Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999
Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999
Publication: Bee
Author: JAN
Quick Words:
Care-elderly-lunch-learn
Full Text:
Weighing Options In Care For The Elderly
(with photo)
BY JAN HOWARD
A panel of local senior care experts provided an overview January 19 of some
of the health care and social service choices for older adults.
Panelists Angela DiLillo, RN, Charisse Abate, Ginny Carroll, and Donna Lange,
RN, spoke to about 15 area residents at the C.H. Booth Library on how to find
the appropriate level of care or assistance for seniors.
"Piecing the Puzzle to Elderly Care," sponsored by Ashlar of Newtown and the
Booth Library, was part of the Lunch and Learn series, a free program for
mature adults about living and aging well.
Ms Lange is the executive director of SecondHome of Brookfield, a Masonicare
facility located at 246 Federal Road, that provides adult day care in a
protective home-like setting.
"There is an increased call for services for the elderly, and adult day care
helps to answer that call," she said.
Adult day care relieves the burden for care givers and allows a person to go
home from the hospital and have a safe place to be.
Working care givers are being torn between their jobs and caring for elderly
relatives, Ms Lange said, which causes increased absenteeism. "Adult day care
can help," she noted.
SecondHome gives care givers a break or allows them to go to work without
worries. It offers the participant help medically and gives them more
independence, Ms Lange noted. "It gives them an opportunity to make new
friends."
She said SecondHome's professionally trained staff includes, in addition to
herself, a therapeutic recreation director and certified nurses'
aides/drivers.
SecondHome provides transportation to and from its facility, a catered hot
lunch and snacks, recreational activities, and personal care for participants.
It also provides individualized care, depending on the needs of the
participant.
A typical day starts with coffee and a social hour at 9:30 am. Discussion of
current events, chair exercises to keep limber, and music and recreational
activities are offered, as well as a hot lunch and snacks.
"We cater to the frail elderly, and activities are geared to their needs," Ms
Lange said. "People are often physically challenged and mentally challenged.
We try to keep them stimulated with activities and socialization."
SecondHome also monitors the health of the participants, such as blood
pressure checks, and administers medications following their physician's
instructions. "We watch how people progress and let their doctor know of any
changes," Ms Lange said.
SecondHome offers free trial visits and tours of its facilities. It also
offers a care givers support group. For information, call 203/740-2522.
Home Services
Charisse Abate, a community liaison for Homecare, Inc, a statewide agency that
is an affiliate of Masonicare, discussed health care services that are
available in the home. Medicare benefits may be provided, providing the
patient meets certain criteria.
Following illness or surgery, Homecare's "professional staff helps you get
back into your daily routine," she said.
Homecare nurses assess the patient and work with the physician to provide
services for nursing, home health aides, homemaker aides and physical, speech
and occupational therapists, and other services, depending on needs. Services
can be provided up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Homecare "helps you get better in your own surroundings," Ms Abate said. "We
try to do our best to make you feel comfortable."
For information about Homecare Inc, call 203/269-1489.
Assisted Living
Ginny Carroll, marketing counselor for Ashlar of Newtown's Lockwood Lodge,
explained the services provided by an assisted living facility.
"It is a special combination of housing, health care, and supplemental
services," she said.
Ms Carroll said an assisted living facility helps individuals maintain their
independence while receiving needed services.
Residents receive three meals a day, medical reminders, housekeeping and
laundry service, local transportation, security services, 24-hour emergency
calls, stimulating activities, personal care, all utilities, and access to
health and medical services.
It is a private pay facility that is licensed by the state. Medicare does not
pick up any of the cost, she said, though the state is considering it.
She said services at assisted living facilities vary. "Look around and decide
what you need," she advised, before deciding on a facility.
She said an average stay averages about 17 months. Its purpose is to keep
people out of nursing homes. Residency is on a month-to-month basis, and can
be utilized on a short-term basis.
Lockwood Lodge is expected to open during the first or second week in
February. For information, call 203/426-5847.
Ms DiLillo, director of nursing at Ashlar of Newtown, an affiliate of
Masonicare, addressed long-term care options.
"Nursing homes have changed over the years," she said. "There are more
chronically ill patients than ever for long-term nursing care."
Ms DiLillo said the average age of residents at Ashlar is 85. They need
24-hour nursing and personal care, such as help with dressing, eating and
walking, she noted.
"We try to keep them as independent as possible," she said.
Programs at the 156-bed facility are geared to bringing the residents together
to participate in activities. "We want them to keep active physically and
mentally and to socialize with their peers," she said.
"It's an active, busy place," Ms DiLillo said. "It's not home, it's like home.
It's the best we can do."
The staff, which includes nurses, physical, occupational, speech and
recreational therapists, a social worker and dietitian, meets regularly to
discuss residents' progress and care, Ms DiLillo said.
People living at Ashlar are called residents, not patients, she said. "I tell
the staff we're guests in their home."
Ashlar also provides hospice or respite care. "If we have a bed, they can come
with us for a couple of weeks if a care giver is on vacation, for example," Ms
DiLillo said.
While there is no 24-hour physician on the premises, a medical director visits
twice a week and there are personal physicians who call, she said.
For information on Ashlar of Newtown, call 203/426-5847.