Senior Exercise Program Experience

Yesterday in class we had the opportunity to walk around the track experiencing what is like to have different disabilities.

Rope around our knees = walking slow
Cotton ball in ears = hearing loss
Vaseline covered sunglasses = glaucoma
Masks = Chronic pulmonary disorder
Rubber gloves = arthritis

Walking from the Richards Building to the Smith Field House and one lap around the track took us 30 minutes! We were so tired and refused to do another lap! We didn't like it when people found us annoying either.

Here's a peek of our experience:

Trinity Mission Health & Rehab Center

Recently, one of our classmates had the opportunity to attend the Valentine's Day Dance at the Trinity Mission Health and Rehab Center. Natalie had a wonderful experience visiting with the older adults and and brightening their day. Even though many of the residents were undergoing rehabilitation, Natalie met people with spirited personalities and an immense love for BYU.

Here are some pictures from the dance:

Looking for experience and a place to serve?

Trinity Mission Health and Rehab of Provo is one of the largest nursing homes in the state with 99 beds. It is located at 1053 W 1020 S Provo and can be contacted at 801.373.2630.

Upcoming Lectures

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Wednesday, March 21
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Provo Regional Center Room 5060
150 E Center St. Provo
The class will feature adult protective services (APS), indicators of abuse/neglect/exploitation, and abuse prevention
To register contact Darrin Lee or Kiri Brough

CARE MEETING SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, March 1
2:00 pm
Beehive Homes of Provo
2877 W Center, Provo

LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC DISEASE
Wednesday, Feb 22 - March 21
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Central Orem Clinic
505 W 400 N Orem

Interested in educating about chronic disease management?
Check out these programs:
WellU
Southwest Utah Public Health Department
Central Utah Public Health Department


Chronic diseases = Management
To successfully manage chronic diseases, individuals and family members need:

• Education - own the disease and understand all of the disease's aspects
• Support - attend support groups, reach out at church and with family
• Positive Coping Strategies - develop strategies that work best individually

Chronic diseases can become more fatal and quicker if these aspects are not applied.

Ucare Caregiver Events

Become involved with those who educate or attend classes to become educated yourselves. Professionals attend these classes as well, so it may be a way to network and find an internship in the professionals for seniors realm.

Ucare is a website developed by the Department of Human Resources as a resource for caregivers to find answers about long-term care, services available for seniors, and services available for caregivers.

The Ucare Caregiver Guide provides classes which give hands-on training on a variety of topics of caregivers. The classes will start the last week in March and run for 9 weeks. There is a $3 charge for each class, or the whole set of classes cost $20.

One participant said, "It is a new world - this care-taking business ... Who would have known that life just doesn't come to a rainbow end for our loved ones, but rather, we have to travel a very different road than we ever have before to help them finish with grace and dignity and proper care."

To register, visit mountainand.org/care.

Classes:
Payson
Thursdays, March 29-May 24
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Parkway Health
55 S Professional Way, Payson


Orem/Provo
Fridays, March 30 - May 25
10:30 - 11:30 am
Courtyard at Jamestown
3352 N 100 E, Provo

American Fork
Tuesdays, March 27 - May 22
6:30 - 8:00 pm
American Fork Library Gardner Community Room
64 S 100 E

Gerontology Conference!

Come join us at the 22nd Annual Russell B. Clark Gerontology Conference! 

When: 14 - 15 March 2012

Keynote Address:
"Advances in Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Therapy" 
14 Mar, 7:00 pm
1060 HBLL Auditorium
Reception will follow

Research Presentation:
"Preclinical Alzheimer Disease: The New Research Frontier"
15 Mar, 11:00 am
B037 JFSB   

Dr. John C. Morris, the top researcher on Alzheimer's, is coming to speak at BYU. He will discuss risks, potential treatments, and new research techniques. Dr. Morris is the director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine as well as the director for the Center for Aging. 

Employment Opportunities

Want to work with seniors, but still feel a little lost? Be creative. Remember, the baby boomers are coming of age. There will be plenty of employment opportunities and you have the knowledge and with the internship will gain some skills. 


Job Opportunity Realms Include:

• Health care professionals
• Long-term care institutions
• Educators
• Researchers
• Human services
• Religious organization
• Federal, state, and local agencies
• Social services agencies
• Retirement communities
• Business and industry

Land an internship that involves the kinds of things you want to do in your career. Search local services and ask them if you can intern for them. 

Happy Valentines Day!! 

Aspen Senior Center

Aspen Senior Center specializes in senior day care and is a place where they have awesome activities that help seniors work on their engagement skills with people and their physical and cognitive functions. It's a place where working caregivers can leave their seniors in a safe environment, surrounded by good people and participate in healthy interactions. Meals and snacks are also provided (and if you volunteer during those times, you can have some too). Every Thursday or so they also do "sit and dance," which is a great exercise workout that they love.

Volunteering at the senior center is a great way to finish your gerontology minor. They love having young faces coming in and helping out with the activities. The center is very easy to work with too. For more questions call the center at 801.607.2300. 


They are close to campus, about 5 minutes away, located at 3410 N Canyon Rd (84604)

Check out their facebook page here and "LIKE" it!

Grandfamilies AmeriCorps VISTA Position

The Grandfamilies VISTA is hiring and looking for somebody in Provo to expand and strengthen and the Grandfamilies program. The Grandfamilies program aims to advocate, educate, and provide crisis interventions to individuals or families that are caring for for a relative's children. The main focus is to provide information and support to these families to that the children's needs of safety and permanency can be met.  


To learn more about grandparents raising grandchildren click here. 


This VISTA will help with community based classes, event planning, data evaluation and impact studies, family leadership development, and volunteer recruitment. 


VISTA is needed to start on April 16th, with a mandatory training in LA from the 16th - 19th of April.


Benefits Include:
   - Living allowance ( $927 a month pre-taxes)
   - The VISTA can choose an Education Award ($5550) or end of Service Cash Stipend ($1500)
   - Health coverage
   - Relocation allowance
   - Childcare assistance
   
Requirements:
   -  Full-time service for one year without school or other work commitments
   - Some college experience
   - At least 18 years old
   - General office and computer skills


TO APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to saralw@wasatch.org by Thurs., February 16th. (Interviews will start Mon., February 20th)
    ** An online application with AmeriCorps is also required after the interview process

Eldred Senior Center Intern!!

Eldered Senior Center is looking for an intern! If you are interested, contact Daidre Hulick at 801.852.6620 or vdhulick@provo.utah.gov.

The center invites those 55 years and older to participate in social experiences, physical fitness programs, educational opportunities, art, games, and health screenings. The center offers a safe place for seniors to connect with people in the community and live a higher quality of life.

Duties

1. Senior program planning and organizing in the Parks and Recreation Department of Provo City 
2. Assist facility staff with Senior Services for the City of Provo
3. Prepare promotional advertising for programs and events
4. Manage Senior Center office and disseminate information to seniors
5. Operate within the guidelines of budgets
6. Ensure adherence to operational polices and procedures
7. Prepare and maintain reports, records, and equipment inventory
8. Assist other staff members and the public as needed

Qualifications

1. Knowledge of senior issues, trends, programs, event planning, senior services
2. Basic English composition, spelling, and grammar
3. Skill in performing duties in a manner that demonstrates respect, integrity, courtesy, and kindness towards fellow workers, customers, and the general public
4. Ability to organize special events and senior activities
5. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
6. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees
7. Complete accurate records
8. Enforce rules and regulations firmly but with tact; and demonstrate good judgment in decision making

Time Commitment

1. Hours flexible between 5 - 30 hours week
2. Ability to work independently
3. Must work between Monday and Friday
4. Work  mandatory event days - some events fall on weekends and evenings 

This would be a great opportunity to take advantage of!

Upcoming Caregiver Events

Here are some more class ideas and networking possibilities with caregiver events.

Did you know....

• More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population provide and care for a chronically disabled family member of friend at least 20 hours a week
• Caregivers provide FREE care to older adults, a value of $375 billion a year
• Almost 66% of caregivers are women
• 1.4 million children ages 8 - 18 provide care for an adult relative and 72% are caring for a parent or grandparent.
• 51% of care recipients live in their own home

For more caregiver statistics visit National Family Caregivers

Utah County provides caregivers the support and respite they need through a number of support groups and meetings.
Next week's Support Groups
Wed. February 15, 2012
South County Support Group
1:30 pm
Grand Vista Senior Apartments
650 E 100 N Payson
Details: 801.367.9929

Wed. February 15, 2012
Springville Caregiver Support Group
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Springville Senior Center
65 E 200 S, Springville
Details: 801.229.3814

Thurs. February 16, 2012
Caregiver Support Group
3:00 pm
Bel Aire Senior Living
1088 E 390 S American Fork
Refreshment provided: 801.763.0622

Thurs. February 16, 2012
Parkinson's Disease Support Group
7:00 pm
Utah Valley Specialty Hospital
306 West River Bend Lane Provo
Details: 801.225.9099

Thurs. February 16, 2012
Alzheimer's Association Support Group
1:00 pm
Courtyard at Jamestown
3352 N 100 E Provo
FREE Alzheimer's Family Care Consultations are available both before and after the group meeting. For details or to schedule an appointment for a care consultation call Mindy Hill 801.377.3730
Information provided by Mountainland.

Volunteer Opportunity

The Enhanced Care Unit and Courtyard at Jamestown wants to build a volunteer base to help offer one-on-one activities to the Alzheimer's and dementia residents. Volunteers will work with the lower functioning residents doing simple one-on-one activities. 


The unit does activities Monday - Saturday between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm and on Sundays 2:00-5:00.  


If you are interested email Linda O'Niones, the Enhanced Care Activities Director, at  enhancedcareactivities@gmail.com   to let her know the times you are available. 

Interested in the Gerontology Minor??

Those of you who are interested in completing the geronotlogy minor can do so with little trouble. Many of the students find they have already knocked off some of the classes and find the classes to be useful and engaging.

The minor requires 15 credit hours and includes:
Service Learning/Internship (choose 3 hours)

• HLTH 496R (this one is through Rilla)
• SFL 399R
• RMYL 496R
• SOC 399R

After you complete your internship, fill out the Internship Report Form and turn the report into the gerontology secretary at 1041 JFSB. The form can be found here. 

Core Courses (choose 5-6 hours)

• HLTH 466 Health and the Aging Process (3)
• SFL 334 Adult Development and Aging in the Family (3)
• RMYL 307 Accessibile Recreation (3)
• SOC 365 Sociology of Aging (3)

Elective Courses (choose 6-7 hourse)

• NDFS 100 Essential of Human Nutrition (3)
• HLTH 320 Advanced First Aid and Safety (3)
• SFL 210 Human Development (3)
• PDBIO 205 Human Biology (3)
• PDBIO 220 Human Anatomy (3)
• Psych 322 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood (3)
• Psych 342 Abnormal Psychology (3)
• SOCW 581 Social Services for the Aging (3)

For more information about the classes click here.

A couple of these classes even double count for the public health major!

Living Well with Chronic Diseases

You can attend a class for an in/out class or this may be a good way to network. 


Living Well with Chronic Conditions are classes promoted by the The Utah Arthritis Program and are designed to help those with chronic diseases manage their disease, decrease pain and doctor's visits, and enjoy life a little more. They meet once a week for 6 weeks. Those with asthma, arthritis, joint pain, fibromyalgia, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, depression, or chronic pain. 
Subjects in the class include:

• Techniques for frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
• Appropriate exercise to maintain and improve strength
• Appropriate use of medications and proper nutrition
• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
• how to evaluate new treatment

Classes

When: Jan 18- Feb 22

     Wed. 10 am - 12 pm

Where: Lindon Senior Center

      25 N Main St., Lindon

When: Jan 19 - Feb 23

     Thursdays, 10 am - 12 pm

Where: Provo City Library

     550 N University Ave, Provo

Adult Protective Services

Here's another option to attend an in/out of class experience or, if you're interested in pursuing a career in gerontology, networking.

Elder abuse encompasses those who are mentally, physically, or sexually abused, neglected, and exploited. Generally these persons are frail, vulnerable, healthcare fraud, and depend on others. General symptoms include: frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elderly person and changes in personality or behavior. For more specific symptoms click here. 

Adult Protective Services Class
Wed. February 15, 2012
11:00 am - 12 pm
Provo Regional Center Room #5060
150 E Center Street Provo, UT
The class will cover:
     - APS Overview
     - Indicators of Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation
     - Abuse Prevention
To register, contact Darrin Lee at ddlee@utah.gov or Kiri Brough at kbrough@utah.gov