Attleboro Community: Senior living tailored to your individual lifestyle

by June Portnoy

Attleboro Community offers independent living for active adults, personal care for those needing assistance with daily living, and skilled nursing and rehabilitation for those requiring 24-hour skilled care for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care needs.

“Our independent living, personal care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation work together as a Continuing Care Retirement Community,” says Mary Kender, Executive Director of Attleboro Community.

Today, one can choose either a lease or a Type C contract allowing for the flexibility and individual lifestyle preference. Both of these options enable individuals to stay on campus for the continuum of their care or to move closer to family if/when increased services are required and family proximity is desired. Both plans work very well with all forms of long-term care insurance.

An Attleboro Village, lease option requires no entrance fee.

Residents can enjoy a carefree lifestyle and all the services and amenities offered in a well-appointed independent living community. Beautiful and spacious studios, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments with abundant closets and large balconies are available for immediate occupancy.

Residents desiring a C Contract will select an entrance fee with a 90% refundable or declining balance. Residents have the option of using the refundable portion for a higher level of care on campus, or have it returned directly to them.

This entrance fee makes residents eligible for a fully upgraded apartment with a location of their choice. Plus, they receive priority placement at The Brunswick or Attleboro Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, as well as coordination of health services throughout the campus. 

All residents receive an inviting continental breakfast and a dinner served restaurant-style with a choice of dining venues. 

Other amenities include transportation to doctor’s appointments, shopping and local attractions at no additional fee, and a variety of engaging recreational activities to stimulate their mind, body and soul. 

Attleboro is “right-sized” for those seeking a warm and friendly feel in a charming environment. It takes little time to feel at home. It is conveniently located, with easy access to shopping, hospitals, cultural and recreational attractions. 

“We feel that our Attleboro team members set us apart from other retirement communities,” says Mary. “We are so proud of the longevity of our caring and dedicated staff. We are like a family with a strong bond between those who live and work in this community.”

For all these reasons, it’s no surprise that 100% of those responding to a recent survey said that Attleboro met and exceeded their expectations.                      

For more information, call Attleboro Community, located at 290 East Winchester Avenue in Langhorne, at 215-750-7575 or visit www.attleborovillage.com.

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Summer heat and older adults

submitted by Gregg Rackin, President, Care Plus More Homecare Agency, www.careplusmore.com

Summertime and warmer weather can often pose a variety of risks, especially for older adults. According to John Hopkins Health After 50 Magazine, as the temperature outside becomes warmer, older adults are likely to suffer from: inability to regulate internal body temperature, increased risk of heart failure, and complications related to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

In addition to these risks, high temperatures can also interfere with older adults who are prescribed diuretics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and anti-cholinergics.

The most important step in helping to alleviate heat related medical issues is having access to a cool environment, particularly one with air conditioning.

Older adults suffering from respiratory illnesses are at an especially increased risk during the warmer months. Inhaling hot air has been shown to inflame the airways of those suffering from respiratory conditions such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Heat stroke is another potentially fatal consequence of the warmer summer months.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms related to heat stroke, which include: hot and dry skin, confusion and disorientation, rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, trouble breathing, and extreme headaches.

Thankfully, avoiding heat related medical complications can be largely avoidable. By remaining hydrated, avoiding outside exposure during particularly warm times, and making sure your home is air-conditioned; your risk of costly and potentially fatal heat related emergencies can be lowered significantly.

The information provided in this article is not indented to provide advice on personal medical matters or to substitute for consultation with a physician.

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Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force’s 10th Anniversary recognized by Commissioners

On March 20th at its meeting in Doylestown, the Bucks County Board of Commissioners issued a Proclamation recognizing the important accomplishments of the Bucks County Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force over the course of its first 10 years.

The task force was established in 2003 by then-district attorney Diane E. Gibbons in response to the elder abuse murder case that arose out of the September 2000 death of 83-year-old Alzheimer’s patient William J. Neff Sr. at a personal care home.

Former Assistant DA David Zellis accepted the proclamation along with Consumer Protection Director Mike Bannon and Judge Diane Gibbons.

“We have been able to protect those citizens who are not able to protect themselves,” said Judge Gibbons.

The Bucks County Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force is a multi-disciplinary team that reviews, investigates, prosecutes and works to prevent crimes against older adults.

[Read more...]

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Live the good life at Center Square Towers

Center Square Towers is a comfortable place to call home for active adults 62+. The Towers hosts weekly trips to fun places around Bucks County, such as Peddler’s Village, Philadelphia Park Casino, and Cracker Barrel. 

There’s even a complimentary private shuttle service to take residents to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments or anywhere else in a five-mile radius. The studio and one-bedroom apartments come with large balconies, central air conditioning and heating and fully equipped kitchens. 

Residents can also sign up for the yearly meal plan featuring dishes prepared by professional chefs.  Residents can meet with neighbors for a game of bridge or scrabble in the card room or in the billiards room for a quick game of eight-ball after dinner.

There’s also a Nintendo Wii room with a flat-screen TV and a craft room.

Give Center Square Towers a call at 215-298-0254.

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McVillage Pub a big hit

SPRING VILLAGE

 

Residents of Spring Village at Floral Vale, a 48-bed Memory Care Community in Yardley, enjoyed a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day. Their well-known Town Square was transformed into The McVillage Pub.

Irish food, music, dancing and entertainment took top billing for the day. Resident’s and their guests all had a twinkle in their eyes as the community celebrated.

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Residents prep for “Treasure Day” Flea Market At The Arbors At Buck Run

Residents took class in “chalk painting,” the new rage for decorating wooden pieces, to prepare picture frames they will sell at a community-wide flea market to be hosted by The Arbors at Buck Run on Saturday, May 4th, from 9:00am to noon, 1730 Buck Road in Feasterville/Trevose.

The class was taught by Lower Bucks resident Susanne Kelly, who will also teach the public her “Savvy Susanne DIY” tricks for turning yard sale castoffs into beautifully restored furniture. Sellers are urged to sign up right away for the limited table spaces.

The $10 table fee will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. To reserve, call 215-322-4960.

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Encore Medical Staffing: Providing the highest quality caregivers for your aging parents

ENCORE PROFILE

 

by June Portnoy

Caring for your aging parents can be incredibly demanding and time consuming, especially if you have a full-time job. And if you have children, you now have two households to run.

Yet, you want your parents to remain at home to experience the best quality of life possible. If you’re feeling overwhelmed caring for your parents while maintaining your own life, it’s time to call Encore Medical Staffing. 

This non-medical staffing home care agency will assign one or more qualified caregivers to your loved ones so they receive the attention they need to remain at home when you can’t be there. These caregivers are either registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or certified nursing assistants (CNAs). 

“While many other agencies hire home health aids (HHAs), I never staff anyone below a CNA level because I don’t believe HHAs have the skill sets necessary to handle unexpected emergencies,” says owner, Dr. Stuart Lakernick. “If I don’t trust a caregiver to care for my parents, I won’t send them to care for yours.”

You’ll receive the highest quality caregivers from Encore who each receive extensive background checks and drug testing before they are hired. In addition, they are required to complete competency tests to access their knowledge of caregiving.

Once Encore sends a caregiver to watch over your parents, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing they are with competent professionals who will keep your loved ones safe.

While most agencies, require a four-hour minimum, Encore only asks for a one-hour minimum, so its caregiver can fill in a small gap of unattended time if needed. On the flip side, if your parents are bedbound, Encore can provide caregivers 24/7, every day of the week. 

“We strive to provide continuity by rotating the same caregivers everyday, so your parents become comfortable with them,” says Dr. Lakernick. “If your parents need round-the-clock care, there will never be a moment when your parents are left alone because we offer total supervision.”

Caregivers can assist your loved ones with bathing, toileting, dressing and overall personal hygiene so they look and feel their best. In addition, they can prepare meals, do light housekeeping, offer medication reminders and accompany your parents to their doctor appointments.

Most importantly, they are trained to recognize if something is suddenly wrong with your parents, and know how to handle the situation.

If your family member is at a nursing home, but you want him to have some extra care, Encore will send a caregiver there to offer that one-on-one personal attention that they won’t receive at a nursing home.

All caregivers are fully insured employees of Encore, so if they get hurt at your home, it is Encore’s responsibility, not yours, to pay for their medical treatment.

No matter what time you call Encore you will never get an answering machine. Instead, a live staffing coordinator will answer your call directly 24/7, 365 days a week to find the assistance you need to care for your elderly folks.

If you can’t go another day without the peace of mind of knowing your elderly parents are okay while you’re not with them, call Encore Medical Staffing now at 267-288-5212 or email northeast@encoremedicalstaffing.com.

For additional information, visit www.encoremedicalstaffing.com.

Encore is licensed by the state of PA.

PHOTO CAP: Dr. Stuart Lakernick with Jenna and Peggy of Encore Medical Staffing

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Elderly Bensalem woman’s wish for craft supplies is granted

Twilight PR Judith Szabo, 74, recently had her wish for card-making supplies granted, thanks to Doylestown-based nonprofit, Twilight Wish Foundation. 

Judith enjoys making homemade cards for every occasion, often giving them to other residents in her government-subsidized senior housing facility for their own use. She also decorates her building’s bulletin board with a monthly birthday wish for other residents celebrating their birthdays and puts out candy treats for the other residents in her building. 

Doing these things gives Judith great pleasure, but because she lives on a fixed income, she often can’t afford the cost of replenishing her card-making supplies. 

Judith’s case manager, Bernadette O’Connor, submitted the wish for craft supplies on her behalf. 

Judith has lived a life full of service to others, raising four children and working as an LPN until she was injured in a car accident and unable to continue working. Despite being wheelchair-bound, she still is able to help out one of her daughters who was recently paralyzed following spinal surgery, cooking for her and providing emotional support. 

She also helps out in another daughter’s bakery during the holiday season, answering phones and taking orders. 

Her wish was granted last month when several representatives from Twilight Wish presented Judith with a gift basket full of supplies and a gift card to A.C. Moore.

If you would like to nominate a deserving senior or get involved with Twilight Wish, visit the website at www.twilightwish.org or call 215-230-8777 x104.

PHOTO CAP: Judith Szabo

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Paying for care

submitted by Gregg Rackin, Care Plus More, www.careplusmore.com

“Long-term care” means the health and support services that we may need as we age or become disabled. Long-term care may include care provided in a person’s home, such as home health care, in-home companion care and household tasks. Long-term care may also be provided in a residential facility, such as a nursing home, assisted living or continuing care community. 

Many people believe that Medicare will cover the cost of nursing home care or home care. But it is important to know that Medicare and most private health insurance cover only limited, medically necessary care.

Only Long Term Care Insurance policies will assist with these expenses.

Medicare does not cover personal care – assistance with bathing, dressing, or supervision for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and so forth.


The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care (www.longtermcare.gov) offers information to help consumers plan ahead for future needs, select the right level of care, and locate resources. Information includes:

Planning ahead for long-term care includes understanding the financial resources that can help.

You can also check out benefitscheckup.org, which is a free service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization in Washington, DC. This site asks questions to help identify benefits that could save you money.

After answering the questions, you will get a report created just for you that describes the programs you may get help from. You can apply for many of the programs online or you can print an application form.

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‘Medicare Made Easy’ – Free seminars at local libraries

Howard Peck of Senior Insurance Solutions, an agency based in Green Lane, PA, will be hosting free 60-minute seminars explaining all of your Medicare options in a clear and straightforward manner at local libraries next month.

Whether you are turning 65 or over 65 and still working with retirement in sight, you will find these seminars extremely informative and entertaining.

Topics covered will include: Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, MediGap, Part ‘D’ Drug Plans and the guidelines to the different Enrollment Periods …along with plenty of time for Q & A.

Howard is a Pennsylvania Licensed Insurance Broker who specializes almost exclusively in Medicare Planning. He is a member of the National Association of Medicare Supplement Advisors and the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance. Howard has been holding these successful seminars since 2008. 

The seminars are for educational purposes only and the selling of Medicare Supplement Plans will not be offered!

The Current Seminars are: April 23rd, 7:00pm at the Northampton Library in Richboro; April 24th, 7:00pm at the Free Library of Southampton in Feasterville; and April 29th, 7:00pm at the Southampton Library in Southampton.

For more information or to RSVP call Senior Insurance Solutions at 267-923-5281.

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