April 23, 2008
Secure@Home
Linda Meisel
Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children's Service of
Greater Mercer County
Minutes of the 29th Meeting of the 66th Year
At 10:15 AM, President Giordmaine called to order at the Friend Center the 29th meeting of our 66th year. Approximately 80 members attended. George Hansen led the invocation. Rosemary O’Brien read the part of her minutes relevant to last week’s talk by Ambassador Barbara Bodine: “Beyond the Beyond the Bush Doctrine; The United States and the Persian Gulf.” Guests were introduced: Bruno Walmsley’s sister, Catherine Carter; Barnie Barnhart’s friend Will Lybrand, Scott McVay’s wife, Hella, and their friend, Mary Bundy.
Scott McVay encouraged members to attend the upcoming “Conversation” with Edward Albee at the James Stewart Theatre. He further suggested that members now frame for Mr. Albee some questions toward which he might focus his attention during that event. Joe Giordmaine announced that the Nominating Committee will report at next week’s meeting. Current members of the Nominating Committee are Joe Bolster, John Lasley, Henry King and Harvey Rothberg.
Scott McVay then introduced the speaker, Linda Meisel, Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County. Scott introduced, as well, Linda Meisel’s colleagues Jill Jaclin and Beth Hammer. Conjecturing that Ms. Meisel’s talk would be germane to all, Scott described the program “Secure@Home” as a rising star among late-life options. He commented that Linda Meisel’s long experience in social service and her exceptional understanding of the older population have earned her wide recognition as a valuable resource.
Having quickly ascertained the significant percentage of Old Guard. members who still live in the same place that they inhabited at the age of sixty-five, Ms. Meisel explained that because of the changing demography of our community, older people want to remain in the community where they have developed their careers, friendships, networks and connections to a whole variety of institutions that have been a significant part of their lives for many years. These relationships constitute “Home.” This is where they want to be, despite the inevitable impediments provoked by the aging process.
Research tells us that when people remain connected with people whom they know, perhaps through their social, professional or personal experiences, they have a support system in place that leads to better health...particularly emotional health. They know that there are familiar faces that will shine on them when they have to cope with things that afflict them in this stage of life: ill health, loss of a loved one, loss of mobility, loneliness, etc. They can continue to use their long-term health providers. Also, they can plumb their depths and enrich their community in the forms of volunteerism or consumerism.
Research also finds that optimism and effective coping styles are considered far more effective than traditional measures offered to ensure health and wellness. When older people remain in a community where they have a history and have shared their lives, their capacity to be fully and positively engaged lasts longer. Increasingly, people tend to remain in their homes and beloved communities as long as they possibly can.
Ms. Meisel then presented – with powerpoint visual aid - the non-sectarian program entitled Secure@Home as a way for elderly people to coordinate the services they need to maintain their lifestyle while living at home. Responding to research, surveys and the lessons learned from other organizations, Secure@Home seeks to ensure peace of mind, security, independence, professionalism, and advocacy.
How does Secure@Home accomplish all this? The services, coordinated by an experienced professional team, are custom-made to meet the needs of members and to enable them to remain at home. The program thus alleviates the concerns that family members and caregivers may have for their aging parents.
Some examples: Home safety is assessed and improved. Care of plants and pets is offered when you are absent. Monthly “Hellos” by telephone keep you in touch with resources. Care management is provided in cases of illness or unexpected need.
Counseling is available regarding issues and decisions that loom. Lectures about end-of-life wishes, plans, distributions, etc. are helpful, as well as lectures that address cultural and wellness subjects. You can take advantage of transportation to theatres, doctors’offices and friends. You can call upon Secure@Home to clean your gutters, weed your garden, placate your adult children. They will even take on your entire family, if necessary! Ms. Meisel clarified that Secure@Home provides basic services, education and resources for home care ...not home care itself.
All in all, Secure@Home offers a comforting and useful hand, as enthusiastically confirmed by Mary Bundy during the following question-and-answer period. Other questions regarding membership, cost, competition, scope, end-of-life care, grief management and estate planning were posed. Ms. Meisel fielded them all. She and her colleagues were happy to provide further information, both written and verbal, after this interesting session that ended at 11:30 AM.
Respectively submitted,
Juliana S.C. McIntyre
Scott McVay encouraged members to attend the upcoming “Conversation” with Edward Albee at the James Stewart Theatre. He further suggested that members now frame for Mr. Albee some questions toward which he might focus his attention during that event. Joe Giordmaine announced that the Nominating Committee will report at next week’s meeting. Current members of the Nominating Committee are Joe Bolster, John Lasley, Henry King and Harvey Rothberg.
Scott McVay then introduced the speaker, Linda Meisel, Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County. Scott introduced, as well, Linda Meisel’s colleagues Jill Jaclin and Beth Hammer. Conjecturing that Ms. Meisel’s talk would be germane to all, Scott described the program “Secure@Home” as a rising star among late-life options. He commented that Linda Meisel’s long experience in social service and her exceptional understanding of the older population have earned her wide recognition as a valuable resource.
Having quickly ascertained the significant percentage of Old Guard. members who still live in the same place that they inhabited at the age of sixty-five, Ms. Meisel explained that because of the changing demography of our community, older people want to remain in the community where they have developed their careers, friendships, networks and connections to a whole variety of institutions that have been a significant part of their lives for many years. These relationships constitute “Home.” This is where they want to be, despite the inevitable impediments provoked by the aging process.
Research tells us that when people remain connected with people whom they know, perhaps through their social, professional or personal experiences, they have a support system in place that leads to better health...particularly emotional health. They know that there are familiar faces that will shine on them when they have to cope with things that afflict them in this stage of life: ill health, loss of a loved one, loss of mobility, loneliness, etc. They can continue to use their long-term health providers. Also, they can plumb their depths and enrich their community in the forms of volunteerism or consumerism.
Research also finds that optimism and effective coping styles are considered far more effective than traditional measures offered to ensure health and wellness. When older people remain in a community where they have a history and have shared their lives, their capacity to be fully and positively engaged lasts longer. Increasingly, people tend to remain in their homes and beloved communities as long as they possibly can.
Ms. Meisel then presented – with powerpoint visual aid - the non-sectarian program entitled Secure@Home as a way for elderly people to coordinate the services they need to maintain their lifestyle while living at home. Responding to research, surveys and the lessons learned from other organizations, Secure@Home seeks to ensure peace of mind, security, independence, professionalism, and advocacy.
How does Secure@Home accomplish all this? The services, coordinated by an experienced professional team, are custom-made to meet the needs of members and to enable them to remain at home. The program thus alleviates the concerns that family members and caregivers may have for their aging parents.
Some examples: Home safety is assessed and improved. Care of plants and pets is offered when you are absent. Monthly “Hellos” by telephone keep you in touch with resources. Care management is provided in cases of illness or unexpected need.
Counseling is available regarding issues and decisions that loom. Lectures about end-of-life wishes, plans, distributions, etc. are helpful, as well as lectures that address cultural and wellness subjects. You can take advantage of transportation to theatres, doctors’offices and friends. You can call upon Secure@Home to clean your gutters, weed your garden, placate your adult children. They will even take on your entire family, if necessary! Ms. Meisel clarified that Secure@Home provides basic services, education and resources for home care ...not home care itself.
All in all, Secure@Home offers a comforting and useful hand, as enthusiastically confirmed by Mary Bundy during the following question-and-answer period. Other questions regarding membership, cost, competition, scope, end-of-life care, grief management and estate planning were posed. Ms. Meisel fielded them all. She and her colleagues were happy to provide further information, both written and verbal, after this interesting session that ended at 11:30 AM.
Respectively submitted,
Juliana S.C. McIntyre