December 27, 2005

"Almost Home" Screenings in SW PA

View and discuss one nursing home's culture change journey

In January 2006, Almost Home, will be released chronicling one year of a Milwaukee nursing home's culture change journey.  The unique documentary is thought-provoking and prompts discussion as it highlights the successes and struggles encountered by a real nursing home trying to change how it serves older adults.

The film will be aired on PBS stations nationally, January 31, 2005 (check local listings).  However, those in southwestern PA and surrounding counties will have several opportunities to see an advance showing and discuss the film with colleagues and the community.  There are 5 showings listed below:

•  Indian Haven in Indiana, January 4th at 2-4 pm.  For directions or more information, contact Paula Bracken, Clinical Consultant, Affinity Health Services (paula.bracken@affinityhealthservices.net; 1-877-311-0110)

•  LAS Passavant Retirement Community, January 5th at 9 am.  For more information and directions, contact Lilly Sahady, Director of Nursing (lsahady@lutheranseniorlife.org; 724-452-3595)

•  Washington County Health Center, January 12th at 2 pm. For directions or more information, contact Paula Bracken, Clinical Consultant, Affinity Health Services (paula.bracken@affinityhealthservices.net; 1-877-311-0110)

•  The Williamsport Home in Williamsport, PA, January 11th at 11:30 am.  For directions or more information, contact Paula Bracken, Clinical Consultant, Affinity Health Services (paula.bracken@affinityhealthservices.net; 1-877-311-0110)

•  Bradford County Manor in Troy, PA, January 18th at 1:30 pm.  For directions or more information, contact Paula Bracken, Clinical Consultant, Affinity Health Services (paula.bracken@affinityhealthservices.net; 1-877-311-0110)

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ALMOST HOME is a feature-length, true-to-life documentary that chronicles a year in the life of a vibrant and revolutionary retirement community in America's Midwest. It will premiere on the Emmy Award winning PBS series Independent Lens, in January 2006, just as the wave of baby boomers, born in 1946, turns 60.  As the 76 million strong Boomer generation rounds that momentous corner, 50% of Americans will be reckoning with either their own aging or that of a loved one. It is not an easy task for a generation steeped in denial about getting older and frightened by the specter of dependency.  We prefer to combat aging with pills, creams, surgery, and humor instead of understanding its realities and planning ahead, and the media only deepens the denial by serving up images of "positive aging" like 90-year-old parachuters, while shunning images of frailty and dementia.  ALMOST HOME, airs on Independent Lens, on public television in your area on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 10 PM (check local listings) and reveals real stories of aging: frightening, tender, funny, surprising and honest.  A prescreening of this touching documentary is being hosted at the locations above as an opportunity for members of the community to hear from a local nursing home that is implementing "culture change" in its service delivery.  All members of the local community are welcomed to the prescreening. A question and answer period will follow and refreshments will be served. To find out more about the film consult the website: www.almosthomedoc.org.  

Heather Mayger
Manager of Operations
Southwestern PA Partnership for Aging
201 Smith Drive, Suite 2D
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
phone-724-779-3200
fax-724-779-2131
swppahm@zoominternet.net
www.swppa.org