|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Want to support Global Action on Aging? Click below: Thanks! |
 |
Assisted living centers make aging easier for seniors
When elderly people are no
longer able to stay by themselves at home, they are often forced into
considering a new way of life. Since the advent of assisted
living centers, that decision has become a little easier. This is National Assisted
Living Week, a time to focus on those places that provide the elderly a
home and a helping hand. The directors of two Shawnee
assisted living centers -- Avonlea Cottage and Alterra Sterling House --
say their residents' dignity and independence are the top priorities.
"Our main goal is to
provide our residents with quality of life," said Janice Ramsey,
residence director at Alterra Sterling House. "We strive to make sure
that they keep as much of their independence as they possibly can. When
they come to assisted living, that means they can't stay by themselves any
longer." Shawnee's assisted living
centers feature individual apartments that residents can decorate and
furnish as they wish. The apartments give them privacy when they want it,
but congregate meals and large living rooms provide socializing
opportunities. Assisted living is the place for people who can no longer
live alone, but aren't ready for a nursing home. "They have the choice to
be as independent as they need to be, yet still have help," said
Linda Raiden, manager of Avonlea Cottage. "Our hope for the residents
is that they continue to feel that their lives are worthwhile, that they
have something to look forward to. So many times, the elderly don't feel
like they have anything to wake up for. We try to make them feel
valued." People move into assisted
living centers for a variety of reasons. Some only need to be checked on
daily, and others need help bathing, styling their hair or taking their
medicine properly. If people can move about mostly by themselves, they
qualify for assisted living, Ramsey said. "I tell my staff that they
have only one job -- to make sure the people are taken care of. That's
everybody's job," Ramsey said. Many details go into making
sure that job is done well, both women say. Three balanced meals a day,
housekeeping, laundry, nursing care and social activities are always
offered, but frequently the duties run more toward individual support. The
move to an assisted living center is often traumatic because it means
leaving home, Ramsey said, and staff is ever aware of helping with the
transition. "There's some
sadness," she said. "I hold them when they cry and get
sentimental. When they hurt, we hurt." Because residents have already
lost some of their independence, it's important to see that they keep as
much of it as they can, Raiden said. Activities are available, not
required, but a caring hug is always offered. "We're just like a family
here," Raiden said. "The staff eats with the residents. And we
love to spoil them." At Avonlea, Raiden and staff
have decorated the public areas with antiques, as well as books and movies
from the '40s and '50s. Residents can tend a tomato garden out back and
can even bring healthy, cared-for pets to live with them. Flossie, a cat
who belongs to Charles, a resident, has made friends across the center. "They've already been
stripped of so much. Having their pets means so much to them," Raiden
said. Ramsey said she has seen
residents move from angry and reclusive upon first arriving to content and
social after several weeks. It takes time and personal care to help
residents regain their sense of self-worth, she said. "We pay them a lot of
attention," she said. "It doesn't matter if they've been here
one day or 10 years, we pay them all special attention. "There are big rewards --
when they walk up behind you and pat you on the arm and say how much they
love you. Especially those whose families live out of town or those who
don't have anybody." Both Alterra and Avonlea also
offer respite care -- a non-permanent stay for a senior citizen who
normally stays with family. If the family is going on vacation or needs a
break, the person they care for can stay with assisted living for a week,
a month or however long is needed, Raiden and Ramsey said. Assisted living centers are
about helping people however they need it, yet making sure they have the
dignity they deserve, they said. "The elderly took care of
us growing up," Ramsey said. "It's our turn to take care of them
for a while."
Copyright © 2002 Global
Action on Aging |
George Crown enjoys a slice of watermelon at Avonlea Cottage
Thursday. Avonlea Cottage, an assisted living center, is on north
Harrison, in front of Country Grove Apartments. (SNS Photo by Ed
Blochowiak)
