the Hill 2004 - Hoover Library - McDaniel College

Rather than seek a
cure for Alzheimer's,
researchers at
The Copper Ridge
Institute develop ways
to improve quality of
life for patients and
their families.
Both her mother and father were gone by the time Kimble learned about the haven of
care, research and education for people with dementia and their families H the Copper
Ridge complex, located on a bucolic campus not far from \Vcstminster in Sykesville, M~,
Owned by Episcopal Ministries to the Aging, Copper Ridge is a residential and ou~~t1ent
facility dedicated solely ro the care of people with Alzheimer's and other memory-impairing
dison'lers. Housed in the same handsome building is The Copper Ridge Institute, a research
and education center that pairs world-class researchers from The Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine with the professional hcalthcarc team at the residential facility. Rather
than seek a cure for Alzheimer's, the team focuses its efforts on inlproving quality of life for
patients and for their families by developing evidence-based, relevant and replicable models
of care.
The unique partnership has created one of only two "teaching long-term cnre facilities"
in the world. Since opening its doors in 1994, Copper Ridge has trained more than 6,OO
professionals, s~ch as physicians, psychologists, social, workers, dieticians and ther~pel~t!c
recreation spcc13lists-some from as far away '15 Brazil, Hong Kong and Greece. Family
caregivers find support here, too. The Dementia Care Skills Training program provides
instruction on behavior managemcnr, activity planning, bathing, feeding and more.
Kimble was impressed and inspired. "There's so much concentration on finding 3 cure
Alzheimer's. I.n the meantime, millions of people need help right now," she says. "The
for
work that Copper Ridge does improves quality oflife in such amazing ways, and I wish
my parents-c-and the rest of my family-h'ld had that."
As a member of its Board of Directors, Kimble has become ,111 outspoken advocnrc of the
Copper Ridge mission. In direct service that mission nrc sever-al more Mclfaniel College
to
alumni, including Dr. Alva "Buzz" Baker, administrative director for The Copper Ridge
Institute and medical director for all Episcopal Ministries to the Aging (EA1A) residential
communities. William Dulany '50 chnirs EtVIA'sboard of trustees. Steve Vozzclla '91 is
director of activities and volunteers at Copper Ridge, where he works alongside alumna
Sara CriggerJV1S'02.
College Bonn! Chair James Melhorn is the President and CEO of EMA. "I urn pleased
that EMA and its orgnniznrions have from its beginning had