Shorter Enrollment Dates for Medicare

Bartlesville, Okla., Oct 26, 2011/Elder Care/ – An official message from Medicare and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: If you or someone you care about has Medicare, make sure you mark your calendars. Medicare Open Enrollment is earlier this year. It starts on October 15th and ends on December 7th. Use this opportunity to review your Medicare choices and make sure you have the plan that is right for you. Medicare has resources to help. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit medicare.gov to find out more. And remember – it’s earlier this year. Open Enrollment ends on December 7th.

Flu Shot Clinic & Free Balance Screenings

Bartlesville, Okla., Oct 4, 2011/Elder Care/ – Every Tuesday in October, Elder Care will offer its Flu Shot Clinic from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. This year, Elder Care is offering the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine in addition to the regular flu vaccine. The Fluzone High-Dose is for adults 65 and older and offers four times the amount of antigen - helping the body to make more anitbody and creating a stronger immune response.  Elder Care Physical Therapy is offering its Stay on Your Feet Balance Screenings on the same dates and times of the Flu Shot Clinic, every Tuesday in October 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm with no appointment needed.

DayBreak Artist Outpost Update

Bartlesville, Okla., Aug 29, 2011/Elder Care/ – Elder Care’s DayBreak artists will be featured at the 2011 Washington County Free Fair September 8-10 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Their artwork will be entered into the fair for judging and the DayBreak artists will have a booth at the fair featuring ceramics, acrylic paintings, woodcrafts, jewelry and needlework for attendees to view.  

At the DayBreak booth, the artists will be selling chances for a drawing for a handmade quilt. All proceeds from the quilt drawing go directly back to the DayBreak art program. The chances are $1 each and are also available at Elder Care through September 12.

The drawing for the handmade quilt will be held at 11:00 a.m. on September 12 at Elder Care. The winner need not be present to win but is invited to attend the Open House at 10:00 a.m. and the DayBreak Artist Outpost Fall sale from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. all held on September 12 at Elder Care. The Open House is for everyone and guests will enjoy coffee and muffins while touring the facility and learning about Elder Care’s programs. The Artist Outpost will have for sale many of the artwork pieces featured at the Washington County Fair.

Free Hearing Clinic

Bartlesville, Okla., May 26, 2011/Elder Care/ – Elder Care has partnered with Advanced Hearing Care to provide free hearing screenings performed by a hearing instrument specialist on June 16.  Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Elder Care is located at 1223 Swan Drive.  Anyone 60 years of age or older who would like to set up an appointment for a free screening should contact Elder Care at 918-336-8500.

Elder Care Needs Ties

Bartlesville, Okla., May 20, 2011/Elder Care/ – Do you have an old tie in the back of your closet? Do you have a tie you will never wear again? If so, Elder Care would love to take it off your hands. We are collecting unused ties of any pattern or color. So please drop one or a few off today! Elder Care is located at 1223 Swan Dr.

Friend on Facebook?

Bartlesville, Okla., May 3, 2011/Elder Care/ – Spread the word! Being a friend of Elder Care has its perks! Go to Elder Care's Facebook page to win tickets to the upcoming fundraiser The Good, The Bad, The Barbeque on Sat, May 7 at the Mullendore Cross Bell Ranch.  Winner announced on air this Thursday! www.facebook.com/WashCoElderCare!

BBQ Tickets Onsale Now !

Bartlesville, Okla., April 4, 2011/Elder Care/ – The Good, The Bad and The Barbeque tickets for Sat, May 7 are now on sale. You may purchase your ticket over the phone or in person. Ticket prices are $65 for an individual or $700 for a reserved table of 8.

Save the Date!

Bartlesville, Okla., March 15, 2011/Elder Care/ –Elder Care is honored to host the 13th annual The Good, The Bad and The Barbeque on Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 6-10PM.  This is an outstanding event hosted by the Mullendore family at their legendary Cross Bell Ranch. Proceeds from this wonderful evening directly support the many programs that Elder Care provides to seniors and caregivers in Washington, Nowata and Osage counties.

Reservations for tables of 8 for $700 are currently being taken for The Good, the Bad and the Barbeque. Individual tickets are $65 per person and will be on sale in April. Check back for updates! The “Oklahoma Balladeer” Les Gilliam and his Silver Lake Band will be back by popular demand as the featured entertainment for this year’s event. Read more here.

Spring Quarter Kick Off

Bartlesville, Okla., March 14, 2011/Elder Care/ –Elder Care is hosting its monthly Golden Hour meeting on Thursday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. at 1223 Swan Dr. for those interested in learning more about Golden Opportunities. Jazz duo Scott McQuade and Mike Cameron are this month’s featured entertainers performing compositions from their jazz- and Latin-standard repertoire.

This is GO's Spring Quarter Kick Off for new classes, trips and more for April, May and June. Come early as the DayBreak Artist Outpost will be hosting an Art Sale in Bill's Books & Brew starting at 5 pm. The sale features fine art, painted ceramics and jewelry to raise funds for the art program at DayBreak.

Free Hearing Screenings

Bartlesville, Okla., January 15, 2011/Elder Care/ –Just announced! Elder Care has partnered with Advanced Hearing Care to provide free hearing screenings on February 25.  The professional screenings will be performed by a hearing instrument specialist, who will answer questions and carefully explain the screen results with participants. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Elder Care located at 1223 Swan Drive.  Anyone 60 years of age or older who would like to set up an appointment for a free screening should contact Elder Care at 918-336-8500. 

Sponsorship Opportunity

Bartlesville, Okla., January 13, 2011/Elder Care/ –Elder Care would love for you or your organization to become involved with Golden Opportunities by becoming a sponsor. Your sponsorship will allow us to maintain our complimentary social events for our participants, as well as to offer our classes and trips at an affordable cost. GO participants will recognize your business as a sponsor of the program that they love and will appreciate the value they gain from these activities. Read more here.

Support Elder Care's Sustaining Campaign

Bartlesville, Okla., November 29, 2010/Elder Care/ –Elder Care’s work is critically important, particularly for mature adults whose lives are affected by poverty, chronic illness and isolation.  Whether or not you've ever experienced these challenges in your life, you're sure to understand how Elder Care enriches the lives of so many people in our region. The services we provide are made possible by the generous support of the entire community.  Without the assistance of community minded individuals, just like you, we wouldn't be able to help over 700 seniors, caregivers and their families, each month.Read more here.

Senior Strategies Session Seminar

Bartlesville, Okla., August 18/Elder Care/ – Join Elder Care, along with Patrick Moore, managing director of Kenjol Capital Management on Friday, September 24 at 3:30 pm in the Williford Room at Elder Care for KCM's "How to Thrive on a Fixed Income" free informational seminar. Seating is limited so call Elder Care today to reserve your seat in this open forum seminar. 

For our Nowata friends, we will be offering this seminar in Nowata on Tuesday, September 28 at 10 am at the Nowata Chamber Office located at 126 S Maple. Seating is limited so call Elder Care today to reserve your seat in this open forum seminar. 

DayBreak Entering Art in Local Fair

Bartlesville, Okla., August 17/Elder Care/ – The Daybreak Artist Outpost participants have been working throughout the summer to get things ready for the Washington County Free Fair held September 9-12. According to Leah Alexander, DayBreak Social Activities Coordinator, participants will be entering fine art, ceramics, crocheted items, jewelry and woodworking pieces into competitions to be judged. The Washington County Free Fair is held at the Washington County Fair Building at 1109 N Delaware Street in Dewey.Be sure to stop by the Elder Care booth and see us during the fair.

Medicare Seminar

Bartlesville, Okla., August 15/Elder Care/ – Elder Care announced today it will revisit its partnership with Universal American to provide a free, informational Medicare Supplement seminar on August 27 at 10 a.m.The open forum session lead by Al Triggs, Unit Sales Manager for Universal American, will cover:

• New changes effective June 1, 2010 to Medicare Modernization Act.
• The deletion of Medicare Supplement Plans E, H, I and J.
• The addition of Medicare Supplement Plans M and N.
• Enrollment period changes.
• What you need to know about your Medicare Supplement.

If you would like to learn the important changes with the Medicare Modernization Act, as well as, the changes in enrollment periods and revisiting costs and general information on other Medicare Supplement plans contact Elder Care at 918-336-8500 to reserve a seat in this open forum seminar.  Space is limited and reservations are required.

Senior Strategies Session Semianr

Bartlesville, Okla., July 21/Elder Care/ – Join Elder Care, along with Patrick Moore, managing director of Kenjol Capital Management on Friday, July 30 at 2pm in the Williford room at Elder Care to learn how to recover from "the ride" of the worst economical downturn since the Great Depression. You'll learn how to restore your security and peace of mind regarding the future.

Cool Room Project Fundraiser a Success

Bartlesville, Okla., July 16/Elder Care/ – Elder Care, along with Young Professionals of Bartlesville, presented a fundraiser hosted at the Solo Club last evening to raise funds for the Cool Room Project. This project helps to provide a 110-watt window unit to loan to an older adult in need of staying cool to stay healthy. The unit is loaned out at no cost over the duration of the hot, summer months of Oklahoma. American Air Conditioning and Heating sponsored this event and close to $1,500 was raised for the project.

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.”