ElderHealth Northwest

Quality of Life Impact

• 91% of the individuals ElderHealth served last year who had progressive illnesses and/or severe disabilities were able to maintain the highest quality of life as measured by the United Way of King County.

• "I like everything at ElderHealth – the games we play, the exercise. I look forward to coming every day." – Participant, Adult Day Health
  
  
• "Yes a staff person could run across the street and buy some tomatoes in 5 minutes, but what's more important is to take a resident with them, have the resident choose the tomato– even if it takes 45 minutes. That's OK; they're able to take part in the community." – Manager, Supported Living Home
  
  
• "Besides motivation, there is stimulation; if I didn't come here, I would probably just sit in front of my computer at home." – Participant, Adult Day Health
  
  
• "We tell staff it's valuable to sing with the elders, or walk around the block. It's not cheating, not being lazy--even if there are dishes to do. If an elder says they want to go outside, you drop what you're doing and go outside with them. This goes a long way in making our care exceptional. Our vision is that each staff person would walk around the block and sing the elder's favorite song, or when gardening, know the person's favorite flower." – Administrator, EHNW
  
  
• "As you get older, you can start losing out on choice – we want to give it back to them. We may let an elder run a group, or have control over different roles. When I get older, I don't want someone telling me when to go to the bathroom or what to eat." – Manager, Adult Day Health site
  
  
• "I see people who have the same problems as I do and it gives me inner strength, knowing I'm not the only one." – Participant, Adult Day Health
  

The following is a letter from the daughter of a resident of Buchanan Place (Supportive Living Home) to the Manager that illustrates many of the culture change concepts touching the lives of residents.

Dear Carla,

    It has taken me awhile to be able to sit down and find the words to thank you for your care of my father. I miss him everyday. I find myself thankful and grateful for the great care you have given my father. I don't really think I will be able to find the words to express how grateful I am, but I will do my best!

    My dad was a great dad, he loved being a father and was always there to guide me in my life. When he became ill with dementia my love for him made me want to be sure that he was always treated with respect. This was no easy task. As his disease progressed we found more and more people, professionals and medical professionals, only saw my father as a disease. These people in the caring profession only saw my father's symptoms and did not see the 87 years of a fully lived life. My sister and I had a rough journey through many different doctors and living situations.....until dad arrived at Buchanan Place.

    All of the staff at Buchanan House saw my dad as a person. This gift, in the last few months of his life, gave him the dignity and respect that we all deserve. Not only did you see and treat my father as a person, but this also allowed my sister and myself to be able to return to being our father's daughters. We could lay down the role of advocates and simply be with, and love our dad.

    In the months since his death I have taken great solace in knowing that in my dad's last days you were able to take him out in the back garden to smell the fresh air and feel the sunlight on his face. I hold onto your story of taking him to the local schoolyard to watch the children at play. I thank you from my heart for giving him these last joys in his life.

    I always thought that I would be able to care for my father until he died, but I was not able to do that. I was so upset that he had to leave his home, the home he made for his family and lived in for over 50 years. However, all of you made Buchanan Place his home. When dad did die I felt that he died in his home, with love and care surrounding him. This is another great gift that I thank you for.

    This may be the job that you do for your livelihood, but it is also God's work, and I thank you and will always have you in my heart, for the service and love that you give all of the residents at Buchanan Place, but especially the love, respect and dignity you gave my father.

As I said I don't think I can really put into words the thanks that I feel. God bless you.

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