Seeking to expand its dementia care
capabilities campus-wide, the Wesley Community
has embarked on a training and
activity center program that is funded in
part by a $15,000 grant from the Alfred Z.
Solomon Charitable Trust.
The grant is helping the Wesley Community
train key staff, known as “dementia
champions,” using the Buddies Forever
Dementia Communication Coaching model
developed by Gemini Consulting.
Officials said the grant will also enable
the Wesley Community to establish the Alfred
Z. Solomon Therapeutic Activity Center
Program for residents with dementia in
appropriate areas of the campus.
“Although a floor dedicated to dementia
care is already in place in the Victoria
building at the Wesley Health Care Center,
the reality is that residents suffering from
dementia in its various stages can be found
throughout our campus,” said Brian Nealon,
CEO of the Wesley Community.
“The training and therapeutic programs
will improve the quality of care provided by
our staff and enhance the recognition and
understanding of residents with dementia.
We are grateful for the support of The Alfred
Z. Solomon Charitable Trust to help fund
this important initiative.”
Nealon said the Buddies Forever Dementia
Coaching and Training will help
staff learn how to provide persons with
dementia the gifts of pleasure, purpose and
peace, while making measurable impacts
on clinical and operational goals for their
care. The dementia champions will share
their training and knowledge with staff
throughout the various entities that make
up the Wesley Community.
The interdisciplinary training began in
March and includes various levels of staff,
including nursing, housekeeping and nutritional
services.
The Alfred Z. Solomon Therapeutic Activity Center program will offer strength-based
stations that are specific to an individual’s
level of functionality and interests. Residents
can visit these stations to hold and
use props that are familiar, everyday objects
designed to engage the mind, including
jewelry, sewing materials, tools and puzzles.
Nealon said the first Alfred Z. Solomon
Therapeutic Activity Center program will
be designed for and implemented on the
second floor of the Victoria building at the
Wesley Health Care Center, which is a dedicated
dementia unit. Over time, variations
of the Alfred Z. Solomon Therapeutic Activity
Center Program will be implemented
throughout the Wesley Community.
In addition, Wesley plans to conduct a
series of community lectures and dementia
screenings that will be open to the public.
Dates and times will be announced in the
future.
The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust
was established to benefit nonprofit scientific,
medical, educational, cultural,
religious and charitable organizations by
funding projects and programs in memory
of the Trust’s founder, Alfred Z. Solomon.
Mr. Solomon was a leader in the fashion
industry, a horse racing enthusiast and a
philanthropist from Gansevoort and New
York City.
For more information, visit www.thewesleycommunity.org.
The Wesley Community is a 36-acre,
nonprofit agency in Saratoga Springs that
serves the needs of the elderly, as well
as active seniors, adults and pediatrics.
Sponsored by United Methodist Health and
Housing Inc., its continuum of care community
provides independent and enriched
living for seniors, subsidized independent
senior housing, adult day services, shortterm
rehabilitation and long-term care, as
well as outpatient therapies available for
people of all ages.