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MATHER PAVILION ADDS NEW MEMORY SUPPORT DIRECTOR
TO NATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED TEAM

New Addition Reinforces Mather Pavilion's Commitment to Offering
Comprehensive Person-Centered Care for Memory Support

EVANSTON , Illinois , July 14, 2005 — Mather LifeWays, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the well-being of older adults with “Ways to Age Well,” announces that it has recently appointed Joanne Walsh Malleta as the Director of Memory Support at Mather Pavilion, its skilled nursing residence located in Evanston , IL . Malleta's appointment reinforces Mather LifeWays' commitment to providing the highest quality care to those who suffer from the various stages of memory loss, including Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Bringing 12 years of older adult health care experience to Mather Pavilion, Malleta most recently served as director of the Alzheimer's/dementia unit in the Chicago-based Imperial Nursing Center . She developed, implemented and maintained an advanced dementia unit and conducted formal and informal education of the entire staff, focusing on a person-centered care approach.

As Mather Pavilion's Director of Memory Support, Malleta is working hand-in-hand with the Dementia Clinical Supervisor to maintain a high quality of life for residents. She oversees various activities, social work, guest relations, and dementia training for Mather Pavilion staff.


Malleta earned her social work degree from the University of Iowa and came directly to Chicago to volunteer for one year as an inner city social worker. She organized an outreach initiative for 250 older adults, and her experiences inspired her to seek out more opportunities to work with older adults.

“Mather Pavilion's Memory Support Unit is industry-recognized for its in-depth quality of care provided by a specially trained interdisciplinary team. I am thrilled to join this team and the Mather LifeWays family,” said Malleta.

“We have an incredible team of specialists in Memory Support, including Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging experts on dementia, Alzheimer's disease and caregiving,” said Jean Brophy, Vice President of Senior Living for Mather LifeWays. “Ms. Malleta has an extensive background in working with older adults, particularly those who are living with dementia. Her appointment strengthens Mather LifeWays' position as a leading provider in memory support, dementia and Alzheimer's disease services.”

Mather Pavilion is a skilled nursing community in Evanston , IL that prides itself on providing the highest levels of care and personal attention to its residents through a person-centered approach to care, professional staffing, research, and specialized rehab services. In order to provide opportunities for intellectual exchange and daily engagement, Mather Pavilion extended beyond the traditional outlets for professional care to include an in-depth volunteer program involving hundreds of community members young and old. In 2002 Mather Pavilion reconfigured its five-story building to accommodate the special needs of residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by transforming a traditional skilled nursing environment into a more home-like configuration.

 

Who is Mather LifeWays?

Mather LifeWays is a 50+-year-old, not-for-profit organization committed to creating Ways to Age Well. Mather LifeWays demonstrates its commitment to promoting the vitality and well-being of older adults by providing a variety of experiences and services to meet this diverse group's lifestyle preferences. These offerings include senior residences, research and education and community programs. Mather LifeWays' senior residences offer choices and flexibility, from independent living to assisted living and skilled care. The Institute on Aging plays a leading role in enhancing the lives of older adults in today's society through numerous collaborative and applied research and education projects. Mather LifeWays' Community Initiatives programs, including the successful Mather's – More Than a Café concept, enable Mather LifeWays to act as a point of contact for older adults who seek access to community resources. These accomplishments, and more, make Mather LifeWays unique in its goal to advance the possibilities for a lifetime of Ways to Age Well. The organization is based in Evanston , Ill. More information is available at www.matherlifeways.com .

 

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