The Area Agency on Aging is ready to help sort out your options. The agency's mission is to coordinate and fund services for people age 60 and over. Region IIIA director Judy Sivak says, “We also advocate on issues for elders, including housing, health and employment. We're a resource for information and referral. The most calls we receive are from people wanting our lists of housing resources in the community. Those include subsidized housing, independent living and assisted living.” Sivak adds that the lists include monthly fees, and detail whether dementia or Alzheimer's care, medication assistance or transportation services are available.
Joyce Gansen is a Certified Gerontological Nurse and administrator of Windsor Estates in Kalamazoo and Fountain View Retirement Village of Portage. “We offer the choice for family members not to be caregivers,” Gansen says. “It's often difficult for someone who is losing their independence to also have a wife or daughter giving them a bath, feeding them or taking care of personal needs. They feel like they've lost their dignity and role in the family.” She says it's best to tour different facilities prior to making a decision. “There are times when skilled care is needed, but adult foster care also offers respite or short term stays to give caregivers a break.”
Fountain View is a 38-room long-term care facility. Windsor Estates has two units for long-term care, one of which is a 20-bed comprehensive care facility to serve those with Alzheimer's and related dementias. The parent operation, Leisure Living Companies has 22 alternative care facilities from Traverse City to the Indiana border. The web site for further information is www.leisure-living.com or in Kalamazoo, call 269-327-9595. Another tip from Joyce Gansen: “You should have the family member who needs care properly assessed, so you know what range of services they will require and at what cost,” she says. “Another indicator when a family tours a unit is how the residents respond to the staff. That tells the story.”
A local long-term care ombudsman, John Weir, helps people understand their placement options in nursing homes, homes for the aged and adult foster care. He also works with residents and their families on quality concerns to ensure their rights under state law. “If you are looking at placing a family member, be sure to find out whether it is a licensed facility,” Weir stresses. “With unlicensed facilities, you have only the rights specifically spelled out in your signed contract.” Weir's best advice is to be aware of all the costs and services before you sign on the dotted line. Contact Weir at 269-373-5157 in Kalamazoo County or if you live in Barry, Branch, Calhoun OR St. Joseph counties, you may call toll free 1-800-332-4802. The nationwide Elder Locator hotline is 1-800-677-1116 if you need care resources in another state.
“We also provide information for people who want to stay in their own home or apartment,” Judy Sivak notes. “Our resource list includes nursing, meals, home care aides and light housekeeping. Some are at little or no cost because we help to fund the providers.” The Area Agency on Aging is part of a statewide network. Contacts vary for each region. Call 269-373-5147 in Kalamazoo County or on-line at www.kalcounty.com/aaa/index.htm.
