Thursday, January 30, 2014

Are You Looking for Affordable Home Care for Your Elderly Loved One?


Finding affordable, dependable care for older loved ones remains an ongoing issue for many families.

NewsChannel 5's Talk of the Town's Tuwanda Coleman recently interviewed Progress Inc. Executive Director Donna Goodaker and Director of Senior Services Crystal Martin about leading the pack in customized, caring services and programs for seniors and people with disabilities.

Tell us what you think about the Progress interview in the comment section below.

Click the image above to see the short clip of this morning's Talk of the Town Extra interview.



Our Mission
Progress provides staff supports to bridge the gap between limited independence and the realization of the best possible life. Since 1971, we have provided day program services that keep our clients with intellectual disabilities engaged in the community and gainfully employed. Progress also provides round-the-clock staff at the home of those individuals through our residential services. Since 2009, Progress has provided personal, respite, sitter and transportation services to seniors.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Senior Spotlight: Transportation Ranks High on the List for Seniors

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Senior Care Administrator Parthenia Fayne and Windlands reisdents Clem and Lillian.
There's no better way to find out the best way to serve senior citizens than to go straight to the source - seniors. Progress Director of Senior Services Crystal Martin and Senior Care Administrator Parthenia Fayne recently visited a group of folks who reside at Windlands East, an 
award-winning independent, senior living community in Madison.

The folks loved their scheduled activities, fully-furnished apartments and the bond they've created with their friends at Windlands. Though few had a need for our personal care, homemaker services or sitter services, some Windlands residents had many questions about how Progress could help with their transportation needs.

Since the National Center on Senior Transportation estimates that nearly 50 percent of seniors need transportation alternatives, it's no surprise that Parthenia and Crystal received several questions about how Progress can help get Windlands residents from point A to B. 

Progress' Customized Companion Transportation offers an affordable, personal form of transportation to doctor's offices and pharmacies. Seniors need transportation to doctors, specialists and other health care professionals throughout their week. Those appointments cannot always be aligned with group transportation (like a community van) or with their loved one's schedules. 

With just one-day notice, Progress staff can escort to doctor's appointments and pharmacy visits. The companion aspect of transporting seniors means we don't just drop you off - we're there the whole time!

If you'd like to schedule an appointment or find out more about Customize Companion Transportation, give us a call at (615) 399-3000 ext. 4759.


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Nashville Group & Ruby Tuesday Show Their Love for Camp Progress

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Cori (The Gathering), Progress Inc. Program Manager Annelise , Progress Executive Director Donna  and Rolander (The Gathering) pose with Camp Progress donation check.

The giving has continued well beyond Giving Tuesday for Camp Progress! 

Just last week, some generous folks dropped by Progress' office with a donation to Camp Progress. The men - who call themselves The Gathering - held a line dancing party at Progress and donated $150 (a portion of the proceeds from the party) to Camp Progress.

We also had some support from folks in the community through our Ruby Tuesday Give Back last month. Ruby Tuesday gave 20 percent of the proceeds from those who turned in our flyers to Camp Progress. About $140 was raised the weekend of the event.

 THANKS TO THE GATHERING AND RUBY TUESDAY. 


 Camp Progress  will offer youths ages 10-22 with intellectual disabilities a unique camp experience that nurtures their needs, opens their minds and emphasizes fun. The innovative indoor and outdoor activities focus on the “can” instead of the “cannot.” The camp takes place 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 9-July 18 at West End Middle School.

As the date of Camp Progress grows nearer, we are hoping to secure donations of volunteer time, activities and supplies of our youth participating at the camp. If you'd like an opportunity to be a part of the fun this summer, please contact Meika McClendon at m.mcclendon@progress-inc.org or  615-399-300 ext. 4714.



Monday, January 6, 2014

Seniors and Mental Health: Taking Care of Yourself & Your Mental Wellness

mental health, Alzheimer's, dementia, depression, caregiver, in-home care
Talking with your loved ones and thinking positively can be keys to mental health. 

January marks National Mental Wellness Month, and Progress is honoring the month by offering tools and tips that can assist seniors in caring for their mental wellness. 


More than 6.5 million people over the age of 65 suffer from depression, according to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation.


GMHF, a foundation dedicated to raising awareness about psychiatry and mental health disorders affecting the elderly, offers several resources on this matter, including an online toolkit.


For seniors, taking some steps to make healthy lifestyle choices can make a major difference in mental wellness.


Talking with those who have had similar experiences and feelings can be very helpful because they will understand how you feel.

Spend time with people you enjoy and avoid people who are not supportive.

Pace yourself—do not expect to do everything that you did before you had depression. Set a realistic schedule. Ask a friend or family member to take over some of the things that you need to do for a period of time.

Think positively and try to avoid blaming yourself or expecting failure. Identify areas of your life that are positive.

Identify problems in your life and list problems that you think may have triggered the depression. Work out a strategy to deal with the problems. Discuss them with family, friends, and your health care provider. Develop a step-by-step action plan—but plan realistic steps.

Identify pleasant activities and routines that you enjoyed before you became depressed. Think about those activities as well as those you would like to do. Once identified, start to return to that routine. Choose one activity each week from the pleasant activity and routine list.

Avoid making major life decisions. If you do need to make a major decision that will impact your life, ask a friend or family member for assistance.

Get exercise and spend time outdoors. Exercise and natural light can be effective natural treatments for depression.

Eat a healthy diet and limit your intake of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and salt.

Be patient—it will take time to get better.

For more information about Geriactric Mental Health, please visit http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/default.asp.