Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts Thanks Residents, Donors and Friends at Ecumen Pathstone Living Luncheon
Ecumen President and CEO Kathryn Roberts spent time discussing Ecumen’s Awakenings program with Roger Bock, a recent short-stay rehab “graduate” from Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, at a luncheon on Monday, October 7.
Roberts thanked over 60 residents, families, donors, volunteers, funders and rehab alumni for their support and partnership, and highlighted Ecumen’s Changing Aging initiatives. One of those initiatives is Ecumen Awakenings – a pilot program to reduce the use of anti-psychotic medications for those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Roberts used the example to illustrate how new collaborations, new possibilities and new solutions are making lives better in Mankato and across the country.
Upcoming fundraising events at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato include their annual Lights of Honor celebration on Sunday, November 3, and the Scandinavian Bake Sale on Saturday, December 7.
Ecumen Trustee Olivia Mastry Presenting on Act on Alzheimer's at Alzheimer Europe
L to R: Act on Alzheimer's Olivia Mastry, Executive Lead; Emily Farah-Miller, Project Director; Mary Ek, Project Manager
An Ecumen Awakenings colleague often uses this quotefrom Maya Angelou, relating it to Alzheimer's care: “When We Know Better, We Do Better.”
Learning and collaboration are essential to innovation in Alzheimer’s care. On that front, Ecumen Trustee Olivia Mastry is in Malta presenting at a Alzheimer Europe conference. Alzheimer Europe is striving to become the coordination and information center for all organizations working in this specific field, such as day care centers, sitting services, training centers for professionals and related organizations. They have some fantastic information, and it’s a great opportunity to connect with our European colleagues who share a passion for improving Alzheimer's care and making lives betetter.
Olivia is presenting in Malta on Act on Alzheimer’s, which is a very cool Minnesota effort that fosters collective ownership and accountability in preparing Minnesota for the personal, social and budgetary impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Olivia is the Executive Lead of Act on Alzheimer's. No single organization owns, finances or controls the initiative. The collaboration has more than 250 participants, including 60+ nonprofit (including Ecumen), governmental and private organizations, and works toward five goals:
- Identify and invest in promising approaches that reduce costs and improve care.
- Increase detection of Alzheimer’s disease and improve ongoing care and support.
- Sustain caregivers by offering them information, resources and in-person support.
- Equip communities to be “dementia capable” to support residents who are touched by Alzheimer’s disease.
- Raise awareness and reduce stigma by engaging communities.
“When We Know Better, We Do Better.”