Fun Summer Opportunity for Young Adults

Bartlesville, Okla., May 21/Elder Care/ –Elder Care would like to say "Congratulations" to all of the seniors graduating this year in our area!

If you know of a child or teen with a special talent or interest, we would love to have them visit our DayBreak participants this summer. We offer a small relaxed setting and it provides a great opportunity for young people to become more comfortable expressing their talent with others. Plus they get the wonderful experience of being around older adults.

Here is a list of possibilities: Crafts, scrap booking, sharing special collections, scouting groups, young musicians, animal trainers, dancers/gymnasts, drama/skits, sewing, reading aloud, teaching Wii games, playing indoor sport games, card games/board games, comedy, the gift of gab or other talents.

If you know a child, grandchild, friend or neighbor ready to share their talents with us at DayBreak, call Leah or Martha at 918-339-8500 about adding them to our calendar of activities.

Estate Planning Seminar

Bartlesville, Okla., May 17/Elder Care/ – Elder Care is partnering with The Salvation Army to provide a free informational seminar on Estate Planning as part of their Senior Strategies Sessions held at Elder Care in the Williford Room on May 20 at 2 p.m.

The seminar discusses leaving your “legacy” to family and loved ones; distribution of your financial assets; leaving a written record of your desires concerning the resolution of your affairs and much more.

Health screenings and refreshments will able be available during this seminar. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please contact Elder Care at 918-336-8500 to reserve your seat in this open forum seminar.

Library Art Exhibit

Bartlesville, Okla., April 21/Elder Care/ –The Daybreak Artist Outpost is hosting an art exhibit at the Bartlesville Public Library from May 3-27 located at 600 S Johnstone.  The exhibit will be located in the foyer in the free standing cases. This fantastic opportunity to see pieces from DayBreak's talented artists is available for viewing during normal Library operating hours.

"Name That Cow" Contest

Bartlesville, Okla., April 13/Elder Care/ – Become a Fan of Elder Care on Facebook and have an opportunity to win 2 tickets to The Good, The Bad and The Barbeque on Saturday, May 8 from 6-10 pm at the historic Mullendore Cross Bell Ranch. Submit your suggestion for a name for our new promotional cow (located at the intersection of Hwy 75 and Hwy 60 in Bartlesville) via comment, message or photo comment. Submissions must be made by Friday, April 23. If you are picked as the winner, you will be notified through Facebook that you have won the tickets. Happy naming! CONTEST OVER

Elder Care partnres with OKMOZART Festival

Bartlesville, Okla., March 31/Elder Care/ – For the first time ever, Elder Care has partnered with OKMozart to offer three exciting opportunities during their festival. All events are inclusive with arrangements and transportation provided by Elder Care. The van leaves from the Elder Care parking lot at 1223 Swan Dr. at time listed on flier. With this partnership with OKMozart, prices are discounted exclusively for these group activities. Sign up at the front desk or call us at 918-336-8500.

Golden Hour Rescheduled

Bartlesville, Okla., January 27/Elder Care/ – The Golden Hour that was originally scheduled for January 28 at Elder Care is being postponed to February 4 at 5:30 p.m. due to the forecasted inclement weather. Local singer Ron Lawson will perform classic songs from George Strait, Frank Sinatra, Ray Price and many more. Golden Hour features complimentary beverages, hors d’oeuvres and giveaways. This event is open to anyone aged 60 and over and no RSVP is required. The event is sponsored by Heritage Villa Nursing Center and Bartlesville Care Center.

Save the Date

Bartlesville, Okla., January 8/Elder Care/ – Brand your calendars for the 2010 The Good, The Bad and The Barbeque annual fundraiser held at Mullendore Ranch on Saturday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m. Featured entertainment by the "Oklahoma Balladeer" Les Gilliam and his Silver Lake Band. Dink's BBQ will be catering.

DayBreak Artist Outpost 

Bartlesville, Okla., October 23/Elder Care/ – Elder Care’s Adult Day Health Program is pleased to announce it has named their art shop. DayBreak Artist Outpost will host an art and craft sale to help raise funds for the art therapy program. Its opening night will be December 3 at the DayBreak Christmas Party and will remain open through December 23. Those interested in browsing through the shop or purchasing items may find them inside the main entrance to Elder Care located at 1223 Swan Drive during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

November is bringing a few changes to the art program in DayBreak’s Sunset Court.

“We will be going on a journey with our creativity,” Valerie Jones, DayBreak Art Coordinator, said.  “We are beginning a program called ‘The Artist’s Way’ that will aid us in recovering our creative abilities.  As we go on this journey, we hope to learn some fundamental drawing skills along the way.”

Memory Lane, in DayBreak, began a program in October called “I’m Still Here”.  This program, according to Jones, lets participants choose subjects to draw or paint that are personally relevant. 

“We have had some outstanding work already come out of the art room this month!” she said.

DayBreak offers compassion, hope and peace of mind to families caring for loved ones. It provides social interaction and therapeutic activities for adults of various levels of physical and cognitive ability who need supervised care in a safe, supportive environment during the week. Elder Care’s goal is to help families find a peaceful balance between caring for a loved one with home, family and work responsibilities. For more information about this program or any of our other wonderful services, please call 918-336-8500.

Elder Care’s DayBreak Announces New Art Coordinator

Bartlesville, Okla., October 15/Elder Care/ – Elder Care is pleased to announce that Valerie Jones has been named DayBreak Art Coordinator for Elder Care. She joined Elder Care in August 2009.  She began her journey of art as a young teenager and over the years, has learned the process of drawing and painting from many talented individuals.

“I am so blessed to have Valerie as part of our DayBreak team,” Andrea Harvick, Adult Day Health Director, said. “She is expanding our fine arts therapy program to enhance all levels of creative abilities.  She brings excitement and enthusiasm to our program.”

Valerie enjoys painting and drawing with colored pencils. She is continually amazed how people interpret and communicate art differently, as an example, she is fascinated when a group of people are asked to draw the same picture and every picture is unique.  Through this she says, she has learned how uniquely God created each of us. 

Valerie was born and raised in Ulysses, Kansas with very few trees, gusty winds and little rain. Valerie currently lives in Bartlesville where she enjoys “green country”, the wind doesn't blow too often (comparatively), and that it rains frequently. Valerie is married and has two adopted children. 

Honoring Roger Box

Elder Care recently honored former Board President, Roger Box for his extraordinary contributions to Elder Care over the years. He is a hands-on activist and supporter of Elder Care and served as the Board President from 2005 to 2009. Elder Care pres...ented Mr. Box with art work of the East DayBreak gardens created by Ampersand Graphics.

Local Physical Therapist Receives National Certification

Bartlesville, Okla., July 17/Elder Care/ – Elder Care is pleased to announce that Mary Grove, Director of Physical Therapy, is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy.

“Mary is dedicated to her craft and the people she and her team inspire each day. Achieving this level of professional certification further demonstrates her dedication and commitment to helping others,” says John Swanson, President of Elder Care’s Board of Directors.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (the certifying organization) there are only 927 Certified Clinical Specialists in Geriatric Physical Therapy in the nation and a handful in the state of Oklahoma, including Mrs. Grove.

“Having one of a few specialists in the state speaks volumes to the caliber of people that work for Elder Care,” says Roger Box, Former President of Elder Care’s Board of Directors.

Qualifications to sit for the exam include a current license to practice physical therapy in the United States and 2,000 hours of clinical practice specifically in geriatrics with at least 25% of those hours having been accrued during the last 3 years. The exam includes 200 questions designed to test synthesis and analysis levels of cognitive skills and well as general knowledge.

The exam takes a couple of hours to complete, but hundreds of hours in preparation. Grove spent more than a year preparing for the exam.

“We are very proud of Mary and her accomplishments,” says Mike Fogle, Executive Director of Elder Care. “This certification reinforces her commitment to helping seniors live stronger and healthier.”