Elderhaus offers an assortment of services and activities that engage clientele in improving all aspects of their health, thus enhancing their overall well-being. All programs and activities are designed to address the unique challenges each client faces. The programs are developed by Elderhaus’ executive director in collaboration with the client’s physician, who must sign-off on the plan. Participants benefit from socialization, cognitive stimulation and physical exercise experienced in these programs. Elderhaus participants are empowered by the ability to choose which activities they would like to be involved with.

•   Direct Care: The direct care program includes daily, hands-on care for clients. This program is fully supervised and facilitated by compassionate, professional staff members. Client needs may include peri-care, eating assistance, medication management and activities of daily living.

•   Health monitoring: Elderhaus’ health monitoring services provide Elderhaus clients blood pressure and weight checks twice monthly as preventative measures. These are reported to families in detailed, monthly progress notes.

•    Nutrition Programs: Elderhaus is proud to participate in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service program, specifically the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Financial support from CACFP helps Elderhaus serve nutritious and appetizing meals for functionally impaired adults. Elderhaus is accountable for ensuring all state and federal guidelines are carried out with integrity.

•    Mentoring and Counseling: Caregivers of adults with special needs who provide 24-hour care every day often experience emotional isolation in addition to physical, mental and financial stress. The latest statistics show that 87 percent of caregivers will pass away before the one they are caring for. Elderhaus provides caregiver support to any caregiver through the Life’s Transitions group. This weekly support group helps people face and overcome the challenges and changes in their life. In 2008, there were 434 served by  this valuable resource.

•    Medicaid Benefit Helper: The Medicaid Benefit Helper program reaches out to low-income and homebound folks in our community. This program is sponsored by Elderhaus and the Office on Aging, but it is not limited to Elderhaus clients. Individuals are provided complete guidance by a professional in applying for various government benefits. This professional will either visit them in their homes or in an office setting. In 2008, approximately 181 people received hands-on assistance in obtaining necessary Medicaid benefits.

•    Mobile Health Services: Each month, Elderhaus sends a professional into nine different communities to provide free blood pressure checks to Larimer County residents. This service is sponsored by Elderhaus and the Office on Aging. Community members are thus able to track their blood pressures on a regular basis and between doctors’ appointments.

•    Health Fair: A “mini health fair” is offered annually at nine different community sites. Free services include: blood pressure clinics, glaucoma checks (in partnership with Advanced Eye Care), bone density tests (in partnership with Poudre Valley Hospital), and oral health information (partnership with Front Range Community College). The Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association offers flu/pneumonia shots at these mini fairs. The outcomes of these outreach programs are incredible. Through this program approximately 1,371 individuals had their blood pressures checked in 2008.

 

•    Volunteer and Employment opportunities: Elderhaus presents an opportunity for volunteers from universities and the local school districts to contribute to society through diverse mentoring opportunities.

Elderhaus offers an Employee Assistant Program to assist employees through continuing education and encouragement of a positive work-life balance. While many Elderaus staff members do have their Certified Nursing Assistant certification (C.N.A.), all staff are trained in C.P.R. (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), C.P.I. (Crisis Prevention Intervention without restraint), Q.M.A.P. (Qualified Medication Administration Personnel), and extensive in-service training in many different areas.

•    Veterans Services: Look for services offered to veterans under the "Services" drop-down menu above.

Adult day care is a critical service in the continuum of care that allows individuals with disabilities and seniors who need supervision to remain in their homes. Without this service, most would end up in skilled nursing facilities.
—Margaret Long, Program Manager, Larimer County Office on Aging