LIFE a Dementia Friendly Foundation

Our goal is to obtain sponsorship for participants (caregiver and person living with dementia) to participate for 8 hours/week for six weeks at no charge to the participants. We are requesting 500.00 sponsorship per couple to cover the cost of supplies, staff, activities. This averages out to about 10.00/couple and hour. Please view the attached video for an example of the services we are offering. We are seeking to support 20 couples.

Lifesaving Care

Your donations on November 27 empower Dominican Home Health Agency's In-Home Nursing Program to provide disadvantaged seniors of Metro Denver with quality nursing and personal care regardless of their ability to pay. Our care improves medication adherence and reduces hospitalizations and premature transitions to nursing homes - DHHA ultimately improves quality of life and brings dignity to homebound elderly.

Safe at Home

Many low-income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, struggle to maintain their homes. Due to economic pressures, they often have to forego repairs, leave smoke detectors unattended, and face increasing risk of a devastating fall in the absence of safety rails. RTO|EB's Safe at Home project puts volunteers to work to assess and correct problem areas, making homes safer and keeping neighborhoods stable by allowing low-income residents to remain in their homes.

RTO|EB has worked since 1993 to rejuvenate diverse neighborhoods by rehabilitating homes and nonprofit facilities in low-income communities throughout the Oakland/East Bay (California) area. With just four full-time staff members (and relationships with dozens of community partners), we have mobilized and trained more than 15,000 volunteers to improve safety in more than 3,000 homes and community sites. Our Safe at Home project, begun in 2006, has made living spaces safer for hundreds of low-income homeowners (largely seniors). We use experts to guide all work; our Project Lead is a certified home inspector with many years of experience in home rehabilitation, and licensed home repair specialists lead our teams of community volunteers. This project complements our other building programs, which together support our mission of repairing homes, revitalizing communities, and rebuilding lives.

Project goals:

RTO|EB plans to complete 60-80 Safe at Home projects in the next year to reduce the risk of serious injury among low-income senior homeowners. For each home, staff and volunteer teams will: 1) conduct a comprehensive inspection to determine home safety needs; 2) repair fall hazards (e.g., stairs, rugs) and install equipment such as railings, grab-bars, shower seats, handheld showerheads, toilet risers, non-skid mats, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and night lights; and 3) educate homeowners about home safety and the proper use and maintenance of their new equipment.

Evaluation:

We survey homeowners on completion of each Safe at Home project to assess whether the work met their needs and expectations, whether they would recommend our services to others, and whether those who worked in their home were knowledgeable and respectful. Staff and project volunteers also evaluate projects for lessons learned to allow continuous improvement. In addition, because our work has an education component, evaluation includes ensuring that each resident understands how to take full advantage of the improvements to their home to ensure their ongoing safety. Finally, we evaluate whether homes have more severe maintenance issues (e.g., wiring, heating, water or sewage systems) that go beyond this project's scope. We then either address those issues through one of our other home rehabilitation programs or waitlist them for future services.

STARS and Momentia at Senior Services for South Sound

Since 1982, the STARS Adult Day Program has helped hundreds of individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia or other cognitive challenges preserve their dignity and avoid living in a nursing home or in isolation.

We know that caring for a loved one can be challenging, especially when you're juggling many other responsibilities. STARS offers a break for you while fostering the well-being and independence of your loved one with a program that promotes their ability to continue to live with purpose.

Participants in our programs enjoy unique educational and recreational programs that challenge their minds, keep bodies moving and lift spirits while developing meaningful friendships in a safe environment.

In 2007, we added Momentia for those who are newly diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's who may not be ready for an Adult Day Care setting. Momentia provides activities and experiences for those with memory loss promoting an active lifestyle and opportunities to stay engaged in the community. Activities include Memory Cafe, Momentia Sing-a-Long, art museum tours, dine out opportunities, nature walks and more.

"It gives us something to look forward to each month." Marty, one of our Momentia friends told us. He and his wife, Ellen, had recently moved to Olympia when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Ellen isn't quite ready to spend her day with new friends at STARS, so attending the Momentia experiences gives Marty and Ellen something to do out in the community together and a chance to network with others who are living with dementia.