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Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

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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.

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