BENNINGTON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE INC

SERVICES: BUILDING WE CONTINUE TO RAISE FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE LOWER, ORCHARD LEVEL OF THE BUILDING TO CREATE A LARGER ACTIVITY AND PROGRAMMATIC AREA FOR OUR MEMBERS. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW THE ENTIRE BUILDING TO BE UTILIZED IN THE EVENT OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY. THE DR. RICHARD A. SLEEMAN CENTER IS PLEASED TO BE DESIGNATED AS AN AMERICAN RED CROSS SHELTER FOR BENNINGTON COUNTY. ADULT DAY SERVICE PERSONNEL: HAVING THE RIGHT STAFF IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR ADULT DAY PROGRAM. FAMILIES ENTRUST THE CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONES TO BENNINGTON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE EVERY DAY. OUR STAFF TEND TO BECOME AN EXTENSION OF FAMILY FOR MANY OF OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILY CAREGIVERS. BPI'S STAFF INCLUDES AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO IS QUALIFIED AS AN ACTIVITY CONSULTANT CERTIFIED AND MASTERS LEVEL EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPIST, CERTIFIED DEMENTIA PRACTITIONER; A PROGRAM AND FISCAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR WHO IS ALSO OUR WEBMASTER; AN ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR WHO OVERSEES OUR BILLING DEPARTMENT AND FOYER STAFF; A MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR; A SOCIAL WORKER; AN ACTIVITY COORDINATOR WHO IS ACTIVITY DIRECTOR CERTIFIED; ACTIVITY ASSISTANTS; A HEALTH COORDINATOR/REGISTERED NURSE; LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES; LICENSED NURSING ASSISTANTS; AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT; VAN DRIVERS; A NUTRITION COORDINATOR/COOK; NUTRITION ASSISTANTS; A HOUSEKEEPER; A FACILITIES COORDINATOR; AND PART-TIME FOYER GREETERS. OUR STAFF IS SUPPLEMENTED BY ASSISTANCE FROM A CONSULTING BOOKKEEPER, A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, AN ART THERAPIST, AND A YOGA THERAPIST. BPI TAKES PRIDE IN ITS EXCELLENT STAFF-TO-MEMBER RATIO AND OF ALL OF THE PERSON-CENTERED ASPECTS OF CARE AND SERVICE. WITH OUR INNOVATIVE, AND EXPANDED ADULT DAY HEALTH FACILITY, BPI'S STAFFING NEEDS HAVE ALSO INCREASED. THIS HAS CREATED MORE JOBS FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY. WE KNEW THAT WITH THE FACILITY EXPANSION OUR PERSONNEL BUDGET WOULD NEED TO INCREASE ALSO. BPI HAS HISTORICALLY HAD AN EXCELLENT HISTORY OF LONG TERM STAFF RETENTION. MULTIPLE STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WITH BPI 25 YEARS OR MORE. STAFF ARE NOT JUST HIRED, THEY ARE ADDED TO OUR "BPI FAMILY" IT GENERALLY TAKES ABOUT A YEAR TO TRULY LEARN THE INTRICACIES OF THE JOB AND THE PERSON-CENTERED PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION OF OUR ORGANIZATION. ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY CARING, DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE CROSS TRAINED TO PROVIDE THE UTMOST IN FLEXIBILITY AND SERVICE PROVISION FOR OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SOME OF OUR STAFF ARE ALSO CERTIFIED BY THE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION IN THE CARES APPROACH PLUS ADVANCED DEMENTIA CARE. WITH THE DR. RICHARD A. SLEEMAN CENTER AS A SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCE AND WITH ITS PROFESSIONAL AND COMPASSIONATE STAFF, BENNINGTON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE CONTINUES ITS PROUD TRADITION OF HELPING FAMILIES SHARE THE CARE.

HEALTH SERVICES: KITCHENS IN DESIGNING OUR ADULT DAY CENTER, THE DR. RICHARD A. SLEEMAN CENTER, THE PROVISION OF FRESH, HIGH QUALITY MEALS FOR OUR MEMBERS WAS PARAMOUNT. MANY OF OUR ELDERLY OR DISABLED MEMBERS ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO PREPARE THEIR OWN MEALS AND HAVE NUTRITIONAL ISSUES THAT CAN AFFECT THEIR HEALTH. THE FOOD WE SERVE FOR LUNCH AT BPI MAY BE THE ONLY WELL-BALANCED MEAL SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE EACH DAY. THE DR. RICHARD A. SLEEMAN CENTER HAS A FULL-FEATURED, MODERN COMMERCIAL KITCHEN. WE RECEIVED DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SEVERAL ACCOMPLISHED LOCAL CHEFS AND RESTAURANTEURS. THE RESULT IS AN EFFICIENT AND MODERN KITCHEN CAPABLE OF FEEDING NOT ONLY OUR MEMBERS BUT OF SERVING SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SHOULD OUR FACILITY EVER NEED TO BE USED AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. BPI IS ALSO A CONGREGATE MEALS SITE FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN VERMONT COUNCIL ON AGING. THIS ENABLES THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE MAKE A RESERVATION TO ENJOY LUNCH AND THE BEAUTIFUL AMBIANCE OF THE DR. RICHARD A. SLEEMAN CENTER. BPI HAS A TALENTED NUTRITION COORDINATOR WHO UNDERSTANDS THE UNIQUE DIETARY NEEDS OF OLDER PERSONS AND YOUNGER ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. EACH DAY, OUR NUTRITION STAFF PROVIDE WHATEVER DIETARY ACCOMMODATION OUR MEMBERS' HEALTH NEEDS REQUIRES (FROM SUGAR-FREE, TO GLUTEN FREE, TO PUREED, ETC.). BPI IS COMMITTED TO MAKING WELL BALANCED, NUTRITIOUS, HOME-COOKED MEALS AND HEALTHY SNACKS. WE SUPPLEMENT OUR MENUS WITH FRESH VEGETABLES FROM OUR OWN MEMBER'S GARDEN. OUR NUTRITION STAFF WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR ACTIVITY PROGRAM TO ENSURE THAT OUR MEALS DOVETAIL WITH THE ACTIVITY THEMES OF THE DAY. THEY COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER BEAUTIFULLY AND PROVIDE A FLAVORFUL ADDITION. BESIDES THE FULL COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, BPI INCLUDED A FULL RESIDENTIAL-STYLE KITCHEN THAT IS COMPLETELY HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE. THE COUNTERS AND SINK CAN ACCOMMODATE MEMBERS IN WHEELCHAIRS. AN INDUCTION COOKTOP WAS INCLUDED TO ENSURE THE UTMOST IN MEMBER AND STAFF SAFETY IN COOKING. THE COUNTRY KITCHEN WAS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY. OUR MEMBERS ENJOY RELEARNING OR POLISHING UP THEIR COOKING SKILLS. OUR HOMEY COUNTRY KITCHEN IS A DELIGHTFUL PLACE FOR OUR MEMBERS TO RELISH THE JOYS OF HOME COOKING AND A PLACE TO SHARE FAMILY MEMORIES AND RECIPES. HAVING OUR OWN KITCHEN HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY POSITIVE ADDITION TO THE SERVICES AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR OUR MEMBERS. EXERCISE: THE FITNESS AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS AT BENNINGTON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE ARE A PART OF A LARGER INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT BENNINGTON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE IS ALSO A RESOURCE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. BESIDES THE STRETCH FOR HEALTH, WALKING CLUBS AND INDIVIDUALIZED NUSTEP FITNESS PROGRAMS OFFERED DAILY AT BPI, WE HAVE SEVERAL CLASSES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. THIS YEAR, WE HAVE ADDED A KIRTAN KRIYA CLASS FOR STRESS REDUCTION AND ENHANCING RESPIRATORY FUNCTION. THIS CLASS HAS ALSO RECEIVED EXCELLENT FEEDBACK. CAREGIVER SUPPORT: BPI CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A MONTHLY CAREGIVER GATHERING ENTITLED "FAMILIES TOGETHER". THIS GATHERING DIFFERS FROM THE TRADITIONAL SUPPORT GROUP MODEL WITH THE PREMISE OF "WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED WITH A FRIEND?" THIS GROUP IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND BRINGS CAREGIVERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND LEVELS OF CAREGIVING EXPERIENCES TOGETHER. THE SHARING, LAUGHTER AND CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL TO MANY CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES.