Alden Village launches in-house training program for ventilator dependent residents

Alden Village, which offers long-term care for the intellectually disabled in Bloomingdale, launched an in-house day training program in partnership with Individual Advocacy Group (IAG) for ventilator dependent residents.

Alden Village is one of two long-term care vent units in a developmentally disabled facility in the state of Illinois and is now the only in-house day training program for individuals with a developmental disability on a ventilator in a long-term care setting.

Community Day Service, also referred to as Developmental Training, is a program specifically unique for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's centered around activities of daily living (ADLs), and developing individual gifts and abilities through a curriculum based on their personal goals and interests.

"We have a schedule, but we adapt it based on what they want to do because it's their program at the end of the day," said Adam Harker, IAG Instructor. "Our primary focus is socialization, communication, memory retention, skill retention, and skill development, things that are customizable."

The launch of this program has been years in the making as Alden Village and IAG executives, planned to release the program much sooner.

"We have been planning an in-house training program for this specific population for years," said MaryEllen Rusinak, vice president of operations. "Our plans were put on hold due to COVID, but now that it has officially launched, we are excited to provide our residents with an opportunity that promotes individuality and independence."

The in-house day training program is offered to residents over the age of 21 on a ventilator, and occurs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more than 50 years, The Alden Network has provided health care and residential solutions for seniors and medically fragile population and has helped them to function to the best of their ability and live life as independently as possible. For more information and to learn about opportunities throughout Alden Village, call (630) 529-3350 or visit www.aldenvillage.com.