Retirement Living » Maryland

Help with Daily Money Management–InfoDoc, Inc.

Kemmie Turpin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:26:59 +0000

It all started with a phone call. Ivor and Jean Jones had been living in an assisted living community in Baltimore, Md., for several years when one of their sons, Dr. Bruce Jones, received an unexpected call from their neighbor. “The neighbor had seen their condo listed in the paper as not having paid taxes. It was scheduled for tax sale,” Bruce recalled.

Bruce was shocked, but he soon realized that his father had not been managing any of the couple’s finances. “We discovered that my dad hadn’t been paying my mother’s Medicare premiums since May 2010, and the medical bills were piling up,” Bruce said.

: The Jones family no longer has to worry about sorting paperwork or paying bills. Pictured are fro left to right: Ivor, Tanya, Bruce and Jean Jones.

When Bruce’s wife, Tanya, read about InfoDoc, a company that offers estate organizing services, she knew they could help. “Mary Helen [with InfoDoc] has been a godsend,” said Bruce. “You read about this stuff and you think it wouldn’t be so difficult to handle, but it’s so much harder when you are actually trying to do it yourself.”

Although Medicare originally told Bruce and his mother they only needed to pay $300 and coverage would be reinstated, the check was never cashed and the family could not get any answers. When InfoDoc stepped in to help, they contacted Congressman John Sarbanes’ office, and his staff helped the family get Medicare re-instated; however, coverage would not start until July 2012.

Since this still left the family liable for old medical bills, InfoDoc continued to pursue complete coverage. Mary Helen reached out to Senator Benjamin Cardin’s office, and they ultimately helped get coverage re-instated and retroactive back to May 2010. Remarkably, Jean’s coverage was reinstated on a Friday and that Sunday she fell and broke her hip and had to have a hip replacement.

“Getting Medicare reinstated took a tremendous amount of effort on her part– letter writing and countless phone calls –and it saved us tens of thousands of dollars,” Bruce said. “Her services really have more than paid for themselves.”

In addition to helping the Jones family get Medicare reinstated, InfoDoc organized their files and helped to eliminate bogus charges coming out of the checking account. They are also working to get the medical facilities and doctors who were paid by the family to resubmit Medicare claims and reimburse the family.

“This kind of work takes a lot of attention to detail and a lot of creativity as well,” Bruce concluded. With a very demanding schedule of his own, Bruce is grateful that he can now spend his free time with his family– instead of reviewing, analyzing and paying bills.

A Legacy Built with Care–Elizabeth Cooney Care Network

Kemmie Turpin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:05:10 +0000

Betty Jane Tate met her future husband in an unlikely place: a kindergarten class¬room. Young Betty Jane and Creston Tate became fast friends, but neither the young playmates nor their peers could have ever guessed what the future would hold.

Today, sitting in the home the couple has shared for more than 50 years, Betty Jane laughed as she recalled their uncommon love story. “We’ve really been together since kindergarten,” she said. As they grew older, the pair’s friendship deepened. Soon the two were dating, and when they turned 21, Betty Jane married Creston.

: Betty Jane Tate (left) has been able to maintain her independence with a little help from her caregive Gladys Coates.

The young couple quickly settled into their life together and started a family. Betty Jane was a stay-at-home mother to the couple’s three children. Meanwhile, Creston worked his way up from positions at fertilizer factories to a job as a car salesman. He excelled in his new position and today owns several car dealerships of his own.

Even at the age of 84, Creston is still working nearly full time. However, after Betty Jane fell in their home, he began to fear leaving her alone. “My fall really scared my husband and my family,” Betty Jane recalled.

While Betty Jane was still managing the couple’s home, she had several health issues, including congestive heart failure, which was making daily tasks more difficult. The family all agreed that Betty Jane needed a little extra help.

When Creston started to look into care options for his wife, he quickly turned to Elizabeth Cooney Care Network, an established home care agency that has been in business for more than 55 years. As natives of Baltimore, the couple was already familiar with the agency and their stellar reputation. In fact, Betty Jane recalled meeting the eponymous company founder as a teenager working in Baltimore.

A visionary in the nursing-care industry, Elizabeth Cooney pioneered the concept of providing comprehensive care options for individuals of all generations and need levels. After serving as the primary caregiver for her sister while she was battling cancer, Elizabeth was motivated to help other families with their care needs.

“She understood that there was a need to provide care giving services for all generations, from children to maternity to end of life. She really understood care giving on a very personal level,” explained Elizabeth Weglein, Cooney’s granddaughter, who runs the Elizabeth Cooney Care Network today with her brother, Jeffrey Weglein.

“This was really a very innovative concept,” Jeffrey said of his grandmother’s business model. “Initially, people really didn’t understand what home care was. For many years, we had to explain to people what we did.”

As the oldest full-service home care agency in the country, Elizabeth Cooney Care Network is extremely proud of their legacy. The third generation family business is deeply rooted in the community.

“We have been helping five generations of families and individuals,” Elizabeth said. “We get hugs all the time from people who we took care of, or who we helped with their mom or dad or grandparent. We really have this extended family in the community, and we have been able to touch so many lives.”

Elizabeth and Jeffrey started officially running the family business several decades ago, but they have been involved for as long as they can remember. “I don’t think we ever lived a day without breathing, eating and sleeping this business. The nature of this business is 24-7,” Elizabeth explained.

Elizabeth and Jeffrey both started their careers in the home care industry at the tender age of 12. “We were always responsible for parts of the business,” Jeffrey remembered. “Of course, at 12, we were mostly filing,” he added with a laugh. While the siblings both briefly pursued other careers, they were quickly drawn back to the family business. It’s no surprise then that they both have a seemingly innate passion for the industry and their clients.

“We have had a very strong reputation in the business for 55 years, and we are very passionate about what we do,” Elizabeth said. Despite their longstanding reputation, the Care Network refuses to rest on its laurels, instead always pursuing new techniques and industry advances to help their clients. “We are always striving to educate ourselves about what’s going on in the industry, and we tend to be trendsetters,” Elizabeth said. “We also have a great team, who really love what they do.”

When Creston called the Elizabeth Cooney Care Network for help, he spoke with Care Coordinator Valerie Stepek, who was able to tap into the Network’s immense resources to find the right caregiver for Betty Jane. When she recommended Gladys Coates to the Tate family, she knew it would be a perfect fit. “Gladys has been a caregiver since 1996, and I could tell Mr. Tate with confidence that she was the best person for the job,” Valerie said.

Gladys now helps Betty Jane three days a week for several hours. She provides health management, housekeeping and companionship services. “Gladys is really good company,” Betty Jane said. “I’m not ready for assisted living, but I do need someone for supervision and company, since my husband is out a lot.”

With a little extra help from Gladys, Betty Jane has been able to maintain her independence. “I’ve been really satisfied with everyone at Elizabeth Cooney. I’ve worked with really nice people,” she said.

In addition to making sure that clients are well cared for, Elizabeth Cooney Care Network’s providers offer much-needed respite for family caregivers. “Caregivers need to realize that they have to take care of themselves first,” Elizabeth said. “Bringing someone in and allowing them to help can give caregivers the space they need to take care of themselves and to maintain a loving relationship with the person who needs care.”

Ultimately, the home care services that Elizabeth Cooney Care Network provides allow families to enjoy their time together and to avoid the emotional and physical burdens of care giving. From helping families who are experiencing a short-term crisis to helping individuals manage a long-term illness, Elizabeth and Jeffrey Weglein and their team of experts are always ready to provide care. After all, they are the keepers of a legacy that was built with care.

A Veteran Finds a Dependable Home Health Agency

Lauren Searson — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:12:34 +0000

England native Christine Aaron can often be heard sharing her stories from serving in the War. The 88-year-old veteran, whose duties included helping distribute uniforms, refers to herself as a ‘bird’ in those years.

Following her discharge due to a bout with pneumonia, she met an American whom she married and settled with in Towson, Md. They had three children as Christine pursued a career as a care worker.

When her husband passed away, she proceeded to live with her daughter and son-in-law. A cancer survivor, Christine has severe arthritis and started requiring more assistance than her working loved ones could provide. She knew she wanted to remain at home as opposed to making the transition to a senior housing option, so she looked to outside resources for making this possible.

With the help of a local veterans organization, she was referred to Linda Tomarchio with Options for Senior America, a company that provides in-home care throughout the state of Maryland as well as Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

Christine receives home care for 20 hours during the workweek. In addition to offering assistance with daily activities, her primary caregiver, Whitney Anderson, provides Christine with her needed oxygen and colostomy bag. Each day, Christine looks forward to the companionship and support she has found with Whitney.

“They’ve been very good to us. My caregiver comes five days a week and she bathes me and cooks,” she said.

She also maintains her connections with the veterans organization who also offer her assistance by providing wheelchairs, walkers and stairlifts. With all of the support she has received, she enjoys taking care of her bird Ringo, which she proudly named after the Beatle. She also spends her time getting together with friends from church.

“I love being around people,” she said. “I belong to the Baptist church and we have all kinds of dinners.”

Most importantly, however, Christine knows utilizing the services of a home care company has given her family peace of mind.

“Options is wonderful,” she said. “They’ve always been there to send someone to help me. They have been very good and have never let me down.”

Assisted Living: Two of a Kind

Lauren Searson — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:19:04 +0000

With a world full of possibilities, people never know who they might meet and just how many others are experiencing similar situations in life. This is the case for Dorothy Weinstein and Patricia Enid Rose Low. While Dorothy lives in Woodholme Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in the heart of Pikesville, Patricia resides at Symphony Manor, an Assisted Living and Memory Care Community located in the historic downtown neighborhood of Roland Park.

Since both communities are managed by Peregrine Health Management, these two women are able to enjoy the benefits of the organization’s visionary programs and mission to revolutionize expectations for the aging process. Dorothy and Patricia met for the first time at this interview, and after only a few minutes of chatting it was clear they were “two of a kind,” as Patricia stated. “There are a lot of things that we have in common.” Most notably it is their warm demeanor and the fact that both women had cared for their family members as they needed assistance themselves.
A great-grandmother to seven, Dorothy Weinstein is a lifelong resident of Baltimore. She enjoyed over 64 years of marriage to her husband. After he passed away, Dorothy decided to leave the family home of 29 years and downsize to an apartment with the help of her children.

When to Make the Move to Assisted Living

When Dorothy’s son became sick, she naturally rallied to care for him, but as his condition worsened, he needed the skilled care of an assisted living facility. Dorothy decided to move in with him. “Everyone thought I was out of my mind,”she said.

Having learned about Woodholme Gardens as it was being built, Dorothy and her son were able to move in to the community a few months later. She said, “It was brand new, so we were among the first residents to move in.”
Built in 2010, the community offers state-of-the-art accommodations for 80 residents addressing the needs of all assisted living residents including those with memory impairment and senior behavioral concerns. The community has embraced the philosophy of encouraging each resident to identify new goals or renew old interests so that they continue to grow physically, intellectually and spiritually. Woodholme Gardens provides support for each resident’s religious expression, whether it is through sacred ritual, meditation, scriptural reflection or prayer.

These and other features have been extra perks for Dorothy, who was impressed from the start with the community’s appearance. “It’s a lovely place, just beautiful,” she said. “I don’t ever intend to move.”

With certain criteria in mind, Patricia's children helped her find Symphony Manor where says she has been very happy. Meanwhile, Dorothy resides at Woodholme Gardens, a community that immediately appealed to her with its beautiful campus and array of amenities.

Patricia Enid Rose Low was born and raised in Bermuda. She credited the small, beautiful community in which she grew up for her outgoing personality, friendliness and warmth. “Some people have cats that they love, others have dogs that they love, I enjoy people,” she said with a smile. “So I am a people person.”

Patricia left Bermuda to attend college in Baltimore at Morgan State University and proceeded to teach chemistry, math and physics there for several years. She shared that she particularly enjoyed teaching young women who thought that they could not learn math and physics or excel in those disciplines. “My great joy was the students, not the meetings,” she said.

Like Dorothy, Patricia was called upon to help care for her relatives. In 1993 she returned to Bermuda to care for her father and aunt who were in their eighties. After the passing of both her father and sister, she spent some brief time back in Baltimore and then decided to live in Asheville, NC for a few years. Her many connections in Baltimore, however, led her to the decision to eventually move back.

What to Look for in Senior Housing

With their mother in good health, Patricia’s son and daughter did some research on potential new living options that would enable her to have a future with security. “There were very specific things that I wanted,” she said. “I wanted activities, I wanted to be in a beautiful place, and I wanted very delightful food because I was not going to be doing any cooking. I just wanted to enjoy life.”

Her children discovered these features and much more at Symphony Manor, where Patricia also became one of the first residents and has certainly been enjoying life. “I am very happy here,” she said.

Both women cite the array of activities and the amenities that have allowed them a maintenance-free lifestyle as the most important elements in their new homes. Peregrine Communities are committed to establishing programs that are separate from the status quo. “We have a wonderful activities director at Symphony Manor who has us doing different things all the time,” said Patricia.

Enjoying an Active Lifestyle in Assisted Living Facilities

According to Dorothy, Woodholme has regular entertainment, from a talented musician playing on the community’s grand piano to different theme parties. As both women have enjoyed establishing friendships and taking advantage of the numerous activities their communities offer onsite, they appreciate the transportation each place provides to various restaurants, shopping and other local cultural offerings.

Both women are enjoying the maintenance-free lifestyle and numerous activities their communities offer. With daytrips, parties and regular entertainment, they have each established several friendships.

“The environment at Symphony Manor is very nice and I like the proximity that this area of Baltimore has to so many places of interest,” said Patricia.

Meanwhile, Dorothy has loved the surprises she experiences regularly when venturing offsite. “Every Wednesday, the young man who drives us will take us out for a surprise ride on the bus and will stop for different things, such as ice cream,” she said.

Both communities have also adapted cutting edge programs for stimulating long-term memory. These include memory arts for dementia residents, Community Connections, and, complementary therapies such as massages, drum circles, Reiki and music therapy.

Although Patricia and Dorothy have family and friends nearby, their communities have embraced technology to keep residents connected by utilizing web cameras to facilitate communications between residents and their families and friends.

Specialized Programs in Senior Housing

Woodholme Gardens also features Peregrine Health Management’s innovative programming in Geri-Psych. This geriatric behavioral health program was successfully developed in 2004 based on findings that mental health professionals and family members alike prefer a residential setting to meet the needs of seniors with behavioral health disorders.

Stephen Bowman, the president of Peregrine Health Management, believes that residents who live in their facilities are individuals who are full of life, with unique pasts and particular interests. “Our goal is to enhance their lives by stimulating those interests and encouraging them to continue to grow both mentally and spiritually…. celebrating life!” he said.

And Dorothy and Patricia feel fortunate in having so many reasons to celebrate life having found homes that provide them with the support and security they desired.

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“The hardest part of getting older is that you no longer have anyone older or wiser than yourself to whom you can ask questions — no mother to ask, no father,” said Dorothy.

For both these women, as Patricia has always believed in life, things truly fell into place. As individuals who in the past made the commitment to care for others, they have come full circle now living in places that have made the same commitment to them.

ProAging at Symphony Manor Features Maryland Aging in Place Villages

Lauren Searson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:25:34 +0000

Over 75 influential senior-serving professionals gathered at a brand new Symphony Manor Premier Assisted Living and Memory Care in Roland Park. In addition to networking, refreshments and tours of the community there was a presentation on the Village Movement in Maryland. See recent AARP article on Villages.

Panel members included:

Susan Newhouse from Village at Home
Maureen Cavaiola and Betty Farrar from At Home Chesapeake
Candace Baldwin, Village to Village Network was unable to attend due to illness, however she shared a powerpoint presentation with attendees to familiarize them with village concepts.

Attendees included the following professionals, alpha by Organization Name:

Rosemary Mclean A Move Matters (410) 404-3389 rbm43@comcast.net
Heather Murphy Abilities Network (410) 828-7700, Ext 1271 hmurphy@abilitiesnetwork.org
Vernee Ragin Active Day of Timonium (410) 560-6717 vragin@activeday.com
Ann Murray adcieo (443) 253-5359 ann.murray@adcieo.com
Arlene Saks-Martin Armel Inc (410) 655-6025 ajmartin37@comcast.net
Lauren Saks Armel Inc (410) 655-6025 ajmartin37@comcast.net
Donna DePazzo Atrium Village (410) 363-0330 ddepazzo@seniorlifestyle.com
Beth Wiseman Baltimore County Assoc of Senior Cit. Orgs. (410) 484-6866
Brenda Shoenig Baltimore County Dept Of Aging (410) 887-2059 bshoenig@baltimorecountymd.gov
Lynn McCamie Baltimore County Dept Of Aging (410) 887-2002 lmccamie@baltimorecountymd.gov
Linda Cromwell Being There Senior Care LLC (410) 971-8999 linda@beingthereseniorcare.com
Debbie Hill BrightStar of Baltimore City County (443) 275-2796 deborah.hill@brightstarcare.com
Lynn Berberich BrightStar of Baltimore City County (443) 275-2796 l.berberich@brightstarcare.com
Alan Lemay Brightview Assisted Living of White Marsh (410) 668-1588 alemay@bvsl.net
Judy Armstrong Brightview Mays Chapel Ridge (410) 628-2100 jarmstrong@mayschapelridge.com
Diana Brown Broadmead (443) 578-8023 dbrown@broadmead.org
Tracy Carpenter Burgee-Henss-Seitz Funeral Home (410) 889-3735 tracey.carpenter@sci-us.com
Robin Rich Catholic Charities Caritas House (410) 646-6544 rrich@catholiccharities-md.org
Pat France Centrol Inc (410) 828-5564 patfrance@centrol-inc.com
Janet Jones Chesapeake Medical Staffing (410) 321-4267 jjones@cms24-7.com
Robin Dulaney Chesapeake Medical Staffing 410-321-4267 x112 rdulaney@cms24-7.com
Emma Barnes ComForCare of Randallstown (410) 922-6221 nwbaltimoreco@comforcare.com
Jenette Young ComForCare of Randallstown (410) 922-6262 jyoung@comforcare.com
Bruce Goodman Community Home Health Of MD (410) 356-1600 bgoodman@msa-corp.com
Beth Slepian Ferretto Eldercare Consulting Inc (410) 591-7072 beth@ferrettoeldercare.com
Mary Faith Ferretto Ferretto Eldercare Consulting Inc (410) 661-6720 MARYFAITH@FERRETTOELDERCARE.COM
Kim High Focus on Function (410) 484-2761 khigh@foftherapyservices.com
Fran Glushakow Franny’s Angels (443) 691-0133 frannysangels@gmail.com
Yolanda Pitts Gilchrist Hospice Care (443) 849-8208 ypitts@gilchristhospice.org
Barbara Snyder Guide To Retirement Living (410) 581-6873 barbara@proaging.com
Hilla Keren Healing with Hilla (410) 456-3800 hkeren@comcast.net
Joseph DePetris Home Instead Baltimore County (410) 337-8910 hisc131@comcast.net
Melinda Jabbie Home Instead Senior Care (301) 588-9710 mjabbie@caregivingforseniors.com
Bonnie Ledford Home With You Companion Care (410) 926-9229 bledford@homewithyou.net
Mary Helen Dennis InfoDoc (410) 375-7903 mhdennis@infodocinc.com
Lisa Shifren Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore (410) 542-4900 lshifren@jcc.org
Judith Gregory Judith A. Gregory (410) 979-1057 thejudygregory@comcast.net
Audrey Besmanoff Kanine Kookies (410) 992-5254 audreylee3@verizon.net
Constance Johnson Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital (410) 601-2374 cojohnso@lifebridgehealth.org
Candace Blosser LifeCare Advisors (443) 420-4096 cblosser@lifecarelegal.com
Janice MacGregor Maryland State Office On Aging (410) 767-1087 jlm@ooa.state.md.us
Gregory Fenlon mychoice (888) 705-5077 gmfenlon@verizon.net
Hilbert Byers III Neighborcare Home Care (800) 272-4463 x7743 hilbert.byers@omnicare.com
Jessica Umstead Paradise Assisted Living Inc (443) 742-8100 paradise.marketingdirector@gmail.com
Fred Winer Parting With Possessions (410) 337-0085 fred@pwpusa.com
Maureen Winter Parting With Possessions (410) 337-0085 maureen@pwpusa.com
Anne Myers PARTNERS IN CARE (410) 544-4800 annemyers@partnersincare.org
Marie Olo Progressive Rehab Services (443) 844-8842 marie@progressiverehabs.com
Rachel Bernas Progressive Rehab Services (410) 356-6161 rachel@progressiverehabs.com
Linda Tice Psa Financial Center (443) 798-7419 linda@psafinancial.com
Regina Curran Regina Curran (410) 661-1988 reginamcurranma@verizon.net
Jill Rosner Rosner Healthcare Consulting (410) 591-6378 jillrosnerrn@aol.com
Susan Newhouse Senior Solutions LLC (410) 235-3171 snewhouse@seniorsolutions-baltimore.com
Lisa Berlin Taking Care of Business (410) 730-6062 lisa@tcbinc.us
Ellen Platt The Option Group (410) 667-0266 eplatt@theoptiongroup.net
Dave Pyser Visiting Angels (410) 218-9506 visitingangelshomecare@comcast.net
Racheal Dove We Care Private Duty Services Inc (410) 602-3993 rdove@wecarepds.com
Elizabeth Ghazarian Wellaware Systems (804) 249-2128 eghazarian@wellawaresystems.com
Anne Perry Westminster House Apartments (410) 837-0180 aperry@westminsterhouseapts.org
Sue Millard Yerman, Witman, Gaines, Conklin Realty (410) 493-1001 smillard@ywgcrealty.com
Tina Thompson Yerman, Witman, Gaines, Conklin Realty (410) 583-0400 tthompson@ywgcrealty.com

Dont miss the next ProAging meeting!

ProAging at the World of Possibilities DisABILITIES Expo

Date: Friday May 06, 2011

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Location: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093

Please RSVP rsvp@proaging.com

Description: Be the first in the door for the region’s major forum for disability-related resources. The ProAging event will bring together professionals in the aging and disabilities community to network and hear Louis Tenenbaum,one of the foremost authorities on aging in place and universal design concepts. Bring business cards and brochures and be ready to network and learn about disability services for all ages.

About Louis Tenenbaum

A former carpenter and contractor, Louis Tenenbaum is now a leading thinker, speaker and consultant on Aging in Place—the idea that our homes are the most desirable and economical place for housing and care. Based in Washington, DC’s Maryland suburbs, Louis helps businesses, nonprofits and individuals formulate and refine design, strategies, marketing and programming for Aging in Place homes, products and age friendly communities.

In 2010 Louis wrote Aging in Place 2.0: Rethinking Solutions to the Home Care Challenge, published by the MetLife Mature Marketing Institute.

Please RSVP rsvp@proaging.com

How To Be Well Informed When Choosing a Retirement Community

Lauren Searson — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:21:54 +0000

This article was contributed by Brenda Becker, founder of Top-Drawer Resources, LLC

Fortunately for residents of Maryland, there are many excellent options available for senior living. Where one chooses to live is really a matter of personal preference, need and opportunity. One of the very best options available is the continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a lifecare community. In exchange for a monthly service fee and a refundable or non-refundable entrance fee, residents of these communities enjoy a variety of activities, access to facilities for dining and recreation, and varying levels of healthcare.

The relationship between the resident and the continuing care retirement community is spelled out in the Residence and Care Agreement created by that community. In the state of Maryland, these agreements are approved and regulated by the Department of Aging. These are legally binding agreements that detail the obligations between the community and the resident. While the communities may appear similar on the surface, it is very important for prospective residents to understand the contents of each contract and the services that are available to residents. Here are just a few of the questions that anyone considering a move to a CCRC should ask before making a final decision.

- Will this initial Residence and Care agreement cover the entire continuum of care, or will I (or a representative) be asked to sign new contracts for assisted living and nursing care?

- How much of my entrance fee will be refunded to my heirs, and under what conditions? What fees will be charged to my account when I leave the community?

- What is the historical annual monthly fee increase? What was the increase this year?

- What other fees may I be exposed to (e.g. housekeeping, maintenance, etc.)?

- Are pets allowed?

- What type of medical care is available to me onsite? Is there a clinic staffed with geriatric professionals? Is there a fee for these services or are they included in the monthly fee?

- If I need temporary care in my residence, who will come to assist me?

- If I move from independent living to assisted living or nursing care, how will my fees change? Will I have a private room? Is there a surcharge for a private room?

- How does my long term care insurance factor into the services that are offered?

- Will the community pay for my prescriptions?

- What transportation is available to me and what are the associated fees?

- What are the qualifications of the executive staff and what is their tenure with this community?

Be sure to visit ALL areas of the campus. Ask to see the assisted living rooms and the skilled nursing (or nursing home) area of the community. Sample the food and by all means, spend time with the residents of the community.

Continuing care retirement communities provide more than just housing and easy access to healthcare, they offer residents the opportunity to enrich their later years through deep new friendships and social opportunities that otherwise may be difficult to access. Let these questions be your guide to a wonderful new lifestyle opportunity.

“The Perfect System” with a Home Health Aide

Lauren Searson — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:21:44 +0000

Mrs. H lives in a beautiful contemporary home in suburban Maryland that she and her husband had chosen for its design and location to friends and family. It was also the ideal home for accommodating their desire to eventually age in place.

The two met at a hospital outside of London in WWII when she was an Army nurse and he was a doctor caring for wounded pilots. “We fell in love, and when we returned to the states, we got married,” she says.

The couple had three children and proceeded to travel a great deal on overseas assignments. When her husband passed away, there was no question in her mind that she would remain at home. Unfortunately, she fell and broke her hip, but was determined to return home despite needing an extended hospital stay and rehabilitation.

While her family backed her decision, they knew she would need additional help. They then identified the homecare agency CarePlus Home Health, who connected them with caregiver Meri Tegegne.

Meri started working with Mrs. H after she received some rehabilitation at home and was able to help Mrs. H continue her exercises to properly recover. Mrs. H has since gone from using a walker to now just using a cane for balance.

When asked about her last year being Mrs. H’s caregiver, Meri says, “I feel blessed. I lost my mother about 10 years ago, so I treat Mrs. H like my mom.”

Mrs. H is equally enamored with Meri, “She is a wonderful person, very kind and loving. I can’t say enough things. It’s been a great help to me.”

While Meri provides assistance with bathing, meals, laundry, light housekeeping and companionship, the two enjoy spending their time walking around the neighborhood and visiting on Mrs. H’s deck overlooking a beautiful wooded backyard.

Not only does Mrs. H’s family feel her needs are being met, but they feel they have the “perfect system,” and Meri is a valuable team member. “On weekends we spend time as a family, and we feel very comfortable knowing that on Monday Meri will be with mom,” says Mrs. H’s daughter-in-law. “She is reliable and we know we can count on her and we trust her. Mom will say on Sundays, “I miss Meri- I can’t wait for Meri to come tomorrow.”

An Adult Child Finds a Care Giver and Peace of Mind

Lauren Searson — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:53:35 +0000

Many adult children today are facing the stress of not only caring for their young children, but also their elderly parents. A member of this ‘sandwich generation,’ Liz Fandel has been no stranger to the stress, especially since she lives out of state from her parents.

“I’m in New Jersey and my family’s in Maryland,” she said. “I’m truly isolated with not much of a support system of my own.”

This living situation became more difficult when Liz’s mother indicated she was having health problems. She was eventually diagnosed with Stage III Uterine Cancer, for which she immediately had surgery at Johns Hopkins.

Liz knew how much her father and her brother, who had undergone a lung transplant, relied on her mother and felt it was time to make a decision.

“I insisted with my father that she needed someone to be at the house to help her,” she said.

When she searched online for elder care services in the area, one of the results was Visiting Angels of Pikesville, a home care company that Liz remembered hearing about on the news. She then called Executive Director Dave Pyser and a mere two days after Liz’s mother was discharged, a caregiver arrived at their home.

The caregiver, Charlotte, helped Liz’s mother with everyday tasks such as preparing meals, providing medication reminders, bathing, making the bed and doing laundry.

“My mom absolutely loved her caregiver,” said Liz. “Her spirits were up, and she was ready to start her day knowing Charlotte was coming.”

Although her mother does not need the same level of care these days, Liz still has as much peace of mind knowing she can call Visiting Angels at any time.

“I was very fortunate that Dave had the name behind him, but also the professionalism and understanding,” said Liz. “He’s attentive to what the patients’ needs are.”

As the Boomer population grows and more adult children face similar difficult decisions, Liz urges them to seek these available services.

“My mom, dad and brother’s situation is the example of a family that needs that kind of resource available to them because anything can happen at any time,” she said.

Exceptional Students to Exceptional Retirement Living Residents

Lauren Searson — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:36:34 +0000

Edna Murray was the valedictorian of her high school in Roanoke, Va. and a top female executive at her company. Father Manuel Roman has multiple advanced degrees with a background of academic studies that ranges from medicine to psychology and counseling. Now, these two exceptional individuals are part of a class of interesting residents who call the 48-acre campus of Heartlands Senior Living Village in Ellicott City, Md. home.

Father Manuel Roman

Manuel Roman was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and came to Baltimore to be a doctor. Halfway through his premed studies at Johns Hopkins University, he started to question if it was the career path for him. He developed an interest in becoming a language professor, so he changed his major to French and minored in German. While in graduate school, he became further perplexed about his future when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve at Ft. Meade.

At a crossroads between a career in medicine, teaching or the military, he went to see his pastor, who actually later became the Archbishop of Baltimore. When Manuel presented his problem, his pastor asked if he had thought about becoming a priest.

“When I said no, he said add that to the list,” Manuel said with a laugh. He then instructed Manuel to interview a physician, military officer, professor and priest having each explain the pros and cons of their careers. He also instructed him to pray over it to get the answer. Then in January 1950, Manuel came across a publication titled “Questions About Vocations.”

“I read it in one reading and when I finished I wanted to be a parish priest,” he said. This started him on a rewarding path of advanced degrees and assignments in a variety of parishes and schools. His favorite assignment was spending his last 20 years as a pastor at Ascension Catholic Church of Halethorpe. “I loved the challenges that we had there,” he said.

Manuel retired at age 80 and moved to an apartment in Catonsville. When he started having problems with arthritis, he began searching for assisted living options, but found his choices limited by the fact that he was insulin-dependent. Fortunately someone recommended Heartlands Senior Living Village, which provides independent and assisted living as well as rehabilitation services. “When I called here they said, ‘We will take you insulin and all!’” said Manuel.

After living in the Heartlands for over three years he said, “I don’t think I could find a better place than this one, I am not saying this because somebody’s telling me to; I’m saying it from my heart.” He cited the friendly and supportive staff as well as the vast amount of activities and recreational offerings as some of his favorite aspects of the community.

In addition, he thoroughly enjoys the food at Heartlands. He said, “If you don’t like what’s on the regular menu, they have an alternate menu. If you don’t like what’s on the alternate menu, they will do everything they can to please you. This is one excellent feature here that many other places don’t have.”

Edna Murray

The youngest of eight children, Edna was actually the first in her family to graduate from high school. “I graduated at the height of the Depression; the rest of my siblings had to go to work,” she said. After deferring an offer to attend Duke University, she started working at the C & P Telephone Company the day after she graduated.

There, she said she met a young man on loan from the Maryland office, and within six months they were married. “We had a delightful marriage for 61 years,” she said.

In that time, she continued working for C&P and moved to Hampstead, Md., the small country town where her husband was born and raised. They had one child, whom Edna quipped, they “spoiled rotten.” Their family grew over the years with two granddaughters and four great grandchildren.

Edna said she enjoyed every minute of her career at C&P, earning her college degree and becoming one of the first women to rise to the executive level in her company. When she and her husband retired at age 55, they bought a condo in Florida to spend part of the year. Her husband was an avid golfer and they belonged to clubs in both states.

In 1992, the couple was among the first residents to move to Heartlands, which was a brand new independent living retirement community. With Edna’s husband recuperating from a bout with cancer, they figured it would be a smart move and after researching the community, they settled on a cottage with a den and screened-in porch. After her husband fully recovered, they moved back to Hampstead. They agreed, however, if one of them passed away the surviving spouse would return to Heartlands.

When this became a reality for Edna, she lived alone for eight years, but decided it was best to move back to Heartlands. Amazed at how much the community had expanded, she moved into an independent living apartment.

“It’s just a place that has touched me as home,” she said. The homelike atmosphere has meant a great deal to Edna who has since moved to an assisted living apartment due to the progression of vision and health problems.

“That is one of the best features about Heartlands,” says Beth Sanchez, director of Marketing. “We have been part of the Ellicott City culture for over 24 years, and we are ‘home’ to over 250 residents. Our residents and their families enjoy-and rely on-the warmth and care that surround them here. We are proud and honored to serve the seniors in our community.”

And Edna has learned how that warmth and care extends to all facets of the community. Since she now has to pay close attention to her diet due to a pancreas problem, she, like Manuel, enjoys the fact that she has three meals a day and the companionship of her friends at meals.

As a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Maryland Federation of Women’s Clubs for six decades, Edna also enjoys the vibrant atmosphere she has found at the Heartlands. With a passion for hobbies, she has access to a range of amenities including the community center that hosts a variety of social functions along with a full-service library and indoor heated pool and spa. She even maintains her outside relationships, particularly assisting her 97-year-old friend who lives in a nearby nursing home.

For others considering a move, Edna offered some sage advice. “I think living at Heartlands is the way to go. When you get here, it’s about how you are going to live your life. There has never been a day I had any sorrow for coming here.”

And coming from either of these individuals, with not only their impressive educational backgrounds, but the choices they made to find a home that has met their individualized needs, these are certainly words of wisdom.

A Great Life with a Home Health Agency

Lauren Searson — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:51:05 +0000

Not many people can say they have reached the milestones that Mabel and Frenis Hoffman have. Married at the ages of 16 and 18, the couple recently celebrated their 71st anniversary. Although they have supported one another throughout the years, they are currently happy to have additional care from a home health agency.

After serving in WWII as a combat infantryman, Frenis taught eighth grade science for 25 years while Mabel worked as a secretary and moved up to management for Montgomery Public Schools. She has also published an autobiography and held the title of Ms. Senior America. The Hoffmans have two children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, most of whom live close by in the Frederick area.

When Frenis began to experience health issues, he quickly learned that a nursing home was not his ideal living arrangement. “He became an accomplished escape artist,” Mabel said of his attempts to leave the facility and get back home.

Mabel then learned of the possibility of home care from her elder law attorney. When he recommended Home Instead Senior Care, the Hoffmans contacted its local franchise serving Frederick, Washington and Carroll Counties.

For the past three years, the home health agency has not only allowed Frenis to live at home, but it has provided Mabel some respite as the caregivers, who help with laundry, cleaning and meal preparation, are always available. “The company is here for us, whatever the needs are,” she said. “They will always ask, ‘Is there anything else I can help you with?’”

Mabel described a situation in which she had an engagement she wanted to attend that conflicted with Frenis’ care schedule. The caregiver said, “I really want you to go do this for yourself.” Confident with the aides, Mabel has peace of mind knowing there is always someone who can look after Frenis.

Their companionship has also enhanced his quality of life as he continues his favorite activities including going to Baker Park to feed the ducks and shooting pool at the senior center. When asked how he felt about spending time with his caregivers, Frenis responded, “I love it!”

As individuals who thrive on their relationships and feel blessed with the memories they have shared, the Hoffmans feel that the individuals at Home Instead are an extension of their family. “We’ve lived a great life and we’ll continue to live a great life with the help of Home Instead,” said Mabel.