Winter 2009 Newsletter

Acceptance Leads to Understanding
A volunteer’s experience
Tanya Lewis, a friend of
is easy for me as a volunteer because
on what was characteristic of them
Abe’s Garden, volunteers with
I didn’t know them as they were
in the past. Coming to terms with
Alzhheimer’s and other dementia
before. Since I have no experience
this isn’t easy. It requires grieving,
patients in Sedona, AZ. She’s a
with them in their prior state, I have no
which can run the gamut from denial
freelance writer and editor, and a
expectations about how
to sadness to
regular contributor to the print and
they “should” behave,
frustration and
online editions of PRWeek and
think, or communicate.
anger. But
Medical Marketing and Media.
It’s not easy to set
on the other
As an activities volunteer at an
aside expecta-tions
side of grief is
assisted living center, my goal is to
when you have a lifetime
acceptance.
engage Alzheimer’s and dementia
worth of experiences and
And in finding
patients. It’s a fluid experience that
memories of a person prior
acceptance,
requires a lot of flexibility. Every
to the disease. Most family
you can release
interaction is a process of discovery
members I’ve seen really want to
expectations and open doors to very
– of the patients and of myself. I’ve
connect with their loved ones, but their
meaningful, rewarding and enjoyable
learned that my ability to accept
expectations can act as a barrier and
experiences with Alzheimer’s and
the patients as they are is one
frustrate both parties. Alzheimer’s and
dementia patients.
of the biggest keys to allowing a
dementia patients aren’t the same as
– Tanya Lewis
meaningful and enjoyable interaction
they were previously, and most often
to occur. Accepting them as they are
they cannot match expectations based
Abe’s Garden seeks to establish
a national model of residential
and day-care programs for
those suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease. The goal of this facility
and program is to transform the
full continuum of care for those
affected by Alzheimer’s and
other dementia related diseases
throughout the United States,
by providing an unprecedented
level of care and comprehensive
array of services for individuals
currently suffering from these
diseases in Middle Tennessee.
Equally important, it will be a
site of research and teaching,
setting a new standard for other
programs and facilities devoted
to caring for our nation’s rapidly
expanding senior population.
618 Church Street · Suite 220
Nashville, Tennessee 37219
PRESORT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #391
NASHVILLE TN
Abe’s Garden is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization, currently
accepting contributions online.
“As a physician, I have seen many patients descend into Alzheimer’s disease
and witnessed the effect it has on their families,” said Abe’s Garden volunteer Jim
Daniell. “My aunt, uncle and mother-in-law all died from complications of the
Making progress at Park Manor
disease, so it is a subject close to my heart. When my wife, Sandra, and I heard
The small--but growing--and very
about Abe’s Garden, we wanted to do something to help. So, we reached out
dedicated group of volunteers that
to some of our friends and together we started Abe’s Gardeners, a group of
make up Abe’s Gardeners have put in
volunteers doing work around Park Manor as it develops into Abe’s Garden.”
many hours beautifying the entrance
“Am I a veteran gardener? No. I’m an 80% retired physician who lives part of the year in New
to Park Manor. Old, unmanageable
Zealand. I really just work part-time to keep my mind active and to stay out of Sandra’s way. She said she
plantings were removed, reusable
ones saved, the site cleaned, and
New Wellness Center Opens at Park Manor
Residents of
screenings; and monthly wellness seminars. Other
Park Manor now
possible activities include dance and stretching
have a new, fully
classes. The convenient location of the wellness
outfitted fitness
center will encourage use by residents, which
center for exercise
will ultimately allow them to prevent injuries and
and recreation.
illness, and maintain their independent lifestyles.
Initial activities will
In anticipation of obtaining NIH funding, Dr. John
include sessions
Schnelle will utilize the wellness center to collect
with a personal trainer; physical, occupational and
preliminary data for a study similar to the one
speech therapy; blood sugar, cholesterol and weight
featured in the following article.
Park Manor Residents Participate in Vanderbilt Study
Research to aid in wellness for seniors
Volunteer Snapshot: Jim Daniell
Abe’s Gardeners Covering a Lot of Ground
WINTER 2009
Abe’s Gardeners Emily Daniel, Kim Phillips,
Briggs Evans, and Buzz Evans take a
quick break.
married me for better or worse, but not for lunch every day!” Jim continues, “But there’s plenty to do in developing
and maintaining the grounds at Park Manor, and there will be more as it becomes Abe’s Garden. Anyone who
new bushes and flowers added. As
are lots of ways to get involved. If
a fan of both Abe’s Garden and Abe’s
likes to garden, or wants to volunteer in other ways, should join Abe’s Gardeners. We have a lot of fun.”
Abe’s Garden facilities are developed,
you’d like to be an Abe’s Gardener,
Gardeners on Facebook. You’ll find
Jim goes on to say, “I see Abe’s Garden becoming the leading American center in Alzheimer’s care and
there will be a need for more
contact Beth Zeitlin at 345-9575 or
news, useful information and more.
contributing to research into the causes of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It will be a leader in what is
gardeners. In the meantime, there
bzeitlin@abesgarden.org. Also, be
Dig in!
becoming a major medical problem, and I’m just glad we can help in some way.
Researchers at the Vanderbilt Center for Quality
subject’s movement.
Aging, in conjuction with the National Institutes
According to Dr. John Schnelle, director of the
of Health, are engaging residents of Park Manor
Center for Quality Aging, “This kind of research can
independent living facility in a
give us very useful insights which
volunteer study that measures
will help in designing appropriate
how much energy is expended
programs for nutrition, exercise,
by seniors during various daily
sleep and recreational activities for
activities. Activities included in the
seniors. This is especially important
measurement are routine tasks
for people with Alzheimer’s and
such as doing laundry, sweeping,
other dementias, who may not be
bending, sitting and standing, and
able to communicate their needs
walking. In a highly-controlled
very well. Ultimately, we want to
environment, researchers are able
use the best research we can to
improve the quality of life for seniors at
to measure the amount of oxygen used and
energy spent by the participant, without the need for
Park Manor, Abe’s Garden and everywhere.”
masks or monitors which might, in themselves, limit the
WINTER 2009
Adult Day Care Introduced in Phase I Construction
Capital Campaign to Raise Needed Funds
Phase I of Abe’s Garden includes lifestyle
A training center (16) where instruction will
enhancements for independent living residents
be offered for healthcare workers seeking to
as well as entirely new spaces for people with
improve the care they are providing individuals with
Alzheimer’s and those caring for them. Construc-
Alzheimer’s disease
Abe’s Garden and Park
Manor First Floor Plan
Business
Neighborhood
ABE’S GARDEN
tion and renovation for Phase I will begin once the
capital is raised. The new and renovated facilities
Upon receipt of the requisite health facility
will feature:
Certificate of Need, the second floor of Park Manor
The Club at Abe’s Garden
Club Garden
Abe’s Garden Marketplace
will be converted to an assisted living center for
A 13,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed addition
16 residents, while the remaining five floors will
and renovation of Park Manor for living, dining,
continue to offer 86 independent living apartments.
Park Manor
Entry
Library
Neighborhood
Abe’s Garden is being designed by Manuel Zeitlin
to build The Club at Abe’s Garden. A hair salon,
Architects in collaboration with Hawkins Partners,
grocery and coffee shop will also be located in
Inc. Landscape Architects and Interior Design
this area.
Associates Inc. Upon completion of the entire
Living Area
Family Dining
Abe’s Garden
Courtyard
Crafts Center
Library
Business Center
project, the campus will also include residential and
A new building entrance will be constructed
respite care for 42 Alzheimer’s patients and a new
to serve Park Manor residents, providing privacy
60 unit senior independent living apartment building
and separate entrances for independent living
with a health spa, indoor pool, covered parking, and
residents and individuals visiting or utilizing Abe’s
fine dining facilities (3-13).
Garden’s memory care services.
Respite Care | Acute Nursing
Abe’s Clinic
Administrative Office Suite
Abe’s Garden Entry
Music
Neighborhood
The Club at Abe’s Garden (1) will be a best-
Conference
Abe’s Insititute | Training Center
PARK MANOR
Park Manor Marketplace
practices adult day care program serving 24
Park Manor Dining | Living | Commons
participants with Alzheimer’s disease, while
lso providing respite for family and other
home-centered caregivers.
Kitchen
Dining
and social areas (17, 18). The relocation of these
amenities will provide optimally located space
Music | Movement | Commons
MANUEL ZEITLIN ARCHITECTS | BARGE CAUTHEN & ASSOCIATES | HAWKINS PARTNERS, INC. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS