Around 61 million people (nearly one in four) people in the United States are living with some sort of disability. People with disabilities are often excluded from social relationships, community participation, leisure activities, and employment. Paraquad is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower people with disabilities to increase their independence through choice and opportunity. Founded…
Read More10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia is projected to reach 12.7 million
Read MoreIsolation and the Need for Change
Update 7/17/22: The Essential Caregivers Program will be law as of 8/28/22! It is no secret that nursing homes became a place of intense isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. When everyone felt alone and isolated, long-term care residents were left in understaffed facilities where even their basic needs were not being met. Many stories arose…
Read MoreEnd-of-Life Care with Death Doulas
As the death positive and death empowerment movements continue to evolve and grow, we see an ever-increasing need to help bridge the critical gap at the end-of-life stage. Dying is a process we will all face at some point in our life’s journey. Doulas are advocates and allies who provide continuous, compassionate, non-judgmental care and…
Read MoreNew Friendly VOYCE Program
Loneliness and isolation affect the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults. Studies have shown that loneliness is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, heart disease, difficulty sleeping, impaired cognition, and high blood pressure. Without social networks and a connection to the community, the elderly risk their health, and isolation in long-term care has…
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Leaving a Nursing Home BEFORE You Move In
Involuntary nursing home discharges and transfers are a legitimate problem in the United States. According to the States’ Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (LTCOP), one of their top 5 complaints is inadequate discharge planning or improper evictions from nursing home facilities. In fact, annually there are approximately 14,000 complaints of this sort that the LTCOP attempts…
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