Taking Charge Articles
WVU nursing students put the Wii into Taylor County senior activities
Reprinted from the Mountain Statesman, July 20, 2009
By: Karen M. Brown, Statesman Staff Writer
West Virginia University College of Nursing Instructor Susan Pinto and her students: Shane Brost, Megan Donatelli, Jessica Knox, and Whitney Westerman brought the "we" in Wii to the Taylor County Senior Center on Friday, July 17, 2009. Pinto’s group is working on their rural rotation and secured a grant through the WVU Extension Office to purchase the Wii computer interactive exercise program for the center. On Friday, the group was having a great time bowling.
"I used to bowl when I was younger. This is different, of course, but a lot of fun. I usually play Bingo; I’m a regular," stated Patricia Waters. Waters and bowling mate, Manuella Estel, got a kick out of the modern computer game.
"I won the first game!" Estel boasted. Her competitor didn’t much mind who won. The WVU students were doling out inspiration, enthusiasm, and direction. They didn’t seem to want to give up the remote control device in order to train their senior students. Everyone, including onlookers, were having a great time.
Pinto explained that the group she is now working with in Taylor County will soon be graduating. Next semester, she said, "We will have five to eight new nursing students involved in Hospice, the health department, or in the schools such as Anna Jarvis. I will make sure we have students come over here to continue this program and make sure it continues. They may even start some bowling leagues," Pinto smiled.
"Two Grafton-area groceries, Foodland and Shop-n-Save, were very generous in donating food for this event," Brost said. The students and Pinto were very pleased and excited by the level of community support for their efforts.
Free Home Assessments to Seniors
Reprinted from the Weirton Daily Times, June 29, 2009: Community Section
CHANGE, Inc., in partnership with West Virginia University’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities, will be conducting two informational seminars to help West Virginians, age 60 or over, obtain FREE home assessments and up to $500 in home modifications and/or repairs.
Taking Charge of Your Health and Safety is a program designed to assist seniors maintain a healthy and safe environment while living independently in their own home. Home assessments done will help identify safety hazards and accessibility issues. With the homeowners input, modifications are made to ensure the resident remains in their home and continues to enjoy the independent lifestyle to which they are accustomed.
"We are very excited to become part of this senior networking program. Our senior community makes up a large population of our area, a very proud population. The program will help them maintain their home, empowering them to live independently for as long as the can at NO expense to them," explains Donna Gialluco, Community Outreach Coordinator for CHANGE, Inc.
Taking Charge Seminars will be held on Tuesday. The first is at 9:30AM at the Brooke County Senior Center located on Main Street in Follansbee. A second presentation will be at noon at the Greater Weirton Senior Center on Main Street in Weirton.
For additional information contact Donna Gialluco at CHANGE, Inc. (304) 797-7733.
Taking Charge
from the CLIC 2008 Annual Report
One of the most important areas of concern for CLIC is helping older adults identify the resources they need to stay in their own homes.
The organization has received several grants to conduct home assessments around the state to provide homeowners with recommendations to age-in-place. The assessments approach each situation from two distinct perspectives – what do individuals need to do to stay in their own home and what changes need to be made to the home to accommodate the needs of the individual.
In 2008, CLIC conducted home assessments as part of the direct services component of "Taking Charge," a grant-funded project of the WVU Extension Service.
Most findings will not surprise many people. Access was a major issue for homeowners – more than half of the participants needed repairs to steps, ramps constructed or had doors/doorway issues. But bathroom modifications topped the list - almost every home needed some modification or assistive device to help with bathing, toileting or other activity of daily living.
What was surprising was the lack of safety features in each home. Working smoke detectors were almost non-existent, as were carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. When asked, most homeowners responded that they had the devices but when checked, the majority of smoke detectors had dead batteries and fire extinguishers were well beyond the expiration date.
The home assessment projects have provided CLIC and other organizations with documentation to justify the need for additional supports for older West Virginians who desire to age-in-place. It is the organization’s hope that community groups and policy makers will review the data to determine how we can all work together to help our senior neighbors and family members remain safe and independent in the home of their choice.
Fifty home assessments were conducted for "Taking Charge" participants.
There were many instances where our Appalachian culture was evident. When asked for their age, responses included statements such as "I’m older than 40, honey," and "How old do I look?" This reluctance to provide personal data only slightly impacted statistical information for age, income ("Not enough") and marital status ("I put down single ‘cause I been single longer than I been married.")
Change is almost never easy for anyone, especially for this demographic group. Refusal of some recommendations reflected this:
- I don’t need to move the laundry – I’ve been going up and down those steps just fine for fifty years.
- I don’t need more lighting – there’s plenty of windows.
- My house isn’t cluttered – I know where everything is.
- Don’t need ‘em (threshold ramps) – only guests stub their toes.
- I like my house just the way it is.
In several cases, funds from this project were maximized by the use of blended funding. For instance, CLIC staff helped one participant obtain a $5,000 grant from state Olmstead funds to remodel her bathroom, allowing her to use the $500 from the project to install threshold ramps and make repairs to her outside entrance ramp.
In an age where many individuals desire to remain in their own home but are without the resources or knowledge of how to do that, home assessments can provide a cost-effective way to prioritize needs, maximize available resources, and connect people with available services. It is also a valuable tool to identify areas where our service networks (professional education, case management, waiver services) can take action to improve services for older adults.
WHO ARE THE PARTICIPANTS?
- Average age - 76; the oldest, 91
- 99% white
- 74% female
- Average household income - $14,100.20
- 40% widowed; 32% married
- 63% received some assistive device or modification for their bathroom (lighting, grab bar, transfer bench)
- 92% received one or more basic safety device – fire extinguisher (83%), smoke detector (44%) or carbon monoxide detector (56%)
- 10% had grandchildren living with them; 12% had adult children in the home
- 94% owned their own home.
- Half the homes were built before 1945 and five were more than 100 years old
- 50% were independent for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but 34% required some assistance and 12% were dependent on others to complete ADLs
- 16% expressed concern about falling
- 18% cited medical issues as their primary concern (paying for prescriptions or specific issues related to health conditions)
Taking Charge: Activating Senior Networks
from the Spring 2009 WVATS Newsletter
New This Year:
- Welcome Mercer, Raleigh and Wyoming counties to Taking Charge.
- Free home assessments are now available to all project counties. Trained home assessment teams provide eligible homeowners with individualized safety and assistive technology accommodations and up to $500 to help pay for recommendations selected by the homeowner.
- Taking Charge is offering mini-grant opportunities. Money is available for sharing and promoting health education information and materials created by the Taking Charge program. This is a great way to get the word out about Taking Charge's message of empowering seniors to take charge of their health and safety through church groups, senior centers, civic organizations and fitness centers. The goal of the mini-grants is to bring together community organizations and groups that want to reach out to as many seniors as possible. Need ideas? For more information and to apply for this great opportunity, call 800-841-8436 or visit Taking Charge’s web page at www.cedwvu.org/programs/takingcharge.
- Taking Charge is hitting the books. We are creating a program for WVU students in the health and human service fields, such as nursing, pharmacy and social work. Students can learn more about senior health, rural issues and Appalachian culture. This will help students have a better understanding of the health challenges facing rural areas.
- Taking Charge is getting a make-over. Many Taking Charge materials were revised in the past few months.
- Taking Charge's resource directory was expanded to include more community services such as rural clinics, community action organizations, weatherization programs and agencies offering transportation.
- Taking Charge's exercise cards will now include stretch band specific exercises and demonstrate how to use stretch bands.
- "Community Leader Guides" have a new look! The Guides are in new binders that can be bent back to be used like a flip chart. This makes using and sharing health information easier. The popular orange folders and yellow bags will stay the same.
If you are interested in free health education materials, being a volunteer or would like Taking Charge to give a free presentation for your social group or organization, call 800-841-8436 or e-mail takingcharge@hsc.wvu.edu.
Taking Charge of Your Health and Safety
from the Fall 2008 WVATS Newsletter
Taking Charge is gearing up for another year of spreading the word about common health and safety issues facing West Virginia seniors. Taking Charge will continue to provide health education materials, program presentations and support for community volunteers. In addition, Taking Charge will expand its community networks to include health professionals to encourage seniors to take charge of their health and safety. Taking Charge is inviting allied health professionals, such as pharmacists, nurses and social workers, to join the program’s volunteer base of community leaders. Please call 800-841-8436 if you are interested.
Taking Charge is offering mini-grants to community volunteer organizations or agencies to support Taking Charge program presentations and to share Taking Charge health education materials. For example, awarded money can be used to present Taking Charge to your volunteer organization, church group or social club.
Taking Charge welcomes Raleigh and Wyoming counties to the program. Taking Charge is now in the following 18 counties: Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Greenbrier, Harrison, Hardy, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, McDowell, Marshall, Mercer, Monongalia, Raleigh, Summers, Taylor, Wirt and Wyoming.
Free home assessments and small amounts of money to pay for recommendations of assistive technology for activities of daily living are available in all project counties. Please call 800-841-8436 to see if you are eligible for an assessment in your home.
If you are interested in receiving free health education materials, becoming a volunteer or would like a free presentation, call 800-841-8436 or e-mail takingcharge@hsc.wvu.edu. For more information, program updates and events, visit our web page at www.cedwvu.org/programs/takingcharge.
Taking Charge
from the Summer 2008 WVATS Newsletter
Taking Charge of Your Health and Safety is a federally funded program for West Virginians that is housed at West Virginia University. Taking Charge is in full swing in 17 counties across the state. One-hundred and twenty-four individuals and 23 community programs have volunteered to take part in the program. Volunteers are teaching seniors what they can do daily to improve their health and safety.
Taking Charge staff trained volunteers on the program’s educational materials and health information and the different ways the program can be used. The success of the Taking Charge program is due to the hard work of its staff, the partnership between WVU’s Extension Services and the Center for Excellence in Disabilities and the warm welcome it has received from participating counties.
Free home assessments in six pilot counties are now underway. With the help of the Community Living Initiatives Corporation (CLIC), money is available to pay for recommendations from the home assessment team. Home assessment professionals and homeowners will team up to decide what modifications to make. Taking Charge is looking for applicants for free home assessments in Marion, Summers, Braxton, Greenbriar, McDowell and Marshall Counties.
If you are interested in receiving free health education materials, becoming a volunteer or would like Taking Charge to come to your senior center or social group to give a free presentation, call 800-841-8436 or e-mail takingcharge@hsc.wvu.edu. More detailed information can be found on the Taking Charge web site located at www.cedwvu.org/programs/takingcharge.
What is Important to You?
- Taking care of yourself in your own Home?
- Staying independent?
- Having the freedom to get around?
Do not wait to take charge of your own health. Even if you feel ‘fine’ today, taking charge can slow or prevent many age-related problems that can appear tomorrow.
Feel Your Best
- Keep Moving - Physical activity protects and improves your emotional, mental and physical health. It also reduces stiffness and arthritis pain.
- Keep Connected - Staying in touch with friends and family keeps the brain sharp and helps maintain mental health.
- Keep Informed - Play an active part in your health care decisions. Learn about any health condition you might have. Do not be afraid to ask for help or information.
- Stay Healthy - Avoid habits that can harm your health, such as smoking, eating foods high in sodium and fat, and heavy alcohol use.
Taking Charge
from the Spring 2008 WVATS Newsletter
Taking Charge of Your Health and Safety, a federally funded program headquartered at West Virginia University, has been busy since its October 1st kick-off. Brochures, information packets and workshops have been used to spread the word about health and safety issues that face West Virginia seniors.
The information packet was created to present information about the most common health issues in West Virginia: diabetes, arthritis, heart health, eating smart, staying active and preventing falls. The packet’s quick tip sheets contain information that includes everyday things seniors can do to help prevent and manage these common health issues.
The packet’s DVD has slide shows on each health and safety issue and provides detailed information on prevention and care. The DVD’s directories and listings provide information for service providers who specialize in or can offer further assistance for West Virginia’s most common health issues.
In addition to the information packets, Taking Charge, in collaboration with WVATS developed an assistive technology (AT) kit to introduce seniors to healthy exercise habits. The AT kits contain inexpensive pieces of exercise equipment, exercise publications and a how-to exercise card set.
Each kit includes information and AT on four categories of exercise important to health: strength, flexibility, balance and endurance.
The how-to exercise card set gives an overview of each exercise category, discusses safety issues and provides descriptions and pictures of specific exercises.
Taking Charge is looking for senior volunteers and community programs to help spread the word to their communities, families and friends about taking charge of these health issues so seniors can continue to be in charge of their lives and remain safe and independent in their own homes.
If you are interested in receiving a free information packet, becoming a volunteer, or would like Taking Charge staff to come to your senior center or community center to give a free presentation, call 800-841-8436 or e-mail takingcharge@hsc.wvu.edu.
Taking Charge project counties
- Berkeley
- Boone
- Braxton *
- Cabell
- Greenbrier *
- Hardy
- Harrison
- Jefferson
- Kanawha
- Marion *
- Marshall *
- McDowell *
- Monongalia
- Putnam
- Summers *
- Taylor
- Wirt
* Indicates free home assessment pilot counties. Seniors living in those counties may be eligible for free AT to help maintain independent living.
'Taking Charge'
from the Fall 2007 WVATS Newsletter
The Center for Excellence in Disabilities is partnering with the West Virginia University Extension Service and Community Living Initiatives Corporation (CLIC) on a new program, "Taking Charge of Your Health and Safety." The program, which started October 1st, is developing and delivering health promotion materials for rural seniors with the help of established senior networks like the Community Educational Outreach Service, county senior centers, and other community programs.
The project's goal is to help motivate rural seniors to take responsibility for their health and wellness so that they can remain independent as they age.
CLIC will be recruiting fifty low income seniors in Braxton, Greenbrier, Marion, Marshall, McDowell and Summers counties through their local senior centers. Trained home assessment teams will provide these eligible individuals with individualized safety recommendations, assistive technology and training in necessary environmental modifications.
Social Work graduate student, Mary Slabinski, will be working with Stacy Miller to develop health information materials for seniors and for senior educator volunteers.
If you would like to learn more about 'Taking Charge,' please call 304-293-4692 x1185 or e-mail takingcharge@hsc.wvu.edu
