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FTJ Is Honored With Two Awards From Leading Age Washington

By Christine Hall

Each year at the Leading Age Washington Annual Conference awards are given in several categories to deserving senior communities from throughout the state.  This year, we are proud to announce that FTJ was the recipient of two of twelve awards presented at the conference.

Category:  Community Service

The Community Service Award recognizes the achievement of a LeadingAge member organization that has demonstrated exceptional social accountability. It honors a commitment by volunteers, leadership, youth and staff to meeting community needs as part of the organization’s overall mission and planning.

The winning program demonstrates significant and quantifiable community benefit; uses critical self-examination of the organization’s capabilities, contributions and interactions in assessing community needs; shows that it uses open communication and is perceived by others as providing essential public services and is replicable by other organizations of similar type.

WINNING PROGRAM:  FTJ Senior Centers

In the Spring of 2023, the City of Tacoma approached Franke Tobey Jones and inquired about a potential partnership to take on the operating responsibilities for two vital senior centers in the South Sound.  Lighthouse and Beacon Senior Centers, located in diverse areas of Tacoma, were facing temporary closures and in need of new management to provide more programs, activities, and services for aging residents of Pierce. County.  Beacon Senior Center is minority based and serves seniors who are primarily living below poverty level of homeless.  Lighthouse needed increased programming and serves low to mid-income adults.

Franke Tobey Jones’ commitment to community outreach and social responsibility has successfully overseen the operations and growth of the Pt. Defiance ~ Ruston Senior Center for the past twenty-five years.  Perfectly aligned to the FTJ mission of “enriching and extending the quality of life for seniors in our community,” in July, FTJ enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to manage Lighthouse and Beacon.

Change can be difficult for anyone, especially for the aging population.  With extensive experience in working with seniors, Kate Gray, Director of the Point Defiance ~ Ruston Senior Center took on the additional responsibility of overseeing operations at Beacon and Lighthouse.  She ensured it would be a smooth transition by attentively listening to participants who expressed concern about the different schedules, unfamiliar faces, and new times for activities.  “I wanted them to know that these senior centers were theirs – their home away from home – and we would fill the calendars with programs that reflected what they wanted and needed.”

When FTJ began operating Lighthouse and Beacon, Lighthouse provided approximately three types of exercise classes, one group game, and six educational offerings.  Partnering with Catholic Community Services, lunch was prepared and served daily.  By the end of 2023, 328 new participants had arrived and six exercise classes including Stretch & Dance and Beachball Volleyball, multiple crafts and games, educational and wellness classes, and many social activities were on the calendar.  With the added programming, attendance increased from 670 participants in July to 1,888 in December.  In addition, 2,256 nutritious meals were served to community seniors by year’s end.

At Beacon, on average 63 people ate lunch per month, and by the month of December, 1.046 meals were served.  Programming changed substantially and a variety of exercise, games, crafts, sing-alongs, wellness checks, and social gatherings increased.  An Advisory Board was created with participant members, enabling them to contribute new ideas and be part of a collective discussion forum.

When participants were recently asked to send messages to FTJ expressing how they felt about their Senior Centers and the recent changes, here are just a few of the comments shared

“We have a lot of new programs and so many more people participate.  People are very appreciative and find joy in coming to the center!”

“It’s more festive!”

“It is a blessing to come to the center for company with others and stay active.”

“Coffee and doughnuts in the morning – it’s a good thing!”

FTJ is honored with this award for their service to the community by recognizing and responding to the enormous need for stimulating, educational, and daily camaraderie, and ensuring that the South Sound senior community enjoys accessible social interaction with an abundance of choices.  Through their dedicated and compassionate efforts, FTJ staff, the numerous and invaluable volunteers who serve meals, teach classes and greet and assist seniors, and collaboration of local partners, Tacoma’s aging population continues to thrive and fill their days with hope and purpose.

Category:  Leading – Edge Care & Services

The Leading – Edge Care and Services Award recognizes organizations for programs and services that are models of innovation and excellence and that contribute significantly to the quality of life of the individuals served. ·

The program of care or service emphasizes quality of life for the individuals served or significantly improves the aging-services organization’s operations; provides proven benefits to the residents, clients or organization; has potential for application to the needs of other aging services organizations and has been in actual operation for two or more years (not including planning time)

WINNING PROGRAM:  FTJ’s Montessori Inspired Memory Care Programming

As Franke Tobey Jones continues to offer innovative care and programming, one of our newest and most unique offerings is Montessori Inspired Memory Care Programming. This new programming was launched in 2022 and the results have been very encouraging.

While Montessori is most often associated with learning for children, Montessori for Dementia has been shown to be extremely effective in allowing the person with dementia to reconnect to a world they are losing access to.  Through sensory experiences and hands-on programing, those who have dementia are better able to reconnect with pleasant events and memories of the past and experience the positive emotions of remembered events.

People with Memory Loss Are Still Able To Enjoy Doing The Things They Used To Do 

While cognitive abilities decline as the disease of dementia progresses, muscle memory frequently remains. Being able to engage in a familiar motion without having to “think about it” allows someone with dementia to engage in their environment more fully. Those with dementia are still able to enjoy doing the things they used to do, modified to their current abilities.

Engaging Residents With A Sense of Purpose

Through Montessori inspired programming, FTJ is engaging residents with sensory programming and a sense of purpose. 

• Sensory Programming

Noticing the changing needs and abilities of the residents in Memory Care, the FTJ Life Enrichment team is adapting activity programing to meet the needs of residents. We have introduced Montessori and sensory programs that are designed to support Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) via fun and engaging hands-on games and activities.

• Sense of Purpose

Additionally, we have increased programs that engage residents in traditional skills, such as cooking, baking, gardening, household chores, sports, and games. The purpose of these changes is to give residents an opportunity to fully engage in programs and groups with all their senses, trigger positive memories, and bring back a sense of purpose in each resident’s life.

Testimonials

“My wife is enjoying all of the Montessori activities in Memory Care so much,” says R.M., spouse of a current Memory Care resident.  “I am rarely able to reach her by phone when I make a call to her room as she is always involved in some sort of activity.  I am so glad she isn’t sitting alone in her room falling asleep in front of a television.”

From a resident’s daughter, “Mom’s quality of life and enjoyment of life is much improved since her move to Memory Care and the addition of the Montessori activities.  She is almost always involved in an activity when I do come to visit her.  I see such a wide variety of activities offered that it amazes me.”

About Leading Age Washington (LAW)

LeadingAge Washington represents the interests of not-for-profit and mission-driven organizations dedicated to improving the aging experience of over 50,000 older Washingtonians and their family members; whether in need of safe and affordable housing or healthcare offered in both community and licensed residential settings. On behalf of member organizations, LAW advocates for needed funding to support caring and housing for low-income seniors and advocates for sound policy that promotes a healthy and balanced care environment always with a constant eye towards quality improvement.

LAW educates member organizations on cutting-edge clinical care practices and changing regulations and advances innovative solutions designed to meet the growing needs of an aging society. Through various member services programs, LAW helps members use their resources efficiently through a group purchasing program and by insuring against and managing the risk of worker injuries. LAW is one of 37 state partners with LeadingAge, a national association exclusively representing the interests of not-for-profit organizations that collectively touch the lives of over 2 million people every day. Together they are committed to excellence in each individual’s aging journey, providing the services and resources people need, when they need them, in the place they call home.