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Health

Scottsdale’s Adaptive Services Adjusts Programs to Accommodate People With Disabilities

By Jan Horne

The pandemic has upended many of our lives. But none more so than people with disabilities and their caretakers.

The city’s Adaptive Services staff worked fast and furious to devise alternatives when the lockdown forced inperson programming to halt. Staff needed to ensure their participants were not left behind, including people like Corey Paskvan, a 34-year-old on the autism spectrum.

The Paskvan family moved from Chicago to Scottsdale in 2019. His parents, Jeanne and John, were seeking retirement cities, but more importantly, ones that could accommodate Corey’s needs.

Since moving here, they’ve never looked back! Corey thrived in the community while participating in Scottsdale’s special needs programs. He worked at Chick-fil-A, competed in the city’s Bobcat’s Special Olympics program, and engaged with others while attending various events.

Then COVID-19 hit.

Corey’s world changed overnight. Jeanne says the lockdown was isolating and mentally and physically devastating. It even took a toll on Jeanne and her husband trying to keep Corey busy on their own 24/7.

But they didn’t wait long for a solution.

Operations Supervisor Deanna Zuppan and her Adaptive Services staff quickly got busy figuring out ways they could provide meaningful services and programs to this vulnerable group.

WITHIN WEEKS OF THE LOCKDOWN, THIS TEAM OFFERED VARIOUS IN-PERSON ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING: • Providing Rec-2-Go Bags filled with stay-at-home activities with step-by-step instructions to create or bake. • Creating virtual interactive classes and activities.

More than 75 classes a month are available, including STEM, cooking, fitness and dance, arts and crafts, sign language, talent shows, Jeopardy,

Bingo and book clubs – to name a few. • Developing Front Porch Visits where staff chats, physically distanced, with participants and drops off swag bags filled with goodies and crafts. • Instituting a loaner tablet program for those who don’t have access to a computer. • Presenting a weekly virtual support group called

“The Share Circle,” where attendees talk about the stressors, fears and unknowns of the pandemic. City social workers offer coping skills. • Re-envisioning Special Olympics by adapting some of the sports programs, like swimming and aerobics to outdoor, non-contact opportunities. • Hosting parking lot movie nights.

Jeanne and John say the program has always been a saving grace for them and Corey, but even more so with the pandemic programs that were put into place. Corey’s thrived and even learned some new skills along the way.

According to his mom, he’s picked up some culinary skills from the virtual cooking classes. Until that point, Corey had never used a sharp knife or the stove. Jeanne says he’s now prepping and cooking recipes on his own. “He has so much pride being able to fix mom and dad dinner, and on top of it, the meals are delicious,” she says.

While the Paskvan family is anxious to get back to “regular” in-person activities, they have been more than grateful for the adaptations the city has made to accommodate this special group. To learn more, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov/human-services/adaptive-services or call 480-312-2234.

Health

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane with Photographs, Music, and Storytelling

By Jennifer Clancy

Today nearly six million Americans live with dementia, and 95% of them are cared for at home by a family member. It’s a challenging, sometimes overwhelming, and often heartbreaking experience watching a loved one struggle to do things that were once so easy for them. If you are one of these family caregivers, be sure to connect with the Arizona Alzheimer’s Association for the latest news, support groups (virtual and in-person), and ideas for keeping your loved one engaged.

Every day, those who care for their loved ones search for meaningful ways to engage them. These family caregivers aren’t looking for simplistic activities; they know the value of brain stimulation, and they know their person’s history. The solution needs to be easy to use, fun, and encouraging. People love to learn, they love to create, and they love to laugh. Here are three great ideas for engaging a loved one living with dementia.

Photographs: Pictures can inspire recall and often lead to great storytelling. Keep a basket of photographs handy that can be quickly accessed, held, and touched. Invite your loved one to select a photo and encourage them to tell you what they see. For example, who is in the photo and what are they doing? If the person has difficulty verbalizing what they see, help tell the story with them.

Music: Search the internet and YouTube for songs that were popular during your loved one’s life. Singing or humming familiar music during the day can assist with transitions and even reduce anxiety and provide relaxation.

Storytelling: For those living with dementia, the past is their world. How do we bring the past to the present? We create space in our lives for the stories they have told over and over again. We help them celebrate that story by writing it down and posting it with a favorite photo.

Adults living with dementia deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. What can be better than helping them celebrate their lives with people, places, and events from their past?

Jennifer Clancy is the founder of Phoenix-based Alle Learning, EngAGE EnCOURAGE, and Engaging at Home. ALLE Learning provides interactive lifelong learning opportunities for active senior communities. EngAGE EnCOURAGE provides interactive curriculum for senior day centers and other providers for those with dementia. Engaging at Home provides online classes for home-based caregivers looking after a loved one with dementia that give family members and loved ones an opportunity to share meaningful moments.

Creating a Legacy of Love

An innovative at-home engagement program, a turn key tool for you to use with those affected by dementia. It promises compassion and validation for all involved, easily accessible on the web.

Engage and inspire your loved one with dementia with fun, intriguing topics, creative workshops, and ways for the whole family to participate.

Find out more: www.engagingathome.com

“I do this with my Grandpa every week and he feels valued, loved and connected.“ —Shannon