Elder Independence... There’s no place like home
By Robert P. Dean
As we celebrate Independence Day this July 4th, it is important to recognize the overwhelming preference of most seniors to continue to live as independently as possible in their own homes and communities for as long as possible... and that if, or when they need long-term care services, to receive those services at home. We should honor this preference as best we can, and keep in mind that it costs less to provide long-term care services at home than it does in an institution.
Older Americans are living longer, healthier, and more active and independent lives than ever before, and many older seniors are able to continue to live at home with very little service or support. Unfortunately for some seniors, there comes a time when activities of daily living, once taken for granted, now challenge their ability to live independently. Such activities may include cooking, cleaning, getting dressed and ready for the day, managing a checkbook, keeping track of various medications, transportation, grocery shopping, or even getting to and from the bathroom. The fact that someone needs assistance with one or more of these activities does not mean that he or she can no longer live at home... it means that he or she needs some help in order to do so.
Here in Berkshire County, Elder Services and the 32 Councils on Aging (one for each city and town) offer a number of in-home and community-based services for seniors. While each Council on Aging is uniquely tailored to offer services that best meet the needs of its own community, most offer information and referral; transportation; fitness, social, and recreational programs; and, health education and screening opportunities. Additionally, various Councils on Aging provide grocery shopping assistance, telephone reassurance, friendly visiting, SHINE counseling, peer support groups, and intergenerational programs. Thirteen Councils on Aging partner with Elder Services to provide friendly lunch sites where we serve the noontime meals we prepare in our Lanesboro kitchen each Monday through Friday.
Elder Services provides a variety of in-home and community-based services including information and referral, case management, personal care (assistance with getting dressed and ready for the day, and in the bathroom), housecleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, transportation to and from medical appointments, companionship, money management, Meals on Wheels, attendance at Social and Adult Day Health programs, caregiver supports, and SHINE (health and prescription medication insurance information) counseling. The typical senior served by our in-home programs is between 75 and 90 years old, female, widowed, and living alone on a fixed, limited income. These programs let Berkshire seniors know that they are not alone and they are not forgotten. In many cases, the Meals on Wheels driver, case manager, or personal care worker may be the only face-to-face contact the senior has that day. It is important that these types of in-home and community-based services be available to all who need them. Unfortunately, many of these vital programs continue to be under funded.
The point at which outside help is needed and accepted varies from senior to senior... and from caregiver to caregiver. We at Elder Services understand this, and are ready to help, when help is ready to be received. Our goal is to provide any senior who needs our help with the services he or she needs to continue to live with dignity and independence. And speaking of help, a special thank you to our friends in the community, who support Elder Services financially and in so many other ways, so that we can continue to help Berkshire seniors to continue to live independently.
As this great nation celebrates its independence this Fourth of July, we at Elder Services wish each of you a Happy Independence Day...today and everyday.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services.
