From the Southbridge Evening News, December 26, 2006
By Rachel Montross, News Staff Writer
CHARLTON—When people think about the needs of the elderly, many imagine their physical and medical requirements. The doctor's appointments. The walkers and the wheelchairs.
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| Summit ElderCare patron and Masonic Home resident Paul Resche has a little snack as he socializes inside the facility's main room. Photo by Shawn Kelley |
What does not always come to mind are the social, recreational, and intellectual stimuli that everyone requires in order to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Inside the new permanent Summit ElderCare facility, providers have taken into consideration the entire spectrum of needs.
"It's really and truly everything in one place," Site Director Valerie Mancini said Friday morning as she began a tour with Executive Director Karen Longo and Director of Marketing Judy Mackey. The three women guided visitors through the new brightly lit and warm building on the Overlook Masonic Health Care Center's campus.
In one corner is a physical therapy center. Next to that is a computer where members can surf the Internet and tables where they can play cribbage. Down the hall are two physical exam rooms specially tailored for geriatric care. Next door to that is the kitchen where members recently participated in a "men vs. women" cookie baking contest.
Summit ElderCare, which is sponsored by the Fallon Community Health Plan, provides medical care, prescription drugs, support services at home, medical transportation and an adult day health center for frail elders over 55 years old.
The day center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and services approximately 65 to 70 members. On any given day, about 25 members visit the center, Mancini said.
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| The Summit ElderCare facility's main room. Photo by Shawn Kelley |
Mancini said she and her staff try to take into account the specific interests of their members when designing activities.
"If they have an interest in something, we pay attention to that," Mancini said. "Patients' rights are big here."
At the same time, the staff provides professional care to ensure the patients stay as active as possible.
"Bingo, trivia, bowling—it's good to keep them moving and singing," Mancini said.
The facility includes a shower designed for those in wheelchairs, a "quiet room" with relaxing chimes for those who want to nap, and a front porch with panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
As she stepped inside, Longo said that for some patients, the porch might represent their only chance to enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment.
Indeed, many patients have told her that before attending the day center, they spent most of their time inside and alone.
The causes a stress both on the individual and caregiver at home, she explained.
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Summit ElderCare Site Director Val Mancini explains the many new features of the facility at the Masonic Home.
Photo by Shawn Kelley |
As an example, she said, one colleague of hers worked a full-time job in addition to providing care for her husband. Once he began coming to Summit ElderCare a few days a week, both of them were greatly relieved.
The staff understands that some caregivers might feel hesitant or even guilty about having their loved ones attend a day center. But they feel confident the socialization and recreational activities the center provides, on top of the expert medical care, should alleviate those concerns.
On Friday, Mancini led a tour through one room where members sat listening to Christmas tunes.
"Paul is our trivia expert," Mancini said as she introduced her guests. "And Jean is our dancer."
Another woman, Clara, said she had originally participated in another ElderCare facility in Worcester, but enjoyed the new center in Charlton.
"I love it here," Clara said.
As the tour continued, a chorus of voices signing Christmas carols could be heard down the hall.