of September. This event is free but advance registration is requested at: www.PierceCountyWA.gov/ALZ or by calling (253) 798-4600. Event link and phone numbers will be provided at registration.

“These are incredibly hard times for families dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “Now more than ever they all need support, information and resources. The Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference has moved online to be safer and more accessible for the thousands of people in our community who manage with the disease day in and day out.”

The conference will be composed of four presentations:
Sept 3 – “Isolation During the Pandemic” with Marysusan Gibson-Iotte, Certified Dementia Educator
Sept 10 – “Dementia Friendly Activities” with Benjamin Surmi, Director of People and Culture at Koelsch Communities
Sept 17 – “How to Handle Challenging Behaviors” with Laura Vaillancourt, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Geriatric Mental Health Specialist
Sept 24 – “Legal and Financial Planning” with Meredith Grigg, attorney with the Northwest Justice Project and co-author of the “Dementia Legal Planning Toolkit,” and Bryana Cross Bean, local attorney with focus on estate planning, long-term care planning, elder law, and probate
Each presentation will be one-hour and include time for questions and answers. Recordings of the presentations as well as supplementary resources will be available at www.PierceCountyWA.gov/ALZ.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. In addition, many more are living without knowing they have the disease. Supporting them are over 16 million family members and friends who provide unpaid care at home. Their care is valued at nearly $244 billion by the Alzheimer’s Association. Between 2000 and 2018 deaths from Alzheimer’s has increased 146% and is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. Dementia is a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Other types of dementia include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. The information provided at the 2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference will be appropriate to all forms of dementia as well as Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias – in addition to conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and developmental disabilities – can cause cognitive impairment. A few commons signs of cognitive impairment include: memory loss; frequently asking the same question or repeating the same story over and over; not recognizing familiar people and places; having trouble exercising judgment, such as knowing what to do in an emergency; changes in mood or behavior; vision problems; and difficulty planning and carrying out tasks, such as following a recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.

Alzheimer’s disease is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Researchers do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease in most people. However, they continue to study a complex series of age-related brain changes, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to better understand the disease.

Just because a family member has Alzheimer’s disease does not mean that others in the family will get it, too. Genetic factors can make people more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, but there is no guarantee someone will get it.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Several drugs have been approved to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and certain medicines and other approaches can help control behavioral symptoms. Scientists continue to develop and test possible new treatments.

The 2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference is sponsored Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources in collaboration with the Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County, a local non-profit organization. For more information about the conference call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.

View Original Article.

Family Pilot Program with elovee

WHAT IS ELOVEE?

Elovee (el-o-vee) is a healthcare company dedicated to eliminating loneliness and isolation for seniors living with dementia. Our solution provides 24/7 comfort and support to seniors living with dementia by creating a digital version of their family members that they can talk to over the phone or video calls, whenever they need. The digital family member looks and sounds like you and communicates using dementia care best practices developed by memory care experts.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We are running a 10 week pilot program starting at the end of July where we will work with you to understand how you communicate with your loved one and how we can create a conversation that best meets their needs. We will do this by first learning how you talk to your loved one, then teaching you conversational frameworks based on dementia best practices to better communicate with them.

We anticipate the total time commitment for the 10 weeks being around 20 hours total:

Record 1-2 calls between you and your loved one each day when they are fixated on a certain topic (5-10 minutes each day)
1 weekly check-in call with us (30 mins)
1 call for you to learn how to better communicate with your loved one (1 hour)
1 final call at the end of the pilot (1 hour)

HOW WE WILL THANK YOU

You will learn how to better communicate with your loved one by using conversation methods developed and used by leading dementia experts.
You will receive $400 as compensation for your time.
You will have the option to use elovee in the future, free of charge

Visit elovee.com/join or email support@elovee.com to schedule a call with us

Virtual AAIC 2020 Has Begun!

President and CEO Update from the Alzheimer’s Association…

Each year the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference reaches new heights and 2020 is no different in that respect. Because of the global pandemic, the Association quickly established a global platform hosting AAIC in a virtual format at no cost to the global science community and so many others. And, as of Monday, July 27, we have a record setting more than 26,500 registered attendees for this year’s conference, representing 155 countries. For the first time, 62% of attendees are women and 73% of attendees are doing so for the first time. We had nearly 2,900 poster submissions.These numbers speak to the power of the global research community and the Association’s leadership to convene and drive research forward.

We are so pleased that so many staff, board members, donors and volunteers have registered to attend the conference. I am confident that you can find research related news and information of interest to you.

Every day of AAIC has a theme this year:

Monday, July 27: Basic Science and Pathogenesis.
Tuesday, July 28: Biomarkers.
Wednesday, July 29: Clinical Manifestations; Drug Development.
Thursday, July 30: Public Health; Dementia Care and Psychosocial Factors; Dementia Care Practice.
Friday, July 31: Professional Development.

Click here to see a list of recommended sessions for staff and volunteers to attend. I hope you take the time this week — and in the next 30 days — to attend the live and on-demand sessions. It’s not too late to register here.

The devastating impact of dementia has not slowed because of COVID-19. In fact, it’s been exacerbated by this pandemic, highlighting the needs of the estimated 50 million people with dementia worldwide, their caregivers & everyone in long-term care. I continue to be so impressed by your dedication and resilience in finding new ways to advance our cause during this crisis.

Thank you so much for everything you do to make AAIC and the underlying science possible, as we advance the research that will lead to new methods of prevention and treatment, plus improvements in early detection, diagnosis and care.

Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association on OAR 411-050

July 10, 2020 from Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association

OAR 411-050* (see below) restricts people from visiting their loved ones living in long-term care communities. And, facilities must provide technology assisted socialization – “virtual visits” for their residents.

But, not all communities can afford the added expense of purchasing new equipment. Some long- term care communities operate on a limited budget, especially those accepting residents on Medicaid. Also, with the COVID-19 move-in restrictions, facilities have experienced higher vacancy rates. Revenue is down during this pandemic.

We discovered that caregivers are using their own personal smart phones and tablets to comply with the “virtual visits” mandate. This doesn’t seem right.

So, the Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association (OSRAA) has purchased several laptops/tablets to gift to communities who need them.

Who is Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association? OSRAA is an association of registered senior referral agents. We provide referrals, education, and resource information to consumers so seniors can successfully transition to a long-term care setting. These include retirement communities, assisted living, memory care, and adult care homes. We refer facilities that best fit an individual’s care needs, cultural preferences, and budget constraints.

Nominate a community today or inquire about how to receive a device. Contact us in the general inquiry page at www.OSRAA.com while supply lasts.

Order issued by Oregon Department of Human Services, March 16^th 2020

*In consultation with the Oregon Health Authority, based on its public health recommendations and under the authority of Executive Order 20- 03 issued by the Governor on March 8, 2020, the Oregon Department of Human Services is adopting policies to:

Restrict and limit entry to nursing facilities, adult foster homes licensed under OAR 411-050, residential care facilities and assisted living facilities, including those with memory care endorsements;

Visitation and socialization promotes emotional wellness for residents. As such, facilities must provide guidance and technological solutions for “virtual visits” using tools such as FaceTime and Skype to both residents and potential visitors who are being denied entry.

View Press Release Here.

The HOPE (Helping Our People Emergency) Fund

Several individuals and companies involved in the senior care industry have started:
The HOPE (Helping Our People Emergency) Fund
Our HOPE is to offer immediate, tangible assistance for those in OUR industry facing financial insecurity resulting in the inability to pay for rent, childcare costs, and food. We know several frontline, single-parent staff who are unable to afford living expenses currently. We also have those amongst us whose businesses serving our senior industry are suffering greatly during this pandemic.
We will not put restrictions on the type of assistance requested, and we hope to be able to give up to $250 per person who requests assistance. The actual number will be dependent on the donations we receive. This will be considered a gift from our senior care community, and there are no repayment requirements. We only ask that if possible, the recipient pay it forward.
The more money we raise, the more HOPE fund recipients we can help. This fund is unique in that we will ONLY be funding employees in the Senior Industry. If you or your company would like to donate, there are two ways of doing so.

HOW CAN I DONATE?

Online: https://seniorcarecoalition.org/donate/#!form/Donate
-OR-

Mail a Check Made Out To: The Senior Care Coalition
P.O. Box 75496, Seattle, WA 98175

(Please include your name, phone #, and note that it is for The HOPE fund.)

HOW CAN I REQUEST FUNDS?
E-mail the following information to: janice.emery247@gmail.com or dgcclem@earthlink.net

Your name:
Your Phone #:
Name of Potential Recipient:
Phone # of Recipient (if possible):
Best Address for Recipient:
Purpose of Funds Requested:

Thanks everyone for your help in taking care of our people so we can take care of others!

*For more information you may contact Janice Emery at 425-582-7674 or David Clemons at 425-823-8961

Soft Landings, Solutions for Seniors NASMM@HOME SPECIALIST DESIGNATION BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SENIOR MOVE MANAGERS®

The National Association of Senior Move Managers® is proud to award the NASMM@Home
Specialist credential to Shirin Forsyth of Soft Landings, Solutions for Seniors, located in Beaverton, Oregon.

The NASMM@Home Specialist designation is awarded to individuals demonstrating an advanced understanding of Aging In Place concepts and services as they relate to the Senior Move Management® profession.

“NASMM@HOME Specialists provide guidance, encouragement, and hands-on help. They
understand the physical and emotional stresses associated with later lifestyle changes, as well
as the ethical, safety and communication issues that accompany working with older adults,
said Mary Kay Buysse, Executive Director of NASMM.” Later in life, or at any age, our homes
often become cluttered with our “stuff.” Our homes don’t work as well for us as they did a
few years ago, or maybe decades ago. Most of us are overwhelmed by the daunting prospect
of downsizing, de-cluttering, organizing, and discarding. We may need a lot of help, or just a
little encouragement and assistance. Either way, a NASMM@HOME Specialist can provide
you with services to allow you to stay in your current home.

Soft Landings, Solutions for Seniors provides a wide, range of downsizing and moving
services. They can help seniors stay at home safely, organize & declutter in preparation
for a move, and handle all the packing and unpacking for a move. “You make the key
decisions; we guide you with gentle expertise.” Theresa Pritchett, Soft Landings,

Solutions for Seniors Founder

The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) is the leading membership organization for Senior Move Managers in the United States, Canada and abroad. NASMM is recognized for its innovative programs and expertise related to Senior Move Management, transition and relocation issues affecting older adults. NASMM members represent the most qualified and capable Senior Move Managers in this growing profession. For more information contact NASMM at 877-606-2766 or info@nasmm.org. Visit the NASMM website at www.nasmm.org.

Diane Dennis of Age at Home Service Talks Keeping Seniors Safe at Home during COVID-19

Geriatric Care Manager, Diane Dennis gave tips on how to keep seniors safe at home during COVID-19. Click here for more information about Diane.

These Due to the pandemic many more seniors are more isolated, vulnerable and afraid. Their regular doctor visits have been cancelled.Due to the pandemic many more seniors are more isolated, vulnerable and afraid. Their regular doctor visits have been cancelled. Many non- life threatening procedures have been postponed, maybe indefinitely. Family cannot safely drop in to check on them.

1.Health Safety – Common Preventative Health Care Strategies

a.Are they getting enough fluid? Why? Dehydration can lead to serious health problems. Urinary Tract Infections can cause delirium, fever, confusion. (unchecked, they can end up in the hospital)

b.Are they getting enough Fiber and good nutrition? Why? Lack of fiber can lead to obstruction, which can lead to hospitalization. Poor diet from missing meals or lack of appetite can cause weakness, and poor medication delivery. (Prepared meals can be delivered) Meals on Wheels.

c.Know if they are on a special diet for diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and other illness require certain restrictions like sodium, sugars, or fat. Make sure grocery shopping or prepared meals follow doctor’s guidelines.

d.If they have dementia or forgetfulness, make sure they are taking medications properly. Why? Taking medication not as prescribed can either exacerbate a condition or create new health problems. Set up meds in a med box (can be purchased at drug stores or online). Fill their med boxes and call daily to make sure they are taking as prescribed.

e.Many pharmacies are now delivering medications directly to the home.

2.Isolation – Communication

a.Isolation can cause confusion, depression and poor eating or behavioral problems. Get on a daily call schedule. Ask how they are feeling. Most likely they are afraid of getting the virus and know they are the most vulnerable for getting very ill

b.Ask open ended questions like ‘How are you feeling?’ They might say they are ‘Afraid of getting sick, or dying’. Let them express their fears and explore their feelings. This is the opportune time to discuss mortality, end of life wishes, and their spirituality.

c.Set them up on Zoom or FaceTime so you can ‘see’ how they are doing. If they cannot set this up from their home, use a trusted IT guy to remote in and set it up.

3.Safety

a.Financial: Make sure you discuss not giving their CC over the phone as fraudulent calls can increase during this time. Seniors are most vulnerable for these crimes. Teach safe computer skills.

b.Physical: Movement decreases the chances of circulatory problems, cardiovascular, weakness, and falls from occurring. Falling is a common issue for seniors. Falling and accidents can lead to hospitalization. Has their home been reviewed for fall risks? If not make sure throw rugs are taken out, they are wearing good non slip shoes, and they have a shower chair, raised toilet seat and grab bars. Adaptive devices for home safety can be easily purchased and installed. Home health agencies provide this service.

c.AARP has easy exercises for seniors they can do from a chair or in their homes.

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