News About Kindred People and Places
Here are some current happenings at Kindred facilities across the country.
Village Crossings Hosts International Wheelchair Athletes
Cape Elizabeth, ME - For the second year in a row, Village Crossings at
Cape Elizabeth, an assisted living community, provided accommodations
and a welcoming reception for the entire field of wheelchair racers participating
in the 10k Beach to Beacon Road Race along a challenging coastal course.
This year a record field of 5,500 racers registered, including world-class
elite runners from Kenya, Ethiopia and Russia.
Race Chairperson and Olympic Champion Joan Benoit Samuelson welcomed the
wheelchair racers at Village Crossings where an outside reception was
held for residents and handicapped athletes from all over Maine.
Village Crossings’ Culinary Department prepared a pre-race dinner
and breakfast for the athletes. Handicapped-accessible respite rooms were
also provided.
The course record was set this year by Patrick Doak, who commented, "All
of us in the Wheelchair Division were truly overwhelmed by everyone’s
support and enthusiasm... the accommodations were absolutely first rate."
On race morning, Village Crossings residents were on the course early
to cheer Patrick and others on to the finish line.
Idaho Healthcare CNA of the Year Winner
Canyon West Health and Rehabilitation Center
Caldwell, ID - In July, Evon De La Fuente received one of the Idaho
Healthcare Association's CNA of the Year awards. She has been a CNA for
30 years and has worked at Canyon West for eight years.
Evon increases the quality of life for our residents by her caring attitude.
She always believes in treating everyone with respect and doing her job
the best way possible. Evon often comes in (often on short notice) to
work extra shifts, or to do emergency van transports.
She improves morale of our employees in many ways. She always has a smile
on her face. Even during her recent battle with breast cancer, she maintained
a positive outlook. Her energetic attitude is contagious to everyone she
works with. If you are having a rough day, visit Evon and your day will
definitely take a turn for the better.
She's also like a mother to many fellow employees. She often advises them
on personal and professional matters. On her days off, because she lives
just a block from Canyon West, her home is often a place for those on
their morning breaks or lunches to congregate. She turns no one away and
often fixes meals for those who are hungry.
Evon enhances the public image of our facility by her pride in her work,
and her fellow employees. She is always willing to participate in community
events and is proud to share her love of Canyon West with those around
her.
Recently, when one of our residents passed away, her sister whose husband
is terminally ill was unsure if she would be able to attend the funeral.
Evon stepped in and took care of the terminally ill husband so the sister
could attend.
Thanks, Evon. We don't know what we'd do without you!
Jessica Walczak, OT
Jose Martinez, CNA
and the Staff of Kachina Point
Sedona, AZ - The staff at Kachina Point Health Care and Rehabilitation
Center were very fortunate to be able to attend the Annual Arizona Health
Care Association Convention. We submitted a photo taken by OT Jessica
Walczak, OT of our resident Ova Young "weight lifting" during
Rehab Olympics. Jessica received a third place award for her photograph.
CNA Jose Martinez was recognized as one of two CNAs of the Year in the
Association. Jose has been with Kachina Point for five years and was recognized
by the facility as Employee of the Year for 2005. Jose consistently goes
above and beyond in everything he does. His nomination noted that he is
also a true gentleman. In addition to this recognition he will receive
an all-expenses paid trip to the Annual National Association of Health
Care Aids in Joplin, Missouri. Jose is pictured above receiving his award.
Congratulations to Jessica, Jose, and all the caregivers at Kachina Point
who do their jobs so well.
Neuro-Rehab Unit at Stoughton Gives Hope to Brain-Injured
Stoughton, MA - Brain injuries occur every 22 seconds in the United
States and kill more Americans under the age of 34 than all other causes
combined. That translates to over 750,000 brain injuries in the U.S. each
year that require hospitalization. The average length of stay is two to
five years.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are caused by an external physical force
(common in automotive accidents) or by internal damage, such as lack of
oxygen or tumors.
Neurorehabilitation units (NRUs), like the one at Kindred Hospital Northeast
- Stoughton (MA), provide specialized therapeutic services to enhance
behavioral and cognitive independence for patients and to facilitate their
return to the community. At Stoughton, the Neurorehabilitation Program
consists of two secure units, one containing 20 beds and the other 21
beds.
This sub-population of TBI patients require secure units because their
behavior, which can include violent outbursts and sexually inappropriate
behavior, poses potential danger to self and others. The goal of neurorehabilitation
units is to help these patients develop the behavioral control and independent
living skills they need to live in a less restrictive, community-based
setting.
Stoughton's program has been successful due to the way specialized care
addresses the very special needs of the TBI sub-population through an
interdisciplinary team model that combines psychopharmacology, behavioral
management, cognitive retraining, and adaptive life skills training. But
the success is also a result of the dedication of Program Director Joseph
Stets and others in the department like him, who have been part of the
program since it opened in 1989.
Stets is a Behavioral Specialist whose background includes a Masters Degree
in Psychology with concentration in Behavior Management and Behavioral
Psychology. He's quick to point out that he is just one of several long-term
dedicated professionals who contribute to the success of this program.
In the Stoughton unit, 82% of the patients suffer from TBI. Some enter
the program as much as 12 years after their injuries -- uncontrollable
aggression is most often the reason. Treatment includes individual sessions,
group sessions, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, community-based therapies,
specialized consultants, interdisciplinary treatment planning and reviews,
and family conferences and education.
Indications of mild TBI include headache, mental confusion, dizziness,
mood changes, ringing in ears. Moderate or severe TBI can cause loss of
consciousness, personality changes, repeated vomiting or nausea, weakness
or numbness in extremities, seizures and the inability to awaken.
There have been many success stories in Stoughton's 16-year history. Of
course, not all patients respond positively, but without the Neurorehabilitation
Program at Stoughton and others like it around the country, many more
of these patients would remain institutionalized for the remainders of
their lives.
