LLUAHSC SCOPE Summer 2001

Senior services
Loma Linda provides programs and services uniquely designed for seniors

[SCOPE, Summer 2001]

Group photo
Adult Day Services participants and staff prepare gifts they created to send to their sister city program at Adakawaen Day Services Center in Hino, Japan.

With strides being made in health care and better environmental conditions, the population of seniors in the United States is climbing at a rapid pace and will continue to grow significantly in the future. Since 1900 the number of Americans aged 65 and older increased 11 times from 3.1 million to 34.5 million in 1999. That same year was dubbed the International Year of the Older Persons by the United Nations to bring attention to the aging societies and to the contributions and needs that they have.

The quality of life for a senior is influenced by his or her health and ability to function.

Adult Day Services

Those who are disabled because of chronic conditions or injury have difficulty living independently and managing personal affairs. Many of the more than 25 million caregivers know firsthand the difficulties of caring for an elderly loved one. It can become a challenge to meet an aging person's emotional and physical needs in addition to everyday stresses.

Loma Linda University Medical Center Adult Day Services (ADS) offers specialized services for seniors that can assist in alleviating some of the stresses for families.

More than 50 program participants and their families attended an annual Mother's Day tea hosted by LLUMC Adult Day Services. Guests were entertained at elegantly decorated tables with centerpieces of fresh roses from ADS staff gardens, miniature bird houses, and parasols.

When you come to LLUMC Adult Day Services you will be greeted with bright and cheerful surroundings and the sound of laughter that echoes through the halls. This is a comfort to the participants, families, and caregivers who are in need of and utilize these services.

Loma Linda University Medical Center Adult Day Services consists of two programs: Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health Care.

Adult Day Care is for people 18 years and older who need assistance during daytime hours, but wish to maintain their independence.

Adult Day Health Care is a low-cost, organized day program of therapeutic health, social, and recreational services for adults with physical and mental disabilities in group and individual settings. "Our goal," states Vivian Hakimian-Lopez, MHA, administrator, Adult Day Services, "is to assist in restoring or maintaining, to the fullest extent possible, the individual's capacity to care for themselves while under the direct supervision of a professional staff."

LLUMC Adult Day Services has been in operation since September of 1995 and recently received full recertification from the State of California. Now licensed to serve 70 participants, ADS is actively admitting participants. They now have an average daily attendance of 40.

The staff at ADS works together to preserve the dignity and enhance the quality of life for dependent adults over age 18, frail elderly, or adults at risk for institutionalization.

Bus
Adult Day Services elderly and disabled participants utilize this 1998 Ford E-540 bus that can hold 22 ambulatory patients and is equipped with folding chairs that are designed to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.

Services are also available for caregivers through support groups that meet on a regular basis, and individual or family consultations with a staff social worker. The entire ADS staff works with the participant and his or her family to bring the person out of the patient.

Caregivers often send letters of thanks to ADS stating that the program has helped them get their lives back together and has made caregiving less stressful.

ADS specialized program

Orientation--a time to review the news and current events
A lively group exercise program with music and video seen on a 52" screen television donated by Dorothy Chapman in memory of her husband, Bill, who was an ADS participant
The woodworking class meets twice a week under the direction of a master woodworker, specially trained to teach disabled adults
Individual and small group activities under the direction of a certified occupational therapy assistant take place during the day
Arts and crafts, mind-stimulating games, music and computer training enhance the quality of time spent

Flu shots
For the seventh consecutive year 1,659 seniors from various parts of the Inland Empire took advantage of the walkup/drive thru flu shot clinic. The clinic was hosted by Loma Linda University Community Medical Center and Just for Seniors.

An individual plan of care for each participant may include any or all of the following services:

Staff consultation with personal physician in developing plan of care
Skilled nursing care, health education, and personal care
Rehabilitation services from licensed physical, occupational, and speech therapists
Personal care and supervision, providing respite for caregivers
Social casework
Recreational therapy and socialization
Hot lunch and snacks
Nutritional counseling
Transportation

Services are provided by a team of professionals experienced in caring for frail, elderly, and functionally impaired adults. These include a registered nurse, social worker, licensed physical therapist, licensed occupational therapist, speech pathologist, certified occupational

therapy assistant, registered dietitian, recreational therapist, clinical psychologist, and a pharmacist.

Eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries are accepted into Adult Day Health Care program. Also, SCAN Health (an HMO) has Adult Day Services benefits and contracts with Loma Linda University Medical Center Adult Day Services. The Adult Day Care is a private pay program.

As each participant learns new skills, gains strength, and makes new friends, life becomes more enjoyable for both the client and his or her loved ones. "Our goal is to make this a place for the participants to feel safe and happy," says Ms. Hakimian-Lopez. "The staff and I come to work excited. The rewards we receive are great."

Just for Seniors 55+ Club

Group at table
Just for Seniors 55+ Club members attend an AARP 55 ALIVE driver safety program, which is the nation's first and largest classroom driver improvement course specially designed for motorists age 50 and older.

With the increase of the senior population, there is also a necessity for more services. Acknowledging the need for creating programs specifically for the senior community, Loma Linda University Community Medical Center established the Just for Seniors program in September of 1991.

Catering to those individuals ages 55 years and older, LLUCMC offers a preferred membership in the "Just for Seniors" program free of charge. The program was especially designed to satisfy the special needs of seniors, because Community Medical Center recognizes them as an integral part of the community, and is committed to the personal, social, financial, and spiritual needs of seniors.

A membership in the "Just for Seniors" program entitles seniors to many privileges which include:

Free hospital room upgrade, plus complimentary room for family members (if room is available)
Complimentary meal tickets for family or guests who come to visit a "Just for Seniors" member in the hospital
Daily visits by a personal "Just for Seniors" representative
Quarterly newsletters with articles of value, plus listings of monthly or bi-monthly health and wellness meetings
Free or low-cost health and wellness meetings featuring topics relating directly to senior health issues
Information "hot line"
Physician referral
Free in-hospital notary service
LLUCMC cafeteria and gift shop discounts
"Just for Seniors" VIP parking

"The response we had to the program was wonderful," says Barbara Conrad, coordinator, Just for Seniors 55+ Club, LLUCMC. "With the various fairs we host, the luncheons, and the in-service programs, we were constantly providing a much needed service to the seniors in our community."

In 1998, with a membership of nearly 7,000, Royston A. King, MPH, joined the team as director of senior services. His goal was to expand the community service campus wide to include all the hospitals, services, and departments of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center.

The name of the program was changed to Just for Seniors 55+ Club (JFS) to indicate that younger, active seniors age 55 or better could join.

The year 2001 marks the 10th anniversary for JFS, and membership has grown to more than 25,000. The senior benefits package, discount programs, and services now include the following:

Track
Just for Seniors members Harry and Lynne Lund come to Drayson Center five days a week to practice and train for the Senior Olympics.

Health fairs and seminars

JFS sponsors health fairs, an annual flu clinic, screenings, and seminars on health and wellness, social and mental health concerns, financial planning, and many other topics to help seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle. These services are listed in the JFS member's bimonthly newsletter, flyers, or special announcements sent by mail.

Travel opportunities

JFS sponsors escorted and narrated full-day coach trips at special rates for members. Coach trips to points of interest throughout Southern California, are hosted by Day-By-Day-Trips. In addition, JFS offers extended tours and trips across the country or around the world. The JFS newsletter includes a list of current trips.

Drayson Center (LLU campus health and fitness center)

JFS members who live in the area or those visiting from out of town have a unique opportunity to use all the facilities of the Drayson Center from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and all day Sunday. This is available at the special rate of only $10 per month with no initiation fees (non-members pay as much as $65 per month for this privilege).

This state-of-the-art facility offers fitness and conditioning rooms; cardiovascular training, stretching and toning; indoor and outdoor tracks; tennis, racketball and basketball; floor and water aerobics classes; training and leisure pools (wheelchair accessible) heated to 84 degrees; a Jacuzzi®; a recreation room with ping-pong, pool table, and arts and crafts;

and a snack bar, outdoor garden, and picnic area for relaxation. For further information, call (909) 558-4275. Drayson Center is located at 25040 Stewart Street in Loma Linda.

Pharmacy prescription card

An exclusive member privilege is the free Catalyst PreScrip Pharmacy Discount Card that will give you access to more than 40,000 pharmacies nationwide. Discounts are available from 10 to 50 percent off both brand name and generic medications. A free application is included with the new member kit or those interested can write to: Just for Seniors 55+ Club, Loma Linda University Community Medical Center, 25333 Barton Road, Loma Linda, California 92354, or call toll-free (877) LLUMC-55 to have an application mailed.

Dental discount benefit

A panel of 20 dentists, located throughout the Inland Empire, have all agreed to provide dental care to Just for Seniors 55+ Club members at a 20 percent professional group discount from their usual and customary fees. Call (909) 888-7817 for a dentist near you.

VIP parking privileges

Frustrated by parking at the hospital? Don't worry--for convenience and ease of access, there is designated parking for Just for Seniors members close to the main entrance at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda University Community Medical Center, Faculty Medical Offices (FMO), and Drayson Center. A member parking permit is included in the membership package.

Wellness newsletter

Many members join just to receive the bimonthly newsletter. This newsletter is packed with valuable health and fitness articles prepared by doctors and staff, as well as health briefs, fitness tips, and current calendar of seminars, classes, events, and trips.

Toll-free information/registration

For those who wish to register for a class or need directions for a service or program on campus, call toll-free (877) LLUMC-55. Trained counselors are on hand from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Cafeteria/gift shop on-campus discounts

When on campus to see a friend in the hospital, for a test, procedure, a medical appointment, or even just a social visit, members are invited to stop by one of the cafeterias, located in Loma Linda University Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Community Medical Center, or Faculty Medical Offices. With the JFS card, members receive a 25 percent discount off breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks.

JFS members can also visit the gift shops, show their membership card, and receive a 10 percent discount on any purchases except sales merchandise.

Community and nationwide discounts

In addition to pharmacy, cafeteria, and gift shop discounts, there are local and national discounts on an ever-growing number of services, including: optical, dental, rental cars, and The Aging Parents--The Family Survival Guide Video Set and Action Guide--for the adult children of aging parents who find themselves needing to make health-care decisions for the family and much more. From time to time, new benefits will be added and communicated to JFS members through the newsletter.

Credit union

Just for Seniors members can now join the La Loma Federal Credit Union.

Services include checking and savings accounts, direct deposit accounts, Visa check (debit) cards, co-op ATM network, Visa credit cards, cashiers checks, free traveler's checks, and low-interest loans. Just present the JFS membership card to join the credit union.

Notary service

Just for Seniors members can get documents notarized free at the JFS office, by appointment only, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Limited to two to three documents per appointment. Call (909) 558-6618, press 4 for an appointment.

Senior services

Prolonged illnesses that are seldom cured completely are known as chronic diseases. Among seniors age 65 and older, the seven leading chronic conditions are arthritis, respiratory illnesses (asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis), stroke, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. These conditions affect the quality of life of seniors and promote disability and the inability to live independently.

Everyone can reduce risk factors for developing these and other health problems by seeing a health-care professional regularly.

Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center provides numerous programs and services that focus on health concerns of seniors.

Highlighted services

Loma Linda University Adult Day Services offers two programs. Adult Day Care provides recreational and social activities for frail and disabled adults who have difficulty taking care of themselves, but wish to maintain their independence.

Adult Day Health Care provides recreational and social activities for adults with physical and mental disabilities. The program assists in restoring and maintaining an individual's self-care ability. For more information, call (909) 558-6198.

Just for Seniors 55+ Club offers a wide range of services and benefits through Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda University Community Medical Center, Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center, and Loma Linda University Health Care. For new member registration, call (909) 558-6618, press 3, or toll-free (877) LLUMC-55.

Cancer Institute offers a variety of videos dealing with specific types of cancer and provides information and referral assistance for those seeking cancer services. For more information, call (800) 782-2623 or (800) 78-CANCER.

Heart Institute provides various inpatient and outpatient services, including interventional, surgical, and diagnostic care. For more information, call (909) 558-4200 or (800) INTL-HEART.

Orthopaedic Institute includes the sports clinic, spine specialist clinic, general orthopaedics, and the Center for Joint Replacement. A full range of services are offered, which include extensive orientation, education, and physical therapy. For more information call (909) 783-1033.

Rehabilitation Institute offers a general rehabilitation program with services to a variety of patients which help each patient achieve his or her highest level of function. For more information, call (909) 558-4213.

LLU Behavioral Medicine Center partial hospital program offers multi-disciplinary care for a wide range of psychiatric conditions. Transportation and free on-site assessments are available. Call (909) 793-9333.

Diabetes Treatment Center provides treatment, classes, counseling, support groups, and other services. For more information, call (909) 558-3022.

Drayson Center offers Just for Seniors 55+ Club reduced membership rates to those ages 55 to 79--free for those over 80. Activities include water and floor exercises, cardio and weight training, fitness and wellness testing, and more. For more information, call (909) 558-4275.

Center for Health Promotion general evaluations offer Profile Plus, which is a health evaluation designed to identify risks for disease. Behavior modification offers the following services: weight management, nutrition counseling, cooking classes, smoking cessation, and stress management. Prevention programs offer the following services: International Travel Clinic, which provides vaccinations necessary for travel; and the Multi-Risk Reduction Clinic, which provides a well rounded lifestyle program for disease prevention. For more information, call (909) 558-4594.

Loma Linda University Proton Treatment Center offers a unique form of non-invasive cancer treatment. For more information, call (800) 776-8667.

Chaplain Services offers a variety of services including the following group programs: grief recovery, divorce recovery, relationships, working with anger, and spiritual journeys. Registration for these groups is required. For more information, call (909) 558-4367.

Home Care Services provides various in-home services which include the following: Hospice, infusion therapies, medical equipment, nursing and personal care, and physical, occupational, and speech therapies. For more information, call (909) 558-3096.

International Circle of Care is your one-stop, single-source coordinator for international patient stays. For more information, call (909) 558-6338.

Other important phone numbers

Loma Linda University Medical Center Physician Referral Line: (877) LLUMC-55 or (800) 872-1212
Loma Linda University Family Medical Group, Inc.--senior patient appointment line: (909) 558-6600
Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry dental clinic: (909) 558-4222. Receive discounts 20 to 30 percent off comparable fees in surrounding area for clinic patients
Loma Linda University Medical Center pharmacy: (909) 558-4500
Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Offices pharmacy: (909) 558-2804

To learn about other services of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, check on the LLUAHSC web site.

[SCOPE, Summer 2001]