A Publication of Wexner Heritage Village

July 2015

Village eNews

In this issue...

Primary Care Practice Earns Award

Resident Councils in Senior Housing

The Big Give Update

Keeping Seniors Cool in Summer

Memory Care Assisted Living

The Cottage's New Addition Nearly Ready for Occupants

With the opening of an eight-room expansion of The Cottage just around the corner, only a handful of suites remain available at Wexner Heritage Village's memory care residence.

"The response has been tremendous," WHV's Executive Director of Independent and Assisted Living Jean Kramer said. "We knew there was a pent up demand for this type and quality of care in our community. There are families who have been on our waiting list for months who are now jumping at the opportunity to have their loved one live with us."

The Cottage originally opened in 2011 with 10 private suites for older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. When completed, the renovation of some adjacent, unused space will bring The Cottage up to a total of 18 suites.

The work is scheduled to be finished and the rooms ready for occupancy by late summer. Late last month, crews were already laying tile, painting and completing other tasks in preparation for flooring and fixtures to be installed.

Kramer said she encourages those who are interested in leasing one of the remaining suites for a loved one to contact the leasing office to complete and application and schedule a "hard hat" tour right away.

Click here to view photos of our construction in progress.

Around the WHV Campus

Patient Care and Resident Involvement In the

Spotlight

OhioHealth Primary Care at WHV Recognized for Quality

OhioHealth Primary Care Physicians at Wexner Heritage Village has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for providing excellent care to patients with cardiovascular disease, who have had a stroke or who are living with diabetes.

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. It accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. The recognition program is designed to assess whether clinicians and practices deliver high-quality care and recognize those who do.

WHV Donors Responded Generously to The Big Give

Wexner Heritage Village was able to claim more than $3,700 in "bonus pool" funds through The Columbus Foundation's The Big Give, a community-wide, online giving rally held in May.

Each participating organization's share of the approximately $1.4 million bonus pool represented an additional 10 percent of the donations it received through The Columbus Foundation website between 10 am on May 12 and 10 am on May 13. Wexner Heritage Village received more than $36,000 in donations, a significant increase from past years.

Senior Housing

Resident Councils

Help Make These Houses Into Homes

Heritage Tower's Resident Council

For the approximately 150 residents of Wexner Heritage Village's independent senior housing, Heritage Tower and Bexley Heritage Apartments are more than just a place to live.

For many, the HUD subsidized residences represent their community. And they rely on the members of their Resident Councils to bring that community feel to each of the buildings.

Heritage Tower Service Coordinator Amanda Rossbach said the councils serve much the same way a condominium board would.

Bexley Heritage Apartments' Resident Council

"Whenever possible, we make sure they have a role in the decision making process," Heritage Tower Service Coordinator Amanda Rossbach said. "Having a resident council that individuals can go to for help resolving an issue or to make a suggestion on how things can be done better really gives our residents a sense of ownership of their home."

Events

Mark Your Calendar... Don't Miss

These Upcoming Events

Zusman Hospice Programs for Third Quarter Now Available

Click to View

Each year, the social work team at Wexner Heritage Village's Zusman Hospice provides dozens of hours of no-cost grief and bereavement counseling and programs to the Central Ohio community.

"Part of our mission is to make high-quality support programs available to any member of the community who needs them," said Dana Zager, Director of Social Work and Bereavement Services at Zusman Hospice. "Whether it's after a tragedy that affects large groups of people or an individual struggling with the death of a loved one, we try to provide a meaningful experience that helps people cope."

Understanding the Grief Journey

Tuesday, July 14

6:30 to 8 pm

Wexner Heritage Village

1151 College Ave., Columbus

FREE

The loss of a loved one (partner, parent, child or other relative or friend) can be filled with questions, emotions and the challenges of finding a new "normal." While the journey is different for each person, there are common themes and questions that bring us together.

Come to this professionally run group to find support and connect with others on their own journeys.

To register for this event, call Zusman Hospice at 614-559-0350, email zh@whv.org or register online.

Also this month...

Bagel Bunch: Expressing Emotions, Stages of Loss and Taking Care of Yourself | July 1, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Creekside at the Village | 614-559-0350 or zh@whv.org to register.
Medicare Counseling | July 1, 10 am to noon | by appointment at 614-559-5502 or mmayer@whv.org.
The Giving Tree | July 6, 1 to 2 pm | 614-559-0350 or zh@whv.org to register.
Medicare Counseling | July 9, 2:30 to 4 pm | by appointment at 614-559-5502 or mmayer@whv.org.
Medicare Counseling | July 20, 10 am to noon | by appointment at 614-559-5502 or mmayer@whv.org.
Creating Forever Boxes | July 30, 6:30 am to 8:00 pm | 614-559-0350 or zh@whv.org to register.

Click here to view a detailed listing of all the programs offered at Wexner Heritage Village.

Health & Wellness

Staying Healthy When the

Weather Heats Up

Area Organizations Team Up to Help Seniors Beat the Heat

Thousands of older adults either living without air conditioning or who can't afford to run their air conditioning die every year in the United States from heat-related illnesses.

But a trio of Central Ohio organizations is teaming up to help older adults stay cool and healthy during the often steamy summer months.

Older adults are less able to adapt to high temperatures and may have medical conditions worsened by extreme heat, including diseases of the heart, lungs and kidneys; high blood pressure; diabetes; and other conditions that cause poor circulation. Also, a number of medications commonly prescribed to seniors, including antidepressants and blood pressure medications, can affect the body's ability to cool down.

Avoid Dehydration to Prevent Heat Exhaustion or Stroke

Hot summer months mean lots of outdoor activities, lots of time in the sun, and lots and lots of sweating - perfect ingredients for a dangerous case of dehydration, which can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

The best way to stop dehydration? Take preemptive steps to prevent it. Drink lots of water, and stay hydrated. On an average day, for an average person, the recommended fluid amount is three quarts of water - if you're out in the sun or the heat, increase this amount.

Aside from keeping yourself hydrated, the next best thing to do is learn the symptoms and warning signs, so that at the first recognition, you can take action to prevent the situation from worsening.

Donate Online Now

Wexner Heritage Village

1151 College Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43209

whv.org � 614.231.4900