Heather Greenwood, MS

Hawaii’s older adults are unique to their US mainland counterparts.  They live longer, are less likely to utilize institutional care, and are growing at a rate faster than the national average.  These characteristics create interesting challenges for family members who are juggling work, family, and caregiving.  In 2009, Heather Greenwood, a 2007 graduate of the Department of Gerontology and a faculty member of University of Hawai'i-Manoa, partnered with the Maui County Office on Aging to bring Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) to Hawaii.

To date, 16 class leaders have been trained and certified.  Class offerings have increased from just one series in 2009 to ten series planned in 2012.  Participation has increased from just two caregivers in the first series to an average of 10 per series in 2011.  The rise in interest and participation has resulted primarily from word of mouth and an increasing number of caregivers throughout the islands.  The program is funded and coordinated jointly by the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension (Maui) and the Maui County Office on Aging.

Aly Cooper, Gerontological Social Worker, MSW, CiAS

Taiwan Anyone?

While I've always had a love for traveling, I certainly would have never thought I would live in an exotic locale. Fast forward to present day and I find myself in Taiwan, a couple months shy of hitting my one year milestone. I am falling in love with the country, the people and the culture… it's as if I'm home. Not one to shy away from adventure, I made the conscious decision upon moving here to immerse myself in my new environment. What does that mean exactly? It means public transportation, a bicycle (*gasp!), homemade dumplings, hot springs, Tai Chi and my first experience at trying the whole room mom gig. Once my son started school, I knew that volunteering was a must. After researching local agencies, I found a great fit with The Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH); an organization committed in working with women, children and youth who have experienced sexual assault/exploitation and domestic violence. I had the privilege of assisting GOH with their  annual conference, held at the beginning of November. The conference, titled Breaking and Rebuilding 2011 - Asia Conference on Women's Shelters focused on empowerment, with speakers traveling from a number of different countries. It was humbling to be surrounded by such talent, intelligence and strength. So what has living here taught me?  To SLOW down, appreciate what I've been given and not take one bit of it for granted.

The Garden of Hope Foundation- http://www.goh.org.tw/english/

My blog-http://cooperbliss.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to Megan Stucke and Ryan Duffy on their recent accomplishments!

Megan is now employed with Jewish Family Services- Richmond as the Public Guardianship Coordinator. In this position, she is responsible for the overall care and advocacy for twenty public guardianship individuals. She collaborates with community resources and supports to ensure safety and quality of life for those individuals. Interfacing with the Virginia Department of Aging, local courts and attorneys, as well as social services in our service area are also within her job description. The localities JFS serves as public guardian for are the cities of Hopewell and Petersburg, as well as the counties of Goochland, Hanover, and Powhatan. JFS serves indigent adults who have been deemed incapacitated and then appointed JFS-as-guardian by the court system to ensure optimal aging while residing in the community or within a long term care facility. 

Ryan Duffy has opened Alternative Fitness and Wellness specializing in working with older adults in Chi Kung, often known in the form of Tai Chi, is a powerful kind of exercise for older adults because it can strengthen bones, build mass of important muscles, strengthen joints and help get rid of joint pain.  Similar to yoga, it is low-impact and involves a focus on posture, stretching, and breathing.  Chi Kung is different in that it focuses on stability and balance while moving.  Research has shown that it is related to decreases in anxiety, fall anxiety, falls, and depression.  Chi Kung can help older adults stay independent because it can help them be more functional and able.  For more information on Ryan's services, please email him at [email protected]

Congratulations to Megan and Ryan on their new endeavours!

Congratulations to Bonnie Nemeth, Lisa Riehl Zimmerman, and Katie Young on their recent accomplishments! 

Bonnie is employed with Senior Connections and is working toward her certificate as a Long Term Care Ombudsman.  The mission of the Ombudsman Program is to act as an advocate for persons receiving long-term care, whether the care is provided by a nursing home, assisted living facility, home health care agency, or adult day care.

Lisa  was recently appointed as Alzheimer's Case Manager at Suncoast Center, Inc. in St. Petersburg, Florida.  This mission of Suncoast Center is "strengthening, protecting and restoring lives for a healthy community."

Katie attended the Generations United conference in Washington, DC in July.  Her "Time Out" Respite Program received GU's Program of Distinction Award.

Our best wishes to Bonnie, Lisa, and Katie on their new initiatives and awards. Please, alumni, let us know about your special events, promotions, and accomplishments in aging services!