Submitted by Michelle Haub  

Happy New Year! For some this greeting is cliché, others heartfelt and yet, for those living with memory challenges, Parkinson's disease or another degenerative disease this greeting could be ominous. The future for all of us is unknown, however when a disease enters our lives we need to look for supports to help us optimize our quality of life and enhance our 'new year'. Meadowlark Hills is committed to residents and the Manhattan community to increase their level of support to families living with memory changes and Parkinson's disease. 

This commitment is being executed in the revitalization of the Parkinson's Core Team and the creation of the Memory Leadership Team; two groups made up of staff and residents/community members living with the disease respectfully. Both groups have met several times already and are making great additions to support these populations. 

The Memory Leadership Team created a mission statement,  "An innovative team of trained professionals working together to provide programs and services associated with memory and cognition",  and is developing programs to fulfill this mission. The Memory Activities Class (MAC) meets every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. in the West Conference for education, discussion and activities geared towards memory & cognition for all levels of abilities. On the first and third Wednesdays, also from 10 to 11 a.m., care partners for those living with memory & cognition challenges are encouraged to participate in the Care Partners Support Group in the Tranquility Room. In order to increase the opportunities for socialization and further education and discussion, a new opportunity titled Memory Luncheon will be held in the West Conference Room from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. This program begins on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The Memory Leadership Team hopes you will share these opportunities with us. 

   The Parkinson's Program continues to offer on-campus bi-weekly exercise classes, weekly voice classes (starting again on Feb. 1), monthly education group meetings, bi-monthly care partner support group meetings and consultations. All of these opportunities are free for those affected by Parkinson's disease. A group geared towards those diagnosed with PD before the age of 55 also meets monthly off-campus. In the last couple of months, the Program started providing Fit 2 Fight PD-Boxing classes every Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. in the KSU Classroom. We also created a community partnership with Body First Wellness and provide the Fit 2 Fight PD class at their location on Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. These boxing classes are also free to those with PD. A small fee is charged to those without PD who attend the class at Body First. Another addition to the services provided is the Partners in Parkinson's Luncheon which will meet the 4th Friday of each month from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Living Room, beginning Friday, Jan. 22. The Parkinson's Core Team also hopes you will take advantage of our efforts to improve the quality of life for those affected by PD.

I look forward to the 'new year' and all the exciting opportunities to grow with you! I encourage those with memory difficulties or Parkinson's to take advantage of our program activities and/or share this information with others that you know who are living with these challenges to help us better reach out in our community. Our services are free and open to everyone, not only those living at Meadowlark Hills. If you have questions, please contact Michelle Haub, Director of the Parkinson's Program & the Memory Program, at 323-3899 or email: michelle.haub@meadowlark.org.

Stay tuned for more additions in 2016...