Milestone HCQU West Blog - News, Resources, and Innovative Ideas & Supports

October 15, 2025

For the Love of Horses

Have you heard of Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center in Butler, PA? The Center offers therapeutic riding opportunities to adults and children with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. When I visited the owner, Deb Campbell, was nothing but delightful. She and her staff were patient in offering instructions on how to groom the horses. Riding will be offered again beginning...

Community/General

October 8, 2025

A Practical Guide to Preventing Falls

Each year, more than 14 million adults aged 65 and older experience a fall in the United States, according to CDC statistics. Approximately 21% of older adults who fall each year end up in the emergency department. Around 7 % of falls among older adults result in hospitalization. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face a significantly elevated risk...

General

October 1, 2025

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. To honor this month and bring attention to it, I’d like to take a moment of your time and introduce you to the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh (DSAP). For those of you who may not be familiar with the DSAP, it is a small, non-profit agency which supports the Down syndrome community...

General/Resources

September 24, 2025

Improving Range of Motion as You Age: Strategies for Staying Flexible and Active

As we age, it is common to notice changes in how our bodies move. However, it does not mean that it has to be “normal”. You may hear people say that losing strength and range of motion is a normal part of aging, but that is not always the truth. You may notice that tasks that once felt easy such...

General

September 17, 2025

Fall: Be Aware of the Fabulous and the Flu

Fall is the time of year when everything is pretty exhilarating from the magnificent colors of leaves to apple picking and delicious, fresh cider. Let’s not forget the pumpkin everything this time of the year! The shorter days and longer nights, the cool crisp mornings, and the breezy sunny days are sometimes pleasantly welcomed after a hot and humid summer...

Community/General

September 10, 2025

Got to Love That Libby

Ok fellow readers, I’ve been a major fan of Libby for about five years now. I have to make a fuss. If you’re asking “Who or what is Libby?,” get ready to jump on the fan bandwagon. What is Libby? Libby is basically your local library made virtual. Yes! The library can come to our living rooms, nay closer, the...

General/Resources

September 3, 2025

You Heard that Right: Project ECHO

Project ECHO is an educational program offered by Penn State College of Medicine. ECHO stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes and is an internationally-recognized, evidence-based approach to continuing education and telementoring. It focuses on sharing knowledge across milesand disciplines. Project ECHO actually started back in 2018 and has been influencing positive health outcomes around Pennsylvania and beyond. We want...

General/Resources

August 27, 2025

Camping The Great Outdoor Escape

Camping has been growing in increasing popularity. More and more people are taking their travels on the road in RVs. It’s a great way to vacation. Many RVs are like personal tiny homes with all the accommodations you’d find in your own house. Some places even rent RVs for those that don’t want to jump all in and buy one.Still,...

Community/Resources

August 20, 2025

The Sensory Trail: A Trail for All

As summer winds down and fall begins, you might find yourself looking for an activity to do with the people you support. Might I suggest getting outdoors and enjoying the cooler days with a picnic and a hike? Not sure where to go? Well, I have a suggestion for that too…Cook Forest State Park! Cook Forest State Park in Cooksburg,...

Community/General

August 13, 2025

Lyme: The Imitator and Quiet Epidemic of the Northeast

The summer months certainly increase our time in outdoor activities. However, it is important to keep in mind the risks of ticks. Lyme disease is a growing epidemic across the northeastern United States of America (U.S.). On the rise Lyme disease was first recognized in the U.S. in 1975, after a mysterious outbreak of arthritis near Lyme, Connecticut. It is known...

General