Top 5 Most-Popular Blog Posts - December 15
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
NPR Story Highlights Ecumen Awakenings Approach to Dementia Care
Ecumen Awakenings once again received national attention for its innovative approach to dementia care. National Public Radio (NPR) aired a three-part series on the dangers of medicating elderly dementia patients with antipsychotic drugs. The third segment - titled "This Nursing Home Calms Troubling Behavior Without Risky Drugs" - focused entirely on Ecumen Awakenings as an example of a better way to care for those with Alzheimer's. Read more...
Top 10 Gifts for Seniors: Ecumen Staff Offers Advice
Because the following was one of our most popular posts last holiday season, it's here for a return engagement. We recently polled staff at several Ecumen communities for their advice on holiday gift-giving for seniors, particularly those who are in assisted living or care centers. Here are the top ten suggestions... Read more...
Ecumen Nurse Maria Reyes' Personal "Awakenings" and Triumph Over Adversity
Ecumen Quality Improvement Nurse Maria Reyes learned valuable lessons taking care of her grandmother as a young teenager in Puerto Rico - lessons that still guide her today as she teaches other professionals about honoring and empowering the seniors in their care. Read more...
Ecumen Employee Gabbi Langan: "I Love Every Single Day"
Outside the main office at Ecumen Prairie Lodge in Brooklyn Center, several people are trying to load a large television set into a small car. One of them is Gabbi Langan, who is the new manager in charge of Prairie Lodge. It's an insight into her management style. Gabbi is a hands-on problem-solver, and no problem is too big or too small. Read more...
Home for the Holidays: Red Flags That Aging Parents Need Help
It's not at all unusual for adult children to come home for the holidays and see signs their aging parents are in declining health - a messy house, unopened mail, unwashed clothes. It's also not unusual that the first response is one of panic. The Star Tribune offers some advice from experts on what to do if you see things that concern you... Read more...
You can read these articles and more at www.ecumen.org.
Star Tribune's Anderson: More in Minnesota Keep Hunting Into Their Golden Years
The number of elder Minnesotans who are still active soars in 10 years. In hunting, is 80 the new 60?
Star Tribune Editorial Calls for Awakenings Funding and Expansion Nationwide
A Star Tribune lead editorial on April 5, 2014, said Ecumen Awakenings dementia care program is “effective and compassionate” and “should become the standard of care across the nation as baby boomers swell senior ranks.”
The Star Tribune cited the Leading Age Excellence in Dementia Care Award given last month to Awakenings, which is a pioneering approach to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias without the use of highly sedating psychotropic drugs.
Noting that less than 2 percent of private philanthropic dollars in Minnesota go to programs for seniors, the Star Tribune editorial urged private foundations to acknowledge the coming age tsunami and help fund expansion of the Awakenings care model nationally.
Star Tribune Columnist Tells Ecumen Resident's Inspiring Story of Foster Parenting 125 Children
Star Tribune Columnist Jon Tevlin tells the inspiring story of Larry Bauer-Scandin, an Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood resident who devoted his life to helping kids the juvenile justice system considered hopeless. He was foster parent to 125 kids, and now the walls of his Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood apartment are lined with their pictures. There are policemen, soldiers and at least one millionaire. You can read the column here.
Star Tribune Highlights Ecumen as "Nonprofit To Know"
Ecumen is highlighted as one of the “Nonprofits To Know” in the November 6, 2013, Star Tribune “Giving Back” special section.
The Star Tribune calls attention to “Nonprofits To Know,” a video series produced by Minnesota Philanthropy Partners featuring nonprofits doing important work.
The Ecumen video focuses on the Little Treasures Childcare and Family Center in Duluth, which serves at-risk children. Ecumen teamed up with Little Treasures in 2011 to create an inter-generational program to foster the healthy development of children and increase the quality of life of older adults. At the time, Little Treasures needed a permanent home, and Ecumen had some unfinished extra space at Ecumen Lakeshore. The space was converted into the daycare center with donations from local civic organizations, individuals and foundations. Ecumen Lakeshore residents regularly volunteer there as “grandfriends” to babies and toddlers.
Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts is interviewed in the video, which can see here.