Aging Innovatively
On the outside, Jim’s Place looks like a normal brick ranch house, situated in the neighborhood near St. Ambrose University. On the inside, the house is filled with items that are known as assistive technology – things to promote independence, from lighted counter tops to watering systems for gardens.
This winter, led by an occupational therapist who works at St. Ambrose and is earning her doctorate degree, St. Paul people age 60 and older will have the chance to take part in an initiative to help discern ways for them to stay in their homes as long as possible.
“We will have discussions, reflection, and activities,” said Anne Lansing, who created the program as part of her doctoral studies. The sessions will take place at Jim’s Place and at St. Paul.
Aging Innovatively will provide education and strategies for healthy aging; discuss home safety, supports, and assistive technology available; help individuals re-engage in meaningful life activities; and problem-solve to reduce or remove barriers. The goals are to help people stay independent in their home and engaged in their community as long as possible, improve and maintain quality of life, and help continue taking part in meaningful life activities.
Participants will work with occupational health department faculty, staff, and students on assessment, establishing goals, and developing steps to achieve those goals.
Two pre-sessions, on Tuesday afternoons, Jan. 16 and 30, will help program leaders with some pre-testing and one-on-one coaching sessions. Then the group time will begin on Feb. 6, from 1-3 p.m. A final individual session will be held on March 13.
Spots are limited. To learn more and sign up, please contact Anne Lansing at 563-333-6128 or lansingannem@sau.edu. The program is free.
FEB. 6: OCCUPATION, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING
Understand the importance of occupational engagement to health and well-being. Participants will identify their meaningful life occupations and if they are continuing to engage in the occupations they value. They will also identify barriers and solutions to occupational participation. At St. Paul Lutheran Church.
FEB. 13: HOW DOES YOUR HOME ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT YOU?
Learn about the ways that the home environment can be supportive or a barrier to occupational participation. Hands-on learning with a variety of assistive technology will take place during this time. At Jim’s Place, 2126 Brown St., Davenport.
FEB. 20: LET’S PREVENT FALLS
Explore assistive technology that can help with preventing falls in the home. A Tai Chi class will take place in this session, led by an instructor from Milestones Area Agency on Aging. The instructor is experienced with seniors and certified in arthritis and fall prevention through the Tai Chi Health Institute. At St. Paul Lutheran Church.
FEB. 27: STAYING SOCIALLY ENGAGED & GETTING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY
Understand the importance of social and community engagement to health and well-being. Participants will learn about community transportation available to help them stay socially active and engaged in the community. Hands-on learning with assistive technology will take place. At Jim’s Place, 2126 Brown St., Davenport.
MARCH 6: THE BRAIN AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING
Cover a basic overview of the brain, learning, and memory. The importance of continued learning to brain health as we age will also be touched upon. Participants will learn about assistive technology which can support continued learning. At St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Spots are limited. To learn more and sign up, please contact Anne Lansing at 563-333-6128 or lansingannem@sau.edu. The program is free.
