Experience

Senior Services for South Sound

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Brighter Days Adult Day Program (formerly STARS) Family Support Specialist

  • Jan 2008 - Present

  Working to educate, support and find resources for families facing the difficult dementia journey. Facilitating family caregiver support groups through the Alzheimer's Association of Washington. Serving on the Alzheimer's Association South Sound Regional Advisory Council as a member and consultant. Offering training and support to the staff and families of the Brighter Days Adult Day Program.

• STARS Program Coordinator

  • Mar 2017 - Dec 2018

  Ensuring that participants and families are connected with appropriate support services. Facilitating out of program help for participants living independently.Networking with support services in the community by attending South Sound Alzheimer's Council meetings and activities, dementia study groups and Senior Action Network meetings.Facilitating a support group for adult children caring for parents through the Western Washington Alzheimer's Association.Leading the Powerful Tools for Caregiver's 6 week course in cooperatively with Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging.Offering continuing staff training on issues such as understanding participant diagnosis, dealing with difficult behaviors and adapting activities for participants with special needs. Offering program, activity and participant problem solving for staff at all both STARS sites as needed.

• STARS Adult Day Program Site Manager

  • Jul 2008 - Feb 2017

  Providing for participant care including: meal supervision, assistance with personal care, transfers and ambulation and other activities of daily living.Planning daily activities and creating monthly calendars based on the interest and abilities of participants: discussion groups, music, armchair travels, gentle seated exercise, physical and cognitive games, arts, crafts, historical and current events and people.Managing Olympia program budget.Preparing care plans for participants, charting participant progress/regress and updating participant records per the WACs for Adult day careCreating morning and afternoon snack calendars according to the federal CACFP program and participant special dietary requirements while maintaining necessary documentation.Communicating with families and/or care providers and caseworkers.Providing crisis intervention as needed.Managing staff and volunteer duties, facilitating monthly staff meetings, training and conducting annual staff evaluations.Mentoring and educating college interns through involvement in STARS and related community events. Planning and participating in fundraisers.

• STARS Adult Day Program Activities Assistant

  • Jan 2008 - Jul 2008

  Assisted with participant care, including: assistance with meals, toileting, ambulation, transfers and other activities of daily living.Implemented activities as scheduled and designed for specific groups or individuals.Assisted with crisis intervention as needed.Assisted with implementing participant care plans and documenting in participant progress notes. Maintains safety and cleanliness of facility.Food preparation for group, mindful of participant dietary special needs.Participated in staff meetings, in-service training and fundraisers for STARS and Senior Services.Performed other duties as required.



Kokua Services

• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Team Leader

  • Apr 2004 - Jan 2006

  Supervised a staff of eight in a 24 hour residential supported living home for developmentally disabled adults. Facilitated monthly team meetings and executed staff performance evaluations.Ensured compliance with company policies and relevant Washington State Administrative Codes. Supervised activities of daily living, community access, employment opportunities and cooperative living meetings with residents. Managed resident medications, finances and related documentation.Attended medical appointments with residents as needed.Worked in cooperation with physical and occupational therapists at the University of Washington Medical Center to acquire adaptive equipment for residents.Organized and facilitated annual meetings with individual residents, their caseworker, family members/guardian, job coach, medical professionals and Kokua administrators which focused on the resident's health and personal goals for the upcoming year. Communicated with family/guardian, caseworkers, medical professionals and other community support persons as required or requested by the residents.