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Supportive Housing has first birthday at Providence Court
By Chet Gallup
Located at 379 East Street in Pittsfield, Supportive Housing at Providence Court was at one time Saint Luke’s Hospital. Several of the ladies now living at Providence Court say that their lives have gone "full circle". That’s because the former hospital was where they gave birth to their children and it’s now where they reside.
Kathryn Buckley is one of these women. "I gave up my house, and, as my children are scattered about the country, I came here to live, where I have some strong ties," Ms. Buckley said. "I was a nurse at St. Luke’s and my children were born here. Matter of fact, my present living room used to be the father’s waiting room."
A collaborative effort between the Pittsfield Housing Authority and Elder Services provides 24-hour support via an umbrella of services. The Supportive Housing Program had its grand opening a year ago on September 8th. Although Providence Court had served as an elder housing facility for twenty year, no meals were served from its kitchen. Now Monday thru Friday, volunteers serve nutritious meals in a first floor dining area.
The Providence Court collaboration is one of several statewide initiatives jointly supported by two state agencies, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Department of Housing and Community Development. The initiative creates an "assisted living environment" in state funded public/elderly housing by providing services typically found in assisted living facilities at a much higher cost.
Thomas Borelli, who has been a tenant for the past four months says, "The services are great, particularly the laundry."
Services include referrals for health care, emotional support and counseling as well as access to benefits and community resources. Additionally, residents receive assistance with medications, housekeeping, laundry, personal care, shopping, and transportation to medical appointments. Home delivered meals are available through Elder Services Meals on Wheels program and snack preparation may be arranged. Companionship visitation for reading or playing cards is available. Personal safety checks of the living environment plus an individual emergency response system may be provided.
Costs are determined by a sliding fee scale according to income and can be charged in increments as small as 15 minutes. Additional services may be available upon request.
Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Carol Fraval lives on the first floor of Providence Court and monitors residents seven days a week from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Among other duties, she checks on those who are recovering from a fall or an illness.
Residential Coordinator Pam Ripley works closely with the resident PCA. "Carol is fairly new to the position of full time PCA. She worked in the position as backup on weekends," Ripley said. "When the job opened, she became a full time PCA. She interacts nicely in the halls and visits with residents. I give her a list of elders to look in on for me and report back. Carol has a cell phone and a master key. The result is good follow-up on problems and requests."
Ripley says that residents tend to look out for each other and if they see someone in need of counseling or services they often will drop into her office off the dining room and mention it.
"We look for tenants that need our services," Ripley said. "They get to know me – I’m part of one big family here – over the year I’ve been welcomed into their family."
According to resident June Deinzer, a sense of being secure exists among the residents. "Providence Court has given me both companionship and security," Ms. Deinzer said. "A single woman appreciates being protected and not having to live alone. We have our privacy within our own rooms, furnished with our own furniture, plus access to all the facilities and services."
Resident Lillian Anderson, who gave birth to a daughter at Saint Luke’s, likes all the services introduced by Elder Services. "I especially appreciate our dining room and the meals, which we didn’t have a year back," Anderson said. "I was the first tenant 20 years ago, and the first two weeks I was the only tenant in the building. We have so many services now with Elder Services. However, I do miss our tenant organization that gave us monthly entertainment with refreshment – it was so much fun – I hope the younger residents start another one."
Since its introduction in September 2000 at a ceremony attended by many of the residents, state and local dignitaries, and by the general public, Supportive Housing at Providence Court has been extremely successful and very well received. The occupancy rate at Providence Court is close to 100 percent. Currently, there are openings in two newly redecorated shared living apartments, which have private bedrooms and shared living rooms and kitchens.
Director of Client Services Robert Dean says that variations of the Supportive Housing model can be replicated throughout Berkshire County. "All that’s required is a collaboration between Elder Services and other interested housing authorities or senior housing complexes," Mr. Dean said.
For more information contact the Elder Services Residential Coordinator at (413) 443-1841 or call Elder Services’ Information and Referral Department at (413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.