Fall 2004
Vol. 11/ No. 2

With TigerPlace holding its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony this summer, residents have started moving into their apartments. And with their move in, Senior Care nurses have also taken up residence in the on-site TigerCare facilities.

TigerCare is the term given to the health care services available to residents of TigerPlace.

“Currently we offer residents a place to check their blood pressure, weight and to talk about other matters that may be concerning them,” said Gene Taylor, Senior Care RN and director of education and community services. “We conduct a health assessment of each resident when they move in so we have a base line on their health care status.”

As the home-health agency of the school, Senior Care is providing care and collecting data throughout the mid-Missouri area to keep their clients living in the residence of their choice.

Additionally they are also involved in a state-designated aging-in-place project. Sites designated as aging in place allow residents to remain in their apartments as their health care and nursing services needs increase with aging-related challenges. TigerPlace is one of those sites in the Columbia area.

By working hand-in-hand with Americare Systems, Inc., the School of Nursing and other disciplines on the MU campus are conducting research that will make TigerPlace a national model for how senior care should develop as the baby boomer generation starts showing more gray hair.

By having a clinic on site at TigerPlace, Senior Care nurses are able to build a personal relationship with each resident thus enabling them to administer preventative care.
Senior Care’s strength is care coordination — helping clients to navigate the health care system. As RNs specializing in gerontology, these nurses have experience communicating with doctors, understanding medication interactions and knowing the health-care challenges to be aware of in the aging process.

Tim Harlan, former state representa- tive, looks at the individual screened- in porch of a model apartment during a tour of TigerPlace.

On average, most Senior Care clients are over the age of 70, have varying degrees of memory loss and are taking 13 different medications per day.

“As you can image, this scenario would be difficult to manage even if you were in your 50s and didn’t have memory loss,” said Karen Marek, Senior Care executive director. “Our expertise allows us to assess how our clients are responding to the combination of medications they are taking to help them with a variety of health care concerns.
“Being involved on a daily basis at TigerPlace allows the nurses and residents to build a relationship based on trust. Thus keeping them healthy while delivering preventative care.”

The eight residents that moved in when TigerPlace opened are already feeling at home in their new environment.

The TigerPlace Pet Initiative program and on-site veterinary clinic allows residents to bring their pets in for check ups without having to travel across town. It also allows MU vet students the opportunity to interact with seniors and become familiar with their concerns.

“We feel like a family now,” said Betty Miller, a TigerPlace resident, “but we wish there were more of us here to enjoy this beautiful place.”

Miller is also excited about the yoga classes set to begin in late summer. Tigercize is an exercise program that is geared to an older audience.

“Our goal is to keep older adults in shape by concentrating on strengthening, stretching and balancing exercises,” Taylor said. “Our instructors have experience or certification in working with adults over the age of 55. In fact, it’s their preference to work with those over the age of 65.”

With the small class size, the instructors will be able to work individually with residents so they can address the areas that concern them.

Tigercize also kicked off a walking program this summer. With a healthy lunch and a new stepometer, residents are enjoying walking and talking with each other as they walk around TigerPlace’s paved walking paths. As the program progresses, the group will also start taking off-site walks through the adjoining neighborhood.

“Walking is a great way to stay healthy and to get to know your neighbor,” Taylor said. “All of our programs are specifically tailored to keeping the older adult healthy both physically and mentally.”