Awareness of Trends and Research in Long-Term Care

The Elimcare Communities continue to be on "the cutting edge" of providing long-term care for seniors. Elimcare is particularly interested in the ability and freedom of seniors to be able to "age in place." As a result, it has already made historical strides in providing a home-like community for those who are experiencing all stages of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This Foundation provides a vehicle to continue to do research and provide social and interactive programs for residents of long term care communities to ensure that their quality of life is maintained as these diseases progress. Our goal is to provide the fullest social, spiritual, emotional and physical interaction and enjoyment possible for our residents.

As a result, the Foundation works closely with the Alzheimer's Foundation and other research Foundations in the health care field to provide to Elimcare Communities the latest research and findings on seniors staying healthy and connected to society as long as possible through this aging process. All of us are getting older. We would like the assurance that there is quality research coupled with helpful programs that will provide quality care and meaningful activities during our latter years.

The Foundation has focused on Alzheimers, but eventually will include assisted living and nursing care. As the population of California ages and the Baby Boomer generation reaches their retirement years, the need for both research and high-quality, high-touch communities become equally important. Many of us can remember the old days of The Rest Home. Perhaps we vowed that when we became old, we would never enter that type of care. Well, times have changed, and those types of homes have been phased out over the years. Today the State regulates long-term care communities, whether assisted living or nursing homes. Both the State and the industry are continually improving and upgrading both types of facilities to insure a higher quality of care in all long-term care communities.

The Elim Foundation is on the forefront of that charge to improve the quality of long-term care. Quality isn't just about a community itself. It also involves the attitude and quality of care given by employees to the residents. How can the level of care giving be raised and improved? How can a family be sure that their loved one will receive much more than simply a nice, new place to live? Will our loved ones receive genuine love, high touch, stimulating verbal dialogue, meaningful exercise, and relevant social interaction? These questions are a part of the Elim Foundation's mission.