Wednesday, April 3, 2002
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Wednesday, April 3, 2002 |
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Fayette Senior Services is being unfairly criticized I would like to express my concern regarding the recent allegations of abuse of the seniors at the Friendship Center and the supposed nonexistent services as stated by past employees and past center attendees. I was employed by Fayette Senior Services as a case manager in late August of 2000. I am a licensed practical nurse. I served in the Air Force for six years and worked in a military hospital that served a very large retired military community. I have worked in nursing homes and hospitals. Before I came to Fayette Senior Services, I worked for an in-home services agency as a staffing coordinator for several years. Part of the staffing coordinators duties were to help our elderly clients get the services that they needed. In all, I've been working with our aged citizens, in one capacity or another, for over 20 years now. As a case manager for Fayette Senior Services, my duties (in a very broad definition) are to visit the homebound and arrange for any services that they may need so that they can remain at home. This includes ordering Meals on Wheels or in-home services such as help with a bath or household chores. There are several issues I would like to address: 1. The alleged abuse of seniors and nonexistent services at the Friendship Center. I am detached from the Friendship Center, as I do not assess the clients who attend the program. A calendar is posted monthly with activities listed. Some of the regularly scheduled activities include trips to the library, trips to Wal-Mart, doctor appointments, Bible study, blood pressure checks, nutrition and wellness classes, and exercise classes. Whenever I pass through the center, I have observed seniors participating in these activities at one time or another. I have seen clients participating in crafts, playing cards, playing dominos, playing bingo, doing crossword puzzles, reading the paper, along with several other activities. I have even seen clients using two of the "nonexistent" sewing machines. Whether the senior participated in any of these activities is strictly up to them. The seniors are treated to a lunch out on occasion. Recently, they all went to the local "Alice in Wonderland" play. I have never seen the seniors doing very little, unless it is their choice. I have never seen a client being "forced" to come to the Friendship Center or upset and crying because they're there. These seniors have the choice whether or not to attend the Center and if the seniors were being abused, why are they still coming? Why haven't their family members called up complaining? Where are the missing services? 2. Nonexistence of in-home services. We currently have a total of 40 homebound clients receiving help with a bath or household chores or both. I order these services to a subcontractor myself. I know the clients are receiving them. Contracting these services outside of our agency is the most cost-effective way of providing them. 3. Nonexistence of help with utilities. There is an Energy Assistance Program that is federally funded and operates out of Clayton County. Whenever I find a client that needs help with utilities, I refer them to this program. There is also a weatherization program that will help "weatherize" a client's home. If the client has other needs, like help with prescriptions, there are several prescription assistance programs that clients are referred to. If the client has an unanticipated monetary need, they are referred to Fayette Samaritans or other entities for assistance. I try every possible avenue to get the help the client needs. 4. Nonexistence of help with home improvement and yard work. There are several individuals and organizations who donate their time and equipment to do home repairs and yardwork. If the senior has a need for this type of assistance, we call on these individuals or organizations. 5. Nonexistence of Meals on wheels program. We currently serve 125 meals per day to homebound seniors. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, these meals are delivered Monday through Friday, rain or shine. We couldn't have a Meals on Wheels program without our volunteers. This is one of the most important services that we provide. Homebound seniors who receive this service depend on these meals. In some cases, it is the only hot meal the senior receives. 6. Nonexistence of information and referral services. Several times a day we receive phone calls from people in the community looking for various services or help for their loved one. We have a large, statewide database and we give them information on the services available or refer them to the agency who can give them the type of help they are looking for. I love my job. I feel that it is more of a ministry and not an actual job. I enjoy going into the clients' homes and visiting with them while arranging for the services that they need. All of us at Fayette Senior Services work as a team to provide our seniors with the best services possible. Andy Carden, Linda Gantert and Kate Calcaterra and all the other employees are the best people I have ever worked with. Their compassion and concern for the seniors is incomparable. While I understand that there are concerns and complaints being voiced by past employees and center attendees, I think that the people of Fayette County need to come to the center and make a decision for themselves. It is very hard for me to believe that someone would say a service does not exist before they even check to see if the service is in place or not. I cannot believe that the citizens of Fayette County would be so quick to judge without actually checking to see if the allegations are true or not. I want to invite all of the people in the community to come and talk to our seniors at the center at any time. They are there from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any and all citizens are welcome to visit. Pat Vermeer, LPN Case Manager Fayette Senior Services, Inc. Griffin
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