Spirit of Life

Elder care, sometimes referred to as long-term elderly care, includes a wide range of services that are provided over an extended period of time to people who need help to perform normal activities of daily living because of cognitive impairment or loss of muscular strength or control. Elder care can include rehabilitative therapies, skilled nursing care, palliative care, and social services, as well as supervision and a wide range of supportive personal care provided by family caregivers and/or home health care agencies. Elder care may also include training to help older people adjust to or overcome many of the limitations that often come with aging. If appropriate, elder care can at best be provided in the home first.

Where do we start when looking for resources for elder care for a loved one? Resources that can help the elderly stay in their own home are the first place to start. A variety of independent living services are now available to help the elderly care for themselves in their own home despite their changing physical needs. This may help, delay or totally avoid moving into an assisted living or nursing home.

The Expo is designed to broaden the community’s awareness about resources available to help manage elder care issues. Throughout the day, attendees can visit information booths that promote good health and well-being and receive free health screenings.

At 11 a.m., Allen C. Waltman, M.D., Director, Geriatrics, Signature Healthcare PrimaryCare Affiliates will present the workshop “Primary Care in the Elderly”. Dr. Waltman is Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and has additional distinctive qualifications in Geriatric Medicine.

Every attendee will receive a free copy of the latest EECO Resource Guide for Older Adults and Caregivers.

There will also be giveaways, raffle prizes, and refreshments. This free, one-day event is sponsored by Elder Education Community Outreach (EECO) and Old Colony Elderly Services’ Family Caregiver Support Program.

For more information, contact Sara Gassett at Old Colony Elderly Services, (508) 584-1561 ext. 272.

About Old Colony Elderly Services

Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In their training, student interior designers often learn about the history of their profession. This can be a really important way to give context to their subsequent careers. In this article, I will draw on my experience as an interior designer and educator to discuss the history of this exciting field.

The earliest professional interior designers were based in London – the British had become intrigued by Egyptian techniques of decorating household objects and wanted the same for themselves. London families became desperate to employ an interior designer to create magical spaces and accessorise their interiors. As interior designers came to be recognised as professionals, they increasingly found a need to draw on history to create fabulous results. This was particularly true when creating designs for historic London mansions or listed buildings – they saw historical reflections as a way of preserving the past while also looking to the future.

THE ANCIENT ROMANS

In Ancient Rome, citizens demanded comfort, luxury and wealth. These elements are still important in the work of interior designers across the world today. The lavish decorations, tapestries and iconic stonework today remain as timeless and popular in London as in Tokyo or Sydney. The Ancient Romans adored bespoke furniture and loved quality textiles and expensive fabrics.