Nursing home project goes before board

The review process on a proposed senior housing campus in Upper Allen Township is moving too fast for at least one potential neighbor.That is how Elaine Daly sees the plan by the Hollinger Group of Mechanicsburg to develop eight acres zoned medium density residential adjacent to her back yard at 385 Alison Ave."I do not object to senior housing, but this is very huge ... There is nothing like that in this part of the township," said Daly during a phone interview Monday."People need to know what is going on to see if this is what they want," she added. "Open it up so people can look at what could happen."As Daly puts it, the proposal would put almost 100 senior apartment units and 48 nursing home rooms "smack dab in the middle" of a residential neighborhood close to Elmwood Elementary School.

Nursing home group opposes stockyards

The proposed relocation of Blue Grass Stockyards to Midway "puts at severe risk" the plans for a new nursing home/assisted-living center in that Woodford County town, according to a non-profit task force that has worked eight years to make the nursing home a reality.

For that reason and others, the Midway City Council passed a resolution this week asking Woodford Fiscal Court to withdraw the fiscal court's application for a text amendment in the county zoning law that would allow the stockyards to move to an industrial park north of Interstate 64.

That amendment must be recommended by the county planning commission and approved by the Midway City Council before the stockyards could move from Lexington.

A public hearing on the text amendment is scheduled for Feb.

Nursing home group opposes stockyards

The proposed relocation of Blue Grass Stockyards to Midway "puts at severe risk" the plans for a new nursing home/assisted-living center in that Woodford County town, according to a non-profit task force that has worked eight years to make the nursing home a reality.

For that reason and others, the Midway City Council passed a resolution this week asking Woodford Fiscal Court to withdraw the fiscal court's application for a text amendment in the county zoning law that would allow the stockyards to move to an industrial park north of Interstate 64.

That amendment must be recommended by the county planning commission and approved by the Midway City Council before the stockyards could move from Lexington.

A public hearing on the text amendment is scheduled for Feb.

Retirement industry heads to Olympia

Legislation aimed at providing guardianship protection and protection from unqualified individuals selling living trusts, as well as the biennial battle to procure more money for health-care providers, top the retirement-related agenda at the Washington Legislatures 2007 session. Richard Sayre, a principal in the law firm of Sayre & Sayre PS, of Spokane, says a proposal to form a state-run public guardianship program, similar to such programs in many other states, would benefit senior citizens who need, but cant afford, a guardian, and also would save money for the state. Guardians often are employed to help the elderly take care of their health and financial affairs. With the program we have now, the court appoints a guardian for elderly individuals who have no children around and no money to pay for a guardian, says Sayre, whos a trustee for the elder-care section of the Washington State Bar Association.

Study's reaction is mixed Care providers worry over state's budget ...

A just-released study that found the state could save millions of dollars by paying more money to home health providers and less to nursing homes is drawing predictably mixed reactions.

"A nursing facility is going to say, 'Hey, we need this money, and home health cannot take care of these people like we can.' And there are cases where that is true. But if you walk into any nursing home, you will see people who just basically need assistance with medications, but maybe for whatever reason the family is not able to do that," said Leslee Mast, superintendent at the Holmes County Home.

Mast brings a unique perspective to the study by the Ohio Council for Home Care, a home health advocacy group. She's in the business of long-term care. But because the Holmes County Home is not state certified, her facility does not receive state funding.

Family caregivers steer through the treacherous learning curve

MOST family caregivers report they are not prepared for some of the responsibilities they face in caring for an older relative, according to a survey by Opinion Research Corporation. Our recent seminars for family caregivers demonstrated that many of them are eager to learn faster.

The survey showed that one-fifth of Americans are now providing unpaid care to an adult relative or friend. Two-thirds of them have been providing care for a year or more, including a quarter of them for more than four years. There were 150 family caregivers registered for our three "Elder Care Decisions and Resources" seminars. Their hunger for information, guidance and support was an inspiration.

Our opening presentation covered difficult decisions a caregiver must make, options and resources for care at or outside the home and the importance of caregiver support and relief.

Senior housing project going downtown

Santa Maria Planning Commissioners say they're excited about a downtown project that would bring a senior assisted-living home to the heart of the city. The commission voted 4-0 Wednesday night to allow the Sun family to develop the project at 117 N. Broadway. The commission's newest member, Adrian Andrade, who was appointed Tuesday night by Councilwoman Hilda Zacarias, abstained from the vote. The applicants are proposing extensive remodeling in their building to create the assisted-living facility on the second floor while keeping the existing furniture store on the ground floor. Though commissioners said they are pleased to see an additional opportunity for seniors to live in the downtown area, Commissioner Lawnae Hunter insisted a condition of approval be added to require some sort of open space for the residents.

Developers dreaming of helping seniors

A few dozen low-income seniors, with fixed incomes vulnerable to escalating rents and mortgages, will soon have another housing option thanks to a tax-credit-assisted project that is coming to market in Wahiawa.
The affordable rental complex, California Avenue Apartments, will hardly satisfy pent-up demand in that market, as its 42 units are just a drop in the bucket compared to the estimated 17,000 or so apartments the state estimates are needed to ease the shortfall in Hawaii's affordable housing.
The developers, a Honolulu partnership named California Dreaming, will host an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the site at 220 California Avenue. Applicants must be age 62 and above, with annual incomes ranging from $24,950 to $28,500. The three-story complex will feature a garden and senior community center as well as a coin-operated laundry on every floor.

Long-term care bill clears Senate

A bill that offers people choices in long-term care easily passed the Senate Thursday, but with only about half the state dollars the original measure called for.Senate File 89, sponsored by the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee, passed the Senate on a 22-6 roll-call vote and now goes to the House.The original bill requested about $7 million in general fund dollars. The bill now allocates about $3.5 million in state money."I would have liked to have had more money, but the Appropriations Committee did a responsible job," said Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, the committee chairman.
He said he expects to be back in the budget session next year to seek increased reimbursement to the people who work in the home- and community-based waiver program for Medicaid recipients.The committee bill included $1.4 million in general fund money for one year and $1.5 million in federal funds for this program.

Hylton Gets Backing For 500 Quest From Retirement Living

Former NASCAR star 72-year-old James Hylton is attempting to make the Daytona 500 and now he's got the backing to go with it.
Retirement Living TV is the primary sponsor of his No. 58 Chevrolet, built and prepared by Richard Childress Racing. Retirement Living TV's message is to inform, involve and inspire fans and improve America's image, attitudes and perception of aging.
It would seem that there would be no better spokesperson than Hylton, who hopes to go down in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest driver to qualify for the Daytona 500.
"This is a perfect sponsorship," said Hylton. "Retirement Living TV believes, like myself, that age should never be a factor in allowing you to reach the highest of accomplishments.

Oldies but goodies on retirement home menu

Sushi, tapas, chili rellenos, foie gras? Not on the menu. At least not at several local retirement facilities.
But they may be in the near future, especially as the roughly 29 million Americans turning 60 this year start to think about retirement. As they choose senior housing, one big consideration will be the food.
"I think it's one of the key criteria," said Maura Ferrigno, executive director of the Inn at Robbins Brook in Acton.
Here's a window into the world of dining in three communities in our area. An admission: I have already eaten my way through a number of dining rooms during the search for my mother's senior housing. Don't expect haute cuisine or upscale restaurant fare, even in affluent communities. This food is for an older generation that dined at their country club on standard American cuisine, with a dash of French, Italian, Chinese, and Southwestern.

Making the tough decision about a care facility

MAKING AND carrying out a decision to place an older relative in an assisted living or skilled care facility can be as difficult as trying to meet their needs at home. Increase your chances of success by using these strategies:
-Decide whether it is time to switch from providing and overseeing care yourself to delegating most of the hands-on care and socialization to a care
facility team. Consider both your relative's and your own capabilities and needs, as well as resources to help with such a decision and transition.
Get guidance and support for your decision. Anticipate how such a change will affect your daily life and feeling of responsibility. If you have been motivated by a do-it-yourself attitude or by guilt, are you prepared to let go and accept your decision?
-Determine the appropriate level of care for your relative.

The highly contagious stomach virus that shut down a hotel near Dulles Airport last weekend cropped up in an Annapolis assisted living facility, which quarantined 15 elderly residents.
There is no story here. I recommend you don't come in. I don't want you to get sick with what they have," Elona Myers, director of the Sunrise Senior Living facility in Annapolis, told The Examiner.
Sunrise quarantined 15 patients with gastroenteritis an inflammation of the intestines and stomach, said Megan Lublin, spokeswoman for Sunrise Senior Living. Quarantined patients are suffering from gastroenteritis and stomach-flu," she said.
Gastroenteritis is caused by norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The highly contagious norovirus is the same infection that caused the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport hotel to close for a floor-to-ceiling disinfection after 120 people were infected.

Plan endorsed for senior community

The North Huntingdon planning commission unanimously endorsed plans Monday night for Colonial Estates, a residential community for seniors proposed for the campus of the existing Redstone Highlands senior care facility on Lincoln Way.
Because site plans have yet to be submitted, planners could not recommend approval by township commissioners.
Public hearings will be required before the project can proceed, Planning Director/Engineer Andrew Blenko said.
The conceptual proposal for Colonial Estates was unveiled by John Dickson, Redstone chief executive officer.
"We just wanted to give you an idea of a unique community; Redstone Highlands is planning to accommodate elderly persons 55 and over who are going through the aging process," Mr. Dickson said. "We're selling lifestyle.

Caring for aging parents and loves ones

The aging process is often accompanied by a number of changes and challenges. A decline in medical or psychological health may necessitate varying levels of assistance with tasks such as personal care, managing medication, scheduling appointments, transportation, preparing meals, paying bills and maintaining the household. Adult children, grandchildren, or friends may be unclear about how to help aging parents maximize their safety, health and independence. Good first steps include learning about aging, establishing good communication with the senior, evaluating the older person's needs, and researching programs and services available in the community. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, family members are the primary long-term caregivers for older people in the country.

Caring for aging parents and loves ones

The aging process is often accompanied by a number of changes and challenges. A decline in medical or psychological health may necessitate varying levels of assistance with tasks such as personal care, managing medication, scheduling appointments, transportation, preparing meals, paying bills and maintaining the household. Adult children, grandchildren, or friends may be unclear about how to help aging parents maximize their safety, health and independence. Good first steps include learning about aging, establishing good communication with the senior, evaluating the older person's needs, and researching programs and services available in the community. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, family members are the primary long-term caregivers for older people in the country.

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Three injured in Petaluma nursing home

A nursing home patient wielding a saw slashed a fellow resident, cut a worker and scraped a police officer Tuesday in a rampage that ended when he was subdued with a stun gun, authorities said.
David J. Cooper, 53, of Petaluma was jailed on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer at Sunrise Assisted Living after seriously injuring a woman who lived at the facility.
Officers found the woman in the lobby with multiple head wounds when they arrived at about 1:30 a.m. Cooper was nearby with a wood-handled tree-trimming hand saw, said Petaluma police Sgt. Matthew Stapleton.
As police closed in on Cooper, he threw a wheelchair down a stairwell at them and tossed his saw at an officer. Police fired bean bags and a Taser gun to subdue him.

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Criminal Proceedings Suspended Against Assisted Living Patient

Criminal proceedings were suspended this morning against a man accused of slashing a woman in a Petaluma assisted living facility with a pruning saw Tuesday.
Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Rene Chouteau ordered an exam to determine whether 53-year-old David J. Cooper is mentally competent to stand trial for assault. A hearing on the report is scheduled for Feb. 16.
Cooper has been living in Sunrise Assisted Living in Petaluma since December because he lacks the capacity to take care of himself and has been placed under conservatorship, according to attorney Bill Adams of the Sonoma County Counsel's office. He is entitled to live in the least restrictive facility available, Adams said.
Petaluma police said Cooper allegedly assaulted a female resident and an employee of the facility.

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Senior housing project going downtown

Santa Maria Planning Commissioners say they're excited about a downtown project that would bring a senior assisted-living home to the heart of the city. The commission voted 4-0 Wednesday night to allow the Sun family to develop the project at 117 N. Broadway. The commission's newest member, Adrian Andrade, who was appointed Tuesday night by Councilwoman Hilda Zacarias, abstained from the vote. The applicants are proposing extensive remodeling in their building to create the assisted-living facility on the second floor while keeping the existing furniture store on the ground floor. Though commissioners said they are pleased to see an additional opportunity for seniors to live in the downtown area, Commissioner Lawnae Hunter insisted a condition of approval be added to require some sort of open space for the residents.

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Mixed reviews for proposed senior living community

Traffic, lighting and tree coverage were among the issues residents raised during the first public hearing on the New England Deaconess Association’s proposal for a senior living community at the former BIIC property off Route 2.
The association formally presented its detailed plans for the 197-unit project, broken down between a congregate building, a number of clustered cottages, two existing buildings on site and a 30-unit rental building that counts toward affordable housing, at the Planning Board meeting Jan. 31.
The board will revisit the issue at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Town Offices and will conduct a site walk at 19 Cambridge Turnpike at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.
The proposal, named The Groves of Lincoln after the grove of apple trees on the site that many have asked be protected, remains similar to that which Town Meeting voted on last fall.

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