Northaven Foundation Programs
Northaven Foundation seeks funding partners who also believe that caring for older adults is a priority. Our mission guides the acceptance of those who need assisted living care, have depleted their financial resources and rely on Medicaid-COPES. Very few places in Seattle accept people in this situation upon move-in. Most require at least two years of private pay.
Northaven’s boards and management team are committed to services and care that offer residents optimal support for good health and well-being. This year, reductions in the state’s Medicaid program included the elimination of dental benefits for seniors who rely on Medicaid-COPES. Northaven partners with Medical Teams International to bring mobile free dental care to our residents who otherwise would go without. Regular dental care is critical to healthy aging. For the elderly, tooth pain can lead to malnutrition and decay causes an even greater risk of illness. Northaven Foundation pays a very reasonable fee of $300 per clinic day about five times a year to ensure that our most vulnerable residents receive the care they need. Medical Teams International delivered over $17,000 worth of dental procedures in 2011.
Northaven’s Health and Wellness program improves residents’ quality of life. Older adults, like all of us, are healthier and more independent when they condition and strengthen their bodies. It keeps them out of hospitals and nursing homes and translates into less medical bills. Classes range from strength, balance, gait and agility training to Tai Chi and chair volleyball, in addition to walks and hikes. Low-vision and diabetes support groups provide the help one needs to live well despite these common ailments. On-site services include chiropractic, acupuncture, audiology, eye glass assistance, massage therapy, foot care, physical therapy and pharmaceutical review.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Last summer, Northaven was selected as one of 20 affordable housing communities in the nation to participate in COLLAGE, The Art and Science of Healthy Aging. Mary Quarterman, Director, Northaven Assisted Living, applied for Northaven to serve as a pilot site realizing the health advantages our residents could gain.
COLLAGE is a joint venture between Kendal Out-reach, LLC, a non-profit subsidiary of The Kendal Corporation, and the Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, a non-profit affiliated with Harvard Medical School. It offers a customized suite of assessment instruments to evaluate health and wellness in areas such as memory loss, nutrition, balance, mental well-being and social connectedness. The system, which is being rolled out to retirement and assisted living residents, will enhance our ability to respond to the unique needs of each residents.
Northaven’s greatest success is that our doors remain open to people who need assisted living care, but who are without financial resources. Northaven Foundation launched a fundraising program in 2009 to seek support from the larger Seattle community to support this unique calling.
The Foundation has taken many first steps over the last two years. Last fall, the newly formed Northaven Philanthropy Committee presented Northaven’s Summit Celebration 2010, with David & Nole Ann Horsey serving as Honorary Co-Chairs, resulting in a net of nearly $8,000 and 43 new donors. At our second event in 2011 we increased our net to over $16,000 and with a lead gift of $10,000 from Steling Bank we are already on track to more than double our net in 2012. The Foundation has been successful in securing grants from several local private foundations as well as a new medical van from the Employee Community Fund of Boeing and a $34,000 grant in 2011 from the Employee Community Fund of Boeing for improvements to our exercise space and equipment as well as interview and treatment rooms. With steady increases in volunteers, donors and outreach we are able to remain true to our mission providing housing and supportive care to senors on Medicaid.