Senior Health Reaches Out to More than Seniors
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Continuing Care & Allied Services/Senior Health
Six years ago, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare pioneered a novel senior medicine concept. Instead of making older adults come to us, physicians went to them by opening geriatric medicine offices in senior congregate living facilities.
While some of the offices are available only to facility residents, others are open to anyone in the community. The physicians provide several opportunities every year for public education on various topics related to aging – understanding the causes, consequences and treatments of depression; eating to meet the nutritional and digestive needs of older bodies; and providing an overview of the aging process and how that can sometimes have an impact on families and friends are just some of the topics that have been covered.
It was this latter topic that touched off a flurry of questions, and not from the geriatric crowd. Adult children of aging parents, typically known as the Sandwich Generation, couldn’t get enough information about how they could deal with the needs of aging, changing parents.
By definition, the Sandwich Generation is the filling in the Oreo cookie of aging parents and kids at home. Between running to soccer games, helping with school projects, driving Mom or Dad to the doctor, and attending to details as minor as changing out the smoke alarm batteries at the old home place, these individuals are well intentioned, but stretched too thin.
To provide some support, Wheaton Franciscan Geriatric Medicine partnered with two of its on-site office facilities, Alexian Brothers and Kirkland Crossings, to offer what is now the “Sandwich Club.” One night each month, physicians or other health care professionals address a topic specific to the changing needs of older adults. The participating site provides space and a light dinner at 6 pm, so individuals can stop by after work. Then content is delivered by 6:30 pm so that attendees can get home to supervise schoolwork or attend a concert. For those who choose to linger, however, networking and support are offered. Individuals share circumstances, pool various strategies and resources, and generally convey the message that no one is in this alone.
The topics have been very well received. “Snug as a Bug, but no Rugs” deals with how adult children can safety proof a parent’s home. “Not All Dementia is Alzheimer’s – Do You Know the Difference?” provides an overview of memory loss and identification of different dementias and treatment options. “What’s the Power in Power of Attorney” covers some of the legal issues children may need to handle for their parents.
All in all, the Sandwich Club has been a gratifying outgrowth of meeting the needs of seniors. Because adult children are such an integral part of the care network for aging parents, Wheaton Franciscan Geriatric Medicine and its partners are able to lighten their load just a bit. A simple meal, some information, and a lot of support – that’s what the Sandwich Club is all about.