In 2016, the Foundation began working on a three-year research project with Washington State University’s College of Nursing to implement smart home sensor technology in homes at Touchmark on South Hill in Spokane, Washington, and Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Oregon. This unobtrusive technology promotes healthy aging in place while supporting nursing research in developing future gerontological health care practices.
A longstanding focus for the Foundation has been to help alleviate hunger in seniors and families. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed more than $100,000 to support the annual holiday food box project, which has been making a difference in people’s health and well-being.
Touchmark provides 300 food boxes for those in need each year during the winter holiday season. The boxes are distributed to the Virginia Garcia Wellness Center in Cornelius for the Washington County location, and to the Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Portland for the Multnomah County location. People wanting to obtain a box should contact those locations directly for more information:
Partnering with Western Oregon University and Meals on Wheels People, the Foundation provided a grant to help seniors enhance their concentration and memory through a series of fun and challenging games offered while waiting for meals to be served. These games utilized Dr. Rob Winningham’s “Use It or Lose It” program to exercise different portions of the brain.
SENIOR VISION PROGRAM
The Touchmark Foundation developed a program that addressed vision impairment in seniors. Through collaboration with several Touchmark locations and surrounding communities, the Foundation was able to acquire low-vision assistive devices, train staff, and develop programs to support people’s vision needs.
The Foundation encouraged other communities to implement similar programs based on the experiences and outcomes of these pilot projects. The low-vision project demonstrated the power of the collaboration between the Foundation and Touchmark—and the potential to create new and significant programs for seniors on a broad, national scale.
FALL REDUCTION PROGRAM
The balance program addresses the importance of reducing falls in seniors. Thanks to a generous donation, the Foundation purchased and installed a NeuroCom® Balance Master® in Bend, Oregon. The equipment evaluates a person’s balance and provides information for treatment regimens. The Foundation also partnered with Cal State Fullerton to develop water-based fall reduction solutions.
Programs
CURRENT PROGRAMS
SMART HOMES
In 2016, the Foundation began working on a three-year research project with Washington State University’s College of Nursing to implement smart home sensor technology in homes at Touchmark on South Hill in Spokane, Washington, and Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Oregon. This unobtrusive technology promotes healthy aging in place while supporting nursing research in developing future gerontological health care practices.
**Press Release** TOUCHMARK FOUNDATION AND WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER TEAM UP TO INVESTIGATE THE USE OF SMART-HOME TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIORS
HOLIDAY FOOD BOX PROJECT
A longstanding focus for the Foundation has been to help alleviate hunger in seniors and families. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed more than $100,000 to support the annual holiday food box project, which has been making a difference in people’s health and well-being.
Touchmark provides 300 food boxes for those in need each year during the winter holiday season. The boxes are distributed to the Virginia Garcia Wellness Center in Cornelius for the Washington County location, and to the Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Portland for the Multnomah County location. People wanting to obtain a box should contact those locations directly for more information:
Virginia Garcia Wellness Center: 503-359-5564
Immaculate Heart: 503-287-3724
Click here for more information.
PAST PROGRAMS
BRAIN GAMES
Partnering with Western Oregon University and Meals on Wheels People, the Foundation provided a grant to help seniors enhance their concentration and memory through a series of fun and challenging games offered while waiting for meals to be served. These games utilized Dr. Rob Winningham’s “Use It or Lose It” program to exercise different portions of the brain.
SENIOR VISION PROGRAM
The Touchmark Foundation developed a program that addressed vision impairment in seniors. Through collaboration with several Touchmark locations and surrounding communities, the Foundation was able to acquire low-vision assistive devices, train staff, and develop programs to support people’s vision needs.
The Foundation encouraged other communities to implement similar programs based on the experiences and outcomes of these pilot projects. The low-vision project demonstrated the power of the collaboration between the Foundation and Touchmark—and the potential to create new and significant programs for seniors on a broad, national scale.
FALL REDUCTION PROGRAM
The balance program addresses the importance of reducing falls in seniors. Thanks to a generous donation, the Foundation purchased and installed a NeuroCom® Balance Master® in Bend, Oregon. The equipment evaluates a person’s balance and provides information for treatment regimens. The Foundation also partnered with Cal State Fullerton to develop water-based fall reduction solutions.