Stepping out to stop Alzheimer’s; residents present $95,000 gift for staff

Alzheimer’s disease is not going away anytime soon and the number of those suffering from the affliction or other dementias is predicted to double by mid-century. In the hope of rerouting those numbers, the Alzheimer’s Association continues its mission of care, support and research.

But it takes more than dedication to achieve these goals. As with most everything, it takes money to survive. This year, Emeritus Senior Living’s employees at 485 different communities held fundraisers throughout the year. To engage and inform the younger generation of the devastation of this disease, the Emeritus corporate office sponsored a Flash Mob at the end of Seattle’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” event earlier this year.

Emeritus President and CEO Granger Cobb thanks his employees for their dedication to this cause. “As a company that is passionately dedicated to seniors, we believe it’s vital to assist with efforts to provide education, support and resources to families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s,” he says.

And help they did. In 2011, the Emeritus national effort raised more than $400,000 (up $130,000 from the 2010 total)! That’s a lot of fancy footwork.

Photo courtesy of Ashby Ponds

Residents say ‘thanks’ with big money

The residents of Ashby Ponds, an Erickson Living retirement community in Ashburn, Va., are saying thank-you to the hourly employees who make their lives richer by seeing to their needs.

The resident-driven “Staff Appreciation Campaign” raised more than $95,000, which was distributed to the wait staff, security personnel, maintenance workers, special projects crew and others. “It’s an exciting time … because it is truly a celebration of the Ashby Ponds employee,” says Nicole Brewer, director of human resources at Ashby Ponds.

On December 13, residents presented 165 non-management hourly staff members with checks at a community get-together. This was a wonderful opportunity for residents to show their gratitude and for staff to thank residents for their bountiful gift.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.