Gerontology Network Seeks Gifts for Seniors
Local nonprofit needs help supplying gifts to more than 150 older adults
GRAND RAPIDS – Gerontology Network is working hard to ensure each of its adult day program participants receive a special gift this holiday season, and they are reaching out to the community to help achieve their goal.
CareTree Adult Day Services – an affiliate program of Gerontology Network – has each participant create a holiday "wish list" and staff does its best to purchase these items.
"While the staff at Gerontology Network has been amazing, we have more than 150 participants to buy for," said Laura DeJong, director at CareTree. "For some of our participants, these are the only gifts they receive this year, so we want to do what we can to make the holidays special."
Two area churches – Calvary Church of Grand Rapids and Rockford Reformed Church in Rockford – have already graciously donated a variety of items including blankets, clothing and personal care items. But CareTree could use some additional help from the community.
"The support and enthusiasm we have received from Calvary and Rockford Reformed has been absolutely fantastic," said DeJong. "But we still have a long way to go to collect all the gifts for all of our older adult participants."
CareTree is collecting various items including newly purchased shirts and sweaters of various sizes, wallets, socks, chapstick, puzzles, CDs, word search games, playing cards, toiletries, etc. Each individual will receive a gift bag with a variety of these donated items, including at least one specific gift on their wish list.
Donations can be dropped off at CareTree Adult Day Services, 800 E. Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, between 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday. If you have any questions or would like to purchase a specific item, please contact Marissa or Laura at 616-464-3665.
CareTree Adult Day Services, an affiliate of Gerontology Network, is a medical and social model adult day program designed to provide a safe, caring environment where participants can socialize, participate in therapeutic activities, and receive support services and health assessments. This program offers families and caregivers a respite from the demands of 24-hour care.
About Gerontology Network:
Gerontology Network is a nonprofit organization made up of affiliate services that work together to enhance the quality of life and promote the independence of older adults. Established in 1979, Gerontology Network provides support to individuals, families and care providers through respite and home safety services, training and education programs, assessment and case management, older adult volunteer programs and vision services. For more information, visit their Web site at www.gerontologynetwork.org.
Gerontology Network Transitions Lenawee Programs to the County
ADRIAN – After more than a decade of service in Lenawee County, Gerontology Network – a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit – is announcing its plans to transition its older adult programs to local management. As of October 1, 2009, Daybreak Adult Day Services will be provided by the Lenawee Department on Aging (LDA) and its Behavioral Health Services – OBRA and the Nursing Home Consultation Program – will be provided by the Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority (LCMHA).
"The programs in Lenawee have been a very important piece of Gerontology Network’s array of services," said Sandra Paulsen, director at Gerontology Network. “But with today’s changing economic climate and the demands of a larger older adult population in Lenawee County, it makes sense to bring these programs back under local management."
Gerontology Network opened its local office more than 10 years ago in close cooperation with LDA and LCMHA, and was the first organization to open an adult day service (Daybreak) in Lenawee County. In addition to Daybreak, Gerontology Network has provided mental health services to older adults in the area – programs once run by LCMHA.
"The decision to transition these mental health services from Gerontology Network back to the Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority is a mutual one," said Roger Myers, executive director of LCMHA. “We have worked closely with Gerontology Network over the years, and this relationship has created an opportunity to bring the services back under LCMHA to more efficiently provide services to older adults in our community."
"Gerontology Network played a critical role in bringing additional older adult services to Lenawee County – including Daybreak,” said Tom MacNaughton. "The Department on Aging has been fortunate to have such a strong working relationship with Gerontology Network. Throughout our many conversations it became clear that this transition makes sense for everyone involved. We are now able to combine our collective experience, expertise and knowledge to better serve our community."
While the adult day program will undergo a transition in upper management, Daybreak services will continue to be provided as usual. Daybreak will stay in the same location, with the same contact information, and will continue providing the same services. But, as of October 1, 2009, both OBRA and the Nursing Home Consultation Program will be housed out of the LCMHA office, located at 1040 South Winter Street, Suite 1022 in Adrian. There will also be a new phone number – 517-263-8905.
"This transition will allow the programs to focus on the specific needs of the Lenawee community, while Gerontology Network can target its efforts on the ever-growing aging community in West Michigan," said Paulsen.
Daybreak Adult Day Services is a social and medical model adult day program that provides a safe, caring environment where participants can socialize, participate in therapeutic activities and receive support services and health assessments. Daybreak offers families and caregivers a respite from the demands of 24-hour care.
Behavioral Health Services is comprised of two specific programs – OBRA and the Nursing Home Consultation Program. In the OBRA program, a multi-disciplinary team provides evaluations and recommendations for individuals entering or residing in nursing homes to determine mental health and placement needs. The Nursing Home Consultation Program provides treatment, counseling and consultation services for nursing home residents with mental health concerns.
Two Premiere Organizations Serving Elders Will Join Together to
Create Most Complete Resource of Older Adult Services in West Michigan
Contacts:
Mark McCulloch, V.P. Sales & Marketing, Porter Hills - (616) 942-6279
Kari Sederburg, Vice President, Gerontology Network - (616) 771-9720
Mary McLoughlin - (616) 698-0748
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – May 29, 2009 … At a news conference this morning, Porter Hills Retirement Communities & Services (Porter Hills) and Gerontology Network (GN) announced their formal affiliation effective June 1, 2009.
Under the "Affiliation Agreement," Gerontology Network and its 100 employees will become a member of Porter Hills Retirement Communities & Services, which employs more than 600 employees (350 full-time equivalents) and will be part of an umbrella of services for older adults. The affiliation will provide convenient access to the most comprehensive array of services for older adults in West Michigan.
Commenting on the announcement this morning, Porter Hills Board Chair, Milt Rohwer – President & CEO of the Frey Foundation – called the affiliation "an exciting new venture that will change the model of serving older adults in West Michigan. Together, Porter Hills and Gerontology Network can more effectively accomplish their respective mission and better meet the current and growing demands for at-home services for older adults."
Discussions between the two organizations began more than two years ago to explore opportunities for possible partnering. Although initially focused on home technology and personal and health services, discussions expanded when the organizations realized the alignment of their missions and cultures as well as their compatible strategic directions. In the short term, Gerontology Network will continue to run its programs as is. No job losses are expected for either organization.
Gerontology Network’s board chair Barb DeMoor – CEO of AMBS Investment Counsel – said that the "collective complement of services of Gerontology Network and Porter Hills creates great synergy and opportunities in the West Michigan market. Through our ongoing discussions with Porter Hills, it became apparent that affiliating would give both organizations the greatest opportunities for long-term success."
Gerontology Network currently serves approximately 5000 older adults throughout West Michigan and offers a set of affiliate programs and services, including education, outreach and assistance, respite care, mental health, substance abuse and counseling for older adults, their families and care providers. GN addresses safety and medication compliance issues through the products and services of its "Life Connections" program. GN also offers vision services through its affiliation with Welcome Homes Residential Services and the Association for the Blind and Visually impaired.
Gerontology Network President and CEO, Tom Hartwig, said this of the affiliation: "Collectively, Porter Hills and Gerontology Network will be able to reach and offer each others’ customers new and improved services to support independence and offer the freedom and flexibility to live their best life."
Larry Yachcik, President and CEO of Porter Hills added that "In these difficult economic times we are pleased that our affiliation will carry out the expectations of those who financially support us, including all of our donors, while ensuring that consistent care is provided to all of our residents and customers and that the operations of both organizations will continue uninterrupted."
Porter Hills Retirement Communities & Services provide living environments and services for nearly 1,000 older adults of all faiths in nine different communities throughout Kent County as well as through its in-home service agencies. Six of the nine communities are specifically for older adults with limited financial resources. Within its communities, Porter Hills offers a variety of living environments that correspond to the varying needs and lifestyles of seniors.
Porter Hills also offers a host of services to residents as well as individuals throughout the area, which include home health services for skilled, in-home care following illness or injury; personal care; physical, speech and occupational therapies; and outpatient and wellness services and programs through the Martindill Wellness Center.
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