[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 744]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARMA COMMUNITY GENERAL 
                      HOSPITAL'S ELDER DAY CENTER

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 26, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Parma 
Community General Hospital's ElderCenter, as it celebrates twenty years 
of providing a haven of recreation, socialization, medical care and 
exercise for adults with mild to moderate impairments.
  Recognizing the need for adult day services, Parma Hospital, an 
independent, community hospital located in the heart of Parma, Ohio, 
created the ElderCenter. It provides resources and comfort for adults 
transitioning through mental and physical challenges of impairment, 
illness and aging. The ElderCenter also provides an incalculable source 
of support, peace of mind and respite for caregivers, most of whom are 
family members.
  The programs and services of the ElderCenter are designed to 
accommodate adults of all ages and diagnoses. ElderCenter offers 
regular medical checks, nutritious meals and snacks, opportunities for 
socialization and physical and mental stimulation. The services and 
support provided by ElderCenter allows clients to remain in their homes 
for many years. In 2006, the ElderCenter Day Program was honored with 
the ``Service to Seniors Award'' by the Western Reserve Area Agency on 
Aging. In addition, the Day Program has sparked the interest of 
researchers at Case Western Reserve University, whose initial findings 
revealed that ElderCenter participants are fifty percent less likely to 
be readmitted to the hospital than those who did not participate. These 
results show that the true power of wellbeing is in direct relationship 
to the partnership between home and community.
  Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor of the 
founders, staff, volunteers, participants and families of Parma 
Community General Hospital's ElderCenter, as they celebrate twenty 
years of providing meaningful activities, programs, and quality health 
care services for adults throughout our community.

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