Hope Hospice promotes connection with VR technology

With the introduction of a new virtual reality activity, Hope Hospice is helping to alleviate feelings of isolation for those in their care and encourage a sense of connection with others through a shared experience.

Hope’s counselors can customize the VR activities as users exercise their minds and check items off their bucket list. Specially-designed VR headsets allow access to simulated activities like skydiving, swimming with dolphins, or exploring must-see spots in different countries. Virtually visiting a specific place — like a childhood home or a favorite vacation destination — promotes reminiscence therapy, which is especially helpful for those with Alzheimer’s disease or related memory disorders. Family and friends are able to connect with their loved one by sharing a VR experience together.

Themed experiences based on holidays and seasons are available, along with interactive VR games and activities designed to help reduce stress and increase movement.

Hope Healthcare is a not-for-profit health care organization dedicated to providing care and comfort to every individual and their loved ones as they fulfill life’s journey. For more information, call 239-482-4673 or visit www.HopeHCS.org.

Cypress at Home acquires skilled home health services

Cypress at Home is expanding its service line offerings through the acquisition of the skilled home health service operations of All About Home Care Inc.

All About Home Care Inc. is accredited by Community Health Accreditation Partner and has been providing skilled home health services to the local community for the past 13 years. These services include post-hospital care, in-home monitoring services, infusion, social services, wound care, skilled nursing care, clinical case management and rehabilitation services.

Adding skilled home health services to Cypress at Home will create one seamless, well-coordinated approach to care that supports aging-in-place for older adults. This new service line will be known as Home Health by Cypress at Home and will be supported by the Cypress at Home Medical Director, Dr. Bob Rahmanian DO.

Cypress at Home’s current suite of services includes its Aging Life Care Professionals, who provide care coordination and advanced dignified care for older adults; Care Management by Cypress at Home Care by Cypress at Home, a team of clinical and non-clinical members who provide non-Medicare, private duty support; and the recently launched Medical Care by Cypress at Home, s a team of physician assistants and nurse practitioners who will provide in-office, in-home and virtual-based care.

Cypress at Home is a not-for-profit organization supported by Cypress Living, tasked with changing the way care is coordinated and provided for older adults living in their homes. Cypress at Home offers multiple service options to its clients and individuals interested in utilizing the services of Cypress at Home can call 239-349-3300 or visit www.cypressathome.org

HOPE Clubhouse’s ‘Faces of HOPE’ 10-year celebration set for Oct. 19

HOPE Clubhouse’s annual mental health fundraising luncheon, “Faces of HOPE: Celebrating 10 Years of Growing HOPE,” is coming Monday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will occur both in-person at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, at 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, and virtually via Zoom in a new hybrid fashion to adhere to CDC safety guidelines.

Funds raised at the event will aid HOPE Clubhouse’s mission of providing a community of support for adults living with a mental illness and opportunities for paid employment and access to education, housing, and wellness.

 The event is open to the public and will be emceed by Patrick Nolan of Fox 4 News. The program will include a welcome by Daleen O’Dell, the honorary chair; entertainment by comedian Amy Tee; messages from Clubhouse members; and recognition of the founding mothers, Judith Gardner, Sharon Harris, Carrie Lucas, and Susan Tew, in honor of the Clubhouse’s 10th anniversary.

A live auction will also occur, with prizes ranging from a spectacular wine dinner hosted by Fran Fenning, to a five-night stay at the HubbHouse in Cape Charles, and even a python hunting experience in the Everglades.

Tickets and sponsorships for the event are available for purchase online here. Tickets are $100 to participate in-person and $75 to participate virtually. All attendees will receive lunch as part of their ticket price. In-person attendees will receive lunch courtesy of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. Virtual attendees are invited to pick up an executive box lunch complete with a personal-sized sparkling rosé, specially prepared by members in the HOPE to Go Kitchen.

For more information on the event or sponsorships, click here. Inquiries about the event and sponsorship opportunities can also be directed to HOPE Clubhouse at (239) 267-1777 or info@HOPEclub house.org.

Area Agency on Aging to hold grand opening

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, a nonprofit serving older adults and adults with disabilities, is hosting a grand opening to celebrate its new headquarters in Fort Myers at 2830 Winkler Ave. Attendees will be required to practice social distancing.

The special event is Thursday, Oct. 22, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

New interim CEO, Norma Adorno, the AAASWFL team and board chairman, Wendy Hayes, along with local community partners are expected to attend.

Masks will be required and provided on-site. Light refreshments and individually wrapped appetizers will be served. Call to 239-652-6929 by October 19 to RSVP.

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties. The organization is committed to connecting older adults and adults with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity.  More information is available at https://www.aaaswfl.org or by calling the toll-free Helpline at 866-41-ELDER. 

Cypress Cove appoints assisted living manager

Kimberly Anderson-Rieara has been appointed assisted living manager of Cypress Cove, a South Fort Myers life plan community located on the campus of HealthPark Florida.

The former assisted living director of Brightview Senior Living in Maryland, Anderson-Rieara will be responsible for the management of day-to-day operations in assisted living and assuring a commitment of quality service to the residents and employees at both of Cypress Cove’s assisted living communities, The Inn at Cypress Cove and its memory care community, The Cottage at Cypress Cove.

Anderson-Rieara is a Navy veteran who attended the University of Maryland and earned a bachelor’s of science in gerontology and a certificate in applied behavioral and social sciences.

Cypress Cove–a not-for-profit organization, opened in 1999–is a well-established, highly-respected, Life Plan Community (formerly known as a continuing care retirement community) with regional and national recognition. Located on a 60-acre campus at HealthPark Florida in South Fort Myers, Cypress Cove is home to more than 600 residents and offers a full complement (529) of quality living options (independent living, home health, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care assisted living and rehabilitative care).