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Making a House a Home
Ruth* grew up in one of the many valleys that wind their way gently beneath the mountains of central Pennsylvania. Born, almost a century ago, on the same plot of land that had been her parents, and her grandparents before them, Ruth properly claimed this piece of land as her own. There she and her husband weathered the joys and tragedies of life; the great depression, children born and children lost, the hard life of farming and the more challenging work away from the farm. Ruth experienced the shared love of husband and friends; family, church and community. That small farmhouse in that quiet and gentle valley became her home. The aromas of the kitchen, the hand sewn drapes, the split and stockpiled firewood, the canned harvests of many summers, the special chair in the “sitting room”; they all were fruits of her labor and her life. This was her home; a representation of her soul, heart and spirit. In November, of 2007, that all changed. Her life-long partner died, leaving her alone with no family close by, all having long ago left the valley in search of work and adventure. Ruth, at that point entering her ninth decade of life, was herself failing in health. Considered legally blind and with advanced diabetes Ruth found it difficult to continue to maintain and care for herself, or for the place she had called home for so long. Through her pastor, Ruth was introduced to the House of Care. With anxious uncertainty Ruth made perhaps the biggest move of her life. With open arms and a caring spirit we welcomed Ruth into our house. There we have shaped together a new home, different from that home she knew for so many years. Here she shares her home with four other individuals with similar stories. Each finding their way through the journey of lost loved ones, loss of health, and limited capabilities. Each learning new ways to find comfort and contentment in the midst of their loneliness, separation, and quite often, confusion. All residents at the House of Care are encouraged to remain as independent as they possibly can. Twice a week, or as needed, our staff does the laundry of each resident. Ruth insists on folding and putting away her own; each sock and piece of clothing folded and stored just as she had done for those many decades. Ruth, though with limited eyesight, has developed a system monitored by staff, that allows her to administer her own medications. Ruth finds comfort in remaining independent as possible with the knowledge that the House of Care staff is there to support her as needed. An occasional bingo game, or the special treat of a game of horseshoes, provides Ruth with social and physical activity. Her new family, in her new home, share together in the day to day activities of living. When one resident is ill or having difficulties it affects everyone. Shared words of encouragement or support are freely expressed even as each person deals with their own difficulties or limitations. With clear consensus, all residents of the House of Care would say they never envisioned spending their final years in a personal care home. Yet just as clearly, they have all embraced this reality in their own unique ways and have shaped the House of Care into their home. The same pictures that sat on Ruth’s table, or hung on her walls for so many years, are now on the tables and walls that surround us. The aromas may not be quite the same, the drapes are most likely “store bought”, and there is no longer a need for splitting firewood or canning tomatoes. Yet Ruth is encouraged to share her stories of the past and find ways to bridge with the staff and other residents into her new life and experience of living. Stop by and say hello sometime, you’ll likely find Ruth rocking on the front porch or watering the house plants. She’ll be glad to welcome you into her home. -Phil Jones, Administrator/Executive Director, 2009-2011 *The resident’s name in this story has been changed in respect for his privacy and in compliance with all HIPAA laws. A Safe Haven
George came to the House of Care in April of 2010. He had numerous serious health problems and a mental health diagnosis that made it difficult for him to independently complete the activities of daily living such as cooking nutritious meals, showering regularly, laundering his clothes, and remaining compliant with his doctor’s orders regarding medication and therapy. His parents are elderly and live in an assisted living facility. A social worker brought George to us because he had been dismissed from the Strawberry Fields program for non-compliance with the house rules, non-compliance with taking meds or going to therapy, and for not being able to cook and clean for himself. The House of Care staff provides high quality, high touch care ensuring that each resident receives special and individualized attention. This creates a safe, supportive family-like atmosphere at the House of Care. We have been able to help George remain in compliance with House rules and follow his doctor's orders for medication and therapy, ensuring that George continues to meet his highest health potential while living in a safe, secure and loving home. We also provide him with all of his meals, specifically designed to his nutritional needs, so that he maintains a healthy weight per his doctor’s wishes. We also help George by assisting him with daily tasks of living such as his laundry and reminding him to bathe at least twice a week. We are proud to share that George volunteers weekly at Schlow Library and keeps active by walking. When George was younger he was a music student at Penn State, and aspired to be a composer. To this day, if he hears classical music playing on the radio he will tell you who the composer of the music is. He really enjoys the monthly Sing-Alongs at the House provided to us by volunteers from the Good Shepherd church. In the fall of 2011, George’s parents visited the House of Care and shared with the House Administrator, Audrey Smith, how grateful they are for the House, the care that George has received, and that they have not seen George look this good in 20 years. This is what the House of Care does best: we provide highly individualized care helping our residents live their best lives regardless of current and future health needs. We provide the family members of these residents with peace of mind that their loved one is in a safe, secure and loving home. And we provide a home to these residents who have nowhere else to go. -Audrey Smith, Administrator/Executive Director, 2011-present *The resident’s name in this story has been changed in respect for his privacy and in compliance with all HIPAA laws. The House of Care is a Family
Dave*, a 71 year old resident has called House of Care home since 2008. Dave’s brother and Power of Attorney informed us in 2013 that Dave’s fiscal situation had changed dramatically. Dave’s meager personal savings had expired and his only income was social security, which provided only $475 a month to ensure Dave’s basic needs are met (food, clothing, shelter). Since Dave resides at the House, you know, his needs exceed that of the most basic of needs. Dave must have assistance with the activities of daily life including strict monitoring of his complex medication and dietary needs. Dave takes 11 medications daily and must receive dialysis treatments three times a week. Dialysis is particularly challenging for Dave. The treatments leave him weak and exhausted requiring additional assistance on those days. And on those days the staff gladly helps the normally independent Dave to use the elevator to return to his second story room. We at the House of Care work to personalize his care and provide small creature comforts that allow Dave to live his best life. He has a passion for cars, enjoys reading Motortrend magazine and sitting on the porch identifying the cars as they pass. Due to significant diet restrictions one of the special treats Dave enjoys is taking a bite of fresh tomato from House of Care’s own garden. Dave’s only remaining family is his brother who lives in Canada and has no means to physically or financially support Dave. And that is what we do so well at House of Care; we provide quality compassionate care to all we serve regardless of his or her ability to pay. We also provide more; we provide a family to celebrate birthdays, Christmas presents, Valentine’s day cards, treks to the ball park, endless copies of Motortrend magazine and all the ‘little’ things that provide our residents with a sense of home, well being and knowing that they are not alone. We at the House of Care are committed to ensuring that Dave remains in the home and with his House of Care family that he has known for so long. Due to his sudden change in finances it leaves the House of Care with a shortfall in our operating budget. We hope you will help us help Dave by covering the cost or partial cost of this deficit by making a gift of $100.00, ensuring that the House of Care can continue to provide our services regardless of our resident’s ability to pay. - Audrey Smith, Administrator/Executive Director, 2011-present *The resident’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. |
Someone to Watch Over Me
If you visit the House of Care, the first resident you meet will probably be Tom*. Tom is very friendly and outgoing, and can often be found sitting on the front porch chatting with other residents or passersby, out in our garden tending to the vegetables he has planted in the raised garden bed, or feeding the birds and squirrels. Tom used to work in a local quarry and then in maintenance at Penn State, but had to leave both of those jobs because of the frequent seizures he suffered. After he retired, he was living at a rural personal care home, chopping wood and tending the grounds and building birdhouses to keep himself busy, but the home got shut down by DPW for regulation violations. Because Tom had nowhere else to go, Tom’s niece took him in, but soon found that the care and supervision he required was far too much for her to handle as a single mom who owned and operated her own business. You see, Tom has Type 2 Diabetes, and a brain injury in his past has left him with impaired judgment. One day his niece came home to find that Tom had purchased and eaten an entire shoofly pie in one sitting, and his blood glucose level was dangerously high. She knew that it was not safe for Tom to keep living with her when she could not be home 24 hours a day 7 days a week to help Tom make healthy life choices. The Office of Aging referred Tom and his niece to the House of Care. Here we have a dedicated, trained and caring staff on site 24/7/365 to help Tom manage his health and safety by making his meals, administering his medications, and transporting him to doctor appointments. The staff also does his laundry, cleans his room and provides Tom with a stimulating activity program every day, including opportunities to go to local baseball games and other community events. Tom has developed very close relationships with the other residents and staff. He often says, “I love the House of Care. I don’t ever want to leave here.” Since the year 2000, House of Care has provided a caring home to 65 central Pennsylvania residents with very low income who require assistance with activities of daily living. Your generous support allows residents like Tom to live without the fear of having no one to watch over them. Please visit our website at http://www.houseofcare.org to learn more and to make your tax-deductible donation today. And be sure to visit the residents at 515 W Beaver Avenue -- we'd love to show you the impact of your generosity! -Audrey Smith, Administrator/Executive Director, 2011-present *The resident’s name in this story has been changed in respect for his privacy and in compliance with all HIPAA laws Angels
Becky*believes in angels. She is a life-long, devout Catholic and raised her family in the faith. Becky’s belief that angels are watching over her is a great comfort to her. Becky lived in a quiet farming valley in central Pennsylvania, with her husband, daughter and son. At some point, a mental health disorder began to take its toll on Becky, creating problems for her family and marriage. Things got worse after her 4 year old daughter tragically died from a childhood illness. Eventually her husband left her, and filed for divorce. It was hard for Becky to manage her household and her health on her own. When Becky’s parents and siblings became too ill to assist her with the tasks of daily living, her now-grown son tried to take over the role of visiting caretaker. However, he realized in 2009 that he did not have the time and resources required to meet all of his mother’s needs. Becky needed a safe place to live where she could get all the care she needed every day. The local Office of Aging publishes a booklet with potential housing resources for older adults, and in that book, Becky read about the House of Care. Her son called to set up a tour and pre-admission screening, and after the visit, they knew they had found Becky’s new home. Becky’s bedroom at the House of Care is full of angel knick-knacks. There is a little angel that plays music on her bedside table, a beautiful angel that lights up perched on Becky’s TV, another angel holds a candlestick, and yet another watches over Becky from its spot on a shelf. A year ago Becky was talking to me about angels, and she told me that one Christmas Eve many years ago, the sky was full of angels (including one who looked like her daughter), and they were singing to her. She tried to speak to the little angel, but they all vanished. Becky said, “Next time I will just listen.” Each day the House of Care staff provides personal care services to the residents who come to this special place: a bedroom of their own, nutritious meals, laundry and cleaning services, opportunities for stimulating activities, assistance with medication administration, transport to appointments and special events, friendly conversation, listening ears and open hearts. All come to us with physical or mental health limitations, and without the financial and family support needed to live on their own. As the only non-profit personal care home in the region to serve this special population, the House of Care fills a critical role for our community. Our mission to these dear people would simply not be possible without the generous support of donors. Would you please consider becoming one of our angels, whose financial support makes it possible for the staff at the House of Care to watch over Becky and the other residents? - Audrey Smith, Administrator/Executive Director, 2011-present *The resident’s name in this story has been changed in respect for her privacy. A Wide Door
Since 2000, the House of Care has provided service and care to Centre County residents with limited life expectancies who find themselves without sufficient finances or family support for other community options. Known as “a personal care home with a heart,” we provide the physical, emotional and spiritual care they need, and we become their home. In early summer 2009 Adam* was one of those who passed through our door. Adam had no family, no real roots and a string of mental health and physical diagnoses as long as his six foot frame. Adam came to us with limited social skills and a brilliant smile. He fit right in. Over the course of the next few months Adam stretched our staff in so many ways. Adam, who shared so few words, used them with care and with meaning. Adam was an artist, a creator. He shaped with his hands from simple molding clay things and objects his mind and voice could not always communicate. His creations spoke clearly of his deeper abilities. Unique as he was, his story was not so different from that of many of our House of Care family. First there were signs of changing behavior--slower to move in the morning, changes in appetite, loss of continence, and fewer smiles. Though the pain must have been significant Adam rarely complained. One doctor visit followed another, one test confirmed another, and finally after his body was consumed by the disease, his bladder cancer was diagnosed. We went with him to these doctor’s visits, our hearts fell with each confirmation. One emergency room visit, then another, and with the last one he was not able to pass through our door again. We sat by his bedside in the hospital, inquired as to whether he could come home and spend his last days with his family, and in the end said prayers together and held his hand as he let go of his time on this earth. Adam had no family outside the walls of The House of Care. His family became those who had passed through our doors. Staff, volunteers, home health nurses, emergency response personnel, and anyone else who had provided personal care to Adam, became his family. We went to the funeral home to identify his body and collect his ashes. We notified the appropriate legal entities to stop his government checks and close his accounts. We wrote his obituary, and on a quiet evening we gathered in our living room and held a memorial service of celebration to honor the unique memory of our friend. He came through our door, and we cared and changed together. We invite you to please consider a gift in support of The House of Care and help us to continue to serve the “Adams” of our community. -Phil Jones, Administrator/Executive Director, 2009-2011 *The resident’s name in this story has been changed in respect for his privacy and in compliance with all HIPAA laws. |
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