Caring For Aging Parents

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Each year, walks are held all over the country to bring awareness to Alzheimer's disease.

The 2013 Dayton Alzheimer's Walk is set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. The walk will take place at the University of Dayton River Campus. (1700 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409)

Team Bethany, from Bethany Village, is currently signing up members and we'd love to have you walk with us! Simply click to join our team. You do not need to fundraise to walk with us. We want a big, active group of walkers in September to show our support for those who are impacted by Alzheimer's. Remember, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in America. It's going to take all of us to help find a cure.

If you need a little help registering for the walk, please click the short video below for a tutorial.

Check out all the fun we had last year!

For many, retirement is a dream. You work and save and save some more and one day - poof! - you can put your working life behind you, thus having your days to spend as you choose. For some, retirement is bliss. For others, having empty days can result in all sorts of chaos. Wes Craven, the famed horror writer and filmmaker, knows something about retirement chaos.

In a recent opinion article for the New York Times entitled "Retirement: Scarier Than Freddy Krueger," Mr. Craven writes of several accidents, stitches and surgeries sustained during his "trial" retirement. In the end, the director realized he wasn't ready to give up his day job.

"Give me the insanity of impossible schedules, screaming studio heads, script pages never showing up until the morning we’re to shoot them — anything but the horrors of retirement. These are scarier than any horror movie I can dream up," Craven writes, honestly.

Click to read the entire opinion piece.

Like any big life change, retirement requires significant thought, planning and transitioning time. Residents of Bethany Village are given the option to join a support group for new retirees. Thousands of such organizations exist, both in the community where you live and online.  With careful planning, you can have the fulfilling retirement you dream about - not a nightmare straight from a Hollywood movie set!

We live in a day and age where we are almost always accessible to the world.  Many seniors choose to delay their full retirement and continue to work 40 or more hours a week. They have meetings to attend, visits with their adult children or grandchildren,  errands to run, meals to cook, doctor visits to go to, etc. They enjoy a busy, fulfilling life.  But where does excercise fit in?

Have you noticed the cultural shift that recognizes that being fit and healthy is something incredibly important because of the vast health benefits? It’s no longer just a hobby for some.  Finding time to make exercise an integral part of our busy lives can be challenging.

The American College of Sports Medicine, the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, has physical activity guidelines that it updates periodically describing how to improve ones physical health through exercise. Current recommendations encourage at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity, either cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, or both 3-5 days a week for a healthy adult.

Let's talk about some ideas that may help us incorporate exercise into our lives. These are just some tips and not a comprehensive list:

• One of the best things you can do is sit down and really think about what it is you want to accomplish. Weight loss, strength, endurance, activity specific exercises; whatever you can think of that will dictate your plan of action.
• Pull out a calendar. Once you have done this, look at that calendar and find time blocks for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most if not all days of the week. Try to plan at least a week ahead. This scheduling helps you develop a routine and be able to stick with it. Make those times for your exercise routine yours and no one else’s. Be selfish about these time blocks. If you struggle to make exercise a habit, seeing a time and day can serve as a motivational cue. You see it and then do it, don’t give yourself any excuses. Maybe now would be a good time also to reprioritize how you spend your time. If you are worried about making time for your family, think about some activities that can involve them.
• If you are unsure where to start, talk with a reputable exercise professional, preferably an exercise physiologist. Residents at Bethany Village are always welcome to meet with me to set up an exercise routine in the fitness center that can also include walking inside or outside on campus. The Life Trails fitness stations on campus are also an enjoyable way to get variety in your exercise routine.
• Break up your routine: ACSM recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most if not all days of the week. No one ever said that those 30 minutes had to be all at once! It is okay to do 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there and then 10 minutes somewhere else. If reluctant to start an exercise program, this may be the way to go so that you develop adherence to working out. Your routine is what you make of it. So small amounts of time may make your life a bit easier.
• Find a friend or group that can meet on a consistent time and day of the week. Finding time and adhering to that time sometimes comes from peer motivation.

Honestly, when you make exercising a priority in your life, it is easier to find the time. It is okay to miss a day here and there. What’s not okay is making excuses why you can’t exercise; you are only sabotaging your own health. Making it a point - a conscious effort - to exercise and stay healthy is the best thing you can do. It’s your responsibility to take care of your body so you can have a long, healthy and functionally fit life. Got time for exercise? You bet you do!

Nettie Spurlock celebrates her 108^th birthday today, Aug. 3., at her home in Bethany Village in Centerville.

Nettie grew up on a farm in eastern Kentucky in the early 1900s. She was one of 10 children born to Garrett and Mary Morgan in Hyden, Ky. According to a family Bible, she was born in 1903. But when she obtained a birth certificate in 1958, it was recorded as 1904. While on the farm, she was raised to work hard, a tradition that has carried her through her entire life.

“We raised all our own food and we always had plenty to eat. I’ve been working ever since. Kept me goin’, I guess. I’d do it all over again,” Nettie told a Graceworks employee in 2010. These days, she speaks fondly of her “canning” days and makes the mouths of resident care technicians (RCTs) water with her stories of homemade pickles and applesauce.

“Oh I canned everything,” laughs Nettie.

Nettie married in 1921 and had four daughters. The family moved to Ohio when her husband accepted a job with Leyland Electronic Co. in Dayton. Nettie called Riverside home for decades.

Two of Nettie’s daughters live at Bethany Village as well: Oma Hensley and Feona Jean Donley. Oma will turn 90 later this month and still works part-time.

Nettie moved to Bethany Village in 2009.

Photo: Nettie with Bethany employees Emily Kauffman (left) and Brandi Blackman.

If you are considering a little help at home for mom or dad, don't get overwhelmed. Arm yourself with education and resources to help make decisions more informed and easier.

One of the first things you'll need to do is discuss a budget with your parent. Graceworks at Home has two separate arms: Hands at Home and Health at Home. Hands at Home provides a little assistance around the house, medication reminders, meal preparation and more. Services are private pay. Health at Home is Medicare certified and provides skilled nursing care for clients in their home. Insurance dollars may be used for Health at Home.

Medicare pays for skilled health care under specific circumstances. The client must meet all of the Medicare eligibility criteria:

• The patient must be homebound after a doctor's care;
• The patient must need skilled nursing care, or occupational, physical or speech therapy, on at least an intermittent basis;
• The services provided must be under a doctor's supervision and performed as part of a home health care plan;
• The client must be eligible for Medicare and services must be medically necessary;
• The home health agency providing care must be Medicare certified.

Some long term care insurance policies will help pay for home care as well. Hands at Home will not submit a claim on your behalf, but will provide forms so you may submit for reimbursement. If you have questions regarding your long term care policy and reimbursement, contact your insurance provider.

Some good resources for advice on paying for home care include your Area Agency on Aging and the Senior Resource Center. The American Elder Care Research Organization has created a website called Paying For Senior Care which has lots of information about creating budgets, how to navigate private pay versus Medicare and even tips to lower home care costs.

 

Nationally, more than 5 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease and nearly 11 million more are serving as caregivers. Families in the Miami Valley are no exception to these statistics. Bethany Village’s Courtyard Park memory support center, which opened in 2009, is dedicated to helping residents face the challenges of living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

To demonstrate our support for the Miami Valley Alzheimer’s Association, Bethany Village/Graceworks Lutheran Services is once again a benefactor-level sponsor of the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Last year, more than 50 Bethany employees and residents signed up for the event. This year’s two to three -mile walk takes place on Saturday, September 22, at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park. Registration/check-in is at 8:30 a.m., with the walk kicking off at 10 a.m. Click to register!

The Walk to End Alzheimer's, which is held annually in the fall in nearly 600 communities nationwide, is the country’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support, education and research. Since 1989, this all-age, all-ability walk has mobilized millions to join the fight against Alzheimer's disease, raising more than $347 million for the cause. Money raised in each community goes to the local association chapter.

The Alzheimer's Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Today, more than half of all Americans know someone with Alzheimer’s. Write a comment about your level of awareness of Alzheimer’s and why you want to see an end of this disease.

Bethany Village's Pastor Bob Ashburn reflects on patriotism.

We know this is the time of year to celebrate our nation’s Independence through July Fourth celebrations. This is also a time to celebrate the great connection between our God and our nation.  Look at the words of most of our patriotic songs.

With many of them you don’t have to go beyond the titles, like with "God Bless America." For most of them, we soon come to realize that these are not only songs, but they are also prayers, thanking God for what we have as a nation and asking for further blessings. Certainly as the people of this nation and as people of God, we realize that God has greatly blessed us in this world. Our faith reminds us that God will take care of us, even in the midst of economic uncertainly and a politically divided nation. Examples abound during the Great Depression, the two World Wars and the Civil War – and they show how we got through these tough times.

Let us celebrate the fact that God has given to us the ability and the opportunity to continue to be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

God’s blessings, Pastor Bob

President Barack Obama issued an official proclamation, declaring June 15 "Elder Abuse Awareness Day."

The proclamation begins:

"Every American deserves the chance to live out the full measure of their days in health and security.  Yet, every year, millions of older Americans are denied that most basic opportunity due to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.  On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we call attention to this global public health issue, and we rededicate ourselves to providing our elders the care and protection they deserve."

Mr. Obama urges all Americans to observe June 15 by learning the signs of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Abuse can take on many forms, including physical, verbal, emotional and financial. Helpguide.org outlines many signs of abuse, including:

Physical abuse

• Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars
• Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
• Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists

Emotional abuse

• Behavior from the elder that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself

Sexual abuse

• Bruises around breasts or genitals
• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
• Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

Financial abuse

• Significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
• Sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition
• Items or cash missing from the senior’s household
• Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies

In addition to the official proclamation, the White House also held a special day of programming relating to ending elder abuse. Video highlights are below.

It is becoming increasingly common for couples to raise their own children while also caring for an aging parent. Bethany Village and Graceworks at Home have trained staff to help answer your questions and provide support.

Graceworks at Home provides home health and home care services to older adults. Hands at Home can lend a hand around the house and Health at Home can help your mom or dad recover after surgery.

Our personal care services include medication reminders, bathing, meal preparation and so much more. Our skilled nursing care is Medicare-certified and can help with medical social services, physical therapy and more.

To truly help an aging parent, you need understanding and patience. To that end, you need to arm yourself with educational resources. Graceworks at Home is giving away a copy of the book A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents -- And Ourselves by writer Jane Gross. Gross is an accomplished journalist and also created the highly acclaimed New Old Age blog for the New York Times. To enter, simply leave a comment below with your email address. The winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via email, so comments without email addresses will be discarded from the contest. The contest ends at midnight ET on June 30, 2012. The contest is open to all residents of the United States.

Bethany Village has partnered with the Miami Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association  to form a new support group for people touched by dementia.

The support group meets the third Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in the Village Center Classroom and everyone is welcome.  

Hands at Home will provide free respite care during each support group meeting. Reservations are required for respite care. Please call 937-436-7700 to reserve a spot for your loved one.

For general information about the new support group or Bethany Village, please contact Dana Lynch at 937-436-7557.

Bethany Village is located at 6443 Bethany Village Drive in Centerville, Ohio. We have various living options to choose from including villas, cottages, apartments, assisted living, skilled care and a state-of-the-art memory support center.

Have you been touched by Alzheimer's disease?  Create a tribute to a loved one to share the story of your loved one with family and friends. The Alzheimer's Association makes it easy to create tributes and share with others.

It's not easy seeing your parents age. As time marches forward, roles are reversed and often, a child becomes the caregiver for an aging parent. Sometimes all your mom or dad needs is a little helping hand around the house. Agencies like Hands at Home provide a variety of services to make life easier for mom, dad and the rest of the family.

When you see bills piling up, burned pots on the stove and mom's grooming is off, it might be time to call for help. If your parents are resisting your pleas to bring in outside help, here are some tips that may assist you in the discussion.

1. Patience. Listen to your parents, give them time and don't gang up on them. If you have a lot of siblings, starting a giant argument only adds stress to the situation. Focus on the positives.

2. Language. Be positive when you speak about home care agencies, such as Graceworks at Home. Use the phrase "personal care assitant" instead of "home health aide.” Graceworks at Home provides servivces as varied as doing laundry and cooking meals to sorting through and helping a client read mail.

3. Start small. Don't go from zero to 100 overnight. Start a relationship with an agency like Graceworks at Home for small tasks. This allows mom and dad to get comfortable with outside help and helps build a bridge of trust between client and personal care assistant.  

4. Assess the situation. Call your chosen agency and have them send someone to your parent’s home for an assessment. This allows you to get acquainted with the care agency and affords the employee a better chance to see how your parent is getting along.

5. Pull the favor card. Finally, if all falls flat and your parent still resists your pleas of outside help, pull the favor card. Tell mom or dad that having outside help would set your mind at ease and that hiring help would be a favor to you. Your parent doesn’t need to admit they need the help as long as someone is there to help them when necessary.

Do you have any other tips that will help convince mom or dad they need a little help at home?

Selecting a retirement community is one of life’s most important decisions. There are many variables to consider – from location and facilities to quality of care and amenities. CARF-CCAC accreditation is one way to be sure that the community you are considering is committed to and delivers the highest quality in all dimensions of service.

CARF-CCAC stands for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) – Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC). Bethany Village is among the 16 percent of nearly 1,900 retirement communities in this country accredited by CARF-CCAC. This means that Bethany has voluntarily selected to abide by stringent national quality standards in resident quality of life, financial operations and strategic planning. These standards have been developed over more than 40 years by international teams of service providers, policy makers, payers, family members, and consumers.

Bethany’s first accreditation survey was in 1994, with subsequent surveys every five years. Our next survey will be in 2014. It’s no surprise that Bethany’s mission and our person-centered focus on wholeness, integrity and equality closely mirror CARF-CCAC’s core values – the basic right to dignity and respect, access to services to achieve optimum outcomes, and empowerment to make informed choices.

The value of CARF-CCAC accreditation goes far beyond the ability to hang a certificate on the wall. CARF-CCAC standards are considered a roadmap to quality practices. Participation in the accrediting process means an organization has a genuine commitment to continuous self-evaluation and performance improvement. Third-party payers, government agencies and the public at-large recognize this accreditation as a commitment to excellence and accountability.

So whether you are an older adult evaluating your retirement living options or a family member doing the same for a loved one, looking for the CARF-CCAC accreditation symbol (shown above) is a great first step.

This status signifies that Bethany meets the most stringent standards in the areas of facilities, finance and resident quality of life. If you have any questions, please write your comment below.

"Home care" is an umbrella term that covers different types and levels of care delivered in the home. In the United States, home care is a dynamic service industry that has been in place for well over a century. When Medicare was enacted in the mid 1960s, home care started to grow dramatically because it covered home care for the elderly. Today, home care is a multi-billion dollar business serving about 12 million people who receive care at home for acute or chronic illness, permanent disability or terminal illness.

Home care organizations include home health care agencies, home care aide organizations, hospices, and companies specializing in medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and drug infusion therapy. Some of these enterprises are Medicare certified, which means they can bill Medicare for reimbursement. Some home health care agencies are also accredited by the Joint Commission, the same body that accredits hospitals nationwide.

In most situations, home health care is prescribed by a physician. Medical care is provided by registered Nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). In some cases, a home health aide may provide personal care such as personal hygiene and meal preparation. Home health aides may also administer medication, but only under a nurse’s supervision. Other individuals providing care at home include social workers, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians, homemakers and companions and drivers (who are often volunteers).

Sometimes home care organizations merge or collaborate to provide a variety of services through an integrated system. For example, Graceworks at Home comprises two separate agencies – Health at Home and Hands at Home – that provide services independently and in partnership as needed. Home care services usually are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on the patient's needs, services may be provided by an individual or a team working on a part-time, hourly or shift basis. Care is available to residents of Bethany Village.

Here is a description of different types of home care. For more information visit the National Association for Home Care & Hospice  and My Senior Care .

The term home health agency often indicates that a home care provider is Medicare certified and thus can provide Medicare- and Medicaid-reimbursed home health services. Individuals requiring skilled home care services usually receive their care from a home health agency. Due to regulatory requirements, services provided by these agencies are highly supervised and controlled. Home health agencies can coordinate a care giving team to administer comprehensive and efficient service.

Hospice care involves a interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals and volunteers who provide comprehensive medical, psychological and spiritual care for the terminally ill and support for patients' families. Hospice care is based primarily in the home. Trained hospice professionals are available 24 hours a day. Most hospices are Medicare certified and licensed according to state requirements.

Homemaker and home care aide (HCA) agencies employ homemakers or chore workers, HCAs and companions who support individuals through meal preparation, bathing, dressing and housekeeping. Some states require these agencies to be licensed and meet established minimum standards.

Pharmaceutical and infusion therapy companies specialize in the delivery of drugs, equipment and professional services for individuals receiving intravenous or nutritional therapies through specially placed tubes. These companies employ pharmacists, who prepare solutions, and nurses, who teach self-administration in patients' homes.

Durable medical equipment and supply dealers provide home care patients with products ranging from respirators, wheelchairs and walkers to catheters and wound care supplies. These dealers employ staff who deliver and, when necessary, install these products as well as instruct patients on their proper in-home use. Durable medical equipment and supply dealers that bill Medicare must meet federal minimum standards.

 We will be posting more information on home care here. Check back to learn how to find and choose a home care provider. If you have a question, please write in the comment section below.
 

Following a hospital or rehabilitation center stay, some patients may need additional skilled medical care at home as well as assistance with activities like bathing, dressing and cooking. That’s where home care comes in. When Bethany Village resident Bill needed help to get back on his feet after three heart attacks and triple bypass surgery, he accessed the rehabilitation services at Bethany Village and the services of Graceworks at Home nurses and therapists.

If you are having elective surgery or if you have decided you or a family member needs some help with everyday activities, spend some time thinking about what’s required and search for agencies that meet your profile.

For a list of licensed agencies, contact your state departments of health, aging and social services. In addition, most state home care and hospice associations have home care directories and can help you identify an appropriate provider. Home care organizations also are listed online. You can also check with your local Area Agency on Aging or a local chapter of the United Way. Your faith community may have information as well.

Family members, friends and co-workers are likely to have been in the same situation or may know of someone who has searched for home care. Try to find out as much as you can about how they found their provider and what their experience was like. Finally, don’t overlook Internet resources such as www.MySeniorCare.com, which maintains a comprehensive directory of prescreened senior care providers.

The cost of home care varies depending on the type of provider and the services required. The patient can pay directly from his/her private funds or may use insurance.

• Medicare pays for home care and durable medical equipment when certain conditions are met.
• Medigap (private) insurance coverage is designed to handle fees Medicare does not cover and varies according to type of policy.
• Based on financial need, Medicaid will cover most skilled nursing care at home, as long as the total cost is less than living in a skilled nursing facility.
• The Veterans’ Administration provides home health care to eligible veterans with chronic health conditions.

For more information visit Graceworks at Home and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice.　

"But what am I going to do there?" If you are thinking about moving to a retirement community, this question is always on your mind. And if you are a family member or friend helping an older adult transition to retirement-community living, it’s a question you will hear time and time again. And it’s an important concern!

A varied, accessible, relevant and interesting "life-enrichment" program is not only a good indicator of quality of care, it is a key indicator of quality of life in any continuing care retirement community, just like Bethany Village. Activities, entertainment, social clubs and speakers give residents the opportunity to continue lifelong interests and explore new pursuits.

Something as simple as a sing-along, bingo or a trivia game can enhance memory, encourage socialization, help relieve depression, encourage creativity and expression and stimulate ears, vocals chords and facial muscles. Art and crafts activities provide opportunities for self-expression and creativity, improve coordination and flexibility, build confidence, provide a sense of accomplishment, relieve tensions, and improve fine motor skills.

Bethany’s 15-member Life Enrichment Team, which has more than 150 years of combined experience, provides our residents with hundreds of activities, events and educational opportunities each month. In addition, almost 300 volunteers provide more than 34,000 hours of service annually. Residents make new friends, grow physically and mentally, and preserve or improve independence. And with an array of activity calendars, several newsletters, a website and an in-house TV channel, our residents always know "what’s up."

The need to reach out and help others doesn’t disappear with retirement-community living, which is why Bethany makes a concerted effort to get residents personally involved in the community. Residents themselves initiate and lead some of our most popular activities, including a book club, veterans group, golf group, and Bible study. And members of Bethany’s championship Wii bowling team are always eager to teach others how to play.

Meeting residents’ physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and social needs as well as their need to engage with and serve others is what life enrichment is all about. So when the question "But what I am going to do there?" comes up, be sure you can answer it with an abundance of activities that contribute to personal wholeness, a sense of purpose and the quality of retirement life.

Come right over! I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight! Juliette Gordon Low via telephone to her cousin Nina Anderson Pape in 1912

Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, for the first Girl Scout meeting. Daisy believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and spiritually, and that nurturing girls’ leadership skills was critical to ensuring that young women would be the change-makers of the future. Within a few years, Daisy's dream for a girl-centered organization was realized, and in 1950, the U.S. Congress chartered the organization.

Today, Girl Scouts of the USA has a membership of more than 2.3 million, making it the largest organization for girls in the world. In the 100 years since Daisy’s historic phone call and that first meeting, Girl Scouts have provided a total of more than 70 million hours of direct service to communities each year. The Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

If you weren’t a Girl Scout yourself, you undoubtedly have known one - or more - in your lifetime. To honor those memories, on March 21, Bethany Village residents and staff celebrated the Girls Scouts 100th anniversary with a party and, of course, lots of cookies! We sang songs from old Girl Scout song books, reminisced about our time as Girl Scouts and/or Girl Scout leaders, and visited with local Scouts. The celebration reminded us that Girl Scout ideals (below) are very much like Bethany's core values. Brava to Girl Scouts of the USA for 100 years of service!

The Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout
 

There is positive news to report on the fight against Alzheimer's disease. The Obama administration will boost Alzheimer's research funding which could one day pave the way to finding a cure.

President Obama will ask for an additional $156 million increase in funding over the next two years.

The National Institutes of Health will commit another $50 million in funding this year. This is in addition to the 80 million dollars the president included in his 2013 proposed budget. 
 
Another $26 million would be allocated starting next year for caregiver support, education, and public awareness.

Alzheimer's is "a disease that takes a devastating toll on millions of Americans," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said when the funding plan was announced. "Reducing the burden of Alzheimer's disease on patients and their families is an urgent national priority."
 
Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in America. More than five million people suffer from the disease in the U.S. alone. That number is predicted to balloon to 16 million by 2050.  

Bethany Village offers a caring environment for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The area, known as Courtyard Park, opened in 2009. Residents live in households, each with a private bedroom and bathroom.  Contact Dana Lynch at 937-436-7557 to learn more. For more information on Alzheimer's disease and care giving support, please visit the Miami Valley chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.


 

(Centerville, OH) On January 19 Bethany Village, sponsored by Graceworks Lutheran Services, unveiled the designs and redevelopment construction plan for nine new Grand Cottages that will replace 12 original cottages constructed in 1972. Aptly named “Grand”, the new cottages are 50% larger than the cottages they replace and are loaded with pleasing amenities, comfort and safety features achieved through universal architectural design.
 
More than 100 invited guests attended the reception and unveiling presentation to learn more about senior housing options and trends in retirement communities from Bill Serr, President and CEO of Graceworks Lutheran Services and George Oberer, Jr., President of Oberer Companies, the project developer.

“Our commitment to the community is to meet the needs of area seniors and this means offering the very latest in housing options,” said Bill Serr.
 
“Today’s retirees want new construction, fresh approaches to daily living, bright and open floor plans and smart spaces. This is a unique opportunity to experience new construction at Bethany Village. Although we will continue to remodel and enhance other cottages and residences as opportunity allows, brand new construction may not be possible again for several years,” he stated. Construction begins in March and plans call for cottages to be completed by the end of the year.

Mr. Serr noted that even during the recent downturn in the real estate market and ongoing slow economy, Bethany Village remains “stable and vibrant, thanks in large part to listening to our customer’s needs and wants and careful planning.”
 
The unveiling event also featured reality video testimonials by five Bethany Village residents about what it means to live at Bethany. They were present to answer questions. See the video on the website www.bethanylutheranvillage.org.
 
The $1.9 million project for the nine new Grand cottages caps off new construction on Bethany Village’s 100-acre campus in the foreseeable future. Bethany’s master plan, which peaked in 2009 with the $47 million expansion program, added 60 new residences for the nationally accredited continuing care retirement community that is home for more than 750 adults over the age of 62. Bethany Village was founded in 1946. 
 

To demonstrate our support for the Miami Valley Alzheimer’s Association, Bethany Village–Graceworks Lutheran Services is once again a benefactor-level sponsor of the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 

Bethany’s involvement has grown steadily since we first participated in the walk. Last year, 29 Bethany employees and residents signed up for the event. This year’s 1.5-mile walk takes place on Sunday, September 25, at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park. Registration/check-in is at noon, with the walk kicking off at 1:30 p.m. (Click for registration details.)

The Walk to End Alzheimer's, which is held annually in the fall in nearly 600 communities nationwide, is the country’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, education and research. Since 1989, this all age, all-ability walk has mobilized millions to join the fight against Alzheimer's disease, raising more than $347 million for the cause. Money raised in each community goes to the local association chapter.

The Alzheimer's Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Today, more than half of all Americans know someone with Alzheimer’s.  Write a comment about your level of awareness of Alzheimer’s and why you want to see an end for this disease.