DSNWK

VICTORIA — Residents with dementia of a specialized group home in Victoria will soon be bathing in a walk-in bathtub thanks to the support of a $3,299 Dane G. Hansen Community Grant, a fund of Heartland Community Foundation.

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK), a non-profit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) since 1967, runs the Victoria group home. The home provides 24-hour care to five individuals with I/DD and dementia.

The Victoria home has a standard sized bathtub that was installed 25 years ago when the house was built. Since then, the purpose of the home has shifted to serving those with dementia, and the standard bathtub does not adequately meet their needs.

“The replacement of the old bathtub with the new walk-in bathtub will be a great benefit for persons served at the Victoria home,” said Scott Stults, Hays Program Manager for DSNWK. “It will provide a safer, more enjoyable bathing experience as often times stepping into a normal bathtub for someone with dementia/Alzheimer’s is a frightening experience due to decreased depth perception. The walk-in bathtub lessens that stress.”

Since 2007, Heartland Community Foundation has built stronger communities and helped donors make a difference through charitable giving in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego Counties. Each year, the foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars through grants and scholarships to nonprofits and individuals. Heartland Community Foundation is an affiliate foundation of the Greater Salina Community Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

“We are grateful for the grant from the Heartland Community Foundation,” said Stults.