LifeBridge program invites community to celebrate a decade of enriching seniors’ lives

WABASH, IND.November 29, 2018 Changing seniors’ lives for the better. That has been the caring mission of Parkview Wabash Hospital’s LifeBridge Senior Program for the past decade. And now, past participants, program staff and members of the public are invited to a happy gathering: the 10th anniversary celebration on Friday, December 14.


That afternoon, guests will be able to tour the new LifeBridge office, chat with staff members and judge decorated ornaments as part of LifeBridge’s annual Holiday Open House. Ornaments have been submitted for the competition by departments in the hospital, as well as local agencies that serve seniors. Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.  

 

Still a life worth living
When “Joann” first began coming to the program, she had lost her spouse and found herself becoming increasingly despondent.


“I was crying and feeling more depressed day by day,” she said. “With the help of the staff, I learned how to change a lot of those feelings. I also enjoyed meeting others in the group and not dwelling on myself so much. This program was the best thing that could have happened to me at the time.”


While loss of a spouse isn’t the only reason people become involved with the program, it was the reason “Jim” joined, too. After nine years of living by himself and missing his wife of more than 50 years, he was struggling and not taking care of himself.


“Since I’ve been going to the program,” he said, “the ladies there have helped me a lot. I call them my angels. Meeting other people and exchanging thoughts and ideas helps a lot. It’s so good to have something to look forward to.”


After “Anita” finished the program, her daughter shared this comment with staff: “Because of all you have done to help my mother, I have my mom back. She was just a shell of a person after Dad died. You helped her to see there is still a life
worth living.”


The staff at LifeBridge, which began as Senior Life Solutions, has heard such comments from many of the men and women who have participated in the program over 10 years, and it is always gratifying, said Michelle Starnes, manager: “Our reason for being here is to lift people up and help them cope with some of the difficult challenges life hands us. To know that we have been able to help someone find joy again in living – there’s nothing like it!”

 

Moving forward
LifeBridge Senior Program is specifically geared to the mental health needs of Wabash and surrounding-county residents
age 65 and older.



“They may be feeling especially alone due to the loss of a spouse or an adult child, or perhaps they’re taking medications that have made them feel depressed or anxious,” said Julie Tussey, program nurse. “We offer a safe place and compassionate care to help them strengthen their confidence, connect with others who understand, and find the resilience they need to cope.”


Participants in the program come to LifeBridge twice a week for six to 12 weeks, depending on their individual needs. A multidisciplinary team of counselors, nurses and a medical director determines the appropriate combination of one-on-one meetings, group discussions and interesting activities to better equip each participant to move forward in life and re-engage.


Since many older adults are taking one or more medications for various ailments, a thorough review of those medications with the participants’ primary care physicians is sometimes needed, too, said Tussey.

 

“Some medications can have side effects that tend to make a person feel overwhelmed or anxious or out of control,” she explained. “We don’t want their medications to worsen any issues they’re already having. The point of the program is to help them brighten their outlook, so we want to remove as many barriers as we can.”


Group therapy plays a big role in recovery for some participants, especially those who may not have felt they had anyone to whom they could confide their feelings. Reflecting on what the program meant to him, “Henry” said: “The program has helped me sort out my problems. All the people who work here have showed me they care. Talking to the other senior friends helps me, and maybe I have helped them. God is at work here, and blesses us.”


Since information is power, the LifeBridge team works hard to bring participants many types of useful information on a wide range of topics, including self-care, local options for exercise, good mental health practices, volunteer opportunities at the hospital and in the wider community, and activities at or through local senior centers. The team also works with various human service agencies to meet individual needs, such as better access to nutritious food, transportation, assistance with home projects, and more.


The LifeBridge 10th Anniversary Celebration and Holiday Open House will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on December 14 in the LifeBridge office on the second floor of the Parkview Medical Plaza (adjoining Parkview Wabash Hospital). The address of the medical plaza is 8 John Kissinger Drive, Wabash.


Have questions about the event? Call 260-569-2111.

 

 

Parkview Wabash Hospital: A state-of-the-art facility combined with world-class teamwork for a great patient experience

Nursing’s highest honor

 

In 2017, Parkview Wabash Hospital – along with all hospitals in the Parkview Health system – was granted Magnet Recognition® by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This is the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence. To earn this elite recognition, each hospital must pass a rigorous review process. Only 7 percent of all U.S. hospitals have received Magnet® designation from the ANCC.

 

 

 

   

 

 

A great workplace!

             
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In 2018, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce named Parkview Wabash Hospital one of the Best Places
to Work in Indiana. The hospital was a winner in the “Medium Companies” category (75 – 249 employees). Companies across the state completed a two-part survey process, managed by Best Companies Group, to determine the top companies and final rankings. The survey was distributed by BizVoice, the Indiana Chamber magazine, which listed winners in its May/June issue.

In addition, Parkview Wabash was named among Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare for 2018. This award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide. Modern Healthcare also partners with Best Companies Group on the assessment process. A ranked list of winners was featured in a special supplement to Modern Healthcare’s Oct. 1 issue.  

 

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