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

November 27, 2019

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow begins the true kick-off of the Holiday Season and in the busyness of all of the hoopla it can sometimes be hard to remember the gratitude that we have for the blessings in our lives. While we wait for our food to come out of the oven, my family and I are going to play the Skittles Gratitude game....

General

November 20, 2019

Thanks and No Thanks: Approaching the Holidays

As I decided on the topic for this blog, I am reminded of the many years of holiday seasons that have come and gone where we have reviewed how to be sensitive to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the holiday seasons. Messages are conveyed to be mindful of the losses that so many have suffered around the holidays....

Community/Everyday Life/General

November 13, 2019

Older Adults and Medication Management

Our hair may become gray, our laugh lines more apparent and we may not have the energy we once did but aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity, adventures, and strength. Did you know…sometimes what we think is normal aging could be the effects or side effects of medications? Many improvements in the health and...

Everyday Life/General

November 6, 2019

The Art of Sensitivity

Story. Dance. Music. Art enriches our lives so much and it is for me a great bonding opportunity. I believe stories are meant to be shared and it is in the sharing that somehow people find common ground and understanding. Have you ever been to the ballet? I’ve only gone once but that day stands out to me as a...

Community/General

October 30, 2019

There’s an App for That!

Apps, or mobile applications, have revolutionized our lives. We use apps to get directions, shop online, increase productivity, or motivate us to make a lifestyle change. But did you know that apps have also made a huge impact on the lives of people living with disabilities? Apps can assist with communication, learning new skills, daily routines, and so much more....

General/Resources/Technology

October 23, 2019

LEGO®: A Brand for Every Ability

LEGO®…doesn’t the mere mention of that name bring back fond childhood memories? How many of you can remember playing for endless hours with LEGO® sets? I do. In fact, I still enjoy putting a LEGO® set together with my children or using our imaginations to come up with our own creations. The LEGO® group was founded in Denmark in 1932,...

Community/Everyday Life/General

October 16, 2019

Could the Person You Support Benefit from Physical or Occupational Therapy? It’s Not a Far Stretch.

As HCQU staff, we are often times asked to come in and provide insight as to how best to support an individual and their team that may be struggling with medical, behavioral, emotional, and physical complications. These are called Intensive Technical Assists or ITAs. As we try to sleuth our way through medical and psychiatric records along with input from...

General/Resources

October 9, 2019

Clarion County Fair

What a great day at the Clarion County Fair. I had the opportunity to go to the Clarion County Fair on Disability Awareness Day this past July. I didn’t know what to expect but I can certainly say that the day was amazing! It was presented by Valley Advantages and it was open to all people with disabilities and their...

Community/General

October 2, 2019

Music: The Body and Mind Connection

Reach over and flip on the radio….BOOM…it’s a song you remember from your childhood, a song where you played it and then played it 20 more times, a song that takes you to a specific moment in time shared by you and someone special to you. In an instant you are transported back to that place. Not only does music...

Everyday Life/General/Resources

September 25, 2019

Healthcare Challenges with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Recently, I have seen first-hand the challenges faced by providers to get the much needed care for the ladies and gentlemen they support. It can be very frustrating for the providers and the individuals receiving care. Sometimes it takes several visits to healthcare providers and many tests to rule out underlying conditions. The challenges can include improving the health and...

Everyday Life/General