Laurel Lake expands wellness programs for low income seniors to 3rd location

Thursday, October 1, 2009

200 Laurel Lake Drive / Hudson, Ohio 44236 / (330) 650-2100 / www.laurellake.org

Laurel Lake expands wellness program
to third Summit County location

October 2, 2009 -- Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, Ohio has expanded its Personal Health Partners (PHP) program to a third location in Summit County.

As participants in the program, residents of Twinsburg Senior Apartments, 9209 Darrow Road in Twinsburg now have free access to basic on-site wellness services, preventive care and lifestyle education provided by a registered nurse.

Twinsburg Senior Apartments is a 100-unit independent living facility for low income individuals age 62 and older and for younger people with disabilities. It is managed by the K & D Group, Inc. and funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Already, more than half of the residents are active in the new PHP wellness programs.

Two Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) campuses – the Stephanie Keys Towers in Stow, and Sutliff I Apartments in Cuyahoga Falls – have benefited from the program for a number of years. To date, PHP is serving more than 400 seniors and disabled individuals, with a participation rate of 74% at these campuses. Average age of participants is 66.

Support for the program comes from Laurel Lake Retirement Community and the Catholic Healthcare Partners ElderReach Fund, along with major grants from AMHA for services provided at its two campuses.

AN OVERVIEW OF PHP

Personal Health Partners was established in 2000 when Laurel Lake first actively surveyed the problems low-income housing residents have in effectively managing their health care due to lack of finances, access to transportation, awareness of resources and other challenges. The result was frequent hospital emergency room visits and crisis hospitalizations, rather than preventive care and proper management of chronic conditions. Free access to on-site nurses and wellness programs is enabling these individuals to better manage their health, implement behavioral changes, and lead happier, more independent lives.

PHP has grown exponentially from its modest beginnings as a simple wellness program – one nurse providing blood pressure checks, on-site nutrition/fitness programs and healthcare advocacy. Today, two RNs work with a host of government agencies, schools, local businesses and community volunteers to provide an astonishing array of programs and services, including:

Comprehensive health assessment, monitoring, instruction, support, referral and follow-up by a registered nurse, in the home and through on-site Wellness Clinics.
Free exercise classes including Arthritis Foundation classes, yoga and walking groups, along with bus transportation to Laurel Lake Retirement Community for aquatic exercise classes in the swimming pool.
Healthy lifestyle classes to support personal health goals, such as medication management, weight management, and breast health.
Screening programs including diabetes risk, colon cancer risk, hypertension and hearing.
Annual flu shot clinics coordinated with Summit County Health Department.
Podiatry services provided by a local podiatrist.
Monthly newsletters with healthy living themes and lifestyle tips.
Assistance in preparing for medical visits and patient advocacy.
Establishment of on-site Food Pantries and holiday food distributions, with food drives conducted by the Hudson High School Service Learning Program and local Stow and Hudson families.
Community Garden projects, with fresh produce given away to 95% of residents and plans to expand garden plots in 2009.
Group purchasing and delivery of low-cost, restaurant-quality food through Angel Food Ministries and Good Food for All, orchestrated with several local churches.
Fresh produce delivered weekly in season by Sunnydell Farm for sale on-siteto residents, and Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program Coupons for discounts at specified farmer’s markets.
Teaming with Mobile Meals to monitor status and needs of shut-ins.
Guided imagery and relaxation classes to help residents develop skills to manage stress and improve their own sense of happiness.
Voter registration drives to encourage participation in the democratic process.
Field trips including boat rides on the Cuyahoga River, free tickets to Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet performances, trips to F.A. Seiberling Naturerealm.
On-site social activities organized by Laurel Lake resident and staff volunteers including ice cream socials, barbecues, holiday parties, and musical performances.
"Legacy Project" memoir writing project for residents, facilitated by Hudson High School Service Learning program student volunteers.
Bi-weekly visits from the Stow-Munroe Falls Library to offer book selections.
Installation of small putt-putt golf course at Sutliff.
Transportation to see free plays and musicals at Stow-Munroe Falls High School.
Spring clean-ups with students weeding, preparing garden plots, picking up trash, washing windows and flipping mattresses for residents.
Summit County Medical Reserve Corps disaster training for both PHP nurses.
"Respecting Choices" seminars on DPOA, Living Wills, hospice facilitated by Senior Independence.
Donation of furnishings and equipment for more comfortable community living.

Over the years, Laurel Lake Retirement Community has established a reputation for excellence in Northeastern Ohio as a premier retirement community and one with a strong focus on mission and service to older adults. Laurel Lake’s core values of compassion, excellence, human dignity, justice, sacredness of life, and service guide its leadership and contribute to the unique and caring spirit of the community.

Laurel Lake is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community offering multiple home styles within a scenic 150-acre campus in Hudson. Laurel Lake is a member of Catholic Healthcare Partners (www.health-partners.org). To learn more, call 330-650-2100 or visit www.laurellake.org .